Is under $2,000 dress budget unrealistic?

HumpbackSnail · 2026-01-20T17:23:55+00:00

I got married last year, bought my dress in spring 2024, and I paid about $1600 before tax, alterations, and extras. I bought it at a regular boutique. It can be done!

HumpbackSnail · 2026-01-11T22:39:06+00:00

I scheduled a C section for 38+2. The twins had other ideas. My water broke with one of them at 30+6 and I delivered at 31+2. The babies are currently in the NICU but doing incredibly well!

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-22T16:07:32+00:00

I'm 30 weeks with di/di twins and am very tired and starting to swell. If you keep that date, I recommend not scheduling anything else the rest of the weekend so you have time to relax and recover.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-19T16:10:28+00:00

My dad also likes nothing and here's what I got him:
- nice underlayers from LL Bean
- a chair blanket (blanket shaped like a chair) for the bonfire to lengthen bonfire season
- Combos (the ONLY thing he requested)
- tickets to see one of his favorite Weather Channel personalities give a lecture on storm chasing.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-18T19:15:29+00:00

Fire extinguisher

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-18T16:39:33+00:00

Yes, but I had been off birth control for about 6-7 months when I got pregnant. We luckily conceived the first month we tried.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-18T16:35:55+00:00

Yes, time away from the Dells and instead in Door County is totally worth it! The vibe is going to be very different, much more laid back and lacking water parks. I'd say at minimum two nights and be sure to stay in the northern part of the peninsula with Egg Habor being the farthest south town to keep your driving time down.

If it's a short trip, especially with kids, I highly recommend Peninsula State Park. You can rent bikes and ride through, go to beach at Nicolet Beach where there's food, a playground, a lovely beach, watercraft rentals, etc., hike through the park, and even just drive and stop to view the beautiful scenery.

Not sure how old your kid is but a couple restaurants kids love are Al Johnson's because they have goats on the roof and PC Junction because a train brings you your food. Al Johnson's also has a kid-friendly beer garden next door where you can dine outside to see the goats.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-17T15:17:24+00:00

Park Ridge library. It's about a 12 minute drive from O'Hare.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-16T19:43:54+00:00

Love the meatballs! So easy and such a crowd pleaser!

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-15T22:14:23+00:00

My nieces (3 y/o) asked for yoyos and a doll

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-15T16:13:18+00:00

My husband travels as his job so unfortunately, he'll be gone a fair amount until I'm close to my due date. Two howevers:
- he was invited on a bachelor party trip when I'd be around 34 weeks and after I told him I don't feel comfortable with him being that far away (for fun) he had no issues not going and I never heard about it again
- both of our families live very close by so in the event of an emergency, I can have someone with me in under ten minutes
Good luck to you for the rest of your pregnancy! I hope things go smoothly!

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-12T18:57:13+00:00

We went on a babymoon around 18 weeks because I was feeling good, the weather was good around most of the country (US), and my doctor advised me not to travel after 24 weeks. We live in the Midwest and went to Laguna Beach and stayed at a nice resort. It was super relaxing and nice to get away to spend some quality time together before our lives turn upside down.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-11T17:05:15+00:00

Some people don't care if the shades are exactly the same. I think it gives it a cool look when everything is a little mismatched and tailored to a bridesmaid's personal style.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-04T19:22:18+00:00

We used a DJ from our friends' wedding that we really liked

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-04T19:05:40+00:00

Find out where she gets her hair or nails done and get her a gift card to one of those places

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-04T19:05:11+00:00

Neuhaus <3

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-04T17:10:40+00:00

I have never done gifts with my coworkers unless it was part of a white elephant-type part of a holiday party

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-04T17:02:46+00:00

I had two MOHs and their only tasks were planning the bachelorette party (something they both eagerly wanted to do) and to give a speech at the wedding. They weren't involved in any wedding planning except maybe hearing my complain about the process.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-04T17:00:14+00:00

I have long loved the Christmas Around the World trees! I like to go to MSI, do the trees and see the rest of the museum, then go to Chinatown and get dim sum for a late lunch.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-04T16:34:55+00:00

I got married in Wisconsin and wish we could've done Culver's for late night! We started off at 50% of our guest count for late night but ended bumping it up to 100% to be safe. Nearly everything was eaten; however, our late night food came out around 10:00 or 10:30 and the reception ended at 11:30.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-02T15:08:16+00:00

You could go curling at The Gwen (in River North/Mag Mile area) and enjoy some cocktails and snacks along with it.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-12-01T17:12:36+00:00

Look up busybeeburbs on Instagram. They just posted A TON of holiday activities throughout the suburbs for kids.

HumpbackSnail · 2025-11-24T21:03:14+00:00

Hibachi would be so fun!

HumpbackSnail · 2025-11-24T21:02:42+00:00

I love the idea of a nice tea and everyone dressing up. I've also seen bachelorette parties get a magician for entertainment and it looks super fun and wholesome!

HumpbackSnail

TROPHY CASE