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Quote: Originally Posted by klavallee We did the legal part in Edmonton a few weeks ago. We first had to get a marriage license and then we were refered to a marriage commisioner through our TA. We had a really informal meeting where we basically just signed a few documents. We didn't exchange rings, kiss at the end, and we weren't even pronounced husband and wife. Technically we are legally married, but we aren't considering that our wedding day. Do you have the contact info for the marriage commisioner you used? Can you just PM it to me if you do? When we were going to book through UNIGLOBE, they were going to set us up with a marriage commissioner, but we decided to go with a local TA that seemed to care more about us and what we want.

Quote: Originally Posted by BarefootBride OMG... uh what the heck? WHere was she for 2 day? Imagine if something happened to her? Terrible parenting. We knew she was staying at her Grandma's (my FMIL), but she wouldn't call or answer the phone and she was told that she was not staying there while they were gone. The other 2 girls were great, and I let them know that I wasn't going to stay there next time and that it wasn't because of them. They were fine and totally understood.

We were looking for bags to use for the OOT bags at Dollarama a couple of weeks ago. When we were walking through found these light little mess-like bags that have a drawstring top. Although were don't have a final count (I last checked 1 month ago and there were 20) we grabbed 30. We decided on 30 because if there are more than 30 people, each couple will get a bag and then we will just add the individual items for each person. I got really nice beach totes for my MOH and BM though from Old Navy for $10 each and my cousin is going to do the embroidery on them.

So my FI brother went to Mexico in Jan for a week with his GF and asked if I could stay there and watch his 3 girls (aged 9, 10 & 14). I did, and when they got back she said 'Thank You', he did not. Then I felt like I was being sooed from his place, even though I was trying to pack up our stuff and take care of both my kids. I had to pack up everything for 4 of us, and no one helped me haul it out to the van. Then I get the comment that I don't have to take it all right then. Finally I decided that I was tired of the 'unwanted' feeling and I left my sons excersaucer, bouncy chair and a bag of clothes there. The next couple of days I didn't feel like going back down there, but then they started phoning to see when we were coming to get our stuff, as they were trying to clean up the Christmas stuff and it was in their way. After that, I decided that I wasn't going to watch the kids for him anymore while he goes off on holidays. So then they end up getting a free trip to Arizona for a week and decide they are going to stay for a feww extra days to do their own thing, so it is now an 11 day trip. I heard through the grapevine that the girls mother was asking who was watching the kids, and she was told that my FI and I were. Then on Sat evening, he called to ask my FI when we were going to be down there, which we still had not been asked to watch them, so it was assummed that we would. So then it was time to pack up stuff for the 4 of us again and head out there. Now the 14 year old has got a real attitude problem, and has always gotten everything her little heart desires, and has rarely heard the word 'no'. My FBIL also has a difficult time seeing this, and figures everyone picks on her and that my FI and her just butt heads. The problem started early on as my FI asked her to clean up her mess, and she refused, watched TV and when he shut off the TV, she had a tempertanrum that you have to see to understand. She was told that she was to stay at home while her dad was gone, and that he didn't want her going to her grandma's (my fmil). As soon as my FI wasn't paying attention, she got on the phone and called her grandma. To make a long story short, she only stayed at the house for the first 2 nights they were gone, didn't call, didn't ask permission, except when she called her dad in Arizona to ask him, and then he text messaged my FI to let him know. She screamed and yelled at my on the phone, then cried to my FI that I was mean and called her to yell at her. Then we never heard from her for 2 days, even though she was supposed to be home. Once my FBIL got home, she was mad because he wouldn't drive into town to get her first before just going home. Then when my FI had to run into town, he picked her up, which she was not happy. There are planning another trip to Chicago on the 25th for her job, and I told her tonight that I wouldn't be watching the then, as I have better things to do than deal with that crap. Just remember that this is a very short version of what happened, but anyone that has or knows any lippy teenagers, you could probably see a lot more of the picture.

We are having a photo guestbook, so while everyone gets to the beach for the wedding, they will get their pics taken, and then they will be put in the guestbook on their page. When they are getting their pics taken, whoever is taking the pics can let them know what it is for, and if my FI nieces don't make it, they should be able to figure it out hopefully. I am also putting the favors on the guestbook table in little individual boxes with the guests names on them, so I don't think they will miss the table. Another idea is to have the book passed along the tables for thoses that didn't sign it. After all, DW are usually smaller, with not too many tables.

