You only get married once...in a while. do what feels right to you. All I know about wedding prep is that my mother wigged the last time I heard 'gangster's paradise' and suggested it as a processional. But i used to think it would be "It's The End of The World As I know It"(but, at this rate, Mom, cynical or not, it's looking that way.)ETA: Although my favorite wedding article EVER was when David Simon hijacked "Vows". I wish I could see Charlotte York wrinkle her pretty little nose about that shit. But it was romantic, just not usual NYT-Vows romantic.

ION, one of my future mother-in-laws just e-mailed me to find out what room we are staying at in the inn. I am wondering if I should call the innkeeper to make sure no one has secretly booked any of the other rooms.

I would. My bro and SIL eloped, but SIL emailed her parents to say here's where we're getting married, and they showed up. My mother was a little pissed.

erikaj,I can imagine that's something that feels both good and bad. If there truly is nothing good there with the family, or if the bad outweighs the good, then it is a good thing you've managed to disengage. I imagine it's very hard to do. I'd bracket you but I don't know if that's your thing.

Continued good wishes on the run up to your elopement, sj.

Hubby and I had to provide false information on our honeymoon because his brother had plans to be disruptive. We told everyone we were going camping in a nearby national forest, then stayed home and parked the car a block away. His brother spent days combing the campgrounds for us.

Well, I feel bad about it in one way, Spidra, because I would love a close family and I hate to give up on things. But it is good to face up to what is real without being pouty or bitter. I wouldn't say there is nothing good, but I don't honestly miss out not seeing them more than a couple times a year, although that was not my choice. It feels good to let go of that as my project.ETA: Bracket or not, as you're inclined.

I can relate.

((((erikaj))))

my mother wigged the last time I heard 'gangster's paradise' and suggested it as a processional.

When my mom and stepdad got married, my mom walked down the aisle to the Pogues. I actually thought it was the wrong song, and in the wedding video, you can see me in the background, sprinting across the back of the gazebo-y area, over to my mom to make sure it was the right music.

In my defense -- I didn't even know she knew who the Pogues were, much less that there was one of their songs she wanted to walk down the aisle to.

Was it "Fairytale of New York?"

Holy shit, y'all. My best friend from college, with whom I had a major falling-out in 1999/2000, just sent me a really awesome email. I haven't heard from her in ten years. And it turns out she now lives about five hours away from me. I really thought I was never going to hear from her again, and now I might even get to see her! I'm just stunned, and really happy that she's doing well and wants to get back in touch.

OTB? 'B' is bra but...

One True Bra, and that reminds me it's probably time for me to pick up a few new ones.

I actually thought it was the wrong song, and in the wedding video, you can see me in the background, sprinting across the back of the gazebo-y area, over to my mom to make sure it was the right music.

Ha! Now I'm curious which song it was. (We played "Dirty Old Town" during our reception.)

We forgot to tell my grandma we were walking down the aisle to Metallica. The look on her face was priceless.