prettypigpig

Yes, chinese dressmakers can do wonders (since most of the designer dresses are..chinese/made in china too) but the stress can be too intense for a bride (imagine what if it doesn't fit or the shape is totally off!!!). I didn't find my dress in local bridal shops, and it was very hard to "picture" myself on D-DAY in a size 10 dress with clips on. I am happy with my custom made dress as I added all the greedy features on it, and I have to say I am very lucky that Monica Bridal did a fab job on the dress and its matching 4 meters long veil. However, I will goto Hong Kong and Beijing in September, over there $200 USD is the average price for a wedding dress for local brides, so I can see the dresses in person, hopefully find my second /reception dress there.

Jessica, Don't feel that way! The $700 is the premium you paid for the quality control of an original maggie dress. You know how your dress will look like without worrying about the quality, the look, the shape...the materials..the shipping.

oh wow...it is a pretty dress. They did a fab job on my dress too!

Totally understandable, life continues after wedding. I know so many people who got indebted because they overspent on their wedding. You can goto the local bridal shops to try out which style you like the most, then shop online.

Yes, I booked my photog right after I booked my date and location.

ah...Lucky you!

Totally agree with you! If you can afford the dress or find some love ones to take the burden, buying the original dress on sale is a great option. Vera Wang's dresses, unlike Pronovias, LaSposa, San Patrick, Maggie Sottero, are all made in USA with silk and hand stitched appliques, it is hard for a chinese dressmaker to replicate it but her dresses can be complexe. I had my eyes on the Vera Wang's Diana and Doris for a long time, but my FI would never understand why people would spend so much on a wedding dress. In fact, he laughs his head off when we watch Say Yes to the Dress together. He buys $2000 tailored made suits, and $70K on my engagement ring, because he sees them as investments...and the wedding dress is a depreciating asset (according to his math). So I had the choice of a Vera Wang dress or a tennis bracelet as gift...I picked the tennis bracelet...heehee...after all, diamonds are girls' bestfriends. I envy Vera Wang brides.

yes, the corset is not the sexy lacey lingerie type, it is more a shape shaper with padded cups (since I am flat like a surf board, padded cups are must!). Wearing a bra, put cups in the dress, the fashion tape all help!

in Walmart, Fabricville and online. They are called fashion tapes, initially created by 3M for medical usage (i.e. tape the wig on a patient), so it is hypoallergic. You can also buy it online, there is a brand called Hollywood fashion tapes. I usually buy a big roll from Fabricville, and use it to secure bra straps, fix hem... Since I don't like to eat bread, pasta, rice, I don't gain weight easily I came up with a solution in case my dress gets too loose. I got a seamless corset and will tape it to the dress

hahahaha I knew that already, that is why when we buy lilies from fancy floral shop, they remove the stem from the centre...so they don't release their nasty smell and the powders.

I have Claudy Che too. So far she is ok. I am still 11 months away, so I am not that stressed about it

WOW 6 months to go! Time will fly by so fast! well I am the opposite, I lost weight, and my dress is sliding down. I am hoping xmas will help, if not..then I will duct tape myself to the dress!

I will order them for the boys after xmas. Since they can grow a lot during the holiday seasons...heehee

Very far...my guess is about 20-30 min of walk. I would melt and vanish into the thick hot and humid air if I walk there from the Royal PDC to Waves in July. Therefore, I will get 4 women or a cab.

Maggie, Beautiful dress!

Running bride, you look great and your dress is beautiful!

Yeah I know, last time, I walked to the 38th Street, and it was like a good 10 min of walk! The falsies look super natural on you! ah~ I envy long lashes.

Initially, I thought of it too, plus my resort is right on PDC, so there is no need to pay extra for cabs. There are a few restos in PDC that are very nice, with nice steak and seafood. The cave one is cool, the food was ok, but not WOW. There is another place with 2nd and 3rd floor, offers $68 USD 2 persons meal, with 4 lobsters, 1 big fish, a few shrimp and crabs. However, my FI was against that because at the rate of approx. $50 per person, it can add up pretty fast, and we have very nice restos at the resort with exquisit menu already. Therefore, we will do it at the resort.

Thx Tara! I guess I will book with Waves, since they are just a fews blocks from my hotel! It is good to hear that the makeup can stand extrem heat and humid weather of July, because my wedding will be in July! Quick question, are these your real lashes? they look super nice!!

Yeap. You are right! Luxury is luxury! 100% agree with Lalanyc too!

The Royal Cancun would make your local Sheraton/ Westin even local Fairmont chateau with super old decor and small rooms looks trashy! People always find smth to complaint, it is your day, so it is your call! The Fairmont Mayakoba is ranked #1 in the region! The Royal Cancun and PDC got top luxury resorts awards in 2010. You can even have a bottle of Petrus 1986 at the Royal Playacar by Occidental.

Hahaha..I know! When I saw the prices, I am convinced that I am in the wrong industry! I went thru 100+ full wedding pics, my god bro is a pro-photographer, so he helped me a lot to narrow down. He is in Vancouver and isn't sure if he is able to come to my wedding, so I had to hire a photographer...otherwise, I would have save some $$$! DelSol and Elizabeth Medina are very nice photographers, but at $900-$1000 per hour, my god-bro said I can fly a top notch photographer from Canada..and would cost the same thing/ or save the $$$ to hire a lawyer to draft a top notch pre-nup /or buy myself a bling..mouhahaha I had Cecilia Dumas to do my engagement sessions, I like her romantic style, my god bro didn't like her photoshop style/skill. The pics turned out very nice, my god bro really likes them too. You can check them on my photobucket account. I booked Sasha Gluck for my wedding, because his style is similar to Elizabeth's one, god bro likes Sasha's works. Ivan Luckie's works are really nice too, god bro said..it is the best price/value. However, I still prefer the Elizabeth/Sasha Gluck style/lighting...it is more a personal choice. For those who want prints and pics in lightening speed, Cecilia Dumas is the choice to go with! She turned my pics in less than 3 days! I was pretty happy to look at my engagement pics on the flight back to Canada! She gave me the CD to print additional pics also. So instead of waiting for weeks or months to have a sneak peak...you can have nice pics with you on your way back home. I have a list of standard shots..teared from a wedding magazine..so..it is like a MUST have list for me. I have so many DRAMA/ Horror stories about wedding pics (i.e. bride didn't have a pic with her and her mom...or photographer was a disaster) so I am doing my due diligence check like a tax auditor!...kekekek

Hi Heidi, the beachside at pelicanos is bigger and wider, because the pier sort of protected it from erosion, but it is less private. There are people walking around there all the time to goto the beach or catch the Ferry...etc. The gazebo beach is smaller/ narrower, but it is a bit more private.beacau I booked the wedding date before booking the rooms, and didn't negociate for any discount, as I will get a flight+ hotel pacakge from a Canadian tour operator anyway. Like other brides, I will bring my own decorations, because I don't wanna pay $100+ for a centrepiece and $3 for a color sash...not to mention, I don't think any of the guest would care about the centrepiece and the color of the chair sash..as long as the food is good and the wine keeps coming!

Thx Michelle! Good Luck!

oh ...can't wait!