PlayaNovia

I am thrilled that they will be in attendance, but as the other ladies have said: don't put yourself out for them at this point. If by waiting so long they prove to be an inconvenience, that is THEIR headache -- not yours. It is perplexing to me why people get wrapped around the axle about church wedding vs. non-church wedding. God is EVERYWHERE. He doesn't exist ONLY in the church. Geez. It's not like one is "more married" if you do the vows in a church. At the end of the day - marriage cert is a marriage cert! Don't stress...and enjoy the day with your beloved.

Are these the scented ones? I ordered a couple "sample" fans from Asianideas.com a while back just to check the quality, and they had the nastiest smell! Ick... a pity because they're so cute and dressier than the palm fans.

Contact Tiffany at SunHorse Weddings and she'll send you some info re: weddings at Zama. My fiance and I chose this location because nothing on the mainland Riviera Maya could come close to this: 100% private, beachfront, covered dining area, great food and formal sit-down dinner (their menu looks amazing). Isla Mujeres Mexico Beach Weddings Isla De Mujeres Outdoor Wedding Services Wedding Packages The photos that Sol posted earlier and other wedding pix I have seen from events held there are just incredible!!! We cannot wait! We're doing a scouting trip April 2008. Wheeeeeee!!!!! As for hotels/ resorts - Villa Rolandi is gorgeous but pricey. We will be staying in Playa Norte at Ixchel Condo-Hotel in one of the penthouses. Isla Mujeres Hotel, Ixchel Beach Hotel There are many options on the island, just depends what you're looking for.

You gals are the best! So, I found this linen skirt in "light flax" and both their sizes are available...I think I should just buy them. OK - I better go call them first and see if they're cool with it. Women's Washable Linen Long Skirt from Lands' End

Weeeeeeeeellll....I don't want them wearing ALL white. I'm just a nut like that. But khaki - yep, I'm on board with that!

Because both women are plus-size, one has had children and would feel self-conscious in this: Jim Hjelm Occasions Our colors are bright orange with accents of lime green. But I'm keeping the accent color in the florals because I don't want everything to look like a fruit salad. My girls will be in a mango color dress and carrying white/green flowers. I like the idea of a khaki linen dress. And Lands End has lots of sizing options too. Thank you! ETA: Janet1111 - your wedding photos are GORGEOUS!! I *HEART* your sash. My dress has a sash too. And the khaki grooms-woman dress is fab! Me likey that idea!!!

OK - the FI just decided he wants his two female friends from college to stand up on his side. So he now has a best man, and 2 "best women" (or whatever they're called). Question: what do they wear? Neither of them is going to want to wear the dress I have picked out for my girls. And I don't really see them wearing white shirts and khaki trousers like the guys. So...do I just leave it up to them? Do I make suggestions? FI suggested sarongs but that's just a smidge too informal for my taste. We have loads of time to decide, but I'm just sitting here wondering what they'll wear! Because, you know - I worry about random crazy junk like that....

We're also doing the legal marriage (just paperwork to me as well) in the states, and the renewal in Mexico. We're not telling anyone. Honestly, I don't think it would matter to people if we DID tell them...but FI thinks they might feel "cheated". Whatever! But, do whatever you are most comfortable with and what is easiest/most affordable, etc.

I LOVE #1. But then again, you really do need to try it on and see if YOU love it. I looked at hundreds of dresses online, and fell in love with many. I would try them on and hate them on myself. The one I eventually chose was the one style I didn't want. Go figure. But now I love it! So, do try the dresses on and just see how you feel in them. Good luck!

The invites I like on OlioStyle were quoted at nearly $7.50 each. We'll be sending out about 40 invites, so it IS do-able, but still more than I want to spend. palm tree pocketfold invitation, unique tropical wedding invitations, custom destination wedding invitations, envelopments I'm not terribly creative, but I am pretty sure I could manage assembling the invites (will have them cut / printed elsewhere). Somthing like this, for example (but in our colors of orange & lime green...mmm, fruit salad, tasty!) Customer Gallery - Lee Anne As for calligraphy - I think it is a total waste of $$$. We'll hand-write ours. And I'm not above using labels, either!

I am also slightly nervous that people might show up in shorts, tank tops and a baseball cap (seriously - we love our friends but some of them haven't dressed up since college graduation). Here is what we are going with: Wedding Attire Attire for the wedding and reception is informal “beach chicâ€. Tommy Bahama style for the gents (collared shirts, lightweight trousers in khaki or linen, etc.); and for the ladies - skirts, sun dresses, capri pants, nice top… No suits and no ties! Flips flops, sandals, bare feet are perfectly acceptable – it’s the tropics after all! Ladies: you may wish to bring a shawl or light sweater for warmth after the sun goes down.

