MelanieS

Excellent info, Maura. This is why BDW is such a great forum - it keeps the brides informed of everything, good or bad.

Morgan looks just like a mermaid! Nice pics.

Here's the thread by jean-marcus with thank yous and table numbers written in the sand: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t18917

Kauai: The Top 25 from Budget Travel 1. Fruit Loopy Every day of the week--except on Sundays--there's a farmer's market happening somewhere on the island (for a schedule, see realkauai.com/FarmersMarkets). Hanalei's is especially sweet, with dreadlocked, barefoot moms buying lychees, mountain apples, and eggfruits in a pretty jungle clearing. Kuhio Hwy. Tuesdays at 2 p.m. 2. Nature's Alarm Clock Legend has it that 1992's Hurricane Iniki freed hundreds of roosters and chickens from their coops. They scattered all over Kauai and started breeding with impunity. Because they don't have any natural predators (Kauai is the only Hawaiian island without mongooses), roosters now roam everywhere, even on the fanciest of golf courses. Regardless of how they managed to get the run of the place, your wake-up call will likely be a feathered friend crowing as soon as the sun rises. 3. Fifty Miles of Sand Kauai claims more than 40 white-sand beaches, so you never need to fight for a spot. Many of the established beaches (Poipu, Kee, Lydgate) have changing rooms, bathrooms, and freshwater showers; remote, secluded bays offer a more rustic experience. Just look for a cluster of cars pulled over on the highway--a beach is probably nearby. For descriptions, directions, and safety information, buy a copy of the Kauai Underground Guide (explorekauai.com, $13). 4. Friday Night Lights Hanapepe is an oasis of sorts: It's the unofficial art capital of the island and, as a highway sign touts, KAUAI'S BIGGEST LITTLE TOWN. It's no metropolis, but an actual main drag is lined with small shops and art galleries in plantation-era wooden storefronts, and they all stay open until 9 p.m. for a Friday Night Art Walk. That's considered very late in these parts. And, notable for the west side of Kauai, there's some excellent vegetarian food at the Hanapepe Café (3830 Hanapepe Rd., 808/335-5011; reservations essential for dinner Fridays, entrées from $16), best followed by ice-cream at the original location of local favorite Lappert's (1-3555 Kaumualii Hwy., 808/ 335-6121, $3.35 for one scoop). 5. Cottage Living In 1983, the Waimea Sugar Mill Company plantation--on the sleepy west side of Kauai--was turned into a resort. Waimea Plantation Cottages, as it's now known, features 54 spacious, tastefully renovated 1930s-era cottages (each with kitchens, grills, and lanais), as well as five hotel-style rooms and two studios. After a morning of scrambling through Waimea Canyon or hiking the nearby Na Pali Coast, the resort's shaded hammocks are the best possible reward. Note: The surf at the hotel's black-sand beach is too rough for swimming. 9400 Kaumualii Hwy., 808/338-1625, waimea-plantation.com, from $140. 6. All the Island's a Stage With scenery like this, it's no wonder that directors favor Kauai when they need a stand-in for an exotic Asian destination or a spooky jungle lair. So many films have been shot here that there's a five-hour minibus tour that points out locations used in South Pacific, Jurassic Park, Honeymoon in Vegas, Blue Hawaii, and other motion pictures. 808/822-1192, hawaiimovietour.com, $101, includes hotel pickup/drop-off and lunch. 7. Five-Star Sundowners Don't blow your nest egg on a $500 room: The Princeville Resort's famous view of crescent-shaped Hanalei Bay (with the emerald Bali Hai coast rising above it) is available for $9--the price of a mai tai at the Living Room, Princeville's indoor/outdoor lobby bar. Brilliant purple-orange sunsets bring out the shutterbugs, so get there early for a seat. Live music starts nightly at 7 p.m. 808/826-9644, princeville.com. 8. Hawaii Untamed Kauai's premier attraction is the 15-mile Na Pali Coast, a dramatic stretch in the island's wild northwest corner. Waimea-based Na Pali Explorer leads a five-hour tour on a 48-foot, hard-bottomed Zodiac that's small enough to maneuver into sea caves and isolated snorkeling spots. Upon reaching Na Pali's westernmost point, you'll be dazzled by cliffs, waterfalls, beaches, and emerald valleys. When the captain declares, "Welcome to my office," you'll cry with envy. 808/338-9999, napali-explorer.com, $125. 