Sarah

Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride Ooh I just thought of something. Awhile back Juan e-mailed me and told me that he personally thinks that the round chinese lanterns are the best for lighting purposes. Would you mind finding out how much these costs? I think Rebecca did these and had to pay the Dreams for the wiring. Could you see how much Dreams will charge for the wiring and whether or not they have some to rent or if we have to get them on our own. Also b/c I have never been to Dreams I am not to familiar with all the different locations to have your reception. Juan also recommended that I do my reception in the place nearest to the gazebo. I don't know where that is. He couldn't remember the name, does anyone know what he is referring to? If you know Sarah would you mind taking a pic of the spot? Sorry I just realized that everyone is asking you to find out so much stuff. If your not to swamped it would be great, but if it's too inconvenient don't even worry about it. Thank you Sarah! -Glenda Well, I think your question was already answered, but no you can't have chinese lanterns at the Cascade terrace. It is costing me $180 for the wiring for them at the Oceana terrace, in addition to what I'm paying for the lanterns themselves... I'll take pics of Cascade terrace while I'm there. Let me know if you need anything else. Quote: Originally Posted by Natalie M There are pics all over from reviews and weddings and site visits. I haven't been there either and I have just asked every girl that went down there to explain it to me. So now I think I have a good grasp as to where everything is. We started planning late and we never got our acts together to get down there for the site visit. I wish we would have!! Yes, but this is coming from the girl who had everything planned about a month after she started planning. Natalie, you didn't need a site visit! lol I on the other hand, have pretty much nothing finalized and I've been planning since August!

The top package is the only one that is included. Anything else you have to pay for (and I don't think it is a reduced rate for the other packages either).

Natalie & Nicole- Here are the files Mariana sent me of the included bouquets. I'm using the #2 red bouquet and the #3 red bout. Corsagues & Botonnieres.doc

Quote: Originally Posted by Natalie M wow I didn't realize this at all! We are staying 14 days!! I should be getting a bouquet. Did you book with the hotel directly or through Tammy?? Through Tammy. I uploaded the Dreams Wedding Packages file for you... Dreams Wedding packages.doc

Quote: Originally Posted by Natalie M ohhh ok that makes sense with the roses, actually I just plannned on bringing fake ones that come in bulk but I would love to see if I could get real ones for cheap! did you end up going with one of the packages from dreams to get a free bouquet? I was planning to do the fake red ones too, but I want to see what my options are. I also am debating doing my own centerpieces with them. I'm staying for more than 7 days, so I get the minimum package free. It basically just includes the services of Mariana, the gazebo, the services of the judge, the bridal bouquet, the bout for the groom, cake for up to 10 (I have to pay $6 per piece after that, we don't care too much about the cake so we're just having Dreams do it to save $$) and I think that's about it.

Quote: Originally Posted by gkashmira Here's a cute idea - they also have packs of clips that you buy and hand out to your guests (ladies I guess): This one is adorable: http://www.flowerclip.com//close-out...CID=9&SSCID=37 OK, now that is too cute. Hmmm....I may have to check these out maybe to use as bouts? If not then I could just give them out the ladies. I want flowers for my hair too! But, I bought that stupid beaded cathedral length veil- boohoo. I wonder if I could do flowers and the veil, maybe too much though...I might just order the flowers anyway and play around with it.

Quote: Originally Posted by Natalie M Hey sarah, If you are looking for OOT bag stuff I would love to hear what you find down there because that is what we will probably do as well with Going to Costco or Mega. Are you getting the roses for your bouquet or just for the ceremony/reception? Will do- the things I am looking for are sunscreen (although I totally know it would be waayyyy cheaper here, I just want to see how much so I can debate transporting it), snacks and water, misc. trinkets like maracas, etc. and whatever else we see that we like. Right now for our OOT bags we already have: travel first aid kits, hand sanitizer, pashminas for the ladies, custom koozies, playing cards, notepads and cute pens, & plastic beach safe containers. I also want to do a Cabo map and activities. We will also include the Spanish Words and Phrases flyer that's on here somewhere and an itinerary for the weekend. I already get a free bouquet through Dreams (going to do plain red roses), but I want to look for roses to buy petals for the ground during the ceremony, and possibly for the ceremony decor. I want to do the drowned red roses like Merryme had. Mariana and I are supposed to discuss it while we're there, after I see the kind of hurricanes they have for me to use.

Quote: Originally Posted by NHPT sarah- those are so freaking cute! i do wish we had done bigger bags for our guests- but oh well- too late now! Great job! Thanks, but I love yours too Nicole. I really debated back and forth between the style of yours and what I ended up with. I think yours are awesome!

Quote: Originally Posted by NHPT ohh will you look at the quality of plain red roses they have at those stores- PLEASE! also about how much they charge- i am really tired of having to pay outrageos costs for such simple flowers- THANKS SO MUCH! oh yeah- enjoy your valentines day! Will do- that is exactly what we will be looking at as well. I just want red roses- why does that have to be so expensive! The only thing I'm worried about is what if they don't have them on the day of the wedding- could be scary.

Quote: Originally Posted by CABOBRIDE200 Sarah, Those look great! I'm also going to do a logo on my OOT bags that doesn't reference our names. I had my brother, an artist, draw up a cute palm tree and shell design. I'll have to post it once I get the whole design and font nailed down. I can't wait to find out how many bags I'm going to need. I want to start this project. That sounds really cool Jessalyn, I can't wait to see it! Quote: Originally Posted by akh I've just decided that this will be my new weekend project - thanks for the inspiration, Sarah! Let me know if you need help Ann:)

I'll look- we're going to Mega and Costco, and wherever else... Corsagues & Botonnieres.doc

Quote: Originally Posted by Lee_Keenan Sarah, Have fun! Any chance you can ask Yesica to call me? I'm just kidding. I think you are going to come back with tons of information and we'll all owe you big time. Be sure to do a shot at Cabo Wabo and have some Lobster Fajitas. Cheers, Lee lol, although my FI and I like to party, we avoided Cabo Wabo last time and probably will repeat the same. I'm just not in to the drunk 40-somethings trying to get it all on with the college boys. lol I probably should go for the experience, but from what my friends who have been there have said, I don't really think I mind if I see it or not! lol

Quote: Originally Posted by Natalie M Sarah they came out great! I will have to post mine as well! The ironing on for me was a BIT*H. I agree. It was kind random though. Some of them ironed on really well, and some i had to touch up a couple times. Go figure...I have half of them done, will do the other half next week- I'm tired of ironing!

At long last, here are my OOT bags. This was quite an adventure, considering I had to add our names to the monogram I got from Aylee (did it in powerpoint), then find a way to mirror image the monogram and the text I had added- this took way longer than it should have, and I'm sure someone else knows a simple way, but I ended up doing it in my Photofusion software and then reformatting to .jpg to print. I used canvas bags from Hobby Lobby that I paid $1.25 each for (after using a 40% off coupon). I used Avery iron-on transfer paper, and the monogram is approx. 5" in diameter. I was able to print 2 monograms per sheet of transfer paper. I'm really happy with the end result though. We wanted something that would be a keepsake for our guests without having our name be the major focus- I think we accomplished this well with the monogram we chose. We are also having our custom koozies made with the same design. I'll post pics when they arrive. The bag Close-up of monogram on bag

I'm struggling with the same thing right now too Natalie. The DIY'er in me wants to do more invitations just because they are fun, but they are expensive. I also ordered the mock-up kit from cards and pockets, but am having a hard time figuring out whether to do them at all- not to mention do I send them to everyone or just the people who are coming. Then we have the issue of the AHR, which we have not decided on for sure. FI really wants one, I do not- this is why it isn't planned yet! If we decide to do an AHR, I want to send invites to everyone, with AHR info on it... Decisions, decisions...I'll deal with it when I get back from Cabo- although by that time it will only be 2 1/2 months until the wedding- yikes!

Hey, no problem Andrea. I've had to have the girls give me a pep talk or two in the last few months! Especially Tammy, she has been a life saver. DW's are so frustrating- I wouldn't say I'm sorry I chose to do a DW, I just had no idea how frustrating people would be. Let us know how else we can help you, and try to enjoy your planning! btw- what's up with the boob? Did I miss a thread somewhere- I hope everything is ok...

Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride Have so much fun! Can you take more pics? I can never see enough pics of the Dreams. And feel free to bring back as much info as you can! Happy V-day! -Glenda Quote: Originally Posted by Natalie M Have fun Sarah, and Yes you can share away with everything you get done down there with all of us Dreams girls! Have a great time! Quote: Originally Posted by NHPT sarah- i am so jealous- have a great time- and take lots of pics!!!!! I promise to take tons of pics, and if there is anything specific you girls need, PM me this afternoon and I'll try to get answers/pics for you! Quote: Originally Posted by anacgarcia Have fun Sarah!!! so great that you're spending valentines day there!!! I know, I have to confess that the date is the primary reason we booked this site visit at all. We really didn't NEED to go, but I just thought it would be really cool to spend V-Day where we're getting married at! And finalize details, of course (wink). Quote: Originally Posted by akh Leigh is going to be so busy with all of the shoots she did this past week, I wouldn't be surprised if they won't be ready right away ... and I know she has to get Lenita's ready first, since she's getting married so soon! And I don't want to hear any complaining - we're all stuck here (or well, I am stuck here) in the cold yucky weather! I'm sure all the pics won't be ready for a loooonng time. I was just thinking that she'll probably put a couple of teaser pics up on the blog or something. I have been checking the blog every day since Saturday (how sad is that?). I know, I really have nothing to complain about...It sure will be a shock to leave 5degree temps and fly into 95 degrees!

