ChocoTaco7568

Try not to stress over this one. I've been to the Riviera Maya in April of 2009 and May of 2011 for 7-night vacations. For both vacations there was suppose to be thunderstorms and rain everyday…I never saw one rain drop on either trip.

Quote: Originally Posted by uhura526 Yes, I am back! The wedding and honeymoon (we flew over to one of the other Cayman Islands called Cayman Brac) was fantastic. I don't think I could have dreamed up a more perfect day, for real. Even at our reception on the rooftop of the hotel facing the ocean, we saw a shooting star! Come on, now that has to mean something, right? hehe Stunning! I'm glad your wedding was everything you wanted and more.

Quote: Originally Posted by KristieT Tova! Omg the same thing happened to me! I am so sorry to hear about this. I completely agree that a wedding dress should TRUMP all! Obviously this is the most important dress a girl will ever wear! Hopefully everything goes well tonight and you will forget about this kerfuffle. This is what happened to me: I showed up for my second fitting and she wasn't there. I called and she "forgot" Same thing, so busy with prom/grad dresses! Omg i almost lost my mind. I held back a little knowing that she still has my dress and I don't want her to do bad things! So I reschedule, and I try on the dress and it still wont stay up. She is saying bc i have boobs, that its hard to keep the dress up. It is a strapless silk dress, so no boning to help support. I am shocked that I can pay $1800 for a designer dress and it doesn't have the capability to stay up bc i have boobs? She put the sewn in cups in, size B cups. I was just measured at Victoria secret as a 32DD. I don't understand how she thinks the size B cups are going to hold me up. Needless to say I go back tonight, and I am beyond stressed, I leave in 10 days and I don't have a dress that will stay up! Let's check in tomorrow and hopefully we both have a happy ending to this ordeal. Ugh, so frustrating. In what world would B cups fit DD?!?!? Yes, let's check in tomorrow with hopefuly positive updates. Thanks, we'll keep you posted.

Quote: Originally Posted by shannonmarie I received my brochures from Vistaprint today! Can't wait to send them out. I feel like it's a tad too early to send them, but who cares, I think I'll do it anyways! Hoping it'll get people excited! I can't believe I can say "my wedding is NEXT month!" So excited for you! It looks like everything is coming together beauifully. Seeing your planning thread up only reminds that I'm totally slacking on posting mine, it may turn into a post wedding recap.

So I successfully went 22 months without having a Bridezilla moment, and then I had an alterations snafu that put me over the edge… Five weeks into the alteration process I show up for my 3rd fitting to find out the my seamstress didn’t complete that alterations from my second fitting –WTF. I think the dialog was something like this “I’m so sorry this never happens†really because it just did and I leave in two weeks and my dress isn’t done. This is isn’t a moment where I’m happy to be an exception. “I just get so busy with prom season and somehow it fell off my radarâ€. I don’t care. I hate to sound like a B!tch but I’m pretty sure most would agree that a wedding/marriage will trump a prom any day. What kind of system do you have that my dress just falls off your radar for the past 12 days? This is unacceptable. “When can you make it back in for you 3rd fitting†tomorrow evening. “I don’t know if I have any openings†well I think you need figure out something to make it work. So much for loving my seamstress. I have my 3rd fitting tonight and hopefully it will be my last. In reality I’m no further ahead or behind with my alterations, but in that moment I was pretty miffed.

Quote: Originally Posted by KristieT May Brides, Has anyone thought about tipping for the wedding? Who do you tip? How much do you tip? When do you tip? We are tipping even those that we normal wouldn't if using standard tipping conventions: Photgrapher & Assistant: $100 and $50 respectively. we’ve gone back and forth on this one, but these are the people capturing our memories. If tipping take their work to 110% instead of just 100% then it’s worth it. We just haven’t decided when to give the tip. I think timing is everything with this one and we might give it to them when they show up inside of a card. Wedding Coordinator: TBD $50-$100 dependent on overall satisfaction and will tip the day after the wedding inside of a thank you card Officient: $20 after ceremony with thank you card Dedicated Bartender Cocktail hour: $50 after event Waitstaff for Cocktail Hour and Reception: $20 per person I think that's it.

