DwBride2Be

I've seen both the Melia and the Sol when I was staying at the Occidental Grand Ensenacho's (now Iberostar Ensenacho's). Cayo Santa Maria is GORGEOUS, you will love it. the Melia would be my pick over the Sol though, Sol is pretty basic. There is a great facebook page for Melia Las Dunas Brides, you have to request to join but you'll find tons of info there, and the Melia Las Dunas. Cuba is tricky, there isn't much info available because the American's can't go there, and they make up the bulk of this forum. So I find it's alot of wait and see!! Good Luck!

I want to wear heels too because I'm alot shorter than my FI but I really don't know what to do because my dress needs to be hemmed either for a flat, or a heel, I can't do both. Any past brides who got married on the beach, what did you do? If you had heels were they easy to walk in on the sand? I might have to do the same thing as everyone else, barefoot for ceremony and then heels the rest of the time. Thanks guys! L

EEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only 143 days for me!! 12/07/12! Soooo How's everyone's planning going? I am really feeling Ready! I did STD's 1 year prior, and my people booked within 3 months of that to get into the group rate, and thank god they did because the rates if they waited and were booking now are about $600 more per person. I sent Invitations to the confirmed guests, and "maybe's" in May, and they were Passports - I ordered them from Got the Invite, they turned out AMAZING, way better than I could have done, and I got so many comments on them! I recieved my dress which I had ordered in December - it's amazing, but tight so now I'm dieting until Sept when I have to go for alterations hoping it will be lose and then they can take it in to fit perfectly. I've gotta start alterations in September to have them done in time for December (or so the seamstress told me). We bought the Grooms+men's outfits at Le Chateau - grey dress pants and white shirts with purple Chuck Taylors for the boys, and add a vest and green chuck taylors for Josh my groom. He just needs a tie Bridesmaids dresses were bought at Davids Bridal, ordered and arrive already. I've ordered a brooch bouquet which will ship to me in Sept. - nicolasacicero on etsy I've ordered my cake topper which will be ready in Aug - mudcards on etsy I bought some rafia fans and am wrapping them with purple ribbon and glueing mini seashells or starfish to them for the chairs during the ceremony. They are really Cute! I ordere all that from orientaltrading.com but the shipping was really expensive so I'm not ordering from them again I bought purple chair sashes because the resort only has white off ebay. ...so what's left for me? I need to do up some welcome letters or little booklets, I am going to make Love Phrases on nice little cardstock to put on the tables during our dinner. Programs (I can't decide if I'm gonna do this or not) I kinda don't think it's needed for the wedding because it's so small. I need to make my guestbook which is a chalkboard and camera where people write their message to us in chalk, then have their photo taken with the chalkboard so we can turn that into our guestbook. I need to make the Banner that my two nephew's are going to carry down the Aisle that says Here Comes the Bride (I saw a pic of this and it was so cute I fell in love with it) I need to get Josh's RING OMG I can't believe I almost forgot about this I need to get my Lingerie!! I was at a bridal shower this weekend for my cousin and someone gave her the cutest underwear that said "Tied the Knot" and I loved them! Write my Vows and get Josh to write his.. I might do a boudoir photo shoot in the fall to give him as a gift..we'll see how I feel when the time comes. I've got to make hair flowers, and boutonneirs out of some silk cymbidum (green) orchids I had bought. I need to find my accessories, hairpeice and shoes to go with my dress Whoa, the what's left seems to grow everytime I look at it..I better get on some of those things! And..stress is back! Have a great day ladies, and Summer is gonna FLY BY so basically we only have 3 months left! TTYL ~L

