taylorwd

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart OMG!!!! My photog contacted the software company to see if they could recover my comments and he just wrote me and he got all my changes back!!!! WAAAHOOOO!!! Oh I'm such a lucky kid... thank you all for the support! I was seriously down for a bit! HOOOOOOORAAAAAAY!!!! Time to celebrate!!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart Sure! I used Chris Schmitt Photography, he's a BDW vendor. Here's the link to his blog, that's one of my BD photos to give you an idea What to give the guy who has everything? A Budoir Photoshoot | Chris Schmitt Photography Blog When you contact him, let him know that Amy Fitch sent you and you are my BDW friend, he knows me, I bug him all the time He ended up doing this shoot for me for free, I'm just paying for the book. He did our engagement photos as well and is traveling to Mexico for no charge, he's great to work with and I highly recommend him. Here are some of our engagement photos: Union Station Engagement Pictures | Chris Schmitt Photography Blog Damn girl, you got a screamin' deal!

My something old: my great aunt's bracelet My something new: well that's an easy one! My something borrowed: my mom's purse My something blue: I'm still working on this one. Perhaps some sort of shoe decor. I'm not wearing a garter so I can't go that route. I'd better figure it out soon!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Shoot I am jealous. There is not a single fast food restaurant or chain store on this island except for a lone KFC that was brought in before they made the rules for no franchises.... I miss Starbucks! I bought that instant stuff over Xmas and its just not the same.... Yikes! Every place I've lived abroad at least had a few of the comforts from home for the days when I just needed something familiar and not so strange. That's interesting about the no franchise rule. Hopefully they make up for it in great local fare!

Hi Kelsey! You'll find lots of great information on here! To start with, make a list of priorities you want your resort to have: AI (all-inclusive) or not, large vs small, better beach or better pools, etc. Then take those priorities to a TA and you're off and running. Good luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Hehe sorry I find that really funny. "Which amy" Story of my life (prob yours too) Does anyone else qualify for the Its All About The Bride special? It was promoted May last year. After X amount of rooms you get $Y for upgrades and $Z towards resort charges. Just curious if anyone has actually gotten this deal yet. I am supposed to get $1500 towards upgrades, but with the hotel being full, I am wondering if I am SOL. Probably! Any brides sign up after may2009? Did you qualify for any deals? I am thinking if they cannot honor Its All About the Bride, maybe I can ask for a different package. Thanks! I didn't think I qualified for this one b/c it was never listed as one of my promotions. Then suddenly it showed up on my details sheet last week that we have a $96 resort credit left over from the It's All About the Bride promotion. I don't even know what this promotion is! I know nothing about upgrade credits, but since we're all in the Deluxe rooms, there's nothing to upgrade to! Lol, unless they want to give us the Suite... Quote: Originally Posted by ~Katie~ Taylor - when is your shoot? mine is on 24 March - only 2 weeks 1 day to go!!!!! half of me cannot wait, the other half of me is petrified!! haha April 16th--one week! Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart BD = Boudoir A boudoir is a lady's private bedroom, sitting room or dressing room. The term derives from the French verb bouder, meaning "to pout" Basically it's a sexy, lingerie, pin-up (or whatever you want to wear) photoshoot of you for your future husband. I did one in January with lingerie and I'm having my photographer put together a nice leatherbound book with inscriptions in it and it will be given to him on our wedding day by my MOH while he's getting ready. It's his wedding gift from me A lot of us girls are doing it, it seems to be growing in popularity. I was going to answer her question but you gave a much better explanation than I would have!

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart Wendy! Can't wait to see a teaser from your BD shoot... hint hint I'll post a teaser for sure! I'm so excited!! In fact, since I scheduled the shoot so close to our wedding the BD book won't be done before we leave. FI's gift will be a framed teaser pic! It should fit in nicely with our agreement: the wedding is our gift to each other so we're not exchanging expensive wedding gifts. Since technically my gift will only be the single picture, I'm abiding by the rules!

Quote: Originally Posted by rus So the weather is great outside - so I am determined to go to the park and walk for an hour before going home and finishing my work. So far in clinical I have 6,000 steps on my pedometer so now I just want to get some aerobics in....and I have been eating healthy...soo small goals at a time Good for you on the 6,000 steps and eating healthy!!

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsVaughn2B Hey girls i am starting catch up on the thread. Sorry I have been so MIA. Wanted to share some really amazing photos with you from our photogs's. Jason & Andrea: The Polaroids Hawes Photography Blog WOW those are fantastic!! That's a look you just don't see anymore. Lucky you getting to have those.

