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Invitations I did 90 of these babies!! It took me over 6 weeks, several group "dates" of friends/family putting them together, and easily about 35 hours. Our guests ADORED these. We couldn't hear the end of how awesome they were, and we STILL (post-wedding) hear compliments about them. Lots of our guests have saved theirs! Again, these were not my original idea. I TOTALLY copied MrsWeiss1211's thread about these invites and just changed a few minor things for ours. Her thread lists exactly how she did them and is amazing. Please check it out!! THANK you for posting your thread, MrsWeiss!! Here is a list of the materials I used, where to get them, and the cost of them. The cost without shipping was about $360. Shipping was $250 (we hand-delivered about a dozen of them). P.S. If you look at MrsWeiss's thread --- I used the scented oil WAY too early for the corks. I suggest that if you're going to do that, then do it at the very end before you seal the boxes and ship them. I did the brads/fasteners a different way - vertical -- so I ended not cutting off the ends, which apparently saved me that "nasty job." I designed the labels. And I handwrote the "pull tag" copying a font that I downloaded for free called "Treasure Map Deadhand." What it looks like with the bottle inside. The ribbons ended up being 13 in long. I also handwrote the addresses instead of putting them through the printer since it seemed easier and more personal to me. Mainly, I think I didn't want to go through the aggravation of any misfeeds with the printer --- that's one of my worst nightmares!! The raffia length was about 5 inches each. Then I used a pencil to roll up the invites and did a knot with the raffia. Then, I trimmed the ends. You can kind of see it here. I designed these as well. I got the antique map of the Cancun area from googling "antique map Cancun," and got the idea from another MIB thread on here. Again, the fonts I used were "Treasure Map Deadhand" and "Caslon Antique Italic" which I downloaded off the internet for free. I did 3 different types of Pull Tags since I ran out of starfish & sand dollars. Although the starfish were my favorite, I realized that some of the starfish might have broken as I closed the boxes. So, I would actually recommend using the mini shells instead. These are the 3 different types of sand I used (since I couldn't find a pink sand suggested on this thread). I used 1/4 tsp white sand, 1/2 tsp coarser darker sand, and 3/4 tsp of fine beige sand. We also started putting 2 starfish and 2 sand dollars inside. BUT then the sand dollars turned out to be too big, and we started filing each and every one down to fit the bottles, so then after a bit, we switched to putting in just 1 sand dollar. Also, then we started putting in 1 starfish + 1 sand dollar for like the last 10 bottles so that we'd have enough to glue on the Pull Tags. I would recommend ordering more starfish or sand dollars if you want enough to put in the bottles and for the Pull Tags. Plus, I would look into smaller sand dollars for the bottles, if they're available! Our dining room table that was convered into a DIY space for 6 weeks! Soooo many, haha!! Casey (now my husband!) burning the edges of the invitations --- took about 5 min per invite! Nasty job! Me putting the messages in the bottles. The most satisfying part!! And VOILA!!! A final tip --- get lots of help if you can!! They are soooo worth it. Wedding Invitations.xls

My husband and I were married just over a month ago on Feb 18, 2012 at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico. It was the wedding of our dreams! We are loving married life!! The wedding planning process was super intense for me because not only did I only have 8 months to plan, we were also on a really tight budget, and I wanted to find a way to have everything we wanted and still honor our financial goals... So, I DIY'd my heart out!! In this forum, I'll talk about what I made: - Invitations (no STDs since I started planning so late) - Boarding Passes & Luggage Tags - Passport Welcome Booklets - OOT Bags & Contents - Flowers & Boutinnieres - Time Capsule Guest Book - Centerpieces - Ceremony Programs - Bridesmaids Gifts - Shells & Chest (for Ceremony Shell Blessing) - Petal Cone Holders - He/She Frame (Decoration for Guest Book Table) - Website - Postcard Reminders (for people to RSVP on our website) - Bachelorette Party "Hangover Helper" Kits & Gifts - Bridal Shower favors (yes, I offered to make these! yes, I am crazy! ) Most of what I made were NOT my original ideas. I spend hours and hours on here researching what others have done, asking for templates, picking what I liked, and then making my projects. I will do my best to give credit to my sources, although my memory may be a bit fuzzy in areas! If I accidentally space it and miss someone, please accept my wholehearted post-marital space-cadetness apologies!! My intention here is not to take credit for anyone's creative genius but to hopefully help others in the planning process. I don't know what I would have done without this site - it literally saved my sanity. THANK YOU with all my heart to everyone who makes this site possible and such a positive experience. A very special thank you to the ladies on the Moon Palace 2012 Forum!! (woot, woot!) You are my angels. Here's to YOUR Big Day and making it happen! HAPPY PLANNING!! Lots of Love, Tammy

How exciting, Coco!! Getting fitted was one of my favorite things during wedding planning - the dress just kept looking better and better, LOL! Sounds like everything's coming together! The Cuncrawl sounds like a blast.

2 days before we leave, and I'm wondering..... What kind of cake should we have?? I decided on vanilla with fondant. But I have no idea what the difference is between fondant and chantilly! I tried to look it up but couldn't really find anything helpful. The other choices were chocolate, strawberry, fruit, lemon, or cheese. Any advice on what to choose? Anyone who's already been married at Palace resorts have any input? THANK YOU!!

2 days before we leave, and I'm wondering..... What kind of cake are you all going to have?? I decided on vanilla with fondant. But I have no idea what the difference is between fondant and chantilly! I tried to look it up but couldn't really find anything helpful. The other choices were chocolate, strawberry, fruit, lemon, or cheese. Any advice on what to choose? Anyone who's already been married at Palace resorts have any input? THANK YOU!!

