binzer

Lets be honest...MOST of our fiances are probably more excited about bikinis than they are about wedding dresses. Is anyone else doing some major pre-wedding bathing suit shopping? I'd like to get a monokini and a new bikini, and I'm hoping to find something white, and something a bit sexy (that I'll wear once my family is gone!). I'm trying my best to resist running out and buying hundreds of $200 bathing suits, so I'm wondering what the rest of you ladies are doing? Any specifically great finds out there? I guess this is basically a "post your bikinis!" thread, so post away!

is there any reason you don't want nude? I would much prefer it over white myself! If you want to be wearing white for the wedding night itself, I would just plan to change into some lingerie anyways (most shapewear isn't too alluring).

My FI and I originally planned on having one b/c there are about 10-15 people who aren't coming that we really wanted to include in some way (our DW is about 20 people). However, my FI has a lot of family (cousins and such) and we feel that if we had an AHR we'd have to invite about 150 people. It doesn't really seem worth spending tons of money on an 150 person AHR when we only actually care if 10 of the people are even there. I just hope no one hates me for life! I'm going to my friend's wedding this summer (in my home town) and I feel terrible because she wasn't invited to my DW (and we've been friends since grade 3). I didn't invite any friends except my BMs, but it still feels awkward :S

Mine is in the mail as we speak...should be here any day. The moment I've tried it I'll post my findings! I'm in AZ right now which is not a great place to test it against humidity, but I'm going to be on the coast mid-March so I'll review it twice

I like the first one a lot better. I think it's a more flattering style and would be more likely too look good on various of people (unless it's not as nice irl) but you probably can't go wrong with the jasmine one either.

I think a lot of people (addicts or otherwise) attack others to take the focus off themselves. They do things like call you selfish not b/c they actually think you're selfish, but b/c they don't have a valid reason for not wanting to attend the wedding, or b/c they're ashamed of their reason for not wanting to go (for example, they're really short on money, but don't want to admit that they're poorer than everyone else and instead act like it's unreasonable for ANYONE to pay so much). Other people just get pissy that you haven't consulted them about your wedding choices (regardless of what choices you actually make) and some people (especially ones who are coming) like to be martyrs and make it seem like a huge deal that they're going, even though the bride is so "unreasonable." OTHER people are jerks b/c they themselves didn't have the wedding they always wanted (and listened to their parents or something said) and feel that everyone else should have to suffer the same fate. So basically, there are a million reasons people lash out at us poor brides, but it's usually inevitable (people will always find SOMETHING to complain about) so just don't take it personally and make your plans as you see fit. Ten years from now, most of your guests will hardly remember the wedding (and the money they spent) and the people who didn't attend will have forgotten about it completely. I'm sorry to hear about Jon, and even more sorry to hear about Chris. It doesn't sound like Jon is a person you want to have in your life right now anyways (he doesn't respect you or himself, and hanging out with him only enables him) but I'm sure that Chris will come around eventually, especially once he is over Jon (and hopefully not living with him). Seriously, don't take anything that happened personally. I'm sure somewhere in his head Jon knows that he has serious problems, and attacking others is just a way of validating himself and his actions. Good luck with everything! Your wedding will be better off and less stressful without him. Hopefully he gets help, and maybe one day you guys can hang out like normal friends.

I think a lot of people (addicts or otherwise) attack others to take the focus off themselves. They do things like call you selfish not b/c they actually think you're selfish, but b/c they don't have a valid reason for not wanting to attend the wedding, or b/c they're ashamed of their reason for not wanting to go (for example, they're really short on money, but don't want to admit that they're poorer than everyone else and instead act like it's unreasonable for ANYONE to pay so much). Other people just get pissy that you haven't consulted them about your wedding choices (regardless of what choices you actually make) and some people (especially ones who are coming) like to be martyrs and make it seem like a huge deal that they're going, even though the bride is so "unreasonable." OTHER people are jerks b/c they themselves didn't have the wedding they always wanted (and listened to their parents or something said) and feel that everyone else should have to suffer the same fate. So basically, there are a million reasons people lash out at us poor brides, but it's usually inevitable (people will always find SOMETHING to complain about) so just don't take it personally and make your plans as you see fit. Ten years from now, most of your guests will hardly remember the wedding (and the money they spent) and the people who didn't attend will have forgotten about it completely. I'm sorry to hear about Jon, and even more sorry to hear about Chris. It doesn't sound like Jon is a person you want to have in your life right now anyways (he doesn't respect you or himself, and hanging out with him only enables him) but I'm sure that Chris will come around eventually, especially once he is over Jon (and hopefully not living with him). Seriously, don't take anything that happened personally. I'm sure somewhere in his head Jon knows that he has serious problems, and attacking others is just a way of validating himself and his actions. Good luck with everything! Your wedding will be better off and less stressful without him. Hopefully he gets help, and maybe one day you guys can hang out like normal friends.

