calgarybride2015

We went with chiffon for a few reasons... 1. it's more light and airy for destinations 2. it is way more forgiving of the figure than satin 3. I like it better hehe

Are you really only going from the 18-21 or was that a typo? I priced the Coba for the 18-25 and the prices were WAY higher!! lucky girl I was booked for 18-25, but Air Canada changed us to 17-24, but from Calgary we are paying $1565 PP and out of Toronto $1465. They also gave us awesome rates to get the guests to either of these cities who lived elsewhere. We also get every 17th person free, so hope to get 2! Kids were around $971, and single bookings $1711/$1611 respectively. I think with my family of 4 we paid $5066.. eek!

I never thought of the white shirts beside my ivory dress. My ivory dress isn't even as ivory as I had hoped, I almost thought it was white until I put my white flip flops beside them. They didn't look hideous almost don't even notice. I will have to take my son's white dress shirt today and put it up beside my dress and see what I think. My fiance wanted more of a grey/beige but I ex'd it since we already bought my son's top. Kid's clothes move fast so didn't want to miss out - the shorts I wanted for him sold out so I had to have them shipped within the states then go and pick them up there! I would think I should match my son's and the wedding parties tops. haha so much to consider hey? At the end of the day I don't think anyone would ever notice and/or fixiate on that in pics, etc. They are so focused on you. But that's my two cents. My countdown is 5 months 27 days until our wedding date.... a little less until we leave for Mexico! I actually just did a search of this on the website, ivory and white together, and brides posted pics and they looked fine. I am not going to think about it again!!!!

Hey, before I email Andrea I thought I would ask if any of you know the answer to this... - what is the cost for wifi for the week? - what is the cost of the in room safe for the week? I am not sure if it changes per Airline, but I know I have been told these aren't included. Which is kinda nuts on a 5* resort Thanks!!!

From all I have heard of most fall between 30-40, but I have seen as much as 60. We invited approx. 60 people (started at 54, but we added on), and 42 are coming as of the deposit deadline. I know that can change either direction. I think 42 is awesome, I would never have dreamed it in a million years. Just be prepared that some people who you are SURE will go, will not. And some people who you invite more as a technicality (LOL!!), will come. EDIT: ok that came out wrong, and may not have sounded nice, but you get my drift

Did you do a group booking? or is your TA just booking everyone for you? We have a group booking and that is where the deposit deadline comes in - Air Canada held 30 seats/15 rooms for us and we got 90 days to fill them (or get more) and then the seats go back to the general population. Ours just passed. Our final payment is due mid October for travel in January. Hope you sort it out, the TA makes the difference in this case forsure. Hope it goes better!!!

Thanks for the idea, will keep it in mind. It is very pretty! But I don't want to pay a fortune for it Other than hemming, this dress doesn't need anything... so hope to keep it that way. I plan to try it on alot to stretch it out myself LOL!!! All of LOL!!!! We all have lovely shapes, unfortunately they don't fit cookie cutter things

I would assume it's got to be somewhere around the passport office? That's a bad guess, but who knows. Glad you know where it is. She is happy with them. Did they think it was easier to go corset then order the size up and basically alter it back down to the smaller size? That was my feelings, I mean I can breath, but I can also tell the dress is on LOL!!!! Maybe when I go in for my first fitting in November, if this is still worrisome for me then I will ask about a corset. It will be interesting how it would work with all the beading on my dress but could be done forsure.

Those are awesome numbers! I totally understand giving people enough time to save, but there is also the fear they can't commit so early either, so with that being said, your number is even more impressive. We had ALOT of people drag their feet - heck my dad waited until the night before the deadline. She was a busy lady that last few days (we just closed). We have 34 flying with us, and the rest to make up the 42 either are flying alone or live in Mexico. We have about 5 ish people who we have never heard from, even after a reminder email went out, so we assume they are a no. After going thru this, if I ever get invited to a wedding where I CANT attend I will definitely RSVP.

I would also make sure that your resort would allow you to put things in the water!! Just so you don't get there and they say no! Would hate to be disappointed. Good luck!

