amybermuda

Here are my favors for my Maryland themed AHR this Saturday!!!! I am super excited:

Quote: Originally Posted by MaggieandJay This thread was my godsend! I ended up picking the resort because of the ladies on here and i felt I would get the best wedding! I am hoping this photo thing I am about to do works! I have 2 blind from birth poodles. Xander and Leonitis. Xander is the big one and Leo is the little one! We got them from a rescue here in Houston. We took Xander because I am a sucker for special needs. 3 years later the same rescue called us up and said we have another blind dog, would you like it. I don't dress them up very often but the Dog Groomer will do it during the holidays and take their pics for a small fee. She is going to take a pic of them in Tuxes for my favor card! I know - how do brides plan DWs without support like this!?!! I cannot beging to imagine. Ahhh Maggie, I love your poodles! You are too funny. I love their USA getup.

Whoever wanted to know about the wine...... I love wine - I would not call myself a wine snob - but I know a little about it and drink a lot of it. I drink $15 - $20 bottles - which I think is average. Anyhoo, the wine at the resort was GOOD. My Dad and Step mom like good wine too and they all loved it. The Sauvignon Blanc was really good - I wish I could buy it - hint of grapefruit, my fave. The pinot noir was nice and they served it at the correct temperature. I was scared they were going to do room temp/too hot. I also tried the cabernet and that was good too. We stupidly ordered special wine for our wedding from Lomas - DO NOT DO THIS!!!!! No one knew they were drinking anything different from the house wine. Waste of $$$$$!!!!!! We did drink the house sparkling wine too and it was OK, I like mine more like prosecco - so drier - but hey, they poured it like water and we must've drank 12+ bottles at our cocktail reception

Hey 29 is a great age!!! Everyone thinks your lying when you say you are 29! haha Get used to the eye roll, "sure you're 29...."' How unfair is that?! I am 2 months til I turn 31 and I love love love my 30s!

Quote: Originally Posted by amandamarieb That brings me to my next point, I have almost 70 guests coming! You think that they would want to take care of me. But no, I have to ask my TA over and over again to call my guests back. charge them in a timely manner, book them over the phone if that's what they prefer and the list goes on and on. Amy is willing to work more for people who are nice. That makes so much sense. But also being in the service industry, I know that I wouldnt be were I am or have the clients I have if I didn't respond in a timely manner and answer the questions asked. I've told my TA that. She doesn't seem to care. Ahhh...can you sense my frustration? In terms of looking for updated packages...I really use this site as my measure. One of you girls mentions a sweet deal, I try my luck and ask for it. Sp far almost 3k saved. Hoping they will let me downgrade to free wedding package which (after adding on flowers) should be at least another $500-600 saved. I know I'll spend it elsewhere, but better than throwing it away on "extras" I will not use. Ah, why am I so overwhelmed all the sudden? Is this normal for brides 2 1/2 months out. AHHH! I can't believe it's that close. Amanda, same thing happened to me with my Travel Agent. She never called anyone to ask for final payment. I sent out all emails - I started 2 months before we were leaving and told everyone that payments were due by a certain date - 45 days before they leave. I followed up with 2 more emails and then also made my TA tell me 50 days out who had not paid yet and I followed up. Yes, it was a lot of work, but my TA was extremely disorganized and she said she did not have the systems set up to remind guests when to pay. Seems like a simple service every TA has, right?! That's awesome you have saved that much money by using other brides stories and suggestions!!! That is such a testament to everyone helping each other and sharing stories! woo hoo ladies YES - 2 1/2 months very stressed = totally normal! This is when list making is your friend Jeep it by your bed so when you wake up panicking, you'll write down whatever you just remembered and get back to sleep

Quote: Originally Posted by taylorwd Bummer about the pictures. Can you email her and tell her you were really hoping to have them for your AHR? Displaying them could possibly bring her business and therefore motivate her. Eeeek, 5 days!! And then you're done with planning! I can't wait to see pics of your AHR. Yes, I sent her an email Sunday night and have not heard back yet. I know she is probably busy - so I'll follow up again tomorrow is still nothing. I am dying to see them! Quote: Originally Posted by cjb0arder13 Maybe you just have soooooo many good pictures it's hard for her to narrow it down LOL - yes, thats what I think too hehe Quote: Originally Posted by mmc1105 I was told by my WC that they either had to pay the outside vendor fee ($500) or stay three nights. I figured the vendor fee would end up being less, so I was trying to look for Mexican photogs, however, if I really like someone I'll definitely be willing to fly them down! I think we would be able to use Claudia without the vendor fee, so I am seriously considering her! I hope you get them in time! Maybe if you email her and let her know you wanted to show them off she'll expedite the process! I used Claudia and still had to pay the $500 outside vendor fee b/c she was not one of the approved photographers. Total waste of $500 but whatever. I am banking on once in a lifetime shots Quote: Originally Posted by beaz2be I finally put an avatar up! (Rarely on the computer here at home with access to my photos. hahaha. NICE!!!! Good work.

