AfricanVenus

Reach out to a TA so they can find places based on your specifications.

Whatever it takes to make wedding planning easier!

My biggest stressor by far is getting certain members of the bridal party to actually book. We had to meet a minimum room block and people who were coming dropped out without telling me. I had to randomly ask and THEN they decide to tell me. Less than 2 months from the wedding, people haven't booked. That has been my biggest stress: People who aren't adult enough to handle business and tell you they're not coming. People who you thought were friends really aren't. That's been annoying.

I'm interested. I PM'd you for more info.

Did you clear it with the owners? Mexican law requires some stuff like distance, time of day, etc. The only person I can think of is Jennifer Lawrence of www.casabayvillas.com She'll know of vendors that can hook you up if the property allows for fireworks. All the best!

I booked thru the hotel directly. I initially tried to use a TA on BDWF, but she let me know the hotel I chose wasn't TA friendly. So, I negotiated on my own. Got a 10 room block which is fairly doable. I refused to be on the line for anything over 10. The price I got for rooms was pretty decent and others I've spoken to have a hard time getting the price I got for rooms. Plus, I'm such a Type A personality that I'd rather people check in with me anyway. It's all strangely therapeutic, lol. I've planned group trips for a few years now, so it wasn't a big deal for me. The flights were the hardest part without a TA. They looked like they were NEVER going to go down again! However, after much prayer and cyber-stalking airfares, they're back down again! One thing I would recommend to brides doing the planning on their own, is to get guests to buy their airfare first. If your wedding is way in advance, but close enough that you can see airfares, then keep on top of that. The room rates will be set no matter what, but airfare fluctuates. We were favored towards the end, but I wouldn't recommend buying tickets last. As for TAs, I think it depends on the hotel, the bride's personality, and how much money you got to spend. Sometimes negotiating yourself will work better. If you can't be bothered, get a TA. All the best!

Planning a wedding from hundreds of miles away can be stressful, we all know. We send countless emails and fail to get a timely reply. No worries, it may be because our coordinators/planners/vendors may be on a federal holiday. Vendors may neglect to tell you they have a holiday coming up because they're so used to it. We may do the same on our end. So, in an attempt to limit the frustration, I've compiled a list of holidays so that B2Bs don't get frustrated when replies are delayed. They are divided into Statutory Holidays, Civic Holidays, and Festivals. Also keep in mind that certain states, and cities within them, have their own local holidays. Statutory Holidays: Workers entitled to a day off Date English name Spanish name Remarks January 1 New Year's Day Año Nuevo First day of the year. February 5 Constitution day Día de la Constitución Celebrates the Promulgation of the 1857 and 1917 Constitutions. Observance: First Monday of February. March 21 Benito Juárez's birthday Natalicio de Benito Juárez Commemorates President Benito Juárez's birthday. Observance: Third Monday of March May 1 Labor day Día del Trabajo Commemorates the Mexican workers' union movements September 16 Independence Day Día de la Independencia Commemorates the start of the Independence War. November 20 Revolution day Día de la Revolución Commemorates the start of the Mexican Revolution. Observance: Third Monday of November. December 1 Change of Federal Government Transmisión del Poder Ejecutivo Federal Every six years, when a new President is sworn in office. Next observance: December 1, 2012. December 25 Christmas Navidad Christmas celebration; secular and religious holiday. Civic Holidays: observed nationwide, but workers aren't entitled to a day off Date English Name Spanish Name Remarks February 19 Army's Day Día del Ejército Celebrates the Mexican Army on the Loyalty Day ("Día de la Lealtad"). February 24 Flag Day Día de la Bandera Celebrates the current Flag of Mexico and honors the previous ones. March 18 Anniversary of the Oil Expropriation Aniversario de la Expropiación petrolera Celebrates the Oil Expropriation. April 21 Heroic Defense of Veracruz Heroica Defensa de Veracruz Commemorates the defense against the United States occupation of Veracruz in 1914. May 5 Fifth of May Cinco de Mayo Celebrates the victory of the Mexican Army, led by Gral. Ignacio Zaragoza against French forces in the city of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. May 8 Miguel Hidalgo's birthday Natalicio de Miguel Hidalgo Commemorates the birth in 1753 of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the initiator of the Mexican Independence War. June 1 Marine's Day Día de la Marina Celebrates the Mexican Navy. September 13 "Boy Heroes" or "Heroic Cadets" Día de los Niños Héroes Celebrates the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican–American War of 1847. September 15 Cry of Dolores Grito de Dolores Celebrates the Grito de Dolores, an event that marked the start of the independence war against Spain. September 27 End of Independence War Consumación de la Independencia Celebrates the end of the Mexican Independence War on 1821. September 30 Morelos' birthday Natalicio de José Ma. Morelos y Pavón Commemorates the birth of one of the founding fathers of the Mexican nation. October 12 Columbus Day Descubrimiento de América Commemorates the Discovery of the Americas in 1492 by the Italian navigator Christopher Columbus. Festivals: Similar to our Mother's Day and Valentine's Day; also many religious holidays Date English Name Spanish Name Remarks January 6 Epiphany Día de los Santos Reyes Celebrates the Biblical New Testament story of the arrival of the three wise men. February 14 Valentine's Day Día de San Valentín Celebrates amorous unions. April 30 Children's Day Día del Niño Honors all the children. May 10 Mother's Day Día de las Madres Honors all the mothers throughout the country. May 15 Teacher's Day Día del Maestro Honors all the teachers throughout the country. May 23 Student's Day Día del estudiante Honors all the students throughout the country. Third Sunday of June Father's Day Día del Padre Honors all the fathers throughout the country. November 1 All Saints' Day (Day of the Dead) Día de Todos los Santos Honors dead relatives and/or friends (who were less than 18 years of age and unmarried). November 2 All Souls' Day (Day of the Dead) Día de los Fieles Difuntos Honors dead relatives and/or friends (who were more than 18 years of age or married). It is not a state holiday. December 12 Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe Celebrates the day that Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on Tepeyac hill to the native Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. It is not a state holiday. December 16–24 Las Posadas Las Posadas Commemorates the Biblical New Testament story of Joseph and Mary's search for shelter in Bethlehem. December 24 Christmas Eve Nochebuena Celebrates the eve of the nativity of Jesus December 28 Day of the Innocents Dia de los Santos Innocentes On this day, people pull practical jokes on each other. It is equivalent to the U.S. version of April Fools' Day (April 1). December 31 New Year's Eve Año Nuevo Vìspera Mexicans celebrate New Year's Eve Jalisco Holidays: http://www.costalegre.ca/holidays_Festivals.htm

