Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'planning tips'.
-
We are having our wedding in Huatulco Mexico in January. The resort's wedding coordinator does not speak the best of English and I find when I email her I can only email one question at a time or else she does not fully answer them. She is not giving me any direction of where to start my planning, or what I need to plan. Can anyone give me suggestion of things I need to confirm with her or question about? I did today find out about my flowers but I am so overwhelmed with all of this I don't even know where to go from here. I did not expect this type of experience when planning a destination wedding, I thought the wedding coordinators would be more helpful. Thank you
- 5 replies
-
- 2016 Brides
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Hi, Just came across a new site www.myweddingstory.co and I'm wondering if anyone has used it yet. I'm looking for a place to share my videos, pics, audio, etc. from my wedding. I've already created a "How We Met" storyline with cute quiz questions, etc. Now I'm trying to decide if it's worth the money to use it for my other ideas. Thoughts? Thanks!
- 1 reply
-
- Decor & Details
- Photographers
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Welcome to my planning thread! My fiance and I are getting married on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Beach Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico. I love reading everyone else's ideas, so thought I'd post my own in case anyone was interested! Our Engagement My fiance and I got engaged on a beautiful day in September 2014 at our favorite spot in our home city! Choosing the Wedding Location We decided it would be extremely expensive for my fiance and I to have a wedding in our home city. We attended a friend's Cancun destination wedding in June 2014, and fell in love with the idea of a destination wedding! There was a lot of debate as far as wedding location. Original location ideas included Costa Rica (nixed because of lack of direct flights), Jamaica (nixed because not as many direct flight options), and Cancun. Cancun ended up winning because: 1. There are PLENTY of direct flight options! and 2. There are SO many hotels you're able to choose from, and 3. Because of the plentiful number of hotels, prices tended to be cheaper. Choosing the Hotel This one was surprisingly easy for us. My friend that got married in June 2014 had her wedding at Azul Fives in Riviera Maya. Her e-ring ended up being stolen while she was down there, and she had other issues that contributed to her "not wanting to ever stay at an Azul/Karisma hotel ever again". Plus, we didn't want to do the same exact wedding as her! The other options we were looking into One thing we KNEW we wanted was to get married on a rooftop (THE VIEWS!!) versus a beach. While at aforementioned friend's wedding last summer, we saw how crazy the beach can get, and knew we wanted something more private. This led us to looking at hotels with rooftop terraces - and our initial choice was Sandos Cancun. However, we started talking to my friend about her wedding, and she recommended either Moon Palace or Beach Palace - saying those were her backup options after Azul. Once we looked at Beach Palace's reviews and pictures on TripAdvisor, we were hooked! Moon Palace was second place, but Beach Palace seemed nicer. We immediately contacted the Beach Palace Wedding representatives from the website, and were assigned a wedding coordinator who helped us reserve a date and the locations for our ceremony and reception. We also worked with our coordinator to set up a Group Room block, so that we could get standard room rates and certain group benefits. Save the Dates Once we coordinated the Group Room block, we worked on our save-the-dates at the end of December 2014. We ended up doing our save-the-dates using one of the Walgreens cardstock templates online in order to save some cash! Along with the save-the-dates, we also sent all of our guests an email with additional details regarding location, booking, etc. The email contained both a link to our group room block, and also a link to our theknot.com wedding website. Invitations Invitations are the WORST. Don't get me wrong, they're VERY cute. But they're also extremely expensive and time-consuming. We ended up inviting about 75 couples (150 people), and the invitations we ordered off Etsy were freaking ADORABLE, but almost $1,000! That's not even including the postage stamps you need in order to mail them! These were mailed at the end of February 2015 if my memory serves me right. RSVP's As our RSVP's came in, we started to get a pretty good idea of who was coming and who wasn't. We asked that our guests RSVP by April 1st (as our room block needed to be closed by April 28th in order to avoid penalties). We wanted to leave a buffer of a few weeks since generally some people are late with RSVP's - and boy are we glad we did! We had to follow up with a few people closer to the deadline in order to make sure they booked through our block by the deadline. Some people booked outside of our block, which cost us dearly in missing out on certain benefits - but overall I'm more happy that they're able to come! The Dress and the Suit! I ordered my wedding dress in mid-November 2014. I believe it came in from the manufacturer sometime in March. I had my first fitting April 28, 2015 to try it on in my size for the first time and see what needed to be done as far as taking it in and hemming. Second fitting was on May 17th, and at this fitting the dress had been taken in and