MelanieS

Are the 50 people confirmed, or are they just saying, "Sure, I'll go to your DW!" You'll find that alot of people say they are coming, but do not follow through on it. Did you send out invites to these 50, or are they just telling you they're coming? If you had your heart set on a beach weddng, then nothing else will do but a beach wedding! Follow through on what your heart tells you to do. I think every girl here on the forum would say a DW was worth the effort, stress, and planning. I doubt any of them wished they'd had their wedding at home rather than a DW.

Amid all the hemming and hawing over American, United, and now US Airways charging extra fees for all checked baggage ($15 for the first, $25 for the second), some of you may have missed the fact that these fees do not apply to everyone. Some passengers—in particular, travelers going overseas, elite-level frequent flyers, and early bookers—can get by without having to pay for their first and second checked bags. You're exempt from the new checked baggage fees if you fall into one or more of the following categories: You purchased your ticket far enough in advance: Good for you early birds! You got lower fares than the rest of us and you're getting away without having to pay checked baggage fees. American flyers who booked travel prior to June 14 don't have to pay for a first checked bag and those who booked before May 12 don't have to pay for a second checked bag. United passengers who made reservations before June 13 can check one bag free and those who booked on February 3 or earlier can bring two bags free. On US Airways, you still have until July 9 to book to get one checked bag free. If you purchased a ticket prior to February 26, you can also bring a second checked bag for no extra charge. You're traveling before the date the airlines start collecting the new fees Second-checked-bag fees on all three airlines have already been implemented, as have first-checked-bag fees on American. However, you'll escape paying for your first checked bag if you fly on United before August 18 or on US Airways before July 9. You're flying internationally* *Well, sort of. None of the airlines count Canada as an international destination, and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, being American territories, don't count either. And stingy US Airways will charge you checked-bag fees for travel basically everywhere it flies (including all Caribbean and Latin America flights) except Europe. You purchased a business- or first-class seat Shelled out for a business- or first-class ticket? Congrats, your exorbitantly priced seat entitles you to free checked baggage service. American even lets full-fare economy passengers slip by without paying extra. You're an elite member of the airline's or alliance's frequent flyer program Airline loyalty may not give you the types of rewards you reaped in the past, but at least nowadays it saves you from some of the punishment being wrought on economy flyers. If you're an elite-level member of American's, United's, or US Airways' frequent flyer program, you're exempt from extra baggage fees on that airline. Each airline also exempts flyers with elite-level membership in its global alliance program. Specifically, you don't have to pay extra baggage fees on American if you're an AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum, or Gold member, or a oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire, or Ruby member; on United if you're a Global Services, Mileage Plus 1K, Premier Executive, Premier, or Premier Associate member, or a Star Alliance Gold or Silver member; and on US Airways if you're a Dividend Miles Preferred Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Chairman's Preferred member, or a Star Alliance Gold or Silver member. You're booked on the same reservation as airline elite or alliance elite members It pays to have friends in high places, or at least in the upper echelon of a frequent flyer program. If your ticket was booked on the same reservation as someone who's an elite member of an airline's or airline's alliance's frequent flyer program, you're exempt. United specifically limits this benefit to eight other passengers per reservation. You booked a business- or first-class award seat Actually able to book a first- or business-class award seat? No extra baggage fees for you. Notably, American also exempts those who book AAnytime Economy Class awards. Neither United nor US Airways exempts passengers booked on any economy-class award seats. You get a business- or first-class upgrade that's confirmed prior to check-in All three airlines exempt fees for those with business- or first-class upgrades confirmed before check-in. However, if you can talk your way into an upgrade or somehow get bumped up to the front of the plane at or after check-in, you do not qualify. You're flying on codeshare flights operated by other airlines If all or at least the first leg of your flight is on an American, United, or US Airways codeshare that is operated by another carrier, you're exempt—unless of course you're doing a US Airways codeshare flight on United or vice versa. But at least you don't have to pay double fees on those flights. You're active-duty military traveling on orders Reporting for duty? You're in luck! Members of the military with proper ID and orders are exempt from the new baggage fees on all three airlines. American extends this exemption to all active-duty military and anyone traveling on a military or government fare. You're mobility impaired or are traveling with kids Disabled? All three airlines exempt wheelchairs and other personal-assistance devices. Bringing baby along? Ditto for car seats and strollers checked by passengers traveling with a child. Other exemptions You're exempt from American's new-baggage fees if you're traveling on an AAirpass. Unaccompanied minors traveling on US Airways don't have to pay for first or second checked bags either. Read the full details and exemption rules of the new checked-baggage policies on the American, United, and US Airways websites. This list will be updated if rules change, or if (gulp) more airlines start charging for first checked bags.

I voted for #3, because in a very, very short time #1 and 2 won't look shiny anymore - it doesn't take very much wear to scratch them.

