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Are you a bride who is looking for someone to hold your hand during the wedding planning process without paying thousands of dollars? I will be offering 10 complementary Sessions, to the first 10 people to comment and say yes I need to talk to you to help me feel less overwhelmed about planning my wedding! I tell all of my clients that if you aren't having fun, we're doing something wrong. Because Wedding Planning can be stressful, but it's also supposed to be fun. I have been a Destination Wedding planner for many years now and let me tell you, on a daily basis I receive endless emails from Brides not looking for a planner, Dj or to discuss their budget or the flavor of their cake. But simply to have conversations and create a safe space, free of judgments and expectations. The Bridal coach. My GOAL is to be there for you and to focus on your emotional wellness, and peace of mind, so you can enjoy your engagement. Also to help you reduce stress, build confidence, and ultimately plan your wedding without feeling overwhelmed. MY MISSION is to get you results on anything you may need clarity on, when it comes to planning a wedding, because I love seeing you enjoy this moment to the fullest. COACHING Fortunately, I don't actually experience this too often because the whole point of hiring a wedding planner is to avoid that sort of situation. It is always brides who specifically looking to talk to someone on wedding tip, things to avoid etc. A lot of what I'm hearing from you is that you are just too overwhelmed, for various reasons. You counted on friends, or occasionally hired a not-too-fabulous wedding planner or relied solely on the services of the hotel/resort, and by the time you call me for guidance, you're in an all-out panic. I am making this experience available for you as a Bridal Coach. Through a one or two hour, one-on-one Coaching Session, I will talk with you about your ideas and plans, and assist you on where to save money and guidance on vendors create a personalized Action Plan that will make planning your own day much smoother. Top 3 things you can expect: 1. I will be your "source of support" for your ideas - Friends are often good at this, but may lack the wedding experience to know what will and won't work. Worse yet, if they're a past bride, they may simply be recommending a clone of their own wedding. As a bridal coach I will listen to your ideas, provide advice and often suggest other ideas that have worked well at other weddings. 2. Check the run sheet for your day - There are so many things that occur on a wedding, and each takes longer than you think. Plus you may have 100 guests to take into consideration. As Your Bridal Coach I will step you through each part of the day, and assist you in understanding how much time is needed for each activity, as well as the order that will work best. 3. Save you money - One bad decision can not only ruin your day, it can also cost you a lot of money! You don't need everything and often there isn't enough time to do it all. By providing a list of good quality suppliers that provide Value for Money! PS: YOU ARE NOT ALONE, I ´VE GOT YOUR BACK! Happy Planning! Joyce weddingsinplayadelcarmen@@gmail.com
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Genuine Ways to Say Thank You to Your Wedding Guests
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
I'm not sure if it was just me being a stressed out destination wedding bride, but while I was planning my wedding I went through periods of experiencing extreme "destination wedding guilt," that is, feeling guilty that our guests were taking time out of their busy lives and spending significant amounts of money to be a part of our Wedding Day. While planning my wedding, it was really important to me to show our guests how appreciative we were of their presence. I wanted nothing more than to make sure they enjoyed their time during our destination wedding experience and I guess you could say, we went the extra mile to make sure they knew how thankful we were to have them there. Here are a few ways you can say thank you to your guests for being a part of your big day: 1) Plan a Welcome Dinner: This can either be done as a full spread dinner or perhaps a meet and greet cocktail and appetizer hour. Either way it's a wonderful opportunity to gather your guests in one place to mix and mingle before the Wedding Day festivities begin. Call it an icebreaker, if you will, most importantly it gives you another chance to make some awesome memories with the ones you love! 2) Create Welcome/OOT Bags for Your Guests: This probably one of the most heavily researched topics in the Best Destination Wedding Forum -- "What should I put in our Welcome Bags?" Honestly it's up to you to decide how much effort and money you want to invest into these little welcome gifts. Just remember to factor in how you manage to get these items to your destination location. If at all possible, try to buy most of the items when you're at your destination rather than having to lug it from home. You can fill a bag with items your guests will find useful during their stay, or you can be simple and keep it to a few bottles of local brew or perhaps a little bag of local snacks. No matter how big or small your gift is, include a handwritten personalized note -- something from the heart is always a beautiful touch that your guests will love. 3) Plan a Group Excursion: The best memories are made when you share adventures and unique experiences together. Consider planning an outing for your guests -- perhaps a catamaran ride, a snorkeling trip, a day at the beach or maybe an ATV biking adventure. These kinds of excursions can range from reasonably affordable to pricey -- so think about either paying for a portion of the excursion or footing the entire bill. If that's still not in the budget, perhaps you can cover the transportation costs or treat everyone to a meal afterwards. The main thing is that you're doing something fun together and at the end of the day, that's all that matters. 