lyrebard

Something else to consider (you know, for those of you who haven't yet bought boxes!) are pillow mailers -- I think they're a bit lighter than boxes seem to cost less to ship. For a nice example, see skywriter invitations' "sandpiper" invite (link here). I was told that these tend to cost only about $0.80 to send. Just thought I'd throw the idea out there. =)

Just to revisit the topic: Has anyone come up with any more information on this? I really like the idea of using sea stars for our invitations and table assignments, but only if they're harvested ethically. And for the life of me, I can't find any good info on how they're collected! Else, if I wanted to go REALLY DIY, I was considering just buying a few real finger starfish and using them to create a mold. Then, using that mold to cast a bunch of "faux" plaster starfish. What do you all think? -L

This seems close to what you're looking for, maybe? (Stumbled across it during my own cymbidium bouquet search!) http://www.flowerbar.com.au/images/wp/w032.jpg And a reverse version of that (pink stargazer lilies and white orchids): http://www.flowerbar.com.au/images/wp/w030.jpg

Have any of you used a travel agent just for flight/shuttle arrangements? We're staying at a small hotel that doesn't work with TAs, and I'm worried that just doing flights would be a waste of a travel agent's time...

I was just struggling with this too. What about those guests who have rented cars and will be driving? We're going to hire transportation to and from the ceremony site (which will be about a 15-minute drive from the hotel), but know that many of our friends will likely want to take their rental cars. I originally thought we didn't need maps, but am beginning to think otherwise. But then next question: Should I put it in the invite, or include that kind of info (schedule for the time we're there, map, etc.) in the OOT bag?? Too many possibilities!!!

Thanks for the ideas. I've always especially liked the idea of involving the boy in it, as it IS his family after all. =) And perhaps if I'm careful about how I suggest it, as just a small lunch celebration with his family, they'll be able to see it as a slightly-evolved version of their tradition? *fingers crossed*

Not just Target: J.Crew and Ann Taylor sell off-the-rack dresses, too.

Hi everyone, I have a potential problem that I'd like to solve before it's too late. I love my future in-laws, and really feel like their family is my family. But I don't necessarily love some of their traditions. My partner's sisters were the kinds of kids who grew up envisioning their weddings and bridal showers and bachelorette parties. I, on the other hand, was not. But both of his sisters were recently married, and went through the whole shower-throwing circuit. Now, his mom and sisters would like to throw me one. There's only one problem: I don't want one!!! I just don't like the attention (I hate everyone looking at me!), and we just don't need any presents. We already have a house full of stuff. And another storage locker in another state full of yet-another houseful of stuff: furniture, dishes, glasses, you name it! The last thing we need is any more stuff, so we're not asking for any gifts: shower, wedding, or otherwise. I understand that the tradition of throwing a bridal shower is important to them. I think it's incredibly sweet that they want to do it. And yes, it would be very easy to ask that attendees donate to a cause rather than buying gifts. But here's my other issue: I know that they don't really have the money to throw this shower. They went into debt paying for their other two daughters' weddings, and the least we can do is finance this one on our own. (Which is precisely what we're doing!) I tried using the "all we want for presents is everyone's presence in Mexico" line. Didn't work. Now I don't know how else to convince them that we don't want this without saying that we don't want them to pay for anything. Any advice? -L

Nope, seersucker has little bitty wrinkles woven into the fabric, in alternating stripes, which means that it barely shows creases at all. While I think it takes a certain kind of guy to pull of seersucker well, I LOVE the way it looks. And it's perfect for a wedding at the beach, as it's lightweight and oh-so-summery.

We actually stayed at some of the more off-beat places. A couple spots in Akumal, one in Playa, one in Tulum. But we also weren't looking for all-inclusives (too pricey for many of our friends, and we don't tend to drink enough to justify the price!), so my particular experience may not be as applicable. Of course, if you decide "on some little place in Tulum," I would HIGHLY recommend you check out Ana y Jose. We fell in love with it, and if our wedding was just a bit smaller and our guests had just a bit more disposable income (and fewer children, as the beach there is rather rough), we would have booked with them without a second thought. I also was looking into Isla Mujeres, but that would have meant an even crazier tour of the area in the same limited time frame. Feel free to PM me if there's anything you think I can help with! -L

I did a whirlwind tour similar to yours (different places, but similar in number and running up and down highway 307). It was busy, yes, but we managed to get a really good idea of all the places. Stayed at the ones we were most interested in, and I will say that -- while not relaxing -- it really helped us get a good idea for the places. Just entering a bedroom in one of them told us it wasn't anywhere we wanted to be...and spending time with people working in another place made plopping down our suitcases just feel like home. We did it in 5 days, four nights. I will say that your day three seems pretty crowded and might benefit from stretching it out into one more day, if you can afford it. If not, well, I think you'll do just fine. =) Good luck!

whoops, double post. sorry!

Another option is Microsoft Live. While I'm not the biggest fan of MS, they let you create and register a site name, use a very simple interface for website creation, and have a number of pre-loaded images, color themes, fonts, etc. that you can use. (I started out using it, but realized that my needs exceeded what they were able to do for me, especially since I was hoping to use the same domain name for my professional site when all wedding stuff is behind us. But for a wedding-only site, it should work quite well.) Best of all: It's free. Totally, completely free.

