AllieH

those are FABULOUS! I can't wait to find out which ones you choose.

Not us. We have "Bride" and "Groom" signs, with the flip side saying "Thank" and "You" for photos. we'll hang the B&G on our chairs after photos. I kinda miss the tin can and "Just Married" getaway though.

ah I got teary eyed looking at your photos. So, so very happy for you!!! It looks like a whole lotta fun, and a very special trip. congrats to you both!!!

I love the OOT bags and your flowers!

me too!!!!! I'm so glad to read your review & planning JQ!

gorgeous!!!!! I love the style.

Ours were sent out on Tuesday, so late July for our November wedding. I went ahead and sent them for a number of reasons: 1) I had them done and was tired of looking at them (ha!) 2) Final payment for the guests is due to our TA in mid-August, so it's a good reminder that it's coming up 3) Many of our guests haven't gotten airfare, so it's also a reminder about the trip 4) RSVPs are due back to us by Sept 1st, primarily so we can get their entree choices for the reception/dinner (payment is due late Sept for that from us). 5) most of the people who are going already know, so it's not like the invite is a huge suprise. We set the mid-August payment date about 3 weeks earlier than when payment is due to our TA's supplier. This is so we can have some time to chase down people who are late, and then can finalize the rooming list in order to figure out what our (Bride & Groom) final payment is with the credits and what not. As for what to include, here's what we did: 1. Invite (friend designed, had professionally printed) 2. RSVP w/ dinner selections, return envelope (friend designed, had professionally printed) 3. welcome dinner RSVP (I designed & printed at home) 4. website reminder (I designed & printed at home) Our invites didn't include costs or payment dates - I left that for the wedding website. You could do a separate insert with travel info such as the pricing, that keeps your invite cleaner. I had registry cards made, but didn't include them, as I was told by some wedding-blogger friends that it's very poor etiquette to include the registry info in the invites. They said it makes it seem like you're asking for gifts (well, you are...but....). I'd be happy to email you the pieces from the invites later tonight if it will help you. Just drop me a PM with your email address. I'm going to start a planning thread in the next couple of weeks, once the invites have been delivered, and will post them on the forum at that time.

so cute!!!

I'd much prefer to have everything paid for before we leave. My only challenge is that my WC has quoted me an obscene set up charge that I'm not willing to agree to. She didn't want to give me a quote at all, saying the onsite coordinator would tell me how much that would be. When I pushed her for an amount so we could budget, I got an amount completely different and much higher than the charges all of the other brides (you ladies!) were quoted and ultimately paid. I even asked to change WC's to work with Valeria, and that wasn't allowed. So I'm stuck trying to make the best of it. Other than the set up charges, we've been able to work through the planning ok. Most of our guests are only staying 3 nights, so I'm guessing we wouldn't get much at all in the way of an anniversary credit. That's ok, we're planning to do a cruise with some friends for our 1st anniversary (as of now). I'm more worried about the fact that we have a couple of single rooms, so that will probably cut down on the B&G stay free credit and the free room credit we got when we signed the contract. Ah well..whatever will be, will be. Quote: Originally Posted by TheWolferts I was adament about getting all of the charges taken care of before we went down there so I had Valeria add the set up fees to my spreadsheet and we paid that with our final payment. Also, just as an FYI to all brides, the resort gives you credit for a 1 year anniversary stay based on the number of rooms you book. We booked 21 rooms so we were expecting to get $1k towards our 1 yr anniv stay, but we got bumped down to the $750 resort credit because a few of our guests only stayed 3 days, and for the rooms toc ount towards your credit, they apparently need to stay for 4 nights... I am kinda peeved by this as several of our guests upgraded rooms once they got down there, opting to pay for a casitas and the majority of our guests stayed for 5-7 nights. I think we literally had 2 rooms booked that the couples could only make it down for 3 nights.

Right now we're counting 46 guests (21 rooms total), but I'm still pretty sure that number will drop since most of our group has not purchased airfare yet. Plus some of his family was planning to stay in a timeshare, and I don't think they've booked yet. Frankly, I'll be happy with 30! We have most things done. Still a few little things with the OOT bags for me to finish, and I need to write the ceremony (minor detail, right?). I have no idea what I want to do for the unity ceremony either. I am not a huge fan of the sand ceremony, but we all know candles aren't going to work either. I found a gorgeous glass unity version where you combine colored glass that is later blown into a handmade sculpture, but I can't justify the price. so it's probably going to be sand, just have to figure out what vessels to use. I would ask the onsite coordinator about hanging the starfish - maybe you'll get a better price. The quotes I've received for onsite set up have been absolutely outrageous. They quoted me $3,000 to hang sheers from the ceiling in Tucanes. Needless to say, we aren't doing that option...and I'll wait until we get there to discuss pricing for the rest of my onsite decorations. Someone said that you have to pay for the onsite set up charges in cash - does anyone know if that is true?

