Ginger1961

Hey Primavera, Â It depends on the time of year. I would say that booking in mid January-mid May when there is much more competition, yes book an AI (flight and hotel) I'm contemplating doing a flight and hotel for Christmas and maybe for a few guests next year for our wedding. The typical AI package is a 1 or 2 week stay. We have some that just want to come for the wedding for three our four days. That's what got me looking into this avenue. Seems that it can be more convenient and at times, cheaper to go this route. Luck of the draw really. For instance I checked 10 day trips with AC a few days ago it was 3,100 for the gran porto for 10 days per person. Today, I checked it and it was at 2,700 incl taxes. Departure/return dates the same. Weird. I have a TA working on it for me. I just want to get a sense for the trends. I think if I book now, I'll miss out on some discounts that are sure to come up as it's still 3 mnths away. I've not seen it sold out yet but the prices do tend to creep up closer to xmas week as I suspect the lower priced rooms are sold out. Â We want to go to mexico for 10 days at christmas. Air canada will be the only airline we will be able to do that through in December. So now it's just a wait and see type thing. My FI doesn't care about the cost. It's been a long year and a long summer without vacation for either of us. Who am I to argue? G

Oh I love that photo...and that is my hair exactly! Down to the length and color and side bang. I copied and pasted it to my wedding attire file. That may be exactly what I do. The veil and the flower. Thanks so much for posting it. By the way, I say go for it. Do them both. I'm planning on the veil for the ceremony then I'll take it off and just leave the flower. Or you could use the veil only for the ceremony and then put the flower in when you remove the veil for reception etc. Do what makes you feel good. That's my motto. Â G

Primavera, Â Thanks for the link. That resort is FABULOUS! I have not booked for Christmas yet. I'm hesitant to stay at Gran Porto Real this year. I want it to be fresh and new for our wedding next year. Although I am def doing the site visit. I have not seen this resort on any of the packages that I've looked at out of Halifax. Although I just learned from a TA today that Sunquest has added a month at Christmas as part of their schedule out of Halifax. Typically in Nova Scotia we have Air Canada and Westjet vacations at that time of year. Nice to have a little competition. Although the prices are downright frightening. I'm prepared for the Xmas markup but Air Canada is freakin' losin' its mind. I'm not paying 3,000 for a week. NUTSO! I'm going to check Sunquest now to see if they do that resort. Â G

Does anyone know if the spa gazebo and the wedding gazebo is one in the same at the Gran Porto Real?

Big fat dresses...I love it. I'm dyin' over here. I prefer to say "dress up like a princess no matter the age and get away with it" but whatever the description. Not that there is anything wrong with buying a pre-owned dress. That is frugal in it's own right, sometimes. I think it's fantatstic. Just not my choice. That's what it comes down to I guess, personal choice. That pretty much sums it up. Â G

I found the rep that I spoke to very pushy and insistant. He wanted me to book my stay with him. I have no idea what day exactly I planned to fly in. Only knowing the date as it was a significant date to us. We were planning to stay a minimum 7 days maximum 14. With all those days up in the air I didn't feel comfortable being boxed in. I did not get a good feeling from this person. The fact that I had to tell him 3 times that I had not booked my room and his insisting that I had to book my stay at that moment, just didn't feel right. Â I have since changed our location to Mexico. Emailed the wedding dept in Playa Del Carmen. Received an email back within five minutes saying the date, time and location were available and that I had 7 days to send a 200 dollar deposit. Received a follow up email from the wedding coordinator with all the packages available and all the information I need. She was cordial and eager to assist. I feel extremely comfortable with this decision. Â Thanks for your input ladies. At least I know this is standard practise with some resorts. I do appreciate the information. Â G

oh and I forgot, I'm sorry but I want my wedding dress to be my own. Granted it's been tried on but my wedding will be the only one my dress will be a guest at  G

My situation is different than other ladies here I suppose. I have bought an original, Pronovias by Atelier Diagnonal off the rack and on sale for 699.00 but I wanted a second dress for our reception and for photos. I didn't want the dress to be the same as my ceremony dinner dress. I figure why spend all that money for a designer dress for one a few hours. I just cannot justify it. I saw photos of PrettyPig's dress and it looked to be very well made. Never mind the input she had in making it her own vision. The same with mine. I picked one and for 140 dollars I got to change it to suit my tastes. The original I bought requires a some adjustments. ie removal of straps shaping it to be somewhat of a mermaid, etc etc. This way I get it made exactly the way I want from the onset. For some, I'm sure they don't have the budget to spend thousands of dollars on a their dream dress and this is a way to get close to it. So why not go for the knockoffs. It's no different than me hiring a seamstress and bastardizing different elements of three or four dresses. Well I guess there'd be a huge difference in price. I suppose it is the luck of the draw with the end product. I did my homework and I'm confident in Monica Bridals work. Â Ginger

Thanks Primavera  I may look into it. Although once I told my FI last night that we don't have to go to a hospital that they do the blood test on the resort, he seemed much more at ease.  I've never heard of that resort that you have chosen. I must go check it out. I'm going to Mexico for Christmas this year for ten days and have not booked a resort yet. It's all about the price this year.  G

Hahaha Prettypigpig, Â I hadn't even thought of the extra bone for the "bodice" area. I emailed them this morning to advise of my curviness. Seems DHGate is having a small issue processing the order. I suspect because I set up a new PayPal account to withdraw from my checking account. Seems as though DHGate is not aware of how long it takes for customers to set up the paypal account because everyday I get an email asking me to make a payment. I keep responding, advising that I made the payment and that I have no control over how long it takes paypal to remove it. This being a long weekend, I'm thinking I'll get a few more emails till Tuesday (nex banking day) Small price to pay. I've informed Monica Bridal and she says "no problem, we'll wait". Â Ginger

I'd listen to PrettyPigPig. This girl knows what she's talking about . I order my second dress from Monica Bridal and am just waiting for confirmation they have received payment. They have been absolutely fantastic to deal with. I found a second dress in a magazine, emailed the photo and like a few other girls on the forum, they added it to their dress factory for me and have agreed to make it.  http://derekiang.com  and it's dress 11055 (I think)  It is the dress I'll use for our reception. I think it will be great for dancing and a great opportunity to show off some SEXY shoes! The only change I will make is to make the neckline sweetheart. Since I've decided on a Mexico wedding today, the dress definitely fits the theme.  $140.00  Ginger   Â

I just booked my date today at the Gran Porto Real I'm so happy. Oh and so very relieved. I have been trying to settle on a resort for months now. Originally started looking in Mexico but then when FI found out he had to have a blood test, all bets were off. Went through months of searching and this morning thought fine I'll just book my date at Sandals in Bahamas. I just didn't feel comfortable about it. Had a very unpleasant conversation with a very annoying Sandals Sales rep. Got upset, told FI about it. He just gave me a big hug and asked where I felt comfortable getting married. I said Mexico. He said book it. So I did! I knew if I could get him to go to Mexico this would be the resort for us. For the very reasons you other ladies mentioned. It's affordable but beautiful. I fell in love with the wedding gazebo when I did the virtual tour. Our date is November 22,2011 at 4pm in the gazebo. Now I can breath. For sake of ease I just booked the Basic $800 dollar package. I have no idea how many will be coming and what we'll want to do but I think I'll be adding to it for sure. What a weight lifted when you book it  Ginger

Quick question here. I just called Sandals wedding hotline to see if the date that we wanted to get married was available at Sandlas Emerald Bay. Very very difficult conversation with this gentleman. I had to tell him three times that I have not booked my room because I do not even know if the date is available. Finally, after three times and him picking up on my frustration he tells me no, the date is full. The only time available is 9am - I said well that's too bad. I'll try elsewhere. Then he says well wait actually you can have 12 -1 -2 -3 - Um you just told me these time slots were full. Which is it? Then I said Okay I will take the 2pm time slot. He says okay you have to book your room with me first. WHAT? I thought I could just put a deposit down on the wedding and go from there. I told him I was not booking via Sandals I was going to book via a travel agent. He said well you can book through me first then trasfer it over to her at a later date. Something sounded very wrong. Now granted most of the information I had gotten from other resorts were in Mexico but in no instance did any of these people tell me my room had to be booked first. Can someone enlighten me please? is this typical?

I am starting to go into a bit of panick mode . I keep flip-flopping. This is what I know : we've finally picked a date November 22,2011 - I know I want to have it at a Sandals resort. I have read some really bad reviews about Sandals Bahamian so I'm moving away from that Sandals location. Problem is only other Sandals in Bahamas is Emerald Bay which is way out of my price range. I did happen just on chance check into the Sandals resorts in Jamaica. They are more in my price range, as well as our guests. I just don't know which one to pick. HELP!

I am also considering this resort. I've actually gone so far as to send out a date request today. Crossing my fingers. Ginger

Is the Wyndham Nassau Resort all inclusive? I'm going to go snooping around the site. I actually have been looking at RIU Palace Paradise Island. Looks very nice as well. We were going to do Sandals but the reviews are scaring me. And I'd like for our guests to have some fun. Can def do that at Paradise Island.

That is so exciting! What resort did you settle on. We've decided on Nassau as well for November 2011 but haven't been able to settle on a resort. Â G

I am so glad to see this thread as well. We have decided on a November wedding 2011 and definitely want to have it in Nassau. I was completely sold on Sandals Royal Bahamian but I've got to tell you ladies I'm getting really nervous with the reviews I'm reading on trip advisor. Any recomendations for other all inclusive resorts for Nassau would be so appreciated. We're coming from Nova Scotia, Canada so we do not have a lot of options for cariers. Air Canada and maybe West Jet would be the only providers. I'll be watching this thread closely. Â Thanks again. Ginger

Bonnie, OMG your dress is absolutely gorgeous sweetheart, GORGEOUS! Which vendor did you use?

Medecash, I think that should sort you out for sure! I think they have done a remarkable job with your dress. It really is amazing and especially when you consider the price tag. Ginger

Medecash your dress is beautiful That being said I agree that the chest area may give you some issues if you are as small up there as you have alluded to Me too honey so don't feel bad. Anyway, I really think they can do something with this. From the pics if they had stopped with the outer fabric in line with what is underneath for their lining, if you know what I mean, that would have given you more of what you're looking for. If you're not in a hurry I'd express my concerns and ask them to change it. You could ask them for a measurement from the top middle over one breast area down to the bottom of where the cup ends (vertical measurement). You can see that pretty clearly on the dress. Once they give it to you put on a bra and take that measurement on yourself. It should give you a really good idea of where this will sit on you. Hope this helps. I've dabbled a bit in the area of "seamstress" although I'd never call myself one. A few things did rub off on me though. They did a fantastic job replicating this one. I was really considering using Endenbridal but received a quote from Guininarbridal for 180 dollars but they say they can only come to 75 percent close to the original. Is that their typical response? Ginger

Tara Keely tk2902 - $292.50 : Designer Wedding Dresses,Wedding Dress Shops, by EndenBridal This is the link to one of the Tara Keely dresses I used in my request. I wanted the fabric of this dress and color. Wanted the shape of TK2854 which is close. And the back of TK 2852 and the train on TK 2860. The dresses are very similar and all Tara Keely (same line). What color would you say that is? They are saying ivory but the ivory i'm seeing from Endenbridal is just a bit darker than white.

Michelle-2 I looked at that dress too. It's beautiful. I'm on my second marriage as well but the first one I didn't have a wedding so to speak. Justice of the peach in downtown Toronto. Should have known Oh well. Can someone tell me how Endenbridal is to deal with. I've gotten a quote from them for 288 dollars 576 from Duosheng and 186 from Gianinarbridal. Duoshen can only do white. Endenbridal are giving me all kinds of options for fabric and overlays as well as colors. They have been fantatisic to respond to emails. They keep insisting that the look I want is satin with organza overlay and not tafetta. I think I read somewhere on here that tafetta kind of looked a lot like heavy cotton. Do you thing the organza over satin will look right? I'm so confused. Has anyone on here used Endenbridal with success? Are there photos? I've been trying to print this entire thread but my darned computer only prints it a page at a time. Taking me forever.

Hi ladies, I've been reading this thread for about 5 days at work. The information in this thread alone has been fantastic. I'm pretty sure I'm going to attempt the "knock off" route. I'm looking at a Tara Keely dress. Actually it's elements of three TK Dresses. I Love the Tara Keely 2854 but want it in the same fabric as Tara Keely 2902 and the train on TK 2852 without those ties on the back. I sent a quick email out to Duosheng and this is what they sent me back: Dear fabric: silk taffeta ,embroidery,beading price of best quality:USD 576.95 this price is not include the postage . pls confirm your shipping address too: 1. receiver name: 2. address: 3. city: 4. state: 5. post code: 6. country: 7. phone (very important): Then i can give you the total price . I asked to factor in that I'd want to add some embroidery or beading of some sort to the bodice because it felt a little too plain to me. What do you guys think? Is this a typical quote. Seemed like a lot to me for knock gown looking at prices everyone else is getting. Also there is so much confusion back and forth over the fabric. It's described on the TK site as Ivory Silk Organza. What fabric is going to get me close to that? They sent me a follow up email stating their fabrics and what they use but she contends that I should go with her recomendation. Usually, we make the dresses in three layers as below: 1.The inner fabric: special inner fabric which can touch skin: cotton or silk ( there will be extra cost for silk lining) 2. The middle fabric: Satin / Martin 3.The overlay fabric: Imported Satin / Lace / Organdy / Taffeta/ Chiffon/ Silk/silk taffeta , which depend on different dresses . Now to me if the original is Silk Organza then would it make sense to have the knock off in Organdy or is this silk tafetta better? Sorry for all the questions. I have lots of time by the way. I tried to send an email off to Gianinarbridal but the email bounced back saying address unknown or something. Would one of you lovely ladies have an email address I can use. Thank you so much. Ginger

Darn, I missed it. I'm just now finding my way around the board to these posts. How often do you have them. I'm not getting married till early 2012. Love to sign up for one of these.