mekanabr

Welcome and congrats! Good job on finding a resort, I'm still in the process of doing that. You'll find tons of info on here and def search for reviews from other brides...they will provide so much insite about your resort! Good luck with your planning!!

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMsMoulton I had to switch it up and do a mix of a bunch of different workout videos because a lot of P90X was hard on my knees. I love all of the arms workouts though and keep doing those on a regualr basis. I am down 10 lbs since starting to workout hard in the last 2 months! Good Luck girls. 20 lbs, Way to go! I was reading through this post and realized your wedding is in a week... OMG! Congrats and I hope its everything you've ever dreamed of!! all this info on P90x has convinced me to look into this... I think I'd enjoy it. Plus its my birthday in a month so my my FI wants to get it for me Keep it up ladies!

Hi Ladies! I think this is a great thread, its always nice to know what is or isn't working for ppl when they are trying to lose weight. This was a great idea Rus! I'd like to lose about 15 lbs by my July 2011 wedding. I've actually aleady bought my dress but like the bridal shop told me - its much easier to bring in a dress than out, so I fiure if I drop a size that'll be ok. The girl at the shop also told me that 8 lbs lost is generally equal to one dress size which I didn't know before! Anyway, I have a huge problem with cravings as well... but I usually hold out as long as I can and then let myself indulge and then get back on track. I can't deprive myself of anything so I might as well have it and then move on! I've also found that for me personally, I can follow an exercise routine better if I am part of a class (yoga, pilates etc). Its prob partly bc I know I paid for 8 weeks so I want to make sure I get my money's worth! And I think the group atmosphere motivates me to go. I'm not sure if anyone else is like that or not but I have a hard time just getting up and going to the gym (bleh!) One big step I've taken in my diet is that in '08 I stopped eating red meat. Its mostly bc whenever I would eat it I would feel like crap (good enough reason, right? haha) But I'm really proud of myself that I've been able to replace the red meat in my diet with a healthier protein. I think that its definitely something everyone can change in their diets is eating less red meat... not only is it harder to digest but it much higher in fat and cholesterol than chicken, pork or seafood, so eating ground turkey instead of ground beef will make a big difference in your calories. Just a suggestion that has helped for me One side note is that bison is a huge exception to that rule.. bison is a super healthy, low fat protein (I've never had it but I hear its great!) Oh and I dont want anyone to think that I'm totally anti beef... I did write about that cravings problem of mine, right? lol...its very dangerous having a 5 Guys literally within walking distance to my house. But I figure a few times a year is ok! I can't wait to read suggestions from all you ladies and to hear about everyones progress! Good luck!

Congrats and welcome! I'm so jealous that you're getting married in Hawaii!! Where in Lahaina are you gettin married? Maui is georgeous and will be so perfect for you wedding! Lucky!

thank you for your wonderful review! All the info it so helpful since I'm trying to figure out a destination and resort!! Congrats!

Congrats and thanks for your great review!

I'm still very far away from my wedding date...however one thing that I was thinking I might get my bridesmaids is monogrammed garment bags. I know none of them have them and it something I can give them before the wedding to pack their dresses in for the flight. and they can use it after the wedding. Then when we get to our destination, I'll prob do something like a glorified OOT bag with lots of nice extras (prob perfume, jewelry etc) I'm also going to add some stuff to spice up there stay with their bfs/husbands

great idea and very cute! Good job!

I like the original but with the lighter gray font! Great job!

Hi there, all the choices are beautiful, but I think I like the 2nd one best. I saw that you're from PA...not sure where in PA but if you are close to Chambersburg, there is a bridal shop called J & B Bridals which is where I got my dress. The shop is great, and the ppl are really nice that work there, plus they have suprisingly affordable gowns. They had a pretty wide range of sizes on site. I noticed when looking at bridesmaids dresses that Mari Lee had a wide range of sizes in them so I'm assuming the same is true for that designers bridal gowns. Just a thought, I hope you find your dream dress!

Your pictures are amazing!! Congrats and thanks for sharing!

