AllieH

Yay Deborah! I'm glad it got to you. Have an amazing wedding!!

we did cupcakes instead of a cake. I brought the banner toppers and cupcake stand:

here's our table settings. We went simple with the centerpieces - glass vase (rented from the resort), and I brought the rest: votive, sand, shells, starfish, and the glitter wooden shells for a touch of bling.

No, I don't think it's too casual. I wore wedges for the ceremony, which included some sand walking. The wedges worked just perfectly. I switched to flats for the reception and dancing - I knew I wouldn't want to wear the wedges all night.

it's beautiful!!!! congrats on finding "the dress".

how are the rest of you girls doing?? I ended up down 17lbs total for my wedding, and gained about 5 back during my 10-day all inclusive wedding-moon. We were super lazy, and I expected that. I've taken 3 of those back off in the 2 weeks we've been back, and will keep working at it.

Yay Miriam!!! You helped me so much, and I'm thrilled that you are officially helping other brides! Quote: Originally Posted by Tammy Host Hello Everyone, I am happy to report that we have added a new member to the BDW Team (and hope to add more in the near future!). Congratulations to Miriam (Murmel). Miriam has done an amazing job helping Azul Sensatori Brides and will now work on being the Brand Specialist for all of the Karisma Hotels (Azul Sensatori, Azul Beach, Azul Fives, El Droado Maroma, El Dorado Seaside, El Dorado Royal & El Dorado Casitas). She will pretty much continue doing what she has been doing, which is helping BDW brides! Welcome to the BDW Team, Miriam!

well, then in that case I agree with you 100%!! lol I haven't decided what I want to do with my gown. I really think I want to do a day-after or bridal shoot, or a TTD at some point. Mostly because I want to wear it again!!!!! And then I might try to sell it. As much as I love it, I can't see it sitting in a dress coffin in the top of my closet for the rest of my life...

I'm so glad it was fabulous Maridr! I was glad the wedding was over, but not glad to get back home to normal life lol Although now I look at my dress (waiting to go to the cleaners), and I want to wear it all over again! YAY!! I'm so glad it was wonderful for you!! Quote: Originally Posted by jjurkovich I've been back for a few days now...had to get back to normal. Our wedding at Aventura Cove Palace was AMAZING! I could not have asked for anything better. It was windy that day, which was the only thing I would change (but of course couldn't). My coordinator was awesome, the ceremony and reception were beautiful and everyone had a great time. It by far exceeded my expectations! If anyone has any questions, please let me know! I know I was freaking out before we left, but I promise, everything will fall in to place!! I'm happy to answer any questions or give tips on how to make some things go more smoothly, just let me know!

Love your STDs!!! Can't wait to see the rest of your plans.

so how are the rest of the November brides? Who's back, who's just leaving, who's still gone?!

I agree!! the fancier veil yells "LOOK AT THE VEIL!". the simpler veil, with the sash yells "OMG LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL BRIDE".