4) Plan a Farewell Meal: Maybe it's a Day-After the Wedding Brunch or Lunch or a Bon Voyage Dinner. It's one last opportunity to say thank you to those who've invested their time and money into being a part of your wonderful wedding experience. And don't forget to give one last toast thanking everyone for being a part of your festivities. A simple thank you and a hug goes a long way! 5) Thank You Cards: It really goes without saying, but thank you cards post-wedding are always a must. If you do nothing else, make sure you send thank you cards. Don't wait too long to send these out and if possible, take the time to send out handwritten personalized notes in each card. Even if you've done all of the above or nothing at all, a thank you card is necessary and will mean so much to anyone who took part in your Wedding Day. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. -
Last week my family and I were chatting about our wedding and I blurted out "well of coarse you'll both be walking me down the aisle". The look on my fathers face literally broke my heart. I felt as if I had told him he couldn't come to my wedding. He quickly remarked "well that's a nice idea - I've never heard of that. It's your day Ash, whatever you'd like". A little background on my family - I grew up in a house without gender roles. My parents raised me to know how to change a tire, cook a meal, re-shingle the roof, sew a button and made sure my brother could do all those things too. I've played hockey since I was three but would show up to the arena wearing a dress. My parents have always shared roles within the house - if the laundry needed washing, my dad would do it; if the hinge came loose, my mum fixed it. There has never, ever been a time where I've be told or shown the women do this and men do this. In my mind, why would I have it any other way? My parents raised me, I want them, together, to walk me down the aisle. I hate the idea of being "given away" - I'm no ones possession. I did not mean to offend my father and am looking for a better way to articulate this to him. I wasn't raised in a "traditional" way, so why would I walk down the aisle in a traditional way? Has anyone else had this conversation with their father? How did it go? Am I over-analyzing this? I've asked my mum if it bothered my dad and she said she didn't know. He also never said anything to my brother. My mum is so shy she'd probably rather just my dad walk me down the aisle but for many different reasons, I feel so strongly about both of them doing this. Help! -
While the modern tradition of a Bride and Groom sharing a First Look before their ceremony continues to grow, it seems First Looks aren't just for the couple anymore. These days, the Bride sharing a special reveal moment with her parents is becoming just as popular. Once the bride has completed her finishing touches -- dress, shoes, jewelry and one final sweep of the hair and makeup, she then takes a special moment to meet her parents for the first time dressed as a bride. These photos are often filled with tons of emotion from the parents, after all, it signifies the starting point of giving their baby girl away. So if you plan to do a Parents' First Look, here are a few important things to keep in mind to make sure things go off without a hitch: Make sure you leave enough time in your Wedding Day preparations to do a First Look with your parents. Give yourself at least 15 minutes, because if tears are shed, you'll want time to do touch-ups. Pick a location that will give you privacy for this special moment. To save time, consider the room where you are getting ready for the day so you don't have to worry about traveling anywhere. Make sure you give your photographer a head's up that you'd like to do a Parents' First Look. Your photographer will appreciate being able to plan for this moment ahead of time to ensure he/she is standing in the best location with the best light for the big reveal. Parents' First Looks aren't just limited to the Bride. They can be done with the Groom and his parents as well. Mom and Dad would love to see their son before he walks down the aisle, it may also be a good time for Mom to pin the boutonnière on her son as well. Just remember all the pointers above! Did you do a Parents' First Look? What was your experience like? - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. -
