Boston Bride 2009

I think that it is great you are concerned about the costs for your BM's. I know that they will appreciate that. I personally don't think $200 is bad for a dress especially if it's something they can wear again. I would talk to the girls about it. For me, my MOH is a teacher and on a tight budget she agreed to be my MOH before we decided on a DW and I knew this was a huge stretch for her. I bought her dress for her and she agreed to make my cake for our at home ceremony and I bought her plane ticket. My other two BM's did buy their dresses which were $190. I made sure they were ok with this before they bought them. So I guess in the end my answer is to be aware of their situations and talk to them about it.

This is sure to be a great resource. I'm happy you are able to provide this. We are less than 2 months from our Excellence Wedding in DR!!!

I do still have all 15. Please let me know if you are interested.

I ordered our beach towels from Beach Towels wholesale manufacturer of plain and custom embroidery towel and I think they are very nice. I didn't have anything embroidered. For $144 I got 24 towels and shipping. Not to bad. I need more towels because we have some last minute guests so you're suggestions are helpful.

This is great. I'm going to go through it all now. I still have a few items left to purchase.

Not that it matters but I forgot to say my savings account is our wedding savings account right now which gets confusing but it's almost over...

I think we are pretty similar to a lot of people on here. We both have checking and savings accounts that are really ours but with eachothers names on them. Then we both have our own savings account just in our name. We have another joint savings for our next house that we both contribute to. We both pay our bills/utilities from our own accounts automatically (instead of transfering $ back and forth) and for the mortagage he transfers money into "my" account and we pay it from there. I just switched over to his bank to make this all easier. I like the idea that people have mentioned of having the one account linked to both on line banks that you share. Right now our real joint savings is just on mine. I'm definitely going to have them add it to his. Although he has no interest in looking at our money...he just tells me to take care of it. We also have one joint credit card that we are using for the wedding and after that for our home renovations. After the wedding I am going to use a my credit line to pay off his credit cards (he will leave them open for reasons of his credit score) and we will both make payments to my card becasue I have a SUBSTANTIALLY lower interest rate than her does. This will really help our averaged credit score in the long run when we are ready for our next house. I have to say that he has done such an amazing job transforming his spending and bill paying. When I met him he spent so much money and never had a clue when his bills were due. Didn't save. And honestly really didn't care. I think this set up really works for us because it's together but he can still have the freedom to buy what he wishes. He loves to buy me gifts but hates to have me know how much he spent. So this just works.

These are a great find!

Mia, I'm an excellence bride as well. We actually have an excellence thread where I'm sure a lot of girls would love to hear about your experience. This is the link http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t39657-2

I actually work for Partners too. I'm a recruiter for the Corporate Finance Department. MGH is a great hospital to work for. Benny grew up a Mets fan too!

I have ordered from two companies and both did a fabulous job Bridal Rhinestone Transfers Custom rhinestone tee shirts!, Shiny rhinestone shirts lingerie and gifts! I just bought the transfers and did it myself. Good luck

I recieved my bags. I was a little disappointed that I didn't recieve my full order becasue they were out of stock. I really like them though. For a $4.00 bag they are great. I found a vendor on ecrater that has more so I will be ordering the rest on there. They are a great deal!

We live in North Quincy which is about 2 or so miles from the city. I'm actually from New Hampshire and Benny is from Washington Heights in Manhattan (the combination makes life interesting). Where did you work in Boston?

