Sehausle

Be wary of this option though because when we added up all the individual necessities they cost more than the package! Whoever they hired to build the packages knew what he/she was doing because at our resort were not allowed to trade or swap things out at all. I would recommend doing the math before just taking the free package.

I hate to contradict but I don't dance and am not a big fan of watching others dance...

25K is easy to get to, but it's all about sacrifices if you plan to stay under... Resort costs and Airfare are what they are, but OOT bags and Invitations can vary greatly in cost.If you're smart about it (combined with deciding what you're willing to give up) you can get great deals and keep it reasonable.I was able to do our wedding for 10K but that doesn't include our honeymoon costs - since were going to Europe for two weeks I know that will be expensive as well but were putting it off for 6mos due to work. Photography is a big part of your budget - but that might be more important to you. In the end people is a great way to cut costs - our extra cost per person was a whopping $130 - luckily we only have 2-4 extra people so just keep in mind if you have 20 people coming at roughly 100 a piece that can tack on a lot to your budget.

Well I learned two lessons from this: 1) SO glad I kept my invites on the inexpensive side. I loved Vistaprint because I was able to customize, they came out gorgeous (high quality paper), and I spent under $100 for everything (this included a few other things too). 2) I will not be the bride who calls everyone. If you want to come to my wedding - wonderful! If not, I will not chase you down. I am leaving it fairly open for those 4 guests, but no others LOL. You can simplify ...but you have to have a strong resolve lol This WILL test your patience from time to time.

I have noticed this complaint is fairly common for Destination Weddings. We sent out 70 invites in early March...to receive like 4 RSVPs if that! For 20 or so guests I was informed in person that they were coming ...and some (the majority) just never answered at all. I found it to be extremely rude. What's worse is our RSVP date was June 1st (our wedding is October) and we still have four undecided guests. One of which is waiting to find out if her son goes off to basic that week and the other is having passport issues...but it still is SUPER frustrating!

I don't believe it is through our home-owners insurance but my fiance works in insurance so I am sure he was able to do the best thing for us. I do know that there are two types of protection you can buy (at least where we went) and he did he the one that protected against anything - even just simply losing the ring. This was a bit more expensive to do but we felt it was worth it because you just never know. I wasn't super involved in this process, he took care of it so I really do not know much about it but I can ask him if you want to know something specific?

Completely agree- I did include cost of wedding bands but certainly not engagement ring. I never really asked my fiance about the wedding ring cost, I have seen insurance papers so I have an idea but I still would never say anything. It's what he wanted to buy you, not what you wanted to buy yourself.

While my family is helping us a bit (3k+ paying for my siblings to attend) his family is unable to do so, so the cost largely falls on us. I work in Marketing and my Fiance is in insurance so while were by no means wealthy were able to take on some of these costs. We are keeping our wedding fairly inexpensive (about 10K including vacation too) but where we really want to spend our money is the honeymoon. Were traveling to Europe 6mos after our wedding - so a total of three weeks worth of celebration. Were budgeting probably close to at least another 10-15K for that portion but splitting the time up makes it cheaper. A few cost-saving things we did: SKIP the DJ, our package came with 45min of a live musician and we can hit the clubs afterward...for free! Were only a group of 22-24 anyway MINIMIZE decor - yep no runners or anything like that- I wanted simple /elegant flowers. By the time you figure in traveling costs to tote your own things to Mexico you could have just went with flowers.Were also having them move the included package flowers from the pews in our chapel onto our tables to save money! BUY a NICE suit- Skip renting a tux ..buy a nice black suit for the same price. He has a nice new suit to keep too! SHOP around- I loved ebay, VistaPrint, Etsy, and Retailmenot.com. When it came to my dress I called several bridal places to get the best rate on my style (write down numbers and designer for this purpose) & I even asked for the off the rack price (despite not getting it off rack) and they said ok! The worst they can say is no right? Have an Informal Gathering- the night before the wedding we are instructing everyone to meet us for a welcome party at the sugar reef bar. We will give out our Survival Kits and while it won't be private it will be 100% absolutely free ...including all of your free drinks (were having our wedding at an all-inclusive) We did a lot of other things too to save money too. I only really tackled one DIY project because I have a pretty packed schedule - but I did put together some OOT Wedding Survival Kits (not doing an entire OOT Bag) that I will give out the day prior.

Thank You! Hopefully I will keep my alterations down to a bustle and some cup inserts (considering the low back). Our RSVP date was June 1st (we sent out invitations VERY early in hopes that by now we would have a count, but oh well. Last year at this time I was obsessed with TurboFire- I was working out 6 days a week and lost 10lbs (I worked my bum off for each lb!) but this year I just have lost my drive. While I am a Northerner my future husband is a Southerner - so unfortunately if he cooks we tend to either go out or it's fried chicken and things that are not good for you. I have turned him onto roasted veggies in an attempt to get him to eat better lol. I will utilize some of your tips though-carbs will kill me as I love my bread. I know it will be worth it though if I can just stay strong. 43 is a great number! It sounds like you are well on your way to that celebration! Have you looked on etsy? They had some beautiful personalized gifts.

