Tifuhhknee

I have based my wedding off of previous trips. June of last year, I booked a trip and kind of left the group thing open to ANYONE who wanted to come. The grand total ended up being about $1200 pp to stay 5 days, 4 nights at an AI in Riviera Maya, Mexico... this was flying out of our small town into the closest big city (3 hr drive there), then flying to Cancun. When FI and I went in 2007, it was about $900 pp flying from the bigger city. Sure, it saved money, but we had to pay gas, to leave the car parked a week, and drive 3 hours home after flying back! It was worth the couple extra hundred to fly from 5 minutes from my house. ANYWAY, I'm rambling. We had 15 people sign up and come on the June trip! That was just for fun/vacation and that many people actually came along (many others were interested but things came up). I figured it if's for my wedding, even more people may find it worth their while!!! Everyone wished we had stayed longer for the last trip.

Just an update. FI's older brother came in town for Christmas holidays. They had this awkwardness between them and it was apparent. He kept texting FI saying "we really need to talk" and finally on his 4th day here they sat down with their dad as a mediator and talked. Brother said right off that he was sorry for what he said. That's all FI wanted (and I had told him his brother would NOT be invited unless he apologized, sounds bad, but it's how I felt). Of course that couldn't be it. Brother says BUT he feels like FI is rushing into things (we planned a wedding on our EIGHT year anniversary... sure we are rushing.. haha), that he is making a mistake, that I pressured him into proposing (SO not true, I had no idea! never asked for a ring or anything), and that "people" say I run our relationship and his life and he has no say-so in what we do. He "knows how Tiffany is" (me) and he "knows" that I will only do what I want to do. So wow. I am a control freak b*tch and FI is the biggest pushover ever? LOL FI was gracious though, he said it sounds like "people" are jealous because we have been together so long, like to do things together, and still have a good relationship. Also that his brother doesn't know us or hang out with us, so how would he know what we do and don't do. It's a mess, but at least Christmas wasn't as awkward as Thanksgiving since we had to be around FI's brother and his girlfriend. We are still pretty sure they will not be attending our wedding. IDK if his brother will make it to our AHR either because his school out of state will probably be in session. Who knows. IDC.

Quote: Originally Posted by doneill01 i havent bought my dress yet, but wanted to see what everyone thought of these two! :-) RD1044 - by Maggie Sottero Venus Bridals Both are beautiful! I'd lean toward the Maggie also. If one costs significantly more than the other... I'd say they are pretty interchangeable in that sense.

I have a question that everyone here may answer much faster than Sandra... she said the ceremony comes with 10 chairs and it is $5 for each one after that. I paid a $100 deposit to hold my date, do they let you use that toward something when you get there (say, a bunch more chairs?) haha. And seriously, she has to "check with the other brides that day and see if they will move their time" for me to have it later than 3:00 for April 2011. Boy oh boy. I will not get stressed though, that's forever away. I just hope she didn't put me for the wrong year.

Dislike. Planning everything else is fun! Having AHR, I just KNOW I need my uncles to cook some amazing brisket. I don't want to plan anything else.. that's all I need to eat hahaha. Like or Dislike: scarves

Kurly... now that's what I call a ROCK. Gorgeous ring! Thanks for sharing. )

education : degree

Great question, my wedding is going to be Holy Thursday in 2011 [eesh, didn't consider this]. However, in 2007 we left for RM Easter morning... and the resort did greet us with alcohol and serve us beverages later on. So no worries.

worms : mud

I love your mom. That totally sounds like me. I am by no means bridezilla, but FI has complimented me time and time again saying he is so glad I am "dealing with" all the planning, etc. I asked him to clarify and he said he would try to cater to everyone else too much if anyone had complaints. He knows my attitude (that is much like your mothers) and I say "This is what WE want and how WE are doing it" with a nice big smile.

summer : fishing

thigh high boots : short skirts

Quote: Originally Posted by Crystal1880 I can't wait to be able to at least book my date with the resort. I think my TA said that they are not excepting booking until March. I hate waiting so long..:-( Have you contacted the WC at the resort? I was able to at least reserve my wedding date for $100, even though you cannot book a hotel stay that far in advance.

shopping : mall

Perfume : dress

Maybe your guests will see this as an opportunity to make it more affordable. The longer they have to pay on the trip, the less expensive it always seems. I actually decided against group booking with my TA for the simple fact that some people will want to stay longer than others, and everyone may want to fly out of here or the closest big city depending on their budget. And the TAs from this forum do price matching for any better price you can find, so I feel like I won't be letting guests down by not doing group bookings.

You could try the Dreams Cancun or Dreams Riviera Cancun resorts. The Dreams RC is brand new. Both are AI and family friendly. This forum will help you find anything you need! Good luck.

I have done a post search and the only info I have found on Eduardo Machuca is from 2007. I know a lot of us have viewed his photos to look at different resorts, but has anyone actually booked him for their own pictures? His work seems alright, his prices are great, and the best thing about him [which is something I need a photographer to do for me] is that he gets the disc of images to you the very next day. Anyone have any info, reviews, etc of his services? OR know of another photographer that is affordable and can get photos to you that quickly? Thanks!!!

You did a great job! ) Way to save some money, they look nice.

Very much dislike. Went in one.. once. Never will again! Valentine's Day?

Maria, the pictures are GORGEOUS! So glad they came out great. LOVE the one of you propped on that boat.

Quote: Originally Posted by Crystal1880 Has anybody recieved an official timeline of when 2011 prices will be posted? I have been told by multiple TAs that they will come out about 10 months ahead of time. But I have my date on hold with my resort (still need to send her that deposit) and tomorrow I am booking the hall for our AHR for May 7, 2011. My aunt decorates/coordinates wedding receptions, so I have her booked for my reception. And a friend of mine has agreed to do reception pics for 2-3 hours, everything in a disc, for about $300. I'm trying to get everything I possibly can booked now so there is no scramble later. Next up, Save the Dates...

Quote: Originally Posted by Sapphire723 You know that song "Freefalling" by Tom Petty? EVERY TIME it comes on the radio, FI sings along.... except he sings "I'm freeeeee, free ballin." The first time I heard him do it, I laughed. Now if I hear even a half second of the song, I change the station quickly before he can recognize the song! I guess that's a universal thing... EVERY guy I went to high school with sang it that way!! Kind of ruins the song for you but is funny at the same time.

Welcome to the club! Haha. But this site along with googling is the greatest. If you find a place you are interested in, I found the best way to find pics is through Trip Advisor. When you look up the place, you can view pictures that people posted with reviews so you feel like you really get to know the location. Happy Friday!

It sounds like you should contact one of the TA's on this site for help! [link at top right of page] Or browse the Hawaii pages. It's all about research and referrals. There are wedding reviews from lots of different locations written by bride's on this site who were married there. This forum is the best tool you will find! Good luck and happy planning.