KittenHeart

Quote: Originally Posted by ChristinaP How'd it go for you? Think it will be a lot of work to change your invites to include new TA info.? That would suck. It went FABULOUSLY, spoke to her for 30 minutes and I'm already really happy about it Actually my invites were JUST about to be printed and I put them on hold for a moment and got her the new info so it worked out perfectly

Quote: Originally Posted by meghan I'm worrying that she has not responded to me in over a week and I have sent her 2 emails, one just asking her to confirm that she got my email. I gave her a deposit and everything but I'm worried because she isn't getting back to me! I wouldn't worry at all... she could very well be out of town at a wedding as we type this. Don't stress, you have 5 months, that's plenty of time If it were 5 days away, yes then freak out. She will get back to you! I have no doubt

Quote: Originally Posted by Afrommert Amy,Im totally opposite, ONLY because ive had horrible expirence with off site coordianter and Ive got quick acurate answers from my DW ta. Im jealous that youve had such a good expirence with your offsite.... Well if I had trouble with both TA and WC, I would have leapt off a tall building by now... Quote: Originally Posted by ~Crista-Lee~ Wow! 2 years is plenty of time to get organized. I'm so jealous of your "skills"! Skills meaning, my paranoid, controlling, psychosis?

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Crista-Lee~ Amy F, I think maybe I might hire you to plan my wedding! You're a wealth of knowledge! HAHAHA!!! Thank you... I should be knowledgable, I have been engaged for 2 years in 2 weeks... and helped my MOH plan hers last year!

Quote: Originally Posted by ChristinaP Ooooh. Is your TA "snaffu" worked out yet? lol! Hope all goes well. Hahaha! I have officially been reassigned to another TA. I requested a woman and I got one that's in my same time zone! My previous TA was in NJ and I'm in CA and we always were missing each other and he didn't like correspondance via email... I work all day, I don't have time to chat with him regarding every freaking question I have! So I'm supposed to have a phone meeting with the new TA today, wish me luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by taylorwd They took away the donkey cocktail hour? Yep, a few months ago Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda AmyF - I swear, we are having the same wedding - just 22 days apart and mine down the street from you!!! I chose the same meal but added a Cesear Salad - I really wanted a salad course b/c my FMIL does not eat fish & other ppl might not too so I thought it would be nice to have the salad. And someone said the cesear salad was invented in Mexico, so its a nice Mexican thing to do! I think it was $3 or $4 more per person. AND of course the donkey cocktail hour though I totally forget what we ordered from the apps menu. Great minds and same first name! I love it That is a really good idea, I might add a salad because I personally LOVE ceviche but everyone else might not be into it. Quote: Originally Posted by gingerlover36 $9 extra per chair! o please! hhahaha...Is it rude to tell my guest standing room only? (JK!!!!) Amy thanks for the tip about the menu though...I am def going to go that route. Wait no more donkey? My fiance was really looking forward to that. And KittenHeart how is your experience with DW? I like my TA but I am beginning to worry that she doesn't know as much as she lets on and I worry that she may have ulterior motives for being so gung ho for AS. You think that's bad... I saw some wedding pictures shot by Elizabeth Medina and absolutely fell in LOVE with the chairs they used. My coordinator warned me they were expensive and Loma's has never negotiated on prices for chairs BEFORE she even told me the price... $12 per chair, $4 per cushion. I died a little inside and showed my FI the price to get shot down... he told me he loved the chairs so much and to just get them! =X Waste of money I know but the chairs were something that bothered me for some reason. I definitely don't want to freak you out... but I just switched TA's because my former one was TERRIBLE, he was slow to respond and kept screwing up the quotes. I just, literally yesterday got assigned someone new. I'm afraid to ask who your TA is for fear we have the same one. The chick I have now seems fine but only time will tell. Keep in mind, this is my experience and there are girls on here that RAVE about their DW.com TA. If would still try and request the Donkey Cocktail and mention that it's on the Event Banquet options, see if maybe you could Quote: Originally Posted by gingerlover36 I must say I am super glad that I found this forum...much more helpful than any other website!! I can't wait to go to AS and check it out!!! These girls are the BEST! We've all become good friends and one another's lifeline throughout this wedding process, we're happy to have you join us

Quote: Originally Posted by gingerlover36 Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly. I think I just kind of panicked/worried that what if I travel there and hate it...then started reading some bad reviews and got freaked. I am using destinationweddings.com and she said you can have your cocktail hour up there after your reception. Is that what you are doing? Do you just select off a separate menu for cocktail hour? I'm using DW.com as well... I've made it a rule to only listen to what my Karisma offsite coordinator tells me. I don't ask my TA any details regarding the wedding. That's the first I've heard of that... last I heard, we couldn't have the cocktail reception up there. I can ask my coordinator... I've been planning my wedding now for almost 2 years so things could have changed or I'm just loosing my mind My cocktail reception will be on the beach on the wooden palapas. When I was given options of cocktail reception areas, Sky Deck wasn't listed but who knows it could be an option now. I'm doing the donkey cocktail hour which is no longer offered. It's 5 mexican hor'derves, open bar and Filemon the donkey which you can take pictures with, $10 per person.

