torilynnsmith

I am 7 months away to the day today!!!! Woo hooo, hard to believe next month we will be onto our 6 month countdown!!!! I know the feeling about numbers, we were in the same book but had 20 people book today!!!!!!!! It is so frustrating not knowing numbers because I really want to do a lot now!!!! Love the starfish thing, we have done a lot of starfish stuff running through our wedding, invites, tags etc. so I am thinking of including the starfish poem as well!!! I wish I could get something like that for Punta Cana, I have hear a lot of Jamaica brides talking about this and it is so neat!!!

I do too!!!!! It was this forum that tipped me off to check it out for the Bubbas!!!!

If that is the feeling you are looking for I would say that you should hold out, but that being said I didn't get that feeling with the dress I am 99% sure I am going to order.... If you loved how it looked and felt on you that is a good sign!!!! I probably would have bought the dress just because it was $400 LOL

I think it is a great choice. I am sure anything under $1500 guests will be happy with but the price adjustment does come in handy! Wow!!!! Congrats to you and your FI!!! That is very exciting. We were engaged July 2010 but had a lot going on and ended up moving across the country so we just set a date and everything this May! I look forward to hearing about your plans and where you decide to go!!!!

Hey ladies, for those of you still looking for rates my TA is having a great promo. We talked to 6 agents and she got us the best price and is really great at answering questions and things really quickly. Check out the promo http://www.shinetravel.ca/destinationweddings.htm

Hey Ladies, just thought I would share a promo that my TA is doing right now, for those that haven't decided on their resort, and even those who have, she is worth checking out! http://www.shinetravel.ca/destinationweddings.htm

Regular price at walmart for Bubba Kegs. I heard somewhere else it is a special just for walmart because the colours were turquoise, lime green, red and black which are not the current production colours for the bubba kegs (on their website). I was happy with it because these are way more "tropical" than the current bubba keg colours and the black are perfect for the guys!!!! It was my first time at big lots too, I say it is a cross between a dollarstore and a biway (if you remember biway) on crack! lol They even have furniture but there are a few aisles that are perfect for the OOT bags because the prices are great, annnnnd they have name brand stuff which the dollar stores often dont!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!! That is an awesome find!!!! Just another reason why I love BDW and this thread!!!! I am more excited to share my finds with you guys than FI or my family lol

$1362 is a great rate!!!! Where are you going and what resort are you staying at? I am a Feb 2012 bride as well and we booked in May. I don't know how you US brides do it, I would be so stressed out knowing that My wedding was 7 months (to the day!!!!) away and I still wasn't booked to get there!!! Good luck to you!!!!! I think you need to go with whoever provides the best service, we went with a small company because she provided the best rate and was quick to respond via email etc. Let us know what you decide!!!!

Do you know the price Tomkins?! That is a great tip thanks so much for sharing!!!!!! I am headed to the online site to check it out if I can find them!!!!!

Sandals/Beaches is really good about communicating information with their wedding packages etc. You can also find a lot online just by googling. I would definitely say the same as JayKay and tell you to email the resort, they will be your best source of information!!!! Best of luck and happy planning!!!!

