Peach

I know this was not directed at me, but that kind of makes sense. Prices are always higher in winter and cooler weather, since more people travel then to escape the snow and ice. I think - but am not sure - that March is right on the edge of that. So April would be lovely; you get the nice weather, but smaller crowds and therefore lower prices.

Beautiful items! I am sorry that you are having some not-good experiences.... Hope it all works out!

hahahahaha! Oh my goodness, a speedo-wearing man taking pictures? Creepy! But a funny story, after the fact... I did not realize the beach was topless. Good to know!

Oh, it is not that far in the future, don't worry! I started doing DIY stuff right after our engagement, 2 years before our wedding... and 6 months have passed already! You are not alone! Have fun and enjoy it!

Maybe do a small one and do not advertise.... if people buy stuff off of it, fine, if not, fine. The people who want to get you something can find out where you are registered; the people who say it is rude need not be bothered.

Do you think people will buy you things anyways? That is my concern, but many of our guests are going to be family.... also, I am thinking more for shower and AHR

Yes, I try to take everything with a grain of salt from trip advisor, but thought I would at least ask. I want to prepare the people in my group who rarely travel as much as possible! It so awesome that you are answering questions like this for us! I think I speak for everyone when I say I would love to see pictures of your big day!

Oh, another question, Lauren. I heard somewhere on tripadvisor (which I hate), that the security guards at the Samana airport are terrible... very forceful and will take batteries out of things for no reason, and such, and quite impolite. I am not sure to believe this or not, but did you or your guests have ANY complaints about them? It is not a deal breaker, I would just like to politely bring it to my guests attention, so they are not caught off guard.

Hmmm, good to know. I have short hair, about chin length, I will probably just get it curled. I will mention that to my bridesmaids though... not too keen to budget to pay for something for them that they are just going to have to redo.

Price depends on location where you are from. I am not sure about from Ontario. For me (Alberta), Mexico most places is slightly cheaper than Dominican, but it really depends. Some brides have pricing for the time you are looking at. Mine isn;t until July, so I have to wait a bit longer. And WELCOME!!!!

Wow! A friend of ours got married this past summer to someone who is Korean, I believe, and at their gift opening I noticed that her family was the same way, PILES of cash. She told me, "Oh, that's just as Asian thing." Too bad my family isn't like that! Nope, I am destined for toasters and china patterns.... even though I have a toaster and do not want a china pattern! (My mom and FI's mom have the same china pattern... I would not get one at all but I have been told I will inherit these both). Hahaha!

We are just "squirelling" money away wherever we can. He is still a student, but we planned the wedding to have a long engagement so we can pick up little things over time (hardly notice!), and save up more. Also, he is doing his co-op, which means he is living a couple hours away right now, and making some money (most goes to pay off some bills we racked up over the years, but a little goes to wedding too). Also, with him out of the house, I go out much less, eat much less (also good for dress shopping!), and spend less money on eating out and groceries in general. Even house bills go down! Obviously not a solution for many, but it is working as a temporary bonus to the sucky situation of having him away. I am also going through the whole house room by room. We are having a yard sale in the spring and all money will go towards the wedding. I put a little bit every month in a high-interest savings account.

It really depends on the photographer. Some photographers have packages that include it, since so many brides like it. Mine is not including it in a package, but he includes a videographer, so we are just shuffling plans. The only places we were spending money not part of our wedding package was photos and a video (and attire), so it is worth it in our minds. The worst part is adding on another day pass for our photographer. We didn't do regular engagement shots either. FI's mom used to be a photographer; she took a few pictures for us in the woods by their home. I am going to get my mom or sister to take some on my parents' farm too, but neither has any photography experience, so I am sending them a bunch of pictures for inspiration and just going to cross my fingers. I just think, you can always get pictures taken together. When else can you take pictures in the ocean and on the beach together in your wedding clothes?

