DinaQtobe

Quote: Originally Posted by lastminbride Dina, Any chance you can ship some things? Customs is going to try to rip you off. Make sure you have we're receipt. The max you are allowed to bring in without paying taxes is $300. I'm not sure how much the official tax rate is for everything above that. But they will try to rip you off, lie, etc... So do the research, being the receipts, and be prepared to be assertive (not aggressive). Good luck hon! Thanks for the advice about the receipts. It's really not that much stuff, it's just these stupid cups take up so much space. I will definitely be under $300 in "gifts". The cups were only about 45$ and the BM gifts were a max of $200. I don't expect that we will have any excess baggage... I think I am more stressed about actually packing everything and not forgetting anything. I'm making a big deal out of something that I really shouldn't. Just stressed all around. Lastminbride: have you had a previous bad experience with customs?

Quote: Originally Posted by samantha2 I packed all my cups into a carry on and am having my parents take it as one of their carry on pieces. My mom packs pretty light so it works out well for us. Maybe there is someone travelling with you that could take and extra carry on bag? Unfortunately we are traveling alone. We have to take everything.

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsHK Could you stuff things like clothes or bathing suits inside the cups and then stack them? That way all the space inside the cup is being used. Also, pack the heaviest things in your carry ons, and maybe even hang some extra clothes inside your wedding dress garment bag to make more room in the suitcases. I suggested putting some clothes inside of the mugs and my fiance thought that was gross. I'm the one in charge of packing though, so I could always do that if nothing fits. I think I am more overwhelmed about forgetting something....! But thanks for the advice.

Started seriously packing today. How overwhelming! Our tumbler mugs don't stack overly well, so they are taking up a huge amount of space. I've never had to pack for two weeks before. I made a list so that is helping... Any good tips from brides that are packed already?

CAmomofbride, Thanks for the information! The pictures look like they came out great! I am getting so excited to leave! Cannot wait!

Quote: Originally Posted by krisdaversa We still haven't found a resort yet but this Saturday we are going to finally pick one. We started looking into resorts and prices and destinations in the summer. We are also over a year out from a wedding and you are right prices haven't changed too much. I picked our resort primarily off of pictures of other weddings. That was the biggest help to me, because I could actually envision how our wedding would be and look. All of the wedding packages start to look the same after looking at about 3 resorts, so having a list of things that you really want is helpful also. Can't wait to hear where you have chosen! Good luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by krisdaversa So far the only big stressful thing for us/me has been picking a destination with a great price for our guest. I personally wanted Vegas with skinny Elvis but no one was going for that:( I'm not a wedding person either, I did vent planning for high end hotels and kitchens for 10 years but just recently changed careers to better suit having relationships and one day having children. I found that the hardest also. Eventually I found a place that my fiance and I fell in love with that wasn't too bad on the cost for our guests... I started checking prices over a year out. I found that the prices didn't change drastically over the course of a year.

Today marks 3 weeks until the wedding, we leave in 16 days (OH MY GOODNESS!!!!). I can hardly believe it - but am ecstatic!!!! We still need to: Pack! (hopefully this weekend!!!) Write our vows/have an idea of how the ceremony will go Make my foot jewelry (I am starting over from my last two pair) Last minute beauty appointments I think that's it! WOW. I am still quite nervous about family pulling us in different directions during the wedding... I hope that this doesn't happen but we shall see! Good Luck to all the brides flying out soon/already down at their destinations. I have complete confidence that your weddings will be great! Please let us know how they go!!!

Three weeks until the day we are married! I can hardly believe it! I am so excited! I received an e-mail last night from Anel thanking me for the Planning Form that I sent in last week. It was time stamped 1am. Man these planners work hard!!! I have every confidence that the wedding will be great! Can't wait to hear more from brides (and mothers of brides) who have recently been married!!

Last time I went to Mexico we had the exact same forecast. It was beautiful the entire week. We had one afternoon where it rained for 20 minutes and that was it. Blue sky all other times. All the best at your wedding, you will have an amazing time regardless!!

