Avens

Items can be picked up in Edmonton, will ship. 1 Package of Raffia Fans from Oriental Trading. Original price $10.00/dozen (plus shipping and duty). Will sell for $8. 15 sealable pouches for key holders. They were a big hit! The green disguised money etc better than a clear one would. Bought from Amazon here. Originally $0.60 each, selling for $5.00 for all 15. 24 personalized lip balm tubes. You just need to print out stickers to put on them - they were a big hit. Vanilla scented. Example here 2 Stems of 26" Green Cymbidium Real Touch Orchids - from Bloom Bridal. One stem is fully intact - the other has a few flower heads cut off - but all flowers were cut off at the lowest point, still useable for crafts and corsages. I used them for corsages and bouts (attached photo is of the grooms corsage, the green orchid is the one I'm selling). $16.50 each normally, will sell both for $20. 13 Clear hard tags - perfect for labeling OOT bags or making luggage tags (I used them for both)! Originally purchased for the lanyards, but found the tags very useful too. I labeled the OOT bags, so I didn't need as many tags as lanyards. 2 pink lanyards left, I'll throw them in. $3 for all of them

It really was great. All of my guests can't stop talking about what an awesome time we had. The only ones that I sensed any less than awesomeness from, were the ones that stayed at the beach. Because they were so far away, it was harder to coordinate with them. Plus the palace really is quite a bit nicer. I know when we booked, there was about $300 difference - totally worth it. What we did, and seemed to work - is set a general time for breakfast, and whomever wanted to could show up. Then set a general meeting point on the beach/pool (we were beach people) so people know where to look. Then just let everyone know when your wedding appointments are, so they aren't worried about meeting up with you then. Honestly, if you can find some cheap walkie talkies, do it. We wished many times we had them. In general, the older generation seemed to sit together (parents, their friends that came, grandparents) and they sat at the pool a few times and the younger (our friends and siblings) sat at the beach, as we were all into snorkeling and such. We NEVER had a problem, finding a spot with enough chairs for 10-15 at each location. Lots of times we wouldn't head to the beach until 11, or even after lunch. People kept saying the hotel was at capacity, it never seemed like it. Always lots of room at the beach, buffets, even making reservations the afternoon of usually wasn't a problem.

This was kind of my inspiration for the centrepieces, except I wanted hydrangeas. My resort included one for free, and it was $40 each for the other tables. That seemed pretty reasonable to me, and saved me bringing everything down . As it was we already had one giant giant bag of wedding stuff (mostly OOT bags) and I can imagine having to bring even more. This is what we had on the tables, it matched my bouquet. On the head table we used one of the flowers from the Huppa, which matched - and the other on the cake table.

For hair I did, so it was easy. She would do a bit, but before a big pin she would stand back and asked if i liked it. I didn't bring pictures for make up - but I wish I would have to make it easier for both of us. She did a good job though for not having a clear idea what I wanted.I don't usually wear a lot of make up - so I did take some of the eyeliner off when I got back to my room.

We did our cocktail hour up on the balcony at the palace. It was gorgeous! A guest snapped this picture as I was hopping down - I hope I'm sitting up straight in the photog's pictures....it was a long way down there.

We booked all of our appointments in advance, however one of them wasn't actually made with the spa (wedding day one!). Luckily they fit us in, and didn't even tell us until afterwards, so we didn't panic. I don't have many photos yet, I'll post some better ones as they show up! I can't seem to find a straight on picture anywhere! Here's my hair. My friend and bridesmaid made me the hair vine, it was so pretty. My eyes are closed, but you can kind of see my make up.

The spa did a great job for me as well. I agree with Joanne, bring pictures! I did for my hair and they did a fantastic job. It even looked great the next day for the TTD. I didn't bring pictures for make up - so it wasn't quite what I had in mind, but I gave her no guidance. They did an awesome job on my sisters make up. Her eyes looked great. I'll try and find some pictures!

In the gift shop at the Tropical, Maracas were two for about $3. I didn't see them at the Palace ( I wasn't really looking for them though). Probably easier to just buy them there!

We used Sascha Gluck. We had him booked for one night, and my wedding coordinator said that if anyone asked, he was one of our guests. No one asked any questions, and we didn't have to pay the outside photographer fee, or for a second night. I don't know if we just lucked out big time - but I think being very courteous and polite and gracious to your WC makes a big difference. They are super busy, and there might be someone of a language barrier, I think some brides might get impatient and demanding. This is their job, and I really think they are doing the best they can!

We used Sascha last Thursday. He was great to work with, so many ideas! I haven't seen any pictures yet, but as long as we aren't making silly faces - I don't know how they couldn't be awesome!

Thank you everyone who offered your kind words and made me feel better. The dress really was perfect, and I knew it as soon as I saw it again! You guys are the best!! The pictures are slow to come in from friends and family ( well we just got back yesterday, maybe I'm impatient ). Here's the best one I could find thus far!

Our resort was good about taking them off. My WC actually pulled my dad's off as we were about to walk down the aisle. I think as long as you keep it, its not a big deal. If you lose it I think its a $5 fee at the Barcelo Maya Resorts.

These are the centerpieces I had for the guest tables. The flowers on the Huppah, which became the centerpiece on the head table and the cake table. Ceremony Set up at Playa Azul I brought my own flowers, the bouquet they made me was beautiful though too! Bridesmaids realtouch flowers, resort bouquet, my realtouch flowers. Quote: Originally Posted by ANGELA2013 Sorry one more thing I forgot to ask ( i am new here) Can anyone please post some pictures of the flowers and cennterpieces? I love the package that they sent me but I would love some info from other brides.