Alyssa

We got married at Kona Village on the Big Island and we had a Buffet - it was actually more $$ to have a Buffet than a sit down dinner but we prefer it for many reasons... hate 'having' to eat at a certain time what if you want more or less or something? some people have bigger / smaller appetites more selection of what you like less uptight feeling at reception as for us - we wanted to work the crowd (had about 40 people) and not have our food sitting there cold we took lots of leftovers back to our Hale here is our menu - it was FABULOUS! The Raw Bar Tahitian Style Poisson Cru with Avocado, Coconut & Lime Ahi Poke with Red Ogo and Hawaiian Chiles Chilled New Zealand Mussels Fresh Caught Sashimi Salad Station Traditional Caesar Salad with Hirabara Baby Romaine Waimea Tomato Sunrise Cucumber Salad Accompanied by, White Balsamic Dressing Waimea Baby Greens w/ Garden Vegetables Accompanied by, Assorted Dressings Entrée Station Soy Glazed Free Range Filet of Beef Hawaiian Style Barbequed Chicken Grilled Mahi Mahi with Pineapple Relish Sweet & Sour Japanese Eggplant Coconut Scented Forbidden Black Rice Roast Fingerling Potatoes with Ahualoa Rosemary Baby Bok Choy with Ginger & Shitake Mushroom Ragout Dessert & “Wedding Cake” Assortment of Specialty Desserts Chocolate Truffles & Chocolate Dipped Strawberries “Coconut Cake with Chocolate Butter Cream Icing and Shaved Coconut Shreds” on another note - i know that a lot of people like the 'idea' of a sit down dinner better but IMO as a guest it sucks - i prefer sit down dinners for dinner parties - think 10 to 12 people max. just my opinion

Quote: Originally Posted by MarieSam It's beautiful Alyssa, and for free? WOW can't beat that!!! Thanks! well technicall it was part of the package we won but we paid for their accomodations and stuff so nothing is Free LOL. but seriously i can only imagine how expensive a book like that is - we are grateful to not have had that additional cost after the wedding

Quote: Originally Posted by Janet Should I make some badges again or does someone else want to do them? Any ideas? Too bad we already did fat animals...lol. I loved those guys! I am sitting out this season because I have 2 work trips and then we are going to EUROPE in June! Also I am like the worst biggest loser in the history of the game, hah! I am in for this one Ann - i totally dropped out of season 5 and fattened up like pig this winter - DISGUSTING!!!! everytime i look at my wedding pics (from only 6 months ago) i seriously want to puke b/c i can't believe i gained so much weight in such a little amount of time Janet - i love your badges - i totally think bikinis for summer! and girls - is anyone interested in the BDW BL Buddy thing we did in Season 2 or 3? basically anyone that is interested PM's me and then i pair people up to be buddies and stay in contact over email / phone to motivate eachother.

Quote: Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 Alyssa - ah, I stand corrected! My appologies! Regardless, doesn't anyone find it strange that she is checking up on various sites to see what people are saying about her? I agree with you other girls, why not do more DIY? There are tons of great wedding sites with so much invaluable information such as BDW and Project Wedding. The ladies on these sites are SOOO creative and save so much money by finding cheaper and more creative ways to get things done...but like someone just stated, if people want to give her their money then I guess its their problem. Does BD really mean bucknaked diva? I'm so naieve lol I'm with Amanda, I think it means boudoir haha. lol wtf, I always thought FI meant FIance too!! LOL! I always thought FI meant Fiance and BD definitely means Boudouir but Morgan is too funny! and i hear you i did so much DIY and my wedding was still very expensive - and we paid for ALL of it ourselves - it's all a matter of perspective - where i live it's hard to have a decent wedding for 100 people for under $25K and that is decent - i would say a "nice" wedding for 100 here is prob more like $30K or $40K and i've been to a bunch that are close to $80 and $100K --- now would i spend that? no F'in way? but again if someone else wants to i want to see the pictures and be a guest LOL

Quote: Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 If she's going to join the forum just to make fun of us I think she should at least post on this thread and tell us why we're so "lame". Oh well. first off - the Ferret site is SOOO FUNNY!! morgan - you are crazy and i guess i just don't hear her saying anything bad about us or anyone else ... "I had no idea that there was this underground cyber-army of brides-to-be who comment on wedding message boards! Today, I discovered that these chicks call their fiances “FI.†Interesting. I’m catching on to the lingo. Is that pronounced “F.I.†or “Fee?†......... So am I disgusting? Brilliant? Disgustingly brilliant? Whatever - I just work here." i mean maybe it is all how you read it but she seems to have a good sense of humor. to each their own - just my take

Quote: Originally Posted by carly Wow, Alyssa, that book is incredible. I love the cover! They did a great job. But with you and Kareem, hot couple that you are, how could it not be fantastic? thanks C!!! Quote: Originally Posted by Raeka Whoa, Alyssa that looks awesome! How many pages did it turn out to be? It looks huge! very very nice! I'm digging not only their photos but their layout looks fab too. Mel - it is A LOT of pages - do you want me to count?

