KAT2015

It could be a seasonal change as well - I know travel goes down in the summer so perhaps it is just until the seasons pick up again. I actually like the idea of a transfer - my mum is going to fly to YYZ early so she doesn't have a long travel day (she'll stay with her sister for a day or two before), whereas me, my FI and my friends will do the flight transfers. I like that I can get on an airplane here, stretch my legs and grab a bite in YYZ and then head on down to PC. Since WJ doesn't serve meals, a 6.5 hour flight would have been difficult with them. I'm still upset that there isn't a first class option for travel though - Flex is ok, but I had always planned to fly first class for my wedding because its the one thing I would splurge on

@@TinkerSofi @ @@hyoungquist @@Soon2beMrsJ Thank you!!! I was so excited to have found it. A little early though - I wasn't 100% sure what would even be the right type of dress for me so I wanted to start early so I wasn't rushed to make a choice later. I guess that's the breaks! Now this dress can sit in my mum's closet for the next 9 months or so!

I just found my dress this weekend!!! I always loved the dropped waist style with just a little flare at the bottom - so of course I went in thinking that the style likely wasn't for me (you know - just my luck!). I started trying on dresses - I had a few picked that I loved - and I quickly realized a few of them didn't fit my body well. I knew I wasn't a satin/chiffon type girl, and bright white scared me (no matter what my mum said about it looking better up against the sand). I didn't think my stylist was listening - I kept saying, I want some lace, I want a dropped waist and very little poof... And then one came in with all this beading a lace up back that I thought might be too fancy for my tastes... and then this happened: And needless to say - the dress is mine!! We're taking the crinoline out of the bottom (there's really only 2 pieces in there) just to make the skirt a bit softer. And we'll bustle and hem it. Even better - the lace up back is a godsend! No worrying about losing a little too much, or being bloated. Cinch and loosen as you please!!!! And I LOVE the way this dress will look on the beach YAY!

I have my wedding website on Wedding Window. You can check out our pages here - we did upgrade it so we could use custom photos in the backgrounds (I take a lot of photos so all of them except our page for England guests - the photos are mine)

Try this one: http://www.designmantic.com/ It'll give you a TON of options, and then you can edit colour/text.

I'll share any cost info I get on here as soon as she answers me. I'll clarify - there ARE charges for outside photographers. $500 for vendors that are not with the resort. However - when I asked about having someone in my wedding party do the photography, this was the response: If somebody from your group is doing your pictures, you don’t need to pay the fee. The fee is for the companies outside the hotel (At the town or the country). So I am taking that as word and will hold them to it. It was my cousin initially that I had, but he is having a baby right around my wedding so he had to duck out. But keep in mind that flying in your own will likely cost as much as a package upgrade at the resort OR booking an outisde photographer there. I've done some research on pricing in the DR and have found that you can get a package of good size for $1500 but it would be $2000 with the outside vendor fee. Which is pretty much what it will cost to have this photographer and her fiance come down for a few days to shoot. She's also going to do a TTD session for us (also offered us an engagement session but we had them done already and live across the country). She ALSO includes rehearsal dinner/bachelorette pictures while we are done there if we want. Just make sure you ask your WC first before doing anything!

Hurray for being frugal! I've sent an email off to my WC regarding some of the questions I had about costs for bringing my own things vs what they charge there. Currently, my ideas are: 1) Bring sashes for the chairs for the ceremony - but only for the aisle chairs and the ones at the back. Instead of pom manders, there are people on Etsy that do tissue poms. I was thinking about getting some of those (they send them flat and you fluff them yourself later) and typing them onto the aisle sashes as well for extra colour. I'm also debating some coloured tulle to put onto the gazebo on the beach just to lighten it up - I just haven't decided yet. 2) For the reception - no sashes. I am going to do place cards on cardstock (or wood pieces, I don't know yet) and then put ribbon in our wedding colours through them so that they can hang on the chairs. That way, there is colour, and no cost (place cards don't cost anything to bring). 3) For centre pieces - I also thought about favours at the centre pieces. But I was actually debating votives as the favours. I've asked for a quote as well for a large vase with submerged flowers and floating candles - I know I can get large plastic bowls here (that look really nice) that I can do this myself when we are down there. Then some silk flower petals and tea lights on the table. All really easy to pack (I bet it would all fit in a duffel bag!) and cheap to do. I know I have heard for receptions that you can rent a few vases and have the bridesmaids put their bouquets in them for centre pieces as well. I am likely making the BM bouquets here (just small with ribbon and maybe silk calla lilies or something) to save costs. Also - in regards to saving costs. My WC told me if we bring a photographer as part of our wedding group, there is no outside charge - she told me that is applied to companies/providers in PC or on the island. So I think we are going to fly in our photographers from Ontario for a 4-5 day trip. It comes out to about the same as providers on the island, but I know exactly what I am getting (two photographers too!!).