9. Mark Twain's Approval The 3,567-foot-deep Waimea Canyon was impressive enough to the well-traveled Twain for him to call it "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Lazy sightseers can pull over at any of the lookouts along Highway 550, but the alternately barren and lush landscape is best explored on the many trails in Kokee State Park. Pick up a map at the Kokee Natural History Museum (on Hwy. 550, just past the 15-mile marker; 808/335-9975, kokee.org, free). If you get an early enough start, drive to the end of the road for a peek into the Kalalau Valley and the Na Pali Coast beyond. Later in the day, however, rain and fog are likely to ruin the IMAX-worthy view. 10. Quicker and Easier Both American and United offer nonstop service to Lihue, eliminating that frustrating transfer in Honolulu. There are daily flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco, which makes getting to paradise that much less of a hassle. 11. Pigging Out To fill up like a local, find a "plate lunch," an only-in-Hawaii experience that matches a hefty portion of protein (maybe teriyaki chicken or barbecue ribs) with two sides (usually giant scoops of rice, potato salad, or macaroni salad), for under $10. The plate lunch at the Koloa Fish Market is a gourmet experience hidden inside a Styrofoam container: roasted kalua pig with sides of ahi poke--raw ahi tuna tossed in soy sauce and spices--and salt-cured lomi salmon salad (5482 Koloa Rd., Koloa, 808/742-6199). In Hanalei, the simply named Mixed Plate serves a kind of hippie-fied version, with brown rice and tofu stir-fries alongside the salty and deep-fried entrées that Hawaiians love 5-5190 Kuhio Hwy., 808/826-7888. 12. Boobies on Parade Red-footed boobies are some of the countless rare seabirds that flock to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge--and if you're lucky, you'll also spot seals and whales. Home to the 1913 Kilauea Point Lighthouse, the refuge is the northernmost spot on the island, as well as the first sight of land for ships sailing in from Asia. End of Kilauea Rd., 808/828-1413, $3. 13. King Kong Browse for minimalist, Asian-style housewares at Kong Lung Co., which describes itself as a "Pacific Rim emporium" (Lighthouse Rd., Kilauea, 808/828-1822). The adjoining boutique, Cake, might be the only place in Kauai where fashionistas can feel truly comfortable (808/828-6412). Just down the road in Hanalei, the Yellowfish Trading Co. sells a mix of vintage beach-inspired furnishings, kitschy exotica, and aloha shirts (Hanalei Center, 808/826-1227). 14. Condomania The south side of the island has plenty of giant resorts and chain hotels, but 65 percent of repeat visitors gravitate toward cottage or condo rentals. A condo is almost a necessity on the North Shore, where it can be difficult to nail down a hotel room for under $200. Regency Pacific Realty is a good place to begin looking; it represents lots of North Shore properties, including condos beginning at $99, and most important, it has a website with up-to-date photos and virtual tours of every rental. 800/826-7782, regencypacificrealty.com. 15. Hello, Mrs. Chips In a dilapidated Hanapepe house, Shizuko Nagamine and her son, Dale, hand-fry taro, sweet-potato, and potato chips to a perfect crisp. Bet you can't eat just one (bag, that is). Taro Ko Chips factory, 3940 Hanapepe Rd., 808/335-5586, $2.50. 16. Summer School Plenty of tourists attempt to live out their Endless Summer fantasies by taking two-hour lessons at easy-going Poipu Beach (Kauai Surf School, 808/651-6032, kauaisurfschool.com; $75, includes surfboard rental). Those who'd rather try windsurfing can opt for three hours with Celeste Harvel, who has 25 years of teaching experience and the tan to prove it. "The most important thing is that you won't embarrass yourself," she says at the beginning of the lesson at the North Shore's Anini Beach, which has a shallow, sandy bottom and a steady wind. Two hours later, the entire class is smoothly skipping across the bay, while Harvel scoots around giving pointers with her dog, Kahili, riding shotgun on her board (Windsurf Kauai, 808/828-6838, $85, includes equipment rental). 17. The Bright Side You don't get a nickname like the Garden Island without plenty of rain. Even in the drier summer months an afternoon shower is common, but don't let it bum you out--the drops won't come down for more than 30 minutes. Stronger storms do occur in the winter, but even then, an hour's drive to the opposite shore will usually find sunny, clear skies. 18. Poke Dokey The raw-fish dish poke--pronounced po-keh--is a revelation to anyone who thinks Hawaiian food begins with sour poi (fermented mashed taro) and ends with dry, salty kalua pig. Meaning "to slice" or "cut" in Hawaiian, poke is similar to seviche, consisting of raw fish mixed with marinade and spices. The typical version features tuna cubes with soy sauce, chili pepper, seaweed, roasted kukui nuts, and green onions, but even supermarket deli counters have new-school versions throwing in everything from octopus to kimchi to oysters. Then there are the ahi nachos at Hukilau Lanai, which slickly represent Hawaii's cross-cultural Asian-Californian fusion: Ahi poke is layered with crunchy wonton chips, avocado, and wasabi dressing. Kauai Coast Resort, 4-484 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa, 808/822-0600, $11. 