AllieH

I don't remember the timing, but they should be able to share the menu they have now with you. I believe you choose from the regular Cocotal dinner menu. I looked through my files, but I don't have it here at home or I'd send it to you!

I'm excited for you Shannon!!!! If you can, take a list of all of your decorations/wedding items that you have for them to set up, and directions for where you want it. I had a couple of last minute phone calls on our wedding day from the WC asking about where I wanted this or that. Ok - really glad they asked, but at that point, it didn't matter lol Also, if you are brining an iPod for the ceremony, make sure you have the songs all labeled for the events - guest seating, parent seating, bridal party walk, groom walk, bride walk, etc. rather than the names of the songs. It'll be easier for them to know when to switch to the songs. lastly, if you see a bartender named Victor from NYC, tell him Steve & Allison said hello! Most importantly - enjoy every moment. know that there will be hiccups or something that could have been done differently, but it won't change the big picture. You're getting married, surrounded by family and friends. Happy wedding!!!!!

Yes, we had a choice of 2 entrees from their menu, an appetizer, salad and dessert that we chose before hand. They were supposed to offer a 3rd choice - vegetarian - for two of our guests, but that was overlooked or my guests didn't ask about it even though I told them to. And then they brought out a few filets to pass around for kicks lol EDR would have printed up menus just for our group choices, but I had already done that. The food was really good, and we had the restaurant pretty much to ourselves - not bad for 6:30pm on a Saturday night. They set up 4 big tables of 8 along the back for us.

Update: items are available if shipped within US only; unfortunately a buyer was hit with additional duty/tax when I shipped to Canada at buyer's request. Items still available: if you're interested, please PM me. will consider offers too. 7 orange pintuck table runners - $20 1 Steel Drum Wedding songs CD - $5 3 orange & white twine spools - GOBS of twine on each spool - $3 each 4 LED flicker battery operated lights - $2 for all 4 1 orange star paper parasol - $7 23 orange paper fans - $23 turquoise raffia ribbon, 47 yards, $4 light blue & orange stationary (5x8), 400 sheets, will break into lots of approximately 100 if needed - $6 per 100, or $20 for all Paper Source “Pool” double faced satin ribbon, 10 yards, $3 50 paper/wood envelopes – these would be cute for holding the fans or a note - $10 for all Orange paper lanterns - 10 tiny (used as aisle markers), 5 small, 15 medium, 2 large - $40 for all Turquoise - 13 small, 15 medium, 2 large - $30 for all Misc. shells: 1 gallon ziploc full of medium sized shells, 1 quart ziploc, 1/2 full, smaller shells. $10 for all

Hi Lori - congrats on your engagement and upcoming marriage. I'm not sure which part of Mexico you are thinking about, but my impression is that if you stick to the major tourist areas, you will be fine. Be sure to have transportation to/from the airport/resort prearranged for you & your guests - this should avoid these issues. As with any location, bad things can, and sometimes do happen. I'd treat Mexico like any major US city - pay attention to your surroundings, stay with the group, and be really cautious if you venture off the resort (go with a reputable tour company or through your resort). Do your research as you choose a location and a resort, and it should be fine. Good luck with all of your planning!

thank you Mary!!

Mine is still in the bag hanging in my closet. I'm not planning to preserve it, but I do want to do a "day after" shoot sometime this spring. I haven't even taken it to the cleaners yet... I knew I wouldn't leave it behind though. It was easy enough to roll it up and stuff it in one of our empty suitcases (that we used to take our OOT bag stuff down in). Have you thought about trying to sell it? Or better yet, donate it to another bride? A friend of mine has a fledgling "Wedding Dress Project" where they are taking donated dresses and sharing them with brides who maybe can't afford a dress or have another need. It isn't a charity, just a site to connect brides. Here's her website in case this is something that interests you: http://theweddingdressproject.webs.com/

We got all of our photos a couple of days ago (all 800!!!). I've now posted a review, including pics of the ceremony & reception sets up, and our reception food. Just thought I'd share it with the EDR brides! http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/el-dorado-casitas-royale-by-karisma-all-inclusive/reviews/6756

hey ladies!! how was your first holidays as a married couple?? Ours were quiet, and just wonderful. We elected to stay home rather than fly to see family we just saw 7 weeks ago... smart decision. We did FaceTime with them though so we could watch the kids open their gifts. looking forward to NYE!

They will give you a spreadsheet to fill out where you basically tell them when you want the events to happen, and in what sequence (and what songs you want for each event). Then they run everything for you - it was super easy! All I had to do was enjoy it, which I did. I think they had 3 guys total there, but the price includes at least 2 (1 DJ, and 1 MC). So you have someone to make all of the announcements and such too. I can send you the blank spreadsheet if you'd like to take a look at it. Just PM me your email address.

