Sandra&Mario

My tags are simply saying..."Shake for a Kiss!"

Thanks for all the suggestions! I will contact them individually and mention that their wonderful brides recommended them on BDW! Thanks girls

Erica! You're amazing! Thanks so much for answering all our questions...I imagine a bride would be exhausted post wedding and say..."I need a break, no questions please." haha. But being that you were in our shoes not too long ago, you completely understand why we're "who, what, why, when, where, how?!?!?!?!"...so, thanks so much for sharing not only your beautiful pictures, but also your honest and kind words. Sandra

Beautiful pics and location!

Does anyone know of a great photographer with a journalistic approach located in the NJ/NY area? We are considering hiring one for our AHR and also a friend of ours is having her wedding next year and is having a hard time finding someone with a photography style that she loves and wants. There are so many great ones on here, but they're mostly located in Cali, Canada, or Mexico for some reason! If anyone wants to share, post a link to their website. Thanks so much!

beautiful pics! her photography is amazing! will she be shooting your wedding also?

love them! want them! can't find them well, i've come across several pairs...my favorite so far have been kate spade peep toe, covered back. but over $200? definitely more than i'd like to spend. has anyone had them? i'd love to see pics and also know the brand, cost, comfort, etc. or, if anyone has come across any...feel free to post the links! thanks girls

There are so many on my list also...so let me try and put together 5 that aren't listed... 1. I'm completely obsessed with HGTV and interior design anything. I'm constantly looking online and magazines for room designs. More so than wedding planning! 2. I have a crazy crush on Chris Daughtry. I went to his concert last year with my FI and he had to wipe the drool off my chin the entire night. He always says that next time I should go with my friends 3. I've spent my entire life biting my nails. A habit that I finally broke a couple years back, but once in a while I still bite them, but just a little. 4. The idea of having children and being a mom has never interested me. I think it's because I'm selfish with how I spend my time 5. I love appetizers. Is it just me, or are they better than dinner sometimes?

You can contact her directly through her page...she's quick to answer. Not 100% sure what she'll quote you...but I'd say it's in the $5,000 range.

I still weigh the exact same thing!!! Like 2 ounces more! SO ANNOYING! But congrats to you Lisa! Over 13 I see! That's fantastic!

I happened to stumble across Erica's pics on Elizabeth Medina's blog... Elizabeth Medina Photography It'll give all you lovely ladies an idea of Barcelo...their wedding was stunning...lovedddddddd Erica's dress and the reception in the French restaurant was soooo pretty! (in case you read this Erica, everything was beautiful and Elizabeth went above and beyond, as she always does!)...congrats to you and Doug again! I know we all want an outdoor reception...but the French restaurant looks so elegant! For the ladies who are getting married in the summer months...you'll be in air conditioning if unexpected circumstances come up and you're put indoors (on the bright side!)...and just like Erica had said in an earlier post, don't stress...it all comes together in the end! I mean, c'mon, look at those pics!

Thanks so much for the review!!!!! Can't wait to see all the pics on your wedding page! I wish we were able to do a site visit...but between our jobs and buying our house, it wasn't feasible But, on the bright side...we get to read and see everyone's reviews and pics! Thanks soooooo much again Sandra

Being that we both fell in love with Juan Carlos Tapia (he's in Cabo) photographer early on...we decided to go with him and fly him out for 3 nights. We have our wedding day shoot but we also have a trash the dress shoot the following day (we're sooooooo excited about this!!!). If we hadn't gone with Juan, we would have chosen Elizabeth Medina. She's just as talented and is on the Riviera side, but still 3 hours away from our resort, so she'd still have to be booked a night. I don't know how important photographer is to you guys, but that was the one thing we weren't going to skimp on. Our pictures will be a lifetime of memories to look at

Sabrina, Yes, you have to pay for your outside photographer to stay at Barcelo for at least one night (your wedding day). A photographer is very important to FI and I, so we don't mind paying for his stay. It really depends on what photographer you're interested in. I'd advise you to find out who their photographer is at Barcelo and view their portfolio. Good luck!

