hoyt75

The Blue Lizzard stuff is great, and I really like the sunblocks that are sweat and waterproof as they work the best on me. I've found that the is not only frequent applications, but also wearing a cover-up on the beach and a hat. Just wearing a little bit of clothing helps keep a lot of sun off of you. I have a few cover-ups that I wore in Mexico and I still wear while we're at the lake and they really work! It doesn't have to be heavy clothing, just something light.

Oh creamsickle orange wedding sound sounds very pretty, and yummy:) I'm sure you can find other brides who have used orange colors in the decorating thread. Happy planning!

Yea I haven't done it in a while either, and I have zero will power too. No excuses, I just got lazy. Maybe we can all support one another and check up on each other to make sure that we're all doing it. Kinda like a support group. I know the 3 of us can't be the only ones that loose motivation!

Quote: Originally Posted by KRama One bride on this forum really put it into perspective for me and I used this example all the time when people had comments about having my wedding in Mexico: So there's gang violence in New York. Does that mean you'd be afraid to vacation in California? Because that's about how far away the violence in Mexico is! Love it! My own parents told me the same thing, and my step dad nearly convinced my mom not to go b/c he was scared they were going to get shot. I totally understand! We told people that if they were really that concerned about it then we would have a shot of tequila for them on the beach!

awww, your poor little baby! I hope that it does work out alright in the end. If not, you can always look into luminers (sp?). My step dad had all of his teeth knocked out by a hay baler, and my co-worker got hit in the mouth while playing baseball and lost nearly all his teeth. They both got the luminers (fake teeth) and they look amazing!

That's to funny... thanks for making me smile today Think of all the people and companies you will confuse for the rest of your lives! You could have a lot of fun with this!

Looks like you had a great time Taylor! Great job on your cup cakes too, they look great

I have no idea what I'm having for dinner tonight, but I would love to share some great recipes with you ladies when I have time to share. We always try to make a meal a plan for the week, and leave a couple days of wiggle room in case we aren't home on the weekends or if something comes up. Not only does it actually save us a TON of $$$$, but it also rids the the whole "what's for dinner" delemma (we also found that we were throwing away less food b/c we had a plan for it all, thus reducing our waste). I had a really hard time doing this at first but it got a lot easier as time went by and now DH and I actually like to sit down together and plan our meals for the week. And I know this is horrible, but I always like to keep a couple of Bertolli (sp?) on hand just in case we're late from work, feeling a bit lazy, or if my hubby's out of town as something for me to eat.

Quote: Originally Posted by *tinkertoy* :/ *sigh* What's up Tinkertoy? Are you still nervous about committing to the VIM?

Quote: Originally Posted by *tinkertoy* Quick question- the beach at VIM is *worse* than EDR? I was told it was better and actually swimmable. That is one of the important things for my fiance. I don't think that either resort has a better or worse beach, they're literally 3 or 5 minute drive from each other so they share the same beach. The only difference, from what I can tell according to our friends that honeymooned there, is that the EDR has large sand bags that they put out in the water. These sand bags serve 2 purposes: 1) being that they control the erosion of the sand a bit more and 2) they block more waves creating a calmer swimming between the shore and the bags. Now with that being said, then you have to deal with the sand bags as your background at the EDR, while at the VIM you have a clean view of the ocean. As stated previously, we swam and snorkled at the VIM just fine. If you go to the beach and walk to the right about 5 minutes, past where they hold the wedding ceremonies, you'll find even calmer waters.

