AllieH

Hi! are you talking about the EDR in Riviera Maya? If so, we have a thread going here that may help you. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/7513/el-dorado-royale-edr-brides-post-here/1710#post_1731750

I'm on pinterest!! here's my link: http://pinterest.com/TxAllieGrl/ so a total of $1300 for up to 5 hours for the DJ? that is REALLY inexpensive!!!! WOW. hmmm...will consider that too. thank you!

Murmel - these are SUPER HELPFUL! thank you so much for taking the time to do these. I'm definitely set on Tucanes as our reception site. still a little torn on the gazebo for the ceremony. the chapel is kind of cute..and it might be nice to be out of the sun for the ceremony. hmm decisions, decisions.

ckrn - your dress is beautiful and looks great on you!! MsBliss - your dress is gorgeous too. I love the ruffles and the deep sweetheart. I like either the side pony or the up do. both show off your lovely neckline and make you look nice and tall(er Choco - your dress is so sophisticated and unique - love it!!! I think I'd leave the shoulder - it makes a nice diagonal line with the pleating under the bust and then up over the other shoulder.

P-shaw. As much as I adore my FI, he sucked at the whole registering thing. I mean royally sucked. He couldn't get over feeling greedy (and yet, somehow he was the one who really wanted us to register. figure that one out!!) lol just let him know your plans..and get out there and shop. the scanner is fun.

I would say the two of you walk down together. it's for you as you've said, and together you are walking the aisle symbolically. I also think it'd be just fine to walk by yourself and meet him at the front (wherever the front may be!). You can save the escort down the aisle for your Asia ceremony (and that also adds something unique to it)

hehe I was just helping you along with you future Planning Thread! Thank you for sharing all of this! can I say I just love all of your ideas? I love the starfish aisle decor, the centerpieces and your bouquets are lovely! I may have to borrow a few of them, especially the starfish! I think you're right to do the rehearsal ceremony, and the hair/make up trial. I think I'm most nervous about my hair of all things. I want to wear it down, or half up/half down, but I think I'm going to have to have an undo as a back up plan once I get down there and deal with the humidity and heat. We're going to do the filet & lobster as one option, and then either the chicken or the pork chops (for those that don't do seafood - yes, I have a few in my group!!). Do you mind sharing what the cost is for the DJ? I was thinking we'd just do our iPods...but I certainly see your point about keeping the party going, announcements and such.

You go girl!!! Are you wearing your hair up or down? Can you post pics of your flowers and decorations? Show us your dress too, please? I had a dream last night that I went to pick up my dress, but the store couldn't find it. they kept bringing out other dresses and trying to force me into them. "Here's your dress." me: "THAT'S NOT MY DRESS!". lol mercy..the wedding nightmares are starting. Who are you working with at Lomas?? what are your plans for the wedding and receptions/dinner? dish girl, dish!! lol

Yes, that's the only option for EDR that I'm aware of.

This is the wedding site for all of the Karisma hotels (EDR, EDM and the Azul Resorts). http://www.karismahotels.com/weddings/weddings-no-others-karisma-hotels It has all of the info with the banquet planning kit (meals, cocktails, etc.), wedding packages, and almost everything you need. I'm working with Lomas (the group that coordinates the weddings for Karisma) on my Nov 2012 wedding at EDR. Still 9 months out, and so far the longest I've waited for a reply to my emails is 48 hours. Most are answered within 24 hours. I'm thrilled with this considering some of the complaints I've heard about coordinators at other resorts. They are one of the resorts that charges a hefty fee for outside vendors that aren't pre-approved ($500 per vendor). So this is something you'll want to check carefully. I don't know specifics about this particular resort, but I'm happy to share any info about the wedding packages, etc. in general that I've learned so far. Happy Planning!!

I'm in DFW now, and no help with Houston dress shops unfortunately. If you find a cheap flight to DFW, I'd be happy to help you out here.

beautiful!!! and your big day is only a month away. soooo exciting!

