starchild

You guys make a beautiful couple! Loved the dress, your hair, the colors, all of it. Great pics!!

Dang I don't know how I missed this but CONGRATULATIONS!! Welcome back to earth, lol.

Quote: Originally Posted by CABOBRIDE200 I got stopped at Mexico customs. I didn't even get to press the red/green light button. They x-rayed my bags and then opened them. They wanted to see all of my receipts for everything. The guy started pulling out his cell phone and adding up my receipts. I didn't bring all the receipts and when he noticed that each receipt was for 8-10 dollars he let us go. My brother had one of my bags and didn't have receipts the guy gave him a hard time, but let him through. He had my freeze dried rose petals and those were taken away....can't bring real petals into the country. My dad was also asked for receipts. He had my vases and sand ceremony stuff. You should try to split up your stuff between a few people and make sure they have receipts that don't total more than $300. hope this helps. My experience was in Cabo last Monday. Holy crap! I didn't have one receipt when I went....I'm glad you were able to get everything in.

Quote: Originally Posted by zoegirlTX We arrived as a large group and used both cabs and pre-paid transfers. I think the cabs are cheaper and more efficient. We never had any problem getting in Dreams, but the do monitor which cabs come and go. We had guests leave articles in cabs TWICE, but we contacted Dreams/concierge right away and they were able to track the taxis and returned the items. I was VERY surprised and impressed. Yeah they totally monitor the cabs...if you were staying somewhere else they probably wouldn't have got those articles back.

I'm with Amy....they are fabulous but pricey. The quote I had for a WD was more per person than I wanted to pay for the wedding reception. But if you can swing it I doubt you'll be disappointed!

Oh Amy I'm sorry you're stressing right now ( Yes things will be great when you get there! Trust me in the end none of this matters and whoever ends up there will be who was supposed to be there in the grand scheme of things. It is easy to get ticked off but every time the rage starts to surface breathe and remember what it's all about. I had a few stressors myself. My dress didn't come in until 6 days before I left for Mexico - talk about speedy alterations! FI's shirt didn't arrive until 2 days before we left. Our best man, another gm, and a bm all bailed within days of the wedding. That bm's 2 kids were in the wedding and also bailed. These people's names were already printed on my programs too. But you know I couldn't care less who showed or what anyone was wearing because I knew FI would be there with me and that made the stress melt away. If I wasn't focused on the joy of marrying my best friend I would have cursed at least 6 people out...LOL Know that it will all be okay and try to find time on your day to enjoy your day because it's over in the blink of an eye!

You guys are so funny! I also opted not to have mine cleaned. There is a black mark on the side from the fire dancers - my fault they told me to be still and I kept dancing. That and a little dirt on the bottom of the train, but I too think it adds character. Memories..... I may even wear it at my AHR - dirty and all....hehehe

Quote: Originally Posted by MarlaB Jamy, I didn't realize an exta 1/2 hour was an option. I thought it was by the hour with one hour being the minimum. I saw that it is $10 per person per hour with I believe a minimum of $300. How did you get 1/2 hour? Did you pay $5 per person? Sorry I'm being so nosy!! Yep we paid $5pp for an extra 1/2 hour, but it had to be based on 60 people due to the $300 minimum. I still wish I would have done the full extra hour but that's my only regret so I can't really complain.

Quote: Originally Posted by Nini_Bride If not, throw your purse into your dress garment bag and utilize the space! That's too funny because there sure is extra space in that bag!

Great review, sounds like all was fabulous. I'm so in love with the Riu from my Jamaica trip I want to visit more of them....I'm glad you found the Cabo Riu to be wonderful. Congrats & I love your signature pic!

No problem. I carried a really large purse and my wedding dress, hubby carried 2 carry on bags. Alaska Air says purses don't count either, they are considered "personal items" that don't factor in the carry on allowance. You do get a lot of attention with that dress bag at airports, it's cool. They let me hang my dress in the first class closet, made an announcement to the whole plane, and gave us champagne - woohoo! One flight attendant told us twice he's seen brides get off and actually forget the dress. Can you imagine??

