affiwin

Quote: Originally Posted by TammyB We had individual wedding cakes at our wedding. So cute! Has anyone ordered sugar flowers/cake deco and taken that with them for their cake?

Thanks for sharing.

Liking the ideas ladies. I have to think about this one. Count me among those that don't have a clue what they want just yet. The possibilities are endless. As for the FI...hmm...I have Christmas and a birthday between now and the wedding. I need three gift ideas. Better get thinking.

I'm planning on one per room with two of everything for couples and one of everything for singles.

Quote: Originally Posted by Willsbride What I wouldn't do: Parasols - I bought one for all the female guests. Looking back it was really unnecessary. Most guests didn't use them. If I could go back, I would only get one for me and my bridesmaids. It made for a good photo prop. Thanks for sharing Willsbride. I was thinking about parasols, but now I may just give them to my BM as photo props.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jananaz What I WOULD NOT Do Again: Welcome Dinner at the Resort - We did our welcome dinner at the resort, but if I had known then what I know now, it would have been a nice opportunity for all the guests to get off the resort and go to a local restaurant in Akumal. Not Bringing Pictures for Wedding Items - I forgot to bring pictures for my hair and bouquet and had to wing it. It made things a little more difficult communication-wise. Consider printing off photos and bringing them with you. Your last two points are great. Thanks for sharing. We are thinking of taking our guests off the "reservation" for a meal in the town. Since some are only coming for the weekend it would be great to get everyone out for some fun in a different atmosphere.

Wow. I wouldn't let complaining (potential) guests worry you. Just ignore the complaints and look at it this way...if you entertain the complaints they'll complain more. If you ignore them, laugh and hang up the phone, they will either get the message and not come or chalk up the money and show up. To be honest for every complaining guest that doesn't show up the more money you save. At least the people the come will really want to be there for you and the FI.

I started out with a specific style in mind after scouring the internet I found a few designers I like. Now it's time to go try them on. I was watching a whole bunch of wedding shows - Platinum weddings, Say yes to the dress - and all and thought wow! really?! $8k? Thank goodness the ones I found online are reasonably priced. I think there are a whole lotta other things I can do for $8k. That's a good part to the wedding budget.

Thanks for starting this thread. We actually have a large group coming to ours so we'll do a private reception but I'm looking for something fun and interesting to do that's a little non-traditional or a nice surprise four our guests. Like a performance or something. Still scratching my head for ideas.

Wow Ladies! Thanks so much for sharing. This is what we've been looking for and custom made's even better. Definitely going to order swatches.

Ladies - Lately I've been over indulging in WE TV. So here's my question (based on all the wedding shows I now subscribe to)...what did you absolutely have to take down to Mexico with you? I mean outside of you and your FI wedding attire. My wedding is in July but I'm heading out of the country soon and won't be back before close to the wedding. I'm trying to sort out as much stuff before I leave so I only have to order/ship while I'm away. So I'm thinking favors, programs and menus, OOT bags and contents, gifts for the bridal party, any others? I know these are destinations weddings so I'm hoping the stuff we have to haul down there with us will be minimal. GracieLR welcome. The ladies here are fab.

Thanks for posting ladies. This thread is so helpful to those of us that are deep in the planning stage. Great tips to watch out for. Looking forward to hearing from more of you (and of course will add mine after the big day).

Wow! Patti what a story. That's not cool. I guess what they say is true...your wedding is only really important to you and your FI. People forget that weddings cost money and you can't show up - especially to a destination wedding. Well if I were you, I would just not assume the guest list final until the day of. A friend who got married in Jamaica this summer had people not show up the day of which I thought was rude. Try not to sweat it. If people show up and they don't have an assigned seat and they didn't RSVP then that's on them. The thing with destination weddings is that people want to come, would like to come, but probably know they can't and either don't want to admit it or want to hold on for hope incase something happens. Either way they should just RSVP. Hang in there and please enjoy the days running up to your wedding. As I'm told the day will fly by so fast. I'm inviting people who I know are not going to come and I'm very ok with that. $3 for an invitation is much better than $150 per head for the wedding.

Wow thanks for sharing this. They'll definitely come in handy.

Wow! That must feel frustrating really. If this is any consolation...as long as you and your fiancé are there that's what matters most. Have you tried calling/talking to his parents to see what's up? If I were you I would send an email out to your guests reminding them that the deadline is 2 weeks away and if they want to get in on the deals you've worked out with your TA they should book now before it's too late. Do you know if they are trying to stay elsewhere so they don't have to pay now? You might want to poll a few guests to see what the issue is. People just don't realize that planning a wedding costs time and money, or if they're already married maybe they forgot. I empathize with you though. That's not cool.

Awww so chic! It's a fantastic dress. I'm envious that you'll have time to change. I'm planning on wearing my wedding dress all night long. And maybe the next day too! LOL!

Oh I love these. Well done. I still have 10 months to go but I'm already thinking about our OOT bags. Great ideas you have here.

So glad to have found this thread. Thanks ladies for all the great advice. It's definitely a case of "to each her own". Our wedding is booked for end of July 2010. I'm designing an e-STD and have put together an info sheet with TA information etc and info for our website. Next up is invitations. Here's the intended communications plan... Late July 2010 - Wedding Mid-October - send e-STD (skipping the paper ones as f&f are across the globe) only those with no email access will get a paper STD Early November - send email requesting mailing address and initial RSVP Mid January - send invitations (post-holiday rush) with May RSVP deadline (60 day payment deadline)

Hi Ladies, We started out searching for locations in Barbados, but after attending my sister's wedding on Isla Mujeres a few weeks ago, we are now getting married in Playa Mujeres at the La Amada - next door to the EPM. We have families coming and wanted a smaller resort, so we thought LA was perfect, even though we haven't been. I'm borrowing ideas from this thread because it seems there aren't many brides who've married at the La Amada. It's a new property. Did any of you go by there when you were at EPM?

Thanks so much KRama for your reply. Now we have a location it's all about the details. I need to get our site setup and start working on our communications with our TA. Trying to get as much done before I move overseas. So much going on.

My fiance and I are finally locking down our date for Playa Mujeres, Mexico for July 31, 2010. Finally!!! Our guests are coming from far and wide, the US, UK, Europe, and Africa (West and South). I was thinking of only doing an email STD since we have folks coming from around the globe and then mail out invitations later. Per etiquette and in our digital world is this ok? How soon should we be sending out the STDs? Any thoughts on this would be fab.

Yeah Ali0284 I went ahead and used them. Early days as yet but my TA seemed nice enough and has booked several weddings/conferences on the island. I'll see what the results are. I'm staying positive.

Ali0284 Thanks for letting me know. I think I'm just going to go ahead and use them I really want to get a date/location set as that will let me focus on the fun stuff, i.e., the details.

Help anybody?!

Hi Ladies! Just started planning and gosh I really want to get a location sorted out. So many to choose from. Right now the FI and I have narrowed things down to Barbados or St. Lucia as Islands. Now we need a resort. Has anyone used Wedding Destinations and Planning | Destination Weddings .com to plan their wedding and travel? Here's what we are looking for Guest count ~70 Location: tropical garden location (close to the beach) Resort: Something on the smaller side so we can spend QT with our guests in a somewhat intimate setting I've been looking at some of the larger resorts and those with 200-400+ rooms would make me feel like out wedding guests could get lost. Also, looking for something small enough so people leave the resort and explore the island. Any ideas or suggestions would be great!