Posts by Chris Moore5

Just another day at the local Chase branch—there were 40 people ahead of me in line. Honestly, looking at that crowd, I realized standing there was a losing game. I grabbed a number and decided to knock out some errands first. I figured I’d come back and maybe find a small opening. I popped into a CVS to grab a few things, then headed back to the bank... and of course, all eight chairs were taken. And wouldn't you know it? Every single one was occupied by middle-aged women who were busy scanning the room with these judgmental looks, acting like they didn't see anyone else. There I am, standing there politely alongside a pregnant woman, just waiting for our numbers to be called. Every time a seat opens up, another woman in that same age bracket swoops in, without even a second thought or a glance toward the two of us. It's infuriating! I truly cannot believe I'm experiencing this from the same demographic that went through these exact same struggles. And here I am, always being the "nice girl" and letting people cut in front of me—hoping that someday someone will return the favor when I'm in a bind... yeah, right. In my dreams.
And get this—it happened at a different bank about two or three weeks ago too. Four men were sitting there, and not one of them had the decency to offer a seat to a pregnant mother holding a child. Hm... it makes you wonder where basic manners went. Or better yet, where a shred of humanity disappeared to?

When you set things up at the bank, you negotiate the duration of the loan—whether that’s one, two, three, or four years—and they disburse the funds according to your schedule, be it monthly or quarterly. The grace period refers to the time *after* you've finished using the funds; essentially, if you draw from the loan for a year, you get an additional year before you actually have to start paying it back.
Don't go getting too carried away by the easy money, though—interest rates are pretty steep. You really need to sit down and decide exactly how much you need and how you plan to tackle the repayments later. I personally went through JPMorgan Chase; my rate is 7.2%, but I started paying it back immediately over a five-year term (though, to be fair, my dad is currently footing the bill for me 🙂 )
You'll need at least one co-signer who has a minimum of $1333 left over from their paycheck after expenses. Your GPA doesn't actually matter (I see someone mentioned that earlier), but you do need all the paperwork proving you've enrolled for the year—and you'll have to provide proof of enrollment every single year you're in school. You'll also need documentation for tuition costs and other expenses, like Amtrak or Greyhound tickets if you're commuting, etc. Expect to wait at least a week for approval, depending on the amount you're requesting. In my case, it took about two and a half weeks.

Mine had that fancy artisanal chocolate mass... it looked incredible, but honestly, everything just ended up sticking to our teeth while we were snacking on it at midnight. It was visually stunning, sure, but it doesn't quite hit the mark compared to good old-fashioned whipped cream—at least when it comes to flavor.
Yours looks fantastic, though.

So, who exactly is running the show over in small-town Ohio? I’ve never heard of them, though they seem to be the talk of the town on this forum lately.
I used to get my cookies from a lady living out in the suburbs—they were always incredible—and I actually had an Admiral make my cakes. Honestly, I find that Ticino spread absolutely revolting, but since it looks so damn good, I suppose I can let her off the hook...

brightotter21 said:Anyone got some advice? 😁

I just grabbed this cake, and now I'm thinking... what if I swapped out this single candle on top for those little glitter spray cans instead? 🤷 I feel like if I just leave it as is, half the crowd won't even notice it, but the spray would definitely pop! 😁

Oh my gosh, it looks stunning!!! Honestly, don't change a thing—it’s perfect just the way it is, and it stands out so much from the typical stuff you see. I love this look; it's gorgeous. Those poppers might look a bit out of place, though! Instead, why not give them to the godparents and have them set off the small ones right when the cake comes out? That would make the whole entrance an actual experience! 😉

Robin Chase7 said:For those of you who happen to be heading down the hallway a bit more often, I was wondering if you might have happened to spot any little flower girl dresses in stock? And if so, do you have any idea what the price range looks like?
I’m also curious about the boys' stuff—you know, things like suspenders, little pillows, and all that other wedding gear...

I'm not sure how young your little ones are, but Target actually has these adorable ballerina-style dresses. I picked some up for my daughters and they were absolutely precious! They’re basically just a camisole-style top with a skirt made of several layers of tulle, so you can adjust the fluffiness as needed. They come in white and pink, and they aren't breaking the bank—$33 that was the price last time I checked. Plus, they're much more versatile than those heavy, floor-length gowns.

brightotter21 said:Wait, so who's actually in charge of the bride if she’s an only child? 🤔 🤔 🤔

If you don't have siblings to watch your back, even your closest friends might just sell you out—and honestly, that’s exactly how some girls operate.

