lalanyc

Quote: Originally Posted by mykidsmomtx Anyone having a photographer and videotaping the ceremony? Would they interfere with each other? Should we videotape the ceremony then start pics afterwards? Yes, I actually booked my videographer through my photographer (they appear to be sister companies), so I'm assuming they know how to work around each other!

FYI - I have not had any issues in the past several days and I definitely notice that pages load more quickly. Yesssss!! Thank you SO MUCH for all your efforts mods. Now I am REALLY not doing any work at work! is there a "BDW Anonymous" group by chance?? hehe...

Quote: Originally Posted by Cheri I was quoted $900 from Mannia and $650 from Doremixx. However, I know that Doremixx prices go up each year about $100. I went with Doremixx, and from the sounds of it, he's going to be great so I'm very happy with my decision. Good luck in choosing! I don't think there's a wrong decision in this case. They both get great reviews! Interesting. Doremixx quoted $700 for only 4 hours and every additional hour was $200. Not sure why that was, but in either case, we decided to go w/ Mannia b/c I later realized they are already pre-approved at our resort (also, Mannia's starting quote was for 5 hrs so they were just about the same in the end). I'm sure they are both great. They both seem to bring the same "amenities" i.e., lights, extras, etc.

Quote: Originally Posted by KRama I have to agree with NaM, it's either invite all of them or none of them (we're currently having this debate regarding our AHR, we don't want them, the folks do...but that's another thread...) We addressed the invites to the parents only, provided all the resort information and let them make the decision whether or not they wanted to bring their kids. Only ONE couple decided to bring their daughter, the rest practically leaped at the idea of having a week to themselves! Keep in mind that if some people can't bring their kids, especially if they're so young, they may not come at all. If we do end up inviting kids to the AHR, I plan on adding "and family" to indicate that children are invited. KRama - to be clear, you did allow all kids to your DW but you just didn't explicitly list the children's names on the invitations? hmm, that could be a strategy as well....

Quote: Originally Posted by NaM I could see this getting touchy...like if I had kids and my kids weren't invited but there were other kids at the wedding...I would probably be upset and offended. I think if you're going to open it up to kids you should be open minded to having all the kids there even if it isn't completely ideal. I just can't see excluding some of them and not others as a good idea. Does your resort have an option to leave the kids somewhere...like a kidzone or something?? That might be a good option for some parents. But it is your wedding so you should definitely do whatever makes you the most happy. No kid zone but I am considering getting a babysitter. In fact, I wanted to let guests know on our website that we could contract certified babysitters but my FI was against it b/c he didn't want it to seem like we are encouraging kids to come. Of course, it's ok if SOME non-family kids come but if everyone decides to bring their babies, I think it'll be a bit much.

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Crista-Lee~ I'm currently trying to decided between: Hot Pink and Chocolate Brown Hot Pink and Grey My BM dresses are Hot Pink. I definitely vote for pink and grey. I think that combination is awesome. I've seen the pink and brown done a few times as well (very nice) but I think pink and grey is more unique!

Quote: Originally Posted by lil_reeves I just got back from a wedding in the Mayan and it was on the beach during mid-day and as I turned around to watch the bride walk down the aisle I saw a woman tanning topless who was standing up watching the ceremony (she had huge knockers)...it was totally distracting if you know what I mean. It is something kind of out of your control but if it was my wedding I would've flipped out. When my FI sees me walking down the aisle I don't want him to be distracted by some other womans boobies. We are having a sunset wedding at a private restaurant on the beach so hopefully we can avoid this kind of thing. LMAO!!!! This made me literally laugh out loud!! oh wow, *someone* is totally avoiding work!!

Quote: Originally Posted by susanna.hanson Im thinking of doing rasberry and pea green... maybe a touch of antique gold. Still up in the air. oh wow, that sounds awesome!! where did you get your inspiration from? have you seen any wedding pics w/ these colors?

Hi - welcome! Yes, I'm in Manhattan!

Quote: Originally Posted by diamondpooch My fiancée knows a lot of people. Every time we are out people keep coming up to us complaining they didn't get an invitation! How rude! Of course my FI feels bad and awkward so he tells them I'll send them an email with the info to book. We wanted a smallish wedding with only our close friends and family and now it's getting ridiculous! How do I gently ask my fiancée to stop inviting people without making it seem like I'm being mean to his friends? Also how do I make it known to people that it's not ok to just ask someone to come to their wedding? Even my bridesmaids are telling me stories of people coming up to them while they are out saying "oh ya, I think I might go down to Mexico for that wedding too." What? They're not even invited! I'm already at 53 which is way more than I wanted and my mom just can't afford all this! Also for every extra person I have to make more programs, OOT bags, etc and that costs me money I don't have! I wish I could afford to have all these people down there but I can't! Help! Diamondpooch, what did you end up doing? Have you sent your invitations yet and if so, did you include the "crashers"?? Shortly after I sent the resort information to my family, they started inviting ALL their friends!!! We've also had several of our own friends approach us assuming they would be invited (err, no.). I ended up sending a firm but gently worded email to the culprits letting them know that only the people that WE invited were, well, invited. Granted, your fiance was a culprit in this case (doh!!) so I'm hoping you guys got this resolved asap!

