marinah84

It doesn't take too long to get to 150 tho it feels like it! Read a lot of threads and you'll find places to comment

I'll just have to find some barefoot jewelry that is cute

Yikes!! I hadn't heard about that!! We're doing it in the cenotes, which are underground, so hopefully that doesn't happen! But definitely something to think about! Yes, we finally booked a photographer, waiting on the contract now! Samuel Luna. He's a guy, ha!, and this was his recommendation: I have done underwater sessions with the biggest and heaviest dresses. For comfort, a light, flowy fabric is recommended tho. Hope it helps @@acw271011 It is the Allure 8862

I'm hoping since I won't see the sign myself, that I won't cry lol. It makes me tear up too!! Thank you!! I've gotten a little done this week, but haven't had a chance to update or really dig into it. Biggest thing is I finally ordered ink, haha, so I can test print things at will! My WC told me that heels are probably a bad idea for the ceremony, even with the runner, so I'll do sandals or barefoot, and either wear heels for the reception OR skip it all together. I'll just be short haha!

She told me that kids 2 & under are free for the reception, and kids 3+ are half price! Which is awesome, because my son will be under 2 and daughter under 4, haha. Hopefully they will flex - that's just insane!! I could use a tequila shot as well, but that's work related (versus wedding haha). Good luck!!

@@LisaAnthonyPoppy I've booked the Crown Club Paradise Cancun (more info in my planning thread here on why: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/77321-marinah84s-planning-thread-31415-crown-paradise-club-cancun/) I've not heard about Kool Beach Club personally. I'd check out all the resort reviews and see what people recommend. For my resort, if you have less than 40 guests, you can do dinner in a restaurant without an additional fee. I'm planning on doing the private reception because I think it'll be more fun, and it's not too much per person. I actually sent an email last night to my WC about the kids cost & if they "count" as a guest. I have 2 kids for sure coming (mine lol), and I don't think anyone else will be bringing theirs, but you never know! Thanks for the question to ask

Maybe get the flower girl a flower necklace to wear that matches her outfit? Or special toys that they both want? Mine are my kids and too young to know so I can't offer more advice lol

I am only given 1 choice as well, but it's less than half what you are paying [4 course with salad soup main and dessert] and private 4 hours reception. I personally would look around before committing. That's a lot per plate to be so limited

That's what I'm reading online! Guess I'll find some cute white wedges for the ceremony, and save the heels for the reception!

@@LauraM I think it depends on your feet, honestly. If you have narrow/nice feet, I think they can look beautiful. I have bigger feet, so I don't think I'd look that great in them. Helps that I haven't really found many I like haha. Has anyone tried these? https://www.thesolemates.com/our-products/solemates-high-heeler/ I wonder how they'd work in the sand? I kind of want to wear heels, due to the height difference as well, and haven't found any wedges I like! Plus I want blue glittery shoes, and I doubt that blue glitter wedges have the same wow factor as blue heels (they might look pretty tacky actually, haha). For instance, blue glitter heels: http://www.pumpsshirts.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Christian_Louboutin_Pump_Blue-300x225.jpg Blue glitter wedges: http://lghttp.17106.nexcesscdn.net/808773/magento/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/h/shoes-wedges-op-cilo-34blue_2.jpg The wedges look more like stripper shoes to me LOL

I'm going to get a 2nd dress made for my TTD session (or buy a 2nd hand one if I can find one in the size/style/material I want!), but wanted to make sure that I'm getting something that will work well for underwater photos. For instance, I want to do a zipper instead of corset (like my ceremony dress) because it'll make it easy to get in and out of while wet/for risque photos FI and I are VERY comfortable under the water, so I plan on doing some creative and fun photos. What do you ladies recommend who have done it? Those who are scheduled with a photographer, did they have any recommendations? This is the dress I am considering basing my TTD off of - I'm going to make some changes, though, like reduce the size of the skirt & change the beadwork design. I think the skirt will look really cool underwater, and it's a pretty light dress considering the poofiness of the skirt haha! Hoping to get some great input from both those who have been there/done that, as well as those who are making the same choice now!

I feel the same as kmk2016 - it's also why I'm not advertising a registry, either. They are already spending $1300-1500/person, so they definitely do not nee to give us a gift/card! If they do, I'll have one of the mom's be in charge Bonus - one less thing to pack/carry!!

