Can'tHardlyWait

so of course i didnt realize until after i voted that you already decided... the good news is, i voted for 3 Can I also just hijack for a minute and ask who makes your bridesmaid dresses? they are sooo pretty!

We (and I use the word "we" very loosely because I don't remember my FI having to smile politely at the Bloomingdales woman for 3 hours) registered about a month after our engagement. We didnt think we had to for a while because we didnt have a wedding date, but a lot of friends and family wanted to get engagement gifts. It really does take a long time to do depending on how many stores you use. My advice is definitely to take it one store at a time. I think we started with one registry and ended up with 4, but it took us over 2 months to be completely done with it. Also, don't forget to check your registries every week or so. Lot's of stuff "expires" so you have to be ready to replace it. The best thing you can do is ask the sales people what items are seasonal and what items are there permanently.

I voted with the majority for walking down alone over walking down together. I am going to be walking down with my parents, with FI at the gazebo waiting BUT we are going to see each other before the ceremony for pictures and ketubah signing (its a jewish "wedding contract" that you have to sign before the vows)... At first, I was kind of bumbed out because I personally LOVED the idea of seeing FI for the first time at the alter. Now that I am used to the idea though, I think it will also be special to have a private moment before all the craziness begins. Even if you decide to see each other ahead of time, I still think it's going to be really special for him to see you walking towards him down the aisle.

We got engaged the last weekend in April and our engagement picture is going up next week... was I suppose to wait until right before the wedding?!?! Crap... and I was all proud of myself for being on top of things (lol)

Love it... I think I will show it to FI tonight... might help keep him in line during these stressful months

Thanks to EVERYONE for all your warm wishes and congratulations!!! Because we decided to keep the whole thing quiet (so that our wedding day is the "big day") it feels so good to be able to post the pictures and tell everyone on this forum!!! You guys are the absolute best I want to write to each and every one of you for all your sweet and thoughtful words but then I would forget to go back to studying and fail my exam and be so sad!!! Quote: Originally Posted by RAENJAY Congrats! Welcome to the married world. Stephanie - congratulations on your legal and wedding day I just saw your pictures and they are sooo beautiful! Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride Congrats Galit! I love the pics they are so cute. And your dress is adorable. The blue tongue is def the best! ~ I didn't know you were studying for the bar. Kate (Lala), Merryme and I are also lawyers. Good luck with the bar studying, it sucks and I feel for you. Glenda - thanks for the luck... I will need it! And yes, it definitely sucks... i would so rather be Quote: Originally Posted by DREA14369 Congratulations and great pictures!!!! Was it only you two that went to the court and the person taking pics? The reason I ask is because I'm having 10 friends come with us and my mom and maybe my aunt and then we are going out to dinner to have a mini celebration. LOL Andrea- We are in Boston and our families are all in NY, so we decided to tell everyone that we wanted to do it alone to spare them the trip up here. I know if we had done it in NY that would NOT have been the case! It would have been nice for SOMEONE to be there iwth us, but in the end, it was kind of special because it was just us... By the way, we asked the justice of the peace to take those pictures (she is pretty much a pro given her line of duty)... you might want to check with our city hall - I know in Boston you are limited to 3 additional people

Soooo... I am officially a MRS and it feels good!!! Woohoooo FI and I agreed that we would celebrate friday as our "marriage day" and then have a separate anniversary for the real wedding day. And for those of you ladies that are thinking what I was thinking, that doesn't mean 2 anniversary gifts (I already checked). First, thank you to everyone who suggested I bring a camera - You were SO right! I totally thought this was going to be a no big deal, informal thing. I figured I would just come home from class, go down to city hall in whatever I was wearing, and sign some forms. I was really wrong. When I got home, FI was all fancied up in a suit! Obviously, I couldn't be showed up so I threw on a dress - lucky for me white is in season! - and we headed out the door. Now, I am usually a pretty emotional person (some would say I'm a big ol' sap) but I really didn't expect to be affected by this because it was so formal and NOT romantic at all! I totally thought the whole thing would be quick - especially because all you get is a 15 minute marriage appointment with the justice of the peace. Anyway, I don't know what happened to me but when they called our names, everything changed. The minute she started talking about vows and marriage, I started to get all nervous and clammy. By the time I heard FI recite his vows... honor, love, forever... and a kiss! I was TOTALLY tearing up! And of course, I didnt get to read all the posts that suggested I bring Kleenex!!!! So, all in all... I loved every minute of it and it was an amazing day that only made me look forward to my wedding day even more! As for pictures - if you are wondering why my mouth is blue - well its because I thought it would be a really good idea to eat a celebratory rasberry ice cone (obviously- what could be better?) I really hope these pictures post because I have spent an hour of bar exam study time trying to figure this out!

