Jacilynda

AHR have ranged from a full on reception w/ the cake and some girls even wear their dress again. We aren't really formal people, so we don't want that, and I don't want to wear my dress again. So we are doing a backyard BBQ on a college football day. So we're going to turn it into a griz football party/tailgate kind of thing. We'll have a couple kegs, burgers, hot dogs, and marshmallows over our fire pit. We're going to play the game outside, then when the game is over we're going to play photos of our wedding. Very informal! It's not really going to be a tailgate for anyone attend, but just our guests. We live a block and a half from the stadium, so people who have tickets to the game will have great parking.

Quote: Originally Posted by KimmyG In regards to the 5K wedding, I think the all-inclusive resort seems like a great idea. The ceremony/reception packages at RIU are free for a basic package and up to $2,500 for an extravagant one. If your families can cover your flight and stay at the resort that will really cut your costs. I'm in the process of picking which Riu resort I like the best, there are so many to pick from.... For this you have to really stick to the package. Alot of the girls find extra things they want to have and have to purchase. The biggest being, that a lot of girls want a better photographer than what the hotel offers and a photographer will run you 1500+ and much more for a really good one.

Quote: Originally Posted by KimmyG How are you supposed to transport all the items for your OOT bags to your destination Bottles of sunscreen are pretty heavy... We're separating everything through bags. We have several guests leaving out of our town, so since we're allowed 2 checked bags each, most of our guests are only taking one, and my in-laws are only taking a carry-on we're just dispersing the bags through everyone. I used to work at the airport and know everyone who works out there, but they never charge me for overweight or extra bags. They don't even put them on the scale, they make me tag them myself! So weight isn't an issue, but I don't want to take too many bags that I have to bring back and get charged for.

Quote: Originally Posted by SgtPepperette I LOVE this show to! Jay is on my last nerve already. And Olivia defintely appears over interested in Jay and Whitney, and I thought...I bet she had a thing with him. Which is probably why he didnt want to go to the dinner. Although, he did show up! I like the show, i think i like it about as much as the hills. I am obviously the odd one out, but I LOVE Jay, I also really like Justin. Although these are the kind of guys I've always been interested in. I am the type of person that likes space, non-commital, take it easy. I guess since I'm attracted to that kind of guy I view them alot differently than you guys. I can't stand Alex! They haven't talked since she left him at the club, and then he asks her to dinner to rat on another guy?!! Childish to me! I could understand if they had remained friends and talked often after she left him at the club, but they didn't. So if he wanted to tell her about Jay and this other girl, then maybe he should have become better friends with her and then tell her. I don't know I can't stand people like that, at this point its really none of his business and he needs to just move on. Jay said he already knew olivia from hanging out. I'm not sure if they had a thing, or one had a thing for the other, but even if they did he doesn't seem too interested in her. She definitely seems more interested in him and OMG she was so upset that whitney didn't listen to her when she was bossing her around about the apt!

Try searching the forum! The girls are always posting when they find a great deal on oot bags. Also, my suggestion is not to be in a huge hurry to get them. We waited and then ended up w/ really nice normally $12 bags on sale for $3 each.

This is what a lot of the girls are doing. 1 bag per couple if you have girl type bags then they get a girl bag. Then if you have single men doing a different bag for them. For example these are our girl bags: And these are our guy bags: Some girls have even given the guys fedoras with all of their stuff inside it.

There are SEVERAL different welcome letters, or books that the girls have done for their bags. Use the search item first, you'll find alot on there! I just searched Welcome letter and here are a few: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t28425 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t31245 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t29569 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t22106 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t9928 If you do a search for welcome letter it will show a lot of the girls planning threads, look at those. The girls put together their planning thread a couple weeks before their wedding, and will have pictures and templates of their letters. Good luck!

