Karen

Congrats! Seeing your pics is getting me soo excited! Jay and I leave in 4 days for Dreams Tulum to get hitched! Did you get your hair and makeup done at the salon?

Welcome Michelle! My FI Jason and I are getting married at Dreams Tulum on 7/4/07 and we leave for Mexico in 5 days!!! Both of us are active on the forum (Jason posts a bit more than me). We will be posting pics and a review when we return. We are eloping so we don't have any reception issues but I've seen pics of patio reception setups with ocean views and they look beautiful. That might be a good middle ground. Not sure about the photography. Let us know if we can help in any over ways! Happy Planning!

Congrats to you and Jason! I hope you have a wonderful wedding and a fantastic honeymooon! Enjoy and best wishes!

If you are looking for something a little different and very romantic, try Copal Cabanas in Tulum for a night or two. Jason and I stayed there last year for a night.The web site describes it as a "rustic candle lit hotel". This is not a luxory resort but it had to have been one of the most romantic places I have ever been to. There is no electricity therefore no air conditioning, no television, no phone, or electric lights. The beds are covered by a canopy of white netting. At night the trails throughout the property are lit by lanterns. Our cabana was situated a few feet away from the beach. We fell asleep to the sound of crashing waves. The beach is beautiful and absolutely swimable. Suspended "beach beds" are on the beach. At night, Jason and I stargazed on one of the beach beds. I have never seen so many stars in my life. This place is such a quiet and beautiful santuary. Because of the atmosphere and lack of distractions, it just lends itself to romance. There is a spa on the property. This is definately not everyone's cup of tea. It's very rustic and a nudity friendly environment. But I definately recommend it. Incredibly beautiful and romantic! I felt like I was in a movie. Here's the link to the web site. Cabañas Copal eco-hotel in Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Welcome! Have fun planning!!!

Tammy,thanks for getting things back up and running. With a little over a week to go before the wedding, I went into shock with the forum being down. I've burned my hand like that....not fun. I hope you feel better!!!

Thank you so much for posting your mini-review. Jason and I leave for DreamsTulum in 6 days!!!! So reading that everything came together for you beautifully puts my mind at ease.How was the food, cake and flowers? Did you have your hair and make up done at the resort spa? I can't wait to read your review!!!

Yeah definately don't let him see the dress. You will forever treasure the meory of how he looks at you when you walk down the aisle. I don't even approve of pics before the ceremony. I let Jay see the shoes and that was it. Couldn't help it. I was very excited about my shoes- cute rhine stone studded thongs.

Hmmm. I guess the thing I'm most proud of is that I couseled survivors after the World Trade Center Disaster (9/11). I work for the New York State Child Abuse Hotline and because I'm a licensed Social Worker, I was recruited to go to New York City to counsel state workers whose office was 2 blocks away from WTC. I didn't think twice and left for NYC the day after I was asked. This was in October 2001. WTC site was still burning and was the most horrific thing I've ever seen. Twisted metal and smoke everywhere. The air was still filled with smoke and debris. I had to wear a mask to help me breathe when I walked through the streets. I stayed there for a week and a half just doing whatever I could for these incredibly brave people who not only survived this tradgedy but who also save abused children day in and day out. I learned a great deal about strength, love, and faith during that time. It was just an incredible experiance that still just makes me want to cry when I think about it. Some less heavy Karen facts: I can't eat anything blue like blueberries...blue food creeps me out. I ran in and completed Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon (13.3 miles) in Virginia Beach in 2004. I was a Metal head in High School. Teased Hair and all.

Both are just so beautiful on you. I think you definately made the right decisions regarding which ceremny for which dress. I cant believe the 2nd dress was only 140.00. So cool! And how exciting is it for you and your FI to have 2 weddings! Even if that's not wha you had planned. Congrats!

I am sensing a trend with Sandra. She is slow getting to back to us as well. I believe we were offered a few times but settled on 10 a.m. because it's cooler at that time of day and also we wanted to have the rest of the day to celebrate

Congrats! you must be soo happy. Love and happiness to you both!

If you have a Christmas Tree Shoppe location near you, you should definately check them out. Getting everything in Mexico might be less of a hassle though if you have enough time.

Love the tags and the flower detail..very nice.

Definately send them out now! Your guests will appreciate the advance notice and the chance to save and plan. Some workplaces require that you take time off months in advance.

Ladies first!!

P.S Jay and I are hosting a dinner party on our one month-versary at a Mexican restaurant and then doing a pub crawl after. We will be showing a slideshow of our wedding and having a traditional wedding cake. I can't wait!

I think you'll find people will want to celebrate with you no matter what. Jay and I are eloping (in 29 days!!). Due to that we didn't plan on any pre-wedding celebrations and we didn't register at any stores. However...I think more has been done for us than if we had a traditional wedding. My parents threw us an engagement party this past weekend and it was sooo much fun and relaxed. Our guests even got us some beautiful and generous gifts. This weekend, one of my best friends is treating me to a spa day. Another one of my best friends is taking me out for a fancy dinner. And more of my friends are throwing me a bachelorette party in two weeks. I am just overwhelmed with how much our loved ones want to for us despite us "running off" and eloping. Bottom line, the people who love you will want to celebrate with you no matter what!! So don't worry about etiquitte, just do what feels right for you, your family, and friends!

Thanks everyone! I'm just glad I figured it out. I'm playing around with the idea of putting the candy in little brown paper bags stamped with our monogram. I thought getting a custom made mongram stamp would be expensive but its not....You can order one for $7-$10. This is something great to have around for X-mas cards, stationary, etc. Here's the link: Monogram Stamps you have to scroll down to see the stamps. took me a few minutes to figure that out.

or my dad's face...don't want to see my dad's ace..lol

I think we are going to do little gift bags bags of mexican penny candy and ibarra chocolate. Its unique, goes with our theme (Mexico!) and sooooo cheap!!! Display cases of of 40 candy bars for under 5.00!! Actually I got the idea from one of the favor threads here on BDW. Mexican Candy Hot and Spicy seems to have the best prices! Can't wait to see my dad's ace when he tries a hot pepper lollipop!

I'm not as travel savvy as my better half but I say do a little comparison shopping and get a few more prices through other travel agencies before making a final decision. Prices can vary frequently anyhow. I seem to remember Apple as being priced a little higher than say Liberty Travel. Also figure out what is most important to you. If Secrets is the end all be all for you then go for it. People that really want to be there for you wil find the extra 200 to get there. You cant please everyone so do what's most important to you and your FI. Good Luck!

Oh Boy!!! I can't wait! Jay is so so excited about this that he did want to tell me but I asked him not to that it would be so much better as a surprise. I am such a lucky girl....I love my honey so!

I say get your dream dress!!! Somehow i find that money always finds you for things like this. Your wedding day is the one day in your life that you get to be a princess and something tells me you need tha dress to feel like the perfect princess. You may only be wearing it for a few hours but the image of you in the dress live forever in your pictures! Go for it! Cut back on the favors...no one really cares about those anyhow!

I'm soo glad you all like the announcements. I think it's the coolest thing ever and such a reflection our wedding and who we are. OMG everyone!!! 42 days! I can't wait!!!!