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You are just a day away from getting on a plane to your destination wedding and you are standing in front of your suitcase thinking, “this is the last thing I want to do, pack!” Well don’t worry, leave it to us to help you get your packing juices flowing. Here is a 10-item list of all the things you will need for the prefect-wedding day: 1. The dress. Regardless if you are having a beach wedding or even an in church wedding you can’t forget your dress. If you tip the stewardess when you get on the plane she will happily hang it in first class for you. Just make sure you put it in a sturdy garment bag and grab it when you get off the plane. 2. The grooms wedding attire. Having your dress is just as important as having something for your groom to wear. Make sure you carry this on the plane with you as well. In a separate garment bag, of course. 3. Travel documents, if you have e-tickets or need passports, make sure you put those next to your suitcase the night before you fly. 4. Birth certificates or wedding license. Depending on where you get married the license office might require seeing your birth certificate, but check with your wedding planner first. If not your wedding license is a must bring item. 5. The rings. DO NOT put these in your suitcase. Anything can happen to a checked suitcase, don’t take that chance. 6. Phone numbers. Who knows your phone could go dead, you can’t rely on that digital phone book at a last minute moment like your wedding. 7. Sunscreen. Most couples like to go a few days early to scope out the place, have a rehearsal, or just relax before the big day. Well, the last thing you need is to stay in the sun a little too long ending up with an unwanted red glow on your special day. 8. Amex gift cards. It doesn’t hurt to always tip the people helping out with your wedding and nothing says thank you like an Amex Gift card that can be used anywhere in the world. 9. A guest book. This is the one day in your lifetime you will have all friends and family in one spot, to share your special day with you. Bringing a guest book to have everyone sign is a great memento to pull out every year on your anniversary and share the memories together with your new spouse. 10. Your vows. If you are planning to say your own vows, just remember there might not be a computer or an easy way to print out your last minute words of love. So print out your final draft before you fly. Just don’t let your fiancé sneak a peak.
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You will soon be able to get married at sea on Norwegian Cruise Line starting this fall. The legal ceremonies at sea, which will be performed by the ship’s captain, are available on Norwegian Breakaway, Getaway, and Escape, according to company President and COO Andy Stuart. The company had initially offered legal wedding ceremonies only while the ship is docked in its embarkation port or in various destinations. All NCL weddings include a wedding planner and on-site coordinator. Legal same-sex ceremonies are also available at destinations where they are legally recognized. With starting prices at $2,199, the new wedding package includes the ceremony, bouquet and boutonniere, cake, champagne toast, bistro dinner for two, three bottles of wine, chocolate-covered strawberries, canapés delivered to stateroom, priority tendering and debarkation, and one hour of photography services, according to TravelPulse.com. Packages for onboard symbolic ceremonies conducted during days at sea are priced from $1,799 and includes the ceremony, bouquet of 12 ivory roses and matching boutonniere, pre-recorded music, six-inch cake, bottle of sparkling wine, champagne toast, an 8x10 photograph in engraved frame, keepsake certificate, and canapés and chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to stateroom, the website added. Couples can also partake in vow renewal ceremonies starting at $499, which include the ceremony performed by a ship’s officer, a red rose, a cake, champagne toast, an 8x10 framed photograph, certificate, and bottle of sparkling wine, chocolate-covered strawberries and canapés in stateroom. Click here for more details on Norwegian’s wedding options.
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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.
