LKocelko

I'm not really freaking out, but it seems like a lot of other May brides are, so it's making me nervous that I'm forgetting a bunch of stuff! Hopefully I don't start freaking out as the date gets closer.

May 11, 2013 - El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico

We had originally had it for Cocotal, and then Claudia emailed saying we had to move it to La Isla because Cocotal was having another large event. I told her whatever, as long as the food is good i don't care where it is But thanks for looking out!

Does your resort offer this option? I know at El Dorado they do, so you wouldn't have to bring in an outside vendor.

Hooray! One more thing to check of the list

What wedding site do you have? Ours is through The Knot and you can RSVP food options there.

We're getting married May 11 and doing an AHR brunch at a restaurant near our house - low key and relaxing (and cheap!). We were initially wanting to have it in July, since that'd put it about 2 months after. However we have found out 3 of my FI's friends are getting married in July so that's a no. We're now planning on doing it the first Saturday in August, but is that too far after the actual wedding? I didn't want to really do it in June since we'll be in Mexico until May 17th and I wanted some space in between, but if we have to I guess we could do end of june? Thanks ladies!

Is there one you'd be more inclined to wear more again in the future? If you'd wear 1 more than 2 in the future, then it might be worth the extra price.

We are at the Presidential Gazebo - we are only having about 20 people so it will be small. My FI wanted this one because he really wanted the gazebo on the beach, and on the same level as all of our guests. We're then having the private reception at Health Bar, and using our "reservation" from the package for a Friday night welcome dinner at La Isla. We were initially going to just use that as our "reception" but after some back and forth decided we wanted a more private feel. Due to the small guest count (immediate family only) we are only having an iPod - I didn't want to spend the money on a DJ to just dance with my parents haha. We'll go out after the private reception/dinner to some of the bars at the resort. Once you decide the vibe you want for the wedding, things will start to fall into place. I also recommend you think about what things are really important to you and focus on those. For example, it was so important to me that we have a great photographer. To do so, we cut the budget elsewhere to make this happen. You just gotta keep what's important in sight. Things can add up and spiral pretty quickly

I second that - it's YOUR day so you should do what you want. Hopefully your FI can talk to her and help her understand, but you really don't have to explain your reasoning. Do what you want, otherwise you won't be happy. You'll never be able to please everyone with everything.

Congrats! I have Claudia as well, and have been very happy with her. She usually responds within a day or two and is able to answer any questions I have. We are also doing the Pearl Package, and then doing any add-ons for things that may not be included. It can be super overwhelming, especially the first few emails from her, because there can be so much to cover. Has she emailed you yet? If you have any specific questions feel free to message me and I can try and help. The best thing to do is make the big decisions (gazebo, reception, etc) and take it from there. If you know what feel you're going for, it'll help her be able to help you better - if that makes sense

First, loooove your dress! That is the style I had thought I'd want, but I ended up going another way. But so romantic! I personally like the peep-toe, so I'd go with two. I think it suits the style and feel of the dress.

We kept saying, "Okay, this weekend let's do the ceremony" and never did. Once we sat down and actually did it it didn't take too long. I had already googled a bunch of non-religious wedding vows and readings, so we were just going thru what I had found. Allie passed her template along, and said with it being so detailed the officiant had no issues.

Finally finished! Thanks to Allie for sharing hers as a starting point! I'm wonder, though, if it is too long? Lindsey & Sam Wedding Ceremony: SONG: iPod playlist “Ceremony Seating†Guests seated Minister takes place at altar Groom escorts his mother down the aisle Groom stands at altar with minister Mother of the bride escorted to her seat by best man MOB & MOG stay standing, and minister indicates all guests should stand SONG: iPod playlist “Bride walk†Bride entrance, escorted by father Presentation of Bride (Minister): Who presents this woman to be married to this man? FOB: I Do. FOB shakes groom’s hand, kisses bride on cheek, places bride’s hand in groom’s hand FOB is seated. MOH straightens bride’s train, takes bouquet. Bride & Groom face each other and join hands Greeting (Minister): Welcome everyone. On behalf of Lindsey and Sam, we thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful afternoon in Mexico to witness and celebrate their union in marriage. That so many people have traveled great distances to be here today is a testament to the love and support they have. Ceremony (Minister): Sam, and Lindsey, your family and friends have gathered here to celebrate the love you have found in each other and support your decision to commit yourselves to one another for the rest of your lives. Our ceremony today is based on the relationship that you, Lindsey and Sam, share and have built with each other. It is indeed, a joyous occasion when two souls are united in love; when two hearts experience the same feelings and two persons act as one in this most beautiful union. We affirm this love you have for each other. You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re marriedâ€, and continued with “I will†and “you will†and “we will†– all those late night talks that included “someday†and “somehow†and “maybe†– and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.†Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same. For after today you shall say to the world: this is my husband. This is my wife. Note to Minister: Ask Jamie to come forward, hand microphone to Jamie Reading (Jamie): A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we’re safe in our own paradise. Our soul mate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person. Our soul mate is the one who makes life come to life. Marriage Vows (Minister) (note to Minister: echo style, with bride and groom repeating each line) Lindsey, repeat after me: I, Lindsey, take you Sam (echo) to be my husband and partner in life. (echo) I promise to always hold you with tenderness and have the patience that love demands (echo) To choose compassion when anger feels easier (echo) To give and receive comfort during hard times (echo) To share my heart with those you love (echo) To speak when words are needed, and share the silence when they are not. (echo) To grow with you and love you through all our adventures in life (echo) You are my love and my life, today and always. (echo) Sam, repeat after me: I, Sam, take you Lindsey (echo) to be my wife and partner in life. (echo) I promise to always hold you with tenderness and have the patience that love demands (echo) To choose compassion when anger feels easier (echo) To give and receive comfort during hard times (echo) To share my heart with those you love (echo) To speak when words are needed, and share the silence when they are not. (echo) To grow with you and love you through all our adventures in life (echo) You are my love and my life, today and always. (echo) Exchange of Rings (Minister): Wedding rings are made precious by our wearing them. Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together. Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight. May these rings remind you always of the vows you have taken here today. Sam, place the ring on Lindsey’s finger, and repeat after me: “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with that all that I am and all that I have†<Sam echoes> Lindsey, place the ring on Sam’s finger, and repeat after me: “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with that all that I am and all that I have†<Lindsey echoes> Note to Minister: Ask Tim to come forward, hand microphone to Tim Reading (Tim): A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage the little things are the big things... It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once each day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right partner... It is being the right partner. Sand Ceremony (Minister): Before each of you there is a container of sand. Each container represents the separate journeys you once were on. They also represent your own sets of friends and families that once were apart. In a moment I will ask that you both blend your individual containers of sand together, representing the coming together of your friends and family, through your marriage, into one. And as the sand is blended into one container, your once solitary journeys will now be one of companionship, as you walk a single path together into your future. I now ask that you blend your vases of sand together. SONG: iPod playlist: Sand Ceremony <Lindsey and Sam take turns pouring the sand> As the sand has blended together, your lives are now joined, your separate journeys through life are now one. Sam and Lindsey have chosen to pour their individual sands together in layers, showing they will each maintain their individuality and all the traits that make them unique. Your friends and family are also now joined together, for you will share those who are in your lives and will walk hand-in-hand along the path of your marriage - united and strong as husband and wife, as inseparable as these grains of sand. Closing (Minister): Lindsey and Sam, remember to treat both yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty or fear assails your relationship – as they threaten all relationships at one time or another – remember to focus on what is right between you. In this way, you can ride out the times when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your lives, your life together will be marked by abundance and delight.
Give to one another new experiences of joy. Challenge one another so that you may grow. May you never take each other for granted, but always experience the wonder of your union. May the love you now share continue to grow, and may the happiness you bring to each other be a continuing part of your life together. I now pronounce you husband and wife. Sam, you may kiss your bride. (kiss!) Minister: It’s my pleasure to introduce to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. SONG: iPod playlist: Recessional

