Donna Hewitt

My dress is stuck at customs right now...  Should be here ANY day though....The stress is driving me to drink!!  I will definitely put up some pics when I finally get it!! 

Yeah, we are renting the sound system... And I've seen pics of people having the dj there... I just sent an email to double check!  And bummer about those column flowers - they are gorgeous, but I MUST stop spending!

I'm having my reception at the pool as well, and we are going till 10pm, I was told we are allowed to have the music there until then...

@McKlecker - 3 weeks!!  Not long at all!!  I've done that rose cleanse before, I should try it again!  Sooo, unfortunately not very good results from the military diet - I stayed the exact same weight - Even though I was exercising and followed the diet perfectly - My FI on the other hand dropped 1.5 Kg... GRRRRRRRrrrr  He's been losing weight all over the place!!  Soooo Frustrating!!  I want to still lose at least 10 lbs in the next 3 months - which is totally possible, I need to control my diet and portion sizes... Not easy!

@Skygirl did you have that problem with the Garden view deluxe rooms?  I've requested that all of our guests be put into the 2 buildings closest to the beach, they said that it depends on availability the day we arrive.... hmmmmm

Awesome advice about the hairspray!  Did you do the buffet or sit down dinner?

We are leaving on the 29th! Hopefully I'll get to see you in your dress!  I know what you mean about the numbers changing... Hard to plan - But thinking, I will just sort that part out when I get there... Making some extra centrepieces just in case!

Hey there, I know this isn't a low carb diet - But I'm in the middle of trying out this 3 Day Military Diet... http://blessedmommy.hubpages.com/hub/Lose-Up-To-10-Pounds-In-3-Days-On-The-3-Day-Diet  I'm on Day 2, and I'm not starving or anything... Meant to lose up to 10lbs in 3 days... Sounds too good to be true - I agree, but that's why I thought I'd test it out!  Me and the FI are on it - I will give you my results when I weigh in at the end!

@Kchenard - I'm having my reception at the Main Pool on Jan 26th!  What day are you arriving... You may see mine as an example!

@Skygirl - That looks gorgeous!!  Beautiful Cake - More then enough, Like you said!   Exactly what I was thinking when I wanted Castaways, with the lanterns, I've bought lanterns... But, not exactly sure where they'll be hung... I think there is some lattice or something above where they put the head table by the pool....

Originally Posted by WBAstudio 

 

Hello! My name is Ana Maria, if you need a photographer in Now Larimar, I am the person in charge of photo and video department. If I can help you with some informations don't hesitate to contact me.

Hi there Ana,

I was wondering about the video that comes with the Divine package... As other brides on here have noted, we are meant to have a 30 minute video, but the wedding itself may only be 20 mins... Would it be ok to have a bit of the getting ready filmed before hand??

Thanks!!!

I think Castaways is no longer an option unless you pay $5000... That was my first choice as well, How on earth did you get it? 

Originally Posted by Skygirl 

 

For the welcome dinner they told us they will set us up at the main buffet all together 32ppl, on saturday i asked there manager to confirm. on Sunday meeting with WC at 4pm i had her call the Carnival(buffet) to confirm if it was allset since i had no time to run back in there and check, and they told yes. We arrived at 6.30. they was nothing set up. they were trying to sit us down, 4ppl per table close to each other, I was PISSED! we stood in the middle of the room like idiots... they didnt want to ruin the look of the restaurant by having so many tables together(i asked them to make a U shape)30min later they end up doing it. I was a little angry with that. But it turned out ok.

I end up going with Divine, cause we decided on having the video(im glad we did) 

Ladies i dont want u to think im a pitbull, but i felt like i had to speak up and bark at times to get what i was suppose to.

I was told Video is only for the ceremony, but ceremony is only 15min...but in package we in title for 30 min, So i had to speak to the resort ppl prior, and push it to have videographer come to my room for getting ready. They were going to charge me $150 extra, but i was very firm and told them, My package comes with 30min, so make it fair! they did! Dani was our videographer, he was super! Video looks awesome, i wish i could somehow attach it, but its 30min too long

We used DJmannia, since music was very important for us. They were excellent in communication, and very reliable, But do i think it was worse the $ we paid?NO!!!! if u can do it cheaper with resort dj, go for it. 

