AllieH

ok ladies, I've got my wedding stuff packed - 2 suitcases to check, and a 3rd suitcase going to a friend to bring with her. Tomorrow we'll get all of our clothes and such packed. Then a day and a half of work, and I'm outta here!

thank you!! I'd have a ton more DIY if we were doing a wedding locally. as it is, we have a total of 4 suitcases of wedding stuff. 1 went with my mom, a friend is bringing 1, and we're bringing 2. plus our 2 big suitcases of clothes, my ginormous dress, and our carry on bags. I did quickie table numbers too, and a typography mini-poster that I saw on pinterest and recreated. I didn't take a pic of the table numbers before I packed them, but I'll post pics when we get back (my photog will capture all of those details I hope). here's the typography I copied (I'll post a pic of my version later as well): We leave Wednesday! YAY!

Yeah, Valeria quoted and let another bride (Nikki/MrsWolfert maybe?) pay for her set up ahead of time I think. I am working with Natalia, and couldn't get a reasonable fee from her to pay ahead so I dropped the subject.

guilty I don't have a bridal party though, it'll just be me & my mom in the salon. our appointments are at noon for a 4pm wedding. here's how the day is set: noon - mom & Allison to salon (they tried to schedule it at 1pm. uhm, no!) 2:30pm - first look 3:45pm - to gazebo 4pm - ceremony 4:30pm - 5:45ish - photos for B&G and family, cocktail for guests 6pm 10pm - dinner/reception so I have the morning to hang out with friends and such.

This is the million dollar question!! It seems to be different from bride to bride. I tried to force them to quote me ahead of time, and they gave me a really outrageous number. I've heard it's $150 flat fee to hang the paper lanterns from Tucanes, and then they may or may not charge you to set up additional items. We have the following items for set up: paper lanterns (Tucanes & Gazebo 55) aisle markers (paper lanterns w/ ribbon) parasols (for Gazebo) chair sashes for both table runners for Tucanes shells & sand with their vases for centerpieces menu/thank you card for Tucanes place cards for Tucanes guest book/mad libs cupcake toppers paper fans & tissue packs for ceremony personalized napkins & striped straws for the bar at Tucanes My goal is to get it all in for the $150 fee. We'll see how that goes!! I will let you know in a week or two what happens with us.

that sounds like a fun weekend!!!

I have a couple of websites for chair sashes for under $1 each. If you're interested in them, I can PM the info to you. I got mine from another BDW bride, which was an even bigger bargain! You have plenty of time for the centerpieces and such. Don't sweat it. I would advise you to decide fairly quickly if you want a private event, and if so, where you want it. The popular places (Gazebo 55 for the ceremony and Tucanes for the dinner/reception) book up fast. We requested them 9 months out, and almost didn't get Tucanes.

that's even more than EDR is charging! day of is $86 for each. I'm just having them do the updo (and doing a rehearsal a few days before, because I am a control freak). I will do my own make up. I've been making friends at Sephora lately!! LISTA_PRECIOS_SPA_CENTRAL_PARA_BODAS.XLSX

thanks for that reassurance Wendy! it's very kind of you to say that and reassure me. and I'll be in bed at 11pm myself...lol my TA already teases me because of how early I crash when we all travel together...

I was going to rent the amplifier/microphone from Lomas for $250. I've heard other brides have used a BOSE system with good results, but that's about the same price as renting one, plus you then get to take it down there and bring it back. We had the same concerns with a system though - needed to be loud enough to be a real party in that particular space (not just background music).

YAY Congratulations!!! I so remember being right where you are now. You will get a WC assigned -probably Natalia or Valeria, as they seem to do most of the WC for EDR. I think a private dinner/reception is the way to go. Instead of looking at it like you're paying for food at an AI, look at it like you're paying for the wait staff, bartenders and a private space for that 4 hour period. Most of the meal options are fairly inexpensive (especially when compared to what similar service would cost at a reception in the US). You won't be able to have an iPod with dancing without some sort of private event (cocktail or dinner/reception). When we were choosing the packages, we looked at all the "buy up" package inclusions, and decided we didn't really want most of those things. For us, it made more sense to spend the $$ on our room (Casita) vs. decorations and stuff for the wedding that we really didn't want to begin with. So we are doing the Free Sweet wedding package, with just a few add ons. You are correct though, the little add ons start adding up quickly! Have you looked at Lomas' Wedding site with the choices for the add ons, packages, and banquet kit?

