foxytv

Great to have you on the forum!!! You are going to love it!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by dragonfly Yes we did drink it, we had a toast after our wedding with it, some liked it lot's didn't. We drank it as a shot, many in our group mixed it in a drink, and then they liked it better. I didn't mind it, it reminded me of Amereto. You are not allowed to bring the herb home (canada) unless it is already mixed. My friends are a pretty rowdy, hor&%y group as is so I can't comment on if it really works, since everything works for my friends, lol.... LOL! That's funny Kelly! My group will be about the same! I had heard that it can be hard to get through customs. I think I'll try to get some that's already mixed rather than bringing back just the herbs. (They can probably mix it better than me anyway). That's something I won't mind paying more for since I can't buy it here -- although I here you can haggle just about anything down to next to nothing price-wise.

One last thing ... (It's from this website Mamajuana of Dominican Republic ... although I've been hearing/learning about MamaJuana for a while, I thought you ladies (and guys) might like to hear about it too). DR Brides -- you MUST report back if it really IS the Dominican Viagra. lol... I've heard from many that if you have one (or especially two) and then try to stand up -- look out -- potent stuff. woo-hoo!!! Mamajuana can be served in as many different ways as there are of making the warm drink. It can be taken by the shot, served warm, over ice, after dinner, mixed with soda or juice. These are some of the different ways it can be served. It is available for tasting in most Dominican bars and restaurants. So there is no excuse for not giving it a try. If you don't like one places version of this warming liquid try another places version. Soon you will come to enjoy this typical Dominican "viagra". My first experience seeing Mamajuana was on vacation in Dominican Republic. Some people I met at a Colmado near my hotel offered me some out of a big bottle carried in the back of the trunk. I saw all the "crap" in the bottle and turned it down . I had no idea what it was. My next visit I was a bit braver and tried it. It was quite tasty so my friend took me to some market where some relative of his sold it. Since he was related I got the "special" blend. He pulled out an old whisky with a half torn off, old label. This bottle was filled with a bunch of sticks. He opened the bottle when from under the shelf he pulled out a gallon plastic milk jug filled with some black liquid. He treated this "juice" like it was gold. He poured some in the bottle of twigs..so slowly. Then he jammed it all down with a stick! When he handed me that bottle, he had a big smile on his face, like he was giving me a gift from the Gods. He also refused to take any money and he gave me a drink from his "personal stash". It was wonderful...warm and tasty with a hint of fish flavor. Sweet, but how too sweet. A very enjoyable Dominican experience. And after I had it in USA it was a real conversation maker. My dog liked it also. My friends were not as acceptable as the dog, being not very sure about its look. No matter what it is said to do to the stamina and libido, I like it and will imbibe from time to time on my yummy treat. (More about My Mamajuana Experience at the DR Gringas Blog) If Mamajuana is or is not a true aphrodisiac does it really matter? It is a great memory to take home from vacation with you. This way one can have a taste of Dominican Republic and a happy memory at the same time. Remembering your first encounter with and how you were offered your first taste of Mamajuana. How this first taste came along with a little smile. Like they knew what was going to happen to you later in the day if you kept drinking. Remembering the warmth of the sun..or was it the sun? Could it have been the Mamajuana.....