Quote: Originally Posted by gingerlover36 I am going to AS in March to check out the resort and I've been reviewing the banquet kit to try and get an idea of how much this is going to cost but I feel that its so confusing. (I swear I am not dumb ) Is it me or should they have specific wedding menus? For instance does anyone know if you you do the sky wedding do you pick your hor dourves from the "white glove" menu? Also there is one menu where a dinner is $20 and then a comparable entree on a different menu that is almost $50. If someone could let me know their budget breakdowns that would be awesome. Also if the hotel was willing to negotiate on prices too... Thanks!!! Hello! As far as I know, the Sky Deck doesn't come with hor'derves... unless it's been so long since I chose that option, I don't even know what it comes with anymore, LOL! I didn't have too much trouble with the menu, I chose the Surf and Turf, steak and lobster with the trio ceviche appetizer with chocolate and raspberries dessert and it's $28 per person. My budget breakdown is so huge and scary, I think showing it to you would do more harm than good Good luck on your site visit! My experience with them is that negotiations are not done at all. I'm in sales too so I've tried to haggle them down like my dad always taught me and they don't budge.

GORGEOUS Autumn!! You are such a beautiful bride

So yesterday I got assigned a new TA, I requested a woman and got one AAAANDDD she's in my time zone!!! My other TA was in NJ and no one could get a hold of him due to the time difference, so annoying. Also, yesterday I got word my TTD is finished and shipping out!! Annnnd FI finally started working on the lanterns and putting together the led lights for them. We have a test one hanging in our living room to see how long it lasts

Quote: Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz WOW that is some MAJOR multi-quoting! SO impressed!!! Amy, you are in the home stretch...of course you are emotional! You are marrying the LOVE of your LIFE!!! ahhhhh so sweet!!! Speaking of emotional...doesn't AS have a web cam going during the sky wedding Are yall going to do that? I would LOVE to be in attendance! Maybe these are tears for fear of not getting anything done... I keep procrastinating writing the ceremony... If I got my way, we'd walk up and high five, kiss and be done with it Quote: Originally Posted by meghan That's so funny you say you're getting emotional now because as I was driving to work to day I noticed I was feeling a lot more emotional thinking about the wedding and everything else. Must be because we are getting so close now! You have 2 months more than I do too, I now am so jealous of your extra 2 months! Quote: Originally Posted by Afrommert I have been a ball of tears for weeks. lol, at one point mine were opposite tho, i was driving home saying a lil prayer for my fiance. God grant me the serinity to not kill him when I get home hahahaa!!! I lovem to death, but weddings sometimes brings out the crazies in ppl! Sooo cute tho how were all emotional hehe Amen... couldn't have said it better myself!

Quote: Originally Posted by katie_2010 ok, ok, i just have to do this one post as it will be my 1000th(!!) and i couldn't think of a more fitting place to put it! (plus i've been having real problems with the site timing out today and not loading pages up so now that i'm in...i'm doing it while i can!!) off to bed now...more flat hunting tomorrow and on my much needed day off i still need to get up at 7am boooooo whats that about??! senior member!!!! Wooooooo hooo!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Katie_2010 that better Nicole?! hehe!! Wow is all I can say first... you are the MQ queen!!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Amy, I think thats a great idea BUT only if you can relax and let her do the work. After the wedding of the century you are planning, you and FI deserve some rest from party planning. I think a family only get together would be lovely and you could do a small slide show in PPT or online and show it at your cousin's house. It would be awesome. Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Wow that will be amazing. Hope you can YouTube it for all of us to see PS has anyone gone onto You Tube to look at the hotels? SOOOOO cheesey! haha I think it may be too long for YouTube... don't they have a 30 minute max? I'll figure out some way to get it so you all can watch it Side note - I've been extra emotional all of a sudden, our first dance song never made me cry, now I'm balling at work... I'm worried I'm going to be a pile of mashed bride by wedding day, LOL!

