Rob&Sue

Hey there... Just wondering if it's customary to tip the wedding planner? If so... how much/ what percentage??

Quote: Originally Posted by chicklet I am invading this place just for one post...he he...anyone's fh driving them nuts as the time is nearing??*lol* I think it could be cause he is a procrastinor!!!!! anyone else having this prob?? bah...i did find out that tanning takes away stress OMG - absolutely driving me crazy! LOL Mostly because he isn't stressed at all about getting everything done - and he is absolutely a procrastinator!!! He just got his GM gifts to the engraver yesterday - they will be back in our hands the day before departure. LOL Nothing like the last minute! Also... his GM shirts... we have to exchange them for a dif colour this Friday (this involves a 2 hr road trip). Long story.... oh well! I have got lingerie now (yay), but am still shopping for some sundresses. I have no idea where to go for them.... might need to buy them in Panama at this rate! I'm also getting the itiniary finalized, and am putting together a photo/scrapbook guest book - only 'cause i forgot about it 'til now, and am not paying $100 shipping included for the type of guest book i want. Good thing there's tanning - it's sooo good for the stress!! This weekend is my stagette - I am sooo excited!!!! Gotta go!!! I must get back to organizing! Only 6 more workdays 'til departure!

I'm marrying my FI for so many reasons. He is one of the kindest men I've ever met. He is fun and outgoing, and always has a way of making people feel good. He's intelligent, young at heart, and treats me like a queen every day. He has supported me through so many things, and has seen me at my worst (as well as my best). I can picture us growing old together... and I am looking forward to that journey.

Flower petals down the aisle sound beautiful. We're going to have them as well... I'm sure the wind won't be a problem.

LOL - I know how you feel. My dress came in three + months early. I'm not sure why I was so stressed about picking one out. It was supposed to take 6 mo to come in, and it came in 2! And, I had to go and pick it up, because the bridal shop I bought it from went out of business a month ago. So, a friend is storing for me at her house.

Thank you so much for sharing... this is a wonderful resource, and will save people a ton of time and money.

I'm not shipping anything to the resort ahead of time. I know myself... and know that I would worry about the stuff not getting there on time, or getting misdirected, or something! If I have it with me, I know where it is... and how to start looking for it! And, I think from what I've read, it's a lot cheaper to travel with your stuff too.

Hi there, I'm not too sure what the norm is. I think it really depends on your budget and the number of BMs and GMs you're having. I've heard that for a DW, the BM and GM gifts should be a little more than the norm, because they're traveling to be with you and your FI. I ended up getting my BMs very high quality and sturdy beach totes (from Mary Kay), and filled them up with stuff they'll use while they're there (beach towel, flip flops, travel mug, sunglasses, makeup, lint rollers, bug spray, travel pillow, travel manicure set, headache and stomach meds, etc). I basically filled them with all the stuff I put in the OOT bags for guests, plus extra stuff - that I couldn't afford to put in every OOT. I didn't personalize any of the items, 'cause I couldn't decide on a style that I think they'd all like.... And, I know that the only place they may mix up the bags is when we're away. Each gift (bag and contents) cost between $100 & $120. My FI got his GMs a more traditional gift: dress watches. He paid between $100 and $120 per watch, which includes engraving their names. More traditional BM gifts include: jewelery, jewelery boxes, flasks, compacts, picture frames, etc. And, personalization is a nice touch. A digital photo frame might be a nice gift for a DW too. Hope that helps a little!

Thank you sooooo much!! I appreciate it tons.... and will show you how they look when they're done!

Hi! I need help!!! I want to include a welcome-booklet in my OOT bags, that includes detailed info on the country, the customs, the resort, an english-spanish phrase guide, and a map of the country. Instead of having a bunch of loose brochures/ handouts in the bag, I'd like to put them all into a booklet.... that looks like a passport from the outside. Does anyone have a template, or ideas on how to do this? I would REALLY appreciate any help or suggestions! Thanks!!

