JanineA

This link may be helpful http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...e-items-28059/ Also under the Registry and OOT bags section you'll find lots of suggestions and great ideas. Good luck!

I really don't think there is anything set in stone. You can make any itinerary you and FI are comfortable with and that your budget allows. Some people do a welcome dinner which includes all the guests attending. Its a nice way for everyone to mingle and get acquainted before the wedding. (welcome BBQ, welcome beach bonfire, welcome sunset cruise) you can make it as formal or as casual as you like. There is the rehearsal dinner. You can plan activities throughout the day (like jetskiing or other things) or you can let your guests occupy themselves as they see fit. Its really up to you.

Congrats! I loved all the details. The circles clipped to the back of the chairs, the colorful patterned throw pillows. Great job!

MysTea thanks for the heads up about B&BW semi-annual sale. I didn't get a chance to get the room sprays recently when another bride posted they were on sale hopefully I can pick them up then!

Gonna have to save this one too. Thanks again Aisha!!

Great job, so creative and the buttons are ever so cute!

Ms Lightening Bug love your dress...its gorgeous! Reminds me of my dress.

Thanks Sax Lady and good luck I see your wedding is literally right around the corner!!! So exciting!

Congrats and welcome to the forum. Good luck and happy planning!

I would say bustle only because you don't want while you are dancing someone stepping on it, or like on one episode of say yes to the dress when a BM stepped on the bride's dress and it ripped. You'll move around easier in it while its bustled and like the other ladies said it doesn't take long to do.

Quote: Originally Posted by nicdeb928 hi ladies..looking for some ideas for gifts for my bridesmaids and groomsmen also some ideas for the OOT bags... For my BM's I am buying their jewelry. For the GMs I bought flasks with their initials on them and we are getting them little flash drives (if I can find some affordable ones). So far in my OOTs I have: Sudoku & Crossword books (Target) Underwater cameras (ecamerafilms.com) Monogramed Purse Valets (kateaspen.com) Sarongs (turtleislandimports.com) Flip Flops (old navy) Rose Ball Candles (theknot.com) Hugs & Kisses from Mr. & Mrs Soaps (theknot.com) Golf Tees (still need to get golf balls) Water bottles (need to order these discountmugs.com) Beer koozies (since the girls got sarongs personalizeddrinkware.com) Survival kits: santizer, zipfizz, tissue, lotion, sunblock, chapstick. (Target travel section) I don't plan on adding anything else but you never know.

Congrats and welcome to the forum. Good luck and happy planning!

Hi Cyara congrats and welcome to the forum. You're in the right place to start planning. Good luck and happy planning!

Thanks Jerseykitten!!!

Hi ladies so I am sitting at home organizing my photobucket (getting ready for planning journal in a few months...yipppeee), and I decided to share the story of my FI Chris and I with a few pics from the actual night of our engagement. Chris and I met while I was moving into my best friend's penthouse. I didn't have a clicker for the gate in her community and when I saw a black SUV pulling in I pushed my car right up against the bumper and snuck in. My best friend was still at work and I had a key so I figured once I could acutally get in the main gate I would be fine. Well low and behold this guy jumps out of the SUV talking on his cell phone and looking at me suspiciously (Chris)...yeah right, like all 5'1 of me looked like a threat. I rolled my eyes and ignored him. Don't you know he came over, introduced himself, asked if I was moving in and offered to help. Fast forward months later, after seeing him around the building riding the elevator numerous times together and after he asked me out twice and I said no, we started dating and what a wonderful relationship we've had. We are best friends. We got into the habit that every month at least one weekend we had date night, we'd go to some restuarant and then go dancing or just to a lounge and have a few drinks. Just the two of us, no friends. So I wasn't shocked when after the long summer apart (Chris usually goes to the Hamptons in the summer) he came back to Miami and said he was going to plan a great date night for us. I did find it strange that he didn't want me to make the reservations but I didn't give it much thought. After a lovely dinner at Hakkasan (Fontainebleau Resort, Miami Beach), Chris asked me if I wanted to take a stroll on the beach. Coming out of a string of busy weeks for us both I welcomed the chance to canoodle and spend some quality time with him. As we strolled along the sand, the beach was secluded and there was barely any light from the moon above (there had been a new moon, the prior night).We giggled and ran from waves, walking hand in hand, talking about anything that came up. There was nothing unusual about this scene as it played out between us, there was nothing out of the ordinary....or at least so I thought. I gave no second thought to when he came to a spot in the sand where he stopped, looked me directly in the eyes and said "How much do you love me?". This is a usual game he and I take part in, so in my regular fashion I clasped my hands together as if in prayer and said "This much, from the outside of this hand to the outside of the other". He chuckled and I giggled knowing all too well what comes next. "How much do you love me?" I said. He looked down at me as I shifted my weight to one foot and held out my right hand "This much". I was flabergasted..."That's it?" I said. "I don't even deserve the other hand..." but before I could finish he dropped to one knee and reached for my left hand. At first I wasn't sure if he was steadying himself to remove his shoes or what was going on but in a moment it all became so apparent. Time stood still and I could no longer hear any of the words escaping his lips. In front of me on bended knee he was holding open a box and exquisitely nestled in the center was a perfectly shaped...."Oh my God". It was a ring! A glimmer of light bounced off of it and it danced and dazzled and played through it. For what seemed like eternity I couldn't speak, all I kept repeating was "Oh my God, oh my God". I was finally brought back to reality when Chris said "Well hopefully oh my God means yes". I looked down at him teary eyed and said "Yes...absolutely...yes". Then of course I proceeded to call everyone on earth to tell them!!! Here are a few pics of me on the phone with my family (he had gotten us an oceanfront suite at Fontainebleau) which the staff adorned with red roses, a bucket of Veuve on ice and chocolate covered strawberries. At dinner Crying on the phone telling my mom (they already knew he had asked my parents permission) The room My Beaudry Close-up of my ring (princess cut, surrounded by 4 pink diamonds and a border of round diamonds)

