~Nicole~

Sorry ladies, I'm just sort of jumping in here, but thought I'd comment on the budget. I agree, a lot of ladies are doing more elaborate weddings. Mine was "the basics" with only 7 guests. I think it also depends what you include in your "budget" to be able to compare them accurately. I included EVERYTHING. The rings, the week vacation, the attire that I bought for the wedding party, the cost to authenticate documents.... all of it lol. By the time it was all said and done, I was closer to $14K.  I'm sure there are some noobs that need to be added so I've posted the list below. If anyone needs to be added or removed, PLEASE PM ME!!!! Thanks!!!  August 2010 September 2010 Lecreatifbride - Sept 4, 2010 October 2010 amandamarieb – October 10, 2010 chong – October 10, 2010 November 2010 dstinationdrmr – November 12, 2010 – 4pm dirtymartini – November 13, 2010 – Azul Beach Ms.H – November 16, 2010 December 2010 mzgillis316 - December 3, 2010 jaimeburns – December 10, 2010 rkf1046 – December 11, 2010  January 2011 Murmel – January 24, 2011 February 2011 Less is More – February 19, 2011 March 2011 gingerlover36 – March 26, 2011 April 2011 dakotaAZ – April 2, 2011 May 2011 TLGnhci – May 2, 2011 mmc1105 – May 6, 2011 JaimeTalis – May 7, 2011 Nikki O – May 7, 2011 amcferron – May 13, 2011 MaggieandJay – May 15, 2011 beaz2be – May 27, 2011 Bigboponthebeach – May 28, 2011 June 2011 jazz04 – June 12, 2011 July 2011 LMMDC – July 23, 2011  February 2012 msmarmar123 – February 11, 2012     Â

Ok so I just finished "Snowflower and the secret fan" by Lisa See. Definitely not at the top of my list but it was interesting. I just found parts of the book seemed to drag, then it would pick up and then drag again. It just didn't leave me with that satisfied feeling that I normally have when I'm done a book. It was more of a "thank god this book is over" feeling. It was starting to feel like a chore sometimes. Â Last night I started "change of heart" by Jodi Picoult. I'll keep you posted on that one!!! I think a few on here have read it and said it was good?!

Awww Manders..... thanks Mrs - Cougs B2B - I have to come back to that!!

I'm positive that your day will be nothing short of perfect and I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!!! Enjoy every minute of it and CONGRATS!!!! xoxo

Omg!!! How many ppl were at that wedding? I think that's the most insane story I've heard yet!!

Rachel, if you're going to hell I don't even want to know what's going to happen to me lol. We were dying of laughter through out the whole ceremony. Anyone sitting behind us could just see our shoulders bouncing up and down lol. But seriously, my grandfather from my mom's side was there as well and even he thought it was ridic. Anyways, hope you all got a good laugh out of that.

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart Nicole, eewwwww, dig up a pic if you can. Old wrinkly bride made me laugh too! HAHA OMG I completely forgot that I posted this and forgot to put pics up. Clearly I'm distracted easily. ANyways, here's the old wrinkly bride: Ok here is the bride from the back. Talk about ridic. Seriously this women has THIRTEEN KIDS and was married before. You aren't fooling anyone with that white dress. Oh and while I was looking for pics I noticed that all the ones of her didn't come out!! LOL Its like my camera was rejecting wrinkles or something lol. I tried to brighten it so you could see her, but you'd really have to see her in person to understand the full comedy of it. And not that I want to make anyone throw up or anything, but here's the garter retrieval.... gag

Tues and Wed OR Thurs are ball nights. Other than that I'm good during the week! And I love reading........ Right now I'm reading something like "snowflower and the secret fan". It's meh so far. I'll keep you posted.

Awww thats so sweet !!! Well for sure when you have some time free'd up we've got to make plans!!!! Even if its just dinner or something since I know our weekends didn't exactly work together and I don't want to interrupt mother-daughter time!!!

How long is your mom visiting for?

