heidilynn28

I have thirteen brand new funky-colored Bath & Body Works reusable totes for sale. They fold up into a small square. They would be perfect for welcome bags for a beach wedding! Four different models available (see pictures). Due to more people attending my wedding than I expected, I don't have enough and ended up buying different totes for my OOTs. They were originally $2.50 +tx each but I am willing to sell all thirteen for $25 plus shipping. PM me if you're interested and include your address so I can calculate the shipping costs!

Hi everyone, Getting a little paranoid about bringing down tealight holders and tealight candles. Getting married at the end of June in Mexico and I'm wondering what your experience has been with keeping the tealights lit with the chance of wind?? Any comments will be appreciated. I'm wondering if I should order battery-operated tealights instead (even though I already bought a bunch of tealights and holders from IKEA grr!!!)

I have to talk to Ariadna again about the rehearsal dinner but when we did our site visit, she told me that she would reserve us a couple tables for a welcome dinner. There's no way in hell I'm paying extra per person for food that's already included.. bad enough we have to pay the wedding package! Maybe I'm sounding cheap but they will do anything to get money so I'm going to deal with her as much as possible. Even if we get them to reserve us a section in the buffet restaurant.. that will be fine. Everyone will get to eat what they want in that case. We'll see! I wanted to do mini cocktail shakers + cocktail mix pouches but I'm having a difficult time to find decent prices for the shakers and a company that delivers to Canada.

What do you all think of Brandy - Right Here (Departed) for walking out (bride, groom and bridal party)? I'd like the music to start when we kiss...then we're pronounced husband and wife and then the beat kicks in for us to walk out! But now I'm second guessing it.. too many songs to choose from! :/ Help!!

JBean: Ariadna quoted me 400$ for the outside vendor fee when I first asked her about it last year in June... suddenly, they're down to about 90$ for the day pass so that's not too bad! We are flying down our photographer with us... we have to pay for her package (which is about 1600$) plus her travel. Since we have over 22 guests, our travel agent got us her trip for free, but we have to pay for the taxes on her trip (297$) plus the extra for her to have a room to herself (which was another 360$) ... so really it's expensive but not nearly as expensive as hiring a photographer in Mexico, paying their package PLUS the outside vendor fee. I'm telling you.. it's all about money down there! Today I just came back from a party store that was offering 20% off all wedding accessories so I got 6 white pom pom decorations and I also ordered 12 paper lanterns (purple and fushia) for 3.60$ each minus the 20%.. So I think I got a decent deal! Here's a pic of the pom pom decorations... I got 3 in a pack for $6.39 plus tx. I know I could have made them myself but I couldn't be bothered!! http://s1027.photobucket.com/albums/y335/heidilynn28/

From what I saw in all the pictures, the chairs are folded chairs that are covered with a white sheet. It looks very tacky in my opinion. Ariadna sent me the extras PDF file for decor. The company that Valentin deals with is called Planner 1 Events and they have other chairs to rent. Since we're about 26 people at our wedding, I decided to go with white Tiffany chairs. I contacted Fernanda at Planner 1 Events by e-mail, she quoted me 231$ for the 26 chairs. They will come and set them up at the ceremony (gazebo) and then move them to the reception (Mexican terrace) for this price. I know.. it seems like a small detail, but I'm thinking more about comfort and look at this point. The Tiffany chairs are beautiful without chair bows so I didn't order any. As for centerpieces, Ariadna wanted me to pay 35$ per vase (I asked to rent 5 square glass vases)... and that price was WITHOUT flowers so they're nuts. I'm going to purchase plastic vases and cover them with purple and fushia fabric and bring them down with me.. my bridesmaid bouquets will serve as centerpieces.. I'll ask them to put their bouquets in the vases on each table.