nice dress!! Do you know what you're going to do with your hair yet? Also, did you get a bustle? I imagine it would be hard to dance with that big beautiful train!

I'm leaving May 2nd and her wedding is April 25th, so it's definitely too close a call! It's not a huge deal if I have to buy one, but I really don't know what else to use for my "borrowed" item!

If anyone has a starfish jewel that they could pass on by the start of May, I'd love to have it! I would be able to send it back out to someone on May 14th (I prefer blue, it's one of my colors). If not, I'm going to go ahead and just buy one, in which case I'll be happy to send it on to someone when I'm done. If this goes on long enough, some of these starfish are going to cover borrowed, blue AND old.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jacqueline binzer- id say get them gifts together, him and you get your parents something and also you guys get his parents something. i mean, thats IF it's doable. people think its mandatory to get gifts and its really not. I think you're right, and that gifts aren't needed, but our parents are paying for everything (and supporting us right now while we go to school) so I definitely think we need to show our appreciation. Maybe some simple engraved picture frame or something...we could take a photo of ourselves holding a sign that says "to be filled with a better picture after the wedding." Is it lame to get both sets of parents the same thing?

my mom is easy b/c she absolutely looooves earrings, but I have no idea what to get for my dad! He's one of those guys who only ever wants what he needs, but everything he needs he already has! I would have done the whole photo album thing, but we're living in the US for a few years while my FI goes to school and I don't have access to any photos Also, how does it work with my fiance's parents? Do I get them gifts...does he get them gifts...do we both get them gifts, or do we get them gifts together?

Quote: Originally Posted by Amarillis OHHH Man... do I have a horror story for you ladies... I cannot recall if it was the brand 'nubra' but I have tried this.... Please, enter my time machine ~Prom 1999~..... I wore the stick on bra type things as you have described above... I did find that they were supportive (and I am a D) but..... I couldn't get them off! I am not at all kidding when I say that removal was EXTREMELY painful, and they tore the skin under both my breasts, leaving me unable to wear a bra for several days... no kidding... DISASTER. hmmm...that doesn't sound like it would make for a very romantic wedding night! I'm definitely going to have to pick some up early so I can get any disasters over with :S

those yellow BM dresses are super cute!

aquamarines on my bracelet (I found stones that match my eyes perfectly!). When it doubt, there's always anklets and undies!

don't worry, I'm sure you still haven't made that many trips compared to a lot of people! I ended up shopping in 3 different cities before finding my dress! You sound like you have a fairly specific idea of what you want, but don't be too close-minded when you go dress shopping either. I was sure I wanted a drop-waist dress with ruching, a fairly full skirt, and no train, but I ended up getting a simple A-line dress with flowy silk chiffon and a small train. Relying too much on bridal magazines can be a bad thing too b/c dresses will always look different when they're on a professional model and airbrushed (they're best for just deciding if you want lace, beading, simple, etc). I managed to track down a few dresses from magazines that I loved, but even though they fit me and I have a pretty good figure, they were just kinda "meh." As it turns out, I absolutely hate the press photo of the dress I bought, and would never have considered it while flipping though a magazine. It may seem like you're getting nowhere, but seriously, just keep on trying on dresses! Chances are that when you finally find one and it's all over, you'll miss trying them on

I've been wondering about Nubras too! I don't need the support, but I could certainly use the extra padding. I just don't want to have that strapless bra feeling where I constantly feel like I need to be adjusting it or restricting my movement to keep everything in place. I guess the best thing to do is is buy one now and try it out. Does VS actually sell the Nubra brand, or is it their own stuff?

