nylalany

Actually it is even easier than what I said! Ok, so you can actually just go to your web album and select the Prints dropdown. If you want a specific photo only, click on that first and the select the Prints dropdown. Or if you want the whole album, do it from the whole album view. Anyhow, from the Prints dropdown, select "Order Prints". You don't have to order prints right away - you can even go to another album and do the same thing, and then view your entire "order" by selecting "View Order" from the Prints dropdown. Then, when you view your order, you can remove whatever photos you don't want to order. To actually order prints, click on "Select Print Provider". It will give you the option of shutterfly, W photo (Walgreens), Photoworks, and snapfish. (Sorry, I was wrong - no kodakgallery option, but if you prefer kodakgallery or any other site, you can simply download the photos to your desktop and upload them to your preferred printer). Click ok, and then click "Continue to Print Provider". A new window for that print provider will open, and you can continue like you would normally to order on that site. Anyhow, the nice thing about Picasa is that even if you don't give anybody else the email address or password to sign into your web album, you can still share the album with them, the album can be private (select private and not public when creating the album if you only want people you email it to to see it), you can still make the permissions so that they can order prints from the album, you can still make the permissions so that they can download the original resolution photos to their computers (if you upload photos in original resolution, which is an option), and Picasa doesn't have a time limitation of how long they keep your photos (Photoworks erased some of mine b/c I didn't order from them in years, and now I only have the prints I made, sadly, as those weren't from a digital camera). The added bonus of the software part (which is also free) is that you can edit your photos before uploading them to the web album - and it is really easy. All of this is quite easy once you're actually looking at the interface. You might need a gmail account - but when creating your Picasa web album account, I believe you create a gmail account too (and you should be using gmail anyway as it is great). If you don't actually care about other people uploading photos to the album, and you just want them to be able to view, order prints, or download the photos, then you can have your private account w/o giving them email/pwd. I was very dumb when doing this and just told everyone to create their own accounts and upload their wedding photos of my wedding in original resolution, so that I could download the photos I liked from their albums, edit them (b/c some silly people are too lazy to even get rid of the red-eye, which is just 1 click), and the upload them into a master album, but that took a while, and I'm just a bit of a control freak. I think it would have been easier, if you want other people's photos, to have a shared accout.

I had hundreds, but I think the more important thing is to make sure you specify if you want certain people or elements of your wedding captured on film prior to the wedding day, as you'll be too crazed on that day, and the photographer can't read your mind. Sometimes they go by who you are spending time with at the wedding, but there are very dear people to me I spent quality time with on the days before but didn't spend much time w/at my actual wedding b/c I was so all over the place, you know?

Are you guys looking for any particular place? Fiji has quite a few. Mexico has some. So does Caribbean, but I'm not sure where you're looking? Although I'm not totally sure about the butler except in Bali.

You can just create a free Picasa web album account and give the email and password to everyone and then they can all upload photos to one account, as well as download them to their computer so do what they want with them - that way they can upload them to whatever site they want for printing or just have them on their computer. Or, if everyone creates their own account, you can always download from other people's albums. Picasa software is also free, and offers you the ability to click on photos and order from random sites (kodakgallery, snapfish, etc.). And you can edit your photos on there too - kinda like a much more basic version of photoshop or something.

Oh and (for Kathy) - lmk what other islands you choose for FP - I was having trouble with that myself. I had wanted a few days in Moorea for the lushness, Vahine for the small resort feel, and one of the atoll islands for the remoteness, but I didn't have time for all for the time we were planning. Maybe when we do actually go we will. Or, I guess it is always nice to leave something for a 2nd trip .

