JHo2013

Lol I actually wanted an upbeat song and FI wanted a slow song so we're going with adele. Swing dance would be so fun! I was afraid of putting our guests to sleep with such a slow song. Hmm.... Maybe gotta keep looking

Hi Everyone! It is getting really close to the 2 months count down! We fly on July 29th and will be getting married at the Grand Sirenis in Rivieria Maya on August 3rd, 2013! I can't believe how quickly the last year has just gone by! This website has helped me out so much through my planning and I hope to share a bit of my journey with you and hope to contribute back The Engagement If you're interested in the full story - you can go here But the sweet and simple version was Chris and I met 4 years ago and as cliche as it sounds, when you know - you just know. The more I learned about Chris, the more certain I was that we were meant for each other. He took me on a complete roller coaster ride the last 2 weeks before he finally proposed, taking me out to romantic dinners, decorating the home with candles and rose petals with chocolate fondue (and it wasn't even Valentine's!) - and each time I thought he was going to propose but didn't. Just when I wrote it off while we were on vacation at the Grand Sirenis in Riviera Maya last year, he got down on one knee while we were enjoying the stars and the ocean breeze on the beach and asked if I would marry him. Of course I gladly said yes! The Ring Because he proposed on the beach at night time, I didn't even get to see the ring when he presented it! But boy was I pleasantly surprised when we went back to a more well lit area!! I am completely in love with it! <3 The Save the Dates Because we knew that we were going to have a destination wedding, I thought that giving people as much time as possible was necessary. I created a website through http://www.wix.com to announce our Save the Date 9 months to the wedding. Formal invitations were to follow a month later. The website I built took about 3 months (I have a background in Communications so I probably got a little bit more intesnse than I should have with the construction of the site). That said, I did build the website from scratch with all the lovely photos that our amazing photographer, Jacqueline Elizabeth Morrison (http://www.jacquelineelizabeth.com) did for us. If you don't know html too well, don't worry, the website has lots of templates to choose from. The first landing page was our Save the Date photo, and in the website I covered our full engagement story, a blurb on each member of the bridal party, the location and resort, what to pack, how to book their trip, what excursions are offered, google map of the resort, etc. As thorough as I could be so that I would not have to repeatedly answer the same questions. I'll post some more later I just gotta head out now! xoxo

I think you made the right choice with shoe #1. I have them in a patent nude and love them!! I think they're so much more interesting and make legs look so sexy!

I love your first dance song! I love Train. I think their "Marry Me" would be sooo beautiful for the bridal procession.

I think I found the perfect song to dance to with my stepdad and can't believe I didn't think of it before! "Daughters" by John Mayer is super sweet

You look absolutely stunning!!! I am torn between 2 dresses still and I have only 2 months left!!

We are doing our AHR in a traditional Chinese style to honor our Chinese part of me and my FI's background. Unfortunatley, that means at a minimum, there will be 120 people in attendance. (I wanted to do a party of 8 people at the very beginning - and it was a classic example of how a Chinese dad can take over a wedding) But that being said, the good thing about a Chinese banquet is that the my dad's old school friends who I've never seen more than a handful of times will always come covering at least their share of the meal. So hopefully that will lower costs for us. We are doing the full invitations for the AHR, buying flowers again and having a reception at a Chinese banquet hall just 7 short days after we return from our DW. Wish us luck!

Hi ladies. Did anyone rent the illuminated dance floor for the palapa by any chance? We are strongly considering it because it would create such a beautiful ambience. Any suggestions?

Thanks!! I have to say I love them too!!! :)

We're getting married there August this year

Hi. The coordinators email all goes to the generic [email protected] Don't be surprised if you get a few different corresponders switching you off. Your won't really get a designated coordinator until 3 months before your wedding

This is absolutely breathtaking!! I love it!

Hi again - I found the pdf for the restaurants. I'll try to post it here, if it doesn't work - PM me and i'll try to send it to you

Oops I sent you that adorable kids link assuming you were going for the same colors as me. I don't think this one comes in the beige. But they have other really cute options

Actually the boys' mom found these ones at a much better price! They're from a store in Ontario too But the sorry has pink stripes so she's gonna get them white shI rts from gap instead. Hippie this helps! http://www.adorable-kids.com/Vest_Dress_Shirt_Pants_Tie_Red_Deer_p/103-gy.htm

Love your colors! Thanks for posting such great insight into your wedding planning

Ok - So I actually have a few options for foot wear. For the ceremony - I will be walking to the wedding location, and it's quite a trek, plus I had to get real - my ceremony is on the beach and walking in stilettos is a recipe for disaster for me. That said, I love the way heels give me a better posture and makes me look longer and taller. So I got these for walking to the wedding site and to walk down the aisle in: When we are taking photos on the beach around the water, etc. I made a pair of barefoot sandals that have blue swarovski crystals in them as my something blue. I don't have a photo of it at the moment, I'll posit in my planning thread later For the reception, my mother bought me a blush colored gown to party in, so I will be rocking these babies Plus - the second pair will look so beautiful in photos and I can definitely wear them again after the wedding. (yes, this is me justifying the spend on the shoes...)

Ok! That's what I thought too. I was foolishly planning where to seat him in the reception, but I wouldn't be expected to! lol Thanks again!

Congratulations! I am also going to get married at the Grand Sirenis this coming August! It's really coming up quick!! There's a really helpful thread called Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Brides?? There are several wedding packages you can choose from. We want to have the works so we chose the Presidential Package - and that gives you a private location to have your wedding. I'm going to have the ceremony on the beach and then reception at the Palapa. They give you chairs with covers and blue sashes (to change the color sash I think you have to upgrade), but with the Presidential Package we get the Tiffany Chairs (which I love). But if you aren't going with the pres. package, I think the restaurant on the Mayan Beach side by the pool (i can't recall the name, I'm sorry) has the nicest open floor plan and colors (black and white I think). Also, the dance floor price I got quoted was going to be around $500 CAD. I'm still undecided whether that will be worth it. It's a pretty hefty price tag! Hope this helps! Quote: Originally Posted by Leelou2000 Hello! I am getting married at the Grand Sirenis next May and need advice! 1) What restaurant is the best for weddings 2) Do they decorate the restaurants? Chair covers? 3) Has anyone gotten the bridal bouquet that comes with the Gold Package? 4) What is the best location to have the wedding on the beach? 5) Has anyone rented the dance floor? Seems expensive but we have a 4 hour reception so we want to dance! Thank you!!! Lee-Anne