beachbum21

4% to pay by cc?! WTF! That's crazy, they don't even pay that much in fees to MC/Visa so it's another way of making $$.

Pay by cash! Go where you get the best rate possible for currency exchange and pay them cash so you can avoid extra costs.

Originally Posted by starrysim 

Just wondering, are we charged taxes on top of all the wedding fees?  I'm asking because my quote from Tai Flora has 17% tax added on top.  Plus another 4% to pay by credit card.  Then an extra 2.5% that my credit card will charge for the USD transaction.  It really adds up!  I don't want an unpleasant surprise when we check out and pay for the wedding.

 

Can't believe I have less than a month to go!

hey there!

I have not read great things about that site, google them & reviews and you should be able to find something. During my search, I contacted several places including Flight Center, CAA, itravel, red tag, etc... I wound up with an independent TA.  If I were to do it again, I would likely go with CAA. They had great customer service, responded very quickly to my questions and had comparable rates to the rest of the them. They were also very professional and I'm certain my guests would have had a very positive experience in dealing with them.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by ShellyCarter 

Hey guys, since were all canadian.

I was wondering who everyone is booking with.

My wedding is May 14,2012  and i contacted 2 travel agents and the quotes i got

was the same as everyone booking on thier own.

soo i need some help with a candian travel agent of sites to book with.

 

Has anyone used destination weddings.com?

 

 

 

I just signed up for Luxe Box! Can't wait to get the first one in November!!!!!!! Thanks again for sharing!

Originally Posted by janette34 

My first Luxe Box arrived today.  For $12 a month you receive premium samples and sometimes full sized products of high end brands.  My Luxe Box contained the following:

 

Lise Watier Flash Lift Radiance Vial

Chole Eau de Parfum

Olay ProX Eye Restoration Complex

City Cosmetics Lip Plumping Treatment

Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment

$25 Off purchase of $75 or more at Deluxe.ca

Here are some pictures of the box

Hey girls!

Was just on BTR and saw some really cute "I Do" cufflinks for men!! For any brides who's FI's are wearing suits

http://www.beyondtherack.com/member/invite/NND5E0AF48D

Ooooh, Love the present to yourself every month! I think I just might have to sign up!

Janet - have a wonderful time! Can't wait to see your planning thread!

I had to share girls, the FI and I just booked our off-site wedding! We finally made a decision and are going to have our ceremony and reception on a private beach!! I'm so excited to finally have that decision made and the day booked!

happy planning!

Originally Posted by hatfiehm 

Janet:: so so excited for you! I can't wait for your review and pics of the day . Enjoy every minute and have a great holiday and honeyMoon!
Janette: that is so funny I was going to post in here to the girls about luxe box! I didn't gt a chance to take a pic of the gorgeous packaging. I felt so special when I opened it up. Its all personalized including the card that describes the products. I think the Chloe eau de parfum sample is my fav so far. Will try the morrocan oil tomorrow though.
Girls if you love luxury products but hate paying for a full size one that you don't end up liking, this is a great service. I signed up for a whole year in advance but you don't have to! It's $12 a month including shipping!! Pretty cool! It's like a present I send to myself monthly. Who doesn't love surprises!!

Hey Luvmoo! If escalation doesn't work with the place you got them from I would find something at a store like Jacob or rw or sears, etc... Even bridal shops you will run the risk that they differ in color if they aren't ordered from the same place at the same time plus it will be expensive. I picked dresses from Jacob and they are perfect! They are flowy and beachy and 50 a dress. Good luck!! name="luvmoo" url="/t/74816/canadian-brides/980#post_1684443"]

Hey Ladies!!! 

I am in a bind right now.. and i am hoping to vent and lean on you ladies.. i am a cross between crying and laughing.... and really not sure where to go from here! 

