nikkicraig10

What time is your ceremony? I've read about later ceremonies being windy-er (like 3-5pmish) but I don't have any hard facts to support that. Just another thing to think about! I will unfortunately be wearing my hair probably in a low side bun, with a "poof" for volume, and a few pieces pulled out and curled. I have very thin, fine straight hair that doesn't respond well to humidity, and doesn't hold a curl in it. Plus I'm getting married right on the beach with zero shelter so it's going to be a windy one!

As soon as I had the dates and resort info down, I sent out e-vites that linked to my wedding website. The formal invitations can wait (or even skip?!) as the main goal here is to get the info out as soon as possible so that your guests have the most notice you can give them. I will send out formal invites to my at home reception, which will go out 5-6 months before the event.

Hi there! I was heavily researching Huatulco because it looked amazing, the price was right, and it was "different" then where most DW's take place. The 2 properties I looked at were Dreams Huatulco and Secrets Huatulco. Both offered a pretty luxurious property, and seemed to be on very private stretches of beach. Reviews said Huatulco is a more "mexican" feel than other destinations such as Cabo and Cancun, and had much nicer water and beaches than PV. It hardly rains, the water was swimmable and the wedding packages at these 2 resorts were favourable. I chose against Huatulco for one main reason - It is extremely hot. Because we are getting married in May, it would just be way, way too hot. I knew of a wedding that went at the end of March, and the sunburns I heard about..... I read a review saying that Nov-Feb are really the best months to go to avoid this, so if you're planning around that time, then great! Hope that helps

Does anyone have experience with these? Did the bridesmaids actually wear them? Or are they more of a novelty then useful? I read an article called "Top 10 Wedding things to stop doing" or something, and all I can think about is how one of them was about the robes!

Ahhhh I am so far away!!! (Hence sneakin' in this useless post)

I think no matter what the price, or destination, people are going to complain. I went to 2 destination weddings in one year, one was Punta Cana for $1850 and the other Mexico for $1290, both 5 star resorts. Everyone is going to complain about the money, even I did. It's easy to say well if it's too much for some people they just won't come, but some people get caught in the "this is way too expensive, but I don't want to miss out, so I guess I'll go and be bitter about it until we go". After all the complaints I heard from people, and felt, I thought I would neeeeeeeeever do a destination wedding, for that reason. Here's the kicker though - as soon as that plane touches down at your destination, and you are with all of your friends, nobody gives a crap about how much they paid, or any other thing they complained about. Everyone has an unreal time, makes life long memories and leaves with an uncontrollable desire to do it all over again. THIS is what I chose to focus on. To come to terms that people are going to complain behind my back for 14 months, and then all have the most fantastic time, and be grateful for the experience afterwards. In terms of pricing, you have to look at it like this (or at least in my opinion) - you are choosing a vacation for all of your guests. On one hand you want it to be affordable and please them, but on the other hand, you have to pick a resort that's nice enough and not going to leave people disappointed. I'd rather pay $1600 for an amazing resort, then feel like I got a scoopin' deal at $1200, and then be unsatisfied with the rooms/food/beach etc. I ended up opting for a resort that I'd already been too, and chose to automatically upgrade everyone to deluxe suites (for an additional $60 per person). That way when they all walk into their 5* room with the giant jetted whirlpool and barn door windows looking into the bedroom... they will be wowed, and impressed. At the end of the day it's all about you guys! Another point to add, is because we're doing a destination wedding, we are really skimping on the other formalities like engagement party, bridal shower, stag, stagette etc. Trying to keep costs down for everyone. We're going to a local wedding in October, where the stag is costing my FI $700 and the stagette is costing me $550..sooooooooo add another $1000 and you have a week in Mexico!!

