pddcmc

I love your short list! Mine is slowly getting there... I agree with bubble wrap, but I think clothes would really do the trick, too. Maybe look in to getting a hard-shell piece of luggage? I'm pretty sure that's what I'm going to do.

I have done the exact same thing! And guess what? Not a single thing is packed. I think once I finish my last shift tomorrow, I'll feel like we are really leaving haha I've noticed that I have really struggled with things feeling "real" and I don't know if that the army kid in me? Anyway, back to your question... Our tumblers came shipped in individual bubble wrap, so I'm going to reuse that. I didn't know Wal-Mart sold bubble wrap? I was going to go to a FedEx or something of that sort to purchase some. I am also concerned about my fans getting broken. I am going to go buy hard-shell luggage this weekend and hope that does the trick. @@kcole123 I will tell you that I almost didn't get my e-ring back today! I wasn't home when they tried to deliver it, so I went to the post office to pick it up at 4:30. Well, my mail carrier wasn't back yet and the USPS closes at 5 pm. I decided to stay until close to see if I could get my package. (I called my jeweler in the meantime and he even sounded worried. He said,"I can't have you without your ring. Don't sit on this." While he is saying this I am thinking "Yeah, ok, Tom. No stress there!" *I can kind of laugh now that this is all over*) I guess the workers noticed that I was panicked, so they let me stay after hours with them until my carrier returned (she arrived at 5:30). While I was signing for my package they said, "all for that little thing?" I said, "once I have the package in my hands, I'll tell you what's in it." SO, I signed, they gave it to me, and I revealed that it had my engagement ring in it for my destination wedding. They gave me the biggest congratulations and wishes. A really scary situation turned out well .

______________________________________________ Tipping Etiquette for Weddings at an All-Inclusive Resort An old post that I had made resurfaced, so I'm posting it again as a nice reminder for myself as we get ready to leave. This is from research on destination weddings, with the best results You do not need to tip your florist unless he/she does something spectacular or really out-of-the-floral-realm for you. If he tracks down the filling for your goody bags, or she blows your mind with something you weren't expecting, by all means, feel free to tip the florist. But it isn't something you need to build into your budget. You don’t need to tip your caterer, but you will need to tip the servers and bartenders. If you don't have a wedding planner to guide you, ask the caterer what's appropriate per person. Don't tip the photographer. If you adored her, order more prints! Don't tip the wedding cake baker. Don't tip a band, unless they stay extra time and don't bill you for it. Tip a DJ if hes really, really good. $50 is more than enough. If you're staying in a small hotel and you've taken over the whole place for your wedding, be sure to tip the hotel manager/concierge who has helped you with everything. You should also tip the breakfast or housekeeping staff, but you don't need to do it individually. Give a tip to the person in charge of that staff and ask them to split it with the people who worked during your wedding. If you're staying at a villa or private property with a house manager or caretaker, tip if you're having the reception on the property and the person is being very helpful. Remember, the property owners made money on you. The caretaker or property manager is on salary and had to put up with you because it's part of his job. If they do a great job, acknowledge it. If you have daily maid service, it's appropriate to leave a tip of $2-$5 per day in your room. If you have a 5-bedroom house, you should tip $10 per day at the end of your stay if they did a good job. Do not tip your wedding officiant. Do not tip your rental equipment delivery guys as you paid a delivery fee already. Finally, do tip your wedding planner. As self-serving as this may sound, I get asked this question a lot so I'm going to tackle it openly and honestly. If you have a good wedding planner who is charging you a reasonable fee and isn't marking up your services, you should tip her at the end of your wedding if you are happy with her services. When deciding how much to tip, think about how much her total fee was, and think about how much money she saved you (there will be items that stick out when you think about it), and how challenging you may have been as a client. If you know you drove her nuts or were very demanding (and she was nice about it), compensate her for the extra time and effort she had to put in to your big day. Tip between 15 and 20 percent of her wedding fee. To some extend it's like a restaurant, if you were satisfied, go 15 percent. If you were thrilled and she did a great job for you, go 20 percent or more. If you felt like she dropped the ball, give her 10 percent, or don't tip her at all. A tip is supposed to be a gratuity for a job well done, whether it's a waitress, a hairdresser or a wedding planner. The exception to the rule is the wedding planner who asks for a tip. That is just so gauche. Sometimes I'll make a joke about it to my clients when they're really super impressed with something I've done. When they're telling me how great I am or how much money I've saved them, I'll make some joke like remember that when it's time to tip me,†or something like that. But I've never ever told a bride up front that a tip was required, or asked a bride for a gratuity after the wedding. Some brides are just thoughtful. I've received lovely thank-you gifts and even sweeter notes — and those can be very rewarding as well. If you don't use a wedding planner and a banquet manager or someone else from the hotel steps into that role for your wedding, be prepared to tip her at the end of the event as long as everything has gone smoothly. She is your de facto wedding planner and you should thank her for executing that role well. It doesn't need to be as much as you would tip a wedding planner, but a token to let her know her work was appreciated is more than appropriate. So when your wedding planner gives you the list of tips you'll need for your wedding a few weeks before the big day, take a moment to think about whether you'll want to have some extra on hand to tip your planner too, assuming she delivers all that she promised on your wedding day. If in the end she doesn't deserve it, spend it on a spa day on your honeymoon. Credit to @Sllefebvr http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/76758-budgeting-for-tips-how-much/?p=1844818

Thank you! That helps

You're right, I know. I think it's all just getting to me! lol Thanks girl. How are you doing?

