celestial419

Shes2013- Congrats and Welcome!

Prices and open reservations will not be available for the resort probably 10 months outs.  I remember planning my wedding and wanted to set a date right away but I had to wait until the resort opened the reservations for the next year.  For the best costs, I would not recommend going throught the direct RIU site, I noticed their prices are a little inflated.  For a party of 20 guests, try finding a travel agent that can book your flights, coordinate your car services to and from the airport, and have them find you the best deals. 

I had about 14 ppl total and went through this site and found a travel agent.  Wendy Hicks was awesome!  Travel agents usually can price match if prices go down throughout the year and should not charge you any extra fees. 

As for the cocktail hour, my guests had a cocktails by the lobby while they waited for us to finish taking pictures.  We didn't serve food at cocktail, they just had drinks by the bar and it seemed fine with everyone, since the resort feeds you so well.   After cocktail, we had a private dinner.  We didn't have a full on reception and didn't really mind.  With less than 20 people, it was very intimate and was perfect.  We did bring our our music system and had our first dance as well as dances with mom and dad.  Believe me, with or without a reception, your friends and family will not care (hopefully).  I felt the same way about not having the traditional reception with the bouquet toss, music and dancing.. but in the end it was perfect not having all of that.  No matter what, they will be talking for years about how great your destination wedding was! 

Being married just a year ago, our guests want us to all go back and do it all over again.

finally some action on this thread!!  It's been awhile since I've been on here.. anyways

Welcome new Brides and Congrats!!!  RIU was the best and you will not be disappointed. 

Hi Nicyx!!  can you believe it was a year ago since we were on here planning our weddings.

Thought I'd also share my Thank You cards...

I don't have much left but I know these could use a good home:

Thank You cards: $10 (SOLD)

3.5x5 top fold cards, qty. 30, comes with white envelopes

Ann Taylor earrings: $15

brand new, never used. drop earrings

Fans:  $5 for all (SOLD)

very simple paper & wooden fans,  qty. 26

Glitter decor: $3 for all (SOLD)

Green glitter palm fronds (2 small & 4 large)

blue glitter accents (2)

Coils & plastic holders: FREE (SOLD)

Qty. 5 each

Postcards:  FREE

I have about 50-70 of each

Thanks ladies!

Sherio- yes i have 2 bands on both sides of the e-ring.  It worked out perfectly- one is engraved with our anniversary and legal day date.. and the other has our DW date.   

Originally Posted by Sherio9090 

Celeste, you did an outstanding job!  I can only hope that my DIY stuff comes out half as well as yours did.  I can't believe you found those bags at the Dollar Store, and to think I was going to pay $17 each for something similar.  I have to ask, because I have a halo type ring as well, did you get two bands to go on both sides of your e-ring?

 

 

beautiful pics Nic!  I love the ones when you both are jumping..looks like you guys are having a blast.

Awesome job!  I love the polka dots!

NicMatt- Congrats & Welcome!!  You won't regret your decision.. Riu is awesome!

Riu was definitely a great resort!!  My hubby and I are already planning on going back for our 1 yr anniversary

Nic- Welcome back! and congrats!  Did you have a good time at RIU?? happened at the airport?

I sent you a pm. 

hi Cherriena!  Welcome & Congrats!  any questions about RPRM, don't hesitate to ask.. everyone here has been very helpful!

Thanks again everyone!  Just got back from Mexico and had the time of my life!  Everything was a hit from the cups to the maracas!  I will try to send the templates out tonight for those who requested.

These cups were actually a hit with our guests!  Everyone used them by the pool/beach and other hotel guests said they were a great idea to keep frozen drinks cold.  Since I had only 17 ppl going, I packed in a large luggage.  just make sure you bring receipts with you for customs..in case they inspect ur bags. 

V- so at the cocktail hour.. will there be an ipod hookup or cd player available for us to do our first dance and such?? or do we bring our own?  or pay for the equipment?

Thanks Nic-

I was going to pic that song as part of the ceremony but changed my mind..  i think i'll be using these

1 Canon in D

2 Marry me by Train

3 More than words- instrumental

4 ??? something upbeat

Are you doing any music for the reception?

