ChocoTaco7568

A few options… While I don’t have any personal experience with jasminesbridalshop.com, this was the company that I was going to go with for my TTD dress, but decided that I would wear my actual dress instead. I’m pretty picky when it comes to detail, and this was the only one that I felt comfortable with. I think their designer I think they’re on the higher end in cost compared to the competition, but I think the quality/craftsmanship warrants this. If you’ve found a dress that you love and the style is somewhat popular/well known you can possibly find it on sites oncewed, preownedweddingdresses, recycledbride and even classifieds on ebay and weddingbee. These are all great resource and I have either used them or know of other brides who have. These are sites that sell new, sample and used dress. I would even estimate that a third of the dresses are samples from bridal salons trying to rotate their inventory or new dresses from brides whose weddings were either canceled or who purchased two dresses and now have to get rid of one. For new dresses at a great discount I would look at bridalgown.net. Yes it seems too good to be true and you can’t help but ask why the prices are as low as they are (comparatively) but it’s 100% legit. Only word of caution is to give yourself plenty of time when ordering. From my experience, and that of others, you should add 2-4 weeks to the estimated shipping window. Let me know if you have any questions. Happy shopping!

Just for clarification, are you looking for a knock-off or authentic dress at a reduced price? Makes a difference on how I reply to this post...

I would suggest that he just by the diamond and propose with that. Then they can go shopping together for the setting.

Quote: Originally Posted by MSPOKRAN Do it! it's an experience of a lifetime!! We just returned a few days ago. The dress can be cleaned I promise- who cares how it sits around in a box?? You paid and planned to get all out of this experience that you could don't settle!! Claudia Rodriguez did our shoot and I am SO excited to get the pics back. They will be super sexy and unique and this chance will not come around again most likely! My dress was light- and this did help a ton. My only other advice, our TTD session took around three hours almost. This took away time I wanted to spend with my guests playing pool volleyball and other things Plan this out a little bit so that it doesn't take away from guest time. I did our shoot immediately the day after the wedding but if I had waited just one day my guests would have been gone and I could have relaxed more. Agreed. Our TTD shoot was so much fun and I was so happy that we decided to do this together. We chose to do our shoot at sunrise (we started at 6:00am) which was a brutal, but we fell right into our rhythm within 5 minutes of starting. The beach was seclude and felt like our own and the temperature was cool and comfortable at 78 instead of 92 and humid. For those who are concerned with taking away time from your guest, I would recommend this as an option. When it was all said and done my dress was completely saturated in ocean water/sand and easily weighed 40lbs. And I admit, when it took my dress off and looked at it after the shoot, I was a bit disheartened. I truly thought that I ruined my dress, but I sent it off to the my hotels preferred cleaners and was amazed at the condition that it was restored to. I wouldn’t say it looked like new but maybe 95%. The hemline was a bit discolored in a few spots and a few buttons have permanent smudges (sitting/sliding around on the pier) but these can be replaced. I can’t wait to receive our pics and I’ll be sure to post a few.

Quote: Originally Posted by Miss J That's so pretty! Is it a comb or clip? Alligator clip, worked prefectly and stayed put all evening.

That would be awesome, I'll keep my eyes open for you!

on the plane and waiting for boarding to complete. I can't believe my moment is finally here....woohoo!

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsShoreytobe I am so jealous of you ladies wearing high heels - I want to wear them but I am 5'10 1/2 and will definitely tower over my man with those things! I've worn them plenty next to him (we are same height) but on wedding day, don't wanna show the guy up lol! Same here... I'm 5'10", FI is 6'1" and I am no stranger to 4"-5" heels. But my Fi did request that I not be taller than him on our wedding day, so I capped them off at 3" and his shoes have about a 1/2" lift. I guess this worked out, because i didn't need the hem on my dress altered at all.

