Jillsepher

Wait? They don't move the chairs from the ceremony to the reception? As far as response time goes I've had as quick as same day response but the average is two weeks. I've pretty much settled on a two week response time and if it's quicker than that's a bonus. Everything is pretty much done though. How about you? How's your response time coming along?

I agree! Super cute! Speaking of chairs I have a silly question regarding the chair covers and bows. Do you have to pay for them twice (at the ceremony and then reception?) With all the things I thought I wouldn't be charged on but am I wanted to double check this. Also my price sheet is charging me for my guest count chairs but what about the two for me and my FI at the reception? I'm afraid to ask my WC and that's something that makes me think I'll have to pay for all of them all over again for the reception.

We are just doing the iPod. If I push up the wedding time I have to start all new paperwork with the interpreter company. Ugh!I wonder what type of music they play. That's a good question! So awesome your FI found a suit! I'm still trying to get my FI to go shopping for that. Between that and getting him to agree to the boutonniere is like pulling teeth. Where did you guys go for the suits?

Thanks Allie! Im trying to figure out how I'll pack the four I have. Hello bubble wrap! If you really wanted them I wonder if you could order them online. I was going to tell you I found an interpreter and (SURPRISINGLY!) I won't get charged by the hotel for this as long as the interpreter leaves right after photos. Yay! One more thing off the list. I just got an email from Natalia warning me that my reception site (chapel terrace) is right by the swing bar and that the music might overpower my music for the last 30 min of the reception. Do you guys think this will be a big deal? She offered to move up my wedding to 3:30 but that seems so early!

I told her we were bringing our own and the WC asked why and I flat out told her because of the price. She hasn't said anything since. The lanterns I'm putting in the middle of the tables and within them just putting a simple tea light candle, some sand and mini shells. I like the rope lights. The only thing I would double check is the outlets around so you don't have cords everywhere. Quote: Originally Posted by chiquita8302 Jill... as for the luminary bags... I found some online cheap, too, and e-mailed Valeria to see if I could bring my own. I think you could get some cute punchers fromt he scrapbooking section to even add a little special touch. I saw on Etsy they sell customized ones, too. Did she say it's okay for you to bring yours? And for lanters... do you know how you're doing them for centerpieces? I'm torn between doing the rope lighting on the poles around tucanes versus the lanterns around the edges... i don't know how they'd light up, and the pre-lit lanterns are pretty expensive...

Thanks ladies! We'll see what happens. I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet so I'll let ya know how it goes.

Score on the dress if you end up getting it! We are doing the symbolic ceremony that is saving us a ton as well. We just aren't telling anyone. Not that it really matters but we'll do the legal stuff the day after we get back. As far as photography the cheapest one I could find was Caribe. We ended up going with the $1300 package which was a bit more than we anticipated but it was worth it to have more time with the photographer. To save money I've decided I keep my decorations minimal. Less is more here so I'm just doing my own luminary bags I got off of eBay and some lanterns as centerpieces. I'm having my mother and MIL set up to avoid the set up fee since this seems to be stupidly priced and not very consistent between brides. Hmmm... What else? We don't have too many guests so opted for the set menu 1. We will pay around $200 for that. Good luck with the planning and lucky you that you have the whole summer to work on it!

Alright ladies I have quite the dilemma that I need your advice with. My MOH has invited her boyfriend of three months to be her plus one. I'm completely against him coming. Let's put it this way... They just went on a vacation together and he got ejected from three bars (in a 3 day time frame) for starting fights and eventually ended up in jail the last time for assault and disorderly conduct. He just got out of jail today. Why she is still with this loser is beyond me but he is not welcome at my wedding. I told her that when they first started dating because he does drugs as well (I know real winner!). My FI has told me he will flip out if this guy shows up at our wedding too. So my questions are: 1. Do I have the right to tell her he can't come since she's the one paying for her stay at EDR? 2. How do I even go about this without ruining our friendship or pissing her off so that she doesn't come? PLEASE HELP!!!:eek:

I'm not doing a walk through either. What did you do for your makeup? Did you bring in a picture or just say "do whatever"?

That's great Nikki! I think that will be just what will help you guys out. I think you guys will totally enjoy it!

Thanks Chris! There's some good ones on those. Now to find the one we want and name it... Quote: Originally Posted by jnitschke I believe that the knot and martha stewert weddings have signature coctails by color...here's a few sites that I have bookmarked. http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/35685/view.aspx?type=1&id=35685 http://www.brides.com/wedding-ideas/wedding-meals-drinks/editorial-pick/2009/10/signature-drinks#slide=1 http://www.marthastewart.com/274402/signature-cocktails/@center/276959/cocktail-hour http://cocktailsdetails.com/2011/03/signature-drinks-for-your-wedding-by-color-purple/

I'm debating on what to make. That sounds like what I wanted to make but unfortunately my FI hates pineapple and coconut so I'm trying to figure out what kind of blue drink I can make. Any advice? Quote: Originally Posted by TheWolferts I think the default color is blue. I believe my cousin's Cocotal menu was blue as well and her wedding colors were orange and pink. We decided on a drink that we named Carribbean Crush. It had coconut rum, blue curaco and pineapple juice. Very tasty! Allie- Where did you get the template for that and did you tell Natalia you were sending a custom Cocotal wedding to her? I love it by the way!