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Lovely & Splash Partner to Offer Free Wedding Websites
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
Loverly and Splash have teamed up to offer brides free wedding websites designed to help keep them organized while also making wedding planning easier and fun as they approach their Big Day. The websites offer the ability to post wedding info, collect guests' addresses, take RSVPs, food orders, and share the couple’s love story. After the wedding, the platform can pull Instagram photos from the couple's designated hashtag so that the celebration's images can be found all in one place. The mobile-friendly, customizable websites are offered in five themes, keeping specific bride types in mind: modern, boho, vintage, classic and elegant. Brides can also add extra features to their sites by paying for upgrade options. To get started on a wedding website, powered by Splash and Loverly, click here.-
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Destination Wedding Favors: 5 Things to Consider
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Decor & Details
When you're planning a destination wedding, picking the right kind of wedding favor to give your guests can sometimes be challenging. Here are a few simple but important tips to keep in mind when you're trying to decide the perfect way to let your guests know you appreciate their presence with a present. 1. Pick a favor that is somehow tied to the area where you're getting married. Give your wedding an extra special touch by choosing favors that are local. For instance, if you're getting married Mexico consider giving beautiful maracas from one of the local shops. Or maybe a bottle of hot sauce or tequila to give a nod to the local flavors. Perhaps you're tying the knot in a beach town, how about seashells or starfish purchased from a local vendor? What makes your wedding unlike any other is the location you've chosen, celebrate that uniqueness and think "local." 2. If at all possible, purchase your favors at your destination location. With most airlines charging the extra fees for baggage, buying your favors once you get to your location (or having your wedding planner do so in advance), can save you a ton because you don't have to worry about shipping or traveling with your little trinkets. You also don't have to worry about any hassle when you enter customs if you're coming in from another country. And of course, the locals will love you because you're also helping boost the area's economy, which is always a welcomed gesture! 3. Pick a favor that offers a dual purpose. While I have loved the little picture frames and inscribed gifts I've received as a guest at past weddings, the best favors were always those I could use almost immediately. If your wedding is going to take place in a sunny and warm area, think about gifting a handfan that could also serve as the holder of your ceremony program (extra points for being a super multipurpose example!!). Or perhaps give away flip flops if your ceremony is taking place on the beach so your guests can get comfy -- these will also come in handy for achy feet, during the dancing at your reception! A parasol is another great idea if your celebration is taking place in the hot sun, and I can guarantee your guests will LOVE you for it! Another great gift especially for your female guests is a shoulder wrap to keep them warm if you expect the festivities to carry on deep into the night. 4. Consider an edible favor. I think the one thing every bride and groom hates to see is a favor that is forgotten or goes unused because that's just money down the drain. But if you're gifting something edible, there's a good chance, something that's tasty, won't go to waste. Perhaps your destination is known for its yummy candies or a delicious cookie. For my wedding, the local bakery was well-known for its cakes. So instead of a big giant wedding cake, we had cupcakes made in different flavors along with little to-go boxes and our guests LOVED them! And of course, we didn't mind that there were leftovers because we got to enjoy cupcakes for the rest of our two week stay. (I think my personal trainer back home was the only one who thought this favor was a bad idea hahahahaha ). 5. Last but not least, be practical and don't break the bank. Don't go crazy on wedding favors and stay within your budget. I know as destination brides, we sometimes experience a little guilt that our guests have spent so much time and money traveling to our weddings that we often try to make up for it by giving them the sun, the moon and the stars to say thank you. But remember, if they didn't want to be there, they wouldn't be. Show your gratitude by spending time with your guests, making great memories together and letting them know how much you appreciate them being there. The best gift you can ever give is 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, 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
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I'm new to this site so hope I'm posting in the right forum. We've booked our wedding for April 2016 at the Now Sapphire. We've recently booked a last minute trip to a nearby resort and have arranged to meet our wedding coordinator at Now Sapphire for a site visit. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for what I should ask or review while I'm there? We're already booked, so it's not a matter of choosing the resort. I was thinking covering the following topics: Ceremony & reception sites (and alternate sites in case we don't end up liking the ones we've selected or in case we need a back up due to weather) A tour of the property, including: pools, beach, restaurants, bars, kids club and a few different types of guest rooms Possible food tasting? I will also ask if there are any weddings taking place that day so I might be able to see the set up And I will take loads of photos! Any other suggestions? It seems like I have answers to a lot of my other questions and/or they can easily be covered by email or phone in the next year. Since we don't want to spend all of our vacation time doing wedding planning, I'm not planning to meet with outside vendors. I don't plan on adding a lot of extras to the wedding package - maybe additional flowers and minimal additional decor for the reception - so hopefully this is not a big deal. Appreciate any tips! Thanks, Erin
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One of the decisions brides often make early in the planning process is choosing their wedding colors. After all, one's color palette plays a huge role in setting the tone of a wedding in terms of attire and decor. Back when I was planning my wedding -- almost 6 years ago -- I remember stopping by Home Depot's paint section and perusing through the color swatches. After basically camping out in the paint section for hours and drowning in swatches, my sweetheart and I chose a very earthy combo of ivory, canary, taupe, terra cotta and accents of red for our Wedding. Luckily couples today can save a trip to the paint section and opt for one of several online tools to create and test color combos to see what works best for their Big Day. Here are a few popular websites that can help you create the perfect palette for your Wedding Day. Colour Lovers Kuler Color Palette FX Big Huge Labs NearlyWeds Wedding Color Chooser Brides.com Color Studio How did you pick you wedding color palette? - - - 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.
