***QOTD 11/3***

So, the entire wedding process has opened my eyes to a lot of different things about people and how much things cost. What has been the biggest surprise so far in terms of planning?

For me, it's been people that I'm not really close with at all expecting to be invited to the wedding or giving unsolicited opinions about anything about the wedding. If I wanted your opinion I would've asked.

On the flip side of that, I will say that I've met some amazing wedding besties that have made wedding planning fun. I can't imagine my friends want to talk about invitations or centerpieces for hours but these girls have been my sanity throughout the planning process.

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Posted by Bride in 2012

The biggest surprise so far was the bridesmaid (who I considered myself to be very close with) dropping out twice from my bridal party. It definitely showed me a side of her that I have never seen before and I'm beyond happy that she's no longer in my life.

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I remember that. Definitely an eye opener!!

I think the biggest negative surprise would be the amount of jealous people in my life that just crap all over everything

The biggest positive surprise is the amount of love and support I would get from my 2012 girls and the friendship and bond we have all formed!!

I have to say that there really haven't been any negatives to speak about. I feel very lucky/blessed in that area.

One of the surprising positives is with my own FH. He has surprised me with how attentive and supportive and involved he's been. I think he gets more excited than I do when the UPS man arrives (daily) with our many wedding packages.

A big negative is how expensive everything is. It really never ends...

A great big positive is how sweet FMIL/FFIL have been. We have gotten really close since the engagement and they have been so awesome! I am really lucky!

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Posted by FutureMrsGTL

I think the biggest negative surprise would be the amount of jealous people in my life that just crap all over everything

The biggest positive surprise is the amount of love and support I would get from my 2012 girls and the friendship and bond we have all formed!!

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This!!. It seems like a lot of people in my life aren't very happy for me or my FH. Or they think this wedding is at a bad time financially ect.

the most negative surprise so far has been the jealous thounder stealing people. who are our friends none the less. we do something they do something, we do something else they do the same thing... its none stop and just annoying.

the best surprise has been you girls! not to sounds super corny but i would have NEVER in a million years thought this would happen, you girl rock!!! i just hope i get you actually meet you some time soon lol

couldn't agree more about the wedding besties

and the most negative...the money stress...it's is HORRIFIC and the bags under my eyes show it!

Worst part....was seeing the lack of response from so many people. It was hurtful. NO card, no phone call...nothing. Not even from my own siblings....I dunno, I expected some engagement cards or something....

Best part--this board, sharing ideas, and getting to talk about the future with my FH--building a family, holidays, etc! I love it!

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Posted by AlexandMike2012

PS I just realized today you're BOTW lol

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lol. i would not have known has it not been posted on FB.

negative - the cost. everything jumps up once you mention the word wedding. and EVERYONE has an opinion.

positive - meeting all the ladies here. it's great to have a set of girls to share the up, downs, and meltdowns with. we understand each other

I agree with you on the lonely front. FH works nights so he is asleep during the day and we only really get to see each other for a couple of hours in the evening and 1 day on the weekend. It is definitely taking a toll on me to research, attend showcases and basically take on this whole planning process on my own. My bridal party consists of his sisters (who live in Kentucky) and my best friend who has her own wedding coming up in February. Understandably,due to geography and her own wedding planning, they haven't been much help thus far. Needless to say, I totally thought I'd have more hands on deck, but I'm a tough cookie and I'm sure I can work it all out, haha.

On the other hand, it's been wonderful to be able to come onto the message boards (at all hours of the night) and share ideas with everyone. I definitely didn't expect to find so much support from so many wonderful strangers (who I do hope to someday meet!).

lol, we are kinda slow!

For me I have been amazed at how little involvement my family has had in the planning process. Other than some financial help, they have done nothing other than make things stressful.

The best thing that has happened are my new found friendships with a few select girls on here. I'm pretty sure we are going to have a lifetime of laughs and memories ahead of us!

For me, it's realizing who is actually important to me. Sounds mean, but I realized there were a few people I would be devastated if they didn't come and others I realized I was pretty neutral about if they said they wouldn't come.

Oh, and I now know that I have a crazy controlling side. I used to think I was a simple girl with few needs... Not anymore!!

So far my biggest surprise has been people inviting themselves to the wedding, even those I have not spoken to in years!!!! The other would be my family lack of interest, they feel they will be once it gets closer WTH??? I also have to admit when I first was reading on this site I thought man I will never be posting on this or hanging out with the girls..well 770 post later I can not go a day without being on here and I LOVE my 2012 Brides...we rock and I could not do this without ya