This thread caught like a wild fire...I love seeing all this support, it's what make the ladies of BDW so great! I purchased my dress 7 months in advance and it arrived 5 months later and I started alterations 2 weeks after that which was 6 weeks prior to my wedding. Nothing will be worse than finding a dress that you love and then finding out that you no longer have enough time to order it. I would advise that you don't wait any later than 8 months out. Also remember that some dresses offer more flexability than others... A-line vs mermaid or lace-up corset vs zip closure.

Uhura, your back! Congrats newlywed, how was everything? Any pics to share?

Quote: Originally Posted by jnitschke So I had my bachelorette party over the weekend. Soooo much fun. My boudoir shoot was awesome. I looked so good in my photos. It was a total self esteem boost, I had know idea I could look so beautiful. It makes me feel so much better for my my wedding. It also told me that I need to get my make up professionally done, it makes such a big difference on camera. I can't wait til I have something to post on here for you guys. Eeek! so much to do still! Glad to hear that your bachelorette party and BD session were both a success. I swear I would do a BD shoot every 6 months if I could afford it. It was the greatest dose of self-esteem that I've ever had. I take sneak peeks of my pics every now and then when Justin is out of the house.

I wish I would have done this. My sample was a size 8 and pretty tight, but zippable. My measurement put me into and 6 at the bust, 8 in the waist and 10 for my hips. My bridal consultant advised that I order the 10, I wanted to order a 6, but went with an 8 in the end. I should have went with my gut because I still needed the dress to be taken in at the bust waist and hip when I had my first fitting. Had I went with the 6 it would have fit perfectly and my dress would have only needed a bustle. But I guess more brides gain weight post engagement and most don't meet their fitness goals of losing weight and toning up. And if alterations are done on the premises, this is another way of the bridal salon making money...selling you a dress that's too big. Anywho, it sounds like you're on the right track and if you stay committed, you'll slim down in no time. For me I eat clean w/ high protein, adhere to portion sizes, eat 5-6 times a day, limit alcohol consumption to Friday and Saturdays only, workout 4-5 days a weeks (insanity, spin classes, weight/resistance training) Good Luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by Dazeydawl Lol I leave Wednesday morning and still have not finished the music or ceremony. You still have time OMG, it's finally here and I'm so excited for you! I have a montage of Ali DIY projects playing in my head right now. I know everything is going to come together seamlessly and be beautiful. To all my May 4th brides… Congrats, enjoy the moment, and travel safely.

Quote: Originally Posted by heather1214 I totally was planning on having several drinks before but was running late on my hair/make-up so I just jumped right in. It was a lot easier than it seems. As long as you are a little confident, a lot of confidence will show in the pictures... My photographer started me in something with a little more coverage to warm up. Do guys even know that this exists? I was trying to keep it from him so he couldn't guess, but then I'm thinking, would he even think about something like that? No alcohol here, and honestly within the first 5 minutes my nerves totally settled and I became to busy taking direction from my photog and engaging in conversation to be bothered by that fact that I was practically nude and didn't have a clue as to what I was doing. My session was fun, but I wouldn't call it easy. Most of my poses felt un-natural, but somehow they all translated beautifully, especailly the ones that bordered on discomfort. Good question regarding guys awareness. I don't think most know and if they do it's probably because one of their male friends has received this gift from a wife or significant other and it may have come up in conversation or they were presnt when the gift was received.

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsShoreytobe Love it Katy! Gorgeous! I've also heard these things cost a pretty penny, but I have to make a boudoir session happen lol! BD sessions can definitely be spedny and I know didn't choose the cheapest BD photog, but I have no regrets.

Quote: Originally Posted by JustNoelle Hello Brides, Does anyone know where I can purchase baby boys linen suit (with vest)? This particular pic is from a seller on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/listing/98956343/sizes-newborn-to-4t-oatmeal-linen-pants?ref=shop_home_active I purchased a boys vest suit from Macy's for +/- $30 with coupons. It's not linen, but the color and price was right. I couldn't justify the price of linen for a boy who will grow out of it in 4-6 months and only wear it once or twice http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/nautica-kids-set-little-boys-4-piece-vest-set?ID=781364&CategoryID=5991&LinkType=PDPZ1 or http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/nautica-baby-set-baby-boys-four-piece-suit?ID=781952&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

Quote: Originally Posted by LKocelko Some lucky guy! Haha. I was thinking of doing a boudoir shoot and had the same question running through my head. You should definitely do a shoot, I think all women should. It honestly turned out to be one of the greatest gifts I could have given myself and I wasn't even the intended recipient

Quote: Originally Posted by EJay2013 Can't wait until your wedding review Tova and Shannon! I have received a lot of information from each of you!!! Glad I could help so far. Your wedding is right around the corner! I've been back and forth as to whether or not I should bother with a phone call, primarily because it's not in writing and I assume I will end up having the same conversation hashing out the details during our onsite meeting, but I'm glad to read that she followed up via email. I think I'll give her a call, especially since it's been 2 weeks since I submbitted my wedding planning form and haven't heard back from her yet.

