ElleGee

Our invitations . . . FINALLY! I ordered them off Etsy also.

My Maid of Honor gave me this to hold my ring. This has to be the best gift !!!

Our save the dates, which were sent to all of our guests in February. Our resort, SMB, helped produce this photo (it's not us) and I had them made on Zazzle.

Wedding Mongoram (purchased off etsy)

My wedding dress

Bridesmaid Dresses

After many weeks of research and soul searching, I realized that a beach destination wedding was the only way to do it. I have never used a travel agent previously, but knew that would be the best place to start. I enlisted the services of a local agent I had met at the Bridal Extravaganza, however I was not satisfied at all with the service. I then hired a 'master secrets agent' I found through my resort's facebook page. I quickly made most of the major decisions: destination, date, wedding party. My next step was to ask my bridesmaids and MOH to stand by my side.

Hi! I have learned so many priceless tips off of this website, I felt it was my duty to share with everyone my experiences as well. Please feel free to comment on anything you may see! My boyfriend and I met March, 2010. He proposed to me on December 28th, 2012 in a cozy cabin in Texas Hill Country.

We are having our wedding ceremony at 4pm, and then pushing our cocktail hour to begin at 5:30pm, that way we dont miss the cocktail hour! We will do photos for the hour between ceremony and cocktail hour! From what I understand, guest staying at another resort (even if it is Secrets resort), still have to pay $100 per person as a guest fee to come onto the property. I would definitely verify this with SMB, and keep us posted. However, that is what I was originally told several months back from my travel agent when we began this entire process.

I have bought the materials to try and make the barefoot sandals myself!!!!! I bought some cheaper beads for a trial run . . . CRI CRI, would you mind terribly emailing me explaniations that you have on how to make them, and anything else you may have on it. I REALLY appreciate all you have helped out with thus far Thank you!!!!

I agree!!! KC . . join us beach ceremony girls ! I am also a 'heels lover', but I plan to use my gorgeous shoes for my bridal portraits (being done in Houston the month before), and I will bring them for photos at the resort pre-ceremony (with the "i do" stickers and such), and have them as an option to wear for my reception (which is being held by the pool in the gazebo area). For the ceremony, we will either be barefoot (as I have read that if you try to wear shoes on the beach, you just end up kicking sand up in side your long dress, EW), or wear those fun barefoot sandals. I have five girls in my wedding party, so it gets expensive to purchase 6 pairs of the barefoot sandals. I have seen many brides DIY the barefoot sandals, and I am contemplating whether or not to take on the task!!!!! Has anyone had any experience making their own barefoot sandals??? I think they are so cute, but for about $30 each (times six pairs), that is kind of expensive for a 20 minute ceremony . .especially with ALL of my other costs adding up! Plus my girls dresses are also long, so you wont even really be able to see them! This is a photo of their dress . . .and the color as well !

This is so cute! would you mind emailing me your template please!! [email protected] THANKS!

I am feeling your anxiety KC!!! I have right under five months, and the timeline thing is becoming overwhelming. I cant seem to focus on one part because I get sidetracked so easily. We are hoping to have between 50-75 guests, and I just emailed Cecilia today if we can arrange to try all the food options the day we arrive. My fiance has pretty much let me take the reins . . except in the food department, LOL. I will let you know what she says. I am still confused on the beach ceremony options. I also asked her to send me both chuppah options with only what is included in the cost. I have so many differing emails, Im getting confused!!!

YES!!! It totally makes me want to go and try on more!!!! Who is wearing a veil? I am on the fence . . . Perhaps just for my bridal portraits I will wear one? I fear the wind will have it blowing in my face during the ceremony (its on the beach). Plus, I want to wear a low side bun with a orchid and dont want 'too much' going on! ThoughtS?

Hi BrideRN!! Congrats ! I am getting married the weekend after you! We arrive on Wednesday, October 24th, so maybe you will still be at the resort and we can have a celebratory cocktail!!!! I think CKRN used the Styling Trio for her wedding last week. She communicates with this thread and would be be a good resource! I have chosen to use the on site spa services. I will be bringing my own makeup and plan to do a 'trial' run a couple days before the wedding for good measure. Happy Planning!!!!

I LOVE both of these other gowns!!!! We do all have similar taste !! My dress did not come with the belt, in fact the dress had some flower embelleshmints that I had them removed and then I found the belt on my own at Nordstroms (on clearance for $90!!!!!!). I am SOOO happy I chose this lightweight dress because I dont think I could carry anything heavier around all night, LOL. I was already sweating just trying this one on. My first fitting in on August 23rd. My goal is to lose 2 inches in the hips/buttocks area as I need some more dancing room !!!! Crossfit and bootcamp two a days are now in order!!!

Congrats to all you newlyweds and brides to be!!! I cant wait to see your pictures and hear all the details !!!!! Enjoy your day!

Let me try this again . . LOL!!!! My dress just came in, and this is the first time I tried on MY dress !!

Hi Cri!!! I would include any wedding attendants and your parents names. Perhaps add your favorite love quote? And definitely thank your guests for being there! If you are having anything symbolic in the wedding (like a hand or sand ceremony), maybe explain the it's meaning also? Good luck!! YOU ARE SO CLOSE !!! Try and enjoy the moments and not stress TOO much !!!

Cri Cri sent me the photos too . . I think its pretty big! I liked the smaller one with the white flowy dressing on it. What are our options for beach ceremony? Is this it?

Are the DJ lights included in the cost? Or are they going to upcharge again for that? Does anyone know the pricing for the light charges if they do charge? I would love to bring my own white rope lighting to decorate the columns of the gazebo? It sounds like this is acceptable????? I was worried about plugs!

Thank you for posting this. I had NO IDEA the wedding flutes were mailed to our home. Guess its not a bad thing, because I saw SO MANY cute ones on Etsy ! I would have been upset though if I had found that out after arriving.

Good question KC! Had not really thought about that, but I am pretty sure we will both dance the entire song though.

And I meant to add . . I spent an entire day listening to music on You Tube to compile my list, and I was just a water well of tears. It really helped bring me back to reality that I am marrying my best friend, and all these other wedding details have really made me a crazy obsessed bride to be LOL!!!!!! Anyone else have a similar experience?