estella1007

Thank you everyone for your comments! I was worried that it was rude not to provide them, but you have eased my mind there! To be honest, I also had never heard of them prior to joining this forum. I am also trying to keep my budget down (the reason we chose a destination wedding in the first place.) I may spring for nicer favors, like personalized towels or something, so everyone has a nice souvenir from the trip. Hopefully that is good enough.

We are traveling via cruise ship. I will also have our son (who will be 1 yr old at the time.) Between packing for ourselves, him, the favors, my gown, his stroller, diapers, baby food, etc...That is even more to stuff into the already numerous suitcases. Not to mention we all know how small the cruise cabins are. How the heck do I make 25 OOT bags to take along as well? Is it rude not to have them? Do the guests expect them?

I am also a Maggie bride, and I ALSO have the Vernice! The shop that I ordered my dress through includes all the alterations in the price of the dress, so mine was $1200 including alterations.

I hope I don't upset anyone by adding my opinion. I am also having color issues, so I know that any feedback is helpful. Plus...who wants to make a decision they end up regretting. I love the idea of the brown and sunflowers....if you were having a fall wedding, and not a destination wedding. The brown would look so great with brighter, more tropical flowers. If you really have your heart set on the gold-yellow colors, I would look into some yellow and orange flowers that are more tropical.

I just wanted to share some info with you. I was planning to do my own makeup because I don't trust makeup artists to do what I like. I am a "MAC" girl, and no one else is quite as dramatic as they are. I found that there is a MAC store in Hamilton, and they have the same policy as the US stores. As long as you purchase $50 worth of products, your makeup application is free. Just thought I would share that with you guys!

FYI, I am a big MAC addict. I'm sure most of you are. I was planning to do my own makeup, but first did a little investigating. I am getting married in Bermuda, and just assumed that there aren't any MAC stores. I was wrong! Apparently they also have the same policy as US stores. As long as you buy $50 worth of products (which I have no problem doing,) the makeup application is free! Woo Hoo! You other brides may want to call the customer service number on the MAC website and find out if there is a MAC location at your destination and you can pretty much get your makeup done for free. Just buy some of the stuff they used!

You guys are great! Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going with a veil. I may regret not having one. I'm gonna make it though, so if I don't use it I don't get mad about spending extra $. Here is the dress I bought. The model has a veil on with it. Maybe I will do the same style veil as the pic.

What are you guys doing? I feel that because it's a destination wedding, a veil may be too formal. Although, I see these great pics that where the bride has a cathedral length veil blowing in the wind and it looks so pretty.I am afraid that without a veil I won't look like a bride! I think I may be doing silk gardenias in my hair instead, but would love to hear what everyone else is planning to do.

You look gorgeous! Are you doing a veil? I am still unsure if I should or not. My dress isn't embellished at all, so it may be too formal. Maybe flowers in my hair and that it.

Do you think it's ok that mine doesn't match the girls'? Should I do mine like theirs also?

Do you guys think my bouquet needs to match my girls'? Here are the pics of what I'm doing...

Lets try this one more time...

Ok, good news. I just got my response about the ceremony on the beach. The manager said that if their beach is not large enough at the time, there is a beach 2 miles away that they will do it at for me. What a relief. Good luck with your wedding and thanks for your help!

I have to say that dealing with Surfside has been great so far, and the manager is so accommodating to what I have been asking for. I was having some fear over the bad reviews I have read, but disregarded them because of the good experience I have has thus far. I am now somewhat concerned with the fact that you say a ceremony can't happen on the beach there. When I put my deposit last year I was told that I could have my ceremony on the beach. I just emailed the manager to ask about that and confirm if that is the case. If so, I am going to be really upset. I may need to make some back up plans, perhaps at 9 beaches just in case.

Thank you everyone for all your help! I am still stressing out though. The pics of 9 beaches look much nicer. Cattie, you said that you only have to pay a venue fee? Do you mind telling me what that is? I will tell you what I am getting at Surfside. I am doing a vow renewal, and got last years price because I booked it back last May. For $1400 I am getting use of the site, the minister's services, and 1 hour of photography including the disc with all the pics, then I have to pay $60 for chair rental. In addition to that I am having a cocktail party for my guests (26 people so far, including the two of us.) The cocktail party will only cost $535 and consists of 8 different hors d oeuvres. I am paying the bar tab at the time, so I have no clue what that will be, but that would be the same wherever I went. I chose Petals for my flower vendor, and for my bouquet, 3 bridesmaids bouquets, a corsage, cake flowers, and 2 arrangements for the front 2 chairs is about $600. A cake will be $130-$150 from the bakery I spoke to. I am still undecided about using a violinist at $275 or steel pan player at $350. It looks like without including the bar tab, my total will be around $3100. Could I have done better elsewhere?

Do you mind me asking what your wedding package includes and how much? I feel like I may need to switch venues if I keep hearing bad things.

I see that there are a few of us out there, and quite a few of us from Jersey! I am getting nervous because I see that no one is mentioning the Surfside, and when they do it's not very good. I am planning to get married there in early October of 09. I am only having the ceremony, followed by a cocktail party, then back to the ship for dinner. Is the Surfside really as bad as the reviews I am hearing? I looked into all of the other resorts, and they are sooo much more expensive for such a basic package. Am I going to be disappointed with my choice?

Hi all, I'm planning my October 09 wedding in Bermuda, and would love to hear your suggestions! -Christina