AllieH

oh Betsy, good luck with all of that!! the words of wisdom for the name change - mail your SS name change first, then driver's license and passport. the next hardest thing was getting it changed on my car loan. the bank accounts & credit cards were really easy. and of course changing it at work required an act of congress (ok, not really - they just wanted to see the new social security card). guard your original marriage certificate carefully!! it isn't replaceable. on another note... 211 days until we return to EDR. *sigh* I just needed something to look forward to, so am starting the countdown waaay early. Quote: Originally Posted by Feb2013 Oh yeah I am sure it is going to be hell... I go by the nickname Betsy but Elizabeth is my legal name so that is a hassle with all the different applications that we have some have a Betsy profile, others Elizabeth, or some have both. My Betsy profile has limitations and the Elizabeth profile has access to everything but what the Betsy profile has access to I just can't win. We just did an upgrade on one of the Apps to a couple things recently that it dropped using our names to using our company employee ID and my access was all screwed up b/c for the last 7 years I have had two different profiles. LOL! It will only get worst with the name change.

those are pretty cool! you can buy paper that is glitter on one side and flat on the other. assemble them like any other paper crafting or scrapbook cards. if you have somewhere like a Paper Source near by, that'd be an easy place to start - if you aren't already into crafting! another source might be etsy, I'm sure you could find someone who'd make them for you (for a price).

Hi Carla, welcome to BDW!! Many brides who choose Mexico for their DW will also choose to have the legal portion of the marriage done back at home, and just have a symbolic ceremony in Mexico. good luck, and happy planning!

Hi Julie, welcome to BDW! I don't have any experience or words of wisdom for Moon Palace, but you can probably find the info you need on the Moon Palace threads in the Mexico/Riviera Maya section of the forums. good luck, and happy planning!

gorgeous! congratulations on your marriage!

hi there! welcome to the forum! there's a really cool hotel that we looked at when we briefly considered FL: http://postcardinn.com/st-pete-beach-weddings-venues/ You may also want to consider Siesta or Longboat Key too - both are south of St. Pete, and just beautiful! If you're looking for a more traditional hotel in St Pete, there's always the Loews's Don Cesar http://www.loewshotels.com/Don-CeSar-Hotel I don't have any specific information on prices or other vendors, as we quickly decided against FL for our destination wedding. Good luck with all of your planning!

oh, the name change-game. soooo much fun! NOT. Good luck - I hope you get your certificate soon!!

I brought everything and the kitchen sink... but I'm a card-carrying member of overpackers anonymous! they do have blow dryers in every room - mine worked fine for me until it overheated (they are typical hotel dryers..if you have longish or thick hair, you may have to put it down to cool in between the drying). they also have irons in the rooms. I ended up taking quite a bit of dressy clothes (dresses and such) and didn't wear them. We went through our sunscreen really quickly though - and it was crazy expensive in the gift shop!! so make sure you overestimate how much you'll need. we didn't eat most of the snacks we took with us because room service was always available. we went through a few protein bars when we needed fast snacks. I used my travel cup a LOT during our stay - but not everyone did. my husband wished we had brought a koozie for the beer cans a few times though. we brought floats for the pool, but never even inflated them - there were several in our swim-up area already that others had left, so we just used those. those are the things that come to mind... hope that helps! Quote: Originally Posted by LKocelko Can't believe we are leaving the week after next!! Where did all the time go?? We're starting to put together a packing list, and I wanted to see if there was anything past brides which they had brought that they didn't, or feel they could've left behind. I'm a classic overpacker (I'd rather have it and not use it than wish I'd brought it!) so I'm trying to make sure I don't get too out of hand. For example, I'm sure there are blow dryers in each of the rooms? I'm already getting worried about the luggage situation with all our wedding crap.

WOOHOOOOOO!!! You look gorgeous Gail, and I'm so glad you are enjoying it. Happy wedding!!!!