Linz, you are so on a roll girl! Your invites and pre-mailer were amazing. Good work! I cant wait to see how cute everything else is for your wedding! Glad everyone who hasn't heard of it is going to try Old Bay. I love it on baked potatoes and chicken too. I've found it in NC, MA, and now Bermuda so I am sure New Orleans has it somewhere! Its the best on shrimp too - I even add it to tuna salad. :-) I keep checking Claudia's website for my pro pics and still nothing - its been over 7 weeks - I am dying to see my slide show & wanted to show it to everyone this Saturday at the AHR.

They look amazing Lindz!!! Wow!!! I would keep that forever if I got one in the mail

Quote: Originally Posted by msmarmar123 Amy..do you have any other pics of all the bridesmaids together? Love love love all those colors together and trying to convince FI that bridesmaids wearing different colors is not a bad or scary thing... Thanx My professional pics should be online this weekend so I will send you the link to those as well. Here is one of just the BMs. Karen who just posted above you had the same dress in 3 different colors which looked great too. My BMs were very hesitant to comply with my request to get different dresses. My sister thought they should get similar fabric, the pink one thought they should all get the same designer (J Crew)and my best friend was very concerned about the colors. I had to continuously tell them to get a bright dress in their color that they loved. That was the only requirement!!

Del Sol stopped accepting Karisma b/c Karisma stopped accepting them. It sounds like Azul/Karisma is relaxing their Mexican Photographer policy. Or at least that's what some of the past few pages of posts have seemed to me, so I would suggest you ask your WC what the current policy is and if you can use them specifically. I thought AmyF's photo had a Del Sol look too. You can always tells your photog you want more of a photo-journalistic approach.

Karen, Your wedding was beautiful! I love your dress and your bridesmaids colors. The flowers were gorgeous!!!! Everything looked so romantic. Congratulations!

Quote: Originally Posted by KarenM Great planning Amy! The dress you picked is beautiful! It's funny - the first dress I loved was also that first BCBG striped dress, but I didn't end up w/ it either. Congrats on being a Mrs!! That's hilarious Karen! And we are both on May 29th too!!! I am going to check out your pics and review now.

PS - what the hell? Did they fire everyone or did everyone quit?

Hey Mags - OMG such drama for you today!!! I feel for ya girl and WTF that hotel had 500+ rooms - and they are all sold out? I cannot believe that. I hope everyone has large room blocks already booked; lesson learned, eh? Honestly, your guests will get cheaper flights to Mexico 2 weeks before Memorial Day and you are 2 weeks further away from the start of hurricane season so I think you have a great new date!

Quote: Originally Posted by MsSmithtobe I was worried about ziplining because i didn't want anyone getting hurt before the wedding, but im going for it! You know I was nervous about Volleyball - a la "Meet the Faulkers" style spike to the face!!! But the worst that happened was bug bites while zip lining. I don't think anyone even got a bruise! Bring tons of bug spray with you - Mexico is full of mozzies!

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart Awesome jobs ladies! Glad you love your jobs, that's always nice Amy - 6am - 5pm or 6pm, 7am would be soooo nice. No gym, no long lunch, no errands no nothing. Just me and my over time. I take a 30 minute lunch and that's it... aside from BDW of course Our company gave us unlimited over time for the month of July and are pushing us to use it... I'm in sales so there's no lack of things to do ever and the more you work, the more sales so they like to crack that whip! Glad to hear your sticking with AB!!! Wow you are so motivated!! I have never had a job where I make an hourly salary but I am still not sure I'd work all that overtime. Does your husband get it when he is traveling? My old job I used to travel a lot and I think my salary on an hourly basis was like cut in half all the extra time I spent in hotels and airports.

