amandamarieb
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Posts posted by amandamarieb
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Wow, that's a great point about the cocktail hour. I know just the right friend to wrangle everyone.Quote:
Originally Posted by amybermuda 
Haha I know what you mean. It was more just fun having lights and smoke - I think the pictures will be cute. I'll post some of mine, I know how it could be construed as cheesy but everything else was classy so I think thats what made it cute
Um well from my personal experience, a cocktail reception wont help that and neither will a schedule! My mom of all people went back to her room at 7pm (start of the reception) and missed our entrance and had to stand by the DJ during our first song.
I almost think no cocktails and telling ppl the reception starts 15 mins early would have made people more prepared. I had to tell some of my friends to go into the reception at 7pm - they were like "why?" and I said "I am waiting here to get announced, everyone should be sitting down now." and my friends were like "oh!" haha If I had to do it over, think I would ask a friend to help the WCs do that as ppl don't always pay attention to the resort staff.
The salad was $4 extra and everyone LOVED it. It was spicy and delicious.
I'll have to talk to my fiance about it though. We are flyig across the country to Boston tonight so I plan on forcing him to review wedding stuff with me while we are on the plane. Hopefully that works. I need to make some decisions!
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I am actually moving my ceremony flowers to the recpetion and placing them in blume boxes. (I am getting full-on bouquets and handging them from the chairs closest to the aisle. Because they are bouquets they can be easily picked up and plopped into the blume boxes.) I am also going to Jo-An fabric and having different pieces/styles of beautiful vintage inspired fabircs cut and will places those large fabric squares underneath the blume boxes. That way I don't have to pay beyond the whte table clothes which are included but each table will have some personal flare.Quote:
Originally Posted by mzgillis316 HI I have a question...what did everyone do about the centerpeices? I am really struggling between bringing down things or just picking the ones from the resort. My dilemma is even though i may only pay 25 buxs for silk flowers and a vase, I may still end up spending almost 50 to 60 buxs in checking luggage. I'm just not sure if its worth the hassle
I had gone back and forth with a lot of other, and much more creative ideas, but the hassle of bringing things with me and having to assemble things there really put me off. I think it is easier this way and am sure it will still look lovely. -
Actually I should clarify, I am getting 20% off private receptions...wouldn't that be the same thing?Quote:
Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach Very interesting.......we were told that we could not have 20% off of the reception, only other "private events." I'm really frustrated with the inconsistencies. I had a minor photog fiasco too and it is all starting to leave a poor taste in my mouth. And this is just month one of planning and Q&A. :-(
If you don't mind me asking, who is your DW.com TA
? We are considering cancelling because I'm more frustrated with the communication or lack thereof, than a bride to be should be in month one. :-( 
At one point I almost canceled too....was getting frustrated with the unwillingness of the resort to budge on things and how much I was going over budget but that said, I had to step back and look at it from a distance. And I have not gotten married there yet but all the other girsl come back and say how wonderful it is and that it was all worth it and that they wished that they would have stop sweating the other stuff. So that is what I am working on.
And I do understand your frustrations with DW.com. In fact, my WC isnt always so responsive. I often have to send her 2 or 3 follow up emails before she gets back to me. I even went to her boss and complained. It really did little to fix the situation. Seems like she has a lot of brides and is always traveling/vacationing for work. (It's Camille with DW) She also was very hesitant to help my guests over the phone...that's a no-no for me as many of my family members simply refuse to use a computer and would never send their cc info in.
However, again I try to put it into perspective. My wedding is 4 months away, so as long as things are done far enough out and she gets back to me I will try not to freak out.
My only fear is that there will be some last minute problem and no one will be around to help. I guess that's what they have the 24 hour hotline for. -
This is amazing! Thank you for sharing!Quote:
Originally Posted by amybermuda My DJ was awesome. Everyone raved about him. Here is the list of songs I sent them ahead of time. They added some others here and there. I wish I would have given some sample songs for the dinner too. There was some cheesey-ish music that I didn't like - but then he brought out "Thats Amore" and the tables were singing during the main courses! The DJ helped b/c he had a smoke machine, lights, baloons, and glow sticks. So if you do it yourself, I would maybe bring some props with you.
