Jackie

Quote: Originally Posted by host I was just wondering what everyone did to save money for their wedding or trim their budget. I think this would be interesting what small things helped. no more $4 starbucks daily (sometimes twice daily)..this helped my wallet and my fat starbucks, sitting at a computer all day fat ass. went out to lunch once a week only. other days i brought lunch (usually lean cuisine that i bought for a dollar) went out to dinner only once a week...other nights i cooked or we would eat leftovers.. NO SHOPPING except for wedding stuff i am sure more will pop up. 1. OK, the coffee things really going to kill me but I suppose I should add that to my list. NO more starbucks, except on Tues and Thurs morning on the way to school. I need that jolt, as for the rest of the time I will brew my own. YUCK. 2. I do buy unnecasary lunches this will have to stop! 3. We have allready limited our dinners to one per week. 4. NO SHOPPING! I definitly could work on this. Ok, only shop if it is a major sale no buying full price for anything. 5. I told my sister she needs to start paying for her own school lunches. I had been giving her $2 a day, but she is 17 now and has a job. Is this horible of me. I feel kinda bad but thats an extra 40.00 a month right there. 6. This sounds dreadfull, but our house is pretty big and all windows and the oil tank is really expensive in the winter, SO I was going to start trimming down my shower time, making sure the heat is on a lower setting, and washing most cloths with cold water. Quote: Originally Posted by gkashmira Boy I wish I had some to add... I really need some tips! I guess what I'm doing is taking home freelance work on the side... 4 more scripts and I can buy my dress! hee hee hee... too bad I am sittin ghere chatting stead of workign on them! Not that I have such a cool job as yourself but I am going to aim to pick up at least 1 extra shift per week that all money earned will go directly into my wedding savings! After school is over.

Quote: Originally Posted by jilly76 Jackie the poem is beautiful. Thought I'd share this idea about the fans, I went to a wedding in philly a few months ago and they had fans set out on the chairs for us, but they had made the fans. She used very heavy paper, I think it was probably card stock, and she used her wedding colors, but a darker shade and a lighter shade alternating, and tied a ribbon at the bottom to hold them together. I think there was maybe 6 fan blades I guess you'd call them, a couple inches wide, and the fan was like a program. One blade listed the people in the wedding, one blade thanked everyone for coming, I think one may have had a poem on it. I wish I saved mine, I'd send it to you, they were soooo pretty and my description probably is so not understandable. What a great idea, and it would save money. Oh boy I'm gonna have to learn how to be creative. I'll have to start really looking into it once school is over. Thanks Quote: Originally Posted by AQHARIDER Jackie, that is a beautiful poem. It brought tears to my eyes! I think putting it in the program is a great idea. Thanks sarah, it really moved me when I read it to. Brings back a lot of happy thoughts.

Yhea, for PV brides. Welcome and Congrats. Yup both Ann and Amy are super helpfull. Do you have any idea of where or at least what type of resort you would want? How bout guest size? Any rough ideas? Good luck!

Tammy are tiny little flowers really that expensive? I have no idea so I'm just asking. But the pictures that Sarah posted are so pretty with the little flowers.

Thanks Kristina, Its nice to see you on the forum. We have missed you!

Quote: Originally Posted by JANET1111 Jackie -- try to seach for Ylan's photos. She used "papaya" and it looked AWESOME. It kinda reminded me of what you were describing with the bright coral. Thanks Janet, I just tried but I couldnt find any of her pictures, I also went on her website but no photos were posted. ;( Oh well plenty of time to find these things I suppose. I do also like the calalilies, DECISIONS DECISIONS!

Quote: Originally Posted by TAMMYM This is actually the frame I was thinking about using.. Since my dress is Ivory.. OK, this makes a WORLD of difference in my opinion.

OH, well than in that case. I love everything about it. lol. I really do think it is going to look like such a unique and cute addition to the reception. Good job Tammy!

The little hint of yellow in the starfish and the ivory of the starfish would probably be the color scheme I would look for in the place care holding.