I haven't said too much about our music, so here goes: We used our iPod for the ceremony. Guest Seating: We used Iz's combination of Somewhere over the rainbow/What a wonderful world Groom Walk: they didn't tell me I could have a separate song for him, so he walked to the guest seating songs! Bride Walk: Just the Way You Are, Silverlake String Quartet Recessional: Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder My MIL hired DJ All Music for our dinner/reception. They gave us a spreadsheet to list all the songs for dances, introduction, party starters, etc. They stuck to our list, and everyone had a fantastic time. Intro: All You Need is Love, The Beatles Dinner: Harry Connick Jr, It Had to Be You Jimmy Buffett, Pencil Thin Mustache Madonna, La Isla Bonita Maroon 5, She Will Be Loved Journey, Open Arms Otis Reding, Sittin on the Dock of the Bay Bliss - John Legend & Teyana Taylor The Ingredients of Love - Musiq Soulchild A Groovy Kind of Love - Phil Collins Hang On to Your Love - Sade Summer Time - Ella Fitgerald Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley Only if for a Night - Floreance and the Machine Feeling Good - Nina Simone Paradise - Coldplay Islands in the Dream - Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want to have fun They played a whole lot more, but I specifically remember hearing these. Dinner was about an hour. We cut the cupcake after the main entree, so before their desserts were served. Cake cutting song: Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard First dance: I won't give up on us, Jason Mraz Father/daughter dance: I had the DJ announce that it wasn't a traditional father/daughter song, but it was the song I remember listening to with my dad as a little girl. This really made everyone mushy over a totally inappropriate (but personal) song choice!! The song was Luckenbach, Texas by Waylon Jennings Mother/son dance: Just the Way You Are, Billy Joel Dancing songs (Now that I think about it, several of the slower songs were moved back to dinner - like Piano Man, Cross my Heart, and some of the others): Party Starters: I'm Comin Out, Pink & Let's Get It Started, BEP Our last song was Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer - one of my all time favorites. The rat of the dancing was a variety of these below: You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC Brick House - The Commodores Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison 1999 - Prince Come on Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners Copacabana - Barry Manilow Dancing Queen - Abba Everybody Have Fun Tonight _ Wang Chung Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc Get Down Tonight - KC & The Sunshine Band Getting' Jiggy With it - Will Smith Grease Megamix - Soundtrack Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice The Twist - Chubby Checker Love Shack - The B-52's New York, new York - Frank Sinatra Proud Mary - Ike & Tina Turner Shout - Isley Brothers Sweet Home Alabama - Lynard Skynard We Are Family - Sister Sledge YMC - The Village People Wild Thing - Tone Loc The Time (Dirty Bit) Black Eyed Peas Firework - Katy Perry Raise Your Glass - Pink Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond Sir Mix a Lot - Baby Got Back George Strait - I Cross My Heart Billy Joel - Piano Man Edwin McCain - I'll Be Rihanna - Don't Stop the Music Rihanna - Umbrella Bob Marly - One Love Jayz & Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind (Warning) Elton John - Your Song Violent Femmes - Blister in the Sun Kool & the Gang - Celebration Rihanna Pon De replay Ellie Goulding Lights Justin Timberlake Headsprung Jay Z Run This town M.I.A/Diplo Cutty Ranks Madonna & Party Rock Give me All your Luvin Nelly Furtado Big Hoops Nicki Minaj Pound the Alarm No Doubt Push and Shove Sean Paul Got 2 Luv U Sean Paul How Deep is your Love Smokey Robinson I second that Emtion Diggy Do it like you Kid Cudi (steve Aoki Remix) Pursuit of happiness Flo Rida Jump Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville U2 beautiful day Michael Jackson PYT So we had a ton of songs, and we didn't hear all of them, but it doesn't matter - the ones they picked were really great. I had lost my voice by the end of the night from singing and dancing!! I have spreadsheets of these if anyone wants them to help with your planning. it had spots for bridal party intro, garter toss, bouquet toss, etc. which are all things we didn't do/have.

thank you!!!!

I will have to count how many lanterns we had - I honestly don't remember lol I would guess somewhere around 40ish. I bought them all from Luna Bazaar. http://www.lunabazaar.com They did a FANTASTIC job with the set up. I had a list, and she went through the bags and then would ask me what I wanted them to do with other things that I forgot on my list, but had packed away. We brought everything in suitcases. We picked up some cheap luggage sets from sales at Macy's, mostly for the big bag, but it also had a couple of smaller suitcases. All I can say is that now we have more luggage than we'll ever need! lol All of the lanterns, parasols, the basket, chair sashes and table runners went in a 29" suitcase that my mom brought. I had all of the OOT bags, paper items and favors with us in 3 smaller suitcases. Coming back, I packed my dress in one bag, tucked that suitcase inside the 29" bag, and then we packed the rest up. In total, we had 6 suitcases - 2 for our clothes, 4 for wedding "stuff", plus my dress. So coming back we had 5 suitcases, and the dress was in one of those bags. I will be working to sell the lanterns, chair sashes, table runners, shells, starfish and the misc. leftovers I have. I'm hoping I'll get them all posted next week

My photog blogged and posted our preview photos: here's the blog: http://www.lotusblossomphotography.net/2012/11/allison-and-steve-el-dorado-resort-mexico-wedding/ and here's the slideshow: http://www.lotusblossomphotography.com/index.html#/slideshows-allisonsteve/ I thought I'd focus on the ones of the resort/set up for this thread: ceremony site (Gazebo 55) - I brought the lanterns, chair sashes and parasols. got the wooden aisle runner from Lomas: Table setting - I brought the votives, table runner, frame w/ table number and all of the shells. Rented the vases from Lomas and they filled with sand ($30 each): The cupcakes - chocolate & vanilla w/ cream cheese icing (YUM). I brought the stand and the cupcake toppers (paper on lollipop sticks - super easy DIY!) FYI - there are pictures of all the food in the slide show. I brought the paper straws w/ banners too: Here's a wide shot of Tucanes - we brought all of the paper lanterns w/ the DIY LEDs. We had enough to go all away around the palapa, and it looked awesome!

My photographer ROCKS!! Here's a link to her blog post/preview: http://www.lotusblossomphotography.net/2012/11/allison-and-steve-el-dorado-resort-mexico-wedding/ And a link to the slideshow: http://www.lotusblossomphotography.com/index.html#/slideshows-allisonsteve/ And here are a few of my favorites: For JayKay - Proof that the blue starfish was in the bouquet at some point!! My favorite getting ready photo: First look - yup, I teared up big time. Our ceremony & guests (Gazebo 55, EDR) A favorite Table settings: