kmk2016

Im in Canada, but my TA said that it's best to book as early as possible when blocking a group of rooms for a wedding. It allows your guests plenty of time to save $$ and make plans to attend, and you can lock in early booking discounts most resorts offer. My TA also said that if the price drops between the time we sign the contract, and the date assigned for final payments, they will make a one time adjustment for everyone in the party- so it seemed smart. If it's a popular resort for weddings I wouldn't wait! Some wont allow multiple weddings in one day- so if you have your heart set on a specific date- book it as soon as the hotel will allow!!! Im February 2016... so I totally understand!!

Im going to dissuade anyone from hosting one if asked... but hoping I dont! Im excited for a night out with the girls sometime before the wedding, but as for a shower- I am already asking my guests to spend so much money to attend our wedding, that I would be embarrassed to ask them to attend a shower when a gift is usually implied at these events.

great information

1682 posts!!! @@AllieH you are my inspiration!!

I just found this link: http://www.russellandhazel.com/PDF/WeddingTemplate.pdf which will be perfect for making my own wedding planning binder to use along side all of the online resources. It looks perfect since I can add the pages that are useful, and leave out the ones I don't need... and add a portable 3hole punch in the binder for any literature that I need along with a plastic zipper pouch in the back and business card holder pages. It will be cheaper than buying a pre-made binder and will probably be a lot more applicable!!! Happy planning!

We are sending out a "formal" invite at with timing of a typical save the date, with instructions and information on our wedding website (wedshare.com)... and we will be using our website for all main aspects of our "invitation" like RSVPs, song requests, resort booking information etc. We just thought it a bit redundant to have both invites and Save the dates... AND the website, so in an effort to save money we compromised with a combination that meets all of our needs.

I have only ever sent one from Canada to US and it is almost instantaneous, Did you email them and let them know it was sent? Ask them when they plan on receiving it.. and to confirm back when they have your deposit. Do you have a formal contract? If you have proof of your transfer, and a contract with the company I would give them a couple days to confirm receipt but let them know that you DID send it and are waiting for them to confirm your date/booking.

Great tips! I wasnt sure I was going to get a planning binder as I am doing most online through my website host (Wedshare.com)... but my MOH thought I was crazy not to have one. You have convinced me! I will find one and have it ready for my trip down for the rehearsal- this will ensure I can keep all my details/thoughts/notes in one place. I also LOVE your idea to keep a running list of tips for our guests pre-travel letter!

I think having a pre-written translation or an onsite translator for your ceremony is a great idea. As for the reception speeches- I wouldn't worry. I think it's beautiful to watch a father speak to his daughter in his native language- and even if some of your guests don't understand his words, his sentiment will be obvious. Perhaps when you address him after his toast, you can synopsize what he said for your English speaking guests and thank him in both English and Portuguese? Maybe break up the speeches so that there is a mixture of English/Portuguese throughout the program? So long as the entire reception isnt in one language that alienates other guests I think it's totally fine It speaks to you as a couple, and the multicultural union! I love it!!

We havent decided 100% yet between Ipod or DJ... but I did download the app and it's fantastic! In addition, in our RSVP we are having guests request songs so we can make a play list that everyone will love. We will definitely use the ipod app for the ceremony and cocktail hour if nothing else (And maybe the welcome reception earlier in the week before our wedding)

@@tygrrlily I love your choice! It's perfect and absolutely beautiful!!!

I don't think you would be responsible for any fees they incur to receive the money unless the company clearly indicated as such in your contract. If they didn't stipulate, then I think it would be an expense they incur to operate their business.

The way our "block" worked with our Travel Agent was that we were able to secure "48 seats" with the tour operator that would be held with a guaranteed package rate for the first 48 people who booked within a 90 day window. This was a negotiated rate with the tour operator for everyone in our group (some were flying from different cities, or wanted different room types- all which were negotiated and "reserved" for us by our TA)... In order to hold this block for 48 days, my FI needed to put down our deposits ($200 each) and then the 90 days commenced for our guests to book under that rate. In order to secure the deal, our guests also needed to place a $200 deposit down at time of booking, and then had up until "x" number of days prior to departure to pay in full. In addition, for every 8 people that booked, we got credit on file for 1 with our TA, so it will allow us to use this credit to pay our room, or our bridal party... or split it between everyone and deduct it off their balance owing... or have the TA cut us a cheque after the wedding to go toward expenses. If the 48 seats were not filled by 90 days, we no longer were guaranteed that rate- and if we needed more seats, we could go back to the tour operator and request more. (they could either honor the same rate, or re-quote based on availability at that time.)