Going to the Courthouse today to make it legal!!! We knew when we first picked Mexico that we would get legally married here, but then last week we were talking and just figured -"hey, why wait?" Soooooo.... at 3:15 today we have an appointment to officially become a MR. and Mrs. YAY!!! I am sooo excited! We promised not to make a big deal out of it because we don't want it to take away from our actual wedding, but I dont care - I cant wait!!!! ... the bunnies just feel right

Kelly~ I am so happy to read that Everton's family is finally on board. I totally felt for you, dealing with the stress of planning a wedding is enough all by itself! I wish you all the happiness in the world and I hope everything from here on out is smooth sailing for you! You and your family defintely deserve it!

Our wedding in mexico is not going to be legal, just religious. I am actually going down to the courthouse to file my marriage license with FI today (WOO HOO!!!). After we get the license, we have to wait 3 days and then we are going to a justice of the peace to marry us legally. A little side note: Your FI has to be with you when you pick up the wedding license. I didn't realize this and thought I could pick it up and bring it home to fill out

I don't know that much about ettiquette (just ask my FMIL who has had enough of me!), but I think just the address on the return label is fine. That being said, I just took a look at both files and I don't think the 3 lines would be confusing... it's a really pretty font and if you love it you should definitely use it, whether its for 2 or 3 lines

Wow! Congratulations!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your ring... its beautiful! My FI went the Michael B route too - aren't his rings so unique?

What a beautiful and sentimental story... you don't need a flashy proposal! You have the rest of your life to have fancy dinners and roses and gifts... I think a proposal is all about knowing you are saying YES to the person you love

Congratulations Tara and Tammy! All your information, advice, suggestions have been soooo helpful!

Ok, I am totally with you on the motivational wedding music, except I have a different use for it... I listen to our "potential" first dance songs (5 right now) on repeat while I study for the bar exam... hopefully I can use it for the gym once I have time to go!

I would also suggest looking into "bridal outlet" type stores for huge discounts. In Boston, we have one called "Vows," and one of my friends bought her Amsale gown for $900. You are def giving up the whole bridal boutique feel of going dress shopping, but for those of us that couldn't care less, its totally perfect! Here is their website: Wedding Dress Bridal Gown The other downside is that they have tons of inventory come in every day so you have to visit frequently (although personally, that doesnt sound so bad to me!)

I was originally panicked when FI proposed 2 weeks before my law school graduation and 3 weeks before I start studying for the bar! This was compounded by our decision to set the date as May 25th in MEXICO! (I get stressed all over again just thinking about it). Luckily, FI realized really quickly that something was going to give, and since my future job completely depended on my passing the bar, he has totally taken over wedding planning ... and when I say he took over, i mean he really took over! He has negotiated with our hotel for the date (which, by the way, totally made him my hero because I wanted to get married on a specific date and our hotel doesnt do weddings on Sundays), group hotel rates, reception and welcome diner menue, and save the dates are at the printers! That being said, this is SO NOT normal for him! He was definitely motivated to take the stress off me because he knows how much I have going on right now. The moral of the story is, explain to your FI how stressful this has been for you, and not in the good way! Sometimes guys don't realize the difference between good stress ("I am really torn between aqua and torquise for my bridesmaid dresses") and bad stress ("I don't know what the reception dinner should be because your cousins are all vegans"). I just told mine what I did and didn't want and he just checked in with me before making any final decisions. PS - there is no question in my mind that I am back in charge come July 26th (when I take the bar), but by then, I feel like all the big stuff will be taken care of and I'll be in charge of the fun details

All I have to say is WOW!!! You are going to look beautiful! Congratulations

One cost effective option if you are at an AI is asking your WC at the hotel to section off a part of one of the restaurants at the hotel for you and your guests as a welcome dinner. I feel like it's a really good option if you are trying to save money AND your guests get to spend some time together before the wedding You can even decorate your section with flowers or candles to make it more personal. This way, you have a welcome dinner AND $ for a group activity... hope this helps!

