**~Jenn~**

Quote: Originally Posted by toriOary Hi There, I dont think the private beachfront dinner is included in the Ultimate Wedding package but only the Ultimate Honeymoon package which is for people getting married elsewhere and going to the Dreams on their Honeymoon but maybe I am wrong. I didn't see anything in my contract about the beachfront dinner and in the paperwork explaining the Dreams for the Ultimate Weddint it noted 'honeymoon package' not ultimate honeymoon package so I think it is not included but maybe someone who was married already could confirm. Take care, Tori Quote: Originally Posted by MrsLewistobe Thanks Tori! I think you are right. My travel docs show the Honeymoon package. But this may not be included. Where are you having your reception? I believe If you have the Ultimate Wedding package and your staying 7 nights, you get the Honeymoon package that includes the private dinner. You don't have to stay somewhere else, we got married and stayed at Dreams and we were eligible for the Dinner. :-) TA Jill sometimes pops in here and she can give more info on that I am sure

In regards to the Veil thing, I think it just depends on the day. I got married in June and some days it was Crazy windy up there...But on the day I got married, it wasn't bad at all. My veil was blowing around, but not too bad. The one thing I did do was, I made sure I bought an inexpensive veil so if I couldn't wear it, it wasn't a big deal. You can always sell it on here if anything. Sorry I didn't multiquote, But how much more time were you looking to get for Juan? He may have pricing on his website. You;d probably have to pay for a package of his, in addition to the one that comes with your wedding package. He was with us for a little over 2 hours, most of which was his fault and he didn't charge us extra. We did wind up buying all 600 pictures that he took that day for $350.00. Unless you are doing a TTD or you want him there for your reception, then I think you'll have plenty of time with him. Just don't expect to be at your Cocktail hour

Quote: Originally Posted by cathyandchin OOOH, Sookie Stackhouse books are so much fun! I'm a fast reader and I would finish one in a day and a half then go around town like a crack addict trying to track down the next book! I suggest get a few at a time!! I havent read the one that was hardcover last summer... i draw the line at paying double digits for a book that I can't take to the pool! Good to know! I figured i would be addicted, So I wuld up going to the Bookstore last week and I bought the first 3 in the series, I plan to buy three more this week..I didn't start reading them yet because I am in the middle of reading something else, But I can't wait!

Quote: Originally Posted by CristiandJamie Thank you so much for the reassurance and it makes me feel better to hear about your situation and that you had 8 bags! I dont think I will have that much stuff with me (hopefully not). What did you do with all the luggage since you didnt have to bring so much stuff back with you? No problem, We actually put some of the smaller suitcases in the bigger ones, on the trip back..it was 100% easier..LOL And it was cheaper too. Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart PhillyBride, thanks for sharing your story, it makes me feel a whole lot better! I have 6 suitcases as of now and am worried I may have to purchase more. Half my living room has been taken over by boxes of wedding stuff! I know what you mean! I never imagined I would fill so many suitcases! I really thought I was going to have to buy another one just for our clothes. Hang in there, it's so worht it Quote: Originally Posted by shae guess i have to add diy receipts to my planning list...haha! do we need the receipt for our wedding dresses too? Nah, they didn't even question my dress at all

Quote: Originally Posted by carolina24 thank you for all your help!!! did you specify before hand any shots that you HAD to have, ie first kiss, ring exchange, etc or was did he just know to capture those? also did he prompt you for some shots that he though would look good? sorry about your photog peterpanpixiedust!! Not a problem. I actually didn't specify anything and I think he pretty much caught everything plus more. The only pictures that I don't have and wish I did, are pictures with the ring bearer and flower girl...I have a few of them walking down the isle, but none with the whole bridal party or just with the bride & groom. This wasn't the photog's fault though....The kids were both 2 years old and being a little difficult that day..LOL I also wish I had one normal bride & groom pic of us. I had a hard time finding a pic I liked for the Engraved frames we gave our parents for Christmas. I am positive you could give him a list of "must haves" just to cover your basis Quote: Originally Posted by peterpanpixiedust Philly, would it be too much to ask if you could snap a pic of your book with a page open. I would love to see how the pics are placed. My friend's leather album was really nice with some 4x6 and 5x7 slots, some vertical some horizontal, so it didn't look like those albums with plastic sheets with all the photos in a row. It had some character. was yours someone like this ( I know you said yours are all 4x6) What did the prints look like? are they glossy, mat, high luster, thicker than average or really think like walgreens does? I just wish my entourage (WC Photog's, etc) would email me back so I could get real answers....deep breath! I would be happy to take a pic, but just to warn you, it's pretty much just 3 pictures to a page in a row..LOL I will take the pic tonight hopefully so you can see. But to be honest, I am making my own book. For christmas, we made our parents albums from snap fish and it looked like a hard back magazine. We got to do the layout and it was awesome....I tried to get a link to it, but i guess I didn't save it to snapfish. I have yet to make the one for us, but I plan too. I have the book from Juan on my coffee table for now, but I hope to print ALL of the mexico pics out from the whole trip and add them to that book. Especially after I make my hardback photobook. That's why he gives you the option to buy all of the shots he took that day, so you can do what you wish with them Quote: Originally Posted by andim Thanks for the info! I've been e-mailing Juan to try to figure out what we want to add. I'm still deciding if we want to use him for a TTD. No problem!

