Lia33

@@hyoungquist That is so frustrating! My fiancé has said this has happened often in past DWs he went to and the uninvited guests would often go on the beach to watch from a distance or just hangout and crash the reception after everyone has eaten their dinner. Not sure I would want that! I know since I have offered plus ones, there will be many people I do not know at my wedding (including many of my fiancé's friends (there are just TOO many!). For some of the random plus ones, part of me wouldn't mind them at the reception but I don't care to have them at my ceremony. But I guess there's really no way of excluding some guests and not others so I will just have to deal with this and have a good time. As long as the front areas for specifically for the close family/friends and the others can sit everywhere else.

We don't plan on sleeping together the night before. Our package includes a complimentary room for one of us the night before so we plan on using that. I like the idea of a little anticipation/excitement about seeing each other. Knowing the first time we see each other that day will be when we are ready to exchange our vows will be pretty awesome for us I think Girl's night is a great idea! But I would probably do it 2 nights before instead of the night before to try to get some sleep - although knowing me, the anticipation of knowing I'm about to get married will probably keep me from sleeping anyway!

@@nadiakat17 I would be afraid of feeling the same way. I want it to be official, not us getting back from our wedding then coming home to "really" become husband and wife. It's good that you switched your choice to something that makes you happier

@@calgarybride2015 I think my fiancé will like how I look with lashes but wouldn't want him to dislike it as he has made it clear he wants me to look natural lol He saw pics from a wedding I went to in the past - and said he didn't like my hair or makeup for it....he said this almost a year after the wedding though lol I had loved my hair and make up! So I I agree though, I want to look like myself but with a bang. I don't want the guests at my wedding to have a better make up job than me!

@TiffanyMC @TinkerSofi Love your dresses!! I agree, should totally go with what you love and envision for yourself on your special day! The dress I chose isn't chiffon but is a lightweight material. In a way, I do want to look for something more elaborate...but at the same time my I'm about comfort so I should stick to what fits my personality! Let's see....I have plenty of time to second guess myself lol Beautiful dresses! I'll post a pic when I hit that 150 mark ;-)

FYI - deodorant also works well for chaffing! lol Not sure what I will wear either. Love the idea of personalized undies! My fiancé would LOVE that! I will probably go with the girdle/corset type of thing I tried on at the store. I want my tummy/waist tucked tight....just not so tight that I can't breath lol

@@calgarybride2015 If you're worried about flawless photo skin, I'm sure worse comes to worse with editing from the photographer your skin will be amazing regardless! lol Even during my impromptu engagement photos my skin was flawless with nothing but my regular make up routine. I'm planning on using the resort spa - hair and make-up day of wedding is part of my package. I was sent some photos of the work done and it seems to be pretty good. My fiancé is also really big on me looking like "me". I plan to look like me but also don't want to look like I did nothing out of the norm to myself...I would like a touch of glamour! I think it's a great idea to go somewhere to get tips, I may do the same just in case. My moh is also pretty good at doing make up and will likely take care of the bridesmaids. Hoping the trial hair run will be good!

Very true....I've become a little bit obsessed as well loll

@@TeamBF Hope progress has been made! For me choosing a time was simple since I was planning based on a school schedule. Choosing a resort is tough though! Getting quotes and checking reviews is super helpful. Hope planning is going well!

Welcome!! Nice to have a groomy here! You'll find everything you need here, Happy planning ;-)

@ I definitely feel like my parents will be upset if they aren't in the loop about it. That's why even though my dad will attend the DW, I will give him the option of attending the legal ceremony as well. My mom will definitely be there as well. I will see if my moh can be but I will likely do this middle of the day during the week so since she is going to the DW she may not make this...which is fine. I will feel really bad not keeping my parents aware of the civil ceremony even if they are attending the DW.

Is photography not included in your wedding package? You can see if maybe your resort has a house photographer instead of looking for an outside vendor. If they do, just pay for the most basic package. $500 for a outside photographer for a destination wedding may be really difficult to find. If you just want photos and don't care about the professional touch to it then I agree, your best bet may be to get a digital camera and give it to someone attending your wedding who loves taking photos and have them do it.

@@Soon2beMrsJ I can definitely relate - but instead of more simple I wonder if I should go for more elaborate lol But you fell in love with your dress for a reason! So I'm sure you will fall in love with it all over again :-)

Congratulations!! So exciting!! You'll find great info here if you do a destination wedding! Happy Planning!