Quote: Originally Posted by gingerlover36 That was going to be next post. So after a crazy 2 weeks and investigating close to 15-20 hotels and analyzing their wedding menu/packages, reviews, etc. I decided....to stay at Azul Beach! My fiance spoke at length for 3 days with Fabio who is FABOLOUS. Totally honest...no BS and got the info we needed. We know that there is a chance there may be some construction going on but no bulldozers etc. We hope its all finished but there is a chance it won't be. He said ti will be the interior of the rooms. We are just keeping our fingers crossed for the best. We are also going to most likely plan ANOTHER trip there before the wedding to check out the progress. So as of today 39 rooms booked and TA is working on getting 2 more if possible. Hooray...now I'm off to party plan - my sister is due in 7 weeks and I am planning her shower with my mom (poor mom has lots of showers/parties to plan this year) YAY! So happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wendy spoke to Fabio a lot too and she thought he was amazing. So glad you don't have to go and change everything now. Even once you get there they will help you do anything you ask to do and be persistent!

Quote: Originally Posted by gingerlover36 Since I have been out of the loop for a week or two - I 'll chime into the latest. I am an Account Executive at a Marketing/Advertising Agency but I am going to school part time to become an elementary school teacher! (Not the best timing - no jobs, planning wedding, oh well!) Have you been looking at other hotels lately? I am an insurance broker, mainly working with hospital medical malpractice.

Quote: Originally Posted by msmarmar123 Most of my family is out of town (at least all the cousins) and I can't see any of them actually GOING to the wedding if invited...but I don't want to chance it...I literally just sent out an email a few days ago to get addresses and then FI tells me today that we should cut back...which I totally agree with...but I wish he would have said this last week Is an email saying you're uninvited rude or do I just let it play out and deal with it when I have to? FI wants to post something on our website saying we have decided to go with just immediate family and bridal party..is that ok or super tacky? I think it's a combination of both I would honestly tell people about wanting to keep the wedding small and keeping your guest list to only immediate family and very close friends. For all your cousins know, maybe you wanted their addresses for wedding announcements!! It does not mean you are inviting someone when you ask for their address - but to be on the safe side I would tell them. Start with the easiest person to talk to and get their advice. I found that having certain people "on our side" regarding a destination wedding was really helpful. So when family members complained/questioned it, there were other people who stood up for us and helped explain our decision. At first I felt embarrassed when ppl would ask me about when my wedding when I knew they were not getting the invite, but when I told them we were only inviting immediate family & friends - only 40 people total and we both have large immediate families.... - they really understood and thought it was nice to have a small wedding. Ohhhhhh, 7am to 5pm Amy?! That sounds terrible! Do you leave for lunch/go to the gym?

Quote: Originally Posted by mmc1105 I just wanted to add that I LOVE the Old Bay favors Thank you!!!!!! Quote: Originally Posted by mmc1105 I'm going to try and post a pic of our STDs below! The color is not exact because of the bad lighting, but you get the idea. Ohhhh I love them! They look great!!! Where did you get them designed/printed? Quote: Originally Posted by daniepps Thank you all! It was actually supposed to be outside but it rained that day for the first time in like a month but I think it actually was better that it was inside becasue we didn't have to deal with people going in and out of the house and bugs! Loved the theme - how cute!!!! You look like a blushing bride to be! Quote: Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach Amy, everything looked great and your wedding was beautiful! I also loved to see the items you made yourself. It gave me motivation to get my butt in gear and create an inspiration board so that all these muddled thoughts in my head would come together. Thanks soooooo much for sharing and not forgetting about us B2B's! :-) Oh thank you! Doing things early kept me sane in the month leading up to the wedding. Quote: Originally Posted by beaz2be Question for all you AS brides who did a beach ceremony. What is the wooden aisle runner (that is provided with the pearl package) like? Is it easy to walk on/narrow wooden slats? It was OK to walk on it but it was a little jittery... Like the slats would move around as I walked on it. If you are a talented high heels wearer, you could totally do it. I suck in high heels so I wore wedges. 1/2 of my BM's went barefoot. Quote: Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach Hey Ladies! I've been away for a few days and as usual, you Ladies are moving full steam ahead. I needed to get away and not do any wedding planning because I was beginning to get stressed out with the family drama around me. I cannot believe I am posting this on a public forum, but I am having issues with my Mother and she has been making this wedding planning a nightmare as opposed to something fun. I'm her firstborn and only daughter and I guess my expectations of her involvement were/are a little higher than her perception. Anyway, I'm channeling and processing it all and working on beginning to accept that although she has the funds, she just might not be at or involved in my wedding. It hurts, but it is what it is. I just never invisioned my wedding day without my Mom being front row and center stage. Lots of lessons to be learned in life. Wasn't your Mom being very supportive before? That sucks that you have to deal with this amidst planning what should be your most fun party ever! I hope that things get straightened out - good for you for taking time to your self and reflecting.