That's tough... and I can completely sympathize. Our TA is absolutely horrible. We have had to follow up with her about things over and over again before she does them. Our guests have been saying she does not respond to their phone messages or emails promptly, and when she finally does - the info is incorrect. She overcharged a couple of our guests credit cards for the deposits, and did not take the deposits at all from others. She has been rude to some of our guests, has given us incorrect information, and generally does not communicate well at all (neglecting to give us important info on a couple of occasions). We had thought about firing her, but we had too many people booked through her already, and it ended up being an impossible task. If you don't have many people booked, you could probably change agents completely without penalty. If you do have a ton booked (or changing will create financial penalties), I suggest asking to be transferred to another agent at the same agency, or asking to have your booking handled directly by her supervisor. If we'd done that, we probably would have saved a lot of hassles and headaches! Good luck!

Thank you for your comments and advice! As a sidebar... my FI found out that Cnd Tire is having a sale on travel mugs starting Dec 6th. You get 2 stainless steel mugs (one with handle and one without) for $5. The regular price of these mugs is 2 for $19, so I'm thinking this is a pretty good deal. We might end up doing this instead, and then buying Timmy's coupons so people can get a free coffee/ tea/ hot chocolate on their way south!

Hi everyone! I haven't posted on this part of the forum yet.... Wow - January is really close all of a sudden!!! When did it sneak up on me?!? And, who would have thought that a destination wedding would take so much time to plan! LOL I am starting to freak out a bit too, (not about the wedding or marriage or anything), but really because I just realized there are ONLY 50 days until we get married... and I feel like there is still sooo much to do!!! I'm kinda worried I won't get it done! Things we already have in order: 1. Ceremony site is picked and booked 2. Dinner after the ceremony is taken care of 3. Music and photographer is taken care of 4. We have our rings (they are currently being engraved) 5. I have my dress!!! 6. Groom has his outfit 7. Bridemaids and groomsmen are clothed too! 8. Legal docs are taken care of, translated, etc. 9. Predeparture brochures and luggage tags are done, printed... and being prep'd to send out (we'll probably do this in 1 1/2 to 2 weeks) 10. MOH, bridesmaid gifts are purchased and assembled 11. OOT bags are started.... still need a bunch of items though to complete them 12. Predeparture hotel has been set up, and transport to the airport and back is taken care of. 13. Welcome reception prior to departure is organized 14. Musicians before, during and after the ceremony is taken care of, but I still have to pick the songs! Things we still have to do: 1. Sand ceremony containers.... no idea where to go for these?? 2. Finish up the OOT bags - do up welcome letter, prepare map, get list of tours, plan excursion (?), do up meet-the-guests doc, and get travel mugs. I'm also waiting on an order to arrive... not sure how long that will be! Maybe I should be following up?! 3. Accessories... we're going barefoot, but I have no other jewelery. Any recommendations? 4. Seating arrangements for dinner/ table assignments 5. Pick bouquet, table arrangements, etc through the resort 6. Order additional pieces of cake 7. Get guest book/ pic frame for signatures 8. Write vows 9. Pick songs for ceremony 10. Pick hair-do for wedding, get pre-departure cut and colour 11. Get into way better shape! LOL I am sure I'm forgetting something..... or a few things! Oh boy! Any thoughts on what I still need to do that is not on my list I would really appreciate it!

Just wanted to let everyone know that there's a sale on travel mugs at Canadian Tire from Dec 6- Dec 12th. You can get 2 stainless steel mugs (one with handle, and one without) for $5 CND. They're 70% off, and normally sell for $19 ea. Happy shopping!

Quote: Originally Posted by Nanner431 Hi all - I wanted to remember my grandparents that had passed away in years gone by and in my heart I wanted to do something so that they could 'find me' on my special day. I had my bouquet made up all in one color with the exception of 3 yellow roses which were each in memory of one of my grandparents. I didn't tell everyone except the people that I knew it would mean alot too....it was a nice subtle way of remembering them on that day in my life. I think this is a wonderful way of incorporating family members or really close friends who have passed away into a ceremony.