Jillsepher

Hey Nikki- how did you go about selling the dress? Did you list it online? I'm going to sell mine too but I wasn't sure where to post it.

So I just sold and shipped out my wedding dress :- Im having a lot of mixed emotions right now. Obviously I am never going to wear it again and it would just take up space in my closet, but part of me cant help but being a little bit sad. I ended up selling it for $850, which will be nice to have back so we can put it in our future house savings account and the girl that purchased it said it was her dream dress and there was no way she could get it in time before her wedding, so that makes me feel a little better... but *sigh* :crybaby2:

Thanks for the support ladies! My vision is slowly coming back and the black curtain I had before surgery is now completely gone so that's a plus! I think we should be okay by the wedding.

Oneill- Totally sucks about your dress! I totally agree with Lindsey and love the Trash the Dress idea. 

I've had a HUGE set back that has made me truly appreciate everything and put everything into perspective. I told Allie already but last Friday 8/10 I went in to my normal eye dr to get an eye checkup because I had some serious vision change. I ended up having a detached retina and got rushed to the hospital for emergency eye surgery. I'm completely blind in my right eye now. It's been a very horrific but humbling experience. And the timing honestly couldn't be better (I know sounds weird.) I ended up getting a gas bubble inserted in my eye that makes me unable to fly for 6 weeks. My wedding was in exactly 8 weeks from my surgery. I saw my dr yesterday and he seems to think I should regain most of my vision back just in time for the wedding. So as much as I've complained about a ton of stuff recently it all seems like peanuts compared to this hurdle. I have been able to see how much my FI will truly help me and love me in sickness and in health and feel truly blessed to be marrying him. I'm now just happy to be marrying my best friend and have left everything up to fate. All my planning is done and I'm positive that everything will be perfect. 

Originally Posted by Sansan 

 

I just booked for may 17, 2013. Hello all!

Hello Sansan and welcome to the group! This forum is the best thing EVER! The girls on here are beyond helpful and we all understand all the challenges that come up with planning a DW. Good luck with planning!

So lame Allie but I remember you being a little leery on him being there anyway. I've kind of found throughout this whole thing that everything has been happening for a reason. It's probably way better to not have him there. There is no need for any sort of negativity surrounding your wedding and it sounds like this is the best way to make sure that everything is positive and about you and your FI's love and union. And your guest count is a good number! Everything will be perfect!

Originally Posted by AllieH 

Well, I think we have our group and final number - 42, including us. I'm thrilled with that!! 

 

However...today's inconsiderate invitee vent: 

My poor FI is dealing with his jerk father, who is claiming he had no idea he'd have to make payment on Friday. Never mind that he's avoided my FI's calls, hasn't returned them, and didn't answer my FI's grandparents when they tried to talk to him about it too. We've done all we can. Ugh, I just hate that he's jerking my FI around like this and trying to turn it around like we haven't told him the info. Same guy who asked my FI a few months ago if we wanted to wait 3 years to get married. Yeah, supportive guy. The reality is I'm relieved he isn't going - and my FI probably is too. I just hate that he's being such a prick about it. /vent

 

How is everyone else?? 

 

 

 

So I just want to be totally clear on this... With the Free Sweet Wedding Package it says you qualify for this if you have 7 nights at the Casitas and 15 additional room nights. We booked the Casita stay but I'm wondering what exactly this "additional room night" is. My travel agent explained that the additional room night means this... 15 room nights total. My father booked 4 nights so thats 15-4 = 11 more nights and so on. So with all my guests I have a total of 25 nights people have booked. I should be okay right? I would hate to go there and find this isn't true.

Ah man such a crappy feeling especially when you gave them so much time to save up. Sorry to hear that! There seems to be a cancellation big going around...

aaannnd here come the cancellations. 4 today alone - both couple who swore they would be there. We about a week out from payment, and I expected the number to drop, but it's still disappointing when it actually happens.  Ah well. 

 

That totally sucks Chiquita! So now how many bridesmaids do you have? Luckily the one sister I have going stepped up and is going to be my bridesmaid. Thank goodness! There has been a ton of drama with this wedding and a lot of people calling me selfish for having a DW that they can't afford to come to. At first it hurt my feelings and then I realized that this is the only day I get to be selfish so whatever! Anyone else get this reaction? 59 days til we leave and 63 til the big day! We got my FI's attire and now my biggest hurdle will be getting him to wear a tie. He's killing me!

