DianneP

@@trbutler Eventually, I'll do a planning thread with templates, but we leave Sunday for the DR and will be gone 2 weeks... Likely won't happen with all the last minute packing/ preparations we have to do.... But, this is what my welcome letter said: Welcome to Paradise Dear Family & Friends, The wait is finally over!! Welcome to sun, sand and relaxation at Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace! We are both so blessed to have you as a part of our epic wedding week. We are especially honored that you have traveled this far to be a part of our wedding celebration. There are no words to describe how much it means to us that you have taken the time, traveled the distance and paid the expense to be here with us during this special time in our lives. Many years from now, when we look back on our life and this day, we'll remember that being surrounded by such amazing people was the perfect beginning to our life as husband and wife. With such a great group of people gathered in one beautiful location, we are sure to have a fantastic week! We hope you enjoy the goodies in this welcome bag. They are just a small token of our appreciation. Please make the most of your vacation here in the Dominican Republic. We hope the next few days will be as memorable for you as they will be for us. So put your feet up, order a drink and enjoy! With Love, Grant & Dianne P.S. Stay hydrated and don't forget your sunscreen!! Needless to say, I took bits and pieces from other brides who have posted on here to create this letter.

@@trbutler Ok, so... I may have gone a little overboard... Each bag will be getting: Personalized beach bag Welcome letter (with wedding day itinerary on the opposite side) Wedding week survival kit which includes: a deck of cards, hand sanitizer, mini lint roller, chapstick (SPF 15), aloe vera gel, 2 bottles of conditioner, q-tips, bobby pins, hair ties, med-lyte, pepto bismol, tylenol, match sticks, gum, dramamine, photosharing info card, roll of tums, sqwincher, shout wipe, and vitamin c. waterproof keycard holder with insert (and spanish phrases) and lanyard 2 personalized koozies 2 stainless steel mugs with thank you tags and sharpies (so they can write whatever they want on it while they are there) cigars for the guys and pashminas for the girls There will also be a handmade ornament with a map of the DR on one side and our wedding logo on the other... haven't decided whether this will be in the bag or on their plate at dinner as the favor.

Pro Excursion Bayahibe is really reasonable and has some awesome options!

@@trbutler you can email them at pioneergroup27@@gmail.com

@@trbutler This is where I got mine... http://pioneergroup27.com/Default.aspx They are $2.50 a piece (and are beautifully made), although they do have a $100 minimum (they ship from New York). I'm also using these for my table runners as those were like $27 a piece when I tried to find some... these are the exact ones I bought in navy and olive green (and I have to say they are beautifully made, the fabric is quality, the color is rich... I'm really happy with them)... http://pioneergroup27.com/Item.aspx?ProductID=70 Seems like you and I are planning the same wedding... so let me know if you need help with anything else. I'm leaving in two weeks for my wedding in the DR and have already been through most of this.

@kellisbaby http://www.thedealrack.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=4175&SEName=gemline-tote-bag-g1510-utility @@trbutler That's so weird!!! the sample they sent me was of really poor quality. I'm so glad yours turned out so good!!!

BUYER BEWARE!!! When I was searching for my bags, I ordered a sample of these and they are REALLY cheaply made... it's made out of that cloth that you can tear by hand. If you're going to spend around $3, I would add an extra $1 and buy the ones I posted previously... they come out to $4 a piece and are excellently made! Really durable and great fabric! Nice and big, with a zippered enclosure and removable inside pocket.

@@forevertogether See if this works for the photo. http://imgur.com/NwGh6mm

@@megan224 We are using SkyDrive.Live.com... they also have an app for smartphones/ tablets that our guests can download.

@@JenniferM without a doubt. Here's a pic of me holding it so you can get a better idea of the size.... I'm 5'7"...

@@acw271011 Thanks! I wish I could say I came up with it all on my own, but I stole part of it from that link.

Hey Ladies! My fiance and I decided to do an unplugged ceremony (which is basically a ceremony where we ask our guests to not try to take photos) to avoid any awkward photos with random cameras, phones or tablets making an appearance, and also to avoid any of our guests blocking shots from our photographer trying to get their own.... The rest of the time (reception, the rest of the wedding week), they are more than welcome to take pictures and upload/ post them... Here is a great article that explains it... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bridal-guide/why-you-might-want-to-con_b_3331528.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false Here are the cards that I made to put in the welcome bags and also on a table at the ceremony. Let me know your thoughts!

Our photographer's package came with engagement pictures (we are flying her into the DR for our wedding), although we opted to just have a photo shoot on a catamaran the day before our wedding instead... I think those will come out spectacular compared to anything we could come up with state-side for engagement pictures.

That's awesome! What resort are you getting married at?

