mich999

I hope anyone that uses Bittersweet in the future finds the forum first.

That's a fantastic idea - wish I had found that before my wedding. I may have to do a reenactment too now : )

I'm sorry Bittersweet, but I find your post surprising. It is your responsibility to make sure the correct flowers are sent to the correct person on time, not UPS - you should employ better business practices. Your post ignores all the circumstances surrounding why you had to rush the flowers to begin with: you didn't finish them on time, the client was not getting responses back to her inquiries wondering where her flowers were as her day approached, and when they were finally sent, they were the wrong flowers! Yet you choose to focus the blame on UPS and then use the assertion that the flowers came back not in the same condition that you sent them as a reason to warn all brides that if they do business with you, you expect THEM to abide by the contract and never expect a refund no matter how unprofessional your actions, when you have already made it clear from multiple posts by other brides that you do not deliver flowers on time and do not respond quickly to brides panicking about whether they receive their flowers. I'm not condoning it if the bride sent you back used flowers, but I do not think it serves as jusitification for saying Bittersweet was right all along and you'll never refund a deposit again. Of course, it doesn't matter what I think - I'm not a customer of yours and the great thing about this forum is that people can gather information and decide for themselves. I just don't think your post helped your cause.

We rented a minivan from Avis for a week and drove around no problem. We used it to go to costco, vendor visits and for excursions with 10 people or less (couple people sat in the trunk area). Our guests used Brown's transport - I have a review of them in my wedding review - Nadia and the transport provided was great.

Erika - I had no idea abuot your accident - I'm so sorry!! Hoping for a speedy recovery for you.

Quote: Originally Posted by JGAMMAGIRL77 I just love looking at his pictures. His work is so amazing!!! What song are you using for your slideshow? Jess Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World medly by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - our first dance song.

Quote: Originally Posted by JGAMMAGIRL77 Any word on your pictures? Jess Hi Jess - I emailed Juan Carlos last week to remind him of our slideshow song, but he didn't say when we could expect them. Since he was so nice in getting us some pictures early for our AHR when he didn't have to, I told him no pressure on the remaining pictures - we can wait - but I'm still dying to see them!! I'm hoping within the next month or so.

Quote: Originally Posted by wsarah2107 With destination weddings being a relatively new and not so common concept, do people seem to understand and get excited about it? I just wouldn't want people talking and saying how many parties are we trying to have, we're just trying to get gifts, whatever. Ya know what I'm trying to say?? Also for those who wore their dress again--did you wear it the dress the entire time or for just part of the party? Thanks guys!! I actually think it's the opposite - that many people who cannot make it assume you will have a big party at home too and/or push you to have a party at home. I know a lot of brides on the forum have had parents push for this. I don't think people think it's a present grab - but we did invite almost everyone at the AHR to the wedding ( we had 44 at the wedding and 100 at the AHR). At the end of the day, people who are inclined to think negatively, will probably think that no matter what so I wouldn't worry about it. I think most people appreciate that you are having a second party so that they can celebrate with you. Given my conclusion that started this whole thread that the party was for everyone else, not us, pretty funny that anyone would think all that work and expense was worth a few more gifts!! Oh, and I wore my dress the whole night - my attitude was why not?! Like I said before, it made my guests feel more like they were at a wedding, which was their expectation. But I know a lot of girls incorporate different themes and activities in their AHR where not wearing your dress makes more sense - it just depends on what you want to do. No matter what the theme, though, I think guests like to see the bride in her dress, even if only for a while.

Hi and welcome! I'm a fellow Hilton Los Cabos bride - I got married there last May and it was amazing. I got my bridesmaid dresses from Jenny Yoo and I love her simple wedding dress designs too Jenny Yoo Collection Good luck. Feel free to let me know if you have any Hilton questions.

Just so I understand - after you planned your wedding, she stole your ideas and now is getting married at the exact same place as you 3 months earlier, even though she got engaged after you? I don't even know what to say about this. Have you thought about sitting down with them (both you and your FI) and going over some of the more egregious offenses? Some things are going to be similar and that's ok, but if you could pick your top one or two issues, what are they. Maybe if you could point to all the ideas you've helped her with that you don't care if she uses you can ask her to back off on one or two others. At the very least, like Amygirl said - don't tell her anything else. Anything else she asks about, just say you haven't decided what to do yet!!!

Well desesrved winners - congrats to both of you!!

Angela - I had light pink peonies and ivory roses in my bouquet - you can see it here: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t46511 and I had a mixture of ivory and light pink roses in my bridesmaid bouquets which is in the picture to the left. As you can see I like more subtle tones and wanted to keep things simple. Peonies are expensive in Mexico and I love them too - the good news is that you are getting married in May when you can pretty much get any flower you want, even though they still have to be flown in. I know you want the hot pink color too - might I suggest doing different shades of peonies and maybe a few orchids in there in whites or pinks as well. I don't think either type of lilly will match well with the peonies, but that's just my opinion. I like the idea of one girl who suggested making a mock bouquet here. You could even go to a local florist and get their opinion and see the flower options at least near each other - I know I do much better with a picture in my head. Good luck!

