brownsugarbride

Thanks Matt! Fantastic insights on lighting.

Lori: I love the maracas! I think that the two serve different functions. The streamers will just be for your entrance or exit and the maracas people will shake for your kiss. I'm curious---how are you making these?

ETA: The article has some great tips, as do the comments, on what to do if you do get a friend to shoot the wedding.

Rayn-I am ALL about saving money on a wedding. However, the downside with having a friend do pics is that if she does them for free (or even cheap) you'll potentially feel uncomfortable about asking her about getting your pics to you in a timely manner. If something goes wrong, will she have backup equipment? What if she feels unwell and has to back out? Is she used to shooting in island conditions? I am not at all trying to be negative, I promise you! I just want to make sure that a fellow bride has considered all of the possibilities. You are clearly a great friend, as you are worried about her not enjoying herself! Some articles: http://www.rocknrollbride.com/2012/01/should-i-book-a-professional-wedding-photographer-or-get-a-friend-to-do-it-for-free-a-cautionary-tale/'>http://www.rocknrollbride.com/2012/01/should-i-book-a-professional-wedding-photographer-or-get-a-friend-to-do-it-for-free-a-cautionary-tale/ http://www.rocknrollbride.com/2012/01/should-i-book-a-professional-wedding-photographer-or-get-a-friend-to-do-it-for-free-a-cautionary-tale/

I too, really appreciated this Information. Although I found out that these lanterns are not allowed in Riviera Maya, I can honestly say that I would have scrapped the idea even if this were not the case. Similarly, when one of the people in charge at the local aquarium mentioned the dangers of balloons to sea life, I really listened to that as well---and started picking up trash on the beach.

ETA: The first draft is the draft of the STD. Also, I get all of my printing for free, so that helps as well.

I think I may have mentioned this, but I have a good friend who has an arts degree/graphic design background who also used to own a card business. She is designing our wedding suite. We worked on a first draft last night (and by 'we', I mean 'her', LOL) but we will have to make some tweaks. I really like it, but my mom doesn't like the oil painting effects we used over the background (don't care, because I like it and won't change it too much unless FH doesn't like it). However, the font is hard to read, which we definitely need to fix.

Congratulations Megan! That gazebo at Dreams is absolutely GORGEOUS! There is so much great advice on here that you will not run out of ideas for personalizing your wedding. I am getting married in Playa del Carmen (off-resort), so I can't offer much advice on Cancun vendors (except maybe for a few florists). Anyway, welcome and let us know how we can help.

That is a cute bag, but something tells me that FG is going to take her sassy little burlap purse down the aisle without throwing out a single flower! LOL Seriously, I think it is very cute, a good fit for a beach or outdoor wedding, and will make a great gift.

I wanted to do electronic save the dates, but mom told me it was tacky and/or that some guests might not be computer savvy. She said I could do postcards to save money. Well, we're going to likely send out just over 100 postcards, which can add up! I am putting my foot down with RSVPs. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I haven't always send in my RSVP and prefer to just call or email. (Please don't judge me too harshly!) My guests can either rsvp on the website, or give me a call if they don't feel comfortable using a computer.

For those of you interested in buying your STDs or other wedding cards from Zazzle, they have what appears to be a great deal on Groupon today. The Deal 5"x7" custom photo cards with envelopes from Zazzle. Choose from the following options: $19.99 for 40 cards ($76 list price) $29.99 for 75 cards ($142.50 list price) $39.99 for 110 cards ($209 list price) I hope this is helpful!

I'm not planning on changing my name, but I am all for women (or men) making the right decision for themselves! (I also am leaving the possibility open that I will change my mind about this too! LOL)

Yay!

FH and I met online so one of the things I want to do is to give a nod to technology for bringing us together without being overly obvious (and spending a lot of money)! I got the idea to do a wedding website + app from an article on here, and I'm planning to purchase (with a 30% discount, hopefully): http://www.appycouple.com/

I loved your video, all of the amazing emotions...everything! Your dress was like a dream!

Then we're both strange together, because I don't care about either one either! Then again, I don't drink alcohol! LOL

Don't feel that you have to buy any special wedding cake server sets if you don't really want them. It's yet another thing the WIC tries to convince us that we *need*. I'm planning to use the cake server set provided by my venue. If you feel like you need to dress things up, maybe you could wrap the handles of the resort cake servers with ribbon or something?

Well, I just got my date (about to sign my contract) so I haven't scheduled that just yet! LOL My godmother is throwing me the shower back at home. Do you think it would be wrong to have more than one shower?

I am planning to make these for my bridal shower. On a related note, I went to a birthday tea this weekend and loved it! It was a real English high tea, complete with scones and clotted cream. The birthday girl requested that we all wear hats, so of course I went to a local vintage shop and bought a lovely fascination, gloves, and purse...and maybe a spare hat and purse that may or may not be appropriate for my own upcoming shower. ;) I have put my girlfriends on notice that there will be hats at my bridal shower! http://photos.essence.com/galleries/niecy-nashs-bridal-shower/

Okay, all my DIY divas---this is a project that should at least help you save a little money! No more OOT gifts from Dollar Tree! http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/how-to-make-bath-bombs-diy-wedding-favors/

I plan to put down a deposit on the Blue Venado Beach Club. I'm very excited!

Tiarra: I am not quite succeeding at reining in costs as I would like! LOL It is soooo much easier to contain costs on a resort, but I had to be difficult! One thing I'm doing now is to use my debit card points to go toward my dress and other things, so that I can pay a lot less on the things I'm buying outside of Mexico. I'm still hoping to stay on budget, and I think that may come from cutting down on guests. How are your plans coming along?

Luckily, my new venue has no site fee! It's the small things in life! LOL

ITA! Definitely cheaper on the resort!

Yeah, I'm feeling a little bummed---I'm cutting corners everywhere and my budget is still not where it needs to be. One option is to just have everything on the resort, but I truly love my private, off-resort location and I don't want to NOT invite all of my guests! lOL