Here's the secret recipe ... for once you have the bark/herb ingredients. I hope I can get the mix through customs so I can try my hand at making it!!! Each person will have their own concoction, or if you prefer, recipe. All depends on their own special likes and dislikes. Basically after the natural sticks and parts are all stuffed into a bottle the liquid can be added. Usually, for the first batch, the bottle is filled with red wine (cheap wine is just fine for this step) and a little honey(about a 1/4 cup). This is left to sit for about a week, mainly to clean all the ingredients, wash away the bitterness of the sticks and to get the bottle ready for the good stuff. After the week has passed empty out the wine, "they say" you're not supposed to drink this, but it won't hurt if you like the taste. Now for the good part. Add some good Dominican Ron/ Rum (opens in a new window), you can use other brands if you don't have the Dominican kind. Some people use dark rum while others use light rum (I prefer the light, if you care). Some add half Ron and half Wine. Some just a little wine and more rum. Try it with a little gin or vodka for good measure. It is all a matter of taste and what ingredients are on hand. Whatever the ingredients that are chosen, they get to steep in the bottle. A short or long time, depending on how much wood flavor you want it to pick up. I suggest having 2 or 3 bottles going. This way you can have one ready for drinking with another is brewing. You do not want to take a chance and run out when you are needing a trago (drink). Each bottle can be made in a little different style. Experiment with it until you get the blend that most satisfies all those inner urges.

You Non-DR brides are going to be ssoo jealous!! lol. Have you heard of MamaJuana? It's THE drink of the DR ... and supposedly an upper for the libido (can we say rockin' wedding night, Yea Baby!). Here's some info on it. I can't wait to try it (wonder if Kelly - dragonfly - can tell some stories??) Mamajuana also known as Viagra Dominicana is a drink indigenous to the island. Haiti and Dominican Republic, both having their own variation of the recipe. All are said to stimulate the libido. Originally it was made by the Taino Indians, boiling the roots to make a type of tea. Honey was added as a sweetener. Then as time passed rum or wine was added to the mixture to make Mamajuana as it is known today. This sweet, amber-colored liquid is said to be a cure-all, mainly used for the gripe, the Dominican name for the flu. It is also said to be a good remedy for arthritis, toothaches, headaches and stomach aches. In the history of Mamajuana it has been used as a cure for many different ailments. Many of the natural ingredients of mamajuana are also used in Western herbal remedies. Some of these ingredients are; Canelillea (Dominican grown cinnamon whose leaves and twigs are used for flavor, circulation and adds a little warmth to the mix), Timacle (In the Taino language it means brave. It is a vine with big, twisted and gnarled roots. It is said to work on the ligaments to make one more agile for days. It is also said to make one energized and able to think more clearly). Caro, Marabeli, Osua, Guyacan, Twigs of Palo Indio, Palo de Maguey and Pega Palo (literally means hitting stick). Bejuco de Indio ( helps male impotency. It is said to even make the bottom parts of the body feel like they are vibrating if taken in large doses. It is said to make sweat and body odor have an essence that makes one seem more attractive, gets the pheromones flowing). Bejuco de Costilla (the bark is also said to give the lower parts of the body extra life and vibrancy, for some it can make you feel quite warm and toasty). Batata (also known as the plain old potato or sarsaparilla is a sexual stimulant). Bitter Ginger / Gengiberes Amargo (a root in the ginger family but it is a bit more bitter and yellower than regular ginger yet it looks about the same. It is used to repel internal parasites, improves circulation, said to help with arthritis and may even be able to help with hair growing). Yname/ true yam (said to enhance hormones.The inside is eaten in Dominican Republic and elsewhere like a potato and the outside is used in mamajuana). Anamú (bark of the tree), Bohuco (a type of creeper), Brazil. Plus many others some of which are said to be secret. Each creator has their own variation on the recipe to make it their own. The other special ingredients are different animal parts. Mainly these animal parts are taken from sea animals. These sea creatures/ mariscos could include octopus, snail, conch, clam or oyster. One of the treasured ingredients is a sea turtle penis or as it is known in Dominican Republic, Miembro de Carey. For different versions of the recipe there can be different parts introduced to the bottle. There are different versions for getting pregnant (cat or parakeet claws), not getting pregnant, headache and more.

Quote: Originally Posted by jillhigginsphotography Thanks y'all. It was a beautiful place indeed! Tami - I owe you a HUGE apology. To make a long story short - I still have your BD book and was about to go email you. Long story - but I will get it out in the morning - promise! lol ... no worries. I just knew I had something Registered Mail and didn't know what else it could be ... but it was some starfish charms I ordered off eBay. It's no problem. (and sorry for hi-jacking this awesome thread!!)

