lstaff

my pics are mixed in with my catamaran sunset sail and our at home reception. but you are welcome to look. http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1883755026/a=2141717026_2141717026/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Hey! I have been so busy since the wedding in July, I havent been able to complete a review. However- I did want to give you the highlights of what I will write. First- love love love the resort. It was beautiful and I miss it every day! We booked the Honeymoon Suite but were upgraded to the Master Suite once we got there. As far as the restaurants and bars go, the service was perfect. Ana was great- although she didn't have to do much since we only had the ceremony down there, not a reception. I was concerned about not understanding the minister guy, but we went to talk to Ana and I was able to speak to him on the phone. He was awesome- I didnt know whether or not I was supposed to tip him so I feel guilty for not because he was really really good. OH, I went to the spa to get my hair done (with my bridesmaids and mothers). I brought a picture even. I absolutely hated my hair. and of course I am not the type to complain so I just dealt with it. If i could go back, I wouldn't get my hair done by them at all- or I would at least try to get up the guts to say something. As for the ceremony spot- we chose the beach and at first i was worried about the seaweed. Honestly, looking at my pictures, I liked the look of the seaweed on the beach. Weird, I know. Anyway, I am going to work on getting my pictures loaded onto shutterfly so I can share them- our photographers flew down with us (they are family friends so we made a deal). If anyone has a question for me you can email me at leah.stafford@hotmail.com. I know more questions come from the reception planning, but I'm just gonna put my email out there because I don't check the BDW website anymore:( Here's a few of our pics for now....

The Engagement Chris and I decided to take a weekend trip to Chicago- I had a suspicion that something was up because he didn’t let me plan any part of our trip. We went to a Cubs game during the day, and he had secretly made reservations at the Signature Room in the John Hancock building for dinner. It was so romantic, looking out onto the city and the lake from the 92nd floor. We had finished our dinner and I could tell he was nervous… but one thing lead to another and the next thing I knew he was on one knee at the side of the table telling me how much he loves me and wants to spend the rest of his life with me. Of course I cried…. I found out later that he had asked my brother for permission before he popped the question. So that’s that, and here’s the ring. http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h4...Stuff/ring.jpg The Dress I had 3 different opportunities to try on dresses- all 3 times, my mom canceled on me… So dress shopping wasn’t exactly how I had imagined it. It’s a good thing I have a wonderful aunt and a great best friend to help me find my perfect dress. The first time I went to try on dresses, I was shopping for a winter wedding dress. And I had found it. The store wouldn’t allow any pictures to be taken. Boo. Anyway, it’s neither here nor there… since about a month later, Chris and I were talking about our wedding and we made a compromise of sorts. We agreed to have a destination wedding, but we would move the date up 6 months… so now we are going to try for a family sooner The first dress is one that I really wanted… and the second is one that I found at David’s Bridal for half the price of the first. Never did I ever imagine that I would go for a lace wedding gown, but I guess that happens quite a bit. http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h4...firstdress.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h4...dressfront.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h4.../dressback.jpg

I am trying to decide if i am going to do a TTD session... Is this dress still for sale?

Quote: Originally Posted by pbjwed Hi ladies havent been on in a week! congrats to all the new brides and reviews!! Lots of great info!! leah- Thanks for the bags! I finally came home and saw them awaiting in my door! they look great! I love all the ideas.. Nov 11th Bride!!! you are very welcome! im glad you like them!

Quote: Originally Posted by Laura22610 I bought chair sashes on ebay for less than $1 per sash. My wedding was Feb 26th and Ana put the sashes on for me for the ceremony and the reception for me at no charge. It seems ridiculous to have to pay for them to do that! i bought my chair sashes from wedding linens direct- i think 30 of them for less than $30 (fuschia sheer ones)... ana said she would put them on the chairs for $1 each. If i wasnt such a control freak, i would have my family or friends do it haha.

