Christine

Jules, I think that my concern is only coming from the fact that we in the US really only know one side of the story, however I would have a conversation with your TA about it. Otherwise I think they will still have tourists coming in and the resorts shouldn't be that different. Have you seen Dirty Dancing Havana Nights? Its super cheezy, but they have a lot of great scenery and history of the whole fidel thing and why the US had to get out.

Jules, I am from the US and obviously only know bad things about Cuba, however my only advice would be that with Fidel possibly being very sick, a change in power might interupt some services there, consider the political state of the country. But otherwise I am jealous, Edyta's pictures of her trip there looked so fun I bet you will have a blast, and us American girls don't even have that option.

welcome you have come to the right place.

Quote: Originally Posted by coope08 Tammy Can I talk with you about your services in 2008? We are planning a small wedding (around 35) in the RM/Cancun area in Oct/Nov. I really wanted Nov 1st but have been told by several hotels that that is a mexican holiday and we would not be able to get a judge. Thanks in advance ~Courtney Courtney that is Dia De Los Muertos and yes it is a huge Mexican Holiday honoring those who have died, I don't imagine you would be able to get a priest that day anywhere in the country without paying a whole lot of money. Its a very cool holiday though, if you are there while it is going on, you would enjoy the day I am sure. Day of the Dead - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

oh that's cute and then those could be the flip flops for the reception we all talked about in another thread!!! That would be super cute.

Kelly, Put all that on your website and then direct them to it. As you start to build it send out an e-mail to a group of people and let them take a look at it. If you look at our STD thread you will see that we all put the basic info and then let them find out the other stuff through our TA's and Websites. It's great you are so ahead of the game, but you have plenty of time and you don't want to send things out to early and people either lose them or forget the date right?

kelly I think that while its awesome you are on top of it, I can tell you from experience your plans might change, I sent out save the dates about 10 months before (just in time for people to start booking) and then within two months we actually changed our plans, so now we are sending out entirely new save the dates. Sending out invites a year early is a little bit too early, I would think the STD's would be better sent out a little later this spring and then send your invites right before the holidays next year. You could send out the invites to your AHR in April or so?

Jen I feel you on that, my grandma asked me if I wanted paper plates because she needed to tell the caterer!!! PAPER PLATES, can you believe it. Well I made my dad do some googling and he understands a little better now, but when I first got engaged they were being ridiculous.

well some of us are being pressured by people who got married 30 years ago to somehow plan a wedding on the budget that they used in 1977 (like my parents) who think I should be able to have a full on family wedding for around $10,000...yeah right!!

Jonathon, thank you so much that really helps. I want to let you know I have never asked that question in my initial e-mail, however what I would want to negotiate would be the package, because many local photogs offer things like engagement sessions which I cannot do obviously. Also I would want to make sure I at least had my negatives/digital images because I might not be able to get a lot of prints right away but I would still want to share my pictures with my family. I really appreciate your response here, it really helps us crazy brides understand the vendor side of things.

Quote: Originally Posted by jilly76 Jules, I feel the same way. I'm 5 nothing, and steve's not that tall, 5'7", but I feel so short around him when I'm barefoot and he totally plays it up too, when I have not shoes on. I have to at least where a wedge I will be wearing heels, my FI is 6'6" and I am 5'4", but I am not getting married on the beach, I don't blame any of you for having shoes to put on as soon as you get off the beach

okay a little off topic, but what exactly do you say to negotiate with vendors, I feel like the prices they say are not flexible, but it seems like a lot of people have been able to work out deals? I am not a deal maker so I have no idea how to do that sort of thin.

I e-mailed her, maybe if she doesn't have to travel it might be cheaper? I love her pics.

Thanks guys, obviously she's out of my price range, my dad would have a heart attack. O'well her pics are beautiful.

This would be such a unique bouquet to have. If I liked Roses I might attempt it myself, but there will be NO roses at my wedding, it might be weird to make a giant lily. Anny love your new siggy pic, you two are so cute.

Anna Kuperberg Anna Kuperberg Photography I know this lady was on Ann's short list. Did anyone contact her, she is located in the bay area I think and I really love her work. Just wondering what her rates are? And what you all think of her...

What about having some sand toys for them? My grandmother was at a wedding where the kids actually passed out the favors, just to keep them busy...that's an idea I saw this on the knot and actually saw the books and crayons on oriental trading company for really cheap.

there was a King of Queens Episode about that.

welcome-Hawaii will be wonderful. Your not late on planning at all

Quote: Originally Posted by anacgarcia Just FYI oriental trading has 15% on all orders plus free shipping for valentines day.. Has anyone ordered anything from here, I know I have seen stuff from the company before but I found place card holders that are bells and I think that they would be cute and they are the cheapest on this site, but I am afraid they will be really bad quality?

doing denise austin will work out your abs because you just have to laugh at her and the way she talks.

Quote: Originally Posted by SunsetBride I am dealing with a similar dilemma. I would love to pick the resort for my wedding based on MY likes and dislikes and what my FH and I want. However, I am dealing with a bit of guilt because these resorts are little more expensive. So, do I have the wedding at a more affordable resort so more people can attend or do I just go ahead and plan my wedding the way I want it and not worry about them? All of the resorts are beautiful (Iberostar Tucan on the cheaper side and Excellence on the pricier side - not that much more money though, maybe a $2-300 more per person for a three night stay). I really don't like the idea of my guests being spread out at different resorts so I wouldn't want to choose the pricier resort for the wedding and have everyone stay somewhere else. UGHH! What to do, what to do? You could always have everyone stay at one resort and just have your ceremony and reception at another resort close by. I don't think that would be weird, chances are some people will want to stay elsewhere anyway. And if you really like a particular resort that might be too expensive you could always spend your honeymoon there to have a little privacy but still be close to anyone who stays in the area. Not sure if that answers your questions, but I do think you should invite everyone and maybe just give them a few options of where to stay.

Ann it would be better to have the boy shorts just say Mrs. ____ because these are hopefully pics he will have for a while and it would be weird in a few years to still have something that said future Mrs. ____ but that would be super cute. I am so jealous you girls get to do all this stuff.

Shannon I have no idea how I missed your newbie thread, but I have seen you around the forum and I guess I thought I welcomed you properly. I hope your planning is going well and I know we are all glad to have you here.

maybe Tammy can help you get in touch with them, she usually has contacts at the resorts. Sorry you have to go through this, that's super frustrating. You can start doing the fun stuff too maybe that will take the stress off of picking a place.