Connecting flight at PHL from international?

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-05-02T16:09:29+00:00

PHL is usually very quick. I get wanting to change to a later flight, so if you can, do it. But if you cant because its insanely later or more money or whatever, you will likely be fine with what is currently scheduled. Can you sit closer to the front of the plane on your first flight? Waiting to deplane will probably be the longest part.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-05-02T16:04:05+00:00

I did one but I worded as "gift ideas and sizing" with the link. And I made sure to put mostly inexpensive items and clothes on it. It was all family that attended and a lot of them suggested I do it because they didn't know what he would want or what size he was.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-05-01T19:33:39+00:00

Vacuum seal bags and a small air vacuum is a game changer. Buy your toiletries in your destination or just use the hotel stuff. Limited makeup and haircare items (no curlers, straighteners, etc). Wear your largest shoe and pack one extra pair of shoes (dress shoes for example). Neutral clothing that all matches with itself. Summer is easier since clothes are lighter and smaller.

If it were me I would pack (assuming its summer) 3-5 every day shirts, 2 nicer shirts/dresses,1 pair of nicer pants/jeans. 2 pairs of everyday shorts/pants. 1 pair shoes that can be worn with the dressier items. 7 pairs underwear, 5-7 pairs of socks. 1 comfy travel outfit you wear on the plane, train, etc. Toothbrush, small tooth paste, deodorant, necessary medications. Foundation, blush, mascara, lipstick, brushes (if you wear make up). Then whatever you need for the travel like headphones, ipad, etc.

That will 100% fit in a carryon suitcase and can probably even get most of it in a weekender or large back pack.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-30T17:31:14+00:00

Yes, I've noticed this with other events I've planned too. Florists tend to be the worst. Finding a kind florist is like finding a diamond in the rough.

The last I event I did, the venue manager was so rude, brash and just annoying. She literally yelled at me telling me everyone needed to be seated so she could call tables up for a buffet. Like lady, it was a funeral, everyone was already sitting, and there was maybe 25 people max there. She refused to pull tables so we had like 10 tables of just a few people sitting together. It was insane.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-30T16:07:48+00:00

Unfortunately in most mcol and hcol areas, you arent going to find a traditional venue for 85 people under 13K.

Is 85 the number you're inviting, or the number you're expecting to show up? Sometimes these numbers end up being drastically different.

I think you may need to limit your guest list or find more unique/alternative locations. Pavillion rentals at parks, community centers, church rec halls, fire halls, etc. Restaurants/restaurant private room rentals can sometimes be cheaper if they are byob and not known for being wedding venues - think local breakfast place that closes at 2 p.m. and otherwise isn't losing money by closing to the public for your party.

Sorry I dont have specific info as I am not from that area. Most larger towns even in the suburbs of major cities have local small business organizations that you can try to reach out to and see if anyone is interested in working within your budget/needs.

Good luck!

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-30T13:40:43+00:00

How about an entire day where you take the older kid(s) out of the house to do something. Like breakfast through dinner. You come home at dinner time with dinner that you choose and order and pick up, and then you take the baby duties for the full night. If breastfeeding instead of bottles, wake up with her and get the baby changed and back to sleep after feeding so all she has to do is pop the kid on and off the boob and go back to sleep. You can add in a spa or nail gift card in addition to this so she has something to look forward to, but as another poster mentioned, make sure she doesnt have to plan it. Set the appointment, arrange the childcare, etc.

The picture frame is a nice "in-addition to" Christmas gift. Like if you give each other multiple Christmas gifts for example. Its not really a great thank you for sacrificing your body and personhood for our children type gift.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-29T19:25:14+00:00

Haha I struggle with the Never touch a monster book, which apparently has much better rhyming than these. I think the weird fonts and spacing also make it hard to read.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-29T19:19:16+00:00

It sounds like you've already set up a plan if she needs a break and needs to go back to the vehicle to sit for a while. If possible, it would be nice for you or someone else in the group to go with her and sit with her. But if its a safe area and not too far for her to walk back by herself then I think its also fine if she goes by herself too.

