paigepaper

Thanks, everyone! Wow, I know the "What I would and wouldn't do again" forum is going to be super helpful! Thanks for pointing it out!

Yay! Thanks so much! Norma, 2012 seems so far away but I know it's going to fly by. I figure I should start now to save myself from stressing out later. I'm definitely a planner and so glad I found this site!

Hey brides! My name is Paige Warner and I got engaged on July 23rd. My fiance', Kris, and I have been together for more than 5 years and I'm so excited to be planning our wedding! We've known for a while we want to have a destination wedding on Memorial Day weekend 2012 in Costa Rica, so I thought this site would be a wealth of information. I'm looking forward to learning lots about planning a destination wedding here! Love, Paige

Awww I'm so sorry! That sounds awful, but you do have a few options. When something like this has happened to me in the past (although not anything as important as a wedding dress), I bring along someone assertive when I need some support confronting someone. When you're the victim, it's hard not to be emotional, and you need someone to stick to the facts and make sure you aren't taken advantage of. Can your mom or a close friend go with you? Most everyone has a friend that's good at these things, and it's always nice to have their support. You totally deserve a discount and free alterations. Just be sure the sample is in goof condition. If it's not, I know you will find something that makes you feel even more beautiful than the first dress. Hang in there! Paige

I am recently engaged but my fiance and I have known for some time that we want to have a destination wedding. We are having a small ceremony in the states and would like to have a larger destination wedding (although technically a vow renewal) in Costa Rica. We have set the date for our destination wedding for Memorial Day weekend 2012 in order for us to save and to give our loved ones plenty of time to make travel arrangements. I have looked many places online for a place in Costa Rica that will hold about 100 guests. We are not interested in an all-inclusive resort and are staying budget conscious. We went to a friend's wedding in Isla Mujeres that had about 100 guests also (split between neighboring hotels) and only spent $1,000 a piece for a 6 day stay. We would love our wedding to mirror this, both in the size and ballpark price per guest. Does anyone have any suggestions for places to look into, or any tips for vendors and wedding coordinators? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!