Quote: Originally Posted by scharke I have a video clip of the Balance Band on my Vimeo site. They do all styles of reception music including lots of salsa and latin flavored dance music. They are top notch. Kind of a large group though. The Balance Band at Xcaret on Vimeo Hey, thanks! They sounds really great...bit big, but certainly worth checking out.

One of the problems with the least expensive ones I found on eBay and other sites is that they either have to be laminated or are self-laminating. And I thought it might be nice if people could really use them as luggage tags, writing in their names and addresses. If I got the laminating kind, then I'd have to seal them up before sending. Or maybe you found a good eBay link I missed?? I hope, I hope?? If it's a store, would you be willing to share the link? (Or even PM me?) I'm still thinking, too. =)

Quote: Originally Posted by Betsy I might make my own though - I really want a starfish on it! So....searching for some DIY ideas. Shouldn't be too hard. (famous last words) I was thinking of doing the same thing... Have already made cards to send out, but thought of sending luggage tags along with them would be really fun. I was considering ordering business-card sized ones, and that way we could order business cards printed with our own, uploaded design (including lines for address info, etc.). That way, you can just slip the "business card" into the luggage tag, and people could actually use them as real luggage tags. Maybe: Molded luggage tags

Just wondering if anyone has found a good band that they like... Just getting started on this one, but the on-site coordinator said that although she can recommend a few different groups (guitar solo, trio, even a band) that none of them have demos for us to listen to. As I'm a bit of a music geek, I'd be more comfortable hearing a sample of the groups music before we hire them. I think we're looking for a small group that can do salsa, merengue, and other local styles (just not mariachi!). Any suggestions? Thanks!

nice! hmm....if i go for a white dress (which i'm still not convinced of yet!), it's exactly the kind of thing i'd want: light, simple, classy. who's the designer?

Hi Savannah, I am SO sorry to hear about this, and sorry that they gave you the run-around for so long. I just wrote up a bit about ABR on another thread (one you had posted on), but wanted to know whether you were fixed on an all-inclusive? If not, you might try Hotel Akumal Caribe. I can give you more details, if you're interested. -L

Hi Savannah, We actually stayed at ABR, as it was one of the places I was very interested in. Honestly? I loved the idea but was unimpressed by the reality. I think that the place would really be wonderful if they invested a little time and energy in the details, but the rooms alone were enough to push us away. The room they put us in--and they knew that I was there as a potential wedding customer--reeked of mildew (and this was a "superior" room). I don't consider myself all that picky about things like that, but it was so bad and the bedding was so steeped in the smell that I could hardly sleep. There were other unappealing details, but the following encapsulates everything I disliked about ABR: they use the same arch for each wedding, and the flowers were plastic. You could get a florist or someone else to do it, but if you invite any outside vendors (photographer, florist, etc), they charge you $100 per vendor. Their beach, however, was GORGEOUS. Really beautiful. I can tell you about other places in Akumal, if you're interested. The town itself is absolutely lovely. best, -L

Quote: Originally Posted by Mrs.B 2008 i really LOVE it! is it being sent in an envelope or as a postcard? In envelopes. Since there's no postage benefit anymore in sending as a postcard, and since we're trying to think of something fun to enclose with them, envelopes seemed to make sense. But now I'm stuck on what to enclose. Had been thinking of luggage tags, but even the least expensive are a bit pricey for save the dates...and was considering little packets of eco-friendly, biodegradable sunscreen (since many of the lagoons require that type so as not to kill the reefs), but we're worried they might pop in transit. Anyone have other ideas

ack! I forgot to blank out our website. It's still totally under construction. *blushes in embarrassment* Don't judge it too harshly. Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan In 08 the solstice is actually on the 20th. I was a little dissapointed to learn that. Must be due to leap year because it happens every 4 years. But people still think of June 21st as the solstice so I'd just leave it as it is. That's so interesting...a number of date sites put the solstice at June 21, 2008 @ 00:00 or just a few minutes earlier. In other words, it's weirdly right around midnight. However, looking at sunrise/sunset times in Cancun (nearest city with prediction times), the 21st is still the longest day of the year. Therefore, I think we both picked the right date! Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

This is what we've done...we live in NYC, so thought that the double sunset pics worked. First pic is of a bridge near our house, second pic is from a trip to the RM last year. We're going pretty casual and didn't want the text to sound overly formal. Did we succeed? =) postcard2.pdf

Has anyone thought about good ways to inform your guests before they go...you know, ways that don't scare them off and prevent them from booking the trip at all? (We have a couple of nervous Nellies/Neils in our group!)

Quote: Originally Posted by BillysBride We are working with the WC right now trying to figure that out. We may just end up doing everything on site. As it is, we are thinking of doing a full welcome dinner, and then just cake, champagne and appetizers after the ceremony...like a cocktail hour. If I'm not being too nosey, what site did you decide on? Was just in Tulum, so now I'm quite curious!