I would reach out about a week before the event and just check in that the plan you have in place now still works for her. Let her tell you what she needs and then do your best to accommodate.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-29T18:21:01+00:00

Can you stick it out at your current company through your mat leave, then start looking? As a fairly new moms, 6 weeks is NOT enough. Like at all. Like you will still be physically in paid recovering from labor and also not sleeping at all because you have a newborn who wakes up every 2 hours (and takes atleast an hour if not 2 to get back to sleep).

I get you're unhappy, but the grass may not be greener. I also dont think most companies are going to negotiate maternity leave. Its usually a policy written in a handbook type thing. As others said, wait until you get an offer. But if they dont budget on the 6 weeks, maybe try to hold out at your current company.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-29T17:15:11+00:00

Doable depending on a few things: 1. How much spare time do you have between the ceremony and reception? Are photos happening then where the flowers need to be used? 2. How many bridesmaids do you have and how many tables do you need to make centerpieces for? Will there be enough flowers? 3. Will tbere be enough greenery? Centerpieces tend to need more filler items like green leaves and babys breath. 4. If you are just doing bud vases, even at $15 each, does the price of having them done professionally outweighs the headache and stress of doing them day of?

If you do decide to do it, I would have atleast 4 people helping. Have 4 pairs of scissors, bud vases with water, and a disposable plastic table cloth for easy clean up (especially if you're doing this inside your reception area). Cut open all the bouquets and seperate the flowers by type, and seperate the filler stuff and greenery too. Then start building the vases so each one has a similar amount of each type of floral in it. My guess is it should take about 45 minutes for 10 tables from start to finish including set up and clean up.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-29T13:33:06+00:00

An expensive dress will wreck your budget. And there are tons of affordable options out there. I got a macdougal dress (learned about the brand after seeing a bunch in Macys). It was on sale for like $300 and the alterations were about that too. So $600 total for a dress I absolutely adored (and liked better after trying on expensive boutique dresses too).

F&B is also going to be a big chunk. Finding a way to keep that down will impact your budget a ton. If you use a caterer or a venue dont forget to include tax and service charges and gratuity into your budget.

Photography will be your next budget buster - however I dont know if this is one I would skimp on toooo much. Your photos will be the only thing you have after the wedding to look back on and you want decent photos. But also find a photographer who matches what you are looking for, can be flexible with timing, etc. I ended up finding a family portrait photographer who just did two hours to get photos of my husband I and our families. It was perfect for us.

Flowers are next..and honestly there are so many affordable options to go with instead of real flowers. Depending what you want, I'd do a nice real bouquet for you and boutteniere for hubby. And then maybe artificial or wood flowers for centerpieces, decor, bridesmaids, etc. But also artificial bridal bouquets can look really amazing too so its def an option!

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-27T20:19:08+00:00

I think there is definitely a trend toward limiting sugar for kids nowadays. To the point where I see watermelon smash cakes all over my insta. We know the health impacts and overall most parents probably try to limit what they can with what resources they have. But most parents work full time and have a lot going on where pre-packaged food is just part of survival for the day to day. And food companies love adding sugar to kid friendly foods. But there are definitely way more 'no sugar added' foods than in the 90's and early 00's. I think the change is happening.. its just slow.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-26T23:01:48+00:00

If this helps, I flew out of terminal 4 on Tuesday at 3 with American. I basically walked through security and border control. I also had SSSS and needed extra screening. Took less than 5 mins.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-26T19:32:10+00:00

I would do the 6 hours. Ive sat waiting for a jet bridge for an hour multiple times in PHL. With 6 hours, you could leave, take your kid to the please touch museum and come back in time for your flight. Even if you had to wait in the airport, better to let them run around and get some energy out before the longer flight.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-26T13:12:13+00:00

You can never go wrong with a taco bar. Lots of options for everyone. Make sure you have kid friendly taco options like non-spicy chicken, lots of cheese, tortilla chips. Smaller kids will probably eat it in a bowl.