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Top 5 Online Resources for Planning a Destination Wedding
alexisinjamaica posted a article in Planning
The holidays are a big time for engagements, so in honor of many of you getting engaged over Christmas and New Year’s and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner we wanted to put together a quick guide on what to do next. Since you’re here, you have probably decided to have a destination wedding. Congratulations! Now that you’ve made that all-important first step, you may have a ton of questions, like “where do I start?” “How do I choose a resort?” “How can I plan a wedding in a place I’ve never been?” “How can I have a fabulous destination wedding for less than $10,000?” and more. You’ll quickly learn that the internet is going to be your best friend while planning, and to make things even easier, we’ve created a list of the top 5 online resources for planning your destination wedding. From advice to inspiration to budgets, we’ve got it all covered here! Just please don’t blame us if you don’t see your friends or family for a while because you’re having too much fun browsing these sites. 1. Best Destination Wedding Well the good news is you’re already here, so kudos to you for being well on your way to planning the destination wedding of your dreams! This site is an amazing resource for all destination brides, particularly those who won’t be visiting their venue prior to the Big Day. BDW takes the guesswork and fear out of planning a wedding from thousands of miles away by enabling brides to get firsthand experience and advice from other brides. You can share tips, tricks, templates, do’s, don’ts and everything in between. We dare you not to spend hours on here each week. 2. Pinterest/Etsy Confession time: some of us at BDW* started wedding inspiration boards on Pinterest several months before we were officially engaged. Sure, we were worried that our friends would think we were crazy and presumptuous, but that didn’t stop us. If you’re in the same boat, or even if you’re officially engaged, Pinterest is a mecca for wedding inspiration. If you’re willing to put in the time (and you will be, it’s addictive), you can create amazingly curated wedding inspiration boards and plan your wedding to the finest detail. We’re talking dress ideas, photography inspiration for your engagement and wedding photos, stationery ideas, food/menu suggestions, and décor ideas times a million. Plus, BDW has a piece of the Pinterest pie and is now pinning, so don’t forget to follow BDW on Pinterest. Let us now introduce you to Pinterest’s cousin, Etsy. If you see something on Pinterest, the odds are good there’s a vendor on Etsy who sells that particular item. If Pinterest is the inspiration, Etsy is the execution. Search for what you’re looking for or just get lost by starting in the weddings section and seeing where it takes you. 3. Wedding Chicks If you’re planning a destination wedding, chances are you’re going to be DIYing at least some aspects, whether it’s stationery, bouquets or décor. Wedding Chicks offers inspiration and ideas for all of the above plus the usual wedding blog fare like sections on vendors and real weddings. But what we’re really swooning over are the amazing free downloads and printables. Choose from several patterns to create a coordinated suite of paper items including monograms, save the dates, invitations, escort cards, menus and more. Did we mention it’s FREE?! 4. Martha Stewart Weddings You’re not a dummy. You’re probably already familiar with crafting and wedding queen Martha Stewart. Whether you’re getting married in your hometown or on a sandy tropical beach, Martha Stewart Weddings is a staple for brides, and with good reason. We love her ideas, free clip art and templates and just the general Martha-ness of it all, but what keeps us going back is her Destination Wedding section where you can view gorgeous pictures and information from other destination brides. You can even browse by geographical area, so if you’re still trying to choose a location, check out a few real weddings from different areas to help you make your choice! 5.The Budget Savvy Bride Did you know the average wedding now costs over $25,000? With many brides turning to destination weddings as a cost-cutting measure (not having to invite everyone you know is just icing on the cake!), this blog can help you bring down your overall budget even further. They offer several great tips on how to save money through DIY (did you know you can design and engineer your own uplighting? Yeah, neither did we!), tips from former brides who’ve planned weddings on a budget (you can even browse by wedding budget if you have a strict maximum) as well as coupons, deals and discounts that you can use on things you’ll need for your wedding. There you have it—our top 5 picks for online resources to plan your destination wedding. We’d love to hear your input too! Did we forget a site that’s been key in your planning? Let us know! Also, if you have a holiday engagement story, don’t forget to share it in the forums! *OK it was me. And no, none of my friends/Pinterest followers believed that my “party” board was just for parties. -
A Few Ways to Include Your Pet in Your Destination Wedding
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