Reception is only 3hrs. and the resort lets u go till 9.30. 

We had 35ppl and i did not upgrade the cake. It was HUGE!!! we had soooo much cake left! 

Silvia my WC was awesome, she decorated the place with my decor in exact way i wanted her.

For coctail hour: food was great, one thing that ppl kept asking me,was why calamari had no dipping red sauce?i think its just a cultural think.... but my answer was: i did not want u guys get messy red sauce on ur nice outfit:)wink wink

I brought my own chair sashes and runners, so worse it

Obviously we need some pics of you in your dress!!!   Where did you have your reception??  I would love to that video!!  I've noted in my book - "be a pitbull!" haha  Did you have many options about the flowers?  Were they picky about "extras"?  I have Silvia too - Soooo glad to hear she is good... I was wondering about the decorations - If I needed friends to be in charge or what....

This is awesome!  I'm 3 months away now... Its come so quickly - Great to ask questions from someone whose just been there, and was only in our spot 2 shorts weeks ago!!

Originally Posted by Skygirl 

 

ladies..i am back from our weddingmoon!It was perfect! 

WC got everything under control when u get there....

we arrived saturday, wedding was monday. I ran around like chicken saturday and sunday, and was cool as a cucumber on Monday! 

The only part that was screwed up was our welcome dinner...

I was very not for the resort photographer, and calling them cookie cutter factory, and hired an outside photographer, BUT still had 24 pic from the resort photographer, even though they dont use the best equipment. I was VERY impressed with their work ethics, responsobility and work they deliverd...DO NOT BE afraid  to use them for the whole wedding photography.

Video came out awesome also:)

more details to follow this week:)

ask away ladies...

I'm sure I have a MILLION questions...  Welcome dinner wasn't organised?  Its hard to remember all your details - You had the Divine package - Correct? Did you have a DJ?  What photographer did you end up hiring extra? Where was your ceremony/reception?  We need more details and Pics - Stat!! haha  

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  You are a wife!!  Very exciting - Whole new chapter!

Originally Posted by Dazeydawl 

 

Wow the arabella is gorgeous!!!!! Its soooooo scary ordering without trying on....When do you expect it to come in? I get mine real soon. Maybe even this week!!! Hopefully i love it like i love the picture of it lol

I'm terrified!!  I'm expecting it to get here within a few weeks... I will definitely post pics when I get it!

Good luck!!  I'm sure it will be fine!  Can't wait to see some pics!

Originally Posted by chrisdeluca 

 

Donna,

 

Who is your wedding co-ordinator? Mine is Luisa, and I asked her about using the guitarist at the cocktail hour instead of the ceremony and got this response: It can not be possible, because the items in the wedding package are not exchangeable or transferable.

Its getting frustrating that everyones getting different responses from the same resort

I heard another bride say that they weren't allowed to change it either, I'm definitely going to take ALL my emails with me to the resort - Just in case...  - My WC is Silvia.  

Originally Posted by brownskingirl 

 

girl i can relate, i also have full boobs and hips, i saw that morilee dress 3117 during my search and i thought i would be too busty for it. i live in a third world country (trinidad) so the bridal shops down here dont have these expensive dresses on rack for customers to try on and if they order it for you they charge almost twice the amount.. thank god for online shopping   so i have to search online and use my imagination.

I can relate to YOU! haha  I live in South Korea, and their style is WAAayyyy different to mine, plus the dresses are tiny, plus you have to either sign up for them to do your WHOLE wedding to try on a dress, or you have to pay like $10-20 to try on each one.... I got very discouraged after my second attempt of dress shopping and turned to online... A bit sad I didn't get to have that "moment", but very grateful for online shopping... Just hope to GOD that it looks good when I finally get it!! haha

I like the first one, but I think I like the second better... cause its a bit different - It has nice curves to it!

