Peach

Well I am setting up my budget, and now thinking I might be forgetting something... We can go up to 10 000, but our parents have said they will help, and so we did another budget with their help and are closer to the 5000 mark. I have priced things out but nothing is set in stone. That being said, I do not want an elaborate dress (the most expensive one I have seen that I like is 300 - and my dad said that is one item he may want to pay for), and I am very crafty - all handmade invites and so on. We are having a very small bridal party (1 BM, 1 MoH and 1 GM), and my BM did a complete DIY wedding for herself a couple years ago (even made the dresses) so she is helping me a lot. His parents are extremely thrifty, too. Plus we are having a long engagement, so we have been cutting coupons and making notes about when sales are on. Including the AHR it will be closer to the original 10,000, but even there, centrepieces are mismatched vases from thrift stores with small in-season blooms.... focus on candles instead. AI includes a lot. My brother is a musician, so his gift to us is some music, and the rest is on CDs or (more likely), iPod. Plus his parents both took a lot of photography classes (his mom used to shoot weddings back in the day), so the "extra" pictures (those not included in our package), will be done by them. We are also not doing engagement shots (again, DIY). We are talking about splurging with TTD; originally I wanted fun pictures, so his mom was going to do that, but now we have seen some sexy ones, and I do not feel comfortable with her taking them. We are not doing gifts to each other (except I might do a BD shoot, for both of us, if I can find a good deal). Is there something I might be forgetting? I know that prices will go up over the next year or so, but other than that? I want to DIY as much as possible - I can even do jewelry. Our AI and pkg includes a lot, and our whole point behind doing this is to keep costs and size down. We are just frequenting dollar stores and thrift shops and craft centres and relying on the natural beauty of the area (as well as friends and family). Also, the biggest cost-saving trick? Go off-season. I am a teacher. That means built-in vacation time. In the summer. When costs are half-price. I highly recommend this, unless you are afraid that you might melt! It does get hot, really, really hot! Sorry for the long post, just going through things in my head!

Also, "Sunrise, Sunset" is a complete classic and would work well too.

I've got one I love, but he isn't sold. I am trying to get him to focus on the fact that it is really short - 2 minutes. I want a longer version, but if the short one wins him over, I will be content. "So This Is Love" from Cinderella. As in, the big ballroom scene. I am a Disney nut, and a princess at heart, so even though I am (obviously) not doing the whole princess-wedding thing, I think this is a way to incorporate that without going way too overboard, plus people will get that aspect of personality right away. PLUS, it is a super sweet song! And have I mentioned short?

II have seen the father/daughter combined with the mother/son, and it is really nice. That is what we will do. Then the bride's mom dances with the groom's dad (and any other family like that could join if the family situation is not quite as simple as that). We really like it that way because it is really like the families are both joining together. Plus it saves on time! I saw it to "What a Wonderful World", but I will probably be using that for the ceremony. Anything in that sentimentality would work well though.

i love them! And if you love them, go for it!

Congrats! I look forward to hearing all about it!

I should specify... ditto over here in germs of wanting any information!

Ditto over here!

Hahaha! Yes, that would be helpful, wouldn't it? [email protected] thanks again!

Could you send me the prices? Thanks

Are you ladies working with a TA in your area, or one online/through phone calls? Not sure what I should do with that...

what fabulous ideas! I love the "Forever" song, and "Marry You" by Bruno Mars (Im a big glee fan), and I just listened to |Say Hey (I Love You)", so now I love THAT.... Plus, Dirty Dancing is my ultimate favourite movie, and I was thinking about "Time of my Life". I actually wanted to do that as a first dance, but we do not have the rhythm to pull that off.... but maybe that would be a much better 'last dance' song... what do you all think? And no, I don't think it matters at all if the song is Jamaica sounding and you are in Mexico. It is definitely beachy and tropical and I bet your guests will love it!

I am looking for ANY information at all. There doesn't seem to be a lot about it out there, except the resort website. Even tripadvisor doesn't have much about weddings there. I would appreciate any information that you have! I will have to look at cayo levantado again too... it looks really nice!

Great job! These are fabulous!

Alright, so I signed up for the notification from Canadian Tire - it was SO easy... what a simple way to save a bunch of money! And so convenient! What a fabulous trip - thank you!

This is a lovely sentiment! So sweet!

Love the colours! Especially the blue!

I was wondering if anyone has any information on this resort...

This is great to know! Thanks! So are you personalizing them at all? If it is easy/ cheap to do, we would like to, but it is totally unnecessary, especially depending on the colours we can find. And when you did the raincheck, that was without any problems? And they honoured their sale price?

What would you all like pictures of at your receptions from the guest's perspectives? Maybe the youngest guest eating, the oldest guest dancing... someone who has had too much partying... what do you think?

Yeah I want to attach each list to a disposable camera... Just looking for fabulous ideas for list items!

Thanks for the help - I will definitely keep searching!

I was wondering if anyone had their list done. I like the idea of having a few disposable cameras on each table, with a short list for a hunt. My ideas so far are... - the bride and groom kissing - a couple (not the bride, groom) holding hands - a silly dance face - a romantic slow dance (any couple) - a detail about the wedding reception - something that seems very "tropical" to you I am looking for a few more... I am hoping for about 5 per camera, with 3 - 4 cameras (maximum- I might need fewer). Some can double up, but I would rather have a long list to choose from. What do you all think? I don't really want to do a scavenger hunt for the whole week; just that night.

Hi all... wondering if there is a Facebook page specifically for Dreams Punta Cana brides. I am really just looking for as many photos as possible!

Wow, what great lists! Thanks, everyone!