I agree Danielle - the dress is really gorgeous!! they did a great job with it. and yes, minor fixes, but hey, overall you still saved a boatload of $$.

congratulations Amanda!! The luxury suites in buildings 1 - 5 are really nice. They were finishing them when we were there in November. You get the view (they are right on the beach), and the convenience too. They are right by the Health Bar, and close to the JoJos & La Isla. Plus there's a swim up on the bottom floors. I would do those over a an ocean view or ocean front. your GI travel agent should have some upgrades to give out - you can ask if they have any available for sure! we booked a regular casita, and our TA upgraded us to the swim up casita for our entire stay as a wedding gift. we looooooved our swim up casita!!!

WOOHOOO!!!!!! Gail - I hope your day is extra special. You will LOVE EDR.

oh no!! don't let them make you feel bad. you look like a gorgeous princess in that dress. it's going to be a truly magical day

what a wonderful story, and a memorable proposal!! I want to wish you both all the best as you begin your lives together. and thank you both for your service to our country.

We did a half day snorkel tour that we booked through Lomas. That's all our lazy butts did other than the wedding! Xplor is a big park I think like Xcaret. So if you are wanting to go, then do buy your tickets ahead and get that planned out. I'd go ahead and add the shuttle service from EDR too since it'll pick you up in the morning and bring you back at the right times. EDR has a shuttle to Playa, but it ran at weird times. It's just a ride into the town itself, not to any of the parks or start points for the excursions. My husband ended up taking the taxi to/from Playa the couple of times they went into town.

Have you thought about the AB's sister hotels El Dorado Royale, El Dorado Maroma or El Dorado Seaside Suites? I can vouch for EDR as an awesome resort for a honeymoon! Very romantic, fantastic service, great food too.

Have you thought about the AB's sister hotels El Dorado Royale, El Dorado Maroma or El Dorado Seaside Suites? I can vouch for EDR as an awesome resort for a honeymoon! Very romantic, fantastic service, great food too.

I love it!!!! it makes it about you & your relationship together, which is what the ceremony is about to begin with. As long as it comes from the heart, you can't go wrong. We did something similar - said our personal vows before the traditional "to have and to hold" vows. We each wrote our own personal vows, and didn't know what they said until we said them to each other. It was by far one of the most memorable parts of the ceremony. So make the ceremony uniquely yours, and don't worry about what someone else things is or isn't right to say - it's your day, your marriage. Do what's right for you!

I love it!!!! it makes it about you & your relationship together, which is what the ceremony is about to begin with. As long as it comes from the heart, you can't go wrong. We did something similar - said our personal vows before the traditional "to have and to hold" vows. We each wrote our own personal vows, and didn't know what they said until we said them to each other. It was by far one of the most memorable parts of the ceremony. So make the ceremony uniquely yours, and don't worry about what someone else things is or isn't right to say - it's your day, your marriage. Do what's right for you!

Elissae - I'm officially stalking your thread for photos of your wedding! I saw a peek in the dress thread, and had to hunt down your planning thread. So thrilled for your marriage, and can't wait to hear how it all went!

Elissae - I'm officially stalking your thread for photos of your wedding! I saw a peek in the dress thread, and had to hunt down your planning thread. So thrilled for your marriage, and can't wait to hear how it all went!

I'm glad you had a good time!!! If you think recovery at 26 is rough...wait til 37. Oy! that's why I told my girls I wanted to be in bed by midnight the night before my wedding. luckily we were all yawning by 11:30....old, we're all old dang it!

I'm glad you had a good time!!! If you think recovery at 26 is rough...wait til 37. Oy! that's why I told my girls I wanted to be in bed by midnight the night before my wedding. luckily we were all yawning by 11:30....old, we're all old dang it!