I wish I was done with work.  lucky you!  My last day isn't until Friday. 

I took today off and my day was sooo filled with appointments and errands that it seems like I didn't get any packing done. 

V or past brides..  during the ceremony how many songs do I need to have if I choose to bring my own music? is it 4 or am i missing something?

-wedding party entrance

-bride entrance

-signing of certificate???

-ending

Originally Posted by TigerLily 

 

Hi Amara~ I don't know where Celeste got hers, but I got the same exact iron-ons @ Michaels- the best part is that they were only $1 each (they came asst- they had flower girl, mrs, and a few others).

 

Then I just bought the tank tops at Old Navy on sale for $5 bucks. I made them for my 2 girls...much cheaper than the $20-$25 ones I've seen online...it only took a few minutes to iron them on, and they came out really good!

 

 

 

YES! That's exactly what I did.. iron ons from Michaels and tanks from Old Navy.. less than $6 per top.  thank you TigerLily!

I really tried to stay budget conscious and anything I could do myself... I did. 

Thank you all for your compliments!!  I honestly must give credit to this site since I got bits and pieces from soo many past brides. 

Originally Posted by Nicyx 

We arrive the smae day then :-)

I cant wait to get into that mexicn sun.

 

Are you all packed and ready? We just have one or two things to sort out nothing major just a bit of packing i cant do til sat... just last mins stuff. Cant believe how organised we are....

 

The only thing is we DONT have our wedding music yet :-( We will concerntrate on that this week......

I am about 75% packed.. just some minor things.  we also haven't gotten the music together yet but I'm not really stressing over it.  

oh and btw.. thank you all for the nice compliments on my thread.  =) 

EXCITING!! Thank you Nic! 

I arrive exactly a week from today.. Sunday.

I'm soooo looking forward for some sun right now!

Thank you SeeFlowers! My FI did "real good"..lol 

btw.. GOOD LUCK  this week!!!  

Ok ladies.. my planning thread is ready.  enjoy!

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/72330/celestial-s-celeste-planning-journal-pic-heavy#post_1588548

First, thank you to all the ladies for the inspiration & great ideas.  I’m sorry that I don’t know each of your names who inspired me & also those who I stole ideas from.  Thank you.. Thank you .. Thank you!! This wedding would not be possible if it wasn’t for this site.  I immediately became obsessed when I found it.  Lots of my projects were DIY and also became a huge fan with Etsy.com.

Special shout outs to the RPRM brides!

ENGAGEMENT:

Shane and I got engaged last year in April, on our anniversary.  We knew we wanted a very intimate wedding with just our immediate family so why not do a destination wedding… everyone can get a vacation out of it also.

RINGS:

My FI very secretively plotted by email and phone calls with my aunt to get my e-ring- which was exactly what I wanted

LOCATION:

Riu Palace Riviera Maya

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

COLOR INSPIRATION:

Our favorite colors- mine green, his blue

THE DRESS:

After multiple boutiques & many many dresses, I found my dress at the last store we went to that day….surprisingly at Davids Bridal- Galina Signature

Hanger from Etsy.com - aressa

SHOES:

I definitely wanted my something“blue†to be my shoes.  I found these also at Davids Bridal

JEWELRY:

Necklace & bracelet- Ann Taylor (still deciding if I’m going to wear)

Earrings-Macys

HAIR: inspiration & flower

gardenia flower from Etsy.com – Mikiye Creations (an absolute doll to work with)

GROOMS ATTIRE:

Cubavera linen suit & converse

My FI doesn’t know I put this label on his socks.

MATRON OF HONOR:

Without question, I wanted my older sister as my MOH.  Since she lives 3000 miles away, I surprised her with a bouquet of flowers and asked if she would do me the honor and be my MOH.

MOH DRESS:

Davids Bridal

MOH GIFT:

Tiffany’s pearl earrings

Card from Etsy.com- GabrielleKearney (card says "Thank you for being my Maid of Honor"

BEST MAN:

Shane asked his younger brother to be his best man.

