Brenners

Lol.  I love the term hair mustache and I can picture it in my mind!  Thank you for the review.  I have really taken to heart what other brides have posted on this thread and appreciate when more brides post here.  I think it is extremely helpful.  Congratulations!
 

Originally Posted by karyan 

ps

 

I guess the only other thing I might add is that all the guest's loved their time in Hawaii, and it really is the only time I'll have all my friend's and family in one place. The great part of a DW is EVERYONE is on holiday, relaxed and up for a good time. I have never laughed so much in one week, and the unexpected bonus was my new Aussie friends/family got to meet my Canadian friends/family, and they are all connected now on FB, and comment on what each other are doing.

 

In the end it's great to have everyone there for your special day, and it made the ceremony really hit home for me. I'm not religious so it was just a civil union, but it actually was wonderful to share all that with everyone....which is something I wasn't expecting! It made all the effort worth it, and hit home that I was marrying my sweetheart.

 

Re hair: The only other (and LAST!) thing I'll say is really suss out what the typical weather is for where you are getting married. I didn't have a specific hairstyle in mind, and asked my hairdresser to make it "wind proof" as I heard it could be very windy on that side of the island. She did a great, simple up do, and they day was sooooooo calm up until 5 min before I walked down the aisle. My hair held up beautifully, and a hair moustache only should up in a few of my photos If people say it can get a "little windy" where you are getting married/having photos, listen to them. Do you really want to be fluffing about getting rid of your hair moustache in all the photos???

 

Ligthweight is definitely a must!  I love Pronovias but ended up a Casablanca bride.  You just never know which dress is the one!
 

Originally Posted by WPGBride 

Yes it is Pronovias, Alma. Love Love Love it and its also light weight so I wont sweat to death in the heat. I am still looking for a a cocktail dress for the reception but haven't quite found the look I want yet.

 

Good questions.  Did not think about that!
 

Originally Posted by FireyNurse 

What a great bunch of songs on here! 

 

I am just wondering, forgive me if this is a silly question, but when does the Groom and best mangrooms men walk in...do they get a song as well? 

 

Also, if doing a symbolic ceremony I think I have seen that we sign a certificate to make it look "official" but is this a long process that will also require a song, or not?

 

 

OMG!  It is so funny that you mentioned the walkie talkies as my FI was wanting to buy some at Target last week!  I will have to tell him that you recommend them.  He is pretty much looking for any excuse to buy them! 
 

Originally Posted by Avens 

It really was great.  All of my guests can't stop talking about what an awesome time we had.  The only ones that I sensed any less than awesomeness from, were the ones that stayed at the beach. 

 

Because they were so far away, it was harder to coordinate with them.  Plus the palace really is quite a bit nicer.  I know when we booked, there was about $300 difference - totally worth it.

 

What we did, and seemed to work - is set a general time for breakfast, and whomever wanted to could show up. Then set a general meeting point on the beach/pool (we were beach people) so people know where to look.  Then just let everyone know when your wedding appointments are, so they aren't worried about meeting up with you then.

 

Honestly, if you can find some cheap walkie talkies, do it.  We wished many times we had them.

 

In general, the older generation seemed to sit together (parents, their friends that came, grandparents) and they sat at the pool a few times and the younger (our friends and siblings) sat at the beach, as we were all into snorkeling and such.

 

We NEVER had a problem, finding a spot with enough chairs for 10-15 at each location. Lots of times we wouldn't head to the beach until 11, or even after lunch.

 

People kept saying the hotel was at capacity, it never seemed like it. Always lots of room at the beach, buffets, even making reservations the afternoon of usually wasn't a problem.
 

 

Lol.  You made a handsome groom and tell your wife she was gorgeous! 
 

Originally Posted by danandjamie 

I'm the groom, but thanks 

 

You're going to have a great time. The resort is hands-down the best all inclusive I've ever been to. 

 

-Dan

Joanne, Avens, DanandJamie, you all made beautiful brides!  I am so happy that we chose Barcelo.  We were torn originally on which resort to choose and even though we are still a few weeks away, I think we made a great choice.  Your amazing photos only emphasize that!  Congratulations to all of you! 

This is very classic and elegant.  Is it a Pronovias?
 

Originally Posted by WPGBride 

Hmm hope this works this time. Anyways, this is my dress. I have yet to get any pictures of me in it but I will definatly post wedding photos once the big day comes

I think this is a lovely gown!  And you don't look like a mess!
 