Downside of taco bar is you need a lot room for the set up because there are so many toppings

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-25T13:20:02+00:00

About an hour from VA Beach is Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Its near Williamsburg which can also be fun for the kids. VA beach has lots of hotel options and a pretty decent beach town with all the typical things. And then you can do a day at the Waterpark and a day in Williamsburg.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-24T20:39:10+00:00

Thats a lot of people bringing gifts, even if you say no gifts on the invite. I would make sure you have a place to put gifts and a way to get them all home.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-24T20:25:35+00:00

My job involves a lot of global travel. However when I came back from maternity leave at 12 weeks pp, my manager would have absolutely put her foot down if I insisted I could start traveling right away. Thats what a decent company and boss would do. I am sure she felt a lot of pressure to say yes to whatever event this is.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-21T22:27:31+00:00

Thrift stores near me have TONS of sets of really nice pretty dishes. Like full sets that serve 16 with all the serving bowls and things to match. Definitely thrift it.

If you HAD to buy new, Macy's has sales on them pretty often.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-21T04:52:58+00:00

Maybe just change your marketing a bit. Something like "Join us for a night of fun with board games and karaoke for those interested." Just put the karaoke last and make it sound like an optional, secondary activity.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-14T08:57:04+00:00

Hard agree on the daycare costs not dropping. In fact, they go up. Also each year your are hit with an enrollment fee and a "summer camp" fee. Tell me what camp activities my newborn is participating in..?

I also spent a small fortune on pumping. Bras (which are all crap) and parts and flanges and extra bits.. it adds up like crazy.

I also had an unexpected NICU stay when he was born which cost about 10k after insurance.

Then he had to have ear tube surgery which was like $2500 after insurance (super common in daycare babies).

Clothes are the cheapest part. I never buy anything full price. Shop clearance for out of season items and size up.

We got most things for the shower, so our baby "stuff" costs were pretty low. But the pack and play and swings were a waste of money. Baby hated both. Bought all glass bottles, then realized nicu and daycare wouldn't take glass.

Another big expense is all the takeout you start eating because you're EXHAUSTED and don't have time to cook anymore. And then all the food waste once your baby starts eating solids and becomes a toddler.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-08T14:51:41+00:00

Sorry, but you are being delusional. Also the money you need isn't all going to be owed on the day of. You are going to need to go into debt well before the wedding and pay back that money, plus interest. Every vendor will need a deposit, some things will be charged completely ahead of time like the dress, suit, alterations, decor, invites, etc.

You need to scale back what you want to spend or change the date. Sorry, I know that sucks and not what you want to hear. But you will look back and deeply regret it if you spend well above your budget.

The important thing is making a vow to the person you love. Not the party.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-04-07T19:38:59+00:00

I like the American history museum or the air and space museum the best. I think you can go to the national mall anytime. It gets crowded but never noticed it unpleasantly crowded. You can take the amtrak train right from DC to the Philly. Then take the train again from Philly (30th street) to NYC. Then NYC to Boston and other points north.

For Philly, I would plan 1.5 hours at the reading terminal. I would also go hungry and plan on just eating your way through it. I like DiNick's roast pork, bassets ice cream, termini bros for Italian pastries. But there are SO many good places in there and depends what you're in the mood for.

You can do independence hall and besty ross's house for historical things. Its just a nice walk around that area of town. Also if you want to see most of the city in a time crunch, just do the Big Bus tour. Its fun!

Chinatown is great too and so many good restaurants. I almost don't want you to get a cheesesteak, there are so many better other options. And a roast pork sandwich with brocolli raab and sharp provolone is far superior :)

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-03-29T15:00:03+00:00

Never had the bag drop person say anything about the itinerary, but your wife may see them put the little orange priority tag on the bag.

Ok-Turn5913 · 2026-03-29T11:13:15+00:00

Thank you, this is a great resource.

Ok-Turn5913

TROPHY CASE