OK I am giving you my most honest opinion. I really like the idea and I think it will look much better when sitting on brown sugar/sand. I also like the idea of a small starfish...very cute. Things I would personally change. I'm not diggin the blue frame with the chocolate frosting. I'm not sure why but those colors arent meshing well to me. And the one other thing I would do is to maybe make the place card/photo a tiny bit smaller. It kinda looks like its overpowering the cake right now. As always this is just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt, or brown sugar

Thats such a nice idea Tammy, We are also going to spread some of his ashes in the ocean and possibly over the gazebo area (not at ceremony) . He loved the water and would beg us all the time to go out on the boat with him. We obviously wouldnt do all this at the wedding ceremony but maybe on another day, In a happy way nothing sad.

Quote: Originally Posted by akh try these for starters ... Paper Hand Fans - White (10 pcs) Palm Fans - Bamboo Fans - Raffia Fans - Bahama Fans at Bliss! Weddings Market That first site is a real good start. Thanks

Quote: Originally Posted by akh Oohh - that is cute. I've also seen some people use just a plain "program" (flat sheet or paper, basically) and attach it to a fan. I don't know if you're using fans - but you could just put this poem on there. Or you could put this poem on some nice paper, put it in a frame, and place it by the cake or guestbook if you're having them. Or maybe just on the head table. I LOVE the fan idea. What better little trinket to hand out in the middle of the swealterin heat of May in Mexico. GOOD GOOD GOOD, now I just need to research fans.

Quote: Originally Posted by akh if you're having programs, you could put it in there somewhere Good idea, I'm not sure if we are having programs. I'm not sure if they would be good for such a short ceremony. No one is speeches etc... Maybe instead of calling them programs I could call them something else and fill them with special little stuff. I went to a wedding once where on the back of the program there were little cute and funny facts about the bride and groom. HMMM.

Quote: Originally Posted by Kseif My sister got married at Moon Palace about 5 years ago....Her guests are STILL talking about how great it was. I love to hear stuff like this. It gets you so excited and reasures you that youve made the right choice choosing a DW.

Welcome, There are quite a few Dreams Cabo brides around here so ask away if you have any specific questions.

I found this little poem on another forum and thought it was just perfect. My father passed away this past March and I knew I wanted to do something small in the wedding ceremony to recognize him but at the same time not bring the whole mood down. So far my two little sisters are supposed to be giving me away, and this would mean so much to them. What do you think? Dear Lord please clear a spot for him: he should have the perfect view. His little girl's a Bride today, and I am counting on you. Let me feel his presence; as I journey down the isle. But let me notice his abscence; if only for a while. Let me stop to think of him; As I am given away. And know that if he could; he would be here with me today. Dear Lord please clear a spot for him; he should have the perfect view. And if he should get sad today; Dear Lord I count on you. The only question would be where and how do I use it. I dont want to read it or have it read. Maybe put on a scroll that could be passed out on the way to be seated for the ceremony, any ideas?

I'm with Tammy host, I cant really picture it... We need pictures please. But, the little photo idea, and incorporating the cake into the place setting sounds like a terrific idea. One thing though, Pewter is one of the heavier metals. Maybe look into something lighter.

Quote: Originally Posted by Joy The beach is my only issue with the resort as well. I do have a contact there if you need one as well. We met with her during our last trip. Our other top choice is the RUI but it's a little more expensive for our guest. That is exactly why we finally decided on the Occidental. It is by far the most affordable resort that still has good reviews for our guests. You really have to way those decisions pretty heavily, because although the Occidental has a free wedding package you have to reserve 10 rooms at the grand club room level wich in trun would not make it the most affordable resort to our guest which in turn means you have to pay for the wedding package. Whereas other resorts although the rooms might be slightly more expensive do offer a free wedding package. Dreams being one of them. I'm not sure about Riu though.