Alright ladies, I'm hoping this is my final major to do list!! Except for the AHR details but most of that will be done once we get back from Mexico. My Spring Break is next week and my goal is to get everything done that week! It's long but I think I can do it! Taylorwd's To Do's: 1. Put together Day Of Emergency Kit 2. Decide on guest book 3. Finish writing ceremony 4. Find something blue! (shoe decor most likely) 5. Purchase sand art for the kids 6. Purchase sand ceremony supplies 7. Decorate flower girl basket 8. Purchase hair accessories 9. Find maracas 10. Finish menu/drink cards 11. Put together grandparents' photos in frames 12. Reception playlist 13. Get paperwork together for onsite meeting 14. Get a marriage license! 15. Have a rockin' BD shoot!!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda I wrote our ceremony this weekend - its still going to be changed I am sure, but getting started felt goooood! Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart We wrote our ceremony this weekend too! Ugh, so glad to be mostly done with that. We worked on ours this weekend, too! Mostly we just got the outline done and decided on which parts to include and which to skip. And we delegated who's going to write which section. My brother is marrying us so he's going to write some of it for us.

Welcome and happy planning!!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda I don't think Claudia posts links that are not on the website. I know Bree got married at AB in October, and used Erick, but her pix never went up on the site. Perhaps the wedding couple chooses not to? Now I am doing simple white sheets on the wedding chuuppah and white Gladiolas in big vases at the base of the front posts. Wooden wedding plank and uncovered chairs without bows. I think I am going for the simple look? I really wish I had a theme.... I saw Alice in Wonderland last night and thought that would be an awesome theme for a wedding - esp if you had little cup cakes for the cake and little bottles of tequila for the favors. japonick- I have Bree's pictures saved. PM me with your email address and I'll send you the links. For music, we're doing an ipod reception with their sound system. amyb- I love the simple color scheme! It'll look just perfect with your FI in white and your BM's in different vibrant colors. You're making me want to change from the colors I've picked! Hopefully we're going to see Alice in Wonderland at the IMAX next week!

Welcome and good luck! There are lots of Paradisus brides on here.

Quote: Originally Posted by amandamarieb Ha. I bet it was funny! I actually already got my dress. It was everything I ever wanted in a dress (and it was a sample so I got if for 70% off.) I love everything about it except for the fact that I am all boobs in it. Ha. Loking to create more of an hour glass figure. Figured I could wear a corset or spanks would do. I was looking in Macy's last week for a shaper and the woman who worked there suggested Body Magic. I thought it was odd that she would point me in that direction considering that Macy's doesn't sell it but thought that it was worth looking into. I don't have experience with either the one you asked about or Body Magic. In the past I have used both Spanx and Shapewear by Dr. Rey. I liked both of them but perhaps the Shapewear a little more. Spanx is really good if you're in the market for tights, though.

It never continues to amaze me how even though this is a relatively small community and we all work with the same people/companies, we all have such different experiences. It'd be nice if we were all treated the same way, i.e. with super stellar customer service!!

Quote: Originally Posted by japonick "Oh with Jennifer you are in good hands! She will get you the best deals I am sure!" Amybermuda, I saw your other post about Travel Impressions and when I spoke to Jennifer, she said they also use Travel Impressions so now I'm concerned about getting the best rates for my guests. My TA also uses Travel Impressions. They're the tour operator through which your TA books the rooms, and while you could go directly to them to book, it's the TA that gets the deals. In my case the deals we got had nothing to do with Travel Impressions. I don't know what amyb's other post says, but we have had a great experience with them. They've worked closely with our TA to help resolve some problems that have come up.

Quote: Originally Posted by GroomsArePeopleToo Hola, Wendy's photographer here. The FM3 was pretty easy and inexpensive to get. I went that route for a few reasons. First, I hope to be doing many more DW in the area, my family has a home down there (so that can save on the expense as I would stay at the house). Second, this particular resort requires it or a 3 night stay. Third, while plenty of photogs fly under the radar as the "family member" and get away with it, I'd hate to be the one banned from a resort or have any disruption to my clients wedding weekend due to me not being legit. Probably not likely to happen but I'd rather not take the chance. Fourth, I do not want any trouble bringing in the proper gear needed to shoot a wedding. As a tourist you are limited on the gear you can bring without raising flags. I think it is vital to have back up gear as well. I also do not want to have trouble with immigration on either end explaining where I got all the fancy camera equipment. Looking forward to Wendy's wedding very soon! Have I mentioned how I can't wait to work with you? I'm excited to actually meet you, lol! If we had gone the "Oh he's a family member" route with our photographer, I think I would be so stressed worrying about the resort finding out that it would drive me crazy. I wouldn't be able to relax at all, and that's all a bride needs is more stress! For Rod and I, the idea is nice as a passing fancy but we never seriously considered trying to dupe the resort. We are so thrilled you're our photographer! It's a load off b/c we know we're in good hands and at least the photography is one area that isn't causing us trouble

We weren't going to register but ended up doing so b/c people started hounding us about it. When we finally did it was a major pain in the a** and not something I ever want to do again! Items we had registered for in the store that very day were 'no longer available' by the time we got home and checked the registry later that night. And at macy's the prices fluctuate on a day to day basis, so it really depends on the day your guests choose to look at it. Things could look really expensive or very reasonable! And Target, well don't even get me started on registering with them. We ended up canceling that one. I never thought I'd be someone who cared if people bought me something 'off registry' but now that we have our blood, sweat and tears put into it, I really hope people use the registry! Especially the ones who asked us to register, lol.

