taylorwd

Quote: Originally Posted by dstinationdrmr I had been meaning to ask you guys if the resort had the cocktail umbrellas. From this, I'm assuming you brought your own? Yup, I brought 'em. AB didn't have any but I can't speak for AS. Quote: Originally Posted by jazz04 Does anyone have a wedding page that you have created that I could look at. I know there are free sites but need some suggestions. Ours isn't free but it's a really great site. A friend turned me on to it when she had her wedding and for me personally, I like the customization and cleaner looks they offer more than some of the other ones we looked at. Wedding Website Free Trial - Custom Wedding Websites | WeddingWindow.com I'll be happy to send you the link to ours, just PM me.

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart I may do a mini planning thread for my Vegas wedding, searching this forum there is literally no info and only a couple Vegas planning threads. My wedding is just a exaggerated legal day but maybe someone will want to do this in the future. It's true, there's very little info on here about AHRs in general, and I'm sure it's even more limited if you're looking for specific stuff like Vegas. I did get two ideas from here though: the postcard guest book and using cocktail umbrellas to decorate my cupcakes. I have tons left over from Mexico so now I can put them to good use!

Quote: Originally Posted by amandamarieb Vistaprint is doig 100 free postcards this week and want to print mine (we are using them to make a guest book) but i cannot find an image I like. Looking for something that looks aged. Any idea where to begin? THANKS! I'm doing a postcard guest book for my AHR! Well sort of. I started with that idea and then revamped it. I made my own postcards by taking one of our wedding pictures and making it transparent so that it's the background of the postcard. I put 3 questions on the front for people to answer. Down the road when I make a photobook with all our pictures (showers/luncheons, wedding, honeymoon, AHR), I'll take what people have written and intermittently incorporate it into the book. I was going to do a straight up postcard guest book with postcards from Mexico and then mail them to us, but then I realized that since I'm taking everyone on a boat, they'll get wet and possibly ruined!

Thanks for all the props on the banner ladies!! Lindz, excellent job on your slideshow!! I love your choice in music. We got down to Ain't Life Grand at my wedding

Quote: Originally Posted by dstinationdrmr Isn't there a cake place in Austin that's on Amazing Wedding Cakes? Not sure if they're wayyy overpriced, but I want to help and that's all I got. Aw, thanks sweetie! I appreciate the positive vibe. I love Amazing Wedding Cakes and it would be so cool if there if one of them were in Austin, but alas... We're headed to a tasting tomorrow and I'm hopeful. Fingers crossed! Quote: Originally Posted by dstinationdrmr Organized?! It's all an illusion. The main reason I was hoping someone would take over the to-do list was to make me more organized. I kinda feel an obligation to get stuff done once I post it on here. It's definitely motivation. I agree, this To Do list really holds me accountable. I have my own lists of course, LOTS of them! But for some reason this is the one that really gets my butt in gear. Quote: Originally Posted by dstinationdrmr So, I'm gonna try this again. These are the centerpieces my mom and I have been working on. Let me know what you think. Putting it in a Word doc was the only way I could make them fit. Attachment 5147 I LOVE those!!!! They turned out really, really well.

You know how much I love your pictures. They're not even my own and yet I could look at them all day! LOL It's all those adorable outfits and the amazing setting of NO. I'm a huge fan!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda 1st of all - good job with all of your delegations! 2nd of all - I love the banner! I might get one for my AHR too. So cute! Good luck with your new baker! Thank you!!! The To Do list always makes me realize how much I get done and it's a great feeling. About the banner, the website really does not do it justice. We were surprised at how great it looks in person. High quality, good graphics and huge. Not cheesy in any way. It's a steal too! I would send you a picture of ours but the one we currently have got crushed during the shipping so it's all crinkly. The company is sending us another one set to ship tomorrow. Really great customer service, btw.

