hockeymom97

ugggg, I just typed out this whole long reply and by the time I posted it, I had been logged out and it erased what I typed!! So I guess this time I'll get right to the point, lol. What I had typed was, why don't we create a list of where everyone will be coming from so we can try to pick a central location. I'll start and then the next person to post can just copy and paste the previous list and then add themselves..... Heather (hockeymom97) - live in Hoffman Estates, but would probably be driving from work in Buffalo Grove.

Quote: Originally Posted by jean-marcus i got in trouble for putting that up about her crying a little. she iddnt like me posting that personal thing. uh ohhh . ill have to not post everything. dont wanna make her upset with me. gotta stay on my best behavior Sorry you got in trouble Yes, some things might be best kept private, but in my opinion I don't think she should feel bad about sharing that - it just shows how much she really does love you :) I mean if she didn't really care about having to leave there wouldn't have been any tears - I think that part of your story showed her softer side and that she's just not this hip, hot, rocker chick. I think you'd definitely have to include the tears in the movie, lol.

While FI and I didn't have to wait 12 years to be together, we did do the long distance thing for close to 2 years and I completely understand how hard it is to be apart. When I read what you wrote about Danielle crying before she had to leave, I could totally relate because I used to do the same thing - it would just KILL me for one of us to have to leave and to have to be apart. So while I know it's not easy, just hang in there and we'll all keep sending out lots of good vibes for her to find a job in the area soon

Quote: Originally Posted by *Nadine* ooh thanks for sharing! im going to check it out.. having glow in the dark anything is always fun for pics! That could be cute, with glow in the dark items in the night-time pics!

Quote: Originally Posted by brinktg These are pictures of the centerpieces I made. They are on 30 inch clear acrylic pedestals so they will be easy to travel with. Great job on making these these yourself!! They're really pretty! Where did you find the acrylic pedestals? Acrylic would be so much easier to pack instead of glass vases.

What a great article!! While I haven't been on this forum long enough to have developed the friendships like I've seen with some of the other brides, I definitely love that I can come here and no matter what I post, that there's a bunch of other brides that "get it". All the worries, all the excitement - everything! No one else in my life right now gets as excited over wedding stuff as all the brides I have met on this forum :)

Very cool video - if we were closer to Ocho Rios I think we'd probably go.

I'm trying not to stress about it too much since I realize it's completely out of my control, but I think it would at least ease my mind just a little if I knew what the back up plan is, instead of just wondering.

Quote: Originally Posted by Stamperamma Thanks for your advise Heather, yes I will be doing the writing myself, I don't love my writing but I also don't hate my writing either. All the sand dollars where collected by Warren and I on our trip to the Bahamas in the spring. It was a good experience and at the same time we learned how to pack them. Tupperware is a miracle product when it comes to shells. I love that you collected these yourselves instead of buying them!! I mean, it would still be cute if you bought them, but that you collected them yourselves just makes the whole thing more personalized

I'm not sure what happened last season with the "bashing", but I'm still definitely interested, in participating if a Season 7 ever gets off the ground. I really wish I had the time to step up and volunteer to host but I'd hate to commit to doing something and then realize I really don't have the time to do it - it wouldn't be fair to anyone.

Yea, I'm not a Dr Phil fan AT ALL, but if it meant a shot at winning the dress, I might be able to stomach it for an hour, lol.

I just received an email with the folowing information. Unfortunately I'm not in the NY area, but here's a chance to win a dress from Kleinfelds! just thought I would share for any brides that are in the NY area:) Dr. Phil is coming to New York and he’s calling on all Brides-to-Be! Dr. Phil is giving away a wedding dress from Klienfeld Bridal! If you are a Bride-to-Be come to the Dr. Phil show on Monday, September 14th for a chance to win a $2,500 gift certificate to Klienfeld Bridal for the wedding dress of your dreams! The Dr. Phil Show will be held at the GM Plaza on 5th Avenue and 59th Street. You will need to arrive by 9:30 a.m. for the second show If you want the opportunity to win the gift certificate send an email to Sybil Curry and to Amy Thomas ASAP at [email protected] and [email protected] and we will give you your confirmation and further instructions Hope to see you there!

What a fun week you guys are having!! I just saw on FB that she is trying to extend her stay a few days - how exciting for both of you

I think Macy's carries them but I'm not sure how large their sizes go - the last time I was there, they were pretty limited on the sizes. I wonder if "plus size" stores carry them in the larger sizes? I mean, I know the SPANX come in larger sizes - I'm just not sure how widely available they are.

Quote: Originally Posted by Love3 that's a maggie sottero dress Quote: Originally Posted by Love3 RD1044 - by Maggie Sottero Thanks for trying Love3 but I found it already - it's by Aqua and available at Bloomingdale's. The Maggie is close, but not quite it. I just need to lose some weight before I can fit in the sizes available, lol.

I didn't see that - sorry

Quote: Originally Posted by Jamaican_Smile Great! I've actually been holding out to see if any different collections appeared! I don't love the PB stuff... Getting married in April, hopefully I'll have enough time to take advantage of the new Martha collection. I'm sure you should be able to check out the Martha Stewart collections - supposedly they are releasing the info in Oct and it will available for weddings starting Jan 1, 2010. If you aren't getting married until April, you have plenty of time

I haven't asked Amber about this yet, but I was wondering if any Beaches Negril brides know what the back up plan is in case of rain? I know that sometimes the rain only lasts a short while, so they may try to wait a little bit to see if it lets up; but if the rain continues, where do they move you for both the ceremony as well as the reception?

