Mishi

I had to post this thread because I really missed all of you girls! Anyone that has been on here for 2 years or more may remember me but I was on here alot in 2006 and 2007. All of my girlfriends live far away and I had no help with my wedding except for this forum. I fell in love with so many of you and know my wedding would not have been the same without all of you guys imput. Anyway shortly after the wedding my life went to chaos and I have been absent for about a year. I came back recently and have been getting updates on everyone since I have been gone. It is so exciting to see how beautiful everyone's weddings turned out! Just wanted to say I missed you girls and I am back and excited to start contributing again. Hope everyone is having a great 2009 so far. PS. I got married in the Dominican Republic (in a non AI/Resort) and honeymooned in another part of the DR and Anguilla... so if any of you have specific questions about any of that... I'm here

It sounds like you girls are mostly on target... I ended up having two and a half years to plan and all it does is give you more time to change your mind, lol. LuckyGirl- we went to Anguilla as well for two weeks and went back this year for our anniversary... it is the most amazing place on earth... let me know if you have any questions, I know the island inside out.

My MIL did the same thing. She wore a linen tunic top and linen pants and she was comfortable, cool and looked beautiful. We got a lot of the wedding parties clothes from island importer... here is a link and they have tunics and pants here. Beach Wedding Attire: Drawstring Linen Pants, Cotton & Linen Shirts, Shorts - Island Importer Good luck!

Ok, I just found this thread and I love it, lol! Here goes: I can not stand my BIL's (which I totally adore and couldn't be closer to him if he was my own blood) new girlfriend. She is completely wrong for him, they have nothing in common and she is a total a$$ to be around. She complains about everything, goes against everything and anything that anyone wants to do and is the most negative person I have ever met. I know I will probably never thing anyone is good enough for him but she really is the worst! And, I am obsessed with Twilight! I am so glad I am not alone. I bought the first book about five months ago and read it in two days. Then I went and bought the other three books and read all of them between a Sunday and a Friday night. I could not put them down! I went and saw the movie as soon it came out and have found a copy online and have watched it four times already this week, lol. I told you, I am obsessed. And, I found Midnight Sun too and read what they have posted as well (and it's awesome!). I can not get enough. I wish I was rich so I could hire Stephanie Meyer and pay her enough so she does nothing but write fifty more books, lol. We need to start an obsessed Twilight thread, lol. Oh and... it has been a year and a half since I got married and I totally want to get married again, like now. My DH and I have decided we will renew and do a small ceremony every 8 years because 8 is a thing for us and since every 7 years our bodies completely cycle out and we are different people anyway, lol, we will renew... but I don't know if I can wait another 6.5 years, hahaha. He keeps telling me I should start doing wedding consulting, because I am a complete nut over it. So if anyone needs help or ideas, let me know ;0} (Sorry for the long post)

The first one is pretty but I think the last one where you have it pulled to the side is so elegant. If you are wanting to incorporate the orchid as well this will work the best. Take it from me, even though I asked for the last look, the girl did a look similar to the first one and placed the flowers at the pullback (the only placed to put them) and in some pics it looked like I had them stuck on the top of my head. But I agree with the rest, you look beautiful in all of them!

It is beautiful! We can't wait to see pics of it on you ;0} 12 days, I would have been freaking out!!!

I'm not sure how many people you are taking but if it is a small group (18 or less) or if you don't mind having your main group at the main destination and others staying nearby, Sunrise Villa in Cabrera is wonderful. We only had 12 people total and we couldn't have chosen a better place. It is a private villa that has a main house for the couple and then five other separate villas (7 bedroom suites/two pullouts) that surround amazing grounds and the best pool/hot tub you have ever seen. This place was amazing. You can view my pics at mishiwinks - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting I would be glad to answer anyones questions or help in any way! Good luck!

You guys are going to love the Paradisus, omg I am so excited for you. I have been to a ton of all inclusive hotels and this one blows them away. The most obvious difference is the food/service is all 5 star, out of this world! But the thing I love the most are the little touches. The bathrooms and grounds have incense all over the place so matter where you go it smells unbelievable. And the bathrooms and facilities are the nicest I have ever seen. The bathroom in the main lobby has a huge flat bed/couch in the middle (I guess in case you get tired after and need a break, lol) but everything is over the top like this! I definately reccommend the Royal Service, even though a lot of people dont. The reasons I do are the extra restaurant that is limited to RS is one of the best. There is a private pool just for RS that is adult only and hardly ever has anyone in it and the bali beds there are the best! Having one reserved for you is amazing and when I tell you to have your butler run you a "sensual" bath, you will thank me. I swear we felt like we were drugged, it was the best night we had! I could go on forever, so if you want to know more or want pics or have specific questions, just let me know! We are already planning a trip back in April.