Hi everybody, I haven't posted on the forum for a really long time, but I've been planning and things are coming along just great! We booked our wedding for June 28th, 2011 at 4:00pm. I'm bringing down my photographer with me from Montreal. Since I have 25 people coming, we were able to get her trip for free (minus the taxes and we had to pay the difference between double occ. and single occ. because she wanted her own room). Everyone has silver suites which means I'm supposed to be upgraded to golden.. so exciting!! I'm on the fence about DJ vs. speaker + Ipod. I really really would appreciate feedback on this, I know the DJ is great and all, but it seems like Ariadna gave others a difference price. She told me the DJ was 950USD for 3-4 hours. On the other hand, the speakers and mic was quoted for 500USD for 3 hours. I read in this thread that some of you got different (lower) prices. Also, if I decide to bring my Ipod, how is the sound system? Is it good quality? I decided to get my bouquet, the boutonnieres and the bridesmaid bouquets done in real touch flowers. I went for all white bouquets for the bridesmaids, white ranunculus' for the groomsmen's bouts and my bouquet will be white, various shades of purple flowers and fushia orchids. I'm going to ask my bridesmaids to put their flowers in the vases I'll bring with me for the centerpieces. This way I will kill two birds with one stone and not have to pay extra for centerpieces down in Mexico. I'm slowing getting my welcome bags done.. here's what I've got so far: - Packs of kleenex - Bath & Body Works antibacterial gel - Lip balm - Wet wipes - Mosquito wipes - Gum - Crystal light packs I'd love to include a waterbottle with our monogram on it but damn they're either too expensive, don't ship to Canada or not a model I like. So we'll see! Hope to hear back about the sound system... thanks!

Oh my GOD, I am totally in the same situation! FI and I decided early on that we weren't going to spend all that extra money on paperwork, blood tests and minister fees down in Mexico.. it's crazy ridiculous and we can put that money on decorations, a DJ.. whatever else we want! In our minds, the legal signing of papers is a detail.. we don't intend on exchanging rings, reciting vows, kissing...NOTHING. Our real wedding is in Mexico and that's what counts. Now on the other hand, my FI's parents announced to us that they weren't coming..and let's be honest, they do have 11 months to change their minds but for them to already refuse.. this is big. So we're both pissed, we don't understand.. it's not a money issues, no health problems.. they simply aren't interested in Mexico and they find it's far.. HELLO it's a 3-hr plane ride! They'd be willing to drive 10 hrs to have it near my parents' house in the same province, but won't get on a plane and have a vacation all at the same time. It's so frustrating and disappointing we don't know what to do and I feel so bad for my FI. To have nobody from his entire family there on his wedding day is breaking my heart. I'm slowing working on my invites (boarding pass)..I want to send them out before the end of September.. and next will be to get our wedding website all figured out and ready for RSVPs. We're moving next month so there's a lot going on! I received my picture frame signature mat thingy.. it's all black with a space for a 5x7 pic.. the white pen came with it, now to find a way to get it down to Mexico! I'll be ordering 5 beach bags for my bridesmaids, my mom and myself next month off ebay (7.95$ each with their initial sewn on it - good deal!). Trying to do things little by little because we don't want to get caught with too many last minute purchases! How's everyone else's planning going?

