linaco80

@@kmk2016 for one reason or the other I am unable to get the carabridal website or store on Etsy. this is what i found would you please share the link? https://www.etsy.com/shop/CaraBridal/sold

There you go that is all you need ( an easy going guy) @@ng2015 I checked this website and prices are not too bad for flip flops as favors, the problem is to carry boxes of flip flops when I got so many other decorations to bring. I am foreseeing that i will have to ask my FI family to bring things for me lol because it is just too many things to bring. as a favor I was thinking about a pair of flip flops hanging in a nice simple custom made plastic/cloth bag (with the both of our names) hanging on each chair, so everyone could use them at the reception, wear them and party. http://www.partyflops.com/english2/ I was also thinking like a bigger(large) mug for beer (to store more beer while hanging out by the pool). so if you have friends sharing, is it one bag or two bags? I like the idea of putting gender neutral stuff. @@calgarybride2015 where did you get the flip flops? I was thinking to do a FIY project and do barefoot sandals for the girls as part my gift to them, I saw the instructions on Pinterest.

@@MissJen3 I am thinking to do this (below in the link) with my map and the NJ map for him and because we might not get so many guests perhaps the Yucatan map too Lol .BUT if the thing is super heavy I might just leave it and forget about it because wont get crazy carrying that https://www.etsy.com/listing/167296282/alternative-wedding-guest-book-wood?ref=favs_view_24 @@calgarybride2015 awesome idea

Hi Girls, my FI and I are paying for our wedding, I am super excited with all the planing and my TA has been super supportive and helpful, besides these boards are super good. I am using a TA from Destination Wedding which allows you to enjoy many perks (and she is awesome) the only thing is that all is adding up quickly and things that I never thought about: fresh flowers for my hairdo, postage, gifts for the wedding party, Over Time in case I would like more services (photographer, DJ, etc), petals for the flower girl, shipping cost to bring my decor, cake topper or cake decoration, vendor fees which they are disclosed upfront, but the only disadvantage is that when I booked I did not look into the vendors that the resort offers. For us vendors were the next steps in the process, because just choosing the resort had its own research and homework. Now it is the time to select vendors and this can be frustrating (I recommend you to look into that before you book), basically you are given options to either go with their vendors in order to avoid the vendor fee (whether you like it or not) or just make a financial decision and follow your heart and pay for the vendors you really want PLUS the tedious vendor fee , so far those have been my "hidden costs" which I am not so happy about, but I did not look into that when I was resort hunting. (The DJ is the only "hidden cost" that we really do not call "hidden" because our DJ rate plus the resort vendor fee ended up to the same cost that we would have paid for the DJ offered by the resort). We have a budget and we can be flexible for some things that will make sense, but we are not planning to go over budget for unreasonable things that the resort offers and have to come home to pay bills. I love the resort and have no regrets but, I just feel that if we want "a bit of this or some of that" it will cost us so much $$$ geezz ..what is your hidden cost so far ?or the cost you never thought about?...I think it will be helpful for future brides who are planning and also myself. Thank you

my friend got married in Germany and each guest had to fill the good wishes on a card/paper, then these are put a few of in a small balloons, so many balloons get flown in the air and the tradition in that when residents in town find it somewhere or anywhere they mail it back the the couple mail box...that was so awesome for her so even a year later she still has people sending her the good wishes.

@@tygrrlily thank you! ALL new to me besides the entire planning... lots going on for a DW

Will I have to pay a vendor fee to get my makeup artist inside the resort to my room? day pass? or will be able to get them in freebie? who knows this one

@@eli01 I am planning to use it also in Plaza Zavas since I think this is one of the most special times and days of my life and I dont wear a wedding gown every day or even ofter..but that is me , it all depends on how you feel and want to be that day. Will I have to pay a vendor fee to get my makeup artist inside the resort to my room? day pass? or will be able to get them in freebie? who knows this one

@@pddcmc Aww thank you! yeah little by little we are getting married about the same time @@MissJen3 will brainstorm and my heart tells me to bring something unique from both of us...I am glad your fiance is happy with the shot glasses, man tend to be not that involved and they agree with all.