Hannah Bailey6 said:Ladies, does anyone happen to know if there's anywhere in the Midwest where I can rent an oldtimer car? Also, where can I find the cheapest bow ties in bulk? I need about 300 of them 😢
...

If you're looking for vintage car clubs, there are groups over in Des Moines, Indianapolis, and Mishawaka—depending on which city you actually need. If it's the Des Moines crowd you're after, I actually know the club president personally, so I could easily ask him whatever questions you have. You might want to do a little digging online first; they have their own forum, something called "Oldschool."

For my husband: I didn't make it any further than Louisville this weekend. I spent the whole time scouting and searching for wedding supplies, but honestly—nothing. It was my first time heading that way, so maybe I just lacked the local knowledge to find what I needed. I’m heading out toward the outskirts on Saturday, so I’ll put together a list of prices for you all then.

Robert Moore86 said:Please check the balloon prices too (if they have solid white or purple), and the thick tulle or organza options (white and purple as well, what's the cost?). Thanks!!!

Sure thing, happy to help.
It seems everyone is obsessed with white and purple lately—back when I had my wedding, people were actually questioning my choice of colors. 🙂 Turns out lavender was the true culprit here. 🙂 In the end, though, it was such a stunning palette, and honestly, my whole house smelled like a field of lavender because of it. 🙂))

Robin Chase7 said:For those of you who happen to be heading down the hallway a bit more often, I was wondering if you might have happened to spot any little flower girl dresses in stock? And if so, do you have any idea what the price range looks like?
I’m also curious about the boys' stuff—you know, things like suspenders, little pillows, and all that other wedding gear...

Look, I'm actually heading there this weekend, so I can take a look for you. I'll let you know what I find.

You can find some seriously cheap balloons being sold by a woman in the hallway near the fountain. Once you head up those stairs, look for a little shop on the left side—it's about three units down from the entrance. To your right, there’s a row of maybe four or five shoe stores, and she’s standing right across from them. A bundle of 100 balloons will set you back 3.1 miles. It's a total steal
.

What else...
Indianapolis—the horse stud there could be a fantastic choice if you’re into horses and that whole aesthetic. I’m not entirely sure what else they offer, though. You also have a few folks over in VK who keep horses.
Pikov Station is an absolute classic. You don't even need to give them a heads-up if you just want to snap some photos.
Then there's Star Kunjevac, heading toward Rokovac. I haven't actually been myself, but I’ve seen the pictures—it's a beautiful spot. Just make sure you clear everything with the guy in charge before you show up.
Oh, right... there's that manor house near the edge of Nuštar, but honestly, I have no clue what kind of shape it's in.
And then there are the staples in VK: the walk along the Mississippi River, the old Dam, the train station with its vintage locomotive, and that pedestrian rail bridge connecting Borinac to the city. Though, I haven't seen anyone shooting photos in Lenija lately—that park used to be a huge hotspot about ten years ago. 🙂
Anyway, I hope that helps.

Mark Nguyen11 said:I have one big question...

Basically, I’m completely lost on where we should go for our wedding photos. I’m actually considering doing a session a few days before the big day for two reasons: first, it gives us more breathing room on the actual wedding day, and second, it allows us to travel somewhere a bit further out. But I just don't know where to go...

Can anyone recommend some great photo locations in the Midwest? I'm from near the LLC area, but I'm open to traveling further afield. Honestly, I'm leaning toward indoor settings—think castles, museums, galleries, or anything with decent scenery that could serve as a good backdrop.

I was even thinking about heading out to Des Moines to shoot at that beautiful castle there. Does anyone happen to know if they allow photography there, and how the process works?