Kathy - Re: Costa Rica, I'd love your input! Itinerary: We're flying in on red-eye from LAX, then flying Sansa to Tambor (scary!) Taking the 12:30 flight but trying for stand by on the 10:30 one if we aren't delayed. Renting 4x4 from Budget for 6 days 3 nights on beach in north Santa Teresa at Red Palm Villas honeymoon villa Costa Rica Beach front Vacation Rental - Luxury Villas & Apartments at Santa Teresa, Costa Rica at RedPalmVillas.com I wanted to stay at Florblanca Resort, since it is a resort, but Red Palms was about $150 less a night, and very close by to Florblanca, so I went with that. I would have liked somewhere even less pricey that RPV, but I was having a hard time finding a honeymoon worthy spot on the beach with consistently good reviews. Friends of friends told me the northern part of Santa Teresa is the nicest. Taking their word for it. 3 nights in hills in Mal Pais at Casa Chameleon ultra villa with private plunge pool Costa Rica Hotel Casa Chameleon, Costa Rica Vacation, Costa Rica Travel, Costa Rica Hotels, Costa Rica Resort, Costa Rica Beaches (no good photos on their site, but nice photos on tripadvisor and elsewhere) then fly back in afternoon to San Jose 1 night San Jose - not sure where - suggestions welcome. We're being picked up at 6 a.m. the next day, so don't want to spend too much, but I also don't want to be miserable all afternoon and evening. The pick up is only good in San Jose or near airport. Thinking Grano de Oro, not sure if Superior rooms are fine or if I need to spend an extra $30 on the deluxe. 2 day 1 night rafting trip to Pacuare Lodge - river view suite. Part of me wanted the honeymoon suite, but couldn't justify the extra $$$ after already spending so much. Last night - San Jose area. Pacuare drops us off around 6 p.m. Since our flight isn't until 7p.m. the next day, I thought we should choose somewhere outside of the city so we can enjoy our last day - thinking Xandari (is it really worth the price, looks a little cheesy), Casa Bella Rita (cute, but is it honeymoon worthy for a last night?), not sure what else. If we stay at Xandari, we'll probably just hike to the waterfalls on the property and enjoy the pool or something. If we stay elsewhere, maybe we'd visit Poas, if you think it is worth it? We'll have to grab a taxi to Xandari if we go there, as Pacuare won't drop us off there. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Would like to end on a good note, but don't want to overspend. Re: St. Regis, they have specials on their website - maybe you should price out your dates, as well as your flights on Orbitz, and see if you can do any better than the package or if it is better? That was what I did when I was considering FP. There are tons of long-stay deals, so if you are really staying in 1 spot for 9 days, I'm sure you can get one. But don't you want to check out some other islands while you're there?

? 3 vacations in one year? how did you know that? i guess i went to aruba last january for a wedding (with my family), mexico for my wedding, and then a long wknd in sayulita, but i still haven't officially gone on honeymoon to Costa Rica! That is this coming January. THEN i will hopefully convince my hubby to take another one. i do travel a lot but mostly to family affairs and for holidays. i have a 5 wks of vacation a year, but it gets largely used up to see family on the east coast. hoping they'll fly out here more next year, so that i can use vacation for vacation. anyhow, if i don't end up going to FP for an anniversary trip in may, i'd love to read your reviews!

ErikDaGenErik - Well, we're going on a very belated and pricey honeymoon in January to Costa Rica, so going to French Polynesia for our anniversary would be more like traveling 4 months after vacationing haha. But you're totally right - screw $ - if it isn't safe in the stock market, might as well spend it on vacation before babies slow us down. I think you are wise to go right after Mexico. Although I was on a high still hanging out with people 3 days after the wedding in Riviera Maya, when I got back to Cali I totally crashed and was sleeping like 10 hrs a night for a month. My husband thought I was sick, but it is b/c he didn't stress out and do all the planning for the past 8 months prior to the wedding! If we had gone to French Polynesia then, it would have been the PERFECT relaxing vacation for me before returning to work. Now that we're back in our routine, Costa Rica will be more like an exciting active honeymoon - but I still think I can use a relaxing one after that! Bring on more vacation! Did you take unpaid leave? I tried to convince my husband that we should, but he is too dedicated to his job, heh. I would have been perfectly fine asking for it! Are you going anywhere else, or just relaxing before and after your wedding/honeymoon? And are you going to other islands besides Bora Bora? If so, where are you staying?