I LOVE Air Transat - I've flown with them to the DR as well as Mexico. I love that you get a meal and there is movies on the flight. I also find it a relatively comfortable ride. However - we got stuck with Westjet for our wedding party. As of April next year Transat and Sunwing are ending direct flights to PC from Calgary (I don't know if this is seasonal or not). So in order to use either of them we would have to book round trip tickets to YYZ on WJ or AC and then pay for the trip south. Too complicated, and too expensive. So with WJ at least we could book indirect flights on a package cost. Makes me sad - because I LOVE Transat and I really wanted an option to upgrade to First Class for me and the FI (as it is our wedding and all!!!)

@@Lia33 The website is a good option to specify - good idea! For me, I don't care how many people book for the trip, but my invites are specific for the wedding. On our wedding website (I don't know which one most people use) we put in our guest list (plus any +1 guest) and when people go to RSVP, they have to find their name to do so. That way, no one can add in extra guests for the wedding without talking to us first. If it is a single person, I've given a blank spot for a +1. Nice and simple!

I would put on the RSVP card Yes ____ of 2 guests will attend Names: _______________

I'm battling this issue with my sister as well, because she is booking as a single. In the grand scheme of things, the only people I'm concerned about cost for is my immediate family - and only cause they aren't great at managing money. I told my sister to give the $200 deposit to our TA and book as part of our group, because I may be able to help get her costs down to what everyone pays for a double, but I can't help her if she doesn't book this way. If, by December, we can't help her, me and my FI will give her back the deposit that is not refundable. The reason I want her to do this is because AMResorts has a deal where you book 5 rooms and get one for free. I would love to help my mum on the costs for travel, but with another free room, I can give it to my sister and brother to share - if they don't want to share, they can split the discount on the savings and still book as singles. But if people don't book with our TA, I lose the ability to help others along. Our deposit date is Sept 5 (I only confirmed last Wednesday!) so I'm stressed and in a rush to get people to get their information in to our TA. The good thing is our TA is just taking in the manifest information, then he will personally call people to get the deposit. Which is perfect because then all my guests have to do is fill out a form and send it in. Once that is done, I'll have to start working on our guests from overseas - we can't help them with booking, so it will be pushing for RSVPs. I'm hoping by January 31 we have all RSVPs in so I can have 3.5 months to finish planning.

I found this out from my WC as well. What I think we will do is bring enough sashes for the back row of chairs and the aisle chairs at the ceremony (just for the colour). At the reception - we are likely going to to a table cloth or table runner (with our own centrepieces TBD) in our colours, and instead of chair sashes, make place cards/name tags that hang on the back of chairs with ribbons. So we can do ALL our wedding colours that way, and as a place card,there should be no additional charge on the set up (programs, favours and place cards are all set up without cost according to my WC).

I'm doing the same thing - I asked to move the saxophone to our cocktail hour, but no dice. But I want my own music so I'll likely tell them to keep the saxophone off my list. Actually - because I'm bringing a photographer as a guest as mine as well, I don't need their photographer (also included in my package) I'm going to save this resort quite a bit of money and myself none

That's what I did - I'm asking for music requests from people and doing an ipod set up. I think we will have 20-30 come to the wedding, but lots of friends and cousins are invited so it should make for a good mix. Then again, our whole reception is only 3 hours long - so once dinner is done (I don't know if we will do speeches) it will only be 1.5-2 hours of dancing. But we are doing it for the older invites, and then whoever wants to continue to dance and party we will be going to the disco (which is a rooftop lounge at our resort) to continue on. I'm kind of hoping another wedding gets booked on our day so we can maybe party with another wedding group!

