deleted

Welcome Angie! I don't know about that area but I'm sure someone here does. Good luck!

Hi Courtney -- if you want something kinda small and very chill look into the Cabo Surf Hotel. We hosted a wedding for 57 people there and I came in under my $20K budget (including travel and hotel for 6 ppl/3 nights, not including welcome dinner) It's different than some of the big resorts but we LOOOOOVED it. Cabo Surf Hotel, beach resort, boutique hotel in Los Cabos with surfing, Baja diving and Cabo golf. and I'm always on here if you are interested and have questions!

I swear it sounded perfect for Mexico! And he played the traditional songs for the bridal processional and recessional, so it isn't like he is going to be playing some weird song while you are walking down the aisle. He is a good mix of classical and Mexican flair.

Quote: Originally Posted by gkashmira Janet - are the MyPublisher books the same quality as the iPhoto books? If not the same then very, very close. Same size, shape, specs, layout, etc. I'm not sure I could tell the difference...but with the discount mypublisher is much cheaper! If anything, the paper might be a teeny bit thinner and the colors not as rich. But really....I would guess hardly a difference.

great list! I totally agree with the idea of taking a photo and then seeing if you like yourself in the photo. Mirrors and photos do not always show the same thing! (You'd think they would, yes, but they don't!) And photos is all you're left with after the wedding....

FYI you can get iPhoto books thru MyPublisher for deep discounts. Check out the MyPublisher page that has info about Macs (you have to download a iPhoto plugin but it's super easy). Get 25% off orders of $50+ or 50% off orders of $100 or more using coupon code 2MAC2550 thru June 30th I think. PM me if you want more info on this. Jonathan's is right though. These albums are awesome for your coffee table or for gifts, but it probably isn't good enough to be a primary album!

welcome Amy. We might have more Michigan girls than California girls now, crazy! I'm sure we will be able to help you out. Congrats!

Congrats and welcome!!!

I don't know anything about the Caribbean but the first thing that popped into my mind was the Bahamas too...just because there are so many little islands right? Someone here probably knows something....

Kate - the one thing I had the most angst/obsession/craziness over was dress shopping. So don't worry, it's normal. Also, speaking of Costco...I have a confession. One day before I got married I wore my wedding band to Costco! It's just that the lights are SO bright there and they make diamonds look SO good I just had to do it. I came home and confessed to hubby though...I couldn't keep my mouth shut! He just laughed at me.

Quote: Originally Posted by Soon to be Mrs. Hull there is a thread about this somewherehttp://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t2088 I love your new pic Janet...sorry about going off topic... thanks Christine

How about these? Natural Straw Fans (12 pcs)

Quote: Originally Posted by REBECCA Janet... He IS really talented...wow? I know...my only sadness is that I barely got to hear him play. During the ceremony I of course walked in at the end of his music and during the cocktail hour we were off taking pictures. But my guests loved him and I at least got to enjoy a few songs. And I put those 4 demos on my iPod

Hey Jonathan I am a Mac person too! I loooooove my Macbook! The font "alafternoon" looks like Zapfino, which you gals may already have on your computers? It's on mine...we used it for our wedding programs. Also, there are tons of free fonts (mac and PC) on Download fonts | dafont.com

Quote: Originally Posted by TAMMYM Janet did you source through Maye? She quoted me 270.00, I think this is what we'll end up doing. Does he have a website? No Tammy I found him on my own. His name is David Flores and his email is [email protected] or [email protected] Now let me say that sometimes I struggled with communicating with him and I wondered if he would show up...BUT he did show up, on time, did everything perfectly as asked and people loooooooved him. But if you decide to hire him just know that he is not the best planner/communicator. But a super talented guy. Oh and his website is here. You can download 4 free demos! A V L

We opted for the "traditional" of not seeing each other...but now I wish we had just so we could have had more time for photos before sunset. Once the ceremony starts it all starts to fly by so I can see in retrospect how a few moments before would really be extra special

Quote: Originally Posted by riubride Can I ask a question? For all the guests that were unable to attend did you send them anything after the wedding? Picture? Announcement card? Anything? We just sent a photo in our Christmas cards. The timing for that worked out well, and it could for you too?

Quote: Originally Posted by NABUMBAH at last... here are mine: Tasha I must have missed when you first posted these but I love them!!! So gorgeous and perfect for your setting

I borrowed an old sapphire ring from my mother in law and took care of 3 in 1!!

TammyM - Our guitar player was a huge hit @ $250/hour. Let me know if you want his info? I guess I personally just do not associate the flute with a beach wedding. Call me crazy? Christine - We made a last minute decision to get a videographer and I am now glad about that. I think we will love watching it years down the road. I can't think of anything else I wished I had...is that crazy? I probably could have done without cake, honestly. And like I said above, we didn't do favors, which made life a lot more simple. Ditto on the seating chart, but I think that totally depends on your guests. Glenda - Our DJ mostly played what we asked him, but I would suggest the following. Ask one of your friends to be the point person for the DJ that night. Give her the list of requests and the DO NOT PLAY songs (also give the list to the DJ himself) and have her be the person who keeps the DJ on the right track. Most DJs will follow your wishes but that way you have a backup plan and don't have to worry about it yourself!

Quote: Originally Posted by host i can honestly say it was one of the best choices we made. our friends and family are still talking about it! my mom who was the most against it now tells EVERYONE who will listen that it was the best thing and the funnest wedding. also, DH and i were just talking about it but our families became really close in the week we were in mexico. they would not have that same relationship if we had a local wedding. we really had such an amazing time...not just the wedding but the whole week! Tammy that's a good point....our families and our friends got to know each other so well over the weekend. We has guests from something like 20 different states, from all stages of our lives, and to have them all come together and actually become friends over the weekend was awesome.

I can say without hesitation that having a DW was the right choice for us. Spending three days instead of three hours with a smaller group of people was priceless. I think one of the important things to remember is that when you have a DW, you can do things "against" tradition, since you are basically throwing tradition out the window in the very beginning. You can keep things really simple and avoid unnecessary stress and headache. Focus on having fun with your hubby and your guests and don't worry so much about flowers/favors/decor/seating charts/etc.

Welcome and congrats Jen! You won't regret your decision to have a DW, no matter what location you decide. Have you narrowed it down to any countries?

Quote: Originally Posted by REBECCA Alright Amy!!!!! Kash? Sarah?? I am in! I also gained back half (or more? OMG I am in denial) of what I lost for the wedding. Maybe we need a new thread for January?

welcome Nikki! We have tons of Michigan gals AND guys on now! Maybe you are all trying to escape the cold winter? We decided not to do all-inclusive and we LOVED the Cabo Surf Hotel. It's a small boutique hotel with a great, relaxed atmosphere. Let me know if that is up your alley.