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OOT Baskets Hello fellow BDW Brides, I haven’t forgotten about this forum. I had a busy month and an even busier past weekend, and I thought I will start posting about what happened soon before I forget everything. I'm very glad I'm done with these darn baskets. Some of the items have been living in my den for almost a year and I am really glad to be able to get rid of half the bags this weekend. I can finally see my den’s floor and can maneuver around. I started compiling a list as to what to purchase with the help from other brides’ discussion on this forum. I know that I have to balance gifting things that nobody uses and gifting enough to be thoughtful. I know that I wanted to have at least the following items: · First aid kit · Medication · Bookmark · Aloe vera gel · Tissue · Alcohol sanitizer Things that my fiancé thinks it is a waste of money, but I wanted to buy extra items for the guests such as: · Tumbler · Fan · Vitamin · Beach bag I want to use the least amount of money for the most amount of things, so timing and waiting for sales are key. We decided that each couple should have 1 OOT bag since they can share the bag of goodies together. Single guests will receive a separate OOT bag, but with less medication and first aid items. The first thing we bought for our bags were alcohol sanitizers at Bath and Body Works. They had a sale during boxing day and we got those small sanitizers at $0.50 ea. They had about 8 kinds on sale, but I only like the smell from 4 of them. We picked up 30 bottles. Things got out of hand when we happened to pass by a Dollarama in Richmond on a rainy January day. I saw these really pretty beach bags and they have a nice water-resistant lining inside. I argued with my fiancé and he caved. I bought 1 beach bag ($2 ea) per female guest. We bought 12 bags. My fiancé was adamant that we do not buy tumblers because nobody will use it or remember to bring it or want it. Dollarama has these tumblers that has a flip straw ends. My fiancé finally agree to let me buy them for each guest because the tumblers can help guests keep their drinks cold and free from sand. AND they are BPA free! They are $2 ea and we bought 1 for each guest. We have friends and family that can get us samples of medication and first aid items so we started collecting: Bandaids, alcohol pads, adhesive tapes, gauze, cough drops, Glysomed, Benedryl, Gravol, Tyleno, Advil, Immodium, and Tums. This part really help us save a lot of money. We bought handheld electric fans from eBay for guests. $1 ea. We gave one fan per room. My fiancé said no one will use luggage tags, but I said some really cheap ones from Dollarama ($1.25 for 5). So against his objection, I bought them. Over the course of 2014, we (again, more like I) purchased and collected more and more items for the OOT baskets. Each OOT baasket now contains (taxes not included): · First aid kit (no charge): o Bandaids, alcohol pads, adhesive tapes, gauze, Glysomed, cough drops · Medication (no charge): o Benedryl, Gravol, Tyleno, Advil, Immodium, Tums · Deck of cards – 1 per couple, 1 per single ($0.25 each – mom bought them from Hong Kong) · DIY bookmarks – 2 per couple, 1 per single ($0.15 each –scrapbook paper from home) · Jeweled Bookmarks – 1 per couple, 1 per single ($1 – DollarTree) · Chapstick – 1 per female guest ($0.25 each – used to work for Avon) · Nail filers, lipliner, eyeliner - random selection of 1 item per female guest ($0.25 each – used to work for Avon) · Mini Tic Tacs – 2 per couple ($0.07 each – Duty Free) · Hand sanitizer – 2 per couple ($0.50 each – Bath & Body Works) · Aloe Vera gel – 1 per room ($1 each - mom bought them from Hong Kong) · Paper fan – 1 per couple ($0.50 each - mom bought them from Hong Kong) · EmergenC - each couple gets 6 packets, single gets 3 packets ($0.20 each packet – Costco) · Earplugs – 2 per couple, 1 per single (no charge) · Beach bag – 1 per female guest ($2 each – Dollarama) · Tumblers – 1 per guest ($2 each – Dollarama)* · Sewing kit – 1 per couple, 1 per single ($1 – Target USA) · Spanish beginner pocket guide – 1 per guest (no charge – printed with home printer) · Luggage tags – 2 per couple, 1 per single ($0.25 – Dollarama) · DIY passport to Riviera Maya – 1 per couple, 1 per single (printed with home printer) · DIY “Survival kit” labels (printed with home printer) · DIY “To have and to hold” cardstock for tumblers (printed with home printer) · DIY luggage tag inserts (printed with home printer) · Box of Ziploc bags ($1 – Dollartree. This is to bag all the first aid and medication) · Keycard holders – 1 per couple ($0.28 – eBay) *Except for bridesmaids and groomsmen. They received a different tumbler Putting medications together: We put extras for the bridal party. Aside from the attire for wedding day (dresses and suits): Bridesmaids each received: · Jewelry box - $10 (bought it a long time ago from Cathay Imports) · Barefoot sandals - $3 (AliExpress) · Pearl bracelet - $3 (Ardene) · Sunglasses - $2 (Ardene) · Sarong - $8 (Hawaii) · Earrings - $10 (Online shopping website) Groomsmen each received: · Tie - $20 (The Bay) · Pocket squares - $10 (The Bay) · Sunglasses - $2 (Ardene) · Socks - $8 (The Tie Bar) I will talk about our DIY Passport to Riviera Maya, bookmarks, and other printing jobs in the future posts. We stuffed all the items into a basket that we purchased a long time ago from Cathay Imports. The beach bags were folded up and slipped in at the back of the basket for presentation. We used the Ziploc bags we purchased from DollarTree to bag all the first aid, medication, Tic Tacs and hand sanitizers. We then stapled on a “Survival kit” label on each bag. The resulting Survival kit bag: The sewing kits, makeup, chapsticks are all put in a little organza/mesh drawstring bag. Each tumbler is filled with EmergenC’s and a “To Have and To Hold” cardstock. Key card holders were inserted with a “I Take You, My Holder” cardstock. The resulting OOT baskets: This is the list of things that I wanted to also buy, but fiancé strongly said no: · Moist wipes · Insect bite relief · Stain remover pen · Sudoku and crossword books My pictures are right side up on my computer, but for some reason, some of my pictures are not correct when I upload them. I apologize if you have to turn your head a bit to look at these pictures. ​​

