AllieH

May 6th is coming fast! Natalia said Fuentes (Culinary Theater) isn't available for private functions. So they are still holding to that line. She said she's 80% sure Tucanes will become available for us, so we'll wait and see before I go bridezilla on her. Our Mad Libs/Guest Book came today from VistaPrint. checking another item off the list!

hey and welcome to BDW!! My date is just 2 days before yours. how is the planning and DIY coming along?

99 now! how exciting. when did you start the countdown? we're at 223... lol

wow - that's gorgeous!!! I'm going to try...worst thing they can do is say no, right?? I hope they will let you have your reception there. when do you leave for Mexico? did you guys notice that Karisma came out with an updated website? looks so much better, and is better organized.

I'm so glad the meeting went well!! Will you share your ceremony when you get it all laid out? That's an item I forgot to add to my list. We are expecting about 40, and she offered the Health Bar as an alternative. I think we will probably hold that, and then hope Tucanes becomes available. I like the idea of the culinary theater. that sounds like it would be cool!! The Salon is probably a smart choice for the summer. I figured we'd want to enjoy the nice fall air outside, unless it rains. Natalia also corrected me and told me she made the restaurant reservation for the night before, as our rehearsal dinner - whew. bridezilla moment....

hopefully the meeting went well! I didn't see this until a few minutes ago (sorry!). help me NOT blow a gasket here. I finally got an email back from Natalia who informs me while we have the Gazebo 55 for our ceremony, another group has Tucanes booked for dinner, and instead they've made dinner reservations for us at the restaurant. I'm FURIOUS. I requested this over a month ago, and heard nothing. And now all of a sudden my requested location for the reception is booked? She said they "might" cancel and we'll know more next week. So...since I don't want our private reception in a semi-private restaurant, any suggestions for alternative locations?? Ugh, I'm steaming...

everything fell into place - congrats!!!!

great snag!! I'm trying to figure out what else I need to order from China and get it done now so I don't have to worry about it. I think the paper lanterns are next on my list.

Well ladies, I'm at almost 7 months, and decided to sort through my wedding pile and the list of things yet to do. I have: -chair sashes -striped straws -orange basket (for our guestbook/mad lib collection) -various shells and starfish from other BDW brides -my dress, shoes, and longline bra -wedding night lingerie (woot!) -base of our invites and envelopes -monogram postcards -return address labels -inserts for key holders -orange & white twine for various crafts + invite ties -materials to make my veil -starfish & shell stamps for our place cards -wooden starfish & shells to be painted and put on our table -our photographer is booked -our registries are done (Macy's & Crate & Barrel) I have ordered (but haven't received): -my sash & hair flower -lanyards & pouches for key holders We still need: -rest of materials for invites, including enclosures (menu/rsvp choice and registry) -his attire (he's in charge of this...I have washed my hands of it!) -favors, if any (I'm thinking about doing wind chimes for our families, which will hang on the chuppa, and ornaments for everyone else) -need to order my bouquet and his boutonniere, decide if we're doing corsages/bouts for the families -paper lanterns for aisle decoration & Tucanes decorations -other small items for the welcome bag (lip balm? playing cards? maybe pashminas for the ladies,I need to hit dollar tree) -travel mugs for the welcome bag -book our airfare (minor detail, right??) -consider booking a TTD (my own photog will leave the day after the wedding..so we'd need a mexico-based photog for cheap) -parasols for decorations/photos - I would love to have enough of these for all of our guests for shade, but I am not hauling them down to Mexico! -welcome bags -confirmation from Natalia/EDR on our locations (I've now sent 2 emails, and if I don't hear back in a day or two I'm going to set my TA on them...) -finalize our menu choices (so we can put them on the RSVP, wedding website, etc) -figure out what the heck to do about centerpieces. I think I'm just going to rent clear vases from EDR and put in colored stones or flowers. I need to make: -my veil -labels for the straws (mini-banners) -assemble the invites once I get the pieces -place cards (once we have the RSVP/menu selections back) -table #'s -programs -thank you banner (for our photog, will then make a thank you notecard) -wedding weekend events timeline -need to paint the wooden shells & starfish -playlists of music for ceremony (he's in charge of playlist for dinner & receptions I'm waiting until final payment to buy stuff for the welcome bag; I don't want to buy 50 bags and have 20 people bail out at the last minute. What am I missing?? Is anyone else as OCD as I am with my lists? LOL

Wedding Wire's list includes a number of DW items. It isn't perfect though. I am just keeping my own - and it's mostly mental. Which is what wedding planning is making me. Yup, total obsession...

My best piece of advice is to go try on dresses in stores to see what silhouette and cut work best for you. One a-line is totally different from another, one drop waist ball gown is a different cut than another. You really, really need to figure out what you're looking for before you order online. And as it happened to many of us, we bought dresses that look amazing, but really were nothing like we originally envisioned. There are a couple of threads on knock-off dresses from China (the reason the prices are so much lower). Check out those threads for experiences with specific sellers and such.

Geez, $600 for a veil? Was it trimmed in gold?? lol the one I liked at the salon was $250. we found another that my mom wanted to buy for me for $150 - which isn't bad for a cathedral from a retailer. but the price just made me ill and I wouldn't let her buy it. the materials I bought today totaled $23. And if I buy a pattern and ribbon to trim it, kick that up to a whopping $30. I don't feel so bad spending that for a 30 minute ceremony + pictures.