That's a tough one Carori! Is it really everyone making comments like that, or just a few? Because with my wedding (we're doing the same thing, neutral ground for families that are across the country from each other), we just focus on the people that ARE coming, and don't even think twice about the no's or the no answers. We invited 190 people, 44 are coming and are booked, and 80 some are still no reply. I'm considering them a no, and not even reminding or asking again. If they were coming they would have booked already. If you try to evaluate their reasoning and figure out if it's acceptable or not you'll just eat yourself up. Don't worry about it. We all have DW for different reason's, but the main one is to bring people together. So you need to be super thrilled and excited and grateful of the ones coming, and not spend all your time complaining about the ones that arent. In my mind I think of it as this: I've invited you because you'de be invited to my wedding if it were in My families city, His families City, or Cuba. This doesn't mean you'de come to ANY of those options, so no hard feelings regardless. Also, if people get too negative and you feel the need to stand up for yourself, maybe point out that Europe can be just as expensive to travel to, and you didn't want to burden either side with hosting the rest of the wedding in the other places so the neutral ground worked best for you. Regarding your mom's comments, don't take them too seriously, a DW is probably new to her, and you're the only one she can talk to about it, so just listen and let the comments fly out your other ear. Good luck with it all! L

Omg I've had the exact same dreams! I've had 2 of them, I just chaulk it up to feeling like things aren't ready and time is running out. Sounds like you just need to try and focus on something else, the wedding might be taking over since you're doing it on your own. Why not try getting your mind off it somehow. I managed to by focusing on learning a low fat cooking/ eating plan. It required a lot of thought and prepwork which helps me think of other things. Good luck! For a non-prescription sleep aid try valeruim, you can take 3 before bed and it will help you sleep. I wish I had some better advice!

Wow, today was hard, We took a road trip to Calgary (about 3hour drive each way). And did some shopping and some visiting with friends, I had breakie at home, my snack was an apple but then we were sitting at a pub on the patio for a few hours and completely skipped lunch. The pub didn't have any decent healthy options so I waited, and I was drinking soda waters with limes. By the time we left the pub after 4 I was beyond starving and ready to eat anything, but FI was so strong he brought me to Safeway and bought me cherry tomato's, mini cucumbers, fat free sliced ham and crackers, the we started the drive home and I ate my lunch/supper. (he got himself something too), But it was really sweet his support and not pushing me to order at the pub. Soo we're home now and I didn't cheat all day!! It can be done! As for progress, it's been 8 days and I'm down 2.6 lbs! That's my motivation to keep it up. Hope all of your weekends go as good as mine! L

Hey!! I found these at Town Shoes, and I fell in love with them! They are offwhite so they'll match well with my dress..I am still thinking about them a week later, but they were $115 so I didn't buy them on the spot. I'm going shopping again this weekend so if they are there I'm gonna buy them. Sometimes I think that if you can't stop thinking about it a few days later, it's meant to be! What do you think?

Here's what my FI will be wearing, with a green tie and the shirt sleeves rolled up mid arm. He'll be sporting green Converse Chuck Taylors too. The Groomsmen have the same grey pants, but they'll just be wearing the white shirts and no ties. I think he looks so Dapper!! I can't wait to marry him!

Yeah I'm with you Miss Bubbles.. We're going to register, but it'll just be a word of mouth registry. I've been researching doing a Sunday Brunch reception..I love that idea because then we can just have coffee, tea, juice pop, maybe champagne for a toast..but otherwise booze free! Also Breakfasts are cheaper than dinners, and actually cutting the alcohol will save us more than just doing the cocktail/hor d'eurve (I don't know how to spell it either lol, and I should know!) would be. I made a list the other day, and we'll have about 120-150 people, EEK! That's why we moved it out of my parent house and will have to get a banquet hall. I had to go shopping last weekend for a gift for my cousin's shower and wedding this summer..and actually it made me kinda excited to register!! I might do it at Crate and Barrel or the Bay. I haven't quite decided. My parents said the same thing, that everyone else has gotten gifts whether they could go to the wedding or not, so why shouldn't you..and the truth is, FI and I do need alot of stuff, we're living off hand-me-down's and the cheap Ikea starter kits..so it would be super nice to get some upgrades and some applicances we do not have.