I know that my resort in the Mayan does not have witnesses for the symbolic ceremonies, but I plan to ask if they will do it for us. For those people who may then know it wasn't a legal ceremony. Unless you decide to put them as your wedding party I am not sure what you could do? You could give them flowers, or you could make one an MC or make them both give toasts. I would probably speak to my fiance about it once the sore spot of his brother not going has passed. I don't think it's unreasonable to have them as your wedding party, it's not their fault his brother can't go (though it does suck). I had a similiar problem. Needed one BM but have 2 sisters. One wasn't planning to come so asked the other. Then she is, felt bad, asked her too, she said no, so it all worked out. but was a stressful nightmare. Good luck

When I did my budget I also banked on those bonuses!!! So I felt that stress when alot of people were VERY slow to RSVP!!

@@kmk2016 and @@TinkerSofi It's called Sew Nice in Calgary - I don't have the number, but I googled it and she is on there. She is in Somerset. My coworker had it hemmed, had a bussel attached, a ribbon changed, and a repair for $120!!!! RW & CO had men's dress shirts on for $30, then 50% off, so $15. Great price. Does the corset back help with sizing at all? I don't know if I want one, but if my only area of 'snuggness' is right under my boobs, maybe a corset is cheaper than taking it out and doing all the extra bead work. I think I am ok, just panicking!!!! the dress is the big part, and with all that swelling I do in humidity I have myself in a worry.

I was told to leave your passport/ID until after you are done travelling (wedding, honeymoon, etc.) As long as those 2 match noone will question you. Now that being said, I can't remember what my friend said with respect to applying for the certificate/name change - if you should wait to do that until after as well, or if it didn't matter. Will ask her today. So I asked again, lol... You need a marriage license no earlier than 90 days before the wedding (whether in Canada or Mexico). After that you can apply for your marriage certificate, which is what you use to change your name, etc. I would suggest NOT changing your name on anything until after you get home incase you don't get it in time, etc. If your ID/passport have the same name on them, noone will question if you just recently married in Canada before going abroad. You use that certificate after to go to all your places (bank, gov't, etc.) to change your name.

We are saving for it ourselves, but as you all know it isn't easy! Can be down right stressful. Luckily, before we moved in together I was able to afford all my living expenses alone. So when fiance moved in, I didn't need his money persay. His bills are limited as he owns his vehicle, etc. So we use all his extra money for our wedding budget. We are trying to save $2000 a month, and have it all saved by November. This is banking on getting bonuses for group bookings, from the resort, etc. So when my numbers were looking weak I was FREAKING OUT!!! lol I think we will be ok now, but at the end of the day if we go a bit in the hole I am ok, because it's the big day and I don't want to be too frugal. Scrimping has been easier for me because I was a single mom for so many years, but fiance has never had kids. It's been harder for him! But we are getting there. Set a budget, set small goals, and rethink all the extras you are spending your money on. We still go out,because we have to have a life/have fun, but I certainly question all my spending now.

Glad you found someone. I had a heck of a time. Noone would ever call us back from anywhere, even when they said they would! Flight Center was the worst. So I ended up using a travel agent in BC when I am in Calgary!!! She's been great, but was annoying.

I booked with 9 months to go, and then they changed their schedules and cancelled my flight. As of yesterday I think we have it all sorted out, but that was stressful. My TA told me that this is common if you book in one season for another, schedules aren't firm. When I booked in May for January I thought we were safe, because we also got quotes for May 2015 -- and even the carriers said 'these aren't firm dates' but never heard about that for my January package. Ah well, par for the course. Even 9 months in advance my group rate, thru Air Canada, is about $120 less than any listed price I can find. Which rawked, and helped encourage our guests to book with us Only one person is booking alone because they know someone who works for another carrier. Also remember time of year! And -- what the current dollar is. Prices were coming back soooo high for anything I had ever paid before. I was told because they have to base their rates on the past years and the current dollar, so prices are starting to go up. A good TA can steer you in a good direction on resorts, because she is continuously pricing them for other people. We choose one I would have thought was WAY out of our price range that isn't. Good luck