hemmed. During this second fitting we discussed taking it in more and how I wanted a 3 point bustle. The third fitting was May 26th. At this fitting we discussed taking it in even more, and how a 5 point bustle is more appropriate. More to come on the dress - I just suggest getting it earlier rather than later in the process! I also bought veil weights from Etsy since I'm worried about the wind blowing my veil too much in all the pictures! Accessories are TOM's ivory lace wedges, Marlosha (Etsy) pink and gold teardrop earrings, and a Nadri gold and silver teardrop bracelet. My fiance is wearing a light brown linen suit he purchased at Suit Up! (just kidding, it's called Suit Supply). Brown shoes, a brown belt, and a white shirt will accompany. Bridesmaids are wearing a Laundry Hibiscus (i.e. pink/purple) tulip maxi dress, with either white or nude shoes. I bought them Kate Spade multi-colored cluster earrings in pink/purple. Gold chain bracelets with amethyst will accompany. Groomsmen are wearing Brooks Brothers white linen short-sleeved dress shirts (un-tucked), and stone colored pants. Brown belt and shoes will accompany. Planning the Wedding As the wedding planning is still in process, I will just share my vision for the event and things I've purchased/organized along the way! Welcome to Beach Palace My lovely mother is going to organize welcome bags for each room. The welcome bags will include sunscreen, ibuprofen, a flip flop bottle opener, a "Get to Know the Guests" sheet, and an itinerary of the wedding events. I'm still toying with the idea of purchasing waterproof key card/ID holders. I think they'd be nice for people to not have to worry about getting their tip money wet at the pool bar! I've heard the Beach Palace wedding coordinator ("WC") will deliver the bags to each guest room for $3/bag. Not sure if we will do this, or just try to catch up with our guests each day they arrive. Night Out We would LOVE to do a night out on the town of Cancun with our guests on Friday, June 26th - two nights before the wedding! Rehearsal Dinner We will have 34 adults and 2 kids, and have booked the rehearsal dinner for 6 to 8pm on Saturday, June 27th - the night before the wedding. This will be on the Infinity Terrace and we will be having the Italian Buffet dinner option. The buffet is $55/person since we didn't have any resort promotion for the dinner. We are not using any sound system or additional lighting for this event. Morning of the Wedding My mother and I are getting our hair (only) done at the Beach Palace Salon at 10:30am. I've heard bridal hair takes almost 3 hours at the BP salon, so I wanted to get mine done early! I don't really wear makeup so I'm doing my own. Afterwards, my girl friends are going to do their own hair and makeup in my room while drinking mimosas (yum). Photographer We're using Dream Arts photography - the Beach Palace recommended vendor. We are doing 3 hours from 4 to 7pm, with a 15 minute mini-movie. We're doing our own "getting ready" and reception dancing photos. Ceremony The ceremony will be on the Sky Terrace at 4pm. Purchased the Metallic Sands ceremony package for decorations! Hoping to have regular chairs rather then the "pods". We are doing ring exchange and vow exchange in a symbolic ceremony. We are getting legally married upon our return back to the U.S. We are putting our ceremony programs in a basket (maybe from Crate & Barrel?) on a table as you walk in, and gluing the programs to a stick to turn them into fans since it will be quite warm out! After much debate on whether we use the BP officiant, or one of our guests, we decided on the BP officiant after hearing good things. One thing we want to make sure to do is have someone take a group picture of us and all our guests near the altar on the Sky Terrace! Cocktail Hour The cocktail hour is on the Sky Bar South from 5pm to 6pm. During this time, the wedding party will be doing photos on both the Sky Terrace and also at the beach. We ordered the Mexican appetizers for the rest of the guests enjoying the cocktail hour. Reception Ufffffff...so much info to list here! To start off, it's on the Palenque Terrace starting at 6pm! Entrance - we will have a basket of flip flops on a table for guests to take as dancing shoes. I ordered Navy Blue assorted size flip flops for the men and Lavender assorted size flip flops for the women from Dollar Tree. The basket will be the $29 fold-able bamboo basket from Crate & Barrel for luggage packing ease. On the table, there will also be everyone's table number assignments. We purchased Wilton ivory fold-able place cards. My fiance is going to tape washer to the inside of the cards to weight them down and combat the wind. Tables - 6 tables, with 6 people each. Using the Metallic Sands decoration package so we don't have to worry about much! We're printing the table numbers ourselves, and ordered some natural sea-shell table card holders from Etsy to display. Favors - At each table setting, there will be Mexican loteria matchboxes that we ordered on Etsy. Our favors also kind of include the flip flops and the glow sticks mentioned below. Lighting - We ordered necklace glow sticks from Amazon. The best man will be handing these out to guests as it gets dark. We also ordered Zuniga 4 column lighting with 2 string lights (via Beach Palace). Music - We ordered 2 speakers from JSAV (the Basic Package) and will be playing our iPod during the reception. Food/Drinks - Went with the BBQ buffet as it seems to be something that would appeal to everyone. We ordered a chocolate chantilly frosted cake. Possibly ordering additional champagne.
