@DayLily , Congratulations! The wedding sounds wonderful. I’m glad the weather cooperated and things worked out so well.
What is the difference between dipped nails and a gel manicure? I like the durability of gel manicures, but like @kelsmom, I hate what they do to my nails.
My younger D does dipped nails. She is a horseback rider and also a nail biter. She finds the dipped nails work best in her circumstance. She feels they are stronger. I don’t love what gel does to my nails but I did just do them for my D’s wedding. I had gone 18 months without any color on my nails and my nails are healthy. I did a neutral color and I’m hoping that I can get away with leaving the polish on as it grows out. My nails grow fast and I’m hoping to not have a lot of damage. The gel looks great and it is a vicious cycle. I do have friends who always have gel manicures on their fingers. They love that they last and the polish doesn’t chip. I like getting a manicure but my normal routine is just to get them buffed with no polish.
@daylily1 congratulations on a successful day.
I’m going to start a nail thread!
Well, it’s official! S2 proposed Saturday night. Earlier in the week he asked me to help him find a place where both families could meet for brunch on Sunday. I found a cute bar/restaurant near their apartment and 21 of us gathered to toast the happy couple!
I feel like FDIL and her mom had a head start on planning since by Sunday morning appointments had been made to tour venues 
Funny, one of the venues is the one where we had my kids’ Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties. My S feels a little weird about it, but his brother told him it might be cool to celebrate such important life cycle events in the same place. Not sure how things will play out but I was invited to go with them (can’t cause I committed to babysitting that day) and MOB said multiple times that they want my input. We haven’t had a formal conversation about finances yet, but I suspect we will be partners in this wedding, to some extent, unlike S1’s wedding. My H and I had this conversation even before they were engaged and decided we would offer to do whatever we can to let the kids have the wedding they want, within reason. We’ll see how this works out.
They don’t want a long engagement and are targeting March 2020, if they can find a place they like. Here we go again 
@runnersmom - congratulations! That sounds like a great start. Since my DS and FDIL also are aiming toward March, 2020, I’ll be watching for your updates
My daughter is getting married March 2020! So far they have a venue, photographer, officiant (my sister), and she picked out a dress last weekend!
Wow, @tx5athome…they’ve got a lot settled. Since my S and FDIL just got engaged last weekend I think March 2020 is a wish until they see if any venues they like are available. I know my S was reaching ut to our Rabbi today to see if he would do a Saturday evening wedding in March - I assume it will depend on when sundown occurs.
Remember, with a short lead time (and 9 months can be short,) it’s not just the venue and officiant. It’s every piece that needs to be available. Florist, photog, music, etc. Some are small teams and can’t to more than 1 event/day.
Congratulations @runnersmom. Very exciting. I am sure you will do just fine again. Just breath.
I got an unusual phone call today. D called, crying, saying she is really sick and wants me to come and take care of her. I think the stress of planning a wedding and starting a new job are taking a toll on her. So I have a 6 am flight (4 hours including a change of planes at O’Hare and then a 2 hour drive to her town. We mothers don’t get enough credit.
She needs some TLC.
You’re a good mom, @toledo! I’m sure your presence will be comforting and reassuring for your daughter.
@runnersmom congratulations!!!
A friend told me…once you have the date, everything else falls into place. And she was right. I think they will find a great venue in March 2020. Around here, that is still “off season” for weddings.
And @toledo great you can go to give that needed TLC.
I’m planning on attending a wedding at Disneyland.
Also, is it weird if a guy plans out a wedding rather than the girl?
Sheesh, this (now deleted) post appeared out of nowhere. No idea why it posted.
@MoonKnight - my S is engaged, and he and his fiancee are dividing up the tasks based on areas of competency/interest. She’s in charge of the budget/expenses; he’s the musician and the foodie and is working on those areas. If one member of the engaged couple wants to work on something and the other doesn’t mind, I don’t think it matters who plans what. It’s probably a good test to make sure you are compatible!
I had almost nothing to do with my own wedding, and DH even less. I definitely didn’t want that for DD.
I was pleasantly surprised how involved DSIL was in planning their wedding. I think in the end he did more than DD. He’s really pretty wonderful!
May I divert for MOB dresses?
4PM Wedding, evening reception for D1. (I’m not sure D2’s will have as formal a wedding, so this may be my only chance for sparkles!)
I’m really waiting for the new season’s dresses to come out in August-September. (The wedding is in January). Last weekend I tried on several at a local store and very much liked an Aidan Mattox ($550 - yikes!). It had a soutache/beaded top and a pleated taffeta skirt. Fortunately or unfortunately they didn’t have it in my size. My body shape seems to do best with a ball gown or fit-and-flare.
For months I’ve been coveting this Adriana Pappell.
I ordered it in two sizes. One fits perfectly except for the hem — but I can’t decide! In a way, I wanted it not to fit, so that I could start with something fresh for the new season. Bloomingdales allows one year for returns. I will return the too-small dress right away and confirm how long I have to return the other.
Has anyone tried this dress? Or do you have any concerns about the Bloomingdales return policy?
Thanks!
Well, we have a venue, a rabbi, and a caterer for the engagement party! It’s been a busy week.
Wedding will be March 21 at a venue I know well and my S2 spoke to our rabbi yesterday and he is available and willing to do a Saturday night wedding after Shabbat.
I am still looking for the most appropriate and tactful way to address the finances when we have dinner with the MOB and FOB when we return from our vacation in July. Conversations thus far have been based on assumptions but no specifics. MOB keeps asking how many people I will invite and I respond asking what size wedding her daughter and my son are contemplating. When I gave her a rough number last night she seemed surprised at how small it was - I was very limited by the size of the venue for S1’s wedding and I think FDIL mentioned that to her mom and she keeps saying she wants me to be able to invite whomever I want. Reality is there were probably about 15 people I would have liked to have that I couldn’t invite, so I don’t have a giant list.
I think we’re (the parents) are splitting the cost, but we haven’t discussed details like, will there be a rehearsal dinner - are we splitting that too? How about flowers, music, and all the other things the venue does not provide. Anyone have experience talking money with future in-laws (not the couple)?
It’s a really pretty dress. What is it that you are not sure about?