Tammy's~change/do again post

ok, rebecca and natasha have shamed me into doing this..

please keep in mind my wedding was over 6 months ago.

Change:

DJ: had more control of the DJ situation. Been firmer on what type of music i wanted played BEFORE the reception. DJ Antares did great after we had to tell him a few times what we wanted played but i should have been clearer with what i wanted before (ie. this is what we want played, nothing else!). I was alot better about this at my AHR.

Photos: i wish, wish, wish i had Juan for an extra hour before the wedding. He tried to convince me but i didn't want to pay the extra $$. Big mistake.

Getting ready: do not lay out the day of your wedding...even if it is not to get sun but just hang with friends. i burned my nose and could not wear foundation because it no longer matched my face

Decorations: cabo is so beautiful, minimal decorations are needed BUT i wish i did luminaries around the reception area.

Family: I wanted an easy going wedding so i was not strict with my family on when they had to be at my room for pics etc. In hindsight i should have given them a clear schedule of what i expected of them for the day of. Steve too with his family....he didn't take any pre-wedding pics with his parents

Be in the moment: I know everyone says this, but i wish i were more present during the day. it went by so quickly. I wish i just took a breath and pulled myself together enough to enjoy all the nuances of the day.

Changed dress for reception: i was looking for a shorter dress for the reception so i could boogie...didnt find one in time

Do Again:

AI: I would definitely do an AI. It was so amazing to just meet at breakfast and see all our friends and family there. or hang by the pool with our friends and oder whatever we wanted from pool side service. or have our poker tournaments all night and order room service at 2am and have them deliver 10 orders or cheesecakes, 5 orders of french fries, tacos, etc.

Dreams: I like to stay at nice places. i have to admit i am a little bit of a snob about this. My sisters are worse. BUT everyone loved staying at dreams~ the snobbiest of the group to the anti-society/consumerism/materilistic guests. They all had such a great time and loved staying at the resort. It was the perfect hotel for our guests with kids especially.

The resort also really goes out of its way for groups. They let us set up such fun events (welcome dinner/casino night). The activities coordinator was super nice and friendly. They had our group go up and do funny skits as the dinner show. it really was a blast!

Welcome Dinner: It was so much fun and everyone got to meet everyone else. It wasn't originally in our budget but i cut out the fireworks and had a welcome dinner instead...lucky us, there was a fireworks show right next door and all our guests thought it was for them. I did the Mexican/caribbean BBQ and it was soooo good.

OOT bags: these were a PITA to put together and alot of work but SO WORTH IT! it was so fun to come down for breakfast and see 30 people wearing our logo on t-shirts...or go to the pool and know exactly where the group was haging because there were 20 of your canvas bags on the chairs. Everyone really appreciated having beach/pool bags. a MUST!

Juan Carlos: he is such an amazing photographer. His work is consistently breathtaking. He has raised his prices but i think he is worth it. Did you see Rebecca's pics!

My Orchids: I loved them!! i look at pics and am so amazed by them. they were gorgeous. I am so glad i spent the extra $40.

Mariachis: These guys were so cute. They played traditional procession songs but also fun songs for the cocktail hour...people were dancing to them and really loved them.

well, i am sure i forgot a bunch of stuff...if i remeber i will add them...other than these small details, i loved my wedding...the week was so wonderful.

thank you!!!!!! this is SO very helpful! I'm sure i will keep reading these lists over & over and esp right before the wedding to keep things in perspective. thanks for all of your advice and tips!

i'm getting so excited to be married at Dreams! and i can't wait to finally go actually see it in 2 weeks - Jan 2!!

Yay!! Thanks Tammy. You are a good hostess!!

Thanks Tammy- I will totally take your advice!

KarlaV

good to know you can use the mariachi band for the actual ceremony too, i wasn't sure of this, i knew i wanted one for a cocktail hour, and wasn't sure what to do about the ceremony.

thanks tammy- 6 months ago is not that long ago! it really helps to hear all this stuff. i have a question though- did you do any table centerpieces for the wedding reception?

Thanks Tammy, I love reading this. OK Janet I think its your turn!!! And Karla to!!!! hehe, sorry I just cant get enough!

Thanks Tammy for posting! I'm getting so excited!!

Hey Tammy,

This was great. I found a few points in your review that I left off of mine. Like watching how much sun you get. I went to the tanning salon (just twice) right before we left. Then I think I got to lay in the sun the first and second day after I got there (I was there 4 days before the wedding). I used sunscreen contantly. I was soo paranoid aout getting burned or strap lines!

Always wear sunscreen in cabo. The sun is stronger down there. Even if you walk down to go to breakfast or lunch, put sunscreen on. We found that we would wind up walking all over the place after breakfast or lunch (in the sun) and we would sometimes be exposed for 30 minutes to an hour, just walking around taking care of stuff.

The last two days I TRIED to sit still and lay by the pool with my friends, but it wouldn't last more than 15 - 20 minutes before I had to get up to go find someone, or guest had arrived and were checking in in the lobby. So I would run over to greet them, etc. It is crazy. make sure you set time aside for just the two of you after the wedding. Whether it is in Cabo, or you fly to another destination like we did. You will need the down time!

I also agree with Tammy about the Orchids. $40!?!?! That just kills me that I could have had that for just $40 more dollars!!!

And yes...agreed....I wish I had Juan for more time before hand and another hour or so during the reception. So, 6 hours would have been perfect. And I guess that is his new minimum...see...he knows what you need and what you'll want...just trust him!!!