Thanks Meghan! I agree Especially if someone is going to do it for me, I won't interfere too much My Italian side of the family throws the best parties, tons and tons of homemade Italian food and lots of booze and laughter. Thanks Lindz! I've been speechless about that gift for awhile now, it means so much to me!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Amy, I think thats a great idea BUT only if you can relax and let her do the work. After the wedding of the century you are planning, you and FI deserve some rest from party planning. I think a family only get together would be lovely and you could do a small slide show in PPT or online and show it at your cousin's house. It would be awesome. HAHA! You already know me too well You're totally right, this I would have to let happen. Also, from what was mentioned to me, they would do it 4 months after my wedding so like in September which is good, gives me a little time off and I wouldn't go crazy out of my way for it. As a gift from one of my close friends, she is a professional film editior and he is a camera man for television and movies out here in LA are actually borrowing a really pro video camera and offered as my wedding gift to professional film and edit a wedding video for me. This is the most amazing gift to me so I figured I'd be able to show this to everyone at my AHR as well

Awww honey you're not a bad bride! Welcome to the DW brides club:) Unfortunately, a lot of the girls on the site have experienced almost identical or worse scenarios. It's absolutely your wedding and you do exactly what you want, I still can't figure out why people feel that their opinion hold's any weight in YOUR decisions for YOUR wedding. Sorry the families are being dramatic, stick to your guns though and have it your way! This is supposed to be the one time/day you can do that right?

STARTING Monday, January 25th – ENDING Friday, February 5th 2010 We will check in with what is done either as it’s done or every other Friday and start a new list KittenHeart (Amy) to do’s: 1. Get new TA contact info and hope that she is a she and get friendly with her 2. Decide on earrings 3. Finish making bridesmaid fascinators!!!! 4. Decide on what tie design/color for Groomsmen ties 5. Have signature cocktail(s) & cocktail hour music party with MOH’s & bridesmaids and decide on drink recipe and names and list of cocktail hour music 6. Call dance place to start lessons 7. Find and schedule Bobbi Brown makeup lesson 8. FI to get strapping tape and monofilament for paper lanterns – Does he do anything? 9. Complete 2 weeks of P90X 10. Italian family side wants to throw me AHR… figure that out! 11. Decide on placecard/tablecards 12. Receive my invites in the mail?! Fingy’s crossed! 13. Complete dinner menu design and formatting, ready to be printed 14. Start making wedding brochure via VistaPrint AmyBermuda to do’s: - Start song playlist - Start on ceremony design - Get info about babies at the hotel and nearby medical facilities MrsVaughn2B (Andrea) to do’s: 1. Finish OOT bag shopping ( down to the little things) 2. Need to find a garter that's blue 3. Programs for the ceremony 4. Welcome letter to put in OOT bags 5. Final Payment to Photogs 6. Final Real Touch Flower payment 7. PACK!!! Thefuturemrslutz (Lindz) to do’s: 1) MAIL STD'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2) Order wedding dress 3) Locate sizes for bridesmaids dresses (I may need your help here ladies!) 4) Start picking out our rings!!!!! 5) What else should I be doing at 6 months out Meghan's to do's: 1. decide on engraving for wedding bands 2. Write thank you notes for wedding shower 3. Sort out wedding cake 4. Think about centerpieces Katie’s to do’s: 1. Finish wedding 'brochure' 2. Write and finalize AHR inserts with details/info for guests 3. Send out invites once all of above are complete (!!!) 4. On fitting date, also get shoes, veil & tiara 5. Try & work out what the hell I'm going to do/take for photo shoot! 6. Wedding cake Katies’s FI’s (Chris) to do:’s 1. Sort out music for ceremony 2. Decide on and put songs on iPod for Mexico reception 3. Put list of songs together for UK DJ that we want played (or not!) 4. Organize transport for all guests coming to Mexico - research costs 5. Book hotel for night of AHR Affromert – Amy’s to do’s: 1. GET SHOES ALREADY 2. Figure out jewelry prob just a necklace 3. Pick something blue? Maybe garter or panties? 4. 1st dress fitting tmw, yay!!! getting the tulle dyed hot pink! 5. Go shopping for Mexico clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6. Finish oot bag goodies Lolo’s to do’s: 1) Final fitting of my TTD dress - JAN 26 (still needed cups) 2) Second wedding dress fitting!! - JAN 26 3) Take pics to use on mugs-At wedding shower JAN 31 4) Lose 5 more lbs before wedding 5) FI and I working on a slideshow for reception Crista’s To Do's: 1) Work on details for Calgary E Dinner Party (Invites/ Menu) 2) Complete revisions for our Invites 3) Dress shopping with MOH - Thursday 4) Start to go through all of the options for the reception from Lomas Renee’s to do’s: 1. Get brochures printed 2. Make luggage tags for guests 3. Mail off brochures & luggage tags 4. Keep working out! 5. Find the bridesmaid's dress in a large!! 6. Sit down with FI and start making decisions (food, decorations, etc.)

