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The Cabo Surf doesn't have cheap rooms, but their food/beverage fees are quite a bit lower than other quotes I got. We are only using about 8 rooms at the hotel (we have 55 guests), as most of our guests are renting villas or condos on their own for MUCH cheaper. It's not ideal if your #1 priority is having everyone together at all times, but it works for us. You may want to look at it if this sound up your alley? I posted pics of it from my site visit on this board, just do a search and they should pull up.

Welcome! Let us know some of the places you are considering (or just the kinds of things you'd like for your wedding) -- hopefully we can help!

Tammy, Do you know if he offers a reduced rate for just taking the video and handing over the tapes (as opposed to taking the time to edit and put together a DVD)? I suppose I could always just email him myself...

To us, the thing that matters most is what is in your hearts and in your intentions. Standing up in front of family and friends and saying our vows is when we will "become married" no matter when we sign the papers. Not to get too political on this board, but if we only cared about couples who could legally marry in this country, we would be leaving out a lot of loving, committed couples who, because they are gay, are not allowed to get married under the law. And that is the end of my political talk. Just having one of those days, I guess

eek Natasha, what's wrong with edamame? I always thought it was so good for you?

I got these off of Indie Bride, and a few other sources. I'd recommend checking out Indie Bride vow thread: http://kvetch.indiebride.com/index.p...876132&start=0

more... In the company of our family and friends and with their love and support, I X, choose you, Y, to be my husband. With faith in your enduring love, and in admiration of your boundless heart, through all that life may bring us, I pledge my self to you. I will hold you, laugh with you, and cry with you. I will be faithful to you in thought, word, and deed. I will be your loving partner as we build a life together, And I will be your faithful champion as you pursue your own dearly-held dreams. From this day forward, until death do us part, we stand together. This is my promise to you and to God. I gladly make this promise. I am proud to be your wife. -------------------- I, X, do take you, Y, 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. I promise to share with you myself I promise to respect you deeply; your interests, desires and needs. I promised to delight in the laughter, take serious the important, and imagine the profound. I promise to keep myself open to you, to live in truth with you, to communicate fully and fearlessly. I promise to grow with you, to face changes with you, to overcome obstacles with you, to enjoy contentment with you. I promise to love and support you in good times and bad, completely and forever. Take this ring as a symbol of my commitment to you.

Some ideas: X, do you accept Y to be your wife, to love and to cherish, to share your dreams, successes, and challenges; in plenty and in want, in triumph and in failure, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live? (I Do) Y, do you accept X to be your wife, to love and to cherish, to share your dreams, successes, and challenges; in plenty and in want, in triumph and in failure, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live? (I Do) The vows which you will exchange will serve as a verbal representation of the love you pledge to each other. It is not the words that you will speak today which will bond you together as one, but the inner sense of love and commitment that each of you feel within your heart. X, please repeat after me: I, X, take you Y, To be my wife, best friend, and lover. Together we will dream, play and experience. When you stumble, I will restore you. Throughout my life, I promise to cherish and respect you, To comfort and encourage you, And to stay with you, As long as we both live. Y, please repeat after me: I, Y, take you X, To be my husband, best friend, and lover. Together we will dream, play and experience. When you stumble, I will restore you. Throughout my life, I promise to cherish and respect you, To comfort and encourage you, And to stay with you, As long as we both live. These rings are a symbol of your everlasting love and the vows of commitment you have made today. X, placing the Ring on Y's finger, repeat after me. With this ring, I pledge to you my unconditional love. (repeat)

welcome jennifer! can't wait to hear details about your wedding...it's not so far away

woo hoo jackie!!

Wow that is a great deal MariaElena. You will love it, I'm sure. I am a frugal person, so I don't think I could fully enjoy a honeymoon if I was spending a ton of money. I would just have anxiety and enjoy it less, but that is due to my own crazy issues! (We all have them, right?) Now, if my inlaws were paying, I might just change my mind on that one!