Quote: Originally Posted by DANIELLE03 I ship everything to the boarder there and pick it up when i go down to the states for the weekend SAVES SOOOOOOOO MUCH yay! On another note. I did my dress fitting this weekend. and I cant lose any more weight or my dress is going to be too big! its already a little loose and its a corset and pulled as tight as it can go!!! So apparently my weight isnt movin on the scale but i lost some inches!!! so my goal right now is 3 more blbs so I get to 160 and then just to maintain and tone for the wedding. Otherwise i will not have a dress to get married in !!! :X Ill post pics later My dress was 3 sizes too big. The seamstress worked magic on it. If you have the right seamstress she can take it in for you and it will look fantastic! Congratulations on the inches lost Danielle!

Quote: Originally Posted by Jenbd817 We are leaving tomorrow for Mexico and will have 44 guests joining us for our wedding on Friday! Can't wait! Will definitely be back to answer any questions and post a review since this thread has been a huge help. Have a great time! Can't wait to hear all about it! Quote: Originally Posted by CAmomofbride Yes, we were down to 2 weeks before arrival and had not gotten any confirmation on receiving our packet or answers to our questions. Our TA sent out an email with URGENT in the subject line to Ramon and then he finally responded but we had to resend the forms ( no big deal) and then he also personally responded to the questions email. These are the two emails that go to their office. [email protected] [email protected] I did send to both of those e-mails. Glad to hear that this is normal.

I sent my planning form in last week and have not heard from either Anel or Ramon (sent it to both e-mail addresses). Is this typical? I'm not that worried, I just want to make sure that they have received it. Any other brides have this happen?

Quote: Originally Posted by ironman So I went out and purchased some cups to have sewn in to my dress and just realized I probably can't use them because they're the gel push up kind, and we were planning on carrying my dress on (i.e. no gel rules for carry on baggage unless a certain sized marked container). Do you think that counts for something like bra cups?! I feel like I need to go find a pair of foam ones now just in case I have them sewn in and we get to the airport and have to rip them out. What a waste of $20, they can't be returned. Hmmmf. The seamstress I brought my dress to charged me 25$ for cups and to sew them in. I never thought to ask if they were gel, but I'm pretty sure they are foam. Might not be worth it to pay for the cups and then pay to have them sewn in when the seamstress can do it for practically the same price?

I can't believe how quickly the wedding is approaching. I am very excited, but a bit frustrated that two of my fiance's brothers are still undecided if they are going to come. It's a long story, but they are both currently booked, but thinking about backing out at the last minute (one for a hockey tournament, and the other as he is procrastinating on his passport). No one seems to think about how inconsiderate that is. I wont know whether they are coming until likely the very last minute. His parents are also trying to change their flights too... I just don't understand why people think it's ok to wait until the last minute to do things. They have been talking about changing the days for over a month now. When will they do it. Like I said, I am super excited for the wedding. I can't wait to have two weeks to be on vacation, one week just my new husband and I! Super excited! However, I am feeling some jitters - but about how I am going to spend time with both of our families. I KNOW that this is going to be an issue, and it's the biggest stress factor for me right now (in addition to the above). Any one have any ideas how to make this less stressful? lol. (ya right, like it's possible, haha).

Quote: Originally Posted by merling86 Hi Ladies! We just set our date for May 8th, 2014! I was wondering if you guys plan on using the resort photographer or if you are using an outside photographer? We are trying to stay below $1,000 any recommendations? I am using the resort photographer for the wedding ceremony. My sister will take photos before and after. I think what you do will really depend on how important photography is to you. I want a few good pictures with my new husband, and ones with my family and that's it. I know that my sister will be able to get those for us. My parents have one wedding photo on display at home and always have only had one. Once they had kids those photos were more important.

