Surfingsara

Great list @@tygrrlily! Here's another guest question: How many days should I think guest would be staying? I was originally thinking, we arrive Wednesday everyone else arrives Thursday. This way we have time to get last minute things done, have time to ourselves and meet with the wedding people. Thursday night have everyone gather together for dinner and drinks to celebrate birthdays (maid of honor and another girls birthday are within days of when we will be in Mexico). Friday be a relaxing day/ excursion day or what ever they choose. Saturday afternoon wedding. Sunday googbye breakfast and our honeymoon begins and we return Wednesday. Then today I was thinking it might not be good to have the wedding and then everyone leave the next morning. So I was thinking of moving the wedding up to Friday. But then again 3 nights doesn't give people much time to enjoy themselves, especially since its a 5+ hour flight. We will be there 7 nights. If we stay 7 nights, most of our wedding package is paid for. I would love to have a few days to ourselves, as we probably won't get a big vacation for a while (him getting time off is next to impossible. And even when he does he ends up getting work calls the whole time.) Plus, and I know this sounds silly, my cat! I don't know how I'll leave her for 7 days much less longer. She has special needs and is spoiled! Im already unsure how I'm getting someone to stay with her for 7 days. My resort doesn't open their 2016 wedding schedule until next month, so I have some time to figure this out. Any suggestions?? I'm also trying to think about the amount of time people will have to take off of work. The wedding is the first weekend on June, so about a week or so before everyone would have had a long weekend with Memorial day.

@@Wafflesmom, our ceremony will be on the beach too. I'm also thinking I can wear them for our at home reception. I have a lover hate relationship with shoes, I really want to love them and enjoy looking at them, I just can't stand to wear them. I have a few pairs of heals a little over 2 inches high that I love and walk great in. I think I do better in them than a kitten heal pair that I have. All my heals ( that are comfortable) are Talbot's brand. Oh yes, Tommy Bahama stuff isn't cheap! But $98.00 is a whole lot better than a few thousand. I have some of their dresses and I love them! They last a long time. Its pretty hot here from April through October, so cool dresses are nice. My fiance also wears their silk shirts all the time. For his outfit he's getting a new shirt and doing the silk wedding paints. He has a few already and loves them! The groomsmen will do the same, just a different color shirt than what he wears. My dress is a very unique color, they say its ivory but I think its more of a sandy champagne color, and he already has a Tommy Bahama shirt that matches pretty well and doesn't clash. ( hell just get a new one in that color for the wedding) They actually have something that looks very similar to the Tommy Bahama shoe on Amazon.com. I think I even saw one brand that was around $30.00. So I may get that and if its comfortable just wear it and save some money. @@Kawtarz1991 I'm in love with Excellence Playa Mujeres! Its just north of the major Cancun area. Its a smaller resort and adults only. But they have sister resorts next door called The Beloved and The Finest that opens Feb 2015 and both of these are kid friendly. The Beloved was highly recommended on TripAdvisor by many people.

Oh okay, I saw the tank (looks great by the way! Can't believe that you made it.) but I didn't see the link.

Kim, here is another thing I found on Pinterest that I thought I would share in respect to stressing out over making everything happen now that your wedding is almost here. I think I will need to be reminding myself of this often!

Here is what I came up with for a packing list. I have it in a pretty document, but I can't seem to get the document to upload to this site so here are the words I used: Personal Documents: **Please make two copies of all documents. Pack one in your luggage (separate from what you will carry on the plane), and leave the other copy with someone who is not traveling with us. Also, contact your bank and credit card companies to notify them of your travel plans. · ID · Passport · Credit Card · Copy of Travel Insurance · Airplane Tickets (be sure to check the TSA website regarding specifics on baggage requirements.) · Confirmations for pre-booked Excursions and/or Spa Treatments · Cash (Small bills for tips) Travel Aids: · Reading materials · Gum · Electronic devices with chargers · Headphones · Hand sanitizer · Anxiety / Motion Sickness meds. · Empty water bottle (to fill up one you have passed TSA screenings) Toiletries: · Toothbrush/toothpaste · Make-up · Hair care items · Shampoo & Conditioner · Soap · Lip balm · Nail file · Shaving needs · Glasses, extra contacts · Prescription medications (in original containers) · Sun Screen* · After sun care (Aloe Vera)* · Insect repellent * · Pain relievers* · Band-aids* · Stomach medications* *We will have extra of these if you need them, they are expensive at the resort, so it’s always a good idea to bring them with you. Electronics: · Camera with charger or extra batteries · Cell Phone- remember to put in airplane mode so you don’t incur roaming charges · Laptop/ Tablet- Resort has free WiFi Women: · Swim Suits (2 or more) · Beach Cover Ups · Comfortable walking shoes for excursions · Sandals & Flip Flops · Dressy shoes for dinner and wedding reception · Shorts and T-Shirts · Sundresses & Skirts · Long paints and/or jeans · Cardigan or light jacket for cool nights and for the airplane · Wedding Attire · Undergarments · Sleep clothes · Jewelry, Accessories, Sunglasses · Hat · Small purse or wristlet · Beach bag Men: · Swim Suits (2 or more) · T-Shirts, shirts to wear on the beach or during excursions · Comfortable walking shoes for excursions · Flip Flops · Closed Toe Shoes/ Shoes for dinner * · Nice shirts for dinner* · Long Pants* and Dress Shorts* · Wedding Attire · Undergarments · Sleep clothes · Watch, Accessories, Sunglasses · Hat *Per resort’s dress code

Yeah it is. Which Tank photo are you referring to? I saw the one pages ago where you have the flower in your hair. But I think you found another flower you liked better or something like this.

Above are the Tommy Bahama shoes that I'm interested in. This is me dreaming!! Aren't they pretty? But there is no way I would pay thousands for a pair of shoes and that I could wear a shoe with a heal this high.

Kim, you were saying one time about your hair being longer since the trial and interested in more of an updo. I pinned this a while ago and thought I would share it. http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/short-haired-bees-show-me-your-transformed-wedding-hair/ (I've been mostly posting and responding from my phone so I didn't have a way to easily share this, let me know if the link doesn't work).

Kim, everything will turn out beautiful!! I would say dont stress but I'm positive I'll be a but case weeks before me wedding!!

Happy New Years ladies!!! I've really enjoyed talking with many of you and I'm inspired by all of the work y'all have done! Sara

Just a thought, have you tried anything with chiffon on to see how it feels? To me, chiffon felt super bridal. But I've also worn satin and lace formal dresses before. Like others have said, what you think you would like or works on your body, may not be the one. I bought my dress with out ever seeing it in person or trying anything similar on. But then again I had 2 years to find something else if I needed to. Go with what your heart says!

Thanks TA Windy!

A website or emails might be something to look into since you have two different groups and deadlines.

Oh I also have my dress! I actually got it before I got my ring. My dress kinda found me. I was procrastinating one day and looking on websites to narrow down what I liked and didn't like. Then I came across MY dress. I couldn't get my mind off of it and told my finance about it. He suggested I contact the seller ( dress was on preownedweddingdress.com) I did, and the price was right. When I heard back about the final price the next morning i also learned that my best friend growing up, unexpectedly passed away. This dress became something positive to think about during a difficult time. When the dress arrived it fit!!! No alterations needed!!! How lucky is this? The designer only made so many of this dress and now suggest for people to find it used if they want it. They will even help you find a used one if you need them too, that's how popular this dress is/was. I had been concerned about who I would take with me dress shopping and the drama that can go along with this. Plus, I was afraid I would fall in love with something I couldn't afford. ( i just cant justify spending thousands on a dress to wear one day) So buying online, this way, turned out to help out in many ways. I still can't believe it fits perfectly! For me, finding shoes may be my hardest thing! I love pretty shoes, but i don't want to pay a crazy amount for them. Plus i'm a former quadraphonic, ( now walking with just one forearm crutch ☺) so I have to be careful about heals. I've fallen in love with a few pairs of shoes on Pinterest but when I saw they are 3+ inch heals and over $2,000, I decided I wouldnt be getting them! I've also been considering a flat Tommy Bahama starfish shoe. Its more reasonably priced and in the reviews people say they are comfortable and wear them all the time, even after the wedding. ( I'll try and find a photo to post later) Is anyone else struggling to find shoes?

I'm June 2016 too!!! Except I'm going to Excellence Playa Mujeres. The only thing I really have done at this point is my wedding website. I'll send a link to the website in January/ February 2015 ( need to meet with travel agent again before the site is launched) and invitations in June, so they will have it a year in advance. I'm trying to think of all of the paper goods I need. Any suggestions in addition to: -save the date, -invitation, -welcome to Mexico letter ( if I get crafty I'll do a passport book <-- started) -Luggage tags -Seating chart -What to pack check list ( for guest <-- done!! ☺) -what I need to pack list -Door hangers -Tip card holders to use at the resort ( clear pocket with a coil wrist key thingy <-- I'm still undecided on this project, others on this site have said they were used often by guest) -oot bag stuff -shoes optional sign ( not sure about this) -sign for guest book ( doing post cards and at home reception having everyone write on shells)