I need to get to 150 posts so I can see all the attachments! Your wedding sounds beautiful! I cant wait to be able to actually see all your details- but your info is amazingly helpful!

my FI using large full size bottles of Patron to ask his groomsmen to be in the wedding and we found custom labels on Etsy that are applied instead of the real label, that are amazing and look just like the real thing- but replace words so they are personalized to our wedding and the potential groomsman. (I asked my girls with wine bottles in a similar fashion) When searching for vendors, we noticed that there were several on Etsy that also made the labels in mini version for this reason- to apply to the small bottles for wedding favors) and gave easy instructions on how to take off the original label and prepare to apply the custom one. Im sure if you reached out to the liquor company rep in your region (google) of the company who makes the tequila you are interested in, they could connect you with a rep or store in Mexico to purchase them down there so you didnt have to cross the border with them. They may even cut you a good deal!

I know! Only negative is if I dont like the way they do it- I cant go bridezilla! HAHAHA.. but so long as we practice a few times before hand, and they know what I am envisioning it should be fine. Id hate to not be happy my wedding day- but not want to hurt their feelings. Its the one advantage to having someone you dont know do it, you can be a bit more forceful to get exactly what you want if necessary.

I know at my resort (Azul Sensatori) Past brides have pulled the dimensions of the various gazebos on property and have shared how much fabric would be needed. Since many gazebos have drastically different sizing, its best to make sure you know what your resort has. Maybe check on your specific resort thread? Or ask your onsite WC what the dimensions are? You can usually purchase these at your local fabric store for MUCH less than the rental quotes at the resort, or there are many party supply companies online that also sell them. Just make sure you know the right lengths based on your specific gazebo!

TOTALLY! The main reason we are planning so far in advance is that we are older *GULP! (is over 40 deemed old)HAHA and this is my second wedding... and so many of our friends have families and would need time to save as well. We figured if we gave them as much notice as possible, they could make this their family vacation for the year and save up to join us on our special day! It's a big expense for our guests...especially when looking at 4-5 to a family, so whatever we could do to help- the better... plus it leaves me plenty of time to save and plan plan plan!

As you already noticed... me!!! February 2016 here! Have you decided on a location etc? (I see you are deciding between 2 options!) NOW resorts are awesome!

Mrandmrsbonitto2016 Because these are designers in China (usually) who can recreate dresses for much less than the originals. They aren't selling you a dress with the original deaigner's name on the label- but can often make near identical (or sometimes nicer) versions of another dress. There are some really good and really bad companies out there so a lot of research is in order but the savings can be amazing! Read through this thread a bit to get a sense of what we are talking about! I had no idea the quality you could get- until I read this thread!

Congrats! Enjoy the planning process!

Nope! We aren't doing them! We have lived together for 3 years and have 3 kids between us (my second wedding)... We have plenty of pics taken over the years. It would feel weird for us to get engagement pics done I think! Our parents only care about pics of the grandkids at this point so I would feel cheesy doing them only to put up around our own house!

I'm only joking about taking the long route to the altar- but I am a type A control freak and would not like to have the music just fade out in a part of the song I want heard. That's why getting an idea on how long the walk takes will put me at ease and let me plan it out a bit.. Fading will still happen somewhat, but I will have a rough idea on when that will happen and plan my music accordingly. I downloaded the app "wedding dj" which does it all for you and is amazing so yes- bringing my own iPod for this reason and will use it with their system.

I had this exact question!! I plan on timing the length from start of processional/aisle to the altar when Im down in Mexico for a site tour so that I can plan it and figure out where to fade out music etc. I would rather know this before getting down there for the wedding- since the songs are so important to me as we are using ones with lyrics and I dont want them to cut off in a weird space of the song!

This is a great idea! I never would have thought of doing this! Nice thing is we can rent them once prior to the wedding to make sure everyone loves them, and then rent them for the real deal with no stress! Adding this to my list of resources for sure!