I've been wondering about Nubras too! I don't need the support, but I could certainly use the extra padding. I just don't want to have that strapless bra feeling where I constantly feel like I need to be adjusting it or restricting my movement to keep everything in place. I guess the best thing to do is is buy one now and try it out. Does VS actually sell the Nubra brand, or is it their own stuff?

I think it's pretty annoying that they just arbitrarily raise the prices on dresses that are already made and out in stores...you'd think they'd just incorporate it into a new season of dresses or something :S Oh well...I already have my dress, and I got pronovias anyways!

Hey gals, I just got an e-mail from a bridal boutique stating that all Maggie Sottero and Sottero & Midgley gowns will undergo a significant price increase, effective March 9th (this is due to a factory increase so I'm guessing it will apply everywhere). Anyways, if you're considering any MS dresses you may want to look into it! Apologies if this has already been mentioned

If you're short on time you could probably dry it out in the sun and it would take hardly time at all. Some resorts have overnight drycleaning services too, so you could look into that.

You could also compromise and get him a tungsten ring without CF. If he works on cars and stuff a lot, a gold ring is going to get scratched to hell anyways, so you may as well get him something harder and more durable. My FI is getting the TrewEdge Trew Tungsten ring for about $800 (they're pretty much the top of the line as far as tungsten goes) and he gets one free size replacement in his lifetime. They're a lot nicer in person, so you may want to check them out. I don't think you should force your FI to get something that doesn't resonate with him at all. I'm sure you wouldn't want an engagement ring or wedding band that you didn't like! Maybe you guys can go shopping together and find something that works for both of you. My FI loves ridiculous looking watches that I usually think are tacky, but if we look at enough watches we always find something we both agree is nice. GL! Let us know how it goes

If you want to be in the touristy areas (so you can go clubbing, meet people, etc) then up in Guanacaste is the place to be (although Manuel Antonio could work too). If you want quiet, but want to be up in Guanacaste, Mal Pais is fantastic if you don't mind getting there. I wanted lush rainforest and quiet deserted beaches, so I'm getting married way down south at Rancho Pacifico near Uvita. Well actually, I'm probably getting married right on a beach, but we're staying at Rancho Pacifico and they're organizing everything. So I guess the main question is, what are your priorities? How long do you want to stay? How many guests do you estimate will come? Do you want the hotel to yourself, or do you want a big busy resort? Do you like rustic...luxury, or a combo? What is your budget? What do you want to see and do? No matter what you want, Costa Rica has a hotel that will suit your needs perfectly, but there are so many great places that's it's impossible to just pick one at random without knowing what you're after exactly. On the bright side, you can't really go wrong in CR

It's definitely doable, but it probably won't be fun if your grandparents have a hard time getting around. It partially depends on how you're traveling. Are you taking buses/shuttle or renting vehicles? The flight is long too of course, but at least you can break it up if you need to. What in particular are you concerned about? I originally hoped my 90 year old grandpa would come to my wedding, but now I'm sort of hoping he won't (we're getting married near Uvita, south of MA). I know he'd be able to do it, but he'll be exhausted I'm sure, and I also worry that he'll be bored. There are a lot of fun things to do in CR, but I know my grandpa will be unable to do any tours, or even really walk the beach. It doesn't seem like it's worth him making the trip just to be bored and frustrated, and I also worry that he'll fall or get sick. I guess one of the main concerns is where specifically you're staying. If you're staying somewhere that's easy for elderly people to get around, and where there's something for them to do, then I think it would be fine. Anyways, I don't have any actual experience with having grandparents in CR, so I'd be curious to see if anyone has done it too. I guess this sort of thing is one downside to a DW :S

do you know how you're styling your hair for the wedding? Up...down...curly....straight? I think brunette is going to look better unless you go with really beachy hair (in which case I think you should at least get it streaked).