Let's face it, for a lot of people, pets are simply a part of our families. They are part of our every day home life, they are there with you to enjoy the holidays, they are there to share special milestones and they are truly the best snuggle partners when you're having a rough day. But what happens when you're having a destination wedding? It's obviously a lot tougher to make your fur baby a part of your Big Day. Here are a few ways you can make your beloved pet a part of the wedding festivities even when you're thousands of miles away from home. Use your pet in your proposal. Obviously, this is something you have to do before you even start thinking "destination wedding." But consider making your fur baby the bearer of the big question, by having him/her carry the proposal note. (Check out this adorable example!) Include your fur baby in some of your engagement photos. Yes engagement sessions are special because they capture the excitement and love you and your sweetheart share leading up to the Big Day. But why not include your pet in some of your photos? After all, a marriage is the bonding of two families right? Consider doing your engagement session in a location where pets are welcomed. But also run this idea by your photographer first, so if need be, you can make proper arrangements to accommodate your furry model And make sure you have a friend on standby to watch your pet once he/she is done being in front of the camera. Showcase your favorite framed photo of your pet at your Wedding reception. Maybe it's a photo from your engagement session (see suggestion above) or perhaps it's a photograph of your fur baby all dressed up. Put that beautiful photo on display at the party and know in your heart your little guy is there in spirit celebrating with you! Include your pet in your vows. I love this idea from Pawnation.com! "If you want your guests to know how important your dog is to you and your spouse, add a few lines into the vows. This is an easy and touching way to show that the bridge and groom see their pet as part of their special bond." Create a pet-themed Wedding cake topper. Add your dog or cat to your wedding cake by way of a custom wedding topper! Check out these amazing pet-themed cake toppers on Pinterest. Click here for cake toppers that include the bride and groom and your adorable pet! Did you include your pet in your Wedding? Please share your ideas, experience and/or photos with us! - - - 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.-
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Hi everyone! I'm an active reader of the forum but this is my first time posting for advice. My fiance and I are thinking about having our wedding at Cabo del Sol this December (2015) with 50 guests. We have interviewed tons of planners and are trying to decide between Asher at Karla Casillas or Gaby Cobian with Vivid Occasions. We need full planning and they are both similarly priced. I've read a few reviews about Karla Casillas that made me a little hesitant, but everything has been smooth thus far. She also has a lot more pictures on social media of her actual weddings. I haven't found as many for Gaby. Is anyone currently working with either of them? How are they different as planners? Any advice/feedback is greatly appreciated!
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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.
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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.
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Hi ladies, I just wanted to share the awesome deals I found at Target. In the Dollar spot I found these canvas beach totes for $3 and wrist coils 4/$1 all in my color (turquoise)!!! Just hoping to help another bride!
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Hey ladies, I just wanted to let everyone know that you can get 10 free invitation samples at minted.com right now! Use the code 10FREE It says it's for a limited time, but doesn't say when the promo ends.
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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!
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Hello Past and Present Brides! I am currently in the early stages of planning a destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas for 2016. The wedding size will range from 40-60 guests. I am feeling slightly overwhelmed with the process and have decided to look into wedding planners. I never thought I would be the type of person to need a wedding planner since I am typically well organized and like planning events however; working full time and trying to set key milestones is becoming a challenge. Brides that used or are using a wedding planner: What are you thoughts on benefits vs. costs? Are you getting what you expected? What is the typically cost and payment structure for a wedding planner? How did you decide on who to work with? Are they getting you better prices on wedding costs? Brides that have decided against it: What are your thoughts on benefits vs. costs? Are you wishing you had one during particular parts in the planning? If so, what? Have you had any instances in negotiating where you think a wedding planner could have gotten you better deals or vendors? I am interested in hearing from everyone especially Cabo brides! Cheers!
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The fiance and I are just beginning our May 2016 planning for a destination wedding in Mexico. We'll be traveling in from North Carolina and our guests will be coming in from all over (Illinois, Ohio, Texas, California). I'm on resort research overload at the moment and just want to be sure we pick the right place for us (great location, great food for an AI, luxury-ish but not too costly for our guests).... do any of you have advice on if it's best to go with a travel agent/service (like destinationweddings.com, etc.) to start planning OR just go through the resort for your planning?