19. A Touchy Subject Debbie Erickson, a relocated Brooklynite, sells fruit and veggies on Tuesdays at the Hanalei farmer's market, but she's also a massage therapist. She'll deliver an excellent 60-minute rubdown on your hotel-room or condo lanai that mixes in traditional Hawaiian lomi lomi massage, a deep and slow application of pressure at precise points on your body. 808/828-1174 or 808/635-2857, from $75 (price depends on how far she has to drive). 20. Bean There, Done That The Big Island's Kona region gets all the attention, but there's quality coffee grown on the Garden Island as well. The earthy-crunchy Java Kai chain, which roasts its coffee on Kauai, has four locations on the island (and several in California). Or go to the source and visit the Blair Estate, an organic farm in the hills above Kapaa. Founded by mainland transplants Les and Gigi Drent in 2001, the couple (and their 18-month-old daughter, Jessica) have a wood house on five acres of land where they grow, roast, package, and then ship beans around the globe. It's proved to be so popular that their second crop sold out in two months, so they've been roasting Kona-grown coffee until their new batch of beans is ready this winter. Call ahead for the weekly tour schedule, and the couple will give you a taste and show you around. "Everyone offers a tour, right?" says the plain-spoken Gigi. "So, whatever, we'll do a tour. But it's not much." Barefoot and with Jessica on her hip, Gigi strolls through the fields, picking fresh lychees, petting the Drents' goatlike sheep, and telling stories of the struggles of a tropical homestead. It's worth a visit for the commentary alone, though their rich, heady coffee is the best on the island. Just don't ask for sugar. 6200-B Kawaihau Rd., 808/822-4495, blairestatecoffee.com, one-pound bag $17-$35. 21. Star Trek To get a close look at the mythic Na Pali Coast, take a hike on the Kalalau Trail, which begins at Kee Beach, at the very end of Kuhio Highway on the North Shore. The full 11-mile trip is only recommended for very experienced hikers--the Sierra Club rates the trail as a 9, with 10 the most difficult--but the two miles to secluded Hanakapiai Beach aren't so hard. Start early to avoid the crowds. After climbing through deep jungle gullies and scaling windy cliffs, you'll reach Hanakapiai, a sight to be thankful for. The pristine beach is buffeted by unrelenting waves, though, so resist the urge to dive in. Swimming there is highly dangerous. 22. Sushi Burrito That's the simple concept of the ahi nori wrap at the Mermaid Cafe in Kapaa, a small outdoor restaurant with a few tables and one incredible dish that attracts fans from around the island. A hefty tortilla is rolled around barely seared ahi, a sheet of dried seaweed, vinegary sushi rice, cucumber, and a wasabi cream sauce. It's the perfect lunch: spicy and sweet, healthy and filling, crunchy and creamy. 1384 Kuhio Hwy., 808/821-2026, $9. 23. Up a Creek Four hours kayaking up and hiking beyond the Wailua River isn't relaxing: Arms ache, shoes get covered in mud, and bug bites itch like mad. But the payoff midway through--a swim in a freshwater pool under a thundering waterfall--makes the journey worthwhile. Bring a picnic. Kayak Wailua, Kapaa, 808/822-3388, kayakwailua.com, $40. 24. Really Cool Food When body-conscious Hollywood types come to Kauai, they dine at Kapaa's upscale vegan-fusion restaurant Blossoming Lotus, where they can choose from several "live food" dishes--nothing gets cooked above 116 degrees--and eat in a private room upstairs. True to Kauai's accommodating nature, the food is also organic and kosher (and pretty tasty). The Garden Island salad, studded with cucumbers and maple-toasted almonds, is best accompanied, of course, by Green Goddess dressing $8. 4504 Kukui St., 808/822-7678. 25. A Drive Divine Except for the one consistently backed-up stretch in Kapaa, Kauai's sleepy highways are a dream for gridlock-weary commuters. Of all the great roads on the island, the best is Highway 550, which parallels Waimea Canyon and climbs up into Kokee State Park. The ride down is worth savoring: With a gaping canyon to the left, deep-blue ocean straight ahead, and fields of sugarcane to the right, tight, steep switchbacks give way to gentle, undulating S-curves.