Welcome and congrats! My budget is very small too. We also have to board our 3 dogs for 10 days so that's a huge chunk of the budget. With everything not including the dress we are running about $7000. The dress I originally wanted was $3000... YIKES! Luckily I found one that I liked better for $1000. So with EVERYTHING (lodging, airfare, ceremony, dress, dog boarding) we are looking at $8000. But hey- for an 8 day vacation at a super AI resort AND a wedding that's pretty darn good! Good luck with the planning. If you don't mind me asking which wedding coordinator have you been assigned to?

Thanks Nikki! Were you able to pick the color for the menu or was blue the only choice? Also, if you don't mind me asking what drink did you decide on? Allie- why did you change your arrival date? You guys decide to stay longer? What else to you have to straighten out with Natalia? My MIL wants the interpreter for him. They are really nice to have and I want all guest to be able to enjoy the ceremony as well. I found a company I think might do it but they haven't emailed me back. I emailed Natalia, the hotel and my TA so hopefully someone can help me. Oh by the way the online chat is back online and I noticed they increased some of their prices. I'm assuming since I booked the stuff before and gave that price on my spreadsheet that I'll get the lower price. Might wanna check your stuff out just to make sure.

Hey Allie! She ended up getting back to me with three different Mahi Mahi choices. I just have to pay more for that dish (of course.) But I'm do glad I got it done! The only thing I'm waiting on now is an example of the Cocotal menu card, she's sending me a form I need to fill out to have my gift bags delivered to the rooms, and she's checking into what I have to do in order to get a signature drink. Been waiting about a month for those but I think she had to request it from the hotel and they are slow at responding. The last thing I'm trying to figure out is getting an ASL interpreter for my brother. I don't want him to miss out on knowing what's going on during the ceremony. I also just went to my jeweler and am getting this starfish pendant that my FI made me when we first started dating into a bracelet for the wedding. I'm so excited! How are things going with you? How are the responses coming along?

Brittani that was so beautiful! Your video is so great. Even made me tear upYour hair was so pretty! Did you get it done at the salon?

Great pics Nikki! I especially like the ring shot too. Jnitschke- I agree with Stina. The aisle ribbons are awesome but the chair ones are a little much. Are you shipping your decorations there? I was told by Natalia that if I shipped my stuff they would charge me a $150-$250 pick up fee. Yeah no thanks!

And Stina your pics are sooooo gorgeous! I love the pic of your eyes. So pretty!

Hey Chiquita! It's such an accomplished feeling knowing that you aren't relying on anyone. My FI and I are doing this 100% on our own and it feels great! All my friends that have gotten married have had these lavish $40K weddings that daddy paid for and it baffles the crap out of me! Yes our wedding is very small and the costs are waaay low but I can honestly say it will probably so much prettier than all the others I've been to (hoping the weather keeps.) Way to go for doing it by yourself!

Great pics Amanda! Looks so beautiful!

Oh and did you find the rehearsal itself helpful?

Nikki- Thanks so much for writing such a detailed review. It's good to know the goods and bags of everything. I have every intention of bringing every single one of my emails. That seems to be the warning from all brides. I think, fron what you posted, everything looked gorgeous. What were the small tall tables placed everywhere on the beach? Did you order those or did they come with the wedding?

@thewolferts- I think I remember you saying you were going to do a black and white party at the Martini Bar. Did you end up doing it? If so, did you all just show up there or did you give the hotel a heads up? Your wedding looks gorgeous and from what I can see your dress is stunning!

I think knowing that information is making me confirm that I want to change my plans. I was going to do the white glove but I've nixed it now. I'm just doing the Menu Option 1 now which is actually cheaper than the white glove anyway and gives me more reception time. I'm just waiting for a confirmation that they can make one plate vegetarian. That is complete crap! I can't believe that you paid for all of this stuff and didn't even get most of it. And for them to tell you your guest already left the party for the reception and then see that this wasn't the case! My blood would be boiling! And what do they do once it's "packed away"? I'd make them send the leftovers to my room! So sorry Lomas didn't deliver. Getting very nervous for Allie and I as well since we've gotten off to an extremely rocky start. I hope the negative feelings will eventually fade and all you are left with are happy memories!

Am I blind or is my mobile phone not working? I went on the Lomas site and it appears they took their live chat feature away... Hmmmm.