Originally Posted by LPerry 

 

Ok...so I look like a hot mess in this picture...and the dress is clipped to me...but here's my dress!!! Ahhh! I can't believe I bought it. And I went by myself with no entourage, and just decided that was it. It was completely liberating, and I love it! I bought it where I swore I would NEVER buy a gown, David's Bridal. But if it works...it works, and I'm tickled. I'm going to wear a light petticoat for the ceremony just to give some lift to the pickups, and then take it off for the reception. 3:00pm in Cancun in July might be a TAD warm.

 

Beautiful JayKay!  Love it and cannot wait to use it in my bouquet! 
 

Originally Posted by JayKay 

Here is a picture of the clear starfish in my bouquet:

 

 

 

I also had my blue starfish I was going to put in my bouquet as well, however, my bouquet was actually pretty small and having both of them in there looked pretty weird, so my bridesmaid had the blue starfish (the one I will be passing around) in her bouquet.

Holls213, I am getting married February 11th and my WC has made the appointment for me already.  She has also scheduled my mani/pedi and massage.
 

Originally Posted by holls213 

Avens did you book your hair and make up at the spa in advance or when you got to the resort??

How was your special day JayKay?  Please post pics soon!
 

Originally Posted by JayKay 

So I picked up the starfish at the hotel in Calgary we stayed at the night before.  He was missing a few gems, a couple I glued back together, and the stick is broken, but nothing a little super glue didn't fix.  I am home now and was so thankful to have the starfish with me on my special day!!  I am going to send him off to the next bride tonight!

kisekae, there is a Wal-Mart near Playa del Carmen and I have seen flameless candles at Wal-Mart's in the US.  There is a gift shop at Barcelo and other brides have purchased maracas there for a reasonable price.
 

Originally Posted by kisekae 

Ohhh good!! I can't wait to see your pictures! You must be getting soooo excited for your wedding day

Has anyone had experience getting flameless candles or maracas while in Mexico before the wedding? We've heard it's better than packing it all there, but I have no idea where to find such things, and don't want to get ripped off!!

Also, does anyone know if there are options for chairs WITHOUT chair covers? And what the cost would be to do this. 

Thank you all soooo much, I love hearing from all the other brides, this site has literally saved me

 

x

Thanks!  We are excited!  It finally seems real to me after all this planning!
 

Originally Posted by Hrcahill 

Thanks Brenners!!!  You wedding is right around the corner, how exciting!  Looking forward to hearing about it!  I did move my ceremony to 530, so that should be better.

Good Luck with everything, I'll let you know if I have any other questions.

AudEv2012, we are going with Erick Rodriguez from Claudia Rodriguez photography - he is actually her brother.  Claudia was already booked for our wedding day.  We will be posting a review after our wedding.
 

Originally Posted by AudEv2012 

Wow Avens, thanks so much for the post, your wedding looked beautiful!  It's nice to see another Western Canadian bride on here.  Our wedding is on April 12th, and we are getting really excited!

 

I just found out today that the photographer who was coming with us from Canada is no longer able to make it.    So, we are now going back to the drawing board and trying to find a photographer.  I think we have settled on Claudia Rodriguez, so if anyone has any experience with her let me know, or if you have any other recommendations that would be great!

 

Also, if anyone has a list of the menu options that would be really helpful.  We would love to have the surf n' turf but are worried it may no longer be available. 

 

Thanks again for all of the info ladies, this site is incredibly helpful!   

 

 

Yes, but I have my dress and it is sitting in my closet now.  I think I should wear it everyday but worry that I might ruin it.
 

Originally Posted by AllieH 

does anyone (everyone?!) else obsess over the dress before it comes in? I swear I look at pics every couple of days to remind myself why I liked that particular dress vs. any of the others. And I still sometimes second guess my choice. 

 

 

Congrats!  That is so awesome!  What an inspiration to the rest of us.  Thanks for helping to motivate me! 
 

Originally Posted by MichCraw 

Hello 2012 brides! I recently got married in December and I was an avid follower of the Weight Loss 2011 Thread. I just wanted to let you know that this site helped me immensely to get my butt in gear and work out even when I didn't feel like it! I am so thankful to have found that thread, it's not easy to motivate yourself but when there is others and they are going through the same stuff that you are .. it helps. I started January 2011 .. with a goal to get fit and lose weight and I did just that. I have never in my life been this fit .. EVER .. I have been skinnier but not in shape.. this makes a huge difference! I didn't starve myself and I followed my exercise program to a tee ... working out 3 to 4 days a week .. sometimes more and sometimes less .. and I reached my goal 2 months before the wedding. Good luck in achieving your goals and here a before and after picture that I also posted on the 2011 thread.

 

Michèle

 

ANGELA2013, your WC can send you additional photos of flowers that the florist can put together for you.  We went to a local florist, found flowers we liked and put together our own bouquet.  We sent pictures to our WC and she checked with the florist who said that they could do those for us.  Orchids, calla lilies and peonies are extra but anything else you want is included in your package.  Congrats and good luck!
 

