You'll have to share your photo with us when you get it. I got my professional pix this week, and I've been spending hours going through them. As photos aren't such a big deal to us, I went the thrifty route which got me a not-so-experienced photog, the whole day of his time, a book of proofs and all the digital files. Now I get to play with them to make something fabulous out of it all. I'm a bit disappointed because I thought everything would be in color, but instead there is a fair amount in B&W, which then aren't available in color! Why wouldn't he just shoot everything in color - you can always Photoshop them into b&w! Anyways, it will be fine, I'm just venting a bit. Good thing I'm handy with the computer. I'm planning on doing one of those photo books on Shutterfly, and then will have prints made for us, family and the bridal party.

Hey, that's a good question - do you think we should give the bridal party a photo of the bridal party? I've been in 5 weddings and have never gotten a photo. Personally, I would have liked to have gotten them!

Shan - about your DJ - mine turned out to be a Merchant marine, which is why I didn't hear back from him in a month! Good luck with all of that, I know it can be frustrating when you're unsure of the status of something. It definitely seemed to me that the vendors sure didn't worry about getting back to me promptly about stuff.

Hope things are going well for you gals. I'll share more photos when I get the chance
Cindy

I'm hip-deep in wedding stuff... I think I found a band for our wedding. Prepare to chuckle... a trio of musicians who play the cello, clarinet, and- tada!- accordian. The sounds and styles actually combine to sound like New Orleans jazz. We heard them at Macy's when we were registering for gifts. I called and asked for a price quote. Since they usually do department stores and parties, they offered us a DISCOUNT as a wedding gift. $500 for the whole shebang: from 5:30 to 10:30! And they do requests- they can play just about anything!

Finally heard back from the DJ, his excuse was medical finals. Didn't know he was in med school, guess I don't mind dealing with a busy student but I'll feel a lot better after we get a meeting in just to make sure we're on the same page and still feel comfortable with him. Said he's call me this Thursday.

Lafayette - That is an amazing deal for the band! We figure we might spend that much on musicians for the ceremony.

jillybean720 - I wouldn't sweat it, there's nothing wrong with long engagements. It's better to have the time to gather resources and think about what you really want.

Oh yay!!! I'm so glad I found you guys! I'm getting married Oct 11/08 (11 months to go) and have 52-72 more pounds to lose before I can fit my dress. (yes I did buy one that was too small :P)

I have an etiquette question for you all. How do you feel about this? I'm hosting a sit-down supper at a hotel, wine will be served with supper but otherwise is a cash bar, do you think this will go over ok?

I figured as long as they have wine and soda/punch etc if they wanna get drunk on hard liquor/beer it'd be up to them. Opinions much appreciated

Congrats to everyone! This is really the most exciting time for any woman EVER!

lol, I just realized how harsh that bit sounded, I meant if people want something other than wine/soda etc not (GRR I'm not paying for those jerks to drink their faces off!) which is what it kinda sounded like.

Well, I know that most ettiquette sources are down on cash bars, but open bars are EXPENSIVE. Also, I know a lot of people don't like the idea of getting people drunk at their weddings.

We haven't completely decided, but I think we're just going to have a limited open bar for a few hours (a few liquors, beer, and wine) along with a champagne toast. We can't go until too incredibly late anyway (10 pm) and might just go out afterwards with the wedding party.

Have you thought about just beer and wine? I know people usually just drink one or the other and it's nice to have a choice.

buffbride2b - Welcome! I agree with Jen on the bar issue. If you're not going to do hard liquor that's more than ok in my book, but there are lots of people that like beer but not wine and vice versa. If you offer both most people will be happy I also think it's ok to have the bar open for only a limited time if you like. We're lucky that we don't have a very boozy crowd (with a hadful of exceptions, most of them being in the wedding aprty ) so I think we're just going with an open bar including a keg of our chooseing (we like our microbrew!) some cheap-ish rail liquor and a couple wine selections.

FYI ladies, I'm going to start a new thread. There's a 500 post limit and we're getting pretty close.