Lauren & JT

Quote: Originally Posted by amy706 I got the paper lanterns from this website: Japanese Kimono, Chinese Paper Lanterns, Chopsticks, Chinese Dresses We ordered 24 or 25 of white round paper lanterns. We got the battery operated ones and then bought AA batteries separately and brought those down as well. They come flat and that's how i packed them and gave them over to Landy. She assembled and hung them (and put the batteries in them, etc). I'm not even sure if they hung all of them up to be honest. I thought the 12 inches were fine but 14 inch would be good too. I wouldnt' recommend going smaller than 12 inches though. It was all pretty easy. THe material was purchased and left by a bride that got married a week before me. Can't Wait. Landy said she'd let me use it and just charge a set up fee but she made it sound like it was a huge favor. My guess is that she'll charge any other brides going forward. Not sure what happens to all of this stuff post-wedding... Definitely ask Landy ahead of time. Your wedding is so soon, Lauren! You must be getting psyched! yay!!! I'm still living on a cloud and stalking my photoshare account for new photos daily! It was such a beautiful place. Your wedding will be awesome! Thanks, Amy! Yes, I am getting psyched! A little nervous...I had double-surgery on my foot not too long ago, so not only is my foot still swollen and I'm having to learn to walk all over again, but I also haven't been able to work out for 3 months!!! Furhter, my bridesmaids dresses still have not come in and now I have 2 extra--2 of my girls just told me they're not coming. I'm at the "whatever" phase now. I'm sure everything will work out, though. Thanks for the response! Lauren

Amy, great review! And you look like a gorgeous bride in the pictures! Reading your review has made me so much more excited and less anxious. Thanks for all of the detailed information! Where did you get your chinese lanterns and how many did you bring? I had a couple of those years and years ago as a teenager, but I remember them being fairly difficult to set up; there was wire cutting and fusing involved and everything! Did the staff put all of them together for you, as well? Did you mention that the draping material for the reception had been left there for you?

Quote: Originally Posted by latinalocany i was sooo stressed out now i can actually get some sleep!! now i can pick out brides maid dresses. these girls are sooo picky and prissy i need a good designer's website for bridemaids dresses, any one have some good ones? Yea, I would agree with Chandra about Priscilla of Boston for wonderful bridesmaids dresses! They carry the Melissa Sweet line, which is where I got my bridesmaids dresses--and where another bride (sdtooley?) is wanting to get hers (the same one as me! we must have the same taste in clothing). She posted a pic of the dress a couple of pages back. They carry two other lines as well: Vineyard (which is the least expensive of the 3 lines) and the actual Priscilla of Boston line of dresses (the most expensive). Melissa Sweet falls in the middle, yet they are still more pricey than dresses from your average bridal shop. All of the dresses are gorgeous!

Finally!! Tammy, thanks for staying on the ball with this! All of your hard work (and everyone else's on the forum) is truly appreciated!

Quote: Originally Posted by sdtooley I am thrilled because I got my group contract in place for our guests rooms today and I also finally decided on bridesmaids dresses! So I am in love with the colors of the dresses but am having a difficult time thinking of what colors to have for the wedding. So if anyone has any suggestions... I would love them! This is the dress link: (you might have to copy and paste the link) Style MS215 | Priscilla of Boston and the color is french blue ( and without the bow on the back). Thanks everyone!!! HA! What a coincidence! That is the exact same dress my bridesmaids are getting!! I also fell in love with it immediately after seeing it online. I, too, am leaving the bows off...they snap on and off easily. Have you seen the dress in person yet? I tried the dress on in a boutique and the french blue is just a teensy bit lighter than in the pic online (of course every reem of material could be slightly different, so maybe it was just that dress) Also, the material doesn't swing the same way it does in the vid (it's more of a typical satin bridesmaid material). Nonetheless, it was BEAUTIFUL in person and will flatter every body type--as well as super easy alterations as the bust line is the only fitted part!! I ended up going with the french blue, but struggled a bit because the three other colors that I absolutely loved were the "dandelion", "meadow", and "nectar" (all pretty beach colors). Congratulations on finding your dresses!

Beautiful pictures! Looking forward to seeing the professional photos. I'm so happy everything turned out wonderfully for you and Brooke! You both look stunning in your dresses!!