I haven't tried it, or know anyone who has. But I was interested a while back, but its pretty expensive. The ad they show on tv is $9.99, but its just quick teaser dvds. The actual dvds run around $260.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ayita You could register at Honeyfund.com : it's really cash going on your bank account, and you can add to the registry stuff for your wedding, too. Actually, in the little demo they show, you start by selecting the wedding stuff not yet paid for (I think). The only fee is the paypal fee (3.5%). Otherwise I'm using travelers joy, and basically it's the same : you write what you want, you put the pics you want, so if you want flowers or liquor for your party just add it there with a pic and that's it. It can really be anything as the fields are blank, and you can upload your own pics or pics you just googled. It's a bit more expensive (7.5%). This sounds like a great option!!!

I think thats fine. Tickets are so expensive out of Montana that most of our guests were wanting all the info to book right away instead of waiting. Post pics once you find the PERFECT invites!!!

I have looked at this sight alot! But have found that most of their stuff is the same quality of Michaels, and Michaels usually has it, and cheaper. I bought some eiffel tower vases from Michaels, but I first found them on this site and they were $19.99, but got the same size at Michaels for $9.99

Quote: Originally Posted by missdanelle i wonder if they have them online? thanks for sharing! Quote: Originally Posted by lil_miss_frogg They aren't available online. What section of Target did you see them in and how big were they? I will make a special trip to target tonight just to grab some! They aren't available online because they are in the $1 section right by the door. Our store has their spot, but they aren't in yet. Post some pics!!! Are they the same as last year? They were so cute last year, and I was so bummed when they were gone when I went to buy them. The are in the same section as the Spanish for dummies, for most stores its right as you walk in.

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan also, i want to encourage everyone to take a before picture. as painful as it is, just do it. so many ladies said they regreted not having one last time. It was the biggest motivating factor for me. After I lost 8 pounds, I didn't really believe I had lost any inches until I looked at the picture. Without the before picture I would not have been as motivated as I was after seeing that it was working. When you see yourself everyday it's hard to see the changes you are making. I am SOOOOO thankful I did BL4 and got back to a weight I am happy with. I was just wearing baggy clothes & telling myself I didn't care if I was 10 pounds heavier than I had ever been. I think if I didn't make a change, I would have just kept gaining 5-10 pounds a year. Best of luck to everyone! A few motivational things from me: It's so much harder when you are starting. After sticking with it a few weeks you stop missing the junk you are not eating. You have more energy for workouts and you feel so great you wonder why you dreaded getting starting in the first place. Go BL5ers!!!! I agree!!!! I know its really hard sometimes, but at the end its such an accomplishment when you look at a before and after pictures next to each other. It's amazing how much you can change. I think it also helps you look at your new self and realize you don't want to go back to the old self and it becomes a motivation! DO IT GIRLS!!!! Also i recommend taking measurements and writing them down. That will really put in to perspective at the end how far you've come! Quote: Originally Posted by mummergirl i'm so glad i signed up and paid before xmas ... i would have totally forgotten about it! i gained a little back over the holidays, but not too much (at least i don't think so ... i've been afraid of the scale)! this time my fiance says he's going to diet too, which should help a lot. it's a lot easier to eat a salad when you're not sitting next to a guy eating a cheesesteak, LOL! we're going to have one last pizza tonight while watching the flyers game. then it's back on track, and back to the gym (i haven't been there since november)! after all, the wedding is sneaking up on us! FI is doing it with me too!!! We've both gained weight we I was pregnant, he had the sympathy weight. Well since having her we haven't tried very hard to get rid of the weight, and the holidays were good to us! A little too good! Its so nice cause then we'll be eating the same foods and working out together!

I'm with the other girls, I don't know that there is a way to ask for cash. You could try to do a registry that has cash gifts. We have alot of things, but would like to upgrade so we are doing a registry mostly for our AHR guests to use. I don't have the heart to ask for cash, if I did ask for cash it would have to be for a downpayment on a house. I couldn't ask for cash to pay for a wedding or AHR, it would feel like I shouldn't be having it if i can't pay for it. I have to agree too, that alot of people may get you a gift they think you need, or a gift card (which can't be redeemed for cash) if you didn't have registry. I think people feel like if they give cash it isn't going to something you really need so its a waste. I would have your party spread the word, only if a guest were to ask what you wanted, or try the myregistry.com.