Who gets 5 weeks for a honeymoon. I am SO SO jealous! Although with 5 weeks, I'd go to SE Asia. Dreaming! But with a week, I'm following your friend's lead for her 2nd trip, and going to the 4Seasons in Bora Bora, if I can afford it heh - looks amazing.

misha79 - we didn't rent a car b/c we were there for such a short time, so we didn't make it up to San Pancho, nor down to Punta Mita, both of which I'd like to visit b/c of their surf breaks. Did you already book the place for sure? It looks cute online. People on tripadvisor seem to like San Pancho and say it is quieter and less built up than Sayulita, so that is probably a good thing. I mean, I wouldn't call Sayulita built up - can you be built up without more than a couple paved roads? But it doesn't feel that private and it is nice to have more privacy during your actual wedding. We met a American guy while eating at a cafe who bought a place in Sayulita (he tore it down and rebuilt it to code for safety), and also bought land in San Pancho. He's probably in his 50s and he's divorced, so he says he spends his winters in Sayulita as more tourist and people are coming through and it is lively and easier to meet people. But he eventually plans to build in San Pancho when Sayulita gets too built up, and according to him, Sayulita has already changed a ton over the past 5 years. So I think you're probably at a good spot. I'm guessing it could be slightly cleaner water in San Pancho too? TOTAL guess though. Maybe less boats going through and that sort of thing. Other nice spot I read about was Playa Escondida, south of Haramara, also a semi-private beach (in that not so many other people around). It doesn't have air conditioning, but has a pool, and lots of different lodging options (bungalows, etc.). A middle-aged couple staying at Haramara walked over there for lunch and said the grounds are beautiful. Otherwise, lots of villa rentals in the hills of Sayulita, with views in the hills. I saw a bunch on sayulitalife.com. Also many in Punta Mita, which is a fancier area, but maybe less "authentic" Mexico. We'll probably rent one in one of those places with friends sometime in the future, but I think there may be extra big ones for weddings? That is, if you didn't already settle on Bungalows Lydia, which again, looks very sweet and directly on the beach, which is a plus for sure. I'd probably recommend figuring out how to get transportation to Sayulita for your guests - taxi costs, or maybe rent a few cars for the wedding and take a few trips - in case people want to go to Sayulita to take surf lessons (so many beginners taking lessons there, and I hear it is a better beginner break than San Pancho), or if they want to shop a little perhaps, but really, there isn't THAT much to Sayulita - you can probably walk around it in a morning. Some good restaurants though, if you run out of restaurants in your area. Maybe check it out and compare during your visit in January? And let me know how it goes - I'd love to hear about San Pancho. I wonder what the vibe is like there. Sorry, rambling, but I guess I am really not much help! Are you honeymooning in the area as well?

Wow, all of you came out of the woodwork after my wedding - but all those places on the original posting were on my radar - Eurostars, Esencia, and Maroma rooms were just too pricey for my guests. I want to go back and stay at all of them though!!! I did visit Ana y Jose (both the beach club and the hotel) too - but Jackie missed our meeting after we trekked all the way down there, and that didn't bode well with me. IF I had visited it before Al Cielo, I might have forgiven her and gone for it, but I had already fallen in love with Al Cielo, and even though I loved the beach beds that could make the lounge atmosphere perfect at night (I worked with what I could and rented lounge furniture for Al Cielo). And I was worried about having to plan on everyone meeting up all the time if they stayed at different places on the beach (Ana y Jose's rooms were kinda pricey for what you get) - but in retrospect, it would have been a cool adventur and probably a more authentic vacation experience, if your family and friends are up for it. Tulum is rustic, but that is refreshing after the rest of Riviera Maya. My mom and I had visited that area, and we still talk about having a family vacation down there. ANYHOW Re: Al Cielo I'm going to apologize b/c the attempt to make a package and Donaji's raise for $1000 to $1500 is probably my fault haha. I used 6 months of Donaji's time, exchanged endless emails about choices of flowers, lighting, music, various rentals, etc. - when I didn't like the options in the base pkg, she went out and found new options more to my liking. Even though I ended up using an outside florist, transportation, photographer, and videographer, I rented a lot of different things and hired all the musicians/dj through Donaji after she came back to me with numerous choices, b/c I was so picky . Also, re: the package - I ended up paying a lot more than that just with a la carte for the extra stuff I rented (I had a smaller base package), so maybe they were trying to help? Who knows. Food and drink are pricey, but the bar flowed liberally, and the guests loved to food and wine, and all the other details were perfect (esp. the music and setting). And Donaji is amazing - so sweet, involved, never made me feel crazy, always tried to help.

