amandamarieb

Quote: Originally Posted by meghan I wore a veil...Everything was custom made for me and I started the process 8 months in advance. I'd say 4 months would be safe for a veil...depends on where it is coming from. I better get to it then...I've got 4 months and 1/2 days. Whooo hoo.

Quote: Originally Posted by chong I have already ordered multiple shoes and been returning them. I just got one today and NOPE! I am returning it. I hope I find something soon.... hopefully before my 2nd dress fitting... FYI - I am so glad that I am not the only one going crazy looking for shoes. Thanks for the encouraging words! Chong 2nd dress fitting?!?! Really? Am I like so behind? I've had my dress since January but havent done a fitting yet. Can someone advise me on timeline? Also, I guess I should find my shoes pretty soon so I can be sure that when i do get fitted that my dress isn't too short. Any of you ladies wearng a veil? What's my timeline on ordering one of those? My dress is lace and I might have enough fabric removed after my firts fitting to get one made...hmm...wonder how much that will cost.

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart Yeah, I doubt they'd charge you onsite. I literally told them, this is what I want with the exact recipe and they even said they'd make a sign for me with my drink name. Also, no one pay for champange, if you want champange poured for your guests while they MOH & BM etc. give their toasts, just requets it, it's free. It's just house champange but better than having to overpay for a bottle of something only slightly better. Being very patient and understanding and boarderline overly nice is what helped me the most. I wasn't rejected on anything except fireworks. AND, everything can be negotiated, everything! Kiara was the negotiations queen, we became great friends actually and she'll kick ass for you if you let her OMG, that's like the most amazing news I've heard in weeks. FI and I love champagne but just not in our budget to buy it for 70 guests. I'll def make that request onsite.

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda I also want to point out to the brides upcoming - if you have pictures how you want things - make sure you show the WC in Miami and bring the pictures (2 copies in case both Lomas and hotel WC want them) to Mexico. They are amazing at recreating things. What I wanted the set up to look like: What it did look like: Google images, look on flickr, and check out other brides on this site! They look lovely. I agree your look better than the photo you sent. I know I asked this before, but if you don't mind telling me again, how much did they charge you for those arrangements?

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Hi girls, here is my ceremony. It meant a lot to me and I would appreciate if you kept it for your eyes only and did not distribute outside of this group. I took information from this website (see http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...-script-21660/ ) as well as The Knot and ministers websites around the world. We wrote our own vows together for what was important to us. Good luck! Thanks so much for sharing, it's really very, very beautiful. Job well done. Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart I had the MOST TERRIBLE DW.com TA and complained to his manager multiple times before demanding to be switched to a female in my time zone who could handle more than one thing at once. If I hadn't done that I would have had a COMPLETE breakdown, so I say switch and switch now. Talk to their manager and be adament you want to be reassigned. I have heard Grace is fantastic, my new TA is Patti and she was unbelievable and basically fixed a ton of mistakes my previous TA had made and was overly communicative which is much better than MIA for 3 weeks which my previous TA pulled on me twice. I will post a picture of my flowers. I ordered real touch stems and rented vases from Lomas. Kiara negotiated my vase price down for my by 50%! So I had the submerged orchid stems in 3 different colors, 3 different size vases with a floating candle on top, I thought it looked gorgeous. I did something so similar! I had vintage lovebird playing cards I found, all different and put them in holders on the seating cards table and had my MOH's mom artistically write the instructions on the chalkboard. It worked out, everyone figured out how to match their bird card to their table, I loved it You're right, you're bouquet is GORGEOUS!! Can I ask who your original TA at DW.com was. I am worried that I have the same one. I can't wait to see a photo of your centerpieces. They sound lovely. Everytime I hear what you girls have done, I change my mind. Love the love-bird playing card ideas. I am also doing placards in small photo frames. We using antiquey ooking photo frames that will also hold the polaroids from our photo booth. So they double as favors. I haven't decided how we are doing the table numbers yet. I was thinking of doing vintage images of the cities we have lived in (Baltimore, Austin, New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Amsterdam) but I think I might have 10 tables so that won't be enough. Hmm..what to do?