Quote: Originally Posted by renee1811 I used powerpoint to make my brochures--I downloaded a template from another girl's planning thread that I loved (and it worked out well--she was getting married at Sensatori also so a lot of the information was the same!). I tried using Vistaprint, but all of the measurements were off, and it was stressing me out....So I'm taking it to our OfficeMax and will just pay for them to print them off. Like you said, sometimes paying a little bit of extra for our sanity is totally worth it!! Oh yeah that's what I was afraid of with Vistaprint... would you mind sharing it? I'm trying to cheat my way here if you can't tell LOL Quote: Originally Posted by daniepps I'm over budget because I really didn't consider travel costs when I was planning. Our travel is costing more than the actual wedding but I guess if we had a wedding at home and a honeymoon we'd be paying more. I can't even begin to imagine how much luggage I'm going to have. I always overpack even for a weekend getaway so I know I'm going to overpack this time and couple that with all the other stuff such as OOT bags and vases, I know I'm gonna have to give some bags for people to carry. For the vases I'm only going to do one per table so I should only have 8 vases, which isn't that bad for me to bring. I'd rather pay $1 each for 8 vases and pay the airline for an extra bag than pay $20 per vase for Lomas. 8 vases should be MUCH simpler! Especially if you split them up. Baggage fees are going to be ridiculous for me I know... I am too much of a control freak to give people too much stuff... I annoy me at this point! Quote: Originally Posted by MrsVaughn2B Amy KH, I love your birdcage, veil. It goes perfectly with your theme and is very elegant. Its going to look amazing with your dress! Thank you!! I really hope this all works together, it's hard buying accessories for a dress I haven't seen in 6 months Quote: Originally Posted by MrsVaughn2B Renee, I would love to see who's planning thread the power point was on. I really need to try and get that done, since my wedding is in 17 days! 17 days!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Katie_2010 oh god, I wish I could do that!! I feel bad enough though that they are having to pay a whole load of money just to come to start with!! ours is over budget as we fell in love with our AHR venue and couldn't say no...then we found out AFTER we signed the contract that we couldn't bring in our own caterers and had to use theirs....which obviously isn't cheap. we bargained them down in the end and they are catering to us so it's not too bad, just more than we thought we could do it for. (I also have to take some of the flack as we kinda randomly guessed guest numbers and didn't budget properly for food and welcome drinks etc) That’s so tricky when you find something perfect and you absolutely love, this is like dress shopping, you can’t ever try on that $8k gown… just so dangerous! I saw my family up in Central CA last weekend and my cousin who is a caterer and full blooded Italian wants to throw me a reception!! She said she’d cook and have booze and throw a party at her house which is big. This made me happy and excited and then really nervous… I thought I would get away with not have a reception! This would be family only as it’s a 4 hour drive from where I live. FI is stoked, do you girls think I should do this? It would probably be a few months after my wedding. Quote: Originally Posted by Katie_2010 I did mine for the first time today after getting inspired by reading yours! I did mine yesterday! I love my blog, I think no one reads it but I am amused by writing things to myself  Quote: Originally Posted by lolo The flower centre pieces are beautiful. I am going very simple because I didn't want to stress myself out. I am doing the paper lanterns with led lights hanging from the gazebo. A small blue paper lantern with light on the tables as a centerpiece. The top is open and doesn't look very nice so I may put flowers on top....don't know if it will look good. I may try it and show you girls. Also maybe flowers or petals spread out on the table to give some color. Lindz those dresses are very cute. I went for another dress fitting yesterday and it is looking gorgeous! I can’t wait until it's all done. Hopefully Saturday I can bring it home. I will post pics of next fitting tomorrow I almost did paper lantern centerpieces I think they are very pretty and the soft lantern light is beautiful. You should search for inspiration pictures online to get some ideas, that’s what I always do for ideas. How exciting! I can’t wait to see your dress. I’m so nervous, mine is supposed to arrive in 2 weeks made to fit me, no alterations as the designer made a pattern from my measurements… now I’m just trying to shrink back down to those measurements!! Quote: Originally Posted by renee1811 my update of my To-Do list: 1. finish up pre-wedding brochure DONE! I just need to get them printed, but the brochures are complete 2. order OOT bags not done, but I have found the bags I'm going to use! 3. order fans for ceremony not done, but I have found the fans I will buy! 4. book date for BD shoot DONE! booked the photographer, and have talked to my sister about doing my hair/makeup (she works at a salon, so I'm lucky) 5. START WORKING OUT!! DONE! I started P90X and am in serious pain, but I keep picturing myself looking sexy for my BD shoot and it's keeping me motivated! 6. start picking out music for ceremony and reception DONE! I have selected all the music for the ceremony, and I have delegated the reception music to my FI...we will see how this goes, lol How are you making the brochure? I was going to make one on VistaPrint but FI has Publisher so I was thinking maybe we should make it there. Any suggestions? I started P90X all over again yesterday! P90X is the only workout that’s gotten me dramatic results, pretty much exactly what I want so I’m loving starting it again, following the diet will rapidly get you even better results!

