bondgirl0072010

This will seem like an extremely obvious piece of advice but I find myself not realizing it at times. Although I buy fruit & veggies every time I go to the store, I don't always eat them. What has helped change my ways is actually taking cherries, carrots, celery, etc out of their bags, cutting them up and putting them in a fun dish that is really visible in the fridge. It's surprising how much a difference this makes when the "effort" that has to go into actually cutting celery/carrots, etc. is already done for you. When things are presented nicely, it's also a bigger draw to want to snack on them. I find that in my household that consists of my husband, me and our 2 mini dachshunds, everyone eats more fruit & veggies when it's in more of a "party presentation" Hope that (kind of obvious, but easily forgotten) tip helps!

Thanks so much traveltoni! Sorry for the delayed response, I just saw this post! We had our ceremony on the beach at 5pm (perfect), then the pier for cocktail hour and then we did the reception in the foyer upstairs (outside balcony that wraps around the side of the hotel). It was fabulous but I will warn you, for the reception it was HOT HOT HOT! If the Lobster House was available on the evening we were married we definitely would have held it there! We were there the November prior to the wedding and saw our exact same setup (with the beach and cocktail hour on the pier...which gave us the idea, and then the reception in the Lobster House and it looked like they were having a blast! There was a DJ in there and dancers and it just looked like a great intimate place to have the reception. I'm not sure if you've been to the resort yet but the Lobster House has the lazy river wrap around it and it's beautifully lit up in the evening, so it makes you feel like you're right on the water I'm sure it's going to be beautiful! Let me know if you have any other questions!

Subbi, I just have to tell you that dress was MADE for you. It fits you perfectly in every way and you look absolutely fabulous!!! If you need any jewelry or hair accessories, please let me know. Regardless, you made a perfect choice and you just look incredible!

Aw thank you so much, weddingaway! That makes me so happy Please let me know if you're in need of any barefoot jewels or hair accessories! www.redibychelsea.com Thanks! Chelsea

No problem, best of luck! I'm sure your photos will be great!

Hi Mwise17! It's a very fair question and I can offer you my input/advice based on two different sides of the house. First off, I was a destination wedding bride last year and chose to wear a real hair flower. Looking back on it, I wish I would have chosen an artificial hair accessory. The flower stayed for the night but it was disappointing to not have a keepsake of such an important day. In addition, I was still charged (to be honest I can't recall exactly how much) for the hair flower on top of the bouquets and boutonnieres. It's quite an investment for flowers and I would have loved to have something to take away from that. I personally do not think there would be any clashing with wearing an artificial flower and having fresh flowers for your bouquets. I would say as long as you aren't trying to exactly match your fresh flowers, it would be great to have the contrast! I've started to design "Exotic Hair Couture" which I'd love you to check out here: http://www.redibychelsea.com/?page_id=2502. Please note that I'm always happy to customize anything (I hand-make everything myself) and I'm going to begin designing "Trash the Dress" Hair Couture as well (so brides can also have that keepsake from such special photos). I hope this helps and coming from being a bride who did this and now a designer, I feel like I have both perspectives so hopefully that helps Thanks! Chelsea

Hi vbbbtk! I would HIGHLY recommend getting in touch with Del Sol Photography either here on the forum or here on the contact form http://delsolphotography.com/blog/index.php/ContactDelSolPhotography.flo. Even if they're not able to do it for you, they're the best source to recommend other fabulous photographers! Have you seen their boudoir photos?! Best of luck and if you need any jewels for a boudoir shoot, just let me know! Chelsea www.redibychelsea.com

Congrats and welcome, Danielle! Best, Chelsea www.redibychelsea.com

Congrats and welcome jenniferleigh77!!

They're insanely beautiful...go for it subbi!

Hey Ladies! Don't forget about the option to add a little peacock flair in your luxe locks with Exotic Hair Couture!

Hey latinive! I saw your question here and wanted to let you know that most (if not all) TTD (Trash the Dress) shoots are taken outside of the resort. If you need any recommendation for a photographer, my wedding photographer from last year, Del Sol Photography http://delsolphotography.com/blog/index.php/category/5/Trash-The-Dress does absolutely incredible work. Here below you can see a few pics of a recent TTD they did in a cenote (underwater caves in Riviera Maya) featuring the barefoot jewelry that I design. Let me know if you have any questions! If you're looking for insanely gorgeous photos...just take a look at the link for Del Sol! Thanks! Chelsea www.redibychelsea.com www.facebook.com/RedIbyChelsea www.twitter.com/Redibychelsea

Hi MoBayBride2B! If you need any kind of hair accessories for the big day, feel free to take a look at my "Exotic Hair Couture" on my site! Thanks and happy planning!