@@tygrrlily Thank you! It is so surreal! I don't think I will believe I'm going to get married (and have a vacation) until I get off the plane.

@@tygrrlily, almost there with your wedding! Your program looks wonderful!

@@calgarybride2015, I know! I have less than 1 month! I'm excited at the same time just wanted to get it over with! I have a lot of updates coming up soooon!

Beautiful pictures! You two are so gorgeous!

I was a bridesmaid this year and the dress was mint colour. I wore nude heels and it worked really well.

Thanks @puravida2015! I saw the kissing game on Pinterest so I thought to make something similar. Thanks @tygrrlily! The cheongsam is really a big gamble because I had to explain what I want on an online chat with the vendor in half-chinese half-english. I had to pay in full before they make the dress, and it is almost like there is no going back with refund if it doesn't fit since the shipping will cost about 1/3 of the dress to ship back. Fortunately, my friend and I added a 0.5" extra to all measurements just in case of any measurement mishaps. Thank goodness we did since the dress juuuuust fit. Thanks @TinkerSofi! The Wedpics app is FREE!! Go download it and try it out! The only con I can say about the app is that it gets stuck at loading, but those are random and...well, it's free so I don't expect perfection. Yah...I think there were 2 guests who actually went through and read our story posted on our website. Lol and sigh... I made a reservation for the group. I got no dough to pay for everyone (hahhaha). All jokes aside, we are putting our money elsewhere. We are setting up group games in the resort so whoever wins gets to have a gift card. I don't really want to negotiate for tours when we get there since I find that is another stress that I have to deal with when we are all supposed to be on vacation mode. I kind of decided to make the decision now and not have to worry about it later. Anyways, My fiance emailed 5 or 6 different tour operators (with good reviews from TripAdvisor) and find out how much it will be for each guest and whether they provide group discount and provide tours for us (since we have more than 10 guests going). I rather find an operator that is willing to provide us all the above criteria than booking at the resort. I just don't know if I feel comfortable paying at the resort for a tour operator that I haven't heard of and usually costing me more. We booked 2 tours with Edventure Tours at the end (one going to snorkeling and Coba, the other going to Chichen Itza and Valladolid). Edventure has good reviews on TripAdvisor and are willing to provide us private tour for the group (so that we are flexible at where to stay longer and where to go next), discount for group price, and willing to start early (6:30am for our group). They are quick to respond to emails and generally sound really sincere and nice over the email. Hope this helps! Thanks @calgarybride2015! I think it will be easier for me to post regularly again once I am settled in Kamloops. I'll for sure keep in touch!