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I'm curious to hear when other couples are arriving to their wedding locations prior to a symbolic (non-legal) ceremony. We are having a Saturday wedding and have been planning on arriving Wednesday. I have been under the impression that we'd meet with the WC on Thursday morning. Most of our guests are arriving on Thursday and now I'm contemplating if we should arrive on Tuesday for an extra day of planning time, scoping out the resort, and possibly meeting with the WC a day or two earlier. I'd love to hear your plans. Thanks!
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I am getting married at Dreams April 29 2015. Looking for other brides who have either gotten married there or will be married there. So many questions...
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So I decided that I need somewhere to rant and rave about the wedding and planning process. To give you a little background: I met Peter when I was 17 and he was 18 and kind of dating my friend (you know the teenage, odd kiss in the nightclub, maybe a text during the week, nothing serious kind.) My first impressions of him were 'he is tall' swiftly followed by 'I'm away to the bar' The fact that I can remember this meeting is amazing in itself- I have an awful memory and never remember anything, especially if I was drinking! We're from a rural area in Ireland which is served by around three nightclubs, all terrible, but with a clear strata of 'awful', 'bad' and 'sure where else would you go?' Of course we were going to run into each other again and again. A few months later we saw each other in the awful club and he picked me up and swung me around. I realised that I kind of fancied him. A few months and a lot of flirting later we kissed for the first time, but the first of many times. Around two years later (during which we often bumped into each other and, if we weren't with other people, had the odd snog) he found out I was single again and started chatting to me on IM. I arranged to meet him and another guy when I was out for Halloween. I bumped into him first, walked him to the door of the pub when he was going to meet his friends... and ended up going with him. A month later we had to have the relationship talk as Christmas was coming and we needed to know whether or not to buy presents! And that's how we became a couple. Two years later, I had graduated and was working in a blah job and he needed to move to England for his degree. It seemed obvious that I would be going with him and I did. A year later, after taking me round town and getting my hair and nails done, he knelt down in a mucky park and proposed. And that's how we became our own little family and got engaged. Four years later, finally graduated and working in a real job Peter suggested that we should go on a real holiday, our first proper, beach, relax and indulge holiday. Yes, I am all for that. Then a couple days later he suggests that maybe we get married when we are over there. Just the two of us. No family, no drama, no huge expense, no unrealistic expectations. Yes, I say. And as the week draws on I'm insisting on it. And that's how we decided to run off to Mexico and get wed.
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Hello brides, The eco-parks such as XCaret and Xel-Ha require you to have biodegradable sunscreen as well as any of the snorkeling or diving tours. This is a federal regulation that is enforced. The biodegradable sunscreen at the parks is extremely expensive! I have provided links to a few biodegradable sunscreen brands. The site below is approved by the eco-parks and tours in the Cancun area. The bottle has "biodegradable" boldly printed for park staff and tour guides to see. They offer biodegradable packets for $0.99. They do not have travel size bottles, and the 8 oz. bottles are a bit spendy ($18). I think I will purchase a packet or 2 for each OOT bag. I will also purchase 1 or 2 bottle(s) that I will keep and let my guests know that I have it and they can borrow it if they take an excursion. This company also offers eco-friendly insect wipes and spray. http://www.mexitan.com If you use USA Transfers from the airport, you can order bottles of biodegradable sunscreen from them. They will deliver it to you when they pick you up from the airport. It is $12 a bottle. USA Transfers Here are some of the other good brands, although the packaging is not always as obvious and it may take some convincing staff that these truly are biodegradable. Badger Sunscreen Caribbean Sol Soleo Organics Luvera
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Well I'm now under 2 months until the big day and I thought that starting a planning journal will keep me organized and hopefully help some girls with wedding ideas. I have tackled a lot of DIY projects, ordered a lot from Etsy and have used a lot of ideas from BDW past/future brides in the last 17 months since I got engaged and started my destination wedding journey. This hasn't always been a fun experience but I know in the end it will all be worth it and we will have the wedding we dreamed of and worked so hard for. First let me start with how my fiance and I met. OUR STORY My fiance and I met in the 4th grade, he was a new student who came from a private catholic school and sat right next me. We became fast friends and were even in a play together. After 4th grade he left public school I guess it wasn't for him lol and he went back to private catholic school for 5th grade. Then in 6th grade he came back but we weren't friends anymore we had grown apart, we had new