magda26

I haven't had much issue with family and friends, knowing my European side of the family is appalled at how unconventional a DW is, and not wanting to spend money. Here's my issue with a bridesmaid instead... Prepare for a long story/rant (or feel free to skip ahead): So, I had always planned to get married in my hometown of Chicago. Then I met my fiance in Mexico (he was there for a friend's wedding), and it just made sense to get married where we first met. I wouldn't feel right making his large family have to spend money to come to Chicago, while mine can just drive over. (And his family would travel to the end of the world for us) When we still debated the location for our wedding, it was mostly because I was feeling the pressure from my "friends" and at one point I even asked my brother for advice. He got married in Europe, and a lot of people didn't show up that we expected to. What he told me is "make this day about yourself and what you want, not what people you see once a year want" which is true - my family who lives in Chicago never comes over for holidays, my college graduation, nothing. I actually haven't seen most of them in years... So future hubby and I decided Mexico is the right place to get married. Well, from the beginning I already knew who definitely would not make it. What surprised me was that a lot of my parents' friends actually started mailing me checks for deposits already, even though we don't know the prices yet! They said they will be there without a question, and I honestly did not expect that because they're Europeans and hang on tightly to their money. I also prepared myself for my brother and sis-in-law's comments because they didn't even go on a honeymoon because they think travel is a waste of money. However this is my brother and he said whatever I decide, he will be there. Here's something that surprised me the most. One of my BMs (I don't have a MOH, just 3 BM - my two friends and a cousin), ever since I said it will be Mexico, has just been mean about everything. She even made comments about my engagement ring, has been rude to my fiance, switches the subject when I bring up the wedding. I said I am paying for the BM dresses because I know the travel is already expensive for them, all three will just have graduated college when I get married. I also said I understand if they can't make the financial commitment and to tell me right away if they would just not be attending - I am not expecting anything, just an honest answer. The thing is, at first the BM#1 would just not care about anything related to my wedding, I even saw her rolling her eyes when I was buying my wedding dress. BM#2 (who is BM#1's roommate) could not have been more supportive. I know her money is tight, but she said there is no way she would miss my wedding. As soon as she got my save the date, she hung it up in her room and is always asking if I need any help. I told her that I didn't feel like BM#1 was being a genuine friend, making me feel bad about my wedding. BM#2 said not to worry about it... Fast forward a couple of months, BM#1's cousin gets engaged. Suddenly, she won't stop talking about her cousin's custom designed ring, her wedding that will be in Chicago, and her designer dress. I almost started crying when I visited her, because I asked how the wedding dress shopping for her cousin went. She starts telling me about how the dress is designer, custom made, handmade, etc. I say that is awesome, I'm happy that the cousin gets to get everything she ever wanted for her wedding (at the same time, I'm more than happy about scoring deals on my wedding because I'm a very frugal person and enjoy saving money). Then BM#1 starts talking about how she would never take her cousin to David's Bridal because "you know, she can't walk down the aisle in a David's Bridal dress." Well, my dress is from DB, and she is well aware of that because she was with me when I got it... I have been clear that I'd rather save my money on things like the dress, jewelry, flowers, etc, so I could get a good photo/video package, a good DJ, and be able to help out my guests as much as I can. I have been budget shopping for everything, and I don't see anything wrong with wearing a dress that didn't cost as much as a used car! Then, I started telling BM#1 and BM#2 about my ideas for the centerpieces (I'm using the free ones from my hotel, but adding tulle and seashells around it) and BM#2 is all excited about it, asking if there's anything I need. BM#1 just... ignores me. Then at one point she looks up, and makes a comment about how she practically will have to hitchhike to my wedding because she can't afford it. God, if the money is all that this is about, just tell me! Why ruin our friendship and my happiness with being rude when you're just upset about me having a destination wedding... There are other things that she has said and done that have made me reconsider her BM position (and our friendship), but criticizing my dress choice and budget wedding has crossed the line. I even began thinking about just having one person stand up with me since that would be easiest, but I just don't know if I'll make the situation worse by cutting her out. I don't want to lose a friend over money, but it seems like anything I decide at this point is going to be eye-rolled simply because it's a DW. And by the way, here's my dress. Who the hell is going to look at its tag on the wedding day anyway? So sorry for the rant! This has been bottling up inside me for the last year...

Hi everyone! I am getting married at Grand Palladium in the Catholic Chapel in November 2014. I actually met my fiance at Grand Palladium, and he proposed there while we were on a return vacation last December - so we decided to continue with the trend and get married there as well I have been lurking for quite a while on here, and if it wasn't for this thread I don't think the planning process would be going as smoothly as it has been I have yet to have a bridezilla moment lol So far I have booked the wedding date and time: 3pm for the ceremony in the Chapel and 6pm for the reception at La Laguna. I had to book with one of the new packages they have, so we went with Mayan Pearl in Pink since it was as close to a pastel color as I could get. We're expecting about 40 guests - I expect less, and future hubby of course overestimates how many people will be there... We also booked PlayaWeddings to do our photo and video - we decided to splurge on this since I have a lot of family overseas that won't be able to make it, so it will be nice to share the whole day with them through photos and video (I'm also super sentimental ). We decided to book Ivan through Doremixx, and we have sent the deposit but they have yet to get back to us on the final confirmation it's been two weeks since I sent them the money, so I have to admit I am getting a bit worried. I was wondering if any of you got married at the Chapel and could tell me a little more about how everything goes the day-of? Also, do any of you have recommendations for ceremony musicians? Vanessa offered a violinist, but I have no idea what songs would be good for a violin to play during the mass. Any tips? And one last thing - Vanessa never responded to my question about whether they need me to send them any deposits for the wedding? I feel a bit unsure only having an e-mail confirmation and nothing else to go off of. Happy planning!!