It’s been ages since I visited the castle in Nasica—probably 12 or 13 years ago—but I remember it being lovely. It has that classic, old-world charm, and I’m sure there are plenty of great corners for photography. My husband mentioned there’s also a fantastic park nearby that’s absolutely stunning.
In Indianapolis, you have Meraj, though you'll need to find out who can grant you access. The Joza Ivakić Gallery is another beautiful spot for a shoot. You might also want to check out the Roman ruins near the local news station—I'm not entirely sure what the setup looks like, but they likely have something accessible in a basement level. And of course, there's always the museum downtown. That should cover the main spots in Indianapolis.
As for Warsaw, see if the Eltzov castle has been renovated. That could be another stellar location.
Personally, I'm obsessed with Ilok. They have those old walls and that entire little park up by the church. Then there’s the hotel run by the local winery—I can't recall the name right now—nestled right among the vineyards. It's breathtaking. You could easily tie all of that together with the hotel on the Mississippi River, which has a wonderful terrace.

cosmictiger67 said:Orange and white, definitely!

Hey, I was over at that new IKEA in the basement of the Target the other day—you know, the one near downtown—and I spotted some curtain fabric that looks almost identical to organza. It’s on sale for 5m $10, though I didn't catch the width of the bolt. I immediately thought of you the second I saw they had it in white and orange. 🙂

Has anyone actually checked out the wedding dress selection over at the corridor lately? Back when I was getting married, I distinctly remember the pricing structure being 373 miles if you brought in a photo for them to replicate and kept the dress yourself, whereas it was only 186 miles if they made it and kept it in their rental inventory. Has anything changed since then?

cosmictiger67 said:Hmm... Honestly, I’m a bit lost on where to even begin. Perhaps somewhere like General Motors or a similar large supplier? I've never actually had a need for this before, so I'm completely out of my element when it comes to knowing where to look for 😕

Actually, I think I saw something similar over at General Motors in the old district. There was something hanging in the window—it had this purple and cream color scheme.
I sent you a DM regarding the corridor.

We used to pick up fabric at the local outlet mall—it was such a steal back then. It was easily a yard wide, if not more. We’d make these massive bows out of it. I know it was incredibly cheap, though I can't quite recall the exact price point now. But,
I can certainly point you toward the right aisle if you decide to head over there.

frozenangler87 said:Oh man, thank you so much! But I actually passed on that because I reached out to this seamstress in the Midwest (or maybe Island—I can't quite remember) and she wanted $1667 from me. That felt like way too much money! So, I ended up just sticking with my plans involving The Chinese! 🤣
I had no clue about those shops across from the Promenade. I might have to swing by there though, just to check out their wedding dress accessories!
Seriously, thanks a million for all the info!

At that fair downtown during the harvest festival, there were some people there from the Midwest. I know their last name is Dujmić. They had absolutely phenomenal lace work. I'm certain they do custom orders, but I can't find a single trace of them online. Maybe some girls from the Midwest would know something.
I'll send you something via PM. 🙂

frozenangler87 said:I guess I already mentioned something similar over on the "Dream Wedding Dresses Vol. 2" thread, but I felt like I had to post here too because I think some Midwest women might get what I’m talking about better!

So, basically, my husband and I were walking past Rahelad's Photo studio last night to check out some wedding shots, and I just spotted this one girl in the most amaaaazing wedding dress.
It wasn't just your typical off-the-rack boutique gown; it had this intricate smocking all through it and a super modern cut—it was just... wow!
I was honestly obsessed, it looked so gorgeous!
Now, I'm not sure if everyone here knows what smocking actually is, but if anyone happens to know how much a dress like that would run, I would be so incredibly happy to know!
I took a quick picture, but I feel kind of awkward posting someone else's photo on a forum like this!
Or, if anyone has any similar photos or something, please show me.
The style is sort of like those low-waisted dresses. The bottom part is really wide and flowy, but it's just the edge that has that smocked detail! And the bodice is just stunning too!!! Seriously! 😍
I kept thinking about going into the shop and asking if they could give me the girl's number so I could call her and ask about it, but that feels kinda weird... I don't know... 🤷

My godmother actually wore a dress just like that for her engagement shoot. Her mother-in-law made it herself. I can DM you the link to the video if you want to see it.
If you send me the photo of the dress, I can ask the girl who works at Rachel's who the bride was, and maybe I can track her down. Also, right across from the boardwalk, there’s a local shop where women do that kind of custom needlework. I actually wanted to have them make a dress for my godmother's bridesmaids, but I couldn't do white, so I passed. They quoted me $200 for it. Which, honestly, isn't even that much.