Hi Melanie! Gazebo 55 & the sun: yup, expect it to be in YOUR eyes. My husband moved over a bit to block it for me during the ceremony. We were about 90 minutes before the sunset, and I was blinded by it. I don't think it'll make a lot of difference whether or not you're right under the gazebo either. I'd stick with your 5pm ceremony. I felt rushed doing pics before the sun went down with our timing. The fans - they will put those out on the chairs for you if you're already paying for them to do any set up (generally in the $5 per person set up fee). I'd just ask the onsite WC when you have your meeting with her (they may not charge you if you've already finalized everything...). I found that the onsite WCs were much more generous and cooperative than I expected based on my planning interactions with Lomas. You probably want 2 songs - one for the seating of the guests, and then one for the seating of the mothers. Meet & greet - meet at the beach bar. folks can then swing over to JoJo's or La Isla to get some food. Most of the bars do not have finger food though. The other option is the Martini bar, and folks can then go to D'Italia Villas or Cocotal (or JoJos or La Isla). The Martini bar has the nicer atmosphere IMO, but the Beach Bar screams more "beach" if you know what I mean. The restaurants usually get busy between 7-8pm. I think the outdoor DJ is DJ All Music, right? if so, that's who did ours. and they did all the fades, didn't let the song drag out once we came in, etc. Nothing to worry about with those guys! Just let them know you don't necessarily want the whole song played on those dances, or just tell the dancers to swing out of the dance and take a bow, and hope the DJ will follow that cue You are offered the timeshare tour - but it's easy to say no. They are not supposed to be really pushy about it at all. Our concierge is the one who made this offer, not the folks at check in. They sort of mask it as a "tour of the Presidential Suite", just FYI. None of our guests said anything about it actually. Yes, the staff was in white shirts & khaki pants for our wedding. We didn't do any giveaways. that said - I did see quite a few neat things in the EDR gift shop that were reasonably priced. from tequila to coffee to carved stone. I didn't do my make up at the spa, so I don't have any wisdom for you there! They do have a number of books and such if you are still hunting for inspiration for your hair on the wedding day. With the hour thing - I don't know if they enforce it or not. I don't think they did for our friends who stayed at other resorts and came on for the few hours for the wedding. I wouldn't expect them to be pushy about it (or anything else really). Don't panic - it'll all come together just fine!!! You will have a beautiful dream wedding in paradise.

Hi Melanie! Gazebo 55 & the sun: yup, expect it to be in YOUR eyes. My husband moved over a bit to block it for me during the ceremony. We were about 90 minutes before the sunset, and I was blinded by it. I don't think it'll make a lot of difference whether or not you're right under the gazebo either. I'd stick with your 5pm ceremony. I felt rushed doing pics before the sun went down with our timing. The fans - they will put those out on the chairs for you if you're already paying for them to do any set up (generally in the $5 per person set up fee). I'd just ask the onsite WC when you have your meeting with her (they may not charge you if you've already finalized everything...). I found that the onsite WCs were much more generous and cooperative than I expected based on my planning interactions with Lomas. You probably want 2 songs - one for the seating of the guests, and then one for the seating of the mothers. Meet & greet - meet at the beach bar. folks can then swing over to JoJo's or La Isla to get some food. Most of the bars do not have finger food though. The other option is the Martini bar, and folks can then go to D'Italia Villas or Cocotal (or JoJos or La Isla). The Martini bar has the nicer atmosphere IMO, but the Beach Bar screams more "beach" if you know what I mean. The restaurants usually get busy between 7-8pm. I think the outdoor DJ is DJ All Music, right? if so, that's who did ours. and they did all the fades, didn't let the song drag out once we came in, etc. Nothing to worry about with those guys! Just let them know you don't necessarily want the whole song played on those dances, or just tell the dancers to swing out of the dance and take a bow, and hope the DJ will follow that cue You are offered the timeshare tour - but it's easy to say no. They are not supposed to be really pushy about it at all. Our concierge is the one who made this offer, not the folks at check in. They sort of mask it as a "tour of the Presidential Suite", just FYI. None of our guests said anything about it actually. Yes, the staff was in white shirts & khaki pants for our wedding. We didn't do any giveaways. that said - I did see quite a few neat things in the EDR gift shop that were reasonably priced. from tequila to coffee to carved stone. I didn't do my make up at the spa, so I don't have any wisdom for you there! They do have a number of books and such if you are still hunting for inspiration for your hair on the wedding day. With the hour thing - I don't know if they enforce it or not. I don't think they did for our friends who stayed at other resorts and came on for the few hours for the wedding. I wouldn't expect them to be pushy about it (or anything else really). Don't panic - it'll all come together just fine!!! You will have a beautiful dream wedding in paradise.