chong

Quote: Originally Posted by klarson Congrats to everyone!! I live in Katy and will be getting married at Dreams Puerto Aventura on June 7th 2011!! Congrats and Welcome!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by hat0112 My FI went to Drexel! I just recently had a bachorette party in Philly and we had a blast! Holy Smokes... a small world I tell you. You already had your bachorette party? Where did you go? Any details you would like to share? Chong

Quote: Originally Posted by Scorpio30 Hi Chong, I'm in the NE area. That's so fun your going to Philly for your bach party!! What are your plans? We're actually going to a Phillies game for mine in Sept! Looking forward to it! This site is addicting and overwhelming!!! I am super excited! All my friends are (of course) Phillies and Eagles fan. I am excited for your party in Sept. We are all celebrating about the same time!!! My FI is going to Baltimore (that's where he's from) on the 1st weekend of October (just few days before our departure) to the October Festival for his bachelor party. Quote: Originally Posted by Bride Loving CJ Am I the only October Bride who still doesn't have a wedding dress? I'm starting to panic!!!!!!!!!!! Oh wow... I wouldn't panic yet but you gotta find your dress!!! Where you at? Do you have your mom and friends helping you out? Chong

You are super talented!!! It turned out amazing

Quote: Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...invites-61664/ They are super nice... nothing compared to mine. I already sent mine and made them all by myself too. I almost pull my hair out making them all since I am no way near crafty or creative. Great Job! I should have asked you to make mine too 19 more days to go!!!! Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart Yes, don’t mail anything down to Mexico. AS won’t accept packages anyways, it’s much safer to bring it all or buy stuff while down there. I spent the month before my wedding laying everything out, packing and repacking and making a list of what was in which suitcase and who was bringing it down. I spread a few suitcases between some of my bridesmaids. I actually bought super cheap 3-piece hardshell luggage on clearance. Your bags get seriously tossed around so pack well, pack with cushioning etc. Nothing broke in my suitcases, then on the way back I just put the suitcases inside each other and came back with much less. Thanks!!! I am not mailing anything to Mexico then... the towels are really taking a lot of room than we have expected. I can't really divide the luggages between my family members and friends since they are all flying from different locations. We are the only one in Houston! I guess we have to figure out how many bags we can actually check in between two of us. Quote: Originally Posted by msmarmar123 It's my 150th Post I'm a Junior Member! Congrats!

Quote: Originally Posted by thefuturemrslutz In case you are interested...my pre-travel mailers... http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...mailers-61643/ oh wow. they look really nice. you are ready to go!

Has anyone heard from Meghan?

Quote: Originally Posted by bsf&jpg Yesssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Two weeks from today is my Bachelorette partay!!! ohw ohwww!!! We are going to Pole La Teaz on Hillcroft then to Straits Lounge at City Centre and maybe RA Sushi too! IM SO FREAKIN EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And a day of beauty of course. getting my eye lashes done at Nancy's Lashes off of Fondren & Richmond. She charges $30 and they stay on for up to 2wks! And you can wear them in the water ladies!!! Then I am getting waxed over at Cleopatra's secret off Kirkwood and Memorial. Then the Gel OPI Axxium at Q Designer Nails off Westheimer and Fountain View... I am gonna be all over the place! Oh wow... sounds like you got it all covered. I have to say I do not recognized any of the places you have mentioned except for RA Sushi. Houston is a such a big city... and I happen to only venture around the Heights area. Pole La Teaz sounds like fun. You have to let me know if it was worth the trip. I was considering fake lashes. I have very short lashes. Nancy's lashes sounds cool. I might have to have a trial run to see if I like what I see. Are you getting synthetic or natural kind? Cleopatra's secret? Never heard of it... but sugar wax? sounds like something I need to try. Waxing is so painful... did you see that they have male brazillian bikini service?!? that is hilarious. I told my FI about it and we both started to crack up. I am so excited for your bachelorette party!!! chong

Quote: Originally Posted by Scorpio30 Hi Oct bride! I haven't been on in a while and now that wedding is fast approaching I need to see how bad I'm slacking! haha My dress came in last week and that's all i've done for the wedding lately! I feel like I have a ton to do and don't know where to start. Oh, and I was assigned a wedding coordinator at Moon Palace so that's a plus. I have about 25 people booked so far and a few more still to go. I can't wait till 10/23!!! Hi! I am addicted to this site. we all feel overwhelmed with the amount of stuff to do. Where are you in Philadelphia? I went to Drexel!!! I am actually going up to Philadelphia for my bachelorette party - all my friends live around the area! Chong

Me too.. I was able to insert images in my postings but I cannot add avatar picture... INVALID!

hmm.. how do you add avatar picture? I am using photobucket and every time I upload the picture, it says INVALID! so frustrating!!!

By the way... I had a very long and exciting day. I had few of my girlfriends over at my place and we packed OOT bag, put ribbons on stuff, cut tags and made some props! I am so thankful that they were willing to help doing some of the tedious work for only food and drinks! and.. of course for a good time. I feel like I am getting so close to the wedding. I cannot wait till I am done planning! One of the things we made was the fake mustache and lips as props for our guest picture book. It was so much fun!!! FYI - I have reached the junior status!!! Horay!!!!