Thank you for this! I'm the same way--almost never buckle up in other countries. And it shouldn't be that way.

Quote: Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz Hey girls!! I have FINALLY caught up on all the posts I missed over the past week. Just to fill you in a little... I got a promotion for work aka Field Sales Trainer aka more work, same pay, more travel, etc etc. I am SUPER excited but I honestly do not know how I am going to fit everything. I have NOT even THOUGHT about the wedding in 2 weeks. I am SO SO SO behind. I am actually on the plane now, as we speak. but anyways, that's why I have been MIA...Does anyone have any advice on how to manage all of this? AND work out?? YIKES!!!! I am so sorry that you girls have been having drama with the hotel. Just remember, every bride goes through it and ends up having the most fabulous wedding ever. I think every resort has it's flaws and definitely has communication problems. It seems a lot of things get lost in the shuffle. Just remember to bring ALL of your documents, computer, etc to show the onsite coordinator everything that had been negotiated. I am glad things are going more smoothly now. Does anyone need FABIO's contact info? I have it if you do (even though I realize I am about a week too late!) ha. Congrats to all the new brides and welcome!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations on the promotion!!! Thank you anyway for Fabio's info but I got it. He is in fact our new WC for these last few weeks! All has been worked out but it took a lot of work to fix it. Now I can move on to the next challenge...

Meghan, about your cups question. I'm having cups sewn into my dress and my seamstress provided them. She says they normally cost ~$15 if you purchase them yourself. Alex- That's really too bad about you going to all the trouble to get discounts and group rates for your guests and then no one took advantage of it. That seems to happen countless times when wedding planning, doesn't it? We do so much for our guests, they have no idea. I would like to say that those who are married know and behave better, but my experience thus far cannot back up that statement! And that's really terrible of the BM. I can't believe he hasn't booked anything. Your FI should definitely talk to him. FI and I were just talking about his best man last night. Also not a good BM. Not b/c he hasn't booked anything but b/c he's not involved in any way, isn't doing a bachelor party, and it feels like he's going more out of obligation than want. We're having such a small wedding that we would much rather someone who actually wanted to be there were in his place! We have lots of friends who wanted to come down but we kept it at family only (except for the BM). I think we should let one of those other friends fill in!

Quote: Originally Posted by japonick Taylor, I originally heard some restrictions about Mexican work permits, etc. to bring someone in from outside US. That was my first plan and when I was in communication with Dreams, they asked for Mexican work permit numbers, expiration, etc. so I stopped considering bringing a photographer with me from the US. Not all hotels require the paperwork. Karisma does. For my photog he said getting it was piece of cake. He went to the Mexican consulate in Detroit (I think) and it was done in a day. It wasn't much money, either. He didn't give me the specific amount, though. He paid for it himself since he considered it to be a good investment for future business. Amyb is absolutely right! They'll never know that someone isn't a family member. We thought of that too late, unfortunately. If you don't want to consider bringing one from the US then my guess is you're probably stuck with Caribe or Matias Cano.

Quote: Originally Posted by japonick Hi taylor and amybermuda, I'm not booked at AB yet but seriously considering it. I like how small it is but understand that it can cause complications with rooms selling out. Cecile (WC) at AB has been very responsive. I'm using Jennifer at Sun and Sand Vacations and am crossing my fingers that she gets a good room deal. I inquired about Claudia as soon as I contacted Cecile because they sent me to Lomas' site and she's on there. They said we had to choose one of the two photographers and I said I wanted to bring someone else in. I haven't heard back with a definite answer but will argue to get a good photographer. Do you know anyone who has used Caribe? I do not know of anyone that has used Caribe. I would try a general search on the forum and see if you can find something. I'm sure there are people out there that have. I highly doubt they will let you use Claudia Rodriguez. If you don't use one of their two preferred photographers, you have to bring someone from OUTSIDE Mexico. Sucks but that's the way it is.

Quote: Originally Posted by KimmyG -Did i mention i'm doing an ALL-WHITE wedding? Asking all the guests to wear white! So tacky, I love it I love that!! What a great way to do it. I'm excited to see the pictures!! Quote: Originally Posted by hoyt75 We're getting married this Friday, legally and in accordance to the state of Texas. We decided not to have a legal ceremony in Mexico due to the cost and how long it takes to get the certificate back and then have it translated and registered with the county court house. We were going to wait until the week before we left, but, FI just got a new job that he starts on Monday! WOOOHOO!!!!! His benefits kick in on day 1, and for me to be on his insurance, we have to be married. So, we went and applied for a marriage license yesterday and we have 72 hours to to the jp and have it be "finalized". Since ya'll are on legal marriage talk I thought I'd chime in. Just like most of you, we're only doing symbolic in Mexico. For so many reasons: the resort's policies on the # of days prior needing to be at the hotel, the ceremony needing to be translated, the license needing translating, etc. Both my TA and WC strongly advised against the legal marriage in Mexico. So, we're going to the JP on April 1st!!! Since our Mexico wedding will be the true and legit one in our minds, we thought April Fool's Day was the perfect day to see the judge