What I would and wouldn't do again...

Ok, I thought I'd do one too ... I'll update this as things come to me.

I WOULD DO IT AGAIN:

Las Caletas – YES! After this decision was made, I couldn’t go wrong!

Video – I am glad we got this; it wasn’t the best video but it let me see things that I missed either because I wasn’t feeling well, or because I just wasn’t around when it happened. And if there are any guests that couldn’t make it that want to see, they’re able to watch the video.

Welcome Dinner – I’d do the dinner again; but I would make sure the details were clear. I’d also maybe have it more casual (well, technically this is what I asked for!). Marilu screwed up about everything! It was nice for everyone to be in one place and meet the day before the wedding.

Bus to the Marina for Wedding- it was so nice for all of the guests to arrive in one, easy way.

DJ – I just didn’t want to deal with any of the music, especially on the wedding day. Paul had made some CDs and he played some from those, and some of his own music. He did a great job of reading the crowd and playing some fun music.

Trio – Everyone said they were good, and I briefly heard them before I walked down the aisle, but not much beyond that. I am sure it was great for the guests as they were arriving and during cocktail hour – so I am glad I did it. Maybe I’d ask for them to be closer to the ceremony if I did it again.

Chuppah - I’m glad I went with the bamboo chuppa and decorated it the way I did – it was totally us, and I thought it looked nice.

Rose petal toss It made for some funny pictures when the petals went down my dress!

Dreams – Everyone loved this place! It was perfect for our group – it had everything we needed.

Leigh Miller – This is one area where I don’t regret spending the extra $$ - so happy with our decision here! Not only because of her work, but she’s a great person too – fun to be with and hang out with!

OOT Bags – Guests loved some of the contents, and some didn’t get used as much. But it was fun for everyone to get a bag w/their little gifts.

Laid back attitude – For the most part, I let Nicole (the WC) run with everything. I had given her some pictures of what I liked for the cake, bouquet, centerpieces, chuppa, etc. and she did a fabulous job. I am so glad I never got all stressed out about the minor details!

I WOULD CHANGE:

Cake – Not that I wish I had skipped it, but it really wasn’t necessary if I was looking to cut back. Paul did want the cake cutting pics – but beyond that, not sure it needed to be there!

OOT Bags – I’d do these again, for sure, but I’d do them a little differently. I’d get the soft-sided coolers I think, something more useful and practical. I don’t know that any of my guests will be keeping their bags – not sure I even will!

TTD We bailed on Leigh the night before because we weren’t feeling. Part of me just wished we had sucked it up and done it – those pics would be so fun! We’re still going to do it though …

Flight Schedule – We left the day after the wedding for Hawaii – I totally wish we would have had one day after the wedding to relax, and say goodbye to all of our guests.

Dress – I’m torn on this one. I loved my dress, but I really didn’t need to spend as much as I did on it to feel the way I did. I can honestly say that I think it would have been just as amazing had I worn my $99 David’s Bridal dress. That could be because I didn’t feel like a million dollars that day (sick), but I wish I just would have gone with something simpler – it wouldn’t have taken away from the whole experience.

I will add mine here too-

I WOULD DO IT AGAIN:

Cabo – YES! I loved cabo! it is so clean and nice and BEAUTIFUL! I look at my pictures everyday and tell matt "we got married in paradise- how lucky are we?"

Video –We bought a camera and had someone tape it and it worked out really well if you are only interested in raw footage- but this day goes SO fast it was nice to be able to actually "watch: it and absorb all the things you may have missed

IPOD dpeakers –I am so glad we didnt wast money on a DJ becase i think i made some very cool playlists that my guests are still raving about- and we had an awesome time

a "bridal" dress There were times when i felt a little silly for having such a "bridal" dress when i was getting married at the beach- but i felt so amazing and so beautiful on the day of the wedding. Bottom Line- get the dress you LOVE, regardless of what it looks like

Dreams – Like Sarah said I know you are all probably tired of hearing about Dreams but they are so good at doing weddings and still making you feel special on your wedding day- i love this place and place to return there sometime soon.

Not hiring an outside WC – In the beginning i thought i might really need some outside help- but if you are organized you dont need anthing- but you MUST have a point person on the day of the wedding to be in charge- ad if your family/friends are unable to help then you should probably hire someone.