Quote: Originally Posted by lryates76 Thanks for the great review, Jamy!!! I must add that we have befriended a cab driver in Cancun. We have the best time when we hang with him and his family. We've gone to a "local" softball game, bars where only locals go, secluded little taco stands =) and his sons 5 year old b-day party. I would have to say that those times are very high on my most fav things to do in Mexico. He and his family are actually going to attend our wedding. We are very excited to be able to entertain him as he has done for us on several occasions. Sorry, I just wanted to add to Jamy's "local" adventure! That is too cool that he is coming to your wedding! How special. I so agree with you. While few things beat relaxing at a luxurious resort and doing nothing, it is always a blessing to be able to get out and see the authentic side of wherever you are. Hmmm....when we make it to Cancun can we borrow your friend? LOL

Quote: Originally Posted by akh boo - I can't see the pictures either - even the newly added ones. Drat!!! Well I have to run off and do some things but I'll check back in later to see if anything changed .... I can see them all on this computer (

WE LOVE OCHI!!! BEAUTIFUL WATER...THAT GUY IS IN HIS OFFICE, HE SELLS TOURS AND PRETTY MUCH WHATEVER ELSE YOU WANT GO SAILING!! WEDDINGS ARE HELD TO THE FAR LEFT OF THE CHAIRS VIEW FROM BAR (YEAH WE DRINK A LOT) THIS ONE OVERLOOKS BEACH WHERE WEDDINGS ARE RIU FROM THE WATER ON A GLOOMY DAY...WEDDINGS WERE HELD ON THE FAR RIGHT, IN FRONT OF THE FURTHEST POINT OF THE BUILDING ON THE RIGHT SIDE HONEYMOON GIFT

Okay the first 2 above are lobby shots, one facing the entrance and one facing the beach. WALKWAY FROM LOBBY TO 3 OF THE BARS AND ENTERTAINMENT STAGE AT THE BAR AGAIN, VIEW OF WING THAT HAS SUITES ALSO SUITE WING, VIEW OF INFINITY POOL ABOVE OTHER POOL, SWEET SWIM UP BAR HERE, SANDALS DUNN'S RIVER IS YELLOW HOTEL IN BACKGROUND, THE BEACH WAS TEENY TINY, RIU'S KICKED ASS! ROOM ENTRY WAY (CLOSET & BATHROOM) VIEW OF ROOM FROM SITTING AREA SITTING AREA IN SUITE - TV IS OPPOSITE COUCH - I MEANT TO ASK IF THEY GIVE YOU CHANNELS BASED ON WHERE YOU ARE FROM OR WHAT BECAUSE THERE WERE ALL L.A. CHANNELS IN OUR ROOM PLUS REGULAR CABLE....LET ME KNOW IF YOU GET CHANNELS FROM YOUR AREA..LOL BATHROOM WITH JACUZZI TUB IN ROOM LIQUOR DISPENSER

Woohoo....okay one sec, here comes some more )

I strongly suggest to extend it, unless you know there are several old or really young people who cannot take it. We had 2 small children that danced the whole time and didn't get tired. We didn't have anyone elderly there, the oldest people were in their 60's and they too danced until the end. Now we had a twenty-something who overindulged and went to sleep in a beach chair until it was time to go...lol. I wish I would have extended it a whole hour but I was afraid 30 minutes was too long, for us it was too short (

hehehe...thanks...hubby said in #2 where I'm pointing I look like I'm ordering someone around but I just wanted my drink )

You're welcome guys, don't worry about a thing you made a great decision, it is a fabulous resort and location....the private beach is amazing....oh how I want to go back!!! Now, can you see these pics? If so, I'll add more . . .

A word about safety: Several Jamaicans we spoke with said they are hurt by the bad reputation Jamaica has received lately. They told us that most of the violence people hear of takes part in Kingston, and then not even in all of Kingston. It's like in the U.S., people get shot in bad areas of cities here every day, places tourists wouldn't generally take a day trip to. It's no reason to say "stay out of the U.S. because it's dangerous". Against the advice of people in the U.S. we ventured out of our hotel, with a local Jamaican to his neighborhood, and had a wonderful time. We certainly wouldn't have gone off on our own wandering through strange neighborhoods, but we wouldn't do that in the U.S. either. Could we have been robbed at any time? Sure, but we weren't and it turned out to be the high point of our trip. There were people at the resort who offered to take us out but we weren't 100% comfortable with them and said no, when what we felt was the right person approached us we said yes. There is no need to leave your resort but if you do just use your own discretion.

Well have a great trip! How nice to have the designers themselves show you the gowns....make sure to tell us how it goes )

Yikes! I hope all is well for her. I've been looking forward to her Tahoe wedding because the location is a nice change of pace from all our beach weddings....let us know how it goes )

Quote: Originally Posted by ajncooter great pictures jamy who was your florist? You know I'm not sure who it was but it is whoever Vallarta Adventures works with. I could probably find out if you really want to know?

Congrats!! Sorry about the glitches but you have the right attitude so I'm sure it didn't make or break your experience. Looking forward to your review )

PS. The pics are showing for me right now but if the pics aren't showing for you, PM me and I'll email them to you )