Hardware and Software I am procrastinating from packing... On the software Anyways, I love dresses and went a bit dress crazy. I tell myself that I need one for pre-wedding photos, one for ceremony, one for TTD and tea ceremony...etc. so I need them all! 1) Bliss Consignment: Maggie Sottero - Ambrosia ($900CAD) We walked by a second hand store and found this dress almost 2 years before our wedding. The dress fits perfectly and did not need any alterations. 2) DressilyMe: Imitation of Sottero Midgley - Amber ($230USD) I wanted something lightweight to be able to walk and swim easily so I made this dress: More on my review of the dress here. 3) AliExpress: Imitation of Galia Lahav ($135 USD) After my DressilyMe dress I got really, really, REALLY obsessed with illusion back dresses. So I went and got myself one: 4) TaoBao - Red Cheongsam ($190USD) I really like long trains so I asked for an extra 10cm for $10USD more. 5) BCBG - Evening wear ($80CAD each) I bought these awhile back. They weren't for wedding, but I figure I might as well wear them for wedding. On the Hardware I love bling. So I went to Payal in Surrey to look for some gorgeous things 1) The silver set from Payal: $120CAD 2) The gold set: $90CAD I bought these gold bangles from Payal ($30CAD) as well so that our family and relatives can use them during the tea ceremony. I bought the necklace from Charming Charlies ($25USD), Earrings and comb from Aldo ($30CAD) 3) Sandals: Nine West $40USD Bought this in the outlet awhile back. I'm planning to use this for walking around the sand. 4) Heels: Vince Camuto $70USD Saw these at the outlet and so I bought them. 5) Barefoot Sandals: Etsy $35USD Planning to wear these for the TTD shoot. Please disregard my fading pedicure... That's it for now, I have to pack again.

I'm taking a break from my packing and moving stuff (ie, procrastinating). I think #2 will look really beautiful for TTD.

Moving to Another City So, about 2 weeks ago, a job offer came along the way and we are moving to Kamloops (about 4 to 5 hours drive away from Vancouver). We are moving in mid-October. It was sorta good thing that we are moving because it lit a fire under my fiance's arse to help me organize everything for the wedding. Things that my fiance did in the past 2 weeks: - Confirmed with guests and booked and set up 2 private tours - Confirmed with bridal party and booked catering and room for our bridal party dinner on Nov 1 - Tested out our centrepieces - Emailed photographer re: extra hours - Emailed minister Noe re: speech Not much time to talk since we have to pack. I can update more as we get to Kamloops.

Hi @@VeroValdez! I think if you have 40+ guests you have to have a private dinner. I believe you can only have private dinner at the beach or Botafogo. I booked reception at the Chili's. It is going to semi-private (so no music allowed) at 6:30. My ceremony is going to be at 3:00pm so we organized cocktail reception and picture taking in between.

I know exactly how you feel. I have a friend that booked and paid the deposit, but because he changed departments in his workplace, he can't come any more. His room is supposed to be shared by another friend of mine. So we were thinking we had to pay the difference for the single person supplement in that room ($400 difference). Luckily, another couple was willing to share the room with my friend. We now don't have to pay for the single person supplement, but we may not qualify for the 2nd "11th person free" promo since triple occupancy rooms do not count.

I can't remember most of them but I remembered I jot down that the groom's emergency kits should have: - Shoe wipes - Extra Boutonniere pins - Oil blotting papers - Hair comb

Another couple who are also our close friends was getting married this year as well so we decided to have a double jack and jill Vegas trip. The guys did their thing and the girls did our thing. It was super fun. I can't remember what happened the first night...that's how good it was. Lol

I'm asking my BMs to: - gather all the songs from my list - assemble an emergency bridal kit - glue bookmarks together (for OOT bags) - contact vendor and plan a night out at PDC - plan and gather props for group games - plan the door games I'm asking the GM's to: - assemble an emergency grooming kit - gather ingredients for the tea ceremony - help cut paper items for OOT bags

As of today, there are 87 days left before we fly. I just received word that my cheongsam has arrived in Hong Kong. So all my dresses are in place. I'm just waiting for decoration things from eBay and AliExpress. I updated the list of things for my BMs and groomsmen to do today.

I was wearing my dress and my fiance was wearing his suit for our pre-wedding pics. It was 36-38 degrees that day. We were so hot that we felt like we took a shower. Surprisingly, our pictures didn't look like we were sweating buckets.

Gorgeous hair clip! You will look so beautiful with it! I normally go for Japanese straightening but because I'm planning to have an updo for my wedding so I didn't straighten my hair this year.

@@calgarybride2015 you look gorgeous in the dress! I love long trains so I think you look great. Are you planning to wear a different pair of shoes or veil with it? I think they will make a difference if you do.

Hi @@khefner, you are welcome to read through my planning thread (link is on my signature) to see if that will help you with RPRM. Reviews of RPRM can be found here: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/reviews/p/21165-riu-palace-riviera-maya-all-inclusive/ I don't know too much about Dreams Tulum, but reviews can be found here: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/reviews/p/21299-dreams-tulum-resort-spa-all-inclusive/ You may also want to search through the website to see if there are other information that can help you further. Good luck!

I'm getting married at 3pm, but I need to get ready beforehand since we are doing the door games and tea ceremony.

I am such a sucker for dresses. I always say to my fiance that I don't have shoe obsession like other girls, but I have a crazy dress obsession instead. Anyways, I've been really in love with the illusion-back dress look. I ask different sellers on AliExpress, Ebay and DHgate to show me real pictures of the dress they are selling before I will consider purchasing from them. Most of the sellers are nice and will provide pictures. One particular seller's dress caught my eye. I mulled and chewed over this dress since I bought one already from DressilyMe...and I still have my MaggieSottero. 5 months after talking to the seller and receiving pictures of the real dress, I still can't stop thinking about the dress. I bit the bullet and bought this dress because I just LOVE dresses and it looks so purrrrttty! I am planning to wear this dress either the day before the wedding's photoshoot or for the reception or for the TTD session. I haven't made the decision yet but I honestly think this dress looks pretty good for the price I paid ($166). It doesn't look too much like the original dress but it looks good even without looking at the original. Anyhoo, I bought the dress from YongGang Lin@ AliExpress. The seller is nice, willing to provide real pictures of the dress, and quick to respond. The dress came faster than expected. My fiance doesn't know how to present the dress so unfortunately he doesn't know how to present the end of the dress. The only thing I'm concern about is fixing the illusion back. They just expected my torso to be that of a supermodel so there is just a tad too much fabric on the back. I need to talk to my seamstress...

@@tygrrlily, I hope changing the sizing works! Try blowing it up by 50% or more for importing into VistaPrint. You can always reduce the size after you imported. When you save the powerpoint as a pdf (I'm assuming you are saving it on letter size), how large is your image on the pdf? My friend is getting married this Saturday and she is running around like a headless chicken (even though she hired a wedding planner). Three months ago she said she doesn't need help and everything is done. All of a sudden this past week she has been asking everyone to help her with running errands, gluing DIY projects, meeting planner, etc. I can help, but how about asking a week ahead so I can change my schedule? My wedding is three months after hers, and I was already planning and completing tasks waaaaay beforehand. I would be super stressed if I have to follow through my wedding planning last minute. We are going to be married 8 days apart (gotta escape the Canadian winter somehow)! Gotta keep the fire in the eyes burning and keep on trucking along!

Hiring my own minister I wrote a lot about different vendors on my journal because I found out that I am only allowed to write a review of the vendors on the VENDORS REVIEWS section if the vendors themselves signed up to be listed on this website. Therefore, I tried to write about all my research in this journal hopefully for all future brides. I picked my own minister for the ceremony because it is cheaper than the resort's minister and I can customize my ceremony with the minister of my choice. The following are a list of ministers I found around the Riviera Maya/Cancun: Noe Camacho (http://www.cancunweddingvows.com/) Stephen Spiegel (http://www.mexicorabbi.com/) Petra Rattue (http://www.minister-petra.com/) Cancun Weddings (http://cancunminister.com/) They are all about the same price (+ or - $50). I read up their bio and their reviews and decided on having Noe Camacho perform our ceremony. Noe was quick to reply to my emails and we chatted via email (word document) about how we met, what we expected from the ceremony, etc.

@@candle23, you look stunning! Congrats on having such a pretty dress!