ChocoTaco7568

We decided not to have a DJ and we will create a few playlists on our iPod for the dinner reception. We will only have +/- 30 guest and didn't think a DJ would make or break our evening, so it was an easy to save money. My TA is Teresa Stauring of Vacations4less who partnered with Wright Travel Agency (owner of BDW). Both companies have great relationships with AM Resorts and Teresa has been fantastic to work with. I solicited the help of a TA after my Fi and I agreed on our top two resorts which were Dreams Riviera Cancun and Now Jade. I had deposits with both of them to secure my wedding date (not normal, but our wedding date is our anniversary so it was pretty important to secure). From the time of my deposit it took a month to decide between the two resorts. In the end Now jade covered more guest for the same package price (worth about $450) and prior to 2013 group rates being published NOW Jade offered promo pricing which made the per person rate about $25 cheaper which seems minor but it adds up quick. That promo pricing sealed the deal. If you have any questions with DIY, let us know. There are many of us in the May 2013 thread that have had great success and produced awesome projects.

Hey Melissa! Congrats on your engagement and welcome to BDW and the May 2013 thread. I will be a Now Jade bride so hopefully I can help you a bit with your inquiry. I did consider Dreams Tulum, and a few other Dreams Resorts, but for the mid level wedding packages which were equally comparable, Dreams only covered 20 guests where NOW covered 25. Aside from this, Now Jade was just more aesthetically pleasing to me. I preferred the venue options that were available, and the resort was just more modern in feel and overall appearance. And a reoccurring complaint of many guests when your read reviews on tripadvisor is that the resort caters to weddings and seems to provide better customer services to and bridal parties and their guests. I guess this is unfortunate for the average guest, but it’s exactly what I want and expect from a resort during my wedding week. As far as add-ons go, I am purchasing many items and have taken on many DIY projects that I will bring with me: chair sashes, table runners, paper lanterns, centerpieces, signage, the list goes on. I am doing the eternity package but upgrading to the devine meal selections for the happy hour and dinner. BDW is a great resource and can help you achieve you vision while staying true to your budget. Hopefully I’ve helped a bit. Feel free to ask questions, we’re here to help. Happy planning!

I've been awaiting this post for months now, and it was definitely worth the wait. These look fantastic and it was so much fun being apart of your process... We should start our own invite company I'm reading this post on my Droid, but will be sure to check them out when I get home and leave additional feedback if needed. Very happy for you, you should be proud!

While I have been stalking airfare to get a sense of pricing, we don’t anticipate purchasing airfare until September/October. Gas prices tend to drop around this time which will likely impact airfare (hopefully lower). And I’ve always heard that the best time to purchase international airfare is 6-8 months prior to your trip and based on my experience with previous trips to CUN around the same time, this seems to be accurate.

Hi Jackie, I am using Teresa with vacations4less and signed my contract wtih her back in February of 2012. I think she's fantastic and I have no regrest with my decision to use her. Also, I still have the best rates since signing my contract in February Since you have already chosen Now Jade, keep in mind that no matter who you choose as a TA there will be limitations to the number of free rooms you will recieve as set by AM reosrts (I assume you'er referring to the book 5 get the 6 free). From my previous conversations with Teresa, if a lower rate is published at any point I can have my group rate adjusted and if there is a promo of some sort of another website, more than likely she can price match. With that said it would be your responisibliyt to periodically check and make the request. My best adivice is just to ask any and every question that comes to mind. Teresa is a great resource and I have honestly ome to trust her. Good luck, let me know if you have any other questions. Tova

I like this for an inspiration! it keeps with the vintage/feminie feel that I know wanted. Looks like a win-win for you and your Fi!

Dazeydawl - I love your color scheme, I remember talking with you about it months ago. Hmm, it might require a bit more effort in coordination but I think you can conimber both beautifully, maybe even try to scout out brulap that is gray in color or more neutral (like oats) instead of brown. See the link below for a bit of inspiration: http://everylastdetailblog.com/2010/11/30/inspiration-board-rustic-purple-gray/

I'm not a maggie sottero bride, but I love seeing your photos pop up on threads on BDW. Del Sol was my number 1 pick for photography until I realized that I couldn't afford you... sigh

Would you consider DIY, I think you could replicate these easily

This is what I assumed. It was just interesting that Pilar actaully provide a price for not using an item that coul be applied towards something else. Every inquiry I have ever made I get a stock reply of "if you don't use it, you lose it". Maybe I lack tack in my inquires. I just wish her course in dealing with brides was consistant. It's just a bit frustrating not really understanding how things will play out financially until the my wedding day actually arrives.

