acw271011

Congrats and welcome to the site!! There is no shortage of information here that will help you on your planning journey!! First off, I would definitely recommend a travel agent. They will work with you and help you decide what's important to you in a resort along with all of the other details - pricing, how many guests you might have, time of year that you want, etc. They will quickly become your BFF!! And I would highly recommend the owners of this site - Wright Travel. They're in CA too!! They're destination wedding specialist and have relationships with top resorts as well as information on various perks that might be available to you depending on your choices. Here's the contact link to get in touch with them. http://www.wrighttravelagency.com/go/plan-your-destination-wedding?keyword=BDWTB Once you have your venue decided, check out the forums and reviews here and see what brides past and present are saying. I would almost guarantee that whatever your questions, they've been asked here at least once!! Good luck and happy planning!!

Very well said!!

Dress looks wonderful!!!! And fits beautifully! I don't see undies either!! Have you thought about any kind of slip? Maybe one from the waist? My dress had a layer underneath it so you couldn't see anything even though it was chiffon. A slip would also stop the static and will help with you feeling cooler and not having the dress stick to you. Even just something like this: http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_full-length-control-slip-7218white-7218white-12651--1_accessories-all-lingerie You would still be able to walk and move around and it will ensure that you don't see anything underneath at all. I love the shell!!! It's gorgeous and I love how the rings attach on the ribbon. That's so pretty!!

Welcome and congrats! It does sound like you have things well in hand. Have you read through any of the reviews for the Riu in Cabo? I know there have been several brides here that were married there. Definitely check through the Review section or type it in in the search bar up top. Odds are you'll find the info you're looking for. This site is great for information and all of the ladies are super for answering with info that they might have. You could also try the gallery for photos - there might be something there. DWs can be just as complicated and/or expensive as having a wedding in your hometown but you can't beat getting married in paradise! With your "maybes" I would definitely set a time limit for them to respond, and let them know what that is. There will come a point where you will drive yourself crazy if you allow it to drag on too long. Most people find they end up with about half or less of the number they were expecting to attend. Good luck and happy planning!

What's your other colour, or is there one? You could try to get something in that colour to contrast, or go totally out there and get something that would stand out. ETSY has a great line of bridal jewellery - you could take a look there and see what they have. There are so many sites I'm sure you could find something that is reasonably priced. Good luck!

How did you manage with publisher? I've never used it and took a quick look and thought "oh lord". I'm just not a designer. I would love to do the boarding pass thingys but I just don't know..... lol Tank turned out great! And I like the hair style. Mine was about that length when we got married and I had it put up. Not quite the way I wanted but it was so hot that I knew if I left it down at all I would be dripping. As it turned out our gazebo had a beautiful breeze and I probably could have managed, but where we went for photos was quite muggy and my hair started to drop and wilt!

Oh I like that!! We should have that as a board logo just so that everyone takes a step back and reminds themselves!!! You get so caught up with other things that really shouldn't stress you out when it comes to wedding planning.

I like the sunglasses idea. I think they would be a fun addition to the bags.

Congrats and welcome to BDW. I'm going to chime in with the other ladies. I would advise putting together a website and discreetly putting something there about gifts. Even better is to put the word out through parents, or as Kim said other family members. The word will get around. I'm old school as well when it comes to this stuff and especially with having a DW, people will be spending a large amount of money to get there. If the ones that don't attend are gracious enough to send a gift, that's fine. But adding it anywhere to your invites comes off as tacky. Good luck and happy planning!

They look great! What did you use to make them? I've seen someone on here use PicMonkey and someone else use Publisher. I want to do it but am pretty useless with this kind of stuff. did you have a hard time doing them? I'll second what @@calgarybride2015 said and think adding a bit more colour will make them pop!!

lmao I don't think these are "cheesy" at all!! you both look great!! Wow Lily. This is all so completely great!! You did just an absolutely AMAZING job on everything!! You just have to look at the pics to see how much fun it all was! I know it's hard to put out money for things and do all your planning but sometimes mother nature will step in and have a good laugh at your expense, and it's best to be prepared for it!! I think you did a fabulous job with the switch and having family/friends help out was really nice of them!! I don't know what else to say except well done! Your pics are wonderful and reading it all is just unbelievable. Truly a beautiful wedding!! Congrats to both you and Tony!! And yes, now you can relax!!!

@@calgarybride2015 has it down absolutely pat! I think it's the same story for everyone in some way shape or form. I don't know what it is about a destination wedding. We had the same issue and when it came down to it, to maintain our group rate, we had to give people a go or not go. From there it snowballed and the people that booked and were going were afraid they were going to get stuck paying a higher rate. So they all cancelled. And that was the end of it. We still went on our own and did what we wanted. But for our AHR, it was easy as pie. We had responses almost immediately and the block of rooms we had all went within a week at the hotel. I don't know if people are afraid to commit to the travel or what it is. People are either going or they aren't, or they wait until the last possible minute. I'm starting to feel like a broken record but nothing brings out the squabbles like weddings and funerals. Wish I knew why. Let it all go. Do what YOU need to do for you and your FI. You're the only 2 that count. The people that truly want to be there will be. The rest can all go fly a kite or take a long jump off a short pier. Yes - you really do find out who your friends are unfortunately. But don't let it ruin your wedding for the two of you. Just remember what you'll have coming back from where your wedding will be held. Memories that will last a life time, and a new husband no matter who else is there! Good luck! I promise it will all work out and you'll have a beautiful wedding!

You know I thought of you when I saw this and wondered if it might work for you. Great deal for sure! Wish it was something that would work for me!! lol

Without going back through your thread again, remind me who did your pictures? I'm anxious to see them. Just the couple that you posted from your phone you looked amazing!

Oddly enough I think it's more of a Canadian thing. With the various resorts we've been to, the people we see with them all seem to be from Canada. i don't think it's as popular with Americans. But they definitely come in handy. We first used them in 2006 and wondered why we hadn't figure it out long before then! It saved us back and forth to the bar because the glasses they give you are so tiny, plus in the heat on the beach or by the pool, your ice won't melt as quickly!!

Wow Kim. This all looks awesome! I had some catching up to do on reading through but everything has come together in a great way!! And you're so close now too!! Where does the time go? I know I don't need to remind you to post your pics when you get back!! lol But I can't wait to see them!! I know it will all be fabulous! One question on your maraca tags. That's the same little phrase I picked out - what did you end up printing them out on, and how big? I designed a little tag but I've trial printed it a couple of times and just don't like it. What did you use? I also have maracas that are like yours and the paint is thin and chipping on a couple of them. They're white, not yellow, but did you find anything to touch them up? I don't want to risk mucking up the design on them but I'm almost ready to order new ones just because they're looking messy. I envy all you ladies for being so well organized! I can't even make up my mind on a resort! That will be my project over the next few weeks. Thankfully it's October and we're a super small group - no more than 10 max - so I don't think space will be an issue.

Great thread! It sounds like you're getting really well organized and on your way to a beautiful wedding! My husband and I love cruising as well but when it comes to actually planning a vacation, he always takes an all inclusive because our bar bill onboard is three times what the cruise costs us!! Good luck and looking forward to reading more!

Just took a look. 30% off sitewide is on but ends today. If you're ready to order I'd say take a look. If not, definitely sign up and they'll send you the sales as they come up. Believe me - January is a slow month for everyone (except maybe DWs!! lol) so there will be a ton of deals coming up!

Sign up for Vistaprint and have their deals sent to your email. They've been hounding me for more than a week with tons of specials. They just had a 60% off sitewide and I think right now it's 30%.

OMG I'm loving this!! Your review is just awesome and I love the pics!!! I can't wait to see all the wedding details. I'm glad the coordinator team went above and beyond for you. That's important when you have everything on the line from rain and I'm so glad it worked out! We travel with mugs too. You get double what they give you and saves you sitting waiting on a server or getting up too often! We've just come home from 11 days of travel to the east coast and back and I watched my phone every day to see when you were back and coming back on the site with some news!

Great review! And congrats! You definitely looked amazing! The photos are gorgeous. My first question is always the dress! lol So who's the designer? It's beautiful! I looked at Blue Venado but I don't want sand so I had to take it off the list. Otherwise it looks great and it sounds like they did a super job for you!

What an awesome gesture! I'm sure there is someone here that will be able to make use of it! Good luck for your wedding. I'm sure it will be beautiful!

Congrats and welcome! Cabo is beautiful! You'll find a ton of info here that will help you on your planning journey! Good luck and happy planning!

Congrats on the graduation and starting your planning journey! You will find a ton of information here that will help you out in so many ways. The ladies here are great and the review sections are worth the time to read! Definitely find a good travel agent. They will become your best friend through your planning process. If you're in the US, the owners of this site are pros in the destination wedding area. If you're in Canada like many ladies here, then you'll get a ton of recommendations on TAs in whatever area you're in. Good luck and happy planning!

Wow - where did the time go? You've been missing in action! We need updates on all of your plans and colours and all that other fun stuff!! lol Seriously though I'm sure it will be beautiful! You definitely have to do a review and update when you get back!! I still want an up to date review on Gran Porto, especially the beach!! Good luck!