beachbride08

What a great review! I'm sure all the info you provided will come in handy for future brides. Congratulations again!

Quote: Originally Posted by DarcyJAde Do you still have the flip flops? The following items have been SOLD: Just Married flip-flops White Notecards Palm Tree Stamp Green Ink Pad Embossing Powder Hanger Palm Tree & Flower paper punch All other items are still available, please PM me if you are interested in purchasing anything. I am willing to negotiate on price. Thanks!!

Very cute!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by briscoecrown Cool!! Thanks for the additional info. Having the reception outside with the lounge set-up is tempting... HOWEVER, the thought of mosquitos partying with us, is making my skin itch. & besides, the weather is a factor. Any idea what the 'equipment for dancing' is? I'm curious to hear the price Toni quotes. I think they mean the sound equipment. The hotel has their own speaker and equipment which is what we used for our reception. We also had the DJ too, but he just worked our ipod for us.

Quote: Originally Posted by DWbride09 k guys thanks. Sloan....I think its a little more than just expecting people to entertain themselves, well it is in my case anyways. For example, I got a phone call last week from a friend I play softball with asking who else is going. No one else from that team is going and he's the shy type. He's not the kind of guy to walk up to strangers on the beach and sit with them even if he knows they're with us. But he's booked his trip regardless for us. That's when it really hit me, I can't just say "entertain yourselves". There are people that are going to be there that are there just for us. I have to make sure they're happy and having a good time. I think it is our responsibility to a point to play host to people that are coming down just for us. Especially if they're coming down solo and the shy type. :S Am I trying to hard to please everybody? Should I really just let them be? ARGHHH We had two singles that came to our wedding, but they invited a friend or two on the trip with them. They didn't come to the wedding, but they weren't alone the rest of the time. If you will have truly solo guests, maybe you can introduce them to some of the other guests when they arrive. A lot of our guests didn't know one another and ended up hitting it off immediately and made plans to go eat together or to the disco or whatever. I think you are going to stress yourself out too much trying to plan all sorts of things for your guests. Most of our guests stayed at the resort the whole trip by the pool or beach and the ones that wanted to do something planned excursions on their own. I'm sure your guests will do the same.

We just went with the flow when we got to Mexico. We were pretty busy running around the first two days with the wedding coordinator, but were able to spend time at the pool and the beach. We would usually run into people walking through the hotel and make plans to meet up at the bar, or see people at the breakfast buffet and let them know if we would be by the pool or beach. We usually stuck to the same spot so everyone knew where people were if they wanted to hang with the group or do their own thing.

Quote: Originally Posted by LindoBride2009 Michelle - did you have a final checklist at all? I thought I had everything under control, but I keep feeling like I'm going to forget to do something important! I didn't really have a final checklist. I had a running checklist all throughout my planning. It just kept getting longer as we got closer to the big day. Quote: Originally Posted by Ryan's girl Michelle, Where did you have your reception? Right now we are trying to decide whether to have our reception at either the convention centre or the shopping centre...any advice? Thanks! Kristin We had our reception in the Los Vitrales room, and it worked out great. I think that room holds up to 40 so if you have more people one of the other locations may work out better for you. I didn't see how the shopping center was set up for a reception, but if you decide to do it there bring OFF or some kind of mosquito spray! It was fine on the wedding day since we were gone before the mosquitos came out, but during our rehearsal we were getting eaten alive. I didn't see the convention center in person either so I can't give you advice on that location. Quote: Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 The prices are extremely reasonable compared to other wedding photographers in the area, I agree. I chose an outside vendor because I've seen several wedding pictures from other couples who used the photoshop and I wasn't happy with them, personally. I felt like the photoshop makes everyone who uses them do the same cheesy poses in the same locations of the resort. I didn't feel their style was creative enough or photojournalistic enough for me. Yes, they really do charge you an additional $300 USD to use an outside vendor. I wasn't happy with that policy but it was still worth it to me. Hope this helps! I second that! I didn't like having to pay all the extra fees, but it was worth it to get the pictures I wanted. I just wish I had done the same for our video.

You looked beautiful! I can't wait to see more pics!

I voted #4 too. I think you would need really long hair or extensions for #1.

Your story sounds identical to ours during our wedding planning process except we had this issue with my husband's brother. We also had a long engagement and let our immediate families know before we were officially engaged that we were going to have a DW. Everyone was on board and was so excited. Then when we picked our location and sent an email out with tentative prices they were still on board and they also had over a year to save up for the trip and our TA also gave people the option to make monthly payments. A week after the email went out BIL told my inlaws that he wasn't going and then another week later he started a fight with my DH about it (we also did not get a congratulations from him or his wife when we got engaged). He caused so much drama and said a lot of hurtful things that DH and BIL haven't spoken in 2 years! At first my DH was upset that his brother would not be at the wedding since they were very close and the way he was acting was completely out of character for him, but as things escalated he quickly realized he was not the same person he knew. He didn't come to the wedding and my DH didn't even notice he was not there. We had a great time with the people that came and have fantastic memories and his brother will always have that regret handing over him that he missed his brother's wedding. He still brings it up to my inlaws since they have pictures hanging up all over their house, but yet he continues to talk sh*t about us. This is your day and you need to plan the wedding that you want regardless of who is able to make it. If it is really important for your brother to have his sister there then maybe he could talk to her and see what her deal is, but if she continue to acts like this you are probably better off with her not there.