I like circular seating. I wanted to try it, but as another poster realized, it may not look as good with a small guest list. Instead, I'm doing a semi-circle setup. We're going to have our officiant stand off to the side and we're going to face the guests so they can see our faces. I think the setup could work fine on the beach.

It depends on the hotel. They charge either a flat rate or per chair. Sometimes, the same hotel uses both formulas, but for different setups. Setting up chairs may be per person, while setup for lights may be a flat fee. I imagine setting up chairs and attaching sashes would all be one price.

I was ready to place some orders myself, but their reviews are horrible, especially in 2011. The company has an "F" rating on BBB. I called them several times before getting someone on the phone. Their "Live Chat" feature is a joke. Some people sing their praises, but the reviews are either old or few and far between. For me, I've just heard too many things about how horrible they are to risk the headache. Maybe you can try www.lunabazaar.com or www.beau-coup.com for wedding supplies and the like. All the best!

Thanks for the info!

Beautiful. I dig it alot. What is it called?

@CocoNoir: I've had two fittings since it came in. The bottom needs to be hemmed one more inch and then it's good to go! It is very tight so I'm worried about my food intake abilities but it's still lovely. I'll take pix when I get her home or after the wedding with all the trappings and all. Thanks for asking.

Thank you very much CocoNoir! I enjoyed creating it. Yours looks awesome too

The wedding was lovely. Catherine looked great and very reminiscent of Princess Grace. I thought the dress was pretty, but boring and predictable. I was hoping she would wear a more modern silhouette. Her sister's dress was more in line with what I thought she herself would wear actually. But, she still looked radiant and I wish her all the joy and happiness in the world for her day.

How're the June brides doing? Time is moving fast!

@Toiinlove: I think the braids may work best. There's more versatility and your hair will be protected. It's important to feel beautiful and comfortable on your day. You shouldn't be worrying if your tracks are showing, etc. If you get the micros, you can still curl, straighten, pony, leave it down, whatever in terms of styling. Also, the braids don't need to be braided all the way down (i.e. tree braids). However, if you're still "toying" (sorry couldn't resist!) with the idea of a sew-in, may I suggest the invisible part technique? Research the two options, talk with your stylist about both, and hopefully that'll narrow it down for you. All the best!

I used Project Weddings because it was an easy set up and you can keep adding pages. I wish it allowed for music (and they say it does), but I was never able to add any. It's just as well, since I don't want my guests getting in trouble at work, lol. I like that it allows you to set a password and allow others to upload photos to a slideshow (great for the non-pro pics of the wedding to be shared). You can check mine out for further inspirati: kosha.projectwedding.com, password: mexigo. All the best!!

I'm w/ Royal Bride. If you leave your edges out, then the look you're trying to achieve will work best w/ a sew-in. I would not advise glue due to the heat and it damages your hair. I likewise don't know anything about the clips, but there are many videos with tutorials that explain how they work. I want to swim and be active during my wedding, so a sew-in will work best for me. Ask you stylist for more options.

@kris9685: I've seen it done with roses, gladiolas, camelias (the combo of gladiolas and camelias gave it its name: glamelia), cymbidium orchids and lillies so far. From what I understand, it's an old school technique known by limited florists. I wouldn't ask just any random florist to do it unless they've had experience.

Ours was done by Rebecca Aslin of Allurements. I heart it very much

@jbailey3183: They put one full bloom in the center and then they use the petals of some 30 roses to circle the one bloom in the center. It's expensive, not b/c of the flowers involved, but the labor ($250+). Each petal has to be attached to a wire w/o ripping or wilting. I'm not even a rose person. My original bouquet was going to be calla lillies (lillies are my favorite flower), but as soon as I saw this one, I fell for it. They can make them out of mostly any kind of flower, even a lily, but I like the look of the rose the best. If you're interested in getting this bouquet at a cost-effective rate, PM me and I'll let you know where I'm doing mine.

I'm getting a glamelia or rose composite bouquet. I saw it on a photog's website and just had to have it! My MOH will be getting a similar one with turquoise orchids strewn throughout.

I'm not a villa bride, but I rented a villa when visiting PV in 2009 for vacay. I paid by cashier's check, but I went through a villa rental agency. I would suggest you speak with Jennifer Lawrence of Casa Bay Villas ([email protected]), a villa rental agent. She may be able to give you some information about where things stand legally in your situation. I don't think the issue is the form of payment, but the fact that it's for sale. Even if the new owner is ok with it, they may not be easy to work with and a host of other issues can arise. Find out where you stand legally and also talk to the owner. All the best!

Oh absolutely. You'll be wearing it for the rest of your life. You gotta like it.