Pisces

I say, the sooner the better. If I was asked to be in a DW I would want lots of time to save. We're not having a bridal party though.

ETA: Also, if you ask sooner and someone declines, it leaves you time to ask someone else and still not seem like you're asking "a back-up" lol.. and gives time for everyone to save.

I agree with everyone here; in fact, I specifically told FI that I would prefer a band without diamonds for the longest time because I knew he was waiting to propose because he wanted to be able to give me a specific ring. It seems like not only do people judge us a lot, but guys seem to be judged on how nice of a ring they bought their FI. It really makes me sick.

BUT, how often do you hear of someone getting engaged and immediately everyone asks to see the ring? It seems to have become this cultural shift. It's almost like it's not okay to get engaged without a ring anymore.

I remember my parents generation, most of them got married way younger. I do look at people's hands a lot just because I like jewelry and rings, and I have noticed that our generation's rings seem to be way bigger and showier (is that a word?).. my mom's, grandma's, aunts'... all of them have small diamonds or no diamonds.

Maybe it stems from more superficial attitudes in our society, or about money issues. But it is all around sad.

I am thinking about DIY-ing it for my friend's bridal shower next weekend... Thank you so much for sharing the template!

I can't believe how carried away I am getting planning this shower. But it's so much fun!

I'm jealous! Our flights were $1200 each and that was a deal in January!

yeah, the weight X 7 is completely wrong and a dangerous thing for them to be promoting, especially since if you eat too little for your weight and activity level, you will lose muscle mass, which no one wants!

Not to mention the fact that you cannot possibly get all the nutrients your body needs with so few calories. Generally speaking, most women need around 1800 calories per day to get their nutrients met. People way under-estimate how many calories they actually take in every day, and this is usually why we have a hard time losing. Most people also over-estimate how many calories they burn working out. Cardio machines are notorious for giving false readings, because what you burn as an individual varies greatly. Even the ones that ask you to enter your weight can be off by a few hundred calories because they don't take into account body composition. Someone who is 150lb and 18% fat burns more calories at rest than someone who is 150lb and 25% fat, but those machines can't measure that.

And what they're saying about the 20 min of exercise is kind of true, but not completely accurate. Essentially, during the first 20 minutes (for MOST people, it really depends on you as an individual and how you metabolize food), you are burning glycogen stores, not fat. The fuel that is stored in your muscles gets used first (glycogen that was converted from carbs). Once you have used the glycogen stores, your body then starts burning fat for fuel. It is less efficient at doing this, which is why it always turns to glycocen for immediate energy first. However, you can only work out for so long on your fat stores before you become too tired; this is why marathon runners and endurance athletes need to take power gels or other quick-release carbs during races- once their glycogen stores are completely depleted, it is dangerous.

The average person will not completely deplete their glycogen on a regular workout though.

The part that is too bad about this is that it might discourage people who can only work out for 20 min a day into thinking that it's not worth it if they can't do at least 40. Obviously 40+ min of cardio is optimal, but the reality is that you continue burning calories after you workout, and you burn more calories AT REST post-workout than you do AT REST without working out. So even though you may have stopped working out after 20 min, you are burning more calories sitting there than you would have been if you did nothing.

I guess it just seems somewhat discouraging when there is such an obesity problem in North America for people to be told that 20 min isn't enough. Every little bit helps, and for someone who is really discouraged, 20 min is a great start!

Not for our wedding, but we did this for my SIL's baby shower a few months ago and I thought it looked gorgeous. Here are a couple of pics:

Everything looks wonderful! I love the earrings as well!

I hope milejilo is right. I'm so sorry- that is a truly shitty day and there is no excuse for your sister's behaviour!

LOVE IT!! That is fabulous! Thanks again and keep 'em coming!!

those are all great suggestions! THANK YOU!!

The shower is at a restaurant, so I am only planning 2-3 games, but the bride really wants games and I don't want to do anything too boring.

I love the variation of the bride having to put something in her mouth for the trivia game. I am thinking marshmallows would be really funny!

It sounds like you`re well organized. Once you have your vendors booked you can kind of sit back and relax for a bit. If you`re looking for things to do you could always work on FI`s attire, your rings, begin gathering things for your OOT bags if you`re doing them, your wedding shoes, veil, jewelry...

most of the other stuff you can wait though. Typically wedding invitations don`t go out until about 3 months before for a DW, although some people send them out earlier.

Have you sent STD`s?

You have lots of time, but I think getting those chores done early is always nice. It is nice to have things organized long before you *need* them to be. If your FI wants a light colored suit it's a good time to shop now because it's harder to find those colors later in the winter/spring.

Everything looks beautiful!! I agree- these are the best threads ever! You will have an amazing time and I can't wait for your review!

I know many of you have had showers thrown for you already. I am throwing one for my best friend in two weeks and I still have to figure out what games to plan. So far I have a lot of paper & pencil kind of games and not a ton of interactive stuff. I need some ideas for what were the funniest/funnest group games you played at your (or other peoples') shower.

