KimmyG

Archie- Welcome back and thanks for joining in! A few things: The strawberry daquaris before the ceremony are such a nice touch, it seems silly to have to pay additional for drinks at an all-inclusive but i'm sure it was much appreciated. As for continuing the party after dinner, how did you coordinate with your guests? Just made your way to the plaza or told people to head that way? Is there any entertainment/music/dancing going on to help get the party started? I remember loving your dress from the first time I saw it- you ROCKED it! Who was the designer/style? Did you sell yours? Hope you're enjoying life as a newlywed! Thanks for helping to ease our stress!

I didn't see a thread dedicated to this, so I'm starting one. I LOVE the idea of doing Message In A Bottle invitations but they can be very expensive so I'm considering making my own. Has anyone done this before? Where did you buy plastic bottles/corks? Any advice in making these? Here are some websites I found helpful in gathering information: Message in a Bottle Invitations: Perfect for Your Beach Wedding HOW TO MAKE YOUR MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE INVITATION

Welcome! There's a lot of great resorts in Playa del Carmen. Check out Riu Palace Riviera Maya, that was my first pic! I've also heard good things about Barcelo Maya Palace, Dreams, Moon Palace, Iberostar, etc...

Wedding clarifications, b/c i had these same questions earlier : CIVIL wedding is legal and binding in mexico: it takes place at the courthouse in mexico and your wedding documents will be in spanish and must be transferred to english RELIGIOUS wedding is neither legal nor binding in mexico or usa, but they go through all the ceremony motions. also known as "symbolic" b/c it seems like the real deal but you're not legally wed at that time... this is what most BDW brides do, and also why they do the "legal day" either before or after leaving RENEWAL i've heard is very clearly a renewal of vows and cannot be passed off as the real deal. this is also not legal in mexico or usa.

Kijiji?? Details!

I didn't know there was a MAC on 5th, this is a great idea! I think it sounds like fun to go to the town and get beautified together, then return back to the hotel. My wedding is at 5pm and I don't want to be sitting in my room all day anxious anyway

I LIKE it!!! I think certain words... like fiber.... should be left out of wedding speak, but other than that i think it's beautiful

Sorry to hear about FI's company I think you should still shoot for the DW- aside from being a cheaper wedding, it's also a built-in honeymoon and job or no job you cannot skip the honeymoon so this is clearly the best way to go

Happy Birthday Shellk! JOSIE thanks for posing your long response from Riu. WTF does she mean "I am truly sorry but we don't offer this service." for the frozen drink table... I too have seen photos and planned on doing this. Soo confused. Do you know if you get champagne or any other drinks while everyone is sitting outside in the heat before/during/after the ceremony??

I'm seriously considering taking down the "wedding party" page of our website. I'm not even sure 2 out of 3 of my bridesmaids will even come.... Is it too late to change my selection of bridesmaids!??!?!!! I better take the page with their names/pictures down soon in case I have to do some rearranging

Erin- I LOVE your VS dress, so pretty! I wish it came in white so I could put my bridesmaids in it... we're having an all-white wedding. Tracy- So sorry to hear about the RSVP frustration. It feels disappointing bc you're inviting the people that mean the MOST to you, and it feels like they're all letting you down. Can you email everyone and ask them to "respectfully rsvp with yes/no/i'll get back to you by january 15" We officially have 10 people booked.... ALL on FI's side, NONE of our parents, NONE of my 3 bridesmaids. I feel like it's a competition of FI's side vs My side, and he's kicking my butttttt! Trying to stay upbeat despite it all

Quote: Originally Posted by amygirl1169 I just received my shipment of these and I'm a little worried they might be too small... a standard size business card just barely fits and I'm not sure if a hotel key will fit in them We'll just have to wait and see! We're going away this weekend, so I will take one to check if the hotel key fits. Good call. Please keep us posted!!!

Paige- I've got our date and STDs and that's pretty much it, too. We sent out STDs 2 months ago and pretty much noone has booked yet so it's too soon to send out invitations (b/c i know i'll just get annoyed when people don't RSVP, so i'll wait until people have a better idea if they're really coming or not). I'm not buying bridesmaids dresses until my bm's actually book their trips since they're being iffy about even coming! arrrggg Our wedding is "all white" so I may just tell them to pick out their own white, strapless, knee-length dresses to keep it simple. I'm still chewing over wedding dresses... I got a knock-off from china, which is nice, but it doesn't fit the way I want... I plan to take it to a seamstress but in the meantime i'm being distracted by other dresses i think i like better now! I can't wait to be on the beeeachh :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by Taylorbride ebredhawk: where did you get the supplies for your room key/tip money holders? I have already bought the wrist coils but I don't know where to get the pouches and I only need 15 or so. Thanks for the support everyone I'll be plenty happy if parents and wedding party all make it down, anything else is a bonus. Great websites for the badge holders. Where did you guys find wrist coils?? I think putting names on the mugs is a great idea, you guys are so brilliant!