Soo! I have a maid of honor and two bridesmaids. Each girl ordered their own dresses ( all the same dress, and same website) and each one of them had several issues with the dress when it came in. #1, all three of them ended up being different colors... so we added different shades of blue to our wedding colors to make it work around the dresses.. which was no problem.. The last bridesmaid just got her dress on Friday.. and it is absolutely hideous!!!!  

i have attached pictures below, so you could see the difference in two of the dresses... the first one is okay.. the 2nd one.. just horrendous!!! when we complained to the company.. they told us that they looked just fine and they thought the dress is beautiful.. and that the two dresses below are close enough to eachother and will look good in the wedding..  and they will not refund us nor will they make a new one. they told us they will make a new one for a discounted price of 60.00 USD, plus shipping.  and they told us if we really don't like it, then we can take it to  a tailor to get fixed... At this point.. i am sooo angry.. I don't want to look at these dresses ever again. it is just ruined for me.. and now i find them all ugly.. lol

I am just soo upset! i am 4 months away from my wedding.. and I now have these horrendous dresses that do not match... and the last pic below.. looks NOTHING like online..  I can't make the girls buy a 2nd dress.. so my FI and I are now forced to buy 3 dresses we didn't budget for.. which sucks.. but the other thing is.. now what?! The bridesmaid that got the bottom pictured dress.. is now being very difficult.. and doesn't want to order a dress online.. but i have three bridesmaids that are all different sizes, and one that lives in a different city..  

The dresses below, it is hard to see in the 2nd pic, as it was a close up of the embellishment... but the sash on the front is different.. the material is flowy in the front on the first dress.. but just sewn on the front in the 2nd one.. The dress is absolute garbage... 

Does anyone have any suggestions on maybe a good REPUTABLE place for good dresses ?  I just really don't even know what to do... ugh.. ANY suggestions would be super helpful ladies!!

*sigh* Thanks for listening ladies.. and DONT order ANYTHING from dressale.com  

You can find a veil on ebay for under $25 w/ shipping. I was looking there for them, am going to pick one up myself.

Originally Posted by MJKH 

Ok, so when you're back from your fabulous wedding, I have a question for you or anyone else (former brides, photogs) that might have some feedback.  As I'm only wanting to have a veil for the photoshoot after the wedding...or perhaps at the TTD also...do you think I could get away with just buying like 2 or 3 yards of a very fine tulle/net?  Or should it be a proper veil?  I don't want to spend big bucks on one...and I'm nowhere near a David's Bridal, where everyone seems to have scored some super cheap ones! 

 

These are really great! I'm also incorporating starfish into the wedding and am using fake starfish bought in the US as the place cards - they'll serve as favors too I guess! I'll put the guests name on one side and our names on the other with the wedding date. I was also thinking about turning it into a magnet by gluing little magnets to the back but haven't decided yet.

Originally Posted by luvmoo 

Yup!! They are just white, made out of modeling chocolate.. My Aunt is a cake decorator, so i went to "cakesbysam.com" and ordered them.. big ones and small ones.. and then i ordered a starfish mold from there so my aunt can make more!.. i also bought the dusting powder in our wedding colors so we can dust the white starfish with some color  

 

I also got the large sugar starfish for my arch, and decoration.. i got them from Ebay believe it or not.. from a company by the name of Florida Shells and gifts. the sellers name was " anyname99"  got them for a decent price.. they came super well packed, and not one broke!! they are awesome! mine are all about 8' starfish so they were perfect!!

 

My wedding favors are the white finger starfish, with little tags with our names on them and our wedding date.. they are adorable.. i got them from hansonellis.com 

( picture off of the net shown below. )

Then, for the small starfish for the backs of my chairs on the sashes, i got them for super cheap from orientaltrading.com  

 

Hope that helps!!!!!!  

 

 

 

I am seriously thinking about doing a BD shoot.  I have been working really hard to lose some weight (pending wedding dress purchase was the driving factor!).  I think its worth the investment to get some photos that FI will love and will make me feel great.

 

Toronto/GTA girls. Have you done a BD shoot?  Any recommendations for photogs or studios?  I saw Honeybourne intimates but they are quite pricy...there must be more than just one in the Toronto area!!  Suggestions?

Not so great... No shipping to Canada.

Have you thought about an off-site wedding option?

We are looking at a variety of villas right now, as well as Tropical Weddings Jamaica and what Almarie has to offer.  Our research so far has resulted in a few options that give us more for our money than having the wedding at the resort.  There's also the appeal of more flexibility, a more intimate affair, and much better service Just a thought! We haven't finalized anything yet, but it's just something to consider.

