JOSIE

Hi Girls - More help please! After stressing for a bit I decided to try and design my own invitations... I used the previous one as inspiration and came out with this. I think I'll change the wording, but what do you think of the template? If I had it printed at Kinko's would it be totally obvious I made it? Be honest! Thanks

Girls- What are you doing about invitations? I can't decide if I should work on creating them myself, or ordering them, etc etc... Do you need specific inserts when it's a destination wedding? So far I like these the best (hopefully in my color though). If you have links to invitations you like, can you post them? I'm on a mad hunt right now! Also, do you think it would look weird since we are J&J? I can't decide how having the same fist initial would look??

Katie.....those are freakin adorable!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOUR OUTFIT!!!! Awesome pics!!! Thanks for sharing

All the dresses are from JC Penny. The orange one is like 65-70 bucks from what I remember. The purple one was even cheaper, 40 I believe!

Quote: Originally Posted by NicoRuskies Hey Josie That is a hard one! All three are so beautiful. I would say the orange one because it is a solid color...although, every one of those dresses would look amazing on the beach! Do you have pictures of what your flowers should look like? That may help you decide with the floral print. I wish I had flower pics!! I probably won't get to choose the flowers until a few months before. I am so torn on solid color vs. floral print for that exact reason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep that is a bridesmaid, Her wedding is August 1st (like Desiree!) and I'm standing up for her too. Thankfully all my bridesmaids are tiny, (size 4 and under) so they are all pretty much OK with whatever i want. None of them are thrilled about orange, but I had a vision (actually saw another brides DW with orange and LOVED it). I'm going to take a few more girls to see what they think. The house is good, we're not actually moving in for a few weeks. Jason tried to do some eletrical work on friday night and now we have a huge hole in our bathroom ceiling! lol So now we're having a pro come out to fix the mess. But it was cute that he was so eagar to try!

Hi, I'm getting married at the RIU- Riveria Maya. We chose this because their wedding package was amazing. Dinner & Ceremony set up for 50 people for only $1,500. I also needed a place that allowed children, and they do. But most of all, I fell in love with their ceremony location because they have a gorgeous gazebo that overlooks the beach and palm trees. We have an awesome thread with info all about the RIU RM. If you want to read through it maybe it will give you some perspective! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t25118

MS Betty- Thank you so much!! I know that your review really helped a lot of us who've really needed clarification and piece of mind. Definitely look forward to hearing from you again and seeing pics. Kelly- I LOVE the 2nd one and the Bride one!!! I think if you did both and then just a few serious ones it would be perfect!!! Here are the bridesmaid dresses I was telling you about, I'm FINALLY posting them!! Girls help me with your favorite!! (still can't decide about a floral pattern, but I LOVE purple!) (I think this one is my fav!) (The trim on this is brown not black...guys could wear solid brown?)

I think it's a great idea. Desiree, what is the average cost? Jason is SUPER shy, so I'm not sure if he will like it or be freaked out about it!! Maybe I can do makeshift BD pics & have my MOH take them!! I havent even really researched this topic. Can you give some details, do you write him a letter in the book or is it just pictures! You have to post some after your shoot!

Do you want it to be a legal ceremony, or symbolic? There are many more resorts that will do a sunday wedding if it is "symbolic".

I'll post them tonight! I forgot my camera at work I took one BM to the mall and we just tried on a variety of sun dresses & short dresses from department stores, H&M & Forever 21, etc...I will post some of my fav's and you guys can tell me what you think. I wish I could do it now....I'm dying!

You girls crack me up, I love this forum! Why is it that even though we know in the back of our minds we shouldnt care, we still do? It annoys me and I have had a lot of people say "not many people will come"....but I actually like it that way! I never wanted a huge wedding anyway and that is one of the reasons I chose a DW! Even though I shouldnt, I still try to make it easy on everyone, especially my BM's & family. I really am thankful for everyone who can come, and for those who can't I am not offended. I keep telling myself to just pick a BM dress and be done with it, but I always end up getting all their opinions and trying to make them all happy! I think Kelly is right, Lisa I bet your sister will have a great time when it is said and done.....and you will have the most amazing pictures!!!!!!!!! I LOVE DW PICS!!!!!!!!

ugh! I get so annoyed when people play the "expense card" and make you feel guilty for having a DW wedding and for them having to pay a high price to come. First of all, they don't HAVE to come (all DW brides understand some people can't afford it)....second of all, they get a beautiful vacation!!!!!!!!!!! They act like there is absolutely no benefit!! Most of all, i hate when people are negative about your wedding plans....i am in 2 weddings this summer and i am positive and excited for my brides, even if sometimes I think they're visions are crazy... i want their weddings to be exactly what they want!!!