I know!! I thought DW's were supposed to be easy too. I figured there would be some drama, but geeez. Sorry to hear about your bridesmaids (congrats on the pending arrivals, but bummer that they are dropping out). I don't think she'll be traveling to Mexico at 8 months prego... I sure wouldn't (even for a friend's wedding!). We are officially at 89 days until our wedding, and 85 days until we leave. I'm soooo ready!!!! Quote:

YES. P.S. I totally thought this DW thing was supposed to make everything easy breezy and drama free- NOT. Brief drama update since I've last had time to chat.... 2 of my bridesmaids are teachers and I literally planned our wedding on their school vaca because that was the only way they could come... now both are pregnant (like they weren't planning when I discussed this with them?!?!) and neither can come (though one claims she's definately going to be able to come despite the fact that she'll be 8 months pregnant (I think she honestly feels bad, but argh! I can't plan for numbers like this!). FUN. :-)

Originally Posted by chiquita8302 

 

Jill that is awful- I'm so sorry to hear! You will have so much fun regardless, and at least you won't have to worry about her DB boyfriend coming.

Thanks Chiquita! Actually the more I think about it it's probably a Godsend because it would have been dramafest. I have to remember that when this all first began I wanted a very small and intimate ceremony and I'm surely getting that. No matter what it will be awesome because I'm marrying my best friend!

thank you!! I can copy just about anything lol it helps that I have a huge stash of scrapbook paper, tools, stamps, ink, etc. it's been languishing away, and I haven't touched it in a long time. it's nice to break it out again! what are you working on? anything I can help with?

You did a fabulous job! I love all the colors and how fun it is. Looks great and puts my craftiness to shame!

Thanks ladies!!!! I'm so thrilled with them. I had a lot of wording inspiration from pinterest lol I hope my photog will take better pics of them for me. Quote: The other pics I have right now are the banner for our basket which will gather cards & our "guest book" - which is a mad lib/marriage lib: The banner was made using Maya Road chipboard pieces for the banner & letters, the same text weight paper (blue) that I used for the envelope liners (using my scraps!), the orange & white twin and I glittered the scalloped edge. Here's an up close pic of them (please excuse the color distortion..): I also have an "M" that is glittery blue and on skewers, that will be in the basket - don't think I've taken a decent pic of that yet.  I have the paper bags and labels done for the survival kits, just haven't packaged the kits up (and I won't until I get my nearly-final headcount). I will take some pics tonight if I get home from work at a decent hour (!$#$%%^!!!!). Paper crafting at it's best...! I am just hoping it doens't look "too" DIY and homemade - that's what I'm trying to balance.

Amanda I am so sorry to hear this. I still totally want to hear about your wedding plans though. And the great news is that you still get to go to EDR and have a wedding with those you truly love. The good thing is that you have a beach around you that you can rely on. Here in Washington we have beaches but unless I wanted to be in pouring down rain and whipping winds and icky rocky beaches this won't work for me. I want to see your pictures as I'm sure it will totally be beautiful!

Originally Posted by asmithpoulin 

Well ladies, this will be my last post here About 80% of our VIP's informed us that they would be unable to make the trip. A few pregnancies with due dates within a month of our date as well as financial hardships, job loss etc. So... Plan B. We are getting married on Nov. 23rd at a NC Beach. Using the trip as a Thanksgiving holiday, almost 100% of our guest list has committed to coming. My key requirements were Beach and Family. This way I get both at least! I will certainly miss the tropical feel, open bar, etc. But my fiance and I both agree this is for the best.

We will be traveling on our original date for our honeymoon, since we have already booked air and are certainly still excited to experience EDR!

I hope you all continue to enjoy your planning and have wonderful weddings at EDR!

Originally Posted by TheWolferts 

That really sux! I had 2 BMs that were my best friend growing up tell me a couple of months before the wedding that they wouldnt be able to make to the wedding either... one sent me a txt message, the other an email... both of which r just tacky!

 

I gave them 18 months to plan and save and even bought their BM dresses for them. Both of them came up with bad excuses as to why they couldnt, even make it to my shower, acting like it was just a random get together, not my wedding shower! One of them ended up paying me back for the BM dress, the other has basically avoided me and wont return phone calls so I have stopped trying to be friends. It is absolutely appalling to me how some "friends" act about your wedding. I wouldnt be upset with friends that told me up front that they couldnt be able to make it as I would completely understand, but the friends that string you along, get your hopes up, then RSVP "no" and never call you again are just bad people.