Congratulations! My advice is to take a lot of time reading the forum, and go to the Planning threads as well. Lots of good advice from brides, and it'll help you get ideas for what you want to do. There are brides on here who DIY'd everything, and others who bought it all. Sit down and create a timeline/budget, and see what you want to do! I'm loving the personalization of some DIY (do it yourself) in my wedding - I've started a planning thread with the intent to keep myself accountable! I have the link in my profile if it helps Enjoy yourself!!

@@Chrysta Thank you! I'm having a lot of fun, and it's seriously more satisfying to DIY! I'm glad I found this forum, and that so many brides have been willing to share their templates!

I think your original is breathtaking!

Those two Moris are gorgeous!

@@acw271011 I like it, but the original one I tried on is so much better! It's the Allure S33, and I just liked it so much better. This is from March, when I first tried on the dress. I feel just like it looks better!

Update 6.23.14 So I've pretty much gotten EVERYTHING in the mail from my post a few days ago...plus our favors! I also spent some time this weekend working on bridesmaid bouquets - and yes, I spent most of it with my family & cleaning the house. But I felt compelled to do SOMETHING I'm giddy - everything looks amazing! Here are some updates and my To Do list! Favors - Color Changing Stadium Cups! These seriously turned out amazing, absolutely perfect. And they will be light enough/compact enough to easily pack! And they were just under 1.80 per cup. How awesome is that?! Here's the Etsy shop I bought them from (they also sell them on ebay under the same name - same prices): https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyWeddingStore2 I had them customize the design to our names, the graphic & put "Pi Day Cancun, Mexico" on the back. I also had them split the colors into 3 - blue, green, pink. They ended up sending more pink than blue, which is okay, I'll just make sure that all couples bags get at least 1 pink and I think we have more single girls coming than guys. Either way, combined, the blue/green outnumber the pink so I think we'll be fine! Reception Sandals: I bought these off ebay for less than $20, and I think they'll work great for when I'm ready to kick off my heels! The auction said size 10, but they are actually size 11. Which is ok, because they feel like they run small. (I'm short and have big feet...the shortness is why I'll be wearing heels at least part of the time LOL). Please ignore my ugly feet, thanks!! Mail Items: I did get the seashore brads for the invitations, as well as the garters in the mail today. And replacement starfish from the ones my dogs chewed...grrr. They look like the pictures, so I won't waste your time posting them again Centerpieces: I went to Walmart and Dollar Tree this weekend, because I got our submersible LED lights in the mail on Friday. I fell in love with this and am using it as my inspiration: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ac/f8/32/acf8321e0d33fbd2a837b658d47a5b14.jpg However, I want to be economical with vases - they are expensive and it's likely they will break! The Dollar Tree had a cylinder 7.5 inch vase that I liked, and Walmart had a 10 inch vase (for 4x the price, and it was one of the cheaper ones...), but I didn't find a small one and didn't like how just the 2 looked. So I decided I could either get 3 of the same, or do 3 different ones (mismatch on purpose!). So in the interest of saving money AND carry on space, I went with mismatch on purpose! They worked out to less than $10 per table, and that's including some dollar store containers to pack the vases in! I will be filling the vases with water and probably putting some sand on the bottom (both free at the resort, haha!) List of Pieces for 4 tables (we'll have 2-3 tables and a sweetheart table. If we get enough guests for 4 tables, I'll just do something different for a sweetheart table or get more supplies): 3 vases per table (12 total) 3 blue submersible LED lights (12 total) 4 silk orchids (16 total) Half a bag sea glass (2 bags total - spent $10 before tax at Walmart, will check out craft stores & return if I can find better/cheaper) I got 24 submersible lights, and will take them with me (extras though the lights are supposed to last a really long time). Bridesmaid Bikini Bags/Wedding Day Emergency Kits: In addition to customized robes, I'm putting together a bikini bag ($4 each at Walmart) that will have little wedding day essentials in it. I've got travel hairspray, lotion, mouthwash, hand sanitizer clips and a bunch of other stuff. I've also got some items to make a "Couples Kit" for them - it'll include condoms & lube, for sure, and possibly some other fun stuff. All my girls are married or going to be, and they are all bringing their hubby. My son was conceived on a work award trip to Mexico, haha, so safety first! It'll be a funny gag gift