Weekend Chit Chat

angelsong21 · August 2011

How's it going, ladies?

Really tired today. Went to my friends outdoor ceremony last night and it wa HOT. Fortunately we were only out there for about 30-40 minutes but it was still pretty toasty. She looked beautiful and I'm so happy for them!!! I was caught really off-guard when they announced the couple was about to do a dollar dance. I have never been to a wedding here with a dollar dance...didn't know this was "socially acceptable" in the area or in most social circles around here. Have I missed something?

Anyone been to a wedding and had the thought, "Wait, why are we spending $xxx for this again?

MarieSD · August 2011

Morning! I'm waiting for H to wake up so we can decide what to do today. We've both had a rough week at work, so it'll likely be pretty much nothing ... and I'm OK with that.

I've only been to one wedding here in TX, and there was no dollar dance. But where I grew up, they were standard. In fact, some of the people invited to ours specifically mentioned looking forward to the dollar dance so they could dance with me. I just told them we weren't doing many formal dances. I couldn't say more than that, since they all had them at their weddings!

But, in truth, I never wanted to do one, money or no. I'm not a very touchy-feely person, so dancing with most anyone (besides H) is a bit uncomfortable for me.

MLandCJ · August 2011

I thought that too, but I didn't go to the wedding. Guess who's wedding it was

So after I got an amazing deal on our pots and pans Thursday, I talked my mom into getting a set for her too since her's are 10-15 years old. The sales lady gave us a free utensil set and a dutch oven bonus that included towels and spoons. I couldn't believe it

She said they had been sitting on those bonus deals for 13 months and was ready to get them out the door.

I picked up a grill pan and a sauce pan for $40. I'm all set to be domestic! I picked up some christmas gifts too for our gift exchange. YAY!

MBS0310 · August 2011

I went to a wedding this past April and they had a dollar dance and I thought it was very tacky! The couple were both young with no real jobs, so they really needed money and nothing else. And it was very obvious. I understand that and a lot of people are in that situation, but asking for money when people already spent a lot to get to the wedding and all of the shower, wedding gifts, etc. I would no way do that! Just my opinion!

I am debating going out to Hobby Lobby and also getting our blocks of hotel rooms done. I just wish I knew how many hotels rooms to block?!?!

crash2729 · August 2011

I have been to one wedding, and it had a dollar dance. I thought it was odd TBH. I won't be having one.

Other than that it's CLEANING DAY! Oh gee. But I'm done for the most part so that's good.

jmitchel · August 2011

It comes up in conversation a lot but I've never actually been to a wedding with one. Our DJ asked us if we wanted one and I said NO. I think it's kind of tacky...

MLandCJ · August 2011

It's cleaning day for me too!

So far this is what I have:
Changed the sheets
Three loads of laundry
Semi went grocery shopping (Sprouts had Ozarka water for $2.99!)
Put up our cookware

I need to:
Clean the bathroom
Take out the trash
Pick up my craft room

Are there any good movies out or to rent? I think I might surprise Matt when he gets home with a movie/dinner date night

I went to see my grandmother and the nurses must have been new. They kept asking me if I needed anything and it wasn't until one of the regulars said "Hey!" that they layed off.

I went to my super secret thrift store afterwards only to be shocked at how many people were there. A large college bus was in the parking lot and there were 20 college kids running around. In line, I told one of them they had a cute sweater...she then told me you could find anything if you just dig. I had to bite my tongue. It was hard to. Gah...!

MarieSD · August 2011

It feels like every day is cleaning day for me.

I don't know why our house gets so dirty.

Today, though, I spent almost an hour sorting a huge bag of legos. They were H's favorite toy as a kid, and the ILs suggested we keep them for our kids someday. Cute idea ... except that child-H also kept rocks, shells, stickers, crayons, those green plastic soldiers, loose change, and other crap into his bag-o-legos. So I went through and separated out what I think our kids will actually play with someday and put it in a nice container.

That was a lot of work for children that aren't even a gleam in our eyes yet.

professorscience · August 2011

MBS, most hotels will let you release unsold rooms a few days before your wedding. We booked 25 and we're expecting them to all be used, but the hotel contacts us about three days prior and asks if we'd like to keep them or release them.

I got my veil today!

And I've been so busy all week, I finally get to just sit down. It is so nice.

angelsong21 · August 2011

Everyone is having really busy and productive days today! Except for me...I've been asleep the last 4 hours. :P

I dunno, dollar dances just seem so "grabby" to me. I already paid to drive all the way out here, paid for a hotel, paid for a dress and shoes to wear, and paid for a gift. It seems weird to then have a dollar dance where you have to pay to dance with the bride or the groom. I've been to a few weddings in TX but they were all mostly within my family (1 of the 4 was not) and none of them had a dollar dance. I didn't even know what that was until I came on TK and saw people ask about.