Hey Ladies! I hate being away from the forum for a day, I miss so much!! Yesterday was the closing of our house!!! I'm so excited! Desiree- I am SO glad you decided to stay with RPRM. I think it will be less stress overall then trying to completely relocate, find a place, a date that works, an switch up all of your travel arrangments. I'm relieved because I love having you on our thread and all the help you've provided! I can almost guarantee the "swine flu" issue will be resolved by August. After all, it is just another form of influenza and I don't think it will that long until health care professionals figure out how to treat this strand and distribute appropriate medical care. If theres a resolution with prescription meds etc, then its just like getting the regular flu, which anyone can get anytime! I hope your guests come around....but if not, you can show off how amazing it was at your AHR and they'll all be wishing they didn't miss out. Did you talk to your friend yet?? Chloe- I know how you feel about your bridesmaids. I really want to do a brighter orange...and like you, I want something DIFFERENT. I found a few dresses I love, but the BM's arent too crazy about the color and they tell me they can never wear it again....but I'm buying all the dresses, so I could care less if they'll wear them or not! I have pics of a few different ones, I'll post them from home. Katie- I love your pic! It's awesome to put a name with a face! Too cute Last but not least, because I'm so excited I had to post some pics!

That's silly! She doesnt seem very helpful at all! I've had awesome luck with our TA through destinationweddings.com if you want her information its smothered all over my website! you can even see what the "request a quote" page looks like, etc. I don't know what your arrangement is with her, but maybe you have time to switch?

Quote: Originally Posted by KLaBate54 Kelly- Since I'm at work I unfortunately can't see your BM dress pictures... I did want to share with everyone the BM dress I think I'm going with though. Style 1507 | Priscilla of Boston I think I'm having the BM wear solid colors only because I want the guys to wear shirts with a floral type print on them ...I'm going to do three colors for the dress...Oasis for my MOH and then the others will be in both Watermelon and Canary. Wow! I LOVE that dress!!! Its perfect! Dressy enough for a wedding but still totally beachy. Thanks for giving your input! I'm struggling with how to tie in the colors for the bridesmaids and groomsman, and was thinking solids for the guys and floral for the girls, but I also love the idea of the guys wearing patterned shirts to tie with the girls having solid colors! You just helped me a ton!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by tylersgirl I am so mad right now!!! I am upset/furious! First of all I found out that about 8 people had backed out of my RM wedding in 3 months because of the swine or whatever its called flu (we don't have that many going as is). Three months away!!!! Not only that, one of the guests is my only brother and his bitch of a wife that I can't stand. I really want my brother and cousin to be there and all of the ones that canceled said that if I move it somewhere else that is safe from the swine flu, they will come. Soooo after crying, constantly staying on the computer searching, FI and I decided to change our wedding to Jamaica. While I was on the phone with my TA this morning telling her about our possible switch and getting rates I said don't worry about my best friend and her husband-that I will talk to them about everything today and let them know about the switch myself instead of letting the TA call them. Well, the TA then informed me that my friend and her husband have called and talked to her, but NEVER BOOKED. Not even $1. These are friends that have LIED to us. They said that they booked months ago and I never checked up on it because I believed them. They called Tyler and I the day they "booked" and said that they were soooo excited and they had just dropped off the money and fully paid. They lied to us. I am so sad. I was wondering why my friend hadn't called me freaked out yet (she is a panic type person)-it is because they never booked. I am speechless. Okay getting back to my brother and wife and close cousin and her husband....they said that they would go ANYWHERE-but just not Mexico. I spent all that time and energy and tears and decided on Jamaica and my mom called and told them the good news and my SIL said that they are NOT GOING AT ALL. That Jamaica is "dirty" and "she has never heard anything good about it" -her words not mine. I am beyond pissed. She told my mom that if we move it to Florida that they will go (they aren't from Florida, i guess that is just where she picked for me to have my own wedding). WTF!!! She also stupidly said that Jamaica "will be hit by a hurricane along with Cuba" WTF? Where does she think Florida is? Does she think its immune from hurricanes! Whoever gave her two degrees is retarded. So them. I don't even care anymore. My wonderful parents, sister, and Tyler's wonderful parents and brother are going to Jamaica in all our glory!! I don't care who is there! Screw the liars and negative Nancy's! Thanks for listening. My eyes are red from tears and it feels so good to vent to y'all. TG- I am freaking furious reading this, I actually cannot believe it! To know that you invested hours @ an extremely high stress level trying to get your wedding straightened out for the needs of others, only for them to be untruthful to you, or worse, back out regardless of where you chose.....it seriously infuriates me. I am SO F($)$* pissed off FOR you. Where is your brother on this, and why does the SIL decide everything Have you talked to him about it? One thing I do know is that regardless of where the wedding is, you are going to have a great time with Tyler and you'll be so beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! Jamacia is a fantastic location and you're pictures will still be incredible! You also have a wonderful AHR to look forward to. (I think you should un-invite the SIL to spite her! what a BITCH!) You've been such a big help on this forum and are so responsive and thoughtful. I am so sorry this is happening to you and I wish I could fly my whole crew to come to your wedding and party with you, because you deserve it!!!!! I'm so sorry to hear this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're getting married at the JP before too - just totally private me & him so we don't have to figure out all that other stuff. Nobody will know, and I was reassured that a symbolic ceremony looks exactly the same to all the guests, etc. best of luck to you in whichever route you choose!

