Allaballa

When we first got engaged and decided on a destination wedding my entire distant family thought that I was paying for everyone to go down (can you imagine!!!). I had to actually bite my lip so I wouldn't burst into laughter while talking to a third cousin and politely explaining that the cost to go down would be bared by the guests. Its odd, but at first EVERYONE wanted to go. But once everyone undertood that I wasn't footing the bill for them the numbers tapered off.... So I don't fully understand why people would spend a lot of money to go to someones wedding if they were not close to the couple. As for the co-workers I just told them that they might feel out of place as its all family and close friends. Oh and I also told everyone at work about how expensive the location is and better deals can be had elsewhere (just in case they got any ideas of coming along).

I am bringing EVERYTHING for the wedding on the plane. That includes my dress, veil tiara shoes and fiance's tux. If the luggage is lost or damaged everyting else I can live with and just buy a new bathing-suit and be happy for a few days until its found. If my wedding dress is not there for my wedding day I'm pretty sure I'll just have a hear attack.

Just my opinion, but this should be a pretty happy time in your life with your wedding being so close and all. As such, you have every right not to deal with other people's BS and be absorbed in their problems. I'm pretty sure that your mind is working double time trying to tie up loose ends for your big day. So my advice is to just ignore them and enjoy your special time. I'm also sure that this whole thing is not going to blow over in 17 days so you can be a giving friend at that time. As for getting involved. Take my advice STAY OUT OF IT!!! Somehow something will end up being your fault. You also never know with life....your BFF can end up with the guy she is having a fling with. You saying he is this and that can backfire on you down the road.... Again just my opinion......

That's pretty close it but bigger, higher and brighter.

Hello Ladies, I Need you help!!!! I need to send to the hotle a pic of the centerpieces that I want and I'm having a hard time finding what I want. I want tropical flowers. I like big floral centerpieces that are either raised on a stand or high just due to the flowers. The more colour the better! The restaurant is yellow (I know, I know) but its an out-door restaurant that is surrounded by tropical flowers so I need to replicate that inside to make is look consistant. Any and all help is soooooo appreciated! Thanks in advance.

I'm actually pretty much done all the planning. I just have to sit down and organize my flower requests on paper and email to the co-ordinator. My biggest concern so far has been the music. I really have to get on the ball with preparing it to take down with me.

I would definately advise you to set up a time with the wedding coordinators prior to going down there. They will probably send you their packages as well so you can do some research before-hand.

Hi Everyone, Just thought I'd say hello. My name is Alla. I'm from Canada and getting married at the Iberostar Del Mar on Dec 12 2007.

I spent about $220 and got them professionally printed. This included a three fold invite, inner envelope and outter envelope and reply cards and pre-printed address labels on reply cards. I got them of the net from invitationsbydawn.com. (there is an american version of that as well). They had a very large selection to choose from. It took about a week to get to me. What I really liked about it was that you can design the invite on the web and actually see what it looks like and make your changes if needed. I read somewhere that invites on average end up costing between $3-$5 per invite including postage. Mine cam e in at a bit less. The funny part was that everyone was pretty shocked to get one because we have a very extensive website detailing everything so everyone just thought that was it and booked from the website info.

I actually had a very different experience. My parents were fairly easily convinced about doing a DW and staying at and AI. My mothers main concern being of Eastern European descent was that people were going to be offended if they weren't there for the wedding. She gave into the whole idea once I very clearly explained to her that even if our wedding was here she wouldn't get to invite 400 of her closest friends so if she wasn't getting what she wants anyway she might as well have a lovely vacation. What I found interesting were the comments that friends and family were making. I'm not a person who goes around saying how much things are costing us and I never explained the cost structure of a destination wedding to anyone except for my parents, but quite a few people said to me that were were very clever in doing an AI because we were basically getting a "free wedding". I was taken aback a little by such comments and addressed them by explaining a to the few people how things are trully structured there, but it was a lesson learned for me. I wish I could have anticipated such comments and had been prepared with an answer for them.

Hello ladies, Anyone married at the Iberostar Del Mar? I'd love to see pictures or get any advice regarding the reception. Thanks