Hello Girls, I keep reading a lot (covering lots of topics going on in a wedding) and want to learn how does the letter to my fiance and gift work prior to our ceremony or after or when? I was watching videos and I see that the bride writes a letter and sends a gift to the groom and he does the same while they get ready for the ceremomy. I am not American and I have less knowledge as of how the tradition goes here, my fiancee is American and pretty sure he knows more than me. We are getting married in Mexico, still the tradition or some will be followed. Also if this topic has been discussed before please send me the link of the thread (i dont meant to create more and more if this is under discussion already) thanks so much!

@@pddcmc will add Etsy and Pinterest, you are right..I will have people coming from home and I bet all these will be super new to them. @@kmk2016 will read as much as I can..I just get overwhelmed after 600 pages to read (I have never been a reader lol) and time is usually against me because of work..I find many many interesting things here. thanks for all your help on the boards and my questions and yes will do my best to read all I can(as I am doing today)

@@ng2015 Awesome thank you!, so that is one per room or per person? say if I have two friends sharing I would assume that is one for each right? how about men? a bag for a guy too? thanks for the links...This site is just soo good. @@pddcmc I love this idea..I have 6 girls ( yeah six lol) but will do my best to guess something cute like this... where do you order those? wedding chicks also? thank you girls

@@pddcmc awesome!!!, basically it will be something like "welcome bag"? Would you need to do both (favors and welcome bags) or just one? I was planning to give them the welcome bag (AKA OOT I think) during my welcome party and have a small favor on the table. OOT bag---would you do a glass jar and put something in it? the jar idea sounds great @@pddcmc ha ha sorry I meant jugs not jars...going crazy here (I was thinking of glass for a jar)

Hello girls, I keep going all over the place with my wedding planning and too many things in my head about the planning, I want to start thinking ahead on favor ideas and to get some help PLEASE from all of you: favors ideas, welcome bags AND bridesmaids gifts... and have no idea what is OOT bag my favor idea: I am originally from Colombia and he is American, I was trying to get small, something authentic from both of us that reflects the two cultures (LIKE a souvenir from Colombia and US), I also was thinking to just go ahead and do something cute -traditional from that is done in America--here I am to listen to your suggestions--THANK YOU!

Hi @@kcole123, are you using natural or silk? I found www.afloral.com for nice silk flowers

Hi @@pddcmc what is OOT bag? I have no idea and now I am starting to read this post to look for favors ideas and welcome bags

@@kmk2016 awesome!!! thanks for helping out

The budget for the dress comes down to first look at what you can afford and second to pay a bit more for a dress that you deeply fall in love with it...I have visited so many boutiques and nothing is working for me I am almost for one but it is $1,700 and not sure if that really makes me feel I love it to pay that much...I bet if I was super in love with it I would not think twice. i am so confused that will end up ordering online with measurements ...very confused.

LOVELY DRESS, BEAUTIFUL ON YOU..I hope I can find mine time is running

@@murmel Yes I will accent the girls with a single flower or the corsage (more the single flower think) Yes, you are right I am not planning to spend money on the bridal suite anymore, and thanks for the tip with the schedules, i love the idea for the wedding day (getting ready), ceremony is at 5:30pm and I am thinking to either hire beso brides or the people from the salon at Sensatori (not sure yet because the resort charges almost the same with that 20% extra) and have them come to my room for the hair do of the girls (I will pay for it, now i think it will be nice to have them professionally done and it is nice to do that) and makeup and hair for myself, mom and sister and whoever wants to do their makeup (I wont push makeup on the girls because they can also go light on it and do it themselves) ...then take earlier the massage or just another day or simply dont take it . did you use the salon at Sensatori and would you recommend for makeup and hair? Sorry to bother you much, any ideas of welcome bags and favors? I need to think ahead since all is spinning in my head and I have not even ordered the dress Thank you again and again and again

Thank you @@kmk2016, Yes i am looking at a trumpet mermaid OR fit and flare lace with beads. I will look for jasmines bridal http://www.JasminesBridalShop.com/ which I think is what I saw. Dressily was one that I missed on my previous. as far as makeup what are you doing? thanks again

Will do but so far for what I know the vendor (guest) will have to do the check-in..yes lets keep in touch