Linen pants & shirt from Cubavera.com & Chuck Taylors Converse

BESTMAN GIFT:

Flip UltraHD

Card from Etsy.com- GabrielleKearney (card says "Thank you for being my Best Man"

RING BEARER & JR. GROOMSMAN

My younger nephews will be wearing suits from Macys & Chuck Taylors Converse

BOYS GIFT:

My nephews are crazy about Super Mario Brothers. 

They are also VERY spoiled by their Auntie!

Flip Cameras

Cards from Etsy.com-SassandCharm

SAVE THE DATES:

This is what started all my DIYs.  I was soo excited about my wedding planning that I sent out my save the dates right away.. we ended up changing the date so I had to send out another mailing.  (luckily, only to a small group)

PASSPORTS-

Ayleebits.com (thank you to this site for the free templates)

I wanted to give out magnets so stuck them on the back of the passports. 

BOARDING PASS “We changed the Dateâ€

Also used templates from Ayleebits.com, I attached the magnets with removable glue dots.

INVITATIONS:

My DIY station

Inspiration from etsy

CEREMONY:

Chair sashes from LinensDirect.com

Maracas will be on each chair at the ceremony

Ring bearer will be holding our rings with this ring dish

Etsy.com – Palomas Nest

I also bought this from Etsy - SayYourPiece

Bouquet Inspiration:

Thank you to SCarp for the bouquet picture.

I wanted my Mom to be a part of my special day so I bought this mini frame.

I will be pinning it on my bouquet.

RECEPTION:

More DIYs:

Starfishes from Ebay-Wagners Southern Store

Instead of a book, I made these cards so that I can put them in a scrapbook.

DIY Chair Signs:

PHOTO ACCESSORIES from Etsy.com

MaroDesign- (Suzi is a wedding angel! My puppy got to a few of them so I reordered replacements.  The seller ended up replacing them for free and I just paid for shipping.  She also got it to me within the week. She’s amazing.)

CAKE:

Cake Inspiration:

Cake topper:

Etsy.com- Peanutbutterbandit

PRE-WEDDING BROCHURE & LUGGAGE TAGS

Sent these out 3-4 weeks prior.

OOT BAGS:

Bags from DollarTree

Bag tags were DIY

Postcards free from VistaPrint

(25)(3977 3978.1)

Wedding Survival Kit

Contents mostly from Target

• Aloe
• Hand sanitizer
• Tums
• Pepto bismol
• Motrin
• Chapstick
• Lifesavers mint
• First aid kit

Games from Michaels, Pashminas from 5Below

Insulated cups from Costco

Key/Money holder from Ebay, Coils from dollar store

Personalized Beach Towels- our biggest splurge for our guests.

Etsy.com-SunnyStitches1

Candles from Bath & Body

Welcome Brochures are DIY

OOT bags:

KIDS OOT BAGS:

Like I said before, my nephews are very spoiled by their Auntie

OTHER STUFF:

Free from VistaPrint

Card for FI: Etsy.com – Pistachio Press

Tank tops for Bride & MOH

Candlesticks found at 2^nd hand stores that I spray painted silver.  I thought I would use them as part of my centerpieces but am probably not going to use.

Our Legal Day:

We legally got married exactly 1 year from our engagement day & anniversary. (so that we don’t have to do blood work & paperwork at the resort)

Since some family & grandparents can't make it to Mexico we invited them to be a part of our “legal day.† We had a  minister come to our house for a quick 5 minute ceremony and then we went out for a nice lunch.

Dress: from Arden B.  (coincidentally looks like a mini version of my wedding dress)

Shoes: (something blue) from Forever21 (great bargain)

Hair piece: (friend made flowers and I added the peacock feathers)

Clutch: found at a 2^nd hand store on a trip to San Francisco

Favors: Dry Salsa mix from jotproducts.net (someone I met from work who made dry spices)

Since our guests couldn’t make it to Mexico, we brought a taste of Mexico to them.

OK. I think that’s all of it.

Happy Planning everyone!

PM me if you would like any templates.

great question Seeflower! was wondering the same thing..

Nic- Great job on your planning thread! 

Dana- is the minister's name Roberto?