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild Not to me, we did the same thing ) Good! that's what I was hoping. :-) Becasue they are big if they can't give us some inkling of a clue what their intentions are. lol.

Since your wedding is coming up in February, I think it depends on how close you are with these new friends. I invited one co-worker who now I wish I hadn't (although I expect her to back out b/c of $$ issues). Another new friend I met in the Spring I just recently invited b/c we became much closer, and now she has booked too. Perhaps you can ask if they are interested in coming. You might find out they simply can;t anyway, and then you are off the hook. But I think it's a win-win situation with no wrong answer.

One side note .. there are some people we invited out of what we felt was purely bligation ... but since we haven't heard a peep from them since the STD's, email updates, Newsletters, etc -- which have all asked for a tenative RSVP or website response ... I might cut them from the formal invite list. Does this sound bad?

I have added plenty of people to the invite list b/c they asked, but so far NONE of those people have booked. I think they want t FEEL invited but probably have no intention of actually coming. Problem is, that just increases invitation costs, which are NOT cheap! I'm struggling with whether or not to send formal invites to people who say they can't go. I'd still like them to get an invite ... but have to think about the cost. I think our parents would prefer that everyone still get an invite too (at least family).

Ok ladies ... I'm going to try to stop stressing...

Jill, I already snuck a peek at your blog the other day to steal that starfish hairpin picture ... and as usual ... these are AMAZING pictures! Absolutely stunning! You do suc a phenomenal job! P.S. Going to pick up my BD book from the Post Office after lunch! Yeah! Can't wait to see it!!!! va-va-voom!

Quote: Originally Posted by Starfish So we think we have decided on the garden venue (no canopy) for the ceremony. Does anyone know how secluded this area is?? I also like the first picture but it is off of the lobby, so does that mean your wedding is in full view of the guest walking around the lobby?? Also I would like to have a nice entrance, and walking through the lobby in my gown waiting to go down the aisle is not exactly what I am picturing. Basically we would like the ceremony to be somewhere private, away from prying eyes and not beside a path with people walking to the beach and back during the ceremony. Has anyone had there wedding there or been there for a viewing?? If you have any information regarding how secluded the different venues are it would be Greatly appreciated!! ~Sarah To my knowledge ... all of the garden locations off of the lobby are pretty secluded. They are all "private" garden areas, not public. Just MHO, but I think walking through the lobby (beacuase the lobby is so beautiful and grandiose) is the PERFECT way to start the wedding. But for any of the garden locales, you will have to walk through the lobby to get to them ... but then you head out to the secluded garden areas.

Quote: Originally Posted by lizz10179 Don't stress too much. He's going to be soooo excited to see you, he won't even look at the house! lol ... i wish. :-) I think it's just the military background. He knows me, though ... so he should be happy it's as fabulous looking as it is.

I usually let things get to me really easily, but with this DW, I had to grow thick skin ... and fast. I know Tom and I are doing what WE want to do ... and luckily all of our immediate family is already on board as far as booed rooms AND airfare. As for the other guests, if they make it, great, if not, great. At this point, the fewer people who come means less costs out of our pocket for the reception ... so if noone else books, we can save a TON of money. :-) I'm stressing over the funds ... so that's allowed me to take the focus off stressing about a-hole guests/invitees (especially the ones who wouldn't have come anyway). Not that that helps, but at least I'm diverting my stress to something non-human. lol.

As long as you know EVERYONE can RSVP by computer, I don't see why not save the money on printing and postage. I think your RSVP date is totally good.

Kelly that is BEAUTIFUL! I am ssoo thrilled for you!!! What song is your slideshow to/ I love it too...

YEA! Thanks for getting this up for all of us impatient girls so quickly! You ROCK!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by royfa I have to do mine soon! I think I'll go with something like that.. What do you think? http://www.destination-romance.com/C...at=STDCasEnsDD That link isn't working for me...