My Dad and I are dancing to "I Loved Her First" by Heartland. This may be a big mistake, as I tear up just listening to the song, but it perfectly describes our relationship. My FI and I are having our first dance to "Valentine" by Dispatch, which probably isn't a widely known band. They're kind of "our" band, and I just love the melody of the song. We also strongly considered "You and Me" by DMB, but it was just too long. I really wanted to find an instrumental version of a more modern song to walk down the aisle to. Here's my brainstorming list I'm keeping: Instrumental, for ceremony: Marry Me, Train I think I Wanna Marry You, Bruno Mars Angel, Jack Johnson (background during sand pouring?) Here Comes the Sun, Beatles (lyrics, recessional?) Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (acoustic) Canon in D Up and Away, DMB (processional?) Away We Go Soundtrack Just the Way You Are, Silverlake String Quartet Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Steve Wonder (recessional?) Brighter Than Sunshine, Aqualung (recessional?) Lyrical, for reception: Valentine, Dispatch (first dance?) You and Me, DMB (first dance?) Lucky, Colbie Callait and Jason Mraz I Loved Her First, Heartland (Lindsey and Paul) Could You Be Loved, Bob Marley Stand by Me, Ben King (Donna and Sam?) What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong (Donna and Sam?) Let My Love Open The Door, Pete Townshend Here's some good websites for ideas: http://www.wedalert.com/songs/ceremony/i… http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/weddi… http://www.weddingmusiccentral.com/ http://www.ourweddingsongs.com/ http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-songs I think the Groom and MOG will be the hardest....but I don't have to worry about that one! Haha

I was in this boat and talked to my family about it, and they were mad I was thinking of NOT having a shower! We're doing the same thing - brunch after at home - where everyone can come. You know your family and friends best, but I say go for it.

We got ours from www.tableclothsfactory.com Runners are only $4, and we also bought our chair sashes from here.

We leave on a Wednesday, we'll probably go to the courthouse on Monday. But I think you have to go get the license before that. Still gotta figure out all the details. We didn't want to do it way befoer though.

I like that idea...maybe I'll look into it. Thanks!

Love the sandals - where are they from?

We are bringing our own centerpieces, because the cost to rent was so expensive - I could do the same at a fraction of the cost. I figured it's cheaper to bring one extra suitcase as opposed to pay for all their centerpieces. Plus my mom offered to take some of our stuff with them, so that should help.

What is the imperial table setup?

We're not going with one, just our photographer. I'm just going to have one of my sisters or mom tape it. For me I couldn't find it worthwhile to spend all that extra $ in the budget. I think, personally, I'll look at the pictures more than I would watch the video. But that's just my two cents Since we're paying for the wedding ourselves we're trying to keep the costs down.

We are making mine and my MOH's, and using my bouquet $ from the package towards the guys flowers. I couldn't justify spending that much $ on my bouquet, especially if I couldn't bring it home to have for memories. Since eggplant is my color, I wanted to do eggplant and white calla lilies, something simple. I went to Hobby Lobby, and was shocked by how real they looked. So unless you are dead set on real flowers, I would consider fake. I know Allie did, and I had NO idea until she told me - you really can't tell the difference. You could make your own, or look on Etsy or somewhere for someone to make one for you. Just my two cents

That is an excellent point Plus then you can always try and re-sell all the decor your bring.