Tracy_S

I to didn't want a traditional one as we my FI and I have been living together for 6 years already and don't need gifts, we buy everything we need ourselves! Also we said instead of gifts that if they still wanted to do something for us then we would put a donation to a chairity like WWF or stopping Animal Cruelty or shelters or something like that or Saving the Enviroment... plus we thought their gift to us was making it to our destination wedding in the first place! But I think my sister still wants to throw me a party... not sure yet of the plans for it cause we don't want gifts... any non traditional ideas you guys have that you could pass onto me

Quote: Originally Posted by edssbride09 Ok, i am still desperate to know about this whole $11/pp dinner option for a private reception, have any of you other girls heard about this? Also, in terms of makeup and hair, what are you guys doing! 85 USD/each is so much money for makeup! I have 4 BMs so that will cost me a fortune... plus with hair... wow, that is crazy that it costs so much! Do you have any other options? Hey Tracy, just curious as to why you went with the Silver package, i just went with free because i didn't think you got much for the extra money, perhaps i was wrong? Does it include decorations or anything? For the makeup what if you take you and your bridesmaids to a salon in your area or something, have them do a trail or something on you or each of you and maybe get tips on how they did it and try it yourself? Or ask your girls to pay for their own makeup.. my wedding party is really laid back and not really formal or anything so if they want to do their own makeup and hair thats fine with me, I will just be paying my salon here to do my trial hair and take pics of it as they go, then I just have to pay for the one time hair deal while I am there. Not sure if I will do that or not or just suck it up and get a trial and style done at the resort. I chose to go with the Silver wedding package cause it included a cake which I will probably upgrade anyways, the bouquet and the grooms boutonnier and the champange. Also I didn't know or think that I would have enough people to book at allow for the free wedding and didn't need the swim up room either.. Also my FI's sister used the free wedding at her wedding in the DR a few years ago and wished she hadn't.. she would have liked to customize it more so that helped in making my decision as well...

Quote: Originally Posted by edssbride09 I am getting the free wedding package, and i am not paying for the altar (though it will be undecorated unless i pay for that...) i think the altar prices are for if you are doing the a la carte wedding without the package? Oh thats right! I am doing the silver wedding package and the gazebo is included in the price... so I just have to pay the extra for the other little things I want changed... like the colors obviously and chair corsages and such! I didn't even think like that!! That's wicked!!!! Thanks for the reminder!! lol

Sorry I have another question to you brides who have already booked your wedding decor and such.... I was looking on the Lomas website to determine which gazebo I was going to go with. It had 2 options that I was trying to determine what would be more money wise... there was one package for the entire thing for 1300 US and another for 220US. The first one includes almost all the things that I want but not all, and some that I don't want.. I have emailed my WC about this and her answer confused me as to which was the better choice.. did any of you choose one of those options and then just customized the 220US one to the stuff you wanted?? If you could let me know that would be great!!!

Yeah I too was wondering about this.. my wedding is also in November and wanted to know how long after the wedding to have the AHR...? I definitley want it to be in summer or spring or something cause in Canada sometimes the winter ain't so good to us!!! What is a good time frame after a wedding to host an AHR??

Quote: Originally Posted by SoonToBeE I think we are doing our recpetion on the beach - original plan was the restaurant, but after looking at financials it was going to be comparable to have in on the beach, vs doing restaurant and then trying to do a separate reception for dances and speeches. We're doing and $11/pp set course menu for the event and I'm hoping it is good : ) Valeria (or WC) has been absolutely amazing. I phoned and spoke with her yesterday and she is always great about getting back and is really very personable. SHe has been a dream to work with. I'm just bummed that she won't be there the day of the wedding - she seems so on top of everything! Lomas is playing with their prices for everything right now - the photo package we originally booked for $978 is now $2200. Outrageous and I doubt the photog is getting those additional dollars. Dealing with Lomas policy and expenses is the most annoying part of this whole process.... Finally...my dress was $800. I fell in love with it as soon as I tried it on. I originally tried it on for full price and then looked online (for those in TO Bridal & Beyond - Toronto bridal dress, favours, invitations, and accessories retailer for Toronto wedding and Canadian wedding lists their sales prices online and will show sample prices as well - they always have samples too...) and found it for $500 less than the original price. Here it is: ) http://www.brides.com/myweddingplann...etail/5494303/ So for your photography do you still get it at the price originally quoted to you?? As the package that I want with Mexican Wedding Photos went up to and Marlet I think it was at the Photos emailed me back and said they would honor the original price I was quoted and to just tell Valeria that this was the case. I like working with her as well.. she has always responded to my emails within a day or 2 of me sending them and seems to be on top of things. I haven't checked if she will be there on the day of my wedding yet, but I will check now!!! lol Prairiegirl, that sounds interesting about the pier and such? I wonder who is correct in that aspect

Thanks for the help! I am searching as we speak! I have tried to look online for a TTD dress, but still haven't come across anything... but there is one promising one I just found on the site you recommended! Thanks! And only 100 like you said!!! Wicked!!! :)

Question to you ladies... how much did you spend on your dresses?? Mine is currently on sale.. I am inquiring as to how much on sale but I just wanted to ball park it and see what everyone else paid for theirs??.. Also are you guys doing A TTD session? If so did you use another dress?? I am thinking I want to find a cheaper dress to do this in, but I guess I am looking for opinions! Let me know! Thanks!

