murmel

We flew with Sunwing and they hardly even looked at the dress. No weighing or restrictions. Just be warned you dress will likely end up in an overhead baggage cabinet-most planes don't have wardrobes anymore.

Beautiful! Love the sparkly touches on the dress

Welcome Alicia! Can't help with a travel agent (out in the Toronto area), but trying to find pricing that far away might be tricky. Usually the charter companies start lining up their prices in spring for the following winter season. So you might get prices for March 2013, but it will likely not be what you are looking for. Take it will a grain of salt and really start asking for prices about a year in advance (March or April). We got the group rate we were happy with about 8 months in advance, and had started asking about 11 months in advance. Since we knew approximately how much the resort cost (based on looking online at prices) we just waited til it hit the right price. At least if you know the general price ranges of resorts you'll know which ones might be in your price range and what's not. So I would suggest start looking online at a your "top 5" resorts for March 2012, then at least you have an idea for prices- it will likely be a bit more for the following year, but at least you have a feeling where it should be. And I would not book until I have a confirmed price! Good luck.

Welcome home MRS! So glad you had a great time, and that hubby liked his surprise gift! Can't wait to see some pictures

We used Weddings By Oceans.....they were great at the start, returned my phone calls, emails, etc. But about 4 months in (right around when our guests started booking) they seemed to fall apart. I think we ended up having 3 different girls assigned to us over the course of the 8 months, and usually I would still have to go over their heads directly to the manager/owner. I got really frustrated with all their mistakes, lack of information and at the end I felt I was babysitting and having to tell them what to do. So from my personal experience...it would have been easier for me to book at 63 guests myself! (I remember waiting to board my plane for my wedding, and calling them because there were still issues with my guests bookings!) Don't know about the other agency. Love the other ideas the girls sent out. What about a nice dinner and then back to someone's house for a good old fashioned slumber party. We did one for another girlfriend and had a riot. Rented a few silly old movies, had popcorn, ice cream, etc. For us (since we all live far apart) it was really about spending time together and being able to talk and catch up. No matter what you choose, you'll have fun!

Hi ThomasK, Welcome to the forum! Hopefully some of us former brides can help you. I have answered below in red. Good luck, and if you have any other questions feel free to ask. If you click on my profile you should also find assorted photos from the resort.

All fantastic photographers-just note that Del Sol is not allowed on Karisma resorts at this time. Taylor Jackson's website: http://www.taylorjacksonphoto.com/ We picked a set menu for 63 guests. We had to pick the appetizer and dessert, but our guests were given the option of two mains (I think we had mahi-mahi and pork). We had to have the guests choice about 30 days prior to the wedding, and I had sent out menu cards which stated if we did not get a response by Jan 1(example), they would automatically be given the pork dish. That way I didn't have to chase down people if they didn't respond. It worked out really well and the dishes were all very tasty. (the resort is quite flexible, I had 3 surprise guests tell me one week prior to the wedding, and I was still able to add extra plates/meals) I know a lot of girls have done the buffet, and said there was tons of food to go around. I think no matter what you choose it will be great! Just a question if you want your guests having to stand up and get there own food, or be served.

We also had a swimup suite (premium section). When we arrived they offered us the honeymoon suite (up on the second or third floor). Beautiful balcony and view, but we kept our room because it had a hot tub by the swimup (which we really wanted). So like someone said, be aware of what you have, and what the upgrade is. You could even ask to see both rooms first before deciding. Either way you will love this resort!

Well, we just returned from our belated honeymoon (spent 3 weeks in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia). So no real plans for the anniversary. Right now trying to figure out what to get hubby. We are thinking of trying to stick with the traditional gift list: so paper this year!

So true Nicola! Can't believe how quickly the year passed. Thank you girls for all the support over the last year, and best wishes for the New Year!

