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Hi Edyta, I copy/pasted my timeline below, just to give you an idea. If I had to do it over, I might start the hair/makeup just 20-30 mins earlier. That was the only thing that ran a little late all day. I gave everyone a copy of this at the rehearsal and people were really good about following it. (And Lisa helped A LOT too!) ******* Saturday, November 11 9:30 AMInformal surfing lessons at Cabo Surf Hotel beach (need to rent boards from hotel) Instructor: Janet’s friend Kristin 11:00 AMJanet and Katie finish bouquets/boutonnières 1:00 PM Janet goes to Hive Spa at the Palmilla for hair and makeup; Alli goes to Hive Spa for hair. Other girls are getting ready at Cabo Surf on their own. 2:00 PMLisa Galvan arrives at Cabo Surf Hotel 3:00 PMEnrique from Baja Video Productions begins set up 3:30 PMBradley Fraser begins shooting photos at Cabo Surf Hotel (what time does he come to set up?) Bridal party (boys, girls, and family) must be photo-ready (Important!!) 3:45 PM Bradley takes photos of bridal party, groom and groomsmen, some family shots? David Flores arrives to set up sound 4:00 PMLisa and Cabo Surf employees finish ceremony set up •49 white fabric chairs, rake sand •Box of programs to give out to guests •Mic/sound (David and Antares?) •Rose petals along aisle •Centerpieces that Janet and girls have assembled (placemat, candles, limes, flower) Chris Johnson arrives Guests arrive, complementary drink, get program fan, get seated by 4:25 David Flores begins playing (4:10) Enrique from Baja Video Productions begins shooting footage 4:25 PMWedding party lines up •Order of walking down aisle: oAndrew oAndrew’s parents: Hank and Karen oJanet’s mom: Kathy oRain – Andrew’s groomswoman oAlli (petite blonde) – Janet’s bridesmaid oDan oAli (taller brunette) oJim – Best Man oKarlyn – Matron of Honor oJanet and dad (Dan) 4:30 PMCeremony begins (see attached script) 5:00 PMCeremony Ends. GROUP PHOTO IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. Guests are invited up to pool for cocktail hour. David Flores moves to pool area to play guitar. (Informal set up) 5:05 PMJanet and Andrew take photos on the beach Cocktail hour begins for guests – open bar, passed appetizers 5:35 PMWedding party and family photos [see attached master photo list] 6:00 PMEveryone returns to the cocktail hour 6:05 PMOpen bar for cocktail hour closes 6:15 PMEveryone is seated and dinner begins •no seating chart; 7 tables of 8 people each •closed bar, wine served with meal •buffet style •which vendors need meals? David Flores leaves 6:30 PMBradley Fraser leaves (6:15-6:30 he is taking any last-minute pictures if lighting still good) When does Antares (DJ) arrive for set-up? 7:15 PMToasts are given by Janet’s dad Dan, sister Karlyn, and Best Man Jim. Janet and Andrew cut first piece and hotel serves to all. (Kathy will take photos of this?) 7:30 PMReception begins •Antares begins with first dance song; Jim announces (Forever; Ben Harper) •2nd song: bridal party and parents (Better Together; Jack Johnson) •Antares begins regular playlist, Best Man Jim will serve as informal emcee •Open bar opens. 8:00 PMEnrique from Baja Video Productions ends shooting 10:00 PMLisa notifies everyone that 30 mins are left for Open Bar 10:30 PMReception ends. Open Bar closes. Cash bar opens. Lisa Galvan leaves.

lol Kash, you mean you don't want to marry Andrew? Good thing cause he is taken!