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Haha I know what you mean. It was more just fun having lights and smoke - I think the pictures will be cute. I'll post some of mine, I know how it could be construed as cheesy but everything else was classy so I think thats what made it cute Um well from my personal experience, a cocktail reception wont help that and neither will a schedule! My mom of all people went back to her room at 7pm (start of the reception) and missed our entrance and had to stand by the DJ during our first song. I almost think no cocktails and telling ppl the reception starts 15 mins early would have made people more prepared. I had to tell some of my friends to go into the reception at 7pm - they were like "why?" and I said "I am waiting here to get announced, everyone should be sitting down now." and my friends were like "oh!" haha If I had to do it over, think I would ask a friend to help the WCs do that as ppl don't always pay attention to the resort staff. The salad was $4 extra and everyone LOVED it. It was spicy and delicious. Wow, that's a great point about the cocktail hour. I know just the right friend to wrangle everyone. I'll have to talk to my fiance about it though. We are flyig across the country to Boston tonight so I plan on forcing him to review wedding stuff with me while we are on the plane. Hopefully that works. I need to make some decisions!

Quote: Originally Posted by mzgillis316 HI I have a question...what did everyone do about the centerpeices? I am really struggling between bringing down things or just picking the ones from the resort. My dilemma is even though i may only pay 25 buxs for silk flowers and a vase, I may still end up spending almost 50 to 60 buxs in checking luggage. I'm just not sure if its worth the hassle I am actually moving my ceremony flowers to the recpetion and placing them in blume boxes. (I am getting full-on bouquets and handging them from the chairs closest to the aisle. Because they are bouquets they can be easily picked up and plopped into the blume boxes.) I am also going to Jo-An fabric and having different pieces/styles of beautiful vintage inspired fabircs cut and will places those large fabric squares underneath the blume boxes. That way I don't have to pay beyond the whte table clothes which are included but each table will have some personal flare. I had gone back and forth with a lot of other, and much more creative ideas, but the hassle of bringing things with me and having to assemble things there really put me off. I think it is easier this way and am sure it will still look lovely.

Quote: Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach Very interesting.......we were told that we could not have 20% off of the reception, only other "private events." I'm really frustrated with the inconsistencies. I had a minor photog fiasco too and it is all starting to leave a poor taste in my mouth. And this is just month one of planning and Q&A. :-( If you don't mind me asking, who is your DW.com TA? We are considering cancelling because I'm more frustrated with the communication or lack thereof, than a bride to be should be in month one. :-( Actually I should clarify, I am getting 20% off private receptions...wouldn't that be the same thing? At one point I almost canceled too....was getting frustrated with the unwillingness of the resort to budge on things and how much I was going over budget but that said, I had to step back and look at it from a distance. And I have not gotten married there yet but all the other girsl come back and say how wonderful it is and that it was all worth it and that they wished that they would have stop sweating the other stuff. So that is what I am working on. And I do understand your frustrations with DW.com. In fact, my WC isnt always so responsive. I often have to send her 2 or 3 follow up emails before she gets back to me. I even went to her boss and complained. It really did little to fix the situation. Seems like she has a lot of brides and is always traveling/vacationing for work. (It's Camille with DW) She also was very hesitant to help my guests over the phone...that's a no-no for me as many of my family members simply refuse to use a computer and would never send their cc info in. However, again I try to put it into perspective. My wedding is 4 months away, so as long as things are done far enough out and she gets back to me I will try not to freak out. My only fear is that there will be some last minute problem and no one will be around to help. I guess that's what they have the 24 hour hotline for.