That's awesome! I love those pics!! Is that where you plan on having your ceremony on that beach gazebo? Mine is going to be just the four posts with my colors as the fabrics... I love that look... so exciting!

Thats so exciting!!! I can't believe how close your wedding date is now!!! YAY! So about your hair.. I found out about what I may do for mine on this forum.. someone suggested getting a hair trial done at your hometown and have them take pictures during the process so when you go to the resort you can show them the pictures and have them try and recreate it... I think thats what I will be doing... makes things a little less stressful if you have something to show them!

Yeah I am so glad they offered to honor those previous prices!!! They seem to be a very good company! So glad I thought to go ahead with them! Always quick to reply and always friendly and helpful!!! I am happy with my choice!! I am excited about the pier now!! Thats wicked! So glad its going to be done for your wedding now too!!! You be sure to get some great shots and let us all have a gander at them!!!! LOL

Quote: Originally Posted by prairiegirl The package I am getting for approx 600US is very basic... we can't afford to spend alot of $$ on pictures so I emailed them directly and asked if they could offer me anything for around $500... and then I 'buttered' them up telling them I love thier photos and can't afford the higher packages.. blah blah blah.. SO I am guessing they will take lots of photos and them maybe I'll slip him an extra couple bucks (as a tip and maybe to see if my package improves) lol I'll let you all know how it all works out... Oh ok cool! They actually emailed me back and they told me when I am booking with my WC that to mention that I was quoted the original prices and will be able to get my first choice for the package and price previously quoted to me. Which is great news, cause the one I was opting for went up to like 2500 instead of the $2033 I have a little more of a budget for photos cause they are one of the most important things I think... so we are going for the gusto! Our entire wedding we haven't set a budget so I'm fortunate that way to play around with pricing! T

Quote: Originally Posted by christenew I have never waxed my upper lip. I am debating doing it for the wedding. I want to hear some opinions from people who have done it. Since I am a virgin how for before the wedding to I get it done so it isn't red or so that the hair doesn't grow back? Thanks! If you want permanent results I would recommend laser hair removal.. I haven't done it myself on my lip but elsewhere on my body and I would totally recommend it! Also if you need it temporary since your wedding is coming up soon... I would do it a couple days before for sure so you don't have the redness like getting your eyebrows done leaves... just a thought

Just wondering to all you current or past brides from a destination wedding.. what you all did with your bouquets? If they are real flowers... did you bring them home with you or how do you plan on taking care of them after the wedding day?? Any advice or comments would be much appreciated! I am confused as to what I should do with mine once all the festivities are over!!! Thanks ladies!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by prairiegirl ARE YOU KIDDING ME I AM SO EXCITED!! I'll admit it.. I was wrong (but don't tell my man I said that) lol Please be done by Feb 6th!! Please please please!! I love that pier... it's a great place to feed the fish from Yeah let's hope! Then you can get your photos done there and share them with us!!! So exciting! Hey question about your photographer... which package did you go with? I got some quick responses from them as well and they seem like a great photography team so I was wondering if you don't mind what you ended up paying for it all? I seen on the Lomas website that they changed their packages from what they told me before and its more money now... just curious.. and how far in advance did you have to pay them and such for them to hold your date?? I've emailed them today about these but figured if you knew already it would be slightly faster!!! Thanks!

Great news ladies!!! I just heard back from Valeria, and she informed me that the pier is being rebuilt as we speak! She said it should be ready to go for Feb!!! So that is awesome! Perfect spot for pictures!!! Just thought I would share!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Solidshan83 Erika, I know what you mean about the photo's. Mexicanwedding photo dissappeared too. I sent an e-mail to the photographer and she said she did not know why their name dissappeared but that they are still contracted with Karisma. I am confused too!!! uhhhhh is it me or is everyone pissed off and wishing this whole situation was over with?? If you guys take a look at the Lomas wedding travel website.. all those photographers are still listed on there plus a couple extra. And I find that Karisma's website doesn't always work that great whenever I have tried to go on it.. so maybe it has something to do with a problem on their website is all!!!

