risa1818

I am most likely wearing mine up. I have found a few pictures of up dos that I really like. My hair is super curly and I am sure it will be humid as hell down there so I am afraid if I wore it even half up half down it would be a frizzy mess!!

Just wondering how many of you ladies are having an AHR ( at home reception). As much as we would like to, I don't think we are. It's just not in the budget right now. I keep going back and forth about it because I do feel bad that I have such a large family and most of them will not be there to see us get married but half of the reason to do a DW was to avoid all those costs!!! haha Jess- How many days until you leave girl?! You must be jumping out of your skin!!

Hi Liz and welcome!! I would do the same thing...go on the knot DW board a lot too but then came across this one and it was great to have a board specific to our venue! Happy planning and ask away any questions!!

Runningbride and Smckinney your reviews are wonderful!! You have no idea how much this eases all of our minds! I am constantly stressed out because I have never been there and I worry that things will go wrong...but then I hear how amazing and perfect your weddings were and it really does make me feel so much better so thank you for that You both looked absolutely stunning and so happy in your pictures! I love all the information and hearing about your big days! Everyone on this board is really great and I am so happy I can come here!

Love this planning thread and love your pics!!! My colors are coral and turquoise..so if you have any left over turquoise decorations, definitely let me know

On a side note, I am having my engagement pics taken next Tuesday. It is pretty chilly here in New England, so trying to figure out what to wear...I was thinking a sweater dress with tights and black boots or something like that. Any of you ladies who had engagement pics taken..did you tip your photographer? I'm not sure if I am supposed to or not...?

Congrats Runningbride and smckinney!!!! I am so happy to hear that you both had beautiful weddings!! I can't wait to read more on your reviews and see pics! Runningbride - Do you think the Luxury package was worth it? I keep going back and forth on if I want to keep it or downgrade and go from there. Just want to see what your thoughts on if everything it includes was worth it/useful? Thanks again to all of you for your advice/thoughts on my booking frustrations

Ok so this may seem like a dumb question, but I assumed that the private wedding reception that is part of the luxury package includes open bar...? Is that correct or incorrect? I assumed that it would since the entire resort is all inclusive! Also, any of you June early summer brides...how many people do you have booked so far? I was kinda bummed the other day because I sent out the save the dates a few weeks ago and so far we only have 2 couples booked. I thought more people would be booking sooner, especially since I let them know when the rates go up . I know it's early, but I just figured they would want to book sooner than later, especially since our TA only requires a $150 deposit down to book. Any other ladies having any issues with this?

JHarris- I think if you are really worried about the concert, I would definitely change the date. It is really only a one day difference and it sounds like you have been stressin about this concert fiasco for awhile. I think your guests will definitely understand! It is still early enough to contact everyone ( I know it is a super pain in the ass) but since it is just a one day difference I think it should be fine. Maybe you can send out a mass email to everyone explaining the date change? I think most of the time people hang up a save the date on the fridge or something, but usually don't pay much attention to the dates until you send out the actual invitations. Most of my friends who have booked already still contacted me after I sent them just to verify the date and time of the wedding so they could plan around it. I think it is worth it if it will put your mind at ease for the next 8 months!!! I know how you feel. I have been dieting like a mad woman! I plan on working out like crazy after the new year and probably going on a vegan diet or something extreme a few months before just to make sure I feel great by the time of the wedding! Awesome will power you have!!!

I would literally KILL for mash potato pizza from BAR right now!! Pizza for the most part SUCKS in Boston I just ate a bowl of Special K and now I wish I was eating that pizza...mmmmmm haha!!

That's awesome, I was hoping that I could figure out some centerpieces that would not require him having to come and set them up! Did he quote you a good price for all of your arrangements?

Jes...OMG I was just looking at your destination inspirations page and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the clothes you posted from Spool No. 72!!! So perfect for a DW and totally my style!! Love them!! I am definitely going to order a few things with my next paycheck I don't think I ever told you but I am from CT. I lived in North Haven and Cheshire most of my life and dated a guy from Branford for awhile. I moved up to Boston about 6 years ago. I totally miss New Haven pizza!! Small world huh?

