Samantha S

We might make it up to 60 people (I actually hope we don't!). Not because of the out of control thing but we just wanted a small wedding and because of the reception cost. There are quite a few gals that I've seen who have had up to 80 or so and they had a fabulous time. Depends on your group of people I guess! Just don't feel responsible for all of them, that's the part that would get me I think!

Quote: Originally Posted by gen moriya QUESTION ABOUT DREAMS WEDING PACKAGE: My question is, If the basic Package is free with 7 nights in a honeymoon suite... wouldnt the cost of the other packages (ie: Ultimate Package) ALSO be reduced with the 7 night stay? Sorry if the answer is right in front of me -I cant find it! I don't think they do because on the website, it says that you get the basic package for free in italics with a 7 night stay and it doesn't say that under the dreams of love and ultimate packages. I don't think anyone has asked though so it couldn't hurt!!! Quote: Originally Posted by gen moriya hmmm. well id does say the honeymoon package is "complementary when booking a honeymoon suite or higher"...so sounds to me like it is included regardless of what you are doing for your wedding...? I mean I guess that makes sense if we are not getting the $769 discount, you get the $769 package! .... i hope? (I'd rather have the discount! I was just looking at this! I *think* the honeymoon package you get is just the fruit, champaign, breakfast, robes thing-- not the Dreams Eternity Honeymoon Package that has all the SPA treatments. I hope I'm wrong! But I think Harty is right that you have to be going specifically for your honeymoon. It's weird that it says this underneath the Dreams Eternity Honeymoon Package: "This package cannot be combined with the Secrets Wedding in Paradise Package." What are they talking about? It doesn't say it can't be combined with the Dreams of Love Package or Ultimate Package? Hmmm.....

I was planning on going to smashbox but now I'm unsure after reading through this thread!!! I know I can get a trial done at both but I always feel SO obligated to buy a bunch of stuff! Anyone? Smashbox votes?

I saw this thread the other day but didn't make by a 7-11 yesterday. My girlfriend and I stopped at one today and told the clerk how sad we were that we didn't get a free slurpee and he told us to go get one! It was hilarious! We thought we were the coolest cats in town.... and we probably were.

Quote: Originally Posted by Infinity22 That's great, she does awesome work! She did our 05/22/08 wedding. That is so good to hear! Did you do a review with pics or have a link to pics? No prob if you don't!

It's starting to become a bigger problem for us. I started a whining thread about our and many of our guests flights getting canceled and we just found out it happened to one of the groomsmen and now he and his wife can't go because the alternate flights cost too much. Huge bummer! I feel really guilty some times but we have the same attitude as Savanah-- we hope people can come but understand if they can't. It just never has and never will fit in to our schema to have a wedding at home. Do you all have thoughts about whether the costs might go down in a month or two? They have had a huge spike over the last two or three months so I'm hoping they'll go down for those who haven't booked yet...

Quote: Originally Posted by pvinnov Does anyone have an opinion on foundation primer? Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is supposed to fabulous. Haven't tried it though...

I LOVE and have used Lancome Immanance for years. It is my fave. Others I have tried are Stila (good but a little heavier than lancome and more 'foundation-y' feeling) and Laura Mercier (good but couldn't find the right color for my face and my face had a slight irritation to it). Lancome Immanance feels light weight but is great coverage and has spf. Kinda pricey- I think it is between $40 and $50.

Quote: Originally Posted by Kelly C He tried complaining about the money I'm spending. A while ago. I told him fine then lets go to the court house get married and order a keg of beer and he can have his friends over to celebrate. I was just trying to make it a nice wedding. Haven't heard a word from him sense on that subject. I've given the SAME 'option' to my FI! He literally invites every shmo we might happen to know and I'm like-- HEY, we have to pay per person and you're the one who wants to be all cheap and save money. So he thinks we should only have the dinner before the reception be for family and bridal party (which is a huge amount of people in itself) and I'm like NO WAY. If we're 'inviting' people to come to Mexico, we can buy them dinner. And if they don't make the dinner 'cut' then they shouldn't be invited. I wanted a SMALL, destination wedding and we're up to like 60 people and counting! He doesn't want to have to slash and cut people from our guest list so that is where our 'visions' differ significantly. I'm just holding out til it gets closer and we have a true idea of who will really come. All you ladies who have FI's who are in to every detail-- I can't even fathom?!

