Jen

Quote: Originally Posted by leigh miller jen awesome! i was just looking at andrews blog and didnt even know that was you. congrats. you look gorgeous! and i love your venue. im glad it worked out with andrew. hes a great guy isnt he? i think hes going to be down here in a week or so. He is SUCH a great guy....everyone just loved him! The pictures are amazing and he's just a good person.... Quote: Originally Posted by akh awesome pics - love the barn! oh, and your hair rocks - very cool. Thank you!!! I've gotten ALOT of compliments on my hair! It was a big hit Quote: Originally Posted by Christine you looked beautiful and such a great location the pictures turned out great! THANKS!!!

Hey everyone! So, again, I've been MIA.....but the wedding is over I can't believe it! Most of me is REALLY happy though! We had such an amazing day, I enjoyed every moment of it....the ceremony was truly perfect and I wanted to let everyone know that Andrew Reilly is AWESOME! Seriously, he did such a great job, I couldn't be happier! Here are a few pictures he has up on his blog.....I can't wait until all of them are ready!

Ohhh....good to know! I'm really interested in having them done....they would have to be an anniversary or B-day present now, but she sounds awesome! Thanks for the info

Check piperlime.com: Your insider’s guide to casual shoes, sandals and more for women, men and kids. I am OBSESSED!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by leigh miller how did it go with andrew? i actually shot his BFs wedding with his bro jay. the times ive been around andrew hes been a gem. as is his bro jay. hope it all worked out It went really well He's gonna be our photographer! I'll have to post pictures

THANKS everyone!!! I DID try it on and I really love it Its a little more money than I wanted to spend....but OH WELL!!! I was unsure at first, I think because when I picture a "wedding dress", I think of the more traditional styles (big and poofy...hahaha!) but those just aren't "Me", ya know?!?!? So, anyway, I figure I'm not gonna be a size 4 for the rest of my life, so I might as well take advantage of it now! I have to make a decision pretty quickly though, because the woman at the shop told me it would take 3 months to get the dress in....and my wedding is in 4....uh oh! Yes, we finally did pick a date....its October 7, 2007 I might just have to order it before anyone sees it on me! I wanted my mom and my sisters to see it, but coordinating everyone to get to the same place at the same time is a nightmare! My mom is out of town until tomorrow, the bridal shop is closed on Sunday, and my sister is being induced on Monday (in Delaware!) if she doesn't have the baby before then! CRAZINESS!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by beachbride it is very pretty! will you have the stole too? I think it comes with the dress...... I'm not a huge huge fan of it.....I guess we'll see

I may have found my dress I tried this on yesterday and really like it....what do you think? Venus Bridal (I can't get the pic to show up...only the link)

I found a few that I really like! Thanks!

Okay....I have an appointment with Andrew on Sunday....WHOO HOO!!!! Thanks again Leigh!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Christine I am having my wedding on a friday and I think as long as you have it a little later it's fine. but you could always do your rehearsal on your parents anniversary and then have the wedding on the Sunday? Now there is a good idea The wedding is in the morning (10:30) because we are doing a brunch.....omlet station, waffle station, bloody mary bar, etc. So, Sunday will probably work best but I really love the idea of having the rehearsal on my parent's anniversary, THANKS!

AHHHHH.....I am going crazy....I CANNOT seem to pick a date! Originally, I was planning for a Friday, because I figured it would be cheaper and since we bumped up the wedding to sometime the end of September or beginning of October, I thought we would have trouble finding Vendors for a weekend. I didn't want to do a Sunday, because people have to work the next day, etc. SO, we narrowed it down to September 28th or October 5th.....well, the wedding coordinator at our venue will be gone on vacation up until the 27th...the makes me nervous, so the 5th it was! Of course, I have heard MULTIPLE complaints about doing it on a Friday morning and people having to take off work...blah blah blah....didn't care much really. Now comes my current dilemma......that weekend is Columbus Day weekend, so most people have Monday off.....Both my venue and Caterer are available on Sunday, October 7th....now I find out that the photographer I may use is ALSO available on that Sunday and its not any more expensive than a friday. SO.....Do I do it on Friday the 5th or Sunday the 7th?? The only thing really making me want to do it on Friday is that its fun and different and a great way to kick off the weekend, plus its my parents wedding anniversary and I thought that would be cool....but I do realize that its very inconvenient for some people. Sunday is better and more considerate for guests and its not really a big deal to have it then, just pretty standard. Okay....sorry for rambling....what do you girls think?!?!?!

