bikegirl

Quote: Originally Posted by OceanWonderland The Dreams resorts also offer a free package depending on what room/guests you have. It's the basic package ($799) that provides everything you'd need for up to 10 guests. I think it applies to every single Dreams resorts. As long as you have under 10 guests, you can eat at a restaurant as a group for free as well. This package is complimentary when booking a Honeymoon Ocean View or Preferred Club Ocean View category or higher for a minimum of 7 nights or if 5 rooms are reserved for a minimum of 3 nights in any room category. This complimentary package includes: • Services of the Judge or Minister* • Wedding organization and personalization by our wedding coordinator • Preparation and ironing of the wedding dress and groom's tuxedo/suit • Complimentary room for the groom the night before the wedding (based on availability) • Personal dressing assistant • Use of the Wedding Gazebo • Bride's bouquet • Boutonniere for the groom • Wedding cake and sparkling wine for 10 guests • Special turn down service at night • 15% discount on all spa treatments (product purchases not included) • Honeymoon package • Late checkout for bride and groom (based on availability) Restrictions/exclusions: This package can not be combined with the Dreams Eternity Honeymoon Package. The complimentary wedding package cannot be deducted when purchasing other packages. Subject to availability and based on double occupancy only. All taxes and gratuities included. Wedding services are not part of the Unlimited-Luxury package. The wedding packages are not cannot be exchanged for other services. Additional fees will apply for additional guests over 10. *Due to a government surcharge, a $300 USD fee will be added to cover the cost of the Judge. Is this updated info? If so, that's too bad. Last time I checked the website, it said you can use the free package as a credit towards a higher package, which is what had me leaning towards Dreams.

Alright Renée, you convinced me! I`m going to do this thing!

^ That's what we're all doing. But it's not as simple as just keep switching until you find the right price because then it may not be the right place. I think many of us know the right price IS there for the right place, it's just not available at the right TIME.

Beautiful work Liam! Gonna e-mail you about your prices. Thanks!

Wow, this is impressive! I love your color scheme and all your DIY projects...esp the door hangers. They turned out great!

Brandi, you've done such an awesome job with your DIY pashminas, invitations, packets....I can't wait to see what else to end up doing!

^ If I had $8-10K to spend on photography, I definitely would. When I first started looking, all the photographers were in that range, some even MORE. Unfortunately I, like many brides, simply cannot afford that. My entire wedding budget is under $10K. Recently, I have found a number of quality photographers in the $3-4K range. While no, they have not had as much experience or as many international awards as the ones I originally sought out, I feel I would definitely be getting my money's worth. I'm not expecting photos like Elizabeth Messina or Jose Villa...then again, I'm not paying the price of EM or JV either.

^ My FI and I were just up in Kingston last weekend! He's from there. Can't wait to see you girls tomorrow! If anyone else is coming, please PM me or post here so I can give you my number. BTW, Sarah, I might be able to come to the 23rd meetup, too but I'll let you know closer to the date.

Thanks for sharing your story Kate! Like everyone has said, you are so inspirational and strong. Wish you a wonderful wedding to your soulmate!

Yay, glad you went with #1! That one's my favourite.

Wow, I love this!!!

^ Tami, your post was SOO helpful! Most of the time, all you can see is the resort photos and know the number of such and such in a resort. It's hard to know the actual "vibe" which IMO is just as important if not more so. So thanks for describing the difference between the two! Since many of our guests will be young, now I don't feel bad about taking PPR off the list as the actual wedding location but I'm definitely going to consider it for the HM.

Quote: Originally Posted by debbmach I'm really frustrated with it, I have no idea why the discrepancy! My TA says it's because tour operators have caught on to the DW trend and aren't offering the discounts they use to, they know they can charge more and people will go. I'm online checking prices for different times of the year and the prices are way less then what I'm getting quoted so far for the wedding...I really hope they go down soon! It sounds like a fair reason but then when you think about it, it doesn't make sense. If there is not group discount, at least the price would be the SAME as booking individually not HIGHER! Grrrr. Well, let's all keep each other updated on what happens. I should be going to a TA in a couple weeks so I will report back, too!