friends and drifted away. haha I like to tease him and say I wasn't cool enough for him anymore. We continued to go to school together throughout elementary school, middle school and high school as acquaintances but never really became close like in 4th grade. We had totally different set of friends I was super involved with school, sports and after school activities and he was the total opposite only hanging out with his cool older brothers friends and very focused on cars and racing. Funny story is that we actually went to the prom together in the same car his best friend was my date and we all went in my dates car to the prom so those prom pictures are hilarious I'm with my date and hes' right next to me with his date. Fast forward to Junior year of college we both went to different school in different states he went to Penn State in PA and I went to Pace U in NYC. This was the era of the aim instant message and I guess we were friends on aim and he messages me randomly asking me how I was doing and if I would be home for summer break, we are from NJ. We spoke a couple of times and had planned to meet up at a local bar sometime during the summer. When we were both back from school for summer break we ran into eachother at a bar and he made his move which was a shock to me because he is a very shy and quiet guy but that day he had courage, or maybe a couple drinks in him. We became real close that summer talking everyday and hanging out all the time. Then we had to go back to college for our senior year we still kept in contact throughout the whole year becoming closer and closer through instant message and seeing each other during holiday breaks. We never said we were exclusive since he was in PA and I was in NYC but we knew that when we were home it was just us no one else. After graduation we both moved back home and started our new jobs and that's when we made it official on my 22nd birthday. We have been together ever since and can't believe we have known each other as long as we have. We have now been together almost 8 years, have lived together 4 years and have 1 dog Linus together and I can't wait to marry my best friend. I'm in the middle with my date and he's to the left of me with his date.....this is circa 2002 the girl next to me I also met in 4th grade and she is my best friend/bridesmaid. haha Our Engagement We got engaged on 12/20/2012 Every year we try to go to NYC during the holidays to see all the lights and to see the tree at Rockefeller Center. We have a picture from 6 years ago right in front of the tree and David thought it would be a good idea to take that same picture again. I wasn't very excited about waiting on line to take another professional picture in front of the tree since we already had one. When he suggested it I really didn't want to do it but I finally went along anyway and waited on the line. The wait seemed to go on forever as the family in front of us took the opportunity to take about 100 pictures when you are only supposed to take a couple. I didn't notice it at the time but David was definitely sweating it out waiting for the family to finally finish with their photo shoot. It was finally our turn to go up for our picture and as the photographer is putting us in our positions I look down and David is on one knee. Not realizing he was proposing I ask him what he is doing as he opened up the box. I immediately start blushing and bawling like a baby as I'm am surprised/shocked and can't believe what's going on. The photographer also didn't know what David had planned and started documenting the proposal and snapped us some good pictures. Everyone around also realized what was going on and they started cheering and clapping for us. After I said "yes" David tried to put the ring on my finger but being that it was winter time I had gloves on and didn't realize I still had them on and he couldn't put the ring on. It was definitely a funny and romantic moment. To celebrate we walked to Central Park and looked at all the christmas lights and we ended our night by having dinner and dessert at Serendipity. It was a perfect night. Deciding On a Destination Wedding My fiance and I are not really all about the big wedding and all the attention so we always knew we wanted a small intimate wedding with just our family and closest friends. We chose our resort for many reasons, our wedding is at the All Inclusive Adults Only Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico. We fell in love with the resort back in 2009 when we went there on vacation, the service is impeccable, the decor is beautiful, the beach is very private, the food amazing and it just felt right. It wasn't easy for everyone in the family to agree to come but after months of planning and giving people more information they came around and now we have 36 people booked and all staying at LeBlanc Spa. LeBlanc was a great choice for us especially with the benefits you get if you book 75 nights. We did reach the nights and now we are getting unlimited free events which helps with our welcome cocktail party, private rehearsal dinner and cocktail hour/2 hours of reception.
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I am wondering what others have done in terms of save the dates, invitations etc. The destination wedding coordinator suggested just sending out a nice email with information announcing our wedding. Have any of you done that? If so, what was the response? I also had someone recommend doing an e-card for the save the date and regular invitations later. I would love to hear what you did an anything you would've done differently.