Quote: Originally Posted by TFinlay Just booked our honeymoon week... Secrets Maroma. We're so excited. Hopefully it's as nice as all of the reviews have said. Kind of jealy right now. This wasn't in our budget for a week and we didn't think it was worth going for 3-4 days and then have to deal with relocating a second time. But we'll keep it on our to-do list for an anniversary trip

I know my tech told me, but I honestly can't remember. When I got my first set in Decemeber, I took a pair of the fake Ardell lash strips that I use to wear and told her to match them. I'll try to remember and ask her during my next appt.

To all of my lace dress wearing May Brides... If you're wearing a veil what style/length did you go with? This is my only wedding detail that is causing me anguish

Quote: Originally Posted by Sophia2616 Hi Everyone! We had our civil ceremony on Friday! I am legally a Mrs.!! It still doesnt feel real. We leave in 8 days!!!! Congrat on becoming an official Mrs!

If you have any free time checkout YouTube. there are a few ladies who posted videos of this brand and texture. Have you decided on your wedding inspiration?

Hey Kristen, you'll want to cap it @ $300 per person. If you declare anything more you will probably get stopped by the red light in customs, be required to show receipts and pay taxes (not sure of the percentage). Both you and your groom can declare $300 each, but if you still exceed this then look to you're bridal party and/or parents.

Quote: Originally Posted by JA2012 What brand of extensions will you be using? Do you swim and can it get wet?? Originally Posted by JA2012 OOPS!! LOL...I thought you were talking about hair extensions...on your head. I'm trying to find a good brand to use because I want some added length for the wedding. Oooh sorry... I actually mentioned both hair and lash extensions and assumed you were talking about lashes since I get a lot of questions about them here on BDW and in my real world. Hair extensions... I'm going to use ONYC Light Mongolian Perm (onychair.com), it matches my hair color and texture perfectly. I have used this brand before but not on vaca. But I have had a sew-in before during vaca and was able to swim and wash my hair without issue. I considered clip-ins but couldn't find a texture to match my hair. What method of extensions are you considering?

Quote: Originally Posted by shannonmarie One thing that's driving me absolutely nuts are people that have RSVP'd but not booked! My attitude when this all began was "If they don't book 2-3 months in advance, they more then likely aren't coming!" WRONG! I have about 20 people who swear they are coming but have not booked or picked out meal choices. It is very rude and inconsiderate. Especially when I am making welcome bags for everyone. I'm at the point now, where I am running out of supplies and refuse to order more. The last people that book, will not receive a bag. I will politely tell them that they missed the deadline and we did not know they were coming. Have you already sent your planning form off to Pilar? Yes, I sent my planning thread to Pilar about a week ago. She confirmed receiving it, but has not provided me with an estimate to date. Oh the joys of guests and RSVPing. Of my 24 invites sent, I only received 3 RSVPs and I gave the option to RSVP via our wedding website or with the pre-stamped return envelope. And we only had 6 guests choose their meals not including two people that I know have very sensitve food allergies. Aside from these two people, I will not follow up with any one and they will just get what I have chosen as the default.

Quote: Originally Posted by EmmA1025 thats great! Im looking forward to the review! Also, are you going to have a dj? And how long are you staying at now jade? Im not sure what to do with that part.. Im thinking maybe 5 nights at now jade and then id like to go off to a different resort to be alone and celebrate our honeymoon alone for another 5 days but not too sure yet.. what are your plans? No DJ, we just didn't think it was necessary. We're a high energy, fun spirited group and many of us love to dance; we tend to make a party wherever we are. Me and my Groom will be at NJ for 4 night, and our guests for 3 nights. We are then relocating to El Taj in Playa del Carmen for a week and about half of our guests will be relocating and staying at various hotels in the Riveiera Maya for 3 or 4 nights.