Quote: Originally Posted by beachbride08 Martha Stewart Craft Items 7 Pink (different shades) Tissue Paper Pom Poms (box got damaged in suitcase, but never used) - $10 Craft Punch and Edge Punch - $4 for both Craft Knife - $2 18 goodie bag kit (pink, green, blue & orange) $3 10 Daisy dimensional stickers - $2 100 Letter Stickers - $2 24 black photo corners - $2 Cutting Mat - $5 Silver Favor Rings (about 95) - $2 Boning Tool - $3 Small Hole Punch - $3 24 Palm Tree Paper Umbrellas - $2 for both packs (12 in each) Family charms - MOM, DAD, SISTER, BROTHER, WIFE & HUSBAND (I tied the MOM one on my bouquet, but can be used for other things) - .50 each or $2 for all Palm Tree Stamp - $3 Embossing Powder (Clear bottle is full and White Pearl bottle is about half full) - $3 for both Green Ink Pad - $1 Heat Gun - $7 (I used the palm tree stamp on my invites, and the pearl embossing powder over the green ink really turned out nice. Since I printed the invitations myself, it was nice to have the raised stamp.) Fuchsia Parasol (Never used) - $2.50 Ivory veil (Never used) - $20 I have added pics of the veil and parasol. Please PM me if you are interested in items as I am not checking the thread very often.

Quote: Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 Whew! I'm back girls! I had a blast and you all will love the Iberostar, I will post more as soon as I get a few more zzzzs! Love you guys!! Welcome back! I can't wait to hear all about your big day.

The pictures are beautiful! I love how everyone jumped in the pool. Congratulations!!

Martha Stewart Craft Items 7 Pink (different shades) Tissue Paper Pom Poms (box got damaged in suitcase, but never used) - $10 Craft Punch and Edge Punch - $4 for both Craft Knife - $2 18 goodie bag kit (pink, green, blue & orange) $3 10 Daisy dimensional stickers - $2 100 Letter Stickers - $2 24 black photo corners - $2 Cutting Mat - $5 Silver Favor Rings (about 95) - $2 Boning Tool - $3 Small Hole Punch - $3 24 Palm Tree Paper Umbrellas - $2 for both packs (12 in each) Family charms - MOM, DAD, SISTER, BROTHER, WIFE & HUSBAND (I tied the MOM one on my bouquet, but can be used for other things) - .50 each or $2 for all Palm Tree Stamp - $3 Embossing Powder (Clear bottle is full and White Pearl bottle is about half full) - $3 for both Green Ink Pad - $1 Heat Gun - $7 (I used the palm tree stamp on my invites, and the pearl embossing powder over the green ink really turned out nice. Since I printed the invitations myself, it was nice to have the raised stamp.) Fuchsia Parasol (Never used) - $2.50 Ivory veil (Never used) - $20

I have some leftover wedding and DIY supplies that I am looking to sell. All prices are negotiable and do not include shipping. If you are interested, I can let you know the shipping charges before you purchase. Crystal headband (brand new, never worn) - $50 Paper Source paper products used for invitations, programs, tags, table numbers, etc. They still sell all these products in the store or online if you need more. 5 White Table Tents - $4 18 Strawberry A2 Booklets (used for programs, but could also be used as an invitation) - $3 5 Vellum Paper Sheets - $1 13 Stardream Opal Text Sheets - $3 9 Sage Business Cards (used for favor tags) - .50 15 Stardream Opal Flat Cards (made placecards using boning tool) - $1.50 2 rolls of Sage satin ribbon (1 full 10 yard roll, and one half full) - $3.50 for both 12†Guillotine Paper Cutter - $20 5†Xyron Creative Station - $25 White Just Married flip-flops size medium(8/9) Never worn, tags still on - $5 Fabric hanger, bought to hang my dress on for pictures, but couldn’t use it since there was no place to hang my dress in the hotel room - $2 18 White note cards w/ envelopes, palm tree and flower paper punch - $3 for everything

We danced to Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat.

If you are able to paint the walls, pick a light, bright color. If not, play around with lighting, and accesories in pops of color. Those small changes can instantly brighten up any room.

