San Fran Sarah

I haven't seen that particular dress but DVF always uses great fabric so I'm sure its not see through. LOVE IT! Are you going to wear it to your welcome dinner? Here is another picture of it: Diane von Furstenberg Ganza Cover-Up - shopbop.com

Matt and Sol from Del Sol are FABULOUS! They are probably a little more costly. Check out their work: Sol Tamargo Photography

IndianBride-thanks for coordinating this! Happy valentines day.

I was worried about that too but I guess people do it all the time . . . . It's one of the standard things my venue does. The sand in the bag is supposed to keep it safe. If you are worried though you could use battery operated or LED tea lights like these:

I noticed that it said they are from China. I hope the shipping isn't all the way from China. Keep us in the loop. I emptied my pm box. . . opps!

Rachel, I'm only using the orange ones but those are my general colors. I bet you can. Why don't you email your WC and/or florist and ask? We are using Vanessa Jaimes and she is really great at getting things.

I would like 50 for sure! If there are less left then I can take 25 or 30. Please PM me and let me know how you want to work out the payment/shipping. What a great find!

Oh! I forgot we had already seen your dress (my bad) when I saw it I remembered. I think with your dress the all the way up do would be best. But I agree the most important thing is that you feel beautiful and comfortable. You will look fabulous and happy and glowy either way.

I think its all totally do-able as long as it is in your budget. I found out fast that all the little whistles and bells add up fast. I have a lot if pics of things I love but I can't afford to do all of them. I would just selectively splurge on a few things that you love that will tie it all together--like the huppa and the chair ties. For instance, I love peonies and orchids so I am using them in my own bouquet but then using cheaper flowers in similar colors for centerpieces. There is a whole thread about orange brides too: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t26142

I think they are soooooo cute and now that you found them you won't be able to find another pair compares. I am a shoe whore but I think it's so important to love your shoes on your wedding day! Plus they are comfortable?! I bet you could dye them a bright funky color like fuchsia or yellow after the wedding so that you can wear them around town without worrying as much about getting them dirty! I want to see a pic of them on you when they arrive!

I'm having the same debate! What does your dress look like? I think it depends on your dress and the look you are going for. I think hair down is very simple, fresh, beachy and sweet with a flower. Hair up is more elegant and will last better in the humidity and wind. Do you have any inspiration pics and pics of what your hair looks like? You could post a poll and then we can all vote and you can get lots of opinions. Also, it depends on who is doing your hair and if they are comfortable doing updos. My friend who is coming is a hairdresser but she said doing updos is a special skill. Here are some inspiration pics I am thinking of using :

Oooooh! The stars are such a great idea! I am making luminaries too out of doilies. Here are the instructions: PROJECT SUPPLIES: :Paper lunch bags *Any light-colored paper bag will do. Also, to add height and depth use multiple sizes :12-inch solid-colored doilies *White doilies don't show up as well, Martha recommends gold ones! :Ruler :Scalloped rotary cutter OR pinking shears (whichever is to your liking) :Utility knife :Scissors :Glue stick or Xyron sticker-making machine :Votive candles OR LED battery operated candles *Glass votives are a must if you use real candles and they provide a solid base :Utility lighter :Sand 1. Lay each bag flat; use a metal ruler to guide the rotary cutter or pinking shears to cut a new top edge 1 to 1.5 inch below the bag's original edge. (if you're unable to find bags of multiples sizes, cut them to varying heights using the process above) 2. To cut doilies to fit the bag, lay a doily flat on the work surface. Lay a bag on top and mark your cut lines with pencil. Cut straight lines using a ruler and scissors or utility knife 1/8 inch from the pencil marks. The doily's slightly smaller size allows it to lay flat inside. 3. Coat the gold/dark side of the doily generously with glue from the glue stick, or coat it with self-adhesive using the Xyron machine. Attach doily to the inside of the front of the bag, positioning it as desired. After gluing, close the bag, and run your hand firmly over the design to seal. Open the bag, and let dry at least 1 hour. 4. Set the bag in desired location, fill the bottum with sand and then put the votive candle, in its holder, inside. Light the wick once the candle holder has been securely placed; do not carry the lit luminaria (below top). *For a more shadowy effect, forgo step 3 and place each doily inside the bag at an angle using just a dab of glue at the top to secure it. Lean doily forward towards the edge of the bag, avoiding the flame (below bottom).

