Dijawana Diva

So, after over 8 years together, we are getting married (it's really just an excuse to have a big party.. ha!) I'm 26 days out before the wedding, so I am now scrambling to get S@#(% done... Here is my dilemna: My sister, whom I asked to be my bridesmaid (family obligation thing...), backed out last month, thinking she couldn't come to the wedding. She is now coming, and am now wondering if I should offer her the bridesmaids position again. Although I would like her to be my bridesmaid, I feel she hasn't really been part of Bryant and my relationship - not like my other bridesmaid. Peoples thoughts always welcome...

Hey, Mrs. B... Not my company; this was my CEO's brainchild, I made it into reality... Without trying to advertise - these are great dresses and are worth more than $99 retail, but as we are the manufacturer, we able to sell these dresses at wholesale price to the consumer.

Don't mean to toot my own horn, but this is my "baby"... I am very happy that the ad and site is getting some attention.

I just looked at my spreadsheet; right now, we're a little over 23k (includes everything but incidentals and spending money); Luckily, we've paid about 15k towards it already. I thought Destination Weddings are supposed to be less expensive

Quote: Originally Posted by neen Can I ask who your wedding planner is? Is she associated with the hotel or an outside consultant? Would you recommend her to others? The Hotel Basico recommended Mari Tripaldi for a planner; I'm not sure if she's associated with any hotels.. Mari seems to be on point. We've communicated solely via email for the past year, as I've been downloading my ideas and requests.. I'll find out how well she does when we get to Playa del Carmen...

Thanks for all the greetings... I'm really finding some information on the site; too bad I didn't find this forum sooner.

We are choosing Stevie Wonder's "Ribbon in the Sky", the live version for our first dance; it's an 8 minute version of the song, and I've asked our DJ to somehow transition to Donna Allen's "He is the JOY" to get everyone boogy-ing! Yea, we're old househeads!

Budget? What Budget?? HAHAHA I stopped tracking costs after we realized how much we've spent to date. We figured this is a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to get all our closest friends and family, in one place, all at the same time - totally worth it!

Thanks; I've already been in touch with Mexican Customs; unfortunately, they forbid shells due to ecological reasons... go figure! I've asked my planner to look for the shells I want, but she insists that that they are quite expensive. So unless I smuggle them in, I will have to shell out (pardon the pun) a lot more dough that I budgeted... But then again, I already AM overbudget (but that's a post for another day...) hahaha

I hired a mariachi band to lead the entire group from the hotel to the beach; and then from the beach back to the hotel for the reception.

Ever since we first visited Playa del Carmen 3 years ago, my SO and I knew this was where we wanted to get married! For the past year, I have envisioned the entire event to the tiniest detail, and now trying to translate it into reality. All our friends and family are staying at the Hotel Basico (5 Ave/10th) - we have the entire hotel to ourselves (15 rooms)! Knowing our friends and family, we did not schedule any activities outside of the wedding. We are giving everyone the opportunity to explore and fall in love with PDC on their own terms. The weekend begins with a Welcome Reception on Friday at Maramao (Mosquito Beach). On Saturday, we get hitched on the beach, by 10th Street (the light house); with a mariachi band leading the way from the hotel to the beach and back to the Deseo Hotel for cocktails and then to the Basico for dinner and dancing. Our inspiration, a finger starfish, is being incorporated as a shade or shape in all aspects of the reception. We are using Mari Tripaldi as the planner; Paul Shrank as our videographer and Vincent from Zasil Graph Studios as the photographer; DJ Martin is the man in charge of the music (in addition to our own ipod playlist). The reception is a "Family Style" dinner that consists of a 4 types of entrees and 3 sides. We got a small cake to cut, with a 3 dozen cupcakes in different flavors to serve to guests. The only major issue I've really encountered to date is MEXICO customs rejecting shells that I've been attempting to send to my planner. I was told that shells are rather expensive in Mexico, and that our inspiration, a finger starfish, isn't even available! I've attempted TWICE in fedex'ing these shells, only to have shipped back to me. I don't really want to put these shells in my checked luggage, since we are not arriving until a few days before the wedding - but looks like this is my only choice. Other than that, I think (I hope) that things go the way I want it... Anyhoo - thanks for listening!

Hi, I'm Joann! I'm getting married on 2/16/08 on the beach of Playa del Carmen, Rivera Maya, MEXICO I am looking forward to reading the posts and to be able to contibute in some way, shape or form! See ya on the boards!