Peach

In terms of the OOT/favour debate, we are being extremely generous (I think, anyway!) with our OOT bags, which we are giving out at the airport (so people can look at them during our overnight stopover/on the plane, and to save on packing real estate), so I think we will be using those just as favours. Each couple (or maybe person...) will get a bag (vistaprint), bubba keg, digital video camera, welcome information packet (which includes activity pages and is going to be placed in those small photo albums from the dollar store, so they can use the albums for pictures after), mini survival kit (SPF lip balm, aloe, conditioner maybe [since I do not think the resort has any in the bathrooms], etc.) and vistaprint items: keychain, pen, hat, notepad. I really do not think that we will do favours other than that. We are having bubbles at the wedding that guests can keep, and just paper fan programs, also the place cards are personalized shells, which people can keep of course. We have a small group coming (about 15 we think) so I wanted to be generous. But I am still on a budget!

I agree with RNtoB I like with the sash, and with the shorter, simpler veil (though both are stunning!)

Do you have other GM too, or just the BM? Are they going to be wearing bouts? You could always give the best man a bout slightly different from the other groomsmen; I do not know how much you want them to stand out from the others. Otherwise, I think the slightly darker shirt would work out just fine!

Even if you do not choose a specific date, once you have your week narrowed down, you could just put the week on them. That is what we did, and then we put our actual date on our website and told people later on. Just something to think about.

Yeah we only have one flight a week... and 3 or four "leave from" airports potentially... so we are overnighting it in Toronto. It was a middle -of-the-night flight with a 6 hour stop over. So we were just like, let's get into Toronto earlier, get a hotel room, and start celebrating. That is the plan, anyway. Gotta love that stop over!

I have the EXACT same thing... mostly from my family. Even my parents. They have been saying it for the last 14 months; we are now 8 months out (to the day!)... get your butts in gear, people! SO frustrating! We put deposits on for 10 people (including us) so all they need to do is fill in the paperwork. My mom is convinced they will get a better deal booking on their own... they won't, they will pay more. And flights only go out there once a week. SO frustrating. So I totally hear you. Just be as diplomatic as possible, reminding them to book!

Wear what makes YOU happy! It's funny... mine is very simple and beachy, and I briefly worried if it was "not enough". Hahahahaha! So I think everyone has that twinge of second-thought. As for the veil, both look stunning. The long is dramatic and will make for some awesome blowing-in-the-breeze pictures. The birdcage is sweet and low-maintenance and yet dramatic as well. Personally, I like the birdcage, but maybe that is just because I like that style? I do not think I would like to keep track of a longer veil if it gets too windy on the beach. But then again, when else will you get a wear an honest-to-goodness veil? Keep looking at the pictures... and again, choose what YOU love!

As for photography, there is some included in the packages, but little. If you have an outside photographer, you need to pay a day pass for them to be at the wedding, unless they are a guest at the resort; then the fee is waived, according to what I understand from the information I have received from the wedding coordinator. That is what we are doing for ours, and since they are coming from Punta Cana they will be staying anyway. It works out. Please note that pretty much all photographers, in this sense, will require you to pay their travel fee and for their hotel rooms. I do not have information regarding the arches, though please let me know if you find out! And I am not sure about the bridal makeup charges either; I would think this may be listed on the website for the resort, under the spa information? Hope that helps, and sorry I could not be of more assistance. And yes, the reservation for wedding booking is online. It made me nervous, since they did not take much information or a deposit, but I have been assured that this is their procedure. Hope that is still true!

I just wanted to announce that I will be blogging once a week for The Budget Savvy Bride (http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/), so if anyone is interested in some tips about saving money, feel free to check it out! I had to slash our budget awhile ago, so this helps keep me in line for that! I was introduced this week on her blog so I am super excited! Lots of good tips by the other bloggers, and I am pleased to be bringing the destination ideas!

Oops, forgot to add... I am a teacher, so even though it would be lovely to escape the cold Canadian winters, I have two months of built in time off, which happens to take place during the cheapest time to travel to these locations. FI is an accountant, so summer is not super busy for him either. So we knew we would be getting married in the summer... it all is just working out well!

What an awesome idea! For us, FI proposed on July 18. 18 is my lucky number, and as he pointed out to me, July 18 is my half-birthday. I was born on January 18, he is exactly one week after me. He always said he wanted a date he can remember! So we are getting married two years to the date (and only a couple hours off the time!) he proposed. July 18, 2013.

How much weddingwire charges? Nothing. It is free. I have one too. You can check mine out if you like; it is in my signature.

Well, it does not look like I will be getting any help with the food, and I really do not want to be cleaning up on my own (no thanks!)... plus I do not live in the town my AHR (so much for the "at home" part), so I guess there goes that plan out the window. I think it is totally doable if you have some help and are around before it... I am back from my DW for about 3 weeks, but I will not be near my AHR location until the day before. So oh well. Back to the drawing board. I just cannot stomach the idea of this turning into a money pit.

Okay, another thought. We want to have some traditions, like a couple speeches, a video/slideshow, bouquet toss, etc. But we also want a more open-house feel. Is this possible? Can we maybe serve more open-house food (food stations, or lighter fare if it is later), and narrow down the specific traditions along with that?

I think it depends on your body type; I look awful in them, but I have seen them on other people and they are GORGEOUS. My bridesmaid dresses are actually one-shoulder dresses. They totally pull it off. Best to try on and see for yourself. I think they look elegant and beachy on most people.

Oh, some really great ones. I do love the underwater of #2. Gorgeous.

Love them all, but I would say Del Sol (#1) for me too.

I vote for Blue Lens (#2) I love the emotion captured! So happy!

www.weddingwire.com/brandonandkrysta Hope that helps! Weddingwire is easy to use, and I think it looks good!

I can understand what you are saying about not having a lot of choice with bridal party; I am the same way. Both FI and I have small circles of friends that we do a fair amount of stuff with, but I certainly do not have a long list of girlfriends... At this point, I am unsure even if any of them are coming to the wedding, due to finances and such. And, like you, what I wanted for my stagette is being completely changed by my only girlfriend involved in planning. However, she is planning it, and I know she is trying to please people, and it would be more convenient for her, so I am not making a fuss. It is for me, and I will choose to have an amazing attitude no matter what we do, and that will make it a great time. Even if there are only 3 of us there! Hahaha! But it sounds like you have friends you can do things with, and at least your friend is making an effort, selfish though it may be. I think you just need to be as polite but straightforward as possible when you talk to her, and then just choose to let it go and have an amazing time regardless. However, if you are planning it, or if she is causing drama with other friends, then you need to speak up more. Hope that helps. Just my opinion of course, and really, what do I know?

Okay... maybe I am insane. I am trying to figure out food for our AHR. I am making the desserts for the dessert table, but I want to feed people (100+)... it is just at a hall in my hometown... a small, small town. There are two ladies who do catering. One does not have an email address, and the other one is not responding. Very frustrating. So I started looking at neighboring towns. But I really want to keep costs down. So here is my question... Has anyone thought of making the food themselves? Am I nuts for considering this?

We are going WAY overboard too, especially for the girls. We bought the outfits (not that they were very expensive), and I have been adding stuff to beach bags for them for over a year now... They can choose their own jewelry and shoes for the day, though I am giving them stuff too. And I just ordered a pearl necklace and set of earrings for my MOH, who is my sister. I think I am pretty much done!

Oh, a pasta buffet would be a great idea!

4 picture-taking outings throughout about 15 months... 3 separate photographers (each of FI's parents and my mom)... here is a sample of what we ended up with! No clue why the one was sideways! Anyway, I really love them. These are just a sampling, and I am so excited to have them now! I really wanted the mountains and forest of FI's hometown, and the prairies and farm of mine, and I got that! And I love the different seasons! My sis is also making an engagement video of us (for a project, but whatever!) and she will be doing that one in the winter, so we will incorporate all the seasons mostly! I love these!