deleted

I totally understand your nervousness! What if you did this: bring an ipod and some $100-$150 ipod speakers with you as a backup plan? Worst case scenario, he doesn't show up and you have to get a friend to man the iPod that night?

oh that is my date too! It is SO SOON!!

Welcome Erin. We have several brides on this board at both locations. From what I have heard, both are gorgeous! (But definitely different, too.)

 

I am honeymooning at Casa del Mar. It seems like the major difference between them is one is a hotel so you have to worry about room blocks, hotel catering, etc. Whereas with the restaurant you have to worry about getting a private space, and having your guests get there, etc.

Sorry this is so big, for some reason my wedding website is not letting me shrink it...I swear it looks better smaller because it isn't so choppy! When it was printed it was smooth and crisp.

 

 

We used a stock photo (free) but paid $10 to have the back done in color ink. We also paid a bit more for the fast shipping because I was (for some crazy unnecessary reason) in a HURRY. No matter your preferences, you could definitely come in below $100! (Even below $50, I bet.)

Welcome Amanda! Tell us where you are in the planning process (have you picked a venue?) Hopefully we can help if you need anything!

Welcome Karla (another Karla, 3 Tammys, 3 Nicoles, it's crazy!)

 

Tell us where you are in the planning process so far? How can we help? Maria Elena is getting married in the San Jose Catholic Church next month, so you are in good company. I can't remember if we have any Westin brides yet though... Do you have a planner?

Oops I just checked and it doesn't look like they are still free. But I think they are only like $20, depending on how fancy, which is pretty darn cheap!

yep, I used them and loved them. Hopefully the free offer still works? (www.vistaprint.com/freeoffer)

Hey Jennifer, thanks for sharing your pics and story. You guys looked SO HAPPY

welcome sailor! I am getting married just a few days before you -- 11/11/06. I am getting so excited! (We will be in Cabo though) Tonight we were just working on writing our ceremony, which is yet another step in the process to make it seem so real! Welcome to the boards!

Hey Liza, Where are you having your ceremony?

 

I have heard such great things about Casa Natalia. I am going to try to eat there one night on my honeymoon.

Welcome! By 2008 you will be a Cabo wedding expert!!!

I have never heard of this before -- thanks for the tip, I'll have to check it out because I also hate acrylics but have major chipping issues...

Hey Jen,

 

The three names I know best are:

Arturo Ortiz (I don't have his info, but it has to be on this board somewhere?)

Antares Guerena (I am using him and others have. Mostly gets okay/good reviews, not great)

Richie (?) - He posted on the old forum at one point, I would search for it.

 

Here is Antares' website: http://www.systemasoundcontrol.com/

 

I will have a full review on him in a few weeks!

Thanks, Liza. Please feel free to "borrow" any text you want for your own site if that helps you.

To answer your question, there is a feature where people can sign up and give you their email address, and you can easily send group updates. However, I didn't really do this because I felt like most people just visited on their own once they realized it would help them with their planning. They usually visited once when they got the save the date, and then they visited again when they got the invitation.

The invitation directed people to RSVP directly to our website, which is awesome. I didn't have to buy return envelopes or stamps! Everyone just got online and did it, and while they were there could look up info. Of course, people who aren't web savvy just had to call me instead

We have had more than 1,000 visitors to the site and only have about 55 guests, so it shows that people come back more than once.

We made postcards too (sadly not keepsakes, but CHEAP and cute!). We used Vistaprint and I was really happy with the quality. Try this website: http://www.vistaprint.com/freeoffer (that is how we got 100 for FREE!), You can see a pic of mine on our wedding website under Downloads (on the lefthand side - then click on Save the Date)

Yeah I thought it was odd too, but I even looked at her sig on the old board and it said 07-07-07...or I am just hallucinating!

you know, I saw her date on the calendar, but I actually think it's wrong because I remember she is getting married on 07-07-07. Or am I crazy?