Thats so funny!! I to have been trying to find this dress!!! I have emailed a couple of bridal salons in my area and where I will be at Christmas and they haven't got back to me yet as to whether or not they have it in stock for me to try on! Thats cool about the website I think I may have to check it out!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by SoonToBeE OOhh also - does anyoneknow the status of the pier? Is it rebuilt yet or is it just a mess of broken sticks. Saw some great wedding shots when it was a standing structure and they were lovely. Hoping to have that for ours. But....if it isn't there, it isn't there! What can you do! I was thinking the same thing about the pier... I will ask Valeria today and she will usually get back to me in like the same day or tomorrow... I've seen some recent photos of the resort on trip advisor and if I recall it looks like the pier is standing... but I am gonna double check and let ya know!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Elizabeth How long after the wedding does everyone wait to have an AHR? I want it to be long enough for FI family to travel again, but I live in NE and dont want it to be in winter, so the 1 year anniversary wouldnt work as our date is Nov 7. Any suggestions greatly appreciated! Hey that is a great date! Mine too! I am thinking we are waiting till the spring our first date was April 7th a long time ago now so we are maybe thinking then or around that time.. Haven't really decided on that part yet... maybe do it on a special day that has meaning to you both sometime warm perhaps....

Quote: Originally Posted by CDNgroom Hi Tracy, I found out about that translator through Nanner431 on this thread. The first post outlines all the steps that you may be required to complete for paperwork and Nanner431 mentioned that she had success with Giovanni Translators helping her with getting it all done. The translators are located in Calgary and I just googled them to find a phone number. Matt Oh thats awesome that they are here in Calgary! That makes it so much easier to get a hold of and possibly drop by! Thanks for the info Matt!! Do you know if they have a website too? I guess I could google it as well and find out!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by CDNgroom Thanks Nanner431! That's awesome news and a great help! I just called Giovanni Translators and they confirmed what you just said. Just for everyone else's info, they also mentioned that you have to do everything within 60 days of getting married. This sounds like it will definitely simplify things and take some of the stress out of this process! Ryan's girl: I also confirmed the steps you originally posted with my WC and she said that was perfect so I am now comfortable that these things will be legal in the end. Thanks for all the help everyone! If you don't mind me asking which part of Alberta are you in? Where did you find out about that Translator?? Do you by chance have any information on them that I could call and figure out all that I need to have done?? If you could let me know that would be wicked!!! Thanks!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by prairiegirl Hey everyone!! Thanks Tracy for PM me, I've been completely overwhelmed with Christmas and all and have lost track of how soon I have to have everything done... We have been to EDSS before and can't wait to be married there... Photographers... I agree the prices for what's listed is pretty pricey.. but I did contact some of the photographers directly and got a better rate from mexican weddings... lowest price on Lomas-weddings was $2000, but he agreed to $578US... since I heard 'Caribe' was kinda bottom of the barrell.. Wedding dinner.. The resort offers the 'free' dinner at the Arrefics (sp) restaurant.. This place is by far IMO the worst restaurant there. It is OK.. but don't expect too much or you may be disappointed... I have talked to another EDSS Bride who said on her wedding day there were 4 weddings.. and she had to chance restaurants... if this happens to you.. JUMP at the chance.. the Italian is the BEST!! especially for wedding atmosphere!! Music as for a reception.. I have heard of lots of brides wanting to use thier own IPOD for thier dance... but the resort wants to charge you $250 to use thiers.... a Bride told me that was her situation about a month ago at her wedding... she threatened to cancel the entire cocktail party.. and they let her use her own IPOD... Right now I am doing final details.. figuring the menu for the wedding day supper... so it's very exciting and stressfull.. catch you all later! So you don't recommend the restaurant that is included in our pacakge... good to know.. I just found out last week that this was the option for our reception.. but was leaning more towards the private beach dinner anyways.. this may have just made my desicion!! So you have decided to go with Mexican Wedding photographers? I am thinking the same thing... I have been in contact with them and they have my date available still and their pricing is a little more but I thought Caribe's were to low as well and you get what you pay for right?? How did you get them to lower their pricing?? I was looking at the package they offer for 2033US and asked if it could be charged the amount in CAD dollars since our dollar is so low and they said they couldn't! If you could give me some insight that would be awesome!!! Where in Sask are you from??

This is so awesome! So glad I asked this question... as it has helped calm my nerves and allowed me not to even think about it anymore!!!! Thank you all for all your posts! They have helped SO much!!

Everyone in my crew will be flying out of Calgary and they would be paying 1950 pp, and for those who we are taking the flights out of the price with our points only have to pay 960 pp!!! We got a great deal.. considering the resort we are going to!! And my TA told me that prices will probably be lower in the new year!