@@calgarybride2015 Exactly.I feel like its the process, everyone being there, sharing our vows in front of our family and friends, it will make it so much more special and emotional than the short visit to city hall.

@@KAT2015 That's a good point and a great idea! Which site are you using? The reality is the wedding is like a 4-5 hour event so if people make it to the resort but don't come to the wedding, they can manage!

@@hyoungquist That was my concern also. But I feel like the city hall thing will be so quick, we will repeat after the the officiant whereas the DW we will write our own vows and exchange our rings. The DW will be the whole shebang as compared to city hall. So I'm hoping I don't get overly emotional for the city hall part. At least this is what I tell myself to convince myself to do it before hand lol I would reallly like us to be married already while in Mexico - so for those who don't know about the city hall part can refer to us as husband and wife....and it will actually be true!

@@calgarybride2015 My fiancé has a huuuge family as well. He is picking the closest to him but he has 3 families - mom, dad, stepmom - so he feels obligation to invite many more people. He also wants to invite almost everyone who's wedding he has attended. He insists on sending save the dates with booking info to households as there are many households where multiple family members live. Needless to say....I'm concerned about this as I do not want EVERYONE to decide to come. He insists that many won't be able to go, he is sending these out just as a courtesy so they receive something.....he sure as hell better be right about this.... Ideally I wouldn't want many people that I don't know there, but I gave all of my singles plus ones and my fiancé has many friends who I haven't met. However, given the environment we will all have a good time so I'm not too concerned about this.

@@NJBride2014 Exciting that your ceremony is coming up soon! That sounds good that you guys are fine with having the church ceremony before. I'm liking the idea of getting married here before hand and less worried about it affecting anything. Writing your own vows for the DW definitely helps personalize it even more too. Originally I didn't want to - my fiancé is much better with his words that I am...I'm afraid of hearing crickets when I speak and sobs for when he does loll @@calgarybride2015 I'll keep it a secret from most people! Actually more so from my fiancé's side. I couldn't keep my mouth shut with my friends since I needed to vent about my debate of legal vs. symbolic lol

Very true ladies. I know even if I will be in a little white dress for the courthouse, it will be something so quickly done that it shouldn't take away from anything as far as the DW. Maybe my grandmother won't notice if we don't exchange rings. Maybe I'll have him put my engagement ring back on me lol I think I would like to save the ring exchange for the DW. I think I'll wait closer to the date to let my father know the plan.

@@calgarybride2015 - Definitely a good point! And hey resort staff, DJ, as long as you haven't seen any major complaints thats a good thing.

That sounds like a good idea! Leaves little opportunity for others to follow their lead. They also won't be expecting to be added on, it'll be a nice surprise if anything and gives you time to make sure you actually can without much hassle. And no tension or awkwardness.

Even if you're paying both its still sooooooo much cheaper than what most are paying!!

Lol!! That I would be afraid of too! Who can stay quiet knowing that they are now officially married?? lol I've mentioned to my dad before that my grandmother isn't attending but he isn't thinking that there is a separate legal ceremony happening. I'm pretty open with my dad so keep this to myself makes me feel guilty! I was going to wait till closer to the date and say the Mexico legal ceremony is just too much of a hassle so we will do it separately. Maybe that IS the way to go lol I would just like to be in Mexico as husband and wife - then it's really like a honeymoon. I was concerned that wearing white before the DW ceremony may take away from it but maybe I'm just overthinking it. A legal city hall visit will not be anything compared to the DW ceremony. @@candle23 This is also why I would have liked to do it before Mexico - our anniversary of being together is June 25th, DW is July 18th. So it would be a nice little event to do on our anniversary - which is a date we would always acknowledge. We would celebrate our wedding date as our DW date.

I'm sure he also doesn't want to be questioned about it - "oh so and so is here, how come they didn't attend the wedding....oh...so you two didn't invite them?", it can get awkward. It definitely sounds like he would just feel guilty knowing they are there, well known to his side of the family yet not allowed to partake in activities. I can understand that but I would have those concerns you mentioned. I think if you guys stick to reasoning like just being afraid of add ons if others did the same thing, trying to keep guest list down, financial constraints, etc then people would probably leave it alone. They should have kept it to themselves so it looks like last minute they decided to go! Then this way you wouldn't feel any obligation to add them. That's a toughy :/