Sayulita: Just wanted to post and let you folks know that my husband and I went for a brief 3 night trip down to Sayulita, 40 minutes north of PVR, a few wknds ago, just in case any of you are considering a wedding or vacation there. After 2 1/2 days, I'm certainly no expert, but at least I've been to the place now. I had been considering the little authentic Mexican surf-town of Sayulita for my wedding since my hubby and I surf, until someone on tripadvisor, who loved Sayulita, convinced me that the Riviera Maya area would be more picturesque and appropriate for a wedding - and then of course I fell in love with Al Cielo, where I got married. After finally visiting Sayulita, I can see where the gal was coming from and I think I personally made the right choice. Although my guests probably would have loved the authenticity of it, it was a little grungy once you walk off the main beach - many streets were dusty dirty roads with dog poop and streams of water running through it - some of my guests wouldn't have been able to handle that, and the water, although amazing bath temperature, was just about as clear as the ocean here in LA, and seemed just about as clean (ha). HOWEVER, it was a really cute authentic town - on the wknd (compared to Monday), there were plenty of Mexicans enjoying the beach in addition to the tourists. Colorful restaurants, surf shacks, and cheap hotels lined the beach. My husband and I were already planning a future trip where we'd bring friends along and rent a private villa in the hills as we sat and ate yummy fish tacos during a break from surfing our first full day there. Weddings: While I was there, there were 2 weddings going on. How do I know this? Well, we wanted to stay at Villa Amor, but it was booked up for a wedding #1. Then, on the way down from LAX, I sat next to a cool DJ who was DJing a wedding in Sayulita, not at Villa Amor, that wknd as well. He was actually bumped from his original flight and all stressed out, but the wedding wasn't until the next day, so I assume all was ok. I got his card in case anyone is interested - he claims he plays what the couple wants, but that he perfers non-cheesy music and has done a lot of big Hollywood events. Villa Amor: Villa Amor looked like it is very pretty. We didn't go inside, but since we were staying outside of town, we had to walk through the area that is in front of the property to get to the main beach of Sayulita, and it was very well taken care of compared with the rest of the beach front area. I have a few photos I can post if anyone is interested. Haramara: We stayed at this very interesting place about a 15-20 minute hike south from the main beach of Sayulita, through the jungle and across a dramatic empty beach cove (cleaner water than Sayulita's, very swimmable, and often had it to ourselves) - and across some boulders. The place is called Haramara Retreat, and it is really mainly a yoga retreat, so we were total outsiders since we were the only guests there not on a yoga retreat. I just fell for the rustic-elegant open air cabanas with ocean views from the bed and shower, oil lamps instead of electricity, and I wanted to try something different. My husband called it upscale camping, but he grudgingly hiked up to the dining area, slipped of his shoes to adhere to the no-shoes policy, and ate the healthy, local produce based vegetarian food we were served as part of the rate. There are a bunch of cabanas, so perhaps if you wanted something REALLY different (and rustic) for your wedding, and you were having a small wedding, you could rent out the entire retreat. Their beach is very dramatic (you can hear the waves crashing from bed), and would make a scenic location, and the open-air dining area could be good for a reception. Not sure how they'd feel about it though, just throwing it out there. Haven't written my tripadvisor review yet, b/c I have to actually create an entry for the place, but will soon.

ErikDaGenErik - are you going to FP right after your wedding, out of curiosity? Was considering that time of year for a trip if I can convince my husband to take another one...(anniversary)

thanks Alyssa - btw, just read your Kona Village review - that's on my list for someday...

Alyssa, I pm'd you if you have a chance... Lori, report back on Palmilla - I was looking into the place for a long wknd, before deciding on Haramara in Sayulita - but we'll probably go to Cabo at some point in the future (maybe in summer to take advantage of specials) and would love to hear your opinion!