Erica!! You're back!!! Congratulations on your wedding! I'm sure it was beautiful! I'd love to see your pics! Feel free to email them if you don't know how to post them on there (I don't either, lol). My email is [email protected]. Elizabeth is amazing so I'm sure your pictures will be incredible! I was thinking about having a makeup artist also...was he expensive? Did you have to pay for his pass to be at Barcelo? You'll have to post a review about everything! We'd all love to read it! Congrats again Sandra

Another 1.1 (well, it took 2 weeks!!)...but I'm soooooooooo close to my half way point! YAHHHH

Congrats Lisa!!! You're well on your way! It's great that you set a mini goal! It makes the ticker fly by!! Then when you've reached that amazing goal, you could always set another if that's what you want! Either way, it's a great accomplishment

Have an amazing time! Take lots and lots of pics! Location pictures are most important to me...so make sure you take pics of all the areas outside where the reception can be held! Thanks We all can't wait to hear about it all! Have a safe trip Sandra

My color is hot pink and orange. I was going to order my sashes on wedding linens direct also. My whole thing was that I wasn't planning on bringing anything back, lol. It's bad enough taking everything there...then to pack it all up and bring it back? I guess it would depend on what it is and how much it weighs. When we travel we always bring back artwork or something decorative which could be large...so things have to sometimes be left behind in order to accommodate. I dunno if it'd be worth having another bride send you certain things and pay shipping when some sites shipping is free and wholesale items like sashes are so reasonably priced. Good luck!!!

LOL, yes, an air star is like fireworks with your name...at least that's what I've always heard! I asked Claudia last week about cocktail hour and she said it's fine and would be either in the same location as the reception (we're having it either on the outdoor grill or by the pool area...and we're going with Strawberry package)...or, it can be moved to a different area if the couple chooses. I guess it would really depend on how many weddings there are that day and who is going where. I had also asked her about the chairs during the ceremony because I'm bringing chair sashes and want them to be used during our reception also...she said the same exact chairs will be used, they move them to the next location. After the ceremony everyone stands around, drinks champagne and takes pictures. Then the bride and groom go and take pics solo or with their bridal party while everyone else is having cocktail hour before the reception. Don't stress ladies! No matter what happens, it will all look AMAZING!!!!! I know the coordinators don't respond promptly, but when they do they always have the right answers and once the wedding day arrives, it will be nothing short of fantastic! She sent me the cocktail options and prices as far as food and bar. If you send me an email at [email protected], I can send that to you guys!! Hope this helps at all!

Claudia was in touch with me twice last week via email. I use my gmail account, so perhaps it does have something to do with your yahoo. Have you checked the spam on your end? Try and do a search. It's really strange that they've taken this long! At most it's taken 5 days for a response. Good luck!!

Another 1.3! WOOT WOOT!!!! I can't wait to reach 30 lbs! Hopefully by the end of August! YAH!! Good luck lovely ladies

I will email what I have so far...Claudia said she'd be sending me the canapes, drinks, and dinner options at the end of the month (this was today). When is your wedding?

In the cocktails document...what do they mean by a beach setup? I'm assuming it's if the reception location is different, so 2 places are set up instead of just 1. This is so confusing. So, after our ceremony we all have champagne toast, then FI and I go and take pictures while everyone is having cocktails and hor'dourves (spelling? lol)...wouldn't it be in the same location as the reception? After our pictures then our DJ would announce us and we'd make our entrance and then after the dances and such we'd have dinner. I don't see how else it would be done. Oh, and does anyone know if the ceremony chairs are the same ones that are used during reception? I wanted to bring chair sashes and have them be used throughout. So while they're transitioning, what will our guests be doing? I'M SO CONFUSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP!

I just sent Claudia this email...maybe someone has answers already, instead of me waiting for her email which will take a month, lol. Here it is: Hi Claudia, Could you please send us all the information for the 2010 packages. I received them from another bride and we're most likely going with the "Strawberry Passion" package. What are the outside options for dinner as far as location and food? I would like to have it on outside grill or by the pool if possible. How much is it for each additional guest after the 15 which is included? We will only be having a symbolic ceremony so we won't need document arrangements or marriage certificate. I will also be interested in passed appetizers before dinner for our guests while we're having our pictures taken. We will be using DJ Mannia and our photographer will be staying at Barcelo. We will also want additional floral arrangements for our parents, flower girl and ring barrier. Can you send us all the information also? We would like to put everything together so we have an idea of costs. I will be bringing centerpieces, chair sashes, and sparklers from here. Is that all ok? Thank you again. Sandra & Mario