DallasAshli

Oh - good ideas newbride! We have to make a trip to Wal-mart the day before the wedding, so we can just pick up some extra props there

Quote: Originally Posted by JaimeLynne But a heads up - my girls are busty! They are petite but both are at least a C if not small D. So unfortunately I think they'd totally be falling out of the last 2. So far the JCrew dress is my fav listed in this thread, but it's a little too conservative/plain maybe...? (they're going barefoot with minimal jewelry) And I can't exactly tell if the clover would be "Lime Green" enough... I really want the lime green to POP without being tacky... if any of that makes sense! LOL Jamie - my girls have *bright* lime dresses (from J-Crew last summer) they might be willing to part with afterwards. They are all full c's or d's. I have sizes 6P, 8 and 12 (if I can get it back from her). Here is me in it and Im a dd Let me know if your interested and if those sizes work and I will ask the girls!

I am getting married on Friday so that our guests can have Saturday to recover and then go home fresh on Sunday. I hate traveling after a night of drinking, so we choose Friday to avoid that. I think Michelle had the same idea. We are both in Texas, so flights home on Sunday are typical. I'm pretty sure the Mexican Theme night is limited to La Riviera (the buffet) with a night time dance show in the ballroom. There was a tequila tasting by the pool, but it was earlier - like 4pm. At least that is how it was on our site visit over halloween weekend last year. We are getting legally married here in Texas with a symbolic ceremony at Secrets, so Im not sure about the witness rules. Beach Casita vs. Canopy: Im pretty sure the Casita is the wooden structure that is permanantly on the beach. Im not sure about the canopy though. Quote: On her map, she circled the beach ceremony and reception site as the fareast corner of the resort. I'm not sure what mean by "fareast". The ocean/beach is on the east side of the hotel. I posted a map in post #6 I think. At the bottom left is a heart that shows you were the beach ceremony is. Its the far south-east corner of the hotel. We are having buffet at the reception, but not on the beach. All pics that I've seen of beach receptions have buffet. Let us know if you have any other questions!

I think they would work for DW BM dresses...but warning: I tried that dress on last week and it was not flattering IMHO. Im a "small" at old navy and I even tried on a medium to see if that helped and it didnt. Unless your BMs are super naturally thin (no curves, no boobs, etc), I would have them try it on first!

Thanks for posting Michelle! I love reading other people's opinions and experiences We are also getting married on a Friday for the exact same reason!

For those that don't know, there is a website called "the image is found" that has a great photo opp at weddings called the "Crazybooth". Actually, lots of photogs are doing this now. They somehow get guests to do silly poses, sometimes with props, make funny faces, etc. the image is found . photo blog They sell a manual on how to do it, but its $150. I want to copy this idea, but adjust it a little so it can work for DWs. So here's the big question - how do you get people to be so silly The only thing I can think is to put silly "scene descriptions" on cards and guests pull one and then have to pose (kinda like charades, but with a pose rather than acting). Creative people can do whatever they want, but sometimes people need a prompt. Has anyone experienced this in person or have any ideas? If the "scene description" is how it works, what are some possibilities? Here are some prompt ideas I've gathered from looking at photos: re-enact ... (something that happened yesterday or a famous event) impersonate...(the flintstones or 'the hills' people) pretend you just found out...(your clothes are made of poison or the bride is really a man ) We will have some props too! Any ideas would be appreciated! thanks!

Hi. I will answer as many of your questions as I can. We are getting married at Secrets in 25 days (!). I would agree with the reviews that say the resort is great. We had a great time, everyone was nice, food was good, etc. Gazebo - yes, it is right by the pool. But...if you have a wedding at 5pm or later, there are very, very few people still at the pool and by that time, they have all migrated towards the pool bar (which isnt like right next to the gazebo). The thing that bothered me about the gazebo (Im not sure if this is every gazebo or just Secrets) is that your guests sit outside the gazebo, which is 3 or 4 steps down from where you are. We only have 15 people in our guest chairs (2 BMs, 2 GMs, us 2, and our own officiant standing at the front leaves only 15 guests in chairs) so it didnt seem very intimate. They are outside in the sun, and you are in this large gazebo. Beach - they dont section off part of the beach for the wedding, but the site is way off to the side. Its near the hammocks, which they take down if there is a wedding. There aren't any chairs over there, so I dont think sunbathers would be an issue. See post #6 for a map of where that is - bottom left on the map. I saw a wedding on the beach during my site visit and there werent many on-lookers. The other option - the grassy area. Actually, there are 2 grassy areas - one between the north wing and the taco bar, and one between the gazebo and the south wing (look at the map in post 6). I dont have pics of the grassy area set-up by the gazebo, but that is where we are getting married so I will have some pics in a month! Unless the "only 1 wedding a day" is a new policy, I dont think that is accurate. RaShunda just got married there about 2 months ago and posted her review, which you should read! They had 2 weddings that day and it was a bit of a mess (although everything turned out beautifuly, it was a hassle for her). Maybe after that, they made the policy 1 wedding a day. Oh - this might be helpful - the pace of the resort is similar to this: wake up, have breakfast, by the pool or ocean mid-morning, eat lunch, lounge some more, go in about 4pm. It seemed like by 4pm, 90% of the guests had gone inside to nap or shower or get ready for the evening. So if your wedding is after 5, I dont think you will have tons of random people watching you. Group Dinner - the Italian place has a private room for 20-ish. At other resaurants, we saw a few tables that were pulled together for groups of 12 or so. I think the general policy is that they dont have the space to accomodate larger groups than that, but I never looked into it so you should ask. I've never heard of the "Capri Terrace" but I know they just made some name changes (the names of the rooms just changed company wide I think). Maybe it's the deck area? Do you have any other info about it? The WC - yes, she has some bad reviews. Yes, Ive had some issues with her. I think it comes down to your personality. If you are a control freak, I think you would be less stressed if you had your wedding somewhere that has a top-notch WC. If you are more laid-back, fine with Mexico time and Mexico ways, you will be fine. My main issues with her: I will email 3 questions, and she will respond with 2 answers so I have to re-email her; the time it takes her to respond varies greatly from 1 hour to 1 week; a little bit of a language barrier, but really not too bad; she doesnt keep great notes, so she will ask you several times what cake you want or something. Things I really like about her: she was great in person, she has a "yes, we can make it work" attitude, she is flexible. Ok, I hope that helps! Let us know if you have any other questions!!