I'm not digging the frayed look... I've asked them to change it... Even trim it - so its not soooo long, But other then that - I am VERY happy with it...  I have never tried on this or really any dresses... So, I am REALLY hoping that it looks good on me!!  Soooo Anxious to get it!!  

I got it from Jasmines, and paid just over $500...  Its a knock off of Maggie Soterro's Arabella

Originally Posted by RFFL 

 

Donna.....what do you mean you are going to play your own music for the ceremony??

Are you bringing an ipod and stuff? what music will you play?

I guess, they allowed you to move the guitarist instead the ceremony to the cocktail?

Yeah, we are going to play our Ipod for the ceremony... For music beforehand, the bridemaids walk down the aisle, my walk down the aisle and then the walk back up the aisle...

I heard another bride say you weren't allowed to move the guitarist - but I spoke to the WC - and she said it would be fine to have it during the cocktail...

Ok - Me again ladies!  I got my final pics of my dress.... I need some more help - i don't know if I am being crazy picky now - Or if it's the dress!!  Sooo, I basically love everything about it - the only problem that is really catching my eye is the top edge of sweetheart...Does it look like it is frayed??  I'm thinking the edges should be more scalloped then feather like?  Opinions please... This is my last chance!

I love the back though!!

Thanks ladies!!!

Oh, and we are going to use the resort photos to give away as gifts... And we REALLY needed a video - as my FI's mother is not going to make it from New Zealand   

So Divine it is - No more questioning for me!! haha

Originally Posted by SusanMike2013 

 

Right now I am looking at 16 adults.. maybe less/more but for budget I am using 20 Adults

 

We are getting the complimentary wedding package as we have the Preferred Club Ocean view room booked.

I do have confirmation that there is a sound system included for ceremony all packages ( I have this in a email ) as I want certain songs as the girls and I walk down the aisle.

-This package includes a wedding ceremony for 10 people so I have to add on a cost for chairs, wine and cake for 10 extra ..

-I am also adding on a private dinner (885 +tax Platinum ) and the sound system (350).

 

total cost taxes included in $1760..

 

That saves me $989 when comparing to the Now to Eternity package w/sound system...

There so so many extras that I would not use ( Photos, Hair/makeup  in the higher packages that it seems better for me to do it this way and save the money.

I am not getting married til the evening so cocktail hour would be a waste for a small group, we are doing most of our pictures before the wedding.. after the ceremony it will be group shots anyhow so why pay for drinks ( which we can free get anyhow) and food when we are going directly to a big dinner...

It makes sense for us to do it this way.. it may not work for all brides though. It depends on what you want and how many guests you have

 

:-) Now when I get there I may add little things.. but nothing to equal $1000 and that I would have in the higher packages.

Awesome - Thank you very much for clearing that all up!  I think it has been your comments that have had me questioning the most... but with 20 people - That definitely makes the most sense! Especially if you aren't using the extras, like cocktail hour, hair/make up etc...

I went through it all again, and I definitely think that it makes the most sense for us... We have about 40-45 ... When I started looking at the meals and the chairs - I was already looking at about $2000... And I definitely want the extras... Hair/makeup + me = Clueless!! 

I'm going to play my own music for the ceremony too - But, I've confirmed that it is ok to use the guitarist for the cocktail hour... So, I'm happy with that.

Thanks again Susan... Helpful as usual!

Originally Posted by Kay6356 

 

Hey ladies! I thought I would share this great idea: FI and I travel every January; usually to Cuba. We tried to think of what we missed most food wise while away. Heinz ketchup, franks red hot sauce, ect. This site is awesome for sample packages of this stuff! Check it out. www.minimus.biz

I just checked this out and it appears that shipping to Canada is $50 ...

I can only say from what I've seen in the past few months... and I would think they are capable of a LOT...  And they are pretty honest and thorough when you have concerns...

I would say your best bet is to send them a photo and ask them - they will tell you exactly what they think they can do, maybe they even have an example of something similar they can show you.  

Good luck!