shannon

SO cool!! I love how it can be super sexy-- or can be switched to even go to church!

The dress is gorgeous!! CONGRATS!!!

I love the dress--it'll look absolutely stunning!

Quote: Originally Posted by bre As for tipping, Pete and I tipped quite a bit. We actually meet in the service industry and Pete is a chef so we are habitually big tippers possibly b/c we might have a different view of the work these people do. We got a chance to talk to one of the bartenders on a rainy day at our Casita pool and learned that bartenders have what is considered the best job at the resort. They make about $5 A DAY from EDR and if they are lucky, they make about $20 in tips. I personally was nauseated as we sat in front our our room that we spent almost $5,000 for!!! They also leave there families in other parts of Mexico to work six or seven days a week at the resort. We had already been tipping big before that (giving about $40 per server at our reception - same guys for cocktail and dinner), but tipped even bigger after. So to each his own, but I know that even though we were on a budget, the work these people are doing is the same as if we were not on a budget and the money means more to them than it does to us. My two cents on the subject... Thanks Bre--- this definitely puts an interesting perspective on things. I'm taking more cash with me than I planned- thanks again for your input!

It's amazing!! this definitely looks like money well spent!! CONGRATS!

These pics were the MOST fun to look through! I LOVE LOVE your commentary! hilarious! You looked so beautiful- and everyone looked like they had an amazing time. Looked like such a fun wedding- how cool were the fire dancers?!?!

Quote: Originally Posted by can't wait! I love Dreams Tulum, but I wouldn't recommend as a honeymoon site. It's beautiful and relaxing but I would rather a more romantic resort. And one where there aren't kids running all over the place! A couple of friends of mine honeymooned at El Dorado Royale and LOVED it! They spoke wonders of the private/outdoor shower! Anyway...my fiance and I are considering going to Cuba since we will only be about a 30 min plane ride away. I hear the beaches there are beautiful and I would love to see Havana. I am geographically retarded and didn't realize Cuba was so close!! I would LOVE to see Havana -I am going to have to have a discussion with the FI immediately!

Try and post a picture! I'm sure they look great--there's something really special knowing you created them- and they are truly unique!!!!

Tami- everything looks AMAZING!!! I love how you used your monogram with all your stuff-- your guests will have such an amazing memory!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Can't wait for pix!

What an awesome review!! Thanks so much for posting-- and your ceremony setup--- GORGEOUS!! I LOVE LOVE the starfish on the chairs!! Congrats!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by jfwolfe72 How have past EDR brides and how do future ones intend to tip? Other than tipping the bartenders and housekeepers, do you also tip the wait staff? And do you tip for any private events? My FI doesn't think we should tip at all b/c it's an AI, but I heard that the tips are highly appreciated. Considering how much we're spending, though, I don't want to have to tip too much. Any input is greatly appreciated! On our wedding website- we put that although tipping is not required- we would recommend our guests bring approx $10/day in one dollar bills to tip. From what I've read on tripadvisor- most guests leave a few bucks every morning for the maid, or tip the bartenders throughout the day. we did state that it wasn't required, though... We are having 4 private events throughout our time there, so we can't tip alot at each event- I was thinking we'd(FI and myself) probably just tip $20-30 for each event-- to whoever is serving us at those events. I don't know if I'm being really cheap?!?!?! but that is kinda what I had in mind...I'd like to hear from others-- I might have to change mine if I find out I'm being super cheap-hehe...

I understand what Tammy is trying to accomplish -but as a bride who is very much looking forward to her EDR wedding in a month-- it is a little shocking to see sticker titled "boycott EDR" on this forum. I do not agree with Karisma's new policy- they are taking business out of their own country by making it difficult to hire local photographers- and hurting their own business, with a very extreme policy. There are too many wonderful resorts in the area that do not have this policy that a bride would probably choose over a Karisma resort, bc of this policy. With that being said-- I do NOT regret choosing EDR as my place to get married and am very excited about the resort, and our wedding! With this policy aside, I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with planning my wedding at EDR. I've gotten quick responses from Valeria, and they have been very accommodating to me, on my requests. This policy would be the only reason, so far (my wedding is still to come!) that I would consider not recommending EDR to other brides.

HAPPY WEDDING DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for pix!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Just Martha Hold the noise. Has their policy changed? A friend of mine is getting married there at the end of May and they hired Elizabeth Medina to do their pictures...wasn't it just a $500 outside vendor fee before? Have they stopped this? From what I understand-if your friend had an agreement or contract in place before this policy (the new policy was announced/posted on the website in the last couple of weeks)-then the resort will honor the agreement.