September 2009 Clare & Ross: September 7, 2009 - Ocean Blue (date to be confirmed) Chris & Martin: September 9, 2009 - Ocean Blue (date to be confirmed) Lori & Keith: September 9, 2009 - Excellence, Punta Cana Kenya & Eddie Sept. 12, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana Kim & Jason September 18, 2009 - Dreams Palm Beach Kristy & Vince: September 19, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana October 2009 Carmen & Tiny: October 09, 2009 - Catalonia Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana Jeannie & Jorge: October 10, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana Jen & Dave: October 10, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Darcy & Dave: October 11, 2009- Melia Caribe Tropical- Punta Cana Angela & Jason: October 20, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Kelly & Pablo: October 22, 2009 - Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana Jenny & Matthew: October 27, 2009 - Melia Caribe Tropical c & d: October 27, 2009 - Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana November 2009 Tanya & Joe: November 4, 2009 - Palladium Palace, Punta Cana Veronica & Paul: November 5, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Lisa & Jim: November 5, 2009 - EdenH Real Arena Punta Cana Sandra & Rob: Novemeber 7, 2009- Ocean Blue/ Sand Golf & Beach Resort Erin & Trent: November, 9, 2009 - Melia Caribe Tropical Rosa & Eddie: November 10, 2009 - Barcelo Bavaro Palace Leslie & Gerry: November 16, 2009- Majestic Colonial Andrea & Chris: November 24, 2009, Majestic Elegance Krista & Dave: November 25, 2009 - Sirenis Tropical Annida & Sante: November 27th, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana Debbie & Benny: November 27th, 2009- Excellence, Punta Cana December 2009 Julie and Rob: December 4, 2009 - Grand Palladium Punta Cana Amber and Dan: December 5, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Tara and Philip: December 7, 2009- Majestic Elegance Nonnie and Marj: December 10,2009-Grand Palladium Punta Cana Beth and Ian: December 12, 2009- Excellence Punta Cana Lindsay and Tracy: December 31, 2009 - Majestic Colonial January 2010 Jacqueline & Craig: January 5, 2010 - Sirenis Tropical Nicole & Michael: January 23, 2010 - Bavaro Princess Shelby & Michael: January 23, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana Jocelyn & Michael: January 25, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana Lisa & Adam: January 2010, Dreams Punta Cana Nicole & Chad: January 12, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana February 2010 Anne & Tim: February 20, 2010 - Jellyfish Restaurant (Staying at Melia) Jessica & Chairoj: Feb 20, 2010 - Grand Palladium Palace Resort Amber & John: February 27, 2010, Paradisus Palma Real March 2010 Jennifer & Cory March 13 2010- Palma Real Punta Cana Kim & Ron March 17, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana Diane & Devin March 25 2010 - Paradisus Palma Real Anna & Lawrence March 26 - Majestic Colonial Erin & Pat March 27 2010 - Dreams Palm Beach Lindsay & Seth March 28 2010 - Paradisus Palma Real April 2010 Courtney & Michael April 13, 2010 - Grand Palladium Punta Cana Tracy & Mike - April 13, 2010 - Grand Palladium Royal Vanessa & Eddie April 16, 2010 - Majestic Colonial Steph & Jason April 16, 2010 - Grand Palladium Palace Punta Cana Alli & Darren April 19, 2010- Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Tammy & Ryan April 19, 2010- Grand Paradsie Bavaro(Alli were getting married next door) Crystal & Tyler April 20, 2010-Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana Jennifer & Trevor April 21, 2010 - Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana Helen & Scott April 21, 2010- Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana Dianne & Adam April 21, 2010 - Grand Palladium Punta Cana Jess & Aaron April 22, 2010 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Stacey & Eric April 22, 2010 - Dreams La Romana Erin & Jeremy April 28, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana Amanda & Craig April 28*, 2010 - Grand Palladium Punta Cana May 2010 Jennnifer & Trevor May 11th 2010 - Majestic Colonial Rosa & Larry May 15th, 2010 - Excellence Punta Cana Heather & George May 15th 2010 - Dreams La Romana mary & joey may 21st, 2010- dreams punta cana Lauren & Nate May 18, 2010- Majestic Colonial Sara & Adam May 22nd, 2010 - Indecided, Punta Cana (Palladium, Dreams, Iberostar or Excellence) Iris and Mike May 27, 2010 - Majestic Colonial Rebecca and Hector May 27, 2010-Grand Palladium Punta Cana Shanelle & Michael ~ May 28, 2010 ~ Paradisus Punta Cana Susan & Roberto ~ May 28, 2010 ~ Dreams Punta Cana Valerie & Jake May 29, 2010- Dreams La Romana Melissa & Jason~ May 31, 2010 Paradisus Punta Cana June 2010 Bobbi And Tyler: June 4th 2010 Majestic Colonial Jen & Joe: June 5, 2010, Dreams Palm Beach LaToya & Micah: June 18, 2010 Dreams Punta Cana July 2010 Natasha & Benjamin - July 2, 2010 Dreams Punta Cana Lynette and Darnel July 13, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana Laura & Zach July 15, 2010 - Majestic Colonial or Grand Palladium Palace Jenn & Andrew - July 21, 2010 - Majestic Colonial, PC Liz & Miguel - July 26, 2010 - Undecided location {Santiago, Puerto Plata, or Punta Cana James and Jessica- July 17, 2010 -Paradisus Punta Cana August 2010 Jeanette & Julio - undecided Punta Cana, (PPC or PPR) Aug 2010 Linda & Robin: August 3, 2010 - Paradisus Punta Cana Denise & Julio: August 7, 2010- Punta Cana- Melia Carib Tropical October 2010 Autumn & Dominic - Oct 16th, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana Michele & Andrew - Oct 19th, 2010 - Majestic Colonial Luciel & Emil - Oct 20th, 2010 - Melia Caribe Tropical July 2011/ 2012 Yvonne and Andrew- last week of july 2011/ 2012 (money dependant), dreams la romana __________________