I feel crappy, though. After going to a wedding, I catch myself wanting to cut back...which I feel badly about because I do really want to treat my guests wonderfully and provide a tasty dinner, drinks, etc. We were worried that 4 hours for the short ceremony and reception would be too little, but honestly, last night started with about 70 people and when the B&G left after their 5 hour ceremony/reception, there were maybe 20 people left, most of whom looked very exhausted and fled within moments. It just felt like we spend more time waiting around for things to happen than it did actually enjoying ourselves. Everyone at our table got up and left to go hang out outside or just flat-out left immediately after dinner. -sigh- If that's what our wedding will be like, I just don't really understand why we are spending $12,000+ on it. I'd rather just do a simple app/cake/punch reception and go on a honeymoon if people won't really, really enjoy themselves.

I think too much.

I really want to go on a honeymoon now but can't find anything very inexpensive outside of the states, and we can't think of anywhere we want to go within the states. Everyone says Sandals is really cheap, so I've checked out many locations (Antigua being the fav) and the best we can do is like $4,500 with flights. Yeah...unless we get that cash from wedding gift which will never happen in a million years, that's out of our price range. How did y'all get great deals on your honeymoons?

Jen6862 · August 2011

Hey Angelsong, Have you looked into places like Costa Rica, Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico... Sandals can be expensive, but there are a lot of places you can try that may not be all inclusive, but are still really nice and super affordable!

I went to Costa Rica last year and it was so beautiful... went to the Volcano, hot springs, had a cheap massage, tropical jungle trek (and got to swim in a waterfall) and laid out by the beach while watching monkeys! Went with 10 girls so it wasn't a romantic honeymoon, but it was a lot of fun!

ejheart · August 2011

Growing up in DFW, I have been to a TON of weddings that had dollar dances. Almost every single one, actually. I never thought of it as tacky or money-hungry...it always just seemed like a fun way to get a few minutes with the B & G. But now that you put it that way I'm not so sure that I want one at mine! I don't want to come across as rude or tacky, especially since my FI's family is from all over the U.S.

Anyway, as far as the honeymoon check out some places in P*nta Cana, Dominican Republic. We JUST went there on vacation, stayed for 5 days and 4 nights and it was about $2400 total. We also booked kind of last minute (about 3 weeks before) so it would have been even cheaper if it wasn't for the last minute airfare. We stayed at Catalonia Royal Bavaro, an all inclusive and absolutely loved it. You just have to make sure to book the Royal side (couples only). Just a suggestion.

angelsong21 · August 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_weekend-chit-chat-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:42be5de3-f8fb-4f32-9875-ad909a4b9edcPost:1630e7e3-ce4e-4f74-bcf2-cb08c668e599">Re: Weekend Chit Chat</a>:
[QUOTE] Anyway, as far as the honeymoon check out some places in P*nta Cana, Dominican Republic. We JUST went there on vacation, stayed for 5 days and 4 nights and it was about $2400 total. We also booked kind of last minute (about 3 weeks before) so it would have been even cheaper if it wasn't for the last minute airfare. We stayed at Catalonia Royal Bavaro, an all inclusive and absolutely loved it. You just have to make sure to book the Royal side (couples only). Just a suggestion. :)
Posted by ejheart[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the info! One of the problems we will face is getting married in May = start of summer travel season, which means no awesome travel deals like you see in off-peak season. FI wants to go to Australia really badly, but it's certainly out of the question for a honeymoon so we decided long ago we'd wait a few years to save up for like a two-week trip and then go. But, the more I have thought about it, the more I just really want to get away for a few days and completely relax after the wedding. Maybe New York would be fun (I've never been anywhere on the east coast) or maybe Key West or something?

juliebug1997 · August 2011

Angelsong,
NYC would be beautiful during that time of year!!!!! We did our HM in NYC so let me know if you want some tips.

MarieSD · August 2011

I recommend looking at Travelzoo.com. I signed up for their newsletter, so I get an email each week of the top deals.

I had similar thoughts to you about spending so much money without knowing if it would be super or just so-so for the guests. But we fed people a good, filling dinner, had lots of drinks, and told our DJ to play whatever people were dancing to, and everyone seemed to have a great time. My DOC insisted people would start leaving around 10 pm but almost everyone stayed til the very end (after 12).

The good thing is, I've never been to a wedding where it didn't look like the B&G were having a fabulous time, no matter how I felt as a guest.

MarieSD · August 2011

Oh, and with the dollar dances ... the weddings I went to when I was young, you actually got in line for whichever person you wanted to dance with, paid your dollar and got your choice of a shot of whiskey or a giant Hershey's bar (the really oversized ones).