Quote: Originally Posted by t1219 I was going to do cups but have read reviews saying they didn't use them so now I am not sure. What cups were you thinking about? I would also love to do bags like this. Is anyone interested in going in on bags too? i have actually already purchased bags- i was going to wait until after the wedding to sell my extras (i have 25 extras) but if you or anyone else is interested, let me know. Jute Bag, Custom Jute Bag, Jute Bag with Rope Handle, Eco-Friendly Jute Bag I did not put any design on the bags and i am asking $50 plus shipping...

my date was missing too! leah and chris 7-9-10

Quote: Originally Posted by ebernard4985 Did you already book with Paradise Catamarans? I have been looking into this for the rehearsal dinner and have contacted several different companies. Are you departing out of Puerto Morelos for your cruise or Puerto Adventuras? If I remember correctly the reason why I did not go with Paradise was because of the travel to Puerto Adventuras. He then told me they could go out of Puerto Morelos but that if the water is too rough they would have to cancel (too much of a risk for me). I just wanted to let you know about another company I found in Cancun. It is Marina Cancun and the sunset sail is $275 an hour for 3 hours. This INCLUDES open bar. They can also provide transportation for $350. My quote is based on 40 people, but they were by far the best price! thanks! i am looking into switching! i am waiting to hear back from them before i talk to paradise catamarans about a refund:)

Quote: Originally Posted by ebernard4985 Did you already book with Paradise Catamarans? I have been looking into this for the rehearsal dinner and have contacted several different companies. Are you departing out of Puerto Morelos for your cruise or Puerto Adventuras? If I remember correctly the reason why I did not go with Paradise was because of the travel to Puerto Adventuras. He then told me they could go out of Puerto Morelos but that if the water is too rough they would have to cancel (too much of a risk for me). I just wanted to let you know about another company I found in Cancun. It is Marina Cancun and the sunset sail is $275 an hour for 3 hours. This INCLUDES open bar. They can also provide transportation for $350. My quote is based on 40 people, but they were by far the best price! we decided to make the trip to puerto adventuras... i suppose i should have looked into this further! i did put my deposit down, but i am definitely going to look into Marina Cancun- do they have a website? i must be overlooking it because i couldnt find it for some reason! i think paradise catamarans will refund my money, but cross your fingers for me. i need to save all the money i can!!!

I thought I would also mention that she said normally she doesnt require a contract, i think maybe because we arent having a reception there... which makes me extra nervous! although, she did confirm that one other wedding is scheduled on my date and it is 3 hours before mine, so that made me feel a little better... regarding the honeymoon package- i wanted to make sure we would get that also, since we are staying in the honeymoon suite for 7 nights... and this is what she said- IN ORDER TO GET THE ETERNITY HONEYMOON PACKAGE AS A COMPLEMENTARY THE GROOM AND BRIDE MUST TO STAY IN A PREFFERED CLUB OCEAN VIEW ROOM CATEGORY FOR A MINIMUM OF 7 NIGHTS so im confused, is she telling me that we will or will not get the honeymoon package? the preferred club honeymoon suite is of greater value than a preferred club ocean view right? sometimes i think she really thinks she is answering questions, but really she talks in circles.

Quote: Originally Posted by mindylcarter Does anyone have, or know how to get, a list of excursions offered by Dreams? I thought it would be nice to have some idea of the off-resort activities offered and the prices? I would also love to see a newsletter or calendar of activities offered within the resort? Did anyone keep theirs from when they were there? I thought this would be fun information to share with our guests. i am putting together a brochure for our guests so I asked Ana the same thing- she said "YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET MORE INFORMATION FROM OUR TOUR DESK: dreamsrivieracancun@amstarmexico.com". i chose to go with paradise catamaran for a sunset sail saturday evening (our wedding is friday)- kind of a way to say thank you and peace out- we need to begin our honeymoon! she also said at the resort "USUALLY WE HAVE: MEXICAN DINNER.- WEDNESDAY CARIBBEAN DINNER.- SUNDAY" she also told me that to put our chair sashes on for us they would charge 1 USD per chair which I think is completely ridiculous. i was thinking about tipping her when all is said and done (even though we are just having the ceremony, not a reception there)- highly unlikely now... seems like they charge for everything they can think of...

anyone have any tips for turning your mind off of wedding things? surely im not the only one losing sleep because of wedding planning!

i like the first one the best also!

congratulations!