I was struggling with the same thing with my guests. My FIs family mostly lives in England, and I've never met them so it was difficult to navigate. For those that are married, my FMIL actually filled me in - I sent her the list of who we had and when she sent back the addresses she included the names of the married couples. She also let me know the best way to send along the invites to the second cousins (my FI is the same age as them and grew up with them for a bit) was to send it to the first cousins that are their parents. Which helps me - because now I can shove a bunch in a bigger envelope! When it came to anyone who I didn't know the status (and because we are so far out I didn't want to put the name of a bf/gf just in case something happens within 9 months), I addressed it to the primary invite, and let them know that they could expect an invitation for them and a guest shortly. That way they can pick who they want and aren't obligated to ask a bf/gf right now (where as if the name was on the envelope - awkward!).

I did my magnets with VistaPrint - they had a good deal and one of their templates actually had our wedding colours! Then (well now) I just went to WalMart and got a set of pastel note cards from the scrapbooking section. I have photo corners cut to attach the magnets to the front, and on the inside, I'm handwriting this: Top flap of the card Who: our names What: A wedding, of course! When: Where: Why: Sun, surf, sand, free drinks.... oh.... and because we love each other! Then in the bottom flap of the card: Guest and Guest, As you know, we got engaged on July 22, 2014! Although the invitations are not ready to send, we wanted to let you know to expect one. We've also included a small keepsake so you'll have a reminder and the link to our wedding website (full of great information!!) We sincerely hope that you will be able to celebrate with us in Punta Cana! With Love, our names I think they'll be cute - informal, to the point but personal. And our magnets turned out amazing - we used the photo in my profile photo on here (we got a lot of great compliments on it when we posted it).

We're just going to rent the sound system from the resort - so I will have a friend do MC for us. I like to give everyone a job anyhow - I'm stuggling with my choices for the bridal party (ahem like my sister wanting to be a bridesmaid even though I am closer to all my friends and shes a pain) so by giving others a part in it, it might help.

I just had one of my closest friends (and likely my MOH) ask about a shower. I told her that I feel awkward asking people to attend an event where gifts tend to be normal - if they are coming to the wedding, I want them to save to come. If I am not inviting them, I don't want anyone to feel excluded or like its a gift grab. Plus, on top of it all, my FMIL and my aunt, as well as my FSIL all live far away and in different places so they can't attend anyhow. The same goes for a bachelorette party. My closest girlfriends are invited to the wedding, and I thought the best way to go about a party is just to try and do a day trip with the girls, and my FI to do a day trip with the guys. That way both sides of the family are involved. And it wouldn't cost much more than a night of drinks and dancing anyhow. I likely will, however, put together a small registry. This is because a) I have had people ask me and tell me they want to get us something and my FI has family in England that may not be able to attend and may want to purchase something. We don't need alot, and the disclaimer will be that the pleasure of everyone's company is gift enough for us. I literally think all we could use is new toaster, matching silverware, matching dishes and maybe a new duvet set. We have all the furniture and electronics we could ever need and I love cooking so I've accumulate all my necessary kitchen tools!

@@alwalters625 I think I'm bringing mine with me - I'm debating either doing a coloured plastic charger plate with sand, shells, tea lights and a lantern in the middle, or a plastic floating candle bowl. I can't justify the resort cost for centrepieces. I will probably bring tablecloths/runners/or draping fabric for the centre too. What I have heard other brides do is rent the vase from the resort and put the bridal party bouquets in during the reception?