I only went to two wedding stores. David's Bridal - where I purchased my awesome dress for $500 Ever After - found a gorgeous beautiful dress, but wasn't what I was going for destination wedding wise. I have no complaints about David's Bridal, but I would say their consultants are not as experienced as Ever After. The people there were AWESOME. She would bring me dresses which I was like 'ewww' but they looked soooo good. They have so much experience with all types they can tell you what will look good. David's Bridal is SOOO busy, even with an appointment, they are run thin. But I found my dress, paid a good price, so really have no complaints. Also got my bridesmaids dresses there. I didn't go - but in Airdrie there is Taffeta and Tulle. It advertises that all dresses are under $1000 but they have an appt fee which is reimbursed if you buy from there. Side note - stock dresses are stretched out. Ordered the size that fit AWESOME in the store, and when mine came it was a little snug. Not bad or hideous, noone even noticed when I showed them, but I noticed it. Noone warned me of that and it is probably not even an issue ... I will lose 5 lbs ... but wanted everyone else to know incase it shocks you like it did me!

I get an email from them everyday! and if you create something and don't buy it, they entice you with even more deals I usually just end up making everything myself, as it's cheaper, but it's a neat site.

I agree, was thinking that too. I went with the free wedding package, which saved me $1800 BUT all my upgrades to the private beach/reception, DJ, open bar ended up costing me around $4500. Then my resort package for the week, photography, decor, dress, gifts, etc. I think we are paying around $13000. Give or take. We get some bonuses thru the airline but they aren't confirmed yet until all payments are made. think it depends on what you really want for your wedding day, and the budget. We will be tight, trying to save all before the wedding!

We are also getting married in Canada before Mexico. We have decided to pick witnesses for Canada who are NOT coming to Mexico so 1. it doesn't slip out 2. they aren't offended we are doing it this way and 3. doesn't take away from anyone's excitement. I personally don't think any of my guests would be offended that it isn't legal in Mexico, but I have heard some people do get bent out of shape about it. Side note - some people will realize it isn't a legal ceremony, Mexico or not. My friend has been to MANY DW, and she already quizzed me on how I was able to marry so quick after landing, as generally you need 4-5 days for bloodwork, etc. AHHH! So I told her, 'the resort gave me the dates, I picked one' Also, at my resort they don't get a witness to sign for the symbolic ceremony, so I hope our guests don't question that either. I may ask if we can get them to sign just for 'show'.

I should note, I bought the dress after Cuba with the extra pounds on -- So when the dress was lose, then snug it really hurt the ego LOL!!!

On our invites we put Jane Doe & Guest. Most aren't bringing one!! And they didn't want to bunk up either, just paying the single occupancy fee. I also did this - posted it on my wedding website! noone bit as I mentioned above.

I considered making my own, I considered them carrying pinwheels, I considered them carrying nothing.... then I thought to myself, all I want my bridesmaids to carry is 3 daisies tied with ribbon so I requested a quote from my WC and they are only $22 each. WOW! I was expecting way more, so I decided to get flowers. Since my bouquet is included, it is actually quote budget friendly. Did you get a quote already from your resort? Just thinking if you wanted something fairly basic for them it may be decently priced. I know my bouquet is more expensive, because I wanted to be upgraded in size from small to medium (my package includes small) and that was $42!!!

RW & CO has some nice items too. My boys are wearing a white short leaved dress shirt and black striped shorts (not fancy, but not cargo shorts either). we actually got them at Bootlegger lol!!! Shirts are from Tip Top Tailors, which is another option for men! I was a bit shocked when I picked up my wedding dress and tried it on --- in the store I was a 12 (maybe almost a bit lose in some areas) so I ordered a brand new one in the same size. WOW SNUG! Makes sense, store stresses are so stretched out. But noone told me that. I can still wear it and I am not hanging out anywhere, just the snuggness is noticable to me! Will lose 5-10lbs before my fitting and see (which I had planned anyways as I just went to Cuba and put some weight on LOL). I was hoping for no alternations other than bringing up the hem, but may not get off so lucky. I bought mine at David's Bridal in Calgary, they quote $130 for hem and $60ish for bussel depending on what I want. A girl I work with is marrying next month and her alternations were WAY cheaper, so I may go see her lady instead.