One of the reasons why we opted for a destination wedding is because we wanted our celebration to have an intimate feel, being surrounded by only our closest circle of family and friends. But like all weddings, both near or far, there were some loved ones who simply couldn't be there with us -- because they had already passed on. So when planning our wedding, I wanted to find a unique way to recognize these special people who could only be with us in spirit. After scouring through websites and photos for different ways to remember our loved ones, we decided to create a small reception table of framed photos of each person that was lit by candlelight and a sweet poem. I cannot tell you how many of our guests expressed how much they loved the idea. It was an easy, simple but beautiful tribute to our loved ones who we kept close to our hearts on our Wedding Day. Here's the poem we used: Always With Us Today we pause to reflect upon Those who have shaped our character, Molded our spirits and touched our hearts. May the lighting of these candles be a Reminder of the memories we have shared, A representation of the everlasting Impact you have had upon our lives. Although we can’t see you We know that you are here Smiling down and watching As we say “I Do” Forever in our hearts Forever in our lives Forever in our minds This is in loving memory of you… Did you do something special for the people who could only be there in spirit on your Wedding Day? Share your ideas with us in the comment section. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. -
Do you believe in wedding superstitions? If so, then you're probably scampering for something blue to make sure your marriage is blessed with lots of good luck. Here are a few blue-inspired ideas that will have you strolling down the aisle with all the luck you'll need on the Big Day! 1. Blue Flowers: Sprinkle some blue hues in your bouquet. It gives you the perfect touch of color to ensure a life of happiness with your sweetheart. 2. Blue Jewelry: If you think blue jewels or stones on your necklace or bracelet are a bit too much, consider an anklet or maybe a beautiful ring. Jewelry is the perfect way to meet your blue quota on the Wedding Day! 3. Blue Shoes: My personal fave! As a photographer, I love seeing that pop of blue shoes peeking out from the bottom of a bride's dress. And with so many online shoe retailers, you can scour the internet for the perfect pair of blue hues for your feet. 4. Blue Bouquet Charm: These charms are a cute little accent for your Wedding bouquet. And it's a perfect little keepsake that you can keep locked up in a jewelry box or perhaps use as a charm on a bracelet or necklace for years to come. 5. Blue Garter or Undergarments: Be discreet with your something blue and opt for a little blue on your bridal garter or perhaps on your bra or panties. It's a fun way to get that blue touch but also a sexy little surprise for your new husband to discover on your Wedding night! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. -
We tossed around the idea back and forth -- do we do a money dance at our wedding or not? Ironically it was my parents and my aunts and uncles who strongly said, "Yes, it's a tradition!" My family urged me that it was a custom at Filipino weddings. Of course, my hubby-to-be didn't balk at the thought of being pinned with bills by our guests. You get decorated with bills just for dancing with your guests? Heck yeah, he was all for it LOL. But there was always a feeling of guilt when we thought about the money that our guests were already spending (travel, lodging, vacation expenses, etc.) just to be a part of our special celebration. (By the way, I've dubbed these guilty feelings as "Destination Wedding Expense Guilt" aka DWEG syndrome -- it exists I tell you in the minds of brides and grooms, the struggle is real!) In the end, we decided to go ahead and do the money dance. But guess what? When it came down to the night of our wedding reception, we didn't do it. Why? Not because we let DWEG get to us, but rather, we were having so much fun just enjoying the night, we nixed a lot of wedding traditions -- no bouquet toss, no garter toss and no money dance. Instead we danced, drank and celebrated the night away. And ... IT. WAS. AWESOME! I say all this because sometimes we stress over every little detail that comes with the Wedding Day. And in the end, I promise you, none of it really even matters. What is ultimately important is that you celebrate the day and fill it with love, laughter and moments you'll always remember. Love your Wedding Day and enjoy it to the fullest -- this is the only tradition that truly matters Are you planning to do a Money Dance at your wedding? - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. -
Ok. So I sent out Save the dates with TA info and wedding info on it close to 10 months prior to my wedding date. Right now, I am sort of torn between who I am sending invitations to. There has been about 3-4 rounds of STDs (electronic) and 1 through the mail sent out reminding everyone and sort of encouraging them to do deposits and book their travel. So I'm thinking who gets invitations everyone who got save the dates or everyone who has paid deposits and who are working on their travel?? I sent out save the dates to people that I "knew" weren't coming. Some of them just wanted to be nosey and just wanted to feel included. But I KNOW they really had no intentions on travelling with us to get married. HELP!!! I need advice.