OOT Bags – I kept these simple- used regular gift bags with our logo- and packed them wthnecessary stuff (advil, pepto, koozies, sunscreen) and although it was a PITA getting it to Cabo i think the guests appreciated the gesture.

Laid back attitude – Once all our travel arrangements messed up i just sat back and let things happen (with a drink in my hand at all times!) but it was really suprising to me that i didnt freak out- but it really just made me relax more to know that it was all out of my hands and i could do was be grateful to be in Cabo with all my friends and family!

Doing my own makeup and hair Luckily i wanted a VERY easy hairstle for the wedding so i could do it myself and my sister does awesome makeup- but it really gave us my sisters and my mom some itimate time getting ready together and that was an amazing part of my day just laughing and hanging out with them- BUT you have to be easy going about this becasue if you are looking for a particular hairstyle or makeup look it might not turn out like that if you do it yourself

I WOULD CHANGE:

Cake – Not that I wish I had skipped it, but it really wasn’t necessary if I was looking to cut back. I think people said it was good- but i could have cared less about it- and when we ate the top a day later i thought it tasted sort of gross.

Flight Schedule – OUr wedding was on a Friday and all our guests left on Sunday- so we basically had 3 nights together ALONE before we left Cabo- i wish we had stayed a little longer after all the guests had left just to spend some alone time with my new hubby.

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Great thread! Here's my list:

Would do again:

Cabo ~ Absolutely! Everyone had a great time and it was so much fun!

DIY Invitations ~ I loved my invites and they really set the stage for the wedding. IMO, they were worth the time and expense.

Sheraton ~ The resort was beautiful and everything turned out wonderful. The food was great. We had a buffet....there were so many choices...people had to go back twice to try everything.

Maye (WC) ~ I'm so glad I had her to help, especially the day of...she made sure everything was just the way I wanted it. Napkin folds, shell placement etc. She also found me a stand in Guitar player after the one I booked backed out a couple of weeks before our wedding.

Welcome Dinner/Reception ~ This was a great way to start the wedding weekend festivities....we had the reception in our room (we had a 2 br suite)...it would have been nice to do it at a restaurant, but I'm too frugal It turned out great though and I didn't have to worry about transportation for everyone.

Dress ~ I decided not to spend a lot on my dress and I'm glad that I stuck with that decision. It looked great and it came in at less than 1/2 my budget.

TTD ~ I would absolutely do this again. I almost didn't want to do it because I didn't want to take the time out of my day to get dressed and do the whole thing, but in the end I'm SOO glad I did.

Jonathan Thrasher (photog) ~ I loved Jonathan's work the first time I saw it, and I am so incredibly happy with my photos and he was really great to have down there....he was like one of the guests. While I only had to pay for his travel expenses (because of the contest), I know now after the fact that I should have budgeted way more for my photographer because in the end great pictures are worth every penny. Also, I originally didn't think I wanted an album, but after seeing all the great pictures...I know I want an album now.

OOT bags ~ These were great, but I agree with Ann a cooler bag would have been much more practical.

Koozies ~ People used these all weekend. They were a great purchase.

Things I wouldn't do again:

Sunscreen ~ I'd skip the sunscreen in the OOT bags....people brought their own.

Cake ~ I got a smaller $100 cake just for pictures....I don't even think we needed that. The dessert that was included with dinner was perfect.

Song play list ~ I wish I would have taken more time to put together a few songs that I wanted to hear at the reception.

(We would've) write(n) our own vows ~ When we were doing our ceremony I didn't realize the vows that the minister was going to say didn't represent us and our views on marriage....I'm really disappointed about that.....I wanted to stop the minister in the middle of the vows and say "no, wait".

Mixed feelings about:

Meet the Guest book ~ I don't think a lot of people read it or looked at it. I know the few people who did read really found it helpful. so, I'm not sure if I would do it again.

Great list Jessalyn!

So here's my question to all you brides: DID ANYONE THINK THE CAKE WAS WORTH IT?

I know I didn't and the desserts that came with the buffet were actually more than we even needed. It seems like that is one of those things that keeps popping up in everyone's list of "could have done without!"

Did everyone that did sunscreen feel like it wasn't necessary?

i can't say how much i saw people using my sunscreen, since most people brought their own and Dreams proivdes it. but i did see many people using the aloe that i provided!