@@JenniferM They are REALLY nice. The fabric is great quality. they are pretty big (although, not overly large... they are beach bag size). plus there is a removable pocket on the inside which will definitely come in handy, in addition to the pocket on the outside. Considering the quality, these are really inexpensive and beautifully made. I feel like a sales person right now, but I can't tell you enough how glad I am that I found these! Originally, i had planned on doing a cheap bag... but these will last years and our guests will get to continue using them well beyond the wedding. I think it's totally worth the extra couple of bucks!

These are the one's I bought... They are a little bit more expensive, but they are REALLY nice. They are actual beach bag quality. I had gotten samples of some of the ones online and they just were really cheap. I'm so glad I went with these and there is no minimum for them. They ended up being $4.03 a piece... I purchased 40 of the natural beige and navy one's and it came to $161.28 total. Here's the link and make sure to use coupon code THANKS for 10% off and free shipping... https://www.thedealr...10-utility.aspx

Hi Ladies! I just purchased my key card inserts from Vistaprint and I'm going to have way more than I need... They cost me $15 (because I wanted to put spanish phrases on the back for our guests... this way they will always have it with them). It is for La Romana, Dominican Republic 2014... I figure $3 per 50 of them. Just let me know if you want any! Here is a picture of what they look like: Also, if you're interested in the keycard holders I got, you can get them here for cheaper... They are water proof and have enough room for up to 8 credit cards. I wanted to make sure they could bring their tip money and stuff in the pool with them if they wanted. http://www.idcardgroup.com/holders/molded/multicardidcasebadgeholder although, I got mine here... http://www.specialistid.com/Multi_Card_Clear_Rigid_Water_Resistant_Holder_p/1840-9000_wph-1.htm

Wyndham has a couple of really nice all-inclusive's in the Dominican. They are family-friendly and pretty cheap!

These are our message in a bottle wedding party invitations for our nautical themed destination wedding... I found everything at Michael's and mailed them to each person in our bridal party... The shipping was the most expensive part. We also asked that they video themselves opening it so we could see their reaction... We will likely use these videos in someway, just have to figure that part out. These are how they looked... This is how we invited the groomsmen: It says: Knows the engaged couple (check) Appreciates a good meal (check) Likes free beverages (check) Cleans up pretty good (check) Congratulations... Will you be my groomsman? This is how we invited the bridesmaids: It says: As I prepare for the day That I am to be a bride, It would mean the world to me To have you standing by my side... Will you be my bridesmaid? And this is how I invited my fiance's sister: It says: Soon, you will be my sister. Until then.... Will you be my bridesmaid?

I'm giving one per couple (so per room)... if there are some single men (which so far, there is only 1 that I know of), I might get them like a little backpack or something... but I'll more than likely just stick with the beach bags for everyone. Just FYI, these don't have an option for embroidery or personalization... that's something that I'm going to try and find locally.

Hi ladies! I just purchased some really nice tote bags for pretty cheap ($4.03/ piece)... I ordered one to start with as I wanted to make sure of the quality and they are REALLY nice!! I got 40 of the natural beige and navy one's and it came to $161.28 total. Here's the link and make sure to use coupon code THANKS for 10% off and free shipping... https://www.thedealr...10-utility.aspx

Hi ladies! I just purchased some really nice tote bags for pretty cheap ($4.03/ piece)... I ordered one to start with as I wanted to make sure of the quality and they are REALLY nice!! I got 40 of the natural beige and navy one's and it came to $161.28 total. Here's the link and make sure to use coupon code THANKS for 10% off and free shipping... https://www.thedealr...10-utility.aspx

Hi ladies! I just purchased some really nice tote bags for pretty cheap ($4.03/ piece)... I ordered one to start with as I wanted to make sure of the quality and they are REALLY nice!! I got 40 of the natural beige and navy one's and it came to $161.28 total. Here's the link and make sure to use coupon code THANKS for 10% off and free shipping... https://www.thedealrack.com/p-4175-gemline-tote-bag-g1510-utility.aspx

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000052YDG/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 although, I have amazon prime which provides 2 day shipping (also, looks like the price has increased a little since I purchased it...) there are these, which are $15.85 with $4.00 shipping... http://www.amazon.com/Blistex-Medicated-Berry-15-Ounce-Tubes/dp/B000052YDG/ref=sr_1_1?m=A18E52ZBX4W2PE&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1389547525&sr=1-1&keywords=blistex

Hi Ladies! I found some great totes for pretty cheap and wanted to share... These are lots of 50 and have free shipping... I think these are the ones I will end up getting... I've emailed them to find out how much it would cost to add our wedding logo to the front and will update the thread once I get a response... http://www.ebay.com/...=item84bffc3fcf They also have these... http://www.ebay.com/...=item8716545014 these are the cheapest, but I like the ones above the best... http://www.tansclub....tontotebag.html