 

Another thing that gripes my cookies is when guests say they cant afford the trip when A) they havent even looked into prices and they then go on large, extravagent trips and post all their pics on Facebook! I had one friend tell me she couldnt make it because of money, which I understood, especially as she is getting married in November, but then I see that she has gone to CA a couple of times within the past year, on a ski trip, a trip to Europe, and is actually currently in London for 3 weeks for the Olympics... its not that some guests cant afford it, its just that your wedding is clearly not a priority for them. It was definitely tough to see some friends which I thought were closer, were not as close as I thought. I had several family members that had to scrape together money by having yard sales and cutting back on spending because they wouldnt have missed it for the world. Prior to my 2 BMs acting like they did, I would have scrounged up the money because I couldnt imagine not being there at their special day.

 

To be honest, we were surrounded by so much love, friends, and family on our big day, I dont think I even thought about the 2 BMs that couldnt be there. I didnt think that I should have a B list of BMs as they would clearly know they were not originally close enough to be considered BMs so much to my OCD's dismay, we had uneven numbers of GMs and BMs. I am the type of person that is much happier have a few really close friends than having tons of friends that will blow you off is something better comes up.

 

 

 

 

 

It's so disappointing and really shows you who your friends are and who you are willing to go the extra mile for without the other party doing the same. For someone who doesn't have money she just posted on her FB the last two days all these luxurious restaurants (like $200/meal) that she is going to. She is also planning a trip to the Emmy's in September the SAME weekend that SHE planned my bachelorette party. Guess I can cross my bachelorette party off of the list too. What a winner!

I'm totally OCD too so I'm having a hard time with the 0-3 bridal party but I'll have to live with it. I'm just happy my parents and my sister and her husband can make it. 

Originally Posted by AllieH 

I couldn't wait any longer to post my invites, so here they are: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/80966/my-semi-diy-invites

 

Most of them have been received, and one has come back for a wrong address (oops...). I even have 2 RSVPs back already! 

 

 

 

Those are totally awesome Allie! You did a fabulous job. What other DIY projects do you have pictures of?

Yes it truly sucks and I have my sister who is about her size coming but she is staying in a different resort so if I do ask her to be a part of this she won't be able to get ready with me or anything since the resort said outside guests can only show up an hour before the ceremony. I'm hoping with the meltdown I had yesterday that my other sister can find a way to make it since I would really want her to be a part of this. I think if she were to come it would make everything better. I know whatever happens we'll still have a great day but it's so hard not to take it personally when you see those who "can't afford it" really not putting in an effort whatsoever even after you've given them over 15 months to save up. Like Nikki says I would and have done all I can do to make it to those special events for those who are important to me. My own sister (that I'm hoping will come) got married out of state years ago when I was 19 living on my own trying to make ends meet. I ended up getting a second job so I wouldn't miss any of it and its so disappointing that she isn't willing to do the same. Hopefully she can make it happen. In a way I'm kind of glad (and this is me trying to look at the bright side of things) that my MOH isn't coming because I truly didn't want her stupid boyfriend to have the opportunity to be a part of my special day when he isn't special enough to be a part of it. It just sucks that she is ultimately choosing him over me and throwing away our 12 year friendship for this loser. It is what it is and she will be the one who will have to live with this decision. 

Originally Posted by mstigger 

Wow Jill, that is awful!!!

Are you close to any of your guests that you know are attending.......and are any of them her size?

Maybe you guys can just not have anyone standing with you.....or borrow 2 groomsmen and put them on your side

Sorry this is all happening right before  your big day that is supposed to be all about you.......but just remember, it is about you and your FI and as long as you 2 are there nothing else really matters!!!

 

 

Originally Posted by mrendic 

 That's seriously one of the worst parts about a DW- being sure that someone important will be there only to have them back out. It definitely shows you who your real friends are though

Originally Posted by mrendic 

 

Oh I just saw this- The casita spa offers this 'water ritual"( i believe that's what it's called) and you start in the locker room where you first shower, then go in a steam room or sauna, shower, go into the water journey room- which is 1) a hot tub 2) this huge pool with numerous different jets that massage you- you can go around to the different jets to massage different parts of your body (neck, back, legs, etc) then there is a freezing cold pool that you're supposed to go in, then an outdoor pool that you can go to and relax. It's completely free if you are staying in the casitas, you can just go to the spa whenever and do any of it (steam room, hot tub, jets, whatever you feel like) and when you do all of them in a specific sequence they call it the water ritual or journey or something... lol. It's also free with any spa service you do so if you have a sky massage that you're doing as part of the free package, its something relaxing to do before or after. I did it before my wedding day appointments and it helped calm my nerves so much, I was a mess before I did it. 