So... we are definitely inviting the children of our closest relatives to the wedding (in fact, I'm really hoping they come!!). However, we also have several friends with young children (under 3 yrs old). While it would be ok if some of them brought their kids, I think it could be a disaster if they ALL brought their kids - especially since they're so little! Do we need to state the names of the babies/toddlers on the invitations?? If so, would this appear as if we WANT them to bring their children? I don't want people to assume the resort is going to be incredibly family friendly either b/c frankly, I do think the adults are going to get a little nuts...

Hey all, I was under the impression Doremixx was less expensive than Mannia but that was not the case for me. Did anyone else have a similar experience?

Aww, sounds like this FMIL will be getting a very nice Mother's Day gift!! That's awesome, congrats!

LOL! Super cute indeed! I also got my STD from Etsy. I *heart* Etsy!!!!

Question for those who are now past your invitation mailings / RSVP deadlines - Was there ANY downside to sending your invitations too early?? I am planning on mailing my invitations 6-7 months in advance and asking for RSVP's 3 months in advance. Does anyone wish they had NOT sent their invitations and/or made their RSVP deadlines so early? I'm trying to understand any downside to doing this. My key motivation is that our resort is guaranteeing room availability through July (4 months before the wedding). For those that don't book by then, there is a risk there won't be rooms available should they decide to book after the cutoff date. However, our group rates will still be honored. **Mind you, I mailed my STDs 10 months in advance but surprise surprise, many people have not looked up our website.. or worse, didn't READ the STD and realize that our website info was included! Your thoughts are much appreciated!

Quote: Originally Posted by vlynnw I plan on getting wedding insurance which also covers our travel since it is outside of the country. It covers everything with travel, weather, venue, lost rings or deposits, and even if something happens to my dress. You can check out this company... Wedding Insurance | Travelers Wedding Protector Plan Oh, thank you for the link!! I've been thinking a lot about insurance as well. Will definitely be looking into getting it soon.

If he decides to go w/ a "non approved" photographer, they may charge him a hefty fee. He should inquire w/ his resort wedding coordinator. Also, Del Sol books up very early! If he has his heart set on them, he should check on their availability asap!

Not sure what you mean when you say $1500? Do you mean the cost of a wedding package? If so, that depends on the # of people you're bringing... Also, when you say 4 star - what does that mean for you? (as you may know, star ratings vary GREATLY so it'd be helpful to understand exactly how you measure, say, cleanlines, etc.).

Oooh, I'm interested too, as my photog won't be providing album services!

Did your guests receive their invitations yet?? What did they say!?!?! I'm so excited to know. If I got a wedding invitation like that, there is no way come hell or highwater that I would ever say no!!! In fact, I will go to your wedding if you need any fillers! LOL

I also thought this was funny: _______ Accepts with pleasure _______ Declines with regret _______ Accepts with regret _______ Declines with pleasure I hadn't yet thought about this but it's going to be fun coming up w/ something silly!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by whitechocolate Oh lord, I'm gonna need a little better response rate than that! What about that bells one.. Be there with bells on, be there but no bells, etc. How does that one go again? Any other ideas for NON-standard response card wording?? I think you mean this one. It's SO FUNNY!!! I might have to do a variation on this. Thanks for pointing it out!: ____ of ____ will attend, with bells on ____ of ____ will attend, free of bells ____ of ____ will attend, undecided on bells ____ of ____ will not attend, heard there will be people wearing bells ____ of ____ will not attend, regardless of bell controversy

I am still in the process of dress hunting (and made the mistake of not doing much dress research before going to the first shops... but that's another story). One thing that has struck me is the huge variability in the vibe and helpfulness of each shop. I dont know if it's a Manhattan thing but I've gone to "high" end shops w/ very apathetic assistants or with very dirty, messy assortments of dresses. I never know what to expect walking into each store! Also, in some shops, you can browse and pick out the dresses yourself while in others they only allow the assistant to choose them for you (unless you ask for a specific dress). Finally, just because they carry a certain designer doesn't mean they have the full collection. Sometimes, they'll only carry a handful of dresses!!! The entire process has been quite an experience... good luck! ** Oh, one more thing - definitely take a strapless bra unless you don't mind showing off your assets. While some places give you bras, most I've seen do not.

I also chose Riviera Maya b/c it is much cheaper to fly to from both the East and West Coasts than, say, Puerto Vallarta. We also chose it b/c we found a reasonably priced hotel option and also (duh!) b/c of the warm weather! Cost to our guests was a HUGE concern for me.

woops. My MOH wants to have my shower sometime in June. I'm not getting married until NOVEMBER! However, most of my family is on the West Coast and my MOH is preggers so I guess I dont have much of a choice, esp. since she's due about 8 weeks before my wedding. Is it bad to have it so early??