Here is where I would have saved if I did it over again: removed the cocktail party (could have just gone to the pool bar - no one ate the food), gone with house/free wine, limited flowers, plus I used their white tablecloths/napkins for free and add runners on tables ($5-$7 per runner). I personally would not like to remove the DJ unless I had someone who would watch the music for me. The wedding on Thurs before mine they did their own music and they all had a blast - so its good either way I think!
Here are the songs for our reception. I have burned a CD in case the DJ needs them. Note they are in iTunes' file format, not mp3. Just want to make sure
the DJ can play that file type.
Bride and Groom Entrance: Best Friend by Weezer - start at 0:34
First Dance: This Kind of Love by Sister Hazel
Father Daughter: Wild World by Cat Stevens
Mother Son: Forever Young by Alphaville
For music choices, during dinner we like slower music, but upbeat. For dancing music, we like newer stuff like Lady Gaga and The Black Eye Peas. Here are some songs we like below.
I've added some oldies type music at the bottom. Thanks!
Some song choices are:
I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
No One by Alicia Keys
Fire Burning by Sean Kingston
Dangerous by Akon
Single Ladies by Beyonce
Evacuate the Dance Floor by Cascada
Disturbia by Rhianna
So What by Pink
Good Girls Go Bad by Cobra Starship
Whatever you Like by TI
I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Down Under by Men at Work
Your Song by Elton John
Make you Feel My Love by ADELE
Breathless by Corrine Bailey Rae
Sail Away by David Gray
Low by Flo Rida
Right Round by Flo Rida
Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus
And oldies like:
Take a Chance on Me
Give It Up
I Got you Babe
Build me Up Buttercup
Life is Rollercoaster
(I cant Get No) Satisfaction
Brown Eyed Girl
That should be enough for the DJ to get an idea of what we like.
I think we will prob go with the DJ so we don't have to burden anyone with the music responsibilty and I also really want some announcing to be done.
Please don't take this the wrong way but...the smoke machine and glo sticks, they didn't come off cheesy? I guess I just picture a rave in my head.
As far as the cocktail reception goes, I also thought that we could do away with it but mom and fiance are pretty adament. My mom is scared that if we don't have one some guests will linger by the bar too long or make a pit stop at thier rooms and miss our "entrance" as Mr & Mrs into the reception. (Wow, Mr and Mrs...i got the chills just typing that. That's the first time that happened to me.)
Plus I think we are leaning towards the set menu of surf and turf so we wanted to do a cocktail party so guests would have some food variety. We orginally were going to go with the italian family style but with a cocktail reception and cake that makes 7 courses and no way guests are going to eat all that. Seems crazy to me to have that much food (and pay for that much food) at an all-inclusive where food is already included. You know?
I think you may have mentioned this before...did you add a salad to your meals? Do you know how much that was per person?
Alright enough about me! I also wanted to tell you that I love your song choices! I didn't even think of Cta Stevens but what a good choice. Funny story, that song plays A LOT on the oldies station here in LA and everytime I've heard it for the past 5 or so years I got really choked up but didn't know why. Somehow or another I was talking to my mom about that and she said that she used to sing me that song to put me to sleep when I was a baby. Now that I have a little one ofmy own...makes it mean even more. -
Amy (
forgot to ask you...how did you like your DJ? Did you use the one offered by Lomas? Was it worth it? We def are big dancers as are our friends but as we are trying to cut a little from everywhere on budget, we haven't decided about the DJ.
Thanks in advance!
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Interesting...I booked through DW.com but my WC said it is not offered to me. I am getting 20% off the private reception, cocktail hour and cake. In addition to the "bride and groom stay free package" I put that in quotes bc we arent really staying for free. We basically get a refund after the fact from DW.com for the lowest level room and the minimum number of nights stayed...so about $900 back. Not free but I guess I will take what I can get.Quote:
Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach Quote:
We were offered that same incentive for booking by using destinationsweddings.com by December 2010. Just FYI.............
