KLC77

Quote: Originally Posted by Meredith That is very helpful information - I was wondering what to do with the photographers. Did you have to pay for an extra centerpiece for that smaller table too? I brought my own stuff down for centerpieces so they just used some of that. Honestly, it was an added bonus that there was anything on their table besides the favors. I wouldn't have cared if it were plain.

Nicole, you're pictures are awesome! I love your dress and I love the sunflowers. Looks like you had a great time.

It definitely motivated me to get my butt in gear! Since I looked at the results I did a 2nd p90x dvd yesterday (after already doing one in the am) and today I walked 3 miles and did 30 minutes of yoga. My new goal is to lose 9 lbs before the end of the contest. We'll see what happens.

Ugh, so I peeked and I was one who said I didn't want to know. I knew I was last (I'm heading the wrong direction on the scale), but I'm glad that I looked. Its really motivating to see that I really am LAST. I don't want to end up last, so sorry girls... one of you is going to have to take that spot! lol I was already motivated today, but this has me SUPER motivated! Thanks Ann.

Quote: Originally Posted by sandra1976 Kelly did you have to add the people from Del Sol to your dinner guests? No, but I didn't ask either... I kind of snuck it in there at the end that I needed a small table for the photogs to sit at. Perla said no problem and set it up. We had a buffet dinner, so the 2 photogs just ate with everyone else. I didn't pay anything for them. I figured the outside vendor fee was enough and wouldn't have paid a separate fee for a meal. I did have favors for the photogs so their small table was set up just like our regular tables.

I'm hoping I'm back on track after today. I did not one, but TWO p90x dvd's today~ chest & back this morning and plyometrics after work. Hopefully I can move tomorrow. lol Thanks ladies, all of your posts were the motivation I needed to get started again.

Quote: Originally Posted by yamille I confess- that I HATE my BD pics and am very sad. I jumped on the band wagon of a group shoot with a not so experienced photographer in my opinion. I only paid $250 with crappy hair and makeup included plus the rental of car cause it wasn't in the city. I am just super bummed because this was a big deal for me. I have struggled with my self image and body issues my whole life and have come to a healthier place but seeing this horrible lighting, non artistic shots, and bad makeup (which i didn't correct becuase I didn't bring any of my own makeup!!) has thrown me for a loop. I feel horrible. I was hoping the experience would be liberating, fun and empowering and it wasn't. Now that I see the pics i am a bit depressed. They look trashy and not good. I am supposed to pick 30 that i like but can only find about 6. I am considering forking out the dough for another shoot with a more experienced photographer -even though i don't have it at all- ugh.. thanks for letting me vent. * I don't want to say who the photographer is becuase there are 2 other girls on here that did it with me. I will wait to chat with them first. Quote: Originally Posted by *Casey* I was one of the girls that went to the shoot with Yamille... and I feel the EXACT same way! I got all the proofs yesterday and am so disappointed. I'm mostly disappointed in myself for just jumping in and not researching the photographer at all! I also want to fork up some cash and get them redone. I know that FI would love any picture of my half naked, but I'm not happy with them, and that's important to me. The more I look at them the more and more I dislike them. I'll look at other photographers BD blogs or sites, and could just cry that I didn't use one of them... any of them instead. This SUCKS!!! Oh girls, I'm so sorry this didn't turn out well for you. I definitely agree with pp that if its possible reshoot them with someone else. Look at the first shoot as a lesson, you probably learned a lot of what you like/ didn't like and can take that with you to a 2nd shoot. Also, you'll probably be more comfortable the 2nd time around because you kind of know what to expect. It really sucks when you are so excited for pictures and then they don't come out as you had hoped. I wouldn't even pick the 30 pictures. I would probably tell the photographer that there aren't 30 you like and see what they. Maybe, since both of you don't like your pics you can find a new photog that you both love and book a group shoot with them at a discount?

Ann, I'd also rather not know, but mostly because I'm last! lol If you posted it in a separate thread though I'm sure that'd be fine. I do think though that it should be a one time thing for everyone to see where they are right now, not something that is updated weekly. That would take all of the fun out of wondering where you'll end up at the end of the contest!

Ugh, I'm up 4.4 lb since we started. I need to find some serious motivation. How many weeks do we have left? 5?

Quote: Originally Posted by JulieH Thanks for the answers ladies. I'll definitely check with Perla about reserving the tequila terrace (which is what I meant by room/beach bar) I wasn't sure what that was called. Mark and I are going down the week before everyone arrives for our 'honeymoon' first... LOL... so I'm hoping to get a lot accomplished that week too. But after reading all this, I've got a lot of info jotted down with tons of questions for Perla, so I'll be emailing her about it all in a couple days. I'm looking forward to your wording on the sand ceremony. Which ceremony did you all choose? We're doing the legal ceremony and I was curious about the length of the ceremony and if it's okay that we do our own vows and perhaps have a friend read one of her writings (basically like a religious reading except not from a scripture or anything)? I know I've said this before, but thank you, thank you, thank you... you have been helping more than you could ever know! CDN Groom, we'll be going quite low key for our ceremony... I'm definitely finding it quite overwhelming, but with all the information on here, it's definitely eased a lot of stress. It's nice to hear that other people are keeping things simple too!! Hey Julie, just a tip, when I emailed Perla I found it much easier to write one long email with all of my questions listed together and sometimes numbered, rather than a bunch of short emails with one or two questions in them. It may take her a little time to get back to you, but then atleast you know she got all of the questions and she will answer them. I'm actually a little jealous of everyone who is still planning. I want to do it again!

Quote: Originally Posted by ashey063009 Often times the text just reads, "Get off!" lol! This made me lol... you ARE addicted! hahaha You know you're addicted to this forum, when the first thing you think of when anything happens in your life is~ I gotta go post to my girls on BDW! Even the NWR stuff.

