calgarybride2015

I will! They will be done before the end of August because my fiance's family is moving to Mexico and I hope they can take these maracas with them to save us the hassle!!!

I am glad you set the deadline. I ordered my dresses from David's Bridal mid July and was told they wouldn't be in until November. Hopefully they order asap and they come in the 7 weeks!! November is coming quick! And them being married, they should know better I agree!! with that said, going in another direction -- doesn't it blow your mind that married people still don't feel the need to RSVP to weddings? We have more than 1 couple who we assume aren't coming as they didn't RSVP but have been in our shoes before. Blows my mind!

@@tygrrlily I found one on here I loved 'Instead of tapping on your glass, here is a system with Mexican class. Stand and shake with all your might to see the groom kiss his bride tonight' I put a little married couple kissing (clipart) in the corner. On the order side I put a thank you note, then our names and wedding info. That's as per today, sometimes I tend to change my mind!! All ideas are neat though!!! I think I plan to attach that and then another one with their names to serve as place cards. Or just do the place card 'tent' not sure yet. Is two cards on a maraca too much? I will try both. I am doing nothing fancy. Just names and wedding date. The maracas already say Mexico.

Another thought -- if most are leaving from the same airport you could give them out there. Make them shove them in their carry ons???

I thought I posted this above but don't see it - is a pashmina a scarf? I agree. I also needed somethings that Canadian stores ran out of - like my son's shorts from Old Navy, but the US site had them. I am closest to Montana, but we are going to be in Kelowna, BC for a week and the WA border is only 1.5 hours so I have been shopping like mad. I made a little card for the maracas which gets them involved in the reception, so pretty excited about them. I plan to buy a pen from Michaels and personalize them myself. Can't believe you need your own table linens!!

From my experience as a traveler, they will get used!! I can't believe I traveled without them before LOL!! On my wedding website I did a 'good to know for all inclusives' and this made my list I would assume they will take up half to a full suitcase depending on the size. As will my maracas, but if that's what you want to have, then so be it. Good luck

I ordered the medium sized maracas as I thought that 2 inches would help when putting them in my checked bag BUT, I was told because they are authentically made with gourd that it comes in different sizes/shapes, etc. so they do the best they can. I'm totally ok with that! being you are in Canada, did you order to the border and go pick them up? That's what I did - get them this weekend! yay!

@@tygrrlily I apologize, I think we had this convo before. OMG! I would be upset too. That makes it really tough, especially when you have specific deadlines. Can you go above her? Also, maybe if it doesn't resolve you need to call your airline directly and speak to them. I know some, like AC, frown upon it as they have an agreement with TA (stepping on toes?) but when push comes to shove you need to get stuff done. I know we don't pay them directly, but she is making commission off of you!!! I hate to sound silly, but what is a pashmina? Is that a scarf? How did you get so many, so cheap?!?

@@tygrrlily - all ok with the TA now? Sorry, that sucks I had some rough patches but seems to be ok! Hard to trust when a lot is on the line. All great ideas!!! Maybe put the survival/hangover kits (not using your swear word as on work pc lol) in all the females bags as some of the stuff is more feminine? We did the maracas from Amols but went for the multicolored ones - we will tag them with names so men don't get the girly colors. I asked my fiance about just getting pink, but we decided to go colorful instead!

I agree! Seems anytime this happens in today's day and age - which is sad! If I hadn't have already bought all the supplies and done the inserts I would have said 'go for it!!' But truth be told, I am super excited to send out a pre-travel letter. I already have so much I want to say on it!!!! And I think it will get everyone super pumped!!!

Never thought of Etsy! but I use it for so many other gifts wedding related.

Didn't know what else to do? Can't ask them to pay to fly here for a weekend you know.... I guess they could have went into their bridal store and atleast had an idea. But.... David's Bridal took my measurements and my other BM and worked out our size for us and they were bang on, so here is to hoping! Nothing we can do now.

J Crew, while pretty, is super pricey! I didn't realize. I thought they were more like the Gap. We don't have them in Canada, that I am aware of, so don't know too much about them.

Yes I totally understand. Something that will always irk me, but it's a way of life.

Not sure where you live, but Zappos had great prices. They were more casual, but nice. I searched high and low and couldn't find anything decent in that price range - but you have a MUCH more common color than I do. Who knew bright/hot pink would be so hard. We ended up paying $160 and 2 of my BM's didn't even get to try them on. We went on their sizes. Another new stress LOL!! Nonetheless, there are alot of department stores who have nice dresses - The Bay, Sears, Kohl's, Macy's (Not sure USA stores), Laura, Melanie Layne, etc. Search cocktail or prom dresses too. I am sure I am missing some, but I spent countless hours on this.

