SusanK

#1 Join a gym! Try out some group classes! Get a workout buddy!!!! ...Or if you have a few bucks to spare, a personal trainer! #2 Start a food journal... You can workout as much as you want, but if you nutritional habits are poor, it won't make much of a difference. Writing down what you eat makes you accountable. #3 When you are especially drained, is often the best time to workout. Many people have the ill-conceived notion that working out tires you out. Not true, I'm sure you'll find the opposite to be true. Exercise gives your metabolism a boost! You'll love how you feel afterwards. #4 Start out gradual, and build up from there...many people start out with a bang, overdo it or hurt themselves, and then give up. #5 Make sure to add a couple of days of strength training in! Women often worry that weights will bulk them up. So not true! We do not have the horomones for that. The women you see that are built like men, are not like that because they lift weights....they are taking hormone supplements, or are on a specialized diet for the purpose of "bulking up". Muscle mass takes up less space than fat. When you turn fat into muscle you will loose inches. #6 Try Pilates...I swear by it. I have been dong for about 5 years now, and have totally eliminated back pain from my life..and my abs have never looked better. I'd be happy to give you some more suggestions about how to get started, cardio, strength training, fitting workouts into your schedule, etc. This is my passion

Does anyone know about the chair bows, what all the color options are I know I have seen coral, tourquoise, and gold in pics.... are there any other colors available?

So the choices are tres leches (three milk), vanilla, and what else? Is there a cheesecake option? Or am I remembering wrong?

One of my BM is helping me with my invites... she has done several weddings and definitely prefers laser...especially if your paper has any kind of sheen to it!

Welcome...and make sure to post your engagement story! I love reading them!

Who did you end up going with? Just curious

Ann- I think I'm going to go with "Matt's Bride"... to make it a little more personalized and versatile. Just an idea. I've been playing on the site for almost an hour...I've got shirts for 6 bridesmaids, 1 maid of honor, 1 flower girl, and me (plus a cute, short skirt to match). This is too much fun!

I'm sure the flower girls will love the tanks. I think I might have to "borrow" your idea!

Okay it's similiar to this, but strapless (no little sleeves). I know it's not the typical mother of the bride dress, but then again it's a DW...all rules are out! I love DWs!!

My mom has lost 40+ pounds over the past couple of years and is looking hot! She has bought lots of new clothes...and I must say, her wardrobe is looking much more "in" than mine is these days (I probably shouldn't admit this, but I'm still wearing a lot of my pants and sweaters from high school...when I could still convince my parents to buy me Abercrombie and Fitch). Anyway, she found her dress on the same day and at the same place I found mine. It is long and strapless with blace lace over a nude lining and small train. Hope she doesn't steal my thunder!! I will try to find out who it is by and post a pic!

Kay- Your BM dress pic isn't showing up for me But I know Aria has some great dresses. I was considering some of them for my BM. This is what my girls are going with. There were about 5 dresses to pick from, but they ended up liking these. They'll be the "sea" color We're going to have them shortened from tea length to knee length to make them a little more casual and flattering. Now if only my FI could decide on a suit for him and the GM! Still working on the flower girl dress too.

Quote: Originally Posted by RaydensMama hmmm, I dont know. The picture should just show up in the window. I really wanted a 3/4 length dress, but when I saw this picture I just loved it! Granted I havent actually seen it upclose, so who knows what I will think about it then! LOL I just don't wanna look like a nut job on the beach! You definitely aren't going to look like a "nut job", but do consider the weather. It's hard to tell from the pic, but if their are a lot of layers underneath it might feel too heavy or hot, but you can always have them removed, it just might make the dress lay a little flatter. Maybe you've already seen this dress... I don't know if it's your style, but it is the 3/4 you are looking for (the lace overlay dips down longer in the back). I tried this one on and really liked it.

Very cute...where did you find these??

I am sure your soon-to-be nieces will look absolutely adorable in these. I have a 4 year old niece and I know she would love it...pink with flowers...it's a little girls dream!

Quote: Originally Posted by RaydensMama Hi Dreams Cancun ladies!! I was wondering if any of you would have an answer to a few questions. 1. Is the ceremony private? Or can anyone on the beach come and watch? 2. Is the reception private? Or are you with other hotel guests? I think all my other questions have been covered in this post, so if anyone could answer these 2 that would be great!! Gazebo location: I wouldn't say that the ceremony is completely private, but pretty close. The location is beautiful. The gazebo is set back quite aways (maybe 150 yards...although I'm not very good with distances) from the Club Tower. This is the quiet part of the resort..far from the large pool, lobby, and main entertainment areas. It's kind of like the back side and when we were there last Oct. there was basically no one over on that side. If I remember correctly, there are no room balconies facing this area. You could have a few gawkers, but they would be quite far away and shouldn't interfer with your ceremony in any way. Your guests will be facing a very private ocean area with some lovely rock formations (and no possibility of swimmers/kayakers, etc. in view). Beach location: I didn't actually see a ceremony at this site, but I know they do them on the small, private beach also located at the back side of the resort (near the gazebo). The beach is very small, and not accessible from other hotels. I am sure they would clear this area of any Dreams guests that may be there at the time of your ceremony. Most guest would not be in this area anyway...they would be by the bigger beach located nearer the pool/lagoon. Once again, I do not believe there are any balconies that overlook that area. As far as the reception goes, there are a few different locations to choose from. The indoor ballroom would be completely private. The beach reception would be in the same area as the beach ceremony. The garden reception site is near the gazebo, and the terrace reception site overlooks the small pool. When we were there, they politely asked all guests to exit the terrace area in preparation for the cocktail hour. This a resort, and there is always potentail for onlookers, but I think Dreams does a great job of making it feel pretty private a personal. One thing to consider is the time of year you are getting married. Like I said, we were there in Oct. during "low" season, and the resort was no where near capacity. If your wedding is during "high" season, there will obviously be more potential for onlookers! Hope this helps.

