Rachelle E.

Adorable invite! And what a great way to celebrate your bachelorette-hood!?!? lol!! Cheers to you! Maybe I'll break out some wine that day to celebrate. . .and apparently, 9am isn't too early! If anyone asks what's up w/ my morning drinking, I'll just tell them that Christine is doing it!

Just wanted to chime in and say that I think they're really cute too! I'm very impressed. . .they really do look like something you would have to have made. . .your guests are going to love them.

omg!! That is absolutely priceless!! How perfect! I can't imagine a more satistying reaction!! She must be SO thrilled. .. has she seen these yet? Good job Lenita!! And good job to you too Jill! You are one "on the ball" photographer. . .thanks for giving us all these fun sneak peeks!!

First of all, I wanted to say that I think the invites look great! The ribbon w/ the brads is cute and different, but a little seal like Christine's would be cute too...would it be any simpler or easier than putting the brad's through the ribbon? SOooooo cute! Quote: If I am sending invites to everyone, I don't have to do annoucements afterwards right? No, you don't have to send announcements to people who were invited for the wedding. Announcments are just to "announce" to people that weren't on the guest list. Sounds kinda' brutal, but it's just a tradition/courtesy to let people know that you're married.

I REALLY like those!! I think they look great. . .if I were to get something like that in the mail, I'd think it was so pretty and creative. And "good job" to you for doing them yourself! I'm impressed!

I swear. . .I'm always a step behind all you girls!! I was thinking that I wanted to post a link to a CD that really helped me when picking out music for my wedding. . .I log back in and you girls have a music thread already started! Anyway, I ordered this cd from the Knot and really liked it. It's got tons of great songs on it...mostly traditional/classical types and they're catagorized to help give you ideas of what part of the ceremony they might be good for. I found it really helpful. I had a violinist and pianist play at my ceremony and this really helped when I wanted to request a certain song and they weren't very familiar with it. Also, my step-sister's half sister (whew!) used this at her wedding a couple months ago as her prelude and ceremony music. . .she liked it a lot as well. It turned out to be a great buy for me! Buy Wedding The Knot Collection of Wedding and Ceremony Music - Wedding The Knot Collection of Wedding and Ceremony Music Online - Discount Wedding The Knot Collection of Wedding and Ceremony Music

Lol! Yeah, I guess you've got a little time before you have to decide that!

That would be cool if your FI could room w/ the GM boys before the wedding. . .that way you wouldn't have to book an additional room. Then you could just stay in your own room I guess, until after the wedding. I imagine wherever you stay would kind of be "wedding headquarters" anyway, depending on how much stuff you're bringing down w/ you. (gifts, favors, decorations etc.) Also, if he stays in a different room you can have your wedding dress with you and won't have to worry about him seeing it!

My friend Monica is planning her wedding for September as well. I've been pretty concerned about it and have been reseaching weather like crazy. She's getting married in Puerto Vallarta so far from Cabo but at least on the same side of the country! Anyway. . .You're right in observing that there are generally more hurricanes on the Atlantic/Carribean side, but of course there is still the chance for them on the Pacific side as well. I've heard than typically when it does rain there, it's not for very long at a time. Also, this report came out on MSNBC this week about the La Nina weather pattern this year. . .here's the bit I sent to my friend...I'll go back and see if I can find the entire article for you to read. I thought this info was kind of helpful.. . "Forecasters don't know how strong this La Nina will be. However, it typically means: More hurricanes in the Atlantic, fewer in the Pacific; Less rain and more heat for the already drought-stricken South; A milder spring and summer in the north; A drier fall in the central plains; A wetter late fall and early winter in the Pacific Northwest." Now, all that being said - weather is always unpredictable. And even with all the research I've done the info is sometimes conflicting (exe: according to numerous articles and reports I've read, supposedly the peak of the hurricane season is actually in both June and Nov there...but then the guy/photographer who actually lives there says it's usually Aug-Oct...so it's hard to know what to think. Maybe it varies a bit depending on the weather patterns that year??) Technically hurricane season is from June-November so I suppose it's a risk during any of those months. You may just want to make sure to purchase the travel insurance and encourage your guests to do the same...no matter when you decide to book it? I'm sorry this is such a big ordeal! Once you do decide on the date that's best for you, I'm sure you'll have a great time and it will all be gorgeous and fun!

