amyrot

It sounds like a plan Shannon- let me know what you find for inviations! Mine are going to be pretty plain- a simple starfish and shell- and I'm using the colors of the girls dresses for the writing and the lining of the envelope!

Quote: Originally Posted by finleys7 Amy, Any ideas on hair styles? I'm at a cross between a side chignon or something similar to what I wore to a wedding in early October. That pic is really pretty! I'm definitely doing an up-do, but my hair is only just barely at my shoulders right now. It needs a few more inches! I would love it up with some loose curls- I need some pictures! Haven't really started looking yet. I like your picture!

Thanks Jenny- so true. My dad even was trying to talk me out of the at home reception.. He wants me to have it in his yard....that was the original plan, but there are about 100 reasons why we're not doing that..... i had to remind him of it all. I feel like saying- just show up and have fun and be glad you're not paying for a dime of it!!

Quote: Originally Posted by finleys7 Hi girls, just checking in. A little over 6 months to go for me and we started doing our registry. This is SO MUCH FUN!!!! Looking through invitations sites...any recommendations? ITS so exciting Shannon isn't it! I'm at a lull right now....not much to do. I was planning my invites on wedding paper divas.com....but I am going CHEAP- as we're sending invites to everyone thats invited to our AHR as to not leave anyone out....so thats 208 people, or at least 110 invitations. I found the cheapest actually at davids bridal online. So...I've done my template and written them up. Now I just need the $600+ dollars and I'll get them. I want to mail out in January.... There are so many gorgeous invitations and so many creative ideas...but it just adds up so much, and with so many to buy- and response cards, envelopes, stamps... I would so love to do the cool invites like others get on here, but in the end they really end up in the trash eventually! I'll live vicariously!

Bridetobe- I don't think too much. Basically different Lobbies and I think they each have their own main buffets. They share pools, restaurants I believe. I'm pissed because I'm booked in as being a 'Maya' bride...but the price is $300 at least higher than the Lindo right now...I might be switching but not sure if it makes a difference wedding wise.... Shannon- no veil for me...I'm thinking maybe a flower.

Wow I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone in this. So....my FI finally talked to his mom without me again to really ask them if this whole thing is a burden on them and what THEIR feelings were...not rumors that we've been hearing. She was very supportive and she said they're all excited to have a family trip with all of the siblings. So...that was a relief. My fiance would never get married without his parents there.... My future MIL ended up emailing me and suggested I tell people that 'when they get married they can do it their way"...and I couldn't keep my mouth shut so I ended up telling her that it was HER sister that tried to talk me out of it! She replied that her sister is just upset she can't go because of the cost, and I'm not even going to write her back. You know, BE upset, but don't talk the freaking bride out of the whole thing and make me feel like crap! ugh, so anyway, its all still 'on'! We are doing the AHR and thats all pretty much planned..I am looking forward to it even though its all going to be way more than we wanted to spend!

I totally love it!

Thanks Meghan- geez I cant' believe the hassle you guys are going through too! Isn't it funny how people can be so unsupportive. You're right in that its other people who are chiming in with their two cents- and one of my FI's aunts who is basically like a sister because they're close in age- was the one to get this all started. So I have a feeling that Kevin is going to be taking her opinion highly, but I know he wants to do what we want. We have to weigh the pro's and con's like you said. We have a lot of people who seem to really be excited about going and making a vacation about it. I know its a stretch financially for my family too but I've already told one of my sister's to not worry about it- and my parents want to go for a vacation I really think. they are excited. I know my FI's siblings are excited, and hey its not my fault that my MIL is going to pay for 3 of the siblings ! i'm glad you guys stuck to your plans!

Thanks for that insight Caroline. My fiance is going to talk with his parents alone this week and find out what the deal is. Other people are making us feel like we are really putting them out financially. If thats the case, I would change the plan for just our parents, but not for the sake of other people who don't want to feel bad. We explained from the start that NO ONE should feel bad and that we are having the reception here that will include everything except the 'I do's"! I can just imagine a reception that large being hectic like you said. I feel like his family is so huge I don't even know all of his cousins and some aunts/uncles. So..I'm open to changing plans for the sake of our parents, but ultimately I hope I don't have to!

Well Stina and Irishgirl...thanks for making me feel like I'm not alone! People love to say 'just do it like we did'...and so on. and to calculate the price outloud! OMG! Honestly we do want our parents there but for my future mother in law's sister to tell me 'why don't you just receive the money that they are spending on Mexico as a gift".... I was like- are you kidding me? Its not my fault my bro and sis in laws (4 of them) are young and they're getting it paid for! Not to mention I would never get all that money as a gift!! ugh! I just feel like saying- everyone stay home or save your bitching about money to yourself! We are paying for everything on our own so we have enough to worry about!

So the latest thing over the last few weeks is that 3 different family members have said they 'can't believe' we are paying for a wedding in Mexico AND the at home reception...and WHY don't we simply get married at the location of our reception... I'm so annoyed and really its because my fiance's family is so close that they feel guilty they can't make the trip financially.....so they are trying to make themselves feel better by suggesting we have it here. Thats all I can make of it, because why else would they question us. I just don't know what to do now. WE haven't booked the trip although the date is booked for the wedding. I'm just even more mad at myself that they're suggestions are getting to me. We did n't want a big reception at home, but his family is so big that we had to have more of a formal reception at a big place. Anyone else run into this?

Quote: Originally Posted by finleys7 FYI...just found out that the chapel holds 40 people...UGH!!!! I am asked how many additional chairs can be added. I REALLY REALLY wanted the chapel, but we have an estimated 70...is it rude to have people stand for a 20 minute ceremony? don't be shy...I take advice well =) Hey Shannon- well, the first thing I would wonder is whether or not its even roomy enough for another 30 people to stand. I'm sure people wouldn't mind standing, but if they are squished people may get a little tense! Maybe someone else who has been inside can give you some insight. !