Hey Ladies!! Here's a bit of my back story, I love to cook and eat!! I started eating clean about 6 months ago, and have always avoided packaged and processed foods, I make my own stuff. I always tracked my food using my fitness pal and stuck to a 1200 CAL/ day diet. I rarely (maybe 1x/month had juice or a caloric beverage, always sugar free/diet etc), I would have maybe 2 alcoholic drinks/week. I never lost a pound, but I didn't gain either. So then in February I hired a personal trainer, and met with her 2 x/week for 4 months (this was going from NO excersize to this), so a big adjustment, and while I did tone up and lose inches, I still never lost a pound. Well, My dress has arrived and it's pretty snug (it fits, but I would much rather have lost 20 pounds to allow me to get it altered and feel better in it), so I needed drastic measures, I've gone onto the Dr Bernstien diet plan and they use specific products that are very low carb: (they also give injections of Vitamins B6 and B12, along with potassium pills and multivitamins). Breads/Tortilla's/Wraps: Dr B permits 2 servings per day La Tortilla Factory Smart & Delicious 100% low whole wheat wraps, 1 wrap = 1 serving. Toufayan Low Carb Pita - 1/2 pita = 1 serving Dempsters Body Wise Multigrain or Whole Wheat bread - 1/2 slice = 1 serving Because of this I stick to the tortilla's or the pita (half) since I can use it to make a sammie or wrap at least. Pasta's: NO PASTA Except you can have unlimited amounts of: Shirataki Noodles (I found them in a local diabetic food store) Miracle Noodle: http://www.miraclenoodle.com/default.aspx Low carb can be really tough, and Dr B is expensive, so not everyone can do it, but I'm definitely going to remember these products even for when I'm done. And they also suggest cutting out carrots (high carb and sugar), banana's (super high sugar content) among other things. I was surprised about those two restrictions for the weight loss portion of the diet and I used to eat a banana a day and a baggie of carrots a day as a snack. (oops!) Now, looking at what I should be eating to lose weight, and what I used to eat to lose weight, I see where I went wrong. For one, I had too much fruit and sugars almost every day, and second I was in one hell of a plateau. Anyways, I'm not saying Dr B is the only way to go or anything, but they do have some good idea's about which products, and they are pretty adamant that not all tortilla's are the same so you have to buy the specific brand (found at grocery, health food, or diabetic food stores). Good luck everyone! I'll check back to let you know how I'm doing in a week! So far it's been 3 days and I'm not hungry, or craving anything.. L

I don't know their prices, but this photographer resides in PC part of the year. They have a great facebook page and webpage. http://www.*****novablog.com/ http://www.facebook.com/*****novaphoto Good Luck! L

Umm..ok yes, this is MY wedding and I still got the date wrong! It's actually in DEC...I have no idea where NOV came from! LOL. Maybe I need some more food for my brain!

Whoo!! I am getting married in NOV, so this is a hardcore diet for me!! I'm going on an extremely strict diet, low cal, low fat, and working out 3x/week. I had been working out with a trainer since Feb and while it helped me tone up, I did not lose even 1 pound. Also I'm adding Vitamins B6 and B12, potassium and a multivitamin which is what DR Bernstein gives you in hopes to lose quicker! I'm hoping to lose 10 lb's every three weeks..I know that's not recommended but I kinda have to because I need to get my dress fitting is in September! I have 2 months to get down and then maintain until Dec.

Hey HK, I work in the travel industry, and most definitely that is not the norm. You're right about not being involved in bookings, it's just adding an extra step, but for some reason he seems to think it's best. Maybe he doesn't like answering the phone lol. Anyways, you CAN switch your booking to another TA, but you have to find one you like and ensure they are capable and want to take over the booking process, and then provide WRITTEN approval to the cruise line for the new TA to take it over. Only then will the cruise line take it away from the original agent. Chances are, if you mention you're going to do this, then he'll smarten up. Also chances are he's bitten off more than he can chew in his business all by himself, and probably just doesn't have the experience to handle a group booking. Sorry for your luck! I hope it gets better soon! ~L

I love the line"for those of you who can't make it to Punta Cana, Dont Fret" ..Love it! Great way to let people know it's just an invite, not an obligation!