And usually it was a time for people to get really goofy, so it wasn't uncomfortable or focused on the money ... like people switching lines at the last minute to trick the bride and groom. I.E., the bride's brother would run out of his sister's line when it was his turn and start walzing the groom around the dance floor, etc, or two people would dance with the bride at once, or something.

I think people genuinely thought of it as a chance to dance and have a moment with the B&G, honestly. But then again, I was like 8 at most of these weddings, so I have no idea what people were thinking. I just wanted the candy.

professorscience · August 2011

Amy, we are taking a "mini-moon" to Fredericksburg since we're getting married kind of in the thick of the fall semester, then we'll take a bigger, longer trip in the summer. Partly to save money, mostly so we can take more time. We got a cabin for three nights for under $500.

Re: Dollar Dance. I don't mind it. Don't think we'll do it at our wedding, but the times I've seen it, it's been just a fun time. It didn't seem grabby, it was kind of a joke: "Hey, you pay for the privilege to split these two apart tonight."

MLandCJ · August 2011

We didn't have an all out HM, we went to Vegas and had a blast. I can't wait to go back, the shows were amazing. I second travel zoo, I'm always asking Matt when we can go back

We are planning on going on a "Big Honeymoon" vacation next summer

Several things went wrong on our first honeymoon...It's funny now, but it wasn't funny then.

KendallandAlbert · August 2011

Re: The Dollar dance.

Growing up and going to tons of weddings in Dallas, I have only seen this done once, and it was at a Knottie's wedding. I am personally not doing it as it is frowned upon by our family/circle of friends. I think it really just depends on who you are inviting. Some people think its fun. Some people think it's tacky. You will most likely have both sides at your wedding :P

courtski2004 · August 2011

I'll jump in since I had a 'dollar dance'. I think it completely depends on what you are accustomed to--every large-scaled wedding that I've been to has had one, and feedback from the brides afterward was that it was a great opportunity to spend a little extra time talking to friends and family. That was the main reason that I did it--we had a lot of OOT family, and there is no way that I would have been able to dance with my uncles, mom's cousin, J's friends, etc. without doing it. There just isn't enough time in one night, unfortunately. I couldn't have cared less if they 'paid' to dance with me or not, but it was one of the more memorable events of the night for us and I'm glad we had one.

angelsong21 · August 2011

Juliebug -- Yes, I will have to ask you for some great tips if we end up heading out that way! I think it would be really fun and obviously there's so much to do if you want to fill up your schedule or you can relax, go to a few shows, and do some sightseeing. Thanks for your input -- I was a little iffy on NY, but FI's only idea was Seattle........

Amanda -- I have never been to Fredericksburg! I know several people who have gone though and absolutely LOVED it. I'll have to put that on my list to look into as well.

Thanks!

MLandCJ -- Vegas is DEFINITELY on the list as well. I've been to Vegas once when I was maybe 10 or 12, and that was no fun. I want to go now when I'm actually allowed to set foot on the carpet in the casino without getting kicked out! LOL I do know the shows are expensive and such -- how did you keep costs down?

Back to the dollar dance thing -- I think you are right, Courtski. I think it's definitely more about social circles than geography, although a lot of people claim geography is a determining factor on some of the other boards. It seems like there's a good mix of people who have commented both "yes" and "no" to whether they have been to a wedding one or not. I think the candy thing or the shot of whiskey is cute (I also do love chocolate LOL) but I see what you are also saying too, Courtski, about getting an opportunity to dance with everyone. It just caught me really off guard last night, I suppose, mostly because I guess in our social circle it hadn't been done before. When they announced it, I think two people went up front and no one else. The DJ was like, "aww, come on guys, you can't leave them hangin!!!!" and you could see people looking at each other like they felt bad but they also weren't prepared to bring $1 bills to a wedding. I'm pretty sure some people ended up putting $5, 10s, and 20s in there because that's all they had. And I feel very "grabby" about a lot of wedding things, and I'm in the minority on those and I know most people don't feel the same way that I do. For some reason money is an incredibly sensitive issue with me, so my opinion on these things doesn't really hold a lot of weight.

angelsong21 · August 2011

Random subject change -- anyone ever watch BBC shows? FI found this show called "Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps." I side-eyed it and finally caved and started watching it with him. I'm usually not a huge fan of British comedy, but this show is hilarious and they are really crass. I think we've watched up to the 7th season in the last two weeks.

rcpm44 · August 2011

Hello all! It's been awhile but I've been lurking and had a question about travelzoo.com. Is it deals on last minute travel only? Or is there a way to "plan ahead" and still get these deals?

juliebug1997 · August 2011

Renee,
I used to get emails from Travelzoo and I think they are mainly for last minute trips, maybe three weeks out.

