bikegirl

I'm curious, what is the main concept of this diet? Calorie restriction, low carb, low fat, etc? .....700-800 a day CANNOT be healthy!!

Thanks Tifany! I see you've been doing really well especially considering your wedding is in Spring 2011, too! I'm so happy I finally broke my plateau and honestly, I did nothing different and probably ate worse than I had during some weeks. It's good but also frustrating at the same time because it feels like your body just loses/gains when IT feels like it! Anyone else have this happen?

Quote: Originally Posted by pineapplebride Hi guys My TA has found us great rates for our May 2011 wedding trip with an Early Booking Bonus... however she has told me that the tour company will only hold the quote for 30 days... therefore in order for our guests to get this rate they need to put down a $150 deposit by June 30th. She said that if prices drop, we can adjust the rate once Has anyone else been required to put down deposits to hold the quote?? I feel like I need to frantically send out STD's to inform my guests! Also... what about guests who still dont know for sure if they will be able to come? I feel like they are being forced to make a huge decision very rushed! Yes, that is how it works with the group rates. You need to put a min deposit down. But usually if you put a min of 10 or so deposits, they will hold an additional number of rooms or at the very least offer to give you the same price for subsequent bookings based on availability only. When I got quotes in May, I was hesitate to book but I think now what we will do is put down the first $2000-3000 deposit. How many people do you think will come, at least? For me it's approx 20-30. I know at least half of the deposit I can fund immediately from the parents and I'm sure we can get at least 5 more people...when I think about it like that, I'm not so worried. The parents won't need to see a STD before they're willing to book.

^ I don't think the drinking part will be a problem. LOL! Renee, i'll send you a pm - i'm coming, too!

Yep, it`s only Monday.

OMG Sarah, you are sooo close now!!! I'm so excited for you and impressed at all you gals accomplished in one day. Everything looks amazing!

I totally dropped the ball on this. Kept telling myself to make a post but the lazy bug hit me. Thx for doing it Renee! Both days are good for me!

PM'd you, too just in case you still have them.

Quote: Originally Posted by LadyTrunck Thank you SO much Renee! I truly believe that everythign happens for a reason- and I'm trying not to stress so much because there is nothing I can do to change the outcome. I'll keep you guys posted- I know we'll hear probably after the weekend. And I am the least patient person on the face of the planet Wow, I can't imagine being in your shoes right now! That must be so stressful. I'm crossing my fingers for you that everything works out and works out better than planned, too! : )

Quote: Originally Posted by Oryx So one travel agent told me today that prices are actually going UP and that we need to come up with a plan... WTF? And the other travel agent told me that prices are looking good and that she should have something close to my goal to quote me for next week (I'm aiming for $1500 - $1550 taxes in from Toronto). Easy decision for me if that quote comes through next week... Good thing you posted this. She told me that your prices had gone up and warned me the same might happen to me. She sounds convincing (esp because the price she quoted me for my resort is low) but at the same time I feel like within the next 12 mths, I can at least get that same price if not lower.

josephinecruz, thank you SOO much for your review! it was very informative and your relaxed attitude is making me open my eyes and realize part of enjoying your experience is also in your own positive outlook on things. i am also planning my wedding at PPC and for May 10th of next year so i'm glad to hear it was pretty quiet on the beach for you. phew! going to send you a pm now about about costs. thx!

Hey fellow BDW Biggest Losers! I'm writing to you all from Beijing, China. FI and I are here to visit all my relatives (only mom lives in Canada) and also see the world expo in Shanghai next week. Sound like you're all doing pretty well, especially you Natasha! I need to have willpower like yours! I have the P90X videos but the longest I've lasted is 4 days. Lol. It has been SOOO hard to be good here! The only meal we've had at home is breakfast and that's just yogurt and some cereal mixed or a few sausages and milk since I'm not eating any straight carbs. Everything else has been out at restaurants and we're only 3 days in to our 2 week vacay! It's also frustrating that a lot of the fast food places (KFC, Mickey D's, etc.) don't have a healthy menu option like back home. No grilled chicken salads or diet cokes. Grrr... I have a feeling I'll be listing a gain these next two weeks.

You should ask your resort. I believe some provide free shuttle service, too.

Do you have a photo of the color? Thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by Pink_Petals Nope...no recommendations; other brides apparently asked him (including myself) and he never answer back even tho he is so quick to answer to your first e-mail...Im guessing either there isnt another english speaking pastor in the DR (which i doubt) or he just simply ignores your question so he doesnt have competition (urgh). So if anyone knows of someone else instead of Pastor Rick York, please please please let me know I don't think he's lying to you. To my knowledge, he is the only pastor performing weddings in the area who speaks English fluently.

Hey Dina, do you have a link to your reviews of the hotels you mentioned? I can't find it via search. Thanks!

Travel agent told me the exact same. That a lot of the incentives offered for year will no longer be offered for next year as the travel industry is bouncing back. Good for the economy, bad for us 2011 brides!

Quote: Originally Posted by TRose Oh and our resort is Excellence Punta Cana (they give a GREAT group deal...my fiance and I get a free room plus other perks for the guests) TRose, do you mind sharing what perks you got? A couple TAs I'm working with gave me prices and said their company is offering 21st guest for free but aside from that, NOTHING. I'm not sure if it's because I need to then negotiate upgrades, free weddings, etc. with the wedding coordinator directly?...or if that's something my TA should be doing for me...

^ That's so good! A couple of the TAs I'm working with are saying....the price guests pay now are the prices they're locked into. I can see why they would say that BUT I have also heard offers like yours...where if it goes down several hundred, they will adjust for the clients.

^ Whoa!!! That is insanely good!

^ So true. I'm actually really surprised about the whole, even if they say no, you still send them an invite. It just doesn't make sense. What are they going to do with it (I mean, aside from my mom and a crafty friend who likes this kinda stuff) except toss it? I feel like if they say no, sending them an invitation anyway is like waving it in their face that they're missing out....lol, now I might have to rethink that!

I'm hoping to be under $1500 per person. The cheaper the better of course, but I told the TAs I'm working with that $1500 is my absolute max for the guests. FI and I will ask to be upgraded and pay for it if they can't do it for free.

Those are beautiful!! I'm planning to go with Cards & Pockets, too but I'm having a hard time finding the actual graphics for the invitation, response cards, etc. Do you mind me asking where you found your graphics? Thank you!

I have heard from one travel agent that April is a "transitional" time for the travel companies meaning this is when they switch between winter and summer packages / scheduling. Therefore, there is a stronger likelihood that your flight or hotel stay may be bumped around. I'm not sure just how much of a concern this should be but. Plus, Easter is during April and apparently it can affect travel / service in a lot of areas. Again, I take this with a grain of salt but it is something to keep in mind.

^ I guess it wouldn't make sense for them to have healthy food then also fruity drinks and beer. They should at least offer organic and/or gluten free beer. Lol! Okay, I'll try to think of something else. If anyone has ideas, post it up!