Peach

It is great to hear so many different perspectives on this. We originally were going to do disposable underwater cameras and a bubba keg in a little bag. So, originally, we were just going to do a favour... then we discovered vistaprint. So, we have vistaprint bags, with a few small items (caps, pens, keychains) and a welcome booklet (passport style). That is one per room. But then we also got bubba kegs (one per person), which was our original plan, and we actually lucked out and stumbled across a clearance sale for mini video cameras. Whew. At least all of the items from vistaprint were free - including free shipping, or $1 shipping. We are sending out a brochure with a couple (free) luggage tags pre travel. We are not doing favours in addition to this. The moms and bridal party are getting extra things in their bags too. I still would love to do a disposable underwater camera, but we just do not have extra money. I think maybe I will give one to each of my brothers, since they will probably help out, but not actually be in the wedding party. Plus, then my family could borrow them. FI's parents have an actual underwater camera. We also talked about taking people on an excursion instead, but could not think of one they all would like. I should say, we have a small group, and most of the people coming are immediate family. So we feel good about spoiling them a little. Plus we are not spending any money on decor or anything like that. And we are going to try to hand this all out the night before we leave (we will all have to stay in Calgary I think to catch the plane; none of us live there) with the exception of FI's best man (flying in separately) and his parents (will be there the week before us). So we really do not have to pack too much along. I did throw in some SPF lip chap, but no real first aid items. I keep thinking about it, but really, they all travel a lot, so they will probably bring that stuff anyway. And I am including a packing list in the pre-travel brochure, so I can be sure to include that there. I do think it is important to give people something, but what that something is depends on the number of people in your group, their travelling experience, where you are going, and your own financial abilities. NO ONE is expecting getting all of this. FI's parents know people are getting something, but they do not know to what extent. Hopefully everyone appreciates them!

Since you are in the Mayan area, I have to recommend Hidden Worlds. It is less publicized but SO awesome. A great day trip. We went four of us, and there was only another couple or two in the area at all... you are on your own with your guides, and there is a photographer capturing everything the whole time (then you can buy the CDs after with pictures - worth it!) There are different packages you can do. They have a great zipline area, with unique ziplines... like riding a "skycycle" through the jungle, or ziplining down into a cenote, or a zipline roller coaster. You can also snorkle in the cenotes (the caves were very cool!). And there is a little shack-type restaurant great for lunch right there (not included in price... I think when we went everything was 10 bucks). It looks questionable, but I swear, the best Mexican food ever. I HIGHLY recommend checking it out. So why not spend the day doing that, then in the evening head out to party? Or even just make it a theme and stay at the resort? Would definitely save some money. I think we are doing a spa weekend away before we go. Renting a place where we can all bunch up in, and doing whatever. The girls are talking Banff. My MOH is only 17, so going out to bars or whatever is not an option. I am also having some friends and stuff who are not coming to the DR with us, but are planning on coming out to the AHR. Whatever - the more the merrier!

Congrats! YAY!!!

Looks like a great list! Please be sure to post pictures as you complete these projects! Cannot wait to see them!

Oh thank you so much for your post! Congratulations, and I am glad to hear that the beach wedding was successful. Can I ask what package you chose, and where you had your reception? I would love to hear any details you have!

Oops, I mean, So curious!... not with a question.

Alright, would you be willing to share that list? So curious?

I am not sure if this was addressed to me or not, but we still are wanting ours on the beach. We are also going during off season, so hopefully it won't be too busy. I am not opposed to the terrace or gazebo or anything, I just am really wanting to get married on the beach... that is a big part of the reason we are going all that way! I guess we will make that final decision when we get there, but that is what we are leaning towards.

Great start! Have you received the guys' attire? I was wondering about quality and fit. Is it true to size? I have not heard of this site before and was thinking it may be a good place to look for FI's outfit, in case we cannot find anything in stores this spring.

Symbolic is just the way it sounds... it symbolizes your wedding, it is not a legal (civil) ceremony. So for many DW brides, it is what they view as their wedding, though they may have filled out the paperwork (i.e.: legal ceremony) beforehand. Hope that helps!

I was wishing for a traditional one, but our resort says they usually go right into first dance right after the ceremony too..., right on the sand. So what I think will happen is we will have our ceremony, then our recessional ("We Go Together", from Grease, one of my fave movies - it was FI's idea) and then right into our dance back at the "start" of the aisle I guess? Our first dance FI also picked... He suggested keeping it light and fun (while I wanted to go more traditional, but he won that one) so we are having "Hey Soul Sister" by Train as our first dance. I like your train of thought though... and why not break with tradition and do your dance right on the sand? DWs certainly do not follow traditions in other ways... may as well change this too! I say, do whatever you want to do! If it gives "gives you butterflies in your tummy just thinking about it", I say go for it!

Not sure if I posted here or not our RSVP wording; but we have gotten a few chuckles (and eye rolls) about it now... ___We'll "sea" you there! Save us ___ beach chairs. ___ Sorry, we're all "tide" up and must "wave" our invitation.

Oh I am sorry you had this experience. I have tried Picaboo, Mixbook, Shutterfly and Photobook Canada. I just used Picaboo for calendars, but was pleased. Shutterfly on the other hand was not so great. I had someone else's random baby pictures in the middle of the book I ordered for my friend! I have heard other people compliment Shutterfly though, but for me, my friend, and my FMIL, all who tried Shutterfly, we probably wouldn't use them again. I have used Mixbook for a few projects and was pleased, though I do not know if they offer the lay-flat option. Photobook Canada is a little more expensive, but I had a groupon for them so I made my guestbook with them (using engagement pics). I was VERY pleased with the quality, though the backgrounds and such are not as easy to use as, say, Mixbook. But I would definitely recommend going with Photobook Canada, if that works for your location (I didn't see where you are from, so I am not sure).

Awesome! I would love to see what you come up with

Jodez, you can spend whatever you like on OOT bags, depending on what you put in them, We did per couple and single people get their own. Just the OOT bag items will probably average out to cost $3 (yay Vistaprint and dollar store) each bag, though if we put our favours in there it will be much more. Have not decided that yet. You can really do whatever you like with them. Make them as extravagant or simple as you like.

We did not pay for engagement shots either. I looked at pictures I liked online, and then got my mom and FI's parents to take some out in some gorgeous scenery... if you get them to take tons, enough will work out to be happy with. Voila! Free engagement pictures.

I actually don't unfortunately. I made them as part of my large welcome books, and will post them when they are all done, but right now they are in bits and pieces. I just made them in word by copying and pasting photographs into the document and cropping them into a circle. Then I used textboxes for the typing so I could manipulate them wherever I wanted. If you are willing to wait, when I am done it I can post it all so you can use it as a template if you like.

I have a candid picture of each person or couple, then their names, relationship to the couple, and a place to write their room number. I just have a few pages like this. It looks like we will have a pretty small group, but I figured ah well.

Yes, I have let people know for the last year and a half. Still people are like, uh, what? A lot of people do not give it too much thought too far ahead of the date. Most people we know are just starting to think about booking now, and we are 6 months out. It depends on the people.

Most places will either have a piece of paper for you to sign, as a memento, or if you bring one and ask your coordinator ahead of time, will let you do one during the ceremony. Just ask the WC at your location if they know.

Oops, sorry for the double post. Not sure how that happened.

Absolutely! Check out Miss Behave. That is where I went, and let me tell you, it was an AMAZING experience. The girls are so great there. I am super self conscious, but I had so much fun. I would do it again in a second. http://www.miss-behave.com/ It is still a little pricey, but not too too bad, and they have specials pretty frequently, and I actually went using a groupon, so you could ask if they have any of those coming up. Also, if you do decide to go that route, mention my name (Krysta C.) if you would not mind. I highly recommend them, anyway!