Quote: Originally Posted by jetsbride Josie - your guests from Alaska are only paying $1582!!! I am in Edmonton Alberta and the price I got is $300 more then that. What are the taxes you are paying? What travel company did you use? That was the original quote, and it actually went down recently! I'm going to be honest and say I have no idea what the actual tax breakdown is, beause she sends the quote as a package, and specifies that taxes are included, but it doesn't list out exactly what they come to. Our TA works with a number of different "tour operators" (travel companies) to package and determine the cheapest rates. Essentially she "shops around" for the best price. Each guest fills out a request form with information specific to them, and she finds them the best deal. She also has been very helpful for matching rates they find online. I know this isnt very specific, but I hope it helps!

hey ladies - quick question: Are any of you planning on doing BM dresses with a pattern? I thought sundresses would be cute and found some cute ones with floral patterns etc....but then i thought it wouldnt work with the girls holding flowers and having floral dresses...too busy! Thoughts?

Hi Ladies. I'd definitely love to help and provide our info on pricing! First some background info: We're getting married at the RIU Palace Riveria Maya on Nov 28, 2009. I'm in Chicago, IL but have guests traveling from Alaska, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Texas, and Wisconsin. We hired a TA (I actually paid $30 dollars on the website Wedding Destinations and Planning | Destination Weddings .com - they assigned me a really helpful agent who helped me pick my resort and is in charge of all of our travel packages). Here are the quotes she sent me: For 5 days, 4 nights. These Estimates include: - roundtrip airfare - all taxes - round-trip transportation to the airport - room price Please note, the prices listed below are AVERAGE, and it may be possible to get cheaper packages. Price, of course, will fluctuate depending on how long you'd like to stay. Chicago O’Hare $ 1053 per person Houston Bush $ 994 per person San Antonio $ 1098 per person Pittsburgh $ 1174 per person Anchorage $ 1582 per person Kansas City $ 1149 oer person In addition to this, we've had several guests book airfare on their own, and have had at least 4 people get direct flights to cancun on American Airlines for $250 round trip!!! These guests are staying 4 nights and their total cost is only $900 per person! Last but not least, I decided on the RIU RM because their wedding package was amazing. Ceremony set up for 50 people, and dinner included (with cake) for 50 people, and the price was only $1,500!!!!!!!!!!! I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions or need more info!

My car just got pooped on yesterday! Wish me luck! Fabulous dress. it is so light and yet still so sophisticated!!!! I absolutely LOVE IT!!! The straps are so cute and I love the little bit of sparkle, and of course the rouching!

Thanks everyone! Here is the link, let me know if it works! Josie Pedersen's Photos - Our New House | Facebook

Hi Girls- Sorry I've been MIA...yesterday was my birthday so I've had a bunch of stuff going on! Chloe- Congrats on the good luck!!! That is literally the most amazing chain of events I've ever heard, how wonderful for you! PS- Post pics of your dress!!!!!! TylersGirl- I know exactly how I feel. I watched like 2 hours of coverage on the swine flu yesterday and started to get extremely nervous that it would deter people, especially if they don't get a handle on it, because it sounds so dangerous! BUT, 2 months is a long time!! I'm relieved my wedding is not in May or I'd be flipping out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you & me that it's taken care of shortly! My other news is that Jason and I close on our new house on Thursday!!! We spent the weekend at home depot looking at paint colors and buying a new flatscreen and furniture shopping. It's not wedding related, but I'm so excited! let me know if you want to see pics!

Quote: Originally Posted by JCrosby Great dress! I love those shoes and I'd love to get them for myself and my BMs. Where did you find them? They're so cute. That is SO helpful!!! Thank you I am buying my BM dresses too, and I have 5 of them! I wanted to cut cost with a great beachy look....and i love this dress! I'm headed to forever 21 tomorrow