Quote: Originally Posted by *tinkertoy* Thanks Ladies- well, we've not seen the VIM (only saw Marriott Casa Maga and El Dorado Royale) and have never stayed at an All Inclusive. From the pics I've seen they have the things we liked about EDR (style of hotel) but with a better/swimmable beach. My fiance really liked Playa del Carmen and I'm wondering if we shouldn't get closer to PDC. I guess I'm just nervous about committing. My nickname is the Indecisive Bride so I'm probably just freaking out over nothing... *sigh* When we went to the VIM we met a few couples that always go to the EDR every year but couldn't go this year b/c it was booked up, so they came to the VIM instead. They all said that the VIM is way better then the EDR: the food was better, the service was better, the atmosphere was better. Our friends got married 2 weeks before us and honeymooned at the EDR and after they came to our wedding at VIM they wished they would have honeymooned at the VIM too. The beach at the VIM really isn't that bad, we swam in it. If you go further to the right it gets a lot better. From what I can tell, and from what our friends said, the only reason that the EDR beach is more swimable is b/c they put huge sand bags out in the water and the VIM doesn't do that. It's all very natural. We are total food snobs too and we loved the VIM! The only meal that I wasn't impressed over was the Lobster Pot, but, I grew up on super fresh seafood and I'm rather hard to impress when it comes to it. The only other meal that I wasn't a big fan of was from the French restuarant. We had our family meal there and we all felt like it was way over rated. It's basically for the ambiance and not the quality of food. Don't get me wrong, it was okay, but just "okay". All the other restuarants were great and we loved breakfast!

Quote: Originally Posted by sasse75 I wanted to share some great news......although it is still very early, we found out last weekend (on Father's Day) that I am pregnant! We are both so excited Oh my gosh, CONGRATULATIONS! I hope it goes well How did all of the ahr's go this weekend? Taylor - I cant wait to hear how your party barge was. It was a great weekend to be on the lake! Tracy, when are you moving into your new house again? And thank you ladies for the blub referral. I'm still trying to figure out how to use it, but I'm working on it.

We considered getting married at the Royal PDC but decided on the VIM instead. I too had reconsidered my decision many times, but I am so glad that we stuck with it. We had an amazing wedding and absolutely loved the time that we were there. I really don't have any bad words to say against the VIM. What are you concerns with the resort? Maybe we can better help if you explain where your fears are coming from... Adelaide - what is it that you and your hubby didn't like about the resort?

Quote: Originally Posted by alliecattn I saw that the wedding package I made a deposit on in January at the VIM has increased by more than $1000. Does anyone know if they stick with the price it was when you pay the deposit? No one notified me, I just saw it on their website. I think your pay what the listed price was when you put down your deposit. We noticed that our wedding package price increased right before we left but we only paid the previously listed price. Check your contract and double check with your wc.

No you'll be fine! I was so nervous about the whole dw thing and the lack of communication, but once we got down there, I felt so silly for thinking that way. Honestly, except for the little personal touches, everything can be taken care of once you get down there. And the wc make you feel very comfortable and like you're they're queen once you get there.

Quote: Originally Posted by cait713 I know for sure that Ariadna is still there because I'm working with her right now. I don't know about Lupita, but you may want to count yourself lucky that you're not working with her-people haven't had good things to say about her on this thread. Lupita was great once we got to the resort! But before we go there, not so great at all, lol. Lupita is a really sweet person, but she doesn't like to budge on a lot until you get there. She's not so bad in person.

Our good friends got married 2 weeks before us. They owned a house together for 2 years before they got engaged, were engaged for 1 1/2 years and had a big wedding locally. DH was a groomsman so while him and the groom were getting ready, the rest of the guests were hanging out in the reception area. They had this HUGE floral arrangement and a giant portriat of them on this table and somebody knocked over the whole table, taking down and destroying the flower arrangement and the portriat, it made the biggest mess and the bride was very upset when she found out about it. I looked over my my almost mil and said, "this is why we're going to Mexico". We bought a house in June, got engaged in October and were married the 1st weekend in April. Why drag it out into a big long process? I knew what I wanted and I went out and got it and didn't let anyone tell us otherwise. That's how I roll.

The good new is that you and your fi are on the same side! I'm sure it still hurts, but you can't make people love you, or appreciate you. It's her loss if she doesn't want to open her heart and arms and welcome you into them.

I'm really sorry that your Papa passed away. I know it's really hard to loose a loved one and nothing any one says can possibly make you feel better. My Poppie is in really bad shape right now and could pass away any day. I'm hoping that I'll be able to see him before he passed on but he's home (Vermont) and I live in Texas and it's really going to be really hard for me to be able to go home and see him. To make it worse, I haven't seen my Poppie in 5 years, so I would be really mad w/ my self if I didn't get to see him one last time. I understand how you feel. Just know that there are plenty of people around you, especially here on bdw, that are here to love, encourage and support you.

