Samantha88k

We are just going to make the kits, with band-aids, tylenol, etc. The cake thing is still interesting, I will definitely have to check on it. We will be at H3R the week before our wedding (May 7-14) then we will be moving resorts for the honeymoon portion of our vacation! When do you plan to go?

Hmm I also thought I read somewhere that a cake for a certain number of people was included and then anything beyond that was extra. Now I'm wondering if I read that during the resort search or if I really did get it from H3R. Those prices for the lanterns are much better!! Thanks for her contact info! I didn't realize there was a charge for the delivery of the bags...that makes me think I might meet everyone in the lobby upon their arrival. We got out bags from the dollar tree (khaki totes with colored straps) and we will be putting embroidered towels in them as well as a mini first-aid kit. I'm still pondering putting some type of mug in them but I also don't want to have too many prices of luggage to haul either! What are you ladies planning to include? Samantha

Awesome, thanks for the help! We had an engagement party last night and it was so much fun to listen to everyone talking about how excited they were to go to Mexico!!

Thanks for all the info Marissa!! I think the pricing for the lanterns is ridiculous! If you don't mind me asking, what was the price they quoted you for the 15 lanterns instead of 30? Also, who are you planning to use for the trio? I would love their contact info as the one I spoke with was $900 for 45min! Did you learn whether the $175 for the speakers/microphone would also be able to be used at the reception? Samantha

I really like the aisle runner! If he would be willing to hold it after your wedding for me (5-13-12) I would definitely consider going in on it with you! As for the place cards/menus I'm torn on that. I will for sure do place cards for the parents/bridal party but I'm not sure I care much about where everyone else sits as we will be a small group. I've also been considering the live music but I'm not sure how to incorporate it and for a reasonable cost. I'm so glad to hear you got a flower vendor recommendation!! I emailed Luis a couple weeks ago and haven't heard back..would you mind sharing the email address you have for her? Samantha

Update on the towels!! I just happened to be at Target today and they had towels for $2.75 each! The RE brand (I think this is their school decor band??) had a tiffany blue-ish color, brown, white, and a bright green. I found them on an end-cap but I think may be on sale just for the week.

That is a fabulous deal!! $15!! WOW I got the towels in March so they will likely go on sale again the same time next year, if not check frequently around the end of august/sept. after the back to school inventory is clearanced, they have really cute towels there now that I'm sure will end up being a great deal!

How exciting!!! Congratulations to you and you FI as well!! I'm so jealous that you get to do a site visit! We opted for a 2 week vacation + our wedding instead of a site visit since my family has been there before. Derek & Lorena will be our photographers from Photos In Cancun and we will also be doing our TTD with them on the property (can't pass up the cenotes!!) during out stay. Marissa, How many guests are you expecting? I would love to hear what you learn from your visit!! Samantha

I actually didn't order them...I raided Target They were perfect sized and the perfect color 2 for $5 this spring so I went for it! We have a family friend who does embroidery so we will be using her. I love Lands End totes!!! We went with the canvas bags from the dollartree to save a few $$ but I love mine!

My completed list.... -AHR invites (I made these with my mom and a couple bridesmaids and I am SUPER happy with how they came out!!) -DW STDs sent -10 rooms booked -Flights for FI and I booked -Honeymoon week booked -Dress ordered -OOT bags & towels purchased -BM dresses purchased I've decided that next week is going to be a DIY week so I can work on luggage tags, OOT bag tags, hopefully figure something out flower wise and hopefully attempt to make some luminaries! I completely agree that planning an AHR and DW is like planning 2 weddings!! Luckily I found a lot of the decor for the AHR at Target in the Christmas Decor 90% clearance!!! I love a good bargain!

I will need some major alterations as well, but I'm still hoping to "tone-up"! The boutique I bought my dress from said it wouldn't arrive until November too and it came in last month, so maybe yours will be early too!! I'm not sure if I read this or not but are you using a TA?

Congratulations!!!

9 months!!! That is so exciting!! I just got a new planner/calendar last night and I started filling in all the wedding dates and it go SUPER real!! Have any of you ladies booked you plane tickets yet? Also, how long in advance do you plan on starting the alterations process on your dress? I only ask this question because I had my first "dress nightmare" last night!!! I hope they don't become an every night thing!

Amy, I am soo glad our dates are so close! It will definitely help with questions/vendors! Our wedding will be quite a bit smaller, closer to 30-35 people as we wanted a small wedding, even though my FI's parents are now going overboard with the AHR and we will be closer to 300+. YIKES. We booked Photos In Cancun as our photographer and I am SO glad we did. He is great to talk to because he is Canadian, therefore no language barrier!! He is also extremely quick to respond to emails and I have been impressed with his work (I stalked his website for awhile before booking). Who is your contact? I have been working with Luis as my parents are owners at H3R but he is extremely busy so his email responses are slow. Which leads me also to wonder whats next?? I am working on a lot of DIY projects and planning the AHR. We contemplated hiring a DJ but decided to go with an IPOD reception that my uncle will run, as he used to be a DJ in a previous life, and our reception will be smaller with an enormous AHR. I'm stuck on flowers at the moment, if you have any ideas bouncing around please share them!! Same goes for the officiant, I think the resort has one but I haven't heard anything about him/her. Samantha

Congratulations!!! That is SUPER exciting!!! Your wedding was gorgeous and I can't wait to see it in the magazine!!!

Congratulations and welcome!!! It is always exciting to see another H3R bride!! We are getting married May 13, 2012 and have really only booked our photographer so far. We are thinking of doing an IPOD reception since we will have a smaller group (about 30people). How many guests are you expecting??

I am also looking into this as I think its a great idea!! In the little research I've done on it so far I have seen some that people created with clip art and then had it printed onto a poster (depends on # of guests) or ordered it on canvas from VistaPrint, etc. I'm trying to think of other "images" that I could use fingerprints to finish off, I've seen balloons and trees but I would LOVE to find something beachy!!

Do you have a template for these programs?? I would love to make something similar!!

You looked stunning!!! I'm so glad to see another bride with a cathedral length veil!! Did you have any trouble with it blowing in the wind??

What an awesome thread!!!

I agree, I don't think you are over-reacting at all. I am also having the name change conversation with my FI, although neither of us has been married before I REALLY don't want to change my last name. Aside from the fact that I just don't like how it sounds (it gets mispronounced all the time and ends up sounding like profanity), I will be graduating from law school a few weeks before we get married and I would like to keep the name that will be on my degree for a little name recognition post-graduation and after internships, etc. My FI is quite determined in getting me to change my name and refuses to change his due to his being the only son, so I guess we will see what happens! My Dean at school told me that changing your last name isn't done nearly as often anymore and its more of a 50/50 split...in case you need a talking point!

How did your frame turn out? And how did it look when you got home?? I'm trying to visualize how to do this because it is such a fabulous idea!!!

What a great idea!! I also love the idea of a at-home spa party, a great option for those whose bridal parties may not be 21!

Do you have their contact info?

Very true. I grew up in a not sooo traditional family and my FI's family is the extreme opposite! Makes for some interesting conversations!!