This post goes along with this thread: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/f/wedding_forum/t1199 I thought I would post a copy of our ceremony. We pieced it together using other sites such as indiebride.com so I can't take credit for actually WRITING much of it. It may be helpful for you brides who also have to write your own ceremony. ****** Janet & Andrew November 11, 2006 • 4:30 pm Cabo Surf Hotel CJ: (speaking to audience) We are gathered here today between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean to witness and celebrate the coming together of Andrew and Janet in marriage, to be with them, and to rejoice with them in the making of this important commitment, the essence of which is accepting another person in their entirety as lover, companion and friend. The fact that so many people have traveled such a great distance to be here today is a testament to the amazing amount of love and support they have in their lives. Janet and Andrew would like to sincerely thank you all for being here to celebrate this wonderful occasion with them. One of those dear friends who has traveled so far is Amie, who will read from Louis de Bernieres’ “Corelli’s Mandolin.†Amie: "Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two." CJ: Love is a quality of spirit and an attitude of the emotions, but marriage is a life’s work. Into this state of marriage these two persons have come today to be united. Marriage should provide spiritual growth and discovery for both of you, expanding your capacity for love, intimacy, and joy. The intentions you will jointly pledge today should act as a guide for the future. To explore the world together. To always be truthful and love fearlessly. To live your dreams. To meet in unconditional love. To be a happy family. These desires will give meaning and strength to your marriage. Janet’s longtime friend Katie will now read a poem by Pablo Neruda. Katie: And now you’re mine. Rest with your dream in my dream. Love and pain and work should all sleep, now. The night turns on its invisible wheels, And you are pure beside me as a sleeping ember. No one else, Love, will sleep in my dreams. You will go, We will go together, over the waters of time. No one else will travel through the shadows with me, Only you, ever green, ever sun, ever moon. Your hands have already opened their delicate fists And let their soft drifting signs drop away; Your eyes closed like two gray wings, and I move After, following the folding water you carry, that carries Me away. The night, the world, the wind spin out their destiny. Without you, I am your dream, only that, and that is all. CJ: Janet and Andrew, You have known each other for three and a half years, through the first glance of acquaintance to this moment of commitment. One year ago today, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes until this moment of Yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or on long walks—all those sentences that began with “When we’re married†and continued with “I will and you will and we willâ€â€”those late-night talks that included “someday†and “somehow†and “maybeâ€â€”and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of marrying. The symbolic vows you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word.†Hold hands now and face one another to make your vows. Before this moment, you have been many things to one another—friend, companion, lover, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never be quite the same between you. For after these vows you shall say to the world: This—is my husband. This—is my wife. Andrew, please repeat after me. I, Andrew, do take you, Janet, To be the wife of my days / the companion of my house / The friend of my life / and the mother of our children / We shall bear together / whatever trouble and sorrow / life may lay upon us / And we shall share together / whatever good and joyful things / life may bring us / With these words / and all the words of my heart / I marry you / and bind my life to yours. Janet, please repeat after me. I, Janet, do take you, Andrew, To be the husband of my days / the companion of my house / The friend of my life / and the father of our children / We shall bear together / whatever trouble and sorrow / life may lay upon us / And we shall share together / whatever good and joyful things / life may bring us / With these words / and all the words of my heart / I marry you / and bind my life to yours. Jim, do you have the rings? (Janet hands bouquet to Karlyn). These rings are a symbol of your everlasting love and the vows of commitment you have made today. Andrew, placing the Ring on Janet’s finger, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed. Janet, placing the Ring on Andrew’s finger, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed. Andrew and Janet, cherish each moment together, savor every breath, and grow with each experience so that an attitude of celebration will stay with you for all of your days. Give to one another new experiences of joy. Challenge one another so that you may grow. May the love you hold for each other, now sealed in marriage, continue to mature with the passing years. May you never take each other for granted, but always experience the wonder of your union. Be slow to anger, quick to forgive, leaving no tracks of resentment behind each day. May your love consist not only in gazing into each other's eyes, but also in looking outward in the same direction. May your life together be a source of strength and inspiration to yourselves, your families, your friends, and to all whose lives you touch. With friends, and family, along with the sun, the moon, and the sea, I have the pleasure of announcing you as husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

Hi ladies, I totally can't take credit for this because I stole generously from MariaElena, but I am attaching the welcome letter I emailed to all of my guests about a week before the wedding. I think it really helped everyone feel at ease about traveling internationally and it gave everyone a schedule to adhere to so I didn't have to answer a million questions once we got there. Feel free to steal and adapt it for yourself if you want. Wedding Weekend Info.doc Wedding Weekend Info.doc

Okay ladies, the emails have been sent! Let me know if you didn't get one or there is any confusion, as I am acting as Santa's elf this winter.

Quote: Originally Posted by LISVITAL Hey Janet, Your flowers are beautiful and what a great deal. Where did you get your flowers? Lisa I got my flowers from The Flower Cart. I bought them in "bunches" which means they were not arranged and then my girlfriend put them all together for me (she is amazing!).

Quote: Originally Posted by BVP Gorgeous Janet !!! - There are so many fun ones - and you are stunning in the B&W photos.... I love the fact that Andrew had a 'Groom'swoman' - that was so cool! Thanks Marci! She was a very fun "groomswoman" who took him out for a 2nd bachelor party down in Cabo on Thursday night PS I am finally going to upload the video to my computer this weekend -- I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by JANET1111 Valerie, they are stargazer lillies. I had ordered "starfighter" lillies but they look more like stargazer to me. (Just to a google image search to see the difference). I didn't really care much that they weren't exactly what I ordered because the blooms that I got from The Flower Cart were just so huge and gorgeous that I loved them instantly. The best part is that I paid $250 total for all my flowers (5 bouquets, 5 bouts, 2 corsages, 7 centerpieces worth)! And we had enough extra leftover after the wedding to put little vases of them all over our honeymoon suite. It was such a special treat all week to have a little piece of the wedding with us. Oh and the bout/corsage flowers are called alstromeria. They look a little like "mini" lillies.

