Jamaica0619

Honestly, from a planning prespective I think you can do a fabulous job in the time you have. This site has an amazing number of ideas, and many of them you would have no problem incorporating in the time you have. I did not become a member until several months into the planning and I added a ton of ideas into my wedding based on what I saw on this site.

 

In terms of people who will be able to come...I have to agree with Ebbie475...do you expect many more people would come if they were given more time? Are there others that you honestly think will come? Or are the people coming those that you would really expect? Is there anyone else truly important to you or your FI that might not make it in Ocotober but would if you made the date later?

 

You have to do what is best for you and your FI...so go with your heart and your gut.

Have a wonderful time! He loves you...and that is all that matters. I'm sure they will love you too. Relax and enjoy the day!!!!!

I think it is totally up to the individual bride.

 

I'm not wearing my dress again for a number of reasons (many of which are why I'm having a DW rather than one locally). One of which is I'm the only person nearly everyone knows that has done a DW and, while I have tried to explain to them my AHR is not really a reception but a party without all the wedding formalities, I don't think they are getting it. So, I don't want to re-wear my dress.

 

But, I did buy a nice champagne colored cocktail dress. And, I'm pairing it with some bright (island-like) accessories. I think some of my family are a little disappointed, but I really don't want to wear my dress again - so, I'm not going to.

It sounds like you have wonderful co-workers, and this gave you a little practice before the family/friends wedding shower.

I'm going to agree with many of the posts here. First, it is not as simple as buying a really good camera and sticking someone behind the camera. That's taking pictures, which is a long way away from being a photographer.

 

We originally were going to use the resort photographer. The photos weren't bad, but they weren't great either. But, we didn't realize we had any option. We then went to a local wedding showcase/event, and talked to some photographers there, and looked at thier work. They put the resort photographer to shame, at least in our opinion. And, the photobooks that they include in thier packages were gorgeous. It would make the differnece between my photos sitting on a shelf and being displayed on our coffee table. And, we realized that local photographers would travel to destination weddings. I then started my research. I looked at scores of photographers websites, and talked to four photographers, before I settled on the one we chose.

 

We tripled our budget, but after getting our engagment photos back. I have absolutely no regrets.

 

I agree that showing your FI pictures that friends have taken against photos from either here or from actual photographer websites will hopefully help show him why you may want to spend more on your photographer.

 

I'm glad that I never had to prove that point. Jeff and I both dabble (and that is the best description I can use in photography) so quality pictures were important to both of us, and when we compare what we would get through the resort photographer and what we would get from the photographers we were considering there was no debate given the quality difference.

 

I definitely do not think you are being a bridezilla. You do not want to regret your photos every time you look at them.

The wedding theme sounds wonderful, and it is so great that you are helping your niece. You should find lots of great ideas here. Welcome!!!!!

My FI actually was engaged before...and it was called off (obviously). This was before I even met him. His ex actually really wanted to keep the ring and paid him some money towards it. However, she never paid him the rest of the money. So, early in our relationship he actually got in touch with a lawyer to try to sort out the issue. He had tried to deal with her directly, but she ignored him for months. Based on communications between his lawyer and his ex...we found out that the ring should be given back to the guy unless it is the a heirloom ring from the bride's family or if it was paid for by the bride (not likely). If the guy purchased the ring, it should be returned to him, unless he sells it to the girl. It is part of a contract to marry, and that contract has been broken. However, if the ring is given on a holiday (e.g., Christmas, Valentine's Day) or a birthday, it is construed as a gift and she can keep the ring.

 

After dealing with the issue with his ex, during which he did get the ring back and it is still sitting around the house becuase he has no idea what to do with it (nearly 14 years later), I knew he would never ask me to marry him near any holiday, which is exactly what he did. He asked me in September, which has no holidays or any meaning to us specifically.

I got mine today! Thank you Jacilynda so much for organizing this!

I think they were the runner-up locations. I think we figured since some of us are coming from the philly (PA) suburbs and some from Jersey, Philly is the best meeting point.

I'm flexible...a place at either location works for me.

We don't have "a song". Actually, this has become a joke with our family and friends, becuase it was one of the questions my MOH asked my FI for a "how well does she know her FI" game for my shower.

 

We finally decided on "At Last" by Etta James. I love the song and it fits. We've been together for 13 years and been living together for 8.5 years.

My FI is a huge Wierd Al fan - we have been to three of his concerts. He puts on a really great show. So, for me, this was the best way to incorporate Wierd Al into our wedding.

I haven't heard of that. I received most of my shower gifts just before the shower (a week or so) so I opened them, announced what I received and from who at the shower (if the person was present), and sent a thank you immediately after the shower.