Post all your faves!! Thanks!!

I have heard seriously bad things about anal leakage on this drug. In order to prevent it you essentially have to eat a no-fat diet, and eat extremely clean. If you're doing that, you're going to lose weight without the drug.

I'm really not into weight loss drugs though.

We also do $200 per month each for fun money. It's actually pretty tight, but we are trying to save for a house and pay off my student loan, so we are putting a huge portion of our paychecks into savings/debt repayment for the next year. We decided to evaluate our goals every year, and adjust our fun money accordingly.

I know once we have kids we will have to budget for each of their expenses, and right now we share a car so I'm sure we'll end up with a second.

Budgeting works for us, but definitely doesn't for others. It's been the natural transition for us because up until this year I have been a student and we've HAD to budget in order to make sure my student loan lasts us. So we decided to try to keep living as best we could as if our situation hadn't changed.

I should add that occasionally we go outside the budget and splurge on something together, but neither of us really like to shop or buy things so it hasn't been difficult.

That's almost exactly how we manage our money. It works extremely well, and I really like not having to feel like I have to ask for "my" splurge items.

In addition to that plan though, we also have a budget for everything that is a joint expense and also a variable expense. For example, we budget $400 per month on food and do not go over. We budget a certain amount of money per year on joint gifts for others throughout the year by planning out all the birthday, xmas and special occasion gifts which are coming up. We also budget gas (although this is becoming more and more difficult- ARG).

And the only other difference is that when we eat out, we pay for ourselves out of our own fun money, because that is a treat we need to budget for as well. If one of us wants to treat the other, then that person uses their fun money to do so. Let's just say, Colin usually has more treat money left to treat me than I do him! haha

HAHA- He certainly wouldn't listen to my mom! (they're bitterly divorced)

I think I will try the approach of taking him shopping. He might actually like that and feel like he's included a bit in the bridal party (even though there isn't one lol). Colin's okay with it provided it's not the exact same outfit. So we'll change them up somehow... it would be easier if Colin would wear a tie but he really doesn't want to.

Thanks for your advice ladies. I struggle with this because one of the things I really don't like is seeing people not be themselves and be someone else for a wedding day, just for the sake of pictures. It is SO my dad to want to be all dressed up, even if he looks totally out of place. I honestly don't think the pictures would be ruined by him looking so dressed up- people would just laugh. But I think I still will suggest a tan suit. I did tell him he would be way too hot..

I just know this is a really big event for him too.

HI! Also getting married in Maui in Dec '08! (not until the 30th though). Our WC is Laurie & Al from Makena Weddings. They have been wonderful so far- very prompt with replies to emails and spoke with my on the phone for a good 1/2 hour when we first hired her to get a sense of what we wanted. Al is the minister and Laurie does most of the coordination. I received the recommendation from a friend who had their wedding planned by them and I got to see all the pictures, DVD, etc. It was great.

And we're also getting married at the Seawatch.

Okay, need a bit of advice.

Last weekend, we were over at my dad's and he asked me if he could wear his tux to my wedding. He said he was really excited and that this was an extremely important event for him (I'm his first daughter getting married) and I know how much he loves to dress up (which is true). Without thinking I thought, well he's obviously very excited, why would I ruin it for him? I did tell him he was going to be very hot and he might want to bring a "back-up" suit or outfit in case he changes his mind once he gets there. But then he took it out to show me (I didn't realize he even owned a tux) and I could just see the cheesy dad-love in his eyes. I said "of course, wear whatever you like, I want you to be comfortable". And generally I don't like dictating what people wear.

Then I got home and Colin told me he was kind of uncomfortable with it, mostly because he thinks he should be the most dressed up guy there and he's wearing a tan suit (my dad's tux is black, really not at all appropriate for the venue or setting). I really should have consulted Colin about it first, but I didn't think it through when I answered. Now I tend to agree with him.. but I really don't want to hurt my dad's feelings, and I don't want to be being snooty in telling people what to wear.

I'm so torn as to what to do. I don't feel right telling my dad that it's Colin who feels uncomfortable because I don't want to come between the two men in my life! My only other thinking was to suggest he get the same suit as Colin, so he feels a little like the bridal party, but we're not actually having a bridal party! My brother thinks that is super weird to have my dad and fiance dressed the same. It's just a tan suit... AH! So complicated!! Any advice? I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

Normally STD's go out first and then invitations. STD's usually don't have as much detailed information but they are used to let people know of your plans. If you've already sent out invitations, you really don't need to send out STD's. You could send an updated newsletter if you have more information since sending out the invitations. But generally an STD has less information than the invitation.

Welcome to another Maui bride!

I think "etiquette" rules say it should only be for the first, but of course you can keep having showers. I think the second and third showers are more about celebrating the birth and the gifts just tend to be a little smaller since the parents are usually much more equipped with stuff. I'm sure your friend will be thrilled!

I've seen them in the jewelry stores here too, but they seem way overpriced. Online they are around $100 but in the stores we haven't found one for less than $200.

absolutely beautiful! It looks like it was made for you!