Helen_S81

Congratulations Abbie & Doug! All the best!

Congratulations! Welcome to the world Mia Lilly. She is beautiful!

Congratulations Maura & Jose! I hope the weather cooperates for you. All the best!

Congratulations Abbie & Doug! All the best!

My thoughts are with you and your family today.

This is not the best picture but one of the few I could find where you can actually see the shoes. The bride told the bridesmaids to wear any silver shoe/sandal.

Everything looks wonderful! Relax and enjoy your wedding(s)! Can't wait to hear all about it. Good Luck!

I have some of the 'Higher Power" ones that come up to just under my bra, but there is no way I could imagine trying to wear them in Mexico, or anywhere else hot for that matter! My daughters have them too but opted not to wear them under the bridesmaid or bridal gown in Mexico. It was just too hot!

No one bought along any big gifts for my daughter and her husband, but she got quite a few cards at the reception which she asked me to put in my bag. The next morning I realised that there was probably money in some of them so I put the whole lot in the safe in my room. I was right in one card alone there was $500 in cash!

Quote: Originally Posted by EDYTA I'm all bout the organic produce...my parents have a all organic, vegetarian, vegan restaurant in downtown toronto for 16 years now so if you got any questions I'd love to answer them Would you share the name of the restaurant? My family would love to try it out some time.

Oh my goodness! What drama! Is the priest who had the heart attack ok? Congratulations and all the best!

Quote: Originally Posted by Aaron and Lisa Thanks Helen! Where did you fly out of? That sounds a little high. I've been pricing flights and the flights we'd need (from Los Angeles and Detroit) were around $400-450 Toronto to Puerto Vallarta, and the price included air fare, all inclusive accomodations, transfers, and taxes for one week. I thought it was a pretty good price.

The rate was $1380 CDN (including taxes) per person, 1 week, two people per room, standard room. We used a travel agent and were booked with Sunquest. A couple of us paid for an upgrade to a junior suite which I believe was an extra $80 per person. The bride & groom paid for an upgrade, not sure what they upgraded to though. On arrival all of us on the package from Toronto were put in junior suites, an upgrade for most people. The bride & groom got an amazing suite that I think was an upgrade from what they had paid for. Wrap around balcony, full ocean view, jacuzzi tub, walk-in closet, huge bathroom with a separate shower and water closet, they were also there for two weeks. There were 27 of us on the same package - Toronto to Puerto Vallarta. All told we had 31 guests for the wedding, 29 staying at the Riu Vallarta. I think we paid a fair price for the package so I think it included a discount. We booked 10 people in September 2007 but the rate was held until March 2008, I believe. As mentioned most guests rooms were upgraded. We all got 4 free drink tickets for the plane. The bride & groom also got a set of luggage (Heys, 6 piece set?). I think that's it?

Thanks for the ebay tip. I'm trying to figure out which one would be best for her. It looks like the Craft Robo is more 'plug & play' than some of the others? And it includes the software needed to use a computer?

Quote: Originally Posted by Lilpaisley I know about the extra software w/ the Cricut...but its biggest drawback for me is that it doesn't have a digital eye. After using the machine to create my DIY for my wedding I want to be able to use the machine in my business to create unique signage and packaging...and that feature will be needed for that. I found a seller on EBay that has new Craft Robos for $249...I'm seriously thinking about that as it's even cheaper than a Cricut Just wondering if you went ahead and bought one of these machines? My daughter wants "something that connects to the computer and cuts stuff" for her birthday so I'm doing research on them now. Which one did you go with and how do you like it?

Quote: Originally Posted by Kerrbear Are the any brides from Canada that have ordered from a US website? I found a dress that i Love on the Bridal Online Store but am a little leary about ordering it...any helpful hints would be appreciated!! Thanks We didn't order any dresses from the US but between us we have ordered numerous items over the past few years from a variety of different places, some via ebay and some directly from websites. I ordered mugs from discountmugs.com, paraols from orientaltrading.com, and had someone from this site send 20 pashminas, etc. etc. Sometimes we get hit with customs & brokerage fees and extra taxes, and sometimes we don't. There is nearly always an extra fee for shipping to Canada. Read the small print on the website very carefully. Hopefully someone else will jump in with some experience of that particular website. I think if a package comes UPS there is nearly always an extra charge, but if its sent USPS you have a better chance of not paying duty (It might be the other way around but hopefully someone else knows).

Welcome to the world Ainsleigh! Congratulations to the new mom and dad

There's one going in at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Not sure about other locations.

Quote: Originally Posted by Maura erica, i called AA and asked about my dress and they said i could have that be my personal item in addition to a carry on piece of luggage. however, i'm considering just putting my dress inside a carry on piece of luggage anyway because the hotel is going to steam out the wrinkles for me anyway. i know it will be safe and i wont worry if it's inside of a suitcase. i remember recently reading from someone else on here (i think it was helen s?) that on their flight to her daughter's wedding, she was not the only bride, and they did not have a closet for her to hang anything. some of the brides dresses had to go in the overhead bins, and luckily hers was in a suitcase so nothing happened to it. i'm really really considering doing this. I probably did mention all that. Honestly it was the easiest way to transport the dress. I saw brides trying to carry their dresses in big dress bags draped over one arm or even held up over their heads trying to keep it flat walking around the airport but as soon as we got on the plane, into the overhead bins they all went. This way I was free to walk around, go into stores, get a drink at the bar, and there was no way the groom, or anyone else could get a peak. I didn't even try and iron the dress. We hung it in our closet spread out as much as possible and it was fine.

I love this show! No favourite yet for me either this season.

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan dad was wonderful. he wanted to apply for a job to sing in the lobby bar so he could stay. he is already planning on coming back next year another 100 pounds lighter. I'm thrilled for the both of you. I really am.

Quote: Originally Posted by SoontobeMrsE That's a good idea Helen ( to have dinner on the lower level) - we planned on having it upstairs! I thought dinner reservations started at 6:45. You could be right about the time. I can't remember

Thanks so much for sharing the pictures. Morgan you looked fabulous! Fierce even I can't wait to find out how her dad made out on his trip.

On my daughter we used one of the sunscreens made for faces, SPF 30, non oily, and we spread it all over her shoulders, back neck, chest, and face, before we put on the makeup. She protested but she didn't burn I think we used the coppertone faces but I will go with Abbies recommendation of the Neutrogena dry touch products. I have some of the faces SPF45 and it is really nice stuff.

Quote: Originally Posted by newprincessbride You are absolutely the greatest. Thank you so much for the review. I was very concerned about the Riu as no one really had been there. Your review has put many of my fears to rest. You all looked amazing. One question Helen, Did you guys eat upstairs at the Flamingo or beachside? Again thanks for all the information you have already shared... You're all welcome for anything I can add to make things easier for any future brides, either to make a decision or ease some nerves. We ate on the lower level of Flamingo's but you can still see the beach, and also the sunset over the mountains. It is open but they have these big shades that they pull down to screen the sun. You get the open air feel, sound of the ocean and the breeze. At the time of the dinner (6:00?) there were not many people left on the beach so we were not disturbed at all.