ashk

Cute idea - we did fridge magnet STDs too, but I love your luggage tag idea!!! Too cute

Hahahah!!! I love it!

January 20, 2013 - Grand Sirenis, Riviera Maya! 56 days until we leave!

Invitations We sent out Save the Date / Announcement emails to everyone as soon as we knew the date and place, to give as much notice as possible. Then we made up Save the Date invitations. We made fridge magnets (business card size, from Vistaprint) designed by Andre (who's a photoshop wiz). I think they came out decently, but the bleed margins given by Vistaprint were off so the blue border didn't come out quite right. But they were a hit with our guests I see them on everyone's fridge when I visit. I made them from scratch myself with white letter size cardstock from Walmart (about $6 for a pack), printed with our message (made 2 per sheet). Then folded in half. Found gorgeous guava/coral ribbon at Dollarama. Wrapped a length of ribbon around the front of the card, and secured with a paper copy of the StD magnet. Then used the ribbon to hold an insert with information about the resort on one side, and the booking info on the other. Total cost per StD including magnet and postage: $1.46 Our magnets and the front of the StD cards

Now the fun part - all the planning Photographer Our photographer is Take It! Photo, based in the Riviera Maya. I was looking at reviews here on BDW. Their work is beautiful, and they have amazing reviews. They work as a team (2 photographers) And Andre (my fiance) likes them too. I was actually torn between bringing a local photographer I had met at one of the shows - my MoH and I both really liked her, and her work. But even tho she was happy to come to Mexico with us for the cost of her trip and supplies, I ended up choosing someone local. My logic being that they would be more experienced with the photographic conditions, and they're a team - so twice the photo opportunities! And it ended up being less expensive too. Altho bringing your photographer as your guest often means they wander around the resort the whole week you're there, and often take lots of random shots of you and your guests.

Choosing Destination We decided to go Destination after seeing all the work and stress my girlfriend went through for her October 2011 wedding, and after both our parents semi-jokingly suggested it. We knew we wanted the Riviera Maya, because we'd been there a couple years ago on a day excursion while on a family cruise, and wished we could have spend more time there. After months of research and searching, we decided on Grand Sirenis. My Dress I got my dress kind of by fluke - a work girlfriend of mine is getting married July 2013, and we had been attending Bridal shows together. She wanted to check out a massive bridal sample sale downtown, and I tagged along for moral support and to see what was out there. I fell in love with the first dress I tried on! I was planning on something simple and flowy and beachy, so when I saw this gorgeous diamond-white, embroidered and bejewelled confection of a gown, in my size, I thought "well I should at least be able to say I've tried one of these on" My friend bought her dress that day. I didn't have my mom with me, and I didn't really think it was appropriate for a beach wedding. It was so painful to leave it behind! I just couldn't get it out of my mind, and I ended up rushing back first thing the next morning with my mom, and it was still there!!! Totally meant to be! And it fits practically perfectly right off the hanger. (I'm on the right, my friend is on the left)

The most important layer

We'd been together for 5 years, and known each other for about 4 years before that. We'd been through the deaths of his father and grandfather, and mysterious serious illness for me (all better now, and he was crucial to that!) Our families had been hinting for a while about our getting married, and we're insanely lucky that we both adore and get along well with our inlaws. So summer 2011, I started a new job. We'd been talking about going on a cruise together for several months, off-and-on, but never booked it. So in August, he started talking about taking a cruise to Australia for a couple weeks (this is high on my bucket list). But because of the new job, I said No, can't go now. In Sept, our 5th anniversary comes and goes, and because we were both insanely busy, we got takeout and didn't really do anything special. In Oct, we make plans to take a ride out to Rattlesnake Point conservation area, which is amazingly beautiful, and go for a hike for our anniversary. That morning, I woke up feeling like I'd been run over. We decided we'd just go out for a nice dinner instead. Andre announces he's going out shopping, and I take a nap to try to feel better. I start feeling better and get dressed up to go to dinner. At this point, Andre starts acting kinda silly. He made me stay downstairs, so he could wrap my present. I'm dying of curiosity, but figure it's my anniversary present. Finally I'm allowed to come upstairs and see what he's up to. He's all dressed up for dinner, and he's sitting in his chair beside a giant box. I go to open it, all excited to see what he got for me, and he warns me to be careful - don't tip it!! Ooh, so it's either fragile or tippy I pull the paper off the top, and open the box. There's a layer of long-stem red roses!!! Aww! (He rarely buys me flowers, and usually if he does, they're potted) So those go to the side. More paper, and there's a K'nex rollercoaster kit I've wanted one of those since I was a kid, and he knew it! I was so excited! But wait, there's more! I figure he's assembled a mini-coaster in the bottom of the box. More paper. In the bottom of the box, it's not a mini-coaster. It's a silver ring box, surrounded by more roses. And he's taken rose petals and fern leaves to make a giant rose under the ring box! ahhh!!!!! He got down on his knee, and proposed - and I'm giddily in shock And I hugged him, and said YES! So here's where I realize that he's been trying to propose for months, but I kept getting in the way :0 I couldn't take off work so he couldn't propose on an Australian cruise. I got sick so we couldn't go hiking so he could do it there! But I love how he was so creative and came up with a way to do it that was still totally him (he couldn't wait any longer, he can't keep a surprise to save his life - my parents knew it was coming because he was so excited, he had to tell someone LOL) Anyway, I apologize for being so long-winded!

