MikkiStreak

I think if you're going to do the legal ceremony in Cabo, you need to be clear on what documentation you need to satisfy the legal requirements, as well as what you would need to do once you got back to register your marriage (if you plan on doing that). From what I've read online, the legal requirements vary from state to state in Mexico. But I've also seen variances in postings on here from one bride to another, even when they're getting married in the same Mexican state. I would say that if you get legally married in Cabo, you need to be prepared and ok with possibly having to do a legal ceremony here in the states in case something doesn't come through for the Mexican wedding in time to meet their requirements...

Hi Yazmin--- Is your website fully functional? I tried 2 different browsers to look at the information, but once I got past the intro page, there weren't any active links.

Quote: Originally Posted by GalitInNY Can I ask why you would have done it differently? Is it just that the rsvp wasn't necessary because you could have figured it out or was it something else? The thing is, we are inviting 150 people and I know that 100 or so are definitely going to come, but the other 50 people are complete unknowns. I originally wanted to put the rsvp on my website like Ashleigh suggested, but I am worried not enough people will go to the website for it to be effective. Hmmm... There were a few reasons why I wished I would have just skipped the tentative RSVP on the STD. First, my instincts were pretty accurate. I got back responses that pretty much matched 90% of my assumptions. That alone would have been enough of an idea for what to do with room blocks and planning numbers. Second, I think when I got the no's back, I sat there thinking to myself, 'so now what? Do I ask them to tell me that again in a formal invite a couple months away from the wedding?' About half of our guest list is older generations, so I think it might be a little confusing to have to submit 2 RSVP's from the STD and the formal invite. Third, I opened the door to hand-written comments on the response cards. And, some of the family was pretty vocal in expressing their displeasure over a destination wedding. That kind of deflated my enthusiasm a bit and now I'm more hesitant about wanting to include people.... I just wasn't very prepared for those responses from family... I would say that if you're inviting 150 and you already expect 100 confirmations, then drop about 25-30% of that number and use that for a starting point in room blocks and such. Just talk to your TA/resort about what happens if you need to add/remove some of the rooms in your block so you're clear on how it impacts your finances...

Quote: Originally Posted by Just Martha Yes, above the wave pool. The reviews are good and say that you cant hear the noise below you because of the way it is built. Our wedding photographer is a friend of a friend (my best friend is a WC in Austin and this is who she refers brides to. She also shot her wedding). Hey Martha--- gotta ask, who are you using? I'm still looking into photographers for our engagement shoot (probably done in Texas somewhere) and our wedding and am open to flying someone in, if needed....

We asked them for tentative information. We included a postcard and explained that because the resort books quickly, we wanted to have a tentative headcount for reserving room blocks, etc... We didn't ask for quantities of people, just yes, they knew they were going to attend; no, they knew they couldn't; and a still up in the air option.... We got about 3/4 of the ones we sent out back from people. I can say this tho---- in our case, after I had sent them out, a part of me wished I wouldn't. Like they say, 'hindsight is 20/20'.... If I would have stepped back from the guest list and looked at it objectively, I would have had a realistic idea of where to start with room blocks, head counts, etc....

Quote: Originally Posted by LadyP how do you post from power point You have to group the image, then save it as a JPEG (which Powerpoint can sometimes do funky things when it's saved as JPEG. I sometimes have to save it in a different format and then change the format to JPEG). When it's saved as a JPEG, it's just like any other image you can use to post on website. I think the tutorial I posted has the instructions on how to group, save as JPEG, etc... (Can't remember for sure because I have't looked at them in a couple months)...

Jessica--- the photos are absolutely beautiful!! I haven't had a chance to go through all of them yet, but will tonight. But even so far, the wedding was beautiful and you and Brian both looked so happy and content! Congratulations!!!

Have fun Jaime! Happy birthday! Take tons of pictures---- you know I'll be dying to see the Iberostar properties!!!

I got the same message about the album being deleted.... I'm dying to see the photos!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulaV You are my art/tech twin! That is excellent that you were able to feel excited about it again! Please show us any new pictures you take! ~poke - poke~ Believe me, no encouragement needed! I've got a couple I wanted to post in a thread awhile back that someone put up--- I just need to get them scanned into the PC because they were from my film days shooting large format 4x5. I can't wait to get my DSLR so I can just upload to the PC and start working them over in Illustrator and Photoshop!!! hehehe.... I'd love to see some of your stuff too---- email me some if you ever feel like it! [email protected]

Stacey, email it to me (as the powerpoint) and I'll fix it later tonight when I get home.... [email protected]

I *LOVE* the first one! Absolutely stunning!! I love the BM dresses also, but there's one thing that makes me go 'hmmmmm...' That is this: The style is so similar to the first bridal gown that it makes me wonder if it would kind of compete with your dress?

Wow! Those are amazing!!! Definitely share all the details on supplies and how to make them! Those are just too cool!!!

I understand what you're saying Amanda about needing support because a lot of sources we would expect to be a support (parents, family, etc...) are not available to you. I would say definitely have a talk with you MOH, and cover expectations---- what does she feel she can help you with and what kind of timeframe does she think it should happen in. But, I also agree with Natasha too---- I think it's too easy for brides to get caught up in the "it's my day" mentality and all that it entails (meaning, everyone should be jumping with joy and rushing to our assistance and be involved). I think that what help and support we get with our weddings is a blessing, not an expectation. I, personally, have almost no interest in bridal showers and bachelorette parties, so if my MOH wants to host one, great- but if she doesn't, I really don't care. As for help with wedding items, I really plan on doing it myself, but that's because I'm a control freak. I would say this tho--- since you don't have a lot of help/support from people that normally would be available, put more on your FI. It's his wedding too and if his family isn't available as support and for assistance, then he needs to step up to the plate on their behalf.

