NATASHA

Tip from a married girl - I still wear my dress. I put it on and greet my husband at the door. Sometimes I come down to breakfast in it, etc. It makes my DH laugh. So, you'll get plenty of wear out of it.

You're funny Kate. Yes, I eat. Actually, my boss teases me because I always have something in my mouth or on my desk in front of me. I just burn fuel like a mad-woman (and get a bit cranky if I'm away from food for too long). The small waist is a genetic thing. We have a picture of my great grandmother in a beauty contest (beauty had a whole other meaning back then - she was not attractive by today's standards - ha ha) and her waist is just insanely small. I've got some other assets I'd be willing to trade though

I struggled with this as well. I had to change because my DH and I are tango dancers and you can't do an argentine tango in a wedding dress! So, I changed into this dress for our dance and then I changed back so that I could do my daddy daughter dance in my wedding dress. I didn't want my pictures with my dad to be in this: That being said, if you're getting married in Costa Rica, it is HUMID in Manuel Antonio. I was SO hot dancing at night in my wedding dress and it cooled off significantly in Cabo. If you will have more fun changing later in the evening so you can dance (maybe after you cut the cake), I say go for it. It was a relief putting this dress on - even if it was only for a bit.

Here's who CDM contracted with for our Cuban salsa teachers: Regarding your question bellow, it is my pleasure to share the information with you! For Salsa Teachers or dancers, I contact a company named Show Happens at Cabo, the contact name is Jorge Cuervo, you can email him at [email protected], he has the contacts for any kind of shows (Cubans, Mexican, Fire Dancers, etc.).

I finally have the salsa dancer's contact information (and here's a direct line to fire dancers as well apparently). Here's an excerpt from my email with Claudia (CDM coordinator) Regarding your question bellow, it is my pleasure to share the information with you! For Salsa Teachers or dancers, I contact a company named Show Happens at Cabo, the contact name is Jorge Cuervo, you can email him at [email protected], he has the contacts for any kind of shows (Cubans, Mexican, Fire Dancers, etc.).

I am going to check with Claudia at Casa Del Mar. We reserved them through her. Maybe she will share their information with me.

I know this sounds too simple, but I did the following: -Quit caffeine -Added one more serving of veggies -Drank a ton of bottled water (which replaced other, less healthy things) My skin looked fabulous for the wedding - totally cleared up, didn't need makeup at all. Since the first of the year, I've been awful at this (especially the drinking water) and my skin is back to its old routine. I'm going to do a better job - how difficult is it to just drink water?

I have - when traveling to winter wonderlands in Canada, etc. The snow pants and ski gear are just too cumbersome. However, I don't recommend it to Mexico. You have to go through DHL and it's less reliable.

Oh my gosh - my pilates instructor killed me last night. My legs are still shaking.

Quote: Originally Posted by weez Ok so heres another one for you guys! Not sure if someone asked already so sorry if you did, but, as far as the actual marriage goes, do any of you feel that there is a difference in your relationships now that you are hubby and wife? Have heard that no matter how much you think it wont, the day to day dynamics change? True? Thanks guys! It is definitely different for me. I dated a man for 10 years and figured that I would never get married - no need if the committment is in your heart. When I met my husband, I understood that there really is a difference and that's crystalized now that we're married. Everything is thought of in the long-term: a) where to go on vacation ("OK, let's go to Italy this year and then in a few years we can go back to Spain") how to handle the finances - it's a much different ball-game when you're planning for two. plus, you're planning together and mapping out your careers together. We have never had money issues as we think very similarly, even in our risk vs. reward in terms of the types of investments, but that is probably very different for a lot of couples and should be thought through and discussed extensively before you get married c) if something happens to you, he's there. He's in the hospital with you, helping you make decisions and he's treated with respect. If he was your boyfriend, he really doesn't get a say. Mostly, without your knowledge, you work together with a long-term focus. You have to or it doesn't work. I'm trying to put my finger on it, but it's tough to communicate. Having been in a long-term committed relationship before, though, I can say that it is totally different.

Quote: Originally Posted by mexico15 Ok...my question is about your dresses! How important was your dress the day of the wedding? I HATE my dress now---and am VERY upset about it...but don't think I can just throw away $1200 and get a new one. Are you having so much fun that I probably won't worry about my stupid dress? Or was that a HUGE part and I am going to have a crappy day?? I'm going to give you an honest answer. You're going to look at your pictures a lot. I loved my dress - still do. I wish I had hemmed it flat-footed rather than in heels and I think that from time to time when I look at my photos. I didn't like my hair - still don't. I notice it more looking at photos - but it in NO WAY ruined my day or my memory of the day. If you're comfortable in your dress - you'll have a great time. If you're struggling with it (too tight, falling down,e tc.) that's a different story. I agree with Rebecca, try on your dress in full make-up and with your jewelry on. If you still really hate it, can you take it back in exchange for another?