Very interesting and I'm totaling going to have to do this. Sounds like something I will totally need. BTW have any new brides getting married soon noticed that the Honeymoon/Anniversary package changed so now you don't get a couple's massage. Now it's buy one get one free. I wonder if we'll still be honored the old package. I have a screenshot picture of the old package on my phone but didn't print it out. Any other brides have a printout they could email me of the old package that states the couple's massage and not the BOGO that's now offered? 

Just have to vent ladies so I apologize beforehand... My MOH decided to tell me almost 2 months before the wedding that she isn't coming. She promised me months ago that she paid for her stay and booked airfare and magically she can't come anymore. She gave me the whole money excuse but I find that very hard to believe when she's planning all these other trips with her stupid boyfriend who seems to have her every move now and she's his puppet. She was totally all for going until she started dating this loser and now is no longer coming so now I have NO bridesmaids and my FI has 4 groomsmen. Ugh! She even bought her bridesmaid dress already and fed me all this bullcrap about wanting to get alterations with me. I'm so confused because she was totally ready to go and now she is blowing me off on the biggest day of my life. This is so NOT what I was expecting!

That's such a relief! You never know how much chlorine places put in their pools so it's good to know that you didn't have a problem. That would be such a wedding nightmare to get married with green hair!

Originally Posted by ElDorado2012 

I definitely don't think the showers are salt water. I never noticed a difference when I was there. I actually thought my hair looked and felt better while I was there, which I was attributing to the shower water. I brought my own conditioner, so I'm not 100% positive on that, but I do think I remember seeing it in the shower as well. Also, I have blonde hair and was in the pools for hours on end. I never had any issues with my hair turning green. Hope that helps

What's a water journey? Does it cost money? I'm soooo excited to see the shows! Totally looking forward to the fire shows!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrendic 

There is conditioner in the room and if you need more you just have to ask your concierge for it. They can supply you with a lot of stuff aside from what they have in the rooms. Razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. Not the best quality but ya know... also the casitas spa has showers in the women's locker room if you ever go and do the water journey (definitely relaxing.. i did it the day of the wedding) and I really like the conditioner they have in there. Oh and if you stay in the casitas you can do the water journey anytime... not just when you have a spa appointment. 

 

As far as fire dancers, there definitely is a fire dancer show. It was on both sundays that we were there so I'm pretty sure it is a weekly thing. I'm pretty sure all of their shows are repeated each week but they change it up so they aren't exactly the same as the week before. The shows are so much fun, especially because they get the guests involved before or after the show with these hilarious games. I think we went to every single show while we were there lol

Hey Catherine! I too am getting married in October. My biggest concern is the weather. How was it when you were there? It's so sweet of you to offer to take some pics. I'm having my reception at the Chapel Terrace. I believe this is the area by the chapel in the sand. Would you mind getting some pics of this area so I can visualize a bit more? This is kind of for anyone one who has been there but I heard there is a fire dancing show. Is this true? If so, is it a weekly event? My FI is so excited to see this if that's the case. Also, I read somewhere (maybe on here?) that the resort uses salt water as water for its showers an does not have conditioner. Any truth to this? And I just thought about this but I have blonde hair and I'm very leery of chlorine. Any ladies with blonde hair have their hair turn green at the resort? I had a very bad past experience about 8 years ago where my hair turned bright green immediately after going in a chlorinated hot tub and have never put my hair in chlorine ever since! Thanks Catherine for offering up your services!

Welcome!! This board has been such a great resource for me too! It's so great to have the other brides on here. Like Allie said we all freak out at some point! I had to rant to Allie for awhile on a lot of things that set me into a tizzy but have calmed down for the most part. I have changed my mind so many times and the great thing is that it's totally OKAY! I started off with one vision and have completely morphed that vision into something different. At first I was going to use the private dinner at Cocotal as my reception and then just have a cocktail party afterwards. But when I ran the numbers it was cheaper for me to go with a set menu dinner and get 4 hours of reception time than 2 hours of cocktail hour time. I felt so stupid because I kind of made a huge ordeal (during one of my many meltdowns) with my WC how I did not want to PAY for a private dinner at an AI when one was included but when I really stopped to think about it it made more sense both for what was important to me and budget wise. My biggest thing was keeping somewhat traditional. I still wanted to have the bride/groom first dance and the father daughter dance and this way I can still do that. Our party is very small (15 people) so we didnt do the dj thing. One of the groomsmen is going to dj the iPod for us. The great thing about this place is you can do so many different things. Like Allie said as long as its right for you that's all that matters. It's totally okay to feel uncertain about things and you are going to change your mind about a billion times but you're totally allowed to do that. This is your day and you get to do whatever you want! Congrats and welcome to the group!