Originally Posted by starrysim 

 

Regarding the beach BBQ - which resort are you talking about?  I know at the Suites they have a buffet option, and it's about $50-60.  I'm talking about the Beach resort, their beach BBQ menu states $32 per person.  Plus the open bar of course.  But I'm not hearing back from the WC's, I'm getting a little irritated, considering they screwed up my plans, and now they don't seem to be trying hard to sort it out.  I might have to call this weekend if I don't hear back.

 

 

Not me, I think it's tacky.  I would've tossed my bouquet, but we're only having ~25 people, and there will only be one single girl, so that wouldn't work

 

 

This is the first i've heard of it so I'll definitely look into it!! Thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by Jessica4LUXE 

Hi Ladies!

 

Just wondering if any Toronto brides are planning on attending The Civilized Bride bridal show on Friday, October 21st?

That sucks.

I am assuming that means all of their new luggage restrictions will be in effect for weddings next year. Not happy with Air Canada whatsoever. They have turned out to be the worst! No flexiblity, wouldn't allow my guests to upgrade resorts without impacting my concession, and now the luggage thing. I wish I had booked with another tour operator.

Originally Posted by Camy47 

So I was just on the Air Canada web site checking baggage dimensions and noticed that the executive class allowance has changed from 3 bags to 2 bags!!! Tickets issued before September 7 or travel before October 11, 2011 still get the 3 bags free.

 

Just thought I'd let you all know b/c this might make a big difference to some brides flying on AC and planning on bringing decorations etc. down with them!

Hey there!

We are handing ours out at the resort, we're going to get everyone together for a welcome party/dinner or something and do it then. It's a lot to carry, but i'm not worried about putting them together, i'll recruit the girls and we'll have it done in no time i'm sure Just keep it simple so it doesn't take too long.  I wouldn't be able to get to everyone before the trip so i would still be handing some out there, i'd rather do all of them all at once and see everyone's reaction and they can use the stuff during the week. Just my two cents! I agree with Tori, I think it will be more impactful when you get there, it might lose a bit of the impact beforehand.

Originally Posted by MJKH 

Sorry, I go back and forth between calling them oots/welcome bags/wedding survival kits...I lump all of the elements of the bag together at this point!

 

I know...I think we could go back and forth on the merits of both...especially when space is a concern travelling down...AND, other than my FI and the girls on BDW, nobody knows about our welcome bags...which is another decision i'm waffling on.  Today I was thinking "ummm, are we crazy to think that between our arrival at the resort and suppertime, my FI and I can get all of the bags put together and distributed????"  Maybe I need to get my BF on board too.

 

Is it just me or is everyone agonizing over decisions like these??? I'm driving myself crazy...123 days to go! 

 

Is the private reception free at the Grand? It sounds like it would be a better deal - and then you and your hubby can enjoy the Grand

Originally Posted by Leah22 

 

I actually spoke to the PR manager at the Grand and she said that kids ARE allowed to attend the ceremony and a private reception.  And if we are able to get the free wedding package, then the ceremony/reception at the Grand actually works out to be much cheaper than a wedding at the Suites.  So we figured we could use the "savings" to pay for our guests' day passes.  

 

 

Just seeing this - GO FOR IT!!!
 

Originally Posted by Krysta lee ann 

So i email the photographer...this is what i wrote:

 

Hi Robert,So i have a couple questions for you regarding doing our destination wedding. i know we had discussed if we pay for your trip that you would do the photos at no cost and that you would be willing to pay for your wife to also come. is this still the case? i think i remember you mentioning (but could be wrong) that your wife is a photographer as well, am i right?if this is the case are you willing to take pictures on more than just the wedding day? i also really want to do a trash the dress session (i am still undecided if we do it on the resort or at a water fall or in the city) and was hoping to maybe get a few pic throughout the week.what do you think?Krysta

 

 

And this was his response:

 

Hi,

Yes of course I would, I would say we could the wedding day complete, a trash the dress shoot (one afternoon), a couples shoot informal(another afternoon) and yes my wife can do candid shots during the wedding while I will be more focused, and also I have underwater capable equipment so we could do a snorkling / underwater themed shoot as well, and incorperate into the trash the dress shoot

 

 

I think i should just pull the trigger......ahhh so nervous!

