Shelley

Thanks for the help Jonathan - these are important things to know!

Oh that is such a great idea to just put our own stickers on them! I hadn't been able to find personalized ones where they don't make you order a minimum amount, so that'll work great! Thanks!!!

I love the flip flop key chains! Why does there have to be minimum orders with so many things though?

Excellent! Thank you so much! Quite refreshing to see a site with Canadian dollars too by the way!

Heidi, I dont' really have too much more to offer here above and beyond what everyone else has said, but just wanted to reinforce that you are not alone! And I can tell you that we ended up following some of these suggestions and everything has turned out fine. We went between several TA's to get the lowest rates we could find. We then sent out a mass e-mail (probably should've done STD's but oh well...) just laying out the details of prices, group rates, and deposits. Anyways, we needed 10 people to secure the group rate, so I did what was suggested above - just went to 8 people that I knew were in for sure and they all went and paid their own $200pp so we were never out of pocket b/c like you we're financing this on our own and it's tough to come up with that much money. I just let my guests know that they can join the group rate whenever they want after this date but no guarantees as to availability. Several people have joined after, and there's been no problems. As for your sister, I can TOTALLY relate. My oldest sister was in my bridal party, but first backed out of that and then had a huge blowout with me about how i was being so selfish to have a destination wedding, I was a horrible person for doing this, etc. At the end of the day, it really hurts when people who you think will be happy for you do this to you, but I just try to keep in mind who's wedding it is, and what will make you happy. Also, whether you get married at home or abroad it seems like there's always someone who doesn't like how you're doing things. It'll all work out! And remember, you always have us!

Good luck Jilly! I think you've gotten some great advice here. The way I see it is you only have one wedding, so get a dress you love. I just wouldn't want you or anyone else to regret their decision later, so if you feel like you might regret not buying the second one, that'd be a reason to seriously consider the second one. That being said, the first one is also absolutely gorgeous and I'm sure that either way you will look beautiful and feel amazing on your wedding day. By the way, I wouldn't worry about your mom saying it's too fancy, I think most of us got that at one point or another from at least one person. My vote is to ignore them and get the dress that gives you a wow feeling

I LOVE the cake topper! But it does seem a little pricey. Hmmm, perhaps this could be my next DIY project... Thanks for the inspiration!

Hi, just wondering if anyone knows of a good online site that sells things to Canadians and doesn't charge an arm and a leg to ship it here? There have been so many times now that I've found great sites and when I get to the checkout stage I find out either they don't ship to Canada or they want to charge 5 times the value of the actual things I'm buying! Thanks to anyone in advance who may be able to help!

I agree, using family and friends seems like the best way to me. I've been in several wedding parties, and as a bridesmaid I found a lot of people asked me where the couple was registering, so word gets around pretty quickly. Just make sure your wedding party and immediate family members know where you're registered and I think it's all good. However, I should throw in that I live in Victoria, where there isn't really a whole lot of places you can register anyways so it's not really such an issue here b/c 9 times out of 10 the couple is registered at The Bay.

Okay, I'm getting more confused as I try to figure this out. Vital Statistics British Columbia says that you don't register your marriage if the ceremony is held in another jurisdiction, you just keep your marriage certificate (in spanish i assume?) as proof of marriage. So what, our marriage is just legally recognized here and we don't need to do anything? The Embassy of Mexico in Canada says that "Some Canadian entities will accept the certificate without any other requirement but others, will request legalization by the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in Mexico." How do I go about presenting my marriage certificate to the Canadian Embassy in Mexico to have it stamped if I don't get the certificate for several months after we return? Oh someone must have figured this out already...

Okay, that stressed me out just a tad too! We were told the exact same thing - that we just bring it back, have it translated and take it to City Hall. Now I have no idea what we're supposed to do!!! I'll try calling around here see if I can uncover something. There must be other brides who have figured this out though.

You're not alone on that one Susan! I've found that what I thought I wanted on so many things didn't turn out to actually be what I wanted when the time came! I was the same with thinking I did not want a strapless dress but then when I started trying them on it was eventually the only thing I would even try b/c I loved it! Good call on waiting for your dress and then getting a veil to match. Like everyone else I found that when I had a dress on the veil really completed the picture. Plus, they look great in pics! And you don't have to wear it past the ceremony if it annoys you!

Yeah, I have to agree on that one - I've found the best selection for what I'm looking for at bridal salons too. And I was surprised that they weren't over-priced, they were reasonable to me. My bridesmaids have gone the same route.

Oh how cute is that! I LOVE the ring zipper pull! I am so placing my order tonight. Thanks a million Nicole - you confirmed that I love it! I've never ordered from VS before but I'll try a medium and cross my fingers!

Wow! That is so weird! I would have to watch it all too! Good call on taping it. P.S. Courtney, not sure about Calgary, but we do get that show over here in Victoria. It's on that new channel called Slice. Do you get that one? If not, better move further west

Yeah! Thanks Nicole! I will wait ever so patiently Courtney I'm the same - so pale that the slightest tan makes me thrilled! My sister just got back from the Dominican so she's super tanned and she is getting a real kick out of calling me Casper. Oh just wait....

Me too! Getting bathing suits and clothes for the trip makes me so excited - I can't stand the wait! I'm starting tanning soon so maybe that'll help - for those brief moments I can pretend I'm in Mexico...

Hey Nicole, have you gotten the sexy little bride hoodie? If so, can you post pics of the front of it? I love the back of it but would like to get a better idea of what it looks like on the front before purchasing. Also, thanks to your original post you wont' believe how big my cart is getting at VS online! Actually, it's all good b/c they've got some good sales on now!

Jessalyn - thanks for the links to those articles! Very helpful! Sounds like I need to invest in some good powder for my pics!

I LOVE "put it back on"!!! When I read that I laughed out loud. Now they know I'm not actually working in here... I think that's one of the best engravings I've ever heard, and I think he'd really get a kick out of it. Too funny!

That's really sweet! I want to put something more than the date, but it is his ring and I know he wouldn't want anything too mushy, so your idea is great! What did Courtney Cox put on David Arquette's ring? I remember it was something funny but it's not coming to me right now...

There are some great suggestions up here, but after paying for the entire wedding ourselves, I don't know how to come up with the $ for anything too pricey right about now. I do like the ring engraving idea. Has anyone decided what they're engraving?

Hey Maria thanks for letting us know how the bags turned out. I love them and think I'll have to get some. For that price (on the best offer part, not the listed price) I really doubt I could find anything better around here. Thanks again!

I like the idea of the red chair ties as well with red decorations. I think that'll really make your bridesmaids dresses pop in the aqua blue. (at least that's how it works in my head). By the way Nicole, I laughed out loud when I saw your sister in that dress. I figured you had to be kidding, but was much relieved when I scrolled down and saw the gorgeous dresses they'll be wearing. You're too funny!

Yeah I wondered a bit about that too, but after talking to other brides on this forum I really began to see it as a nice gesture rather than me being selfish - just a chance for everyone to plan to get together for one mean. I talked to a couple of my guests and they loved the idea. It'll give us a chance to thank everyone for coming, to introduce everyone b/c there are people coming in from across the country who've never met, and to hand out OOT bags with more info on the area. I figure if someone's out doing something else the first day and can't make it no biggie, but now the thought is out there. I agree it's their vacation too, but we're there for a week and it's just one dinner. Maybe it made a difference to me that we're not doing a rehearsal dinner so the welcome dinner didn't seem too demanding.