Bottom line: YOUR day YOUR way. Call them and tell them (politely, of course) that the venue CANNOT accommodate children, that you would be happy to look into babysitting services at the hotel for them, but unfortunately, the wedding & reception is adult only. We are facing a simliar dilemma. Our wedding is entirely "adult only". So far, everyone with the exception of 2 or 3 families is totally on-board. They cannot wait to have a mini-break away from the kids and have an adult party weekend! BUT: we did get 2 very nasty comments from people we consider to be close friends. SO: we told them in no uncertain terms are children under 18 attending the wedding. They need to find a sitter or leave them at home. I don't think this is "crappy" at all. Just because other people have kids is not my problem. It doesn't mean I have to pull my hair out and accommodate their rug rats and make sure they have treats, a meal to eat and activities to keep them busy during me and my fiance's most important day of our lives. Hold your ground...and good luck.

Well, I'm not close to my mom and since she lives 2 states away, she didn't come with me to shop nor did her opinion of the gown matter to me one bit. At my sister's request, I did email my mother photos of my dress and her reply "You might need to lose some weight for it to look good. But it's very pretty." Gee. Thanks. Honestly, I don't think a mother's opinion matters at all. My mom was married in 1971 in a tea-length lace gown, pearls and sported a massive updo. Her idea of what one should be married in doesn't really jive with my own personal tastes! So, bottom line: don't put too much stock in what anyone (your mom, FI, sibling, friend, etc.) says... if YOU like the gown, that is what matters!

Lovely gown - you look stunning!

I contacted Shangri-La Caribe early in my planning and was really disappointed at their "services". Bottom line: If you are having more than 85 people at your wedding, you get a private palapa for your event. However, if less than 85 people, they MAKE your group dine in the common dining area with all the other resort guests. That's right - no privacy at all. If you want to "buy out" the private palapa, it is $7500!!!!! CRAZY! And that does not include the food ($40 p/p), which, I've read about on Trip Advisor is mediocre at best. (they will only do a buffet - no sit down and no custom menus). Search elsewhere...you can find better. I also looked into Playa Secreto, but the folks in our group are not the self-catering kind and wanted a resort. But if your group can hang in a bunch of villas for a few days, go for it - it looks beautiful there!

We chose permanent birth control - FI is "fixed". Not the option for everyone, but it worked for us and we couldn't be happier. Of course, if you ever want kids - not an option. Just sayin'....

I think the photos are the most important part of the wedding (well, besides the groom and that whole "I do" think - LOL)! That said: we are budgeting about $5,000 for photography. I haven't contracted a photographer yet, but I'm doing lots of "shopping". Honestly, I'm willing to cut things like cocktail hour and flowers so we can have great photos.

We're doing the wedding/honeymoon all at once. Plan on spending 5 nights on Isla with family/friends/guests and after the wedding, we're staying in Tankah Bay (south of Playa del Carmen / RM) for 4 nights on our own in a very small hotel far from the maddening crowds.

We plan on having a welcome dinner (hosting dinner only tho, not drinks) and OOT bags with a few goodies. That's it - no activities. I just don't want to be bothered trying to organize anything for the group. Plus, the island we'll be on is small - they can figure out their own fun!

Lovely! It's going to look great after the alterations too! Congrats on finding it...isn't it nice to cross this big "to-do" item off the list?

TammyB - wouldn't you know I did NOT have a camera with me today! Boo! And the sample in the store was 2 sizes too small so we clipped the heck out of it. Will have to wait for pix until it arrives....4 - long - months... WAAAHH!!!

Thanks, gals! I just LOOOOOVE it so much. I didn't get emotional or cry in the store like I thought I would....but I was grinning from ear to ear!!! As for the buttons, I'm just not a fan. If buttons are functional - then OK. But a row of buttons for decoration on the back...not my thing. Plus, when I sat down they were poking me in the backside and backs of my legs! LOL So they had to go! The fabric is very soft too and extremely light weight which surprised me since it is satin. OH SO HAPPY!

I am positively giddy with delight.... I just purchased my gown today. Just me. On my own... I'm so excited I called all my girl friends from the dressing room! LOL Here it is!! CasaBlancaBridal.com: Fall Collection/1873 I'm modifying it a bit: having the buttons on the back removed (I don't like buttons - just weird that way); and adding two long streamers in the back. OK - just had to share. Thank you!!! I'm so flippin' EXCITED!!!!!

Just chiming in -- someone else mentioned the Disney World Port Orleans French Quarter Hotel and I also HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend that place as well. Lovely property, great staff, not too many kids here either...just a fantastic place to stay and close to Downtown Disney and EPCOT. AVOID SWAN/DOLPHIN hotels like the plague. Dirty, out-dated decor, musty, shop-worn...they're horrid. Probably because they're not actually owned by Disney.

Nope, not bad at all. I was really concerned about wearing something that FI would love, so I showed him some pix in a few bridal magazines and asked what he liked. I'm fairly certain he knows I'll go with a mermaid style that has some lace. But beyond that, he hasn't seen the actual dress...and he won't until the big day!