AllieH

safe travels and happy wedding Kim!!!!!

Karisma is the parent company, and it's the name that the resorts are under (Azul, Generations and El Dorado resorts). Lomas is owned by Karisma, and is the travel agency & wedding planning arm. You don't have to fork out thousands and thousands of dollars. If you just want a ceremony, and then a dinner in one of the restaurants or a small, private dinner, they can help you with that. But they will need to reserve the wedding ceremony location, and a dinner location if you want something private. If you haven't booked, they may be wanting to book you with their travel agents if they think you don't have your own. I don't know the reason here - just guessing. In this situation, I'd let them know you have a travel agent, and you will be booking travel in the near future. Right now you want to put down a deposit to reserve the wedding space(s). It may be different for Canadian TA's & brides, but that's what I would suggest trying next.

I like Land's End's swim suits. They can be pricey - but I try to get them on sale. I have 3 or 4 of theirs over the last few years, and only 1 has stretched out where I can't wear it (the oldest one - maybe 6 years old??). I like that they have plenty of sizes and styles - petite, misses and plus. Worth the price!

well that's interesting. I haven't heard of this with Karisma before. In fact, we put down our deposit for our wedding w/ Lomas before we booked our group. I'd tell them who the TA is (copy him/her on the email), and let them know the price is too high right now and that's why it isn't booked. maybe that can help pressure the price while you wait? worst case - are you 100% set on the date? it may not matter if you have any flexibility at all on the date. wait to book the wedding until you book the travel itself?

welcome to BDW!

take a deep breath!!!! I'm answering assuming you're a US bride. I'm not sure if the same amenities for weddings apply to Canadian and European brides. I added some info below for you.

I can help with the first question - yes they will do an iPod of ceremony music for you. just label the songs for when you want them played: guest seating parents seating groom/groomsmen entrance bridesmades bride walk and then parts of the ceremony where you want it played. it sounds great! as for the flowers and linens - my guess is they want you to choose these ahead of time so they can have them at the resort for you. I would choose what you think is close to what you want, and then work it out with the onsite coordinators (you'll meet with them the day after you arrive).

there should be a good breeze on the beach - 80 will be nice!

welcome to BDW! there's so much to see/do in the Orlando area (it's my hometown). the OOT could be favors, or you could do something separate as "the wedding favor" like a wine bottle topper, ornament, or various other trinkets. it's really up to you! you could include things in the OOT bags like sunscreen, hand fans, cooling bandanas, and a tote bag to be carried around the parks themselves for your guests. it's really about including things you think your guests will use while they are on their trip. snacks, basic medication (aspirin, anti-diarrhea, etc.) - there's a lot of options out there.

is it weird that I totally did a drive-by to see Bridals by Lori here in Atlanta...? I have a friend who just got engaged, and I'm so hoping that she'll want to go there. and take me with her! lol no pressure or anything...

Hi there @@Brod63 -welcome to BDW! I got married in November, and we chose the date because the chance of a hurricane is much less than choosing October. There wasn't a hurricane in Mexico, but there was one in NYC! (who would have guessed?!?!). You can't rule out a hurricane in November even though the chances are pretty small. I would suggest getting travel insurance though, just in case. not only in case of a hurricane - you never know what can happen. and spending that much $$ on a wedding-moon, it's better to be safe than sorry.

we did the surf & turf (filet w/ lobster tail) and the pork chop w/ cherry glaze. my vegetarian folks had a pasta dish. our guests are STILL talking about the food and how good it was. let's see if these work...

start posting! before you know it, you're an old married hag like me who still hangs around reliving wedding memories.

Aruba is absolutely stunning!! I can't wait to go back. I don't have any advice for you - but I think of Aruba as one of those destinations where all inclusive isn't absolutely necessary. there are plenty of restaurant options and the island is easy to navigate. I would tend to think doing an off-resort wedding is the way to go, but I have zero knowledge of alternate venues, etc. Sorry!!! Best of luck with the planning.

the other point in favor of using a TA is that in doing a room block & group deal you can get perks and incentives that you wouldn't get if they all book individually. that could be free rooms, free events, or $$ back that you can then use towards a bigger event. I'll second a recommendations for Wright Travel. Not only are they a great TA, they know destination weddings. So it's a two-fer: travel agents that can tell you what each resort/company has available for weddings (not all TAs really know destinations weddings). good luck with the planning!

welcome to BDW!! when I read "coastal", it reminded me of the 2015 HGTV dream home - maybe check out their webpage for ideas on decor, coastal without tropical looks, etc? I love, love your ideas of organic & local. I can't wait to see how everything comes together for you.

@@helenk - beautiful dress!!! @@pykx82 - this dress is gorgeous. will work for so many locations!

@@hanaefaith - several AS & EDR brides have done the BBQ and all have raved about it. I don't think there have been too many Generations brides just yet on BDW. We did a pick & choose dinner at EDR and it was fantastic. I don't think you can go wrong when it comes to food at any of the Karisma resorts.

We've used Cancun Transfers just for transportation, and were happy with them. Also Olympic Tours or Lomas are two more tour operators there in Cancun that I've had experience with and would suggest looking into.

welcome to BDW!! the BDR is a great opportunity to see EDR, and all the wedding options. I wish we had done it. Have you been to EDR before? You may also want to check out the official EDR thread - link is in my signature. I'm pretty sure there's a picture of the garden gazebo in there. let us know if we can answer any questions for you.

WOW!!!! those are amazing! I can't wait to see more.

welcome to BDW!!! @@acw271011 has it right! it can be as complicated/expensive (or not) as you want it to be. most DW hardcore planning with the resort starts about 90 days out from your wedding. I'd definitely use the forums here to get more info about the resorts and your options, but try not to stress about longer response times right now. you have some of the big decisions made, and the rest is details. Riu is very used to weddings, and I have no doubt that it'll all come together beautifully for you.

ha - anytime @@Surfingsara !! a dear friend of mine had a very small DW with about 12. she chose to have a ceremony and then a lovely meal on a terrace by the beach, no reception or dancing necessary. they spend the entire week with their guests - some did excursions, some didn't. it was perfect for them! beautiful settings don't require a ton of icing. very simple is also beautiful.

just want to add - don't feel that just because other brides have done x, that you HAVE to do x too "because all DW brides do x". x being key card holders, OOT bags, wrapped lights around poles, a huge cake - all of it. it's been my experience that guests will enjoy whatever you put together, and won't simply DIE if your wedding doesn't include x. it's YOUR wedding, make it your own and do it your way (well you & your FI). prioritize spending based on what's most important for you, and go from there. it doesn't have to be elaborate or pinterest-detailed/extravagant. just my $0.02 worth - keep the change!

welcome to BDW!!