LCBride2007

yea, right - no skin off my back! and since we ended up not doing a room block, we really didn't care who people booked through.

YAY! I am so happy you're also working with Leigh - she's been so fun to work with so far. I forget, when is your wedding date?

Thinking of tying the knot at an all-inclusive resort? Here are some of our favorites in Jamaica, Barbados and Mexico. Top Digs Sandals takes things up a notch with the top-of-the-line Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This 74-suite hideaway offers A-list amenities like a swanky caviar-and-champagne bar and four-poster king beds. The private Villa Plantana is an ideal reception site - the three-bedroom beachfront retreat comes with a personal chef, 24-hour butler and private freshwater pool. It's so cool Preston Bailey even designed a wedding package around it. Rooms from $670. Hitch in a Hurry Lots of all-inclusives give you a free wedding with a seven-night stay. But at the Aventura Spa Palace in Mexico's Riviera Maya, a three-night stay is all you need to earn the free basic wedding package. For the honeymoon, move to Palace's newest baby, Le Blanc Spa Resort, with in-room Jacuzzis and a custom pillow menu. (President George W. Bush stayed there last spring during a two-day Mexico summit.) Rooms at Aventura from $614; Le Blanc from $902. Kid Friendly/Kid Free Some people love kids; others prefer them at a distance. Please both types at Almond's sister resorts on Barbados. The Almond Beach Village is a tyke-friendly playground with 10 freshwater pools, a nine-hole golf course and a Kids Club. Guests seeking quieter environs can retreat to Almond Beach Club & Spa, an adults-only enclave with a romantic two-level pool and a relaxing spa. Beach Club guests have access to everything at the Village, and a free shuttle connects the two properties. Rooms from $516. Mellow Retreat People flock to Negril, Jamaica, for the nightlife, but if you crave a more serene atmosphere for your ceremony, try Couples Swept Away. Rooms have a laid-back charm, with neutral tones and balcony hammocks. There's also an extensive fitness complex to work off some of those alcohol-related calories. They recently introduced Wedcast, so loved ones back at home can watch a live webcast of your ceremony. Rooms from $565. Pamper Place Wedding relaxation is a reality at Riviera Maya's Iberostar Paraiso Maya, thanks to the new El Spa. Guests enjoy free access to the wet area, complete with a saltwater swimming pool and massage fountains (treatments are extra). When you're all pampered out, make things official at the new Mexican-style chapel in the adjacent Playa Paraiso resort complex. Rooms from $466. © 2006 Bonnier Corporation, Inc.

holy crap - it sounds awesome! i can't wait to see a picture!

oh yea, we had that too. i don't care who you book through - if it's such a great deal, go for it! i was doing them a favor by working w/my TA (Tammy) - but i know of at least one person that went through someone else. i don't think they got nearly as good of a rate though! i think they actually felt some kind of loyalty to their TA. oh well.

Quote: Originally Posted by DEE1978 Thanks Ann! According to my future aunt (her sis)...She is a very stubburn irish woman that knows what is best for everyone. She is totally a bitch or has become one. She just called my TA to book on the same flight with us to Mexico and on the way back...so I called my TA and said do not put her on the same flight! I guess I got lucky then, my in-laws are 100% Irish (all born and raised over there, and many still live there). My FMIL is great, but well, let's just say my FFIL might get along with your FMIL. He's a great man, but just very opinionated - and likes to share his opinion. But other than 1 comment early on about how we should be married in a Catholic church (Paul just said no, we're getting married on teh beach), he hasn't said a word about the wedding.

From Your Wedding 101 - A wedding guide illustrating the things to consider when planning a wedding. ... Groom's Cake - a smaller wedding cake; themed to the groom's interests.

here's one that might work for me ... lol (fyi - all these are from Weddingstar United States: Monogram, Theme, Novelty and Interchangable Wedding Cake Toppers) and for all the beach brides: and i think i remember someone saying something about having a hard time finding "mixed" cake toppers - here's one, you can mix and match! you actually can on a few of these. lol

ok, i always thought that the grooms cake was the cake you served the night before at the rehearsal dinner at traditional weddings. i know that it's usually less formal, and more "fun" than a wedding cake. what is a grooms cake really?

wow - i haven't been reading this thread becuase i am lucky enough not to have any complainers in my group. at least not to my face or that i know of! but i just read the whole thing, and i am so mad for all of you! but Denise - wow. how dare your FMIL say that this is not a marriage in her eyes. excuse me, but what a BITCH! this woman sounds awful. that's very disrespectful of her, to say the least. she can chose not to come, just as you chose to get married away. you're both adults. and i have to be honest, if you don't want an AHR - don't have one. it's one thing if your in-laws offered to pay for it if they want it so bad, but no way would i have one just because they want one! don't let her start running the show - it won't stop! i feel for you girls, i really do!

Welcome Julie! I am not familiar with that resort at all - but hopefully we can help your with your planning.

I have to be honest - i am not sure calling the airline will help. The person that you speak to at a desk won't be the same person that will be the gate agent or flight attendants the day you fly. They're the ones that run the show. Your best bet is to just ask VERY nicely where you can put your dress AS you walk onto the plane. Just my opinion as a frequent (weekly) traveler!

i would be extremely shocked at any airlines/flight attendant that would even ask you to check it. if they can't fit it in a closet, then at least you can lay it in one of the overhead bins

i think everyone that said yes to me will come - they've all booked already. but we never had that long of a timeframe - the STDs went out in Dec/Jan and the wedding is in June. 1 exception is my good friend who said "yes, if i can" because she is due w/her 2nd baby early May. i can't blame her for that one!

i think i'ts pretty typical to let the resort steam it for you. but i agree - i would NOT UPS my dress! and not sure how that would solve the wrinkle issue anyway - seems that would be worse than hanging it on teh airplane.

I have no BMs and my mom is soooo not a wedding planner type person. I am basically telling her where to be and when - lol

i love that - i'd call it elegant and classy, and i think it's something similar to what i want. yay - big item checked off the list!

lol - i knew that too. wink wink. did you post it!?

Quote: Originally Posted by TAMMYM ROFL,, I gave up on the lotto along time ago. :-) Sarah is super lucky, but now that I see the winning list I see she spread the luck to Ann.. :-) Keep trying and max out on your purchase and you might have a shot. look who's back to wearing the Point Whore Crown! wear it proud! we may be close on posts, but damn, you have the title locked for points!

I don't know where I got this - but I have it saved as a favorite. I may have posted it before, but I can't find it - sorry if this is a duplicate! It's a list of a bunch of different specialty bios on The Knot. I was reminded of it with all the talk about bouquets and pictures, etc. Here's the Speciality Bio link: http://bios.magnificentbliss.com/specialty/ At the bottom you'll see some dedicated to flowers, but there are many, MANY more!

wow - great plan. he really thought things through! how long were you dating?

now i kind of want to do something like this ... hmmmm

i think you should stick with the towel idea - it's very beachy! (haha kidding!) those are great - nice work! we have martha stewarts coming out of the woodwork!

isn't that the best feeling!? congrats!

you could just say it's a friend doing your hair i guess. go out for drinks the night before - you'll become fast friends!