vancouverpetunia

@@acw271011 Beautiful! So glad you found something and that you are happy with it. And BTW age has nothing to do with sophistication. What is Dame Judi Dench if not sophisticated? So work it, lady!

I used a Google form on our wedding web site, which populates a Google Sheet (basically online Excel in Google). Not hard to set up! I also found some pre-made Google Sheets that includes templates for budget, guest list tracker, to-do list, vendor sheets (i.e. list all the photographers you have contacted and the different info about each of them), etc. I didn't end up using this much since I'm using mostly resort vendors/services, but could be really helpful for an off-resort wedding. PM me if you want more info. I can share the sheets, too. I think you need a Gmail account to access them.

@@JoannaBanana I am seeing white dresses everywhere lately! Probably partly because I was originally thinking a white sundress (short) as my wedding dress. I stepped it up a notch and ended up with a short dress from David's that is pretty much a white cocktail dress. But I'm having second thoughts so still keeping my eyes open. I've been looking for short, so not sure about long, but white seems really popular right now and long/maxi dresses are very popular, so there's bound to be something. I saw lots of white dresses at both Winners and Marshall's even! Have you checked J. Crew or Ann Taylor bridal collections? BM dresses are another good idea, as @@trbutler pointed out. I was also looking at short BM dresses at one point. P.S. @@trbutler Your dress is beautiful. Seeing it on a bride, in white (or something similar), I don't think you would ever know it's a BM dress. How did you get them to make it in white? It doesn't look like white is an option. I found a BM dress that I really liked, but the closest it came to white was a dove grey.

@@LeighC I get having the second thoughts on the dress. I am, too. I have a short dress, which is what I want, it's just the style that is not what I had in mind. But I LOVE your dress. If I wasn't sticking with short, I would be looking for something like yours. As for the sandals, yikes, that is pricey. But they are very pretty and look very high quality. I got my shoes from David's, but I wanted heels (wedges). Not sure what they have for sandals, if anything. But I thought their prices were reasonable.

If it's any consolation, I've been to the area during monsoon rain, which is not the greatest. It wasn't a wedding-related trip but still makes you feel a bit ripped off on the vacation front. We also recently were there for vacation and planned a site visit at our resort. I was so sick during that visit - bronchitis and pink eye, and then shortly thereafter developed a sinus infection. Hope the FI's taste buds were functioning for the lengthy menu tasting that we did, since mine were certainly not [emoji22] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk At least swimming in the rain is really fun and cuts down on the crowds at the pools [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@LeighC We call it "wedding nerding" LOL and yes, I'm a planner! @@KatieMcBride Yay! April 2016 brides unite [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All very pretty! Hope you have better luck on your next excursion Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@Maggietron Your post made me LOL. Thanks [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@desmiv I'm not at DRC, nor am I planning to use fake flowers, but have to ask... What is their reasoning for this? I get not using fake petals as they could blow around and become pollution. But bouquets? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Haha! 6th grade science report, I'd say. Thanks for doing the research and reporting on it. I'm not a beach person and so didn't even think to take a good look at the beach when we did a site visit at our resort in April (we were only there for a couple of hours) Luckily when I look at the photos I took with the beach in the background, it looks fine. Although that may have changed...

Wow that's some serious seaweed. However do keep in mind that it is bad this year (may not be next year? I know nothing about these things) and if it was post-storm, it was probably particularly bad. Interesting that Grand Sirenis was in better shape than GBP. Either they are more on top of it or just are less impacted generally. It's too bad that you didn't come away madly in love with a resort, but at least it still probably gives you perspective in terms of what is important to you and what to ask about while you continue your search.

My FI just ordered a pair of grey linen blend pants from Le Chateau. If we like them, we will get the groomsmen to order as well (hopefully they will still be in stock!). Unfortunately they didn't seem to have any short sleeved shirts in blue, so still on the hunt for those (although have not really hunted haha).

Sorry to hear your dress shopping was less than successful. I agree with @@calgarybride2015 to try David's. It might not be your fanciest experience (no champagne here!) but they have so many options at so many price points. That online dress is beautiful! And also agree that if your mom had a good experience, that is a good sign. I would make sure to try on some similar dresses with the same neckline and silhouette to make sure you like the general look on you, if you haven't already. Keep us posted! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@rebecca2122 I would definitely contact a travel agent (or even a few) to have them help you narrow down the resorts based on your criteria. Also having a budget for your guests (i.e. how much per night, etc.) may help. Are you thinking all inclusive? It's important to clarify that as well (or realize that the options can be quite different if you want to consider both). Unfortunately I don't have any TA recommendations for you, but certainly the ladies here seem to be happy working with Wright Travel. There should be other TA reviews for you to check out as well. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk P.S. Personally I don't think it matters where your TA is located (other than the same country). Although mine is fairly local to me, we've never met in person and I don't think it's been an issue. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@LeighC I LOVE your dress! It's beautiful. The pouches are fantastic! Where did you get them and/or what brand name are they? Did they come in other colors?