I am gonnna go back and ask my TA about the free cocktail party though. Maybe she can work something out. Fingers crossed.
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Originally Posted by amybermuda
I wonder if you had the same lady we did. DH said she was really nice before the ceremony and calming. She read our ceremony perfectly and even edited some parts wher I had grammatical errors. I'll post my ceremony script later for anyone who is interested.
Welcome back! Sorry I have been MIA. Life's been crazy but so glad to hear that everything worked out for you! I can't wait to hear more and see your pics! I can't believe that you have to wait so long for them. I would go crazy!!!
I would love it if you post your script. That's one of my next big to-do's and I am at a total loss on where to start. -
Lindz- Here are my to-do's!
- Register (hopefully today and yes I realize we are very behind on this)
- Order fiance's wedding band
- Recieve and sign photog contract
- Request rates for a BD shoot (Chris Schmidt?)
- Work-out
- Begin Qt Extreme Cleanse
-Order gold bags for rose petals
- Follow up on quote for real touch flowers and possibly order blume boxes
- Make sure photo booth stand will work
- Find images and begin mock-up of post-cards using for guest book
- Send mom guest list so she can keep track of RSVP cards
-Begin searching for table card holders that will fit the polaroid-type photos from the photo booth
-Receieve suit swatch samples and email groomsmen to order (assuming we like the swatches)
-Start thinking baout hair and make-up
-Start writing ceremony
-Figure out DJ
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Originally Posted by KittenHeart Really?
Thanks! I just emailed and requested a quote...but the auto reposnse says that she's know taking order to be shipped in Nov 2010 and into 2011. Oh no! I need my flowers by the last week of September.
Any other brides use real touch and have a vendor referral? -
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Originally Posted by KittenHeart Really?Hmmm...thanks. I will check this out.
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Good luck with everything. Please keep us posted.Quote:
Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz Thanks for the advice!!! I agree with all of you. I will send her a stern email this weekend. Well, and in her defense about her blog, go to her "new site." It's laurenharrisphotography.com. I am not sure why she still has that old blog up. But yes, she seems unorganized! -
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Originally Posted by chong Am I over reacting about the flower cost? Looks like for me & FI, 3 bridesmaids & 3 groomsmen will cost me about $1000 or more. I know flowers are expensive but REALLY? Is this typical? I am wondering if I need to get silk flowers... though I am not sure if it's that much cheaper. Any thoughts? Am I over reacting about the price?
Chong
Take a deep breath and look at Lomas options. I had originally sent a ton of pictures of lfowers that I wanted and they quoted me outrageous numbers. I decided to go with some flowers that are on Lomas list. (And I have seen flowers that some of the other girls have gotten there and they have been stunning, really beyond my expectations.)
They are charging me $60 for each bridesmaids bouquet and $30 for each of the guys. I am splurgin on my flowers and getting the ones I want. That will be about $300. So all in all around $600.
I thought about silk but I couldnt find anything other thanlily's and orchids. I want more traditional ivory roses and green hydranges so silk is out for me. -
No don't panic just crazy that we will both be married so soon! Ah...exciting stuff!Quote:
Originally Posted by chong Haha... Thanks. I guess my math little bit off. I still saying I have 6 months to go. I guess it's coming a lot faster than I have expected. I still have sooo much to do. Maybe I should panic right now. BREATH!!!
Chong -
Actually I think Wendy did a tasting. Also, from what I've heard the cakes taste incredible! They might not always look pretty (wel that's if you order butter cream instead of fondant, right WEndy) but I hear they are so good that you won't have any left.Quote:
Originally Posted by chong So... how did you guys picked the cake flavor? We are kinda bummed about the fact that there will be NO cake tasting. We love cake! Is there enough time to do the cake tasting at the resort and then have them make the cake while we are there? Is it too risky?
Any recommendation?
