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Welcome Amber. I got married at the Cabo Surf Hotel and we had a fabulous party right there at the hotel afterward. It was semi-private, very fun, great food, affordable (for Cabo). Their website is Cabo Surf Hotel, beach resort, boutique hotel in Los Cabos with surfing, Baja diving and Cabo golf. -- if you like it I'd be happy to answer more questions. As for your other questions...you can probably find answers to all of those things somewhere on this board. It's just a matter of reading through a lot of posts! Good luck!

ohhh Natasha I love them! from the sunset photos of you two to the nose picking cute kid!

love the dress! and the sash! (of course I am biased because I had a sash too )

I love the idea of this and have seen some great photos like this...but I have to say once my wedding was over I was so ready to just chill out, not have to get all dressed up again, or worry about anything. In the end, I'd probably like to have those photos, but I also loved that once the wedding was done I could finally completely relax.

welcome back! everything looks so beautiful...now you are making us all jealous that you are still there! we can't wait to hear details and see all the pics!

Quote: Originally Posted by host jonathan, I will move these posts and start it as another thread. ...just kidding about the pirate smilie...i look for reasons to use them. oops tammy, can you move my comment over too? thanks!

Hi Jonathan, I think one of the main differences among those who are budgeting in the hundreds and those who are budgeting in the thousands is that not all of us flew someone down for our DW. Cabo actually has lots of good photogs at reasonable hourly rates. If I was going to fly someone to Cabo for my wedding, my guess is it would have been $2.5K or more. Instead I was able to hire someone in Cabo for $260/hour. Now, I realize that is really low (his prices have since gone up) and that I maybe didn't get THE #1 BEST photog around, but I was happy to spend $800 for my photography and I love my photos.

Quote: Originally Posted by KARLA Oh no! I'm losing my crown! (Even if it was the honorary MoM) I second the Jackie nomination. She really has done such a great job with the Riviera Maya information! ditto Jackie! She led the non-Cabo contingent from the very beginning. Yes Karla was are washed up old ladies now

I honeymooned there and it's really gorgeous. We stayed in a condo though, so I can't speak about the hotel, or the wedding services. But it's a beautiful property!

Mine looked a lot like Karla's. I used these fans (Natural Straw Fans (12 pcs)) and printed and cut paper for the top of them. Super easy and cheap. But I agree that they were not necessary.

as a Plan B you could print the addresses on clear labels and stick them on the envelopes?

okay so this isn't golf but we did THE MOST FUN day trip ever. We did the canyon zip line tour in San Jose. It was seriously so fun; everyone who skipped it was sad when we all came back raving about it. It's called Canopy Costa Azul and when I am not on the worst internet connection in the history of man I will start a thread on it. The people were SO NICE and we negotiated a group rate fo $55pp (normally like $80-$90 depending on who you ask). It was 3 hours and had a tequila tour and tasting afterward. So fun! I promise to put more info up in a few days when I leave the in-law's house and their dial-up internet I think the website is: Canopy Costa Azul - Los Cabos but I have contact info for them directly.

Lenita, this is really hard and I totally understand where you are coming from. Especially given that these people obviously make enough money that $75 doesn't break the bank. However, I think it would make you a gracious host to pay the $75 for anyone staying off property. You can encourage them to stay at the AI, but I guess you can't make them. But I think if you offered to pay it would be like you are being the bigger person and a good host. The bonus is that she can't use the $75 as an excuse not to come. If she simply doesn't want to come, she will have to come up with a better reason than $75! I just think in the end, you will look like the better person. Just my 2 cents. (PS you aren't being unreasonable...it's definitely a tough call)

Welcome! I am flying home to Denver on Sunday...I'm hoping things are cleared up by then. I don't know about the hotels you mentioned but I'm sure someone does....

You could always do Cabo!! Easy trip from SF and tons of great places to stay, plus we know all about every dang hotel!

Sarah - wow I am floored. Okay, my new years resolution is to learn how to use SharedInk!!!! I am totally going to have questions for you.

Welcome Andrea! I love Austin! You are almost at the one-year away date, how exciting

Welcome Daria, your wedding is getting close -- you must be excited! Can't wait to hear the details!

I put up my bustle right after the ceremony because people kept stepping on it, plus I loved the way it looked all bustled up! But yeah, it made it easier to walk, dance, everything once it was up.

Very pretty! So have you tried it on ever before? Definitely let us know how it goes! It kinda reminds me of Christa's dress a little.

oh yes duhh you live near me! I am so used to all the Cali girls The place I found my dress was Jeanette's Bridal in Manassas, VA. (I think that's the name...it's been awhile now!) They had a pretty good selection. I also went to Ellie's in Alexandria, the Nicole Miller store at Tysons, a place up in Gaithersburg, MD.......oh man I am totally forgetting now! I tried to stay away from really expensive boutiques because I didn't want to fall in love with a dress that wasn't in my budget.

CHristine, Yes, I found it in a boutique and then priced it out at several online retailers. I wouldn't buy a dress online without either trying it on or being able to return it (unless you have a perfect model body, which I don't!) I saved about $250 or $300 by ordering online. Same designer/manufacturer...different middleman. Casablanca was my designer, btw.

Welcome! Have you considered the Cabo Surf Hotel? If so, let me know because I got married there and LOOOOOOOOVED it. It has a similar feel to the others you listed because it's small and private. Cabo Surf Hotel, beach resort, boutique hotel in Los Cabos with surfing, Baja diving and Cabo golf. -- they have a good amount of wedding info on their website I honeymooned at Casa del Mar and it's a gorgeous property. They've been going through construction that has caused a bit of grief for two brides on this board, but I doubt that would be a problem next October. Casa Natalia is different because it's not on the beach. Do you want a beach wedding? Or would you just have the reception at Casa Natalia? We also have a few private villa brides. I thought about going that route for awhile but changed my mind as the prices seemed to keep going up and up in my budget (since you basically have to hire everyone, unlike a hotel where they have tables, linens, staff, etc.) For any of the locations you listed, just do a Search on this forum and there is tons more info! Let me know if I can help anymore.

I wrote about it on a few other posts but I used Netbride - discount bridal gowns, wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and my dress came early, for less money, and in perfect condition!

I didn't even play (except as the elf) but Sarah (sassygirl) sent me a present anyway because she is the BEST EVER! She sent me: A Martha Stewart holiday craft magazine!!!!! the comfiest socks ever yummy lip gloss yummy green hand soap (how did she know I was out of that AND that my kitchen is green?) (hmmm Christa...our gifts are similar. Do we have the same SS?) Yay Sarah! Thank you!