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Hi all! Do you guys think it's absolutely necessary to have a wedding program? It just seems like one more think I have to worry about getting designed and printed and taking down with me....plus my FI runs on a bit of a last-minute basis so I'm afraid to put the groomsmen in print since there's some of his friends that *might* end up coming who he's want in the wedding (*facepalm*) so I'd probably have to wait to do them until the last minute. Would it be a big deal not to have them at all? Will people think that's weird? I'm thinking that maybe it's not as necessary since we'll all be together for a few days so everyone will at least kind of know who the wedding party is....what do you guys think?- 22 replies
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I've read about dozens of destination brides on this forum having similar issues so I know my problem is nothing unique, but I just need to vent! I've been a little more lax about how who and how many people have been invited to our DW, because my parents are footing the bill at the resort (God bless 'em!) Because of this, my mom has invited some of her friends and co-workers that don't exactly fall within the circle of "close family and friends," but that's totally fine with me. My parents are kind enough to pay for that part of the wedding, so of course they can invite some of their friends to join in on the vacation, even if that means a little more expense for me for invitations, OOT bags, etc - no biggie. The entire process we've basically said "The more the merrier!" Last I checked we have 50 people booked, and it seems like a really fun group. Now....my best friend's mom/mom's best friend (they are one in the same), is bringing their whole family to make it their family vacation for the year--in addition to her husband, my friend/bridesmaid/her daughter and her boyfriend, they are also bringing her older son and his girlfriend, neither of whom I know particularly well, and their 18 year old son. Again, no big deal--my mom and I are very close to this other mother/daughter duo so I'm happy to have the rest of the family at my wedding, even if I don't know them quite as well. BUT, the other day my mom says "Did you hear that (insert 18 year old's name) is bringing two friends to Mexico?" Uh, no. I asked if she expected them to come to the actual wedding, and my mom said she think's that's what my mom's friend would assume. Excuse me?! You're inviting two random teenagers to my relatively intimate wedding without even asking me, let alone informing me? I was so furious (perhaps a little over dramatically, but UGH). I know that you booked trips for your entire family and I rolled with that, but that doesn't mean you can keep tacking on people I don't know! Especially when, to be honest, I'm not particulary thrilled that the 18 year old son is going to be there in the first place--he's constantly posting things to his social media pages that I find EXTREMELY offensive to my faith and beliefs, to the point where I had to block him so something wouldn't accidentally appear on my timeline because I found the things he was saying so upsetting. Considering that my and my fiance's religious beliefs will be a big part of our ceremony, it's already kind of annoying that we'll have someone so disrespectful in the audience who will probably be sitting there rolling his eyes...but ANYWAY, whatever, I can deal with that. But I just don't want two other random 18 year olds running around my wedding (probably getting drunk and obnoxious at the open bar if how the kid has acted in the past is any indication). I don't care if they come to Mexico--it's their vacation too and they can have whoever they want come down, it's no skin off my nose. But I don't think I should be required to have them at my ceremony. I know that most people say that you have to let every guest bring a date/friend, even if you don't know the person, but this doesn't feel like the same thing since he's coming with his entire family. How should I deal with telling my mom's friend/friends mom this? I've read a lot of posts with similar issues where people explained that they have a tight budget and can't just be adding people, but that's not so much my issue since they know that I'm not personally paying for it, and that we've been pretty easy going about adding other guests. Or should I just let it go? Is this one of those things that seems like a huge deal pre-wedding that won't make a bit of difference to me the day of? My mom told me not to stress about it too much since they're 18 year old boys and when push comes to shove they might not be able to come up with the money to go, so it might be a moo point (like a cow's opinion - it doesn't matter! , but I'd rather be prepared with how to deal with it if and when they book. WHEW, I feel better just writing all that out
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As women we’ve all envisioned it … the dress perfectly embracing the curves of your body, every strand of hair in its rightful place, and lest I forget, you’re donning a flawless face. Ahhhh yes, the makeup is so perfect, you’ve got Kim Kardashian frantically searching for a touch-up. And with all your fabulousness, your first step down the wedding aisle is greeted with harmonious awe-filled sighs of admiration from your circle of family and friends. But even better? Your gaze meets your soon-to-be-husband's eyes for the first time and you can literally see his breath being taken away — you are simply a vision to behold. And, he even sheds a tear, because yes, you are the most beautiful bride in the world!! For the longest time, that’s how I imagined it would be on our Wedding Day. Time would stop as we saw each other for the first time at the aisle, and dozens of snapshots would be taken to capture that moment. But this isn’t what happened. It was actually better than I dreamed. We decided to see each other for the first time — in private — about 90 minutes before the ceremony. And … It. Was. Beautiful. (Yes, sometimes things carry so much meaning, each word warrants its own sentence!) Never in a million years would