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda My DJ was awesome. Everyone raved about him. Here is the list of songs I sent them ahead of time. They added some others here and there. I wish I would have given some sample songs for the dinner too. There was some cheesey-ish music that I didn't like - but then he brought out "Thats Amore" and the tables were singing during the main courses! The DJ helped b/c he had a smoke machine, lights, baloons, and glow sticks. So if you do it yourself, I would maybe bring some props with you. Here is where I would have saved if I did it over again: removed the cocktail party (could have just gone to the pool bar - no one ate the food), gone with house/free wine, limited flowers, plus I used their white tablecloths/napkins for free and add runners on tables ($5-$7 per runner). I personally would not like to remove the DJ unless I had someone who would watch the music for me. The wedding on Thurs before mine they did their own music and they all had a blast - so its good either way I think! Here are the songs for our reception. I have burned a CD in case the DJ needs them. Note they are in iTunes' file format, not mp3. Just want to make sure the DJ can play that file type. Bride and Groom Entrance: Best Friend by Weezer - start at 0:34 First Dance: This Kind of Love by Sister Hazel Father Daughter: Wild World by Cat Stevens Mother Son: Forever Young by Alphaville For music choices, during dinner we like slower music, but upbeat. For dancing music, we like newer stuff like Lady Gaga and The Black Eye Peas. Here are some songs we like below. I've added some oldies type music at the bottom. Thanks! Some song choices are: I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas No One by Alicia Keys Fire Burning by Sean Kingston Dangerous by Akon Single Ladies by Beyonce Evacuate the Dance Floor by Cascada Disturbia by Rhianna So What by Pink Good Girls Go Bad by Cobra Starship Whatever you Like by TI I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry Come Away With Me by Norah Jones Down Under by Men at Work Your Song by Elton John Make you Feel My Love by ADELE Breathless by Corrine Bailey Rae Sail Away by David Gray Low by Flo Rida Right Round by Flo Rida Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus And oldies like: Take a Chance on Me Give It Up I Got you Babe Build me Up Buttercup Life is Rollercoaster (I cant Get No) Satisfaction Brown Eyed Girl That should be enough for the DJ to get an idea of what we like. This is amazing! Thank you for sharing! I think we will prob go with the DJ so we don't have to burden anyone with the music responsibilty and I also really want some announcing to be done. Please don't take this the wrong way but...the smoke machine and glo sticks, they didn't come off cheesy? I guess I just picture a rave in my head. As far as the cocktail reception goes, I also thought that we could do away with it but mom and fiance are pretty adament. My mom is scared that if we don't have one some guests will linger by the bar too long or make a pit stop at thier rooms and miss our "entrance" as Mr & Mrs into the reception. (Wow, Mr and Mrs...i got the chills just typing that. That's the first time that happened to me.) Plus I think we are leaning towards the set menu of surf and turf so we wanted to do a cocktail party so guests would have some food variety. We orginally were going to go with the italian family style but with a cocktail reception and cake that makes 7 courses and no way guests are going to eat all that. Seems crazy to me to have that much food (and pay for that much food) at an all-inclusive where food is already included. You know? I think you may have mentioned this before...did you add a salad to your meals? Do you know how much that was per person? Alright enough about me! I also wanted to tell you that I love your song choices! I didn't even think of Cta Stevens but what a good choice. Funny story, that song plays A LOT on the oldies station here in LA and everytime I've heard it for the past 5 or so years I got really choked up but didn't know why. Somehow or another I was talking to my mom about that and she said that she used to sing me that song to put me to sleep when I was a baby. Now that I have a little one ofmy own...makes it mean even more.

Amy ( forgot to ask you...how did you like your DJ? Did you use the one offered by Lomas? Was it worth it? We def are big dancers as are our friends but as we are trying to cut a little from everywhere on budget, we haven't decided about the DJ. Thanks in advance!

Quote: Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach Quote: We were offered that same incentive for booking by using destinationsweddings.com by December 2010. Just FYI............. Interesting...I booked through DW.com but my WC said it is not offered to me. I am getting 20% off the private reception, cocktail hour and cake. In addition to the "bride and groom stay free package" I put that in quotes bc we arent really staying for free. We basically get a refund after the fact from DW.com for the lowest level room and the minimum number of nights stayed...so about $900 back. Not free but I guess I will take what I can get. I am gonnna go back and ask my TA about the free cocktail party though. Maybe she can work something out. Fingers crossed.

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda I wonder if you had the same lady we did. DH said she was really nice before the ceremony and calming. She read our ceremony perfectly and even edited some parts wher I had grammatical errors. I'll post my ceremony script later for anyone who is interested. Welcome back! Sorry I have been MIA. Life's been crazy but so glad to hear that everything worked out for you! I can't wait to hear more and see your pics! I can't believe that you have to wait so long for them. I would go crazy!!! I would love it if you post your script. That's one of my next big to-do's and I am at a total loss on where to start.

