Oooh, and I have to share- we're "registering" for gift cards from Home Depot. I wandered into the kitchen for registry inspiration and found I really wanted new flooring, light fixtures, cabinetry hardware and paint. I knew I could find SOMETHING we needed for the kitchen if I looked hard enough!
What a novel idea!
Shananigans- Party buses are definitely the way to go if you can afford it. I've been on a few and always have a blast. However, I've known more than one bridesmaid that has gotten a little too drunk (one got off the bus and in front of the entire wedding proceeded to throw her dress up and adjust her panty hose )
So what is it with people coming up with "demands" when it comes to your wedding? Anyone else have a few people they would like to strangle? I've got a couple... let's see, there's DF's aunt who doesn't want the hassle of traveling to denver the week before the Democratic national COnvention (it's the week after the wedding).. I mean, after all, it isher family reunion they are using my wedding for... Not to mention the joys that come with having divorced parents; step parents, ex step-parents, half siblings, siblings related to me and not each other. And of course there those can't be trusted to sit next to others and have told me as much... I have decided to nip this in the bud and have sternly reminded people that I'm not participating and that can we all- GASP! -grow up and have a happy day? It's 11 months away. I think there's time to prepare. Once you start giving into every little demand, you might as well throw it all to the birds, no?
So what is it with people coming up with "demands" when it comes to your wedding? Anyone else have a few people they would like to strangle? I've got a couple... let's see, there's DF's aunt who doesn't want the hassle of traveling to denver the week before the Democratic national COnvention (it's the week after the wedding).. I mean, after all, it isher family reunion they are using my wedding for... Not to mention the joys that come with having divorced parents; step parents, ex step-parents, half siblings, siblings related to me and not each other. And of course there those can't be trusted to sit next to others and have told me as much... I have decided to nip this in the bud and have sternly reminded people that I'm not participating and that can we all- GASP! -grow up and have a happy day? It's 11 months away. I think there's time to prepare. Once you start giving into every little demand, you might as well throw it all to the birds, no?
end//rant
*sigh* you're not the only one with a *colorful* family to make things interesting. I just hope I don't get depressed!
Oh, man. I'm a big fan of the iron fist rule when dealing with the petty crap.
I am usually very respectful and deferential but, when family members started telling me what they would and would not tolerate, I nipped it in the bud immediately. In my sternest kindergarten teacher voice, I informed them that I would not, without exception and in no uncertain terms, be making accomodations for anyone not in a wheelchair. I expect civility at the very least and, if this adult behavior is not something they can handle, I expect them to politely decline the invitation. ALL of them were so shocked to be getting a behind-the-woodshed speech from me that they agreed. I also made it clear that I had no qualms with sending them home if I did not feel their behavior was appropriate. I am the bride, not the babysitter!!!
I had an amazing sense of calm once I addressed this- they are responsible for their own behavior. It is not my problem and I refuse to deal with it. Yay!
Oh, man. I'm a big fan of the iron fist rule when dealing with the petty crap.
I am usually very respectful and deferential but, when family members started telling me what they would and would not tolerate, I nipped it in the bud immediately. In my sternest kindergarten teacher voice, I informed them that I would not, without exception and in no uncertain terms, be making accomodations for anyone not in a wheelchair. I expect civility at the very least and, if this adult behavior is not something they can handle, I expect them to politely decline the invitation. ALL of them were so shocked to be getting a behind-the-woodshed speech from me that they agreed. I also made it clear that I had no qualms with sending them home if I did not feel their behavior was appropriate. I am the bride, not the babysitter!!!
I had an amazing sense of calm once I addressed this- they are responsible for their own behavior. It is not my problem and I refuse to deal with it. Yay!
Be tough!!! You'll be surprised at the result!
Thank you, Lafayette and Rakel, I knew I couldn't possibly be alone on this. And you're right. As I told Ross when his aunt chimed in, once we give in to every aunt, cousin, groomsman, mother, etc... we might as well elope. So when my mother attempted to lay down some conditions regarding people she was once married to, I had this moment of clarity. Next August, I am marrying the love of my life. That day will be about him and me. Not my mother and her ex-husbands and not if my half sister is satisfied with where her and her boyfriend are sitting and not a family reunion. I would love for them to be a part of it, but I will not them run away with this day.
Way to go, Jen! Doesn't it feel good?!? I keep saying, "I need a groom, a priest and two witnesses." My mom laughs because she had headache upon headache to "deal with" at her wedding and was disgusted by the time it was over. How sad!
I just ran over to the dress shop to see if they can order a sample dress for me to try on before I order the real thing. They don't have what I think is my dream dress in stock so I'm crossing my fingers... my tummy is getting smaller! I plan to increase my fruits, veggies and water and just keep reaching for my goal! I've now officially sworn off fast food until our wedding.
How's everyone else doing with their weight loss for the big day?
How's everyone else doing with their weight loss for the big day?
Oh wait, that was a serious question, wasn't it...
Yeah, I keep fluxing up and down the same 7 pounds. Can you tell consistency is an issue for me? I've been eating decent Monday through Friday and getting my running and some yoga in every other day, but it's not nearly enough. I need to get back to some weight training and pilates, cut way back on the beer (it's hard during football season!) and the splurge meals. *sigh* Why does weight loss have to require so much discipline? It is not my forte.
You gals are doing the right thing by putting your foot down and not allowing your families to ruin what should be one of the happiest days of your life. They should be able to grow up and let you enjoy!
I met with my florist last night, she is fabulous! Very nice and knowledgeable, plus the portfolio looked great.
