Allaballa

Mike did my video and Claudia's brother did my photos. They are both spectacular. The video is just amazing I'm very pleased and highly recommend him.

I got a bizzare ceramic elephant that was gold plated in several places. It's supposed to bring you luck I think.

I'm a Finanancial Analyst (really just a glorified accountant) and I work for a pharmaceutical company. Love the job....I'm a numbers geek!

I used to avoid Sephora like the plague because I was completely convinced the place was a rip off. I was forced to go there for my wedding as I needed someone to tell me how to do certain things as I was going to be doing my own makeup. I ended up spending aroung $150. BEST MONEY EVER SPENT!!! You really get what you pay for. The quality of the makeup (goes on better, lasts longer looks natural) and the quality of the brushes are top notch. The sales girls (and guys) are absolutely fabulous and someone dedicated 2.5 hours to me and taught me how to do all this stuff. I'm a total believer in the place now

I'm not a parent but wouldn't present enough be that your offspring is getting married and is very happy etc etc. I can't even imagine a "bought gift" that I would consider appropriate to give to my parents as a thank you. I'm eastern european and in my culture you are expected to have massive pictures of your wedding on your walls so traditionally you just have that made for your parents as a momento and that's it.

I did the coctail party at the aqua bar and the private reception at the Tropical Restaurant. My photos were done by Claudia Rodriguez's associate Erik Rodriguez. Highly recommend them very very good. Let me know if I can help in any other way.

I got married at the Iberostar in Mayan. It was great! very affordable and the complex has 5 hotels to accomodate all sorts of budgets. I would highly recommend it. The place is GORGEOUS!

I got married at the Iberostar Del Mar and they were very willing to work with me. I had a private reception and the whole nine yards. My ceremony was very private as I did it in the gazeebo. I think the Lindo gazeebo is much more in the open (but don't quote me on that). I thought the resort was nothing short of spectacular! And would highly recommend it.

I think the dress is just a dress. What makes you "bridal" and special on that day is the glow in your face. So I would be surprised if FI even pays that much attention to the dress. And look at it this way, if he doesn't like it, you'll never wear it again ;-)

Have fun! You'll love it. They do a fabulous job at the resort!

I used Ruse travel (do not recommend nothing but problems). Looking back on it, I found that the TA did nothing for me at all. All my guests were complaining that Selloffvacations.com were selling the exact same packages cheaper. (I'm assuming that you are going AI). I got so tired of listening to it, that I just said to everyone to book their own how they saw fit. I emailed the hotel all the names of the people and where they were coming from and what time I expected them to get there, and they just put us all together. I found that my TA (and this may not be true of all the TAs) was a total non value added.

I got married at the Paraiso del mar (Mayan Riviera). I don't think there is a ton of people on this board that have used the Iberostar chain, but please fee free to ask away. If you are looking for more detailed info there is an Iberostar Specific board with a wedding section iberostar-boards.com

I plan to get into mine at least once a year. This is my weight maintenance plan. I want to be able to say 15 years from now that I can still get into my wedding dress. Having said that, my best friend pointed out that it's a corset back, so really if I gain weight I can still get into it. But I think it will still keep me motivated to keep my weight off regardless. Besides, think of how much fun it would be if you can wear your dress like 20 years from now for a vow renewal ceremony.

Miguel Cantarell (Mike) Did my video. It is AMAZING. I was honestly shocked at how good it turned out. I think for the 45 minute video he charged us $800. But I also bought the package of photos from Claudia Rodriquez so I don't know if it was subject to a volume discount or not.

I got married at the del mar and you'll have no problems booking all that stuff at the hotel. My friends did a horseback riding thing on the beach and LOVED IT!

Heidi I have your exact hair. I had to have mine up. They straightened it then curled it and then pinned it up. It looked AMAZING. Word of caution, if you are leaving any of your hair down, the wind from the beach will make the curls look windblown and frizzy. Also, my curls tend to not be as tight in humidity. I would not suggest relaxing your hair. I did that once and it almost ruined my hair.

Take a sexy photo of you and send it to her and call and say "ooopsy, that was ment for your hubby....please ignore"

Ditto on the sticking it to the parents part. Such things are private and no need to embarass the whole "family" over something the bride had done.

I had some trouble with a gift from the registry and the gift gifter. I returned the item and when the gift gifter came over she was shocked it wasn't there. I had to really backpeddal on that one. She was completely thrilled that she got me this kitchen appliance and it was quite akward for me when it wasn't there. I'm not saying don't return the gifts just give some thought to what you register for.....for example, sheets, not easy for guests to notice they are not there.... kitchen appliances very easy and many cause issues.

Ettiquette says there is no expectation of gifts at a wedding or a shower. Realistically speaking you should still register. Just register for super expensive items and hope that the guests will get the idea. One of my co-workers had a registry where the cheapest thing was $300. She got all envelopes.

I went through the same thing with my MOM. I finally got to the point of telling her that attendance was not manditory and she had her wedding and this is mine and THATS IT!!! Now she walks around saying that I am the smartest, most adventurous, most thoughtful person ever and how smart I was to have a DW. My sister and I were rolling our eyes half the week at the resort. Looking back on it, she was just concerned that she wasn't going to be able to show off her daughter's wedding to her friends. So we compromised and I had a ridiculous wedding shower (hosted by her) with a band and flower and the whole nine yards. My advice is to find out what is behind the griping and explain it all away otherwise you are starting out your life in that family on thw wrong foot.

Ohhh very nice. I take mine off as soon as I come home. I don't like the idea of it getting dirty. And mine is pretty high so I'm always paranoid its going to get snagged on something and damage it.

Its very frusterating hearing other people's comments about your wedding. At a certain point I was just ready to chuck it all in and go to city hall and have it over with. But you have to keep in mind that people are not as excited about your wedding as you are. To them its an inconvinience, a "must attend" or whatever. For those that feel that they "must attend" it becomes very expensive and they bitch. I had to tell my FIL that attendance was welcome but by means necessary. At the end of the day, my only suggestion is shorten your engagement it will lessen the amount of time people have to complain to you

I really don't understand what the hang-up is about planning our own bachlorette party? I mean its a party for those women that are closest to you to celebrate with you and have a fun time. Isn't that what a wedding is (plus the men of course). No one has any problems planning their own wedding so why would there be an issue planning your own bachlorette party? You are asking for nothing of people but to go out and have a great time with you, no one will think anything of it. And this way you get to do what you want to do instead of someone else's idea of what your good time is.

I would be very careful shipping anything to Mexico. You are really taking a chance of the package getting lost.