I too was super confused and didn't know what to do. I wasn't thrilled with any of the work by locals, and love, love, love the work of a photographer in Ottawa that friends have used so after much thought and comparison (costs/work) we are bringing our own photographer.  Thankfully we are using our free concession towards his trip, we still have to pay photographer fees though.  Sounds like you're getting an amazing deal!! We'll have shots from during the week, rehearsal, wedding day and TTD, so LOTS of pictures! lol, more than i'm sure we'll know what to do with but we'll have an amazing variety! In terms of costs bringing him, including travel, worked out to be the same as the better photographers who's packages were much more limited.

Good luck with your decision - pictures are really important to us as well!

Originally Posted by Krysta lee ann 

I am so confused on what to do about a photographer. I know i have probably brought this up before but i just dont know what to do..... i have a guy that did our engagement pics and said if we pay his way ($1566), he will pay his wifes and do the pics for free. he is just starting out and some of his pics are beauitful but some are corny... he just started a website www.kingstonphoto.ca. i dont know if i should bring him or try to find someone in jamaica.

 

ahhh what do i do ladies?!? pictures are so important to me and this is such a big choice. any advice would be helpful

Hi there,

I asked (a few times) and the answer has always been the same, the hotel will upgrade you to the next room class, if available. This doesn't mean you get upgraded to another hotel (from Suites to Grand, from Beach to Suites, etc...) it means they will upgrade you to the next room class within your resort.

We were going to upgrade ourselves to the Grand and I asked about having the photographer take pics of us (who will be with us the whole week as a paid guest) and the bridal party (BM's) come get ready and I was advised we would need to pay for day passes.  Ridiculous.

I'm sure we'll have an amazing time, I'm just really frustrated with the resort right now, and all the "added expenses".

We might just have them come over anyways if we upgrade and deal with it then. If they're in our room, will they really get caught??!

Originally Posted by JamaicaSukie 

I have a question for past brides (or anyone who knows).  I've read a lot on here that most times the bride and groom get upgraded to either a better room in the hotel they booked or sometimes they get bumped to the Gran (especially if they plan on moving there for the honeymoom anyway).  That being said, if we were to get upgraded to the Grand before the wedding, will they let my bridal party (who are staying at the Suites) come to the Grand to help me get dressed?  Do I have to pay for a day pass for them to come help me get ready?

Thanks for posting MJKH!

FI and I also just returned from vacay and we tried out a few of the items.

We used the Avon aloe and lip balm, they were awesome. Aloe is really nice, love the size. The lip balm is great - not flavored and has SPF 15.

Also, I bought a bikini wrap at bikini village for $12 before i left, it's convertible and can be worn as a dress, top, etc... it was awesome!! I had brought one in black and one in white, used them both. Used it as a bikini wrap, a top one night and as a little shawl.

They come in various colors - will definitely be picking up these for the BMs.

Originally Posted by MJKH 

Hi there DBs!!!

 

So, just trying to work my way thru the updates on this site since we've been away...you've certainly all been busy!!!  I had 2 X 2 gigs added to my iMac while we were away and wow-wee...it sure makes these pages load faster.  Holidays were great but it's nice to be back and into a normal routine again...and now we move on with more wedding plans ; )

 

I decided to "try out" some of the items I had picked up for the welcome bags on our own holiday...in my humble opinion, here's how things went:

 

- those $1 collapsible water bags with the carabiner attached actually worked out really great...filled easily from a water fountain, no spills...and when it's 35 degrees out and you're drinking water like crazy, you take advantage of a public fountain anywhere you can.  I do think it will be different though in Mexico where drinking water from taps and fountains, even at resorts with filtration systems, is not recommended.

- I forgot a little bottle of isogel/hand sanitizer and what a mistake that was!  We flew thru the Kleenex wet wipes and small packs of kleenex we had brought as a result.  

- sunscreen...while getting ready in the morning, I'd apply from our larger bottle and use the travel bottle during the day while we were out.  Worked very well.