I wasn't planning on wearing a veil - I'm definitely not a veil girl, but one of my BMs kept haggling me on it and the other tag-teamed me when we went in for my last fitting. I took it off after the pictures. I liked wearing it - it was fun. Mostly, I liked wearing it around the house. Pre-wedding, it was easier to put on than lugging out the darn dress (and then hanging it back up) when I wanted to feel like a bride. Post-wedding, it's fun to put on and wear down to breakfast. Makes my husband laugh.

CDM has some tiki torches. I thought it was plenty and i was not charged for them. CDM also puts candles around the pool. I had a $72 charge from Maye for candles, but I think that those were little tea candles for the table and for inside the centerpieces. Just send Claudia an email at some point and have her confirm that tiki torches and candles around the pool are included (with a picture of what you're expecting). And, yes, they have lighting for the beach club. CDM does take credit card. Make sure that Maye will be there in August. She usually leaves for the month.

We had the photographer for 6 hours. It cost us $2000. IMHO, I would go for at least 5 hours. I love our photos. I would skimp on flowers and decorations in a heart beat before I'd cut an hour off of how long we had our photographer! The flowers are gone, but I have all these great photos and I never felt rushed because I had him come a full hour before the wedding started.

Our bar bill was $4864 for the whole day of the wedding and $1500 for the rehearsal dinner. This was for 60 peole. BIG point here. We did by consumption. Had we done open bar it would have been $6885 on our wedding day (6 hours) and $3300 for the rehearsal dinner (2 hours) AND that's including the 10% discount that we negotiated. HIGHLY RECOMMEND doing per drink. All prices include 10% tax and 15% tip.

Quote: Originally Posted by anacgarcia I have to buy tons of votive candles.. the pool is really big at the FA and I want candles everywhere.. I definitely need to go on a 2nd site visit... damn.. Thanks girls!!! Hi Anny - maybe try saying, "Oh, and you put luminaries out around the pool correct?" Frequently they do this already so they will take care of it.

what about finding a vintage purse?

Here's a thought. After our engagement party (I think we spent $500 on alcohol, $250 to have this crazy taco maker who is just awesome - like the "taco nazi" - San Diegans, if you want more info I'll forward, $250 to have a solo guitarist, and another $200 to rent tables and stuff) in our friend's beautiful back yard, we both said to each other, "That should have just been our wedding." Any way you can surprise your friends and family and have a down-home backyard surpirse wedding with them (especially if you want to have your religous leader marry you although I don't know the rules if you're catholic). You just come out in the dress and he's in the suit. Wow - how romantic. Before that, you could sneak away and get married just the two of you. I loved our wedding - honestly, it's the best wedding I've ever been to - but if budget was an issue for us - this kind of idea would have been SO special to me. I also love Leigh's drive thru wedding! I think we spent two weeks planning the engagement party (max). I don't know what is driving your church ceremony, but it's a thought.

Quote: Originally Posted by akh Well, I am having the big ol' DW in Mexico, we'll have about 70 people we think. But, that won't be legal (no one will really know that though) - and we're going to legally get married in Hawaii on our honeymoon. So I guess I am kind of having 2 DWs! I think we'll probably just get married somewhere quiet - I am not sure of our options just yet in Hawaii, and then go out to a nice dinner, just the two of us. So maybe you could do something like that - make is special and private. A heck of a lot les stress and planning, that's for sure! OH OH OH - off topic sorry When we were in Hawaii (big island) we went to the Four Seasons for dinner. Tell them it's your official wedding night. Even without this - we had the most special dinner - the staff was so attentive and the food was great (sorry - Hawaii just doesn't tend to have good food and we're big foodies) and the environment was very romantic. The Four Seasons in Maui is awesome as well. See if they will give you a private table on the beach. (we went for pizza at Bronx pizza which we love here in SD after our private ceremony and it is one of my favorite memories yet, but still).

That's funny - "Oh, you're pregnant? Great - would you mind carrying some things for me?"

Couple of additional items not included on the spreadsheet: -PhotoAlbum or Photobook -Additional prints -Albums for parents (we bought them 10 inch digital photo frames and loaded them up with photos from the wedding instead and they LOVED them) -Hair and Makeup -Manicure/Pedicure -Spa appointments

Yep - 1 hour. We put bottled waters out on a table at the top of the sand for our guests to grab on their way to their seats Everyone took them (none were left!)

You know - I think they may have people wear them so they feel a bit more comfortable trying on dresses in front of someone else.

I wore that same cut for my red tango dress. It's suprisingly comfortable!

Quote: Originally Posted by Hummingbird Or, you could use these: Victoria's Secret - Invisible shaping bra I have heard some brides love them, but I have never personally tried it! I've used them before for formal events. They work great, except when you sweat, and in Cabo, you will probaby get a bit sweaty.