There was an article on this in today's Houston Chronicle - scroll down to the end and you'll see a list of all the states of Mexico. Quintana Roo (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum) does not have any travel advisories. http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/U-S-expands-Mexico-travel-warning-to-14-states-3242201.php here's the direct link to the US State Dept. website too: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5665.html#

Elissae - we are in the same boat. We don't really NEED things, but know there are people who aren't able to attend and will want to give a gift. My FI was more comfortable with a traditional registry, so we went for upgrades on things - small appliances (that kick-butt blender for frozen drinks!), new towels, new comforter sets, sheets, etc. Worst case we'll get gift cards that we can add up towards some of the upgrade items. I really, really like the idea of either a travel registry (help us pay for our wedding-moon!), or deposit a gift (http://www.depositagift.com). DAG is a cash registry, but you actually register for items. then people contribute for them, and you can decide how/when/what to buy. I do like the idea of "in lieu of gifts, please consider a donation to our favorite charities" and then list them. My experience with that has been that most people don't want to do this unless they happen to be big supporters of that particular charity as well. just some thoughts for you!

I agree with your advice to WPG bride. for you - I'd suggest having a budget summit with the FI to go over the wedding costs, and decide who you'd ask to pay for what since both parents have offered. If your family is ok paying for the wedding, perhaps his can take care of the cocktail hour, welcome dinner, or something like that. Or a cake, or certain decorations. Once you two decide how to divvy it up, then sit down with his parents and start the conversation with "we are so touched by your generosity, and have some thoughts on how you could contribute. what do you think about paying for x, y, z? here are the estimated costs. and no obligation, we just wanted to share our ideas with you." would that work for your families? (I know everyone's relationships with families are different!!)

I'm now 100% convinced that there is no way we'd do the legal ceremony in Mexico. I had my blood drawn today for my biometric screening, and while the guy did a great job (didn't hurt, and even though I'm a HUGE weenie, it's one of the few times I didn't cry when they did it), I have a huge bruise. not to mention a huge red blotch from the latex bandaid they put on. that would look like crap for the wedding! not to mention the whole be there 4 business days before hand... that just doesn't work for us. I pick up my dress on Tuesday and I can't wait!!!

oh I'm sooooo "borrowing" these ideas for our thank you notes!!!! thank you for sharing!

oh Manolo's - HOT!!!!! I tried on a few shoes at the mall the other day. Unfortunately my heart broke when I learned that Kate Spade's shoes are not made for wide feet (and mine aren't even THAT wide..just not super thin). I found a few options at Dillard's of all places, and all of them were under $100. I haven't decided what I want to do yet - will keep looking in another month or so when all of the spring shoes are out. Orange is definitely "in" this year, and I'm tempted to ditch my hopes for teal/aqua blue wedges: this one is much cuter in person - the fabric is a silk. it'd look cute with the dress. (I'm not sure I'm going for "cute"..) and these actually come in teal: they would be perfect, if the wedge heel was a little wider. it just doesn't have the stability that I need

My coordinator sent me pics of all of the ceremony & reception locations. She also included all the fabric, aisle runner & chair tie colors they have and some other info. If anyone would like it, PM me your email addy and I'll be happy to forward it along. She also said that our wedding package (the free one..) includes an iPod set up for the ceremony. I thought that was extra! so that was good news. how is everyone doing?? any other plans finalized?

what a beautiful wedding!!! sorry to hear you had some challenges with the resort. love your attitude though.

Lindsey - he's adorable!! love the outfit too.

Hi Kelly! welcome to the group. tell me more about the DIY invites. I love DIY!!

ah thank you - I'm glad I'm not the only planner in the bunch!!!

Acornk - it's BEAUTIFUL on you. I like the sweetheart neckline on you better than the other choice. gives it a little va-va-voom!! Avens - I love seeing you in your dress. You are so happy and your dress is gorgeous. so thanks for posting again!! hehe

I know I'm way, way ahead of the planning curve, but I can't help myself sometimes! How far out did you confirm your private dinner/reception area? I wasn't sure if I needed to go ahead and do that in order to get the space I want (Tucanes, by the pool), since I know we're headed in that direction. Not that I expect a whole bunch of weddings on the same day - we picked a Monday for just that reason. Thought I'd pick your brains on that one before I send off the email to Lomas.