He is onboard about Registering and the AHR!! We just aren't going to send out Registry cards with the AHR invitations (DW invitations have already gone out and no registry info or gift info in there either), so basically if people ask, we will tell them and it'll be word of mouth only, but there will not be a blatant mention of it, so people can make up their own minds on what they want to do. Now's the fun part of actually going and doing the registering! Have you done that? Where did you go? L

Update!!! The dress arrived, finally!! It's beautiful and worth the wait!! I found a seamstress who can work on it for my alterations, and everything is moving along now!! Just glad that chapter is closed and I can move forward. Thanks for the advice and support ladies! (Now that I've worn it again I need to lose a few pounds, it's pretty snug and it fits, so you'll be seeing me in the weight watchers forum next!!)

Jamaica has those beautiful beaches and clear water, you could try there. Or cozumel in Mexico does too! Good luck!

That's amazing, good buy!!

Yeah, I don't think it's tacky, either, I was just bothered by my SIL's comment. To be honest I think she's tacky for saying so. I am going to talk to DF today and see what he thinks. There is always something to think about!

Hey!! I'm an Edmonton bride! So excited! I am doing an AHR, just now starting to think about the location for that. Do you have any idea's?? I don't want formal sit down, I was hoping for cocktail reception or something like that. Did you get your group sorted out? L

That's what I'm scared will happen!

Great Idea, love the taco bar idea!! Did you have a caterer who offered that, or was it your idea? Either way, it's great!

I'm in the same boat as you, we're getting married Dec 7, and we get home from Cuba on Dec 17th. I feel like if we wait until Spring that is dragging it out WAYY to long, so I'de rather do it sooner than later so we can move on with our lives!! (sounds terrible, but I've already been planning this wedding since Sep 2011), I really want to have the wedding, the honeymoon and be done with it! But many of my family members cannot make it, and they are asking about a reception, so I'm feeling the pressure to do something for them. My Sister in Law recently called it a gift grab and that it's tacky...though my Mom, Dad and Sister are all pushing me to do the AHR and to register for it because why shouldn't I get gifts from the family just like all my cousin's did just because we're getting married away. Up to this point, we didn't plan to register, and we're still not sure we will. We've sent invitations and built our wedding website with no registry or gift information..so I really don't know. I do not want to be called tacky, or greedy behind my back. Grr..this turned into a vent. Sorry ladies!

I bought my Dress in Prince Edward Island, which is pretty much across the country, and $850 flight from where I live, and I regret it! I could have gotten the same dress here, at home, but since I bought it the shop went under, and now I'm stressed and still waiting for my dress that was supposed to arrive a month ago. Plus if there's a problem with it when I do get it, I'm screwed, because I'm not going back to PEI to get it fixed from a shop that no longer exists. We were there visiting family who lives there, so I didn't make a special trip for it, but I did find a dress that I loved and I thought, "what could go wrong" so I bought it! I wish I had bought it closer to home, and then I could use the seamstress that the shop recommends and if they screw up they guarantee their work. As it is, I have to find a seamstress, and she wont be guaranteeing her work..sooo I don't know how I feel about it. I had a client who bought her dress from Kleinfelds, and she felt the service was rude and rushed, and they put alot of pressure on her to buy. She also recieved the dress and it was too small!! They ordered the wrong size or something, so she had to lose a bunch of weight, which is not a good stress to put on a bride a few months before the wedding! Anyways, I don't want to be negative, I'm sure if you go in prepared to walk away in case you don't find something there, you'll be fine. But I'de suggest going with an open mind that the one you already loved might be "the one" just in case!! You don't want to buy there just because it's kleinfelds. And Do some research because if you find one at Kleinfelds and you can buy it somewhere closer to home, I'de suggest you do that! (though I doubt Kleinfelds would go under, it's still easier to deal with issue's in person). Good Luck!!! L