- ear plugs...thank god we remembered to pack a set each in our carryons...during our overnight flight to Frankfurt, my entertainment system didn't work and the two little kiddies across the aisle screamed/cried/jumped/sang/fought all night long!!!!  I'm thinking now we may put some in each welcome bag...we also used ours a few nights to help getting to sleep with strange noises, etc.

- remember those little shower sponges from Dollarama ($1/pack of 3)...I took one and LOVED IT!!!  But I'm a shower gel girl and nowhere in Europe did we have faceclothes either...

- flip flops...a big YES...I don't care how fancy the hotel/resort is, it's just nice to schlep around the room with something on your feet.  So now I'm debating on putting them in the welcome bags (so the ladies can use them all week long) or putting them out at the reception (which was the original plan).

- we used up every last drop of hand laundry soap we had brought and even went out to buy more

- those Colgate Wisp thing-ies...neutral on these.  I found them awkward to use as they were so small, thin and stiff.  BUT, if you don't have access to a toothbrush, one of those would still be better than nothing.

- bug spray...I don't normally have any issues but my FI gets bit a lot and usually develops huge welts...we were feasted upon one night while asleep in Venice, and I woke up with three bites on my foreheads and a trail of bites across my shoulder and down my arm...GROSS.  Not to sound vain, but if I woke up on my wedding day covered in bites like that, I'd...not be happy!!!

- blotting powder sheets for shiny faces...used these a lot and might pick some up for my girlfriends bags...

- taking a bottle of nailpolish along that matches your manicure...YES...but now for the second time, my bottle of OPI exploded/leaked on a flight home.  ALWAYS put the polish in a little ziploc!

- nailpolish remover sheets/pads in the little tear-away packs...SUPER good!

- I hate the way my feet feel after a few days in the sand...ground in dirt and dry heels...LOVED the little bamboo heel scrubbers I bought from Minimus.

- ibuprofen (or your preferred pain reliever)...we apparently had a lot of aches and pains on this trip...'cause we ran out about 3/4 of the way thru the trip.

- remember our wet bikini bags from La Vie?  I saw very similar ones all over on our trip and they were asking between 7 - 10 EUROS for one!  That was a super great deal for $1 each that we got!!!

 

Ok, that's all I can think of for now.  Hope you're all doing well!

We've chosen to do the terrace for all the same reasons. I'm not sure about the arch... I was going to try and cover it with fabric and flowers... If you could also send me photos of what it looks like without the arch it would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

 

 

I LOVE this idea!! I've been doing some research online to find the best price for those like myself who live in NY or anywhere in the US and I found them reasonably priced at www.freeskylanterns.com I got a case of 36 White sky lanterns plus 4 free, which is a total of 40 for $79.97 with taxes and shipping it was a total of $88.96. Shipping was $4.99. They have other options such as 10 lanterns for $29.87 plus 1 free etc... and you can also order the case of colored sky lanterns for the same price. Check it out ladies!!

 

i found one on ebay.. thanks for the tip ! dunno why i never looked there in the first place im normally a ebay aholic LOL

 

 

I'm in Ottawa and CT has bubba mugs on for 50% off I think that people have been talking about. Also, Michaels has a good flyer going with a lot at 50% off plus a coupon for 50% off any reg. priced item, you can also get the coupons online:)

Hi Sonia! Gorgeous pics

Question - i noticed you had raffia fans at the ceremony, did people use them (not sure you would have noticed or not), but am wondering because I was planning to have them as well but am thinking if it's windy and no one will even use them I won't bother, I could use the extra space in my luggage! lol

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Soniag123 

WEEEEEE...my slideshow is finished..THANKS MISHA!!!

 

http://mishaearle.myshowit.com/sonia_aslak

Response times can vary, some girls get immediate responses, sometimes it takes a few days to up to a week. For the fastest answer, call them.

It's always worked for me!

Congrats!!!

Originally Posted by Bruuning17 

Ok, so I know I'm super early with this...but my FI and I just submitted our Wedding Request for Iberostar Rose Hall Suites for June, 2013!!  I'm so excited.  Anyone know how long it takes for the resort to approve wedding requests?