Chong
Also, I think that both Wendy and Amy did flavors not offered in the banquet kit. Question for you ladies, did you have to pay more for different flavors? -
Chong darling....wedding is in 4 1/2 months. I know it is hard to believe but it is really right around the corner for us both! We both better get to working out. I had started the Chelene Extreme program but stopped because me and everyone in my house got the somach flu. I am traveling this weekend to NYC but when I get back me and Chalene have a date to get fit.Quote:
Originally Posted by chong Your own recipe! I didn't think about that.. that is a great idea. We might have to try some of our own recipe and see if anything worth serving to our guests
P90X?!?! Wow... my friend started it and just gave up after a week or so of hard workout. He was always sore and hungry I do envy your nice arms!!! I started to work out hard but not sure if I will have those nice arms like your by October. though it is almost 6 months away... I just need to motivated for next 6 months. wow... thinking about it already makes me tired
chong -
Amy I forgot to mention how freaking amazing your arms look in your signature photo. I mean...I want those arms. What do I have to do to get arms like that?
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Looks like everything went off great! You looked beautiful. Congrats and welcome back!Quote:
Originally Posted by ~Katie~ hey ladies...again! my TTD pro-pics are now up on my facebook so check them out if you want....and add me if you're not my 'facebook friend' already! I'm Katie Day (wow that sounds weird!!) and my profile pic is me and hubby on our wedding day so should be easy enough to find...I hope!!
pro pics of wedding day should be on tomorrow...still sorting through those ones!!
Muchos love amigos
Where on the resort did you have your ceremony? I don't think I've seen that spot before. -
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Originally Posted by taylorwd Amanda, LOVE your ideas!!! I think you can pull them off, including hanging a frame from the sky deck gazebo.
You're making a photo booth? Do tell.
I like Amazing Wedding Cakes!
Thanks guys.
Oh and by making a photo booth I mean I am getting some fun vintage fabric and having it hand from this 8' tall collapsable event banner thingy. (I have no idea what to call it. I do PR so it was a client's from an event... basically a retractable hook on either end of a self standing poll.) We bought this great polaroid type camera that prints out mini photos that have an aged feel to them. We are going to leave the camera on the table next to the booth with directions on how to operate. We are going to bring a box of props for people to use in their photos. Then we are ordering antique looking placard frames that fit the mini polaroid-type photos.
So not a real photo booth by any means, but a make-shift one...I hope everyone likes it but I know my friends love to take pics of themselves so it should work out.
The thing about hanging the large frame from the gazebo on the sky deck is that there doesn't seem to be a beam that runs horizontally except for the one in the very front or the one in the very back and I think it would look best in the middle. Maybe if I bring heavy duty wire we could hang in the middle by attaching the wire to the beams on the outside of the gazebo. Hmm. Maybe I'll have to give this more thought. -
That's so smart! I'll have to look into that too.Quote:
Originally Posted by KittenHeart Wendy I agree, it's funny now, I was in hysterics Friday night and about to have a total meltdown wedding day... whew so glad it worked out!
Well I actually got lucky and found photos of a cake that AS had already made for someone elses wedding and gave them that photo of it! So I knew there were able to make it again
And I love cake shows too Wendy! In fact, I was watching Ace of Cakes this weekend and a bride had her 10 tier (yes 10 and no, I am not requesting that many...could you imagine?) with mini photo frames and black and white photos of their family friends etc in different ones. The frames were places on every level of the cake...the cake was tibute to everyone that they love. so sweet.
I would love to do something similar especially because we are doing a whole antique frame theme. (Antique frame placards that will then work as a favor so guests can put the pix of themselves in the photo booth that I am making. I was also thinking about bringing some antique frames, one for each member of the bridal party and taking some fun group shots with them. Oh the ideas go on and on....I really want to hang a large frame from the wooden gazeboo on the sky deck. The frame would go behind us and "frame the sky" but I dont know how feasible that is. Also, found a cute wedding cake topper with the bride and groom holding a frame around thier faces. Problem is that the groom is wearing a black tux and fiance will not be. Oh well.)
Babbling rant over. Thanks for listening. -
Thanks for all of this. Really, very helpful!Quote:
Originally Posted by KittenHeart I did have the donkey! People loved it, best decision by far! They were all blown away and petted him and gave him some attention, it was nice.