I just got married in the DR in April and would love to help in any way I can. Congrats and be prepared to find yourself not being able to sleep, wondering what posts you are missing!

I just got married in the DR and we did it legally back home and didn't tell anyone but my Mom. It made her feel special to be in on the secret and it kept everyone from thinking our wedding day was not our wedding day. We made the decision because you have to be in the DR for like three days before you can get married there and it was 500 plus translation, etc. And we didn't want to have to leave our guests for half a day to go do it. I would just go a couple of days before you leave and have a quick ceremony. The courts here do it so quick that it doesn't feel special anyway, lol. The courts don't tell us when we are married anyway, we do when we profess it in front of our family and friends. Good luck, you will make the right decision and it will be beautiful either way.

I just got married in April in the DR. We went to Cabrera which is about 8 hours (drive) north of Punta Cana to a private villa- Dominican Republic Villas, Caribbean Luxury Villas, Island Vacation Rentals - Sunrise Villa that sleeps about 16, which I highly recommend. Then we went to Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana for two weeks for the first part of our honeymoon and loved it. I have pics on my slideshow of my wedding of the wedding and the honeymoon and would be happy to answer any questions you have. You can ask in here or PM me. Here is a link to my photos: mishiwinks - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Hope that helps ;-}

We didn't mean to but ended up with several songs. We started out with "We Belong Together" by Gavin Degraw because it was one of our songs over the last couple of years and it was appropriate to the beach theme. We used the lyrics "we belong together like the open seas and shores" for our save the dates and "Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones. I love "What are you doing the rest of your life" by Barbara Streisand and that ended up being our first dance. But our overall wedding song ended up presenting itself, lol, and was featured in our wedding video was "Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk. I also love "Better Together" by Jack Johnson. So many to choose from!

Sorry I have been gone so long, one wedding, two different state receptions and a broken foot=Mishi having a nervous breakdown... anyway I updated the Gown Gallery with all of the pics I could find. If yours still isn't on there, just PM me with the pic and I will add it. I have been getting caught up and I realized how much I miss you girls, you are too much fun ;-} Here is the link again to the Gown Gallery bdwgallery - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

I just got married in April in the Dominican Republic and packed sparklers in my checked luggage and had no problems with them. We had the WP hand them out and light them at the beginning of our first dance and it was beautiful. You can see everyone holding them while we are dancing. We did this as a pre-req for our fireworks, but it would be just as beautiful without them. No one knew we were doing the fireworks, so they had the sparklers in their hands, we were dancing and then BANG! It was awesome. So, no, you won't have any problem taking them through customs as long as they are checked.

I am actually doing a ton of those. I am putting them in an arbor that I have off of my back porch and running them to one tree and to my gazebo. I would love to have them all over but I don't want a million extension cords. Anyone know where to get these for cheap? I really need white ones (meaning the cord)

You girls are the best!!! I am going to look at all the links right now. We are doing the second reception in Nutley NJ. Ok, I am off, wish me luck!

I miss you guys!!! I feel like my head is going to fall off and I have no time to do anything. We left on April 16th and got back on May 8th and I haven't been able to stop and breathe. I am having a reception for about 70 in NC where we live on June 2nd and then one for about 50 people in NJ where my husband is from on June 16th. We are paying and doing all of it and I am not sure I am going to be able to pull it off without losing my mind. I am doing the one here in our back yard and am trying to decorate as inexpensive as possible. I am doing a dozen tables with white tablecloths and a hurricane in the center with a candle and sand inside. My colors were light blue/turqouise and green (like a cymbidium orchid), so I am thinking of putting a little tulle around the hurricanes and maybe tie some to every other chair or something. I am putting the tables all around the yard and am wanting to tie tulle in the blue, green and white to the trees and hang white paper lanterns in all of the trees with the led tea lights (which I can't find cheap, and I need like 24-30). I have an arbor off the back of my house covered in vines and am thinking of putting white lights in it and also in a gazebo I have in the back. We are doing the party at 6, dinner at 7 and then I rented one of those jumbo blow up movie screens and a projector to play the DVD on. So, most of the reception will be in the dark. I just dont feel like I have enough decor going on. I want it to be white and flowy and tons of candles/lights, but I have a small budget. Anyone got any ideas or know anywhere that I can go that would be local to get candles/led lights/paper lanterns, etc cheap? I only have a little less than two weeks, agghhhhhhhhhhhh! I am married and can't even relax, lol, I feel like I am getting married again.

