murmel

Wish I could help... I have my BD booked for November 12. I am sure the photographer will have some good ideas. I know a favorite is to wear your FI shirt, with sexy undies! Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Good luck to our Toronto brides! We could certainally plan for the following week....maybe November 9 or 10? After that I'll have to wait a little, since I don't have a work schedule past the 14th right now. Just figured I would try and see when people were available and go from there!

There's a great little store located on Orfus Rd called Ballett's. I got my gown for $499 (they don't do alterations there, I have my own seamstress, who will do the work). They lady who helped me was just the nicest person ever! Just be aware how Ballett's runs: there are a number of gowns at the back that are super cheap, because they are damaged. Most of the gowns in the center of the store, were rather samples or single gowns other stores could not sell (ie. last year's models', etc.). So what you see, is what you get. They can't order in your size. And carefully examine the gown before you buy! But the gown I got was in perfect condition, with just a bit of dirt of the bottom hem (it was a sample dress). Good luck!

Congratulations to both of you Aunts!

The dress looks beautiful! It's very hard to imagine yourself in it, until you see it on. I was certain I wanted a specific style....kept trying them on and they didn't look right. Then I tried the complete opposite on and loved it! Good luck with finding the dress, and remember to have fun with it

We're looking to do a cocktail party when we return. Wedding is late January as well. We are also doing one in Ottawa (very large family). But the Toronto one is mostly for us and our friends. We have looked a Spencer's in Burlington...but don't know about pricing yet. Keep us posted, and I'll do the same.

I would agree. We love it down there, and why we choose that area to get married!

These are simply beautiful pictures!

Plan on ordering 25-30 laterns tomorrow, colors turquoise, green and white. But we are bringing them with us. When is your wedding? If it works we could both use the turquoise and white. We plan on buying large vases at Walmart when we arrive to use as the centerpieces and then put limes into them. Then likely some tealights around the bottom of the vase. We arrive on January 19 (a few days ahead of our guests, and plan on doing the shopping on the 20-21) However my hair/makeup friend arrives on January 22. Let me know if that might work! Also can't remember if it was this page, but someone asked me about maracas and tequila glasses. We went to Market 28 in Cancun (and as luck has it my battery in my camera died...sorry). But the handpainted maracas ranged in price from about $5-10/piece depending on size. The $5 were about 8" long, while the $10 ones were larger. I am sure if you bought a whole bunch you could easily get them down to about $3/piece. As for handmade tequila glasses....saw lots of prefab ones with hand painting on them (ranging from $3-7). As for ceramic ones, only saw a few and they were about $5-7 /piece. Here are a few photos of the gazebo by the pier, my guess was about 8'x8' and about 7 1/2' tall. My fiancee is about 6'2" for comparison. In case anyone wanted a close up of the gazebo. Also we counted 4 electric boxes in the grasser area (each holding 4 plugs) and the gazebo had about 5 outlets. So in case you want power, it is available. I took a bunch of other shots, if anyone is interested let me know. Welcome back Amanda! Congratulations! I hope everything gets sorted out. But at the end of the day, you said it best 'it was a night to remember'-all the good things

Well said. We are trying to not have our guests bring gifts....I feel they are spending plenty enough. Nan- love both the dresses. The first one is very bohemian and beachy. Love the ruffled skirt of the second, and I am sure you could replace the ribbon with purple/orange sash. But get the one that makes you feel good!

Hello ladies. I am back home! Was thinking of trying to arrange something for November 4 Thursday. How's that date look for people? I can host a pot-luck at my place, but it's in Brampton, so not sure if that's too far away for people.

Just returned from a week along the coast of Cancun to Playa del Carmen. (October 12-19) Never had any problems or saw anything which would concern me. We also rented a car for the day and ventured into Cancun (not the tourist area) to check out the local markets. Again everyone was very friendly and welcoming. That being said we travelled during the day and made sure we had returned to our resort by dinner time. I hope you and your family will be able to make a choice that you are all happy with! Good luck.

Hello Ladies! Can't believe how much I've missed being away for a week. Anyway just trying to catch up....missed you all. I will try and post some pictures tomorrow. But I would guess about 8'x8' and about 7 1/2' tall. We were not able to trade anything. So we reduced our package and are just adding things on now. We're getting married January 24. Our colors are turquoise, lime-ish green and white. If that helps we should talk. Also to any other girls who are getting married January 22-28 (not the 24th), I have a hairstylist and makeup artist coming with us. If anyone needs her, I can put you in contact with her. Quote: Originally Posted by Nikki O Did anyone or is anyone planning on using votive candles for the beach reception? I was just wondering if wind would be a problem. Overall it is quite windy on the beach. However if you have the candles in a slightly deeper votive holder it might work out very well. But I would think the ones where the flame is exposed you might run into problems with the wind. Congratulations! Thanks so much for the great planning thread. Too funny. I was there in April and had no idea. Glad I'm not the only one Jamie! LOL Using Weddings By Oceans. Overall they have been quite good. Just sometimes you have to follow up with a few items. But they are handling dealing with the WC for us. So it's nice to deal with someone face to face, and they take care of it for me.

If you are having a private reception (ie dinner/cocktail party), the bar is included in the cost. I know it's silly that you have to pay extra since you're at an all-inclusive, but it's their way of making your private reception private.

