kmk2016

I printed all of my (jacket in heavy card stock) and boarding passes (pearlized paper) on my home printer... It's a high end printer but still/ a home machine and it worked perfectly! They dried almost instantly and Colors are crisp and vibrant

So is your TA saying that there are no standard rooms left available at all for your guests? That's insane if you haven't gotten your room block/group package contract yet and they are already sold out in some of the lower room levels. We were at BDR in June and were explicitly told at the BDR by the head cheese that ALL brides get the $500 even if they were previously booked. Your TA should have record of that from your original booking.,, if she doesn't- still push. Depending on your TA and whether they are GI certified etc you will be privy to a variety of bonuses- but everyone is privy to the ones that are on the website now/ go look at them and make sure you know the qualifiers etc.

Sounds like my family! Can you talk to your TA about getting your seat assignments reworked, allowing you to be more grouped together? May be able to be done now and certainly easier the more seats that are still open on the plane!

Didn't even know about it! But yeah- maybe! Just to check stuff out!

Where are you getting married? If it's at a resort or hotel I doubt they will allow that. Unless you have a prior relationship with the resort. Not to mention travelling with all the ingredients and access to an oven. Or are you staying somewhere with full kitchen?

How many pages were your passports? Id love to see the inside!

Yup... Travel/Passport document wallets and luggage tags... I think we have gotten at least one of these gifts each time we travel to an all inclusive via a travel agent. It's why I wasn't sure I would do luggage tags (I'm still not sure!) if I send my pre-travel mailers to my TA to send with the other items, I don't think I will because they will seem obviously redundant- but if I do it myself- I still may include some that are personalized for our group. Since many of the bags coming off the carousel could have the same luggage tag if supplied by the tour operator (usually the case), and something that stands out for just our group would still be fun!

Just and FYI regarding the pre-travel packages your TA sends out- it's part of their job. The tour operator will need the TA to send out a package of "goodies" prior to the guest travelling... It contains things like customs info, flight tickets, AI room vouchers, transfer vouchers, baggage allowance information and sometimes some info on your tour operator's partner for excursions. This is a required step for all package holidays sent out by a TA to every customer, regardless of it being a wedding. Some Tour Operators also send along a travel wallet that it all goes into- and many send out luggage tags to clearly mark the charter airline (a little self promoting for the airport by the operator). This is standard and will go out regardless if you are also doing something more personalized. If you want to add something more personal in that group of "goodies" going out to your guests, and the TA offers to add to her items with yours- before she mails them out; that's awesome! (And she can't swap out the tour operator luggage tags for your own- as an example) But just keep in mind that she WILL send out her package even if you decline her offer to send yours out alongside hers (or even if she never offers).

Identical twin boys who will be 9.... I will also be gaining a step son who will 15 at the time... But he's in the awkward " I'm a teenage boy who is excited by nothing and just wants to sleep phase"...So he will be happy just to not have school for a week.

My kids are looking forward to our wedding almost as much as we are!! Most of our friends have kids and are planning come coming with their families. The kids are so excited to be going on a week long holiday with their besties... They are going to remember it for the rest of their lives and it's such a wonderful way for them to remember the day that Mark becomes their step dad. There are about 20 kids coming so far! All around the same ages as our kids! I don't know who's parties are going to go later! Haha

When is your booking deadline? If your contract deadline comes and goes- then consider them not coming. Sucks..but id stop hounding them and just see if they book before the deadline.

Just don't talked about it! I just think with showers people often feel obligated to buy gifts and it's poor taste to have people there who are not invited to the wedding (IMO)

I will convert them to mp3 and send them to you! Love it!

It's really simple! Google it and there is a quick way to do it that doesn't require a download or anything. Ps- amazing cover of "I will" I am sooooo going to steal that! (If you don't mind!)... It's aoooo pretty! My FI is a huge Beatles fan but I wanted something more acoustic. You may have just found my perfect song to walk down the aisle to!

Check etsy! I've seen a ton of them there (I found them when pinning on Pinterest!) lots of them shipped to Canada!

So I talked to them today too- apparently they are going to now work as a team, to try and get responses back more quickly. They will all have access to all files... So that brides aren't waiting as long for answers if one WC is overloaded with more "detailed" files. Just make sure you have access to your online detail sheet- and print it out often (hard copy is the only way you will be able to prove if something changes in pricing etc). Make sure that your info is up to date... But this change should help make planning go smoother.

I have one but not ready to part with it... But honestly? I bought it for under $10 from Michaels with a 40% off coupon. It would probably be just as easy to do it that way... And since it's heavy, shipping may be expensive! I bought mine about a month or two ago!

Their pricing structure would be similar to all karisma resorts for packages. (I'm Canadian too) in the way they structure them for kids. On my package contract (sensatori) I have kids pricing 3-11 which is basically 1/2 price from adults... Then my teen pricing (12-17) is 75% of the adult price. Have your TA ensure quotes for all three age categories when they can make sure you get great pricing for all of your guests! (We have about 20 kids coming! Haha so I know how important it is!)

I have seen them as low as $90... If you have to time the sales but when they are on sale they have a ton of dresses around $100 shipped! Their bridal gowns can be that prices can be good too (on sale)

Many Etsy sellers are reasonably priced and can do custom sizing, your girls can go to a seamstress to get measured and voila! There are some gorgeous styles for $80ish

I'm in Canada- use the online catalog. And there are 40% salsa all the time. Just an idea!

I was in a wedding where the bride told us to choose a dress that made us feel pretty- and as long as it was in the cream/nude shade she was happy. It was soooo stressful and I swore I would never do that to my BMs! If you are going to have your girls go and pick out their own dress- I would suggest giving them more direction.... Like specific color (supply them a paint chip or swatch if possible), fabric and length. Another idea is J Crew online.. They have great BM dresses! And everyone can order in the color you choose!

If you like the azul concept of a sky deck wedding and the gourmet inclusive... You could look at Azul Sensatori too- sorry to add "one more" to your research list!

what resort are you marrying at? We are having a symbolic ceremony but it's not performed by our WC! They have officiants that do it!

Selfishly I hope you all don't leave and do your planning on FB! As a fellow Karisma bride (I'm at sensatori) since so much of what we go through/have questions on, that apply to all of us as we deal with the WC- I like having you all here sharing your info here!!!! The sense of community is so good here- that it would be sad to lose you all to FB! Haha (im so selfish!)