I used www.ewedding.com and have been 100% happy with them. $89 for the year with your own domain name. The only other one I would personally consider is www.weddingwindow.com, which is similar in price and features. I think my guests have been able to really utilize my site and I swear it has saved me tons of time and sanity! I would definitely make one.

Hey Jen, We are having a single classical guitarist. (Well, as long as he shows up! For some reason, I have my doubts...) I think live music is always a treat and that the trio would sound great. However, I think that if you are trying to save a little money, a CD would be just fine. Just be careful about which music you choose -- perhaps something instrumental, not like a pop song or anything.

 

The other thing to consider is how close your ceremony will be to the water/waves. If it is pretty close, any music might get drowned out anyway, so don't spend a fortune on it. If you are set back off the beach a little, it would be great. Why do you think a trio would not know what ot do? As long as they play appropriate songs I wouldn't worry...

Congrats on your engagement and upcoming wedding! Can you really wait until 2008? I think I would have one too many wedding heart attacks if you told me to plan a wedding for 1.5 years j/k I am just anxious to finally have everything happen!

 

Welcome to the board and I hope we can help you out. Seems like there is some good RIU info floating around here.

My first fitting is August 5th, and my wedding is the same weekend as yours. I probably could have waited a little longer too, but I, like Maria, have to go out of town for it....

 

Janet

 

AIM: jaynet03

 

11.11.06

 

Cabo Surf Hotel

 

Wedding Website

 

 

Oh I am so glad you like! Which ones did you pick? Did the 25% discount work okay? Just make sure you log in through the pal.einvite.com address and not the plain old einvite.com one or the discount disappears. I did order a sample for $1, but ended up choosing something different. I am 95% happy with the results. I love the paper, the ink quality, they came within just a few weeks (I forget how many, but it was short), and they were really helpful when I was having trouble customizing it. They fixed it on the phone and send me a proof for free - definitely ask for that. The ONE thing I wasn't super happy with was the ink color. On my screen, it was definitely pink. In real life, it's more like red. Pooper. But I got over it. If you want something other than black ink, see if they will send you a sample because I don't trust the colors on the screen....

 

Janet

 

AIM: jaynet03

 

11.11.06

 

Cabo Surf Hotel

 

Wedding Website

 

 

that's crazy! the difference between 15 and 60 is a lot more than 50 and 75!! I *should* be under budget if less than 75 come at least....

 

Janet

 

AIM: jaynet03

 

11.11.06

 

Cabo Surf Hotel

 

Wedding Website

 

 

75 is our MAX too. I am trying to be easy going about it but if all these people really do buy tickets....ahhh!! I just keep telling myself it will make for a very fun party. haha.

 

 

I have to say I did most of my planning in January and February and I am SO GLAD I did that. First, I basically had my pick of vendors. Second, I haven't been stressed out really at all yet. I'm sure it will get crazier, but at least I will avoid the burnout I hope.

 

 

My planning trip was awesome. It was just me and my mom, so we were able to get a lot done. I basically just met with people I had already hired, but it helped build the relastionship with them, you know? Plus, we had never been to Cabo, so it just gave us an idea of where things are, how to get around, etc. It helps when we are giving advice to others about the little things: renting a car, going to the grocery store, etc. My whole long detailed review is in the Private Folder, FYI.

 

 

When will you be there in Nov for the planning trip? We will be there the 9-18 for wedding + honeymoon. Ahhh, I cannot wait.

 

 

we got our invites at einvite.com. If you are a member of Costso, everything is 25% off and honestly, the quality is great and I totally personalized them to what I want! If you use the link http://pal.einvite.com I think you can get the Costco discount without actually proving you are a member! (shhh our little secret ) This is what they look like, except those aren't our names, and we got rid of the leaf thingy. We got 100 of them, plus gold lined envelopes and reception cards for $281 TOTAL. The paper is really thick and the ink is nice. A total steal, in my opinion, and they have nice customer service.

 

Janet

 

AIM: jaynet03

 

11.11.06

 

Cabo Surf Hotel

 

Wedding Website