type of thing that will be actually useful Bags are seriously cute in person, and the inside is waterproof, so it'll be great for the rest of the week! I'm using puff paint to put their names on them. "I Do" shoe stickers: I was able to snag one of these stickers on ebay for 2.49 shipped! So if you want it, keep an eye on ebay haha On to the To Do Lists! I'm sure I don't have everything, but these are some of the main things on my list: To Do (Short term list): Set Wedding Week Timeline - It's a lot tougher when you have 2 young kids to plan a wedding & honeymoon. We have to get that cemented down so I can talk to the travel agent, and get our resort(s) booked! Invitations - Hubby printed out the PDF at work, along with the jacket template, so I'm going to play with that tonight when he gets home. He said he has a color laserjet printer at work that he can probably use to print stuff...eeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! That would be amazing and save us some money! (His boss said it was fine, how cool is that?!). Goal is to have them completely done by mid-July, as FI family is coming in town end of July for my daughter's 3rd birthday. Hey, it saves on stamps, and they can give them to his family up there! Starfish Boutonnieres - Still need ribbon for one, but have everything ready to go to assemble! Now to find my hot glue gun... Photographer - I got a few recommendations on several affordable photographers who offer TTD sessions, and I'm pretty set between 2-3 of them. Have to get pricing from the 3rd and then will sit down and decide. Shout out to @@tygrrlily for all her help/recommendations so far! Bridesmaid Shoes - Considering getting my bridesmaid flip flops for the day of the wedding, and putting a starfish brooch to customize them. I ordered 2 of the brooches to put on my resort shoes, so if I like them, I'll go ahead and get 6 more for shoes for them. Chapstick Labels - Labels & waterproof sleeves ordered, label created and chapstick in hand. Just need to get the last 2 supplies & assemble! Centerpieces - I got some "bling" jeweled ribbon to add, so once I get that, will hot glue it to the vases Bridal Bouquet - I bought blue & white orchids as well as some lilies and filler flowers, and will work to put together a DIY bouquet. I'm also going to call my intown florists to see how much they'd charge to arrange it for me. The lily bouquets were relatively simple, and I want a cascading bouquet. To Do (Long Term List): Ceremony Shoes - I want to DIY glitter heels, unless I can find some for a good price online. Need to add the shoe sticker when done OOT Bags (First Aid/Wedding Week Survival Kits) - I have most of what I need for the First Aid/Oh Sh!t kits, and tons of templates to play with. I need to sit down and decide how I'm going to do it! Bridesmaid Bikini Bags/Wedding Day Emergency Kits - I have the fabric bags and a bunch of contents. Will probably play with the Survival Kit templates to make something cute for my girls Program Fans - @@Mwise17 was a doll and sent me a bunch of her templates, and this is one that I love & will be customizing soon. I won't print them til closer to the date, of course, but I love the idea of using cardstock & jumbo popsicle sticks! Welcome Book - FI printed out a copy of this today (not front & back, and B&W, but it'll still give me an idea for how it overall looks/etc. Work in Progress! Door Knockers & Other Printables - Those that are done, i need to print/put together! 3rd BM Bouquet (Matron of Honor) - Making my MOH bouquet a bit bigger than the other two, but am waiting to get the real touch lilies and match the ribbon color. Work in Progress! Sand Ceremony Shadowbox Frame - This will be FI's DIY project, and we'll do that later this year when his work slows down a bit. Have my SIL looking for a recommended from this board frame at Michaels or Joanns. My BFF/bridesmaid gave me some leftover sand from their ceremony, 3 colors (blue, bright green & something else). I'll probably use the blue and then get either a white or silver or teal. Custom Wire Hangers - This will be another FI DIY project. I found a few decently priced ones on ebay/etsy, but the SHIPPING UGH. Second Dress for TTD - I'm not risking my beautiful (and heavy) gown, so will find a 2nd flowy/fun dress for under $100. I've seen some potentials on ebay and amazon, and may check out the customized ones from China that people on this board talk about! Mother of the Bride/Groom - Rather than corsages, I'm thinking of getting them bracelets & DIY'ing it up a bit to customize them Jewelry - Chandelier Earrings - Found a set I love on eBay - waiting to see if they'll send me a "%" off for having it on my watch list Champagne Toasting Set - Long term goal is to customize a set or buy the heart vase set listed earlier. If it doesn't happen, I'm sure I'll live Custom Items (etsy): Custom Robes - Ordered! Custom Cake Topper - Ordered! Signs (Mr/Mrs, Ring bearer/Flower Girl) - Ordered!