What I would and wouldn't do again...

[gkashmira]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulaV I did wonder about the palm fans ... I am debating about buying them. I wanted to buy some bulky stuff now as we may be going to Mexico City soon. I can leave them with my friend there to send to the resort before the wedding.

Paula - I think that you could skip the fans - especially since your wedding is in February when the weather will be beautiful and not late June (like mine) when it was 100 degrees and the sun was at it's strongest.

I don't think people really appreciated or thought about them - annoying since I hand wrapped every one with ribbon! Makes you want to ! hee hee hee...

[JulieG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NABUMBAH things I would do again: -location: it was exactly what we wanted -attire: I had a meltdown the month before about the dress but I am glad that I didn't spend any more -bootcamp & spanx: I didn't look like a fat cow thanks to these two gems -flowers & decor: I have no idea who did the flowers, but they were gorgeous. I also loved the ribbon table runners that my mom and sister did -boat RD: it was a blast -the twins & mariachi: how could I forget? the twins ROCKED the house! -photographer: I am really glad that we hired someone from here to do our photography. -fireworks: such a fun touch for a relatively small amount of $. -this forum: IT preserved my sanity. Especially since we booked everything and everyone sight unseen. Thanks, Tammy! things that I could have done without: -welcome dinner at tabasco's: it was difficult to find, and i think it was a little stressful for our guests to fly in and head straight to this event. it was also COLD on the beach. If I had a do-over I would have just hosted a cocktail hour somewhere. -cake/dessert spread: like the rest of you, I think less than half of this stuff actually was touched. -longer honeymoon! I seriously wish that we had either planned to do the full-blown HM after the wedding, or spent more time in Cabo. Not nearly enough time down there to fully unwind after the wedding -better organization: I would have done a full rehearsal, and written out specific instructions so that I wasn't so stressed on our wedding day. even so, it was a great time. It's funny, a month out I was much more stressed out about what went wrong. Now 3.5 months out, I have let go of a lot of it. I'm sure next year it will all be a distant memory.

Did you find it too hot with the Spanx on? I was thinking about getting them but I was afraid I would sweat too much.

[gkashmira]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julesr Did you find it too hot with the Spanx on? I was thinking about getting them but I was afraid I would sweat too much.

I wore spanx under my dress and the only time I noticed them was when I had to go to the ladies room - they are hard to get back up sometimes!

But as a friend of mine recommended to me before the wedding when I was having the same debate - if you wear them you don't have to think about how you're going to look, don't have to worry about holding in your stomach, etc.

I think she was right!

[JulieG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkashmira I wore spanx under my dress and the only time I noticed them was when I had to go to the ladies room - they are hard to get back up sometimes! But as a friend of mine recommended to me before the wedding when I was having the same debate - if you wear them you don't have to think about how you're going to look, don't have to worry about holding in your stomach, etc. I think she was right!

I totally agree, and I think its a great idea, but I know I am going to be hot in my dress, so I am stressed about it. Huh, maybe I will just buy them and bring them and take them off if I can't deal with them anymore.

[gkashmira]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julesr I totally agree, and I think its a great idea, but I know I am going to be hot in my dress, so I am stressed about it. Huh, maybe I will just buy them and bring them and take them off if I can't deal with them anymore.

It was hot during my wedding but I don't think I was any hotter because of the Spanx to be honest. I did have the "low rise" ones though. They don't work as well as the "higher power" ones but I needed low rise for my dress. Seriously, I wouldn't worry about them. Wear them and if they become uncomfortable just take them off!

[*JillD*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julesr I totally agree, and I think its a great idea, but I know I am going to be hot in my dress, so I am stressed about it. Huh, maybe I will just buy them and bring them and take them off if I can't deal with them anymore.

Jules I'm worried about the same thing. Although, my dress isn't really form fitting, so I don't know if there really necessary and I have the corset to suck me in, lol! I'm also going to where a petticoat, so I don't want anything else unnecessary!

[dragonfly]

THINGS I WOULDN"T CHANGE

 

My meet an greet bar-b-q before we left. Doing this gave everyone a chance to meet and become comfortable with each other.

 

Giving out my oot bags at the meet and greet, it saved me having to transport 40 oot bags on the plane.

 

OOT bags, everyone loved them, I am so glad we did this, the bag itself everyone used all week, it made where people were sitting at the pool and beach easy to find.