Add me! My name is Amy Fitch My photog posted pics on his page Chris Schmitt Photography
Irina & Liliana were my coordinators. They even set up tastings for both my signature drinks, loved it!
The pool was nice and warm, it was also pretty hot while we were out there.
You know, I didn’t check to see if the teens club was open, we always ended up crashing the adult swim up bar after hours and hanging out at Mojito’s. Which did seem to be the only nightlife.
Thank you! I haven’t put up any pictures of my Le Blanc stay as of yet, that is an UNBELIEVABLE resort. Very chic and was the perfect spot to wind down. Our crowd wouldn’t have enjoyed it though, it has NO nightlife and it’s very quiet and peaceful, definitely not somewhere you could party all night.
Thank you!
I had 35 guests and to be honest, I don’t know how I would have handled more than this, LOL!
Zavaz is much more open and more space. I don’t believe Zocalo al Fresco where I had mine is an option any longer and I don’t think 60 people would be comfortable there. Besides it would be much LESS hot at Zavaz since you’d have a breeze, we all were sweating to death on Zocalo but didn’t mind, we all did a pool after party @ midnight to cool off before heading to Mojitos.
I did like my DJ, he did all the announcing, very well, coordinated with everything, faded our first dance song perfectly, used all my dinner music suggestions and kept everyone dancing. I got really anal on my do not play list, they send you a huge spreadsheet of songs and I went through the whole thing but they played a few songs I asked not to play. No biggie, didn’t really affect anything.
They are open until 2am… but my brilliant MOH & her husband took note of what we were all drinking and ordered 14 drinks which they brought out to us on a tray and let us hang out there as long as we wanted (4:30am) we didn’t have to tip well, they are just really lax about that stuff.
Two more questions for you: what food did you have/did you like it? AND Did you have a cake/ how did it turn out? (hopefully better than poor Wendy with the cakewrecks.com cake. )
Thanks!!!! -
Ha. Too funny. I was thinking about that because I will be there 5 whole days before the wedding. I want to have a nice glow but don't want to be too tan. Like a Jersey Shore Bride or something.Quote:
Originally Posted by KittenHeart I wanted to pass along some little tidbits of advice I got from some of my married friends that really helped me with my wedding day!
Some not so glamorous advice... I had a bride friend suggest taking some Tylenol PM the night before the wedding to get a good night’s rest. I am the epitome of "too excited to sleep" so I took this and got a solid 8 hours of rest and felt fresh and energized all day long on my wedding, some of the best advice I've ever gotten.
Another piece of advice was to not lose track of hubby for too long during the reception. We go to parties and social events and we basically arrive together and leave together and that it, so remembering to break that habit on my wedding day was something I was so grateful for. We danced, drank and enjoyed the night together without missing out on the separate mingling every once in awhile.
Also, no matter what. Do not worry about ANYONE else except you and your soon to be husband on your wedding day. My wedding day was EXTREMELY stressful leading up to the ceremony. Just sit back, get ready and don't freak out. Don't worry about anyone but yourself all night long and you'll be fine.
Just so you know, this is why I freaked wedding day before the ceremony. Friday actually forgot to put sunscreen on my face... I burn especially in that heat and I got to my room to shower and get ready for the rehearsal dinner and see my face all burnt. Nose red, forehead red with a nice little white shape of sunglasses over my eyes. I had a freaking meltdown... I started doing my makeup and I had so much different cover-up on it started caking so I had to wash my face and start over which made it more red and this is on my wedding day. So my girls took me on the patio, handed me champagne and a cigarette, put a wet cloth on my face and just changed the subject. I calmed down after that and my MOH actually found some green red reducing makeup that saved the day and my face. I just can't believe I did that... oh man, I worked out but wow what a heart attack.
So don't be so excited to go to the pool that you sunscreen your entire body except your face
Glad it all worked out and great save on the green make-up. Wherever did you find that down there?