Well, I'm not sure if it will make you feel better or not Andrea, but I'm kinda in the same position. At this point NONE of my friends are going, including my best friend from high school who promised she'd be there (she doesn't want to bring her kids and can't find anyone to watch them- despite the fact that she has TONS of money and could afford to friggin bring someone along to watch them), and my other friend who was my "fill in" MOH just cancelled on my last week. I have one work friend who is now trying to rearrange her schedule so she can come. Also, Jeff's aunt and uncle never paid their deposit and basically just dropped off the face of the earth so we now have to pay their cancellation fee and if we don't find someone else for the room, lose all our upgrades and discounts for our room block. Also, the ONLY reason my family is coming (mom, dad, brother, SIL, and niece) is because I am paying $8000 to get them there. Otherwise, they would not come. We invited over 100 people and have 17 coming at this point. So, don't feel alone. My friends and family suck too! But, just remember- if this is what you really want, it doesn't matter who is there- just you and your FI are all that is needed for a beautiful wedding. We have to keep telling ourselves this all the time, especially as one after another, the more than 40 people who initially "promised" they would be there, and caused us to book a HUGE room block, changed their minds...

Yay! I'm so excited that I get to go somewhere warm:) FI and I are leaving tomorrow for our second and final site visit to Dreams Los Cabos (don't be fooled, it's really just an excuse for a vacation). We will be doing our menu tasting and finalizing all welcome dinner, reception, entertainment, and decor decisions (hopefully!) while we're there. We also plan to scope out Mega & Costco and see what's available for purchase for our OOT bags and try to limit what we have to bring with us. So, I probably won't be on here until Friday- hope you all have a great week. The only thing I'm bummed about is that Leigh is working on our pics this week, and I won't get to see them until Friday- I don't know how I'll be able to stand it. Well, yes i do- I'll be at Dreams on Valentines Day having fun with my sweetie. But, anyway- you know what I mean- picture junkie that I am! Corsagues & Botonnieres.doc

My FI and I stayed at the Riu in September last year. We thought the food was excellent for an AI. The breakfast buffet was especially tasty, but all meals in the buffet were great. They have HUGE selection so there's pretty much something for everyone. We did not experience any issues with our room, although we did smell the sewer smell in the hall on our last day there. I think this is a problem that will not ever go away because of the location of the hotel. Our photographer was at the Riu with us one night and he lives in Cabo, he agreed that that is the Riu's biggest problem. However,we were there 4 nights and only noticed one day. You do kinda get used to it after a while as well. Remember when reading reviews on tripadvisor, etc that many people only post a review when they are unhappy, so you don't hear about the 99 other people who were satisfied, only the 1 unhappy one. Here's a pic of one of the watermelon carvings at dinner at the Riu. They always had some really decorated and well presented food! The view from our room- the grounds are spectacular:

Kash I love your invitations- they turned out awesome!

Congratulations Kash- that is so exciting!

Quote: Originally Posted by akh I totally agree, Lenita, especially about it the other girls being there making it easier and more fun. Mainly because I wore Lenita's shoes, Tina's boots, Leigh's underwear and see through shirt, and who knows what else!? And anything Tina did made me say .. "I want to do that too!" But seeing other girls looking so great that are just as shy as me scaling a brick wall and posing naked in front of a window made me think ... "If she can do it, I can do it too!" Trust me, if you're thinking about it, do it! Let me (or more likely Leigh) know if you need help finding a photographer. It was a blast! You girls are both right- it was sooo liberating. i was so scared and intimidated at first, but I think we fed off eachothers (and especially Tina's!) energy. I had so much fun! Thanks so much Ann & Lenita for sharing this experience with me- it was a blast!

Yay Ann! I can't wait to see your pics- and our bpics of course! It sounds like you guys had a great time:)

Here is the place Jessalyn recommended. I think they have some pretty good options. Catalina Silk Flowers - Silk flowers for gifts and decor