Quote: Originally Posted by LindoBride2009 Hey Michelle - I'm sure you've posted this somewhere already. But, what was your timeline? Where was your cocktail hour? It changed once we got down to the resort. Our dinner was supposed to be at 6:30, but over winter they have the dinners at 6:00 so all the timelines I printed before we left we wrong since I didn't know about the change. Our ceremony started at 4:00 and was done in about 20 minutes. Our cocktail hour had to get pushed up 30 minutes due to the dinner time change so that started at 5:00 and we held the cocktail hour in the lobby bar at the Maya, but champagne was passed out to all the guests immediately following the ceremony. Our reception in the private room started at 8:00. We had it until 10:30 but we actually stayed in there longer. I think we got back to our room around 11:30/11:45 or so. You will want to check with the WC about the dinner time as I'm not sure when their "winter" season ends and the dinners go back to 6:30 (I know there is also a later option, but can't remember what it was). Our photographer arrived a little before 2:00 and we did all the bridal party pics and some pics of just Mike and I before the ceremony and I'm really glad we did that. We didn't have a lot of time after the ceremony to take pics and in November it got dark really early.

I try to pack things that are low maintenance and don't wrinkle too easy and can just leave it folded in the suitcase. If I do have to bring something that needs to be ironed, etc. I'll hang it immediately.

Quote: Originally Posted by LindoBride2009 Thanks for that Michelle. I didn't ask the original question, but it definitely helped me out! No problem. You must be getting so excited, your big day is almost here!

Our TA gave us this option as well (not sure if it was Sunquest), but we had to have 10 couples book in order for us to get one free trip, or we had the option of giving our guests a discounted rate in lieu of the free trip. However, we needed to sign a contract and put down a $100 per person deposit up front that was non-refundable and all the guests had to travel on the same dates. We couldn't get that many people to agree on the travel dates and we didn't want to ask people to put the deposit down, nor did we want to put it down if they were already so wishy washy on the dates. We decided not to do the contract and everyone just booked when and for how long they wanted and we paid the full price for our trip.

Quote: Originally Posted by Stina168 Hey Michelle, so did you attend the second half of your cocktail hour and then you got introduced when the reception started? Yes, we still attended the cocktail hour, then we all had dinner in the steakhouse and then when we headed over to the Los Vitrales room is when we were introduced. I know here usually the bride and groom are introduced at the reception before dinner, but since we were going to different places it made the most sense to do it at the start of the reception. Plus, that was the only place we had a microphone. We also did all the speeches then too instead of before dinner. This was our "reception" breakdown: Introduction of bride and groom (we did not introduce the rest of the bridal party, and my bridesmaid was the one that introduced us) Cut the cake MOH & Bridesmaid speeches Best Man Speech First Dance Father/daughter Mother/Son dance

Quote: Originally Posted by Gail Is anyone giving a speech/toast. I was looking for some ideas. I am also really struggling with what to do and not to do in regards to my fi mother who recently passed. His dad/family are having a very hard time. We both don't want to upset his dad. Do we do memorial table w pic?...We have a lot of ideas but really don't know how to handle We didn't do a memorial table, but included something in our wedding programs. On the last page of our program after our "thank you" we put "Watching from Above" and listed my mom and both of our grandparents. I also tied a little charm that said MOM on it to my bouquet. Quote: Originally Posted by Stina168 For those that have been married already, did you have a rehearsal the day before the wedding? If so, was the minister there to run it? Also, for those of you who had a cocktail hour before the reception, did you go to the cocktail hour? Our ceremony is at 4:30 and the cocktail hour is from 6 to 7 and the reception starts at 7. I assume we'll be done with pictures by 6 pm and I know typically the wedding party goes to a "holding room" so they can be introduced at the reception, but I don't think Iberostar has anything like that. Is it okay to go to the cocktail hour and then have the wedding party get formally introduced at the reception, or will that take away from it? Or if we go to the cocktail hour, should we forego the intro all together? I feel like no intro will be kind of anti-climactic for the start of the reception. What did you girls do and what do you plan on doing if you haven't had your wedding yet? FYI, my cocktail hour is on the terrace of the Tropical Restaurant, and we'll move inside for the reception. We did a rehearsal the night before and the minister was not there. The WC walk you through the ceremony and it is really quick. We did all our bridal party pictures before the ceremony (for about 2 hours) so we just did the group and guest photos after the ceremony and a few more of just Mike and I. We missed probably the first half of our cocktail hour and we had about an hour between the time our ceremony ended to the start of our cocktail hour. We waited to get introduced at our reception which was in the private room and where the "party" started after dinner.

Welcome back!!!

The first pictures of a DW that I saw had black BM dresses. They chose yellow flowers, but you could really do any accent color or a few colors. Plus, it would probably be nice for your BMs since most of them should already have a black dress if you don't care if the style matches and it will save them (or you) some money.