We are probably just going to have our MOH and BM, but we still have to decide where we are going to do it. We want to do it the day before we leave, so it would be a 2 hr drive for my MOH just to turn around and go back to leave, or do it in the city when we get the the day before leaving, and the BM can make sure to be there by a certain time. A funny little note *my MOH really wants to be there, as I will be getting our marriage certificate through her and she will sign it then, and then she wants to sign it as the witness too! She is so funny, although her first signature on it won't appear on it after the wedding, as the person performing the ceremony gets that part. Still, we will know that she got to sign it twice. LOL

My Mom mentioned this to me when we first sterted planning our DW and both my FI and I were 100% against it. Then when it came time to start looking at booking, it was mentioned by the TA. Then I started to think about it, and I was on the fence about it. I decided to mention it again to my FI (expecting to get a flat out 'NO') and he said that we could do whatever was cheaper and easier. I told him that doing the legal thing here before going down would be a lot easier since we wouldn't have to worry about the paperwork, the cost of the paperwork and the symbolic ceremony down there would be cheaper as well. That was all it took, and now we are doing the legal ceremony here. I still haven't gotten that arranged, as I am trying to decide if I should get my MOH to drive 2 hrs from Edmonton to be here for it the day before we leave from Edmonton, or if we should find someone in the city to do it after we get there. Any info for the Edmonton area?

Quote: Originally Posted by deznchris2006 For a double, our guests are paying $452 per night (all taxes and gratuities included)...It's an AI and I believe it's 4 or 5 star. Right now, they can get airfair for about $450 each (roundtrip, also including all taxes and fees). We've had people complain it's expensive, we just smile and say that we understand if people can't afford to come and that we would love for everyone to be there, but we really do understand. There are a couple of reason we choose this resort, one being that we've stayed in the chain before and had an AMAZING time and since having a DW is basically planning a vacation for everyone who comes, we didn't want to risk it with a resort we've never been to. Usually, when people complain about the price we tell them everyting that is in cluded and they are usually impressed...ALL food, Drinks (including liquor), taxes, gratuities and even some excursions if you stay 3 or more nights. Anyway, choose a place you love, people will complain no matter what! We have also chose our resort to get married at because we have been there. We were very pleased with the resort and we didn't want to take a chance on a new resort when we were going to be having a group come along with us. If there were only going to be about 10 people going with us, than I would have considered another resort, but we are very excited about returning to the same resort, and so are the others that were there with us. As for the prices, I believe it is $1750/pp for 1 week. It is an AI resort, so the price includes, airfare, accommodations, food, drinks and taxes. We didn't give any other options to those we invited, only the prices for the resort we are going to. It was discussed briefly, but we decided that if people want to stay elsewhere, they can, but they will be responsible for paying for their day pass. The resort we are staying at has 4 sections to it, so they could choose to stay in one of the other 3 sections. Also, the price that we got is a deal! Booking on your own, you are looking at $1700-1800/pp before taxes. There's something to look into. Talk to a TA and see what they can do for group rates. Usually you only need 10 people to book to qualify for group rates. Actually, check with a few TA in office as well as online and see who gets you the best price. We did, and we took the online price down to our usual TA and they matched it! Good luck, and I hope you find the perfect place for your wedding without compromising what you want and who you want there.

I was planning to use my FI nieces to man the guestbook, but now that they may not be going I don't know what I will do. I never thought of a sign. I'm interested in what everyone suggests.

Another late comer to the discussion, but I love all your teasers. I agree with you, I would have a harder time waiting after seeing such great teasers. I would probably be fighting with myself whether I should have seen the teasers or not. LOL!

I have been away for 11 days, so I see there has been a bit going on! LOL. First off, as for the FI and my dress, he figured that he should get to pick out the dress for me. I finally got him to understand that he gets to see it when I am walking down the isle to him. There that part was taken care of. But then he knows our daughter is having the same dress as mine but no train, and when he found out they had it in the city and she tried it on, he wanted to go and see what it looked like on her. Now he uses the excuse, "She's my daughter and I should get to have a say in what she wears". I have told him that my dress is white with Teal, but that is it. It seems to have held him off for a bit. LOL I got my shoes last week too. I am planning to go barefoot for the ceremony, and then I got 2 pairs of flipflops for the reception. One pair is white, and when I walk in the sand they will leave little palm tree impressions. I got these ones at Pay-less. The other pair are a green/teal colour and they have sea shells across the top. I got these ones at Winners.

I don't think that it will be a problem. Besides, anytime that we have gone down to the DR, they have only cared about what we brought back, not taken down.

Quote: Originally Posted by LC_Rachel it was just us and our cab driver. hehe- we ran off to Vegas about a month before the wedding. There's a good way of making sure no one can get upset about not being invited to the legal ceremony...don't invite anyone, just grab someone you don't know! LOL That is awesome!