Taylorwd's To Do's 1. Finalize head count - DONE, well as much as you can ever really know 2. Finalize with the baker - 3. Order keg - Delegated to DH 4. Price a margarita machine - DONE, we're not getting one 5. Order banner - DONE We already have it and it looks sooooo good! Way better than on the website! Just Married Custom Banner - ShindigZ 6. Put together a wedding slideshow - DONE 7. Put together playlist - 3 of 4 hours done 8. Decide on a guestbook - DONE 9. Brainstorm the menu - DONE 10. Finalize with the rental company - DONE 11. Make final decision on renting a van/driver - Delegated to DH 12. Find a cook - DONE I also: 13. Ordered favors in our wedding colors: Plantable Flip Flop Favor - Brights - Plantable Seed Wedding Favors from Botanical PaperWorks 14. Ordered my hair flower. It matches my wedding colors to a T! Etsy Transaction - orchid hair pin/bobby pin 15. Ordered flowers (cake topper and single arrangement) 16. Made a display for our vows Taylorwd's new To Dos 1. Find new baker 2. Make a site visit to the party barge 3. Finish playlist 4. Delegate barge setup 5. Find extra coolers and trashcans 6. Resew missing buttons on wedding dress 7. Exchange/Return decorations Besides needing to cook all the non-grilled food ahead of time, this last To Do isn't too bad!

Quote: Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz I LOVE Lake Travis!!! And Austin!!! Such a cool town You've been to Austin and Lake Travis? Business or pleasure? Hey, if you're free on the 26th, come on over and join us on the party barge!! Quote: Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz We are staying at Le Blanc from Wednesday to Wednesday, then flying to Cancun that Wednesday morning. So, we are kind of treating it like a mini honeymoon/legal wedding. Ryan is planning everything except the actual wedding. We are such foodies, so he is getting us reservations at all these fab restaurants. The wedding will be Friday. We will go out to dinner, have the limo (or pink cadi) pick us up, and take us to the wedding chapel. hahaha Then we will go out afterwards. My brother and his gf are going, and maybe 1 other couple. I am still debating on which "theme" I want to do, but it is going to be HYSTERICAL!!! Dueling Elvis's, Blue Hawaii, Pink Cadillac, etc are all SO funny. I really cannot wait!!! Fun fun fun!!! What a great way to get married, two rockin' ceremonies in a week! Quote: Originally Posted by amandamarieb I feel the same way about Austin. Wendy, that sound like an amazing AHR. $5 per chair! That's amazing. They've quoted me $12 and they said they cannot budge on the price. I mean, I'm requesting 140 (for the ceremony and reception) you think that they would cut me a break. Thanks!! Here's hoping it's amazing. We had a bit of a set-back this weekend. Our baker essentially fired us and now I'm scrambling to find someone. Long story short, it's the outcome I wanted because I never liked this company from the beginning. As soon as I sent them our deposit check I regretted locking in with them. The only reason we kept them is because they already had our money. We're super stoked to be getting our money back and not have to deal with them anymore, but I'm really, really, really pissed at the reason she gave for doing it. She is WRONG and a LIAR and needs to read her own contract. I was so mad it kept me awake most of the night last night, and I'm thinking to myself, "This crazy ***** is not worth losing sleep over so let it go!" Grrrr. Yikes about your chairs. That is crazy expensive!! Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart We planned on having 2 couples go with us, then my mom and brother wanted to come so DH invited his parents and sister and brother-in-law and then it expanded and I have 30+ people coming now... how crazy is that? Sooooo fun to have lots of people there!!! Quote: Originally Posted by beaz2be Why would you get banned? I hope she's not. There are a few ways to get banned. Here's the thread: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...-banned-32834/

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda If you already have them booked for the ceremony, you could try to negotiate on site to move them to the reception area - ie tell them you're wiling to pay more cash for the set up fees for the hassle of moving them. When you have your meeting with the onsite and Lomas coordinators, you pay any balance you owe (spa services, extras, etc) and you also have to pay their set up fee (determined at your meeting depending on everything you have for them to set up). The set up fee must be paid in cash. The rest of the balance I paid using a credit card (only Visa & MasterCard). The WCs probably pocket the cash - so maybe you can sweeten the pot for your coordinator who might be willing to bend the chair rules for a hundred bucks or so? Maybe worth the try?? Very good advice, Amy. I have no doubt the onsite teams pockets the cash so I'm sure they wouldn't mind a little extra. It's a good gig they've got going.