- 8 replies
-
- 9
-
- 2015 Brides
- Cancun Riviera Maya
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
"Don't just do a regular First Dance, that's so booooorrrrrriiinggggg!" Yes that's what my own mother told me as we were planning our Wedding. She urged, no actually pretty much begged, that we do something fun to surprise our guests. Well, little did she know we had already been planning to do a surprise dance, but in order for it to be a true surprise, I had to keep it a secret from her too. So instead, I did my best to make her believe a surprise dance was just too time consuming to plan and I just didn't have time for it. Let me tell you -- mama was disappointed LOL. But lo and behold, because we flew into Mexico a week before our wedding, we were able to spend a few nights choreographing and practicing our first dance surprise in our room when everyone was asleep (we stayed in a villa property that housed 30 members of our family). My husband and teenage daughter even spent about an hour in the pool teaching me how to Dougie (hahahaha, I'm serious!). And guess what, when the time came to do our first dance, I remember seeing my mom at the corner of my eye kinda roll her eyes and pout in her seat because according to her, we were just "so booooorrrriinnnnggggg." But when our slow dance music cut into some booty shaking music and we broke out into our routine, all of our guests went wild -- including mama, she was probably cheering the loudest. Yes, we gave them a show and it was pretty darn awesome to see everyone cheering and giving us a standing ovation. I say all this because if you're contemplating the idea of doing a surprise First Dance -- JUST DO IT. It will honestly be the best gift you can give your guests and well, the photos and video will be priceless for decades to come! Click here to see some surprise first dance inspiration on YouTube! Are you planning any surprises for your guests on the Wedding Day? Share your ideas and plans in the comments 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.
- 1 comment
-
- DJs & Songs
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Hey guys I would LOVE any advice you may have related to Akiin beach club. We are planning to have our wedding at Akiin Beach in March 2016 (official date still up in the air) I have been in contact with their wedding coordinator but they don't help with hotels etc. I would love any suggestions or tips from personal experiences! Where did your guests stay? I love the rustic cabanas all around Tulum!
-
- Mexico
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Hi ladies, We're leaving one week from today for our wedding in Mexico! I'm super excited and am now just trying to work out the logistics of how we're going to get everything down there. Has anyone ever used either the Thirty-One Zip-Top Organizing Tote or All-Day Organizing Tote as a personal item in addition to a carry on bag? I appreciate your help and suggestions! Thanks!!! http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/product/320/catid/22/swid/081a/zip-top-organizing-utility-tote-in-bubble-bloom/ http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/product/358/catid/22/swid/079a/all-day-organizing-tote-in-black-playful-parade/
- 12 replies
-
- Planning Tips
- Travel Agents
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Has anyone had their wedding as Las Brisas Huatulco? I am having a hard time finding anyone who has. We booked here, it was recommended by our travel agent. I didn't even know about all the forums and stuff I could have went on to find other resorts and get reviews on them so we just booked this resort without any knowledge other than the travel agent saying it was pretty. I would love to connect with someone who has had a wedding here as I am lost on what to do about the planning. The wedding contact at the resort does not have the best English so I am not even sure how to start the planning process! Thanks
- 1 reply
-
- Resorts & Hotels
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Hi Everyone. We have booked our destination wedding in Huatulco Mexico for January 2016. We knew we wanted a destination wedding but we pretty late on planning it, realize now I only have 6 months to get ready for this! I am so excited but at a loss of what I need to plan and prepare. The wedding contact at the resort does not speak the best English so our emails are a bit difficult back and forth. I try to use the simplest English so she understand everything but I have so many questions I don't know how to get them all answers. So I am hoping you guys can help. I don't even know the first thing about what I need to be doing. We have our resort and the date picked. We know we get minimal decorations provided by the hotel and I have seen the dinner menu. Now where do I go from here? Decorations I bring with me, things to pack, how the day should run, things to make sure to ask the resort before hand, ect, ect. I don't really know anything about planning a wedding! Any advice is appreciated! Thanks so much
- 1 reply
-
- 2016 Brides
- Mexico
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Can't decide when to have your wedding photographer begin shooting on the Wedding Day? Here are four reasons why your photographer should start shooting during the "Getting Ready" portion of your Big Day. -- Document the Details: If you're like most brides, you've spent tons of time carefully picking out the little details that will make your wedding look picture perfect. The bouquet, the shoes, the hair/makeup look, the veil, the jewelry, the garter, even the undergarments under that perfect dress. When you have your photographer present during the 'Getting Ready' portion of your Wedding Day, he/she will be able to capture all the beautiful details that make you a vision to behold. Collect all your details and give your photographer enough time to photograph these things one by one. -- Capture the Excitement and Anticipation: There is honestly nothing like the electricity in the air when the bride and groom are getting ready on their Wedding Day. Emotions range from excitement, nervousness, anticipation and tons of emotion. And because you're so "in the moment," you often forget the little things that happen in between the rush of getting ready -- like the tears, the laughter and the incredibly touching moments that make the day so special. Having your photographer there to capture it all is a great way to relive and remember all the emotions. Some of my favorite moments as a photographer take place during this time of day because feelings are running so high. After all, it is truly your last few moments thinking as a singular person -- after the Wedding Day mostly everything becomes "we." -- See What Your Sweetheart Was Up To: It's pretty fun to be able to see what your soon-to-be-spouse was up to on the Wedding Day. Yes, you could very easily call them up or send a barrage of text messages back and forth. But there's nothing quite like seeing your sweetheart's Wedding Day shenanigans in photos! -- Remember Your Wedding Day Story as a Whole: If there's any advice I give to my brides when it comes to the Wedding Day, it's to enjoy every moment on your Big Day because it will go by in a blink. All those months and hours of wedding prep culminate into one day. And trust me when I say, that day will pass faster than you want it to. With adrenaline and excitement running so high, the events of the day will fly by and before you know it, the celebration of your life is over. I cannot emphasize enough how much you will love having photos that capture the highlights of your day from beginning to end. It's a complete look at your Wedding Day story, and I promise you, you will cherish those photos for a long time! - - - 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, my husband and I have been wedding photographer/small business owners of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.
- 1 comment
-
- Photographers
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
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
- 7 replies
-
- Engagement
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
5 Wedding Cake Alternatives You & Your Guests Will Love
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
I cannot tell a lie, one of my favorite parts of being a bride was the cake tasting. Full disclosure: I am a certified cake addict, so yeahhhh, there's that. Is a Wedding Cake just not in your budget? Or perhaps cake just doesn't make your world go round like it does for me? No worries Here are some dessert ideas that you'll guests will love just as much as you do: 1) The Donut Cake: Donuts aren't just for early mornings anymore. With donut shops offering flavors galore, your guests will enjoy every delicious crumb of an assortment of donut delights. And don't forget the bride & groom donut cake topper! 2) The Cookie Cake: Pile your favorite cookies high and maybe offer some milk to go with that. Oreos are easy to stack up and best of all, they're super affordable so you'll be saving a ton of money with this cake alternative. And honestly, who doesn't love the sweet cream in the middle of of an Oreo? 3) The Cupcake Tower: Can't decide on the flavor of your cake? Indulge in some variety with a cupcake tower. With this nifty alternative, you'll still have the wedding cake taste and feel but with a whole lot of variety, and you can also offer these up as to-go gifts for your guests! 4) Mini Pies: There are cake people, and there are pie people. If pie is the apple of your eye, how about a variety of pies displayed beautifully on your dessert table? Your guests will love a sweet slice of pie to end the night. Or if you'd like to splurge a little, how about a mini pie for each person? 5) Cake Pop Cake: Cake pops will allow your guests to take their treat on the move and never miss a beat on the dance floor. Wouldn't cake pops designed with your wedding colors in mind look amazing? Or how about an array of different colored cake pops to make your dessert table sing with color? - - - 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. I am the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife Wedding & Portrait Photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.- 1 comment
-
- Menus Food & Drinks
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
The 'rustic' wedding style is one that continues to grow in popularity. And thankfully, instead of having to search and high and low for all those rustic touches to compliment your Wedding Day, Etsy has everything you need and more to give your wedding that rustic look. From rings to decor and details, to groomsmen gifts and even your Wedding dress -- there is a "rustic" category to cover all your needs! Click here to view some of the best rustic details Etsy has to offer for your Wedding Day. Wedding Finds is a BDW feature that will highlight special little finds or ideas that may help you along during your wedding planning journey. If you have a special wedding find to share, feel free to add your suggestions in the comments 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.