Yeah, that's pretty much how it was for us too. We already lived together before the wedding so it actually felt kind of crazy to not be together that night. But it did contribute to the "excitement factor" like Christine said. And that was fun. Also, it was kind of cool to stay up that night hanging out w/ my mom and sisters and then waking up and having a big family breakfast in the morning before all the craziness of getting ready started. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would! Now if you want to hear something REALLY crazy. . .I actually know a couple who didn't. . . ummmm. . .spend any "alone time" (wink wink) together for a MONTH before the wedding!! I never really understood the reasoning behind it - although it was a decision they made together and I think a big part of it was that they wanted to really enjoy anticipating each other. . .at least that's what I got out of what she told me. Personally there's no way I could do that. But to each her own I guess!

My husband and I hung out the night before our wedding. We had friends in town and wanted to hang out with them so we did. But we did stay in separate places that night. Which was kinda weird. . .we were up talking on the phone and texting half the night! lol! I'm not sure entirely how that would work for you guys since you're all staying at hotels and resorts...would you have to book an additional room for one night? I wonder if that would be kind of a pain - the FI switching rooms for one night? Hmmmm. . . But honestly, the staying apart thing was actually kinda' fun too. . .the anticipation of everything made it kind of exciting. And we didn't see each other at all the day of the wedding until I came into the ceremony. Which we really liked. It was fun thinking about each other throughout the day and looking forward to getting married!

Thanks for the review/info! Very helpful!

I'm SO very sorry that you're having to deal with all this nonsense! This is really ridciulous! I have to say that I agree with the rest of the girls about possibly having the ring repaired somewhere else. Yeah, it would kind of suck to have to pay for it since you guys bought that service agreement, but if that means that it's acutally done right and you don't have to worry about it anymore...might be worth it. Then you should just get them to clean your ring all the freakin' time for free to make up for it!

We chose our date in large part because that's when the reception site I wanted was available...if we didn't book it then, we'd have to wait another 4-5 months for it to be available again! However, when we were looking at things May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) seemed like a great date to get married. It's a festive Mexican holiday that is celebrated some in Texas and also, we got engaged in San Antonio which has a lot of Mexican influences. So it just seemed fitting.

We actually honeymooned at MP and abso-friggin-lutely loved it! No complaints at all. We have some good friends who go back at least once each year...they've tried some other AI's in the area (Riu and such) and still prefer MP. I think one of the biggest perks is the variety of food/restaurants available. If you're definitely doing an AI I think that's one of the best for food. As far as the beach goes...that is the one negative that I've heard consistantly too. And once I got there, I understood it. The beach itself is fine, totally fine. Lots of white sand, little hut/umbrellas, chairs, drink service etc. The water however is very "seaweed-y" There weren't a ton of people in the water at any given time. It's fine but most people are kinda' squeamish about seaweed and stuff touching them while they're swimming - which is understandable. But really, that's it. I promise. I didn't see anything else that would make me think twice about reccomending the resort to anyone. And honestly, unless you're going to be spending a lot of time in the ocean - it's really not that big of a deal. It wasn't to us anyway. The pools are amazing and if you're really looking to splash around in the waves, the resort offers shuttle transportation (free) to any of their neighboring resorts...they have two others that are very close and our friends that go to MP each year usually just go up to one of the other resorts for an "ocean day" when they decide they want a break from the pool. Also, I saw lots of weddings while we were there...now obviously we don't know any of the behind the scenes info but they all seemed to go well, very organized, very pretty and the people seemed to be having fun. Ok, so that was super long! I hope that helped a little...let me know if you have any other questions!

That is a wonderful gift Melissa! I'm sure he'll love it! I didn't really get David a proper wedding gift...but we had agreed on that beforehand. We didn't want the stress of buying something else w/ all the wedding bills hanging over our heads! I DID get his ring engraved...I had worked super hard on a little phrase for it but the jewler said it was too long! So I settled on "I love you." and our wedding date. It was a surprise to him and he actually really liked it...even more than I expected. (which was a relief!) I also wrote a sappy, lovey little card to him and had it taken over to his sister's house where he was hanging out w/ his boys & getting ready. I think the surprise factor on those things made them "better". You know? Also, because I'm a cheese-mo...here's a pic of him finding out that his ring in engraved...it's one of my favorite pics from the day even though it's not necessarily the best one. SmugMug - steve horvath (stevehorvath) : Rachelle & David's Wedding