We have booked our ground transfers in advance, and so are our guests. If you book 7 nights + with Palace Resorts, your transfer is free, and we're staying 9 nights. I think our guests are only paying $24 though.

Wow wow wow --- 150 of them!! I'm just learning how to emboss (got Martha Stewart heat tool for Christmas!). Again, kudos. They're beautiful! Your website is awesome. All ready for your guests to check out! We're getting married on Tucan Beach and then having our Cocktail Hour at Tucan Terrace. Then, our reception is at El Caribeno restaurant.

It's going well! Only 2 more days until we leave for Cancun! Just packing away and resting up (I actually was violently ill the other day, which had me worried!). I can't believe that in just 5 days, it will be THE day!! Best wishes on finding those fancy stamps soon!

Krystabab!!! I'm SO in LOVE with your STD/Invites!!!! WOW! If you did these by yourself, then I bow down to you! If I had started planning my wedding before I did, and i had time to send out STDs, I definitely would have offered to pay you to make these for me. Congrats!! Your guests will love them! Also, your engagement pictures are gorgeous! Love the travel theme. How exciting that your home is coming together. I can't wait to see more pics as it's finished! Especially the decorating inside. WOO HOO!!!! I know you've been working hard on those passport welcome books! Way to stick with it, girl! They'll be gorgeous!!!

Thank you, all! I'm so excited!!!

Oooooh, I would so love that, Chelsea!! Thank you! I can't wait to wear the amazign pieces you made for me.

So, tomorrow, it will be only 1 WEEK until we leave for Cancun!!!! What's next on my list: - Packing - Packing - More Packing! I've pretty much accomplished everything off my to-do list (which feels AMAZING since it was outrageously long with 25 DIY projects included, haha). YAAAAAYYY!!! I forgot to share that my fiance's family threw me a surprise shower the weekend before last. It was so awesome of them, and I feel so incredibly blessed to be joining their family. And tomorrow, my work is throwing me a shower!! I feel so fortunate and spoiled -- 3 showers for me!!! Yesterday, my FI got his braces off, and he looks SO great! I cried because he said he's never felt this great about his smile in his life. So, I'm in beaming bride-to-be land! Gonna go pour some wine and watch the Bachelor episode from last night. CHEERS!!

Beautiful, Mrsjdh2b!!!! I agree --- you are absolutely beaming. Big checkmark off the list! Congrats!

palacebride - I decided against the sand ceremony because I read on here that several brides did it and there sand got all mixed up on the transport back to the U.S. + that it's breakable. Just an FYI! kriskay - You look absolutely gorgeous in your wedding photos!!! It looks like everyone had a great time. And I love the lanterns at the reception! Congratulations!!! shan - Congrats on sealing the date! How exciting! Let the other planning begin... ladydi - those boxers are hysterical! love them! alaharri - your hard work has paid off ---- I think your guestbook madlibs are so original and such a great idea!! I think guests will love them, and you'll have a great keepsake of your special day. You've done a great job on the design!! almostmrsrjf - I definitely felt like that a LOT during wedding planning. I felt so behind, especially since lots of the wonderful women on here were so far ahead of me in their planning! It WILL get better. Just keep plugging away, and finally, in a few months, you'll feel a bigger sense of calm as you see things coming together! I'm less than 2 weeks away, and I tell you --- there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Awesome!! I'm so excited!!!

Just FYI, emailed Octavio some TTD pics I like in order to let him know what I like. He informed me that he cannot do underwater pics (if you're going to go to a cenote). Just thought you'd like to know!! xoxo

This is so pretty, beatyea!!! Can't wait to see the dresses, Coco. ...and wood letters!! Blingtastic, LOL. Hope Cesar feels better soon! Glad he's ok, even if a bit shaken. Wow, congratulations, Sara!!

Ooooh, thanks for this info! We'll try to get that bonus bride/groom massage as well!

Cheers to only 4 months to go!! I'm wearing a hair flower. It's really made all out of feathers with crystals in the middle. I bought it from the wedding boutique store where I got my dress. Here's a pic of it below: Quote: Originally Posted by Jamie5280 So, I am sitting looking at the date earlier today and it occurs to me....I get married 4 months from today!!! YAY!!!! I feel like I still have so much to do. Question also....Are you ladies wearing a hair flower? I am having a hard time deciding on one that I like on etsy. Where did you get yours (if you got one or are getting one)? I am going to have a real one in my hair, but I want a 'fake' one just in case it wilts or falls out.... Thanks~!!

These are so cute!!!! I'm in Love with them! Wish I was one of your guests!

LadyDi - the jewelry is looking great!! Feels so great to check that off the list! Coco - so you decided to redo the programs after all?! hehe. Loving seeing your pup become assimilated in your home. Jamie - can't wait to see your jewelry and rehearsal dress!

I think the dress is gorgeous!! I don't think it's too much for Mexico. In fact, I'm not a fan of even thinking about that, lol --- I say, if you like it, it's perfect for your wedding! That'd definitely be a dress I'd wear after the wedding too, if I was a BM!

Our group is travelling under my Mom and Dad's membership. We're staying 9 nights, so I'm getting a free mani and pedi for my wedding day, plus FI & I are getting free airport transfers. I plan to ask for the complimentary 25 min massage while FI goes golfing, LOL!

Welcome, Krystabab! This site literally SAVED me. These girls are like my angels in the wedding planning process. Best wishes for your planning! 

Here's my second to last DIY project complete! And here's a faux set up of our guest book table! If they don't let us use the sanddollar cutouts, then I'll have natural shells instead. Only 25 more days!!!!!!!!!!!