HazelsMelody

I *want* to give them out before we leave... or at the airport or something, but I'm thinking the most space effective would be to assemble and give out once we're there. And I'm a thrifty person so that's what I'll probably end up doing.

So if you ARE going to change your money from Canadian, what do you change it to? Is it best just to stick with Canadian for at the resort and, say any extra excursions, or is it better to change it?

ML23 : Congrats, and hope you're having (or had) a fabulous time!!! I'd LOVE to hear your feedback on the Paradisus Varadero, we're seriously thinking about that one for our wedding next March 2011. But it doesn't look like too many on here are going there so I'd love to hear how yours went!!

For my first wedding, I was five months pregnant at the time and there was no way I was doing the garter toss. And so similarly we didn't do the bouquet toss either. Instead, we had all the married couples out on the dance floor for a special dance and then the DJ periodically eliminated the couples by how long they've been married. First was, "if you've been married for less than a day, leave the dance floor." Obviously, that's the bride and groom! Then less than a year, five years, ten years, or however, customized to however many couples you have. The last couple on the dance floor is the longest married. We had a special bouquet made up for them. It was a beautiful way to honour those who have been married for such a long time instead of putting spotlight on the singles. Þ And everybody loved the idea. People still talk about that from my wedding.

For my first wedding, my dad did not attend as we were also on non-speaking terms. My mom walked me down the aisle, and instead of the father-daughter dance, my grandpa danced with me and it was awesome (he's an awesome dancer!!). My dad said he will probably come to this wedding, but since I believe in the tradition that the father walks the daughter down the aisle and "gives her away" to her groom, it kinda doesn't apply since I've already been given away. I'm an independent now. Instead, I'm having my children walk me down the aisle. My two daughters are from a previous marriage so it'll be kind of symbolic of them sharing me with my fiancé. I just haven't decided if they'll walk with me, or ahead of me a few steps or what, but that's the idea anyway.

I'm having a bit of wedding party stress of my own. My fiancé's best friend is his best man - they've been friends all their lives, they grew up together, so it was no question. I, on the other hand, am stressing over my side. The girl who I would choose as my maid of honour has already said she's probably not able to come. And if she doesn't, I don't know who I'd want to stand up for me. I thought about my sister, who said she's likely coming, but we're not that *close*. I thought about my mom, but... I don't know. One of my close friends said he and his wife would definitely come, and I'm seriously thinking about asking him, but he also happens to be an ex-boyfriend, and it almost seems kind of weird (it's a much longer story than "just an ex-boyfriend"), but he is one of my closest friends and he's been there for me for the past 14 years since we'd been together. I'm just stuck. Sometimes I wish my bff were coming, cuz I'd really really love to have a maid of honour to chat with, and to help me with all the planning and invites etc. and to share this with.

Quote: Originally Posted by prettypigpig I designed mine on my own, because I find it is more personal than using some generic template or hire someone to do it for me. Of course, it is not as nice as others, because I am a portfolio analyst, not a professional designer. However, both me and my fiancé love it! I'm designing my own as well. I'm a digital scrapbooker so my computer hard drive is chock full of all sorts of tools and fun stuff for doing it, and my invites and thank you cards and everything will all be done on my own so will be coordinating. I'm also super thrifty, so I just see it as another way to save as much money as possible.

Ooh Good to know! My health insurance through work is with Manulife as well, although we have separate travel insurance through Global Excel and that's covered. Got worried for a minute there.

hehe, I actually voted for #2.

That's hilarious! I love it!! Definitely a change up from the traditional!

I'm worried about the same thing, though I'm far from those worries - we haven't even booked anything yet. But we attended a destination wedding last April, wasn't planning on going at first, but then my fiancé and I decided to go on vacation kind of last minute and just happened to be able get the same resort at the same time as my friends. We went earlier, and left earlier, but we did get a really great deal. We weren't in the same part of the resort as the wedding guests, but the bride and groom were able to include us in all the wedding festivities and were really happy we were there. Maybe my situation was different, because we weren't even planning to go, it was just all last minute and got lucky, but they were happy we were there, and we were happy to be there for them as well.

Huh. I always thought that having it soon after the wedding was better. It seems silly to me to have it too long afterward... that's just me. That said, I have no idea when we're doing ours. We're still discussing details. My fiancé wants it outside, but the weather here can be pretty unpredictable at times, I might prefer it to be indoors just so we don't have to worry about when we have it and the headache of a rain date or a "Plan B." I guess it all comes down to when you want to and/or can have it! No rules on this one!!