We are in the same boat. The only family either of us will have with us is our parents and my brother. His brother is still trying to make it work but has lost his job. We do have 30 people going and it's all of our friends. However some of my DH's best friends can't go becasue they bought a house, trying to buy a house, 2 are going through fertility treatments. All great reasons but it is a little hard when you want them to be a part of your wedding. Funny enough there are people in my family that can afford to go who aren't going....booo to them My mom knew how important our wedding was for my family (his family is all in DR) so she paid for us to have an actual ceremony/lunch boat cruise at home. I wasn't super fond of getting married for real here and then in DR but it meant so much to so many people that it was worth it. I'm the first grandchild on both sides of my family and both of my grandmothers aren't doing great (both grandfather's have passed) so it was wonderful for them. You can do something at home to include the important people it doesn't have to be a big event. If you can fit in the the budget have you DW taped by a videographer and show it at the party.

It is $45 for excellence of love and it includes the open bar for the night and dinner. I was told we could only have your reception until 10:00 because it's at the pool. Mercy said to me that it is $6 pp until 30 people and then $8 pp after. I thought that was a little odd because I know other girls had a reception longer than 3 hours and did not pay this. We are having the dj for 4 hours and it was just an extra $100. I'm not sure what's going on with Mercy I haven't had any problems. She emailed me last Friday. I have no idea if it's because my wedding is in 2 months or what. Hope this helps.

Tasha, Your pictures are so beautiful. I love your long veil!!! I have a question about how you set up the canopy that you stand under for the ceremony. It looks like you had pink/orange sheers or something on the top. Did you bring the fabric with you? I was thinking of doing the same thing. I like how it brings in your colors. Thanks for sharing with us brides to be!!!

Ok....don't be upset......they are from London, UK....I bought them at a store called Kurt Geiger last Thanksgiving. They do have a website Designer Shoes & Boots for Men & Women from Kurt Geiger, KG, Carvela, Solea I have to find a reason to wear them again.

I ordered bags from here and they shipped yesterday. I will post once I get them. I also had to call because I had a question and the woman was very nice and explained everything to me!

Can I just share my shoes from our civil ceremony too?!?!?! I am in some serious LOVE with them.

These are for the beach and dress #1 These are for the reception and dress # 2 (mine are gold). Haha...my DH is such a sport for helping me take pics of them...LOVE THESE SHOESSSSS!!!

I was on the same page...the ones on line seemed pricey and easy to do...so I did it myself. I bought these tanks on clearance at J. Crew for $3.50 and the color was perfect. I bought these iron ons on line for $5.00. I LOVE them. The only thing I wish I had done differently was try to find an iron on specifically for my MOH...I found one after I made hers. I ordered it so will probably use it for a beach towel for her.

My BM had the same issue. She normally wears a 4 or a 6 street size ordered a 6 and it was way to big. The same thing happened to me with my wedding dress from Maggie Sottero. The woman convinced me to buy an 8 when I normally wear a 4 and it's huge....

Well, I was going to book Photo Souvenir becasue they are based out of our hotel but they don't have a sample of their work and took forever to get back to me. Thus, I have booked Florian. He has been so easy to work with. He gets back to me within a day or less. I just was messaging with him through gmail and he is so professional and helpful. The samples of his work are wonderful. I'm happy we are going with him!!!

This is great thanks for sharing