Quote: Originally Posted by Joy Jackie- The Occidental is actually one of our top 2 choices. We visited there this past August. My fiance's parents live in Playa Car so we have a nice vacation a few times a year. The hotel is huge. The Royal Club restaurant is beautiful but they don't allow your reception to be there. I definitely think it's worth the extra money to stay in the Royal Club rooms. They are pretty spacious but a little old fashion compared to some of the other hotels we looked at. Don't get me wrong, they are still very nice and clean though. The ceremony for the wedding is held on a cliff over looking the ocean. They have a very small beach front. It's a man made beach after the hurricane hit last year. It's definitely enough room to come enjoy the sun. The pool area makes up for the lack of beach. The reception is held in the restaurant located on the same cliff as the ceremony. It very nice looking. I will bring my camera in January and take pictures for you. They do offer a free pass to the xcaret park for all your guest staying at that hotel which is awesome. I believe it's around $80.00 to normally get in there. My fiance's parents stayed at this hotel for a week and said that it was one of the best places they've ever stayed at. THe service was unbelievable and the food was great. Let me know if you have any questions or want pictures of anything and i can get them for you. 37 more days till i go!!!!!! Yes Yes Yes, any and all pictures of anything wedding related would be much appreciated. For example The gazebo from different angles, the lots of the reception area too would be fantastic. The beach is the only real downside I can see too the resort but we live right next to the beach so we are going more for the pool atmospher anyways. If you see anything else around the resort that you might think would be of interest to a bride than please feel free to click away at that camara. Thanks Jackie

Quote: Originally Posted by Joy Thanks so much for the suggestions! We are planning on about 75-100 people. I know!!! HUGE!! There will be about 10 children ranging from new borns to about 10 years old. I have already made appts. at the RIU Palace, Royal Hideaway (which is beautiful but doesn't allow children), Occidental Xcaret, Dreams Tulum, and Barcelo. Joy, I am planning my wedding at the Occidental Grand Xcaret and am trying to hopefully book a site visit as well for Sept 2007. I would love and cant wait to hear what you think of the Occidental Xcaret. There is not a ton of information on the Occidental as far as reviews of weddings go so I hesitate to recomend it to anyone, but hope more girls look into it so that I am not the only Occidental bride. lol. Yeah, weather you choose the Occidental or no, I cant wait to hear all about it!

Congrats and Welcome! Dont know anything about the bahamas but have heard great things about Aruba. Before I found this forum and decided that the Riviera Maya was more economical for us I was seriously considering Aruba! 1. Aruba lies under the huricane belt so huricanes are not a threat and they rarely even have rainy days. 2. For some reason around my area anyways Aruba is hands down the place that everyone vacations to when going to the carribean. It comes highly recomended. 3. the BUCUTI BEACH RESORT, is stunning. My friend hooneymooned there and to this day wont stop raveing about it. And if we could afford it this would probably be on our top choice of Carribean resort wedding locations. 4. The DIVI (ALL INCLUSIVE LOW RISE) also comes highly recomended and is a little less expensive than the high rise all inclusives and also a little less windy from what I have heard. 5. The high rise section (Palm beach, Arashi beach) has many resorts to choose from including both All inclusive and Non all inclusive. Hope this helps a little good luck! The only negative thing I have heard about Aruba is the wind factor is pretty high. One last thought, Ofcourse this is just hearsay from friends that travel to and from Aruba but we fly out of Boston and supposedly the non stop flights are on Saturdays. I have never actually looked into this but just wanted to throw that out there.

WElcome, you must be so excited. Cant wait to hear more about it.

Oh that is such a sweet story. France is such a romantic setting. I spent 6 months in souther france in a small city Montpellier and I absolutly fell in love with the atmosphere the old architexture and the care free attitude and love of life the french have. OHHHH how romantic. I would pay millions to have my future husband propose to me in Paris

Quote: Originally Posted by Joy Hello, I am planning my wedding in the Riviera Mayan for January/February 2008. My fiance and I are going to visit this January to view some of the resorts. Does anyone have any suggestions on places we definitely should look at? Can you give us any more details about your wedding plans. Such as; rough idea of how many guests will children be attending 1 Any of the Palace resorts have really good reviews (at least one of them is adults only and the Moon Palace only acomadates a cetain number of guests per wedding) 2 Dreams Tulum and cancun also has good reviews 3 El Dorado Royale is another one (Adults only) 4. Royal Porto Real is another good one Good Luck let us know if there is anything else you need. I beleive all of these resorts are listed under the Riviera Maya Cancun Thread, and then under the Accomations thread.