MikkiStreak

Same ----10 days. All in Mexico...

I would say that they aren't necessary, for the most part. But the benefit of having them is that it allows guests to follow along more easily and to know who is in the bridal party and what their relationship is. Frank and I both have a tendency toward exclusivity with our friends--- meaning, we don't have a large group of friends who all mix together. We have multiple groups of 1-3 people who know each other. So for us to put them all together without having that social background together, we thought the programs would help smooth things over more for everyone...

Anny, Those invites are amazing! You definitely have the DIY eye!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by mexicomelissa Things were fine with them at the wedding (they didn't arrive until the day before) it was after the wedding that things started to go downhill. He was all over my sister and my 2 cousins right in front of his now ex. It even got to the point where the girl pulled my cousin into a bathroom and asked if there was something going on between any of them and this guy. And every night even though she would be dead tired she would force herself to stay awake and out with him (sometimes until 4:30am) to make sure that he wasn't up to no good. How awkward eh? He says he hasn't felt the same about her for the past few months - but then why bring her on vacation with you? Especially if you plan to hit on everything that breathes while she's standing right next to you. It's such a weird situation to be in though...they're both friends, and ya what he did was brutal, but he's still a good guy (in most respects), ya know? I almost feel bad for thinking he's such a dog, because I know that he's not like that towards anyone else....but then I feel so bad for her because I know it was totally unexpected and she was really really hurt and embarrassed and feel like I should kick him in the nuts. Wow, makes you wonder what their time alone together was like during the trip? If I were her, I would have been so embarassed. To me, there's no excuse for behaving so poorly - out of respect for the way the relationship had been in the past, there's no way I would have behaved like that toward another person.

I think the cake idea is wonderful---- that's what we had planned on doing for an AHR.... just an "open house" type invitation for everyone to stop by during a specific time frame and we planned on having a layered cake to do a cake cutting with everyone present. I think it gives it more of the wedding/reception feel without being too stiff/formal or gaudy....

Do you have a dermatologist? If so, you could call and ask them. I've heard of techniques that help minimize the chance of getting them, but I don't know what would work once you have them. I'm curious too because the allergic reaction I had a couple weeks ago caused my skin to swell in some odd areas (like the inside of my forearm) and now that the swelling is gone, there are stretch marks there... (like I didn't have enough of them already from being fat and having a kid! Sheez!!!)

Melissa--- dang, I've been wanting to respond, but my stupid job kept getting in the way of reading and looking at all the wonderful photos!!!!! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you both---- the wedding looked beautiful and you both were so happy and just glowing in all the photos!!! All the photos are great---- even the resort photographer did a good job!

Congratulations Glenda! I can't think of a sweeter and more compassionate/understanding person who is perfect to help calm brides and advise them! I think the "Moderator" hat is going to fit you very well!

Here are the starfish sites I book-marked. Not sure about shipping to Canada tho... Wholesale seashells pricing on craft seashells, display seashells, sand dollars, starfish and bulk seashells from seashell world. Sea Life -- Sand Dollars - Starfish - Urchins - Coral - Sea Shell City

These are the ones I made in Powerpoint.

Quote: Originally Posted by sanchez0014 Hi girls, How early did you guys bid on your lotion? I'm planning on bidding but the closest date is four days and 22 hours. Should I wait or bid now? My auction was about 30 minutes from ending when I first saw it. My first bid was too low, so I put in another and then entered my high bid. I've noticed that most of the bidding comes in during the last hour of the auctions, so I set the "Watch this auction" and put in my bid during at the end.

Quote: Originally Posted by LadyP I am so glad that you said pesos because I would have passed out. It is 8 US to 1 pesos or the other way around. Translation please The other way around, but general everyday rate is like 10 pesos to 1 dollar.

Iberostar Lindo in RM, Jan 26, 2008

I couldn't resist either and got a case for $2.25 This really is a good find for the OOT bags!

I started with the Word template too, but I can't stand doing graphics in Word, so I created my own in Powerpoint. It's pretty easy if you know Powerpoint. I just inserted some rounded edge rectangles and changed them from solid lines to dotted lines, changed the colors. Then added some straight lines and text boxes for the names/date/location/TA & website info. Then I inserted a color image in the background. That's another template instruction that I'll wind up adding to our website for other brides to download. I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I read in some etiquette article awhile back to include something to the effect of "The couple will be residing at (insert address)...." and that's supposed to clue people in to ship gifts to your house instead of bringing them to Mexico. I've always wondered if it really is an issue tho--- but I take it for granted that people out there have common sense. Which, I guess I shouldn't take for granted after reading various posts about people inviting themselves, bitching about DW's behind people's backs, bad BM/GM stories, etc... Weddings apparently bring out the "stupid" in people....