Congrats and welcome to the forum!! There are a ton of resources on here to help you make your decision. I would search for bride's reviews of weddings that were held at the resorts that you are interested in. I think that is one of the best ways ot figure out what to expect from that particular resort. Best of luck with your planning and enjoy all the great info on this site!!

Congrats and welcome! You could always give them the option to buy day passes but stress that not only will they have to spend the extra money on day passes but they will also have to figure out transportation to and from the wedding. That might encourage them to spend the extra cash to stay at the resort where your wedding is being held. Good luck with your planning!

haha didn't reazlie you had already gone...oops! I'm really glad to hear that you had a great time and I'm excited to read your review!!

Hi there, congrats on your one year anniversary! I've never been to El Salvador, but I would just say to be careful... I'm sure you won't run into any problems but as with all travel, keep your gaurd up! Here's some info about traveling to the country: El Salvador I hope you have a great time! Oh and I'm not posting this to freak you out or anything, I just think that any traveler should be aware of the country they are visiting to ensure your own safety! I'm sure you'll have a romantic and fabulous time!

Welcome to the forum and congrats!! You'll find so much helpful info on here!! Good luck with all your planning!

Welcome and Congrats! You'll find tons of resources on here! Good luck with your planning!

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your engagement! Try to search for brides reviews to see if there are any revews of weddings at the resort you're interested in. Good luck with your planning!!!

I might be a little behind with this post, but if you are willing to spend the money, the all inclusive at Bolongo Bay cannot be beat. They offer you top shelf premium drinks all day and night and the food is to die for. I literally day dream about the food from Bolongo Bay, it was FANTASTIC! You do have to make a reservation for the Lobster Grill, but its worth the minimal effort. You can eat lobster and steak every night with an app and desert and drinks, all included in the AI plan. My FI still talks about the coconut shrimp from Iggies (it was 3 yrs ago!) The people that work here are super friendly and really accomodating. We stayed in one of the 2 bdrm condos at the far end of the beach and it was very nice. One other cool thing is that you get a nice mix of locals bc the restaurants and bars are open to the public (which is why the quality is so superior to the regular AI). It was really fun to get dinner and then hang out at Iggies or the Lobster Grill and chat with other guests and people from around St. Thomas. One down side was that the beach wasn't as nice as a few others on the island (Saphire Beach etc) but it was still fun. If you are looking for a nice, small hotel for your guests I would highly recommend Bolongo Bay!

Thanks for all the sweet comments ladies!

Hi there, sorry I'm a little late on this post. I don't have any experience with weddings at the Royal Kona, however I have stayed there. The resort was really nice, our room was comfortable, nothing super fantastic, but how much time do you really spend in your room when you're in Hawaii!? The hotel itself is very pretty and within walking distance to anything in Kona. If you want any nightlife through you or your guests stay, this is a good option bc Kona is about the only place on the island with any kind of nightlife, even if it is minimal. The Royal Kona does put on a really fun, great luau and the ocean front location is very beautiful. If you are at all interested in a church wedding, there is the first Christian church in Hawaii within walking distance to the hotel. I don't know many of the hotels in Kona, but if you are looking for an ocean front location in downtown Kona, this would be my choice. The King Kamehameha hotel is also in DT Kona but when I was in Kona this past fall it was going through big renovations and their tiny beach is always flooded with local kids. Another consideration is the resorts along the Kohala Coast, they are a few choices which are really beautiful...but they are pricey! Good luck with your planning!!!