I think we've all got the same budget - $1500! This is so odd that there are prices anywhere above $2000, even more so up to $3000. I've been checking newspapers and online and you can book some of these resorts we are all looking at for $1000-1500 inclusive of taxes/fees/etc (4.5-5 stars). These are not even "last minute deals". Some are for the next couple months, some I even specifically searched up to end of year and still I'm getting these types of prices compared to the outrageous ones people are being quoted. I just can't see what accounts for such a significant discrepancy.

Hey everyone, just a reminder about this Friday's BDW get together for 7:30PM at Pickle Barrel - Yonge & Eglinton. The reservation is under Lindsay. **Please RSVP so I know approximately how many will be coming and so I can PM you my number.** Attendees so far! bikegirl ~Crista-Lee~ Oryx DWbridetobe tigger Can't wait to see you guys!

would love to know this, too!

Thanks for the review! So glad to hear that everything went smoothly for you. Congratulations!

^ Have you checked Zappos.com? You can actually search for wide width shoes which may help! Also, if you're doing a destination wedding, try looking for flip flop styles with embellishments rather than strappy sandals. They'll still look dressy without being constricting. I have the same problem....I have wide feet and find it hard to fit a lot of dressy shoes.

Quote: Originally Posted by Terrian925 Hi Alliecat023 & jerzshortstuff I sent you ladies some info & pics I got from the WC. Hope it helps answer some of your questions Terri Hey Terri, would you mind sending them to me, too? I'm at [email protected] I just started looking into DPB more now that some of my top choices are off the list due to cost. Thanks so much!

Quote: Originally Posted by CND_Redhead My FI and I went in to our TA with a "general timeframe" but really were looking at what week/month was cheapest. We were looking anywhere from end of Jan till mid April. Found that the end of Jan was the cheapest (our TA found anyway). Thanks CND_Redhead, that's what we're going to do! I'm not set on a date so if going a week later or earlier saves my guests money, that's what we'll go with. Are you in Toronto? If so, mind disclosing your TA? Quote: Originally Posted by barbiegirl_27 Hi Margret! Ok, I won't start freaking out when she doesn't get back to us in the next couple days.....this is going to be our 3rd TA since we started this whole process! barbiegirl_27, did you end up switching away from Maritime or are they the 3rd? We still haven't gone to a travel agent yet. Things have just been so busy but we really need to get on it! Lol.

^ Thanks for the update! Can't wait to see what the actual prices are going to be like.

PS: I reserved for the 9th as that was 70% of votes but if anyone wants to get together on another day, too, lemme know! I'm up for it!

BDW April TORONTO Meetup! Who? Everyone!!! Newly engaged, soon to be married, married, etc! When? April 9th, 2010 at 7:30PM Where? Pickle Barrel Grande - 2300 Eglinton St (Yonge & Eglinton) **Reservation is under 'Lindsay'** **Please RSVP so I can PM you my phone # closer to the date and also see if I need to increase/decrease # of seats.** QUICK FAQs: Do I need to bring anything? Nope, just yourself! Although show-n-tell is encouraged so if you have stuff to share, bring it! Do I have to be there by 7:30PM? Nope, but I reserved 10 seats. If by 7:40PM less than 10 have arrived, they will only seat our exact number so if most people can come by 7:30PM that'd be great! I've never been to Pickle Barrel? What's it like? Here is the link to the restaurant website. Welcome to Pickle Barrel Website How do I get there? If driving, Pickle Barrel is in the Eglinton Centre. There is parking underground and in various buildings near there. If taking TTC, get off at Elginton Station. I recommend taking TTC or having someone drive you. Last time we all had a large Bellini! This time...who knows?

One last bump to vote for a date! I will post up the meetup details on Wednesday.

Thanks ladies! I'm going to check out Maritime Travel for sure. Their website is very informative about the different resorts, too! I did check itravel2000.com and selloffvacations and there are some really good deals and some really EXPENSIVE packages, too! Wow. It's all so much info to take in. It seems Punta Cana is the cheapest so I think we're going to go with that. The prices are so deceiving with our killer taxes. $800 suddenly becomes several hundred more! Another question (i'm full of them!), did you ladies decide on a date before looking at prices or after? Originally I was thinking Apr/May. However, it seems March is actually the cheapest month for PC at least, this year. I'm surprised as I would've though spring break time is one of the highest priced.