Just need to VENT

First, realize you can't control everything. Expect things to go wrong - if your b.maid doesn't get her dress altered, then she will wear a funny looking dress. Its like when you're a teenager and your parents laugh at you for your dress attire. Its not a reflection on you - she'll look like the big jerk.

RE: rings. We didn't pick ours out until 2 weeks before and I picked them up the day before. So long as you do not want anything custom, you will be fine. Engraving only takes a day or 2....with all the beautiful bands out there, I'm sure you'll find something you want.

Remember - you have 18 days. That's nearly 3 weeks - lots of time. And maybe everything won't get done - so long as you both are there that day, the rest of it really doesn't matter.

Hi, TOTALLY CAN RELATE (and I still have two months to go). I was so stressed-out for a while that all I did was argue with my Fiance. Finally, after spending three days straight hysterically crying, I talked to my fiance about how I felt: that I was the only one doing anything. We sat down on the computer, looked at our "to do" list and put deadlines & who would do what on everything that needed to be done in the next month or so, i.e. registering, ordering invites, etc. It helped him to see what needed to be done and he's gotten into gear. Things will get done. Put a deadline on things. Tell your bridesmaid (politely) that if she doesn't get her dress by Friday, then you are assuming that she doesn't want to be your bridesmaid anymore. (I don't think bridesmaids are what they used to be. People have careers now, its not like it was fifty years ago, when grils had more time on their hands becasue most didn't work).

My other piece of advice is to get away for a while, even if its this long weekend coming up, do NO WEDDING PLANNING whatsoever, and no wedding talk either (trust me it's hard, but possible). Go hiking with your fiance, or do something just for yourself, get a facial or a massage. I went to visit my sister in London and it did me worlds of good to unplug for a few days. I came back fo find my fiance had ordered invitation samples, made appointments for a tasting & to meet with the florist, and had made his own to do list! Take a few days off, nothing is going to be open during the long holiday anyway, and I'm sure anything that needs to be done can wait until Wednesday. So take a mini-vacation, even if its in your own back yard. When you get back to planning, you'll be coming at it from a different, more relaxed mindset.

I agree with Karen. However, the jewelry industry closes down July 1 (Sat) for 2 weeks. It might be a good idea to make it a priority to look at rings tomorrow if you can. Since you will probably need to buy a ring that does not need to be ordered, it will help to get an idea of what you want by trying some on. You can then have a piece of mind when you go in the middle of July you will get a ring the first day. You do not need added stress the last few days before the wedding. If you feel too rushed you should not settle. Buy plain bands for a reasonable price and pick out something else after the wedding. You will be more relaxed and can wait until you have the money. They would make a nice 1st anniversary gift to each other.

any other creative ideas ?? this would mean alot to my future hubby :)