Hi, I am not a past bride, please let me know if you hear back from past brides. I was trying to do the same and the issue is that even thou you bring a vendor as a guest they (the vendor) have to check in because each person registered has to do the check in, I think you could perhaps give it to someone of your family who is in the hotel sharing a room and just move to the empty room to stay alone, but if it is a friend or family member who did not book or pay for a room I am not sure how it would work to get in the hotel and get the room. Please let me know if you get to know how to do that Yes, I also spoke yesterday with the WC in Miami and she said that the $1,000 is for a DJ only (no announcements) and you can add the MC for $250 but wont have the $1,500 package stuff like bubbles and fog machine. Also she mentioned that the $1,500 includes the DJ and the MC. I ended hiring Doremixx to my wedding and did not have to spend more that what they also charge..hope we all enjoy a good time

@@tygrrlily @@tygrrlily Hello Girls, this dress topic (among all that goes on the for a DW) is driving me very confused. I had almost made an order for the Maggie dress at $1,700 and after reading this thread I dont think i will move forward with that (saving cash will help tons) If I understood well all your comments I can look for dresses online (see below websites mentioned), send pictures (if I have a special photo request perhaps will pay an extra fee $30 for the pic), order and also ask for pictures in the mid production? Dresshop which apparently seems to buy dresses from China and re-sell them http://www.dresshop.com.au Judys Bridal http://www.judysbridal.com/ Babyonline (hope this is the same website you were referring to) http://www.babyonlinedress.com/index.html DHgate which seems to have good reputation with the quality and very reasonable prices http://www.dhgate.com/wholesale+wedding+dresses.html#hp1403-lc-7-0 Light in the box (previously mentioned) http://www.lightinthebox.com/ Jasmine http://www.jasminebridal.com/ugC_Home.asp (this one takes me to a site that has a boutique locator in the US, it does not seem to be overseas where I can order unless i am looking at the wrong site) Carabridal which I read the following and I am not sure http://forums.theknot.com/discussion/1011229/beware-of-carabridal-on-etsy Amazing Bridals also on Etsy from http://www.amazingbridals.com/index.php If I get a good deal I might end up buying two gowns (1 for my wedding day and the second for my TTD as my photographer suggested that) I was not looking at two gowns for the original cost of just one, but now that I found this boards, I feel more comfortable as I was super skeptical with ordering dresses online and I am a chicken when it comes to this specially because the boutique lady told me that I am just on time to order my dress since it takes 6 months to arrive and if I dont order they wont commit (very scary because dress will come in Jan/feb and wedding is in April), any ways after reading enough I would feel comfortable and more learning that i will save $1,000 or about. The question for you girls is ...which of the sites above do you recommend ? If I also provided the wrong links please advise as of which is the correct one. Thanks so much for your help, I appreciate it.. ahh one more thing @@kmk2016, Are you using the beauty salon from Sensatori on your wedding date to get your hairdo and makeup or will you bring someone from outside? I am thinking to bring beso drides http://www.yucatanhair.com/ after I read so many good things about them and have been communicating with them but I am not sure yet who I will use and if it is neccesary to bring someone from outside (I read the board about the Azul beach bride who brought them). I am just not sure if I would like to have air brush or just prime (will have to try it on me first). Also I also feel super bad because I bringing all my outside vendor (photo, DJ) and not sure if many brides do that. Thank you once again Linaco