Quote: Originally Posted by meganwitt Dina, How curious how many choices you offered your guests for meals? Per Anel we have to make a seating chart and make sure it is clear who is getting what meal. How are you doing this? Just curious for ideas right now. Thanks Hi Megan, I offered my guests the Surf and Turf or the Seafood Stuffed Chicken (no vegetarians in my party). I only have 19 people coming so it was very easy to come up with a seating chart. I will give a seating chart with meal choices to the wedding coordinators. I am also going to put different colored gems on the place cards to signify meal choice. With such few guests it was pretty easy. Good Luck! CAmomofbride: I am so happy to hear that the wedding was a success. I can't wait to hear more about it! On a side note, a co-worker of mine just got back from her honeymoon at the Now Sapphire. She loved it! She also told me that we are able to go to the Dreams resort that is about a 5 minute walk away. She said that the food is quite a bit better, and the pool is really nice. This made me excited! I can't wait, I am so excited!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by moodyc82 Great girl, def means it's working. OMG one month!!! So close!!!! I know, I can barely believe that it is so soon! I can't wait though! Two weeks off spent with my new husband. What could be better? It will be even more rewarding because we have been doing a long distance relationship since March. I am pumped!

Quote: Originally Posted by m8chow Any ideas on what you want to give your bridesmaids? I'm leaning towards a really nice bracelet so that it can be worn for years to come but it'll break the bank a little. I think we're down to decor for our wedding and printing things like programs and deciding on events for everyone to attend. It's coming down to the line..... I'm getting more and more nervous LOL I got all 3 of my sisters (my BM's) something different. One a necklace, one rings, and one a bracelet. It all depended on what I thought they would like the best. I really like the jewelry that they have at the Magnolia kiosks in the malls. I see you live in Toronto so I know they have a store close to you somewhere. A lot of the jewelry is sterling silver and all very pretty. I also saw a lot of nice swarovski jewelry at Costco for a LOT cheaper than the store. I guess it depends on what you want to get and how much you want to spend. You will find something At about 2 months out I started getting nervous too (that I wasn't going to get everything accomplished!). I made a list of everything that I still needed to do. It helped me feel more calm. Every time I tick something off of the list I feel so awesome. Not much left on my list now, and 30 days until we leave . Exciting! Let me know what you find!

I hope everyone is doing well! Slowly but surely I feel like I am starting to slim down. My sister and I started doing the ab challenge two weeks ago. At first I found it really easy, now we're on day 12 and my abs are just screaming. Means it's working, right? Yesterday marked a month until we leave. I honestly can't believe it. I am getting so excited!

Thanks so much for your responses. I have finally heard back from our guests about their meal choices, but still waiting on itineraries from another few, as my FI's family are all changing their flights to different days (I did not have a TA, my guests booked on their own). It's good to know that we can change things if we want. Did most of you include photos of the type of flowers you wanted in your planning form? Did you paste them into the word document, or attach them as separate photos to the e-mail?

Can any past brides provide some advice on filling out the wedding planning form? Is what we fill out for our answers final? Can we change certain things when we meet with the wedding planner when we arrive? We still have some guests that we are waiting on, and some that haven't given us their meal choices (despite asking many times).

Quote: Originally Posted by Jenny2014 Let us know how it goes!!! The fitting went well - the dress looks awesome. I bought it off the rack so it was about 3 sizes too big. I was really worried that the seamstress wouldn't be able to rework it to be my size, but it looks fantastic. I go back in two weeks and she is going to have it hemmed. My goodness it's so close!

I just got back from a run. It was pathetic . I am finding it so hard to be motivated lately. I did start the Ab challenge with my sister though, and we've been motivating eachother to do it. I started the squat challenge yesterday. I have a month and one week to go before we leave so I need to start dropping some of this belly fat... I am so comfortable in my clothes right now, just not in a bikini! Dress fitting tonight! I am so nervous!

Quote: Originally Posted by maallgood Someone recently posted $65.00 for hair and $55.00 for makeup. I wrote it down to add to the budget for my daughter's wedding in January, 2014. Your wedding will be here soon! You must be so very excited! Best wishes!! Thank you for the information. Yes, the wedding is coming up so quickly. It is a very exciting time! We still have a bit to do, but it's all the small stuff. Your daughter's wedding is very close too!