OMG! I can't believe you're from Plano! I work in Plano! How fun! Ok, I absolutely loved the store I bought my wedding dress at and the BM's got their dresses there too. It's kinda' far but it's great, the service is great and I found most things there to be reasonable and close to my price range. (my dress was about $850 and the BM's dresses were about $165-ish) The store is called Lulu's Bridal Boutique and it's in Dallas off Routh St. StarDust Celebrations The designer for my BM dresses was Bill Levkoff. I thought they had some cute dresses and there's a link to their site on the Lulu's site. A big perk about purchasing from Lulu's (esp if you get your dress there) is that you can have the alterations done at the Stardust store location in Plano (Park & the Tollway). In fact, Stardust is a great store but definitely more pricey...although I did get some little stuff there...they ordered my shoes for me and I bought my garter there etc. As far as other dress designers go, the dress I'm wearing for my friend's wedding is from Watters...the Wtoo line. Those seem to be a little less expensive and there are sites online you can order the dresses from that are much less expensive. This is the site Monica reccomended to me - I'll probably order my dress from them...although I was going to search the forum first to see if anyone has ordered from them/heard anything about them! House of Brides Ok this is getting SUPER long...sorry ladies! Mikki, I'll pm you if I remember any other helpful bits!

Show us! I'm sure we can think of something for you? Maybe some cute jeans?? Post a pic!!

Which designer is that dress by? I think I may have seen one similar when Monica and I were out shopping over the weekend. Also, what's your price range for the BM dresses? AND I notice you're from Dallas! I live quite near Dallas and would be happy to reccomend some shops that I liked when planning my wedding...what area are you in?

Ok, let's try this...maybe it will be less trouble! Here's the one of my sis and I again. SmugMug - steve horvath (stevehorvath) : Rachelle & David's Wedding And here's the one of the BM's and I. SmugMug - steve horvath (stevehorvath) : Rachelle & David's Wedding

Ooh! That Jim Hjelm dress is gorgeous! Monica had actually looked at one similar for us to wear-from Watters as well. I really liked it - very flattering. I sure your girls will look great and feel pretty too!

Monica finally decided what she wants the BM's and I to wear for her wedding! Very exciting and I really like the dress she chose - cute and actually pretty comfortable. She chose the colors it's photographed in - Daquiri for the dress and Poppy for the ribbon. Wtoo | Bridesmaid Gown Collection | Style 197 | Voile strapless knee-length dress with sculpted neckline and asymmetrical double bustle on skirt, satin ribbon at waist. Available in knee length, floor length or extra length.

I spent just under $100/ea for mine. I had 5 girls and I made little "spa" baskets for them. Just yummy bath/spa stuff, some really amazing candles and bathrobes. They all seemed to like their stuff - the robes and candles in particular seemed to be a hit. I do really like all your ideas about getting them something "useful" too...like paying for the hair, or maybe mani/pedi etc. The plane ticket idea is very nice too! I'm sure they would be thrilled! Just in case you're interested....here are some site for the candles. The salon I go to sells them but I haven't really seen them anywhere else. They are my favorite candles in general but esp. to give as gifts - they burn SO well (long lasting etc) and have a great collection of scents available. The ones I chose for the BM gifts were actually called Wedding...and they seriously smell amazing! It's too bad we can't smell things online! The first one is the official site - for some reason I can't get it to load properly - not sure if it's just my crappy work computer or the page iteself. Voluspa Candles, Gifts, fragrant incense aromatic room spray This next one is a site that sells those candles as well. Voluspa, Voluspa Candles, Voluspa Products, Voluspa Fragrances, Voluspa Room Spray, Voluspa Incense, Voluspa Soap, Voluspa Lotion, Voluspa Candle Tins

Honestly...is the BM who's being difficult actually "in charge" of planning the party - or is your sis kind of "in charge"? If the consenus is that everyone else likes the idea and most importantly, you THE BRIDE, like the idea...then she really just needs to go with it. And she can do whatever she wants for her bachelorette party. For mine, I put my MOH in charge of all that stuff...she and the other BM's worked it all out, but when it came down to it - she was the head honcho. So to speak. Good lord...I sound kinda' stern! I don't mean to sound harsh, but the fact of the matter is that it's your wedding...and assuming you don't insist that all your friends dye their hair green and go to Prague with you to celebrate - they should really just do what YOU want.

Your idea is definitely more elegant. But actually, the cupcakes aren't so bad either...probably better if they were a lighter blue like the cake you have posted. If he REALLY wants the cupcakes...maybe a compromise...a smaller cake w/ supplemental cupcakes...in a less intense blue that you get to pick?! I know for my husband, the cake was one of the only things he cared about and got to pick...and he was pretty serious about it! I guess it just depends on how much he really cares about it.