mochamakes3

fmichelle - Nothing about a wedding is easy! Sorry you had to listen to your parents talk negatively. We figured out that no one was ever going to be happy with our choices, so we should at least pick what we wanted. You're right, if you're footing the bill, they should be happy you included them. The furthest my FMIL has been away from home is our house, five hours, and she once complained that she "had" to have an ocean view. I told her I couldn't guarantee that and to book her own trip if she wasn't happy with the arrangements we could make. There's always someone to complain. Lisa - I was going to go to Amols. I think I will ask around work about shipping to somewhere in Buffalo that will hold a package. I am just starting to get concerned about luggage space. I'm glad your dad has embraced the DW.

Lsmith - That is a gorgeous dress! I love the rose, mine has one too.

I bought rose petals for the ceremony. I'm going to make our accordian programs double as fans.

Congratulations Mrs! Welcome Back!

lsmith - Do you have pictures? Would love to see! Laura - I was thinking the same thing. I also worry that with cups or mugs people will have to wash them out so often. I hate to be wasteful, but the best choice for a cold drink is the small cups. Maybe you can get the bartenders to make drinks in beer cups?

Forgot to mention, I went to Michaels last night and they had small frames for $3.00. I'm going to check if they are cheaper in the U.S. and might use them as place card holders. They had lots of colors, but sadly no fuchsia. But they did have gold and turquoise. Here's a picture:

Laura - I know I searched all over to find trial packs. I'm so close to just swiping them from the first aid kit at work, but they are generic brands. Plus it's almost the same cost to just buy full size bottles. If I ever find some I will let you know.

Too bad they don't open until March. I would love to save the trip to Buffalo to order and again to pick up.

I wanted to do Maracas for our favors at the private dinner, does anyone think I'm nuts to try and find them in Cancun, about 40? For a decent price?

We are having a similar problem. Our palace membership entitles us to 2 free trips per room for a week long stay, but we can't reserve spots until we arrive on site. I tried to book through Xesquivel, I'm going to ask our WC if she can help us out. I figured we should be allowed, especially since we have already paid in full. I haven't had an issue with booking salon appointments though.

Yes, I meant inferior rooms from a discount retailer like Orbitz or Priceline. The same thing happens when you book a regular hotel room with them. We sent out almost 100 invites, which meant about 200 people, but only expect between 30-40. We have people from all different cities in the US and Canada, with different arrival and departure dates. So we arranged the room rates and are leaving flights up to the individual. I did contact an airline for a discount code, which is available 7 days before and after the wedding. The important thing is that your agent has experience with DW and maybe even MP.

krsmith - I don't know about the regular group rates because we are members and have to pay the member rates. For us, they paid 20% at time of booking with balance due two months before departure. But you can pay as much as you want at any time, you just call and ask to make a payment. My Miami coordinator is Pilar Fernandez, she was great in the beginning, sending contracts, answering questions, etc. But then once we signed the contract, she kind of disappeared. I actually had one person book through a TA because Pilar didn't return messages, email or phone. I got my Cancun WC assigned 6 months before the wedding because I wanted to book private events. Same thing, if you want to give them money, they are really quick. Otherwise, it takes a long time for a response. Now I have to work on getting info to the Cancun WC because we are 93 days out and I want to finalize some things. But at least I know my preferences have been reserved well in advance.

Congrats Erin! I find it's really flying by now that we're under 100 days!

Lisa, Maybe you could use some of those transparent treat bags? I agree that a bag might look empty. I bought cotton bags and ironed on our logo, but still don't have anything to put in them. Here's my list of what I would like to include; Advil/Tylenol Tums/Pepto Emergen-C Mints/Gum Aloe Bandaids Nail File Waterproof Card Holder I originally bought 18 bags, and planned on giving one to each, but since our numbers have increased, I will do the same as Teira, one per couple or individual.

Here I have been kicking myself for not getting a TA, so someone else could fight my battles. Sorry you girls aren't having the best luck.

For all the ladies staying more than 7 nights, the new Palace promo is $2K for 9+ nights. We have to cancel and rebook to get the difference, but it worked out.

I know I wouldn't want to spend my wedding week going to other resorts to visit people that didn't want to stay with us. Especially when you go out of your way to arrange a room block! We're waiting a while to find ties. Hopefully, the spring colors come out soon. Probably end of February?

So to answer your question, rooms booked through any other method will not count towards your group. I would figure out how people you think would actually book through your TA to see if it is a benefit. Why not get a quote directly from MP? I highlighted the second portion because if you book directly through MP you are not required to put a deposit on the reserved rooms. They hold the block and release them just before the wedding. Also, check the Palace Resorts website, the promo dollar amounts have changed. We cancelled and rebooked our reservation because we are staying 10 nights and are now entitled to $2000.

I've completely given up on tracking people. FI assures me that after his Vegas bachelor party, his friends will start booking. I just want the definite No's back!

Best advice for finding a TA is to click on the link for the amazing ladies that started and run this forum. They have access to great rates and obviously have a ton of experience dealing with DW. If guests book on their own, they won't count towards your group booking perks. And I've been told that those rates are lower because they have inferior rooms. For example, at MP you get a different colored bracelet based on Palace member, non-member, honeymoon, etc.

No idea! It has to be something very special because she has been the best supportive friend through everything, even all my wedding drama!

Teira - I thought about renting a room, but not sure if they would appreciate the photographers bringing in all kinds of lighting equipment! Umm... no, we're not making porn, they are tasteful boudoir shots for my future husband. That and you never know about how a hotel will be decorated. Might be okay for a high end hotel, not so great for anywhere else. Wedding Tasks for the Week: Individual mini tiered cakes for shower need to be iced and decorated, BM dress shopping on Friday, Hostess gift for shower, Dress for shower, Pick up FI's suit, Pick up FI's ring hopefully it will be ready, Maybe find dress for FMIL, Make final menu decisions for private event and try to pack for 10 weeks in the Canadian prairies!

Laura, if you do a photo share account online, I'm sure you'll end up with some beautiful shots. Even some candid shots that you don't know people are taking can turn out to be the best.

I was driving to work this morning and had the radio tuned to a different station than normal, and heard the perfect song to walk down the aisle. Marry Me, by Train. It's so perfect, even the tempo! So now I almost have all our ceremony songs picked, just need one for the recessional.

The whole time, I was worried FI would come home early and freak out about what was going on. I really hope he likes them, and that I can wait to give them to him. Laura - I hope your FI's parents step up to their offer. When we bought our house, FI's parents said they would help out. I knew money was tight in their house, so I wasn't expecting them to even offer. I think they just offered because they knew my parents helped out with the appliances. They never did help out, so I would have preferred if they never offered. Especially since a couple months later, FI had to help them out!