KAT2015

I'm just wondering what everyone is doing with regards for their first dance??? Not music wise necessarily - but are you going to take lessons, or do a choreographed routine of some sort? Maybe I'm crazy, but I just love the idea of waltzing with my new husband.... so romantic, and really will make us work together as a team. Plus he barely 'sways' when slow dancing sooo...

I know we are definitely doing our own - for only a 3 hour reception (which is including our dinner) I don't want to hire a DJ for just over an hour of dancing. I think what we may do (need to check with the FI first) is once we get our wedding website up and running, we will ask each person RSVP'ing for 3 song requests for the dance. Then we will pick 1-2 from each person (depending on final numbers) so everyone gets to hear something they like. Then we'll add in some stuff to fill in the time. My FI's only requirement is that he gets to hear 'Billie Jean'.... well aside from our first dance being 'Boom, Shake the Room'... which I subsequently veto'd!

I'm giddy - went to the NOW site today and on the wedding's page, my date now shows as 'partially booked' (it was wide open before!!!) But a question - does anyone have Yeomandry as their coordinator? I was dealing with Michelle MacPherson at first (who was AMAZING in answering questions and getting us booked) but now I'm worried - Michelle was so great at responding, and I don't know what to expect from Yeomandry.....

I'm only starting to look, but I have a few lesser-known ideas. Ellie Goulding - How Long Will I Love You Ingrid Michaelson - Can't Help Falling in Love with You Ron Pope - Perfect for Me Ben Rector - Forever Like That Anouk - Our Own Love (love love love this one - upbeat and still romantic!) The part that got me is: And I know it doesn't get better than this Funny it starts with just one little kiss Baby all I know you're no longer alone We've started a home of our own love All my love is yours, you're no longer alone We've started a home of our own love

Calgarybride - here's another Calgarybride that is walking down the aisle to 1000 Years (Piano Guy version). Amazing! I can't even listen to it thinking of our wedding without crying! I Thought about All of Me for our first dance too.... however I have been playing it for over a year and I think I've overdone it!

Ok - I've now been able to confirm my wedding date and time with the resort and the deposit is taken - its really happening! We're getting married May 25, 2015 at 3:00pm on the beach. Originally they had scheduled us at 5pm, but I requested the change. I explained to them that with the cocktail hour and the reception location we have (the relax pool with a sit down dinner from 7-10pm) that we would have no time for photographs without taking time away from an already hurried day! Now we can relax, enjoy our guests and have some photos done. Question for everyone though - I have a close cousin who does photography who I was debating having come (with me paying for his trip) to do all the photos that aren't included in the package (including an extra hour photo session, the reception, TTD etc.). Will they charge me to have him fill in the gaps??? The prices at the resort seem ridiculous to have the whole day covered, especially when I already have some coverage included in our Divine Package. I feel like the photo packages should be discounted by whatever is already included! Also - does anyone have a final cost breakdown of what it cost them to bring their own decor? Finally - does anyone have pictures of the hair/makeup, bridal room etc.? There have been some posted on the forum that I can't view because my posts aren't high enough! Finally - is anyone else getting married at the resort when I am? I'd love to share ideas etc., and if it works out, we could even share some decor items.

Hi Rebelight... I just booked my wedding here for May 2015. If you are getting the sashes from the resort, they are $3 each per chair, per event (so you pay separately for them for the ceremony and the reception). If you bring your own decorations, they will charge you 25% of their on site fee as a 'set up'. So a chair sash at $3.00 would cost you $0.75 per chair to put them on. So if you do it for both portions of the wedding, it is $1.50 per chair. Depending on how much it costs to ship them, and buy/rent them, it may be cheaper to use theirs, unless it is a colour issue! I will also add, I was told they don't charge for programs, favours or seating cards. Has anyone thought of making/getting more decorative programs/seating card/favours that you can put on the chairs instead of sashes? Just a thought, as its less to carry and less to pay for. That's just my frugal side talking though

I've been looking at travel for myself and my guests for May 20, 2015 to Punta Cana. We're coming out of several gateways (Calgary, Toronto, Houston, England...) so we are focusing on the highest numbers (Calgary and Toronto). My TA is a friend's husband and he is hunting down quotes for us. It is difficult right now, because I can't find any direct flights listed so we are looking at transfers in TO if we are booking now. Complicating the fact is that as of April 2015, SunWing will no longer fly from Calgary direct to Punta Cana! However - my TA is also getting 'ground only' (so hotel only) quotes which are quite good - so if necessary we can book the rooms and then look at package deal flights later. The whole thing is quite stressful!!! I want a good price for my guests as soon as possible, and then I need to make sure they all put their deposits down to secure their quotes!