@@acw271011 I did try on a couple of long dresses as well as tea length dresses. I also made sure to hit up a few bridal stores to browse all styles as I didn't want to figure out too late that I wanted something more traditional. So I think I'm set on a short dress [emoji4] But I agree it's worth trying on many different styles as you never know what's going to "click". Seems often to be what is least expected! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm getting married at Now Sapphire, so it might not be the same at Jade. I sent my WC "inspiration" photos and explained what I wanted. He was able to get me a quote to provide that. In some cases, there was no extra charge. It depended on the flowers I wanted (some are more expensive than what's included in the package). Might be worth asking your WC what other options might be available. Also, before I asked about completely different options, he did tell me I could specify the colors I wanted. Not sure how that works exactly, as not all flowers come in all colors. I guess they would just substitute some of the flowers in the selected bouquet to get the right colors.

@@LeighC I am getting married 2 days before you! We are on the other side of Playa. I love the pier! That looks amazing. None of the resorts I looked at had that. If they had, I probably would have that resort. Looking forward to hearing more about your planning. P.S. I also forgot to say yes

@@acw271011 I don't know why I'm feeling that way. I just wasn't feeling right about the dress and that was the word that popped into my head one day as I mulled it over. You are sweet Being a first time bride in your 40s feels old sometimes! As for long vs short - good question. I don't know. I don't think I've ever had a "princess wedding" vision in my head. I'm sure I wanted a long dress at one point, but as soon as we started planning, even when we were thinking of doing something local, I wanted short. And then when we decided on a DW, short made even more sense to me, with the heat, the sand, etc. I don't really think I look at great in long dresses and I think my calves are awesome, so I like showing them off LOL That's the best answer I've got. In the end, I guess we have to be happy with our own choices and damn everyone one haha. I'll sit on it a while longer and see how I feel in a month or two. @@Wafflesmom They knew I wasn't going for a long traditional gown, although they had seen photos of the "other" dress so may have been expecting something more like that. They had also seen photos of me in my dress, so it wasn't a huge surprise. I was talking to my mom a few days ago and I told her that I was having second thoughts and then asked her what she thought (thinking my confession would open the door to any criticism she might have). She said she thought it fit me well and that the shape was great, but she wasn't expecting so much beading (neither was I!). I did also try it on in poor lighting and without any shoes, accessories or anything. She said that all done up and on the beach in the sun, it could be beautiful. So I guess she likes it, but probably isn't what she would have picked for me. But it's also not what I would have picked for me haha

I knew that I would get some support here given all the "dress issues" so many of us brides seem to face! Your comments are interesting though in how you are describing the dresses... I originally was thinking just a simple sundress and not even a wedding dress. So keeping that in mind, the second one is probably more along those lines (fun, flirty, etc) and may be why I'm still torn. I'm also feeling like the first one makes me look (gasp) matronly. Although I'm no spring chicken, I don't feel my age (and I'm told I don't look it), plus this is a first marriage for both of us so I don't want to feel or look like an old lady LOL. It didn't really help when I tried on the dress for my parents and sister last weekend and the response was "ummmm.... It's nice...." [emoji15] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quick Update! Not too much going on right now. I'm trying to narrow down an excursion for our guests. We really like the yacht (H2Oh Cruises), as it provides a lot of options on board for our guests, including indoor, air conditioned areas that might be appreciated by the older folks and those with little kids. But we were hoping for a closer marina for the departure. I don't really want to put our guests on a bus for 2 hours (return). But we'll see. We're also looking at a couple of catamaran options out of Cancun, which is only about 35 mins by bus, which seems more reasonable. Speaking of KatyHK, I just booked some decor with her (or at least I emailed her to confirm a booking). Not much - just some lights & papel picado to string in the pergola on the terrace and along the railings. Also blue & green vases for the tables. I'm planning to do rectangular tables with individual vases down the center. I've also requested the portable sound system that she rents out. We're not planning to get a DJ and the resort sound system rents for $150 per hour. For our 1 hour of cocktails + 3 hours of reception, that's $600! Or $75 to rent the sound system from Katy. I know it's probably not going to have the greatest sound, but I think it will be sufficient for us. I know some people really splurge on DJs, dance floors, etc. but that's not really our thing, so I think this is a good place for us to save some money. Finally, I am having second thoughts on my dress It's beautiful, but it's not what I imagined and I can't get the other dress out of my head. Keep in mind, I've never tried it on (it's custom from China or HK), but I did try on similar styles in BM dresses and liked the way they looked on me. Any suggestions?!? Luckily neither is expensive (under $200 for the one I bought and around $250 for the other), so I'm starting to think about ordering the other one and deciding once I have them both. I have lots of time. My dress The "other" dress (I feel like I'm cheating on my dress when I say that LOL) Next items to tackle: groom & groomsmen's attire (want to get this during the summer while linen, etc. is more readily available) & bridesmaid's attire.

@@acw271011 Thanks. Good ideas to check out a few things. He and his wife will be staying all week with us.

@@yycbride2016 Maybe your BM can't afford the $150 cause she blew $800 on Shania?

@@Victoriabride I'm glad to hear that you are excited about your change of plans. Sometimes these things just work out for the better. I'm very sorry to hear about your nephew though. Sending good wishes his way.

@@acw271011 When is your renewal ceremony? It's probably noted way back here somewhere, but I don't remember...