I am happy I came across this post again.. I was starting to wonder this all over again, esp as our date is quickly approaching!

Starting to panic... It wouldn't be too big of a deal to me if I had planned for all wedding events to be indoors, but I didn't. In fact, I decided against having a ton of flowers (1. we can't take them home with us. 2. I won't get to enjoy them very much afterwards...I'm pretty sure that the time we spend in our room will not include enjoying flowers. 3. the scenery is so gorgeous that I didn't want people to oogle at the arrangements rather the natural beauty) and decor because of reason #3 above. BUT, if we have to move everything indoors...WHAT DO I DO??? It won't look like a wedding at all!!!!! Oh my goodness, I'm ready to cry!

Starting to panic... It wouldn't be too big of a deal to me if I had planned for all wedding events to be indoors, but I didn't. In fact, I decided against having a ton of flowers (1. we can't take them home with us. 2. I won't get to enjoy them very much afterwards...I'm pretty sure that the time we spend in our room will not include enjoying flowers. 3. the scenery is so gorgeous that I didn't want people to oogle at the arrangements rather the natural beauty) and decor because of reason #3 above. BUT, if we have to move everything indoors...WHAT DO I DO??? It won't look like a wedding at all!!!!! Oh my goodness, I'm ready to cry!

@@KatieMcBride We aren't having a full bridal party.. my sister is standing up with me and my FI's best friend that he's known since he was in high school is standing up with him. We didn't want to have to chose between friends and family, this way it made things really simple.

I thought I'd share DRC's Budget Planner for any brides who may be "too early" in the planning process to receive from the resort (earlier than 3 months before your wedding date). Dreams Riviera Cancun Budget Planner DRC Interactive Budget Planner.xlsx

Hi, brides! I thought I'd share this to help those who are early in their planning and budgeting. Dreams Riviera Cancun: Interactive Budget Planner DRC Interactive Budget Planner.xlsx

@@victoriasalv We are putting the letters inside our welcome gifts - we are giving double wall insulated cups (full of other 'goodies') that guests can reuse at the bar, instead of those tiny, flimsy plastic cups they put your drink in. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/77696-our-dw-dreams-riviera-cancun-17-apr-2015/?p=1891908

@@kcole123 @@calgarybride2015 @@acw271011 Ok, that makes sense. I guess I never really thought about posting photos of the couple the day of the wedding because I was having too much fun being a part of their special day. I didn't realize that some guests didn't do the same and wait?

I don't quite understand....do ya'll mean being able to post your actual wedding day photos from your photographer before anyone else posts photos? @@kcole123 @@calgarybride2015

I don't know my designer, either. lol

@@kcole123 @@TinkerSofi My fingernails were usually sore for a day or two afterwards (that's when I used to get acrylic tips. I prefer gel on my natural nails, now). Anyway, after that sore period, I'd get used to them. They look very pretty!

@@smileitseb No, I found a map off Google, under images

hahahahahaha! when I got to the part of your dream where you went down the rabbit hole, I literally just laughed out loud! LOL I've had all of the bridal nightmares.... hair disasters, dress disasters, you name it - I've had it. Luckily, I haven't had any for a while...maybe because the day is near and "I'm at the eff it, let's do this, I don't care about little details anymore" attitude. lol ...Or, maybe it's because I've had a glass of wine before bed each night for the last 3 days to help me relax? lol Hey, whatever works, right? I'll admit, the fitting and waiting to try it back on was stressful, but my friend just kept me talking to keep my mind off it and that was a huge help. Thank you! I'm stuck on trying to think of better wording for the restaurant dress codes...

We remodeled most of our house, rented it out, and upped and moved 900 miles 4 months before our wedding. Sooo, not exactly the same thing, but I get it. LOL

We leave the 15th! Ya'll leave the 14th, right? @@kcole123

That's the other thing on my list - cleaning the house. I took the dogs to the vet today for their shots.. they are not happy. We are boarding them for the first time, ever (they will be 11 in October). But, we have visited the facility and feel comfortable with the place and the staff...so we just need to trust that everything will be ok. I have one appointment and we are going to the courthouse around lunch time... so, around those two things I need to go to Target and start picking things up, packing, cleaning, etc. (*ahhhh* so much to do! *breathe* *breathe* *Sip wine* *breathe* ....ok, that's better. LOL) Oh, so my dress fitting/pick up... wow, that was stressful.. my gown was still too tight (I honestly don't think she fixed it from the last time)... I couldn't sit down and my boobs looked smashed. I was there for an hour and a half, but they fixed it and it is now perfect.

@@smileitseb I'm thinking probably Kinkos, but I'm not sure yet. How did you word the dress code for restaurants on your letter? I don't like the resort's wording (even though I C&P'ed it on my rough draft as a place holder) and I can't seem to find the right words.

We have to start packing, too!

@@smileitseb That is EXACTLY why I made the list - anytime I start feeling like there is too much to do, I look at the list and it puts it back into perspective. Plus, it's fun to cross things off! Yes, I am super, super excited! I just can't even contain it! I got back from the dog's vet appt about an hour ago... that was stressful haha But, I'm happy it's over! Next, pick up my dress!!!!!!! yaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!