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?

Originally Posted by ElDorado2012 

 

If anyone has any questions, please let me know!!

Great photos! Thanks for sharing. How many guests did you have?

Guess I'll just buy a bag of shells. Since they don't let you do the sky lanterns anymore I found this shell ritual where people write a wish for the couple on two shells. One they throw in the water and say the wish and the other is given to the couple as a keepsake. Kind of like a wishing tree. I would much rather do the sky lanterns but it is what it is. I'll go grab a bag of shells! Thanks for the info ladies!

Hmmm. No, not that I recall. Maybe in the water or a few that had washed up here and there, but nothing I recall specifically. Also, Gazebo 55 is raised from the water, so I don't believe any shells would just wash up in that area. I wasn't paying a ton of attention to that though, so perhaps ask your WC?

I believe there was or you might have to go into the water to find some because some of our guests did find some, but they do snorkel and scuba dive. 

Honestly, I don't remember seeing many shells around. The ground staff sweep/rake the beach daily, so a lot disappears when they do that.

We didn't rehearse ahead of time. I was a little nervous about not doing it, but most of the people in our wedding party had been in weddings before, so everyone basically knew the drill. Plus the groomsmen were def. antsy to party the entire time we were there and honestly I'm not even sure I would have been able to get them all to show up for the rehearsal lol. It all worked out fine If you are planning on doing something out of the ordinary with your walk down, maybe you might want to practice, but if everyone is simply walking down and lining up I wouldn't worry about it.

We had enough time with them, just take everything you need to have set up and explain it, they write it down and they do a great job of setting up. We spent a while with them going over stuff and adding stuff at the last minute. There were like 3 girls in there helping and listening to what we all wanted. 

Congrats! So glad everything went well! Did you do a "rehearsal" at all beforehand or was the meet up with the onsite coordinators enough? I can't wait to see all the pictures!

Originally Posted by ElDorado2012 

Hi ladies,

 

We just got back from our wedding at the EDR and we had a FABULOUS time and event. Everything went pretty smoothly so all I really have are positives to share with everyone. Here goes:

 

Ceremony at Gazebo 55 was perfect. We had great weather, it was hot of course, but it was sunny and didn't rain so we were happy The only complaint I had here was that the minister talked REALLY slowly. We got the ceremony script ahead of time from Valeria and luckily had cut out half of the text, leaving only three pages left. I thought the three pages would only take about 5-6 minutes to read. It actually took 15. It was fine, I was just really happy we had at least shortened it to where it was, otherwise it may have been over 30 min. long. Everything was exactly as we asked it to be set up and was perfect.

 

The reception area (Tucanes Bar) was absolutely amazing. All of the decorations I had brought from home were set up exactly as I wanted. The flowers were beautiful. DJ DOREMIXX was AWESOME. I would definitely recommend him. We actually didn't have Ivan, but another DJ Eliu, and he did a great job. We are super picky with music, so we brought all of the songs we wanted played (for both dinner and the reception) from home for him and he was able to blend the songs together perfectly. We were def. happy with his work.

 

Dinner service was on time and prompt. We got each course right after the previous one. The bar service was great too. We were ordering tons of shots and drinks and they did great. We had brought $40 to tip the bartenders/wait staff, but they were doing so well and working so hard we ended up giving them $60. Our entire group ended up in the pool which was absolutely hilarious. We had so much fun, I was def. sad when it ended.

 

As far the the resort as a whole, it is BEAUTIFUL. I've never seen more amazing grounds (trees, gardens, beach, pools, etc.). We first stayed in an ocean view jacuzzi jr. suite and switched to the Casita side after the wedding. The Casitas are awesome. I def. recommend them if you can afford it, however if you are there with a group and you'll want to come back to hang out with them each day, they are a bit far and def. not necessary as the other rooms are totally nice too.

 

As soon as I have pics I'll send them along!! If you have any questions, let me know!!! You all are going to have an AMAZING time!!! I'm dying to go back!!