Your AHR location looks fabulous!!! and the books you made for the kids are so cleaver. Chong

Quote: Originally Posted by Woodsylou no probs, she's on holiday at the mo, back on the 25th, but email her on [email protected] and say Louise Woods recommended her xx Thanks. I did email her so hopefully I will hear from her when she gets back. Chong

Quote: Originally Posted by BrideBarbie We did a cenote TTD session too and it's hard work! We haven't gotten our pictures back yet but I'm sure the outcome would have been all worth it! Great photos, thanks for sharing! Hi. I am looking for a cenote TTD sessions... I found out that it's really expensive. Do you mind sharing who you went to do the cenote TTD session? Chong

oh wow... i love the underwater pictures. so unique and exotic i am sure the experience was unforgettable. i think i will contact del & sol for a possible TTD session. Chong

Wow...everything looks great. I hope I can pull off all the work that requires for the wedding. Is it tradition to give a gift to the soon to be husband? I love the watch you picked out for him. Thanks for sharing! Chong

Quote: Originally Posted by mexico102 We can do it!!!! Strangely I'm starting to feel less anxious......I seem to be making progress and getting more organized! I'm getting wicked excited too! Now if I could just quit my job......LOL......I could get it all done this week. I think I am getting exhausted. I cannot wait till the day I am in Mexico and just say.. "oh well" it's too late I had my friends over our tiny apartment today and cut tags, put ribbons, stuff bags.. it was so much fun. I want to get it all done so I don't have to worry about it anymore. we are SOOOO close~ Chong

Great job! I might have to steal your idea for the luggage tag. Looks great! Chong

How did you guys pack all your OOT bags and gifts? Did you take boxes or old suitcases with you to Mexico? My FI is worried about how we are going to take all our stuff with us. Any suggestions? I was told not to mail some of the stuff to AS in advance. Chong

Quote: Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach I just asked this question in my reply to Chong, but in case it is glossed over....Does anyone know if there are any criteria or special requirements needed to qualify for the Free Sweet Wedding Package? Quote: Originally Posted by msmarmar123 From what I read and what I got from my TA, the only "rules" are that you are supposed to be in a premium suite for 7 days and have 15 additional nights booked (for other guests). I have my TA and WC checking on the 1st part...FI and I are staying 14 days in a regular swim up suite..not premium..and I'm trying to get them to agree that 14 nights there is comparable to 7 in premium.... I'll let you know when I hear back from them. Yeah.. that sounds about right - min of 7 nights staying in a premium suite and min of 15 rooms booked. I didn't think that I would get the free sweet package but my TA must have negotiated with my WC. I didn't ask too many questions since I got it when I just asked for it. Chong

Quote: Originally Posted by bsf&jpg WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! mucho congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!! dont forgot to put links on your siggy so we can see pics, read reviews, etc! so happy for you!!! Im t-minus 16 days from the happiest day of our lives!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh wow... so close. I am sure you are very excited!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach Really? You're TA selected that package for you? I asked our TA if we could have that package and we got this long, drawn out response about how she didn't know if it was applicable to previously booked couples. She seemed to think it would not be available to us because we booked 2 months ago or so. I'm really frustrated with the term of things and how things tend to be so undefined. No, I told me TA about the free sweet package and that I wanted that package for my wedding. She called Carolina (WC) and got me the package! Like I said... my TA is awesome. I go through her if I am not sure how to get it myself. She has been the best working the details out for me. Who is your TA? Did you go through Destination Weddings? Chong

Quote: Originally Posted by MaggieandJay If any ladies need ideas for Bachlorettes, not to toot my own horn but I love planning them and throwing them and I have been in 15 weddings and I always take the lead on the Bachlorette. (The downside to being an promotion and event planner in radio) I have done different themes, etc so if you BM or yourself get planners block let me know I can spit out some ideas! I think I just like to plan theme parties and I use bachlorettes as my excuse. Wow... I actually requested to have bridal shower (actually just bbq with whole bunch of college friends) and follow by some crazy bachelorette party. I would love to hear your ideas. GO GO GO! Quote: Originally Posted by ~Nicole~ Hi ladies! How's everyone's planning going? Hope none of you are driving yourselves crazy!!!! Wondering if you ladies can help me out? I'm in a photocontest. To win you have to get the most votes on fb. Here's the link: Moments that Matter Photography's Photos - 2010 $100 Favorite Photo Contest | Facebook. Click like on my pic (Nicole & Curt). Or if you don't like it, don't vote for me!!! Thanks ladies!!! xoxo Your picture is my FAVORITE hands down. I just "liked" your picture. I hope you win!!! Quote: Originally Posted by msmarmar123 Right now FI is all about the color of my bridesmaids dresses...what is the nice way to tell him that really that is something he does NOT get to choose or really even a say in? There was almost a fight last night...but I pulled back becasue I have such a long time that if we start fighting now.... On to my next question....are you all fans of BMs wearing the same color or different colors? I'm leaning towards jewelish tones...and bnow he's talking about GM all wearing different colors...HELP! That is so funny. My FI wanted to help me "pick" the color for the wedding too. He was so head strong about the color choices. We end up compromising the color choices - blue and pink My BMs are wearing all the same color (blue) and same design dresses. I was trying to match the color for the GM but I ended up going something silvery color for them. You might say that I am not too concern about the color scheme. Some brides might frown up on it but I am pretty easy to please Quote: Originally Posted by cjb0arder13 Ok, so I'm gonna talk about the photography thing, because it doesn't seem fair to me, and since I'm no longer staying at Azul Beach, I want to make sure the other brides are informed. Basically, I was told that I had to use either the resort photographers (which I didn't really like) or bring someone from the states with me and pay for 3 nights minimum. I was NOT allowed to use a local photographer from Mexico. I was told this was due to the contract they had with the resort photographers. I put up quite a fuss, as I really didn't like the resort photogs and felt like I was being steamrolled into using them. Plus, my contract didn't say anything about a minimum stay; it did, however, say there was a $500 fee to use an "outside" vendor, but that the vendor had to be approved by the resort first. So basically, they wouldn't approve anyone but their own photographers. After pointing out this discrepancy on the contract, Tiffany allowed me to choose a photographer off of an "extended list" that they use for their El-Dorado resorts. One of them was Claudia Rodriguez (who is fantastic!) so I chose her. She's moving over the Barcelo Maya Palace instead, and her rates are lower for that resort. I have NO idea why they would allow certain photogs for some of their resorts but not others. I just want to make sure that any brides that are thinking of booking at AB or AS are aware of the policy before they sign their contract, so they can decide if it's worth it to them. I still think both resorts are fantastic, but their photog policy kinda sucks (in my opinion) I AGREE!!! I made this huge fuss about the photog policy to my TA and she was able negotiate with the resort to allow me to use their "extend list" without any additional fee. I am having Erick Rodriguez (Claudia Rodriguez's other photog member). They are pricey but I do love Erick's photos so I am happy with my choice. Quote: Originally Posted by KittenHeart This is the thing with this... it's not even really that true. Their policy is fluff and each WC for Karisma says a different thing. Amy Frommert (Afrommert) was told she couldn't have a DJ from Mexico, I hired DJ Mannia from Mexico and there was no issue and our weddings were months apart. I was nervous when I told the onsite coordinators about him but they accommodated him with no question and even let him onsite for a few hours the day prior to pick out his spot at my reception and he was treated wonderfully. I did pay the $500 outside vendor fee, but I'm POSITIVE after having been there now that you could hire a Mexican photographer, whoever you wanted for that matter. Do you really think that your photographer is going to show up at your resort ON your wedding day and they are going to say, “Oh you’re Mexican, sorry leave.†No way, that’s just not going to happen. Know this AS/AB ladies, when you work with your coordinator whoever they are, never ASK, never! Just tell them, "I'm bringing an outside DJ & Photographer, please make note on my details sheet" they don't need details they don’t need names or the color of your vendor’s skin. Another example, I wanted chiavari chairs, they quoted me and I said, "no, that's too pricey" and Kiara negotiated them down twice for me to an actual reasonable price for the chairs and pads on them. I got my cake negotiated cheaper as well. We negotiated my manzanita branch down 4 times as well. Managed to get my reception area approved regardless of the fact that didn't meet the minimum requirement of guests. Just know that the outside WC's jobs are to control and coerce you into using their vendors since they make more money that way but once you get to the resort, they pretty much won't say no and they truly bend over backwards for you. My whole philosophy while planning my wedding was to not really pay too much attention to the offsite WC, I knew if I was told something couldn't be done, I'd hold my tongue and mention it onsite, I got everything I wanted and more. So chin up girls, if you want it, know that it can be done! YES, I agree!!! I learned that they are willing to meet our every needs but you get nothing if you don't ask or tell what you want. Chong

Quote: Originally Posted by lilly129 that's crazy ladies! Body 3 Fitness is a small gym located at TC Jester and Ella (kinda behind rainbow lodge) - I do their boot camp - they have one at TC Jester and Ella (Tues, Thurs, Sat) and they also have one that meets at Memorial Park on Mon, Wed, Fridays. It's an awesome workout. It costs $197 for 4 weeks but if you buy more sessions at a time it's cheaper. I bought three months and it was $140 a month. Totally worth it if you want to tone up before the wedding. They asked myself and a few other girls to go and do a few shows at the bridal show yesterday which was a blast. Body3 Fitness - Ultimate Houston Boot Camp OK. I will check it out. I have been going to kick boxing/taboo classes and the instructor for this class actually has a boot camp on Sundays at memorial park. This sounds like a good deal. Few shoes at the bridal show? How that do? That sounds like so much fun! Chong