GoCubs!

I don't want to have a shower for the very same reasons - my friends/family are already paying money to go to the wedding and the bachelorette party so I definitely did not want another occassion for them to have to spend money. However, my FI's mom is throwing me a shower back in Cleveland which I'm totally OK with since like NO ONE from his extended family is coming to the wedding (and apparently very few are planning to come to our AHR back in Chicago). If it weren't for that, though, I wouldn't be having any showers.

I definitely want to put bug spray in my OOT bags too b/c I hear the bugs are terrible in October. I haven't really looked yet, but someone on this forum recently posted Minimus.biz as a good site for travel sized items. Here is a link to what they have for bug sprays: Search Result Page - Minimus.biz

So I wanted to share the travel tin candles I got for my OOT bags. I was searching high and low and all I came across was either the really cheap ones that only came in vanilla, or super pricey nice ones that were more than I wanted to spend. Anyways, I found Paddywax travel tins and they are GREAT! They are $5 each if you buy directly from the Paddywax website, but they are $4 each if you buy from Beauty Bridge. They came right away and are exactly what I was looking for and they smell GREAT! I ordered an assortment of tropical scents and am very pleased with all. Here is a pic and the link: Search Results for travel tin

Here is mine from Tommy Bahama:

Those are so cool! I was looking at their website and the choices under "Personalized Vintage Signs" are really cool too. I'm definitely forwarding this along to FI.

Once we get there we are planning to buy larger bottles of tequila to put on each table for the reception (just like the bottle or two of wine you sometimes get at "traditional" weddings). When we were down for a site visit in February we went into Playa del Carmen and they have all kinds of tequila (mini and regular) at totally cheap prices - you'll likely get a better deal in Mexico than you would bringing it down from the States and it's one less thing to worry about.

To keep it from getting out of hand I'm doing a rehearsal dinner for just the wedding party (and dates), our parents, and our siblings. After dinner we are hosting a cocktail party for all of our guests (there will be around 80). The rehearsal dinner is at no extra cost to us, and the cocktail party is very inexpensive so it's a good option for a large group like you are having.

I'm getting married at the GP on October 16 and we are having quite a few guests so we are having a private reception. We haven't decided yet which location we are going to choose for it although they are very similar - La Laguna and El Azul. As far as a DJ, we booked DJ Bob and he's only $450 for 4 hours. He is very responsive over email and even called me to introduce himself and go over what I wanted (mind you my wedding isn't until October). He actually said that the GP is one of his 2 favorite resorts to work with so that was great to hear. He basically runs the reception like you would see at any "normal" reception back home, and you can add or omit things you do or don't want. Also, for speeches he has a mic for you to use. Overall I think it's a great deal and he seems super cool so I'm very excited for DJ Bob.

When we went down for a site visit in February we booked a private transfer even though a group transfer was included in our Apple package b/c I had read stories of it taking up to 3 hours to get to our hotel due to the group charter stopping at so many other resorts. I was referred to AGI through my resort's forum and I was very pleased with them. They even stopped by the 7-11 so that we could pick up some cervezas. Anyways, I pulled up their website and they seem to have dropped their rates - they are super cheap now. Here is the link: transfers.gif

I'm actually really torn about even having a wedding shower b/c people are already spending so much money to come down to Mexico that I hate to force them to buy me a gift. It's obvioulsy optional to give us wedding gifts at the wedding, but you HAVE to bring a gift to a shower. We're planning on having a casual AHR where those that couldn't make the wedding will probably bring gifts too so we'll have plenty of opportunities if people choose to give us presents, so a shower may be overkill. Is anyone else feeling this way or is it just me?

I bought my BMs necklaces on Etsy. I think they were $55 each but they are AMAZING (or at least the picture of them is - I haven't received them yet). Anyways, I'm basically telling them in advance not to buy a necklace but I won't be giving it to them until the rehearsal. My MOH is in on it and she's going to look for some cheap matching earrings.

Welcome Carly. I'm getting married at the Grand Palladium in October and I was down for a site visit in February. It was great! Let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to fill you in as best I can. You will find so many helpful things on this forum!