It's cool to be able to picture the arrangement- the starfish are so cute! Thanks for posting!

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan Shannon, did you buy your tickets before february 26th? We have just about the same flight. US Airways from RDU to CUN. Yep- we bought out tix last September (2007).... Do you guys switch planes in Charlotte?!?! So cool you are right down 40 from me!

It is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! I love the beading and cut at the top--- congrats!!!!

Those are so so cute!!! Perfect!

Quote: Originally Posted by pryzeless I think this is a little harsh and hurtful. I am getting married at the EDR. Yes, I do not agree with the policy change but I am not looking to change resorts, only change the policy. To put a sticky boycotting the place I am getting married at is hurtful to me. I understand that you are trying to help future brides in their slection but purhaps you can choose a different title. It is a beautiful resort and many brides have had no problems with it. I agree with pryzeless-- there have been so many posts recently about the outside policy that Karisma is trying to enforce with outside vendors, specifically photographers. We have posted multiple complaints, as well as a link where brides can file a complaint with Mexico's version of a "better business bureau". One of the EDR bride's travel agent, had a meeting last week with the owner of EDR and the owner of Karisma and the main priority of the meeting was to discuss this policy. It would be difficult to be on this forum and not be aware of the policy and how you can "fight" the policy. From what I've read on this forum, EDR isn't the only resort to have a policy for outside photographers, though EDR definitely seems to have the most extreme policy. There are many brides on this forum that are getting married at EDR this year, and are really really excited about it!! I agree that this sticky is a little harsh. Maybe it could be retitled/regrouped- and just have all the resorts that have outside vendor policie and what those policies are. That way brides can be informed about the resorts and their policies and make their own decisions from there.

Congratulations!!!!

It's been posted on their website for a month now-- i don't think US Air is the only company that is doing it-- i hear someone else is too- though I can't remember right now... We are going to have to do some shuffling-- bc your 2nd bag is an extra $25- and your 3rd is an extra $100!!!!! So, it's not an option for us to check more than 4 bags--2 each- that means we'd each have to pay $25 for our 2nd checked bag...... ugh. I haven't heard that if you bought your ticket beforehand that it doesn't apply- but that would be great-- I'll be giving them a call today! Here's what the website says... Baggage allowance For each ticketed customer, US Airways will transport: * 1 checked bag free of charge, and * 1 bag as a carry-on Additional checked baggage A second checked bag will be assessed a $25* fee. The new fee applies to travel on or after May 5 for tickets purchased on or after February 26, 2008. Checked bags Under 50 pounds/23 kg 51 - 70 pounds/23-32 kg 71-100 pounds/32-45 kg First checked bag Free $50* $100* Second bag $25* $75* $125* Third - ninth bag(s) $100* $150* $200* *Fees listed are in USD and will be charged in the local equivalent currency. Some destinations outside of the continental U.S. have additional limitations on checked baggage at specific times of the year. The following passengers are exempt from the $25 second checked bag fee: * All Dividend Miles Preferred members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman’s Preferred) * Passengers traveling to and from Europe, or to and from Asia * Confirmed First Class and Envoy passengers at time of check-in * Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members * Active military personnel in uniform with ID * Unaccompanied minors * Passengers checking personal assistive devices If you're paying 10% of the adult fare for an infant to fly on a transatlantic flight, you are allowed: * 1 checked bag with maximum total dimensions of 45 inches/114 cm and maximum weight of 50 pounds/23 kg * 1 fully collapsible stroller or 1 child restraint device or car seat Carry-on baggage You are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item. Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop or diaper bag. Carry-on baggage must be stowed in carry-on compartments of the aircraft, under a seat, or in an overhead compartment.

My sister and aunt are getting matching starfish necklaces, and one of the girls that has been a huge help- I'm getting her a $85 gift cert to the spa on the resort.... (all the other girls are just getting $40 gift certs)

OMG Ana-- those cakes you posted are so cool!!!!

I found my "inspiration" from this site--- I love these cakes! www.cakesbysam.com

I'm a little bias toward a Hjelms dress- my AHR dress is a Hjelms! -- I love it -so so so beautiful-- I love the back-- the low V... If I was your BM, I'd be super excited to have a good excuse to buy it-hehe...