There is a chance I will be in vegas when June 30th comes around...and even if I am..I am STILL going to see Eclipse that day! LOL (of course DH doesn't know that)

Quote: Originally Posted by CristiandJamie What do you do if you are not traveling with others. we are in Denver and everyone else is flying into Mexico from OH and TX... are we just S.O.L? Also if items need to be under $300, is this per item or total items? I know that I will have over $300 in just clothes if it's per item... Also what about your dress I bet the majority on this site spent more than $300 for their dress... Sorry I have so many questions but what about bringing your cake serving set. Since you have a knife will that raise any red flags in customs? Wondering if anyone is just using resort cake serving set or if bringing own.... I know that some people have had a hard time getting through Customs, but believe me when I tell you, I STRESSED about it until I got through it and then I wanted to smack myself..LOL I had about 8 bags total, including my laptop bag, plus my wedding dress. I litterally had one LARGE suit case FILLED with all of my OOT crap...maracca pens, Beach balls, Koozies, Flip flop playing cards, Hair flowers, travel poker sets & Etc....Not to mention..tons of coloring books, Crayons and other kiddie stuff for my ring bearer and flower girl who are toddlers. I also had a duffle bag filled with my fake flower bouquets (5 including mine and 8 bouts)...I also had 24 maraccas (regular size maraccas, not minis) in that bag..... I also bought my 4 BM's , my old roomate & both mothers spa robes with matching make up bags & just alot of other stuff. Too many more things to remember and mention, but I am leaving out alot. DH & I had to stuff all of our clothes for this trip in one medium sized suitcase...no lie...all of the others were the crap for the wedding. Come to think of it, I have not idea how we did it! They looked in my Big suitcase with all of the OOT bag stuff for a little longer than the others...at one point she called some else over....But then everything was fine and I went through. Make fake receipts and take them for piece of mind, but just don't spend alot of time stressing....Everything will work out, & unless your bringing something illegal, which i am positive your not (lol) then you will get all of your stuff safely to your destination. Even if they hassle you a little. I know your still going to stress a little over it, but I hope hearing about all of my crap that I took over there makes you feel better Everything will work out!

Quote: Originally Posted by peterpanpixiedust PhillyBride... were your photo's retouched (special effects, sharper image..airbursh, playing with the light, mixed black and white w/ color)? Also, what did the album look like.. were the photos high quality luster, is it a black or white book, leather? Sorry, lots of questions. Yes, He did all of the special effects...I amnot sure about airbrushing because the proofs look the same as the 60 pictures in my album. The Album is a Black leather album, The pages inside have the individual slots that hold each 4x6 pic. I think the package comes with 50 pictures in the Album..He would up giving us 60, which was nice. He picks the phots that go in the album though. But he truly did pick the best ones. There were color & black & whit pics in the book. With all the special effects. If you buy the CD of All the pics he takes that day, you will see diferent versions of the same pic...The normal pic and then all of the special effects & lighting pics. Don't be sorry for asking questions! I am happy to answer. I was right where you are at this time last year Sorry about your Photographer :-(

You will understand the story so much more if you read the books :0) Def worth it! Can't wait to see the Eclipse preview!