Big reason for me specifically was I wanted the resort to be on the smaller size, so that we could find each other easier. (the other resorts on our list were Dreams, and the Barcelo Palace). The Azul Sensatori is about 440 rooms, compared to the other resorts at a 1000-3000 room complex. Another big reason is we have a few children coming and we wanted a good children's program available so that the parents could enjoy themselves. They also offer a maximum of 2 weddings a day, so your not completing too much for the resorts wedding staff. We also were able to visit the Azul in April and were very pleased with the food and the service.

Wow! Great job.

Sorry should have included I have travelled to the Mayan Riviera area, and Los Cabos area. The areas they are warning people about are the border towns and Mexico City can have its moments. But the tourist areas are safe! I am also sorry that your family hasn't taken the time to actually inform themselves of the proper information and are scaring themselves with stories of areas that are hundreds of miles away. Perhaps you can print off the actual US travel advisory, so that they can read it for themselves. I would also include a map to show how far apart the areas are as well. (we had a few guests that mentioned their fears, and after telling them what was really going on, they are not worried anymore) Good luck.

I have visited Mexico numerous times and have never had an issue. I am heading down October 12-19, so I'll update you upon my return. But as most people advise, treat Mexico like any big city, be aware of your surroundings, don't show off your money, and relax. The tourist areas are beautiful and the people are friendly!

Hi, have not been to the RIU Playacar, but have stayed at the RIU Yucatan (just down the road) and the Azul. Yes, the beach is much nicer at the RIU, but that has more to do with how wide the beach is and the fact that the reefs are further out from shore by the RIUs. The Azul beach is quite narrow, and within a few meters you are right on a reef, so yes, it is rocky and there is more seaweed that gets caught. However that being said, the staff clean the beach at the Azul twice a day and we didn't have much problems with it. Also if you walk about 500 yards north there is a beautiful beach area, no rocks, no seaweed. If you want to be close to Playa del Carmen, I would suggest one of the RIUs. The Azul is about 30 minutes north. Good luck, and if you have any other questions just PM me.

I guess it's a personal decision, but if you are heading to any of the tourist areas of Mexico I really think you have nothing to worry about. If you do take it off, be sure to put it in the room safe, but overall I just always wear mine. Safety in Mexico is the same idea as being in New York, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, etc. - be aware of your surroundings (ie. stay on the beaten path), don't show off money, and keep things safe (ie. money tucked away, or in room safe). You wouldn't wander into a dark park alone at night...don't do it in Mexico either. I have travelled down there 8 times now, going again in a few days, and have never, ever had an issue. The people in the public tourist areas know they are making their living from tourist dollars. They won't bite the hand that feeds it. They are super friendly, and helpful, and if they do bug you a little to buy something, a simple No gracias and walking away works. Good luck with your decision!

Nicole, they are both beautiful dresses (and similar). If the Benjamin Roberts one makes you feel like a million dollars go with it! You won't regret it.It looks more fitted and I love the more defined line under the bust (personal opinion). I had a hard time, because I had envisioned a certain type of dress and tried on so many, but nothing felt right. Then tried on something completely different and feel in love! All I can say is, when you know, you know!

Great job! And thanks for the info about where you bought items- that helps a lot. Your templates are great too! Thanks to you and all the other BDW brides

I am so silly! Sorry PMing you now with my email address. Quote: Originally Posted by arkae murmel: were you upgraded to the premium suite because you had that wedding package or did you qualify for the free wedding package b/c you were booking a premium room? We had booked into the premium room ahead of time. We are hoping our 'free' room upgrade might get us the swim out. Quote: Originally Posted by arkae hi ladies! i was hoping you all could give me some insight into my room category situation! im not sure whether it's worth dropping a pretty penny on a room upgrade for the FI and I. would love to hear from any of you who have been to the resort already and have seen the rooms. also i would love to hear what any of you have decided to do....any thoughts? thx!! To be very honest, the rooms are all almost identical. The major difference is (the premium rooms offer): if you have a swim out in the premium section there is a hot tub by the pool. You get free room fragrances, and hand made soaps. Access to WiFi. Premium pool area, ie. beach butlers, nicer lounge chairs, towel service. That's about it. The inside of the rooms are all very similar. I believe the couple of penthouse/honeymoon suites, are slightly larger and may have a larger sitting area, but that's it. We originally planned for down there, but we were told about a maximum of 30-ish, for seating. We are now well over that number and have a request in for Plaza Zavas (keeping my fingers crossed). I love the area, but I share your concern. I know the lunch BBQ area, they have sheets hung between the posts to provide some wind cover, not sure if they might be able to do that for you in the yoga palapa?

My future mother-in-law is hosting my bridal shower at the start of November. We are getting married on January 24. Hope that helps. I also didn't want guests spending a lot of money, since they already are spending a bunch to come south with us. So we are doing a 'wine and sexy underwear' party. Hopefully people will be able to pick up something small.

Thanks for the well wishes! So looking forward to a week away! I will keep my eyes open for nice tequila glasses and macaras. (I'll try and take pictures if they let me...) As for the flower vases....not at all the ones I had been thinking of! LOL I think those could be quite nice as table deco, especially if they can do the flowers with something that hangs down just a little (vines, etc.). It certainally was NOT offered. We basically went after it with our TA. We are in a premium room, and you need to have at least 15 other room nights (ie. 3 other rooms booked for 5 nights each, etc.) to get the promotion. As far as I know, you can visit the Karisma site and look under specials. Even if the promo is only for US or Canada, ask! You might not get the full promo, but certainally gain a few bonuses. Originally I was trying for the bride/groom stay free, but instead we got the free wedding package. JUST ASK!