We'd been together for 5 years, and known each other for about 4 years before that. We'd been through the deaths of his father and grandfather, and mysterious serious illness for me (all better now, and he was crucial to that!) Our families had been hinting for a while about our getting married, and we're insanely lucky that we both adore and get along well with our inlaws. So summer 2011, I started a new job. We'd been talking about going on a cruise together for several months, off-and-on, but never booked it. So in August, he started talking about taking a cruise to Australia for a couple weeks (this is high on my bucket list). But because of the new job, I said No, can't go now. In Sept, our 5th anniversary comes and goes, and because we were both insanely busy, we got takeout and didn't really do anything special. In Oct, we make plans to take a ride out to Rattlesnake Point conservation area, which is amazingly beautiful, and go for a hike for our anniversary. That morning, I woke up feeling like I'd been run over. We decided we'd just go out for a nice dinner instead. Andre announces he's going out shopping, and I take a nap to try to feel better. I start feeling better and get dressed up to go to dinner. At this point, Andre starts acting kinda silly. He made me stay downstairs, so he could wrap my present. I'm dying of curiosity, but figure it's my anniversary present. Finally I'm allowed to come upstairs and see what he's up to. He's all dressed up for dinner, and he's sitting in his chair beside a giant box. I go to open it, all excited to see what he got for me, and he warns me to be careful - don't tip it!! Ooh, so it's either fragile or tippy I pull the paper off the top, and open the box. There's a layer of long-stem red roses!!! Aww! (He rarely buys me flowers, and usually if he does, they're potted) So those go to the side. More paper, and there's a K'nex rollercoaster kit I've wanted one of those since I was a kid, and he knew it! I was so excited! But wait, there's more! I figure he's assembled a mini-coaster in the bottom of the box. More paper. In the bottom of the box, it's not a mini-coaster. It's a silver ring box, surrounded by more roses. And he's taken rose petals and fern leaves to make a giant rose under the ring box! ahhh!!!!! He got down on his knee, and proposed - and I'm giddily in shock And I hugged him, and said YES! So here's where I realize that he's been trying to propose for months, but I kept getting in the way :0 I couldn't take off work so he couldn't propose on an Australian cruise. I got sick so we couldn't go hiking so he could do it there! But I love how he was so creative and came up with a way to do it that was still totally him (he couldn't wait any longer, he can't keep a surprise to save his life - my parents knew it was coming because he was so excited, he had to tell someone LOL) Anyway, I apologize for being so long-winded!