Quote: Originally Posted by royfa I like what you did Tami! Thanks! I was new to the DIY stuff, but this was really easy to do! Everyone really liked it!

I am trying feverishly to get the house clean and all this laundry done before Tom gets in on Wednesday. I still don't know what time his flight comes in, but I'm hoping it's afternoon so I can have Wednesday morning to finish up. My girls are coming to do the thorough cleaning tomorrow night so my job is just to straighten up, get things in order, blah blah blah. You don't realize how much STUFF gets collected in 14 months ... especially when I am a pack rat and Tom is a TOTAL neat freak. And I'm such a procrastinator (see ... every few minutes I'm back online checking posts ... because it's something I can do to NOT do what I need to be doing). lol. uugghh!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by amyh Yup! I sent these out before the postage increase but the request date was for after so I had to add the extra 2cents stamp. Great, thanks! Helps me w/ budgeting!

I firmly believe we (as brides and grooms) have every right to do whatever we want on our wedding day. And, if there is no monetary help being offered from family, they should shut their traps. (We've been on our own far too long to have expected any help from the folks). Sure, elope. I'm all for it! And it's up to you if you tell the family or not You can do a Symbolic Ceremony back home and let the grumpy family in on the elopment ... or not and let them think they won the battle. The wedding is about YOU TWO -- and while I completely understand that having family be there to witness it, you both have to decide what is most important to you! Good LUCK!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by amyh we did that. I sent a response postcard with our STD's and so far have had so many responses (way more than expected). We also gave them our website and allowed guests to respond there. Our wedding is in July 08 but we mailed them out in April and asked for a preliminary resopnse by July 4 of this year. Hint- if are going to indicate # of guests ______ make sure to fill it in your self! I'm learning the hard way! (we are at about 190, yikes!) I'm using the Passport template for my invitations (I think). For the RSVP card, is it regular stamp postage?

Quote: Originally Posted by MikkiStreak I think I'd send them at the beginning of October and ask to have them back before Thanksgiving. I wouldn't go with the timeframe of Thanksgiving-Christmas for them because at work, most people are crazy busy because companies are trying to finish billable projects by the end of the year, as well as trying to get budgets in place for the upcoming year. Outside of work, the time is spent with shopping, and weekends are filled with company parties, family parties, church parties, etc... It would be much too easy to have the RSVP get lost in the shuffle. Plus, I think it would be harder to do follow-up phone calls and actually get your call returned. I'd ask to have RSVP back before Thanksgiving, and then after the New Year, maybe do some phone calls to follow-up from those people who haven't sent them back in. Also, I'd argue the hell out of the resort wanting final head count 60 days prior---- even for local weddings, most hotels/resorts/facilities don't ask for head count until 30 days prior... Quote: Originally Posted by starchild I think our std rsvp deadline was something like December 10 or so. It was just the std, not the formal invite, but we gave them like 3 months to rsvp. About 90 days after sending the std magnet we sent a remember to rsvp postcard that helped some people kick into gear. The holidays are a busy time, but in our case, the people who seriously planned on going complied with our timeframe. We had some stragglers who said yes all along and either booked really close to the wedding or didn't end up coming. I think this was my least favorite part of the wedding process....I hope it works out for you guys with as little stress as possible. Thanks ladies! I think I might ask for RSVP's by late November. The more I get feedback from you ladies, the more it seems that the ones who haven't put down their deposits will either not come at all (regardless of if they say they are) or book VERY last minute. I guess all we can do is tell them we have to give the resort some #'s ... so no guarantees they can take part in all of the activities if they don't RSVP in time. One other thing is ... we would like to do our reception on a yacht that picks us up at the resort ... but they need a deposit ... something we can't give w/o a head count ... because the boat has a maximum capacity and if everyone who SAYS they are coming actually does, we can't all fit on the boat... aaarrrggghhh....