I think it's beautiful...as long as you'll be comfortable in it (i.e it's not too hot or heavy), I think it will make a great DW wedding dress. I don't think there are any "rules" as to what a DW dress has to look like. I know there are brides on this forum with all kinds of dresses, from casual to traditional and everything in between.

Thought these might interest some of you

Another question just crossed my mind. I have seen the pics of the cakes, but what about flavors? I have never had a good experience with cake, or deserts in general in Mexico (they've always been more 'European' in style and not sweet and rich like we're use to in the States),...and I'm completely prepared for wedding cake to taste awful (I've already warned many friends and family when they bring it up), but I'd still liked to have one just so we can do the whole cutting of the cake ceremony (silly, I know)... and I guess if it's going to taste awful regardless...what do I really care what flavor it is....but point is, does anyone know if their is a choice of cake flavors? I thought I'd throw it out to you guys before I bothered bothering Claudia

Jilly- I like your idea of arranging the table so your guests can see each other. I am sure you can do that in both areas...so now you just have to decide With you relatively small guest list, you may even be able to decide when you get there and have had the chance to see both areas in person! Good luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by kucka00 I want to know that too! BTW Susan, I love your new picture, you guys look soooo cute together:) I decided on the ballroom for several reason; I don't want to be exposed to the elements (wind, possible rain, heat, BUGS) while we party and I don't want my party time restricted! I did find out, there is no restriction on music time for indoor/ballroom receptions!!! Yeah hooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Sabina! I get bored easily seeing the same pic every day. This is the third pic, and probably not the last. Although I know when other people change their sig pic it does take me a second or two to recognize them The ballroom sounds like the perfect choice for you guys. Somewhere there is a post with some good pics on the ballroom. Have you seen them yet?

Quote: Originally Posted by jilly76 susan, can I ask why you decided on the terrace? I only ask because I know you were considering the garden area too, as I am, and I can't decide, so I didn't know if you had any specific reasons for choosing the terrace, I know you've been there before, so I thought you might have more insight than I do! Jilly- I was debating between the same two choices. When we were there last Oct. we saw the garden set-up. It was beautiful, but a little windy (not too bad though). It overlooks a cliffy ocean area and the gazebo area. I initially thought we'd do the reception there, until my parents went in Feb. and discovered the terrace option. The terrace is connected to the Club tower lobby which is far from the main lobby and away from traffic flow. No one really has anyway reason to walk through unless they are blantantly gawking. It is also a beautiful area, and looks straight out over a small pool to the wedding gazebo and ocean. The wedding we saw hosted their cocktail party on the terrace. The Club Tower lobby opens up completely to the terrace to make one large area that will accomodate our 60-75 guests. Even the lobby area has a very outdoor feel(it's sorta like a covered patio...no doors), but is more protected from the wind and elements. I thought it might be a little bit more comfortable to eat there then in the garden area. There are some comfy lounge chairs on the terrace and big umbrellas to shade the sun. Another bonus, is that there is a bar right there, so you can take full advantage of the AI. Also, bathrooms for guests are also right there..and with a bunch of boozer friends and family, I know they are going to need to make several pit stops Ladies in heels will also have an easier time walking around. I hope that helps. Like I said, both areas are very nice, and I'm sure I'd be happy with either, but I'm pretty sure we are going to go with the terrace!

Lisa- Those dresses look great! Both look very light and airy! I think I saw the second one in some wedding pictures from Dreams. They looked just as good on! Natalie- I really like that dress too. I considered it for my BM, but not all are comfortable in stapless. I think it's a great idea to mix the two colors...they'll look great together!

Anny- You must be a saint! And truely blessed to have so many close friends and family to share in your shower! Everything (and most definitely YOU) looked amazing! I can only imagine how wonderful the wedding will be!

Best Wishes on your wedding day and every day of marital bliss that follows

Paula- I think we are going to do the reception on the terrace/in the Club Tower lobby as well. I was thinking about clearing out the tables and using the terrace (which we will also use for cocktail hour) for the DJ set-up and dance floor, and leaving the tables that are set up more in the inside part for those that need a break from dancing. I hope that will work, Susan