Quote: Originally Posted by budgetjamaicabride Wow... I had not even thought of using that type. They are perfect... I am working on leaving work early to go because I live in McKinney! They have one in Plano! 1717 E. Spring Creek Parkway Plano, TX 75074 (972) 509-8001 Phone Directions: In Plano at the corner of Ave. K and Spring Creek Pkwy, 1 block east of Hwy. 75.

Looks great Casey!! I love B&W weddings!

I wanted to share some of the amazing pics I just got back from Lynn Michelle Photography (http://www.lynnmichelle.com/) who is also a member on BDW. I was intoduced to her blog at the beginning on my planning and have followed it ever since. She was so wonderful to work with and I highly recommend her! She also does BD and has great rooms in her studio along with lots of great accessories Lynn posted about wanting to do some glamour bridals with birdcage veils for her website so I jumped on the chance to be a model for a few hours!! Here are a few of the fantabulous pics she took! Oh - this is my sassy reception dress - I know, I know...I'm a 2 dress bride!

I would assume all of them, but I went out to the one in Mesquite. There's another one in Lewisville and one in Grand Prairie. None by downtown which is where I live. And the pics make them look fluorescent. They are bright, but not glowing! I think its the fluorescent lights in here

I have to give my fabulous mother credit for this find! They are great for OOT bags and come in about 12 or 15 colors. They had several shades of blue (navy, teal, baby blue) and several shades of green (forest, kelly, lime) and pink, red, black, yellow, white, etc. They are very similar to the ones you buy at the grocery store (the re-usable ones that i hope you all use rather than plastic bags!). Anyway, they are bigger than the grocery store ones: 17 inches long (from left to right) 6.5 inches wide (from front to back) 15 inches deep (from top to bottom if standing up like its filled) They dont hold water like cotton and lay flat/easy to pack, but dont have a zipper or pocket. Best thing - they are $1.49!!! You can't buy them online though. I live about 15 miles from the nearest Garden Ridge, but I would be willing to make a trip if you need me to. Oh - sorry for the bad pics - its a camera phone + office lighting. Standing up: Laying flat: Filled (with a random sweater I had)

Wow - great find! Thanks for sharing!

I think e-vites are perfectly acceptable! Especially for your type of affair. Sounds fun

I went back and forth as well. Some on your list were too expensive for me. I ended up with Rafael Ibanez and I'm thrilled. He has been great to email, great reviews from other brides, more reasonably priced, extremely helpful. Also my FI does photography as a hobby so he had the final say. We looked at each photogs gallery/portfolio on their website as well as watched their blogs. The one that we both fell for was Rafael!! RAFAEL IBAÑEZ

I think it depends on how many you have. I handwrote mine because we had about 20 invitiations (mostly to couples). Some people send 100 invitations, so I would have printed them if we had that many.

Oh Michelle - they are both great! The one you picked is perfect for a DW and looks so fabulous on you!! I might need a trip back to Secrets in May

Thanks!! Has anyone done a private catamaran sunset cruise? Im afraid it might get chilly when the sun sets. I might have to do the 3-hour cruise during the day instead.

Michelle - I cant see the pics!!

Oh Jacilyn, please post - Im looking for the same thing right now. I want a catamaran for probably a half day! Thanks!

Wow Kelly - everything looked great! Great review too. Sounds like it was perfect! I cant wait to see your pro pictures too - especially the one with the full moon. Looks gorgeous!

Quote: Originally Posted by *Casey* Ashli, did you go to Electric Boutique on Greenville? That's where I would always go in HS to shop for dance costumes. YES!! Exactly right - even the one on Greenville I couldnt find anything that fit my personality. Im having a hard time being overtly sexy. Its not really my style. I lean towards romantic, less obvious sexy. Electric Boutique does not carry "understated" items

I think you are being smart to at least know the rules! Even if you never have to use them (which of course, you wont!!). I dont know how it works in DR or Canada, but you should find out - if for no other reason than if anyone asks, you will look super smart and prepared (for the question, not a divorce)

Casey - you read my mind on stripper shoes! They are cheap, but dont look bad (unless you get the ones with the clear heel and 5 inch clear platform!). I went to that place a few weekends ago to find a BD outfit, but no luck.

Oh my goodness - FI and I watched last night and loved it! I never watched before him, so its a fun thing to do together Erin - I love the article thing you posted! I had the same thought about the babies So glad its BACK!