NikkiT1021

We are over budget. If it wasn't for my father paying the whole cost of my wedding dress we would be WAY over. However, living in NJ, this will only be about half of what it would cost for a beach wedding at the shore. So we win either way.

I'm so worried about this too! My dress is rather form fitting and I tend to get bloated easily. my best advice for the days before might be, as said before, do everything in moderation. Also, possibly taking a walk or job on the beach in the morning each day before the wedding and staying well hydrated. Also, avoiding the yummy fried and greasy foods is obvious but easier said than done!

I was suposed to go today but I decided to work on my centerpieces instead. Tommorow will be double time! 8 months till bikini time in front of all my friends and family!

I forgot to mention, the color is "Pool"

All 5 of my girls and I decided on this one without question http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=7df1ccf5-3c61-49ce-80e0-65fc20df9d3f&categoryID=772f03c9-de43-4942-bfa0-da77e21ebd65&pg=0&colorId1= A few of them might be prego for the big day, but it is so flowy and gives them plenty of room for a little belly.

I feel a lot better hearing this from you. A big concern of mine is not being able to have a "rehearsal dinner" because of not paying for it and not having enough seats for everyone. I think I just need to take a step back, breathe and hope that once I'm down there I won't be as stressed as I am now. In all honesty, I thought that having a DW would be less stressful but I think because of not having everything right in front of you, it ends up being more difficult. I know it will be so worth it in the end though!

Everything looks great! Including Enrique lol

Great ideas! I absolutely LOVE your menus and the colors are fabulous! Great job

I love all these different non traditional ideas for the ceremony!

We are planning on having our "legal" ceremony the day before we leave for Mexico but not exchanging rings. We'll consider the ring exchange our actual marriage. If we are required to exchange rings in NJ (not sure of the law), then we will probably just get cheap fake ones. I know we need a witness, so I'll probably have my dad come and then we will go for celebratory drinks after.

I totally teared up when I saw the lapel! What a great idea! My FI's mother passed away several years ago and they were very close. We haven't talked much about how to incoporate her memory into our wedding since it's hard for him to talk about it, however I've been thinking since we got engaged "how can I involve his mom?" I'm thinking maybe getting him a lapel as a wedding gift the morning of and he can wear it next to his boutinerre. I know it will mean more to him than anything else in the world. I also love the idea about reserving a seat. Thanks for all the great ideas girls!

I am SO excited for this thread!!! I have been looking all over for this! THANK YOU!!!

My FI cares WAY too much I really can't complain because its nice to have a second opinion about things. However, mine vetoed my first color choices as well too. He absolutely HATED orange. As a joke, my MOH made him a "Groomzilla" shirt, (check out my pic), with the letters not so conincidentally being orange LOL. I should forward him the link just to see what he does

That cake looked amazing! Love the color scheme too. My best friend is getting married in June (not a DW) but has a "citrus" theme wedding. I'm in charge of decorations for her shower and will definately keep in mind the oranges with the flowers! LOVE IT!

I have 8 months to go also but I already feel like its going so fast! We got engaged in September and I can't believe that was 5 months ago! As soon as I bought my dress, reality sunk in that I have a million other things to do also!

I think anytime you end up on a bar dancing its a good time!! LOL

My dress is Alvina Valenta also... murmel is right about how the memories may be better than having the dress just sit in the closet for 30 years..... i still need to think about this though

A new kegerator! The one he has now is old and whenever I try to help him change the keg, we end up arguing. Therefore, I'm getting him a brand new one LOL! I was also thinking about doing a boudoir shoot because it's something I've always wanted to do for myself and I know he would love it! Its also good motivation to get in shape and be able to keep a rememberance of pre-baby body

I refuse to pay for a rehearsal dinner as well! Ana quoted $35pp. We have a pretty large wedding party and an extended immediate family so our cost would be way too high! I'm thinking of doing a "welcome dinner" for our bridal party and parents at the lobster pot the night before- after our rehearsal- and then "welcome drinks" after dinner for anyone else who wants to join at one of the bars. All these extra costs are really ridiculous and are starting to bother me. Also, we are doing maracas as well. When on vacation in Puerto Vallarta this past October, we found a place that does custom ones for pretty cheap.

People are always looking to complain about something! You will find bad reviews about any resort anywhere in the world no matter how beautiful it is.

I'm so excited to see this thread!! My FI and I just booked 3 nights at Sofitel Moorea and 4 nights at the St. Regis Bora Bora in November 2011 !! Although we spent a lot of money for this honeymoon, it is definatly a once in a lifetime trip! My FI is also always looking for the best deal so we booked 5 excursions, including Bloody Mary's, all 7 nights in overwater bungalows plus airfare for less than $8000. A friend of mine stayed at the Sheraton in Moorea a few years ago and wasn't a fan. She did say good things about Pearl Beach Bora Bora, however.

I have seen some great work by her! Is she reasonably priced?

I love the idea of a "facebook"- where there is a picture and fun fact about the guests at the wedding.

Good point!!!!

We plan on doing the same! That way the people that were there can reminisce and those who didn't come can feel like they were there.