Congratulations! That is so exciting!

Quote: Originally Posted by cessyboston ooooo i have a long way to go.....i try to post i am not a very good writer i try...donnie laughs at me because i got so excited about gifts so wait till i get a banner woo woo woo You'll be like me---- *just* when you get, the level will raise and you'll be stripped away! Damn, us silent ones who mostly like to read are always the ones to get punished!

Is it possible she doesn't feel like it's a rush because your wedding is over 10 months away? I don't know about other people, but maybe it would be better to approach a conversation with her more from the stand-point of, 'when do you feel this should happen or that should happen'.... maybe her point of view is very different from yours and if you can find a middle ground, you won't have to go through asking her to step down...

We're in the same situation- music is a big thing in both our families, but especially in his. His mom and dad were both well-known performers in the Hispanic culture so we're doing most of the rememberences with music. First, when he arrives, we'll start playing some of his dad's favorite songs, specifically "Imagine" by John Lennon. Those who attend and know his dad well, will get it. His dad passed away, but none of our remaining parents can attend the wedding due to age and health. So, we've thought about having an empty chair for all 4 of them, with something on the chair to indicate their presence: like a small fishing pole and picture of his dad in one chair, a photo of his mom and a copy of the "Most Notable Women in Texas" book (his mom is written about in it), and I still have to think about what we're going to do for my parents. Another thing we're going to do is play the last recording his mom ever made during the hand ceremony. And it will be really cool because it'll be the first time his siblings will have heard it restored! We're surprising them with it, and we'll burn copies of it for them to keep also.

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulaV Haha! Okay, I will push you if you push me to do something with it! I graduated in '94. Right after school I drew some random illustartions for a tattoo shop when they needed something they didn't stock. Ha! I did some freelance stuff while I had jobs that paid the bills. I got into teaching some graphics classes... simple ones like Pagemaker, Corel Draw, etc. Then other software classes like Access, Excel and that fun stuff ... then into PC hardware ... then fixing servers... so now I do IT Process Mgmt. Fun stuff I tell ya! I really wish I could do artsy stuff, I really do love it, but it won't pay my bills I think you're my art/tech twin! I went straight from art school to a tech job too! I tried to do freelance (weddings) and occasionally had a show or two at some small galleries/museums, but I let it slide because the tech job paid the bills and got more demanding. I started out as a tech trainer (software), then went into field ops (hardware), then into sales (expanded the Word/Excell/Publisher/PP knowledge), then became GM of a company and now into Project Management (rounding out all of those areas). The more I got into the tech arena, the less I did in art (photography was my major). Without ever planning to, I wound up 'giving up' art and am now starting to get back into it. In fact, this weekend I looked up an old friend from college who is now a pro photog and man, I forgot how good it felt to get really excited to "talk shop" with him!!

Hey--- welcome! There's a couple of us "dallas-ites" on here and we're planning a gathering sometime in the next couple weeks or so. Keep an eye out for updates on the "DFW Meet up" post if you'd like to join us! It'd be great to get a good size group together!

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulaV Thanks for the vote of confidence Maria. Maybe I will... Make me feel like I am putting my art degree to work, eh? That makes 2 of us! I went to school for art too and (sadly) haven't done a thing with it in the last 10 years... But, I'm planning on taking steps toward a career change that will hopefully put me into photography again! (yea, I'm excited)...

Quote: Originally Posted by AmyInMI I have not a clue where to begin with these, but where did you find the sun graphic? I plan to try to work on a few more logo's tomorrow... wish me luck! If you go to Microsoft.com, you can seach for "Clipart" and you'll find a lot of choices. Once you download them, you just change the color of them and can "manipulate" them to suit your needs.

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulaV Thanks to Maria's template and her encouragement, I made mine... I am not sure if we will use it or not, but I think these will be our colours: I have one more as I was thinking about putting it on the OOT bags without our names: Paula, you should be making some money by doing these for brides! Your designs are awesome and very original!!! I've thought that ever since you showed me that first one after you used the template---- Great creativity!

I'm glad you liked the budget spreadsheet! I'm anal about details and organization--- I have to "see" everything in front of me, compeltely spelled out in black and white or else I get lost in the little details and miss the big picture. I love the font in the first monogram! The only thing I would suggest is to experiment with adding a graphics, or if you don't want a graphics image in the monogram, then change up your colors more or add a border to make it really "pop" out at people.

I've had quite a few people looking for the document and after thinking about it, I'm not too worried about people messing up the website because I can always edit whatever I need to. So here's the info on how to get the DIY monogram instructions. Here's the website: Frank and Maria - Our Wedding Journey Click on "DIY Brides" and the password is: ourwedding The instructions on the page will tell you how to download the Powerpoint. I also included some basic designs that are quick and easy to make your own, as well as starting from scratch. There's some other stuff on the page also that you can download, if you want (budget spreadsheets, resort comparisons, etc...). I plan on adding more as time goes on, including instructions on making some STD's and then eventually, invites, flowers, decor ideas, etc... So feel free to check back and download whatever you can use. If you have any questions or issues, let me know! Maria