Quote: Originally Posted by beaz2be By the way ladies - I found my dress!! Got it on the first day shopping! I'm sooo excited. It's not ANYTHING like I had envisioned I would want however, so now I'm starting to rethink the whole image of the day/BM dresses etc. I'm over the moon in love with it tho. Thats awesome! Do you have any pictures or web links to share!!

Thanks girls! I realized I forgot my DJ and song choices: I went with the DJ option from the hotel. It was double what people pay for DJs back home, but for FI, we had to have a DJ. so... Bride and Groom Entrance: Best Friend by Weezer - start at 0:34 First Dance: This Kind of Love by Sister Hazel Father Daughter: Wild World by Cat Stevens Mother Son: Forever Young by Alphaville I walked down the aisle to "If I ain't got you" by Alicia Keys and we walked out to "Say Hey (I love You)" by Michael Franti.

Quote: Originally Posted by murmel We have booked for 14 days. We plan on arriving a couple of days ahead of the guests, so that we can spend that time talking and organizing with the wedding coordinator,etc. We also plan on buying some of our OOT bag supplies locally to try and save room/weight in our luggage. We plan on buying some local Mexican chocolate, and souvenirs. We also plan on buying a bunch of postcards, which will become our "Guest book". We will ask guests to fill in their favorite memory of the trip and mail the postcard before they leave for home. So we will need to find a local post office for postage. Then once all the guests have departed we will still have 4 days to relax and enjoy. We will be at the Sensatori the whole time. I don't want to repack. (we had to do that on our site inspection trip, because the hotel was overbooked for the first 3 days. And it honestly ate up a days' time, just repacking, transfer and then settling into the next place.) I know Amy F went a couple days early too and I think that's the BEST idea! It would have been nice if I knew the lay of the land, had met all of the bar tenders & beach butlers, and gotten to know what restaurants to go to on what days and all of the activities prior to all the guests coming. B/c once everyone is at the resort, your time is spent with them!

That's so funny! Go Maryland! OK, so I finished my planning thread. It doesn't really flow but whatever, I could only look at it for so long - plus I wanted to get it done before I got my pro pics - b/c then I have to write the wedding review. Phew so much to do So, here it is: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...wedding-61350/ Have a great day!

OK -- last post Excursions & Activities FI and I decided to book the lowest room category instead of the Suite and spend the extra $ on excursions for our guests. We were so glad we did this; it was almost like we were at summer camp or doing team building activities with our family & friends. B/c neither of us live in our old hometowns and have moved around a lot, our friends and family are not one cohesive group. These excursions allowed the families and friends to bond. Our schedule was based on Monday-Monday week in Mexico: 1)Welcome Dinner – Tuesday night. This was the free non private dinner in our wedding package. We are going to follow the Welcome Dinner w/ a “Texas Hold Em†tourney in the Tequila Bar. My brother is bringing poker chips and since everyone has cards in the OOT bags, that’s all we need! 2)Wednesday Excursion – I booked a group tour through Susan Vincil at CancunandRivieraMaya.com She gave me tons of information on different tours and created one just for me – Tulum ruins, ziplining, lunch, and snorkeling in a cenote. They included transportation to and from AB in air conditioned vans for $93 pp. It is an 8 hour excursion – such a steal! The snorkeling and zip lining with lunch was at Aktun Chen: AKTUNCHEN NATURAL PARK Cancun and the Riviera Maya Mexico - Hotels, Pictures, Beaches, Information 3)Thursday night Cancun clubbing – 3 vans (through Cancunandrivieramaya.com again) taking us to and from Cancun – starting at 7:30pm and one pick up at 11:30pm and another at 2am. This was $336 for all 3 vans – super cheap way to have a 30 person excursion. If I did not do the tulum & zip lining one, I’d probably do a day trip to Playa as well. 4)“Rehearsal dinner†– instead of the traditional rehearsal dinner, we are having a Catamaran cruise through Paradise Catamarans. 4 hours – incl food & open bar. FI’s parents are paying for this as they would the normally sponsor the rehearsal dinner at a traditional wedding. It’s about $2500 including transport. We also have to pick up 4 guests staying at a different hotel. We are going snorkeling and then cruising. Sail, swim, snorkel, parasail, and enjoy the Mayan Riviera with Paradise Catamarans. Our private catamaran charters make every outing a memorable event. Saturday is the wedding and there are no more activities after that – besides recovery and reminiscing! OOOKKKKK I think that wraps up most of my planning. Please let me know if you have any questions!