Quote: Originally Posted by TammyB Alyssa, I think you should load those pics up on facebook so that I can see them there. I'm with Abbie, I can't seem them here at work. :-) Tammy you know what? i thought about doing that LOL but there are a couple peeps on my FB that i don't want to share with - sorry!!!

i might be the only one so far but i am not disgusted or upset about this at all - my take is "so what?" if people want to give her money - who cares? if she and her FI get their wedding paid for then good for them - they asked - they are not forcing anyone or begging just putting the situation out there and asking. i actually think it's entertaining and hope she gets lots of moolah b/c weddings are expensive - regardless of if you have a $5000 or $50,000 wedding.

Quote: Originally Posted by Abbie cant see cause im at work DANG IT! stupid work Quote: Originally Posted by *Heather* Holy crap Alyssa! Your book looks fantastic! I can't believe how thick it is. What a great keepsake and something to show your kids and grandkids! heather it is AMAZING in person - these pics barely do it justice - there are hundreds of pics and the layouts all flow together really nice and tell the story - they did a great job!

here are some of the Proof images (obviously much more clear than my digital pics of the book)

We were lucky enough to win Mark & Gwyne's BDW Contest early last year and the package we won included a Photo Album - we had no idea what it was going to look like. After our wedding Mark & Gwyne asked us to provide them with our 'favorites' for the slideshow and album and we sent them a list of approx 400 pics - we weren't sure which ones they were using for the album or in what order and were really excited to see the final product. Here are some pictures that i took with my camera and a couple images that Mark sent us to preview - this album is really beautiful in person - very heavy and unique with the Lucite cover - we LOVE IT

Jill those things look SO cool!!! i wish i could get one! i hope you get it for your bday b/c i want to hear all about it

wow this must be driving you crazy! i really like both names but i prefer Benton b/c i really like different names!

ooohhhh i highly recommend Hotel Punta Islita - one of my favorite places I have ever been! very secluded, romantic, beautiful, luxurious but natural, activities - AWESOME!

Abbie - i just merged this with another thread from last year about iPhone apps!

Quote: Originally Posted by waltandjean I am from the Philadelphia area and I am looking for a good photographer for our engagement photos. Any ideas? Would love to hear some reviews! Thanks! hey! welcome I live in philly and i have 2 recommendations for you... Danielle Durie Danielle Durie Design Danielle is awesome! She was the Pro Photog at my Bridal Shower (hired by one of my BM's as a surprise!) Jen Capone Jen Capone Photography Jen is awesome too! She did my BD pics. They are both great - i suggest contacting both for pricing and to see who you are a better fit with! Good Luck!

wowwwwww Casey you look GORGEOUS!!!!

why don't you girls give me a couple dates and i will make a polll for chickies?

awesome!!! i am SO glad you redid a shoot and had a great experience - i hope to see a couple teaser pics!

I don't think you should include beach mats for a couple reasons... 1. they are bulky for you to get down there (either shipping or in suitcases) 2. bulky for your guests to have to bring back so will most likely get thrown out or left behind meaning a waste of $ 3. people don't really use beach mats at places that have beach chairs/pools also i think for the price they are you can get much nicer / usable items for your OOT bags!

Quote: Originally Posted by PhillyBride09 Hi girls!! I just found this thread!! I am in..However..Is this just for girls or are FI's invited? i ask this because, If it's just us Ladies then KOP wouldn't work for me as I am a city girl who doesn't drive..LOL But Jersey would work because FI can go to his moms or friends or whatever and drop me off...And of course the city would work. Here are the places I have thought of..feel free to add any... In Jersey we have: Adelphia's The Coastline Prospectors Taylors In Philly: Rock Lobster (Del Ave) Cavannaughs (Del Ave) Copa (South Street) I'm sure there are TONS more...but these are some places that popped in my head :-) hey girls!! i could be in depending on the date / place. also as an FYI Rock Lobster closed down 2 years ago (LOL!) Quote: Originally Posted by Jamaica0619 I am good coming to Chickies for the get together. I don't know how to set up a poll...anyone up to setting up a poll? I can add a poll to this thread if you all tell me what you want on it - dates? places?

Please make sure to do a Newbie post and introduce yourself to our community (in accordance with the rules that got emailed to you when you joined this forum). thanks! BDW Mods

Hey guys!!! Welcome! Prim & Pixie did my Passport Invites and they turned AMAZING!! so glad you finally joined. make sure to take a look at the Vendor Rules if you already haven't Alyssa

i have to say i am not a florist or a baker but i had white orchids on my wedding cake and nobody got sick. aren't there also edible flowers? how do the stems differ from non-edible flowers? it would seem to me that most reputable vendors are in the business of having happy clients and wouldn't jepordize their businesses if this was such a bad idea - it is one of the most commonly seen things at weddings (regular and DW)

Erin i know i am late to this but Congrats girl -you rock!!!!!