Well, I heard back from Andrew Reilly, VERY quickly! Probably because I name dropped (hehehehe!) but he IS available on BOTH dates that we are trying to decide between I was hoping he would make the decision for us, but oh well! Hopefully we can use him, his pictures are AMAZING! Thank you Leigh for the recommendation!

Quote: Originally Posted by jthrasherphoto.com There is a forum for photographers that Leigh Miller and I are a part of. She or I could post a message asking for photographers in that area to respond and who have your date open. PM me with your details and I'll post a message for you and I can email you list of photographers that reply. THANK YOU! I'm on it Quote: Originally Posted by leigh miller yes! here are a few - laura olson - really nice gal - In His Grace Weddings and Kids Photography, serving, Maryland, Washington DC and Philadelphia joe G - good friend and great guy - JPG Photography - Professional Digital Photography allegra - another great gal - Allegra's Studio the hollands - awesome couple - Holland Photo Arts : Home : Washington DC and Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographers andrew reilly - love him! - Andrew Reilly Photography keith cephus - great guy - Keith Cephus Photography all great photographers that i know please tell them i sent you. if they dont work out or arent in your budget i would trust all of them to send you to someone good. best wishes - leigh SWEET! Thanks Leigh....this is great!

Hi Everyone! I have been totally MIA....I explained in another thread that we decided not to have a DW after all....I'm still not happy about it, but I'm starting to get a little more excited about the wedding here BUT, unfortunately its back to square one with all the planning I was wondering if any of the photographers (or brides!!!) who are on here or visit here would have any recommendations for photographers in the Maryland/D.C/Virginia area? Pictures are really the only thing I care about at the end of all this and would like to have a reliable and recommended photographer Thank you in advance for any suggestions!!

Quote: Originally Posted by MagsieMexico So, is Xcaret your latest pick? Are you still thinking about Grand Palladium? Hahahaha! I'm driving myself CRAZY!!!! I've always liked Xcaret ecological park but could never get any info, which was really disappointing I really really think that I've narrowed it down to Grand Palladium and Moon Palace.....now I just have to make the final decision. I keep trying to find package prices for Moon Palace, or at least accurate room prices for February but I keep getting wildly different costs. I've heard anywhere from $135-$250....I'm sure that accounts for the season but I can't figure out what the cost would be in Feb. or estimates for flights.....AAAAHHHHHHH. I'm really leaning towards Moon Palace but just want to get an accurate price estimate

I really wish they would reply.....I have also tried to contact them and have gotten no response I am really disappointed

YAY Glenda!!!! I just read this and I'm so happy for you You are the PERFECT choice And you are certainly there to talk us all off the ledge when we've just had to much......or at least offering to beat up the people bothering us....and THAT is what I like to see in a moderator! Hehehehe! Congrats!

