natalieblev

Thanks Shannon! I was hoping it wouldnt come off like that to my guests, but our hotel is seriously upcharge happy! and I wouldnt want the beautiful flowers bouquets just sitting around wherever anyways. And it just so happens i have five bridesmaids and only have five tables needed for reception. On another note my dress fitting did not go so well. I ordered it to made to size, or so I thought, but it came huge! I have lost inches in the last five months, but there is no way that would have been the fit of my dress six months ago either. And it is made for 5'8. Im 5'4. So everything is bigger,,,the train looks massive and the poof out of control because most of it is sitting poofed on the ground cause of how long it is. They are telling me everything will work out, but its is literally like feet have to be taken off the bottom and the top is loose fitting and Im just so nervous that even when its done it is not going to be good because of how much has to be done. I thought that ordering from a designer that needed 8 months to construct my dress meant it was being constructed to fit me as close as possible. Ugh. I dont want to worry about silly things like this when there are so many other wonderful aspects of the wedding (and so many more important issues) but it just makes me nervous. So wasnt such a great day! However, i have got some other things done... I ordered watercolored prints of states with a heart painted into it that have meaning to FI and I am going to use those as "table numbers" So instead of the seating chart saying TBL 1 itll say COlorado and then the guests sitting at that table. Since its such a small wedding it wont be hard to find your state from our five tables. FI constructed my brooch bouquet ball and handle (he even went to the hardware store and was out in the garage using a saw yesterday so he really got into it! so sweet) I also got koozies made for the bridesmaids survival kits and they are so cute! I love them. Im almost done with the welcome bags, but will have to work on that top label for the bags themselves. We also finished payment for all guests who have already reserved so 31! And there is now only a few left to wonder about. Also ordered favors from a Punta Cana chocolate museo. We are now in the fun process of picking out truffle flavors! So on the week agenda- Begin assembling the brooches onto the bouquet. Patience!! Print out the business cards for the id badges/key holder Make the survival kit baggies for the welcome bags Order centerpiece stuff and finalize all decor i will be bringing for cake table And figure out what i am going to do about this dress situation! So much more to do but can only do one day at a time! hah. What are you guys up to?!

Thanks Tamara...I will have to look at the apple green again. Im pretty sure the peach isnt close to the bridesmaid dresses...mine are the peach one in this picture.... But maybe that wont be too big of a deal. Thanks so much for your reply. I was talking to mom and maybe the khaki would look good (kind of like a burlap look) with the pink and green. Dont worry about getting the swatches...that is SO nice of you to offer, but I think it will be fine once i get there and can just see them in person and use the khaki as a backup. Maybe the other decor will bring out that more. Thanks for the advice it is much needed! On the extra hour- She quoted me only about a month ago that it would be 12/per person for every hour. (Plus the hotel DJ fee which is 236 if you dont end up using DJ M). I cant believe they changed the centerpiece prices again. I just got some from her this morning and the cheapest is 60$ a table, but I had never asked for them before now.

Hi Ladies. I was just wondering if any of you had any feedback on selling your dress? Have any of you done it and was it easy/successful/used preowned wedding dress website to sell it? I just got back from my first time trying my dress on. Ordered it back in August, sort of under pressure...and now that it is in there are so many issues Im just afraid i made a big mistake. It is HUGE...about three whole sizes too big, plus I am 5'4 and it is made for about 5'8....because it is made so big everything else is bigger too so the train seems out of control and the tulle under the skirt is massive because most of it is being poofed out from four inches of it sitting on the ground. I dont know...it just was not a good visit at all. Even though it is a nice designer dress I just dont know if all of it can be worked out and I am thinking about trying to sell it and just buying something off the rack. I have no idea. I feel so down about it after waiting all this time and spending the money on it when i probably should have just gone with my gut and got something cheaper...but anyways, just wondering if anyone has had good luck with selling because I really don't want to waste money.

tamara those are gorgeous! I love the colors too. I got the color swatches today (i was hoping they had added some new colors!) But they dont have really either color i have been planning on using (peach and mint). I really dont know what to do as we have already planned everything else around that. I had planned on using things (table runners, chair sashes, centepieces) from my travel agent this whole time (who also does destination weddings) but that has become a headache because she has never once showed me anything she has in her stock...so i finally just gave up (after six months of nothing) and said i would use the hotel's stuff...but now I dont know what to do? Any suggestions? The bridesmaids are wearing peach and the guys gray...I didnt buy a ton of decor stuff but everything i have is peach/mint...Would another color they have for the table and chairs go with this? I am really bad with decor and I dont really have any help because FI and I live away from family right now for his job.