I have thought to see my husband-to-be prior to the ceremony, because like I said, I’ve always envisioned that “gazing into each others eyes with everyone in awe,” moment. But then we sat down with our photographer and she asked if we wanted to see each other before the ceremony for a ‘first look’ session. I think I blurted out “NO” before she even finished the sentence. In fact, I think I said it so abruptly I’m sure she thought she accidentally asked me if I wanted to take family formals in the public restroom, LOL. But weeks later, my mind started to shift after seeing so many incredibly gorgeous “First Look” photos and reading countless photography blogs and articles about the benefits of seeing each other beforehand. Fast forward almost seven years later to today ... my husband and I have been shooting weddings as a husband & wife photography team for about 5 years now, and while we have some couples who like to stick to the tradition of not seeing each other until the ceremony, we also have plenty of clients who opt for a First Look session -- and frankly, we love it! Here are some of the advantages in breaking the “see you at the aisle” tradition and opting for a First Look instead: This is a private and special moment shared between just the two of you. Weddings can often be chaotic, filled with guests who want to greet you, endless “come on, let’s take a picture together” moments, and a timeline that seems to fly faster than you can say “I Do.” Most of the time, a couple never has a moment alone, so the First Look sometimes ends up being the only time you and your sweetheart will share something that is completely private and all your own without any extra eyes watching (except for your photographers of course!). And because of this, this special moment carved out before the Ceremony often makes it the most precious sliver of time during the entire Wedding Day. There’s more time for romantic photos of the couple! Time blocked out for a First Look allows us super giddy photographers to be more creative with location, poses, etc. By doing a First Look we can choose the perfect location for you to meet and situate ourselves to capture the moment your eyes connect. And yes, be prepared for tears! Sometimes this moment can be so powerful it will draw out all sorts of emotions … awe, utter joy, excitement, and an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude … for each other, for love, for this special day After the First Look, we can then set aside about 30 to 45 minutes to do romantic photos where we’re not racing for time or light, but simply focusing on capturing beautiful images in the most incredible settings! Family members as well as the Bride and Groom can enjoy the cocktail hour together. Because you're opting to take care of a bulk of the romantic portraits and possibly even family and bridal party photos before the ceremony, there's now more time for everyone to party together AFTER the ceremony! *WOOT WOOT* There is no sense of rushing while doing pictures after the ceremony. If you can take care of family and bridal party photos before the ceremony, you can focus solely on taking a few more romantic portraits after the ceremony, allowing you to capitalize on the golden hour if your ceremony takes place a couple hours before sunset — when the light is deliciously fabulous and super flattering, giving that special glow to each image! Make-up and hair look “fresher” in images shot before the ceremony, especially during summer weddings when you’re dealing with heat. Brides you will be beautiful throughout the day, but there’s no better time to catch your look at its freshest than right after you’ve gotten primped and pampered. Doing a First Look allows your photographer to capture you at your best. And if you shed a few tears when you see each other for the first time, no worries, you can always get some touch ups before the ceremony! It helps the nervousness and anticipation of the day subside. If you are feeling a little anxious during the day's preparations, seeing your sweetheart helps put aside some of those wedding jitters before the ceremony. Who better than to calm your nerves than the one you love? And now, let me add my own two cents to the list … First Looks create some of the most amazing wedding pictures I’ve ever seen!!! And I’m not just talking just regular amazing, I mean goosebumps all over your body amazing! The private moment you get to share with the one you love is like the first flower he bought you that is now dried and pressed between the pages of a thick book — it makes your heart flutter every time you see it and brings a smile to your face that no one will ever truly understand. I have no regrets at all seeing my husband before the ceremony. In fact, I would not have done it any other way. Seeing each other for the first time alone was more special than I could have ever imagined because it was a moment all our own that we shared with no one else, just us (and our amazing photographers with our daughter peeking nearby!!) And guess what? When you see your sweetheart down the wedding aisle, it's still just as special. It's an entirely different feeling of excitement because you also see your family and friends surrounding you -- so instead of one instance of seeing each other for the first time, you actually get two and both are equally wonderful. You get the best of both worlds! Whatever it is you decide, do what your heart tells you, make sure it fits with your timeline and make that moment your own. Soak in his gaze and let your heart flutter, because it is a fragment of time that you’ll always remember. So make it special! MarieSam Sanchez Photography is a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. -
So Best Buy just announced that it's offering wedding registries to couples. (Click here to see the BDW article with all that info). I know this would have MADE my husband's day if this was offered while we were planning our wedding years ago! But I have to ask, would you be OK with your husband-to-be adding entertainment-based electronics like a video game console or video games to your wedding registry? Or do you think that's ... hmmmmm tacky?
