MarieSam

Quote: Originally Posted by mspattemac so you can put down a deposit and that locks in your reservation at a certain price but you have until a month before to pay the balance? That applies to only certain airlines when securing a group discount, I know it works that way with Continental and Delta. Not so sure about the other airlines...

I LOVE it!!! That brook is wonderful ~ I can see why you're so excited, the house is lovely

Ooooohhhhh ~ I think I just figured out what I'll be busy doing for the next 30 minutes!! Thanks

Sending you off with lots of happy thought and warm wishes for an unforgettable and perfect wedding!!! Safe travels, can't wait to see how it all turns out

CONGRATS!!!!! Yay to wonderful weddings ~ can't wait to see your pics, I'm sure like all LC weddings, they're fabulous

Happy Birthday Tammy ~ enjoy your date!!! Hope you had a wonderful day

Beautiful pics ~ your dress is exquisite, who's the designer?

Tara, WOW, WOW, WOW dont know where to begin but I am so impressed with everything. So much stuff I've never seen before, and now I'm exploding with ideas I can't wait to see your VW inspired dress, it looks AMAZING and can only imagine how beautiful it is gonna be on you! LOVE all the DIY stuff, and that wedding sign FI made is great. The fortune stick and buttons, so awesome and what a great ice breaker! The lanterns are gonna look fantastic, and I LOVE that you're using the two birds dresses, how do your bridesmaids like em? Anyhow, your stuff is beautiful ~ can't wait to see how it all comes together on the big day!!

Best Wishes Danielle and safe travels ~ I hope your day is filled with lots of love, happiness and sunshine!!! Can't wait to see all your pics when you return a beautiful Mrs.

It really is a beautiful place *sigh*, I'd kill to be in that water right now swimming with the turtles instead of here at work. Oh well, only 237 days till my wedding day ~ and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

It all looks great together ~ I love the OOT bags and shoes!!! And of course the beautiful dresses

Congrats gals!!

Congrats!!! How exciting for you FI and I will be looking at houses at the beginning of the year and can't wait till we're in your shoes ~ again congrats, now show us some pics of the new purchase!!!

Not really sure hotel wise, but I know that several condo/villa rentals will allow you to have pets because it is more of a "home" setting. Perhaps she can rent a condo nearby?

Thanks so much gals for all your insight, it feels good to know I'm not the only one who feels apprehensive about changing my last name. But with all the great ideas and suggestions you've given me ~ I think I'll be able to make a decision on my last name that I can be content with and still make FI happy Quote: Originally Posted by SoontobeMrsE MarieSam, I feel just like you! I too am having the same issues and can't seem to get past them. Like you I was a single mom, accomplished everything on my own, and I am now at a crossroad where I just can't let my last name go. My last name is very Latin, and my FI's last name isnt. I've been telling everyone that I am trading in my Mexican card and am going to the other side. While I say it jokingly - that's really how I feel. It is VERY hard for me. I have told him I wanted to hypenate my name and he is dead set against it. Nothing is making me feel better about this. The sweet thing is my daughter has already changed her name at school. I think for me the only thing that makes me feel better is the fact that I am doing it for my kids. Otherwise I don't think I would or could. This for me is the biggest adjustment. I feel your pain sister. I feel your pain. Celina, you and I are in the same boat. I am so proud of the things I've been able to accomplish on my own, specifically raising my little girl (13, I guess not so little anymore). But to lose my last name completely just leaves me feeling a little empty. I think I am going to go ahead and just add FI's last name to my legal name, but still use my maiden name professionally ~ and like you my maiden name is very "ethnic" sounding, and honestly gives me a bit of an edge in my career field. So he does understand why it's important to me in that sense. You should definitely talk to FI about the importance of at least hyphenating your last name and what it means to you. It seems like you have a great guy and I'm sure in the end he'll understand. That is so wonderful that your daughter has already embraced her new last name ~ my daughter is eager to do the same. I guess we should feel lucky to have children who are excited to transition into their new names, yanno it could be worse girl Quote: Originally Posted by *Casey* I'm not much freaked out about it as much as I am sad. My dads parents have both passed away, he has 1 sister who is married so she doesn't have the family name anymore. I have 3 sisters who are all married so when my parents die, the family name will be lost forever And it's not really a name that would work as a middle name like some people do. Hmmmm so if not a good middle name, have you thought about hyphenating your maiden name and FI's last name? That way you can still preserve your father's last name?

I know white wasn't the color you had wanted, but I echo the rest of the ladies when I say ~ IT LOOKS FANTASTIC!! The dress is absolutely gorgeous and you wear well girl

Aww Celina, everything looks fantastic and has come together so nicely! Best wishes on your legal day, can't wait to see all your pics You are going to be a beautiful bride and everyone is gonna love all the special touches you've added to the wedding, make sure you cherish every moment girl! Tons of hugs, I'm so excited for you P.S. ~ really love the shoes!

Although I'm sure the person whose car is on its side did not appreciate the damage, all those pics are freakin awesome!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by reevesbride Thanks for all your advice ladies. I just finished my sample boarding pass and I love it. So I am going to DIY my invites. Awesome! Make sure you share your final product, we'd love to see em!!!

CONGRATS to all the Philly Brides and Grooms!!! Super excited for you guys ~ drink lots of celebratory beers for me

to the forum ~ you will love it here! It is nice to have a groomzilla addition, lol. There's so much to learn on this forum, it's truly brewing with a wealth of information, tips, ideas, etc., that will help make your day a wonderful one. But with that you'll soon discover it also becomes an obsession and like most of us you'll quickly become a forum addict! I love your story, and that you're so determined to make J-Lo envious of your wedding, tee hee. That's sweet and I'm sure your fiancee appreciates that commitment Again, Welcome!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by PlayaWeddings I shot video for a photo shoot around the CEA Center and on that beach. You can see it here: Gerard Tomko Photo Shoot on Vimeo The first half is shot in Playa del Carmen and the second half, when the music changes, is at Akumal. It's full of great photo opportunities. This video was shot at the Canon House with a photo shoot on the same beach. Stefanie & Dave Wedding Day Edit on Vimeo Hey Paul, I am actually your 6/26/09 bride ~ so you will be shooting my CEA Wedding in Akumal!!! And of course I'm super excited, yay!!!! Both of those videos are awesome, I especially LOVE the pre-engagement photoshoot. I never realized how many great locations there are in that area for photographs. Thanks for sharing, it makes me even more excited about my big day!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by kisa Thank you for this. Are you going?? I think so ~ my mom, my daughter and I were already planning on doing some dress shopping, so I figure it wouldn't hurt to check it out! It would be awesome to get a bargain on a dress

Last post for pics, I promise!!!! The beautiful candle wall, which has 35+ candles and makes the room glow at night Area where the DJ usually sets up Beautiful mural painted on one of the walls inside, it can be covered during your reception, but I think we’ll keep it open, I think it’s amazing! Rear area of CEA center – it’s an open area that you can also put chairs and tables at for lounging and relaxing. Jen also said some people have their DJ and dance floor out here. That's all!!

CONTINUED .... CEA center décor in red – hope my reception will look just as nice!! I think this pic was taken by BDW photographer Jay Reilly during Jen’s sister’s wedding early 2008 Other table setting options: Décor in blue on another night: Panoramic photos of the reception area on the day we visited – the couple getting married were divers and wanted things to be decorated as simply as possible. Nevertheless, I think it was still quite beautiful: Yep, still more pics to come!!!