That is so exciting!!!!! It was definitely worth it. Here is the breakdown I posted in another thread Big Lots - never been here before but glad I went in -individual gatorade packages box of 8 for $2 (couldn't get these at 4 grocery stores, 2 targets and 1 walmart so was very excited, just be sure to check expiry dates as my wedding is 7 mos out I had to keep thinking of that for any meds etc.) -8 notebooks for $2 -8 bic crystal pens for $0.95 -4 2oz hand santizers (2 in each pack with aloe) for $1.50 Walmart -Bubba Kegs!!!!!!! My best find 32oz kegs for $6.22 (regular $15+ in canada) and 18oz tumblers for $4.98 (regular $11+ in canada) -pepto chewable tablets, I first bought the 12 tablets packs because I was going to leave them in the boxes and give one per bags but I couldnt find enough. These were $1.72 for 12 tablets, I ended up getting the 48 packs (walmart or target) for $4.49 - better deal and I am just going to put 2 sheets (12 tablets) in each bag -Tums 3 rolls for $1.92 Target -key card holder zipper proof water resistant pouches pink, blue, green and grey $1 bin -mini altoids (mints) $0.99 -Advil 10ct travel packs $1.97 -face cloths 8 pack for $3.49 (I have read on trip advisor that our hotel has hand towels but no face cloths, just thought it would be nice addition) -Blistex with 15SPF $0.84 each -Nail polish remover wipes individaully wrapped 10 pack for $2.69 -Shout wipes larger 12 pack for $2.69 -Johnson & Johnson First Aid kits (also available at Walmart) $0.97 Dollar Tree -Beach bags $1 a piece -Pedicure/Manicure kits --not using these in my OOTs (though they would be good I have to be careful not to go overboard) they are for my best friends bachelorette party swag bags! Just to add to this, I stopped into Superstore and Walmart today just to compare some pricing to see if I really did get good deals or if I just got carried away. I started thinking I didn't need to buy my hand sanitizer etc down there BUT when I started comparing prices I was SHOCKED at the difference. The 48 ct pepto at Walmart here was $9.98 approx, the blistex I got were $2.99 EACH! Advil 10cts I didn't see but I know on another thread one bride mentioned she got some for $2.99 and $3.99 (tylenol) at walmart here! Also, the gatorade was really hard to track down, I lucked in at Big Lots but be sure to check expiry dates!! I went online amazon, ebay, minimus to see about ordering some more since I didn't get enough and they wanted at least 3x and more what I paid for them!!! I knew I got a good price but I never thought that I would have to pay 3x + for more. I think I am going to hold out and make another trip in August maybe...... I am thinking I should start my OOT bag thread soon as I would hate for some of my fellow brides to miss out on some great finds!!! Let me know if you need anything else!!! Your OOT thread has been so inspirational so I am happy to make some suggestions!!! Yay for OOT bags, I am so excited for my guests to get them, it is going to me hard to wait the 7 months!!!!!!

That is so exciting Janet!!!!!!!! Will you be sharing pictures with us before your wedding!?!

HAHA!!!! I was like WOW, I didn't know Kate Spade did manicure sets!!!!!

What company are you booked with? Ours has to be same departure city as well but I didn't see anything about the same room class. If you booked through a TA I would look into contacting the tour operator directly and see if they can do anything for you. I heard from one friend that they knew of a TA who never gave groups their free trips and took them for herself/friends/family. SO awful. It would be worht contacting the company to find out the true "rules and regulations" I hope you get it sorted out! Who are you booked with?! The original provider we looked at had the first class upgrade for the Bride and Groom which I thought would be so nice, sadly we didn't go with them so well be travelling coach

I am excited to hear what you find!!! Have fun!!!!!

I posted them in the February 2012 Brides thread!!! I look forward to hearing how your adventure goes!!!! We went over Thursday afternoon and came home Friday afternoon we were very busy and running here there and everywhere but it was really fun and great to be finished!!!

I highly recommend Katya Nova, she is a photojournalistic type of photographer and is located in Punta Cana!!! katyanova.com

Nikki these look amazing!!!!! Your guests are going to be so pleased!!!! Can I ask where you got your swirls and stuff around your "W" I love your monogram!!!

I was thinking I would do the waterproof stickers but I think we will just leave them, I wanted to just put peoples names on them so that they wouldn't get confused but I maybe went a little overboard on my other OOT items so I may need to cut back on printing......