Quote: Originally Posted by abbie32 Elizabeth Medina and Del Sol are amazing but too pricey for me! I am looking into Claudia Rodriquez for photography and Mike Cantarell for videography. Phillybride - Juan does take amazing pics too. I have to compare the costs and what they offer to make my final decision. How many hours did you have him? Is the video your wedding pics set to music or is it an actual video? Peterpanpixiedust - I think the bridal party covering up the rocks is a great idea. I will 6 people on each side which will help deal with the new view. haha So..how long are most of you having your photographer and/or videographer at the wedding? If you choose 5 hours would that be from like 3-8pm for example or is it 5 hours of shooting. What if they are eating or something? haha I want to make sure I have them for all the important things but paying for a full day for both is going to be crazy expensive. Any feedback would be appreciated. I'm just trying to get a sense of what other brides are doing. I believe you are only suppose to have Juan for 90 mins (half hour for the ceremony and an hour after) He was with us longer, but that was his fault. He asked if we wanted regualr beach shots or Light house shots. To save time, I told him just beach shots since the light house was a little further away. He took all of the beach shots with us and the Wedding party and then he took me & DH over to the light house after. All in All, we had him over 2 hours. Abbie is right (below)..Its Cancun Wedding Videos and they set to all to music. We made a CD for the ceremoney. It had all of the songs we walked down the isle too & ETC and he asked if he could have that...So we were able to hear those songs clearly on the video while the ceremoney was going on and then he added a couple more songs to play because he was with us the whole time Juan was taking our pics, so that was all in the video too. It's a short video, but it's really nice and since it was included in the package, you really cant beat it. I love it. But like I (& TA Jill) have said, make sure you tell him if you want to include your First dance song in there. That is my only regret Quote: Originally Posted by toriOary Abbie32 - i believe the resort vidoegrapher is Cancun Wedding Videos which is Mike Canterell, I may be wrong, but I think I saw a bride review some time ago and it was him..... We can't afford a photographer / vidoe extra, so we are having the included ones and we will plan on a little money on the side to maybe buy extra photo time or a cd of pictures etc. We are paying extra for DJ and dancefloor, we only have a small group but we think it will help with ambience. Take care, Tori We didn't pay for anything extra with the resort photog, he just took ceremony pics and then pics of us after..However, 2 days later he sends someone to the resort with yur phot album that's included and a CD of the photos that are in the Album. Then he has the CD of ALL the pictures that Juan took that day, in our case it was over 600. If we wanted that we had to pay $350.00 for it. So we did. It was a little more than I wanted to spend, but the pictures aren't copy righted, so we were able to make our own books and prints. I am glad we did it

What a great excuse to dig up one of my Fav St Patty's day pics! Love it!

Quote: Originally Posted by peterpanpixiedust philly bride, I love your pics, they are so gorgeous, and you have great weather. Your fish eyes aren't bad because they focus on you two and put the background as an enhancer. I just don't like the gazebo views as fish eyes because there is too much detail being crowded and distorted. he does seem very talented! Abbie, looooove the idea of using the bridal party to cover up the rocks... HAHAHAHA! Thank You! I def know what you mean about the fish eye though. We did have a few like that. I know that you girls are really worried about this new beach adn the rocks, but Honestly, I still think you are going to get there and just be really happy with the spot you picked Dreams is a beautiful resort and the view from the Gazebo is fabulous. Try not to stress too much about it. I can't imagine they would ruin that view in anyway. Quote: Originally Posted by tiffanyan02 Thank you PhillyBride09 for posting this link. I think the pics turned out Fabulous! I am planning on using the resort photographer, so it is very reassurring! As far as the new beach/rock's I'm trying not to even think about it. I loved the look before, but I'm sure it will still be breathtaking! I just can't wait to get married there!! I am glad! Back when I was planning my Wedding, not alot of people had used the resort photographer and we were going crazy trying to find someone with pics. So I am happy to share and give other girls some hope I was REALLY upset when I realized that i couldn't afford a diff photographer and would have to use Juan. But I was so pleasantly surprised Quote: Originally Posted by TA Jill Jen, that was the same thing I wished I would have done! I didn't realize the video would be set to music, he used our songs from the ceremony, but then the last song was just random, I wish I would have known and I would have had him use our first dance song to. I know! :-( That is the only thing missing from my video, but who knew oh well!

