nikkicraig10

I won't be paying for my girls' dresses. In all the bridal parties I've been in, I've paid for my own dress. I will definitely be on the look out for affordable dresses for them though!

I think I'll do Email invites for my At Home Reception, and I already did email invites to the DW. It's just easier! I already have everyones emails, and don't have to go around asking for everyone's home addresses. Also it's easier for the recipient to just click a button, instead of mailing back the prepaid rsvp. Plus it saves some money! Anywhere to save is a bonus

Yeah it's definitely hard and you have to be a bit strong to get through it. I went to 2 DWs in one year, and that was really hard financially, and I completely understand all the reasons people have for not coming. Kids, money, pregnant, other trips planned, saving for a house down payment, etc. We are pretty chill people and have had a "no worries! we'll see you at the at home reception!" attitude about it. My deposit deadline is TODAY, so in the last few days we have gotten a huge flow of declines. Each one is a little bit of a hit, but at the end of the day, the people we are closest with are going. (So unlike other people that have posted, I'm lucky to say that thus far, no one has dropped out of our Bridal Party). Originally 53 guests were invited, and we have a confirmed 28. It's so true how in the beginning everyone is like YES, we can't wait! and then 3 months later when the deposit is due, all of a sudden no one can make it work financially. The only problem I have with it, is when people start avoiding you because they are afraid to say they can't make it. I'd much rather know ahead of time, then assume they're still pumped to come! And it makes it awkward. I don't regret doing a DW at all, because I think it's going to an amazing holiday, but it definitely takes a bit of strength to not take the declines personally, and to brush off any negativity.

Originally I was like YES definite dance floor, definite DJ. But now I'm wondering with a small group, if that many people are going to be dancing at that time. We will of course head to the disco when the parties over at 10pm so there will be opportunity for dancing. I may just rent the sound equipment and hook up my iphone - i think there's an app that kind of flows one song into the next so there's no pause in music and that might be sufficient instead of paying $650 for DJ! and I suppose we can stumble in the sand.. And we will also need the sound equipment and music for the first dance/father daughter dance! ahh that would all go so much better on the dance floor...

We are too! I anticipate 29 or 30 people, but I'm still paying the $4000 for private party. I'm not looking at it as $100 per person, I'm just thinking to myself that regardless of guest count, that is how much the party costs! It looks amazing though. I just wish I could justify spending $1800 on the acrylic dance floor.. instead of stumbling in the sand...

No engagement photos for us.. I hate doing things "because we're supposed to". It's not even about the money, I just don't think there's a use. It's like getting your school photo taken in Grade 12, but then getting your graduation photos in May, and that's the photo that goes in the yearbook. What was the point of the first one? Also.. they are so forced. At least on the wedding day, the photos might look posey, but at least the smiles and feelings are real!

Ohh my bad! I thought you were the original poster!! My comments were intended for @@Sara1603 I guess! Sorry about that!

I'm paying $9 per chair to swap the ugly covered/sashed chairs for white "versailles" chairs, which are just wood and simple.

@acw271011 - I have been to the GSP in the past for my sister's wedding, and CHOSE it for my own, next May, based on how great of a time we all had! If you look at reviews on trip advisor, there is some terrible reviews on it, but when you really look at what people are complaining about? What do these people expect? It's Mexico, standards are not the same as Canada or USA. They got to their room and the A/C was broken? Okay, tiny inconvenience, get it fixed, move on. The fact that they get through a week of vacation, and then still come home dwelling on such an insignificant thing is beyond me. This is why I chose the GSP - Great beach, great pools, good drinks, the nicest rooms we've ever stayed in, proximity to Cancun airport, decent food and nice, friendly staff. What more do you need? I'm not the type to sweat the small stuff on a trip, it's just not worth it. Don't worry about your resort choice, or what negative reviews you hear about it. If you have guests that are going to complain about everything, then they are ruining their own holiday, but don't let it ruin yours!!

Ditto on the $100/person with a minimum of 40 people. (or at least paying for 40, even if you have a few less bodies). Just a note on decor, I asked the WC about it, and she said nothing with fire. So make sure you get those fake tea lights!

5 on each side.. and I have appointed 2 MOH's, to make their jobs easier. I wish there was less, but oh well! 4 besties and my sister

I haven't gotten married yet!! That was just a wedding I found that had the same reception, so I wanted to use it as an example! That wedding makes me so excited too because it looks beautiful and like everyone had a great time! Mine isn't until May 26, 2015!

Yay!! Congrats It looks like it's going to be so beautful!

I wouldn't.. If people choose to get you a card/gift, they aren't going to say "oh, there's no place to put it, let's not give it to them then", they will obviously easily find somewhere to put it, or some point to give it to you. Putting a card box out just looks a little assuming. I'm having an AHR and even debated putting one there! Although there will be 50+ guests that aren't attending my DW so I guess that's different. Save yourself the money and space on a fancy card holder!

The worst part is after the pain-staking task of picking 42 photos of the bunch, they'll be like, "oh, for $600 more we will just give you the whole CD" and at that point, how can you not? So frustrating!!

Well they all might not be so bad!! This guy was just... not the best. Good luck

Well even though mine is not "due" until July 14th, I had to send out a memo the other day because my TA advised me that my flight was getting full. Sunwing only reserves 30 seats for my group, and if more than 30 book, they could potentially not have a seat on the plane, so I let them know this. I invited 53 people down but anticipate maybe 30-35 guests (or maybe less!) actually coming. I haven't asked my TA but all my bridesmaids have put down their deposits, and hopefully my parents are getting on it....... Just want this part to be over so that I know who's coming and who's not!

Before reading onto the comments I was going to say - Hopefully your TA has it arranged with her replacement that any inquiries to do with your party would smoothly go through the replacement. Anyway - with the deposit deadline, did she give any lead time? For example, my deposits are not actually due until August 1st, but I sent out the deadline of July 14th to everyone, to give them, and my TA (incase she was sick on that 1 day, or some sort of emergency!) a back up plan! Best of luck! This is the most stressful time!

I personally prefer Mexico over DR, for many of the reasons you mentioned, and more. I like the Mexican culture, the attractions in the riviera maya, the feeling of safety when going on excursions alone, the food, the tastier blended drinks... I stayed at Ocean Blue & Sand in DR and was not satisfied at all. Yes the beach is beautiful, but I've been more than happy with the beaches of Mexico too and for me the resort ammenities are more important. Plus, shorter flight, and in my experience Mexico always prices cheaper, especially if you are looking at higher end resorts. Best of luck!!

Vancouver bride! Getting married May 26, 2015 at Grand Sunset Princess in Mexico. Proposal was on a trip to Malaysia, on a private island off the coast of Borneo, on a pier.. after dinner..

Root Canal Africa or Europe? (to travel)

I chose a resort I'd been to before, but also because it was pricing well and I at least knew what I was getting for my money. It's hard to commit to a hotel you've never seen, and to ask your guests to pay $xxxx without knowing exactly what you're getting them into! That's the struggle I faced. At least with my hotel, I know the food/rooms/drinks/pool/beach are great!

My sister used a hotel photographer at the grand princess sunset in 2012... you should see the horrific edits! He edited some to almost be black and white with a few hues of colour (but not done very well), he had some with the hideous white cloud border fade out, AND he had a speck of something on the lense in the top left corner of every photo, and didn't edit it out! All in all.. bad experience. Luckily my sister is very chill so she was completely happy with them!

My fiance's step dad is shooting our whole wedding, and because he is a paying guest, he can do whatever he wants! No extra charges

Would be interested in hearing feedback on the actual wedding reception going well with this app!