You looked so beautiful and everything looked perfect! I love your personalized candles. I wish I could go back and do it again so I could use them, lol! Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

I am going to write a full review of all three places I went but I have to say this now... I can not go on enough about the place we got married, Sunrise Villa in the Dominican Republic. If you have not chosen a place yet and are open to locations, this is THE PLACE. There are so many things I loved about it, but most of all was the intimacy. This is a private resort, meaning there is no one else with you but your guests. There is a main house with a master suite for you and your fiance. Then there are five other villas that will house 14-16 other people comfortably. This gives people their own time and space but at all the right times everyone comes together. We spent a lot more time and it was a lot more comfortable without having everyone else around like a normal resort. At breakfast, lunch and dinner we dined together and then there were so many places to gather the rest of the time that you were always an earshot away but could go to your own suite, or the beach or the pool or the bar, or the game room or where ever and have your own space. This place is the most beautiful place I have ever been and the attention to detail is incredible. They have a private chef to cook all meals and snack during the day. (There is an all inclusive price 50per person per day) This doesn't include alcohol, but it is very affordable. They also have staff there all day, so you constantly have people bringing food, making drinks or getting anything you can think of. The people here were amazing and went sooo out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. I planned a massage, pedicure and manicure for all the girls for my bachelorette party with coctails, and the girls that worked there, (we became close too) got me a stripper, lol and surprised me. It was hysterical and one of the highlights of my trip. I also asked for a bonfire on the beach one night, and they had their friends come out that are in a local band and played for us (I didn't ask or know this was happening) It was by far one of the best experiences and most fun we had. The facilities are by far the best I have seen and every detail was impecable. The wedding was one price and included a planner, cake, flowers, everything you can think of and we didn't have to plan a thing. I wanted to scream from the rooftops how much I love this place and how incredible of an experience we had. We have a close family, but we all feel like what we shared was something that tops most other experiences that any of us have ever had. It was truly amazing. If anyone is still searching for a place or has questions, let me know. I would love to encourage anyone to go to Sunrise because I know it would be something they would never forget. Here is the link if you want to look at the place (and the pictures don't begin to do it justice) Dominican Republic Villas, Caribbean Luxury Villas, Island Vacation Rentals - Sunrise Villa and here is the link to my wedding pics if you want to see some of mine Image of Black and white - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Thanks for listening! Mishi

Hi girlies, I am back but still trying to catch up! I am going to write a full review of all three places we went but for now I wanted to share pics. I have over 400, so I put them into an album and you can view as a slideshow too. Here is the link: Image of Black and white - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

I am back guys, so if you have any questions or want advice, post here or send me a PM. I loved this hotel, we have already booked our trip next year and are going to take our family for a reunion kind of thing! This is the nicest all inclusive I have ever been too. The food is top notch and everything is beautiful! I didn't get married here but saw a ton of people who did and it was beautiful. Let me know if you have any questions or want pics... here is the link to my wedding pics that include a lot of Paradisus... Image of Black and white - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

No, it isn't really all that humid here. Now in Puerto Plata where we just came from (8 hours north) it was so humid you could die, but here not so much. It is where it was cold in my room and my camera got adjusted and it fogged up when I went outside and it was hot. But the other pics were taking two minutes later when it adjusted. This place, my makeup and hair would have looked soooooo much better!