Hey Maritza... I am getting married at the RPDC on June 12th! There are quite a few of us who are all June brides here As far as organizing a welcome social, I think it depends on how formal you want it. If you want to have dinner and drinks you may need to make a reservation. If you are just having everyone meet down there for a few drinks I doubt it would be a huge problem...unless the resort is at a high capacity that night. I wanted to do something like that, but I am not sure exactly when a majority of my guests are going to be coming in yet. All the ladies on here are so helpful and there is so much useful information on here! This board has been so amazing for my planning!! Let us know if you have any other questions and happy planning!

Yay Runningbride!!!! Have an amazing trip! Can't wait to hear all about your day Congrats on coming back as a MRS. WOW La Tortuga looks amazing! That will be a beautiful place for a rehearsal dinner!

Does anyone have any guests going alone? My brother will most likely be going alone and I contacted our travel agent to get a rate for a single occupancy room and it is almost twice as much as the double occupancy prices!!! I get that they probably would rather book double rooms but really...? I feel so bad because I keep suggesting to him that we can pair him up with one of our friends that is going alone but he is not super excited about that idea.... Anyone run into any issues with this?

Thanks for your input Jamk ...can't wait to ready your full review!

Thanks so much for that review Juliet!! I am so happy to hear that your wedding was perfect!  Thanks again to you ladies for all the recommendations, ideas, advice etc. I really love coming to read things on this board and I can't believe how helpful it has been to me  Jess- You must be getting really excited since you are so close to leaving!! What are you finishing up in these final few days?!

So not sure if you ladies do, but I read the reviews for The Royal ALL the time on tripadvisor.com. Most of them are really good, sometimes some are not so great. Â My question to you ladies who have visited there, was the beach nice? I am slightly concerned because I am totally a beach person. I love laying on the beach, swimming in it, etc. My concern is that most people say the beach is not that nice. That it has a sulfur smell to it and it can be really rocky in most parts. Is this true? Â I am not a picky person, but I do want to make sure that my guests are loving the beach! Â Any feedback on this from you ladies that have been there? Â BTW, thanks for the info. on the flower guy Jess

I used to live in Southie, but we just moved to Melrose because we needed a bigger place with more space! We have dogs and now they have a backyard to play in  I work downtown next to the Prudtential Center though, so I would definitely love to meet up! I manage a restaurant there so I work crazy hours but I usually know my schedule in advance. How is your planning going so far? Â

How do I find out his prices? Also, how do we get them on to the resort without them charging a fee? Do they say anything about that? I'm sure I can have someone meet him the day of if need be. Â Thanks!! Â

Hi Averie!  I am from Boston too, what part do you live in? I am getting married there on June 12, 2011.  It's awesome you have been there before, it is always super helpful to us when we can hear from other brides who have visited there.  The timeshare thing is a great idea...just so you know though, you do have to pay a fee for every person who attends your wedding and wedding related activities to come on to the resort who is not staying at The Royal or the Gran Porto. Not sure if they let you know about that yet..  This board is SO helpful and will really help you through all of your planning  Good luck!!  Â

We are also having a symbolic ceremony and legally getting married here. I talked to my TA and the WC and was told that if we had a guest do the ceremony it was fine and there would be no charge. I figured it would be much nicer this way, instead of paying someone $400 for some random person to do it! Â I am thinking all I need to do is print out some type of ceremony for them to follow. I think we are going to a sand ceremony as well. Â

Jess and all the other ladies that are going through this mess- I am so sorry to hear all this, it is RIDICULOUS. Planning a wedding is stressful enough and then to have to deal with this is completely unacceptable. My mother is a lawyer, so let me know if you need her to make some phone calls and help you out! Â I also wanted to tell you that I have a WONDERFUL TA. Please email me or PM for her info. She is with a rather large company and lots of brides have been very satisifed with their services. I would be happy to share this info. for you if you need help with honeymoon planning, etc. Â As far as the TAs coming on here from SSV, I don't think i am alone in saying this, but we don't care to hear your explanations. It is obvious that you have really screwed up with more than one bride on here. Trust me, after hearing all of these horrible situations that you have put them in, I don't think anyone is interested in using your terrible services. Â Please keep your heads up ladies! I'm sure in the end your wedding will be beautiful!

I have a great TA! PM me if you want her info. Â

Oops I was not aware of this sorry!! Â