I found this DIY project that I am pretty excited about. I'm going to make LED "throwies" to put inside chinese paper lanterns. This saves the hassle of dealing with electrical wiring. All you do is make these little throwies, attach then to the inside of your lanterns with clips or string, and then you can hang your lanterns with fishing wire. It can also save a bunch of money because the individual LED lights for lanterns are like $3 each. I just ordered my supplies (LED lights, batteries) I'll report back when I have finished the project. Here is two links that explain everything: LED Throwies If Only I Had Majored In Event Lighting Instead of Biology Weddingbee The Wedding Blog A few hints I've found on the web: --10 mm diffused LED lights are supposed to make a warmer "real light" --3 LED lights per average sized lantern (12-16") works best --you can make an "on/off" switch with a piece of paper (see instructions) --the magnets aren't necessary unless you are planning on attaching them to a metal surface. ---With the on/off switch, they tended to flicker a little because the tape isn't tight enough after "switched" on. If you put a binder clip over them it keeps them tightly together (see pic below) Now I just need to decide whether to use all white lanterns or colored lanterns (like the two pictures above). What do you all think? Are the colored lanterns going to look too cotton candy/ kids party during the day?

I love dahlias and I asked about them for my April wedding and I was told they weren't available. I'm using ranunculus instead which have a similar look.

Here is a whole post on how to make LED "throwie" lights to light up the lanterns. It saves some money on the cords and tea lights and you don't have to worry about electricity or fire. I'm going to make some of these so I will keep you posted. If Only I Had Majored In Event Lighting Instead of Biology Weddingbee The Wedding Blog

Some more. . . . .

I'm doing orange too! Which is surprising because I'm not usually that into orange but I love the bright tropical colors against the sand and water. These are my actual bridesmaid dresses (plus there are is one that is called tangerine). I'm doing shades of orange and pink with hints of green. I haven't decided whether to do pops of color or go all out with lanterns and fans . . . . .

Has anyone used Israel's Somewhere over the rainbow with just guitar? We are having a guitar player do our music and I would love to have somewhere over the rainbow but I feel like it needs the ukulele.

I booked Ajua guitar and Mariachi based on your fabulous review. Thanks so much! You are the sunshine of my life is our song so it felt like a sign! Stephanie is great to work with, although I hope the mariachi shows up in time! But, it sounds like it worked perfectly for you anyways. Did you use Israel Kamakawiwo's version of somewhere over the rainbow with just guitar? I would love to have somewhere over the rainbow but I feel like it needs the ukulele. What did it sound like? Thanks again!

Has anyone used Israel's Somewhere over the rainbow with just guitar? We are having a guitar player do our music and I would love to have somewhere over the rainbow but I feel like it needs the ukulele.

Thanks ladies! I feel much better. Cheers.

Hi Ladies-- I've been lurking on this post for a while I thought I'd chime in. Does anyone elses FI still need to purchase his suit and groomsmen clothes? I'm starting to panic that it isn't going to get done! We still need to get our rings too so I'm way behind. I can't believe how close it is! It's hard to get any work done. I feel like I could do wedding stuff full time.

Gr8ful-- I'm attaching the food and beverage menu that Jackie gave me. Did you not get this from her? Ignore the highlighting--I did that for myself. What is the other place you are considering? Although it can be frustrating feeling nickel and dimed by Jackie I have complete faith that she will make our wedding fabulous and that is worth the extra money in the end (to me). The other place that I would have considered in a similar price range is Al Cielo on Xpu Ha Beach. The wedding coordinator there (Donaji) is really fantastic, its also rustic and private and has good food. At Ana y Jose we are doing an open bar before and after dinner and wine by the bottle during dinner. Did you try any of the wines? I thought the Mexican wine at our tasting were terrible but I'm a bit of a wine-o. I think I am going with the Chilean wines but I haven't actually tried them yet. If people order drinks from the bar during dinner we will pay per drink but I hoping that while people are eating they won't be ordering too too many cocktails. Let me know if I can answer any more questions to help you make your decision. anayjose F&B.doc

Hi Ladies-- Jackie just emailed me and said that Turtle Bay Bakery is now on their preferred customer list! I actually have never seen that list but since a lot of us were thinking to use Turtle Bay I'm glad that Jackie is listening to us. Also my understanding is that the vendor fee is 200 for cake, photographer and officiant but it is 100 per hour for musicians (no additional 200). It seems its best to get an email from Jackie documenting that so that there are no misunderstandings.

Regarding her vendors this is what she said to me, "we have worked in 5 years with a lot of vendors and have had various experiences that did not match the quality we deliver in each of our weddings (musicians, officiants, furniture rentals, DJ's etc). Some vendors were recommended to us and other's were brought by brides contacting them through the internet. Of course there are less expensive vendors than the ones we have, which have proven to deliver an excellent service which is key for the perfect outcome of an event, especially for a Wedding. We don't offer many options for vendors because the best are just a few." I understand that you get what you pay for but that isn't a good rationale for charging us an external vendor's fee. Maybe she gets a cut from those vendors as well. I'm not going to haggle too much over a few hundred mostly because I don't want Jackie to get upset with me but I just think this should just have been more clearly defined in our contracts. I agree she should offer some cheaper options as well.