Thanks for all the photo's. I'm sure the future Dreams brides will find them very helpful!

Here is the dinner menu options (now that I think about it, I think we did #4) OPTION 1 CONFITED CHICKEN SALAD WITH ORANGE AND SOY VINAIGRETTE ASPARAGUS CREAM SOUP BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK GARNESHED WITH SAUTEED POTATOES , CARROTS STICKS AND FRIED LEEKS IN RED WINE SAUCE COCONUT MOUSSE AND CHEESE WITH NUTS SAUCE OPTION 2 CAESAR SALAD LOBSTER BISQUET WITH ARMAGNAC TENDERLOIN BEEF WITH VEGETABLES AND NAPOLEON POTATOES WITH MUSHROOM GRAVY SAUCE CHOCOLATE BISCUIT AND ORANGE WITH KALHUA SAUCE OPTION 3 MIX GREENS SALAD WITH LETTUCE, MUCHRROOMS AND ROASTED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE SHRIMPS AND VEGETABLES SOUP CHICKEN CORDON BLUE WITH CHAMPAGNE SAUCE GARNISHED WITH MASHED POTATOES AND ROASTED PEPPERS CINNAMON AND CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH EGG NOG OPTION 4 LETTUCE AND MIXED VEGETABLES SALAD WITH SMOKED SALMON IN DIJON MUSTARD DRESSING ASPARAGUS CREAM SOUP SURF AND TURF (SHRIMPS WITH LOBSTER SAUCE AND BEEF STEAK WITH WILD MUSHROOMS SAUCE, GARNISHED WITH SLICED POTATOES AND SPINACH NUTS CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

Here is the appetizer choices that we were given (we went w/ the Mexican apps) STANDARD COLD CANAPES ( 6 PER PAX ) YORK HAM WITH ASPARRAGUS EGGS WITH ANCHOVIES SALAMI WITH OLIVES TUNA MOUSSE ROQUEFORT CHEESE AND NUTS BOLOGNA AND CAMBRAY ONIONS STANDARD HOT CANAPES ( 5 PER PAX ) HOT DOG ON PUFF PASTRY STUFFED TURNOVER QUICHE LORRAINE BUFFALO WINGS HAM AND PINEAPPLE KEBAB MEXICAN CANAPES ( 5 PER PAX ) CHICKEN TACO QUESADILLAS WITH “RAJAS POBLANAS†(CREAM OF POBLANO PEPPERS AND CORN) RED MEAT “SOPECITOS†TUNA LITTLE TOAST TURNOVER WITH CHEESE AND MUSHROOMS GUACAMOLE, TORTILLA CHIPS AND VARIETY OF SAUCES

Quote: Originally Posted by cait713 Thanks, hoyt! Another question, probably for you. Did the reception dinner include exactly everything that was on the menu sent by Ariadna/Lupita? I'd like to make menus, but I'm afraid that I'll write exactly what the Valentin's menu says, and then the dinner itself will be slightly different. I know, it's such a small thing, but I know it would bother me if they were different! Yes, everything was exactly as described.. and it was delicious! We didn't get to have any of the appetizers b/c we were taking photos, but every one said that they were really good too. If I remember correctly, we choose option # 3 b/c it was the only normal sounding one that they had, lol. Some of the appetizer options included hot dogs and eggs with anchovies (seriously?) and weird sounding stuff that I would in no way want to eat on any given day, let alone my wedding. The main courses came out hot, they gave us 2 extra dinner plates for some reason so we just gave them to the bartender and he was very appreciative of it. The dinner menu we had came with a chocolate desert, and we also got our wedding cake. We got the wedding cake in 3 milks, or tres leches, and everyone raved about it. It's a really moist cake and not overly sweet, very good stuff. I'm a chocoholic and my hubby likes boring vanilla so we decided on the 3 milks as a comprimise.

Seriously, that is your house?? DANG! It looks awesome! You did such a good job of putting it all together with out it looking like a shrine, lol. Totally jealous girl!

Awww, they're beautiful! You made a stunning bride!