jsal4

Just created my menu cards.... and my koozies...

I am allowed to use Fresa for some reason. I've emailed my WC twice to confirm and both times she said Yes. Maybe their policy has changed? Maybe they are only allowed for 2012 weddings and the policies changed for 2013? They should really give an explanation to you as why the vendor is not allowed.

Love your pictures! Also makes me very excited as I have also booked Luckie Photography. Thanks for sharing!

I am having my reception at the Plaza Zavas. I am also having my cocktail hour on the beach. - paper lanterns: 20-25 paper lanterns is what I've read most people bring. I am using a combination of paper lanterns and tissue flower balls. I ordered my lanterns at saveoncrafts.com. The website also has battery operated lights you can put in some of the lanterns. - lights: I am bringing my own lights. Just using the white christmas strand lights.

Yes, I am allowed to use Fresa - sorta. I am only paying the vendor fee for the fire dancers and Fresa is dropping off items (cake pops, sheers, and flowers), but not allowed into the resort. I even asked my WC twice and have it in writing that it is OK. I am not sure why they are allowing me and not anyone else to do the same?!?!

I ordered the invite and they provide free plain white envelopes. You can upgrade to matching or customized envelopes as well. I have pretty much ordered everything from vista print. Always make sure to google "vistaprint coupon" as there are always great deals! When I purchased my invites, I found a code for 90% off! Happy planning!

I was told around $250 in cash. They are setting up the ceremony for me as I am bringing my own sheers and chair decorations. They are setting up the reception, which includes custom drink table seating cards, lights and other decor around the gazebo, a memory table, and table decorations: centerpiece and each person will have a flower and tealight as part of their setting. Azul does seem to charge a lot for everything. I was going to do everything through them and tried to negotiate prices but that did not work. I was willing to pay a little more for their services as there is a convenience factor, but I am not about to get ripped off. It really is there lost because I am only doing the bare minimum with them now.

We are staying from October 9-16th. Will you still be there? If so, let's meet up for a drink and if you have any tips from your wedding, I would love to hear them!

I am putting the cards and straws together myself before I give it to them. Below is a picture of what it will look like. I made the cards on vistaprint.com and will hand write the table numbers and person's name. I am also getting stripped purple and white straws. And get this...the Signature Drink and setup on the table is FREE! Yup...I think it's the only free thing I have gotten so far!

I am doing a signature drink as escort cards. We haven't figured out our drink yet, but we will have fun experimenting. I know I want them to be purple and/or pink. Our drinks will be set up on a table when the guests arrive. Each card on the straw will have the persons name and table number. Below is my inspiration picture. Once I actually set one up, I'll post a real picture...

I started a thread because the thing I found hardest to do was the wording for the save the dates, itineraries and invitation. When I searched online, it took forever for me to find the wording that suited me and my fiance. We are not formal, we are more casual, fun and sentimental. Just wanted to share what I have done so far. Hopefully it can help some of you... http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/77646/helpful-wording

I only need 10 luminaries. Are you doing the family style or buffet? If you are doing the same menu options, maybe we can order them and split the costs.... just a thought.

My TA is getting our rates through funjet.com. Right now they have a promotion where kids stay free (Travel Dates:2/2/2012 - 12/22/2012). Guests are allowed to have 2 children 12 and younger stay free of charge when sharing a guestroom with 2 adults. I would double check with your TA and see if this deal is available.

I am thinking the luminaries won't fit all the items so it will probably have to go on more than one. I will let you know once I order them.

Thank for the advice. Our guests have already received our save the dates and been on our website and facebook invite which has all the details for the resort. So far, we have about 17 or 18 rooms booked and I only needed 15 to obtain the free wedding package. I know a couple of our guests have booked elsewhere, but that's ok. Also, I did not have any rooms blocked so I did not need to put any deposits down. We told everyone early enough to book their rooms. Also, my travel agent works with funjet so they have a lowest price guarantee. We are refunded the difference when the price drops, which it has twice already!

I am either choosing to either do the buffet or family style dinner. There's a little bit of everything and it was one less thing I had to worry about. Each table will have a luminary with the menu on it. Click HERE to see a picture of the menu.

My wedding travel agent books the rooms through Funjet.com. I did not block out rooms as I did not want to put a deposit down on the rooms and worry about everyone's travel arrangements. For the regular jacuzzi suite, the price has been between $155-$175 a night. Funjet has a lowest price guarantee, so even though many of my guests have booked their rooms by putting down a $50 deposit, when the price comes down all they have to do is call or email my travel agent and they will lock into the lower price. I keep an eye out on the pricing and have already emailed my guests twice when there have been price drops.

Congrats!! Can't wait to read all about it.

I have designed and ordered my invitations. I love vistaprint.com! My 100 invites cost less than $50. If you find the right coupon code for this website you can save soooo much money. I did not want to have response cards. Most of my friends and family are technology savvy and if they are not, I know they know how to use a phone. I spoke to a lot of my friends who had gotten married and they said a lot of their RSVP cards were never returned. They ended up having to contact the guests who did not response. I figured, since I am going to have to do that anyways then why not start by having them RSVP by email, text or phone. Saves money on RSVP cards and postage. Here is what I wrote: We look forward to celebrating with you. Please RSVP by August 12, 2012 via EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE/TEXT: • Josephine (000) 000-0000 • Kurt (000) 000-0000 I am ever so grateful to those who are joining us and did not want them to get us a present. I searched and searched and then combined some sentence I liked. This is the back of the invitation. About Gifts The very best present we can receive is your presence at our wedding and your love and support as we embark on this adventure together. Many of you are contributing your time and energy to this event, and for the gift of your participation we thank you. To make it easier for the more traditional gift givers among you, we have set up a registry on www.bedbathbeyond.com and www.honeyfund.com

Colors: Purple and Hot Pink I loved the ideas of having bright colors for my wedding! Below is the logo I designed for our wedding which incorporates our colors. Also, below is a picture of my bouquet (which are silk flower).

I am using a travel agent who works specifically with destination weddings. She is really great! Because she has done so many weddings with the Karisma hotels, the hotels offers her some perks that she passes along to her brides. That is where I got the Free Cocktail hour.

I have found a way to get the fire dancers without having to pay a fortune. Thanks to you girls, a little research and some number crunching I figured it out. I found a company Fresa Weddings (great reviews online & very prompt to responding to emails). The company quoted me $650 for the fire dancers for a 25 minute show. I also noticed that they did flowers, cakes, and decorations, so I priced them against what I was getting at Sensatori. Then I saw a post about the free Welcome Cocktails and someone using it for the wedding cocktail hour. (I was using mine for the day before.) I contacted my wedding coordinator at Azul and asked if I could use that free cocktails for my wedding cocktail hour instead...and she said yes! That is saving me about $1,200. With Azul I would have gotten the flowers, sheers for the gazebo and a cocktail hour, but going with Fresa Weddings I am getting the flowers, sheers for gazebo, cake pops, and a fire dancer show for only $300 more. And yes, the price difference does include the vendor fee. YAY!

I am trying to decide if I should get fire dancers for the wedding. The price through Lomas is $2500 for 30 min, which I thought was waaaaay too much. I have done some research and have a quote for $800 for a 15 minute show. But of course, Azul will charge an outside vendor fee of $800, so the total would be $1,600. I tried to get Lomas to give me a 15 minute show for half the price, but they did not go for that. Have any of you other brides had fire dancers at your wedding? Or anyone else researching it and have more information? Thanks!