We went with the free package, but I do like the Pure Passion one - that's fairly new I think.

check, and check!!

I think it really depends on the resort, the package that each bride is looking for, and the size of the wedding group. We decided to do the "free" package at our resort, and then do add-ons from there because the buy-up packages had stuff we didn't want or need, so it didn't make any sense to pay for them. I think the next package for us was $950, and when we compared the line items, the $950 just wasn't worth the additional stuff. We can use that $950 to set up the ceremony/reception the way we want it, vs. a set package that had no flexibility. It's really a matter of doing your research on the resorts and their packages, and figuring out the best fit from there. Good luck with your planning!

hi MsTigger!! welcome to the group. We decided to host a private dinner for our group, and we're using the dinner that comes with the package as our welcome dinner. What I've heard is that it isn't private, so you're in the restaurant with other folks. They do make you narrow down the menu to 1 choice of starter (soup, salad or appetizer), 2 entrees and 1 dessert. I think you'll get a better feel for it after your site visit, to determine if that's the right choice for your group. (there are no wrong answers, just what works for you!). You'll still have plenty of time to decide on another option if you want to go in a different direction. And yes, I was major uncertain and freaked out for a while about the choices, the prices (ok, these still bug me sometimes), and trying to get everything planned. Ask Jill - I wigged out for about a month. I'm back down to earth now, just trying to take it as it comes, and not over-stress about things. Good luck with your planning!! Quote: Originally Posted by mstigger Well I stumbled on to this site while I was searching for pink starfish ribbon!!! So glad that I did........I am getting married at EDR April 21, 2013. Soooo excited!! Just dropped my save the dates in the mail today. Has anyone just done the dinner that comes with the package rather than an actual reception? That's what we have opted for, but I'm just not sure about it. I guess the good thing is that we are going to visit in September....it was a spur of the moment decision, but we are going Sept 16-21 for a quick get away and to check things out. Right now we have the Fuentes Gazebo booked for the ceremony, but I am just so uncertain on everything.....anyone else feel like that at first?

Reporting back - they are pretty low quality, as suspected. But even worse than I thought!!! The sides squish in to the inner wall, and they just feel super cheap (ok, so they feel like exactly what they are!!!) The bad news is I'm out 72 items at Dollar Tree (they don't do refunds or credit - only exchanges). The good news is I found 38 of the clear double wall tumblers!!! We called several stores and didn't find the rest - but the manager (who did all the calling and was SUPER helpful) said they will order 2 more cases and pull 12 more of the clear ones for me (see the pic below as an example). These are what I really wanted to begin with, so I'm THRILLED! We'll get the rest of the cups that we need, and then we'll get some more stuff for the OOT bags too for the rest of the 72 items. So you ladies may want to hit the local dollar tree and ask about these cups!

great post Nikki!! and I love your pics.

We are checking 2 bags full of wedding stuff - decorations, OOT bags, etc. I also have a friend who's willing to check a bag for us (they get 2 free checked bags), and my parents too (we'll pay for their extra bag), so a total of 4 extra pieces of luggage. If we have more crap than that to haul down there, then we will just have to cut back. Do you have any friends or family who can check an extra bag and help you out?

I wish I had known that sooner! ah well... we'll make it work one way or another. I'm just doing the hair rehearsal & day of style for me, day of hair style for my mom, and maybe a pedicure (depending on how mine holds up in the days before the wedding).

these are fantastic!!!!

they look great Jamie! I love it bundled with the fan and bubbles. so cute!

good grief. they sure do gouge you for spa services...

oh good grief!!! that's a bummer. how is your FI taking it?? YAY for invites & choosing colors!

I did the striped straws and some personalized beverage napkins, thinking they would be cute on the bar during the reception, only to find out that the Tucanes bar is more sunken. I think I'm just going to have them put the straws in the drinks as people order them at the reception, and pass out the napkins with them. and not do anything special for the "cocktail hour".

I live with lists - I wouldn't remember a darn thing otherwise! I don't have a bridal party, and my sister is not participating in any way (unless it's convenient for her - but that's a whole other drama llama!). I've had friends and other family (his and mine) offer to help with things, but honestly, I'm not even sure what I could delegate in the planning stages. It's all pretty much under control. Good luck with the To-Do lists ladies!!

I love your planning so far!!! I saw the program on offbeat bride, and it's saved as one of my favorites. I pinned yours as well - they are awesome!