Thanks Ann! By the way, I have to tell you I just watched your slide show again because I was trying to figure out the name of one of the songs on there (when you say nothing at all) and I got all teared up all over again... your wedding pictures are so beautiful and perfect... I felt like I was there!

Quote: Originally Posted by LadyP I take it you do not have a rabbi in Ny? I would suggest having your religious ceremony at home and your wedding away FI and I aren't very religious and our parent's rabbis are a little too religious to make the trip. Basically, the problem is that the wedding will have non-kosher food which is a pretty big no-no among the jews. As far as having our religious ceremony at home, we really wanted to have the ceremony on the beach be the "the one," you know? We aren't even telling ANYONE about our NY civil wedding because we don't want it to take away from the DW in Mexico. Quote: Originally Posted by akh i don't mean to come across mean, but i don't know how else to word this question! why does your mother get any say in your wedding day? unless you agree too, of course - but this is YOUR day, and you call the shots! That's not mean at all! I guess I should specify that I am Israeli, so its more of a cultural thing than a religious thing. FI and I always wanted a jewish wedding, but we didnt care what "degree"... any Rabbi would have been good. Plus my family, and especially my parents, have been sooo incredibly supportive about a DW... more than I ever imagined. I just know that it would mean so much to my parents that we have a wedding that was recognized by their faith and our family in Israel. It's definitely more than just an obligation on my part... it's a way to honor my parents and the way they raised me... Last but not least - have you ever experienced jewish mother guilty? It's the stuff legends are made of!

Hi All!!! So I was recently informed by my mother that I absolutely MUST be married by a conservative rabbi... apparently, a reformed one just won't do. I have been googling the hell out of this for the last couple of weeks, but can't seem to get anywhere. I have heard rumors that there are some in Mexico City, but I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction. I would really like an English speaking one so that I can communicate with him before the wedding about what we want and don't want in our ceremony, who we are, etc. Also, if anyone knows any conservative rabbis in the northeast that would be willing to make the trip down, I am more than open to that too! HELP!!!!

I just asked FI what he thought about me being on the forum all the time and he said "whatever"... I don't think that's code for anything. If he had a problem with it he would ldefinitely let me know ... although it might result in me him! I LOVE this forum!

That IS really tough... I think the only sadness I have experienced planning this wedding is finding out that the people you love (and could afford the trip) won't be bothered. Personally, my family means the world to me. FI and I agreed early on that we wouldn't do a DW if our parents and siblings couldn't be there, but that's only because I know it's just as important to them to be there as it is for us. My parents are really struggling to get money together to be able to attend the wedding but a year is a loooong time so they will be ok... Long story short (I tend to ramble sometimes) you guys should talk to your FI's brother and see if he genuinely can't afford the trip or if it would just be a strain. Sometimes all the time in the world isn't enough if you need the money for essentials like rent and food. In that situation, if you can afford it (ONLY if you can afford it) I would offer to help him out regardless of all the other siblings.

Quote: Originally Posted by Just Martha This is Susan's invitation (card w/ pockets....I dont know if that is the technical name, that's just what I keep calling them! ha!) I really love these, but they are expensive to have made and I cant do them myself http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...done-pics.html Thanks for the votes, ladies! Oh ok. Those are really nice too. I think I am going with pocket invites too, just because I have sooo much info for my guests. Unfortunately, I def can't make them myself because I have to send out 86 invitations. I found this website through a friend who works at Papyrus: Albums > Blue Moon  Checkernet The name of the company is checkerboard, and the link I gave you is for their destination wedding album. I don't know what you consider "expensive", but the prices definitely range. The downside is that you can't order from the website - you actually have to go to a dealer. If nothing else, you might get some more ideas about what's out there... hope this helps!