Avens

We got legally married one year before our DW (Jan 12). It was nice and simple. We had our witnesses and their significant others, it took about 5 minutes. It was nice because she included something about how we were "actually" getting married next year. "(Bride) and (Groom), today is a special day for you because you wish to be joined together in marriage. In January 2012 you will be off to sunny and warm Mexico and you will celebrate your wedding ceremony with your family and friends on January 12 – one year from today. At that time you will share your personal vows to each other and exchange your wedding rings." Then she just did the "If either of you, or anyone here present, can show just cause why you may not lawfully be married, now is the time to declare it. and the do you take each others And now by the power vested in me by the Province of Manitoba I pronounce you husband and wife. You may have your first married kiss!" I ordered a small amazing cake from a dessert place I love and splurged on the real champagne and we had some H'ordeurves. It was very nice. I definitely don't feel like I'm married, though every once in a while when its just us we'll mention being husband and wife and pretend we're sneaky spies. I thought I would be dying to tell everyone, but I'm really not. We're still just us.

I sent out my invites's recently (I think they started arriving on Valentine's Day) so I think everyone should have them now. I had three friends (that I knew were planning on coming) book their deposits, I haven't heard anything else about the rest though! I'm not expecting a lot of them to come, you never know though! I had sent out some STD's from Vistaprint with my Christmas Cards. I was initially planing on sending out the real invites a little bit later- but Air Canada Vacations "adjusted" our group price and said it may go up again in the future, so we hopped to it. We got an actual "quote" back in October, I wonder if it varies between travel providers why some of you are still waiting. So we are guaranteed the price they quoted us (those people who have put down their deposit) and once their final prices come out - if it's lower we get that price, and if its higher we get our quoted price. So far we have about 15 people booked (immediate families and so far all my close friends ) Honestly if this was all that booked (maybe a few more of FH's good friends) I would be perfectly happy! The only people I'm wishing would come are my grandparents, my grandma would love to come, but my grandpa is being stubborn. I'm hoping I can change his mind.

If you look back a few pages, FutureMrsG and Surprise_its_taken both sounded like you didn't have to buy day passes too. Might want to double check with your coordinator?

I know there are at least 3 or 4 brides that got married in January here. Friendly reminder we're all dying to read your reviews

I have a similar issue. One of my bridesmaids is a teacher, but might not have her current contract renewed (so I'm assuming she's not coming, but won't know until summer), and the other was a student and then unemployed for a while - so she isn't sure if she could make it (and was very up front about that). The other two have booked already, so I'm not worried about them. I have another friend whom I would definately ask if I was having 5, and she's already put down her deposit - so I'm wondering if I should so I have 3 or 4, then I may end up with 5. Haha. The FI thinks we need matching sides, I don't really care though. So I'm kind of waiting before I officially ask people.

Hey Sharyn, I'm in Winnipeg as well. Here is my understanding of things. 1. You go get married everything is legal in Mexico, you won't be married automatically when you get back to Winnipeg. You will need to get all your documents translated and notorized. You can call Vital Stats for specific details. As long as your marriage is legal in Mexico, it can be legal in Canada - there are just some extra steps in. Alternatively, if you decide to go the route of getting married here (we did). 1. I'm fairly certain you can't just go to the law courts or city hall and get married, unless a marriage commissioner happens to be located there, or you've arranged an appointment with a judge. Additionally the fee isn't $50 (your travel agent doesn't sound like they've done this before!) Marriage Licence: $100.00 Ceremony: Marriage Commissioner who is not a civil servant: $50.00 plus reasonable fees for related expenses such as travel. Marriage Commissioner who is a civil servant (such as a judge): $100. http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/GettingMarried.html If you have any questions about the Marriage Licence requirements, call our office at 945-3701 or 1-866-949-9296, during our office hours of Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30 or email to [email protected]. I'd call them asap and verify that there is nothing you have to do beforehand, and whom to contact once you get back. Don't panic! Good luck and congrats!!

Aww I'm sorry you had a poor experience Clean! As someone above said, definitely can't wait to read everyone's reviews and hopefully avoid some of the issues you had, and take advantage of the good stuff!

Anyone concerned about the shark attack next door at the Cancun Caribe? I wouldn't be, it's the ocean - there's sharks everywhere! I know some guests have mentioned it to me. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/ontario-woman-recovering-after-shark-bites-arm-and-leg-in-cancun-mexico-115115104.html

Sascha' not Seascha

I booked Seascha Gluck for my wedding. This site is a great resource, look at the reviews. Look at their work, find what you like, and look at your budget.

Quote: Where is this dress from? It is gorgeous!!! Thanks, I love it! It's Allure Far and Away Style # 911. http://www.allurebridals.com/index.php?id=3&product_id=374

I forgot to add, my dress (above) is Allure Far and Away Style # 911

My dress has a lowish back to it - it is leaving me with one question - what are you girls wearing for a bra? I'm well endowned, enough so that I can't go without something. Have you found any good solutions?

This is what I'm thinking to, we're getting married in January, but I'd like to have an informal type AHR in the summertime (mostly so we can do it outside instead of during freezing Canadian winters!).

Ditto!

With Air Canada Vacations, don't you also get the price adjustment ( at least once) if the price goes down? Also, the people who had to pay in full immediatly, that's crazy! Our date is the end of October (for January). That seems more reasonable.

Thanks Everyone!

I think it really much depend on the resort! That or I just got in at the right time. Our Air Canada Package is at least $300 cheaper than what expedia has listed right now (mind you I can't get the exact same date with Expedia yet since it's so far out, but looking at the same period this year (I looked at January starting in October up until our wedding week) and now looking at the package price for next fall, our group rate has been cheaper all along. However we secured our group rate in October 2010, and we're not going until Jan 2012, so maybe the trick is plan early!

Hi Lyn I did make a mistake! I didn't add in the extra people. If there was 15 extra people (30), it would be about $4375 total. Strawberry Passion US$ 3,385.00 Strawberry Passion (Over 15 guests) US$ 66.00 I have a question...what are Tiffany chairs?

I also ended up using Air Canada Vacations. I think West Jet Vacations ended up being slightly cheaper, but the way their group rate system works is different. You get a group rate initially, but they don't hold it the way Air Canada Vacations does. My travel agent explained it to me initially, you could probably ask yours (or maybe you already know!). I was looking online from about October until January to see what Expedia etc. rates were for the same time period (I'm not getting married until Jan 2012, they didn't have those rates out yet) and my group rates held out, even to the last minute. The only one I found that was cheaper was on Dec. 23, and the flight was leaving on Dec. 25th. However, one downfall I've found, is that we thought we were "guaranteed" our rate once we had our ten people booked. In the new year, they raised our price up $40. Apparently they were adjusting margins, which seems like a load of poo to me. Myself and my travel agent both wrote letter, and I'm still waiting to hear back. I hope that they aren't able to keep raising the price, otherwise what was the point of getting a group rate. Anyone else finding this problem? All in all, I think a group rate is the easier way to go. I'm sure some people will still book on their own, and that is their call. However, especially if you have a lot of people who don't travel often, it takes a lot of stress out. As well as when people ask you a ton of questions that you have no idea - you can refer them to your travel agent (if you have a good one, mine are a husband/wife team and they are amazing!). I think my mom talked to them for about two hours the other day while she was booking her flights. Good Luck!

I initially thought this to, but then I added it up (roughly) Roughly - Flights 3800 (ish) Package - 3500 ish (strawberry - counting the extra people for the reception) Photographer - 2200 (Sascha Gluck) Say 2000 for assorted other things - my dress was $600, invitations were only about $50 - flowers, welcome bags, any of those unexplained things that come up, Total - 11,500. I overestimated on everything, since there is always more it seems!

That's my plan! I'm quite willing to nix things like a $1000 for a dance floor I think. After the reception if we really want to go dance, I'd rather go to the club I think. We'll see though!

Isn't this essentially the same thing as a STD and an invite? We're getting married in Jan 2012. I got the free Vistaprint postcards and send them out with my Christmas cards to the close people and family that I normally send Christmas cards to. I'm working on getting my invitations out within the next month or two, and had people RSVP by summertime. That gives them time to think, and still leaves me lots of time to plan things. I'm anticipating having to make calls/email reminders. Seems like sending out two rounds of invitations may be more trouble than its worth, at least a small save the date reminder really wasn't any cost or much work. Plus people seemed to really like them!

I wonder if the wedding coordinator contact issue is because this is the busy season for them? I'm not getting married there until 2012, but from the reviews that seems to be common. Especially if they are having 3 weddings a day. From reviews (again, my only information) it seems a lot of people panicked about this, but everything was wonderful because once you get there, they really dedicate their time to you (which is why they don't answer emails etc as often.) For the people in June, hopefully within a month or two things will slow down for them. For the bride in a month, I hope it gets better! I'm in January so I'll be during the busy season too! Sounds like they need a "wedding secretary" or something to organize all the emails etc.