AmandaR

FI and I finally chose our first dance song - Far Away by Nickelback. We really wanted something that we didn't think was cliche, but still appropriate for the occasion. The lyrics are below: This time, This place Misused, Mistakes Too long, Too late Who was I to make you wait Just one chance Just one breath Just in case there's just one left 'Cause you know, you know, you know [CHORUS] That I love you I have loved you all along And I miss you Been far away for far too long I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore On my knees, I'll ask Last chance for one last dance 'Cause with you, I'd withstand All of hell to hold your hand I'd give it all I'd give for us Give anything but I won't give up 'Cause you know, you know, you know [CHORUS] So far away Been far away for far too long So far away Been far away for far too long But you know, you know, you know I wanted I wanted you to stay 'Cause I needed I need to hear you say That I love you I have loved you all along And I forgive you For being away for far too long So keep breathing 'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore Believe it Hold on to me and, never let me go Keep breathing 'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore Believe it Hold on to me and, never let me go Keep breathing Hold on to me and, never let me go Keep breathing Hold on to me and, never let me go

I ended up registering at 2 places - Target and Kohls - both have things FI and I could use, and they are cost effective for shower and wedding guests. It can be overwhelming, but I looked at it as a chance to "buy" things that FI and I wouldn't purchase for ourselves, but would be nice to have. I was in the swing of things within the first 30 seconds. Most places will allow you access to your registry online, so you can add and delete items afterward if you realize you've had a "what was I thinking!" type moment. If you can't drag FI out, don't worry about it. FI didn't want to participate, and I didn't mind since I take care of most of our shopping. Plus, it gave me the chance to pick up items for our DW if I saw them while I was there. My biggest tip would be to definitely register for gifts in a variety of price ranges. Everything from $5 towels to $89 a piece bedside tables are on our registry. Also register at places your shower/wedding guests will have access to. For example, don't register at Macy's if you family/friends don't live near one, and a good many of them have limited, if any, access to internet. Have fun!!!

FYI that Wal-Mart sells travel size Shout Wipes in their travel toiletry section. I think you get 3 wipes for $1.

Welcome to the forum from yet another Jamaica bride! Congrats

I really want to find time and put something like this together. Since we're only having 9 guests a regular guest book would go to waste. This way I need only by the pages I need - GREAT IDEA!!!

These lists are wondrously helpful! It's always a challenge for me to not overpack, but also not leave anything crucial behind!

Quote: Originally Posted by lauren c. we got a petsitter to come in daily for our 2 cats. it was $18/day for 1/2 hr, but she probably stayed a bit longer...she left notes every day and gave us a kitty report card at the end. the company is NJ Pet Sitters, L.L.P. - We're Animal Lovers! and i think they are throughout nj. We're also having a pet sitter come to our home. We have 2 cats as well, and she will be coming every day for 1/2 hour. It's $15 per day here in PA. I actually found her on one of these 2 sites: Home and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. My kitties will much happier staying at home than being boarded. I honestly don't think that the one would survive - she's a little neurotic, bless her heart

Welcome - you'll find all the info you need here!

Quote: Originally Posted by carly I am afraid it's a little too slow, so we'll see. We are taking dance lessons, we suck at the waltz, but the fox trot is ok. So we may have to change it, but this is the first one (after like 20 suggestions) that we agreed on, so there ya go! That song was on our list, but got axed for being too slow. There is a version by UB40 that's more lively, so you might want to check that one out. There's a lot of great song that send the message we want to convey, but we listen to them and get bored because they're so slow, and we're certainly not dancers by any stretch of the imagination! I was just checking out songs on YouTube tonight, and Edwin McCain's Could Not Ask For More gave me goose bumps - that could be the one!

Thanks for the feedback. I love the photobook idea!

Is it considered in poor taste to not get gifts for the parents? FI and I are footing the bill for our portion of the trip including reception and photog, and our parents are paying for each of our immediate families. My parents are paying for me to upgrade my Sandal's wedding. I was thinking to get each set of parents a nice card with a very personal message inside thanking them for contributing to and being part of our day, and give it to them at our pre-wedding barbecue the weekend before the wedding. Is this in poor taste?