Getting measured for my dress order tonight, I'll post pix tomorrow if I can get the sales staff to take some for me.
I did the "good" diet thing and skipped breakfast... then I raided the vending machines for a "sensible" lunch... train wreck! As long as dinner isn't an entire cake, I should be OK. Right?!?
I had a 2wk stump, but I'm back on track... lost another .5lb today. Yesterday John commented that my tummy is no longer out past my boobs. lol. Always a good thing.
Now, as it turns out, my wedding is going to be on easter weekend. Is it normal for people to have weddings on Holidays? I didn't really plan it, but I figured it could either go really well or really poorly. For travelers, it may work out well because they can get the time off from work/school, but alternatively, some local people may be going out of town that weekend... all the better to get those save the dates out there ASAP! They should be done printing next week -- I got an update from my printer yesterday saying they were about 1/2way done. I should start working on labels for them so they are ready to go when they get here!
I had a 2wk stump, but I'm back on track... lost another .5lb today. Yesterday John commented that my tummy is no longer out past my boobs. lol. Always a good thing.
Now, as it turns out, my wedding is going to be on easter weekend. Is it normal for people to have weddings on Holidays? I didn't really plan it, but I figured it could either go really well or really poorly. For travelers, it may work out well because they can get the time off from work/school, but alternatively, some local people may be going out of town that weekend... all the better to get those save the dates out there ASAP! They should be done printing next week -- I got an update from my printer yesterday saying they were about 1/2way done. I should start working on labels for them so they are ready to go when they get here!
We had the choice to do ours over Labor Day. I would advise against it.
For starters, Easter is a sacred holiday in many families, and while they can go to your wedding any other weekend, they can't always have Easter with their families. Also, while people may have the time off, they may not feel like traveling when everyone else is traveling. This was a big one for us: The wedding is in my hometown, which is also a resort community and the headache that we would put people through wasn't worth it. Also, prices tend to jump over holiday travel days as well.
If people are going to come to your wedding, it won't matter what weekend it's over. If you wanted to do it over a holiday for a religious reason or because it is special for you, that's one thing, but it wouldn't be any more convenient (and would actually be less convenient) to do it over a holiday, especially one of the "big ones". Just my 2 cents, always subject to change
Rakel, be aware that flowers will cost more over a holiday like Easter. Also, being Catholic, I know Easter Saturday is the one day the Catholic Church won't allow weddings (although you can get married at the Easter Vigil- the longest Mass of the year held in the middle of the night). Depending on your religion and whether you chose to have a religious ceremony, you may struggle to find someone to officiate.
I'm getting married the weekend after Easter. The Church will already have flowers, spring flowers are in bloom and I still benefit from a few off-season discounts because I was able to get married before the end of March. Our date is Saturday, March 29, 2008. Obviously, I'll share!!!
Shan, whoa! That is one sexy dress! Way to go! Hopefully, your husband will get his tongue back in his mouth before the pictures!
I keep coming back to the Ann Taylor Elizabeth bridal gown. I called their Michigan Ave store (the closest to me) and it only takes 5-7 business days to arrive!!! I can diet right down to the wire!
I have been looking at bridal shops and I am getting dangerously close to the date when I HAVE to order my dress to allow for alterations. I've been worrying about what the alterations may add to the price of the dress if I keep losing weight and, as a result, generally throwing myself into a panic. Panic over! I can lose my 17 remaining pounds and still keep my dress up (ahem) on my wedding day!!! Yippee!!!
Thanks for all your nice compliments on the dress, I love it!
Lafayette - That is great news about your dress. I had to go ahead and order mine in my current size with the 6 month ordering time. I hope I'll be altering it to make it smaller, but I couldn’t take the risk or ordering it in a smaller size. It will add to the cost, but luckily I found a dress that didn't break the bank to begin with.
My wedding is during Memorial Day weekend. Since many of the guests are Jewish we couldn't do a Saturday, and almost all of the guests will be traveling from many states away, so we wanted to pick a Sunday where most people wouldn't have to work the following Monday. On the plus side, since Sundays are less popular than Saturdays for weddings we're finding things a little more available on our date even though it's a holiday weekend. Like everyone says, you've got to take the type of service (civil or religious) and the religious concerns of your particular crowd of guests into consideration for you date.
Hi gals - I'm temporarily back in town, exhausted and relieved to have survived it all. There were a few glitches, but stuff most people probably did not notice.
A few words of advice:
1) Practice signing your new last name if you are changing it - you have to sign it on the marriage license - mine looks like a first-grader wrote it!
2) Insist on your music person being at rehearsal - the glitches in my ceremony were caused by my inability to remember all of the music cues we'd discussed back in July!
3) Do take time to enjoy the day while it is happening. We had a small wedding, only 60, and luckily that made it easy to take a few moments here and there to soak it all in.
4) Plan for your wedding night hotel stay better than I did - I was so focused on the wedding and reception, that although I packed a suitcase with clothes, all my makeup, toiletries, contact stuff and hair stuff (including even a brush or comb), got swept up when the "getting ready" room was cleared and taken back to my Mom's house. I couldn't even comb out my hair or take an advil when I got up the next morning! Ironically, I could have used my own bathroom basket!
That's all I can think of for now - I've really got to start getting packed for tomorrow - we leave for Barcelona and our Med cruise! Talk to you gals after the 14th!
Cindy
)
and not if my half sister is satisfied with where her and her boyfriend are sitting and not a family reunion. I would love for them to be a part of it, but I will not them run away with this day. 