I'll be giving him the BD pics but since the day after our wedding is also his birthday I want to give him a new Mac as a birthday/wedding gift. I know he isn't expecting anything cause he keeps thinking everyone is gonna overlook his birthday (I'm throwing a surprise brunch in the morning since guests and family leave that day everyone can wish him happy birthday before they leave). It'll be his 30th and I really want it to be special.

Quote: Originally Posted by *Rachel* I would just be honest with your friend that thinks she's part of the wedding party. Just let her know that you guys are not really going to have huge parties- just one person each and it's your sister. I think that's pretty justifiable and I can't see her feeling hurt or secluded. As for dress shopping, less people means less opinions. Sometimes people forget that it's not about THEIR personal style, but the bride's style and how it looks on her. I've watched enough Say Yes to the Dress to see that having too many people during the shopping leads to headaches! I didn't have a bridal shower either... wasn't a big deal to me and I hate to attend them for others, so I was glad I didn't have one. I planned my own bach'ette party and it was a blast! My BMs were kinda clueless on that stuff and I wasn't very traditional in expecting everyone to play particular roles. I say, just have fun, do what works and all will be golden in the end. Good luck! Rachel you're so right. I remember when my friend was getting married she took 8 of us with her....guess what she ended up buying three dresses that day....and didn't wear any of them. She went back to the salon without anyone, didn't tell anyone and chose a dress on her own and that is what she wore. I have to say after her experience I chose to only take on friend. I didn't have a bridal shower either...so glad I am not the only person that is not into that stuff!! I think if its one time we're allowed to break rules its for our wedding...shouldn't it be exactly what we want...I think so!

Quote: Originally Posted by meldal101010 I'm the mother of two wonderful, rambunctious & loud toddlers who i love with every fiber of my being, but even i kind of get where your coming from. After much back & forth deliberation my FI & I have decided to leave the kids at home with my dad (not one for Mexican heat) while we go & celebrate kid free!! I'm going to miss my kids alot as i have only spent a handful of days without them...but the sound of a 2 week no responsibility vacation sounds heavenly to me...lol The bonus is my dad is travelling to my city so my kiddos will be tucked neatly away in their own beds while i sip on some Coronas + my little guy is two now & still EXTREMELY attached to me so unless i want my little guy on my hip while we exchange rings...lol this is the best solution. Meldal...way to go!!! I'm glad you are having the wedding you want and that it worked out so well that they will be still safe and happy while you are away. Quote: Originally Posted by sebitasalejo meldal101010, Awesome!!! JanineA, Looks like you have it sorted out. That's great. I did not think you are being selfish either. My son will be 15 months when we get married. I have no clue how it is going to be. I did not think about it until I read your thread. I'll have to come up with something Sebitasalejo I took alot of the ladies advice and I bought an adorable bag for the baby filled with goggles and a sand pail with animal shapes that she can make in the sand....let me tell you, her OOT bag is better than the adults if you ask me. I chucked it full of great fun stuff. Like the ladies said perhaps you can have him near by making sand castles with a relative. I know you'll figure it out, the ladies on here helped me figure my dilemma out wondefully. Good luck.

You can still use many of your ideas your have gathered on here and use them in your wedding in MD. I'm sure your wedding is going to be beautiful no matter where you have it. At least you still get to have your TTD and honeymoon in DR.

Wow, you ladies sure were some busy busy bees. Great job though you got alot done and everything looks fantastic!

Hi Amber congrats and welcome to the forum. Good luck and happy planning!

Hello Akiko and welcome to the forum.

Hello Erin, congrats and welcome to the forum. Good luck and happy planning!

Congrats and welcome to the forum Good luck picking your wedding venue and happy planning!

Congrats on your recent engagement and welcome to the forum. Good luck and happy planning!