The good news is there are a ton of GREAT options right here on the forum! Do a search for the names listed in the post above and you will find some great info. Dino... I love your siggy. I wish I was in those pics!

Quote: Originally Posted by JulieH Hi Girls, Thanks for the warm welcome!! I'm slowly breathing easier as I continue to read and realize that things will go smoothly.... Mark and I are doing the sand ceremony, but I'm having trouble with the wording. I've googled it and checked with the place I purchased our vases and sand from, but I haven't found much, do you have any examples of wording on the sand ceremony? Also, about baggage... did you all pay for extra bags or did you manage to get it all there within the baggage restrictions? We have about 50 guests which are mainly couples and we've done up loot bags per couple. Now it's a matter of getting them down there (and I'm considering getting centerpiece material here and bringing it down) any suggestions?? Hey Julie, welcome! Don't panic, you really can pick out almost everything when you get down there and Perla will make it happen. We were able to get down there without paying any baggage fees, but were overweight on the way back and did have to pay the fee. It depends on your airlines baggage policy. For the OOT bags, we packed everything in one of our suitcases and assembled them down there. It worked out fine. Just make sure you put anything that can leak in ziplock bags. For some reason, most of our aloe bottles leaked. I was glad they were in plastic. Quote: Originally Posted by JulieH By the way, I forgot to ask about this vendor fee thing I've read so much about. My photographer is Claudia and I was not aware that we had to pay to have her come on the resort to do photos... why is this? If I want that place on the beach for dinner/reception (tequila something?) do I need to book it ahead of time or just when I'm down there? Okay... here come the questions... Can I just book that room/beach bar (whatever it is exactly) for an hour or two after the ceremony or do I need to have our dinner there too?? The resort has vendors that it works with and they get money from them. So, if you are going with an outside vendor there is a fee for $300 to bring them in. I believe the deck area overlooking the beach for your reception is included in the wedding package and you do not have to pay extra for it. Fanny, my bouquet was $100 and my BM's were $60 each (I think). This was the price no matter what flowers I chose. I changed my mind atleast 4 times and the price never changed. Oh, and for centerpieces we also brought down our own candle holders and candles and table jewelry. I wasn't willing to pay the prices that Paradisus wanted for them.

Thanks everyone!

I would ask her what her plan is if your reception is at the same time as the other couples vow renewal. How does she plan to handle the situation? If her answer is a good one then I'd probably stay with her. From what you wrote it seems that you are her priority and she hasn't done anything to disappoint you so far. I'm surprised she took on another project without having everything for your day decided. I'd be worried if I were the other couple.

Quote: Originally Posted by sandra1976 Was this at the Capri? Because we are arriving on the Wednesday and then I was thinking of doing the welcome dinner on the Thursday as we expect one more couple that day. And if it would have the show, it would be great. No, Capri is the Italian restaurant and is not very big. I bet it'd be hard to have space there reserved during a prime dinner time. The show takes place in a different area of the resort in its own room. They serve a buffet dinner with some of the shows. It is separate from where the regular buffet is.

Quote: Originally Posted by LAURENANDBILL Kelly- did you do a rehearsel dinner? No, we just winged it. I told everyone what I wanted them to do and it was fine. But, we didn't have much of a bridal party~ just one on DH's side and 2 on my side. We did a welcome dinner on Thursday night when our guests arrived. They just reserved some tables in the buffet with the show they had that night.

Quote: Originally Posted by *Heather* I ran 7.5KM this morning in the -18 degree weather! Sucked. But I had to. I ate complete crap this weekend! omg Heather~ you are my inspiration! That's awesome. (not the eating crap part lol) i so wish I could get motivated to run.

Quote: Originally Posted by LAURENANDBILL they have a swim up bar and the pool is huge!!! they even have lounge chairs in the pool The pool is seriously AWESOME. The lounge chairs in it rock!

Congratulations, how exciting! Everything will fall into place after your dr appt. Make sure you let us know what you decide for the wedding!

I wear mine under my sports bra right under my boobs. I feel like the sports bra helps keep it from moving too. Also, make sure it is reading your heart rate before you start exercising. Sometimes with mine if I don't let it read my heart rate for a few minutes before I start it'll never start up. Idk why. I hold the watch right near the center of the chest strap when I first put it on to ensure that it is reading my heart rate.

Quote: Originally Posted by JPJCWedding To all those who have been to the Paradisus Riviera Cancun, Could you tell me if they have a swim up bar? My fiance and I really want one, but I can't tell from the pics!! Thanks!! Josie They do...

We just made a new kodak account and gave our guests the user name and password for it. That way they can see everyone's pictures and order copies of any they like. Eventually I will change the password once I have everyone's pics so that they can't edit them or delete anything. I'm still waiting for a couple of people who I think have some really good pics! I'm guessing that paying for the hi-resolution option is only good if I want to upload my photogs pics there for reprinting, which I don't. But I don't think it has made any difference for the pictures that my guests have uploaded.

I nominate Harty for B2B because her advice is the best and AnnR for Mrs. because she deals with all of the members of the BL challenges.

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride I need new friends too!! Move to KW!! Quote: Originally Posted by Sloan Yeah, I feel your pain. My friends couldnt give a F**K less about my wedding. Im not asking for everyone to drop what they're doing and come to the wedding or plan elaborate parties, but I didnt even get a "hey congrats" after we got engaged or after we sent the invites -- from a large majority of my "close" friends. Some were even mad that we werent having any AHR. Im pretty pissed with a lot of these "friends" of mine. Considering that I put time, effort and money (not that money is factor) into all of their weddings. I need new friends. Im done with a lot of them. You could both move to CT! I could use some new girlfriends too.