Great job! Safe travels and wishing you a wonderful wedding! Savour every moment

We brought a photographer from the Toronto area down with us. Photos were super important to us, and after looking at the portfolios and prices of the resort photographer and local Cancun area photographers-the prices were about the same. So we went with Taylor Jackson, it was great since we met ahead of time and he also shot our cocktail reception and trash the dress. Quote: Originally Posted by missmely Hi ladies, just had a random question. We're finding this resort to not be giving us any sort of perks or upgrades, I'm not sure if it's just because of who we used or what but I find that most resorts accomodate a big group and they haven't given us anything Has anyone been given any perks/upgrades? I find them to be a bit strict specially with the outrageous vendor fees and prices for something of the stuff they offer. Any thoughts on this? The only real perk we got was through our travel agent. If they are GI (Karisma) certified you get some perks-but the offers vary season to season. We also got a few free bottles of champagne in our room (every time we drank it a new one appeared!) A lot of the high end resorts really don't offer to many perks, you will likely get a room upgrade when you check in (if they have rooms free), but that's about it. Sorry.

Beautiful! Love the dress

Great pictures Kerry! Love the one of you doing a tequila shot LOL!

Great job! Love the sky lanterns.

What they are trying to say is: "if you have any medication that you could possibly need medically (ie. prescription drugs) don't pack them." This is just in case your suitcase goes missing. Packing you OOT stuff will not be an issue at all! We packed all our OOT stuff in suitcases. The only important thing to take on your carry on- rings, dress, suit; so worst case you are dressed for your special day! Have an amazing trip and enjoy every moment!

We had our wedding rings in the boxes (in our carry on) and the receipts with them. We had no problems what so ever, and we even had them ask to look through our luggage. We had to open our suitcases, they kinda rooted around a little, I simply told them we were getting married, and then they smiled and told us to close our bags. I think if they were more worried about customs, that the bills would have cleared up any issues in terms of us proving we are not trying to sell this stuff, but just had it for our wedding. Good luck.

While FI dances with his mother, could you dance with his father? I didn't have either parent, so that's what we did. My husband danced with his mom, and I was suppose to dance with his dad (who we couldn't find) so his uncle stepped in LOL. At the end of the day, I think it's more of an important moment for you and the parents then for the guests. So do what you're comfortable with!

Dallace, first of all, don't worry it will work out in the end. Surprisingly I would let your FI take a look at wedding photos on his own, and let him come up with some ideas. It was more my husband's idea as to what he and the GM wore. As much as he says "I'll wear whatever"... I am always surprised by the guys and how important what they feel like and wear is truly important to them. Try not to forget it's his day to, and he should get to choose his outfit (unless it's truly horrible LOL). I do agree, although a white suit is lovely for the beach...not so much up close to an ivory dress. So I would definitely lean towards grey, or beige. See if he might agree to wearing a nice cream/ivory shirt, while the guys wear orange shirts maybe??? Or maybe white shirts with turquoise ties??? Thanks for the compliments!

Michelle- we have ALL had the ups and downs. Please use everyone here for support and being a sound board. Most importantly, make the decisions you and your FI are happy with. Since at the end of the day, that's who should be happy! Love the font! So unique

Hi Dallace! What is your color theme? You could maybe suggest a light grey suit (if he wants a suit) or grey dress shorts. The shorts we used in our wedding were dress shorts, looked exactly like a pair of pin stripped dress pants, but cut off at the knee. Really this is a decision for you and your husband to make in terms of how fancy you want the wedding to be. I wore a full lace gown, but wanted the wedding to feel relaxed. So the girls wore turquoise sundresses and the guys wore the short sleeve dress shirts and dress shorts. Looked clean and polished, but relaxed and fit in with the beach wedding scene. We bought the guys clothes from www.dogfunk.com -maybe take a look and see if something appears that you and your FI like. In terms of your husband standing out from the groomsmen....maybe he can wear the long sleeves, and the groomsmen short sleeves? Or maybe the groomsmen can have a colored shirt to match the wedding colors? My husband got his shirt custom made on www.iTailor.com and they have a ton of color choices, and styles. Or maybe have them wear bowties/ties in different colors? You might also be able to convince your FI to wear a linen pant for the ceremony and change into shorts for after?? Good luck, and if there are any other questions, feel free to ask. If you click on my profile, you should find some photos from the wedding to see how the shorts look.

Welcome! Happy planning.

What a great idea Tammy! I will write up the information shortly and send it your way. We got married last January, hopefully that's current enough?

What a great idea Tammy! I will write up the information shortly and send it your way. We got married last January, hopefully that's current enough?

Love the engagement video-especially the fountain photo, so cute! Looks like your well on your way for planning, keep it up!