laura b

Thanks. I'll make my son take a picture of me in it when it gets here.

I think it was a photographer I was talking to who said she hated when girls wore strapless dresses that were too big up top. She said you ended up getting a lot of "thumb hooker" pictures (where the girl is hitching up her dress with her thumbs). I think you definitely want it snug up top.

So, I found a Divina Sposa dress that I fell in love with (online, didn't try it on). This is the dress: Now, I am not one to pay $2K for a dress that I'm going to wear once. I mean, I balk at paying more than $20 for any item of clothing (except running shoes). That being said, I went to trusty old eBay and found a company who would make a knock-off for on the cheap. I researched them and found that people seemed pretty happy with their dresses. So I ordered one. This was Feb. 16. I requested they take pictures before they send the dress and also that they remove the flower that is on the dress. March 12 I wrote again just generally asking when the dress would be ready, and they said 20-25 days. On April 6th I wrote again and they said 7 more days. Ten days later I wrote again and they said it was being "checked" and would ship on Saturday. I reminded them to send me pictures. I got an email on Friday saying my dress had been shipped. No pictures. While I was happy that I would actually soon have it in my hot little hands, I was also really worried that it was going to look like a patchwork Frankenstein dress. I emailed them inquiring about the pictures. They sent me pictures last night. Here they are: So. It doesn't look as Raggedy Ann as I thought it might. It's also not the color I thought it would be. AND they left the flower on (grrr). But all in all, it's okay for a $70 dress. I don't know. What do you guys think? Should I keep shopping?

I don't know what your ring is made of, but mine's platinum and I've been warned that I might lose stones because platinum is soft. One of my girlfriends told me that she took hers in to have a stone replaced, and the lady took one look at her ring and said, "Quit wearing it to the gym" without even knowing that she went to the gym. So I never wear mine to the gym or when I'm doing any kind of work with my hands just to be on the safe side. My band is going to be the same kind of thing, so I'm going to get a third, cheapy cheap silver band to wear to the gym and to work and that sort of thing.

I am totally trashing my dress. Which is easy to say since I've never even SEEN my dress....but I only have a son and I don't have much hope of passing it on, and the pictures you can get are so stunning! I think that's what got me obsessed with finding a photographer in addition to the one the resort provides. And I'm spending way too much $$ on her. So WHY NOT?

I went through a TA who tried to get me a really great deal, but when she quoted me the prices, I found it MUCH cheaper on Orbitz/CheapTickets. That's what we've told all our guests to book through. Then I will just call the resort a couple of weeks before and make sure we're all close to one another.

Jamy, thanks! they just emailed me after putting me off 3x saying they'll mail the dress this Saturday. If it happens, AMEN!

I'm going to hijack again... Lisa, have you gotten the pictures of flowers from Sandra? Can we deviate from that list? And are you going buffet or sit down? Since it looks like I'll have 30+, I'll qualify for the buffet if I do the silver package (which, really, I can do since I'm hiring an outside photographer and can pay for my own dang massage). Just can't decide which menu I like more.

I like Christa's picture, too! Since the FH bought the STDs (we really have to come up with a different acronym for those) I think the first thing I bought was the dress, although, as you all know, that has been a real thorn in my side. My mom went sort of bridal mag crazy when she found out, so I let her, and then I borrowed a couple of books (the Anti-Bride Wedding Planner and a couple of books on etiquette) so I didn't actually spend any $$ on that stuff.

P.S. As you can see, I chose it for my wedding locale, as well.

I showed up late to the party, too. But I've stayed at Dreams a few times, and rest assured, of all the places I've been in the RM, it's my favorite. If there's anything Jason can't answer, PM me.

Mikki- I like it. It's not that formal, so yeah, the older crowd might not be that comfortable with it, but I say do what you want. I have a quote from J.D. Salinger on our wedding website:"I was about half in love with her by the time we sat down. Every time they do something pretty, even if they're not much to look at, or even if they're sort of stupid, you fall half in love with them, and then you never know where the hell you are." and all the older folks hate it. Actually, the FH does too, but I love it. Anyway, point being, do what you want. I think the quote is sweet.