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Before I got married almost seven years ago, my husband -- then fiancé -- joked how he was going to put a flat screen TV and PS3 game console on our Wedding gift registry to balance out my infinite registry additions of "really soft" towels, 1000-count thread sheets and matching his and her coffee mugs. His remark was of course, followed by a smirk to let me know he was totally joking. But little does he know, that Best Buy just made his dream a reality by offering its customers the ability to sign up for a wedding registry. (And now I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks better of my vow renewal idea HA! ) Known mostly for its electronic-based items like computers, stereo systems, televisions, music and DVDs, Best Buy also sells various small and large home appliances like refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, washers, irons and dryers, etc. So while the world’s largest consumer electronics retailer may entice your future spouse to add that video game console, rest assure you can also add that new sewing machine or juicer you've been eyeing to balance out your registry list. As part of its new wedding registry service, Best Buy will also offer a 10% off coupon should the couple decide to purchase remaining items left on their registry after the Big Day. -
The Importance of Posting Wedding Recaps and Reviews
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in BDW Website
It's hard to believe that it's been almost seven years since I became a member on the Best Destination Wedding Forum. I don't really remember how I came upon the site, but I do recall scouring through endless internet search results in hopes that I would find some magic elixir AKA insightful article or website to help me plan my dream destination wedding. Because let's face it, planning a wedding thousands of miles away from home is really hard, especially when you want it to be just perfect. Thankfully, one of those hundreds of internet searches led me the right way and I happened to click on the BDW site. Now here I am, on the cusp of celebrating my 7-year wedding anniversary this summer and I still look back at my wedding photos every few months, remember and missing what was truly the best experience/vacation of my life. A huge part of what made the planning process so much easier was being able to rely on reviews and shared insight from past brides and grooms. I relied on this information to book my lodging, venue, caterer, planner, hair/makeup artist, photographer and videographer, etc. etc. -- pretty much all key components to making my wedding vision come to life. Think about how many times you've looked at reviews on Yelp before you dine at a restaurant, or how you rely on reviews before purchasing something off of Amazon. Honestly, I'm not sure how I survived without online reviews in the past, but these days they are a huge catalyst when it comes to guiding your decisions as a consumer. That said, it's always important to also look at a vendor or venues overall reviews, because let's face it, there are some people in this world who are simply hard to please no matter the circumstance. So if you see a vendor you really love, but come upon a bad review, look at their ratings overall -- especially their most recent ones. And don't hesitate to ask that vendor about any negative or less favorable reviews -- it is your right as the consumer to voice your concerns if you're potentially going to give them your business. In the same breathe, it's also important to consider what you're going to say when you post a negative review. Remember, once it's on the internet, it's usually there to stay and if warranted, there can be some legal repercussions taken against you. Here are some awesome tips shared on the Off Beat Bride website by a former bride who went through a harrowing experience after posting an angry vendor review that actually resulted in her facing legal action. Tips before posting a "crazy mad review": Think long and hard. Be sensible. Be aware of your wording — saying that they "stole" from you is a defamatory statement. If this is true, chances are you've already notified the authorities. If they broke the contract, make sure you have proof and are already seeking legal assistance. Most importantly, don't air your dirty laundry on a blog. The tips go on to suggest that warning other potential clients about a vendor, should be done with style and grace. But one must also be careful of accusatory statements — "posting that you were displeased with the services rendered is one thing; whereas posting that they stole your dress or car or grandma's walker is a serious accusation and you should really be following up with the police, not a wedding blog." Remember, "if a vendor is serious about pursuing legal action, they will do so." (To see the Off Beat Bride article in its entirety, click here.) So while this forum is an awesome resource to lean on as you plan your wedding, once you're back from your dream wedding, don't forget to post a photo recap and write up your honest and detailed review -- quick or long. Your opinion is valuable to so many current and future destination wedding couples, plus we wanna know how fabulous your day was too!!! To add your post-wedding reviews to the BDW site, add your reviews to these sections: Resort Reviews Vendor Reviews If you planned your wedding with the help of the BDW community we would love to hear from you. Contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in sharing your wedding experience with us. Your story and photos will be added to the site's Real Weddings section. -
There are different kinds of milestones in a woman’s life. Your first crush, your first kiss ... that awful first zit. Hmmmm... then of course times when you realize who your real friends are, and then the shock you feel when you first lose someone to death. Sometimes equally painful is the day you realize your heart actually can be broken like an eggshell on the edge of a mixing bowl. Conversely, the moment may also come when you realize that you’ve found the love of your life and every day brings upon a blank page ready to be filled with life changing moments and memories fueled by love and laughter. But perhaps there is not a more stress-filled yet wonderfully exhilarating event than “THE WEDDING DAY” — and yes, it warrants all caps because when it comes down to it, the entire experience really is just that fabulous! It was about seven years ago when I really started delving into full wedding mode. With our big day set for June 26, 2009 in Akumal, Mexico, the clock was ticking and the to-do-list ever