Cherina - my (now) husband & I did a half day snorkeling trip for just the two of us just before the wedding (a dumb idea - I was worried about sunburn the entire time!). We didn't plan anything for the group. Some of them chose to go on excursions through the resort, and some chose to just hang around the resort with us. Either way was just fine! We wanted them to enjoy their vacation however they chose - busy, or relaxed. After the wedding, we were beach/pool bums and relaxed at the resort.

Riz - yes, we used them for our Nov 5th wedding. We were very happy with them overall. If I can answer any questions, please let me know. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Choosing 1 thing is tough!! This one is broad - all of my friends keep talking about how much FUN the whole wedding weekend was. That's what really mattered to us (besides the marriage!) - they spent a lot of money to be there, so it was a huge relief that they really enjoyed themselves. There were so many special moments and things the wedding day itself, but the days before and after with friends had just as many wonderful memories.

beautiful!!!! congratulations

YAY!! the next 58 (ish) days will fly by. enjoy every moment - the planning, the trip, the travel, the wedding, the honeymoon. your plans look AMAZING, and I can't wait to see how everything unfolds.

Update: items are available if shipped within US only; unfortunately a buyer was hit with additional duty/tax when I shipped to Canada at buyer's request. Items still available: if you're interested, please PM me. will consider offers too. 100 orange organza sashes (still available!) $25 7 orange pintuck table runners - $20 1 Steel Drum Wedding songs CD - $5 3 orange & white twine spools - GOBS of twine on each spool - $3 each 4 LED flicker battery operated lights - $2 for all 4 1 orange star paper parasol - $7 23 orange paper fans - $23 turquoise raffia ribbon, 47 yards, $4 light blue & orange stationary (5x8), 400 sheets, will break into lots of approximately 100 if needed - $6 per 100, or $20 for all Paper Source “Pool” double faced satin ribbon, 10 yards, $3 50 paper/wood envelopes – these would be cute for holding the fans or a note - $10 for all Orange paper lanterns - 10 tiny (used as aisle markers), 5 small, 15 medium, 2 large - $40 for all Turquoise - 13 small, 15 medium, 2 large - $30 for all Misc. shells: 1 gallon ziploc full of medium sized shells, 1 quart ziploc, 1/2 full, smaller shells. $10 for all Shell collection (note I'm keeping onto the partially full gallon bag in the upper left corner):

My dress was ivory, and I originally wanted him in an ivory shirt. He waited and waited to get a shirt, until I gave up on that battle, and just let him pick out a white shirt he wanted . I do think the difference in his white shirt and my ivory dress was noticeable, but in the bigger picture of the whole wedding, I don't feel it made a huge difference. The photos still look amazing. So just do what works for you

I got my decals from Davet Designs: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DavetDesigns They've been through the dishwasher a couple of times, and are holding up just fine!

Hi - I don't think I got a PM from you. if you are still interested, please let me know! thanks!

Mine were fake, and none of our guests realized it until I told them (and they looked at them really closely). Now they are in a vase in our room, and I get to look at them every day - great memories!

so funny EV - when my topper came in, I almost showed my (then) FI, and then remembered he hadn't seen the dress!! I can't wait to see how yours turns out. love that you've incorporated your personalities!

Hi Jenny, If you do the legal ceremony in Mexico, you will still need to take your Mexico documents and file them in the US to make it legal here. So it requires a trip to the courthouse or city hall either way. Between that, the blood test, the additional costs (translation, blood tests, etc.) and the 3 business day requirement, it seems most US citizens choose to do the legal paperwork in the US, and have a symbolic ceremony in Mexico. The Karisma resorts give you a "wedding certificate" to sign during the ceremony, so you don't necessarily have to tell anyone that's not the legal ceremony. here's Lomas' website on the requirements: http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/requirements/ We did the symbolic in Mexico, and legal in US. And ended up with 3 trips to the clerk's office/courthouse: 1 to get our license, 1 visit to the judge, and then the 3rd to file the certificate with the clerk's office, and get certified copies. We chose not to advertise that we had our legal day a couple of weeks before we left for Mexico. Hope that helps!! Quote: Originally Posted by JennyBenz Also, do you happen to know anything about the legal ceremony in Mexico, and if it's legal in the US? I see you're in Canada, so not sure if you'd know, but I'm at a loss here. Everyone i talk to seems to give me a different answer. If it won't be recognized in NY, I would rather just do a symbolic ceremony. I heard somewhere all we have to do is get the Mexican wedding license registered at our city hall and it's legal in US, but not sure if this is true & it's really the only step I'd have to do. I appreciate the help, if you can =) Thanks!!!

When they hemmed my dress, they didn't cut the fabric off the bottom actually. So it could still be let out if I sell it to someone taller. You could just ask your seamstress if that's feasible before she cuts.

thank you!! it was a lot of fun.

I sent out "thank you for booking" notes - just handwritten notes on our stationary. I wish I had thought about reminding them when final payments were due! That's a great idea!