Hi - there's an entire sub-forum on at home receptions (AHR), they are pretty common. Check out AHR - Best Destination Wedding Forum

Great review Tiffany - congratulations!! You both look so happy! We used many of the same vendors. Can't wait to see the Juan Carlos pics : )

When I responded earlier, I tried to give you another perspective on your cousin. But what your sister just did - beyond shocking. Good for you going to your mom first. What's so frustrating is that she's going to end up change her date, but she made you go through this first and how can you forget that and how thoughtless and unbelievable it was to do that to you. Good luck! Given that you parents (and anyone with half a brain) will be on your side, and that she is your sister, I would try and take the high road and pretend that she just had a major brain cramp and forgot you'd be on your honeymoon. Of course, if she doesn't give up this idea right away, then all bets are off.

That sounds like a terrific plan - I'm so happy for you that you've made your decision, which you sound elated about. Congrats and good luck with the planning!

For a different perspective - my sister gave a beautiful speech on our wedding day that would not have had the same meaning the day before. We limited speeches to BM, MOH and the dads. At our rehearsal, FI said a few words. But you know your guests best and if you think there's a strong chance of runaway drunken speeches, your plan is a good one!

Thanks for the review. Sounds like you had a wonderful time - congrats!!

Quote: Originally Posted by michelle6114 I originally wanted to get married in Hawaii. But the cost are triple what they would be in the Jamaica, plus theres that looooong 12 hour flight from the east coast. I think if it comes down to choosing one or the other, you will get most of the family at your wedding just because of that. I agree with Michelle. I would also just be happy that your wedding is still occurring first. My FSIL got engaged a few months after us and was trying to plan a DW for 2 months after ours. We just said we'd be there, because at the end of the day, if their dream is a DW, they are entitled to that too and waiting until 2011 is a really long time for some people. After being supportive of FSIL, she ended up changing her mind because a couple people couldn't afford both (no one was choosing to bail on a wedding they were already excited about and that was occurring first) and some people on her FI's side couldn't make it either. So hold tight, things may change and if they don't - it's not something you can control so just focus on your wedding and that no matter what, the people that want to be at your wedding will be there no matter what she plans.

I didn't get married is Kauai, but I honeymooned there. I'm sure the Hawaii forum can help, but the thing that strikes me is the cost of airfare to Hawaii for 4 - that alone could eat a lot of your budget unless you have miles you can use. I'm sure anything is possible, but depending on the types of accomodation you want, how long you plan to stay, etc., there are a lot of variables that make your question difficult to answer. I would start by pricing airfare and lodging and see how much you have left over for dress, flowers, photographer and reception - that should give you a better idea of whether your budget is possible.

Six weeks after the AHR and with a little more perspective, I wouldn't change one thing I wrote above. THe AHR was for others, not us, and if you plan your AHR with that mind set or decide not to have one because of that reason, I don't think you will be disappointed. Even though I was wrong about the initial reason why we had an AHR, I still would have had one because in the last six weeks numerous people have told us how wonderful the party was and how grateful they were to have celebrated with us at home - not something we needed, but something they wanted and I'm glad we were able to do that for them. However, if you can't afford one or are fine with just focusing on your DW, I don't think you should feel bad for not having one. Depending on how much you spend, you could get bitter about the AHR bill if you come to the same conclusion I did, that it wasn't for us! (I wasn't bitter, like I said, would do it again now, but there were a couple touch and go moments between wedding and AHR, so be prepared). I love the members' attitudes about AHRs on this forum and that anything goes - I believe that, so even something simple for loved ones who could not make it can fit the bill. Good luck future brides - I hope you create as many wonderful memories as we have!

I agree with Krisy - I don't care for the pre-printed thank yous. We got photo cards from shutterfly and had thank you printed inside but then wrote a personal note to each person thanking them for their specific gift. Sorry this doesn't answer your question - just wanted to let you know there are other options out there! If you stick with postcards, can you just leave thank you on the front and then write something on the back? Just because there's room for more writing, doesn't mean you have to utilize it.

I stayed there a few months ago for our honeymoon. The hotel grounds are unbelievable.

It was my understanding that technically you could not bring freeze dried petals into Mexico. I think some brides have managed to still do so, but you may have to be prepared to have them confiscated. I never confirmed with Mexican customs though, I read this somewhere on the forum before I got married.

I'm assuming you saw this recent thread about Bittersweet: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t46146 I think you have every right to worry based on that thread.