dianep

congratulations from one minnesotan to another! good luck with your planning - you deserve it after waiting for so long!! i planned my wedding during a 9-month engagement and it was absolutely perfect.

just thought i'd check in - are you ladies having any luck finding your dresses?

just got word from my photographer that my pics are almost ready and i'll have them on wednesday or thursday. hooray!

perfect for your TTD or even your wedding, it's a galina signature dress from david's bridal. originally $600 or $700 (can't remember, i got it on sale). it's ivory satin, size 2, all that was done was to have an inch or two taken up at the hem and the bustle added. no other alterations were done. we did a TTD, so it's just a little dirty around the hem and on one side, but it's nothing a cleaner wouldn't be able to easily handle. i have a crinoline that goes perfectly with the shape of the dress that i'll include. more pictures here: wedding dress pictures by dipics - Photobucket i can post more, if needed, once we get our pro pics back (should be just a few days!).

Quote: Originally Posted by Lisa DSO What's a hand ceremony? it's not really ceremony at all, but that's what they call it (whoever "they" are!). you hold hands and the officiant reads some beautiful words. i'm totally gonna butcher it, but it talks about these being the hands that love and comfort you now, the hands that will hold you family (and your children), the ones that reach for you and hold you now and that they will be the hands that do all of these things when you're old. the real one brings a tear to my eye, but i can't remember it all right now. check out the "post your ceremony" script and there are lots of people there who have incorporated this into their weddings. i haven't posted my script, but a lot of others have. plus, this thread was SUPER helpful when trying to come up with my ceremony. i took bits and pieces from a LOT of the postings, added some of my own stuff and came up with a ceremony that i absolutely loved (and that made our guests cry. a lot).

Quote: Originally Posted by mexico102 are they easy to self apply? what are peoples experiences? my new SIL put mine on for me (i wanted to be sure they were right!). but they're really simple to apply. they just glue on! it helps to use a Q-tip to help apply and place them - better than just fingers.

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Stephanie~ I am so sad right now.... 10 day forcast calls for 60% chance of Thunderstorms on my wedding day... I want to cry. Also, Any opinions on this? Zulma told me she needed 1 week notice on my flower choice in case they needed to be imported, but when I responded with questions in order to help make my decision- she has been MIA again and now its too late to get anything imported.... Do they have to import roses, cali lillies or gerber daisies?? i'm so sorry to break it to you, but i was a little sad, too, when i found out i couldn't have calla lillies. they don't offer them after april. i was only two weeks into may and was told that there was no way i could get them. i think just the orchids (and any other "exotic" flowers) are imported. the ones in the standard bouquets should be available. Quote: Originally Posted by Lisa DSO I'm also having a legal ceremony and want to do a sand ceremony. Lady_Di might have had one...we'll defer to her.... i just had a symbolic ceremony, but i had a sand ceremony and a hand ceremony. both took place after the vows. Quote: Originally Posted by kenlyn8984 girls, it's almost that time for me we leave on tuesday!!!! we are soooo excited, but i still feel like i have tons to get done before we leave! i am hoping it won't rain on our day. i don't get on here too much anymore since i am super busy with work and these DIY projects, but i will definitely try to get a review done when i get back..those reviews from previous brides helped me soo much! THANK YOU! )) good luck and have FUN!

Quote: Originally Posted by Sita&Nate I think I'm just going to send evites and save on postage!! a good idea, since people have a hard time RSVPing when it's not a simple click away. i had to send out email/facebook notes reminding people to RSVP. so having an electronic invite with a direct RSVP link is a great idea. and yes, definitely cheaper (never a bad idea!).

Quote: Originally Posted by JENISE This sounds exactly like what I'm doing. Can I asked what you're using for wording on your AHR invites? I'm kinda stuck on that one. of course! i had postcards printed. on the front, it says: The pleasure of your company is requested at a reception to celebrate the wedding of.... then the time, date, and address. on the back: We are getting married in an intimate ceremony on the beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico on May 15th. We look forward to celebrating with our family and friends after we return home! then i just gave our wedding website, where more information can be found and guests can RSVP.