I bought it almost a week ago, but I'm starting it tonight. I'm soooo excited! I bought it at target for $14.99, but I saw it last night at Walmart for $9

Quote: Originally Posted by Erika J Is it Bright white or more soft white? But WOW what a steal for $6 bucks!!! They also have it in champagne

Quote: Originally Posted by tylersgirl Hey everyone!!! Just wanted to know when you are planning on sending out your invitations? I have no clue when to do this!!! I am going to order mine today--all 250 of them (we are combining our AHR and wedding invites). Let me know when you are planning to do this or if you have already mailed them! Thanks You're supposed to email them out 2-3 months in advance, but for a destination wedding I think 5 months. I mailed mine out like 10 months in advance, but I already knew who was coming and they were all anxious so I sent them out. I haven't done my AHR cause we haven't really decided on an exact date yet.

you can check pier 1, they had them last year and I know our store had quite a few, til I picked them up for a friend, but they were only .98 each. Or you can order them from AA, or google, single artificial flowers alot of them carry real touch.

I love Target!!! They have a decent bridal line, especially good for TTD

Congratulations and I'm also an August 8th bride!!! 8 months will go by quicker than we know it!

Ya, click on the banner at the top of the page to send in a form for info from one of the BDW TA's. Alot of us have used TA's. Use the search tool, there is so much on there. If you search travel Agent or TA you'll find lots of info!

Congratulations and Check out the RM/cancun acomodation section to see what resorts the BDW girls are using. RM/Cancun Accomodations & Site - Best Destination Wedding Forum Also look at the girls reviews they post after their wedding to get an idea of what the girls love/hate Wedding Reviews - Best Destination Wedding Forum

Our wedding is August 8th. There is a thread for pretty much every month for the girls getting married that month. The girls share ideas and keep each other on track. Here is the July 2009: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t26248 Here is the August 2009: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t29457

Personally I would. This is our day! Plus, we're legally married before, and we're having an at home reception. There are quiet a few brides on here who have had the problem of their parents not being able to make it, but in the end its about you and your FI and how you want to start your new life together.

To spend $5000 or less for everything, probably the easiest thing may be to have a resort package. Alot of the girls do a package, but the package doesn't always include everything that they are wanting. For example, one of the biggest things is alot of the girls don't like the resort photographer, so they want to book an outside photographer, but then they have to pay a fee for the photographer, or sometimes pay for a night stay for them. Photography isn't cheap, so that's a big expense to add on. I think for $5000 you and your FI need to really decide what you really want the most for your wedding. Where do you want to spend your money? Photography, reception, cake, the dress. Also the other thing to think about is how many guests you plan on having. If you are only having 25 you can easily do this, if its 60 its gonna be a bit harder. For us we just didn't realize in the beginning the price of certain things. Investigate how much stuff costs, so you can really decide what it is you want. I didn't realize in the beginning I would be spending 25% of my budget on photography. Also are you having a WC? Their fee can add up too. We aren't having our wedding at a large resort, so we don't have packages, but the owner is allowing me to do what I want pretty much. If you haven't already decided on a location do some looking around to see if you can get what you want for that price. We are having 40-45 of us total. We have no fee for our ceremony sight, and it has minimal decor. We do have to rent chairs, but we'll be moving the chairs to our reception to cut the cost of renting our chairs in half. The chairs are costing us $280 which includes delivery. Our reception is costing us $1900 which gives us a cocktail hour, appetizers, soup/salad, and an entree for each guest. It includes our sound system as well. Our photography is $1400 for 2 hours to cover our ceremony and pics afterward. it also includes a TTD shoot the next day, which we really wanted. Our cake is $300 Our flowers are costing us $900. We're doing real-touch flowers, but this includes my bouquet, 4 maids bouquets, 9 bouts, 2 corsages, a flower girl pomander, flowers for our cake, and our centerpieces. My dress was $348 including my undergarments. Although I will need to get it bustled. The rest of our money is small amounts being spent on our decor, gifts, etc. We started with a budget of $5500 but have gone up to $6000 just to get all of the minor decor, etc we want. Although FI's parents are covering our flights, and hotel, cause they are soo excited and love Akumal.