Adding mine! July 2010 Jennifer and Juan- July 2nd, 2010- Gran Bahia Principe Tulum Kaytee and CJ- July 3rd, 2010- Destination still TBD! Quintina and Carloas (creoletexan) - July 3rd, 2010 - Nassau, Bahamas Jannae and Ryan (LadyTrunck)- July 6, 2010- Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Mexico!! Sarah and Mike (bahiabride2010) - July 7, 2010 - Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana Mandy and Chad- July 10, 2010- Sullivans Island, SC Lulu & Kirkton (lmuze) ~ July 10, 2010: Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, Montego Bay, Jamaica Cassie and Andrew - July 11, 2010 - Rancho Palos Verdes, California Edy And Jaxon (mswhatever) - July 17, 2010 Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton resort & Spa Jamaica Chelle and Todd (Janelley100) - July 17, 2010 Moon Palace Jessica & James -July 17, 2010 Paradisus Punta Cana Bobbett and Ricky (Natural)- July 18, 2010 San Juan, Puerto Rico Tracy and Cole - July 2010 in Playa del Carmen, TBD Meredith & Jedd - July 21, 2010 - The Royal Cancun, Mexico Louise (Woodsylou) and Andy - 30th July 2010 Moon Palace Golf and Spa Cancun Danielle and Ty (daniepps)- July 31, 2010 Azul Sensatori Resort Riviera Maya, Mexico August 2010 Melissa and Robby (hunniebee724) ~ August 19, 2010 NYC, Carnival Cruise Lines, Jennifer & Laurthel (Jennyco116) ~ August 20, 2010 Key West, Florida Crystal & Marques (hugrad) - August 9, 3010 St. Thomas, USVI Mindy & Jay ( MSG518 ) ~ August 21, 2010 Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico September 2010 Courtney & Chris-September 3,2010-Siesta Key, Fl Michelle & George - September 4, 2010 - Occidental Grand, Playa del Carmen Marisa & Dan - September 12, 2010 Glen Iris Inn, NY Cheryl & Joel - September 17, 2010 - Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico Kim & Mike - September 18,2010 - Cancun, Mexico Jen (jamk32179) & Steve- September 18,2010-The Royal Playa del Carmen Carolina (carolina24) & Alex - Sept 24, 2010 - Dreams Cancun Cindy (Shoesiesluvr) & Hector -September 25, 2010 - Gran Caribe Real Cancun Michael and Holy - 30th September,2010. Destination not yet decided. October 2010 Mindy & Joe - Oct. 4, 2010 - DRC Glenny & Anthony - October 9, 2010 - Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana Tee & CJ (Bride Loving CJ) - October 10, 2010 - nh-Royal Beach, Punta Cana Lori & Oliver (gossip girl) - October 10, 2010 - Destination TBD! Suzanne & Joe (sierra101010) - October 10, 2010 - Puerto Vallarta Ashley & Josh (xxashleyxx007) - October 15, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana, DR Chris & Crystal (Crystalballl) - October 20, 2010 - Playa Pesquero, Cuba Jo & Darren (Jo&Daz20-10-2010) - October 20, 2010 - Coral Coast - Fiji Luciel & Emil (luciel2820) - October 23, 2010 - Catalonia Royal Bavaro, Punta Cana Emma & Josh (EmmaGaussoin)- October 23, 