Quote: Originally Posted by SoontobeMrsE Yeah - he is just doing it to help me out - and it's free!. I am so happy! My boss was all for me working out an hour before I leave every day. Woo hoo! After I got his approval, I was set! I am so glad the weather is getting nice because I can go out and walk with the kids. I hate being inside when it's warm out. Cool on your bags! My sis has a screenprinting business, but since we aren't talking she isn't doing my bags. A friend of mind offered to have our bags embroidered where she works for free! I said yes - and then she sent me a pic of the embroidery. It was NOT what I wanted. We talked about making some changes, so we'll see what she comes up with. I keep seeing tons of turqoise stuff, but nothing in teal. I'm getting to the point where my colors are beginning to be shades of turquoise and teal! Oh well - the colors are all in the same family so it probably doesn't matter anyway. I am having teal for my wedding as well! I totally know what you mean with the turqoise and teal colours. Once several months ago I saw teal ribbon at michaels but I didn't buy it. Haven't seen it since. We have decided to use some turquiose things as well, aince they are in the same colour family. LOL

I have not been able to get her to answer any of my questions and I have written her 3 or 4 times. I think that I might email the WC for the bavaro, and get some answers and then let you know. The info for the photography at the resort is this: FOTOS ANTILLANA – RATES FOR WEDDINGS 2007 OFFER Nº 1 Digital Personal Book = 600 USD + 50 USD = Photos in our personalized web page OFFER Nº 2 Digital Personal Book + DVD = 1000 USD + 50 USD = Photos in our personalized web page OFFER Nº 3 30 Fotos + CD-R + Album = 300 USD + 50 USD = Photos in our personalized web page OFFER Nº 4 40 Fotos + CD-R + Album = 350 USD + 50 USD = Photos in our personalized web page The Digital Personal Book is in size 12†x 12†(30 x 30 cm), the same that you have got for demonstration, but with the pictures of the clients. The CD-Rom will include all the pictures of the ceremony and the photo session with the wedding couple and the guests. The DVD will contain background music and we offer the systems PAL or NTSC as to the clients needs. The pictures will be printed in the size 8†x 10†(20 x 25 cm). The wedding album has got 40 pages, and its size is 11†x 12†(28 x 31 cm). For 50 USD we can put the pictures with a personalized log-in in our official Web Site: Home Rates are subjects to changes I have booked with a photographer in the Punta Cana area that is from outside the resort. They have awesome pics, and although the price is higher, I still find it reasonable. The ones that I booked with are Photo Souvenir. Check out the website and blog here: Photosouvenir Punta Cana, Wedding Photographer Dominican Republic. Once I get more info, I will post it on here.

I think that I would be more likely to send a card rather than a gift. I wouldn't invite someone I had only met a couple of times, and I definately wouldn't expect a gift from them.

I would hate the waiting too. Luckly the photographer that I booked is going to have the pics back to us in 2-3 days, and all the other goodies will be done within a week so we can bring it home with us. The only thing we have to wait for is the video, and they mail that out.

How exciting. I love pics. Can't wait to see them!!!

We are getting married in the DR and I found out about a photographer from outside the resort that is in the Punta Cana area. They are more expensive than the resort photographers, but I am extremely impressed with their work, and I get more for my $ with them. Here are the packages I am going with. GOLD PACKAGE Up to 5 hours of photography for ceremony, photo shoot of bride and groom, group and family, cocktail, dinner or preparation Choice of color, black and white and sepia Average of 250-300 images 1 set of 4x6 proofs 1 professional slip-in wedding album with your 30 favorite images printed in 8x10 All images on CD with reproduction release 1 60 days online gallery 1 dvd slideshow of your best pictures 1 handmade painted picture on canva 12x18 Trash The Dress session 30 min session after your wedding day 30 prints 5x7 and images on CD GOLD VIDEOGRAPHY PACKAGE Up to 5 hours of video coverage Wedding Ceremony and reception videography 1 45 min edited DVD Personalized Opening titles and closing credits including photos Personalized cover and label art on your DVD. The total for all three of these is $2400. Oh yeah, then I have to get the day passes for them at the resort, so that will be another $150 - 200.

Welcome to the forum. It is so great here and you can find out anything you need to here.

I was going to do the seating arrangements & table numbers, but then decided that I won't worry about it for the DW. I might still do it for the AHR, but we will see. I have been to a lot of weddings that didn't have seating arrangements and it always works out fine.

Quote: Originally Posted by seaprincess We just decided on this resort for Jan 28, 2009. I would love to see pics or take any advice Do you know what section of the Grand Palladium you are going to? We have stayed at the Bavaro section before, but ended up booking at the Palace section. This is a beautiful resort and I can't wait to go back!

Hopefully everything has been worked out and stays that way. I would get it in writing from the resort though, so that once you are down there, they won't turn around and say 'No, sorry. They aren't allowed here" Then you have something to go back on. At least they are working out their differences for everyone that is going down there and wanting to use both their services!

They look great. The colours look great together, and that font is awesome. Good job. You should be very proud of them.

I think the door hangers are adorable. You did a great job on all of it though.