Sorry I don't have any advice. If you think they have good taste and trust them, then I don't see why not. I think most BM's know that brides get the final say. My coworker left it to them. She gave them shades to aim for if I remember correctly. Her wedding is in 2 weeks, so when I see the pictures I can let you know. 2 of my 3 bridesmaids are 12 hours away and we won't see eachother either. Sooooo me and my 1 BM here went out and picked our top three. We sent them the pictures and they picked the one we purchsed (I picked the color of course). They sent me their measurements and David's Bridal helped pick their sizes. They are special order/no return dresses and we picked their sizes! omg! It's a huge gamble but we couldn't find anything else - I looked countless hours for cheap pink dresses and we found nothing we liked. Hope their alterations aren't over the top.

@@Maggietron I actually loved the loud music and lively'ness of the main pool! When I went to Cuba we went to an adults only and this specific week was 60+ I swear to god LOL!!!! So we wished there was some loud kids and music to entertain us. We walked thru a bit of everything, and it was all nice. I actually considered that resort for our wedding but their packages were absurd! WAY more than I had paid in 2013. Hindsite, I am glad, I like to try new things. We are super stoked for the GS! We hung out mainly at the bar there that is just before the pool hall and the buffets. All those raccoons. Massive resort though, our room was in the far back and it was a jaunt.

I also feel bad having a registry when we asked people to spend so much time and money to come to our wedding. I have only had one guest ask me about it and I graciously refused as well. I am sure we will still get things (especially from family), but since most people coming to our wedding don't live in the same town, I couldn't imagine what they would/could bring. Maybe gift cards? Just easier to nicely decline for us!

I do think though that it is YOUR wedding and your choice. But whatever you choose, make sure the people with kids know without question what your policy is. I stayed at the Sandos in 2013. I wish the Grand Sirenis had that water park!!!

Ohhhh, I do this on 'my fitness pal' hate it, but I know it makes it easier for people to see. Thanks!

I think you probably saw their public beach location. You are also pay to upgrade to the private beach which has a large palapa (hut) beside it for the receptions. It's by the disco I was told. Since I can't decide - I may use 1000 years with words to sign. Not sure if that is dumb (walk to instrumental, sign to words)

@@MJTK it makes absolutely no sense if she has a Canadian bank account that you would get charged in USD.. maybe ask her?

Oh I know was just shocked she did that as a nice gesture. I told her that I already bought all the supplies to do the luggage tags so I would handle it all myself. I can't have her mail them for me, because she is in BC, so I'd have to pay postage to get them to her anyways - so may as well do it all myself. I thanked her for the fantastic offer and told her it was a great idea -- but one you lovely ladies already told me about. All is well, just a nice shock she did that! EDIT - sorry my original comment of 'but really? kind of shocked me' was not meant to sound rude. I was really shocked she would consider doing this for my guests as a nice gesture!

OHHHHH so I may get lucky on not paying extra chairs! I agree, I can't imagine a more beautiful resort either and knowing people who have married there and vacationed there I am super happy with our choice. I also plan to just pay a lump sum too, but I am a planner and if I need more in the budget I want to know now hehe! I know with the free wedding package you get it free with 10 double rooms, we have 15 so shouldn't have an issue. That saves us $1866 (and I confirmed this info, so it better not change on me!). Also with Air Canada we get every 17th person free - so if all my numbers stand we get 2 packages free which frees up some money! Sorry - does the presidential package give you every 21st person free? hadn't heard that before.

I know you aren't considering the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya, but with my upgrade to their private beach/reception area, I can have my reception until 6am! Would be pricey as you per person/per hour for the open bar, but that option is there. I paid extra to get us until 11pm, then we go to the disco! Lots of extras at this resort too - lazy river, kids club, dolphins, archery, shooting range... all the basics! You play the towel game everywhere I hear, but honestly I have never had a problem - maybe I am easier going about where I sit? The beach is smaller and some points of entry are rocky - but its got reef right there to snorkel and sea turtles. Personally though -I think all your resorts sound good! Look at what is most important to you (activities, price point, wedding packages) and go from there. It's super hard, left my head spinning. I have a guest going for a second week at the Dreams resort you mentioned