2010- Dreams Riviera Cancun Alyssa & Adrian (MayanLily) - October 21, 2010 - Paradisus Riviera, Mexico Heather & Kevin (hat0112) - October 22, 2010 - Palm Beach, Aruba November 2010 Allie and Doug - November 5, 2010 - Sandals Regency, Saint Lucia Crista & Mike - November 10, 2010 - Azul Sensatori, Riveria Maya Mexico Jenna and Chris (MayaLove) - November 12, 2010 - Playa Del Carmen, Mexico Ashley & Mark - November 15, 2010 - Riviera Maya Karen and Angelo - November 19, 2010 The Royal Playa del Carmen, Mexico Melissa and Mark- November 21, 2010 Las Caletas, Puerto Vallarta Emily and Scott (Emily Joy) - T Giving Weekend, November 26, 2010 - Playa Del Carmen December 2010 Angela & Craig (Princess402) - December 8, 2010 - Dreams Riviera Cancun, Mexico Stephen & Sabrina (breeze616) - December 10, 2010 - Iberostar Rose Hall, Jamaica Shana and Jamel (chocolatedrop04)- December 11, 2010-Moon Palace, Mexico Jaime and TaBoris (jaimeburns) - December 11, 2010 Riviera Maya Carla & Christoper (adias.angel) - December 11, 2010 - Riviera Maya Vondra'a and Kevin(Peachy~Girl)- December 11, 2010- Miami, Florida Nichole & Ryan (coley8 - December 11, 2010 - Paradisus Punta Cana Anastasia and Derek (Adj) - December 18, 2010 - Sandos Beach Resort, Mexico Jen and Kory (Jnagan2011)- December 20, 2010~ Riu Palace Riveria Maya, Play Del Carmen, Mexico! January 2011 Jan and Edward - January 01 2011 Jodie & Dave - Jan 11 2011 - riu caribe, cancun, mexico Christel & Tiante (CeeCee76) Jan 11 2011 Sun Palace, Cancun Jen & Ian (Jen1407) - Jan 19 2011 Riu Ocho Rios, Jamaica Daniel & Mitzi- Jan 22, 2011~ Coyaba Gardens and Mahoe Falls Ocho Rios, Jamaica February 2011 Anita & Josh - February 2, 2011- Dreams Tulum, Mayan Riviera, Mexico Renée (Oryx) & Paul - February 3, 2011 - Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana, DR Carey & Marc (smtc0245) - February 17, 2011 - Dreams Punta Cana Tiffany and Jason - February 19, 2011 TBC April 2011 Cindy & Chole (Vintage Bride)- April 14,2011- Dreams Punta Cana Christina and Charles (futur_bride) - April 14 2011, Grand Palladium Riviera Maya, Mexico May 2011 Mel and Vince (Mellyrox) - May 04, 2011 Grand Palladium Jamaica Heather and Eric (hockeymom97) - May 5th, 2011, Beaches, Turks & Caicos Raquel and Sean (Mrs.G2B) -May 14, 2011 The Royal Playa Del Carmen Shannon & Paul (IrishgirlinNY)- May 28, 2011 Riu Ocho Rios Nicola & Stephen (Nicyx) - May 2011, Date TBC, Riu Plce Riviera Maya JUNE 2011 Adrianne & James (adridashanne) - June 17, 2011, Grand Palladium Riviera Heidi & Francois (heidilynn2 - June 28th, 2011, Valentin Imperial Maya, MX July 2011 Chris & John (sunstarsmoon) - July 8, 2011 Couples Sans Souci Ocho Rios Denedra & Eron (sorord) - July 30, 2011 Negril Jamaica August 2011 Mallory & Glenn (Mallory57)-August 13th, 2011-Moon Dance Cliffs-Negril, Jamaica August 2012 Cathy and Charles - August 2012