Geesh, all you who are getting married in Jan and Feb 2011 and can't wait for the 2011 prices.... I'm getting married in April 2011 and it's already driving me crazy waiting!!! I hope April prices come out the same time Jan/Feb prices do... I can't do anything until I know. Even my (potential) maid of honour hasn't committed yet because she wants to know how much it's going to cost before she says yes to coming. And it just makes it harder that we don't even know where we're going, let alone which resort. It's basically all coming down to the best deal we can get with the list of requirements we're looking for. So impatient!! I want to get this ball rolling!!

My fiancé hasn't seen my dress, nor does he want to. I was watching "Say Yes To The Dress" one day and was shocked to see that some brides brought their fiancés, AND wouldn't make their decision without his input. No way. I'm a traditionalist that way. Maybe not superstitious, but just like asayle said, it's the same as the engagement ring. He refused to show me, or tell me anything about it (he actually proposed without it, because he'd ordered it from Italy and it took a long time to get here). He said as long as it's not too fancy and fits with our beach wedding, he's content to wait for the surprise.

This is an awesome thread!! I can't wait to contribute to it once I get my dress! It's great seeing the comparison between airbrushed size 0 models and real life brides. )

I had a great conversation one day with mom - she informed me (cuz I didn't know this before), that "back in the day" the bride's parents paid for the wedding, because it *was* their celebration - celebrating the fact that their daughter was getting married. And they invited all of their family and their friends, because back then, you got married really young and you didn't have as many of your own friends as you might these days. The wedding was planned by the parents, every detail, according to what the mom of the bride thought her daughter might like. These days, it's way different. And especially if the bride and groom are paying for the wedding themselves, which happens a lot more often now, then it's the bride's and groom's choices as to what they want, and where the want it, and who's invited. Maybe it's your great-aunt's dream to watch you walk down the aisle, but that doesn't mean it has your dream for her to be there, or that you should feel guilty if you have your dream wedding in Mexico and she can't make it. I agree with everyone else here - you do what you want to make your day feel special!!

I was just having this discussion with my mom. In her family, they don't have showers for second time brides, or for second/third babies. Only the first time around. I'm a second-time bride, however, my fiancé has never been married before, neither does he have any of his own children (whereas I have two daughters from my first marriage). So in my case, I won't be getting a bridal shower or baby shower from my family, however I will be for both from his family. And as for my friends, I only have one or two who were around from the first wedding/baby, all the rest are new since, so that's not an issue for me. I agree with what someone else said earlier : If your family and/or friends want to throw you a shower and you're happy with that, go for it. If you're not, that's totally your prerogative too!

Is there a thread somewhere with a list of all the acronyms that are used? I'm a spelling and grammar nut so I don't tend to use acronyms/internet shorthand/texting shorthand.... it just personally bugs me. I've managed to figure out what a lot of the acronyms are... DW, MOH, FMIL, TA, etc. but there are some I have no idea. It took me *forever* to figure out what STDs are... Also, since I'm asking, and it's sorta related, what are OOT bags!?!?

I wrote my own wedding website, which I am super duper proud of, because it's been a long time since I've done that!! I can see myself getting frustrated with the upkeep, and could possibly end up scrapping it for a free one that you can just plug your info into and voila.... but then again, maybe my pride will win. ) It was fun to play with anyway, and I like it. suzanneandbert.limewebs.com

We haven't discussed it, but I don't know if we're going to do the bouquet/garter toss either. For my first wedding, I was 5 months pregnant and there was no way I was gonna let him go up my dress to find the garter. A little inappropriate. So we didn't do the bouquet toss either. Instead, we had all the married couples out on the dance floor, including us, and the DJ played a song for all the married couples to dance to. Then the DJ announced that she's eliminating couples who have been married for one day or less, which obviously, was the bride and groom. And then one year or less, 5 years, 10 years, etc. until there was one couple left on the dance floor, and we had a beautiful bouquet for them. We, and everyone else, LOVED the idea, because it was a wonderful way to shine the spotlight on and honour a couple who had been married for, I believe it was 53 years. A great inspiration for us all.

#1 definitely looks best on you. I think #2 is more beachy/tropical, but #1 looks better on you. That's what I think.

Does anyone have any information on the wedding packages for the Sirenis La Salina?? The website doesn't offer much information.

Quote: Originally Posted by carolina24 very thoughtful ladies!! i didn't even think of including an explination...ooops, lol!! I never considered an explanation/letter either, but it's a great idea!!!

Hi everybody, My name's Suzanne. New here, a girlfriend referred me. She said she found this great site... but after she had finished planning her wedding in Jamaica this past April. My then-boyfriend and I attended her wedding and were very impressed with how it all turned out. He's always wanted to get married on a tropical beach, so when he proposed at New Years, there was no question that we were going to have a destination wedding. Right now, we're still deciding exactly where and when, so far narrowing it down to Cuba in April 2011. Hopefully being here will give us insight!!