mexbride83

Quote: Originally Posted by tracy.clements I took a TON of pics, so will post everything soon! Yay - I can't wait!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Micas de Miralls Hello , AI hotels usually dont allow external people to their hotel ( well , you have to pay a day pass for them!) because they forced you to buy every single service in the hotel...AI policy..Good luck! Micas, That is definitely not true about all AI hotels. I asked all of the AI hotels that I seriously looked at about their policies for this, and the majority of them would allow a hairdresser/makeup artist to come for the day free of charge. The resort I chose also allows us to choose any photographer that we want without a day pass fee. I have seen from your posts that you are very against AI resorts, as your business is to work with non-AI resorts, but I don't think that you should be giving out misinformation about them.

Tracy - You are back from your site visit! I hope you'll post a review, I can't wait to hear how it went:)

Quote: Originally Posted by Nicyx Hey, ive just been reading another thread on here about "The night before!" Are you ladies spending it with your FI? or are you going to stay in seperate rooms and "try" to avoid each other until the wedding... Im not sure what were doing with this... I wouldnt mind doing the "traditional" thing but i also think it would be kinda nice to spend our last single night together.... I just dont know.... think i might leave this one upto FI to decide :-) Im just curious as to what you ladies are doing? xox I'm all about tradition (and superstition!) on this one, so we won't be seeing each other on the day of the wedding until I walk down the aisle. I'm not sure yet where he'll be spending the night before the wedding, I'm assuming his brother's room, but we'll work that out next year. Then, the day of the wedding we're paying for him, the groomsmen, and my bridesmaids' significant others to all go on a day activity of some sort (probably golf or deep sea fishing) so that us girls can have the beach/resort to ourselves without any worry of running into him!

Wow, lots to of posts to catch up on after the weekend:) With bringing the rings - I will definitely be bringing my ring to Mexico, but it won't be leaving my hand at all! I'll just wear it on my right hand for the ceremony, then switch it back over the wedding band afterwards. I agree with those of you that say you'll miss it too much! I won't be bringing it with me to Africa this summer, and I dread taking it off on the day I leave My fiance jokes that he doesn't know if I'll be crying most over leaving the dog, the ring, or him haha. I got a simple silver band to wear while I am there though, so I don't feel too naked. Nicy - wow, 9 years engaged?! I didn't realize it had been that long! That's incredible, I think I would've been planning the whole time haha. As for kids, we definitely aren't planning to have any human kids for a long time:) Right now the "plan" is to wait till I'm 35, and I'll be 28 when we get married. Who knows how that'll work out, but we really don't want them any time sooner! We both love to travel and travel frequently (usually at least 2 big trips a year), and we would hate to have kids and their expenses get in the way of that haha. We have 2 big dogs and they'll be our only children for a long time.

Thank you cjb0arder and josietoms for your help! It is so funny how we all speak English, and yet it's almost like a different language sometimes. Time for me to go shopping!

Sorry, need to clarify... I meant to say what does "smart" mean in terms of clothes. I know the other definitions of course:) Also, I found this... Smart casual - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Michelle/Nicy/Josietoms/other UK girls - I'm wondering if you all can help me with a little translation? Our crazy English language has so many words with different meanings between us, haha. I emailed the woman (who is Irish) I will be working for this summer in Malawi asking about the dress code. It takes her approximately 2 weeks to respond to all emails and I just got a response today, saying that the dress is "smart casual". She even said that jeans were allowed "as long as they are smart". What does "smart" mean?? I've tried googling but I keep finding many different meanings. I'm hoping one of you can help me. What would you consider a "smart casual" dress code to be? Right now I'm thinking nice jeans and collared shirts. Is that right? And are sneakers acceptable, do you think? I emailed asking her to clarify, however I don't expect a response for another couple of weeks... and since I leave in a month I'd like to get started on my shopping!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Azul Beach can now do more than 50 guests. In fact, they are trying to move any current bride from the Blue Terrace with less than capacity for the venue. Catch 22 is that capacity is 80 ppl - so when we all booked we had to have less than 50 guests so none of us have even close to 80. Cheeky bastards! Look out for my review in 6 weeks!!!! Amy - Thank you for letting me know! This is sad news for me though, as we really wanted Azul Beach and didn't book it because we're expecting 70-80 Oh well, I'm happy with our choice and I'm sure it'll be great as well. I can't wait to see your review though! That is frustrating about them moving you, I would refuse based on the fact that their rules have changed!

Becks- I LOVE your dress!! That's actually exactly what I'm looking for, a lace mermaid style dress. Maybe I will need to go to Priscilla's afterall! Cjb0arder- weight watchers is great! I actually always recommend it to people because it's the exact same concept as a dietitian, except that instead of counting calories, you count points. That is much easier to do! I actually convinced my dad to go there (bc he refuses to listen to me) and he lost 40 pounds!

