vlvetter7

Wow Dana - you have 54 going! That's awesome.

jrb - which Riu? The RPRM? Dana - you're so close! So sorry to hear about this friend of yours...I would definitely say something as the other girls here have suggested. If you don't it's just going to bother you. JNagan - your sister is obviously talented when it comes to doing hair. If she doesn't mind doing it I say go for it! Why not save the money!!

Nic that's gorgeous!!

210Robinhood - send me your email address and I will forward a bunch of info...as for some of your questions: - Does anyone know who the Riu Palace's photographer is and what they charge? the resort uses Calypso Foto- I have a price list for them - Does the resort allow you to pick the color's for the wedding? yes, you can pick colors for chair covers and your table decorations - What kind of food is served at "Chillis" on their menu? I can forward the menu - How do the suites at the resort compare to their standard junior suites? from what I understand, the standard junior suite is a basic room where the other suites are upgrades...depending what type you get (jacuzzi, etc). I would assume the resort website would describe the room differences? Virginia

I’m very excited to report that I have found and bought my groomsmen’s shirts today! We are going with a basic white, short sleeve Guayabera shirt. We actually needed to find 10 shirts in all different sizes…(my fiancé, our fathers, his 4 groomsmen, his brother that hasn’t committed to coming yet and my two ‘soon to be’ step-sons). One of our groomsmen is a professional body builder that is HUGE and then there is my youngest step-son who is only 11 and kind of small…they were on sale and I had a coupon I found online so all 10 shirts were less than $200! Believe it or not I found them at Kohls and was really surprised that the quality was so nice! http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/mens/brandsformen/centro/PRD~654205/Centro+Cuffed+Guayabera+Casual+ButtonFront+Shirt.jsp I’m thinking of getting them each some sort of Cuban hat too – so they will have the hat, the white shirts, khaki pants and flip flops. Totally ok for a tropical wedding, right? Oh and I need an opinion…my sister is trying to convince me to have my nephew (my ring bearer) wear this outfit. I think it’s really funny and would make for some awesome pictures but I just would hate it if anyone perceived it as us being disrespectful…what do you think? Cute or rude? http://www.totallycostumes.com/qhn-814g-mexican-boy-toddler-costume.html

Dana that's adorable. HAHA. I love it. Dreaming of Sunshine - I am bringing an outside photographer down with us but he'll be staying at the resort in hopes that it won't cause any issues...it just seemed easier than having to deal with all the prices changing for outside guests/vendors. We're using Joshua Albanese. I actually found him through past bride KimmyG who found him through another past bride Chickadee024...his work is amazing! Can't wait!!!

So exciting Dana! Are you going to do anything "special" for your legal? What are you wearing?

Thanks for the support. I just need to actually make some time to work out. I'm really good wiht finding other things to do with my time. ;-) Anyhow, our weigh in went well. I'm officially a fat a**. Haha. And to top the whole thing off...I come into work today and someone brought cupcakes and Lindt chocolate to share! Go figure...but I got up this morning and went for a 3 mile walk with my pup and am planning to hit the gym after work. A good start! PS- Yes, I resisted the cupcakes and chocolate!

I think a little of both. It was a much thinner material than I thought it would be judging by the online picture adn description. It was basically see through which definitely is not exactly flattering on my body right now! However, my girlfriends and I are starting our "biggest loser" contest today! First weigh in tonight. Hoping this helps get me on track. I have 6 months until my wedding and 20lbs to lose...

So awful doesn't even begin to describe the dress I ordered from Ann Taylor...the hunt for a dress for my legal ceremony is still on!

Sorry Dana...my post probably didn't help how you're feeling! Thanks Linds for the encouraging words! ;-)

Dana - WHAT!?!?!? Oh my...I would be freaking out. You're wedding is in November right?

Adrienne - that's really cute! I think past bride Samira ended up wtih a Suzi Chin dress for either her court dress or something else and she loved it! Another suggestion - I'm not sure if you've ever tried on an Adrianna Pappell dress but they are amazing! If I didn't live in a state that was freezing cold in the winter I would have chosen one of her short dresses...but something about wearing a short dress in the north East around March/April that didn't sound fun...here is an example of one that I found on nordstrom.com. http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3050012?origin=category&resultback=705

Thanks for all the nice reviews ladies! I'll keep you all posted when I receive it next week!

Fingers crossed! Definitely take pictures!!!

Congrats Celeste! That is super exciting. Â Dana- how did your fitting go? Didn't you have your second fitting - or is it coming up soon? Â I found a dress for my legal ceremony that is now turning into a church ceremony. It meant a ton to my Mom that I got married in a church, so the day before we leave for Mexico we are having a ceremony at my church with our parents only. No one else even knows about it. So...I really wanted a dress that felt somewhat like a wedding dress...I found this dress at Ann Taylor. I had a 30% off coupon so it was very reasonably priced after the discount. Keeping my fingers crossed that it looks as good in person. I always find it so tough to buy stuff online...what do you girls think? Â http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=26643&N=1200086&pCategoryId=3942&categoryId=4379&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_4379&defaultColor=Ivory&defaultSizeType=Regular

Linds - I'm starting to think I'm in the same boat as you...oh well, nothing I can do now. At least my TA is funny and nice...

Haha ready for this Linds- according to our contract we get a welcome sign, a welcome drink for the group, a fruit basket and wine, private check in and personalized assistance from the hotel staff…aren’t these things EVERYONE who checks into the Riu gets!?!? The ONLY perk I see is that with every 25 rooms paid for the 26th room is free, however we’re not going to have that many people going…  I shouldn't complain - our TA is doing a great job. It just seems strange because when we decided to go with the "group rate" I guess I was just expecting some sort of discount or something...oh well.

I figured it was something like that. Sorry...that's tough. Remember what all the girls are saying - it's your day! Don't let one person ruin it or the experience leading up to it... Â So I was all excited that our rates had dropped - well that was until I went onto the website and saw that we could have booked directly through the Riu for the same price. I feel like of stupid for putting down all this money to reserve rooms and a "special rate" that's not so special...when I talked to my travel agent about it she said that we still get other perks wtih the destinationweddings.com package, but for some reason I am not exactly buying it all now...oh well. At least with DW.com my guests have the option of the payment plans, which I know a lot of them are taking advantage of... Â Happy Friday ladies!

I saw some of your facebook posts...assuming some family members are not going to be able to make it? Everything ok? Â

Nic and Dana - we did a website too. www.ginnyandjoe.com I was hoping to make an update and add a few details but I think we've all covered most of the same stuff! :-) Â Aalva - I'd love to hear what types of info you put in your newsletter and the layout you chose...

Anyone doing a wedding website? If so, what types of things are you putting on them?

If only it didn't cost $500!...

Has anyone used Rosetta Stone to learn another language?

I'm second guessing my dress choice...thinking it might be too formal and there may be a better one out there. From what I hear this happens a lot, so I'm not stressing about it yet! Â Keeping my fingers crossed for you Dana that your second fitting is better than #1!!