Quote: Originally Posted by kelseyfanning never mind PIllar said u only get 175$ credit thanks Interesting, I have never heard her use the word "credits" in any of our correspondences when discussing the option of swapping out items. Does anyone else have experience with credits or the value of items ot used that could be applied to something else?

Glad to see my May brides saying 'Yes to the Dress!' Congrats ladies.

Congrats! What a fantastic choice, it's beautiful!

Quote: Originally Posted by bmelko I think it's going to look amazing. The teal is a good contrast against the sand. I don't feel like they're too dark; in fact, I love the neutral colors together, the blend really well. +1 Cinnagirl. I love bold saturated colors and these will compliment the sand and the sea perfecty! I had similar reservations with my color scheme of chartreuse and sangria, but I made the chartreuse my primary and added fuchsia as an additional accent color.

Photographs have the unique ability to make a memory tangible. They encapsulate the details of a personal history which time can erase from recollection. How many of life's moments would be lost, were it not for the nudge of a photograph to remind us? The beauty of photography is that it allows you to revisit a moment again and again. These images are meaningful and will only increase in personal value as time goes on. On the day that we promise forever, photography will tell the story of how our special day unfolds. Each image will play a part in preserving our memories. They will reflect our personalities, the essence of we are and the love that we have for each other and the guests who loved us enough to travel and share in one of the happiest days of our lives. These photos will capture fleeting expressions, make beauty timeless and an instant last forever. Real moments will carry the narrative and the photos of these moments will have the power to bring a tear of joy or a smile for years to come. This is why photography is of utmost importance to me.

I'm not 100% in love with them, but after 6 months of searching for the perfect pair of chartreuse/lime green shoes, these are the first the I have found worth purchasing. I think i might get rid of the crystal accent on the side and look for a more substantial crystal embellishment to mount at the center...Thoughts?

Quote: Originally Posted by Shay4966 I have also put the "finding a dress" part off. For one, I envision a particular look, and since I not to long ago had a baby my body isn't what I envision at this time. Also, I would rather wait until I have at least my MOH with me because I don't have a mother or sisters to go with me and that seems like the traditional thing to do. ChocoTaco7568 is correct in timing so I may have to get that done sooner then later. Hey Shay, I definiteley understand were your coming from. I live in OR and my family lives across the country in VA and PA and my MOH lives in WA. I actaully went dress shopping solo which is totally against tradition. But I also don't like shopping with other people except my Fi, which obviously wasn't an option. Granted, I have a few local friends that I could have asked, but I knew that they would have chosed dresses to their preference, not my own. But you definitely have to trust your own judgement to do something like this and know what truely flatters you. Or maybe you can do the initial leg work and find your top picks and then have your MOH go with you for the final selection? I don't think most brides have the physique they desire when they choose their dress. But my thoughts are this, if you find something now that you love amd makes you feel beautiful, just imagine how much better it will be on your wedding day when you've attained your fitness goals!

Quote: Originally Posted by shelbi Can someone please help me find some nice navy wedges? I am getting married in a gazebo overlooking the beach and then the reception is on a wooden deck with some fairly wide slats.Other brides have said their heels have gotten stuck and that wedges are the way to go. All the wedges I have found so far are way too casual. Please help! Tough, the only dressy pair that I can find are these...

Quote: Originally Posted by bride81 I am also running out of stuff.... ish. I need to jump on the wagon and find a dress- Am I the only woman not super excited about this? I am putting it OFF!! My next projects are a dress for me and my ladies and wedding invites. I am going to attempt passports with either a postcard response or luggage tag. Then, i will worry about decorations. I just want lots of candle light. Miss you girls over here! Its been SO busy! I think there are a few May 2013 brides holding off on the dress search. I was the complete opposite. Aside from picking our wedding date and deciding on a DW in the Riviera Maya, which were obvious choices for us and didn’t require any thought, the dress was the first item checked off on the "to do list". The dress search was surprisingly quick and easy for me. I’m also one of the few brides who picked a dress that fit my initial vision/criteria. But I would wait too much longer. Most designers have a 5-6 month ship date, and you’ll want to get your dress 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding date to accommodate alterations. I can't wait to see the formal invites, you did an excellent job on the STDs.

+1 of all the DW that I know of, if fans were utlizied they were provided for all guests ... but I like the idea of hankies too!

Gorgeous, I love it!

I guess it depends on where your ceremony is. I am among many of the brides on BDW who are having a DW bust not necessarily getting married in the sand. I am actually getting married on a cement patio overlooking the ocean. So the only time I have to worry about my shoes and sand is during a few newlywed shots. Some brides also have two pairs of shoes, one for the ceremony and another for the reception.