foxytv

You've done a great job incorporating your logo into everything. LOVE the beach towelswith the embroidered monogram!!! Everything is amazing!

Great story and how wonderful to be able to celebrate your grandparents love through their wedding date and ring!

Hey ladies! I have a 30-day trial membership to Curves, and am going to start it next week. I am currently doing a Boot Camp 2x a week that is hyper-intensive, but I am not seeing any weight loss results, or even clothes fitting better results - even though I am seeing nice muscle tone. So, I am hoping that adding Curves for 3x a week (or more) my help jump start some weight loss. I lift weights with my Boot Camp ... so I am wondering if the Curves machines will be enough for me. I want to make sure I break a sweat and work out HARD. So, just bringing this thread back to life to see if anyone else sees good results from Curves! (a lot of my weight gain I am attributing to being on Clomid for the past 4 months. I've put on about 20-pounds since startin the Clomid ... although I've been doing the Boot Camp since February as well...)

Welcome and CONGRATS!!! I only have one tidbit of advice, based on how we planned our wedding. We narrowed down the resorts first ... and then picked our actual wedding date based on when the rates would be lowest and what dates were available for our wedding. HAPPY PLANNING!!!!

I'm sorry to hear about your experiences. Our photographers were staying at the resort next to ours, but 'snuck in' to PPC via beach access both days and had no problems. However, when we went to meet them at their resort (Bavaro Princess) ... we were faced with language barriers and issues from security. Nothing we didn't expect, though ... and they let us wait in the lobby until our photoraphers came up to meet us. The taxi rides are expensive and can be difficult, b/c it's rare that the taxi drivers speak much English. We took a taxi from PPR to Steve's Corner Bar several times, and never did the taxi driver know where the bar was. Weird b/c it's pretty prominent. DH speaks a little Spanish (not much at all) so we managed to get there, though. Regardless, I am glad you ot your DW resort nailed down!!!!

We have separate accounts. I pay the utilities and DH pays the mortgage, and basically everything else. I am still tryng to pay off old debt and my student loans - and make significantly less money than DH. I wish that we at least had one joint account, especially since I struggle to make ends meet some months, since I am 100% commission ... but so far, no dice. DH pays for everything when we go out/go on trips/ etc (I'll pick up the check for drinks/dinner/etc whenever I can) ... so I guess it does work out, though. I do have a savings account through a credit union that I've had since I was little - and DH is going to start givin me money to deposit into that account to use for vacations etc.

Quote: Originally Posted by emerald Foxytv - Did you see a big difference between PPC and PPR? Was PPR worth the extra money? I have already read some of the more recent posts for these resorts, but I will definitely take some time to explore the older posts as well. It just depends what you are looking for. PPC is more FUN and expansive - LOTS more to do, so it was perfect for our 40 guests (age 4 to 80). PPR was better as a luxurious honeymoon spot for us. We were very happy with our decisions. If you have an active family that will want to do things, definitely PPC - and its worth every penny. If your family wants more of a relaxing vacations with not muych to do but lounge at the pool or on the beach - go w/ PPR if you can afford the extra $$. We are returning to PPC with numerous guests next year for a 2nd anniversary trip. We don't plan on returning to PPR - although it was gorgeous, luxurious and perfect! We are just more active people and nightlife people (NO nightlife at PPR).

Quote: Originally Posted by wahmsuzanne They are gorgeous! Did you make or buy them? Are they silk or real/fresh touch? How much ... and how many would you sell? Thanks! *SmiLes* Suzanne Ah, sorry - but I just sold one to Jennie. I want to keep the rest. But they are natural touch flowers

We used Dollar Tree battery-powered lanterns at our AHR. I think your downfall was using $1 batteries. We paid more for Energizer and/or Duracell and had no issues with the lanterns going out. In fact, weeks later I checked and most were still working. So, I do think its more an issue with quality batteries than it is with the lanterns themselves. Bummer that yours went out - BUT I know they still looked great!