Sorry Wendy - it certainly isn't aimed at you personally by ANY means.

yeah and let me just selfishly say how un-thrilled I am about this. I've heard service nightmares from other EDR guests who have been there when there's a huge group like this. And I'm betting it means the GIVC group will have the upgrades, and not my guests (or ME!). I'm hoping bridezilla doesn't have to make an appearance to get everything taken care of as it should be. On the upside, my own TA is joining us because of this. Still...ugh..added stress...

Yes, I did this for our guests. I just used printed cardstock, printed & cut out all of the names, and then stamped/cut out the shape on the top left corner. The starfish or shell indicate the entree choice, and I have a "key" that I will give to the onsite coordinator. Most of our guests chose the beef entree (starfish), I have 2 vegetarian options (blue swirl shell, in the middle, 2nd one back), and 5 who chose pork (blue scallop shell towards the back of the left side). here's what mine look like: Office supply stores have print at home place cards and you can get a stamp set from Paper Source that has a cow, pig, fish and carrot to indicate the entree choice. I think it's certainly a possibility that guests will not put their cards out, but at least I tried!

This time next week we'll be on the plane!!! I got really emotional on the way into work this morning - heard the song that I'm going to dance to with my dad. Talk about reality... ok I love the wand for you - PERFECT and fun!!! I need one too lol

noooo such thing as "too much" when it comes to THE dress girl. this is YOUR DAY (ok, yours & your FI's, but really - YOURS). Wear what makes you feel beautiful. What you can picture yourself walking down the aisle wearing. Remember that smile you had when you put the dress on. and go back and try it on again...as many times as you need to. it's stunning, really. and fabulous on you.

Elissae - with the sash, and either sewn or the bow. I love, LOVE the dress, but the sash just adds a wonderful pop, and accentuates your waist. ChocoTaco - ohhhh how I love the new dress! it's phenomenal on you!! and how did you get your FI to watch SYTTD?? Mine makes fun of me for "still" watching it even though I bought my dress about a year ago lol He asked the other day if I'd still watch SYTTD after our wedding. uhm, YEAH! goofy boys... DazeyDawl - your dress, WOW. I love it on you!! So many other gorgeous dresses too -I'm so behind in commenting, but know that you all look FABULOUS!

oh no, his dad decided at the last minute that he CAN go. but my FI's grandparents had to buy the plane ticket for him. a grown man can't even plan and save to get to his only son's wedding without help. completely useless!!! someone grant me serenity to be polite to this man, because I will be tempted to tell him off... we had 1 other person cancel last minute, and we'd already paid for that meal. so we'll just substitute his father's meal for the drop out's. still leaves 2 people undecided... amen. amen and amen!!! your day is coming up fast too!

you aren't kidding!!! Steve's dad is now apparently going - money issue. Noooo he hasn't had more than a year to save up or anything. he's such an ass!! The other person is a notorious "last minute lady" - a friend of his mother's. apparently has enough money and doesn't worry about planning. We aren't paying for anything extra, we can't get a refund for it. So I haven't paid for their meals and such... and didn't put together bags for them. If they can't be bothered to plan, neither can I.

I'm getting peppered with final questions from our WC. We still have 3 guests we aren't sure about too. We leave in 9 days...and get married 2 weeks from today. so I 100% agree with your HOLY S!#T comment lol

MrsE - amazing, beautiful wedding!! I love all of the traditions, such a magical celebration.

I'm totally giddy. thanks for all of your help, tips and advice!!!

I am so sorry for your loss. I like the photo of her on a chair, and perhaps a candle (LED or flame) at the reception in her honor. You can also do a photo charm of her on your bouquet. Do you have something of hers you can add to your dress (a heart cut out of the fabric of her favorite dress and sewn into yours, a bit of lace from her dress you could sew into the lining of yours, or something like that)? I agree with the others. Take time to mourn and heal before you dive back into planning.