VBVB

We sent out our Save the Dates with the week we'll be travelling (Feb 22-Mar 1) and our wedding date (Feb 25, 2011). We chose to put the week-range based on the day most direct all-inclusive tour operators were flying out the previous year (Tuesday). We're dealing with itravel2000.com and they were able to give us a group rate for February 2011 in January 2010, so I'd maybe ask your TA again if they can do anything like that for you. In my opinion, I don't think even half our guests went to our wedding website for additional info, so don't bank too much on the fact that they'll be checking continuously!

We're running into the same thing! My FH's parents are all upset that we're getting married in the Dominican, and they keep "teasingly" suggesting wedding venues in FH's hometown (which is 8 hours away AND in another province from where we live). In the end, we put up a united front and told everyone sternly that NO, we're not getting married in either of our hometowns, and if everyone wants to come to the Dominican, great. If they can't make it, we're going to have AHRs in EACH of our hometowns so we can celebrate with everyone. That's more for our own preference than to appease anyone, too. We have had to put our foot down with regards to the AHR in FH's hometown. His parents expect a huge meal for 100+ people plus dance, etc. We had our minds (and BUDGET) set on something low-key, like getting a bunch of assorted platters of veggies, meats, cheeses, sandwiches, etc and throwing a dance-type get together. Guess we'll see in 2 weeks when we go to visit them who's paying for this huge meal they are insisting on!! It sure won't be us!

I also had a tough time wording this! When it was all said and done, our Save the Dates said something like: Please call our travel agent ____ at _____ to secure your trip at the group rate before April 1, 2010. Then we had something about the dates we were travelling, that it was all-inclusive, the approx cost/ person.

We were going to go with Sharon Nagassarr Designs for our realtouch flowers, but I have found that comparing the quotes and RESPONSE TIME between her and Angel's Accents, I much prefer Angel... (ANGEL'S ACCENTS) We are getting all our flowers for under $400 (incl. shipping from the U.S. to Canada) which includes: -Brides bouquet -2 BM bouquets -3 groom/groomsmen bouts -2 father bouts -2 mother/grandmother wrist corsages This is for green/white cymbidium orchids, handtied with ribbon. She's also super nice to work with, and she gets back to you QUICK! Unlike Sharon, unfortunately.

We're using Phil Steingard.. Michael Steingard is his VERY talented nephew.. Can't say enough great things about both of them!!!!!

Hi Ladies! I'm looking to share our photographer, Phil Steingard "PhotoPhil" for the week around our wedding, which is on February 25, 2011. A lot of his work can be featured on the Majestic Colonial Brides Facebook group, and he's SO awesome to work with! He's willing to give the brides that book him around the time of our wedding a price decrease (me too!) because it's more 'worth his while' if more than one couple books him while he's down there. EMAIL ME if you're interested!!!!!! [email protected]

We're getting married at the Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana on February 25, 2011, and we've hired Phil Steingard.... Totally looking for a bride to 'share' him for the week! PM ME!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Meyer2010 Hello!

I'm ordering mine from Sharon Nagassar Designs (www.sharonnagassardesigns.com) She is super nice to work with, and quite reasonable price-wise! Bride's bouquet inspiration (excpet green and white orchids with teal ribbon): Bridesmaid's bouquets (except green and white orchids with lime green ribbon): Groom's bout (all green orchids), groomsman's and father's bouts are the same as groom's, but they just have green and white orchids: Mother/Grandmother wrist corsages (green and white orchids with teal ribbon):

I just PM'd you about the table runners, chair bows, and the real touch orchids. Thanks!

Our wedding is still quite far away, but it's never too early to start collecting the things you need for decor, right!? Our wedding colours are teal and lime green. I'm looking for: -Real touch cymbidium orchid bouquet(s) similar to the one pictured below. Need 1 for sure, willing to take a few more for my bridesmaids, too. -Teal or lime green table runners (at least 15-20), chair sashes (at least 25) -Tealight holders (can be clear, teal, lime green.. really no preference. Need at least 50-75) -Candy buffet containers/scoops -Flower or peacock feather hairpiece I would LOVE it if some of these items were available in Edmonton/Calgary, Alberta for pickup... However, for the right items, I am also wililng to pay for shipping! Please PM or email me: vbenson[at]hotmail[dot]com with photos of the items you think I may be interested in!

Please send me a pic! [email protected] THANKS!

From what the Majestic Colonial wedding planner has told me, the little certificate the marriage commissioner gives you on the date you do your 'at-home legal ceremony' is good-enough proof that you've already done the deed. Canadian registries/vital statistics can get you a real-deal marriage certificate (which you have to file for anyways, as far as I understand) in 2 weeks or so.. So options to do the legal ceremony the day before you depart for the D.R. or a few weeks before are both there!

Here's our boarding pass Save the Date postcard! (Please excuse the blank spots.. we took out our personal info before posting the picture on here for our privacy) They're 5x7 (oversized postcards), and the design was done by Birdie's Custom Cards on ETSY. We LOVE her work!!!!

Glad to hear it all worked out. I emailed the ladies in early January, and was able to secure our date (Februart 25, 2011) on January 10th or so... WE ARE SO EXCITED! Now, to find someone to share our photographer (PhotoPhil Steingard) for our wedding week!

