Weddingbee Blog

Hishtafel-I took a generic for Ortho Tri-Cyclen for a year and a half with no side effects. However, after almost 2 years, I began spotting about a week before my period was due, so I stopped taking them. I know many people who have difficulties with spotting randomly or with full on periods that just never seem to go away. Give them a try and see how it goes!

Histafel - I think the the pill has come a long way recently. Formulations are much “nicer” than they were even 10 years ago.
I was on Yasmin between children and I liked it. I felt hormonally even and had very short periods. Now I am trying Seasonique. The idea is that you only get your period 4 times a year. The downside is that until your body gets used to that cycle you spot. So I definately don’t recommend it for a newly wed. I know 2 people who got pregnant using the patch.

Jo - A great source for photojournalistic photographers in the area is to visit the wedding photojournalistic association at wpja.com or agwpja.com. This is where I found my photographer.

5. Jo,
If you post this question on the Knot NorCal board, you should get some pretty good leads. It really depends on your budget, though. Some of the most recommended that I’ve seen on the boards whose work I also love are Todd Rafalovich and Jennifer Skog. I love the work of our photogs (Zha Gallery), and one of the two guys is an actual photojournalist from San Jose Mercury. You can check out my knottie bio (knot name aldshoney) if you want to see my e-pics. Another guy whose work I liked (he’s actually based in SF) was Thor Swift. Good luck!

histafel - I have been on the pill for 7 years with no problems and I love it - it’s the only birth control I use and I’ve never gotten pregnant so it’s working! The only problem I’ve experienced was last summer, for a reason that would make a very long and boring story (it was related to a health issue of my fiance, so it wouldn’t affect you), I went off the pill for about 5 months and the first month of being off it, I experienced a LOT of headaches. They weren’t really bad ones, but I basically had a headache every day for a month, it was a bit draining. That ended after my body adjusted to the change though and I was back to normal. The other thing you should be aware of is when you go off it, it does take your body awhile to get back to its regular cycle - you may go for 2 or 3 months in between menstruation or you might get very light periods or spotting until your body is fully back to its regular cycle. This is normal though, not anything to worry about. (It also means that if you go off it because you’re trying to get pregnant, it will probably take a few months for you to get pregnant although this is by no means a guarantee).

The pill also came with one very happy surprise side effect - I don’t have particularly bad skin to start with but any breakouts I did occasionally have cleared right up when I went on the pill. In fact I’ve heard of some women going on the pill specifically to clear up their skin, on doctor’s recommendations!

Elsa–

I don’t remember how much it costs, but Marisa makes one. (It’s sold with dress 611 on their website).

for the beehive - whats the best type of printer to use for printing DIY invitations (regular cardstock). Inkjet? Laser jet? and approximately how much ink did you end up using?

histafel - different pill formulations work differently for different women, but few of the formulations today have really awful side effects, which is good news for you! I personally use the Nuva Ring, which I love. Good luck!

Jenny - maybe you can let members of your wedding party or family members know when to initiate the tossing and the rest of the guests will follow suit.

Hishtafel - I’ve been taking OrthoTriCyclen-Lo for almost three years now and have only experienced slight nausea in the beginning. Some of the benefits I’ve had are shorter and predictable periods (I know the exact day it comes so I can plan vacations, etc around it), fewer cramps and my boobs actually got bigger!

Histafel -

I have been on three different kinds of birth control for the past 12 years. I’m about to turn 23, so obviously a lot of it’s been for medicinal purposes. I’ve been on the ring, the patch, and several different kinds of pills.

My first recommendation is to think about birth control 6 months prior to the wedding. Just because, most doctor’s will give you the prescription and tell you to schedule an appointment for 3 months from then in case you are having any problems with the medicine. That way, you’ll have two separate time frames to try a different birth control.

I loved the pill when I wasn’t sexually active. Unfortunately, once I did, my bad habits of forgetting pills would give me a scare now and then.

Because I was so bad about remembering my pills even when I wasn’t sexually active, I switched to the patch. For the most part, it was good. I stayed on it for about a year, and the only problem I had was a rash that developed. I ended up taking it off, and then following the rest of my patches as usual.I only came off it because I wanted to use it for when I was sexually active, but soon after those nasty blood clot reports came out. So, the patch is out for me.

The ring. At first, I absolutely loved it. I never had to remember, he only thought he felt it once, it was wonderful. Unfortunately, it gave us the biggest scares. I was a Saturday starter, so on the pill, I typically got my period on Tuesday. I would not get my period until the Friday or even the Saturday when I was to put in my new ring. Besides that, it completely killed my sex drive. Not as noticable if it weren’t for being as horny as I am when I’m not on any form of birthcontrol.

Those are just my experiences. But I really do stick with the 6 month thing. If you don’t get it right with the first form of BC, you’ll at least be more adjusted to the second one. Or, if it works, you’re more than adjusted and it won’t screw with your horomones right before your wedding.

Good luck!