kmk2016

First off- no one here is likely to jump down your throat or flame you for your post.,. BDW is a forum a bit different than many others out there and for the vast majority- is without snark and a really about supporting one another! As for your specific situation, I'm sure if you let people know ahead of time it won't be an issue. Perhaps a champagne toast immediately following your ceremony? Or some small way to thank those people who are making their holiday plans around your wedding so they can be there to celebrate with you?

No she doesn't charge for her services. She has amazing relationships with the DW resorts and is such a pleasure to work with! She managed to get us a bunch of perks we wouldn't have known about otherwise! Really????? I know she is knee deep in helping a 1/2 dozen brides who had their weddings cancelled in Cabo and who are devastated and left with little to no options... So she may be bogged down - but she is usually awesome at replying to emails! I wonder if she isn't getting them somehow!!!

A few of us here from Canada work with Laurielee who is amazing! I would recommend her (Laurielee.ca)

Ours is $800 with karisma so I know about hefty! Haha.... We are using an outside photographer (bicoastal images) who have been fantastic to work with

Yes. Privately in canada night before we leave and then symbolic in Mexico

Totally fine to remind them. Our RSVP deadline was the same as our booking deadline to eliminate this issue but still required follow up for about 10 invites.

If they are a reputable company they will still be in business in June 2016. I have my outside vendors already under contract for my 2016 date and it saved me a lot of money as I could negotiate current rates and got a couple bonus offers for early booking.

I'm 2016! February! We already have 80 people booked at our resort (Azul Sensatori) and planning is well underway!

Are you involved in your specific resorts forum? 4 months out there are normally tons of final details and questions.... And 150 will come easy once you start sharing in the planning forum for your location! Don't worry- you will get there!

Just a word of caution to think about... Even if you aren't exchanging cash (providing room and "board" at an all inclusive for your photographer to shoot your wedding) this is still a transaction in hiring someone to work for you. If your byo photographer is working in Mexico, they are theoretically required to apply for a temporary work permit. Obviously most do not- and never get caught...BUT... I for one would not want to be caught doing something illegal in Mexico (and this qualifies) or be responsible for having a byo photographer detained at the Mexican border because of an arrangement I organized. Not sure how hard it is to get the proper paperwork, but I would add this to your costs as well just to be safe.

These will all be DIY projects for me! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Michaels ones last all night. My kids use them at Disney world and they are still glowing the next morning when they wake up. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I sent these... And it worked like a charm. For those that still didn't reply- I took the hint and recorded them as not coming. (Our booking deadline was the same as our RSVP deadline) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Totally fine. Glow sticks are not combustable. FAA doesn't have a problem with them. Sparklers on the other hand can cause risk of fire and explosion on the plane... It's not that Mexico bans their import- it's that FAA doesn't allow them on flights. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Xoxoxo so glad to see you here! But so sorry to hear that recovery has had a few bumps along the way... Fainting by the DH- awwwwww poor thing! Been there! (Passed out while holding a cup of tea when my kids were in the NICU after complications at birth- dropped and spilled the tea in a puddle around me- I came to and realized people would assume I wet myself and quickly proclaimed "it's tea not pee" over and over,,, gave the doctors a good chuckle I'm sure! Can't wait to have you back more often but TAKE IT EASY and don't push it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Try Karisma properties... azul and generations both allow kids and would work well, Canadians can book packages for reasonable and I believe so can those from the UK. They are beautiful resorts that aren't massive but have amazing amenities and great food and drink! PS - welcome and congrats! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So sorry to hear this.... Where are you getting married? Were your family/friends originally supportive of the idea of a DW and then never came through for you? Did it come as a surprise? How many did you originally invite? Is your family normally close but this important event has left you disappointed in their lack of support? Are you having a AHR? I hope you and your FI make this a magical moment for just the two of you- to immerse yourselves in one another and completely soak up the alone time and the most important moment between the two of you. No one else matters but the two of you. You will have a romantic amazing moment becoming husband and wife! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think the free cocktail hour is in fact only 1 hr.... But if you qualify for unlimited private events you could double up! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Many do!! It's just not necessarily legal! Lol. I think if it's in a frame or bottle and obviously a wedding momento/ and there aren't weeds and odd stuff in it- they won't know the difference: lol. Just say michaels when they ask you where you got the sand! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There was a bride that did this and it sounded perfect. I can't remember the specific thread but if I find it I will come back and attach the link. What they did was have guests add their sand as they arrived to the ceremony prior to you being at the altar... There was a sign explaining what to do, and then the officiant made reference to the sand added by loved ones that worked as the foundation to your sand to strengthen your marriage. I plan on doing something similar. Keep in mind, that although many people do it/ it's actually illegal to bring beach sand back across the border because it could harbour insects that could damage domestic agriculture. So make sure it's clean or they may take it at customs Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have worked with Lynda prior to change and got responses usually in 4-5 days... Now that it's a team approach it takes about 1-2 days for a reply. I have no complaints. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lol I didn't do std and invites... Just one set,,, and did them 18 months in advance! Hahaha! Wasn't too early for my guests! I have 80 booked and they appreciated the time to save! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We don't get this being Canadian (they lower our base price for the packages rather than offer this type of thing)... But I believe @@LaurenR is right, they normally make it near impossible for those kind of credits to be used up... It's almost like a coupon of sorts that don't allowed guests to truly maximize the $250. Ask your TA for sure! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hahaha I agree. I was talking about OOT bags and my MoH and another girlfriend were thinking I was crazy for worrying about that! I think anything we do will be impressive and so appreciated by our guests ... And if we don't do something- no one will even notice! It's the only negative about a forum like this... So many great ideas that I want to do them all but my wallet isn't on the same page! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I know there was a discussion about this a month or so back and most agreed that IF cards are presented, most would find a home for them but not use a traditional card box for the reasons you mention. I'm not planning on doing so... It just feels wrong to me too! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk