AfricanVenus

That's awesome. Your guests are certainly doing better than mine in the cost department, lol. They're looking at $1250-$1400 for 3 nights!

That's awesome that you two will be there at the same time. Maybe you could trade tips! Sarahinlove, explain to me this week-long charter flight situation. What does that mean?

We put our wedding website in our invite. Then on our tear-out RSVP card, we told our guests that if they're definitely coming, after we recived their RSVP, we'd provide the password to the website since all communication for the wedding would be disseminated on there. That way they know that's how they get info. And, if people aren't coming, they can't nose around on our website for no reason.

Our wedding package is for 25 people, so we're hoping to book 23 only, lol. While we have plenty of invites, our RSVP date is Dec. 31, 2010. We figure those who are definitely coming will RSVP right away. By sticking to the strict date, we'll minimize going over budget. If you don't RSVP in time, you're going on the AHR list, sorry!

Ooooooh! MAC Cosmetics! Nice One of my girlfriends is working for Sephora, so she will be doing the thing and hookin' us up on the big day. I'm soooo excited to see the products. I love Sephora. Like you said Monique, you have plenty of time to figure things out and see how your hair recovers (I've also done the boy look and I love and miss it!). A lot of it will depend on the style of dress, the temperature of your destination, and the location. Judging from your profile, you're getting married in August in Jamaica. I'm Jamaican myself, and it's a more tolerable heat than most places. I know some of the ladies on here cry "hot", but it all depends on what you're used to and what your skin can handle. With that said, you might be able to pull off some styles that others couldn't because of your comfort level with the environment. It'll all come together my dear.

You guys are great. You have me cracking up reading your responses. Monique, I love the "How rude!" comment a la Stephanie Tanner from Full House, lol. Everything is a matter of grace and style in dealing with these things. I've learned that not everyone is going to be happy and it's not my role to make everybody happy. I've done what you've all said about my wedding party. I have stressed over and over the need to be there the day before. If they can't, they chill as a guest, no biggie. I think why it was so perturbing is because this was coming from the best man! I'm with you Monique on keeping it to the closest of close. It's just hard, because even though we tried to keep the engagement quiet, people started finding out anyway and I underestimated how much people care about me. I've always been a private person and think marriage is a serious thing. I've seen how catty people can get about how someone does their wedding (come on, we're ALL guilty). So, in my eyes, I wanted no one but the people who really kenw me to know. Unfortunately, it looks like snobbery and like I don't want to share my joy with people who I know mean well, but I can't afford to have come. It's a fine tight rope walk, but I'm praying that the Lord will give me wisdom, and He has. My mom suggested I do it my way (close fam and friends), and then invite all those who want to come, but weren't invited, to the AHR so they can see the pics and video. That's the only way I can deal with it all really..

The majority of my guests don't have children, and the ones who do have already been told. My hotel does allow kids, but I don't see it being a problem for my day. I'll make sure the WC cordones off our area if anything, lol. All you've suggested is great, since that's what I've done. Good to be on the right track! Thanks.

I have an engagement ring that requires a custom-made band also. Just have them create a jacket or shape the band to fit your E-ring. That's what we're doing. I love my E-ring so much, that my WB will be much simpler. Hope that helps.

Just looking for some brides that're hitting up PV in June. Here are the rules: Answer these two questions: What's your date? Where are you marrying? And....what made you pick your date? I'll start! My date is June 25 at Grand Velas Vallarta in Nuevo. I chose this date because it would mark our second anniversary, it was on a Saturday, and it's in the low season, which means cheaper!

If anyone is looking for an affordable photographer, consider Karla Benitez, a local photog. We were able to get her all day for $800 and she will give you an album, not just a DVD. Judging from her work, she takes anywhere from 350-475 pictures. For another $200, we tacked on a TTD. I thought she was a bargain! On top of that, she's incredibly sweet, easy to work with, and her work rivals any of the more expensive photogs. She's also willing to try new ideas. You can find her work here: kbnitzphoto.carbonmade.com as well as www.kbnitzphoto.com.

Your dress is gorgeous! Congrats!

I hear ya. You're blessed to have friends who can hook you up. One of my BMs is a makeup guru, so I'll have that under control. All the best for your wedding day!

Whenever I go on vacay, I put in a human hair weave. It can be washed, styled, and ready to go like your own hair. I've been wearing weaves for years, so I'm much more comfortable with them. If I were you, I'd do a test run just to see how you feel with it and learn how to take care of it. With weave, it's always about the quality of the hair and the expertise of your hairdresser. Also, get a weave that'll really match your hair's color and texture. Nothing's worse than a Pochahontas straight weave in jet black with natual hair that's dusty brown and wavy. Think BLEND! I tend to leave the front out (in a U-shape) and the rest of my hair is cornrowed under a net and the weave is sewn on top. For my wedding, I'm having the weave installed like a week ahead of time to give my head some time to relax under the tautness of the thread. I always look like I just had a face lift whenever I get a new weave, so I wouldn't do it the day before I leave, lol. Not a good look for my pictures. I'm also pretty comfy with styling my own hair, so I won't be utilizing any salon services from my hotel. I figure I'll curl it and pin it up myself so it has that messy, goddess look. The first look is also what I'm aiming for, but maybe sans the bump. I'm still trying to figure out a way to incorporate that blond twist style. I think it's so hot! My hair must-haves are edge pomade (to keep your front lines in order), a flat iron, a curling iron, and a good flat bristle brush (like dudes have for their waves). The brush works wonders on blending your natural hair with the weave, should you decide to leave some out. I would utilize some hairspray and some oil spray for sheen. That's it really. Curls are pretty easy to do with practice. You put some hair in the iron and starting from the ends of your hair, wrap the strands in a spiral stack until you get to the root or the max amount of hair. Hold in place and loosen it to let the ends fall out so you can get the top of the strands a curl. Then pull straight down and you'll have the spiral/Farrah-Fawcett curls to play with.

Our first dance song is "I Promise" aka "The Wedding Song" by CeCe Winans. Thinking about choreographing a rumba dance to it...

My mom surprised me by purchasing my dress the day I went to try it on. Putting on the dress didn't make me cry, but that gesture truly did. She said she and my dad wanted to go half on it, but decided the night before to purchase it for me. I'm still in shock!

We're going to try to give our guests about a month to RSVP. However, we told the ones who were on a need-to-know basis about it from well in advance. We're doing the RSVP in the passport invite. The RSVP card includes our wedding website. If they're coming, then we provide them with the password for the website. If they're not, then no password. We don't want people who aren't coming to be all up in the details and showing others we don't know just for the sake of wanting to know.

I'm getting my FI cufflinks with the logo of his dream car.

Hey all. For those brides who're pretty familiar with PV, what are some locations you would recommend for a TTD session? You don't have to limit it to beaches. I'm open to anything as far as Punta Mita all the way to Mismaloya. Thanks!

Thanks! Yea, I'm thinking that's the way to go, but I'm leaving myself open. Can't wait for my dress to come in so I can play around with my hair style and get a better idea. I love the idea of the twists with the "spider flower" clips throughout. I just need it to look fuller. Guess curls are the best option for that idea.

I am wearing the one-shoulder Gaudi Pronovias dress. The recommended hairstyle for this silhouette is an up-do. I'm cool with that, but I'm also hesitant to let go of a long, flowing, and wavy hairstyle (m/b even half up/half down). On top of that, I'm wearing a birdcage blusher veil that ends at my nose and don't think long hairstyles really work with that type of veil. I also want a large flower fascinator towards the back side of my hair, as well as small star shaped rhinestone-esque hair pins (if it's up) I think I'm worried about looking sorta bald with the up do, lol. Plus, I have a Tyra Banks forehead to think about. I'm in need of some advice! Here are the options I'm considering:

We chose Luis Chavez. His prices are extremely reasonable and his work is great. It's not Oscar-nominated cinematography, but it's not America's Funniest Videos either. It's great quality and he comes highly recommended by past clients (including one celeb!). I'm glad we were able to lock him down. Professionally, he's very responsive to emails (a must with DW planning) and willing to answer any and all questions with patience. You can find his work here: lcphoto-video.com/video_gallery. A quick search on here will also turn up some commentary as well as samples from other brides of his work. All the best with your planning!

Is it that these companies have issues with the vacation packages mostly? I've always used Orbitz for my flights only and have never had an issue.

Brokeback Mountain: Anne Hathaway

I visited PV for the first time in July of 2009 from I think the 10th to the 17th. I'll warn you now, it is blazing hot at that time of the year! My girls and I didn't leave the villa until 5 or 6 on most days. It was just that hot. We couldn't even swim in our pool because it was like taking a hot bath. It's a whole different kind of climate. I like heat, and I'm Jamaican, but this kind of heat is like muggy, humid, can't breathe hot. I get (and got) heat rash in that kind of environment. I still love PV, and there is the occasional shower, but it doesn't cool it down really. Hope this helps...

Has anyone used Luis Chavez? Heavily considering him for our wedding...