As an FYI for any Calgary potential brides in PC. My travel agent has just confirmed that Transat, WestJet, and Sunwing have all discontinued their direct service to Punta Cana from Calgary as of April 2015. So any travellers will need to connect through Toronto. This means that for easy booking, you are really restricted to Westjet or Air Canada. Transat and Sunwing will depart out of Toronto, but that means anyone coming from the west will need to book their own flight to Toronto to take these trips. At least with a Westjet or Air Canada (Sunquest is using Westjet for flights) you can book connecting flights, still at a decent discount. When I ran a search today, it was $567 round trip YYC-YYZ on my travel dates, plus $1333 for the trip from YYZ totaling $1900. Whereas if I do the flights connecting, the cost goes to $1667 after taxes. A difference of $250 almost!!

As an FYI for any Calgary potential brides in PC. My travel agent has just confirmed that Transat, WestJet, and Sunwing have all discontinued their direct service to Punta Cana from Calgary as of April 2015. So any travellers will need to connect through Toronto. This means that for easy booking, you are really restricted to Westjet or Air Canada. Transat and Sunwing will depart out of Toronto, but that means anyone coming from the west will need to book their own flight to Toronto to take these trips. At least with a Westjet or Air Canada (Sunquest is using Westjet for flights) you can book connecting flights, still at a decent discount. When I ran a search today, it was $567 round trip YYC-YYZ on my travel dates, plus $1333 for the trip from YYZ totaling $1900. Whereas if I do the flights connecting, the cost goes to $1667 after taxes. A difference of $250 almost!!

I hear you on those issues @@tehopper... My father has been out of my life for 13 years and is NOT invited. So I definitely won't do that dance. However, when it comes to my FI and his mum, I will let him decide what he chooses to do. Perhaps after our first dance, we should have another song that they start but everyone else joins in after? That way, I can dance with his dad, my mum with her fiance, and so on and so forth. By the end everyone should be up and dancing - maybe even mix a song to go right into a party tune? As for walking down the aisle - I'm having my mum do it

@@Danamarielouise Here is the fountain set up with the add-on package ($1500) and folding chairs http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/image/id/581541/width/600/height/400 Without the $1500 add on this is how it will look (if you put sashes on chairs) http://hereandnowresorts.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/jens-wedding-271.jpg I LOVE the full fountain set up myself, but we went with a beach ceremony as we didn't want to commit to the $1500 add ons. I just can't picture myself walking down the side and off centre of the gazebo - I want the aisle down the middle which you don't really get unless you get the plank rental. If we could have afforded it (or if the money is there later) we may think about it. @@Danamarielouise As for decorations, if you take your own - what we are thinking of doing is bringing chair sashes for the back row and aisles. We may do a few pom manders (the flower balls) at the start of the aisle but I may just make them myself (or do paper pouffes) and rent the hooks to save money. We are doing the pool reception, and I know it is all white (I've seen photos, if I can find them I will link you). I think what we will do is likely bring table runners for each table and a centre piece (I'm thinking a charger plate with sand and either a plastic vase with water, flowers and floating candles OR a lantern), while leaving the chairs plain. For place cards, we might make signs to hang over the chairs which will act as 'decor' - Ikea has super cheap wood frames we could paint, put the names inside and then hang with ribbon. Those are just a couple of my ideas

@@calgarybride2015 I think the resort was the worst part of decision making! But now we have it booked and our times/dates sorted so at least we can move forward with our travel issues. The TA is great (one of my best friend's husbands) so I know he will do a great job. He has quotes coming in for Transat this week so I'm crossing my fingers - I really like flying Transat! There should be some direct coming up soon - but let's be honest. Its 6.5 hours to the DR from here, so a transfer wouldn't kill anyone if its quick. I guess when I was 26 and going on my first vacation, I didn't even care about the travel time!!

@@Vika - I hear you - I don't think I'd want to choreograph one, but I am leaning towards learning some basic steps (through YouTube maybe) so we can move more than in a 2x2 square! @@kmk2016 - My FI wants the dance but hates being the centre of attention (and dancing!). I thought some structure so he didn't feel like a dunce would help As for the father/daughter mother/son dances, I don't even know if we are doing them. I haven't spoken to my father in 13 years, and I don't know if my FI will want to dance with his mum in front of everyone. I think he may just ask her to dance during the reception.