Prettypigpig - wait, weren't you the one who said you can't drink milk because you're lactose intolerant?? but you're eating haagen daz ice cream? tisk tisk... but at least you're getting your calcium and vitamin D! Funny story actually, with all the weight loss talk... So my fiance's MARRIED coworker just found out I'm a dietitian, and said to him "smart man, marrying a dietitian" and my fiance asked "why's that?" Coworker: "Because the only difference between a girlfriend and a wife is 30 pounds" My fiance thought that was hilarious, and I was thinking that if I was that man's wife I would kill him for saying that!

Priscilla is great! My bridesmaid dress for my friend's wedding this past December came from there. It's a pretty small selection though, isn't it? I remember browsing the bridal gowns and they didn't carry most of the ones from their website. But I didn't ask either, so maybe there are more in the back? I'm basically just going to Hitched for the experience:) I hear it's a lot of fun! I was thinking Hannelores as well, as they carry Monique Lluhillier's Bliss line, which is her more affordable line, and I really like some of the dresses in it. Also, yes, Alabama is quite the change! It's taking some getting used to... being called ma'am, the civil war never ended, and of course, the reason I'm dress shopping in DC, the fashion is about 5 years behind!

Prettypigpig - I'm willing to give advice to any brides that want it, but people always want to hear about the quickest and easiest way to lose weight, when in reality it's all lifestyle changes. That's why the type of people that dietitians usually see are those who are sick due to their weight (diabetes, heart disease, eating disorders, etc)... the rest are out there reading diet books and the bogus websites! However, my focus is actually international nutrition and hunger issues. I'll be spending my summer working for the World Food Programme in Malawi. I cannot wait! Becks - Where are you dress shopping?? I'm actually planning to buy my dress in DC, since I'm up there plenty anyways. I'm going shopping in May, and I'm trying to pick a couple of places. Thinking Hitched, Riziks, and Ellie's in Alexandria. Maybe White Swan in Vienna as well, I have a friend who got her dress there and loved them.

Tracy - your TA isn't destinationweddings.com is it? Because they told me I could, and then I contacted Karisma and they told me I couldn't! But this was back in January as well, so things may have changed. Regardless, you'll get to meet them in person, so you'll get all the info straight from them! I'm very jealous of that:) We're hoping to do a site visit to Ceiba del Mar in the fall.

Hi Tracy, I just wanted to give you a heads up that Azul Beach won't do weddings for more than 50 people. I know because that was actually our first choice, but we are expecting 70-80 guests. I talked with their WC directly and she said they cannot accommodate more than 50 people for a ceremony OR a reception. However, if you are planning to do your wedding off-site, then it may be an option for you! We ended up choosing Ceiba del Mar... I'm excited to hear how your site visit goes. Take lots of pictures!

lalanyc - The wind is actually a main concern my fiance has! I really want the reception outside and he isn't real keen on the idea. He thinks we'll be swatting mosquitoes and fighting wind the whole time. So at the site visit we're planning to check out the indoor options as well. I would love if we could eat dinner indoors and have the party part outdoors, but I'm not sure how plausible that is. Also, we're a big wedding, expecting 70-80! cowgirlcomo - The pictures that Del Sol has posted are great! I often look at them for ideas and to see the different locations at the hotel.

Becks - we used to be super close! I lived in Glover Park for 3 years after college. I grew up in Fairfax County, VA, so I was always in the DC area. But I'm actually not there anymore, I'm in Alabama for grad school. I just couldn't bear to put Alabama for my location, no offense to any 'bamians that may see this:) Michelle - I actually have heard of 4 weddings, but I haven't seen it yet! Mischaka - I wish David Tutera could plan my wedding

Congratulations Nicola! That is such exciting news:) Michelle - that dress is amazing! I too have always wondered what the full dress looks like. Karen Millen is awesome, we have her store at Tysons Galleria (enormous mall outside of DC) and I always have to force myself to keep walking when I pass it haha. Another off topic convo... has anyone here ever watched "My Fair Wedding"?? It comes on We TV in the US, but I'm not sure if it is in other countries? Anyways, I just watched an episode of it and it's very entertaining. These women start out with these atrocious wedding plans (dresses bought at garage sales, receptions in their tiny backyards, centerpieces they made themselves with fake candles and feathers), then David Tutera comes in and turns it into an incredible wedding. Highly recommended if you haven't seen it!

Quote: Originally Posted by lalanyc I know there are a couple of Ceiba brides lurking around here.... Just curious if you have selected your florist/event decorator yet? If so, would you mind sharing what kinds of decorations you're getting and the pricing? I've received some quotes but am not keen on spending $1,000 for one sad little lounge set up! Also, where are you having your reception? Rehearsal dinner? Ceiba bride-to-be here:) May 2011, so I have some time. I haven't booked any vendors yet other than my photographer (Moments That Matter). I have been in contact with Lillia and she said she is updating the vendor list and will send it to me, so I'm interested to see what changes she has made. We are currently undecided about our ceremony location, and we're hoping to do a site visit in the fall to see the different locations and be able to better choose. My fiance's first choice is the pier, but I'm nervous about a) the loooooong walk down the pier, and walking through the sand to get to the pier (I LOVE heels and plan to wear a great pair for the wedding, they won't be beach-friendly). If the pier doesn't work, then we'll do one of the terraces (apparently there is one on the side of a restaurant, next to the beach, and one that is on the rooftop? That's what Diana has told me) For our reception location, we'll also do one of the terraces. I LOVE the pictures that Del Sol recently posted with a wedding where the reception was on the terrace next to the beach... then they had a bonfire and lounge chairs set up out in the sand as well. So that's one idea I want to look into!

NOTHING dumb about that! I still love to go to Disney, at 27 years old. It's so enormous, you never run out of things to do there. And there is definitely no age limit on enjoying rides, shows, water parks, etc. Actually, one of my fiance and I's favorite things to do in the evening there is going to Epcot and drinking our way around the world. Start in Mexico with a margarita, have beers in Germany, wine in Italy, champagne in France, saki in Japan, etc. I realize we sound like lushes, but when you end it your trip with a Guinness in the UK right when Illuminations begins, it really is incredible:) Oh, and dinner at Marrakech in Morocco is phenomenal!

Bonnie - I am so sorry I couldn't handle my parents not being there. I'm crossing my fingers for you that they change their minds. Hopefully they realize that this is their daughter's wedding, and they'd regret missing it for the rest of their lives. I've cried a lot over my grandparents not going, so I can't even imagine how you must feel! On the bright side, and I hope this has been happening/will happen for all of you, I've been so pleasantly surprised at the people that we thought wouldn't come who are saying that they will, and are excited! We've both had a couple of aunts, uncles, and cousins that we thought couldn't afford the trip or wouldn't be interested contact us to tell us how excited they are. I hope they keep that excitement up for the next 13.5 months:) Michelle - my colors are aqua and pink, but I think pink shoes are much more versatile and easier to find than aqua ones, because like you, I plan to go for some stilettos! I'd love shoes that I could wear with a fun dress after the wedding. But I'm also considering blue shoes (dark blue or royal blue) instead, so they could be my something blue. My friend wore navy blue shoes for her wedding last winter and they were SO cute, plus she can wear them to work and for going out because they're so versatile!

LOVE the shoes Michelle! I can't decide if I want to wear white shoes, or go for a color. Maybe have my shoes be my something blue, or choose bright pink ones. Hmmm!

Wow... after reading all these new posts about families, I'm feeling very lucky! The worst that I have dealt with (so far! There is still plenty of time and I don't want to jinx myself haha) is that none of my grandparents are going. This was actually very hard on me, and caused a lot of drama when we first decided on the DW. My mom cried a lot when she found out her parents wouldn't come, but none of my grandparents (all 4 are still alive) are in shape for that kind of travel, so I understand. I finally had to just accept having it without them, though it still kills me to think about My fiance's grandparents, on the other hand, will all be there! I'm very jealous, haha. I am nervous that as we get closer, other important people will start to drop out. I attended my friend's DW in St. Lucia, and she any time I talked to her in the months leading up to the wedding, there was always someone who now wasn't coming (none of their grandparents made it either!), some person who called them selfish for having a DW, and some person who made her cry over it. But in the end, everyone who attended had the MOST amazing time ever, and she still says how is was absolutely her dream wedding. Even despite all those people who tried to ruin it for her in the time leading up to the wedding. So I keep reminding myself that in the end, we'll forget all about these problems and just remember our dream weddings:)

Ask9999 - The TripAdvisor comment that Matt made was not about actual TripAdvisor reviews on Ceiba del Mar, it was simply an analogy. He was saying how you often see things on TripAdvisor saying they don't suggest going there and not giving reasons for why. The reviews on TripAdvisor are actually incredible, they're rated #2 in Puerto Morelos and there are many reviews about weddings being perfect as well. With your bad experience, it probably would be a good idea to write a review on everything that went wrong (which I read in the other thread, and I agree that you are totally right to be upset!), as opposed to just saying that Ceiba is bad and don't go there. People need to know these reasons why you weren't happy with it. Madbride - That is a horrible situation! Luckily, we used a lawyer to review our contract and we are protected against all these extra payments. Fine print is important in any contract.

Ceiba is in Puerto Morelos, which is in between Cancun (20-25 mins) and Playa del Carmen (35-40 mins). I think we are actually going to rent a bus or some vans to take us out one night in one of those cities. There is a thread on here in the Riviera Maya forum about that, as others are looking into doing that as well.