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Let The Planning Games Begin
girlinthecity97 posted a blog entry in girlinthecity97's Wedding Planning Adventures
While we had been talking of getting married for a while, things became "official" on Saturday, November 30th. While in my mismatched pj's with my hair tied up in a scarf and no one around, my fiance shocked me by (FINALLY) popping the question and presenting a ring that had been a post-it note doodle (instead of one of the 2 settings I'd picked as "options"). He's pretty conservative and always wants to "see-it" especially when it comes to big purchases. So the fact that he went with my doodle was HUGE! I'm glad he did . Planning Frenzy: Finally feeling "super official" I set out on a planning rampage. Since my fiance is so easy-going and a "pleaser", I felt it only fair to consider a destination wedding since this was something he felt strongly about. Against his feedback, I made a beeline for Barnes & Noble to buy The Knot's Destination Wedding guide and a planner - which I now realize, I really didn't/don't need. Armed with my fancy new planning guide and planner, I sat down and followed the advice of a good happily-married friend: "Pick 3-5 MUST-Haves and forget the rest." My top 3 were "no-brainers" (and thankfully aligned with my fiance's): Location - get pricing for "home" (here in the states) vs. a Destination. For the Destination, I used my own travel experience to help us choose a location that would give us (and our guests) the biggest "bang for buck" while being fairly easy & affordable to get to. All roads led to MEXICO! Food - a resort that had not just decent but GREAT food. We love a great meal and have a family full of "foodies" so this was an absolute MUST! My fiance pointed out that everyone still raves about the food from my sister's weddding 10 years ago & we should strive for the same! FUN - a resort that had activities for guests to do should they not want to book excursions etc... When hashing out the "MUSTs we differ on such as videography, she suggested that I remember to be flexible as well as realistic - which I recently had to apply after getting a pretty pricey videography quote (more on that later). After spending COUNTLESS exhausting hours combing Google and Tripadvisor for reviews of various resorts, I created a spreadsheet (yes a spreadsheet ) to compare the "Top 5" I felt matched the above "Musts." I found myself getting utterly confused and feeling greatly overwhelmed before creating the spreadsheet. Also, an "A-type" by nature, I was afraid I had somehow overlooked a property to consider. So I naturally bugged my fiance with non-stop "hey, what do you think about this place?" questions. Tired of having his sports watching interrupted, he suggested we consider consulting a Travel Agent/Advisor. I tend to be of the "I got THIS" mindset and figured I could calm my fears/concerns with a post on sites like this. I'm proud to admit I was wrong! If you are in the early stages of planning and are unsure where to start, I cannot recommend enlisting the help of a Travel Agent/Advisor (TA) enough! Leave it to the Pros: After checking with DW friends and reading various reviews, I selected 3 pros to conduct a phone interview with. The Knot's DW guide suggested interviewing TAs to assess knowledge, expertise, and fit (among other things). Instead of calling, I emailed each professional as an initial assessment. The TA we selected was the most responsive and addressed every question/point of interest/concern I listed in my inquiry. Upon speaking with her, she confirmed our 1st impression and lived up to the reviews we'd seen on-line. She also provided unsolicited candid feedback re the best time of year for our budget etc... I shared my spreadsheet with her and she did not hesitate to provided candid insight on the properties listed, as well as provide others that we should consider based on what we are looking for. Finding the right TA will really take what I felt was the biggest "weight" off of you - especially if you can't do a scouting trip! The TA will also take care of your guests travel arrangements, help negotiate best rates etc... Some also can advise you on the location contract - helping to avoid room minimum penalties etc... To Scout or Not To Scout: We are opting to scout because a) I'm "A-type" (remember?) and b)the front-runner resort offers a deeply discounted weekend where you can taste the food, see the location etc... Initially, DF (dear fiance) was adamant about NOT doing a scouting trip. After pointing out his practice of not making big purchases/investments without doing thorough research and "seeing-it", he relented. I further pointed out that due to the size, our wedding is a "big ticket" item so why should this be treated differently?! Thanks to our TA, we have 3 locations of interest that we'll be visiting at the end of the month. In the meantime, I've set my sights on my remaining "Musts": Photographer & videographer, which I hope to narrow down to 2-3 before our trip so we can meet them. After getting a quote ( )from my "dream" videographer here in the states, I had to revisit the "Musts" and rank them in order of true priority & practicality. While a video is something I really want, it is something that will realistically be watched once in a blue after the wedding. With that said, I've moved this to a very strong "Nice to Have." I think this post has gone on long enough so I will end here....until next time.... xoxo - me p.s. please excuse my niece's toes. she wanted to help take a pic of my ring.- 11 comments