OCTOBER 2009 Angela139 - October 20, 2009 khomac - October 22, 2009 cgf - October 27, 2009 NOVEMBER 2009 lscilley- Nov 16, 2009 andime85- Nov 24, 2009 majesticbride - Nov 24, 2009 DECEMBER 2009 *~Tara~* - December 7, 2009 SunnyCherries - Dec 8, 2009 xcandilkx-Dec 31, 2009 JANUARY 2010 mskcard77- January 9,2010 lisab - January 12, 2010 CityDryms - January 2010 chicpea - January 18, 2010 trance angelxOx- Jan 19, 2010 FEBRUARY 2010 newbride - February 3, 2010 karldettmann - February 12, 2010 MARCH 2010 Anna_C - March 26, 2010 APRIL 2010 livinlife - April 20th, 2010 tiggerulz - April 20th, 2010 liujessicam - April 22nd, 2010 QCbride-April 28th, 2010 MAY 2010 lara&mike - May 3 2010 JessicaANDJermaine - May 11 2010 Nicoleswrld - May 13, 2010 CnC - May 14, 2010 Littleone77 - May 17, 2010 MexicoBeachBride2010 - May 18, 2010 Crystal&Matt2010 - May 19, 2010 ali0284- May 26, 2010 JUNE 2010 Vallarta_2009 - June 2, 2010 JULY 2010 Jenny K-W (Jenn and Dave) July 20, 2010 Jefiner - Majestic Colonial, July 21, 2010 Maigan & Brad - Majestic Elegance, July 26, 2010 Mel4983 - Majestic Colonial, July 27, 2010 OCTOBER 2010 Regine - Majestic Elegance, Oct 9th, 2010 Michele L - Majestic Colonial, Oct 19th, 2010 NOVEMBER 2010 Rhiannonbs - Majestic elegance, November 27th, 2010 FEBRUARY 2011 VBVB- Majestic Colonial, February 25, 2011 ADDED US TO THE LIST!

We have our OFFICIAL wedding date! February 25, 2011 at the Majestic Colonial (symbolic ceremony)! Add us to the list, please and thank you!!!!

We had been together for 7 months when we moved in together, and 13 months when he proposed. When we get married in Feb/March 2011, we'll have been together a total of 2 1/2 years. I guess when you know, you know/and the timing is right, it all falls into place quick!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by ~*Kathy*~ Those are really cute! May I ask who photographed your e-session? I have a guess and I want to see if I'm right! I'm actually a wedding photographer as well, so it was SO hard for me to be in front of the camera! So thanks, everyone! I'm happy to know I didn't look totally awkward! Our friend, Mirka Burt, did our session. Were you right, Kathy?!?!

We had our engagement session done about a month ago, at which point I sent away to have announcements done! We used Birdie's Custom Cards on Etsy, and she was FABULOUS! Without further ado, here are our announcements: FRONT: BACK:

Here's mine! I got to pick it out... It's the only ring my fiance and I both liked! 2.25ct total, including a 1.20 ct centre stone

Hey! Congrats on your upcoming wedding! We got engaged at the end of September of this year, and have decided to do late Feb/early March 2011. I know it seems like it's far off, but I think time will FLY as you begin planning! We're also from Edmonton, too! Too funny! We initially planned on doing a legal, civil ceremony at the Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana, but upon realizing how EXPENSIVE it is (getting documents notarized, translated, etc etc) and that we wouldn't get our marriage certificate until 5+ months after we returned, we have opted to do a civil ceremony here in Edmonton about a month before we're to depart for the Dominican. That way, we will have time to file with vital statistics and get our actual marriage certificate before we go (on the day you're married by a wedding commissioner in Alberta, they give you a little certificate called a "Statement of Marriage".. i'm not sure if this will suffice to prove to the resort that you're already married--worth checking into) We are getting married here in absolute and complete SECRET, as well. Only our two witnesses (who will likely be our best man/maid of honor) will know. That's it. We plan on celebrating our wedding anniversary as the day our ceremony in the Dominican takes place, and that's the day we were married, as far as our family/friends will know Also, if you do plan on doing all the legal stuff here: when you're looking for a wedding commissioner, SHOP AROUND! There are many who charge upwards of $200-$300, whereas we have found someone who only charges $150 (Dan Normandeau). We just sent out our engagement announcements with our Christmas Cards, and they just say "____ & ____ are engaged to be married! We plan on saying "I do" on the beach in sunny Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with receptions in our hometowns when we return. While we have to wait a bit to book our exact date with the resort, we will be sure to let everyone know what our plans are as we make them. Please also feel free to visit our wedding website at www._________.blogspot.com" We included a few shots from our engagement photo shoot on the announcement and had them printed at Staples. FYI: Birdie's Custom Cards on ETSY is AMAZING! She designed super nice engagement announcements for us for only $15 USD! I imagine she would also make super nice digital-layout photo invitations if you wanted, too! Feel free to email me at: [email protected] If you need any vendor suggestions, etc! I also know someone who does FANTASTIC photos if you wanted an engagement shoot done here!!!!!

I was just wondering if anyone has thought about it, or even gone ahead and gotten legally married at home first, then doing a 'Symbolic Ceremony' at the Majestic? My fiance and I are planning on doing it this way, that way we don't have to wait 5+ months for our marriage certificate/documentation to arrive from the D.R.. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how long before we depart we should be legally married here? We live in Alberta, Canada. Thanks!!!

Hi everyone, I'm newly-engaged (as of last Thursday.. so recent!), and ready to start planning our Dominican destination wedding!