I'll doublecheck with my WC, but 3 months does seem to be the norm. Thanks!

We're going to SGOR, but the trip is costing each of our families $3k - $4k. BC of the cost, it's just our immediate families going. Definitely stay at the resort you want to - it's your wedding, after all. Just be sure to give people plenty of notice, and those who are in need of a vacation, and were just waiting for the perfect excuse, will go. I know that for our families the big selling point of our wedding in Jamaica was that they've never been there before. In fact, FI's parents haven't been off the east coast before! It'll be an adventure!

Does anyone know how long it's taking to get your marriage license once you get married there? I've heard up to 3 months, but I'm really hoping it's not that long. I want to get this name change thing going ASAP after the wedding

Welcome! This last month is going to fly by!

Quote: Originally Posted by Sarah Thanks! I made Amy's logo Had I done more thorough monogram research I would have gone with you since I belong to this forum - obviously a newbie

We're not having an AHR either for a couple reasons: 1. $$$ 2. The same reason we chose a DW - his extended family is on the east coast, and mine is in the west. Once we're settled into married life I'd like to get people together for a casual barbecue, and to watch the wedding DVD and look at pictures.

My mom and sister are throwing me a shower, and I have to say that I'm excited about it. FI and I moved in together within weeks of getting engaged just 6 months ago, and mostly still have hand me down type things. Since we're having a small DW wedding (immediate families only), my mom wanted to make sure that as much tradition was incorporated into the wedding festivities as possible. We're not having an AHR due to $$$, so IMO the shower is a great way to include family and friends who might not otherwise get to share our joy.

My mom will be surprising me with my Old, New, Borrowed, Blue at either my shower in April, or the morning of my wedding. I'm hoping that she still has her garter or something from my grandmother - that would be really special. I actually like the suspense of not knowing. Of course, that's probably because those are things that I don't have to organize - haha!

Quote: Originally Posted by becks I'm a total sunscreen goddess (FI laughs because I won't wear or buy anything less than a 45, and I've ALWAYS got a hat and a long-sleeved, lightweight cotton tunic around, so I'm not too worried about tan lines. I hear you about the sunscreen. The highest SPF I've been able to find for the body is 50, and the highest just for the face is 70. I'll definitely be wearing the highest SPF I can find for duration of my trip. FI and I are stocking up on sunscreen before we go - we don't want to pay $20 for a small tube of sunscreen at the resort!

Years before we were engaged we discussed getting married at Sandals, and when we actually got engaged our decision was a no-brainer for a few reasons: 1. My extended family lives halfway across the country, and my grandparents are unable to travel. 2. Even though it's costing us nearly $10K, we're getting a lot for our money - wedding of our dreams AND an awesome honeymoon rolled into one! 3. We get to share our special day in paradise with those closest to us. 4. All the kids in our respective immediate families are grown and it's difficult to plan family vacations - our DW was the perfect excuse for everyone to get away together! I'm loving the planning of a DW. I can only imagine how many other things I would have on my plate if I'd had one locally.

Thanks! I figured that everything must be on the up and up if so many of the brides on here have used her work. BTW - your logo looks great!

I'm hoping you ladies that have ordered monograms from Aylee can put my mind at ease. I received my invoice via email this afternoon, but it says to pay via Paypal to a gentleman I haven't heard of before. Before I set up an account and pay I'd like to make sure that this sounds right to those of you who have purchased monograms from Aylee. I'm aware that she needs payment via Paypal or money order, it just made me uneasy to see an unfamiliar name attached to the invoice. Of course, this could be the neurotic bride coming out in me!

Hi Erin - congrats and welcome! Have you decided what resort in Jamaica you're getting married at? What I'm quickly discovering is that with a DW you can do as much or as little planning as you want, and there's lots of terrific ideas on this forum!

We're getting married at the 2nd Gazebo pictured. I'll be sure to share pics when I get back for other SGOR brides. We're having a small wedding - just 9 guests.