Yamille - everything looks absolutely amazing! I love the flip flops, the dresses, the invites ... everything! GREAT job!!!

You don't even have to mention the vow renewal/sand ceremony to save space. How about just saying something to the effect of: "A Celebration of Marriage" 'Please join us for an casual afternoon to share our happiness with thoseof you who were unable to join us in Mexico'. Or make it more cutesy, fun and beachy if you so desire... I know that isn't much, but hope it helps!!

The gazebo is where we were married -so I am likely partial to it ... but it is much more isolated than a beach wedding, which is what we were looking for. The beach weddings are not at all private, and sunbathers and gawkers are on either side. There is only a small area cleared for the wedding party and its guests. The gazebo, on the other hand, is on top of a sandy hill overlooking the ocean and is much more secluded, while having all the same beautiful views. They set up chairs around the gazebo. We had 40 guests and there was plenty of room for extra chairs, so your 70 guests should be no problem. Here are a couple pics from our album that shows the gazebo during our wedding... Now, some people are set on having sand between theor toes during the cermony ... that's not the case with the gazebo at PPC, but it's right on the edge of the sandy beaches. And we had a beach reception, so it worked out great for us. I hope that helps!

Melia Caribe is another resort under the Paradisus umbrella - next to PPR and much more affordable. I would go into more detail - but there are numerous threads in the Dominican Republic section about this very question already. Let me know if you have questions about how to search - but TONS of info is posted on here to help you! PS - I was married at PPC and honeymooned at PPR.

I'm not going to go into detail about my opinion on this ... but will instead offer some alternative options for you. My BM's paid for their dresses - but I made sure everyone liked what I liked and was OK w/ the price ahead of time. If you are paying for the dresses - why not pick out affordable dresses or give the girls a color scheme and a price range and let them pick their own within that price range. I also let my BM's pick their shoes, I just told them what color. I also bought their jewelry and had very nice BM bags filled with gifts for them. They had the option of having their hair done (on their dime) or doing their own. One BM did her own to save $$, the rest made salon appts. Also, if you said you were paying for your BM's rooms - are they bunking up together or are they bringing significant others? That's awfully generous to pay for their rooms - but it certainly wasn't something we could afford, nor did anyone expect us to pay for it. There are so many options out there for you and your girls to keep things affordable. Trust me, money was a major concern for me throughout the planning process.

wow! those are amazing!!! makes me feel better about myself, for sure!!!

Great idea about the charms! We made paper hang tags w/ our logo on one side and the guests name on the other, and also wrote everyone's name in permanent marker on the bottom of each mug.

Welcome! Sorry, no advice from me. I was married in Punta Cana, but there isn't much in the way of off-resort night-life. Although we had a BLAST and will be back again with out group for a 2nd anniversary next year! Best of Luck in your decision making and planning!

GREAT job!!!!!

Sarah is the bomb! They are beautiful!!!

I'm not familiar with this resort at all, so unfortunately I can't be of much help. But I do know about several other Punta Cana area resorts, so ask away if you decide to consider other resorts as well. HAPPY PLANNING!!!

Is there a policy that prohibits outside vendors? We brought our photogs w/ us - their travel and accomodations was included in the package price. Just find out what your resorts policy is for outside photogs. Many don't mind at all.

I will sell you one of my BM's bouquets. They are beautiful! Click on the link in my siggy that has my Teaser Pics to see what it looks like.

Love it!!!! (and yours too Jacilynda!)

season : sneeze

Angela - I know exactly what you mean! Since our DW I have not felt that any of the traditional weddings that I have been to have been nearly as magical as ours was. Of course, I am 100% biased, but it is such a different vibe at a DW! Good Luck with picking your resort! Luckily you are starting your planning early enough that you can do plenty of research to narrow down your options. DH and I narrowed down to the country ... then resort town ... then to our top 5 resorts, and then picked our top two from that. It was a LONG process, but worth it! We ended up with our DW at the more affordable of the top two choices, and our HM at the more expensive. It was perfect!