Quote: Originally Posted by menc Hi I am new to this site. We just decided to have a destinatioon wedding. I would love for it to be in Florida in May/June of 2008. I am looking for any help or advice on how to start planning. Look forward to sharing. Menc I know of a planner down there (friend of the family) who is really good. I have her website info at work and I can send it to you tomorrow... We had considered Florida for awhile. The only drawback was that we really wanted a resort (FI especially wanted AI resort) and we couldn't agree on any, except of course, the one on a private island that was $10K per night...

These are the first ones I've done that prompted me to put instructions on our website for other brides to access... And, of course--- the one that pops up below with every post...

After I heard the description, I headed over to Dollar Tree. They only had 1 of the hot pink ones (had a hula girl on it that was really cute) and the rest were these white ones with some strange "thing" on them that half looked like an animated tiki torch crossed with a cigarette butt. But, I found and made my first wedding purchase. We decided our colors were going to be fuschia and a tiffany/pale blue. They had these koozies for water bottles that have a nice carry strap and were actually pretty neat. My pics are kind of crappy, but this is the idea:

I've made about 12 so far and have a bunch more that I could do, but I'm trying to keep my monogram addiction in check. I have the instructions on my website and there's about 5-6 ladies on here who have downloaded the instructions. There's a few templates I have in the instructions where you can use the design and just change the name/date/location info, just to get started. Then the actual instructions tell you where to find some clipart images and how to download them to powerpoint, and from there, with some simple adjustments, you can have a monogram. Very simple, very straight-forward. I'm actually a technical trainer as a profession, so the instructions are very easy and come with screen shots showing you exactly what you'll see/do with each step. Let me know if you want access to the site and I'll email you the password...

Quote: Originally Posted by jdweinbe HA! I have you all beat! My FI's family friend actually mentioned that our date we chose for the wedding wasn't good because her kid was still in school! Um.....hello..you weren't invited and we are not changing the date so your kid can come to Cancun! Can you believe it? She actually asked if the date was set in stone or if we were thinking about having it a week later! Needless to say, I flat out told her, that we didn't want children at the wedding and purposly chose that date because school is still in session! It still makes me both laugh and steam out the ears! JEN Was she offended? That's what always cracks me up---- when people get *soooo* offended when someone either doesn't like kids or doesn't want them at a function.... like the whole world is suppose to love their kid simply because they do....

Quote: Originally Posted by destinationbride07 when u start planning STAND YOUR GROUND...CUSS ANYONE OUT Who even thinks about controlling YOUR wedding. It will happen with a DW. TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!! I've found that if you cut off the politeness in the very beginning and bluntly tell people that this is *your* wedding, *your* paying for it and if they don't show some support they won't get an invite.... it gets easier and most of the people will keep their mouths shut.

I agree with Tammy--- check with other TA's. I did a lot of research on pricing resorts myself (Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotwire, Apple, Funjet) before we decided on a TA. Our TA beat even the lowest price we had found elsewhere. If you can find a TA who can come close to what you find online, my personal thought is to go with the TA. Simply because it's one specific person handling as many people as possible in your group, which can give you more negotiating power, as well as better customer service if you have issues.

Quote: Originally Posted by Nini_Bride I've had a few people ask me - but I think they were saying it in a kind of joking tone. There will be family members "close" friend who I will not be inviting and I expect a bit of flack then. I am only inviting relatives that I acutally like and ones that I have spoken to within the last decade! They sort of have to meet those standards, otherwise I really don't see the point on my or their end. Having said that, I have not been told that they will be "hurt" is I don't invite them. As a geeky kind of side note, I have actually prepared answers and jokes for when the situation comes up! That's me too--- Most of my cousins are so much older than me that I don't even remember them. They remember me and I've been told it is "hurtful" to not invite them too.... Well, sorry, but when we're footing the bill, this is how we keep costs affordable. FI's family is way *huge*... like 130 on his dad's side and 300+ on his mom's side. From both of his sides, we're inviting about 15 people combined. I have about 100 on both my sides and we're sending invites to about 20 of them. The rest is immediate family and our friends.

Wow, I'm actually surprised the resort rate is so much lower and that the TA can't get close to that rate... Almost sounds like the resort put a stipulation on the special that it's non-commissionable to TA's... Maybe our resident TA Goddess can give some insight to cancellation fees? Yoo-hoo... Tammy?