Hey again! Got our engagement pics last night.. purpleshells: don't really like them.. more because of my fat face than anything damnit!! Plus the photographer used a very "edgy" lense which didn't really advantage us. Anyways, we have a few printed out and one 8x12 to put in a frame. I'll post some this summer once we get to my parents' place. I have a busy two days ahead of me packing and buying last minute things. We leave Thursday and I'm staying on the Gaspe coast for 6 weeks! Tracy: Yesss lots going on these days and it seems like I don't know where to put myself! I have decided to wait for the booking until October. We are at least 14 people confirmed without counting my FI's family (God knows if they're coming yet..). Which means I'm only missing 2 people to book in order to get my photographer's package for free.. which we're REALLY counting on because that's a chunk of our budget right there. My invitations are gorgeoussssss.. again, I will post pics once I get organized at my parents' place! Now I'm just trying to find cardstock with one glossy side for my boarding pass invite tickets.. off to bureau en gros! Have a great day girls!!!

Hey girls.. news from me! We sent in our authorization form and hotel deposit on the wedding package at the Valentin Imperial Maya. I chose Tuesday, June 28th, 2011! So it's pretty well official. Sweetpea: the site visit at VIM was excellent. We even got to try a drink and let me tell you, they were 10 times better than the drinks at The Royal in Playa del Carmen! The hotel site is huge, but even if they were at 90% (it was March break) capacity, we never once felt cornered by people in the hallways and walkways. My parents stayed at this hotel a few years ago when it first opened.. needless to say, they found it quite boring. I guess management has done a lot to improve what goes on in the evenings because they have 3 theme nights as well as a DJ most nights in the outside lobby terrace as well as some fire shows and other stuff. They have an auditorium but I think they use it only for big shows (like the Michael Jason one). My travel agent quoted me a price this week... 1755$ per person including taxes. She needs 10 deposits to lock in the rate and wants us to pay in full before October.. which I find WEIRD. Every 16th person is free .. so we are definitely going to use this to pay our photographer's way. RonnMel: BY THE WAY!...... I am flying down Amelie Cousineau!!!!! We met with her last week and gave the deposit. I was so sick of trying to find someone in Mexico! When you can't meet with them beforehand and their work is done super fast, it's a bit sketchy in my opinion. Amelie is charging us 1575$ plus travel.. but like I said, if I get her ticket for free... that's an AMAZING price. Other news.. I've lost 11 pounds so far.. wanting to lose another 10-15 before October when I go dress shopping. I'm so excited I have to be super super strict this summer at my parents' place on the Gaspe coast. My FI and I bought a condo in Boucherville on the south shore, so we'll be in a little condo village near the IKEA (off the highway 20)! We move Aug 18th so lots of boxes to do. I have decided not to send save the date invites.. my engagement pics didn't come out the way I expected and it's just extra postage and a bother so maybe I'll just send an electronic one, I'm not sure yet! Invites are being done tomorrow with my co-worker who is doing them for free and I'm so grateful. Will show you pics when they're ready.

Hey all, Will be booking out date very shortly.. I found out I'm switching schools next year but good news.. we have 5 days off for weddings in the union agreement! I will probably still choose end of June 2011 anyways... might only miss 1-2 days of school at the end of the year. Congrats ahollo02! I did a site visit at the Valentin in March and my parents stayed there 3 years ago and loved it. hoyt: what do you mean when you say everything is extra at VIM? Any examples besides the photographer? And last question.. if I bring my photographer from home and count her as a guest.. will they charge me?? That's crazy for outside vendors.. not only do I find outside photographers in Mexico rushed in doing touch ups and stuff, but now to pay extra for them to set their feet on hotel grounds.. crazy!! I think I will be flying my own photographer down.. she's charging us 1575$ for the photo package (pics all day, touch ups and high res CD) plus travel. If I get 20 people booked, I get one trip for free.. so I'm praying!

Wow! So happy to find this thread. Planning a DW in June 2011.. aiming for the 29th but must wait and see. I'm a teacher and will find out in a month where I'll be teaching next year so we haven't put a deposit down. We did a site visit in March at the Valentin Imperial Maya in the Riviera Maya. It's a bit pricey (1700-1800.. even in June!) and having second thoughts. Not sure what to do. Many other 5 star hotels in the area are the same price though. Any suggestions? Southernsweetie: Me too trying to lose weight before Oct to try dresses LOL! I started weight watchers last week.. my weigh-in is Monday so must be good on weekends for this to work. Keep me updated on your progress.. I would love to lose 50-55 pounds :/

Your pictures are absolutely beautiful and I am in near tears here! You and your husband are HOT and those pictures are inspiration for my wedding for sure! Enjoy every cent you spent on them because you'll have them forever to remember your day. Hope mine turn out half as nice as yours!

Amazing!!!! I started planning before the ring too! LOL.. no worries Have fun!

Hey again! Ouch 2-300$ is a bit over my budget.. but I have no doubts that her work is worth it because your items are gorgeous! Even so, here's my email: [email protected] It's not that private so no worries lol. Yeah as for booking... if I change schools I'm not sure to have the same 7 day vacation for a wedding since I'm in the private sector. I teach in Longueuil in a private high school (Sec II ESL). Anyways.. it will all pass so fast I'm sure and even if the hotel doesn't have a particular date we want, we're flexible. Not even 2-3 weeks ago there was nobody booked for next June yet so I'm not too worried about waiting another month before giving out deposit (which is... 800$!! :/) Are you going to attempt to print the invitations yourself or will your FI's cousin do it? I would only need the electronic version of the monogram and invites since I want to try and DIY it for the rest! Let me know when you have a min! BTW everyone, jstar83 (Jessica) from Laval is leaving Sunday for her wedding in Cuba!! Hope all goes well!

