bethtamar

Yeah, Kristin booked appointments for me and my bridesmaids! I trust her opinion and she said this was her first choice!

I am trying to reserve rooms at the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta but I am still waiting to hear about their deposit/refund policy! Paradise village is also in NV. Where are you thinking of having your guests stay?

Our engagement party is this weekend and our moms and sisters have gone above and beyond to throw us a fabulous fiesta to get everyone in the mood for Mexico next May! Are we supposed to bring them hostess/thank you gifts?!

Hi Lori! We are having Kristin plan our rehearsal dinner. We are actually having a small dinner for 25 (just the wedding party and spouses) and then we are inviting everyone to join us for welcome drinks and a salsa lesson! We have not decided where to hold it yet because my fiance's mother hasn't given us a budget yet, however, Kristin was able to find us options with drinks for under $60 a person! Where are you holding your wedding?

Thanks for the advice. The third option is Sandrina's in Bucerias. Has anyone been there?

Did anyone send out announcements of their engagement? There are some long lost family members and family friends that my mom and Jason's mom would like us to send announcments to, but not invitations. What does one write on an announcement?

How exciting, our "dazzling" weddings are two weeks apart!!! Kristin and her team are the best...I am beyond excited!!!

I am getting ready to send out my save-the-dates and I want to direct my guests to our wedding website, however, I have not made any travel arrangements yet (which need to be posted on the website before the stds go out!)! I want to block rooms at the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta and some other hotels in the area (Paradise Village is near by). I am having trouble making these arrangements with the hotels. Is there a travel agent you recommend for the PV/NV area that can help me with this Also, for those of you in Los Angeles, what is a good airfare to PV? Right now I see flights for $322 R/T--is that as good as it's going to get?! Thanks for the help!

You are a stunning bride! And the two of you couldn't look happier!

from theknot.com... Just got this email today and thought it was worth sharing! -Beth If stressing about planning the wedding has you at a point where you want to escape it all, maybe it's time you actually did. We're not saying just pick up and elope. These days, more and more couples are opting to say I do in a faraway paradise with their closest friends and family in tow, and we think it's a great idea. Here's why. While some people think a wedding away would be a logistical nightmare, we're here to tell you it doesn't have to be. Think about it -- you're not going to be rushing off from one vendor appointment to the next, or worrying about Mom breathing down your neck. Resorts at most of the top destination wedding spots -- Hawaii, the Caribbean, Vegas, and others -- boast at least one full-time wedding coordinator on staff. She'll have relationships with vendors to sort everything out -- just give her an idea of what you want, and she'll pull together all of the pieces to make it happen. If you're flying off to a foreign land, be sure to call that country's tourist office, consulate, or embassy for the legal requirements to get married there. Yes, it's your wedding -- but it's also your vacation, so take it easy. Bridezillas be warned: Giving up a little or a lot of control may drive you batty at first, but in the end you'll realize it's quite liberating to have a qualified professional take the reigns. You'll take care of the last-minute details as soon as you arrive at your destination -- the rest of the time leading up to the wedding and beyond, you'll be having fun in the sun with your sweetie and reconnecting with your nearest and dearest while someone else confirms the officiant, the photographer, the cake, even the champagne. Someone plans a party in paradise in your honor -- now come on, how often in life does that happen? Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to spend a week in paradise feting you, no matter how much they adore you. (And no, you're not expected to pay for guests' expenses). The upside to this is that a destination wedding can trim down your guest list to a manageable size, which also can cut way down on costs. Plus, you can fly there, get married, and enjoy a weeklong luxury honeymoon for one flat fee that is your wedding package. To save even more cash, consider scheduling your I dos for your destination's "shoulder season," which is the week or two after the peak season. That way, you'll save dollars without settling for so-so weather. One note: If you're inviting more than just family and close friends, be prepared for a few surprise acceptances -- some of your friends or coworkers might jump at the chance to party with you in paradise. If you're considering a destination wedding, there's a chance cookie-cutter I dos aren't your thing. Destination celebrations are tailor-made for showcasing your personality as a couple. Rules are not only bent for destination weddings...they can be nonexistent. Not a fan of the fluffy white gown? Get married in a bikini on a beach in Barbados. Looking for a nonstop party? Vamp it up in Vegas. Fancy yourselves explorers? Say I do in a cave, atop a volcano, or even on a glacier. Take advantage of your surroundings. There are bound to be many people who can't make it to your faraway festivities. Don't want them to feel left out? Lots of couples host a postwedding celebration upon their return. Send out invitations to a party "celebrating the marriage of," where you can show slides or photos of your faraway vows. If you're having an encore ceremony closer to home, share the story of your getaway wedding in the program. You can even recreate the mood of your destination wedding at your hometown reception: Think Vegas-style decor or an island-inspired menu. And don't forget to register -- it's your and your honey's wedding celebration, and people are going to want to give you gifts! Choose a spot you'll love to lounge at over the week or so after your wedding -- and be prepared for some company. After flying far distances and taking time off work to celebrate your day, guests will not want to head home right away, so think carefully about whom you invite: Are these people you'll want to spend time with? If you're lucky, they'll allow you plenty of alone time, too. This is your honeymoon, after all!

Thanks for the feedback. I will not be registering at Target!!!

We are really interested in registering at Target, what is the return policy for their registry?

I love letter press and would love a simple letter press invitation. Does anyone have a vendor they recommend? Also, how much should I expect to spend per complete invitation?

Didn't Sarah Jessica Parker get married in black?! She must have known about this tradition!

We have ten total. We each have 2 siblings and 3 best friends, however, one of his siblings is a sister (I have two sisters) so she will be a bridesmaid and I will have 6 on my side and he will have 4 on his! I don't expect them to buy us gifts...I have been a maid of honor three times and I know how costly it is!

We are spending over a week in PV and then we are hoping to have a proper honeymoon later in the year in Australia and New Zeland!!!

My pick is #1. I love Nicole Miller dresses, and I actually tried on both of these dresses! My reply is biased because I totally fell in love with the first one when I tried it on!

Thanks for the feedback! I was definitely not specific enough in the last post. Here is exactly what we have been told (I just cut it from the email our Wedding Coordinator sent): 6 hours of digital coverage 500-600 high resolution proof images with color correction on cd Your option to select 140 of the above proofs for complete edition and retouching Powerpoint slideshow musically edited Does this sound like enough photos?

I am not sure if there is a thread for this already, but we are trying to figure out our photography package, and we are not sure what is "normal." Right now our quote is based on 6 hours, 500 proofs on a CD, and 140 retouched and complied into a slideshow set to music. Does this sound like a good amount? Has anyone regretted not ordering a larger package?

Jason and I are trying to decide where to register (our engagement party is coming up and so the pressure is on!). Our first choices are Crate and Barrel and Macy's, however, we just heard that Target has a great registry (offering many of the same products as Crate and Barrel at a fraction of the price). Where are you registered and/or who do you recommend?

I am trying to figure out which company to use to insure my ring (it is currently covered by my AAA renter's insurance) and I wanted to know if anyone had recommendations. Also, has anyone had to file a claim? What questions did they ask and were they able to replace your ring? All advice would be appreciated!

They are from J Crew and they look amazing on my bridesmaids (who all have very different bodies!) Thanks for the feedback!!!

That is a great story (only because it has a happy ending) and a lesson to us all...which brings me to my question...how many of you have insured your rings

Has anyone eaten at either Agave Grill or La Playita? We may have our rehearsal dinner at one of the two restaurants...

I am in LA too!!! I was wondering when Beth would be in town, I would like to meet her since I am trying to pick a P.V. photographer for my May 25, 2008 wedding!