Yeah, I am not going to worry too much.... at least, I am telling myself that. I am just planning on having an idea for when I get there, and then make decisions there. If I decide to change my mind completely once there, then so be it! My date is so far off, right now I am just wishing I could plan things! Haha! Did you go to the salon there? Any reviews on it?

I think it is lovely! It is important to be comfortable, and it is still fancy... perfect, I think! If she is concerned, she can always add sparkly jewelry. Plenty fancy, I think. Lovely!

Hahaha! I am laughing because we have something similar.... My FMIL always says this at holidays.... "Your presence is present enough." I would maybe change the word "required" in yours to requested? Just an idea...

I am thinking I will go for a nice short, or maybe tea length, for the wedding itself, and now that we are considering a legal I might get a very simple long one.... like, basically a white maxi-dress with jewelry. Not a wedding dress at all, but the legal is going to be mainly for the grandparents, and they don't consider short dresses wedding dresses at all. And that way I get to have both! My dad thinks I should wear my actual wedding dress to the legal, but then I think it would take away from my wedding itself...

Hi! I am sure I have millions of questions for you... it is so hard to find info about this resort! I am so glad that you had such a wonderful experience! I was wondering what your guest count was, and how you managed the dinner on the deck with no fees.... I did not even know that was an option? Thank you so much for sharing!

Yes, I have heard that Bali is quite expensive.... but SO incredibly beautiful. Is there any way you can cut costs anywhere else? Our resort is a little more than I was hoping to spend, but not too bad... and we reasoned that this is really probably our only chance to 'go all out' as much as we can.... within reason, of course. So, I say, if you have your heart set on Bali, see if there is any way you can make it work.

Oooh, so much fun! I did that at my cousin's once, and then a bunch of us girls liked it so uch we actually took a class for a few months. Such silly fun!

Ahhhhhh I missed it! Booo. Maybe it will come back on again though.

I have seen the 'throwing out the groom's little black book' thing, to all his single friends. It would not work in my case, but the couple I know who did that filled in the names of every single girl they knew in the book. Not sure if it ever got used or not; I think that might offend some too, but it worked for them. I would really love to do a bouquet and garter toss. I just don't see it working for us. We will probably have a small group, and I am not sure if anyone there will be single with the exception of my sister and brothers, and they surely do not want my garter! I am kind of disappointed, but maybe we will do one at our AHR. Hope so! I love traditions, even the cheesy ones! Regardless, I will probably wear one anyway, even if it is just putting it on at the end of the night for FI to find. He would love it!

Is this during your trip or before? I know what you mean though... I am not planning on going out like a crazy party either. Plus, I am having a small group, and my moh - and sister - is underage. So our plan is to do a stagette weekend before we go to an out-of-town spa. We are probably going to rent a suite and do some sightseeing, dinner, spa stuff, and drinks and games in the hotel. (Yes, I know how far away my date is... I have a very organized moh and bm!) Then, at the resort, my bm is planning a 'hen night' for all the ladies there. I think it will mostly be drinks in the lobby bar and general silliness. I am not sure what they have planned, but I knew that I did not want to leave out my moh by having a crazy party night. Ideas from stagettes I have been to/ heard of if you are looking for one NOT at the resort... pole dancing lessons (they can even come to a house) belly dancing lessons burlesque class white water rafting trip (obviously depends on location) - this was combined stag/stagette paintballing (also combined stag/stagette) Concert to something you love - get dolled up and go in a limo For there, I think the spa is a fabulous idea. Or maybe there is an excursion you would like to go on? Something like swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, anything local... There is a very cool spa experience on a boat in Punta Cana, for example, that I would love to go to if we were having ours there. It depends on your group, if you want to spend money, and what you are looking for. Personally, at the resort, I would do spa, dinner, games with the girls. I am sure there are lots of ideas online too. Good luck and have fun planning!

Ooops! That was directed to Jillybeans127. Sorry!

Love both your dresses! Absolutely gorgeous! Can I ask where you got your short one?