We are just having a dinner reception (no real dancing), so here's the playlist:

 

Kiss the Girl - Little Texas

Beauty and the Beast - Diamond Rio

A Whole New World - Colin Raye

When the Sun Goes Down - Kenny Chesney

Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett

Cheeseburger in Paradise - Jimmy Buffett

Jolly Mon Sing - Jimmy Buffett

Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude - Jimmy Buffett

Brown Eye Girl - Jimmy Buffett

Rhythm is Going to Get You - Gloria Estefan

Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers

Big Bopper's Wedding - Big Bopper

Livin' La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole

In the Summertime - Steel Drum Island

Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks

Conga - Gloria Estefan

Hero - Enrique Iglesias

I Need to Know - Marc Anthony

Poker Face - Lady GaGa

Island in the Sun - Emma Roberts

Celebration - Kool & the Gang

Jump, Jive an' Wail - The Brian Setzer Orchestra

Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry

We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel

Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis

Chantilly Lace - Big Bopper

La Bamba - Richie Valens

You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC

Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

She Ain't Your Ordinary Girl - Alabama

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

Boot Scottin Boogie - Brooks & Dunn

Some Days You Gotta Dance - Dixie Chicks

Long Time Gone - Dixie Chicks

Wide Open Spaces - Dixie Chicks

Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Let's Go To Vegs - Faith Hill

Take Me As I Am - Faith Hill

Blue - LeAnn Rimes

Let's Go Crazy - Prince & The Revolution

The Race is On - Sawyer Brown

Love Walks In - Van Halen

Cotton Eye Joe - Starsound

Turn the Beat Around - Starsound

Don't Leave Me This Way - Starsound

Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas

Boat Drinks - Jimmy Buffett

That's Life - Frank Sinatra

The Best Is Yet To Come - Frank Sinatra

Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra

Ain't That a Kick in the Head - Dean Martin

That's Amore - Dean Martin

Mambo, Italiano - Dean Martin

 

 

Cake Cutting

Eat It - Weird Al Yankovic

 

First Dance

At Last - Etta James

 

Parent-Child Dance (we are doing the mother/son and father/daughter dances together)

What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

 

 

We don't know what we are doing about the ceremony music. We want to use the steel drum band, so we are playing it by ear and going to figure it out when we get there.

I have my venue from 5 to 10, but have the option to extend it to 11. We are doing cocktail hour from 5 to 6, then buffet dinner, then dancing.

Have you tried etsy.com. I got my veil from veiledbeauty on Etsy - Wedding Veils. But there were a lot of options when I was looking.

Count me in on July 11th. We will be able to hear about a third wedding - since I will be getting married in a little less than two weeks in Jamaica. And, I will love hearing about everyone's elses weddings/plans

I think it is a really great idea...

I think I'll be able to do July 11th - if you are up for one more joining you...

Unfortunately I can't make it. We have plans to go out with friends...maybe next time.

I know you said this to make a point. But I hope your mother is okay and the surgery goes smoothly.

I agree with other posts that people use texting and e-mail to avoid having to talk with someone and deal with a potential confrontation. I know one of my bridesmaid who I knew might not be able to make it, and was fine with it and completely would understand left me a voice mail at home when she knew I would still be at work. I actually called her back and called her on it. I wish she would have at least tried to reach me personally. I think it is sad...and this is a friend I have known since we were about 10.

I could not agree more. Of the features you metioned on the new plus version - being able to develop a routine would be great.

I was watching in between phone calls...following up on missing RSVPs. I agree the judges were vicious tonight...and I felt bad that the redhead who was friends with Katiee from last year...I could not believe she got cut

I know this will not help - but it is your wedding. I wouldn't worry about it. We originally asked three friends each to stand up with us. In my case my MOH and one of my bridesmaids is coming and in his case it is only his BM. We are also having his neice be a jr bridesmaid and his nephew as a ring bearer. So, we aren't exactly balanced, but I'm not worrying about it. At the ceremony we are only going to have the MOH and BM stand with us.

We probably will have to explain...while some know the story not all of our guests do

The PA Department of Wildlife determined that if the domestic population (pets) were to be released into the wild it may hinder the ecosystem.

My issue with this is that hedgehogs natrually hibernate in the winter. However, domesticated hedgeghogs have lost the ability to build up fat supplies necessary to safely hibernate, but they will still fall asleep/hibernate. My hedgehog did this to me twice, and I had to use a slow re-heating method to wake her. So, once the winter months would hit, any hedgehogs that accidently got released would fall asleep and would die because they would not have the fat stores to survive the winter.