ChocoTaco7568

We initially weren’t going to have an AHR for the same reasons why we chose to have a destination wedding – those that we care most about live in a different state than we do. But my Fi has a large family back home in Montana, and we are going back for his 20-year high school reunion, so his mom suggested having something during this time (2 months post destination wedding). I personally didn’t care, and quite frankly plan on expending my energy into planning the wedding, that I don’t really want to plan and AHR. But this is where his mom steps in. She’s taking complete ownership of the AHR, and I’m totally okay with it since, his parents will be paying for it. We renting out an area in a park at 2:00pm and having a catered BBQ (keeping it simple and easy) But to answer comes of your specific questions, see my notes below Is it tacky to just have a wine and beer option (which is significantly cheaper) as opposed to an open bar? We are not serving any alcohol during our AHR. Unfortunately many member of my Fi’s family have been through AA and considering the number of under age children that will be in attendance, we decided that alcohol wasn’t necessary. We actually thought it would be tacky of us to have it around. 2) What do ladies think about holding an AHR on a non-traditional day (Sunday as opposed to Saturday) I don’t think it matters, what day you have it on. I would just consider your guests schedules i.e. if many of your friends and family regulary attend church, then Sunday may not be the best option. 3) Do you think guests expect the same thing at an AHR that they expect at a full blown wedding reception? How do you clarify to people that it is not the same as a full blown wedding- but maybe close to it in terms of dress etc.? No, I think the idea of a destination wedding is still new to many people, and therefore the AHR is not standard practice that many have been involved in. I think for those invited there are more questions as to what it will be than a standard of expectation. So I think you’re free to plan and AHR that you’re comfortable with and will make you and you Fi happy. 4) Are any 2013 brides planning to have an AHR that includes a ceremony? Which would really mean you're having two weddings (if you want to get technical)... I think that's pushing it but many venues include the ceremony space free of charge on-site. Would you use it if it were included? No ceremony for us, we don’t see the point. We will do a wedding slideshow and I will have another guestbook alternate for my AHR guest. Most of the AHR guest aren’t invited to the DW. The other reason for the DW wedding was to keep cost down and have it be an intimate occasion. Our DW guestlist consist of our parents, siblings, nieces/nephews and best friends, that’s it (+/- 25 people). The AHR is open to the DW guestlist and everyone else that you would typically invite to a wedding – aunts, uncles, cousins co-workers etc.

Quote: Originally Posted by melnryluvco Ok so I already posted this is the Now Sapphire thread but I haaad to get my May 2013 girls perspective because you all are so lovely and responsive. So anyways, I just got direct confirmation from our WC Ramon about how much per person it is to add additional guests to the Eternity package. Drum Roll Please.....it is $94 usd per person over out alloted 25 (that inclds bride and groom in that count). So we're looking at around 5 additional people so that's basically $500 extra!!! I'm ready to just say F' it to the whole package and just go to the buffet. That is so insane to me. For got sakes we are already paying for ALL INCLUSIVE!! What are you guys doing and how are you dealing with extra costs and what not?? Has anyone tried to bargin this down? That is waaay to crazy and I'm ready to just tell them NO Sucks, right? We're in the same boat as you two and anticipate going over ther 25 by +/- 5 guest. I haven't bothered trying to negotiate this price since the two wedding coordinators at Now Jade have been very accomodating to their brides. Considering the amount of decor that I will bring with me for setup, they are only charging me $40 which I am pleasantly suprised by. And for the past 10 months, every BDW Now Jade bride has been able to swap items, get credit towards cost for wedding package items not used, and none of them have been charged the day pass fee for outside photography. With all this in mind the cost per additional guest isn't so offensive. Have you read anything similar on the Now Sapphire thread? Also, I know the Now Jade price per person breakdown covers extra apps for the cocktail hour and the wedding cake which don't seem necessary based on feedback from the Now Jade thread, so the cost comes down by $20 or so.

Quote: Originally Posted by melnryluvco OOOOOO MMMMMMM GGGGGGGG I loooooove the lace! Great choice. Trust me I know all about the dress regret. CONGRATS! Thanks Mel!

Thanks Britney! We do a lot of grilling and had plenty of skewers to spare, but you shouldn't have any problem finding them. We chose the flat skewer specifically so it would have more adhering surface than the typical round skewers. But I've even seen a pack of 6 in our local market.

Quote: Originally Posted by LKocelko Just found this thread! I just put down a deposit to save our May 11, 2013 wedding at El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya. Any other EDR brides? Exciting! Welcome to the May 2013 thread ladies and Happy Planning!

No it's just painted silver on the back, If I find extra time I might, but i don't think it's necessary and i used really small crystals, so it was a bit more time consuming than anticipated,

Quote: Originally Posted by LandonO Is anyone doing a Reception in their home town after the destination wedding? I need some advice on sending STD's and invites! Not sure if I should spend the extra money on these things if I know they wont travel?! Our dates are 8-2-13 and reception at home 8-24-13... I might not be much help but we're doing a combined wedding announcement and AHR invite but our wedding date is 05/18/13 and the AHR is 07/20/13.