Ashley! Have fun planning your EDR wedding.

Quote: Originally Posted by Yvette if it wasn't for the last minute i wouldn't get anything done! lol Amen, sister, well said! Erin, best of luck with your planning. You'd be amazed what you'll find here on the forum and how much you can get done in a short amount of time.

Welcome, Nicole! Try viewing this thread: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...513#post427854 Also do a search for El Dorado Royale and you will find tons of info. Good luck with the planning.

My daughter used the minister that EDR provided, and by the way, she did a terrific job. I highly recommend her! Anyway, we did not tip her beforehand in the flurry of activity and afterwards she was gone so quickly we didn't even get to thank her.

We're sending you our best wishes for the wedding of your dreams. You have worked so hard to make it a special day for you and Mike, and also for your guests. Enjoy every minute and make lots of wonderful memories!

Beautiful pics! Loved your dress and flowers. Which gazebo did you use?

Welcome! A lot of the resorts have their own wedding coordinators. There are several great travel agents here on the forum; I'd suggest contacting one of them to help you.

Yay, Shannon! I was so glad to see this thread with your pics. You were truly a beautiful bride on your wedding day, and you and Vince looked so happy. So glad we got to be there and see it in person.

My daughter got married in May and we had her AHR 2 weeks later. (There were 18 who actually traveled to Mexico with us.) We were glad to have the full two weeks as she had to have her dress and his suit cleaned. She didn't do a TTD, but just wearing it in the sand, eating, dancing, etc. in it for 7 hours - there were definitely spots that needed cleaned. 300 people attended the AHR, which consisted of lots of food, playing a video of the wedding and also a CD of all the pro pictures set to music, and lots of visiting. Amazingly, some people declined to attend because they said it wasn't the "real" wedding, just the reception. Others loved it because they got to feel a part of the festivities and see them in their wedding attire, and see the video.

Welcome Kim and congratulations on your engagement. We had one of our best vacations in PR, but stayed on the east side near Fajardo. We did a great sailboat trip, went to the bioluminescent bay, hiked at El Yunque. Fun times! I still have the captain's name if you would like it. Have fun planning your big day.

Those look terrific. I love the different logos on each page and the CD is a great addition that your guests will love.

Have fun with all the terrific ideas you'll find here to make your wedding special.

Quote: Originally Posted by Kat81 I know you didn't go without posting pictures... did I miss the thread?! We didn't post any of the AHR, but Mandy did post some of her DW pro pics here: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t22537

I'll be sure and post any special airline deals I find here. Where in Missouri do you live? We are in Springfield.

So glad Nibblets got to join in all the festivities of the big day. He looks pretty excited in all the pictures.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreamgirl08 wow, so sorry to hear of your experience with Lomas. "Rough" Water as in strong waves you mean? When was this by the way? Also, did your guests book the trip on their own, or was this an activity that you had set-up for everyone? Yes, extremely high waves. It was on May 21. This was a trip that we had booked for all the guys. A couple from our group booked the Tulum/Xel-ha trip through Lomas. They had a good experience on that one. It's easy to book once you arrive at the resort. It's the same price as online.

Maura, you will love this. Mandy's AHR was last Friday night and TODAY (one week later) I got a call from someone saying they were sorry they couldn't make it. Thanks, people, for the heads up and stating the obvious!

Quote: Originally Posted by Maura LOL! i think i just peed myself a little!!!!! i am on deadline and supposed to be doing real work, and im sure my coworkers cant imagine why the F i am laughing over here! Maura, big girl moderators can't be peeing their pants. Congratulations!

Congrats, Morgan & Mike! I didn't see Nibblets in any of the photos....

Our guys took a deep-sea fishing trip booked through Lomas Travel. BIG MISTAKE. They took them out and the water was so rough no one could even stand up without falling. All the guys had taken dramamine before they left as a precaution - every one of them got sick. The trip was supposed to be 4 hours, but after 2 hours the captain said they probably wouldn't have any luck fishing and since everyone was sick, did they want to just go back? Of course the answer was yes. When we inquired about a refund they were told that WE should have made the call on whether the seas were too rough before we went out (who is the expert here?). The marina was closed the next day due to high waves. We initially had looked into booking through Captain Rick out of Puerto Adventuras (45 minutes south) or PuertoMorelosfishing.com. We so wish we had gone with one of the others. Both of them were great about getting right back to me answering any questions I had, plus both were much cheaper than with Lomas. It was a miserable, costly lesson.

Congratulations on a beautiful wedding! You look so very happy.

My husband and I did the diet in the 80's - I think it was called the Dolly Parton diet. Anyway, we would lose quite a bit of weight on it, but did get tired of the cabbage soup. It's alot more fun to do with your partner. Good luck!