 

Travel mugs, most used item all week, EVERYONE used them and still are. (I was glad I personalized them without using our names, it felt more like a gift for our guests this way)

 

Going a week before everyone else, it allowed us to spend some down time with our kids.

 

My invitations. Liam made them and they are a wonderful keepsake, and they cost me about 25 cents a piece.

 

My wedding dress I love it, and it was under my budget, I also am glad I decided to wear a veil, I loved everything I wore from undies to jewellery.

 

Having our children as our wedding party and letting them pick what they wanted to wear. They were all beautiful!

 

Everton wearing a suit, he was so handsome, and his suit was perfect.

 

Writing our own vows, they were perfect for us.

 

Our siblings saying an irish blessing for our loved ones we had lost.

 

Having our ceremony right before sunset it was the perfect sky.

 

The trio. They were wonderful and added the right ambience to our day.

 

Coctail at the ceremony site, it was a thoughtful touch that was appreciated.

 

The fans. Everyone used them

 

Reception on the beach, it was a perfect night, and dancing on the beach was fun.

 

My guest favours. Everyone loved the claddagh coins and touchstones.

 

Doing my own makeup, inexpensive, and I looked natural.

 

TTD this was the absolute highlight of our trip.

 

Farewell dinner. Gave us all a chance to be together, we also gave thankyou shell necklaces to everyone. I am glad we did this.

 

 

THINGS I WOULD CHANGE

 

LOCATION, I should have gone to Mexico, or Jamaica. Disappointed in the service, and the humanity in the Dominican Republic.

 

I should have hired a videographer, no one taped our ceremony in full.

 

I should have asked my sil to oversee that the reception venue was set up the way it was suppose to be.

 

I should have asked my friends to make sure the cigars and guest book were put out, since my wc didn't care.

 

I should have asked for more help getting my children ready, and making sure Liam had eaten.

 

I should have had a microphone, it was hard for people to hear over the waves.

 

I should have handed the photographer a list of pictures I wanted, not just verbally told him.

 

I shouldn't have ordered bouts for the boys, I didn't like how they looked.

 

I should have just done my own music, the dj was a waste of money.

 

I should have tasted our cake, I hear it was great. I shouldn't have ordered enough for everyone, it was a lot of wasted cake.

 

I should have gone to another resort!!

 

I should have got Drunk, hehehe, then everything that went wrong maybe wouldn't have bothered me so much!

 

THING I ABSOLUTELY DID RIGHT

 

MARRIED EVERTON

[dragonfly]

I have not written my review yet, I really have not had the energy, and I hate to be the bad review on the forum, it will be coming though, I promise. I have to finish my letters to Signature vacations the Ocean resort chain, and Skyservice. The way Nicole was treated at the airport was dangerous and needs to be addressed, other then the report they took in Toronto when we got home.

 

Tami, I will say that all of my guests loved the DR, so don't worry I am sure it will be great, but Nicole was treated very, very, poorly, by the hotel, and the airport, so therefore I can not have many fond feelings for the Dominican Republic, I will never go back! The lack of empathy, and customer service by the Dominican people we dealt with was shocking. I am not talking about much more then the neccessaties of life, which were deemed not important where my daughter was concerned.

[foxytv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonfly No I have not written my review yet, I really have not had the energy, and I hate to be the bad review on the forum, it will be coming though, I promise. I have to finish my letters to Signature vacations the Ocean resort chain, and Skyservice. The way Nicole was treated at the airport was dangerous and needs to be addressed, other then the report they took in Toronto when we got home. Tami, I will say that all of my guests loved the DR, so don't worry I am sure it will be great, but Nicole was treated very, very, poorly, by the hotel, and the airport, so therefore I can not have many fond feelings for the Dominican Republic, I will never go back! The lack of empathy, and customer service by the Dominican people we dealt with was shocking. I am not talking about much more then the neccessaties of life, which were deemed not important where my daughter was concerned.

What happened with Nicole at the airport? I have several guests flying in alone (my sister is one and my FIL's, who are older, as well) and I was already a bit worried about the DR's customs and transfer service...

[~Melissa~]

I love this thread.... I just re-read it form the beginning. Alot of useful information I've gathered:

 

I am happy we're doing a welcome dinner, glad I found a photographer I love, happy we got the basic cake and relaxed about having our own playlist instead of DJ. I think i've already spent about 20 hours on the music and it's not even done yet. i hope it's worth it...

 

I'm still undecided on rose petals or bubbles? And undecided on SPANX...