Wonderful! I love everything!!

Quote: Originally Posted by JanineA Thanks Taylorwd I am just trying to get a feel for whats out there. Its major decision making time and I have to start taking a long hard look at how and where the money is being spent. $550 for a BD is exceptional especially if that included your book and photos. I agree, my BD package was exceptional! It included 2 hours of shooting, a kick a** book and all the photos. And wow, you should see the pictures. She has the most incredible eye. I feel truly lucky to have found her!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Glad you got a good TA. They will make things easier for you. I just decided on a Honeymoon location! We are staying at the Excellence Playa Mujeres Aug 28-Sept 4. It looks so awesome. Secrets Maroma was about the same price, and thats where I thought I would go, but I really fell in love with the Excellence. I am using a friend's TA who is great, so much better than my crazy wedding lady. She said any sale any drop in price we will get, no need to rebook or anything. Have a great weekend everyone! I will be working on my planning thread this weekend. I need to do it now or else I will just forget everything! WOOOOOOOOOW!!!!! I just checked out this place and I say you've made an excellent choice!! I particularly like the hammocks over the pool. That's where I'd be aaaaaaall day long. I'm so excited for you!!

Quote: Originally Posted by JanineA Ok so I am glad that I found this thread. It is really putting a few things into perspective for me. I think I need to take a closer look at what I am paying for and reevaluate its worth. For the ladies doing packages of TTD/BD/Wedding Day roughly how much was your package and did it include rights/copies of your photos on disk? My BD was a different photog than my wedding photog. My BD was local to where I live and I flew down someone else for my wedding. For BD I paid $550. Wedding Day/TTD was about $2500. Both came with copies/rights. There are sooooooo many different prices out there for photogs and each one comes with different things included. Good luck!

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!!

Quote: Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach Mornin' Ladies!!!! Just stopping in to say hello to you all and to wish you all a wonderful weekend of planning and task - doing! ;-) I was checking in on you guys via the last few pages and it sounds like everyone is in full progress mode. I was able to get reassigned to a new DW.com TA, Karilyn Barnett, and I freakin' LOVE her already!!!! We spent two hours on the phone the other night and she has revived my enthusiam about the wedding and the AS. My previous TA was gracious enough to send a "best wishes to you" email to us, which was kind, yet akward. Anywho, we are moving along and I've got an alchemy out on etsy for our STD's. I am actually feeling behind the curve ball, because we officially have less than 12 months left, but it is what it is........ Anyway, I just wanted to stop in and say hello and wish you all a fantastic weekend!!! xoxoxo YAY my TA!!!! 2 hours--ha! Remember I warned you she was a talker!

Quote: Originally Posted by amandamarieb Wendy, what's coming up, AHR? Where are you having it? In Austin? Love it there. FI ad I may move there soon. Fingers crossed. He and the baby have been so sick for the past month. First the stomach flu and now strep (sic?) throat! Between that and traveling to NY for work and Boston for college reunion, I really could use some family around. And I think Austin would be a nice change of pace. Yup, our AHR is on the 26th. We're taking everyone out on a party barge on Lake Travis. What else is there to do in Texas in the summer besides swim! I think I remember you mentioning a few months ago that you might move to Austin after your wedding. Cool! Funny, I've come across quite a few people lately who have moved to Austin from LA, wanting cheaper prices and a break from the West Coast. Quote: Originally Posted by amandamarieb And yes, I realize I have got to figure out how to multi quote. I've done it once but haven't been able to do it since. Oh and I didn't even get to multi quote everything I wanted to reply to. I stink at using this forum Hit MQ for each quote you want to include. When you're at the last one you want, hit Quote. Quote: Originally Posted by MaggieandJay Yeah I figure at some point I will need to bully my friends into committing! LOL - The good news is my mom has offered to front the money for the deposits since FI and I are pretty much paying for 1/2 the wedding costs and I didn't want to tie up our money. I mean I got a dress shopping trip to NYC in July Oh how nice of your mom! Whew, what a relief Quote: Originally Posted by MaggieandJay I live in Houston but I am actually going to Austin to visit my best friend today. Austin is AWESOME! If it wasn't for the FI's job here in Houston we would be in Austin! Well welcome! Are you here all weekend or just today? I don't think I realized you live in Houston. Come all you potential Austinites, move here! LOL I'm so jealous of the larger cities (like Dallas/FW, Chicago, Jersey/NYC brides) and their BDW meetups! So far there's only one other Austin bride on here that I know of. I'm on a mission to recruit more!