@@beckys98, I think the first is better! Which one is satin? Chiffon is such a nice material! I've found it looks more flattering on me. Plus, to me, its perfect for the beach. Will it take 16 weeks just for them to get one in for you to try on or 16 weeks once you order? Maybe see if another Davids Bridal store in a larger city has it or can get it sooner? ( might be worth a few phone calls or a road trip.) Do they have the second dress in a stores yet? It might be worth trying it on just in case. If they do have it to try on, I would go ahead and try it on, then you can determine if it's still in the running as a back up or not. I don't think it would hurt to try and ask to order both. Especially if they would give you a full refund. I've heard of many people ordering more than one dress because of time. This is how I got my dress. I purchased it on preownedweddingdress.com. the girl ordered two of the same dress in two different sizes. One arrived in time to have alterations done, the other didnt. After her wedding she was selling both, I ended up purchasing the one she had altered as it was a larger size. ( I was thinking, if I got the bigger size I could have it taken in.) I actually purchased the dress with out ever trying it on. It fit perfectly! I guess I got lucky that I'm not going to need any alterations!! The only reason I went with a used dress was because the designer doesn't make it any more and has suggested if you want it you have to purchase it this way. Good luck! Also, I know of a local dress store where I live ( Don't know if Davids bridal does this) will order a sample dress for you to try on as long as they carry the designer. I was quoted it would be about small deposit to request this, and if you didn't like the dress you could get your deposit back. Maybe see if a dress store will do something like this for you?

The little details is what I'm worried will consume me!

June 4th, 2016, Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico!!! (Well I have to wait until February/ March 2015 for the Resort to open up their 2016 calendar to confirm my date) Hi! @@Jamaica2016 , How is planning going?Looks like we are planning for about the same time. I'm looking at June 4th 2016 with a back up date of June 18th 2016. I'm trying to figure out how much I should have done by what point. I just finished our wedding website this week. I don't know if it's too soon so send a link out to our guest or not? Some people are already asking for pricing details and what not, but of course I don't have this information yet. It's nice to see other 2016 brides already planning!

Rachelia160 good point about seating chart! I wasn't planning on doing one, but now that you said something I think I will. I went to a local wedding a few years ago, and they did not have a seating chart and most of the tables had "reserved" signs on them, it was a huge mess. I think the father of the bride (who paid for a good part of the wedding) didn't even get a table to sit and eat at! They didn't even have enough tables and chairs for everyone to sit at! The wedding planner did a poor job, but the bride and groom went with her since she was family. The wedding was beautiful, but years later one of the first things we all remember about this wedding was their was no direction and every table except the sweetheart table had a reserved sign on it. Now, I have so many more things to add to my to do list! I have a feeling I have a lot to do and learn over the next year and a half!!

Thanks!

I agree with sandbride2b, the map is great!

Kim, your wedding is going to be great! I really appreciate all of your post. They have been so inspirational! Can't wait to see the after photos. Oh, I loved that you added your hair is now long and can pull it up in a poney tail now. I used to have short hair, similar to the length you had in your trial hair photos that you posted early on, and fully understand how fun it is to actually get it pulled up.

@@tygrrlily, WOW! Sounds like y'all had an amazing time and all of your planning and hard work paid off! I can't believe you had your legal ceremony and everything only days after exams!!! I was beginning to think I'm crazy to get married about 3-4 weeks after I graduate. I couldn't imagine only days after exams!! You said the stress got to you at first in Mexico, this is what I'm really concerned about!! I don't handle personal stress well, I do fine and remain super composed when my clients are under extreme stress, but when it's me, not so much. I'm thinking of getting to Mexico a day or so before everyone just to have time to relax and get things settled before people start showing up. Plus, and I know this sounds bad, I'm only inviting people to Mexico that I know will help reduce stress and not add to it. Again, that sounds bad, but its one of the few things I'm being selfish about. Everyone else will celebrate with us at home. We also have plans to do a legal ceremony, but keep it low key and only have our parents there. My dad can't come to Mexico for medical reasons and my mom needs to stay with him and as for my fiance's parents, this is a whole nother story, I understand crazy southern women ( my mom) but crazy northern Italians( his mom) I will never understand. I'm so grateful that you have shared your experience!! I feel much better about a destination wedding after hearing from you and others on this site!

Love your save the dates! Did you do this yourself or have them designed?

The Calgary girls are awesome!! I really appreciate y'all being so friendly and willing to share what you know! The whole destination wedding planning doesn't seem so overwhelming when you have people to help you through the process.