Another update July 2010 meghan - July 1, 2010 Meesh – July 10, 2009 momichele – July 24, 2010 Daniepps – July 31, 2010 August 2010 September 2010 Lecreatifbride - Sept 4, 2010 October 2010 amandamarieb – October 10, 2010 chong – October 10, 2010 November 2010 dstinationdrmr – November 12, 2010 – 4pm dirtymartini – November 13, 2010 – Azul Beach Ms.H – November 16, 2010 December 2010 mzgillis316 - December 3, 2010 jaimeburns – December 10, 2010 rkf1046 – December 11, 2010 January 2011 Murmel – January 24, 2011 February 2011 Less is More – February 19, 2011 March 2011 gingerlover36 – March 26, 2011 April 2011 dakotaAZ – April 2, 2011 May 2011 TLGnhci – May 2, 2011 mmc1105 – May 6, 2011 JaimeTalis – May 7, 2011 Nikki O – May 7, 2011 amcferron – May 13, 2011 MaggieandJay – May 15, 2011 beaz2be – May 27, 2011 Bigboponthebeach – May 28, 2011 June 2011 jazz04 – June 12, 2011 July 2011 LMMDC – July 23, 2011 February 2012 msmarmar123 – February 11, 2012

Ya, its absolutely overwhelming lol!! But in a good way, I think haha. All of my documents are likey out of date now, so I don't have anything to add in here, but I'm positive some of the B2B's will!!! Hope to see you around in the other thread!!

Congrats on booking your venue!! Have you seen this thread? http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...st-here-23412/ There is a wealth of knowledge in there! It's long, but worth the read IMO. Part of the challenge, which you'll discover, is that we all seemed to get different answers from the WC's, but no need to worry! It all works out in the end . Happy planning!

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride Oohhh Nikki - if my mom weren't coming up & wanting to read that book you could totes get it from me! Only problem with swapping with you Jenn would be the shipping!! It would probably be cheaper to buy the book! But we can definitely look into it! Or we use it as an excuse to get together more often!!

Same here V! We had always said that we weren't having a big wedding here. DW all the way

Another list update! I've added LMMDC. She's a year from today!!!! Woot!! Anyone else who needs to be added or removed PLEASE PM ME!!! Thanks! July 2010 meghan - July 1, 2010 Meesh – July 10, 2009 momichele – July 24, 2010 Daniepps – July 31, 2010 August 2010 September 2010 Lecreatifbride - Sept 4, 2010 October 2010 amandamarieb – October 10, 2010 chong – October 10, 2010 November 2010 dstinationdrmr – November 12, 2010 – 4pm dirtymartini – November 13, 2010 – Azul Beach Ms.H – November 16, 2010 December 2010 mzgillis316 - December 3, 2010 jaimeburns – December 10, 2010 rkf1046 – December 11, 2010 January 2011 Murmel – January 24, 2011 February 2011 Less is More – February 19, 2011 March 2011 gingerlover36 – March 26, 2011 April 2011 dakotaAZ – April 2, 2011 May 2011 mmc1105 – May 6, 2011 JaimeTalis – May 7, 2011 Nikki O – May 7, 2011 amcferron – May 13, 2011 MaggieandJay – May 15, 2011 beaz2be – May 27, 2011 Bigboponthebeach – May 28, 2011 June 2011 jazz04 – June 12, 2011 July 2011 LMMDC – July 23, 2011 February 2012 msmarmar123 – February 11, 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart I just got my Elite Banner!!! Wooo hoooo!!! Remember when you thought you'd never make it to junior member? How times have changed hehehhe. Woot for another elite member!!!

I think that sounds amazing!! A little change never hurt anyone . Thanks for the update and all of your hard work Tammy!