Great idea! I added Jen and Reilly's to this list. July 2008 Deitra & John Bell - July 19, 2008 August 2008 Amanda & Michael - August 20, 2008 September 2008 Kathi & Ryan - September 7th, 2008 October 2008 Stacey & Ely - October 14th, 2008 November 2008 RJ & Stephanie - November 8, 2008 Kristi & Neil - November 10, 2008 Samantha S & Damon - November 20, 2008 December 2008 Brianna & Danny - December 6, 2008 January 2009 Kristy & Mike - January 16, 2009 Michelle & Steve - January 18, 2009 February 2009 Reilly & David (soon to be Mrs. Glasser) February 23 March 2009 Angel & Sanford - March 1, 2009 April 2009 Diana & Anthony - April 25, 2009 May 2009 Jaymie & Ales - May 4, 2009 Kelly & Joe - May 13, 2009 Marie (hartyt509) & Scott - May 15, 2009 Lisa (mummergirl) & Tom - May 28, 2009 June 2009 Jen (simbasim) June 13, 2009 November 2009 Jodey & Simon - November 12th 2009

Oh my gosh, nice review! I can't believe how many times she wrote 'we had no choice but to pay'. WTF?! I'm with Harty, there is no way I'd have some one charge me hundreds and hundreds of dollars and not provide complete services and just say, 'we had no choice but to pay.' I can understand girls who didn't get on this forum probably were not nearly as informed about total costs and ways to work around/through the Dreams system. I love BDW!!!!!

Hi Gang, sorry I need this one stat so I started a new thread. My guests flights keep getting canceled and now one of our groomsmen and his wife think they can't go because the alternate flights costs too much $$$. I want to suggest that maybe they can stay at Dream Cancun the night of the wedding and think about staying at a cheaper hotel nearby the other nights. Thank you, thank you! Any opinions on the quality of the hotels would be great too!

I say if you're having a non-traditional wedding.... wear hot mama fuschia shoes! I like all of them though, very elegant and classic!

Gosh Jodey, that's a tough pickle! I paid for my niece's and my sister's dress because they are broke but the other SIX BM's paid for their own. We just cannot afford it. I found cute dresses from Anthropologie that the girls love and I know they'll wear it again-- I want one for myself! That said, if we had the money to pay for them or for half of them, we definitely would have given its a destination wedding but we're picking up the whole tab for our wedding. I think you're good to wait and see how the cash flow is!

I FINALLY found my BM dresses and I LOVE them! It is from Anthropologie and was only $138. It is fuschia and looks even cuter in person. Hardest thing on my list = CHECK!

I'm 27 and he proposed this December. We've been together since I was 22 however! FI just turned 31.

Mine is MySpace.com - www.myspace.com/136142232 :-)

My FI only randomly piped in when it came down to money-- it annoyed the heck out of me because he had no idea all of the research and planning I had done to cut cost corners everywhere! now that we got that settled, he could care less again. I've tried asking his opinion on things and he seriously doesn't care. We pretty much only argue over who to invite, he invites everyone with pants on and it is driving me INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by LadyCheese Has anyone been to Target's dollar spot lately? I'm in need of a few more Spanish for Dummies books but I dont even know if they even exist anymore. Guess I'm going to have to take a drive over there this week and see. I was there this weekend and they had a whole bunch of spanish/english dictionary books in the dollar spot. And they had a ton of flavored lip balm for .25 each!

Lana, I may have read your first question wrong but it is my understanding that they provide white table linens (including napkins) but charge if you want colored linens. They do the full set up with plates, silverware and glasses but most gals bring some type of centerpiece. If you are trying to keep a tight budget, I wouldn't worry about colored linens and just bring something for the centerpieces in your colors. Things like that are where they nickel and dime you and in the end, it is not worth it if you're trying to save. The setting is so beautiful and those are some times the details that only a fellow bride or bride to be will notice and care about. But bringing them would definitely be cheaper!

Awesome review Amy! Congratulations! You looked stunning. I think it's so funny that a waitor offered you tequila and said no but asked for a few gulps of champaign-- hilarious!

Thank you RoSean! I was having serious Dreams Cancun wedding review withdrawals! Your wedding sounds amazing and I agree with the rest of the gals-- beautiful colors, awesome airplane and banner (what nice friends!) and you looked gorgeous.

Alyssa, thank you for recommending this stuff!! I needed to find quality yet way cheaper product line so I can save up for the wedding. Okay, I went and picked up some stuff and here is my initial report back: Lifting and Firming Day Cream: Really, really good except it is heavy and borderline greasy-- I will be wearing it as night cream and in that case-- wish I had gotten the night cream because I don't need the spf. But, I do like it. Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Exfoliator: LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reviving Revitalisant: Only used it once but so far, I like it better than the Benefit eye cream I spent $30 on. Time Dimensions Refining Toning Water: Love it too! I noticed a difference in my sking the first time I used this stuff, not to sound all info-mercial. I want to get a mask and a few other things but thought I'd try a handful out first. They should make Lifting and Firming Booty Cream.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 I've attached the payment form - like i said think yourself lucky you only have to send $500 lol I haven't sent my deposit in yet, I'm sending $500!!! They never really said anything to me yet but have my contract and all of that. I'd rather not put half down yet because my FI gets a huge bonus in August and I'm trying to hold out. Must be something new they are doing. Weirdos.

I'm also interested in how busy brides were the days before their wedding! Another question I have for past brides is; for those of you who had your make up done at the spa, what kind did they use? Did you bring some of your own? Thanks!