proti007

Ashley, normal is whatever suits the bride and groom! That being said, I guess it would depend on how important music is to you both. Greg & I are HUGE audiophiles, so we're having DJ Ricardo set up the speakers, etc, for the ceremony and we're choosing all of the music, and the Trio is included in the package we've chosen for the cocktail hour. We're giving him a playlist of everything we want played during dinner, and living the dancing portion of the evening up to him. For us, because we love music and have been to every music festival under the sun, it is obviously a huge factor and something we've been fine tuning for MONTHS. I think it adds a personal touch!

I'm not sure if you two have looked at this thread, but there are many other Canadian brides in the same boat: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/68095/group-booking-stress I got quotes from WestJet and Air Canada (I would never, EVER travel with any charter company for my wedding based on some of the horror stories I have heard ie. Sunwing/Sunquest/Air Transat), and they were overpriced, and required deposits and PIF very early (PIF 6 months before wedding!). Dreams is notorious for doing this, so watch out! We opted to have our guests book with Expedia. Although they did have to PIF, the rates were much, MUCH lower. Sunshine, booking a last minute holiday is very different from booking a wedding. You will not get the same rates. I had a lot of family in Toronto complain that they paid under $1000 for all-inclusive to Mexico, etc, and I just had to tell them that when you book early, you are going to pay more. I am extremely happy with the rates I was able to get from Expedia, and my guests are, too. Something to look into. Also, I am happy I did not have to deal with ANY of the travel info for guests. A HUGE stress-relief.

2 months, so exciting!!!! I have just over 4 to go....where did the time go?!

Linds, you look gorgeous!!! Can't wait to see more

Hey ladies! Here's the details for the next meet-up: When: Wednesday March 30th, 2011 Where: Una Pizza + Wine (618 17th Ave SW, on 17th between 5th and 6th Sts) Time: 6:00 pm One of the best wine selections in the city, and amazing appetizers! Lots of street parking nearby. Can everyone throw me a PM so I have an idea of numbers? See everyone soon! Natalie

The 28th is definitely NOT set in stone!!! Really anytime that week is fine (I'm on March Break!). So we could meet up Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Why don't we do midweek, Wednesday March 30th? Thoughts?

Sunshine, I agree with MissNat, I ordered my STDs from Etsy, my wedding invitations from Wedzu (like Etsy, but just for weddings) and have done the entire design process with my designer via email. Super-easy. I've ordered probably 75% of everything for the wedding (from robes as gifts for BMs to cake topper) from various Etsy vendors. Everything has turned out better than I'd hoped.

Awesome I'll take care of it!

I think a get-together is definitely in order! Can we do sometime at the very end of March? I'm so slammed with work right now!!! March 28th maybe? We can try somewhere new: there's an awesome Wine Bar (AKA Winebar) in Bridgeland that would work. Or the Local 510 on 17th...great drinks and appetizers. Thoughts?

No, I do NOT have that! Time to email Mariana...

I am also with Mariana, but I have not received an email yet!!!! Oh no

Hello WW ladies! Just an update that I just finished week 5 of the program this week, and have lost 12.5 pounds! Woot! I feel amazing

Yes, $600 per person, direct flights to Vegas and back, 4 nights at the Encore AND we got a $150 resort-credit for book flight and hotel together. We could have gone with a cheaper hotel, but when the Encore/Wynn come up for $600, you take it!

Star!!!! You hired Dazzling Details!!!!! Your wedding is going to be STUNNING! In case you didn't see this post on Green Wedding Shoes, here they are in all of their spectacularness http://greenweddingshoes.com/real-wedding-grace-mikes-destination-wedding/

Yay Cookie welcome back, and congratulations!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it

We got Greg's suit from J.Crew (online). Moderately priced, even better when they do 20% off sales.

I agree, we need a meet-up stat! Star, last time I was in Vegas was around this time last year (end of March). We booked four nights at the Encore (Wynn property, 5+ star) with flights for $600. Amazing deal. Through Expedia.

Congrats Ashley! We're arriving right after you (on the 21st). It's getting closer!!!

Teira they will set up tables any way you want them to. Ask your WC to send you a seating layout chart via email, then you can specify where you want the tables, etc.

I concur with MissMoney...if you like the style and quality of makeup used by MAC cosmetics, you'll love Neysa. From the pictures I saw of both Neysa and Suzanne's work (previous brides on here, as well as their websites), Neysa's portfolio seemed a bit more modern and current. For trial hair/makeup, day of hair/makeup, and TTD hair/makeup, Neysa is charging me $600 (inc. tax/grat). Very reasonably priced.

Yayayay! Congrats Linds!!!! Glad your wedding was everything that you had hoped for. Cannot wait to see photos

Yay congrats!!!! Just finished week 3 on WW, this weekend will be the true test - my big, fat Greek engagement party in Toronto! Here's hoping I just don't gain

Congrats Carly! We're getting married at Dreams at the end of July. Our wedding colours are yellow and sand (we're incorporating a lot of burlap and twine - I've attached an inspiration board!). We have the Ultimate package, so we're having a mariachi band during cocktails, and are using DJ Ricardo during dinner and for dancing. He's also setting up all of our music for the ceremony. We're anticipating about 40-50 people in attendance, and wanted a small, intimate feel, so we decided on the Oceana Pool Terrace. I loved the idea of having an area of the hotel for ourselves; from what I've been told by previous brides, it's very secluded and private. I've hired Neysa Berman for hair and makeup, and am also working with Lola @ Florenta for centerpieces, etc (she has been incredible, and has totally understood my vision!). Our WC is Mariana (also amazing) and we've just hired Rev. Marco to do our symbolic ceremony. We opted to have guests book on their own (via Expedia, Travelocity or their own TA, as travelling from Canada has proved to have a few complications) and Mariana has already upgraded us to the Honeymoon Suite (we booked a Junior Suite via Expedia). We're having two wedding-related parties for both sides of our families (I'm from Toronto and Greg is from Edmonton - we live in Calgary) and thus will be having a big engagement party this weekend in Toronto (about 100 people) and an "at-home" reception in Edmonton in August (about 250 people). Hope this helps!!! Natalie

That totally makes sense in your situation. In Canada, everyone seems to have a legal day before (where they actually get married) and then do the symbolic one there. My FI and I saw the paperwork and bloodwork as a small hoop to jump through, and our preference was to actually become husband and wife legally and spiritually, on our wedding day

We're doing both a legal and symbolic ceremony in Cabo. Rev. Archeigo will be performing our symbolic ceremony for us, and then we'll have a judge do the legal right afterwards (it's really just signing papers, from what Mariana has told us). We really didn't want to get married before our after the wedding day, as we didn't like the idea of being. It's really not a lot of work to get it done in Mexico, not sure why so many people don't do it!