Congratulations, Carina!

Tammy, thank you so much for doing all of this. I realize you may have sent your letter by now, but just in case you haven't, here is my info: Lauren Hathaway & Jay T Branneman January 24th, 2009 40 guests so far I'm praying for all you ladies!

Jennyatk, about the witnesses thing: I had the same concern a while back and was told not to worry because they would use someone from the resort if need be. So don't worry about that part! To everyone, I'm not sure how many posts there have been in regards to what happened at the resort that led to its closing, but I spoke to my TA this week and she clarified to me what had happened: "There was an inspection on Sep. 25 and one of the buildings (did not say which one but not the rooms—must have been a meeting room or restaurant or something) was zoned for a certain number of occupants but had more than allowed at the time of the inspection. Another article says that they had a permit to build more rooms in the next year or so and the plans were for more people than the zoning allowed. Sounds like a little disagreement between local and federal govt. in Mexico and should be resolved soon! Once the lawyers resolve it (or pay someone off—haha!) then will be back open and set to go!" Well, I know this does not comfort anyone getting married this weekend or for the next week or so, but for all of us with dates in the later part of the year, we can be a little more confident that things will work out. Again, all my positive thoughts to Trish, Brooke, and Anna. We're cheering you girls on to make the best of a horrible situation!! Lauren

Brooke, Trish, and Anna (and anyone else getting married soon), I'm SO sorry to hear about everything that has happened! Though I've only posted a couple of times on this thread, I have read through EVERY SINGLE page, seen all of your posts, and can tell you've each invested a tremendous amount of time, energy, and emotion into your wedding plans. My heart goes out to all of you. I wish all of you the best with your weddings; you will all be in my thoughts and prayers this week.

Quote: Originally Posted by neen Hey Ladies...I'm putting together my invitations (yay!) and I need to include a "reception" card with travel agent info and our wedding website. On the other side of the card, I want to include a little map showing the location of cancun, the airport, and tulum so people can get an idea of where they'll be. I can't find a simple map that i can cut and paste, but thought one of you might have one... Hi, Neen. I had the same problem when I was sending my "tag the dates" out. But I finally found a very simple map to include...I ended up making a little collage on cardstock with some pictures from the resort, a picture of my fiance and I, and that simple map just to give my guests a general idea of where they'd be traveling in relation to Cancun. I couldn't find a map that I liked that showed the Cancun airport AND Tulum. But I did find a more generalized map. Since I don't know how to attach pics right now, I'll just post the links to the pages: Map pic that I didn't like: http://www.lasvillasakumal.com/images/mapa.gif Map pic that I ended up using: http://www.galleryre-cancun.com/images/map_mexico.jpg I hope these links work and that it was a bit helpful! Lauren

Hello everyone. It was suggested that I introduce myself to everyone in this forum, so hello! To be honest, I have never joined a forum, and I'm not even sure if I'm posting this in the right place; I don't want to leave any clutter. I've mostly been trying to read as much as I possibly can before posting any questions and it is taking me a LONG time. For as little as I have read, this forum has been extremely helpful. Thank you to everyone who set this up and organized all of these threads! I hope that after my wedding in January that I can be of some help to other Dreams brides. Thanks again. Lauren Also: Sunbride, here is my info: Username--- Lauren & JT Names (optional, first names only)--- Lauren and Jay Date & Time--- January 24th, 2009 (time - has not been confirmed) Number of guests---30 confirmed, 150 invited Coordinator--- Was Sandra, now I guess Landy Ceremony location--- Beach or another location (don't know yet) Reception location---TBD, most likely El Patio Terrace Photographer--- Resort photog, unless I can find a good local photographer Videographer--- Resort videographer Review Photos Video Special arrangements / activities--- spa day with bridesmaids, mob and mog; snorkeling and/or games with guests day before wedding; breakfast the morning after the wedding for guests. Thank you, Sunbride!

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie to this website and to forums in general. I hope I'm posting this the right way! My name is Lauren and I live in Michigan with my fiance, Jay. We are getting married January 24th ('09) at Dreams Tulum in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. I'm hoping that I can find some valuable information here and that I can also be of some help to others after my wedding! Thanks in advance for all of the advice~