We decided to honeymoon at a condo at Casa del Mar. We are paying $225 a night (total, no taxes or fees) for a 1 br/1.5 bath beachfront/poolside condo. Pros: Full kitchen so we can make meals, make margaritas, eat leftovers, etc. The grounds and the pools of Casa del Mar are beautiful (so I hear...) Privacy! No hallways or elevators or anything. Just walk up to the front door and it's like having your own little apartment. Great value. If we wanted an equally nice hotel room, I think we'd be paying about $100/night more. Which leaves more money for eating out/activities! Cons: No luxury hotel things like room service, housekeeping, etc. I've heard there is tension between hotel/condo people at Casa del Mar. This is my biggest worry but I am prepared to just let things roll off my back. And have another margarita! lol

oh you might want to get a hair trial done or at least scope out the spas in the area?

Even if you have to go with your not-so-favorite person in the world, I think you will be glad you made the trip. For me, the most valuable part was just getting familiar with the area (airport, roads, landscape) so that I can give my guests good advice about things. Because Juan is so good, I'm not sure you need to meet with him. When your wedding gets closer you will want to give him a list of any pictures you want (combinations of people, etc), but if I were you I'd spend that extra hour laying by the pool sipping a margarita PS Ill be in Cabo honeymooning away those days!!!!!!!!

damn sarah is lucky congrats girl

I totally forgot to put this on my invites -- oops!!! I had like 10 people look over them too, and not one of us noticed. The only reason that 8 weeks might be a bit early is because some people really just might not know that far ahead of time if they can go. I know we are all Type A planners, but some people do not plan 2 months ahead. Even if you give people up until 4 weeks officially to tell you, you will have a pretty good idea of your list 6 or 8 weeks out. No matter the date you choose, there will be stragglers. Either way, encourage people to buy their plane tix early!

Megan, thanks for the detailed review! I am so glad that your overall experience was so great. It sounds like you and your guests had the right attitude about everything, and that you had a TON of fun. I hope you post some pics so we can see everything too!

woo hoo I am not the only one j/k...but what you are saying makes sense. I am just going to mull it over and decide in a week or two. I still have time.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh so you girls definitely have a consensus on this one, don't ya!!! I totally hear all of your arguments, and you are starting to sway me... but... Both my sister and my best friend had their weddings with no seating charts, and they both worked out totally fine. And this was 100+ people. I swear I am not making that up. I do believe it is possible. Also, we have no family drama or anything where I worry about "X can't sit with Y" and that kind of stuff. Everyone gets along. But based on your very strong recommendations, I promise to re-think this... I don't know why I am so hesitant? I think I just want to minimize the "extra stuff to do".

So....I may be making a big mistake, but I am leaning against doing a seating chart. I'm just not sure all the hassle is worth it. I only have 55 people, don't you think people can arrange themselves however they want? I plan to have seven tables of 8 each. We might reserve one table for us and our wedding party. Then have a table for each family. But basically let everyone sort themselves out. What do you gals think -- smart or stupid??

I am your kinda girl! I got my dress from www.netbride.com for $530. It retailed in the store for ~$800. It even came early! I picked it out in the salon, and then went home and got a quote from several online retailers. Netbride was the cheapest. They don't carry all designers, but they do carry Casablanca. Just go to a boutique that carries Casablanca and try some on. They were some of my favorite dresses and I think they look more expensive than they actually are.

Thanks ladies!!

Yes you are totally right. I plan on making a checklist of all the different people combinations we need. But I'd also like to give him a visual idea of things I like. Whether it's lighting, poses, angles, etc. And then I will leave the rest to him! Thanks to all who have posted pics. They are all unique and I really like them.

Thanks Christa -- this is SO helpful! Now I just need to start using the smileys!

Quote: Originally Posted by TAMMYM MariaElena, I noticed on your list to bring you have a bouquet Jewel.. How are you doing to incorporate it into your bouquet? My bouquet will be green orchids and light ivory roses and I purchsed a blue starfish jewel for my "something blue) but I wasn't sure where to put it. What are your thoughts? Tammy, I think one thing you could do is tie the starfish on as a charm to the ribbon around the stems of the bouquet. (If you are going to wrap the stems in ribbon?) That's the best idea I have without actually having a visual of all the pieces.