Lindz- Here are my to-do's! - Register (hopefully today and yes I realize we are very behind on this) - Order fiance's wedding band - Recieve and sign photog contract - Request rates for a BD shoot (Chris Schmidt?) - Work-out - Begin Qt Extreme Cleanse -Order gold bags for rose petals - Follow up on quote for real touch flowers and possibly order blume boxes - Make sure photo booth stand will work - Find images and begin mock-up of post-cards using for guest book - Send mom guest list so she can keep track of RSVP cards -Begin searching for table card holders that will fit the polaroid-type photos from the photo booth -Receieve suit swatch samples and email groomsmen to order (assuming we like the swatches) -Start thinking baout hair and make-up -Start writing ceremony -Figure out DJ

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart Really? Thanks! I just emailed and requested a quote...but the auto reposnse says that she's know taking order to be shipped in Nov 2010 and into 2011. Oh no! I need my flowers by the last week of September. Any other brides use real touch and have a vendor referral?

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart Really? Hmmm...thanks. I will check this out.

Quote: Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz Thanks for the advice!!! I agree with all of you. I will send her a stern email this weekend. Well, and in her defense about her blog, go to her "new site." It's laurenharrisphotography.com. I am not sure why she still has that old blog up. But yes, she seems unorganized! Good luck with everything. Please keep us posted.

Quote: Originally Posted by chong Am I over reacting about the flower cost? Looks like for me & FI, 3 bridesmaids & 3 groomsmen will cost me about $1000 or more. I know flowers are expensive but REALLY? Is this typical? I am wondering if I need to get silk flowers... though I am not sure if it's that much cheaper. Any thoughts? Am I over reacting about the price? Chong Take a deep breath and look at Lomas options. I had originally sent a ton of pictures of lfowers that I wanted and they quoted me outrageous numbers. I decided to go with some flowers that are on Lomas list. (And I have seen flowers that some of the other girls have gotten there and they have been stunning, really beyond my expectations.) They are charging me $60 for each bridesmaids bouquet and $30 for each of the guys. I am splurgin on my flowers and getting the ones I want. That will be about $300. So all in all around $600. I thought about silk but I couldnt find anything other thanlily's and orchids. I want more traditional ivory roses and green hydranges so silk is out for me.

Quote: Originally Posted by chong Haha... Thanks. I guess my math little bit off. I still saying I have 6 months to go. I guess it's coming a lot faster than I have expected. I still have sooo much to do. Maybe I should panic right now. BREATH!!! Chong No don't panic just crazy that we will both be married so soon! Ah...exciting stuff!

Quote: Originally Posted by chong So... how did you guys picked the cake flavor? We are kinda bummed about the fact that there will be NO cake tasting. We love cake! Is there enough time to do the cake tasting at the resort and then have them make the cake while we are there? Is it too risky? Any recommendation? Chong Actually I think Wendy did a tasting. Also, from what I've heard the cakes taste incredible! They might not always look pretty (wel that's if you order butter cream instead of fondant, right WEndy) but I hear they are so good that you won't have any left. Also, I think that both Wendy and Amy did flavors not offered in the banquet kit. Question for you ladies, did you have to pay more for different flavors?

Quote: Originally Posted by chong Your own recipe! I didn't think about that.. that is a great idea. We might have to try some of our own recipe and see if anything worth serving to our guests P90X?!?! Wow... my friend started it and just gave up after a week or so of hard workout. He was always sore and hungry I do envy your nice arms!!! I started to work out hard but not sure if I will have those nice arms like your by October. though it is almost 6 months away... I just need to motivated for next 6 months. wow... thinking about it already makes me tired chong Chong darling....wedding is in 4 1/2 months. I know it is hard to believe but it is really right around the corner for us both! We both better get to working out. I had started the Chelene Extreme program but stopped because me and everyone in my house got the somach flu. I am traveling this weekend to NYC but when I get back me and Chalene have a date to get fit.

Amy I forgot to mention how freaking amazing your arms look in your signature photo. I mean...I want those arms. What do I have to do to get arms like that?

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Katie~ hey ladies...again! my TTD pro-pics are now up on my facebook so check them out if you want....and add me if you're not my 'facebook friend' already! I'm Katie Day (wow that sounds weird!!) and my profile pic is me and hubby on our wedding day so should be easy enough to find...I hope!! pro pics of wedding day should be on tomorrow...still sorting through those ones!! Muchos love amigos Looks like everything went off great! You looked beautiful. Congrats and welcome back! Where on the resort did you have your ceremony? I don't think I've seen that spot before.

Quote: Originally Posted by taylorwd Amanda, LOVE your ideas!!! I think you can pull them off, including hanging a frame from the sky deck gazebo. You're making a photo booth? Do tell. I like Amazing Wedding Cakes! Thanks guys. Oh and by making a photo booth I mean I am getting some fun vintage fabric and having it hand from this 8' tall collapsable event banner thingy. (I have no idea what to call it. I do PR so it was a client's from an event... basically a retractable hook on either end of a self standing poll.) We bought this great polaroid type camera that prints out mini photos that have an aged feel to them. We are going to leave the camera on the table next to the booth with directions on how to operate. We are going to bring a box of props for people to use in their photos. Then we are ordering antique looking placard frames that fit the mini polaroid-type photos. So not a real photo booth by any means, but a make-shift one...I hope everyone likes it but I know my friends love to take pics of themselves so it should work out. The thing about hanging the large frame from the gazebo on the sky deck is that there doesn't seem to be a beam that runs horizontally except for the one in the very front or the one in the very back and I think it would look best in the middle. Maybe if I bring heavy duty wire we could hang in the middle by attaching the wire to the beams on the outside of the gazebo. Hmm. Maybe I'll have to give this more thought.

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart Wendy I agree, it's funny now, I was in hysterics Friday night and about to have a total meltdown wedding day... whew so glad it worked out! Well I actually got lucky and found photos of a cake that AS had already made for someone elses wedding and gave them that photo of it! So I knew there were able to make it again That's so smart! I'll have to look into that too. And I love cake shows too Wendy! In fact, I was watching Ace of Cakes this weekend and a bride had her 10 tier (yes 10 and no, I am not requesting that many...could you imagine?) with mini photo frames and black and white photos of their family friends etc in different ones. The frames were places on every level of the cake...the cake was tibute to everyone that they love. so sweet. I would love to do something similar especially because we are doing a whole antique frame theme. (Antique frame placards that will then work as a favor so guests can put the pix of themselves in the photo booth that I am making. I was also thinking about bringing some antique frames, one for each member of the bridal party and taking some fun group shots with them. Oh the ideas go on and on....I really want to hang a large frame from the wooden gazeboo on the sky deck. The frame would go behind us and "frame the sky" but I dont know how feasible that is. Also, found a cute wedding cake topper with the bride and groom holding a frame around thier faces. Problem is that the groom is wearing a black tux and fiance will not be. Oh well.) Babbling rant over. Thanks for listening.

Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart I did have the donkey! People loved it, best decision by far! They were all blown away and petted him and gave him some attention, it was nice. Add me! My name is Amy Fitch  My photog posted pics on his page Chris Schmitt Photography Irina & Liliana were my coordinators. They even set up tastings for both my signature drinks, loved it! The pool was nice and warm, it was also pretty hot while we were out there. You know, I didn’t check to see if the teens club was open, we always ended up crashing the adult swim up bar after hours and hanging out at Mojito’s. Which did seem to be the only nightlife. Thank you! I haven’t put up any pictures of my Le Blanc stay as of yet, that is an UNBELIEVABLE resort. Very chic and was the perfect spot to wind down. Our crowd wouldn’t have enjoyed it though, it has NO nightlife and it’s very quiet and peaceful, definitely not somewhere you could party all night. Thank you! I had 35 guests and to be honest, I don’t know how I would have handled more than this, LOL! Zavaz is much more open and more space. I don’t believe Zocalo al Fresco where I had mine is an option any longer and I don’t think 60 people would be comfortable there. Besides it would be much LESS hot at Zavaz since you’d have a breeze, we all were sweating to death on Zocalo but didn’t mind, we all did a pool after party @ midnight to cool off before heading to Mojitos. I did like my DJ, he did all the announcing, very well, coordinated with everything, faded our first dance song perfectly, used all my dinner music suggestions and kept everyone dancing. I got really anal on my do not play list, they send you a huge spreadsheet of songs and I went through the whole thing but they played a few songs I asked not to play. No biggie, didn’t really affect anything. They are open until 2am… but my brilliant MOH & her husband took note of what we were all drinking and ordered 14 drinks which they brought out to us on a tray and let us hang out there as long as we wanted (4:30am) we didn’t have to tip well, they are just really lax about that stuff. Thanks for all of this. Really, very helpful! Two more questions for you: what food did you have/did you like it? AND Did you have a cake/ how did it turn out? (hopefully better than poor Wendy with the cakewrecks.com cake. ) Thanks!!!!