Quote: Originally Posted by VALERIE What kind of flowers are those?! They are beautiful! Valerie, they are stargazer lillies. I had ordered "starfighter" lillies but they look more like stargazer to me. (Just to a google image search to see the difference). I didn't really care much that they weren't exactly what I ordered because the blooms that I got from The Flower Cart were just so huge and gorgeous that I loved them instantly. The best part is that I paid $250 total for all my flowers (5 bouquets, 5 bouts, 2 corsages, 7 centerpieces worth)! And we had enough extra leftover after the wedding to put little vases of them all over our honeymoon suite. It was such a special treat all week to have a little piece of the wedding with us.

Thanks! I got a nice email from a girl who found me on another website I have and I sent her here, so be nice to her! jk like you girls would be anything but NICE!

Hey Bonnie is that you If so, HI!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by NHPT janet- you are more than welcome! so are you back to the real world now? yes and it sucks being married is fun but being in cold, grey weather and having to go to work is not fun!

1) when did you start (or plan on beginning) wedding dress alterations? only about 4-5 weeks before the wedding, but it ALMOST fit in the first place 2) how many fittings did you have to have? only 1! 3) about how much did it cost? $200 (for hem, taking in shoulders, and making the bustle) 4) any tips ? find a good person, go earlier if you need more alterations, later if you need fewer, and wear the shoes/undergarments you plan to wear that day. I found it to be pretty painless overall, really.

Thanks ladies for all your sweet comments! You are making my self-esteem skyrocket!!! lol. It's really easy to be critical of yourself in photos, so really, it makes me feel good that you all liked them Thanks!

wow that girl had an awesome wedding!

Welcome Melissa, I'm not familiar with your location or coordinator, but I am sure someone will be able to help. Good luck!!

Quote: Originally Posted by akh So for all of you that got married ON the beach (actually in the sand) did you wear shoes? If so, were they a pain in the butt? I was thinking of going barefoot for the ceremony, then putting on shoes for the reception. But then I wonder what I do about alterations for my dress. Do I get it altered for the barefoot height, then get shoes with little to no heel? Any advice, ladies? Even if you stand in shoes on the sand, the hem of your dress won't look perfect -- it's just the way sand is. So I'd say just get your dress altered for shoes/floor and it's okay if the dress is a little long for the sand.

Thanks Tammy. We had fun taking them I just wish we had more "serious" pics of just me and Andrew. But we kinda ran out of time and daylight taking the fun ones. Oh well, right? (yes this is what I am telling myself over and over....)

Hi ladies, I've uploaded SOME (but not all, because there seem to be BILLIONS) of my wedding photos to SmugMug. Our favorites All of Bradley's professional pics All of my galleries (the list is growing every day) Enjoy!

about 3.5 years. But now it seems like the count starts over with "wedding anniversaries"

I wore these shoes in the sand for the ceremony and for dancing all night long, and they were SOOOOO comfy. I highly recommend the wedge. I got these on sale for $40 at Ann Taylor

Anna -- your wedding was SO GORGEOUS!!!!! My friends were peeking in on your ceremony and I got to see like 5 mins of your reception. The mariachi sounded great. I am so glad you were so happy. You looked absolutely beautiful. Hope you were happy with the Cabo Surf. We gave them lots of business last weekend

Quote: Originally Posted by gkashmira So what are your menus? Are you guys doing BUFFET or PLATED: I think we're going to go with the Caribean Menu ($45/pp) and then add a pasta station for an additional $8/per person. I want to cut out the two desserts and I'm hoping that cuts a few dollars off the price. This is what it looks like. We MAY change one of themeat dishes to a vegetarian option (a good amount of vegetarians invited/coming...) CARIBBEAN COOK OUT BUFFET SALADS Artichoke salad with blue cheese, leaf lettuce and dressings Tomato and avocado salad, tropical fruit with tequila Pico de gallo (jicama, orange and carrot) Bell pepper salad, beet salad, spinach salad (** I can't tell is this is 3 different salads of one salad that has all three) HOT ITEMS Spicy beef turnovers (**We may substitute a VEG item here if I can find one) Caribbean style pork loin with bananas and sweet and sour sauce Chicken brochette with pineapple Seafood casserole Tostones (**Means flattened/fried plantains) Rice with black beans Fried sweet potatoes PASTRIES Coconut cake (**I want to cut this out since there'll be cake) Kalhua custard (**I want to cut this out since there'll be cake) Exotic fruit cocktail US $45.00 per person ADD: Pasta station: Chef preparing 3 types of pasta to order US $ 8.00 P / person (PLus $60 set-up charge for the station) What are you guys doing? Kristi - How was the food when you were there? Kash, Meat/protein costs a premium, so if you sub in some veggie options, I'd try to negotiate the price down a little! Can't hurt to ask?

Welcome Heather! You have definitely come to the right place I used Marci (BVP) as my videographer and she and her husband were great and affordable, too! Let us know how else we can help!

Hey Hilton gals, Just wanted to tell you that Andrew and I spent the last day of our honeymoon at the Hilton beach and it was so much fun!!!!! Although it was much more crowded than Casa del Mar, it made for a really fun atmosphere -- perfect for a wedding. I was definitely thinking of all you ladies while I laid on the beach and soaked up the rays!