@@WinnipegBride - my sister did that option at her wedding in oct 2012, and it was perfect. We had dinner at the steakhouse, and then headed to the beach from 8-10pm. She had a bose for music (so skipped the DJ, but I personally would opt for the Dj or at least the sound equipment to help the music carry) and we had a private bar, with plenty of drink options. The event felt private as no one else was really around, and then after 10pm we headed up to the disco. It was a fantastic night!! Hi @@Sara1603. I've booked the Chill Out reception for myself as I have been to the resort, and the area is perfect! It's kind of hidden off to the right of the resort, in a private area. There is a big deck with palappas, and the dinner is set up on the deck with round tables. There is a beach area infront of the deck, where the dancing takes place, so yes there is a private beach that comes with it all. Of all the reception options, this one definitely appealed to me the most! Here is a wedding that opted for the chill out reception: http://www.weareyourphotogs.com/we-are-jen-jean-claude-pt-1/ There's a lot going on at the end but it can at least give you a slight idea.

I was looking into those rooms! Definitely a draw because the hotel is Adults Only...

I was at this stage recently as we got engaged on Mar 2, 2014. First step is to make an appointment with a TA and start looking at resorts! For us narrowing down a resort, in our price range, was the hardest part, and took us a good month of back and forths, checking into this and that, etc. TA's might have trouble getting Nov 2015 pricing (as I was booking 14 months in advance, and sometimes it was hard to get them), but you might be able to get an idea of projected prices, and narrow down resorts. Not only do you need to pick a resort based on per person price, but you also need to check out the websites and contact the wedding coordinators to make sure the vision you have is even possible, and within their wedding packages. (And affordable!). It was a difficult process honestly, because you don't really know how many guests you'll have, (to meet certain minimums and maximums on venues) but if you do as much research as you can with approximate numbers you will be fine. The resort is definitely first priority. Then you can start nailing down the other details and sending out invites. Getting the initial invites out as far in as advance as possible was key for us, to allow our guests the opportunity to save. Happy hunting!

@@SamanthaC - oooooooohh! That makes so much sense, haha! Sunglasses would be cute! Probably the cheapest would be the plastic colourful "rayban" style - there's all sorts on etsy and some shops offer little custom decals to put on the sides. Do you give the OOT bags out before the trip (like at the airport?)? Or do you take them all down in your own luggage and distribute there?

Anyone staying in Vegas after the wedding for their honeymoon? We are having a DW in Mexico, but we want to have a 4-5 day honeymoon in Vegas right after, as our week in mexico with all the family and friends won't feel like a honeymoon. Anyone have any tips for romantic ideas there? Hotel room recommendations? Any ideas at all?

Most resorts have a disco on site (make sure when you're looking at the specs), so in some cases you can have a dinner/reception from 6-10pm, and then head to the disco for the after party so that the night is not cut too short, but you're not paying for extra hours of dj and private open bar. I'm having a reception on a private outdoor deck, which is next to the beach so the dinner is on the deck, and the dancing will take place on the beach witha DJ. (I'll probably also rent the plastic acrylic dance floor).

Sorry to be so ignorant, but I;ve been wondering like crazy! What does OOT stand for?!? Also great idea on cups! Those tiny plastic ones at the resort are the worst! Maybe for the care package part those little re-hydration sachets, or Emergen-C sachets. Reload on the electrolytes!! And lip balm with SPF

@@diadiamond - you don't seem cheap at all! Weddings are expensive, and you need to try and save at every corner! Good luck

I find all the charters to be comparable. Have flown Sunwing, air canada and air transat to Mexico and had zero problems with any of them! I don't expect much out of a charter flight so if you go in with lowered expectations, you'll be fine!

Unfortunately wedding plans and friendship don't always mix! I agree that she may just be caught up in the whirlwind of planning, found a venue she can't live without and then is thinking that is the ONLY possible date she can ever have. Maybe once things settle down a bit she'll have a bit more perspective. Either way, she shouldn't take it personally if you can't make it. That is rule #1 of having a destination wedding, you have to come to terms that not everyone is going to be able to make it, and whatever their reason is; financial, obligatory, work, school, scared, ANYthing, you can't hold it against them, as it's their decision. I appointed 2 MOHs because my best friend is starting school and it's an intensive 10 month program. She's not sure she'll be able to take a week off, or if theirs an important exam or something.. it's the way it goes! She'll be a part of every other aspect, and I'd still get her a bridesmaids dress for the at home reception. People have lives of their own and at the end of the day you gotta do what's right for you!

