acw271011

Actually I still haven't bought the petals yet only because it's financial quarter and half year end and we were away on vacation last week so between both of those I haven't had time for much. Hoping to get to it maybe next weekend when my blue shoes are ready and I'll pick them up at the same time. Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk @@TinkerSofi Thanks - that's so sweet! I'm anxious to try it on lol I hate it sitting in the box and I can't even pull it out to have a good look at it!!! @@TinkerSofi @vancouverpetunia You're completely right! The resort bit has been driving me crazy! I swear I can review every darned resort in my sleep!!! I actually even went back to considering AF, even after all the crap they put us through. And Platinum Yucatan Princess. I asked about so many resorts... lol I thought for sure the TA we have now was going to say "just make your darned mind up!" But he was so patient - I literally I think went through half the book with him. Grand Sirenis was really in the running but we couldn't get around the distance from PDC and that's where all our stuff is so the travel time back and forth was a big factor. In the end it was the TA that said go with Valentin. PYP is a bit more "out there" in the furnishings and I really liked the "old world" décor of VIM. Plus it's in a bit of a cove and the TA said that they aren't being hit quite as badly as some of the other resorts for the seaweed. It is getting hit but he also said Grand Sirenis isn't as bad either again because they're in a bit of a cove. @@TinkerSofi Seriously on the overlay? It looks pretty in the pictures and I agree - I hope the colour of it doesn't make the cake look stupid. It's not very big and neither is the table that it will be on, but I didn't want plain white linen. I did want something to just sort of dress up the table a little. Fingers crossed!!

@@deecol Thank you! I know I'm having a much easier time than most of the ladies here lol We're a group of 6, having dinner in a restaurant and it's not a wedding so a whole lot simpler!

So this got very neglected over the last 2 weeks and I'm so far behind on my forums reading I don't know if I'll ever get caught up!! Being on vacation for a week, plus busting my chops at work to even get ready to go on vacation, then coming back from vacation and being snowed under.... I'm really too old for this.... lol I picked up my dress from my son's on Sunday!!! That's my highlight! lol I haven't been able to try it on yet though so it's killing me to know the box is hidden and I can't even completely open it up yet and pull the dress right out!!!! I'm hoping to get it to my gf's this weekend and put it on there, then figure out what alterations need to be done. I know it's going to be way too long (I'm a little shorty) and I want a layer of underskirt out to tone it down, but beyond that I don't know yet. I also picked up Doug's ring. As an FYI, I saw the thread going around, you can't size Tungsten! We tried 4 different places and they wouldn't touch it. Doug is wearing his wedding ring on his right hand just because it's the only place it fits! Bugs the heck out of me! But he did finally pick a nice one - I'll get pics done hopefully soon. I made a decision last night and ordered chair sashes and a table runner. Fuchsia on the sashes and turquoise on the runner (we only have one long rectangle table) and I ordered a champagne organza overlay for the little cake table we have. The cake is being done in turquoise so I didn't want a ton of colour since it's only a small table. The linen is white so I figure the sheer organza overlay will at least highlight the table a bit without overpowering the colour of the cake. We also finalized someone to do a short video, and I mean very short. Just 30 minutes, so the renewal and a bit of video after and that's all. We chose Mike Cantarell. His pricing is competitive and I love the ones he posts here. And - ta da. At last! We booked our resort!!!! Hallelujah! Finally! We got a pretty good deal. The price will likely go down a bit more and we have no price guarantee but it is what it is. They only had 12 rooms left of both categories and I didn't want to lose out on what we want so we booked. Valentin Imperial Maya comes very highly recommended both by a past BDW bride and our TA. We leave on Sunday October 18th, do our renewal on our anniversary Oct 20th then have some fun in the sun for the rest of the week! This resort is absolutely gorgeous and adults only. Everything I'm hearing is that they really cater to you. Just what I want!

@@calgarybride2015 and @snswedding2016 You didn't hijack the thread at all! lol I think it's great that this kind of topic gets put out there and everyone gives input. It's an important topic for "to be" couples! With Doug and I both coming from lousy marriages we were very closed with finances when we first started to live together and in some ways we still are. He make almost double what I do but we still split 50/50, or pretty close to that. We split house payment, he pays cable/internet and I pay hydro, gas, water which balances out. We each pay our own car insurance and credit cards and we don't have a joint account. I doubt we ever will. But since he makes so much more money than I do, any "entertainment" he pays for. I pay the odd thing if I get really adamant about it only because it makes me feel so guilty but he's old school in that he still feels it's the man's job to take care of his family. It's how he was brought up and at his age, that isn't going to change. I will say this - I'm so proud of all of you ladies and how you're handling finances with your soon to be spouses. Years ago things were very different, and that's the generation I come from. You all seem to really have "heads screwed on" the right way about money and that's a very good thing!! @diadiamond Thank you!! You're so sweet!! I love my dress and I'm looking forward to impressing my hubby! lol The keyhole back is a major feature for me since I wanted my shoulders covered.