Only 3 mos left ladies!!!! It's the final countdown... Our wedding is October 19, 2013 at Dreams Tulum As crazy as this sounds 4 people are still up in the air about whether they are able to make it... (super frustrating, but one is my sister and she is having passport issues so she can't help that...). Literally 4 people RSVP'd ... most people just told us they were coming or said nothing and I had to assume that they aren't. I will make it a point to always RSVP to everything as it bugs me to no end when people can't be bothered to do something that takes almost no effort. We do have a group of 20-24 were working with... On a positive note I go this weekend to do a hair and makeup trial (buying makeup from MAC to bring to the resort since I heard the quality of makeup there was a bit iffy). Monday is my first dress alteration- woohoo! I have been super bad about working out and eating right, so I need to get on that band wagon asap. Anyone have any arm slimming tricks/tips? My dress is below : ) -We also just found out our guitarist for the ceremony had a hip replacement surgery so I am really concerned that we might be scouting for a new guitarist (obviously I hope the poor guy heals for himself first & foremost ...but I hope that in the end it all works out). What is left on your to-do lists?

I thought I'd chime in for this. I am doing "welcome gifts" which are the survival oot kits that I will give out the night before. We will put our favors directly on the tables (were having a family-style table at our reception). Here is what I've put in them: advil, sunscreen, tums, chapstick, pepto bismol, anti-diarreal, hand-sanitizer, meds, bandaids, antiseptic wipes, earplugs, mini lint roller, gum, mini to-go snapple energy drink powder packs, tissues, disposable razors and that's all I can remember off the top of my head. I designed the topper myself on the computer, used free cardstock (my dad works at a printing press so I was able to request any extras) and attached it to just a normal ziplock (see attached). I am also doing wine stoppers w/personalized tags (agree that most wedding favors sans food are often thrown out but this is small, easy to transport, and I felt like they would be used). I spent $150 TOTAL on all my favors for 24 people

Great idea- the room service thing! I

I won't be having dancing at mine because of our location (inside a small wine cellar) without a dance floor- or even space to dance. My parents are actually ballroom dance instructors so there will be two dancers at the very least, but we have a smaller group 22-24people. To combat this lack of dancing I am thinking of having a mexican trio perform during our cocktail hour on the outside promenade where it will be held, which will give people a little more space to dance if they wish. I will also include on the day of schedule a post reception dancing as an optional thing people can attend after the reception, this will just be located at one of the resort clubs. I am not a big dancer - so I don't care about the dancing but you do need entertainment of sorts throughout the night. Were having one long table so we will be able to chat a little easier than if we had a bunch of tables to visit. I am not a fan of dry weddings personally, but that certainly isn't what weddings are all about

Were not allowed to have dancing at the reception in the wine cellar so I was planning on dancing at our cocktail hour and then of course afterward (is there a club or live music anywhere?) Do you think it will comfortably fit 20-24 people? Also, did you happen to notice if there was a side table (for favors, cake etc?) I want to do one long table so we can sit family style. It won't be a super traditional reception... If the cocktail hour and chapel are far away it isn't too big of a deal because we aren't doing our cocktail hour directly after, were waiting a half hour to allow for more pictures . Is there plenty of room if we want to dance? I was going to save my mexican trio for this part of the wedding.

I just sent an email to the spa and requested her specifically - I definitely want something similar.. I want an up-do that will stay put, did yours? Our wedding date is October 19, 2013 were doing the chapel, then the balcony area or veranda for cocktail hour, then (because I begged) they agreed to let me have the reception in the wine cellar if I paid of course lol I was nervous that the ballroom would be too big for our small group of 22-24.

Wow you look incredibly stunning !!! Have you ever seen downton Abby ? You look just like lady Mary !

I may differ in my opinion because I think that bride has WAY too much black makeup on her eyes...I think it makes them look smaller and she is very light blonde so I believe a brown liner would have looked more natural/better (but this is just my personal opinion/preference). I don't want it to be too obvious that I am wearing lots of makeup, my fiance prefers a more natural look. I am going Saturday to do a makeup test run at MAC. I used the same person for my engagement shoot and he was wonderful. He used a brown eyeshadow and wet a brush and applied eye-liner that way and it looked absolutely amazing.

I am actually doing eyelash extensions (individuals for a natural look)...they were only $35 for both eyes and last two weeks...perfect to combat your fear of them falling off hahah

I can't wait to see your hair - can you post photos? I am having difficulty deciding on how to do my hair...going in for a trial with my own hairdresser Saturday

The $2,325 is the total cost , the deposit and downpayments will be applied to that. My total amount takes that subtraction into consideration

Our wedding is at Dreams Tulum. We did have to give up photography (using resorts) but we have two guests in our party who went to school for photography (though are not professionals), so I feel confident that we'll get some good ones.

Here is our Budget Breakdown: Total Cost of wedding plus trip $10,633 TA Deposit- $50 Resort Deposit-$500 Trip Downpayment-$400 Invitations/Stickers for Cake Box & Cake Box /Reception Cards/Thank-Yous-$80 Postage-$48 Caligraphy Pen + shipping to grooms brother to do free caligraphy- $13 Reception Location Private Rental- $278 Wedding Package- $3,000 Outside Guitarist + Vendor Fee-$420 Brides Dress, Shoes & Veil- $1,650 Grooms New Suit- $500 Weddings Bands Total-$1,307 engagement photo shoot - $200 Guest Book (frame that can be signed) -$33 Flowers/Centerpieces -$300 Favors Wine Stoppers/Welcome "Survival Kits"-$150 Extra Guests-$260 Wedding License & Cert. - $70 Flights & All inclusive trip cost- $2,325

I like coral and nude palette - simple and elegant.

We also used weddingwire.com. It's free, has a lot of design-choices, is easy to navigate, customizable, and gives you a counter (so you can make sure people are viewing your site). Here is ours http://www.weddingwire.com/CouickHausle