Quote: Originally Posted by Katie_2010 ahhh wow, that's so you! very elegant I'm glad you decided to go with something rather than nothing at all.... Thanks Katie! I know it's kinda random and has a bird in it... but that's my theme same with the vintage them I will have a cage with this as well

Quote: Originally Posted by Katie_2010 !!!!!! SIX??!!!??!!??!!?? lol on our package holidays we're only allowed to take 1 suitcase each and they have to weigh under 23kg! maybe that's why I'm not even considering taking anything with me to Mexico apart from my dress and the guys' morning suits!! I'm sure it will all work out fine...as long as you've got people to carry some of those suitcases for you! or you could bypass the workout and just try lugging around 6+ suitcases! hehe! awww, but seriously, is there no way you can decrease the number of suitcases?? maybe give some bits to members of your wedding party to take in their luggage too? I know you won't want to leave any of it out (!) I got a really good deal on some hard shell suitcases and just bought them anticipating needing them. I have so much stuff it's ridiculous, I should take a picture of my livingroom, it's embarrassing. I went waaaay overboard on the OOT bags and am buying all the groomsmen Converse and I don't trust they'd remember to bring them. I'm bringing all my bouquets and bridesmaids bouquets, bouts & centerpiece flowers too so that's a lot of space oh and tons of candles for the table, guest books etc. I ALWAYS bring a ton of stuff for vacation, even if it's a couple of days I want options and I get nervous so imagine me packing for 2 weeks! Quote: Originally Posted by Katie_2010 I'm stuck on what to do/use for centre pieces as we are limited to what we can take out with us (and I don't really want to risk taking vases etc with us) and also we can't reuse them at our AHR as they have an annoying rule of 'no candles'...poo! so I'm STUCK! I might have to go back to our options (I can't even remember now if we even have something like the Lomas website to choose things from!) oh, and we're also £1k over budget.... holy f/ck! no idea how we're going to pay for things now!! eek! You can always bring real touch flowers for centerpieces, that's what I'm doing, they will be submerged in water and no one will know they aren't real... especially with the candle lilt on top, no oen will be touching anything or else they'll get burned My budget is more than DOUBLE what I projected... my guestimate was about $5k off too for months... Quote: Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz haha those are pretty TINY! Ugh I am sure I will run into the same problem. I know this sounds like a hassle, but I wonder if they have some vases in Cancun. If they have a range of stores from Louis Vuitton to Costco, surely they sell some vases. Yes, that sucks to make the trip, but it would save $20 AND save the hassle of getting them down there. With my luck and clumsiness, they would surely be broken by the time I arrived at the resort. I will do some research. We could always call around and having them put some on hold. Also, the first person that gets married could always leave them at the resort for the other girls...thoughts? Oh and in regards to suitcases...I am sure I will have that many...I take 2 suitcases when I just go on a regular trip! Quote: Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz Don't get me started on my budget...my dress is DOUBLE what was budgeted... I think you should do research, I keep meaning to figure out what I can buy down there but I got nervous because someone told me it was dangerous to rely on something being there at the last second with no other option so I forked out the money for vase rentals and moved on. My stress was getting too high too fast so at this point I think I'm just paying for my sanity Oh and my dress is TRIPLE my original budget... after I started shopping I made a new budget according to what I liked then went over my new budget by $1,000 so... yeah.

Quote: Originally Posted by meghan Thanks Amy...that's ridiculous about the vases. Interesting you mentioned the sizes. I got quoted for one vase at $15 but I bet it's super tiny. I should check. It makes me mad that they leave all this information out. I know right? This is why I question everything, I can't assume anything with Lomas!

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Crista-Lee~ What size are the ones you're actually getting? Waiting to find out

I'm bringing a ton of stuff... lighting for instance. Paper lanterns with led lights in them and maybe some form of twinkle lights.