Emily Giffin has a new book coming out in May or June..I can't think of the name, but I am excited

Aww thanks! I didn't say anything to him, he kind of just took over, which was fine with me. I didn't think he would be so into it...since I am sure he wasn't being paid much from the resot, but he really was. I didn't have a preference but if u did, I'm sure all u would have to do is tell him

OK..Found it....Just note that since these are small versions of the pictures...the ones that have alot of people in there seem blurry or far away...they aren't. The real versions look 100 X better I thought these were great considering he was the resort Photographer http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...c-heavy-45063/

Quote: Originally Posted by abbie32 Does anyone have some leads on good photographers? I like Moments that Matter but Claudia Rodriquez does pics and video and I really want a video. I see them and they make me cry. I want one! haha The video that comes with the Wedding package is really good. I LOVE mine. It was perfect. He shot the whole Ceremony and he was shooting the whole time we were taking pictures and then he set it all to music. The only thing I wish i would have done is asked him to include our First Dance song (Then-Brad Paisley)..Other than that, it was so great! I used the Resort photog that came with my package and I really liked my pics. I used to have the link but once they all got wiped out I never put it back up. If I can find them I will post the link

Quote: Originally Posted by *Nadine* Jake makes me want to vomit. ^^^^^Agreed^^^^^^^

Reality Steve has a nice long Article on the Finale, AFTR, Jake on DWTS and on Ali being the next Bachelorette: RealitySteve.com – My sarcastic, slanted, sophomoric, and skewed view on the world of reality television Here is a little Paragraph from him about Ali, I thought this made sense: Yes, tons of you are asking, “But if work wouldn’t let her leave to go back to Jake, how is she the next ‘Bachelorette’?” Well, for two reasons. She quit Facebook, and ABC threw gobs of money at her because they knew people would want to see her. There. Happy now? And as I’ve said before, who can blame her? Not a single one of you in her position would’ve said, “Nah, I’ll stick it out here at my desk job making 40k a year when I can make at least triple that in a two month period going on lavish dates with 25 good looking guys chasing after me”. So let’s not all jump on Ali just because she jumped at a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, since that’s exactly what it was. I don’t know a single person in her shoes who would’ve passed it up. When Ali was on the show, she was presented with the decision of either going back to work or staying with Jake and had hours to make the decision. So AT THAT TIME, leaving Jake might’ve been hard, but with little time to think about it, it was the right decision

I had my cocktail party in the Garden area and it really it a beautiful spot & a great alternative if you don't like sand

Nice!! Thanks for the info! I can't wait for Eclipse

Quote: Originally Posted by carolina24 btw I also went ahead and booked the couples massage that you get with the Ultimate package. We booked for the next day, we're going to have breakfast in bed, then the massage at 3 at the palapas on the beach!! The Couples Massage was really good It's so relaxing & peacefull...We loved it!

Quote: Originally Posted by stacey I have been avoiding this thread and the whole Twilight thing for that matter. I am a HUGE reader, but I never had a desire to read any of the books or watch the movies. *Until* DH came home one night with the Twilight movie. I was like why in the hell did you rent that movie? Well we watched it and of course I fell in love with the movie. I went out immediatly and bought the first two books. I read all four books in a week and a half. I even called in sick to work one day so that I could read the third book. (shhh dont tell my boss) I love loved loved the books. I made DH take me to the Movie theaters to watch the second movie on christmas eve. I dont think that the movies do the books justice, but the books are so great I dont know how they could. Needless to say I feel like I am going through Twilight withdrawls. This is sad to say but Im almost a little depressed that the books ended. It looks like I have missed all the chatter on the books, which totally makes me sad, but its my own fault for avoiding the craze. Well don't worry because the Craze will be starting up again soon! Eclipse should be coming out soon (I think) and not long ago they announced that they will be doing a Breaking Dawn movie, but it will actually be split into two movies, so that would be awesome! The Twilight withdrawls are the worst! I was just able to really get into another book, and guess what that book was? The Host! hahahaha Still Stephanie Meyer, but no vampires. I read all of the booked in two weeks time (it would have been sooner but I borrowed the last two books and she kept forgetting them at home! lol)...I ate, slept and thought this story the WHOLE time...it was always on my mind. I def thought it was just me until I started talking to other people and realized that this happens to most of us And then it ends and you're just like....WTF :-( Now what? lol Quote: Originally Posted by jackobelle We were talking earlier about how the New Moon movie left out the talk about imprinting....I just read New Moon again and started Eclipse. The imprinting stuff doesn't come in until Eclipse. So I guess that's why it wasn't in the movie. (I was sure it was in New Moon - But when you read all books back-to-back you really lose track of when one begins and the other ends) I totally agree with the lack of emotions in the movie compared to the book. You really didn't see how strong Bella & Edward's love really was, as well as how strong her bond with Jacob really was. In the book, Bella tries to convince herself that maybe she should be with Jacob, even if the love she feels for him isn't the same as with Edward but she still loves him. (When they almost kiss in the truck) I guess it would be hard to show her thoughts in a movie, but you'd think with good acting the actor would get that across? In New Moon (the Movie) I think the only reference Bella makes to imprinting is when she finally gets to see Jacob after he was ignoring her for weeks and she was like, "You cut your hair, & got a tattoo??" lol That is all I remember of her speaking of it. Your right, it would be hard to really show her thoughts and love for Edward, but I think alot of that has to do with Kristen Stewart. I hate that she is Bella & i think she can't act. If you ever seen her in interviews..It's like watching Bella...She just plays herself..lol I think you totally get how much Edward loves her because Robert pattinson really brings that out. You can feel his love and with her...She just breaths heavy and looks terrified the whole time. Quote: Originally Posted by chrissytina924 I am also a huge fan of the series and didnt read them to just before twilight came out into the movie theaters.. im am going to stop there about the actual book or i could go on for like 2 hours about this crazy obsession.. but i did want to point out.. i dont know about you girls but i think there is two kinds of people when it comes to the series.. the ones who have no interest in reading it or the ones that have read and are OBSSESED.... i dont think i have ever met anyone who was like yea i read it it was ok.... no its either u never read it or you read it and cant get enough.... hahaaa... sorry i just had to say that.. I agree, although I have met a few people who read it and they were like. "I don't get the hype". I don't know how you can read these and NOT get obessed. Especially because there are so many of us on this thread and just other people I have talked to, that felt the same way when starting this series. Everyone got so drawn in, and addicted to these books. We had trouble putting it down and then we had trouble getting over the fact that it's over! Although, I still feel that she will continue this Series at some point...But that may just be wishful thinking..LOL I got the whole set for Christmas and I can almost Guarantee that I will be re reading this whole series at some point, before the end of this year

So it should be starting up again soon right? Is it this week? I got addicted to this show in one week. In December they did a little catch-up week and they replayed the first ten episodes in a week (2 a night) and I DVR's them all and both me & my DH watched & loved it (although he will never admit it!) I was just coming off of the Twilight series high, So I was a little critical of the first episode, but once I finally stopped comparing it to Twilight and stopped comparing Stephan & Damon to the Cullens, I was hooked. I think Stephan would have made a much better Edward in my honest opinion

I am about to order the Sookie Stackhouse series from Amazon today. I am also going to check out that goodreads.com! Thanks Ladies. I just finished reading "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer...It started off really weird. I was a little worried at first..haha..But it turned out pretty good. Nothing compared to Twilight, but I can see her doing a sequel and it being even better

Quote: Originally Posted by cougs ok where are you ladies getting cute clothes these days? i feel like i don't like anything i'm seeing anywhere anymore. i mean, first of all, skinny jeans? hello, if i am shopping for plus-sizes then "skinny jeans" are probably not for me! in fact, any tapered-leg kind of pant is going to make me look like tweedledum, so just stop bombarding me with them (not you ladies, the fashion industry)! also, stop putting that tight band around the bottom of shirts. that is the widest part of my body, so clearly i don't want my clothes to be tight there, k thanks. I don't stray far from Old Navy these days. I just don't like jeans from anywhere else and they never fit the same. Here is what I wanna know...Do they make the high boots for bigger girls with bigger calves? lol I can't get those high boots to zipper past the middle of my calf and I am really upset about it. it reall frustrates me, because I know that I have seen girls my size with high boots, so them make plus size boots? lol That is the only way I would wear skinny jeans, If I had the boots. I tried on a pair of "super skinny jeans" from Old navy last week, they were HORRIBLE on me..Omg..So bad. I did just order a pair of black stretch pants from Ny&Co online, although I have no idea why. I really want to wear them, but unless I find the right shirt that is the right length, they will sadly sit in my drawer ugh