Quote: Originally Posted by jilly76 Jen, I think we all had this struggle. I told my TA when we were looking that I wanted my guests to be around $1000 pp, and depending on the room they chose & how long they are staying they will be around this. You do have to remember that its your day and don't base your decision on other people coming. I really wanted to get married in Antigua, I absolutely fell in love with it when I was doing research, but I was so concerned that it was going to be too expensive for people, and now people that we thought would definetly come aren't coming and I feel like I could have done antigua and it wouldn't have mattered. Not that I'm not happy with Dreams & Mexico, I still love this choice, and we would have spent so much more money in Antigua, we probably wouldn't have been able to stay as long as we are in mexico, but its always in the back of my mind! So go with whichever resort you love and where you will be happy for your wedding. Are there different room types at MP so that your guests can get a less expensive room if they want to? Thanks Jilly I hear ya on that.....I wanted to get married in St. Lucia but to much $$$$!!!! So, I actually feel like I've already compromised by having it at a less expensive location....even though I am excited about Mexico! All the rooms at MP are about the same, I think the "golf rooms" or something are MORE expensive.....But, I keep forgetting that people can stay at other resorts! I mean, its kind of a PITA to have people spread out all over the place, but WHATEVER! Hahahaha! I think I will keep researching......I'm going dress shopping with my mom and two sisters tomorrow so I'm going to talk to them too, since all Matt will say is "whatever you want is fine" (This is the ONLY time that I don't want to hear that phrase...so of course he uses it.....hahaha!)

Thanks Ladies!!! I appreciate all of your feedback This is where I run into problems....trying to please everyone else I think that I sort of feel guilty about doing a DW because not everyone will be able to come (for financial reasons) and I'm trying to make it reasonable for everyone.....but again, I don't want to stay at a sub-par resort or have a crappy wedding....AHHHH!!! I guess people will complain no matter what, so I just have to do the best I can and make sure its something that I am satisfied with Jaime--My sister's mother-in-law is a TA and she highly recommends Iberostar resorts.....we hadn't even really looked into Iberostar b/c alot of people we know have been to them....BUT/....we might have to rethink that!

Quote: Originally Posted by kay726 Thanks Jen! Are you in the psychlogy or social work field? Yep My degree and licensure is in "Marital and Family therapy"....currently I work with children at a Domestic Violence clinic.....

So, I'm not sure if this title makes sense for the question I have but, here it goes: As I'm on a mad hunt to figure out a location, I'm struggling with a few thoughts/options. First of all.....I looked at Grand Palladium (as most of you know!), love the resort, but not so thrilled with their wedding options (locations, reception choices, etc) BUT, it is very affordable for guests. Next is Moon Palace, LOVE LOVE LOVE the resort and wedding options, but, not so affordable for guests. My question is, the cost for guest per night is about a $100 difference between the two, is this REALLY going to make a difference in the guest list? I'm not sure that is clear, I guess it comes down too....we have a few people who have said "we will definitely be there" (I know this changes!!!), do you think the difference in the cost will really be the deciding factor for people. Like, if someone is willing to pay $1100 for the trip, will they back out at $1400 ?? I don't know, just a thought!

I don't think we are doing Pre-Marital counseling but I have been on the other end, actually being the counselor....and I have to tell you, it is one of my favorite therapy modalities!!! Its VERY useful and I would highly recommend it! I would also recommend the book "The Hard Questions" (can't think of the author....its on Amazon.com) its "100 questions you should ask before getting married" and it is a phenomenal book! I use it with all my pre-marital couples and Matt and I have started it also. Its a real eye-opener sometimes

Julie, thank you so much for this review....I appreciate it!! All the resorts I have in mind are really big, so I think walking distance to things is going to be an issue no matter what I've decided that I don't want to have the ceremony on the beach, so I'm really focused on the gazebos or alternate locations that resorts have to offer. Margaret: You're totally right on hearing bad reviews no matter what!!! It could be a 5-star elite resort and SOMEONE would still complain!! Hahaha!!! I think I have narrowed it down to Grand Palladium, Iberostar and Moon Palace....all very different. I'm still trying to find accurate pricing on rooms for Moon Palace....I keep finding different wildly different pricing, so that is tripping me up! If I find out that Moon Palace is relatively affordable for guests, I would really love to have it there.....I've gotten prices (on different sites) ranging from $173-$250 (per person per night)......I would like to keep it in the lower range if possible!!!

Stop it! That is TOO funny!!!! (And really true!!!!)