Ok, almost 6 months after my wedding, I am finally booking our honeymoon. Lots of fights about where we were going. Good way to start a marriage . We compromised a bunch. Taking a 3 night belated mini-moon to Sayulita in a couple wknds, staying at Haramara retreat (we don't do yoga, but it looked neat). Plan to surf and relax and check out the town. Going to Costa Rica in January for real belated honeymoon. 6 nights in Mal Pais and Santa Teresa area - either 3 nights at Casa Chameleon ultra villa + 3 nights somewhere on the beach (Red Palm Villas unless someone can suggest somewhere cheaper yet still honeymoon worthy) OR cut it down to 5 nights, and stay at Florblanca Spending our time surfing. And then an overnight river rafting trip staying in a river view bungalow at the Pacuare Jungle Lodge (surrounded by 2 nights in San Jose, suggestions welcome for cheap but nice spot). Spending too much for Costa Rica I guess, but it is our honeymoon. Compromise was that A) we'd go to French Polynesia (one of my choices) on a babymoon if I'm ever so lucky, since it doesn't require being active, or that we'd go to Bali or somewhere more exotic once we have enough frequent flyer miles for biz class, if I'm not so lucky in the near future w/all that. Will report back on the 1st 2 trips. Any immediate recs regarding Costa Rica before I book tonight and send wire payments tomorrow are absolutely welcome!

My aunt and uncle used them for a trip to Turkey and LOVED them. They are now trying to decide on Peru vs. Brazil for another tour with them. They said the group was really interesting with a range of ages from 30 - their age (early 60s), and all intelligent, active folks. They were referred by friends also loyal to SmarTours. But I haven't been on any personally so who knows, can't really tell you from personal experience. I'm jealous you're going to SE Asia - that is where I wanted to go (or Indo), but we're saving up miles for biz class still.

I stayed for 1 night at Anse Chastenet. I was traveling with a girlfriend and we were staying at a resort up in Rodney Bay, and we had driven down to see the beach there and do jungle biking. Well, the (gorgeous) drive was so long and exhausting due to all the cliffside turns, and the beach was so much nicer than at our hote, that we decided to ask if there were rooms available for that night, so that we could spend a little more time there. So while we had already paid for our other hotel, and all our stuff was there, we splurged and stayed a night at Anse Chastenet. I didn't have a contact case or solution with me and the resort managed to find one for me to use, an extra of some guest. The room was SO beautiful - all wood and mosquito net and huge and romantic - we joked that we should come back on our honeymoons to enjoy it properly. I would go back, but it is pretty far from LA and I like trying out new places. But it is probably the most romantic place I've ever been. Pretty sad considering it wasn't with a significant other .

I ended up having my cousin's husband marry us in a symbolic Jewish ceremony. My husband isn't Jewish anyhow, and I'm sure I could have probably found a rabbi in CA to marry us since we're planning on raising our kids as Jewish, but since I didn't actually have a rabbi I am personally close to (I seem to try different services every year on the high holidays, and that is about it), I felt that I'd prefer to have someone who could conduct a more meaningful ceremony. We still did the blessing over wine, chuppah explanation, shmah, reading of the ketubah, a version of the 7 blessings (my friend wrote a 7 blessing like poem), and the breaking of the glass. We also got officially married in LA by a friend of the family (a judge). Both the judge and the cousin's husband are Jewish, fi that counts for anything. I think someone mention that the rabbi in Cancun is orthodox, but that there is a cantor who officiates weddings in the area. Otherwise, maybe fly one in?

Colleen27 - Just so you aren't disappointed, GSP and GRP are not IN Playa del Carmen - they are about a 15 minute taxi or shuttle ride away, as far as I remember. You can take the shuttle one way and a cab back, or vice versa. When I was there, there shuttle ran 2x a day. Others: I'd like to stress that the beach location is probably the best location for a reception. Otherwise, if you can book one of the upstairs restaurants or Platinum restaurants (if you have a bigger wedding), that might be ok b/c at least there are lots of windows. Although I didn't have my wedding there, I did have my rehearsal dinner at the GRP, and I felt that for my rehearsal dinner, the room we booked reminded me of a convention center room - not what you come to Mexico for, you know? The only reason I'd see for moving the wedding indoors is if you don't like wind - as it can get windy on the beach. I saw one wedding reception on the beach while I was there (hard to miss it when you're in the Platinum rooms), and it seemed like a better choice. Also, MAKE SURE the bar is in the same room as the event (not a problem on the beach, as the bar is the beach bar). They didn't have it in the room with us, and the service was so slow that nobody had more than 1 or maybe 2 drinks max. Stress this in advance. Menu notes: The pumpkin soup is good. The chocolate mousse is gross. I'd love to hear reports as to whether Damarys and the staff's overall service has improved over time. Other tips: -Bring your own makeup. -If you get your hair done, get it by the woman who starts with an A (in my review, blanking at the moment), and bring photos. -Do a hair and makeup trial. -Leave enough time to redo it if you don't like it. -If you want your group to meet up, plan places and times before you go down. Even in terms of pools and beach - say which pool you'll be at when, or what side of the beach you'll be at after you get off the walkway, etc. - or else you'll waste a lot of time trying to spend time with everyone. The place is ridiculously big and I was running around trying to find people and spend time with everyone, and they were all over the place. -Eat at the Platinum (near the beach) buffets for breakfast and lunch - the food is way better, and at least when I was there, there were no restrictions on this (I was Platinum, but some family/friends weren't). -Drinks at the Sunset Platinum pool were the best of any bar at the resorts. -Having people meet up in the courtyard for drinks is an easy way to hang out with everyone for free. -The Sunset side rooms are quieter than the Riviera, I believe.

I almost got mine at 23rd street b/c I saw that similar design there - but a) they had a 6 month wait and we wanted our "official" engagement to be earlier than that, and they were rude to me when I explained what modifications I wanted, saying they wouldn't do them. So I took my original photos to Peter Norman in Brentwood and he was amazingly enthusiastic and wonderful. But I love 23rd Street's jewelry! Yeah, the Wholefoods is insane. But good for the area for sure! Hope to see/meet you, Sarah

That is crazy! Did you get your dress on Montana? And re: ring - you obviously have good taste - we printed out photos of an antique ring and brought them to a good jeweler to use as a guide. Ceiba del Mar looks gorgeous online - nice choice - esp. since u can probably have your guests stay there, which is more convenient. Why didn't I choose it I'm just east of Lincoln on Indiana - not quite as hip an area, but you can't be too picky in SoCal - I figure as long as I'm near enough to run to/on the beach, I should be happy. Well, I guess you know what I look like from the photos - if you see me in the neighborhood, be sure to say hi (I'm probably easy to pick out when w/my hubby who is ridiculously tall).

Hey TTla - I live in Venice too! Crazy! Where abouts are you (if we're allowed to ask?) Unfortunately I can't remember the DJ's name! I can try asking Donaji but she might be reluctant to share if you're not having the wedding at Al Cielo? I still owe her some photos though . He played a wide variety. During the cocktail hour and during the jazz band's breaks, it was sort of lounge music the way you would have at an outdoor hipster lounge bar type place. Like when world music is remixed into electronica/lounge music? You know that trend? Like KCRWish. Then during dancing he played a mix from poppy songs (Madonna) to hip hop to a little dance to funk, to old songs everyone knows - but I think what kept it going was that he'd play the beginning and best parts of the songs, and then fade it into some other song that worked well in the crossover, so that you never get sick of a song. And perhaps he could figure out if the song wasn't going over well? And there were definitely a lot of songs people knew, but probably the cheesiest one was the Madonna one (Like a Virgin), and he didn't really play the annoying cheesy songs like We are Family or Celebration, thankfully (I think I made a do not play list that he adhered to). Also, my friends and famly love to dance, which certainly helped. He also played the tracks on cds I gave him (for Jewish and Greek circle dancing, and for my first dance song).

Funny that you're looking to fly up here, and I'm looking to fly down there (Fiji or Bali). Have you been to either?

Tammy, I edited my original post (which somehow submitted before I finished typing, oops!) - questions are in there. Basically, I'm supposed to incorporate surfing into at least a few days of our honeymoon, and if we can't find that in FP, then we're going to start our honeymoon in HI. We're more of intermediate longboarders (he is intermediate, I'm advanced beginner) who go out to point breaks here in SoCal mostly. I really wanted somewhere new and HI is not new for me, and I didn't want that large resort type feel that you get in HI - I wanted bungalows and beautiful water. But FP prices are freaking me out. Oh, one more question in addition to my first posts' questions - did you explore on your own at all or are you tied to these group tours? And did you get bored at all? And T.O. Heather, I'm afraid of the cost too ha ha, it is really a turn off actually - so so freaking pricey compared to similarly nice lodgings further away (sadly further away), and I'm almost ready to give up, but I want some exotic locale and lodging for my honeymoon and am trying to figure out how to make it work!