Hi viajerajulie! Thank you so much for the compliment about the "Lakshmi Goddess" hair couture! Thank you also for the compliments on my girls and being a bride I really hope you aren't getting too upset about your girls not being able to all make it and potentially not having bridesmaids. I was in a similar predicament with a lot of friends being out of the country and not being able to make it financially. This was true for both the bridal party as well as wedding guests. I had one of my best friends back out because of financial reasons while we were planning. The most important part is that you'll be there with your love as well as the friends and family who have made it work to be there with you. It's one of the best things about destination weddings...you can make it exactly what you want without having as many of the, "have to's, need to's, etc". You can throw traditional out the window and make the planning about exactly what you want - having a fabulous time with friends and family in a beautiful setting. These memories are ones that are hard to put into words, but I know I could have worried about 90% less and still would have had the time of my life because of the people that made it. Please, I beg of you, focus on yourselves and be confident that no matter what, your day (and trip) will be the most amazing thing you can imagine and you have the ability to make it exactly what you both want. I have had plenty of friends spend huge amounts of money on wedding with hundreds of people (and that is totally fine), but it was our wedding last Summer that was talked about at our friend's weddings because of how unique and special it was. You have the luck to have 2 weddings...it's going to be amazing Please feel free to ask any questions. I'm more than happy to gush about these incredible memories and get excited for the ones you'll have to come! Best, Chelsea

Hi muzikgrrl! Have you considered barefoot jewelry for your wedding? I saw you mentioned flats so I thought I'd throw it out there

Hey viajerajulie! Del Sol is definitely amazing! I still tear up looking at them a year later!! I saw you mentioned peacock and had to mention something! I don't know if you'll definitely incorporate any peacock into your Cancun wedding but I have a suggestion. I wanted to have turquoise (and did with my bridesmaid's dresses) but kept the flowers mainly white with calla lilies in cylindrical vases on our reception table with fuschia rose petals down the middle (pictures are below). Also, it's funny you mention peacock because I just (literally just today) posted on my site a feather, shell & crystal hair comb with one peacock feather (pic attached). It's called the "Lakshmi Goddess" Please let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to help with any, "this is what I did" stories too! Bridesmaid's dresses: Reception table w/ black linens, candles, submerged white calla lilies & fuschia petals: "Lakshmi Goddess" Hair Comb that I designed and available on my site: www.redibychelsea.com:

Hello! We had 36 people and it worked out completely fine! Most of our group was energetic, ready to dance and have a great time. The only time we were all seated was for dinner/the toasts so people were up and moving around the whole time anyway. I thought it had a really sleek look and I was interested in doing something that wasn't so traditional as round tables. My fiance wasn't sure at first (he thinks in a more traditional way) and when he saw it he LOVED it. We both were really happy with our choice and even choosing the black linen really made the flowers and candles pop!

Thanks so much sweetie! We loved sitting in the middle because it gave us a full view both ways (and really, it was better for toasts/etc. because that way people weren't stretching over each other to see us! I wouldn't have done it any other way! It was perfect for us and I'd highly suggest the set up. It felt very VIP Good luck and if you have any questions just let me know.

Congrats Soon2BNJersey!

Congratulations! This is a fabulous resource and feel free to ask any questions! If you need any jewels or hair accessories, feel free to check out my designs! I was a destination wedding bride last year and I'd be happy to help you with any questions. I've attached my wiki page here! http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/wiki/destination-wedding-jewelry-barefoot-beach-jewelry-more Best of luck planning!

Hey Everyone! I'm no longer on Etsy but I'm running my own site where I design destination wedding barefoot jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, earrings & I just launched my line of Exotic Hair Couture! I design for brides and bridal parties alike. Since this is a thread filled with brides who share my passion of independently designed wedding treasures, I thought I'd share my information! Each piece of jewelry/hair couture has been inspired by my own international travels. After having my own destination wedding last year (and using this site), I'm also happy to answer any questions. Great luck on the planning and please let me know if there's anything I can help you with!

GORGEOUS!!! I share your passion for Del Sol. They did my wedding as well. Congrats!

Gorgeous wedding and FABULOUS dress! Congratulations!!

Hey sxcT, I did one long table for my wedding and it wasn't difficult to be social at all. I guess it really depends on your wedding party as well as energy levels, but besides for dinner, everyone was up dancing and moving around anyway. It was a really sleek look and I was thrilled how it turned out! Good luck!

It's 150% totally ok to request that. I don't know about other photographers, but I know when I booked ours (Del Sol), they sent forms requesting any specifics that we wanted as far as pictures of certain people with us, etc. Don't feel bad in the least bit to request something about your photos. In the end you want to be moved every time you look at them so don't be shy about asking at all. In fact, you could request directly from them if they have something they could email you that you could fill out with special requests! Good luck!