So you girls know I am staying at the Paradisus Palma Real on the first leg of my honeymoon and let me say WOW! I didn't have many expectations and we stayed here because we wanted to do two weeks and the other place we were going was too much for two weeks. Sooo we get here and it is paradise. The place is huge so even when it is packed you still feel like you are alone. I have stayed at a lot of all inclusive resorts and this truly does not feel like one except that you just get up and walk out when you are done eating. The wait staff is unbelievable. They pour your wine, hold your seat out, bring you 5 star dishes that look like art and they are there waiting on you hand and foot. And the kicker is, most people don't even leave a tip. I am not sure if they would treat you different on your return if you dont leave one because we always do. I can't imagine you not wanting to after being treated like royalty throughout the entire meal. The food.... I have had some of the best meals I have ever had here. And deserts... oh lord I am going to be dieting hard when I leave here. The beach is beautiful, powder white sand and the water will take your breath away with all of the shades of turquoise and blues. No creatures thus far but there is some seaweed. They have had a couple of storms but it isn't bothersome and they clean it everyday. You can walk 5 minutes down the beach and there is a little flea market with cute souveniers or you can take a golf cart right outside the resort and there is a shopping center that has Hard Rock and apparently lots of shops (we havent been able to go yet) They have entertainment everynight, and I don't mean cheesy skits, like good shows. Last night they did a Circus... like Cirque De Soleil, and it was incredible. Everyone was dancing and it was a great time. Afterwards everyone went to the disco, which is open every night, and you can't help but shake it! The pools are unbelievably huge and they have little whirlpools throughout that have jacuzzi jets. The temperature isnt that different but the jets feel great. The best part about the place is the bali beds. They have bali beds all over that are huge little huts with comfortable beds in them around the pool that give you privacy. They have speakers in them with low, calm music that allows you to sit back and listen to the beach but not hear everyones commotion. I have finished one book and am starting on another. And I can't tell you how many times Tim and I have snuggled up reading and fell asleep together on those things. I have never been more relaxed or comfortable. They also did a honeymoon social, which I was not excited about. But when we went they had candlelit tables set up and served champagne, scrumptous appetizers, and gave us a spa set gift. They also had a wedding cake and took pics of you cutting it, very cute. They had a trio with a female vocal that sounded so much like Norah Jones, I about peed my pants! WE LOVE NORAH JONES, and when she sang I literally had to get up and go look. She sang for an hour and we danced by our table, truly magical. During dinners they have a male trio go around and seranade couples with songs like "I Swear", very sweet. As far as getting married here, as I said before I think it would be extremely beautiful under the gazebo over the pool, set to candlelight. You can't imagine how breathtaking it is. I have seen several set up on the beach (I am including a pic where they are setting up one right now) and it would be breathtaking. Really, you could do it inside the buffet line in one of the restaurants and I don't think you would be disappointed, lol, everything here is so exquisit. If you guys see a place online you want me to look at and take pics, just let me know. I am here until Tuesday (1st). One more thing... I definately recommend the Royal Service. A lot of places online said not to get it, but we love it. It gives you one more restaurant to eat at that is exclusive to RS and is the best we have been to. Also there is a private pool that is adult only you can go to with private bali beds that your butler reserves for you. He also does turn down service with chocolates, runs romantic baths (and puts something in the tub, holy crap it was unbelievable, we both woke up the next morning and felt we had been under a spell, lol, I am not kidding) and he takes care of anything and everything you need. For the small price difference and depending on what room you get, its included, you can't miss it! Ok, I am going on too long, let me know if you have any specific questions. We are doing a spa day today so I will let you know how that is later. Here are some pics...

I was so upset when half of my guest list couldn't come but once we were there, I was kinda glad it was a smaller group. There were 12 of us total and it was a perfect combo. Everyone got along, had a great time and by the end of the trip everyone really was family. I think the larger the group the more you can't help but seperate and you don't bond nearly as well. It really helped that we were at a private villa too because even though everyone had their private space we all came back to the same one in the end. Thank you for all of your congrats and props... as for the makeup, LMAO... I put on bare minerals, which I love, and even when it sweats off, it still looks like you have some on. My tan didnt hurt either. When I tell you I sweated, you couldnt tell if they were tears or sweat and I am not kidding. I didn't wear hardly anything. I put on pink and white natural eyeshadow that was gone in five minutes, lol, and waterproof mascara. Advice, go with a really really good tan because even during the trip you wont have makeup on and the pics will show it! Ok, luv ya guys mean it, going to get massages, hehehehe!

Thanks guys, it was the best day of my life by far! I am talking to my mom on the phone, she couldn't be there, so we called her right after the ceremony for a moment to talk. The photographer took a pic to record the moment.