I haven't decided what I am going to do with bags. I know from experience that it's super handy to have a big bag with an inner zipper pocket on the beach (to keep hair ties, pesos, and chapstick) that's mesh, so I might go for something like that. I probably wouldn't be able to monogram them if they're mesh. But! I just had a thought that it would be super-cute to attach the luggage tags I'm making for everyone to them and just mail the OOT bags ahead of time (probably only mailing to about 10 or 15 separate addresses). Has anyone done this, or is it gauche? It also frees up luggage room!

Quote: Originally Posted by Nini_Bride Ok Wow, look at you go! Good finds - I particularly like the "48 bags for $49.99" price! lol Yeah, what those guys don't tell you is that they're charging $50 for postage.

These are cute, too...12/$18 http://cgi.ebay.com/Wholesale-lot-12...QQcmdZViewItem

I thought one of you peeps might like them. I can't buy mine yet since I don't have a firm head count. they're selling 12/$30. Here is the link:http://cgi.ebay.com/SEQUIN-BEACH-TOT...QQcmdZViewItem Also, these are a little cheaper and customizable (can order in your wedding colors, etc) They are basically $2/apiece. Here is the link:http://cgi.ebay.com/Wholesale-lot-48...QQcmdZViewItem This is also cute: a matching sarong with each bag! Is bidding right now at $9.99/36. I don't know how big the bags are, though. http://cgi.ebay.com/Cotton-Print-Min...QQcmdZViewItem

Actually, everything I've seen in the states hooking up an iPod or a nano are different. So that's something you might want to ask your WC. I wouldn't assume that just because a regular iPod would work, your nano could be accomodated.

Hey! I think for a big, reasonably priced resort with lots of things to do for the kiddos, you can't go wrong with the Iberostar outside of Playa (paraiso maya). It's a HUGE resort and very reasonably priced. Also, I think someone mentioned the Bahia Principe. It's like a small town. I've been all up and down that coast. Let me know if I can be of any help!

Thanks for all the kind words. I got that dress yesterday, and the good news is that it's completely lined. None of my mysteries will be showing through (phew). The bad news is that it swallows me whole. I ordered an 8 going from their measurements, but it looks like I'm playing dressup with my mom's clothes. So I'm sending it back and getting a 6. The lady is being very accomodating, which is nice (since I bought it out of the country off eBay).

I'm a Dreams bride, too...Dreams Tulum. (7/7/7) Though, truth be told, I fell in love with the chapel and the hotel there long before it was ever a Dreams.

I am doing a change, but there's about 6 hours between wedding and reception. I have a way more casual dress for my reception. Actually, come to think of it, I might NOT be doing a change since my wedding dressmaker is MIA with 2 months to go before I get married! Yikes.

You can also go here and make the tees yourself for on-the-cheap. http://stores.ebay.com/Buy4bride I'm planning on ordering the "just married" bikini from them because I'm a cheeseball like that.

It does look awesome! Our ahr is also similarly mexican themed, but I think with the venue (a big Mexican-type estate), it'll end up being more formal and not as "fun." Although, what caught my eye about this is that there is a restaurant here in Texas called Chuy's who is catering our fajitas. Just like your taco stand! Anyway, I love that theme, maybe I'll steal it for a casual party at my house!

I completely ignored all of the beach dresses when I picked mine, and it is the biggest poofiest dress ever. Maybe I will be sweating like a hog in July on the beach in Tulum, but dammit, I will feel like a princess! Okay, a sweaty princess, but still!

Melissa, those are awesome! I have to agree with some of the other girls on here that my favorite pic is the one of you guys walking down the aisle. It was so sweet, I welled up a little. Congratulations! You look so so pretty and happy.