expanding much like my waistband *sigh* Ah yes, the fluctuating weight was just one of my many ups and downs during my bride-to-be era! Now if you were anything like me during that 1 year+ leading up to the big day, your mind is probably racing with never-ending questions, ideas and concerns. This really is a wonderfully exciting and special time so soak it all in — stress, bills and all — because you will only get the chance to be a first-time bride once, so make sure you cherish every moment! With that being said, the path to your wedding day will not always filled with beautifully paved yellow bricks that are easy to follow. And if it is, please tell Dorothy I love her red shoes!!! But really, there will likely be a few ups and downs, some disappointments, and I’m sure a couple of surprises when least expected. But try not to punch the panic button too fast, take a deep breath, and know these zany problems are prone to every wedding experience. And hey, if you do by chance get blessed with “perfect” planning and a stellar wedding day to boot, PLEASE PLEASE give me a call and we’ll bottle up your magic formula and sell it! I’ve already got an informercial ready to go and we’ll have millions of customers lined up at the door, I promise, lol. But really, when the ol' wedding path leads you astray, try to keep focused on THE WEDDING DAY and enjoy the ride no matter how bumpy it gets. Trust me, while it may feel like a marathon, as you near the end you’ll wonder where the time went and you’ll miss it like an old pair of comfy jeans that made your butt look great, times 100. Throughout my own wedding experience there were many times I cried tears of frustration and moments I even tried to convince my then fiance (now husband) we were better off just canning the whole “destination wedding” idea. Between zany airfare prices, travel and accommodation concerns, unexpected illness and a death in the family — Oh, and how can I forget my 2-week obsession with Fox News and CNN when I cried buckets during the “Swine Flu” meltdown, the surge of the Mexican drug cartel problems, and lest I forget my bridal shower being postponed twice! At one point I honestly thought our wedding was jinxed. But somehow through all the mixups, missing emails, unruly bridesmaids, last minute RSVPs and cancelations, everything came together like a flock of birds in the beautiful blue sky. With a trails of tears left behind on my wedding path, everything just fell into place and It. Was. Magic. Seriously. So get your rest, drink lots of water, and put on a comfy pair of shoes. Your wedding awaits, and believe me, it’s a ride you’ll never forget! -
So I am telling my guests that I do not want gifts for our wedding...to make the trip to our wedding is quite a big expense and I know that some people are sacrificing a lot to be there. I'm not having a shower, that I know of, but I still find that some people still want to get us something and have been asking us to register. Here's the thing...we have been together for 9 years this April fools and we have been living together for 8. We have quite enough stuff in our tiny apartment and I can't think of one "thing" that I NEED...don't get me wrong if i had a bigger apartment there would be plenty for me to WANT lol !! I would prefer if they would gift us an experience like a date night, a membership to art gallery or museum, show tickets...etc. Even Money towards a honeymoon, house down payment ...or towards some debt (more likely lol) How would you go about telling them this? I know people find it rude to ask for money...but for me regular physical gifts would just be a waste. Any suggestions....what would you do? -
So my parents are paying for our at home reception as they were the ones who wanted to have it. My husband and I paid for Mexico and did all of that, so they are taking it on as they want to have one to invite their friends, show us off (their words, not mine) However, they wanted to have it April 18th (We got married November 11th of this year) as it's after Easter so hardcore old school Ukrainians don't get upset and so that the roads are better. I honestly think that it's too long after the fact and that it looks bad to have it 5 months after and I am feeling pretty crappy about it and what people will think.. Has anyone else had there's this long after? What was the feedback? I have already put my foot down and told them I am not wearing my dress again as it's too long after and that we aren't having a head table or speeches or the dances again. So we have kind of compromised a bit. Thoughts???
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Hi brides! I've read up on quite a few posts about whether or not to invite coworkers to your wedding, but I have a slight variation on that question. I've been at my job full time for six months, but have been a summer intern for this company for five years, so I've been "around" for a while. It's a very small company--when I started, there were only five other people working here, and we just hired two more people, so we're up to seven, plus me is eight. I sent my boss and his wife (who also works with us) a save the date, but didn't bother to send them to anyone else, since it still felt sort of strange since I didn't know them very well. Now that I've been working here a few months, I'm starting to feel a little closer with my other co-workers, especially a select few...so my question is, should I send my other co-workers a save the date now? Does it seem rude or like an afterthought to send them one after my initial round of Save the Dates? I'm not sure if they would know that I had already sent most of them out. I should also note, it would be more as a gesture to invite them to our At Home Reception--I highly highly doubt anyone will come to the DW. Then that opens up the question of whether or not I have to invite everyone in the whole office, or just the people I interact with on a daily basis...but I'll start with the the first question. Any thoughts?
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I am beginning to work out some details for our AHR. I know we want a DJ with dancing and just a fun celebration, but I'm wondering about including some of the traditional reception things. Are you guys still having a 'first dance'? It won't technically be our first dance since we will go dancing while we're at our DW. Are you doing a traditional cake cutting? Again, we will cut our wedding cake in Jamaica, but very few people will be there. Speeches? We won't have a bouquet toss or any of the cheesy dance songs, like the cupid shuffle, but I just can't decide on some of the others! HELP! What are you all doing?