My FI and I were at the Tommy Bahama store looking for linen shirts for him and I came across this dress that I fell in love with. It's WAAAAY more than I would normally spend on a dress, or any article of clothing b/c I am thrifty, but I wanted something cool and unique to wear for my rehearsal dinner/welcome party night so I splurged and bought it. Of course I'm holding onto the receipt waiting for a sale - fortunately they have a very liberal return policy. Tommy Bahama - Maui Wowie Caftan

I booked DJ Bob for me wedding in October. Shortly after I booked him he arranged a time to call me - he was super cool and friendly. He totally does NOT want you to pick out your whole playlist (which is fine w/me b/c I'm not interested in that). His theory is "I'm not an IPod, if you want an IPod, use an IPod." Plus, why would you pay $450 for someone to just push play? He basically just told me to give him 15-20 songs that I MUSt have (I'm giving him about 3 slow songs and the rest dance - I'm more concerned about the fun part ) and he'll just fill in the rest - plus he's all about taking requests, which is great b/c I'm going to have around 80 guests.

We are dancing to "Everything" by Michael Buble. Some of the slower sappy songs were not really our speed. Plus I got him to agree to take dance lessons w/me b/c it is a faster song and we won't be able to just sway back and forth. I'm so excited - his friends/family are going to be SHOCKED that he took dance lessons and he will probably never hear the end of it but he's all in!

Quote: Originally Posted by Rhonda They really are perfect! (IMO) As I said, the quality is excellent and the size is great to carry stuff to the beach/pool + the price is right. Since you have a lot of time...I would call the company and request a sample of the color you like. They sent me 2 samples for free. Then, you can see for yourself if it would work. By the way, I'm not putting any really big things in my bag either...just a lot of smaller stuff. Hope that helps! Rhonda - I love those bags. Is there a minimum that you have to order? I know some sites impose minimums that are way more than I need.

Whatever the issues are down there I think it's affecting travel prices...I'm getting married in October in RM and the prices today are about $200 less than they were last week. For example, it's $1026pp for 7 nights w/direct air from Chicago to Cancun. That is crazy cheap! I just emailed a bunch of my friends and told them to strike while the iron is hot...

My FI and groomsmen got their long-sleeved linen shirts and pants at Island Importer. They have a lot of different colors to choose from. Tommy Bahama also has a nice line of linen shirts. Look at the Easy Breezer shirt - it comes in several different colors. Although it is pricier ($98 ) it's definitely something that he will re-wear.

I used weddingwindow.com. I think it was $79 for a year, and then we paid an extra $15 to buy a personal domain name. I thought that the free sites that I came across looked kind of cheap and I decided to have the guests RSVP via the website rather than RSVP cards in the invites so I justified spending the extra $$$. Also, there are a TON of option to customize and I was able to add music that I wanted. Check it out: www.krissyandjoeswedding.com.

Quote: Originally Posted by tcram GoCubs! The dresses and necklace are amazing! Where did you get the necklaces? Thanks! I got them on etsy.com from seller Baby White Elephant. She is doing a custom order for me b/c each item is one of a kind. I can't wait til they come in!

I just ordered my BM dresses from JCrew as well. They were on sale for $78 and then I had a 20% off coupon so I got a great deal. I actually ordered their gifts before I found the dresses b/c I fell in love w/the neckalce! I think they'll look great together.

We were down at the GP for 4 nights and we LOVED the resort. We met with Erika, Rocio's assistant, and she was great. I already knew a lot of what I wanted coming in to the trip, but I was glad to learn more. The Bar Las Rocas at the Saltwater Pool was amazing and we were really hoping to have our welcome cocktail reception there...We were very pleased to learn that is one of the two locations where you can have the cocktail party so we booked that. I think my guests will be blown away by that location and I would highly recommend it if you are going to do a cockail reception. Going into the trip I was convinced that I wanted the wedding at the Kantenah beach spot, but now I'm not so sure b/c the White Sands beach wedding gazebo is awesome as well. Fortunately I have several more months to decide. We are expecting 60-70 guests so we also have to decide between La Laguna and El Azul for the reception location. They are pretty much the exact same layout though. We stayed in the Colonial section and got upgraded to a Jr. Suite and it was very nice and spacious. I'm definitely having my guests book in the Colonial b/c it's centrally located in the resort. I'm planning to stay in one of the White Sands Mayan Suites (the ones right on the lake) when we go down for a wedding. FYI I also learned that there are I-Pod docks in all the rooms - even the standard - so definitely advise your guests to bring theirs along. Let me know if you have any questions.

I'm getting married at the GP on 10/16/09 but I'm going down this week to check out the resort and meet with Rocio (but mostly to escape Chicago in February). I have a ton of questions for Rocio and I will report back with any insightful info that I learn.

I love the pens too, although I couldn't find them on the ziggos.com website...maybe you bought the last of them

Great looking bags! I want to start buying/designing and my wedding is still 9 months away!