Very nice pics! I am wondering... are the bridesmaid dresses Mori Lee ? If so, I had my eye on those and it's nice to see them on someone in real life!!

RonNMel: OMG your boarding pass save the dates and brochure are nothing but gorgeous! I am running into a slight problem.. my FI's sister-in-law's cousin was supposed to design us a monogram.. but that was in March and haven't gotten any news from her! I think I'm going to forget her.. She's young and just got out of school at Concordia in graphic design but can't seem to stick to anything in terms of work, clients, etc. So I'm sh-t out of luck as they say. How much do you think your sister-in-law would charge me for a monogram, save the date postcard (using a pic of us + monogram + text) and boarding pass invites? Is there any way you can ask her to make us a price? Would she want to do more work like this for someone else? Let me know!! We just had our engagement pics taken today on the south shore (in La Prairie). I will have some proofs in two weeks, can't wait! caribbeanlover: How was the wedding? Was it everything you thought it would be? Pics!? We had fun in Mexico.. we visited the Valentin Imperial Maya (where we want to get married next June). We will only give our deposit at the end of June since I want to be sure where I'll be teaching next year in order to book a specific date. Hope to hear back from you girls soon!

missyri: The Mexican terrace will probably hold more tables around the middle fountain area. The Lobster pot is quite small and closed in (because it's like a large gazebo) so you might feel cramped, but I guess it depends on how many people you will have!

More pics.... Sports bar (open until 2am): Wedding gazebo: Wedding gazebo (they were setting up for a cocktail hour): Cocktail bar that they setup for cocktail hour: Well that's about it! I hope that these pictures convince you to book here.. the Valentin has top notch reviews on Tripadvisor.com. You can find room pics on their website and my parents have stayed here and they said it was amazing... they found it a little dead and quiet at night, but that was two years ago. Ariadna told me that they now have theme nights (Mexican night, etc) as well as outdoor entertainment in the lobby terrace with fire shows and dancers. If you're really that bored....playa del carmen is 25 mins away! We are planning on booking here but I have to wait until June to choose a date since I'm not sure which school I'll be working in next year, I have to wait and see...!

Pics continued... Bar hallway: Don Miguel Piano bar: El Café bar: Cigar bar: Lobster Pot (great for outside covered reception, down by beach): Main beach (swimable area): Main beach area, view to the left: Second beach area, more towards the right where beach weddings take place, very rocky and cannot swim there: Looking towards the right, beach wedding area setup: Beach signature table (very windy):

Pics continued.... French restaurant (staircase for pics!): French restaurant: La Hacienda restaurant: La Hacienda terrace (great location for private reception): Valentin's auditorium: Outside cocktail space (close to bar hallway and auditorium): Inside cocktailspace (which is right beside outside cocktail space..): Valentin's Chapel: Chair covers for ceremony at Valentin (not impressed..):

Hey everybody.. been meaning to get these pictures up for a while but am only taking the time now! These are pics I took at my site visit at the Valentin at the beginning of March of this year. If you have any questions, just ask! The lobby: Lobby terrace with nightly entertainment: Valentin's hallways that serve as walkways (tilt your head!): Streams of water throughout the resort: Golden Room area with private pool: Main pool: Activity pool: Ginger restaurant: Taman Sari restaurant: Le Marché restaurant:

I am most likely going with seller Ardesign on Etsy. She quoted me $395 with shipping for a 10 inch bouquet for me, 3 bridesmaid bouquets, 4 boutonnieres and one wrist corsage. Is that a good price? I'm not quite sure what's standard! Help!