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Hi, My friend is having a destination wedding in Mexico in late spring 2015. I have known him for over 10 years and consider him a very good friend. As we were talking about his wedding, he said that he'd have no problem with me bringing a significant other to the resort (I'm in a relatively new relationship) but that she couldn't come to the ceremony. He said this "matter-of-factly" as though it wasn't a huge deal. To me that seems kind of cheesy that you would say that I could bring my significant other with me but that she won't be able to go to the ceremony. I'm paying for flight, resort, all-inclusive fee for two people and then she can't accompany me to the ceremony on the resort grounds? Is he wrong here or am I? It's not a huge deal but I was wondering what the etiquette is here? Thanks! -
Hi Brides! I am getting married NEXT WEEK at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach in Cabo San Lucas, and am in a bit of a panic over who to tip & how much! The resort is all-inclusive, and the wedding was booked as a package deal, so I'm not really sure what the protocol is. I assume I'll need to tip the bartender/waitstaff/DJ/coordinator - but have no clue how much! I regret not thinking about this earlier, or budgeting for it... What have other brides done in all-inclusive situations? -Kari
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What is everyone doing about inviting their bosses?? I work for a small company but we have over 100 staff. Im inviting people i directly work with like my supervisor that i report to and a few co workers. Im friendly with a lot of people in the office but im just inviting the ones i directly work with. Now the Administrator of the company over sees my dept. I work with her often and we go back and forth a lot during the week. Im not sure if i should invite her. Ive known her for 8 years!! She was so excited to hear about my engagement but shes also the head of the company. Is it weird to invite her?? Most of my co-workers have invited her to their weddings and shes gone to a few. Also, im not sure i have her correct address. Is it awful to hand deliver the invite?? Or should i try and get her address??
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My invitations have been printed an are on their way to me. My travel agent just called and told me she is moving to a different store. Her email will stay the same but her phone # is changing. All my invites have been printed with her old number. How can i let my guests know that her number is incorrect without it looking stupid. My sister suggested putting a label over it with the correct info. I hate that!! I spent a lot of money on these and don't want them ruined with a label!!! The people who made the invites offered me a re-print at a discounted rate but its just so much to spend on something i already spent enough on. Im going to update her info on the wedding website but not everyone looks at that. Any ideas how i can fix this without it looking too tacky??? -
Hello Ladies, I just bought a wedding dress and I need some advice. The wedding gown I just bought is so far from what I ever imagined wearing that I have no idea how to style it and Im afraid Im going to be overdressed at my own wedding! Our wedding is only three months away and it'll be on the beach at Las Caletas in Puerto Vallarta. We want the wedding to be laid back and fun and I wanted something really different for my dress. Monique Lhuillier's Candy in pink was my dream dress but even used that was totally breaking the bank! The dress I bought is called Braxton, by Maggie Sottero (pict below). I love the dress but it's so heavily beaded that it seems too fancy for the venue and the look and feel I had wanted. I wasn't planning on wearing shoes since we'll be in the sand. Does anyone have any other suggestions for dressing down my gown? hair, make up, veil, flowers, etc? Im not even sure about the wedding colors anymore. I had been thinking pinks, peaches, corals with gold but now Im not sure. I also posted a pict of the original bouquet that I wanted in those colors but I think its too bright for the dress. We go to visit the site in two weeks and I'll need to make all of these decisions. Thanks!! for those who cant see the attachments here are links: dress: http://www.sotteroandmidgley.com/dress.aspx?style=4SK816&page=0&pageSize=36&keywordText=&keywordType=All flowers: http://www.theknot.com/weddings/photo/bright-bridal-bouquet-118336
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As time goes on more and more couples would love to move away from gift registry. So you're wondering if it's okay to ask your guests for cash gifts instead of having a registry full of traditional wedding gifts? Well don't worry, you're not the only couple wondering, in fact it has been reported recently that just about 35% of couples will be or would like to ask their guests for cash gifts or vouchers, instead of gifts. There are websites and services cropping up all over offering the bride and groom several different ways to present this option to their guests in a way that is not rude, tacky or too forthright. When you think about it, it makes more sense to give the gift of cash or vouchers to your happy couple to be, because it can be used towards a big purchase such as a family car or towards a down payment for a house. The best thing to do if you know you would prefer cash over gifts at your wedding is to start to spread the word among your friends and families. Here are some other helpful ideas: Register for Travel Vouchers Several agencies and websites are now offering this option to couples to help plan their honeymoon trip. Check out honeymoons.com for more info. Register for a Cash Gifts American Express now offers gift cards for weddings and have it nicely packaged in a gold envelope. This can be listed on the registry. One great example that incoporates both of these ideas quite nicely is a website called weddingrepublic.com. Brides and grooms can start a wishlist through the site, asking for guests to chip in on a honeymoon, home renovations, romantic dinners, or whatever else they may want. Guests will even be given the choice to contribute a portion of their cash gift in different areas if they choose. After the wedding, couples can close their registry and cash in their chunk of change. Are you asking for money or going the traditional way? Let us know! Dream Weddings Riviera Maya http://www.dreamweddingsrivieramaya.com [email protected] +52 984 145 9035