MarieSD · August 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_weekend-chit-chat-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:42be5de3-f8fb-4f32-9875-ad909a4b9edcPost:d73f1bfd-1afa-4ffc-9f30-a5e82143b900">Re: Weekend Chit Chat</a>:
[QUOTE]Hello all! It's been awhile but I've been lurking and had a question about travelzoo.com. Is it deals on last minute travel only? Or is there a way to "plan ahead" and still get these deals?
Posted by rcpm44[/QUOTE]

I think the focus of Travelzoo is actually the best deals they've found out there on various travel websites ... whether it happens to be a last-minute trip or not. On the actual website, there are a lot more trips than what's in the weekly newsletter (which is the Top 20 of the best deals they found that week).

Personally I use it mostly for ideas. It gives me an idea of the best price I could find for a vacation to certain places. Also, it links to the actual website offering the vacation package, and I'd noticed that Virgin Vacations kept showing up for Europe trips ... so when we actually booked our honeymoon to Italy, I went right to the Virgin Vacations website and felt confident I was getting a good price for the trip.

angelsong21 · August 2011

Sunday...how is it already Sunday?

I'm an idiot. We made baked potatoes at around 11PM last night and I decided to pop a 3rd one in to take for lunch today. It's all well and good until I got up this morning and, realizing I had left the unopened third baked potato out last night instead of putting it in the fridge, decided what the hell, I'd heat it really hot in the micro and it would be fine. After eating part of it, I heard my previous food microbiology professor in my ear speaking of lovely things like deadly botulism. Myself being a worry wart, I am now convinced I am inevitably going to contract this disease from this potato and die. Yep, seriously. It's going to be a really long next 72 hours for my obsessively worrisome brain.

What's everyone else up to today?

MLandCJ · August 2011

We booked our hotel and flight through bookit.com. Since Matt and I had never been to Vegas before we decided to do a mystery hotel that was 5 star. Since it was a mystery hotel we were able to save there.
After we booked we found out it was the new Cosmopolitan. We had alot of luck with the mag 24/7 because it had alot of codes in it. We were able to purchase two tickets to KA for $100 and would have been able to do the same for Peepshow. We spent a LOT more on Peepshow because it wasn't planned and Matt was trying to make up for the evening gone bad.

We ended up booking a nice dinner at the palms through travel zoo. It was a four course dinner and access to all of the clubs. Which btw are dead at 9 pm. We had pretty much ghost bar to our selves as well as the playboy club. That was nice:) It was such an amazing view and we were there as the sun was setting. The perfect time!

Looking back, I would have liked to plan the food out better. I didn't like alot of the food we had and I'm not that picky of an eater. We ate mostly at the hotel and it was expensive. If you go, we liked fatburger and the wicked spoon.

TexanTreasure08 · August 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_weekend-chit-chat-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:42be5de3-f8fb-4f32-9875-ad909a4b9edcPost:4b5e3a75-9425-4bd9-810a-4f791c0366bf">Re: Weekend Chit Chat</a>:
[QUOTE]We booked our hotel and flight through bookit.com. Since Matt and I had never been to Vegas before we decided to do a mystery hotel that was 5 star. Since it was a mystery hotel we were able to save there. After we booked we found out it was the new Cosmopolitan. We had alot of luck with the mag 24/7 because it had alot of codes in it. We were able to purchase two tickets to KA for $100 and would have been able to do the same for Peepshow. We spent a LOT more on Peepshow because it wasn't planned and Matt was trying to make up for the evening gone bad. We ended up booking a nice dinner at the palms through travel zoo. It was a four course dinner and access to all of the clubs. Which btw are dead at 9 pm. We had pretty much ghost bar to our selves as well as the playboy club. That was nice:) It was such an amazing view and we were there as the sun was setting. The perfect time! Looking back, I would have liked to plan the food out better. I didn't like alot of the food we had and I'm not that picky of an eater. We ate mostly at the hotel and it was expensive. <strong>If you go, we liked fatburger and the wicked spoon.</strong>
Posted by MLandCJ[/QUOTE]

And Mon Ami Gabi! Their steak frites are amazing!!

MLandCJ · August 2011

That's one thing that I regret

We were going to eat there and went inside the casino and just forgot about it

There was a place inside Paris that Matt LOVED. It was a scrabbled egg waffle with bacon...not my taste but he loved it.

btweety04 · August 2011

Sitting at 20 days out. We took the tour of all the DFW area Ross stores today in order to find our luggage, but we finally got two nice Samsonite sets.

Trying to dwindle down the massive "to-do" list before it takes complete control!

MLandCJ · August 2011

That's exactly what I did for our luggage

Yay for luggage!

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