Quote: Originally Posted by Rose13 Amy- Its at the Lindo. Finley- lol, I can try inviting some more people and see if that works, but I should probably see what I can get them to do money wise. I really want a private reception. Definitely see what you can do. I am going to attempt to email again to get those prices for 2010. We are in the same boat since the Maya/Lindo are basically the same, sharing the property. On another note....I just went to the resort's photographer's facebook page and saw some great candids that have reassured me about some of their photography skills. they are from the past few weeks so very recent. i know I will be using them. I'm also going to check out their youtube videos

Quote: Originally Posted by BBtoB I brought my Aunt to be our Photog...we did not have to pay an outside fee since she was a guest. This was not an issue. The resort photographer's website and reviews are laughable...buyer beware! We are talking the worst pics I have ever seen!!! I did lots of research and talked to a few girls on Mr Iberostar's site that went with the Resort photog, and eeww! Trust me they are terrible! That is sad if that took away the option to go with someone other than their photog...they are awful, awful pics! Read this review: Resort Photography well, that is very unfortunate - I just read it. FIrst of all, I don't think they are terrible samples. Secondly,you need to understand that some of us just straight up are not getting any help from family members in the form of cash. Personally, we are having a huge formal AHR because of the size of our family, and having a photographer for that as well. Personally for me its not even a thought to be able to spend a few thousand dollars on pictures, twice. It really stinks and I hate it, but some of us and maybe only me, have no choice financially. After reading that review I think I'm going to ask a co-worker to write out all of my requests in spanish since she is fluent, and bring it to them in writing.

Quote: Originally Posted by Rose13 finleys, i would love to see that pic but it won't let it open to me. any way you could email it to me? Ill send my email to you, that would be awesome! So im a little freaked out with one thing that has come up- they told me I can't rent out an entire restuarant for a private reception unless I have over 40 people. I only have 30. So i don't know what to do Rose, is your wedding at the del mar? Mine is at the Lindo, but I think I'll only have about 30 people as well.....I am still waiting for those 2010 prices anyway! ugh!

Quote: Originally Posted by LDeeken If you are shopping around you might check out PlayaWeddings. That is who we are going with and they are really reasonable. We are getting 8 hours of photo and video for $4200. They too mentioned something about covering the $300 fee to the resort. It is a husband and wife (Rachel - photo, Paul - video) and they were great! Rachel is still new to the photo side so I think that's why their rates are still lower than other photographers in the area. Hi! Thanks so much for that info. I don't know if I can talk my fiance into it! We didn't plan on spending so much- already the actual trip is pricing high although we have plenty of time for it to go down if this economy stays the same...We are trying to spend under $2000 on pics cause we also have a photographer for our AHF. I will check them out though!

I am confused as to the 2010 prices because I requested them....and 'Mayra' emailed me back but did NOT send the prices..and that was that. I emailed her last week and I've heard nothing. If anyone has the 2010 Maya/Lindo prices I'd be so appreciative to have them emailed to me. It makes me nervous not to know! [email protected] Thanks so much

Quote: Originally Posted by Ginalyn We had a formal AHR. DH and I mingled with guests during cocktail hour. Then once everyone got seated in the ballroom, the DJ welcomed everyone, introduced DH and I, then we repeated our first dance. Yes that sounds like exactly like what I want to do. I'm definitely wearing my dress all night- I see no reason to wear anything else since its a wedding reception- I can't wait!

Quote: Originally Posted by kristaheer Thanks for posting - I am unsure too. Maybe we'll just have the dj announce us instead of the big entry. yeah thats what i'm thinking..i mean its no 'grand' entrance because we will have already had our coctail hour with everyone. I have to see how our venue is set up again until I know how it will play out. I'll be missing a bridesmaid there as well but ....the rest of us are all there. the guys will be wearing their same linen outfits and girls as well

Quote: Originally Posted by NorthernGirl Hi there, I see your post is from a while ago but I just booked with Claudia Rodriquez and they will pay 1/2 of the $300 penalty for using an outside photographer at the Iberostar. Oh wow, interesting! Thank you for that information! I'm going to have to use the resort photographer due to budget. I really am not worried about it. I have spoken with them a few times and they've gotten back to me right away. I really don't see how 'bad' they could be. so...although I do love looking at everyone's pictures from 'outside'! I may do a price comparison again though...!

Thank you Tilly- not a bad idea...

One more question on this.....my wedding is in early July, though I plan to send my invites out by the end of October...when should I have people RSVP by? although we expect about 30-35 people...we sent out STD to EVERYONE who is invited to the AHR- like 208 people. I can't just send invites to only the people I THINK coming to mexico, so I'm sending them to everyone. I want people to feel like they have the option of maybe deciding on Mexico even up to the month before the wedding..but at the same time i want to know a 'number' in late spring so I can plan for goodie bags, etc. I have lots of out of state people so not everyone might decide to use my travel agent. Anyway, sorry so wordy...just want an idea about a rsvp date.! thanks!

I don't have 'Karla' writing me at all, I have had 'Mayra' and she wrote me back but did not attach the 2010 prices!

Quote: Originally Posted by finleys7 I received the final 2010 prices...there were so MAJOR changes. For instance no more hair trial, hair, mani & peid for the bride. That would all be separate =( ! oh crap! I just emailed asking for the updated prices! we went to the travel agent today too. the maya is expensive...but I guess I knew that!

Military Mrs. To Be....good question. I'm not sure what I'm doing with my hair in the first place! I have to see how long it will grow. I am definitely wearing it up both times...so I'm thinking it will be somewhat similar both times!