Sorry @@BusyBee280!! I forget only Canada has tooneys. It's a $2 coin! So all drinks cost the guests $2. If you think of how many shots are in a 40 of hard alcohol, x $2 per shot, it should generally pay for itself. (Give or take all the mix ins and cups and what not). I have a lot of guests that heavily drink, so an open bar was just not an option for us. I know when I go to a wedding that has $2 drinks, I am more than happy with that price. and @@stefadile - I don't think it looks cheap at all to not offer an open bar. Every now and then we go to a wedding that has a open bar, but it is generally always paid for by the parents or something. To fund free alcohol for all yours guests, all night, yourselves, is a huge extra cost to the wedding! Not to mention how much get's wasted when its "free". People grab 2 at a time, the ice melts, they toss it and go grab another one. Plus people go overboard and then they're all a drunk mess. I would suggest just having a cheaper bar, such as $2 a drink or something. (or 2 free and the rest full price or something like that)

Has anyone gone or thought of honeymooning in Vegas? I know the thought "private and romantic" doesn't come to mind when thinking of Vegas, but my fiance and I have such a great time there, and would obviously splurge on a nice hotel. Since we're having a DW, we don't want to either a) stay down there while our family and friends go home, and get home then turn around and go to another tropical beach resort. We have big plans for a trip one day (Seychelles and Madagascar), but I feel like to come home and say we'll go on our honeymoon in a year... loses the magic of the honeymoon part, and will just feel like all the other trips we go on. (We travel a lot). SO, Vegas anyone!?

How are people wording their AHR invites if they are being sent out before the DW takes place? For example I invited 55 people to Mexico, and have 100 invites for the AHR. (Keeping it small). We're having our AHR 1 week after the DW so invites for the AHR need to go out well before the trip. Everything I think of sounds like: "______ and ______ will be getting married on the beaches of Mexico on May 26, 2015 (WHICH YOUR NOT INVITED TO), please join us as we celebrate one more time at our local cocktail reception on June 6, 2015" Or am I the only heartless one that had a separate guest list for DW and AHR?? I can't afford to bring everyone to Mexico because my reception costs $100 a person!

A cheaper alternative to the reception is having a "cocktail reception" that starts at 7pm (or around there), and is AFTER dinner. That way you can serve some appies, meat/cheese platters, dessert platters, etc, without having a fully catered meal. This way you skip the tableware too. We'll also have a tooney bar which will help pay for the alcohol. This is how mine is roughly breaking down: Hall Rental $400 DJ Rental $495 Appie Platters $600 Alcohol $100-200 after the tooneys Obviously there will be lots of other little costs like the centre pieces, if we choose to do a cake, (Probably not) and if we choose to include our DW photos at all. The main thing about the reception I want, is a good dance party, so the whole thing can be pretty bare bones, as long as I have a hall, liquor and a DJ. Will send out a pretty informal invitation 6 months prior to the event, and I will be wearing my dress again.

We're doing it right after - we get home on Saturday May 30, 2015, and reception is the following Saturday, June 6, 2015. I feel like when we return from the DW, that I want the reception to be the first time the guests who didn't attend see us as a married couple. I don't think our AHR is going to be stressful or take lots of planning because it's only a cocktail reception, and the main focus is the dance party. Plus I specifically chose a smaller hall so that the guest list can stay under control . It will be 2 weeks of bliss (as we might honeymoon in Vegas in between the DW and AHR!!) and then back to reality after.....

Vancouver bride! Getting married May 26, 2015 at Grand Sunset Princess. Got my first dress appointment next month! (Nervous!!)

Cute idea with the care package!! I have 5 and my fiance has 5. We didn't originally plan to have even numbers, as I have 2 MOHs but he ended up picking a 5th. I personally wish I had less, but I guess I am lucky to have so many close friends in my life. I have no idea what to get them for gifts when the time comes though!

Thank you!!

Does anyone ever pick a dress that's already on the site? And not something they suggest to them? I saw the dress originally on pinterest, so I've never seen it in person. Do most brides go to the stores, try on the dresses and then mark down the styles, and THEN go online and find it? And thanks @@kmk2016, I will definitely go for a more reputed site!!