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Below is a timeline to help your wedding planning go smoothly. You can adjust it to suit your needs. 12 Months or more Cut out pictures and articles that inspire you. Keep them organized in a binder. Martha Stewart has a great binder that has pockets to keep photos, cards of vendors, swatches, etc. Start looking at bridal magazines and look for local bridal faire to attend. This is a great way to meet wedding vendors and see their work first hand This is the hard part. Set a realistic budget. Start on your guest list. Invite those that you want to spend your wedding with. Destination weddings are smaller more intimate affairs so do not feel guilty about not inviting your coworkers that you barely know. Be prepared that some of the guests you invite at the wedding may not be able to come for financial or logistical reasons. If you plan on getting married out of the country, be sure to check the laws to make sure your marriage is recognized in the states. If it is a larger wedding, you may want to look into hiring a wedding coordinator who specializes in destination weddings. Start researching different locations for a destination wedding. Things to consider: travel time, seasons/weather (you do not want to have your wedding during hurricane season), cost of accommodations, etc. Choose a wedding date and start working on Save The Date Cards. If you are planning a wedding at a resort or place you have never been before, negotiate a site visit. Some resorts even offer a free site visit or at least a reduced rate. Determine your budget Considerations: airfare, hotel, document processing, meals, transportation, activities. Don't forget the all important wedding items such as attire, photographer, flowers, ceremony fee, etc. If you are having friends or family, you must consider if they can afford the expense of the trip. Location Make sure the wedding day is not during the local hurricane season or wet months? How many people do you want to be there...just you and your future spouse? Friends? Family? Are you also planning on honeymooning there or somewhere else? 8-10 months prior If you can make a wedding planning trip it will be really helpful to meet with local vendors like: florist, baker, photographer, etc. During the site visit would also be a great time to take your chosen photographer for a test run. Maybe take some engagement pics on the beach for your Save The Date Cards. Create wedding website with travel information and FAQs for your family and friends. Contact a travel agent specializing in Destination Wedding to help negotiate a lower room rate and block your rooms. Decide if you want a legal or symbolic ceremony. If you would like to get legally married outside the US, be sure to verify the local marriage residency requirements. Start looking for wedding invitations. Research the marriage requirements It may be as simple as going to the local courthouse to sign a marriage license, or it may be as complicated as having to be a resident. There are destination wedding coordinators who will handle the entire license processing for you. If you are planning on having a legal ceremony in Mexico, it does require a blood test. Wedding Theme You may want to decide early on what colors or theme you would like. Make sure the bouquet you dreamed of will work at your destination wedding. A lot of flowers can be shipped in if not grown locally but make sure in advance. Reservations Book your reservations early! Many resorts and hotels are booked months in advance, especially during peak travel seasons. If your group is larger, you may want to consider blocking rooms for your guests. 6-7 Months prior Start looking for your wedding dress. Some dresses can take 4-5 months to make. Start looking for the groom and groomsman attire. Order groom and groomsmen attire. Take into consideration that linen suits are seasonal and may only be available to purchase in the spring. Shop for wedding rings and jewelry for your big day. 3-4 Months prior Finalize your wedding invitations and mail them out. Start ordering items for Out Of Town Bags or wedding favors. Start working on your wedding ceremony. Consider writing your own vows to make the day more personalized. 1 Month prior Release any unnecessary rooms Finalize all wedding day itineraries Confirm travel arrangements with the hotel/resort 2-3 Weeks prior Make sure you confirm and re-confirm EVERYTHING with your vendors before the wedding 3-4 Days prior Arrive at your destination. If you plan on using a local stylist for your hair and make-up, do a test run with your veil or hairpiece. If you are having a legal ceremony, finalize all the local requirements to make it legitimate. Meet with the hotel events coordinator or your wedding coordinator to go over the final details. Have a welcome dinner in lieu of a rehearsal dinner to thank all your guests who have traveled so far to share this event with you. Relax, you're on vacation! Residency requirements Once you arrive at your destination, how many days do you have to wait in order to get married? The day of Be sure to eat a bit and keep hydrated. Enjoy your special day. You deserve every bit of happiness that comes with it!