I haven't gone looking yet (just got engaged last week and need to do Save the Dates first), but I'll be going to David's. Big selection with good prices. I've found several on their site that I like, all for $500 or less.

If you are ok ordering online, I like http://lilyboutique.com/ I don't know about maxi dresses, but they do have some gorgeous coral dresses (coral is one of my wedding colours too) that I will likely look at for my BMs (whenever I choose them!).

Here's my e-ring - just got engaged last week so I don't have any idea on the band yet. The first is the ring on my hand - the second is an 'artsy' photo my brother did on the cork to our champagne at our celebratory dinner with my mum last week. Its nice because you can see all the detail on the ring in that one - its too sparkly to see it well without lighting... that being said, it isn't as dingy as the second photo appears

I'll add to what @ said - Receptions will always end earlier at the resort - that being said, if the kids head to bed there is always the on site disco you can go to. That's my plan - we'll have a 3 hour reception with music (so our first dance, a speech or two) and then afterwards off to the lobby bar and the disco (which is a rooftop club!!). Also - you can sometimes extend your reception - at Now Larimar, I believe its an extra $12 per person, per hour to extend the reception (so the bar service). Each reception venue has a time you have to close out by. Where I will be, its midnight at the beach, 9pm at the club (so they can open for the rest of the resort) etc. etc. You may also have the option to book one of the restaurants out fully, at a cost (my resort is a minimum of $3000 so we are not doing that). Finally - the towel game. I unfortunately think it is a reality, unless you and your FI book a suite with a walkout to the ocean and a private cabana (some resorts do have these)... I've never been to a resort where I haven't had to get up to get first choice of the chairs. BUT, if its a wedding group, maybe see if you can get some friends to help - so make a schedule, and each day, someone goes down and reserves, say, 6 chairs. then you can drag extras over as needed when people get up. Its a small inconvenience but it really makes for a better day!

Hi there, I think it all depends on what you are looking for. From my research into Mexico - Now Jade is a gorgeous resort, but the beach for the most part is rocky and has lots of seaweed (from what I read). I am booking with the Now chain in Punta Cana and am very happy with them so far. So if you aren't too fussy on being able to go into the ocean without water shoes, Now Jade is a good choice. My FI and I really like swimming in the ocean, so we knocked that off our list pretty quick. Dreams Aventuras - Dreams is also a part of AMResorts (same chain as Secrets and Now). I stayed away from this one because I believe the beach is quite small (man made if I am not mistaken) and I think they have a dolphinarium on site. I'm not a big fan of dolphins in captivity at a resort, so I stayed away from this one. I believe this resort is also quite family oriented, but maybe too much so for a wedding. I didn't look into Azul Fives much myself, but judging from reviews online (and many recently) people are EXTREMELY happy with their weddings there. Families give it a good review as well, saying there is lots to do. Food has good reviews, but it says the beach is rocky as well. If I had to pick out of the three (without looking at the wedding packages) I would probably pick Azul It looks large, has lots to do (a lazy river!!), good food reviews, good wedding reviews and great service reviews. I will tell you with Now - it appears that your wedding can get pricey with add ons. If you're ok with basic decor you can still keep your costs down (my FI and I are looking at abut $5000 if we don't add extra decor - with all guests, and music added for the reception in the highest level package). I hope this helps!

@@Cwright Hi Cwright - I see that you're getting married in May at Now Larimar - thats what we will be booking too. What day?

Hello all! My fiance and I just got engaged last week and are booking at the Now Larimar for May 25, 2015. I have asked for a beach wedding, and a poolside sit down dinner reception. I am a little concerned about some of the additional costs (like decor - they really bare bones it) but we only get married once so we'll have it all figured out! I know they said they don't charge for programs or favours, so I might try to make our programs pretty enough to hang on the chairs (ahem, decor) and our centrepieces to actually be small favours for the wedding reception (like candle holders or something). I do have to say I am EXTREMELY impressed dealing with Michelle over the past couple days. She has given me prompt response to lots of questions (normally within an hour or two). I have been to this resort before, when it was still the NH Real Arena - the grounds are gorgeous, as is the beach. I am so excited I could find an affordable option for my guests (its really no more than what we would pay for a good beach in the Mayan), that is gorgeous for the wedding. I'm open to sharing ideas, questions etc!