@jacquewedding I'm sure you've realized now what a great group of ladies are here! They've all given you excellent advice and suggestions! I would add that a travel agent is definitely your first step, especially with still so much time. You don't mention what country you're in but travel is put together a bit differently in the US compared to Canada so that's something to consider. If you're in the US, the administrators of this site are destination wedding specialist and I'm sure they would be able to at least help you determine you wants and don't wants and the budget you want to work with for your guests. You can contact Wright Travel at http://wrighttravelagency.com/inquiry/ Good luck!

Congrats on your upcoming wedding! I don't remember the thread that @@calgarybride2015 was speaking about but if anyone can help with it, she definitely can! We had an AHR but it was 2 weeks after we arrived home so not the same situation. We just worded ours as a "reception to celebrate their marriage" but again that won't work in your case. I like the idea of a "send off" for your wedding, or you could word it as a "reception to celebrate their upcoming wedding". What about calling it a Jack & Jill rather than a shower? Definitely a tough one. I don't know if any of these will work for you. Good luck!

We're using Samuel Luna and I find him pretty reasonable. He has started doing video as well so it would give you just the one vendor for both. I don't know about help with a vendor fee because we don't really have one - we're off site from a resort instead so we're set up a bit differently. Take a look through the vendor reviews here and see what other brides have said about their experience, then go online and review the photographer's sites. Ask for pricing and what they are ale to give you. Compare pricing and services and if possible, try to find a photographer that speaks to what you want. Good luck!

@diadiamond I think I might be confused. Is the dress you're wearing the first picture? That's the lace one right? @TinkerSofi Mine was diagnosed when I was about 17. You have to remember - back then they didn't really know what PCOS was. The pill was the answer to everything "female" because it regulated your hormones, or so they said. I didn't tolerate it well. They didn't have the technology they do now in terms of seeing the cysts and deciding what to do about them. I had them constantly. It wasn't really an issue until I started trying to have kids. I was skinny almost my entire life until I hit early 20s, again when I was trying to get pregnant. I would go months and months without a cycle and then think I was pregnant but get negative results. Because I was so long in between cycles that's when the weight gain started. Not dramatic but enough that it was more than I usually weighed. It wasn't until I was just over 30 and the first cancer that they discovered and "labelled" the PCOS. I went through the cancer treatment and things settled for quite a number of years after that. I had to have my appendix out and that's when they found another tumor but I was in my 40s by then so the natural progression was a complete hysterectomy. I was able to keep half of one ovary just keep hormones regulated as much as possible but I'll tell you, it was the best thing I ever did. My cycles for a long time were terrible but that I think was the worst for me. The pill now can be one of the best things because it stops the cause of the cysts which is ovulation, and it has progressed so much now compared to when I needed to be on it. Absolutely it can be managed but with a good doctor's care - one that is engaged with your symptoms and monitors you regularly. Once you have that then the days are definitely a whole lot better!

Sorry - I'm not in Calgary so can't help out. But I did notice that your wedding date is the same as mine except we got married nearly 4 years ago! For special reasons we're renewing our vows this year in RM on our anniversary date!

@@JoannaBanana Congrats on getting your resort, and at an awesome price too! We've been on vacation so I'm late to this party. Sorry. I've heard great things about GS and I considered it but all of our "stuff" is in Playa del Carmen and it's just too far away. I'd spend all my time running back and forth. But from the pics that @@calgarybride2015 posted it really looks beautiful! Now you'll be able to post all the details about your planning thread. You can definitely rent Microsoft Office like was said. It's worth it and you get Publisher with it so you'd be able to get your invites done much easier I think. Your ring is gorgeous by the way.

I love both dresses! They're both gorgeous but I have to say I really, really love the lace! I think it's perfect for a DW!! And I also think you'll be more comfortable in the lace. September is still very warm. The jewellery is gorgeous too. All together it will be beautiful! Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you're much better now. The PCOS can be dealt with even though it sucks. I lived with it for many, many years. Just hang in there and get as much medical info as you can! By the way, Yogesh has been great!

You could look at something like Island Importers. They might have something similar.

Of the top of my head, and this is without any experience with any of those resorts, but I've heard for kids that hard rock can get pretty fun just because of the noise and party atmosphere. Moon Palace is huge and definitely family oriented from what the ladies here have posted. I know nothing about Beaches resorts. I would definitely advise getting a travel agent and consulting them for input. They're the experts as far as what would work for you and work with your budget too. That can also be a big factor. Good luck!

That's so awesome that you were able to do that!!! Cool way to pay things forward!

Hey Kim! We got home tonight after 2 days driving so it's going to take me all week to get caught up here. Honestly, from everything I've read it doesn't seem that anything more than very small token gifts are given, if at all. I think along the lines of wine and strawberries. Or a bottle of champagne. That kind of thing. But for the most part, gifts aren't given. I do like your idea but maybe toned down a little? As @@vancouverpetunia said, you know them so know what they would and wouldn't go along with and I think it's a great idea. I would just condense it maybe to be a bit smaller? Does that sound silly? Or do you follow what I'm trying to say? lol It has been a very long 2 days and I'm not sure i"m making any sense....

Congratulations and welcome to the site! I'm sure you'll get tons of tips and ideas from the ladies here! I will highly recommend finding a travel agent. They will help you with your budget and work with you on your wants and needs and also help with questions your guests might have instead of you having to do that work when you will have other things to do. There is only one resort that comes to mind and I'm not even sure it has what you want but I just remember someone mentioning one of the RIU hotels as being a hacienda style. I just don't remember which one. You could take a look at the ones I the Riviera Maya and see if something clicks there. Otherwise I think a travel agent is your best bet and one that specializes in destination weddings. Good luck and keep us posted on what you come up with!

Yay another planning thread! I'm definitely way behind now! Will take hours to catch up when we get home!! I love your story! I'm another online dater and Doug and I have been together nearly 14 years now. I had a lot of fun getting back on the dating bit too when I finally did and we are proof that the good ones are still out there! You just have to have some help finding them! Your ring is beautiful and so special! Your colours are gorgeous too! Things always go so much better when you get a TA that Is helpful and it sounds like you've found a real gem!! Looking forward to reading more!!

That's a beautiful dress. I'm sure you'll have no trouble selling it! There is also a website www.preownedweddingdresses.com that might be worth checking out and listing it there. Good luck!

Hi and welcome! I've been a bit MIA since we're on holiday this week and oh my lord I'm going to have SO much to get caught up on when I get home! Your dress is beautiful and I love the jacket over it!! Bridesmaid dresses are great for that kind of price? Definitely can't complain! The colour is really pretty and with Aqua will be gorgeous! Look forward to reading more!!

Not tacky at all!! It's your wedding! You can do almost anything you want! There is a US site for maracas but I don't know what the shipping would be for you. We're in holiday this week and I don't have all of my access so I'll have to let the other ladies jump in with ideas. I know there will be things you can do and your coordinator at Royalton might be able o help out as well. Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

I love your story!! I'm so glad you're finally getting to have your DW!! It will be wonderful I'm sure! Royalton is getting great reviews so I think you've picked a nice resort!! Your dress is absolutely gorgeous and I'm sure you'll be a beautiful bride!!

I feel so badly for all of you. We went through the same thing when we got married almost 4 years ago and actually ended up going just the two of us. Not fun Yes. But it came down to what's important and in the end it was the two of us getting married on the beach in Jamaica. Whoever is travelling with you, love them even more for going. The ones that aren't let it go and don't let it ruin anything for you. Nothing brings out the worst in families like weddings and funerals!! Best of luck. Your wedding will be fabulous!! Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

Aww thanks! He's ok - honest! He's on meds and he's completely stable. He worked hard at losing the weight and it paid off for him. I wish it would for me!! It's just an accepted fact as you get older that things change. I'm not entirely sure he did need the cholesterol and blood pressure meds but we had a doctor a few years back that pushed pills for everything so Doug went along with it. I think he might have had alternatives but now it will be a serious struggle if we just pull the meds and our current MD has some concerns if we do. Hey - it is what it is. Like I said, he's fine. I love him to death and we do a lot of things so it's all good!!

The simple fact is you learn how to deal with it if you love each other. They say there is always one person in a relationship that compromises more than the other, sort of like one is more dominant than the other. I think that's true in a lot of ways. You usually have a peacekeeper in a relationship. But I've heard that it's one topic that couples don't discuss enough before they get married and I can see why. I'm happy Doug and I lived together as long as we did before we got married and I'm not sure we would have got married if it wasn't for his cancer scare. It was just something that wasn't on the radar for us. But we've been through it all I think now. The money arguments, the getting to know each other arguments lol. The sickness and health stuff. I'm not sure if there is anything left! But joint credit cards can still be an issue!!

@@ashhtayy Love the STDs and the photo. I listen to the ladies here and am very thankful that I have a US address to send things to. I've always known it's expensive to send things here from the US but I never realized how expensive! Wow! I'm happy it all worked out for you and your thread and recommendation of zazzle's customer service will be a good reference sometime for another bride. We travelled with Transat 4 years ago and almost all of the same perks were offered back then so not much has changed. I want a couple of them but we're only 4 from TO and 2 from BC so it means we pay for the Options Plus package. It gives us the extra bag allowance, seat selection, the wine on board and priority check-in which is totally fine by me. We don't need any of the group stuff. But you've all done very well with what you're being given. I think it's great!! We bought a travel steamer and took it to Jamaica with us and I'm glad we did. It wasn't expensive - about $20 US I think at Walmart - and it worked just fine.