Also going to try my dress on for the first time today!!!

Okay this might sound like Im a cheap-o, but I hate to waste and maybe i am a little bit of a cheap-o! BUt has anyone considered using the bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces as well? Like after the ceremony, put the flowers in a vase on each table? I was thinking it would save money obviously, but bridesmaids just throw those things down after the ceremony anyways so why not? Anyone else?

Okay this might sound like Im a cheap-o, but I hate to waste and maybe i am a little bit of a cheap-o! BUt has anyone considered using the bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces as well? Like after the ceremony, put the flowers in a vase on each table? I was thinking it would save money obviously, but bridesmaids just throw those things down after the ceremony anyways so why not? Anyone else?

If you look back on this thread you will see many brides who used the hotel hair/makeup. Most recently TDawn who did a trial first and said they were great (she did her own makeup). If you are at the resort long enough just schedule a trial day to bring you at ease. I have heard for the make up that they do not have very much so even if you do have them do it, bring your own stuff. You can go to sephora or mac and have a trial session with them first to know what to bring or buy and even take a picture. I also am doing trial sessions with my hair stylist at home to just get a better idea of what i actually want before i get down there.

Love the flowy-ness! VEry pretty!!

Very pretty! Lace is so beautiful!

So pretty!! And yes your hair is awesome! Looks so cool and comfortable too!

I just have a question for any of you who have been to PC before. For favors I want to do DR chocolate, coffee and cigar. We are planning on purchasing a box of cigars from the local market when we get down there, and the Tamara provided me with a great website for the DR coffee...but for the chocolates....I got a quote from a PC company for 3 truffles for 5$ (so around 170 for our guests) do you think this is a good price or should i just wait to get down there and buy the chocolate at the local market? I know they will package it nicely and deliver to the hotel so that is a plus!

Miss Jali- I will not even go into my situation with having a TA, but I will say the best thing you can do for your guests is not use one! Online websites like the ones you mentioned, plus resortvacationstogo.com have great deals (and include taxes) and sometimes they have AMAZING deals. Just two weeks ago our resort was the "deal of the week" on cheapcarribean.com and the room we reserved back in August through our TA was 1000 dollars cheaper then what we paid!! TAs make money off of your room bookings so they are always more. Dont do it! It is stressful, your guests have access to a computer and will price compare...you will feel like your guests are being overcharged, you have to fight to get the better price, etc etc. And honestly you are going to look for prices yourself because you care about your guests...you will constantly check the flights, the online resort sites...so in essence you will be the TA...and your guests will end up getting better prices hands down!

I hear ya! I think you made a good decision! It really to me atleast has been so much better just letting that stuff go! I just keep saying they do weddings all day everyday- it'll get done! And I set my price limit so it's like I have already planned it budget wise.

Anyone adding a "bridesmaid survival kit" to the girls welcome bags? What ideas do you have so far? I think I'm going to do one- so far Im thinking shout stick, dbl sided tape, maybe sewing kit, nail file, compact mirror, small bottle of rum (getting married in punta Cana). Already ordered them a robe and fun sunglasses for the day of. Any fun ideas??

Miss Jali i posted a couple of extra prices a few months ago but if you are getting married in 2014 I would wait cause they change prices every year. Ex-Tiffany chairs used to be 6$ a chair when I first started communicating with the hotel but now they are 12$.

Sounds like our onsite WC's. After about seven months of trying to get info on centerpieces, then deciding ill just bring them down myself, then later deciding that is way too much stuff to bring I am just resolved with not planning those until I get down there! I switched things in my budget and they will have to be within the price i set or im just going to use the ugly basic one. Just yesterday my MIL called to ask me if such and such would go with the centerpieces- Im like I dont have any so bring whatever you want...her and my mom think im crazy but it was stressing me out SO much trying to get prices and answers and such that I just decided its easier on me to say oh well!