Quote: Originally Posted by Bride2B0713 Did they paint the back of your letter as well? I ordered mine from Craft Cuts, requested it be painted silver, but they only painted the front! UGH!! Also, how do you plan to put this on your cake? My letter is a "V" and before I go out and get the crystals, just wanted to get an idea of how it will go on the cake?? Thank you!! Your letter looks awesome btw They did paint both sides, but I made aspecial request to have them do so. I just realized that i never posted my completed mongram. My Fi cut a flat metal scewer in half and I used E600 glue to adhere it to the back. It shouldn't show when placed on the cake since I will have flowers at the base. I didn't bother taking a opic after adding the scewer stand-offs.

I made this inquiry specifically to Pilar abouit 6-8 mopnths ago due to that fact that it is a policy for other resorts. This is not published anywhere on Now Jade documents but I wanted to know up front what the restrictions (if any) where and not be suprised 45 days prior to my wedding when I start to finalize my plans with the Resort. Since it's not published anywhere, they wouldn't really have much of a leg to stand on, but I don't want to deal with the hassle and potential headache so I asked up front.

Quote: Originally Posted by Speckles121 Is everyone doing satin and then an organza for the two tone look, or both satin?? After seeing all these pictures I'm thinking I can fit them in my budget.. I think it depends on your color scheme and how the colors compliment each other. One of the pics I posted used both satin and organza (teal satin and silver organza) I really like the combo and since the silver was organza it is more of an accent than such a dominant color

Although I got a second dress, I actually still love my first dress, just not for my wedding day. During my first round of trying on dresses I never had a "bride" feeling, and I thought it was something that most women experience but not all. And i was okay with that since I never considered myself the type of person to get emotional over a wedding dress unless I was actually putting on the day of my wedding. So i went with the dress that I loved and felt fantastic in and thought that was sufficient. But when my Fi saw this dress on SYTTD and said it wasn't a great choice for a wedding, it bothered me and created a mental disconnect...I realized I want him to see me as his bride and if I don't feel like one then then there's a problem. Honestly, if it weren't for this moment, I don't think there would have been a dress #2. Thanks for the compliment. Yes, my Fi knows. No, he's not very happy about it, but he understands (he is now a silent observer when SYTTD is on, which really doesn't matter becasue they don't carry the bridal line anyway). But I agreed to hold off on my TTD dress until i get my frist dress sold. And the more I think about it, I might not even bother with the TTD dress and will just use this one.

If your considering two sashes then I love the look of option A, but not so much option B. I looked for inspiration pics before, and your right, there aren't many brides who do this, but i think it's just an easy way to keep cost down. I am also considering layering two colors, but so far have only found one color I like that actually matches my color scheme.

Ugh, I hate wedding nightmares, I'm starting to have them more frequently. I did the same thing by sending a tester invite, but I was more concerned with my custom stamps from zazzle.com being processed/ accepted. Who knew that the Seattle post system would screw me over. Any-who, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Congrats on getting you invites out too, that's a huge milestone!

Quote: Originally Posted by imnotarunner chocotaco : oh my that's crazy I would be pissed too, that's embarassing to have your guests pay for postage. what would they think? GRrrrr I'm glad I didn't have to do that with my invites. I know right, I felt totally tacky... I know I care more than my guests do, but honestly I would have preferred to pay more for every invite than to be supriesed and find out 5 invitations required additional postage. Then again, I only sent 23 invites. The cost can add up quick for those of you who are sending 50, 100 or more invitations.

Just another comment regarding this situation... When I went to my post office, I was informed that postage would be $.65. I sent my invites out to 5 differrent states, and all of my guests in Seattle WA had to pay $.45 to receive their invites. I was pissed when I found this out and kind of embarrassed. I found out the extra charge was do to the hand sorting. I just wish that every branch opperated on the same line of standards.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dazeydawl Thank You soooo much Ladies. Unfortunately now i think i am going through my dress regret. I loved it when i tried it on.. but now going back through the pictures... its making me sad Im thinking now its too much. Maybe i just need to go try it on again There's definitely a lot going on, but the texture and details complement each other beautifully. I think it's natural to have a bit of dress regret, it's a huge commitment on our part. But I think Elissa said it best, your dress is magical. It's unique and makes a great statement. Your dress might seem like it's too much now, but just remember you’re in the confines of your living room. The location and decor on your actual wedding day will suite your dress perfectly.

Quote: Originally Posted by imnotarunner get a corner rounder(fiskers makes it) go to Joann fabrics or Michaels' use that 40 percent off coupon I did use a punch for the outside cornrers, but i think the question was specifically for the inside indents and there's no pre-made punch for that.