Hi everyone! I haven't been able to get on the forum much lately but i'm baack! I'm struggling... I've heard every excuse under the sun of why people cannot come. We sent out over 100 STD's in August and the only people that have booked so far are FI and I, and one couple that's a family friend. That's it. It crushes me that I have to explain to my friends one by one that it would mean a lot to me for them to attend.... all they hear is $$$$$$ and say they can't afford it. We picked Mexico to make it affordable for guests!!! Did I do something to piss everybody off!!! It's bad timing b/c a lot of friends in our circle are planning their weddings or buying houses, so they have excuses out the wazoo. I shouldn't have to beg people to come.... Not even my former college roommates are making arrangements. I hope my bridesmaids actually make it... they've been iffy too. Super bummed right now With that said, 100 invites, no clue about who will actually attend... how do you purchase things for OOT bags? I don't want to buy for 20 people if 40 come, or buy for 40 if only 10 come.... ahhhh! My favorite OOT ideas so far: Keycard/tip holder that can be worn as bracelet or necklace, mugs, welcome letter, photoshare info, pain meds, heartburn meds, list to keep track of room numbers. I'll skip towels since they're bulky, pricey, and the hotel provides them anyway. I like the idea of marraccas for the tables, as favors.

How about Snapfish? I've seen other photo books (not bd) done by them and they looked great!

I'd considered buying a BOSE stereo system to bring down with us. It's pricey but at least you'd get to keep it at the end. Does anyone know if they get loud enough to fill a dinner-party room?

Quote: Originally Posted by JOSIE Kimmy! I was told that if you want equiment to play your ipod its the same price as the DJ....they charge you for the DJ either way because you'd need his equipment to play your ipod. So you're looking at $1700 to play your ipod! GAY! Shut up, that is WHACK!!! I had noooo idea, I thought iPod was the cheapy way to go. Hot damn!

Josie and Lisa- Ael says: "bare in mind that this can change if your group increases dramatically" I don't consider an increase from 50 to 55 guests, or 55 to 60 guests as a "dramatic increase." I'm pretty sure they'd squeeze in a few extra chairs and accomodate you without additional cost. If you're concerned, just go with Chilis and forgettaboutit! I liked BotoFogo b/c they say it's more elegant, but i'd take stress-free over elegant any day. Besides, you can't go wrong with Steak and Lobster as your wedding dinner :-)

Hi everyone. Thanks for the support with my bridesmaids fiasco, and for continuing to post such helpful information for all of us. I had no idea that there was a charge to have cocktails at dinner, that really blows b/c i'm sure we're all going to have to bite that bullet. I also thought the cocktail hour was free. I'm debating keeping the reception semi-private (people have said you essentially get it private anyway and without the fee) and not renting the disco. Instead, maybe arrange transportation to take guests out for some nightlife, or even to the Yucatan where the drinks are free, but no need to pay to rent the place out when it's there for your use anyway. Instead of renting the media for the slideshow at RPRM, i'm saving that money for the at-home reception, so I can show pictures/video of the wedding. When in mexico i don't want to worry about lugging around a laptop. I'd rather bring an ipod and pay for the hookups to play my own playlist. I'm sure there's a charge for this too, but i can't see it being too bad (just speakers and hookups). Josie and Lisa, you chicas are riiiiiight around the corner :-) yay!

I changed my "mood" to sad.... 2 out of 3 of my bridesmaids have let me know they may not make it after all. I'm about 1/3 sad, 1/3 confused, 1/3 pissed... I know it's expensive to come... you've had 1.5 years of advance notice... it upsets me that you're acting like this isn't even important. One of them asked me to move the wedding back to the states. Can you believe that?! I'm pretty far from bridezilla but this makes me want to scream! They're my cousins, I wouldn't even DREAM of not attending their weddings! aaarrrrggggghhhh! *rant over*

Anyone hear anything about the videography at RPRM? I wonder if their work is nice and how expensive is it. For the wedding ceremonies, do they automatically set up speaker system or do you have to pay extra for that? I know it can be loud and windy being outside.

What is the earlier seating time for dinner? More than 27 guests puts you at the late seating (8:45) but I'm starting to loose a bit of optimism that we'll reach or exceed 27 guests Hmm what cake combinations sound good to you guys? Vanilla and peach? Chocolate and strawberry? Thanks for sharing the email, Josie. So exciting that it's almost your time!!

More questions for Lorie -Did you plan your trip to Xel-Ha after you arrived or in advance? How did you book it (front desk?)? -Did you try all of the specialty restaurants? Any you didn't like? -Did you see any of the live music: caribbean trio, mariachi band, harpist?? What did you think of the wedding on the beach? Too windy? Thanks!!!!

Lorie- thanks for sharing your photos! I loved looking thru them. You saw some neat local houses, were they within walking distance of the RPRM or did you rent a car? Bummer about the red flags every day of your trip, did anyone get in the water at all? What month were you there?