Quote: Originally Posted by Girasole Di your pictures look amazing! Have any of you planned a small BBQ type reception for when you got home or planning to over the summer? My husband & I have been talking about it but haven't made plans yet & if we do it would be very informal but I think mainly just to have fun and get our friends and family together. that's what we're planning right now - ours is on june 12 and will be just a casual bbq in our back yard (no big beautiful pool, unfortunately!). right now, we're expecting about 60-70 people. we're having it open house style (starting at 3pm) so people can just stop by whenever they can. we will serve burgers, brats, dogs, salads, etc. along with beer and wine. we'll have a slide show playing of our wedding pics (inside in the daytime, then moving it to outside once it's dark). i'm planning to stop at the farmers market that morning to load up on flowers and i'll do simple table centerpieces, likely just flowers floating/submersed in water and some pretty things in the bottoms of glass vases. we're still looking for fun little ideas to make it memorable and fun but definitely want to keep a simple and relaxed atmosphere (as well as keeping the costs down!).

is there any reason you wouldn't be able to get it sized down? seems like that would be the best option.

Quote: Originally Posted by Lisa DSO I can't wait to see all of the final pics for you April/May brides :-) me too! patiently waiting for mine.

thanks for your response, and for the inspiration! looks like your AHR was fantastic!

Quote: Originally Posted by Miss Lighting Bug I love that you are keeping it casual with the AHR. I would have some picnic comforts along with wedding items like slide shows etc. Maybe a bon-fire at night with smores or horseshoes. Maybe some fruit Kabobs...yummy. i love the fruit kabobs idea! easy to have prepared and take out throughout the afternoon and evening to keep a fresh supply! thanks!

thanks, ladies! i forgot to mention the slide show. we'll have pics back from the photographer by then. during the daylight hours, we'll have wedding pics showing inside. we're thinking about taking the projector and the screen outside for the evening and playing the pictures outside at night.

we got married in playa del carmen, mexico on may 15 and our AHR is coming up in a week and a half. we're planning a casual backyard BBQ, open house style. our plans so far: open house style starting at 3pm and going into the night. we're borrowing a big grill and will find friends to do the cooking. renting tables,chairs, and linens. i'll go to the farmer's market that morning to see what pretty and inexpensive flowers i can find. dollar store for inexpensive vases for DIY centerpieces ipod for music looking for fun ideas for inexpensive decorations, fun food ideas, entertainment, etc. right now, we're expecting aabout 70-80 people throughout the day. thanks for any advice you can give!

Quote: Originally Posted by Lisa DSO Ladies, I have still not purchased a dress lol. I know, I know! Yikes I really want a Maggie Sottero chiffon dress, but the only one they carry around here is the Reese (think Lynnie's dress), and of course it was 2 sizes too small. Sigh. I did find a Maggie that I liked but it was heavy. That reminds me.... Jessica, what are nights like in playa in November? Could i get away with wearing a heavier dress then (are the nights cool or warm?) i had a full satin dress in may and it was just fine. my advice would be to just find a dress you love and not worry about the weather too much. if you feel good in what you're wearing, you'll be glowing and the weather just won't matter! good luck to you! Quote: Originally Posted by ~Stephanie~ Any past brides still around? If you could answer some of my questions I would be greatful, I leave one week from today and I am a little panicked for the dinner, it seemed as though they just let us go at our own pace. we had a nice leisurly dinner, but i have absolutely no idea of how long it took! i was completely oblivious to the passing of time. we had a 3 hour reception (also with 3 courses). we had plenty of time to sit around and talk and a few people danced a little bit. if you have a lively crowd who want to dance for a while, you might want to consider extending your time by an hour. i just had a friend of mine run the ipod for our service. i wrote out a short list of playlists for pre/postlude and the songs for the service. and for the reception, we just let the ipod do its thing and it was absolutely fine! Quote: Originally Posted by Lady_Di I am back from my wedding!! You ladies have NOTHING to worry about. My wedding was fantastic and I have zero compliants. I will post a review soon!Lilia was AMAZING so you don't have to worry if you have her. here are some teasers from my photog...if you have the reception in the central garden, it will be BEAUTIFUL. even though it was wide open to people walking by, we did not get bothered by other people except a wedding crasher but we kicked him out. He just wanted to get on the fun too!! Destination Wedding Photography| Los Angeles | Ventura | Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer Loved loved the Royal! It's so worth to stay there instead of Gran Porto. so glad things went well for you and you had such a good time. i'm excited to hear more about it! we stayed at both the gran porto and the royal, and i totally agree with you. the gran porto was nice, but the royal was amazing!