Jnitschke - I completely agree with you about the reasons for a DW and the legal stuff at home. I'm going to borrow your reasoning that it's about the vows. so true...so true!

oh good info - the FI is talking about Phuket. We definitely want to hit pretty beaches. His big thing is he wants to take some MMA classes/training while he's there. I want to lay on the beach, ride in a boat, and spend time at the spa. Sooo not ambitious!! One of my friend's fiancé is from Thailand, and they've offered to connect us with his family there if/when we go. on the wedding front, I've decided to give DIY a try for my veil. I just can't see paying a bunch of $$$ for one, even on etsy. And I don't trust ebay/chinese sellers - I want to be sure it's a quality tulle. So I bought ivory tulle and a plain comb from Joann's today, along with thread. I've googled it, and it seems the hardest part is cutting the shape. I haven't decided if I'm going to put a ribbon edge on it, or just leave it a cut edge. I will figure it out... I'm also waiting on final pictures of my sash and hair flower from the etsy seller - so excited about it!! I'm tempted to buy the fancy starfish sandals like TheWolforts has. I can justify it, right?? i mean, I only spent $35 on my wedges, and if I DIY the veil successfully, that's a big savings. Not to mention what I've saved by doing a sash & hair flower on etsy - the bridal shop wanted $500 for a similar sash! So $100 for a fancy pair of sandals is reasonable, right? lol

hi there! welcome to the roll call. how's your planning going??

Just wanted to say thanks to both of you for this! I scooped up my lanyards and ID badges - 50 for a whopping $24 (including shipping). check another thing off my list...

Hey Nikki - I'm glad you were able to make some decisions to make your day special! When are you planning to have your big day?

We are staying at EDR for the rest of the week as our honeymoon (or weddingmoon I suppose). The plan is to go to Thailand in late 2013 or early 2014 as our "big" honeymoon. I've heard the same thing you did. I've already been printing emails off and putting them in a folder. Later I'll go through and highlight/mark the pages and items.

The Mexican Donkey is $200 for 1 hour, includes 12 bottles or cans of beers. It's listed here, under "Entertainment", and "Performances" http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/planning/'>http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/planning/ Or you can do it as part of a standing cocktail, and from what I can tell those are priced based on the food (and include 2 hours of open bar). The packages for the wedding itself are pretty set from what I understand. Here's the PDF on the Maroma packages: http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/pdf/El_Dorado_Maroma.pdf The packages all come with dinner reservations for the group. It's semi-private, and in one of the restaurants. If you want a private dinner/reception, then the price is based on the price per plate and are found in the banquet guide: http://www.karismahotels.com/sites/default/files/WeddingBanquetKit_0.pdf For instance, we're going to do a Pick & Choose dinner, so we'll choose 1 appetizer, 2 entrees and 1 dessert for our guests. We'll have our guests tell us which entree they want (45 days ahead of the trip), and our price will be based on those numbers. So if 10 pick lobster & filet, and 10 pick chicken, it's 10 x 26 + 10 x 22. There are also buffet options and such in the banquet guide. Then for the centerpieces, etc, you'll need to consult the Lomas Weddings site. They have categories for flowers (centerpieces), table decorations, linens, etc. For instance, they charge $4 per chair cover, and $4 per chair bow (yes!! $8!!!). hence why I'm bringing my own chair bows lol Here's the link again to Lomas' Wedding planning page: http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/planning/ Hope that helps answer some of your questions! Quote: Originally Posted by Undomesticgirl Thanks for the info AllieH and the pics!!! Eldorado2012 I wonder if I can ask for a swicth gracefully without being rude? Questions for you guys: Does anyone know the cost for the Mexican Donkey? I havent been able to find or keep missing it in the info. Anyone planning a wedding of 35-50? Im looking at what they offer informs of packages and its looking it will be quite expensive since we can't used the wine room. Anyone know if you get credit for the first 20 and then pay the private plating fee? I was told bt Natalia that we cant have the Sabores for the reception and will have to do a beach reception. She also said because its a smaller resort they dont cater to larger groups. I didnt think 35 was that large. Im expecting 35 but only saying 50 if more people decide they are in. I wanted a smaller resort so it was more intimate and better for the elderly guests (not as much walking) Im very confused at how much the reception will cost me with that many guests and decorated tables. Anyone know? Any sugestions for saving $ at the resort? Natalia seems to be set in stone for all the pricing and nothing can be exchanged (eg blood tests for flower or food credit) I honestly bought into the whole destination weddings are free so we really did not save much beyond the largest package. Goodluck everyone with their planning!

very original!!!! they made me giggle. bet it's going to be one fun party.

I want it tight for the ceremony and pics, and then will loosen it a bit so I can sit and eat (and dance!) lol I'm a big girl, and I need the corset to do it's job for a little while. My mom is going to be at my final fitting, and I'll have the seamstress show her how to get me into it.

You are so right about this. We aren't the ones missing out on this experience - those who don't go will miss out. We'll be there, surrounded by those who cared enough to make it all work, and that's just the way it is!

It all looks amazing!!!! You've done an fantastic job with all the DIY. And your BD peeks are gorgeous.

wow, guess I was lucky! I wasn't expecting it until Feb or March...that was the expectation they set when I ordered it. Even Feb was 3 months, and March was only 4...

Hi Denay, Are you august 4th 2012? or 2013? If it's 2013, I'll be happy to send them to you after my Nov 2012 wedding.