-
- Decor & Details
- Event Details
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Flowers are an integral part of your Wedding Day look, but they don't have to make or break your budget. Like every other facet of your Wedding celebration -- you have the ability to adjust your decor according to your taste and desired price point range. Here are a few bouquet photos (taken by yours truly) to give you a little inspiration (this is Part 3, click here to check out Part 1, and click here to check out Part 2) ... --- 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.
-
- Decor & Details
- Flowers
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Sarah Jessica Parker Launches Bridal Shoe Collection
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Style & Fashion
Take a step into your Wedding Day with Carrie Bradshaw inspired style! Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker has added shoes created just for brides to the SJP fashion collection. Many of the new satin pumps come in different shades -- from traditional cream, pale green and plum to bright blue. And each set of heels comes in a blush box. And if you're a bride who likes a little bling, you'll be glad to know most of the pairs come adorned with a little sparkle. The collection is available now from bloomingdales.com, nordstrom.com, and zapposcouture.com.-
- Dresses
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Flowers are such a delicate and beautiful touch to any celebration. For some brides, floral decor eats up a huge chunk of their Wedding Day budget, but for others flowers are a small piece to the overall decor design. A wedding bouquet is a wonderful compliment to your wedding look and celebration, but it's important to remember that your bouquet doesn't necessarily need to break the bank to be beautiful. If sky's the limit when it comes to your flowers, then go for it! But if you've set aside a tight budget for flowers, just know you do have options and simplicity is the key. Here are a few bouquet photos (taken by yours truly) to give you a little inspiration (this is Part 2, click here to check out Part 1, and make sure to come back for Part 3!) ... - - - 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.
-
- Decor & Details
- Flowers
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
"Make sure your flowers are nice MarieSam," my dear mom would constantly say to me as I was planning my destination wedding. Because my mom is pretty much the mother of all greenthumbs, I knew telling her I had planned to use a real-touch bouquet would send her into a tailspin. But despite my mom's disapproval at the thought of me using an artificial bouquet, I did it anyways because it was affordable and would be a beautiful keepsake that would last beyond the Wedding Day. So yes, I rocked my bouquet down the aisle and on my Wedding Day my mom even mentioned how pretty my flowers were and how realistic they looked. *Note to self: mother doesn't always know best A wedding bouquet is a beautiful compliment to your wedding look and celebration, but if there's anything I've learned from being a bride, it's that your bouquet doesn't need to break the bank. If you've got money to burn, then by all means, go all out and create a bouquet that would send my mom to the moon But if you're on a tight budget, just remember that simplicity can be a beautiful thing too! Here are a few bouquet photos (taken by yours truly) to give you a little inspiration (this is just Part 1, stay tuned for Part 2) ... - - - 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.
-
- Decor & Details
- Flowers
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Words are powerful and for every relationship there is a great quote particularly fitting for that couple. Here are a few beautiful quotes about love to help inspire your Wedding celebration and perhaps even your Wedding vows. "In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine." -- Maya Angelou "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." -- Emily Brontë "I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out." -- Roy Croft "Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable." -- Bruce Lee "You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." -- Dr. Seuss "Your love comforts me like sunshine after the rain." -- William Shakespeare "So it's not gonna be easy. It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me ... every day." -- Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook "If I had a flower for every time I thought of you ... I could walk through my garden forever." -- Alfred Tennyson - - - 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.
-
- Planning Tips
- Wedding Vows
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
I think one of the most fun aspects of planning your wedding is adding little personalized touches that make your celebration special and unique. For crafty brides this means going the do-it-yourself route also fondly known as being a DIY bride. Unfortunately, not everyone has got Martha Stewart skills running through their veins, but Etsy -- the mothership of all things DIY -- pretty much solves that problem Signage is a unique way to customize your wedding in simple yet fun way. Be it signs at the ceremony, or a fun sign at the reception -- handpainted or printed signs can add a colorful and festive touch to any celebration. And whether you chose to do it yourself or attain the services of a creative person on Etsy -- it can be a easy and affordable way to give your Wedding Day a little personal flair, and it's usually always epic photo material! Click here to view some fun Wedding signs that can be used on your Wedding Day! Wedding Finds is a BDW feature that will highlight special little finds or ideas that may help you along during your wedding planning journey. If you have a special wedding find to share, feel free to add your suggestions in the comments 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.
-
- Decor & Details
- DIY
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
7 Websites to Help You Plan the Wedding of Your Dreams
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
My reliance on the internet when it comes to handling every day life is astounding, but while planning my destination wedding it was even more apparent just how much I needed the internet to help guide me through the wedding planning process. Although every bride's journey and experience is different, I thought I should share a few of my favorite sites when it comes to planning The Wedding Day! -- Best Destination Wedding Forum: Well obviously this is number one. I don't really remember how I came upon this jewel of a site, but what I do know is that once I became a member, I was hooked. I logged into the BDW forum daily -- actually several times a day -- and collectively with all the great tips from other fellow brides, grooms and and vendors, I was able to craft what I consider my dream wedding. Fortunately, since then, BDW has grown and expanded to offer brides other insightful sections, such as: Wedding Tips, Resort Reviews and Vendor Reviews. I cannot stress enough how lucky you are to have found this site as you begin your journey as a destination wedding bride! -- Loverly: Inspiration and tips galore. I love this website because it offers so much, including wedding planning tools, free wedding websites and plenty of advice and tips. -- Style Me Pretty: What can I say? This website is just full of beautiful pictures that will leave you daydreaming about your I Do's. Chockful of visual inspiration, once you log on, you'll likely find yourself scrolling non-stop because everything is just so ... pretty -- Ruffled: It's pretty much the mother of all wedding blogs filled with real-life wedding inspiration and lots of stylish/trendy ideas. You can peruse through the DIY Projects section for tons of inspiration or even post a few weddings items for sale. This site has everything when it comes to weddings! -- Wedding Wire: It's a great resource for planning everything for your Wedding Day, but it's most known for it's massive venue/vendor guide. From venues to vendors, Wedding Wire listings are super helpful in offering up reviews and suggestions when planning your dream celebration. -- Destination I Do: Dedicated to destination weddings and honeymoons, this site is catered for brides and grooms like you. You can find destination vendors and venues on this site and even create a wedding registry or wedding website. And lest I forget, the gorgeous photos of real-life destination weddings! -- Etsy: I cannot tell a lie, I am obsessed with DIY creations and well we all know Etsy is the mothership when it comes to handmade crafts. Just type in a search of any wedding items you're looking for and this site will give you plenty of options and inspiration for various budgets. I purchased the Groom and Groomsmen boutonnieres on this site and had no regrets! It's also a great source for craft inspiration if you're more of a DIY gal. You can find everything you need and more on Etsy to give your wedding all the pretty little finishing touches you can imagine. What websites have you found helpful in the planning process? Share your suggestions in the comments! - - - 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.-
- Decor & Details
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.