@@murmel Thank YOU so much, you are amazing, i cant tell you enough how good your reviews area and how helpful they are...and I am sure many brides are very thankful for all your help and support!! Reception Dinner: We currently have reserved Plaza Zavas and I think we will stick to it , I had requested the Palapa Yoga for the cocktail hour and it is taken now , so the WC offered me the Zocalo terrace which is behind the Zocalo Beach by the pier (the location of our ceremony). I kind of want to have the cocktail hour closer to the ceremony area and would prefer not to have it in the same area as where the reception dinner will be held, but will have to think about that one and see pictures that the WC sent me today. I loved Alfresco BUT I think we prefer the outdoor area, ohh YEAH we are heading the lounge after the party is over did you hire the guitar with mongos and singers or were they from the resort? DJ: We were hesitating so much to take the two DJs they offer, for one reason or the other the Lomas website seems "blah" with the the DJ and the facebook page was not up to date (unless we looked wrong) we looked at the DJ testimonials in the Lomas website but still not that convincing...hope we did not make a mistake, We hired DOREMIXX after we realized that it was the same cost (after paying the fee) that hiring DJ All Music for the $1,500 package that we were considering, because Mega DJ at $1,000 does not have a MC who does the announcements just the DJ (you can add the MC for $250) All in all I think the resort takes their cut on the DJ they offer, so one or the other the resort always win. I got an email with the confirmation that it was OK to bring the DJ after I pay the $800 fee (or your guest) Centerpieces: Awesome, thanks for sharing the link and I def wont sell my stuff but perhaps just leave it there lol I dont want to carry all that back home The WC told me that fresh flowers are NOT allowed. when I spoke with the WC from Miami today, I basically messed it up and told her my idea of bringing and decorating with a glass vase with silk flowers in water and a float candle on top surrounded by votives, she offered votives at $3 each (wish i had read this before, yeah they sell), i asked her because i wanted to learn how much they charge to rent the vases and after I learned that it is $15 I said NO way Jose so I will be fine because we have not finalize my wedding builder sheet. I will test this vase in my own house and post pics. My one question for you is should I tell the WC in Miami about me bringing my own decor? OR should I just tell her that I will only take white linen and white chairs and NO decor so she puts that down in the wedding builder sheet? I am afraid to to get there (Azul Sensatori) with 2 boxes and the local wedding coordinator might tell me "that was not specified on your wedding sheet". what should i do? I am more than happy to just pay there in cash as long as they take it and I can skip the detail to the WC in Miami but worries me if they in Mexico that it was not specified on the wedding sheet, how do you recommend me to address this with the WC? SPA: this is another one that i have no idea as of how it works with the bridesmaids, the reason why i thought about the spa and the bridal suite was because they charge $90 for the hairdo and $90 for makeup (plus surcharges of 20% in my room) that would be more than $200, then the Bridal Essence package at $276 includes a massage, hairdo, makeup, and the bridal suite for 3 hours. ahh my previous question for the SPA was if you recommended taking the massage prior to the wedding or after the wedding (if you took one), the package also includes pay one and get two massage (I think) I dont think I would use another massage or a massage at all. Option #1: I was thinking to take the bridal suite with my sister (my matron of honor) and my mom and both of them can get ready with me. As I mentioned before I don't know how "getting ready with bridesmaids" works so i was thinking to tell the girls that they could get ready on their own and that I want the hair style up, I would provide the hair salon information and prices (they could book the hair service or just do it themselves), I feel kind of bad to put the pressure of the cost on them (because i cant really pay all for everyone) neither I want to show myself rude by not offering the "get ready with the bride". Option#2 I could tell the girls that I can pick 50% of the cost of the hair and they pay the other 50% and have them all in my room with me (it could be more stresful with more people too). They would do their own make up or pay for that service and i would not pick the 50% of the cost. I honestly do not even know who should pay for what and dont know if they expect me to pay for them getting ready. Yes, my future hubby will get a room for himself from 10am to 4pm. What do you suggest is should I get ready with mom and sister OR should I get ready with all the girls, mom and sister lol? I know you suggested previously that the room is better for everyone, but since I have given you more explanation as of the cost and the bridesmaids paying, I just wanted to hear your insight on that. Bridesmaids: I like the corsage idea a LOT it is at $30 each (the ones I saw) OR take 3 fresh flowers each with a bow or ribbon for $30 ($10 each), I dont recall the WC mentioned that the bouquets start at $60(will look into it) but still it might be too much for me , specially if I pay for the hair. Chinese paper umbrella sounds really nice and the corsage or just one flower for $10 (thinking here)...loved the paper flowers..nice and will try one at least how my DYI skills are! Ceremony: we got the always and forever package for free with the theme decor, I chose Vintage elegance but change the blue color for coral which is my color, I wanted Coastal bliss for the color but it was more relaxed than what I wanted. GREAT TO KNOW that I cannot use the natural sand from there, Sensatori charges $45 for the sand kit and includes one color and another color is plane. Davids Bridal sells the sand kit with customized names for $45 two colors so we will take that and thank YOU for the tip on the sponges. Murmel, thanks SO much once again... Linaco