SarahMc

Rebecca, ditto to everyone's comments! You look beautiful and from the pics it looks like you guys had a great time! I too can't wait to see the slide show. Juan is taking our pictures as well, and I love to see all the stuff he's doing. Nicole and Natalie, our wedding's the day before Nicole's at Dreams so if you want to split the lanterns three ways let me know. I don't think we're doing too much decorating, but I love them in Rebecca's pics. Sarah

Congratulations Janet! I'm happy to hear you had a great time! SarahM

I just ordered our STD magnets from Vista Print today. Even without any special offer to begin with, when I went to purchase them, they gave additional discounts. It was $45 for 50, with seven day shipping and a proof. I used their design tool and it was pretty easy. And I ended up with 100 because they offered me an additional 50 more for $11 after I made my order and of course, I love a sale so I couldn't resist that ) I got a sample from magnetqueen and it was pretty nice. They seemed more expensive though and took a really long time to send me the sample. www.giftfulheart also has some cute ones and they are really responsive if you e-mail them.

So I'm no where near being close to final numbers either but it looks like we'll be around $8,000 (although I keep finding things to add) which includes our nine-day stay, photographer, a reception for 30 at an AI and $1500 of some friend's travel expenses. I'm sure I'll find some other stuff, but I think I budgeted for everything thanks to everyone's great lists on this forum! I think it's like what everyone else said. You can do it for less, it just depends what you want.

Thank you all for your great advice!

Those are good ideas Tammy and Sarah...Thanks! I don't know if she'll have time to come up here and look for dresses but at least if I offer I've made and attempt right? I'm not sure they're into paying for anything though. My parents are offering to pay for the day of reception (you were right Tammy, more people sound interested in going now and my mom keeps adding to the list!), so maybe James and I could do the rd, but have them be the hosts...

I don't really have a theme yet...there's so many good ideas on this forum, I want to do everything, but I'm trying to keep it small and low-budget )

So I need some advice on how involved I should ask my future MIL to be in the planning. She's close but not close to James, if that makes sense, lives about 4 hours away and is really busy. She's really excited that after five years we're finally getting married, but I don't know how involved she wants to be. I don't really talk to her that often. I know the stuff like asking her for a list to send invites too etc...but for a dw what is appropriate or what have you guys done? My mom is already super-involved, whether I want it or not, and I don't want James' mom to feel left out but I also don't want her to feel like I'm imposing on her to do stuff. We also have the added issue of another future MIL as James parents are divorced and I don't know if his Dad's girlfriend of many years is going to want to be involved. Any advice you guys can give would be great!

Very cute Tammy!

My FI had a bad experience with Orbitz - don't use them! He bought an airline ticket to his sister's wedding in Canada, they charged his card and he found out he didn't have a ticket the day he was supposed to leave and had to pay BIG bucks for a last minute ticket.

I lost 100 about five years ago doing slimfast and exercising. I want to lose at least 40 more, but now I combine slimfast, a diet journal and exercise - I'm a little tired of slimfast!

So this is an issue for me too - I'm dreading going dress shopping and really want to lose some weight beforehand. I have major arm issues - I've lost a considerable amount of weight (still need to lose more, but I was a BIG girl before) - so the arms aren't so pretty. I've decided it's Mexico, it's my wedding day and I want to wear a dress that I like, not something to hide my flaws. So on sleeves - halter or stapless would be my pick - cap seem to make arms just look bigger and any type of sleeve in Mexico just sounds too hot! I have a friend who is FF and she did a drop waist and it looked really pretty on her and very flattering. An a-line although generic is pretty flattering on everyone. I'm sure you'll look beautiful no matter what you pick though! Sarah M

So I'm a little late - but hope you both had terrific birthdays! Sarah M

Nordstrom.com has some cute ones and they aren't too expensive. Sarah M

A friend of mine got married at the Maui Westin last March and loved it. She said they have a "fabulous sweet" wedding coordinator who arranges everything via email and once you get there. Her name is Tamara Mcgee. Her photographer was Paulo Mendes and she said he was fabulous as well. If you have specific questions about the Westin, I'd be happy to try to put her in contact with you. Sarah M

Yes, please share any info on how to get bloodwork done here. James is not excited about having his blood work done in Mexico!

Thanks for the info! Sarah M

The AI is one of the reasons we picked Cabo over Hawaii. We were worried about the costs of food and drinks for everyone, but at an AI it's pretty much all covered for the most part. What company did you use for the sailing trip? That's something my dad would love... Thanks! Sarah M

Thanks! We're really trying to stay on a small budget - we're looking to buy a house and would rather have the money go into that. So many decisions!

We stayed at the Eldorado Royale a couple of years ago and loved it! If we didn't want to go somewhere that we haven't been before for our wedding we definitely would have picked the Eldorado. If you can do it, get a Casita - they are awesome (we only stayed in a regular room, but would have thought about a Casita had we known what they were like). The Jacuzzi's in every room are fun too! The beach is unswimmable, but not crowded at all. We were always able to find a chair on the beach and the pools weren't too crowded - sometimes you could find one all to yourself. The food wasn't bad either. While we were there they had very friendly and helpful staff and the timeshare pitch wasn't as bad as we heard from some other travelers staying at other hotels in the area. We did have some problems with the air conditioning and a power outage, but the staff were very responsive. I would go back there in an instant!

You guys are all so great and so welcoming! I've been cruising all the posts and getting so much information. It's so helpful - thank you! So we decided on Cabo last night. We're thinking Dreams in Cabo. I e-mailed them about availablity for late June. We're doing a very small wedding, only about 20 people. I've seen that Maye is a pretty good coordinator from all the posts, but can we just use the coordinator at the hotel (Erica I think) or is it better to have an outside one as well? Thanks again for all your great advice! I don't know what I would have done if I didn't find this site. Sarah M

So I am very late to this conversation, but am a newbie so you have to forgive me. I've probably been on every diet in the world and what's always worked best for me is writing down everything I eat (keeps you honest) and making exercise a priority. I'm a kickboxing fan (been doing it for three years) and it has allowed me to maintain the weight I've already lost and if I was good about what I eat, I'd lose more. If you can find a good instructor, you can get your cardio and tone up at the same time. I've used http://www.fitday.com/ in the past to log my food and exercise. It helps you set goals and it's FREE! Sarah

Hi Everyone! My name is Sarah and we just got engaged a couple of weeks ago and we are thinking of either Cabo or Hawaii with no date in mind yet. I love all the great info I've found so far! Thank you!