We'd been together for 5 years, and known each other for about 4 years before that. We'd been through the deaths of his father and grandfather, and mysterious serious illness for me (all better now, and he was crucial to that!) Our families had been hinting for a while about our getting married, and we're insanely lucky that we both adore and get along well with our inlaws. So summer 2011, I started a new job. We'd been talking about going on a cruise together for several months, off-and-on, but never booked it. So in August, he started talking about taking a cruise to Australia for a couple weeks (this is high on my bucket list). But because of the new job, I said No, can't go now. In Sept, our 5th anniversary comes and goes, and because we were both insanely busy, we got takeout and didn't really do anything special. In Oct, we make plans to take a ride out to Rattlesnake Point conservation area, which is amazingly beautiful, and go for a hike for our anniversary. That morning, I woke up feeling like I'd been run over. We decided we'd just go out for a nice dinner instead. Andre announces he's going out shopping, and I take a nap to try to feel better. I start feeling better and get dressed up to go to dinner. At this point, Andre starts acting kinda silly. He made me stay downstairs, so he could wrap my present. I'm dying of curiosity, but figure it's my anniversary present. Finally I'm allowed to come upstairs and see what he's up to. He's all dressed up for dinner, and he's sitting in his chair beside a giant box. I go to open it, all excited to see what he got for me, and he warns me to be careful - don't tip it!! Ooh, so it's either fragile or tippy I pull the paper off the top, and open the box. There's a layer of long-stem red roses!!! Aww! (He rarely buys me flowers, and usually if he does, they're potted) So those go to the side. More paper, and there's a K'nex rollercoaster kit I've wanted one of those since I was a kid, and he knew it! I was so excited! But wait, there's more! I figure he's assembled a mini-coaster in the bottom of the box. More paper. In the bottom of the box, it's not a mini-coaster. It's a silver ring box, surrounded by more roses. And he's taken rose petals and fern leaves to make a giant rose under the ring box! ahhh!!!!! He got down on his knee, and proposed - and I'm giddily in shock And I hugged him, and said YES! So here's where I realize that he's been trying to propose for months, but I kept getting in the way :0 I couldn't take off work so he couldn't propose on an Australian cruise. I got sick so we couldn't go hiking so he could do it there! But I love how he was so creative and came up with a way to do it that was still totally him (he couldn't wait any longer, he can't keep a surprise to save his life - my parents knew it was coming because he was so excited, he had to tell someone LOL) Anyway, I apologize for being so long-winded!

What a cute story! In the end, your kids and grandkids will probably find that one so much better than if it had gone as planned

As January 20th speeds incredibly ever-faster towards us, I am racing to get everything sorted for our Jan 17, 2013, 6am departure! We have each other, the dress, and the place. What more do we need? Oh yeah! The flowers, his suit, music, OOT bags and attendant goodies, choose menu, and all the hundreds of other things I know you all know Let alone the guests! I hope something I've done/will do, or didn't do, will be helpful to those of you still planning. And I am beyond thankful to all the BDW ladies who have come before me for their inspiration, ideas, experience and just good ol' sanity-saving "we've been there"! Ashley

Beautiful pics We did ours in October too - you can't beat the gorgeous fall colours in Ontario

Murmel, thank you for the link to your seamstress - I need to get my bustle done

Hi jreist - we're January 20, 2013 too! We're at Grand Sirenis, Riviera Maya. It's definitely coming faster every day!

Hi ladies! We're down to 2 months and counting I DEFINITELY cannot say enough for having a travel agent to handle all your guests' questions and needs. Also, they are experienced and it's their job to make sure everything goes smoothly for you (flights are scheduled, special needs are accommodated, resort treats you right, etc) and in Ontario, they have to be registered with TICO. And a good TA can make recommendations for dates and resorts. For instance, mine informed me that we could get a better rate if we left on a different day! And we had a couple guests who had to wait until the last minute to book, and she was able to hold extra rooms in addition to those with deposits. We jumped around quite a bit in the beginning over which resort to go to, when to go, etc. We ended up choosing a resort that wasn't even on my list, at TA's recommendation - I looked into it and jumped for joy I hope everyone's planning is going well - I'm enjoying the planning/prep, but now it's crunch time and I'm ready for that sandy beach!

Getting closer to the magical 150 every day - can't wait to see them!

What a great idea!! I've been wracking my brain to come up with a unique and fun luggage identifier (so we can all grab our stuff and go! at the airport) and I think this is the ticket! Sewing machine for the win!

Absolutely amazing! You are so creative (and economical ;D) And you all looked so gorgeous! Congratulations on a slam-dunk

Got my holders off ebay - something like 20 for $5. Getting wrist coils from Oriental Trading (what a magical place... ) Now I just need to finish the inserts! Go, DIY!

thanks for sharing this - perfect!!