Quote: Originally Posted by Furturemrsg Can't believe how calm I am right now and I leave in less than 2 weeks! I am so excited. All though I tired my dress on last night because I am now 10 weeks pregnant and it doesn't zip! I am going to have someone help me with it tonight! I am almost thinking of adding a corset that way it will continue to fit while waiting for my reception in 6 weeks! I am still calm and know everything will fall into place. We worked on our OOT gifts and I am super excited! We had shirts made for everyone going and should get those Friday! We are going to stand out in the airport like a sore thumb and I love it! lol It may not be as bad as you think. Before having my dress altered down a size I couldn't zip it up on my on. But you are correct, whatever alterations are required, you have plenty of time and everything will fall into place perfectly.

Congrats Michelle, You look beautiful and very Goddess like!

Hey Kristen, We depart Wednesday morning for Now Jade but we leave for Playa on the 19th. Less than a week for you, are you ready!?!?!?

I'm so happy that our paths crossed even though our wedding dates are 6 months apart and at different resorts. You aided in my sanity through this process; I think your my BDW BFF!

Beautiful! Congrats.

Quote: Originally Posted by KristieT The days before I leave have been so busy! Sorry for lack of responses! Sooo good news! I have my dress!! Basically I went back to the salon and they brought in their "master seamstress" who said it would be no problem to fix! She added some boning and some other magic tricks and wa-la! I have a dress! So be honest I wish it fit a little better in the bust (more push up) but I'm happy it fits and I feel good! I leave Saturday morning before dawn! Soooo excited! Good luck to you Tova and all my othe may brides! I wish you all the best and happiness on your wedding day and everyday after that! I am so excited to see everyone's pictures! Enjoy every moment ladies, we only get this day once! No worries on the delayed reply, I'm just happy that you're dress is in hand and ready for your big day and you feel good in it. Safe travels Chica, and I wish you and your FI the best!

Ali, welcome back newlywed! glad to read that your wedding week was a success and absolutely fabulous. But that's no surprise, we all knew it would be. can't wait for the pics and the planning thread.

Quote: Originally Posted by ironman I didn't get a reply from them at all! We will definitely look in to providing mugs for our guests. Where did you get yours from? No reply, that sucks... I actually got my tumblers from my local Dollar Tree and used Avery's weatherproof mailing labels to create custom/personalized tumbler labels. You can also order labels from Etsy Seller Davet Design if you're not up for the DIY

PHOTOGRAPHY I fell in love with Elizabeth Medina and Del Sol Photography but quickly learned that they were both out of the budget (double my budget). Another mourning moment, but I was quickly on the hunt to find a photographer that would preserve the memories of our special day and capture the essence of we are and the love that we have for each other. We put our trust in the hands of Sascha Gluck and we’re confident that we made the right decision. We will aslo do a sunrise TTD shoot which I’m super excited and nervous for. FLOWERS I provide the following to my WC for us in creating Bouquets, Boutonnieres and our wedding cake DIY PROJECTS As with many BDW brides I opted to DIY as a means to lower cost and make our wedding a bit more unique and personalized. Since I am posting my planning thread so late, there are a few items that I have already packed so pics will be provided upon my return. INVITES I wrote a pretty extensive thread on this so I will provide the link instead of rehashing the details. But if you have any questions that aren’t answered, just ask! http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/79434/chocotaco-s-diy-orchid-boarding-pass-invitations PRE-TRAVEL PACKETS We decided early on that we didn’t want to give out guests OOT bags, but would provide a few goodies with our pre-travel letter. The results: Thank you letter ‘Pack This’ checklist created in Excel Double sided resort booklet (resort map, restaurants, bars, summary of accommodations, local excursions etc); Personalized Tumbler (I used the ½ sheet weatherproof mailing lables by avery and cut them out); Mexico misc. info sheet (weather, currency, CUN airport, Montezuma Revenge etc) Mexico Themed Luggage Tags (Leather Tags for BM/MOH, and Parents) 4GB digi cam memory card (we loaded up on these during a Black Friday Sale!) Schedule of events during wedding week I started to assemble these and totally forgot to include the last two items, but thankfully Justin brought it to my attention before we distributed them. I hand delivered all of them to our Guest in OR and WA and did group shipments to our families in MT, VA and PA and our parents broke out the packages and did the distribution to those with their states to help save on S&H costs.

Kudos to you two, I love women who embrace weight training. I keep telling myself that I want to train and condition for a bikini competition if not a figure competition (somewhere in the distant future).