Quote: Originally Posted by beaz2be Thanks for the info on this ladies. One question about swim ups... since most of the pools close at like 6pm (I think that's the case anyways) are you able to use the outside jacuzzi &/or little pool section outside your room AFTER those regular hours? Am I totally wrong that the pools close like that? If so please set me straight. Ya, I saw a few people in there swim up sections in the late evening. We never did though. Quote: Originally Posted by amcferron Question about rooms: My requirements for rooms when i travel to the beach generally are to be as close to the beach as possible and to not be on the ground floor. From what i can tell, the only truly oceanfront rooms are the honeymoon suites.....Also, it seems the "premium" rooms are back behind the pool. I had ruled out the swim ups b/c i normally like to be up to see the sea good. Currently we are just booked in the luxury jacuzzi oceanview (b/c it is off gorund floor and as close to beach as possible). my TA (which i have used for years) says she thinks this room suites me best b/c of my previous travel choices, but you all have me wondering if i should just do a swim-up thoughts I think if the room you have booked meets all of your criteria, why would you want to change it? I don't care about being on the second floor and seeing the ocean, so obviously I'd say "ya the swim ups are the best", but that's not what you like according to your description! Unless you want a change? Really IMO it doesn't matter where you stay. My first night I was on the second floor with a pool view. If I was left there all week I still would have had the same amount of fun.

Agghhh its been a while since I've been on this thread. I'll have to go back and read up on what you've all been reading lol. Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride I just finished reading House Rules by Jodi Picoult & it was really good! Kind of predictable, but it really opened my eyes on the subject of autism & more specifically aspergers. I have that book on my wish list . Since I have your approval, I'm going to go ahead and get it. Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride And I just ordered some!! "Water For Elephants", "Eat Pray Love", "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo", "Incontinent On The Continent". They should be shipped tomorrow & I should have them by early next week!!! And yes...I'm a total lol I read water for elephants. I thought it was good. I'm not sure why it got so much hype, but it was good, I enjoyed it.

Hi CG, I had what is likely the smallest DW in history lol. We only had 7 guests plus a baby. We were all early 20's to mid 30's and it was amazing!! I was worried about the exact same thing as you when I was in my planning stages. I thought that a small group wouldn't make it feel like a "wedding". I didn't have anything formal planned so we pretty much winged the whole night and it was a hit. By the time we ate dinner and started dancing we were down to 5 guests because the one couple went back to their room to put the baby to bed. But even with only 5 of us we closed the disco at 2am and it was 4am by the time I made it to bed. I say that if you want something small, stick with it. You won't be disappointed

Quote: Originally Posted by chong silly question... does the resort provide beach towels for everyone? if so, how is it provided? Yes, they give you a beach towel card. You go get a fresh towel whenever you need it.

Yup, ditto to Julie!! OP - this thread expanded on more than what you initially posted about. Don't take offence!!!

Just popping in quick with another updated list! I've added Ms.H!! If anyone else needs to be added or removed PLEASE PM ME!!! Thanks! July 2010 meghan - July 1, 2010 Meesh – July 10, 2009 momichele – July 24, 2010 Daniepps – July 31, 2010 August 2010 September 2010 Lecreatifbride - Sept 4, 2010 October 2010 amandamarieb – October 10, 2010 chong – October 10, 2010 November 2010 dstinationdrmr – November 12, 2010 – 4pm dirtymartini – November 13, 2010 – Azul Beach Ms.H – November 16, 2010 December 2010 mzgillis316 - December 3, 2010 jaimeburns – December 10, 2010 rkf1046 – December 11, 2010 January 2011 Murmel – January 24, 2011 February 2011 Less is More – February 19, 2011 March 2011 gingerlover36 – March 26, 2011 April 2011 dakotaAZ – April 2, 2011 May 2011 mmc1105 – May 6, 2011 JaimeTalis – May 7, 2011 Nikki O – May 7, 2011 amcferron – May 13, 2011 MaggieandJay – May 15, 2011 beaz2be – May 27, 2011 Bigboponthebeach – May 28, 2011 June 2011 jazz04 – June 12, 2011 February 2012 msmarmar123 – February 11, 2012

I made sure that I told all close family and friends first. I think I even waited weeks, maybe even a month just in case there were a few more people that I had to get to. As much as I love technology, that's one of the downfalls.... its less personal.