LadyTrunck

OH and I forgot to mention that you look stunning in your dress AND-- I saw the post where you were super excited by your shoes....I think that speaks for itself!!

Jenfly6- we have your back, we have all been there! Picking the resort is usually the most difficult part. I have a RIU resort, and I HATE the fact that the wedding coordinator will NOT contact you about any details about it until 2 months before the wedding. My first suggestion is to search for other Dreams brides to see their experiences. This forum has been an unbelievable help! I would say STD's and Photog is second. Start working on STD's now- if they are DIY, they usually take longer than planned-, we sent ours out about 11 months before the date. Depending on who you book for photography, they can be booked up to and further than a year in advance. I had to change my wedding date (after STD's were printed and sent) because my dream photog was booked for my original date already! Depending on if you're getting your dress made, or buying off the rack, dresses would be 3rd. Definitely start looking. Find styles that you like, if you are picky, go and start trying on! My dress takes 4-6 months to make, before alterations, so I'm cutting it more close than I would like!! I ordered in mid Nov... Last, just keep browsing this incredible forum for favor ideas. You cannot really make any final choices w/out a final headcount, so I would suggest to have your guests RSVP in time for you to finalize the favors!! I cannot lie, I have bought all of my favors even though I don't have a headcount. Just thinking ahead-- I can always sell the rest on here! Oh, and I forgot the cake thing. I suggest searching the thread on here, 'what I would and would not do again'. Many of the brides say that the cake was a stressful thing for them, and ended up being a non-issue. I think Dreams is an all inclusive, and they usually include it in your package. I hope that this helps!! Best of luck!!! Don't forget to post pics!

clfaidl2--thanks so much for the offer, but the damage has been done! the STD's were FI's full idea, and the only thing he has been truly passionate about w/ the planning of this, so that made it ok with me. They were shot kits w/ personalized shot glasses and tequila w/ a card. He is proud, and they were a hit!!

Quote: Originally Posted by sammysgirl Jannae- I love the MAggie Sottero Reese dress...are you thinking of having it made?? Yeah--- we are doing our TTD shoot several days before the wedding so of course I wouldn't use my dress. And since Reese was my first love, I thought it would be perfect.... So much beading though. And I wonder how it will hold up in the water?! (see through much?) hmmmm**Sigh. I will probably do it though. Just to see!!

I'm so glad things went well Sammysgirl. Everything will work out as it's supposed to! I am so happy to report that I got my TTD photog locked down finally! I got Cecilia Dumas! We were worried that FI's mom would be poking around trying to watch, which would have been uncomfortable. So we decided to do it the morning after we fly in, and the rest of the fam won't be there until that night. Can't wait!!!! Shellk, I was thinking about you today at work! Jealous of the sexy photo taking, fun with friends and cocktails! I hope you had a blast!

OK everyone! I am SOOO very happy to say that I have officially booked Cecilia Dumas to do our TTD!!! I am SOOO excited! As I said before, we were worried about FMIL being nosy and poking in while we were trying to roll around in the sand. Sour our solution was to do the session the morning after we get there, and family won't be there until that night. So the mood for the shoot will be a celebration of the week to come! I am stoked. I think since the Maggie Sottero Reese was the dress I originally wanted, I am going to have a knockoff made. Of course, I'll post pics!! Thanks for all of the advice, I don't know what I would do without you all!!

I just went through the EXACT same thing with my a couple of friends!! I have pink stilettos for everything AFTER the sand, but I found these cute wedges just for the sand. No one will see them, but my friends strongly suggested against them......I know they don't go, but I would love to wear them elsewhere, and for the ceremony, they would be on for a max of 30 minutes!! It's funny, because we have a very similar dress (as discussed in a prev thread) and we are getting the same reaction from these darn sand shoes! I say go for it. I haven't purchased yet, I'm still on the fence. It is your day, and if you love them (they are fab BTW) then rock em!! Pronovias girls in wedges!!!

WOW those are amazing!!!

Welcome Lynn!!!! I am so glad that we have another RPRM bride! I suggest that you read this thread from start to finish, even though it takes some time. There is a wealth of information! As for your National Health Styles drawing, I checked the better business bureau, and there are no complaints about them, but also no info. I googled them, and I don't think you won a 'drawing' for this vacation, but it is just a way to bring in people for their seminar. FI has done this before, and he says there are no strings attached, but that they try to sell you on numerous things, and it may not be worth your time, as they may try to make you attend numerous seminars. Just some info to think about!!! Thanks for your info Nora- we must have been writing at the same time!!! Welcome again!!

KJT1985 --- It's gorgeous on you!! I'm so glad that it turned out so well for you Ok ladies, I haven't read through this whole knockoff thread, but has anyone heard if anyone got a Maggie Sottero Reese knockoff made? THANKS!!!!

OMG Shellk, my coworkers probably think I'm nuts because I just laughed SO hard at all of that!!!!!!!!! You are freaking hilarious. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!! You have it right--- get your drink on!