Also, great advice and some I will try to keep in mind. -
Amy, this all sound so great! I am so happy for you! I saw the pictures and it looked like everyone had a blast. I cannot wait to hear your full review but in the meantime, I have a couple of questions.Quote:
Originally Posted by KittenHeart OMG... I can't believe I actually stressed over the weather at all. I was there for 12 whole days and not ONE drop of rain, not one cloudy day, it was just gorgeous beautiful skies. It was actually more like hot. High 80's for sure. The evenings only cooled down to 70's and were never COLD. I never needed a light cardigan or even a pashmina, I couldn't believe it. The weather right now is to die for, seriously you'll be so pleased! We had our reception at Zocalo al Fresco the covered open air restaurant patio and we were all sweating and hot all night because we were dancing. The whole wedding party even arranged with my photographers to do a group shot of them jumping in the pool afterwards which was hilarious. We even crashed the adult swim up bar for the after party to my wedding... since it was closed we all raided our fridges for the Tecate light they stock it with and hung out there for awhile to cool off, then partied up at the Mojito lounge until 4am.
The cigar roller was great. It wasn't a surprise, FI actually insisted we get one I wish it would have been announced or something because he was so quiet and there rolling away and I didn't even know. I actually had to start dragging people over because they didn't notice he was there and people were asking me after he had already left where I got my cigar that I was smoking... the whole thing. They gave me boxes after he left so I just put them on my table and had them go grab whatever they wanted.
My bridesmaid Shawna took that and 200 of the pictures that are up on my FB, she's a talented girl who uses a run of the mill camera if you can believe it.
I was chatting with Katie on Saturday and she was still in Mexico supposed to leave Sunday. She thought she may have a couple day delay due to London airports being closed but didn't know. She should be back any day now. She told me she had a wonderful wedding as well and I saw a sneak of some of her photos, she looked gorgeous and is completely blissfully a Mrs.
How many guests did you have? (I think I'll have around 60 and was going to have the reception in the Zavaz plaza but your recpetion looked great...wondering if that's still an option and if I have too many people. I don't think my WC listed it as an option. Bummer.)
How did you like your DJ?
And the Mojito bar stays open that late? Did you just tip really well and they satyed?
Thanks!!!
And again. CONGRATS! -
Awesome. Thank you!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by amybermuda Our group is 28 people - we have 3 vans which fit 12 people each. 3 vans in at 7:30pm 1 van home at 11pm and 2 vans home at 2am - total cost was $336. I dont know what the price per van would have been though! I used the same company I mentioned in my earlier post today. -
I also used them to book 2 vans to take us into Cancun one night to go clubbing. They are picking us up at 11pm and 2 am (depending on when people are ready to go back to the hotel) .
I also used Paradise Catamarans - if you are booking this I would call/email right away. A ton of girls on this site are using them. Just to be safe to get your date.QUOTE]
I was also planning on getting a couple of vans and taking a group of 30 or so. (Wow, maybe even more than that now that I am thinking about it) to Playa for the night.
Would you mind telling how much it was for each van and how many people fit in each one? Thanks so much!
Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!
in Destination Wedding in Riviera Maya, Cancun & surrounding areas
Posted
Good luck!
I will post a picture of my flowers. I ordered real touch stems and rented vases from Lomas. Kiara negotiated my vase price down for my by 50%! So I had the submerged orchid stems in 3 different colors, 3 different size vases with a floating candle on top, I thought it looked gorgeous.
I did something so similar! I had vintage lovebird playing cards I found, all different and put them in holders on the seating cards table and had my MOH's mom artistically write the instructions on the chalkboard. It worked out, everyone figured out how to match their bird card to their table, I loved it
You're right, you're bouquet is GORGEOUS!!
I can't wait to see a photo of your centerpieces. They sound lovely. Everytime I hear what you girls have done, I change my mind.
Love the love-bird playing card ideas. I am also doing placards in small photo frames. We using antiquey ooking photo frames that will also hold the polaroids from our photo booth. So they double as favors. I haven't decided how we are doing the table numbers yet. I was thinking of doing vintage images of the cities we have lived in (Baltimore, Austin, New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Amsterdam) but I think I might have 10 tables so that won't be enough. Hmm..what to do?