Gr8ful

UGH -- I am sorry this happened to you. I had a brand-new Kate Spade wallet stolen from me years ago (on a plane!), and get this, the person sent back my credit cards and receipts (good thing b/c I was on a business trip at the time) and of course kept the cash and the wallet. So weird. I also had a car broken into years ago in Memphis -- they took a watermelon that my grandma gave to me (which upset me more than anything else). You just feel so violated when something like this happens, not to mention the irritation of having to replace everything. I'm especially sorry about the photograph -- that is the worst part of this situation. But you do have cherished memories, and thankfully nobody can steal those from you. Don't beat yourself up about it. It wasn't your fault, and I hope the person who did this will get his / her own. Hang in there!!

OMG, I love this video and have totally incorporated into my routine! I am a fairly consistent runner and relatively fit, but needed to shake it up a little. This video is GREAT -- and easy, you don't need to be coordinated at all (like me). I was so sore when I first started using it, but it does get better if you have to keep doing it (the first "day after" was the hardest -- after all of those lunges -- ouch!). I think I am getting trimmer and my arms look better. And, I have so much more strength now when I do yoga, I can actually hold myself up. I have been doing this 3-4 times / week since ~ November-ish. It is also great to travel with -- I use one of those crazy exercise bands for resistance instead of weights (too heavy to carry on a plane). I also keep my fiance out of the room when I do this as I am super uncoordinated and look like a dork. He walked in once, and he won't make that mistake again! hahaha

These are both brilliant suggestions, thank you so much! I showed my FI your wording, he is impressed by this discussion board!

Lots of stuff on sale at VS -- check it out: Victoria's Secret - Search The Sale Just do a search on your size -- you might be able to get something for less than you think. The world is on sale b/c of the economy!

I love that idea -- I would love to go to a luau after a wedding. Sounds like SO much fun! Your guests are going to be so excited by this! Such a great idea!

I am downloading! This IS a masterpiece! THANK YOU!

Hang in there -- I am with everyone on this thread, it hasn't been easy and I have shed my share of tears over this process as well. There are a lot of expectations when it comes to a wedding, and it is an emotional time. Naturally, you want the people you care about to be there to share in your special moment. At the end of the day (as someone pointed out to me), the most important thing is your relationship with your future husband. And if some people want to participate, lucky for them, and if they don't, you won't even miss them. Everyone has their own story and reasons for being able to make it or not. And it's hard not to judge or take it personally. The most important people to show up are you and your fiance. Everything after that is just icing and flowers on the wedding cake! You are going to have an amazing wedding, an incredible day, and an even brighter future! I am cheering for you!

I think it's a great idea -- I would much rather get a gift that you would actually USE instead of a toaster oven that sat in a closet, unopened. And your friends probably know your situation right now. I think it is a great idea -- keep us posted!

No, not weird, I'm thinking about doing the same thing. It took them both to raise me, and I want to honor them both. I don't think anyone will find it odd either.

Stunning, you look amazing!

MarieSam -- you are so creative! Everything you do is so thoughtful and well-done!

Congratulations & thanks for the great review! Peace & quiet, and a massage sounds wonderful right about now... Room looks marvelously romantic!

I thought they were >$20 a pair, so my bad for thinking that they were more! Personally, I would be thrilled to get a pair of Havaianas -- they last forever, and are very good quality. It's so nice of you to get your ladies such a nice gift, and great job on econo-shopping! I actually got my jcrew order in today and I think I will have to exchange them b/c they seem to run ~1/2 size too big (with the 20% off, they are $10 / each). Can't wait to see your thread on planning -- I think we are all trying to budget, and every tip helps!

There are so many choices, it is difficult to make a decision! My planner said to do something bright b/c the background in these locations are so stunning, you want a color to pop, so I kept that in mind. Then I looked at tons of pictures (here, the knot.com or brides.com, and magazines while waiting on line at the grocery), and I found myself always gravitating to one color (orange) I'm sticking with one color in different shades, maybe with some chartreuse mixed in. I can't keep more than one idea in my head. As for invitations -- I don't think it will matter if they match -- I have been worrying about that myself. But, they aren't going to take the invitations with them, I think it's more important for the table / escort cards to look similar. At least that's how I'm approaching it. Hopefully they will all forget by the time they get to the wedding! haha PS. Daroc78 ~ bright pink looks great with orange & green, look! I love pink! Weddings Gowns Gifts, The Knot Or just with green.... Weddings Gowns Gifts, The Knot

I LOVE the flowers and candles hanging from the top of the tent! I have saved that picture into my ideas folder. Gorgeous!

Here is another option that I almost went with -- it's from Banana Republic, and although the description says "Sarong Red", the dresses are actually a deep orange color. They are currently $59.99 (originally $130.00). They look comfortable, easy to pack and are the right price. Your ladies would have to pick them up quickly, however b/c they have been on sale for a while. Still looks like they have all of the sizes. Apparel, Handbags, Shoes and Accessories for Women and Men | Banana Republic

You look radiant! What a beautiful dress! Wow!

Looks great and you can do all sorts of things with splashes of color! The photos look beautiful!

Exquisite -- you look absolutely divine! You made a great choice -- how exciting!

Dress shopping is SO much fun! I could do it every day, honestly! Congrats on your first trip! I wish you could have taken pictures b/c I would have loved to have seen them! Keep looking, and I agree -- do not buy right away -- there are plenty of dresses out there. You will have fun finding it! Mine is a mermaid style as well. I didn't think it would look good, but it did. Have fun with the search!

I vote for #1! Much more wedding-y. Love it! You look stunning in both, but I like #1 better.

Elegant and beach-y at the same time! Gorgeous!

PS. Another inexpensive option for invitations that a friend of mine showed me: Costco.com -- search for "wedding invitations" -- hopefully this link will work. I am probably going to use this, and then do something fancier for table / escort cards. Costco - Wedding Invitations & Accessories 25% Off or More

GREAT post! I almost -- ALMOST -- bought a $5,000 dress, but I am glad I called my fiance who was the voice of reason I needed to hear! On the drive home, I couldn't even believe that I had even considered buying something so extravagant! So the idea to "not buy the first thing you see" or in my case, walk away from the sale and think about it for a few days (in my case, only a few minutes) to see if you really need it. I am so glad I was able to break away from that emotional moment and make the right decision. I do not want to go into debt for one day -- it will still be amazing no matter what! True confession -- I still love that dress and think about it, but I had to make a compromise. We are paying for everything, and I would rather have the money for the honeymoon!

I was there in January 2009, and the person who took us through had mentioned that this venue was going to start catering to the gay/lesbian crowd. It's definitely something to consider. It's a beautiful location, however, and I believe the only AI on that stretch of beach in Tulum.