Quote: Originally Posted by PetitRouge I think mine is the control factor. I really want everything to be perfect and trying to plan a wedding via e-mail is pretty stressful for me. I am so worried that so much of what I want is getting lost in translation. But I am trying to work on my deep breathing, and realize that a lot is just going to have to be done when we actually get to the resort! Just a quick note, PetitRouge- pretty much every bride on here says after the fact that they wish they would have stressed less, and that everything came together in the end. I feel your pain, so trust me, this is all that is keeping me sane!!

Totally agree with Tiffandmarv. Is it worth moving your day? STD's sent out, resort and flights booked, and FI's sister (she's also my friend!) just found out that she is due a week before our wedding. It is her 3rd, so her plan is to be induced if she is late, and bring the baby down. Am I happy she's coming? of course. Do I think it's a good idea? Well, not my life or place to judge..... Best of luck! I finally had a moment when I realized that my wedding is my day, and it is most important to me and FI. Other people may care, but they cannot/will not place their lives on hold for my day. Same goes with how much they pay attention to details, effort, etc. It just isn't AS big of a deal to other people! That way of thinking has gotten me through a lot of stress!

Aw shucks- as you can see my hair is dark as night Great deal though! I hear those are great!

What color are they??

Quote: Originally Posted by shellk sammysgirl.read your post back i think you will get your answer.i think you should do it otherwise you may have regrets.if it is only the debt (even thought it is a massive thing)stopping you then dont let it you will manage and the debt will be paid off.could you get a part time job?do you have any other aspirations?hope you meeting goes well tomorrow. . Very wellput Shellk--- Best of luck Sammysgirl--- I know you won't regret it if it's something you really want to do and enjoy. My FMIL just retired from being an ER nurse for 40+ years, and her life was very hectic. Working nights and holidays all while raising 3 kids- but I know she wouldn't take it back for a minute!!! Shellk for MOTM and Jetsbride for Mrs!!

My picks are nominated!!! My RPRM ladies have been SO much help!

I totally think that this could be the silver in your scheme. Go for it, it is a gorgeous dress! Maybe you can add a fucshia sash or as Riokayak said, jewelry? Keep us posted on your decision!

KJT1985, I think you hit the nail on the head with your last post. If I were better with expressing myself, I would have said the same thing. I am very glad that you could express how diamondpooch was feeling without judgement.

Hi fellow RPRM bride!! There is a thread with all of us on there- Search RPRM brides. I suggest you read it from beginning to end. It takes awhile, but there is a ton of useful info. Not to mention the fact that the girls that have had their weddings recently post pics!! Good luck and welcome!

This is fantastic! I would like to offer one tip though that I learned the hard way. Maybe split bride and groom clothes 1/2 in one bag, 1/2 in the other. That way, if, god forbid, a bag gets lost, one of you isn't completely without clothes!!

I totally see where Heather and Erika are coming from, as that is how I feel about FI. I would love him no matter what. But I don't think you should feel like a horrible person about it at all. Unfortunately, attraction is not something you can control.

Congrats Josie!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!

You are NOT at a horrible person! FI and I both did the gaining together, and now we're doing the losing. We both realized how comfortable we got (when we met, he had a sixpack, and I was NOW the weight I am, but I have lost about 15 lbs recently) and decided to work at it together. This is an ideal situation, I'm aware! I think that the other girls have made some good points. Health issues w/ weight gain are huge. Is there any way that you can change eating habits with him so you're doing it 'together'? It sounds like you're super motivated, but there is always something we can do to improve health, whether it's decreasing sodium, carbs, promoting more veggies, etc. (and this coming from the girl that just had a burger from Mc'Ds! Doh!) I honestly don't know what I would have said if he didn't do it on his own, besides the health stuff.... All of these posts came right when I posted!! I forgot to add that sex in a relationship is a huge factor---so hopefully if he starts to improve, and sees that you are more attracted... maybe it will help! I also couldn't have said it better myself- "Motivate him without pointing out his flaws." Best of luck, keep us posted !

OH me oh my.... what a subject for me right about now. This last holiday was the most stress FI and I have ever had. It is our first year out of 3 in CA that we will be back for Turkey in CO. Past 2 years we have only been back for Christmas. Anyway, FMIL pulled the crazy card and wanted FI all to her family that day. Never mind everything was already planned and we were to spend the day after with them. She literally was RUDE to both of us, pulled the guilt card several times as soon as we got off the plane.... It was very stressful---we rarely fight about a thing. He was on my side, but she made him feel so guilty, he gave in, which of course, I was FURIOUS. I finally separated peacefully.... I got a text at about 2pm from him saying that his dad and him both called her out (quietly and privately-separately) for the fact that he has two families now and she has to understand that. Ryan got an apology the same day from her, I got one the day after. I know she is having a hard time letting her baby, and the only boy of the family, go. But she promised to 'share' in the future. So Bridetobe1515-----the only thing I can suggest is to share time, if that is not possible because of geographical problems- make a plan and stick to it. Don't let anyone guilt you into anything, and if it's your family doing the guilting, stick up for you and FI, and make him promise to do the same. After all, you have to go home together after you eat!!