I think they are adorable! For me, I'd be worried about them breaking during travel, so you'd definitely want to make sure you have them well packed, and as a back up, I'd probably make sure to bring extras in case any do break. Are you doing the writing on the sand dollars yourself? Unfortunately I don't like my handwriting enough to pull something like this off, lol.

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Nicole~ I've been struggling with this one. I'm not 100% sure yet but I think we might dance to Have a little faith by John Hiatt. This really is a beautiful song - it was one of FI's suggestions for our first dance.

Quote: Originally Posted by TA Jennifer I hope no one minds me jumping in here ! Each Sandals & Beaches properties are slightly different from each other and there are differences from Riu Ocho Rios to keep the thread from getting too long I'll focus on the family properties Beaches Boscabel & ROR! Riu is a larger (846 rooms), new, moderate resort- family oriented with a children's program that provides activities for kids 4-12 years old. There is a party vibe here, great beach and the rooms are fairly spacious. Prices fairly good. In room mini bar & liquor dispenser. Includes sailing, windsurfing, kayaking & snorkeling for non motorized wattersports. Quirks- need to wear a wristband, keep towel cards, make reservations for dinner that night early in the morning ( may not get the restauraunt you want). Food is good but not gourmet (you won't go hungry though!). King beds are actually two beds pushed together. pretty sure they water down the alcohol. Beaches- Boscabel. Mid sized property (223 rooms). This property will cost more but overall it delivers a lot more also! Property has a family vibe but delivers a really good time for the twenty-something crowd. Childrens programs are broken up into age appropriate with certified nannies-Camp Sesame ages 2-5; Pirates & Mermaids 6-7; Survivors 8-12; the Teen Scene 13+ ( this group is the hardest to keep happy and Beaches has organized activites like karaoke, beach xtreme games, bonfire parties, teen only clubs, theme parties ect)There are also the Sesame St. characters, XBOX game oasis, waterpark and kids Golf clinics. These activirties are not limited to just the kids-ok well maybe the baking cookies with Zoey but you get my drift! The food quality ranges from snacks to adult only gourmet dining. Food quality ranges from pretty good to incredible. No reservations needed except for the adult fine dining. Pretty sure they do not waterdown the alcohol ( not that I know from any personal experience that I am willing to admit LOL!) Have rooms that can accomodate up to 5 people. As far as water sports there is scuba diving ( not just a class - if you are PADI certified your dives are included), snorkeling, sailing, glass bottom boats, hobie cats, kayaking, windsurfing, Aquatrikes. Outside of watersports there is golf ( caddies are mandatory in Jamaica and cost extra). No towel cards. All gratuities are already added in ( this can really add up at Riu!). Quirks- older property, only upper category rooms have minibar. The beach here is smaller than the Riu but perfect for the size of this property. The rooms are older and may need some sprucing up ( although Beaches & Sandals is undergoing an overhaul to all of the properties.) A few factors to consider- If your guest are price sensitive (just graduating or recently got married, whatever..) or are only going for a couple of days then all of the extras that are included at Beaches will go to waste and I'd recommend the Riu. BUT if they are going longer, you want to have a late night reception (and need sitters for the kids) or have kids that are usually high maintanence and need to be entertained (or some of the grown ups for that matter hee hee!) I'd recommend Beaches! Hope that helped some! TA Jennifer As always - thank you for all the information Jennifer!! I know this is an older thread but I've wondered the same thing about RIU Negril vs. Beaches Negril. We did consider RIU in the beginning but I wasn't sure there would be enough to do to keep my then 13 year old entertained so we ultimately chose Beaches. This of course was before I found BDW, and as soon as I found this forum, I started searching for Beaches info and found that RIU Negril seemed to be way more popular, and I couldn't find as much info on Beaches. And even though we are already booked at Beaches, I sometimes question my decision I'm not sure if it's the lower pricing that makes RIU Negril more popular, but I would love to hear your comparison between Beaches Negril and RIU Negril - and maybe what you have to say will convince me that I made the right choice for us Quote: Originally Posted by KatelynMarie123 I can't get over the wristband thing... I want to feel like I'm on vacation, not at a carnival. Did this bother anyone else? And yes, that bothers me - if nothing else it's annoying and gives me a tan line on my wrist - and do they expect you to wear this even on your wedding day?!

We will be in Negril so unforunately thi is too far away for us to experience, but I found this while researching and thought I would share for any brides that will be staying in Ocho Rios and are looking for a little adventure - Rain Forest Trams - Jamaica's Mystic Mountain Aerial Bobsled

Bump! Since we Beaches Negril brides seem to be out numbered on this thread, I thought I"d check in and see if there are new Beaches brides who have joined the forum recently? Even better would be any brides who have already had their DW and can share photos, info, etc?

Congratulations and to the forum! There is SO much information here, I'm sure you'll find what you are looking for - just try to the search tool

What a beautiful dress for a DW! I love the criss cross straps in the back! Congratulations on finding THE dress