- 1 comment
-
- Etiquette
- Photographers
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.- 2 comments
-
- Etiquette
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Part 1: Ways to Save When Planning Your Destination Wedding
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
Let's face it. Weddings are expensive! And when you factor in the costs of travel/lodging destination weddings can be REALLY expensive. But having been married for close to six years now after having an epic destination wedding in Akumal, Mexico, I can tell you that had I opted for a local wedding here in Southern California, the wedding bill probably would have been triple what was spent in Mexico. And I wouldn't have glorious beach photos to go with it All that said, here are a few ways you can cut down on the costs of planning a destination wedding. Use all or some of these ideas, but most of all, choose what works best for you. And if you have any other suggestions to give, please share them in the comments section!!! -- Consider Time of Year: If you aren't dead set on a particular wedding date, consider the fluctuating costs of airfare/lodging based on the time of year. With a little research, you'll soon find that picking the right time of year (the low travel season) can save you hundreds, if not thousands, on travel and accommodations. -- Research Resort/Wedding Deals: With destination weddings becoming more and more popular, resorts in popular areas are offering a lot more promotions and discounts/deals to draw in potential brides and grooms. Reach out to a travel agent and see if they have the scoop on any awesome travel promotions. The official travel agency for the BDW wedding forum, Wright Travel Agency, is constantly in the loop when it comes to incredible deals for destination wedding couples. And guess what, when you turn to their expertise and book your travel plans through Wright Travel, it doesn't cost you anything extra, but you will certainly rack up on the savings! (Click here for a list of travel promotions and deals posted in the BDW forum). -- Cut the DJ, Use an iPod: If having a great DJ isn't on your "Must Have" list, then think about using an iPod programmed with your favorite songs instead. Yes it will take some time to load up an awesome playlist and you'll need to confirm with your reception venue that they have the equipment to play your iPod, but if you're willing to do the work ahead of time, it can really cut back on the costs. Check back soon for the next installment of Ways to Save! - - - 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.- 2 comments
-
- Budgeting
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Part 2: Ways to Save When Planning Your Destination Wedding
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
When people ask me why I decided to get married in Akumal, all I have to do is show them a photo of the beach I got married on and that pretty much wraps up that conversation. One of the best things about having a destination wedding is being able to share your little slice of paradise with your guests. So when it comes to finding ways to save while you're planning your destination wedding, it can be summed up in three little words: KEEP IT SIMPLE. Yes, I'm talking to you extreme detail bride. You who wants to match your flower colors to the exact hue of your reception decor and centerpieces ... and shoes for that matter. (Full disclosure: I was that bride. Yep, me the extreme detail oriented bride ) All that said, here are a few ways you can cut down on the costs of planning a destination wedding. Use all or some of these ideas, but most of all, choose what works best for you. And if you have any other suggestions to give, please share them!!! -- Cut Back on Decor: I cannot emphasize enough the need to remember that your destination location is going to be epic. A sight worthy of traveling hundreds/thousands of miles for. A beautiful location worthy of a vacation, but so amazing it warrants being the place you say your I Dos. If you're getting married outdoors -- especially on the beach -- you don't need to deck out each corner with decor. Save those pennies by letting the scenery speak for itself. -- Keep Your Flowers Simple: This ties in with the tip above. Choose flowers that are local to the area so they are bountiful and easily accessible, helping to cut down on costs. You may also want to consider using artificial flowers for bouquets and boutonnieres that you can purchase at home and bring with you. Then, double purpose those bouquets by popping them into vases on your reception tables to serve as centerpieces. Flowers are beautiful ways to add color to your ceremony and reception, but you don't need much to impress. Remember, keep it simple! -- Serve a Simple Wedding Cake: If food is your thing, feed your guests well! But after serving them a delicious meal, think about keeping your Wedding Cake simple. Wedding cakes can be elaborate and fancy, but more details usually means a higher expense. If you want a beautiful cake for photos, consider a small decorated cake for you and your hubby to cut for photos. But then serve guests with a simply frosted cake without all the fancy details. Cake is delicious with or without the pretty decor -- trust me, I have the thighs to prove it Check back soon for the next installment of Ways to Save! - - - 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.- 1 comment
-
- Budgeting
- Event Details
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
Wedding Vows -- they are the words that will seal the deal on your Big Day, and the words your sweetheart will have etched in his/her heart when he/she thinks about the day you shared I Dos. So it's only fitting that your wedding vows be written in a special place aside from just a simple scrap of paper you found in the hotel room the night before your Wedding Day Right? A few months ago I came across a ton of little wedding vow books on Etsy and absolutely fell in love with the idea of having a set of His & Hers Wedding Vow books. What a perfect gift for an engagement party or bridal shower! And best of all, what a wonderful way to preserve your vows after the Big Day has passed. Click here to view some incredibly cute Wedding Vow book options in every style, size and color to fit your taste! * Wedding Finds is a BDW feature that will highlight special little finds or ideas that may help you along during your wedding planning journey. If you have a special wedding find to share, feel free to add your suggestions in the comments section!
-
- Decor & Details
- Wedding Vows
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.
- 3 comments
-
- Decor & Details
- Etiquette
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with: