stylishmeNC

We just went with the resort DJ as we heard pretty good things about him on this board. I just need someone to play upbeat, fun music and take a few requests here and there and it sounds like they can do that... plus it is seems like so much less hassle bringing someone else in. I just told my WC I wanted the DJ and that was it We are flying Delta... you are probably right, I'll just make a quick call and then not have to worry about it any more

7 Days until I am in Mexico and 10 until our wedding!!!! GAH! So close! So excited! Last minute questions.... Continuing on the tipping - How much would you suggest tipping the DJ? (We are having him for 3 hours for the poolside reception). Payment - I know that all wedding costs (minus the DJ of course) will be applied to our room charges... can we split the cost on different credit cards? The sets of parents are sharing wedding costs and it would be much easier if the resort could just split it there than having one couple pay the whole cost and then have the other write a check or something. Airlines - Do you think I need to call the airline in advance and ask about carrying on my dress or just let them know as soon as we get to the gate in the airport? Oh man, I know I am going to have like a million random questions running through my mind the next few days... so forgive me if I keep asking random little things and if I repeat myself, or someone else. You girls have all been such a HUGE help this past year... I don't know what I would have done without this forum! Thanks, Jill

Thanks - hopefully I can still make an appt since its only 2 weeks out... I couldn't decide if I was going to have one of my friends do my hair or have it done at the salon... crossing my fingers and knocking on wood!

These are gorgeous! And I love the idea of a little mini-session before the wedding. I might have to "steal" your idea and ask our photographer to do the same. We did an engagement session at home already, but you just can't beat have photos in Mexico Is that wooden pier in one of your TTD shots on the resort? I love the look and feel of it

Can someone send me the spa's contact email/information? I emailed Eugenia a week ago asking her for it and she hasn't got back to me yet (which seem weird since she has been super fast as its close to our wedding date... 2 weeks!). Anyway, I just want to book an appt for me to get my hair done with day of the wedding... Thanks girls! Jill

Oh yes... another question... of all the reviews and everything I haven't read much about the disco on site... does anyone have any opinions on it? (But maybe if they are really bad keep them to yourselves until after March 28th when I leave so I don't read them.... LOL) After spending all the money on the all-inclusive resort and trip I know that most of my guests don't want to spend any more so I planned on having a little 'Sexy Librarian" Theme bachelorette party just at the resort. So after the Welcome Dinner we are having (just in one of the buffets) all the girls are going back to my room and are giving me gifts of either lingerie or books (depending on comfort level) and then I have to guess who gave me what... for every wrong guess I have to take a drink! So after this game and whatever I was just planning on heading to one of the bars and then the Disco for some late night fun where we will mostly meet up with all the boys.... Anyway, I guess the point of this post was just to get a little reassurance that this plan will be fun even thought its not the planned trip to Coco Bongo... although it should be with the group of people going... we can party anywhere and have fun

For those of you that did the after-dinner, pool-side reception with the DJ.... do you think that bringing Glow Sticks would be a fun option and would work? As in is it dark enough that they would be seen, or is it possibly a little too bright and we would be better off not spending the money? Thanks once again! Jill

Did any of the past brides create a program for your ceremony? If so, what did you include on it?

35 days until my wedding... I'm so excited!!! I have spent the afternoon working on little things for the wedding, like designing the table numbers for the dinner seating chart. Anyway, I am very excited about how things are turning out and coming together, and since you all have been such a help and inspiration I wanted to show a little sneak peek of what I was working on today (I'll have to take pictures and screen shots of the rest of our paper stuff to post at some point to share as well). Enjoy

Katie - I did find your post inspiring because after all you have been through you still sound so optimistic and are still fighting! I am sending well wishes and all the best to you, your fiance, and all your loved ones. Songs - I am having a bit of a hard time picking out all our songs as well... but I discovered The Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) recently and have been super inspired. They cover soooo many songs from classic rock to pop culture that it giving you so many options to bring in those elements, while still bringing in classical, elegant options as well. Out of the five recommended songs we have two picked out. I am going to walk down the aisle to VSQ's cover of Lady Gaga's Edge of Glory. I am huge fan of hers and she wrote the song about the love between her grandparents so I thought it fit quite well for us. For the signing of the documents we are going to have VSQ's cover of The Foo Fighters Everlong as that is kinda our song Other than that we are still trying to pick them out!

So if we were to do the speeches during the dinner portion of the night, I am guessing its fairly quite before other guests start coming in so there is no need for any kind of sound equipment... would I be correct in this? I really like the idea of using the extra time during dinner (that everyone says you have) for something "useful" but I also want to make sure that everyone will be able to hear

Thanks! I kinda told her all that before saying that we have the whole resort so she should just explore when she gets there and get inspired! Bummer about the TTD... we were planning on getting up early the next morning and trying to do some sunrise photos just on the resort beach for our TTD session. This is mostly due to the fact that she is leaving the day after the wedding in the afternoon so it doesn't really leave us many options, and I don't really want to pay more money for the resort photogs since they are SO expensive. Oh well I guess... we will just have to make it work Thanks once again!

In relation to the locations question: I guess inside the resort... unless there are some great spots outside the resort that you love and would like to recommend as well I didn't even really think about going outside the resort.

Trisha - I have a photography question for you from our photographer (she is my finance's cousin and is doing it all for free as our wedding present!) But she wanted to know what lenses you took with you as there is a limit on photography equipment (in relation to focal length)? Also, this one is kinda from both of us, but are there any locations that you would suggest for great photographs? I mean I can't imagine there are many bad spots being its in beautiful Mexico, but I loved all the ones of the recent wedding you shot down there Thanks again for all you help! Jill

That happened to me as well, but if you actually flip through them like a slide show to can see all of them.

Thanks for your feedback Crystal! We have 50 people coming and the majority of my Fiance's extended family are very subduded and don't drink so that's why I am going with the seating chart. But I will just make something up and let Eugenia know and then not worry about it from there!

Crystal and Fally (or any other bride who had their wedding dinner at Dolce Vita recently), Were the tables set up as long 10 tops? That seems to be the consensus.... Did you use a seating chart or place cards at all? If so, did you just give it to the WC and let them go for it or did you have someone else help set that up for you? Did you have a sweetheart table? Our group is rather mixed and I think it would be beneficial to have a chart to ensure that like people get to sit at the same table as one another. My thought was to just make a board that shows people's name under a table number and then just have the number on the table and then they can sit wherever they want at the actual table. It seems easy and efficient. That being said, I would like certain tables to be near each other (our friends span 2 tables, my family spans 2 tables... you get the point). Also, I think it would be nice to have a sweetheart table to have that time to just be with my new husband and "catch our breath". I would love to hear what other brides did Thanks, Jill

Like most brides, I am bringing down my own photographer... that being said did any of you previous brides that did this, send anything to Arrecife before getting to the resort to let them know that you didn't want anything additional besides what was included in the wedding package? The reason I ask is I keep getting emails from them... Thanks, Jill

Crystal, Do you have a photo of the your wedding site so I could compare with and without flowers? (I thought you had posted photos on here but I can't seem to find them now...) Also, how much fabric did you end up bringing? Thanks, Jill

Trisha & Crystal - Thank you so much for you feedback! It definitely helps to know some of these little details Jill

My wedding is quickly coming up (I can’t believe it!) and I have a few questions that I was hoping you all could help me out with: In the Official GBP Thread, Trish listed the Symbolic Ceremony Order of events… I am curious what exactly is said during the opening blessing, the reading, and the sermon? Basically I am concerned that it might be too “preachyâ€â€¦ we are not religious and would prefer to keep a fairly neutral, modern, and shorter ceremony, so any insight into this would be greatly appreciated. That leads to the songs… I have read on here that you need 4-5 songs on a CD for the processional and recessional stuff. Could someone break this down a little bit more for me? Uses of the songs? Suggestions on number and length of songs? I would hate for people to be waiting around just for songs to end or to feel super rushed… I am getting married at the Akumal hammock location and I know that people have brought fabric down to drape on the structure there to bring in more color… but in those photos, are the larger flower arrangements that are hanging included in the package, or were those paid for separately? If separate, how much did that cost? Thanks for all your help! I don’t know what I would have done without this forum Jill

This is kinda a random question.... but I have been struggling trying to find/come up with outfit ideas for our dads so they look nice and still comfortable, and I LOVE what your dad is wearing. Any idea where he got his shirts and pants??? AND you look beautiful and your photos made me very happy.... a little over two months until my wedding and I can't wait! Thanks for sharing!

These were good questions to ask aquamaniac as I had been thinking about a few of them as well... specifically the cocktail hour and the DJ. And of course, thanks again Trisha for helpful answers! I can't wait to see all your photos.

This is what we are doing as well. I read on this thread before that if you didn't want people to know it wasn't legal they would have no idea as you pretty much go through the same ceremony steps as the others ones. From my understanding it is simply the paperwork and bloodtest stuff that is different, so really nothing that guests see.

Thanks... that would be great! I guess if you are going to be there, would you also mind just taking a general shot of the Dolce Vita restaurant as well. So I can get a feel of the decor, the tables, and the layout? Also, if possible the location of the pool side reception for Akumal. I know I really want to do this, but have yet to see and get a good feel of how this is set up so any additional photos are much appreciated! Thanks so much again