Originally Posted by ANGELA2013 

Sorry one more thing I forgot to ask ( i am new here)  Can anyone please post some pictures of the flowers and cennterpieces? I love the package that they sent me but I would love some info from other brides.

Congratulations Hrcahill!  Sorry but I do not know anything about the Mariachi Grill.  Have you been to the Unofficial Barcelo site to find any information there regarding it?  Also, I would ask your WC about moving your reception up a bit but it depends on how many pictures you plan to take after the wedding.  Our wedding is at 4:00 as well and figure it will last about 25 minutes or so as we will do the sand ceremony and have a reading.  We will take pictures with family, our guests and wedding party then some pictures on our own before and during sunset.  Our reception is scheduled for 6:30.  Our ceremony is at Coral Beach and our reception is at Playa Azul.  We were planning to send our guests to the Carey Bar in the Palace before heading down to the reception.  We were planning to bring down some decorations for table tops but decided to just have floral center pieces (we are only having three tables so need to only pay for two) and do no want to have to haul down any decorations or haul them back.  We are bringing our iPod Touch for the reception music rather than paying for a DJ.  Again congrats and you will find lots of help here!
 

Originally Posted by Hrcahill 

Hello everyone!!  I am getting married June 22, 2012.  This site has been so helpful!  Does anyone know anything about the mariachi grill?  I haven't read much about it.  We are having about 50 guests, our ceremony is at 4, then reception our WC as of now has planned for 7.  We arent having a cocktail hour to save money and plan to send people to the bar.  It seems like that is a long time in between to wait for reception to start.  Any suggestions?  Not sure what I should bring from home for reception centerpieces etc. or just have WC take care of everything....  Also, does anyone have suggestions on DJ or just use IPOD?  

Thanks everyone, Im excited to chat about everyone's plans!  

I have the portion control under control - so to speak!  Lots of fresh fruits and veggies.  I just need to find the time to hit the gym.  I have been working 10-12 hour days and it is just wearing me out and making it difficult to find the time and energy to exercise.  Ugh.  

I love the floral strap.  That is perfect for a destination wedding!
 

Originally Posted by Amanda+Dave 

We are back from our perfect Costa Rican wedding (can't believe it's almost been two months!!!) and I thought I would share some wedding pictures of me in my dress.

I had doubt about it after I first bought it but it was the right dress for my special day!!!

 

I bought it at the Coach House Bridal in Waterdown, Ont. and it is a Bonny dress.

 

Oh my gosh bondgirl0072010 they are so similar to the ones you made!  I am keeping them hidden from my bridesmaids until the wedding to give them as part of their gifts.  I am sure they will love them as much as I do!  One month to go!!!  I will post pics when I get back! 
 

Originally Posted by bondgirl0072010 

Thanks so much for your support, Brenners! I was just thinking about you and your bridesmaid's hair flowers on my recent trip to South Africa! We were walking down a street after we visited Table Mountain and this tree was in the yard of someone's private residence. I couldn't believe how much the flowers (although slightly a different color) reminded me of your hair flowers!

 

 

 

 

Good question!  I think we will ask one of the groomsmen to do that.  What is everyone else doing?
 

Originally Posted by kfady529 

This thread helped me out so much I am almost done with my play list and will post soon. For those who are going with an ipod and doc how are you planning on having the announcements entrance first dance cake cutting etc?

I am not sure what chair options they have available.  Did you ask Claudia to send you photos of all the options?

Lillian told me the same thing about guests staying at lower end hotels at the resort did not have to pay to attend a Palace wedding or reception.
 

Originally Posted by kisekae 

Just wondering if anyone knows if Barcelo has chairs for the ceremony that look nice without chair covers? I would prefer not to use chair covers, but if they only have ugly chairs, I will make do! 

Also, I spoke to Claudia the other day and she said that there is no charge for guests staying at the other Barcelo hotels (beach, caribe, etc) to attend a palace wedding. 

 

Any other April 2012 brides?!  

Love these!  Do they have a heel?  If so, how high?
 

Originally Posted by jillybeans127 

I will be wearing these for my beach ceremony, in white obviously 

Ok, I just have to vent for a sec.  My family isn't going to Mexico in February for our wedding so they want me to drop everything and plan and focus solely on our May 5th AHR.  My girlfriend is planning my Bachelorette party but keeps asking me what she should plan and everyone keeps RSVPing to me rather than my girlfriend.  I feel like I have to make every darn decision and this is getting really old.  To top it off a girlfriend from out of town wants to bring her husband to the bachelorette party.  I am sorry but has everyone taken stupid and selfish pills????