First off, I'm super jealous that you are getting married on the Big Island!! I LOVE it there! Its actually where I got engaged but unfortunately its too far for our wedding. Anywho- October is a great time to visit Hawaii. Its the hottest month (not that temps are tht different throughout the yr) and the chance of it raining especially on the Kona side are very slim. I was there for 10 days at the end of last October and it rained once. February-April is the rainy season in Hawaii, when I lived there it literally rained for about 4 weeks straight! Along the Kohala Coast (North Kona) most of the resorts are quite pricey, however that is where you'll find the best beaches (unless you are willing to haul your guests off road down lava rock roads to the beautiful remote ones haha). One thing to know is that all beaches in Hawaii are public. Even if a resort claims it has a 'private' beach, it still has to allow access to the public. The Mauna Kea Beach Resort has a fantastic and beautiful beach (constantly voted one of the most beautiful in the world) and they limit public access to the public by only allowing 30 parking passes for the parking lot at a time. So although they are public beaches, resorts try to limit how much of the public can actually access them. The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel (Hawaii Hotels & Resorts | Prince Resorts Hawaii | Hawaiian Golf & Family Vacations & Packages) is absolutely georgeous, it's beach is quite private because the only access to it is from the hotel or by walking to it from the beach around the corner (lol). The beach next to it is a state beach park called Hapuna beach (another one often voted worlds best) and gets very crowded on the weekends, but I dont recall the Prince Hotel beach ever being terribly over crowded. They have beautiful gardens, a great pool and yummy drinks I'm not sure about the prices but it is a very nice hotel (I believe its cheaper than the Mauna Kea...) I've never been to the Hilton but I've heard its really great, since they have so many activites on site, but if you stay here, don't make it the only place you go on the island, you'll miss SO much! Another option is to have the wedding down in Kona instead of North Kona or Kohala Coast. The Royal Kona resort is really nice (Royal Kona Resort | Oceanfront on Kailua Bay on Big Island Hawaii). Its ocean side and beautiful and they host a really fun Luau! It is right downtown Kona, within walking distance to all of the restaurants, shops, and other hotels along the port town. If you want any nightlife (there isn't much of it on the Big Island), Kona is pretty much your only option. Kona is prob about 30 mins from the Kohala Coast beaches but there are beaches in Kona, just not as nice (IMO, but its still a Hawaiian beach so none of them are bad!) One resort I personally would not recommend is the King Kamehameha Resort. It is literally next to the port where cruise ships come in, downtown Kona. It's a perfectly fine hotel but when I was in Kona this past October, it was totally empty and they appeard to be doing major renovations, and they have a tiny little beach that gets seriously overwhelmed by local teens, just fyi. Also, if there is any chance you are interested in a church wedding, the first Christian church in Hawaii is in downtown Kona and it is beautiful (and within walking distance to all the hotels) It is called Moku'aikaua Church. Also, you could try vrbo.com if you are interested in vacation rentals. Sorry this is a little long, but hopefully it will help you in your decision making. A few more quick suggestions of places you can't miss Volcanoes National Park...incredible, look up Lavaocean.com for boat tours if you want to get really close to the lava. Pu'uhonau o honaunau...a really beautiful national park with excellent snorkling next to it, tons of turtles! (this is where I got engaged but even before that it was my favorite place on the island!) Kayaking and snorkling at Kealakekua Bay, really fun, amazing fish! The farmers markets (Hilo's is best, but Kona's is good too) Beautiful, cheap flowers, yummy fresh produce and great Hawaiian crafts. South Point is cool and Punalu'u Black sand beach is beautiful. OK enough! Good luck with your planning and I hope your wedding is fantastic!!!

Congrats and welcome!! I have to admit, it seems a little ridiculous that your future inlaws won't get passports! Especially if you want to keep it affordable and all-inclusive, you're most likely going to find much cheaper resorts (that are still fabulous) in Mexico or the Dominican Republic! USVI doesn't have that many choices for AI and they are generally more expensive (at least thats what I've seen in my research). I guess you could always get married in Hawaii!!!! (I wish I could do that!...too far) It's your wedding and I hope that you don't have to compromise bc of your inlaws! Good luck with your planning and I hope that everything works out for you and your fiance!!

Congrats and welcome to the forum. This site is super helpful and I'm sure you'll find answers to all your questions. Definitely check out the reviews from other brides, they are so helpful! And then you can get into the fun details on here, like info about invitations, STDs, OOT bags etc etc.. its so fun! GOod luck with your planning!

Congrats and welcome to the forum! It is really overwhelming when you first join so I suggest taking a few mins and reading the FAQs and the other info in the newbie section...its very helpful. Then just start navigating around the site, its amazing how much info there is here..from invites to out of town bags to bride reviews and tons and tons of pictures (woo!). Happy planning!