Thanks guys! I will check them out! MMK I still have no idea how to make those damn labels but WHATEVER! haha. I guess I will see if my FI knows how this weekend. I finally did the business type cards for the key/money holder and I felt like I had solved a major world issue.

On another note!...Tomorrow will be 3 months exactly till I am getting married!! .I went to hobby lobby yesterday and scored some fake succulents (which they look fake when they are real so no biggie) so I can DIY boutonnieres for the groomsmen and also bought extra bigger ones to add into the real bouquets for the bridesmaids. When I first asked the hotel about a bouquet that had garden roses and succlents they quoted me 400.00!!! The "basic" price for the bridesmaid bouquets start at 30.00 so you can imagine I was like WHAT!?!!!! Succulents and the color peach were two things I really wanted in my wedding so now I feel so much better bringing the fakies! It saves SO much money...105 on the groomsmen alone! And I get the relief of knowing I got them and can move on! I also got some contents for the welcome bag survival kits at dollar tree...and all the stuff needed to start on my brooch bouquet this weekend. But couple of questions for you ladies.... Does anyone know where to get cheap meds/first aid kits for the survival kits? Anyone doing any kind of memorial to a loved one at the wedding? How will you be honoring them? Anyone here getting married in Punta Cana? I am trying to figure out if I will be able to do a little shopping there for the welcome bags (for water, snacks, etc) before the guests arrive!

I have been going through the same issues. Ive had 10 people who had already reserved and paid money now cancel. Including my brother in law and two nieces who were to be my flower girls. Everyone who canceled were also "on my side" i guess you would say, so now we have 35 guests and only 8 are "my people." At first I did take it personal (even being yelled at by my older sister who said I was too sensitive) but it did hurt my feelings. But honestly I do understand that it is a cost (especially for a family rather than just a couple) to come and we are spending a week there so I also understand about the time off of work so I just moved on! I am excited to spend the week with such a small group and I think it will be really fun to be able to do so much together rather than just a one night hometown wedding where many say you dont even get to talk to all the guests. And though I am so sad that my nieces wont be there (because i see them like once a year!) I understand and am excited that my sister is still coming and think hey maybe it will be a great break for her and I will get to spend way more time with her since she wont have the kids! And the group is made up of FI's huge family and friends who I have known half my life now (we first started dating in highschool 14 years ago!) so I know itll be crazy and funny and awesome! Tomorrow is my TA's deadline of reserving (we do have one couple who is waiting until next month, but its just two of them) so i will feel so FREE to be done with getting everyone reserved and dealing with cancellations, etc!!! Im so excited hahaha!

So pretty I love it!! You look awesome!

Don't worry! I felt the same way reading all this stuff! I saw all these awesome projects and I'm like I don't even know what vistaprint is or how to use it!! I tried it, fretted that all my welcome bag stuff wouldn't match like these awesome talented ladies' do but then I just said no biggie! I still put thought and detail into everything I'm doing. One thing that helped me is I made a big list of everything that has to get done from music selections to my brooch bouquet to ordering BM dresses to buying a garter. Then I separated that list into months based on how long it would take, not doing it too early etc. (I did this only in Jan) and so now instead of feeling overwhelmed by so much stuff I can just look at that list, know when it needs to be done and also know that I'm not NOT getting something done but rather it just isn't the month to do it! makes me feel better atleast and it has literally made the stress disappear! D

Good Luck!! Exciting!! Can't wait to hear about it!! If you have time will you ask if they do private salsa dance lessons for free? I know they do them there for free but for my Bachleorette day my girls and I thought it would be fun to do a private lessons, but noone knows the answer! have so much fun!!!

Oh No Im getting dress envy!!! This is gorgeous and I love the straps!!

Yes I believe so. I have the 2012 price list as well...and it was around 8000 but that includes quite a bit and was not the most basic package! You can email Mayte and she will send you the different packages for bar and reception food. She also says things like "You tell me how much you want to spend on certain things and we will work within that" so it is customized and catered to your budget.