Also, remember you don't need chairs for you or your FI or the photographer. You can also get the color from your runner without the additional cost of the $150 for the wooden runner. However, what kind of shoes are you wearing? Any with heels WILL sink into the sand or runner and there is quite a walk through the sand to get to the actual runner at Gazebo 55.

Quote: Originally Posted by Betsy WONDERFUL information! Did you post this before? I know I read something like this before we went - and I followed the directions of saying "no thanks" to everyone! We had a super easy transition from the airplane to the van waiting to take us so I guess we were really lucky!! Actually I never posted this before. It is a combination of several things I got off the forum (where else!) and used in Mandy's pre-letter we sent 2 weeks before we left.

You can also save money by doubling up on some of the flowers. You can read about this in earlier posts of this thread. We did this by using the flowers from the gazebo as centerpieces on the two tables for dinner and they were gorgeous. We then took them to the Health Bar for the dessert reception/dance. Also, Mandy's bouquet was placed on the table and looked like another centerpiece.

Navigating the Cancun Airport When you arrive at the Cancun International Airport, your first stop will be immigration. Look for overhead signs leading you to the lower level. You will need to make your way downstairs. The lines can get very long here but generally move quickly. In order to speed the process, have all of your documents in hand. You must provide your completed tourist card which you should have received on the plane. The immigration agents will review your tourist card, stamp it, keep a copy for their records, and then give a copy back to you. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO KEEP THIS COPY IN A SAFE PLACE, AS YOU WILL NEED IT AND YOUR PASSPORT TO EXIT MEXICO. Your next stop will be baggage claim. The Cancun airport does have baggage carousels, but they are small and there are not enough to handle the amount of luggage coming through. After a few rounds on the carousel, luggage is cleared into a central area, usually on the floor next to the carousels. You should look for your luggage on both carousels and on the floor around them.Once you have your bags, head to customs. You should be able to see the customs line through the glass windows. You are almost done.During the inbound flight, you will receive and need to fill out a customs form. You will hand the form to the customs agent and press the button on what looks like a traffic light. A green light means “go” and red means “inspection” in which case, officials perform a quick inspection of your luggage. After you get through customs, proceed through sliding doors. Be aware that between customs and the exit the hallway will be filled with timeshare solicitors. Keep your head down keep walking, and repeat “No, Gracias” until you reach the area that holds the vans and busses. Once you are outside on the sidewalk, look for the Lomas representatives. They will have on white pants, brightly-colored aqua shirts, white ties and signs that say Lomas. You will be transported to the hotel in a van. This ride should take approximately half an hour. Check in time is not until 3 p.m. Your luggage will be delivered to your room. While you are waiting, you can enjoy the restaurants, beach, pool, or explore other parts of the hotel.

Quote: Originally Posted by MelissaH I think that's gotta be what I love the most - even though I'm an old married hag now I still feel comfortable and welcome around here! Love you girls (and guys!) Um, yeah, my daughter is now married and I'm still hanging around, too.

Wishing you the best day ever!

Great photos, Maura! You look so beautiful! I like the pic of Jose holding something he was about to eat and looking upward. OK, I've been dying to know which girl is the one who's worried about how her dress looks on her??

Oh, Morgan, we have surely been missing you and your DIY ferret stories! Great job, girl! How's married life after 3 weeks?

Wow, Maura! You looked absolutely radiant - your hair, your dress, your man beside you! I am thrilled for you that everything went so wonderfully. Congratulations and enjoy being married!

Quote: Originally Posted by KirstenRN6 I'm looking for a copy of the legal ceremony script/program for EDR. Could someone please post that? Also, for those of you who were married legally in Mexico, did you have an english speaking minister? We really want to get married legally in Mexico, but feel wierd about having our ceremony translated. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! A copy of the symbolic ceremony is posted about 51 posts back. I believe Shannon got legally married there - she might have a copy of the legal one.

Congratulations! So glad it was even better than you had hoped and planned for. Have a blast in Cabo.

I think the BDW babies are the cutest - just look at all the sweet baby pics in the siggies on this thread. Congrats on a beauty!

Congratulations Maura & Jose! Hope you have a fun, sress-free day!

Casita guests can still make reservations and are encouraged to do so.

Vanessa Vargas was my daughter's photographer. Here's some of her pics: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t22537-2

Congratulations Katrina & Mike! Wishing you a wonderful, beautiful day of memories.

Congratulations Abbie & Doug! May your day be perfect from beginning to end.

We were able to sit at tables of 8 several times during our week at EDR. Four of us were in the Casitas and made our reservations and they would put on the reservation that we would all 8 like to eat together. We got a table for 8 at Kampai and also at D'Italia and El Cocotal. We usually ate around 6 or 6:30, so that might make a difference since it was earlier in the evening before the big rush. La Isla doesn't have the dress code, nor does La Fondue as both are open air restaurants. However, Kampai does in the evenings, but we never had any problems going there for breakfast wearing flipflops.

Welcome, John and Megan. My husband and I spent a week at EDSS last May. It is much smaller than EDR. We stayed in a swim-out suite, which was super nice, BUT you can't see the ocean from them if that's important to you. They also have swinging beach beds, which are awesome. Let me know what questions you have and I'll be glad to help anyway I can.

Angela, I just emailed you all the templates. Have fun making the books.

Both places are super easy to use to upload your pics, but I literally had to go to 3 people's houses and do it for them because they said they couldn't figure it out, so just be prepared. It was either do it myself, or it wouldn't get done.