VALERIE

Jenetta - I see on your itinerary that you are presenting the grandmothers with bouquets in leiu of the bouquet toss! Great idea! I was just thinking about what I could do instead! How are you planning on that happening? Are you doing it publically or privately? Details for this wonderful idea!

The starfish are real. I ordered online from Oriental Trading - Mini Natural Sugar Starfish (Box of 500 for $11.95). The biggest problem I had was sorting through the boxes to find the best ones to use. I plan to use the extras on the tables at the reception.

Does anyone else have any itineraries to share?

Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride Valerie, I still can't believe how great they look! Are the colors used in your invitation your wedding colors or did you just pick red b/c you like it? I think the red is great. And thanks for posting the website, I was able to get a better look. Although I must say I like your invites better! -Glenda The colors of my invites (burnt orange and tan) are not my wedding colors (wine and creams). I actually ordered the burgundy/wine color for the paper and didn't like it as much as the burnt orange. I figured it didn't really matter if it all matched as long as it looked good!

Welcome! You will find a ton of helpful information! Be sure to do your research, and ask alot of questions! The ladies here are wonderful! Happy Planning!

Quote: Originally Posted by OneLove Hello Valerie, I just came across this today....maybe it will help.. It provides 5 options identified as the best excursions in the Mayan Riviera area: StrayWeddings.com Blog: Attractions ~andrea Perfect! Thank you so much, Andrea! I love your photo! You two look so happy together!

Ladies... I'm trying to come up with an action plan on places and things to recommend to our guests to do while we are all vacationing in the Riviera. I know that Xelha is a must! What else is a must do? How did you all present this information to the guests or did you let them figure it out on their own? I'd like to schedule in 3 day trips and give people the options to join us and/or do their own thing. Thoughts?

Quote: Originally Posted by Soon to be Mrs. Hull Valerie, that is so weird, my MOH and I went to David's Bridal on Saturday and picked out the same one (in Peridot-a light green). I am going to change the sash though, my MOH will wear Ivory to match me and the BM's will have a light pink sash, just because I love pink. My MOH was the one who picked it out, I was trying to find something they would wear again, but she tried this one on and lit up and said this is the one. I wish I would have felt like that when I was trying on dresses. How fun! I love the dress, and it is super flatering on my bridesmaid. I was thinking about changing the sash as well, and actually purchased one from David's Bridal in Ivory. However, I'm now thinking it won't look quite right. My dress is light gold, so the ivory won't look quite right. FYI - I think the new sash was $15, so take a look at them as well. We may just end up finding fabric to match my dress and making it ourself.... or we'll run out of patience and time and stick with the one it comes with!

Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride Valerie your invitations look amazing! Your an original Martha Stewart, your so crafty. Do you have the link to the inspiration invitations? I would love to get a closer look. That is awesome that you were able to save so much! Thanks for sharing with us. -Glenda Thanks! I'm busy addressing envelopes tonight to get them in the mail tomorrow! Ahhh! I's still out 5 weeks, but people are acting like they should have been out weeks ago! Oh well.... with Christmas in the middle of it all, I just didn't want anything to happen in the mail! Here is the website - Unique Wedding Invitations Artist * Beach Wedding Invitations, Printable Invitations She also has a really cool message in the bottle invite and a bunch of others for destination weddings! Here is the direct link to the starfish invites - Starfish wedding invitations - unique beach wedding invitations

Thanks! I love them!!! I hope that others can get some ideas and know how much money you can save!

I had to purchase the following to make them - (1) Paper - I used Discount Wedding Invitations, Vellum Paper, Vellum Envelopes, Card Stock Source - Paperandmore.com and paid right around $16 per pack, which has 100 sheets. I was able to get 2 invitations per sheet of the orange, 2 invitations per sheet of the brown, and 3 invitations on the white. Plus inserts, of course. (2) Paper Crimper - You can find these at craft stores. It gives the wavy/beachy feel to the cards. I found mine on ebay for right around $20. (3) Ribbon - I found this ribbon on ebay (Elton Bridal). It was $3.29 for 10 yards. It's called Natural Sinamay Ribbon, and you can choose your width. (4) Starfish - Package of 500 for $11.95 from Party supplies, crafts, party decorations, toys: Oriental Trading (5) Printing costs (I printed myself) (6) Glue! I used glue sticks for the paper and tacky craft glue to secure the starfish. (7) Envelopes - I found greeting card size envelopes from Staples. You just need to find the size that will fit a 1/2 sheet of paper. I can't remember for sure, but I think they were around $12 for 100 envelopes. (8 Stamps, of course! (9) and I already had a paper cutter (found at all craft stores) Let me know if anyone needs further instruction or has questions!!! I have all the sizes that I used, but you could sure change it up to fit what you like!

Sorry! Let's try this again! Here is what mine ended up looking like!

Ok. I need to apologize! I can't get my photos sized down enough to post. Let me work on it for a few minutes, and I'll try to get them sized! Ugh!

I received a great response when I posted on another thread, so I wanted to follow up with you all and let you know how my invitations turned out! If you recall, this was the inspiration for the invites (and also another way to make them). FYI - She was charging just over $8 per invite!

I know there are alot of brides that are looking for centerpieces that will travel well. I thought these were pretty cute and could travel well if the resort has the bowls. Post others that you have!

Quote: Originally Posted by TAMMYM Valerie, I like the first picture..... They are really cute.. How do you plan on setting up your tables? We are having long banquet tables, and each will vary in decorations - I don't like anything to be the same! I'm going to do variations of this candle centerpiece with different vases and candle sizes, but don't know where to get the bowls yet. Any thoughts? We also have kitchen floor tiles in white, and are going to put sand and shells on them as well. I have a bunch of tealights and holders I thought that I'd put around them in some sort of fassion. These are my favors. I am going to group them between the candle centerpieces. I have the pails in white. That's all I've determined just yet. Remember, we are doing these for the at home reception, not the one in Mexico.

Quote: Originally Posted by jpkw I went to a wedding 2 summers ago (in cape cod) where they had shells and baby starfish on the tables. It looked great! I just emailed the bride to ask her to send me a picture of her centerpieces and I will post when I get it. I'm definitely going to do the starfish and candle and maybe shells on the tables - you could always sprinkle a little sand with the shells and starfish and put a big candle in the middle? I was going to do rosepetals and candles or lemon/limes as my centerpieces but the sparkle on my dress kind of looks like shells, so i want to incorporate the shell / beachy look. I'll try to come up with an idea and post the pic. thanks for the link on the starfish for sale! I also found this link: Caribbean Imports seashells, starfish, sanddollars, capiz shell, bulk wholesale These are cute too: Starfish Tealight Candles Here's an example of the candle/sand/starfish idea - or

I ordered my starfish from Oriental Trading.... I too have the starfish theme running through the invitations, thank you's, table (candel, shells) centerpieces, and favors. They also have colored... Party supplies, crafts, party decorations, toys: Oriental Trading

Welcome! I too looked at the Riu Caribe, but we decided it was too "big" for our taste (plus we wanted to get away from the hussle and bussle of Cancun a bit). It looks beautiful and from our minimum contact with them, they were VERY accomodating. When are you looking at going? I ask because we booked about 4-5 months prior to the wedding date, and they didn't have any times/days available. Be sure that you ask! Again, welcome! There is a ton of wonderful information on the board!

My finance and I both have large families; However, we decided to only invited immediate family (parents, siblings and their respective families, and grandparents) to Mexico. Thus, we are going to have the full-blown at home reception when we return to celebrate with the rest of them as well as friends. Surprisingly, I am having the most fum planning this and trying to find ways to save money!

Welcome back! I'm getting married on Jan 25, 2007 in the Riviera Maya. It feels like time is flying by, and we'll be leaving any minute! Again, welcome back!

Thanks for the tips ladies! I just ordered a couple possible choices for the rehersal dinner for 39.99! There's a free shipping code out there right now if you spend $175. I'm not sure how long it's good for, but it's worth a try if you are going to order. HFS-175

I found a couple of dresses on the Holiday sale as well! How true are they to size? I can typically either wear an 8 or a 10 depending on the company. Does JCrew run small or large?

Woooo Hoooo!

Here is mine!!