That is so exciting!!! I did get the dollar tree bags, it took 5 dollar trees 3 with no success, 1 with only 1 bags and the last stop had 34 bags so I lucked in. The only reason we went to the last one was because we saw a lady in another store with one of the bags (as her purse) and asked her when and where she got it, she had bought it the day before and was able to tell us the location and that they had more than 1 so that was a huge score!!! Here is where I picked up some great finds Big Lots - never been here before but glad I went in -individual gatorade packages box of 8 for $2 (couldn't get these at 4 grocery stores, 2 targets and 1 walmart so was very excited, just be sure to check expiry dates as my wedding is 7 mos out I had to keep thinking of that for any meds etc.) -8 notebooks for $2 -8 bic crystal pens for $0.95 -4 2oz hand santizers (2 in each pack with aloe) for $1.50 Walmart -Bubba Kegs!!!!!!! My best find 32oz kegs for $6.22 (regular $15+ in canada) and 18oz tumblers for $4.98 (regular $11+ in canada) -pepto chewable tablets, I first bought the 12 tablets packs because I was going to leave them in the boxes and give one per bags but I couldnt find enough. These were $1.72 for 12 tablets, I ended up getting the 48 packs (walmart or target) for $4.49 - better deal and I am just going to put 2 sheets (12 tablets) in each bag -Tums 3 rolls for $1.92 Target -key card holder zipper proof water resistant pouches pink, blue, green and grey $1 bin -mini altoids (mints) $0.99 -Advil 10ct travel packs $1.97 -face cloths 8 pack for $3.49 (I have read on trip advisor that our hotel has hand towels but no face cloths, just thought it would be nice addition) -Blistex with 15SPF $0.84 each -Nail polish remover wipes individaully wrapped 10 pack for $2.69 -Shout wipes larger 12 pack for $2.69 -Johnson & Johnson First Aid kits (also available at Walmart) $0.97 I posted pictures on another thread, let me know if there is anything you would like to see!!!!!! The dollar stores were also a great resource but with Walmart and Target being .97 or .99 on most of their travel stuff they were actually a BETTER deal and they are brand name which my mom was happy about! LOL

Hey ladies, I made my trip to the US this past week and lucked in big time at walmart with Bubba Mugs!!!!! I first went in the aisle with the travel mugs and found 2 black 34oz mugs...ok FI and his BM are done.... walked to the end of the row and on the end cap found 2 more.... ok well at least the guys in the wedding party will have them. Walking past the outdoor dishes etc aisle I thought I would take a peek down and I hit Bubba Keg heaven, a whole centre section dedicated to BUBBAS!!!!!! I had a lot of trouble deciding but in the end we went with the 34oz kegs for the wedding party (girls and guys) and our parents, for our guests we went with the 18pz tumblers. They had the larger sizes as well. unfortunately no 20oz kegs but I figured the tumblers people will be able to use for coffee when they get home too. 34oz kegs were - $6.22 ad the 18oz tumbler were $4.98 a note to other brides, the tumblers are designed for hot & cold and the kegs are designed for cold ONLY.... didn't notice this while I was staring at the wall of bubbas for 30 minutes trying to make my decision but FI noticed as soon as I showed him. Just a thought. We think they will probably work for hot as well as will probably do a test but just thought I'd share. They have such fun colours too, different from the bubba keg website. Here is a photo of the styles I picked up!!!!

I am so pleased to say that I have basically FINISHED my OOT bags. My mom and I made a trip to the US Thursday and Friday and we made some MAJOR scores. We are "slightly" over what we budgeted for but I got 50% of the items I wanted to put in for significantly cheaper than I expected to spend. About $800 later.... (we got EVERYTHING) I crossed the border DUTY FREE!!!!!! For the first 20 minutes driving home I kept saying to mom, are you sure they didn't want us to pay duty??? Are the police going to come for me?! The boarder guard actually laughed at me when I told him I was shopping for my wedding goodie (didn't think he'd understand OOT) bags and that I had spent $800!!!!! Honesty pays off ladies!!!!! Anyways just had to share, because FI just doesn't get as excited as you guys do!!! I also was able to track down the infamous dollar tree beach bags!!!! Thanks to mom's persistence and 5 Dollar Trees we were able to track down 35 of them, 34 at one store... obviously the last one we tried lol Here are a few pictures off all my OOT

Love the one strap with the rosettes, looking for something similar to this! Great find!!!!

I believe it was mentioned those were from littlethingsfavors

So I am back from my trip to the US and man do we have the short end of the stick, I FINISHED my OOT bags, there are a few things a need a couple more of but all the major items are done and I am so excited. That being said I felt very sad for all my fellow Canadian brides and wanted to post every two seconds to ask if anyone needed anything!!!! If anyone is able to make a trip I would highly recommend it, very worth while and though a big hit on our bank account well worth it!! So excited to be DONE!!!!