Quote: Originally Posted by Sita&Nate Does anyone have AHR details & pictures, planning, that they would like to share?? We're doing an ultra-informal one in a month or two, but I need some inspiration! I'd like to keep it barbecue / or cocktail style etc., I am debating between getting it catered (which might be more money than we want to spend)or trying to do most of it ourselves and just hiring 2 helping hands or so + a bartender...... Would love to hear what you guys are doing/did! we're having a casual BBQ in our back yard. borrowing a giant grill and will just talk friends into being the grill masters (ahead of time, of course). we're thinking of just serving beer and wine so no bartenders are needed and to keep costs down. soft drinks, too... a few decorations here and there: lights for at night, simple centerpieces for the rented tables, and some flowers from the local farmers market (whatever looks pretty and affordable that morning!). ours is on the 12th, so i should be able to report back to you before yours!

Quote: Originally Posted by jesmcan Your very welcome ladies - I am glad you enjoy my blog After seeing Lady-Di's and Dianep's sashes I think I want some now to lol Quote: Originally Posted by jesmcan That's a good call I will have to check that out. Save your for a dinner party not sure i'll ever see mine again (still sitting around somewhere at the resorts, likely). anyway, here's the thread for the sharing o' the sashes. http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...eecycle-58267/

Quote: Originally Posted by jesmcan After seeing Lady-Di's and Dianep's sashes I think I want some now to lol do it! you won't be sorry!!! it's an inexpensive way to add a lot of flair and to help show your personality. have you seen the sash exchange thread? past brides are giving away the sashes from their weddings. unfortunately, i didn't get any of my sashes (or other fabrics) back after my wedding (boo!) or i would've passed mine along to the next bride for sure!

Quote: Originally Posted by nicdeb928 Hello! your ttd pics look like they are going to be awesome! I think im going to wear my same dress but I do have 2 concerns...im leaving the next day on my flight home...what did you do about your dress? was it still wet? how did you get it on the plane? also was your dress completely ruined or did it come clean after you had it professionaly cleaned? my dress is all satin, i dont know what to expect afterwards...thanks..nicole yep, it was definitely still wet the next day. it's pretty humid in mexico, so my dress was actually still damp when i brought it home a week later. i packed it up in a big plastic bag and put it in a suitcase to bring it home! at home, i gave it (and the crinoline) a nice little soak in a cool tub (to help get the rest of the sand out, etc) for a couple hours. it came quite clean, actually, and took probably a day or two to fully dry. it's just a little dirty right at the hem and on the side from lying in the sand. i'm sure a wedding dress cleaner would have absolutely no issues getting it clean, and mine is satin as well. so not ruined at ALL! let me know if you have any other questions, and thanks! i'm excited to see the rest of my pictures!

Quote: Originally Posted by finleys7 Diane - When is the AHR? Are you almost done with those plans? Amy - Happy AHR this past weekend...hope your were happy with the party. AHR is june 12. just a fairly casual BBQ in our back yard (hope the weather holds out!). just starting planning it. hubby has volunteered to plan it (since i planned the wedding!) and is looking into renting tables/chairs, etc. should be pretty easy. my only job right now is decorating. farmers market for flowers and dollar store for centerpieces = done!

Quote: Originally Posted by finleys7 Diane - good review - love the hair piece and the colors. =) Hope all of you ladies enjoyed your memorial day weekends! Claudia said she is a little busy right now and will try to get a few teasers to me...I am dying over here. 4-6 weeks is amazing considereing an local wedding here on Long Island...my SIL waited about 3-4 months. UGH!!!! me too! i'm waiting and trying to be patient. it's been about two and half weeks, so it's not bad at all. he's promised to have them to me before our AHR. i'm so excited and ready to be done waiting! i keep checking here to find pictures from may brides, but it seems we're all either waiting or still honeymooning!

Quote: Originally Posted by reaganlane For the girls who have already done a TTD...what did you do about makeup? Just like waterproof mascara and light powder and what did you wear under your dress? Did you have anything show thru once the white dress was wet? Thanks! unfortunately, my make up bag was still in the room of my now SIL and i didn't have the heart to wake her and get it! so i cleaned up what was left on my face (waterproof mascara and eye liner, thankfully, stay in place pretty well as it turns out!). we ended up wearing sunglasses for most of the pictures anyway. i was bummed out that i didn't get a chance to wear my lashes for the TTD though. i didn't have any problems with show-through with my dress, but i did wear the corset bra again. aside from a few teasers, we haven't gotten our pics back yet. but here's one that shows us coming out of the water (it's a little difficult with a full crinoline and skirt!). fun stuff.

i absolutely love the idea of sharing and re-using the sashes. of course that's what should be done! but for the times when you just can't find what you need, here's the website i used (before i'd found this thread). i got the orange satin sashes and LOVED the way they looked. wedding linens direct home page