Jen! Great dress! Love the layers!

Nikki- did you get chair covers and bows by chance?

Regarding the MOH bouquet... I opted for the orchid and sea grass bouquet for myself at $300 and got the BMs a white stargazer lilly and sea grass bouquet for $70 a piece. I didn't mind the flowers, but they fell a little below my expectations. I felt that my flowers looked a little yellowed and plastic-like and the BM bouquets used a lot of that junky filler green leafy stuff which I despise. Could I go back in time, I might have done something in lieu of real flowers, maybe not fake flowers, but I have seen some cute bouquets using old broaches and shells.

Originally Posted by ElDorado2012 

 

Hi ladies! We leave tomorrow for our wedding on Saturday (6/30)! I'm super excited!! I'll make sure to give you all a full review with pics when I get back

 

Hope you have a blast!!! Can't wait to hear about it!

Ugh so ridiculous! I can't wait to see your favors. I'm still debating on what all to bring for the favors. We don't really have a whole lotta people that can take stuff with them for us. We'll see!

Originally Posted by AllieH 

Yep, that's what she told me - I had to have enough chair bows to cover both the ceremony & reception. 

 

response time is better, sometimes just a couple of days. I'm hoping it's because the dates are getting closer therefore we get more attention. Most things are planned, a lot of decisions are made thank goodness. I'm still trying to find a picture of a small cake that I can send them, rather than a "large round" one that is a single layer. of all things to drive me nuts, it's the cake! I figure we'll finalize the on-site set up stuff when we get there. I'm still not 100% sure what we're doing for a "centerpiece", maybe not much at all! 

 

we've got our airfare now, and our guests are starting to book theirs as well. still waiting for my favors to come in so I can work on the tags and such. and still need to order mugs of some sort. 

 

 

 

I was just going to do the chair covers with orange sashes but I'm still not sure if they will double charge me for this so we'll see. I have a hard enough time paying for it one time let alone twice! I'm still debating on whether or not to make my MOH's bouquet or buy one there. I'm having a hard enough time with one- can't imagine eight! I hope the dress shopping goes well! Let us know what you decide!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiquita8302 

Jill- what are you doing for chair decorations? Just curious. I haven't really considered doing any chair decorations because they seem so expensive per chair... Alli- you're bringing your own sashes? That was the only thing I had thought of- where did you end up getting yours?

 

I'm working with Valeria now on picking our decorations. So far, i've picked my bouquet (Stargazer lillies with coral and white roses) and the bouquets for my girls (which for my 8 bridesmaids got expensive quick! I got some white paper lunch bags at Target (idea I found somewhere when I was trying to price out luminary bags online) that I'm going to do a trial with, but I guess that's all the paper luminary bags are. So... liek 30 of those with tealights. And I'm going to do the white lights to wrap the poles around Tucanes... but undecided if I'm going to find some cheap white lights to have them wrap for me or if I'm just goign to suck it up and pay the fee.

 

My FI can't believe how much they kind of nickel and dime you for everything. I would be okay with it if they allowed us to set up the decorations, but having to pay so much for setup makes it kind of frustrating. A lot of the decorations I talked to her about that maybe I could bring, (i.e. white lights for the poles at Tucanes- which I was quoted $300 for 6 poles if i borrow their lights, or $175 if I bring my own) are still pretty expensive just for the setup charges.

 

Overall it's getting more fun with the planning... much more exciting picking out flowers and decorations than it was trying to pick the resort or get the details out on the invitations. We've gotten quite a few people who've said they're definately going ot make it, and quite a few dissapointing No's because they can't bring their kids. I kind of regret not picking a resort that was kid friendly just so we could have those important friends there, but what are you going to do. I think it'll work out fine in the long run and will be what we're looking for. I will just miss having those few people there.

 

Next project: First appt to try on dresses is Weds. I'm going to a somewhat fancy (for NH lol) store that is having a huge sample/overstock sale on Aug 1st... so if I find something I like, I should be able to get a vibe from them as to if I'll be able to get a good deal!! Which I've just found out may be more important than just the cost--- they said it normally takes 8-10 months to get a dress in, plus alterations (which I'm not worried about because our seamstress is a miracle worker!)  and ummmm our wedding is in 8 months. Eek! I'm sure it'll all work out fine, though.

 

Hope all is going well with you girls! I like reading about your updates! Same for the new girls- how is all of your planning going??? :-)