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart The F650 30 person limo I'm renting has a freaking color changing acrylic stripper pole, why am I so stoked about this?!! Fantastic!!! How could you NOT be super stoked about that?! Quote: Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz hahaha I would be stoked about this too!!! I am almost as excited about my Vegas wedding as my real wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CANNOT wait to see that limo! hahahaha Oh fun!! When's your Vegas wedding?

Oooooh Lindz, so you were finally able to get some communication from the photog? Yea! I know I already said it, but I have to jump on the bandwagon and tell you again how much your outfits rocked!

Crap, that means 16 days for me too! *Sigh* I've got it pretty under control but 16 days is not much time!!! Gotta get DH's butt in gear.

Amy, I love your new ticker!! It's peeeerfect!

Quote: Originally Posted by MaggieandJay Ladies, I have a question! The resort is telling my TA that in order to block a group of rooms for May 2011 we have to put up $300 a room. Did you guys run into this? My TA was a bit taken aback with the price. I knew we might have to put something down. Now with that said it's not like I have to block rooms but to get the current promotion they are running you do. Any Advice? Side Note: Current promotion if you block or outright book 20 or more rooms you get 20% off room rates and 20% off private events Unfortunately, that's about right. Ours was $150 per adult, so essentially the same. This is the eternal question when considering a group contract: Get one, lock in the rates and promotions but put down the deposit, OR don't get one, risk rates going up and/or the resort selling out (this last one might not be much of a concern with AS). For us, we did the group contract and blocked 13 rooms. However, we already had our guest list at that point and told our guests that if they wanted to come under our contract and with our lower, negotiated prices, they had to put down the $150. We never even considered fronting the $$ ourselves. Our guest list was only immediate family, though, so that made it easier. If you do put up the money, don't worry you'll get it back. When room balances come due, your TA will credit you back the money as your guests pay for their rooms. It can go to pay off your own room or they might reimburse you once it's all said and done. Each TA is a bit different.

Quote: Originally Posted by beaz2be Don't worry, I'm not actually fooling myself. hahaha. But I find I get wedding envy from EVERYONE on here (and don't think you're not included in that miss ). I'm just loving soaking up the awesomeness of everyone's days!! So gorgeous. Aw THANK YOU! I also have total wedding envy of this wedding: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...wedding-59902/ It makes we want to do mine all over again but do it this way! Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart It's funny, I've looked at them so much and totally love them and then start picking them apart and hate them, now back to loving them I did the same thing! I looked at my pictures so much that I got too critical. I started thinking about all the pictures I didn't get, poses and shots you all got that I didn't. LOL it passed and I of course love mine.

Quote: Originally Posted by beaz2be AmyKH your photos are just fantastic! You were such a beautiful bride and seeing your pics makes me so excited about AS. I have to be careful tho' because every time I see something from your pics I'm like "oh, I want the cigar roller, oh I want that bouquet, Oh I want the exotic gazebo, oh I want the donkey" hahaha... basically I just seem to want to copy your wedding :-), it looked like such an amazing time. Congrats! Hahahahahaha! Be very careful of wanting to copy her wedding! She had two years to plan and it turned out like a professional did it. I think we all have wedding envy over what she did. Fab fab fab!

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart Also, got some more pictures my photog put up on a website, these are temporarily up if you wanna check them out Amy + Daylen 2010 Oh yaaaaaaay this is what I've been waiting for!! Everything looks so fantastic down to the smallest detail. I don't think David would have changed anything! There's not a bad picture in the bunch, you must be drooling over them!