Leigh2011's Planning Thread - Long with Lots of Pics

[kks2012]

I agree. I was wondering how we would get it back home with the glass.. too much room for error.
 

Originally Posted by Bride2012 

I LOVE this planning thread! Thank you for posting the etsy seller for the sand ceremony, I will SOOOOO be using it because Im in love with the way yours looks!

 

[leigh2011]

I have been back from my wedding for a more than a week now, and I wanted to share some pictures of how my planning turned out. 

 

First, here is a pic of my outfit.

 

 

And a pic of the groom and groomsmen.

 

 

My bouquet based on the centerpiece inspiration picture I gave the wedding coordinator.

 

 

The gazebo décor/centerpieces.  So, I didn’t get exactly what I had planned for the centerpieces but that is because the wedding coordinator gave me a suggestion to save money.  As I got 4 sprays for the gazebo décor and I had 4 reception tables, she said they would just move the gazebo sprays and make them centerpieces.  The sprays were done in the colors I liked and with a lot of the roses I like, but the resort always has the lilies as well to help make them look full.  I will say the sprays were bigger than the centerpieces (in a vase) that I wanted, so it helped to make the table look full.

 

 

A picture of the gazebo before the ceremony.

 

 

A picture of the sand ceremony frame after being moved from the gazebo to the reception.  The two vases did not hold enough sand to fill the entire frame, so I needed to have brought extra to fill the frame the next day.  As I didn’t bring extra, I transported the frame home as is in my hand held carry-on (making sure to keep it upright).  Had it been full there would have been no need for that.

 

 

A picture of a place setting (after the white charger plate had been removed).

 

 

A picture of the reception location from a distance.  I loved the lights of the distant resorts in the background (across the water).

 

 

A picture of the wedding cake and cake topper.

 

 

A couple of pictures of the excursion.  First is a picture from the Tulum ruins.  The second picture is while snorkeling at a lagoon in Akumal.  There happened to be large schools of sardines in the lagoon and it was AMAZING to snorkel with thousands upon thousands of the tiny fish (which are forming a wall behind me in this picture).  The school of sardines would part as you swam toward it such that you could stop and find yourself completely surrounded by the school.  The best snorkeling experience I have ever had.

 

 

 

I have more pictures from the wedding in my profile – and there is a link in my signature.

[ShellyCarter]

looks great

[natinmd12]

OMG!  This is EXCELLENT. You have given me SO MANY ideas to add to my own.  I am getting married at Dreams Cancun July 20, 2012 and you have alleviated some of many of my concerns. 

 

How was it getting through customs with the gift bags and goodies?  That is one of my biggest concerns, along with taking my dress on the plane. We are planning to fly Airtran, which seems to be the only airline that flies directly to Mexico from Maryland.  I may actually spring for the rehersal dinner, we do not have a big wedding party, but it would be a great way to get the guests together prior to the wedding.

 

Thank you so much for you detailed information.  Keep the great information flowing!

 

Natasha

Dreams Cancun July 20, 2012

[leigh2011]

Customs can actually be a problem, so you must be prepared!!!  The customs agent saw my then fiance and I pull 2 big suitcases, 1 big duffle bag, 2 rolling carryons and my wedding dress bag off of the x-ray conveyer belt - so he decided to ask us how much all of the stuff we were carrying was worth!  (After you get your bags off of the baggage claim conveyers and stand in a long line, you will have to put all of your bags through an x-ray machine and then speak to a customs agent - who takes the form you filled out on the plane).  If I remember correctly, you are only allowed $300 per person in merchandise (not including clothes and such) so if they suspect you have more than that, then they will try and catch you and tax you. 

 

So:  1) don't take more than $600 worth of OOT bag & wedding day items and 2) bring all of the receipts with you.  Apparently other brides have simply said "I have the receipts" and that prevented the customs agents from searching their bags.  Not me.  The lady opened my bags and tried to compare what she saw with the receipts.  Eventually she got frustrated and gave up, but try to not find yourself in this position by knowing up front you have say $300 worth of gifts for your wedding guests and $150 worth of items for the ceremony & reception. (whatever the amounts are, just be sure they don't reach $600 and that you can back up what you say!)

 

You will love Dreams Cancun for your wedding!  I will say that we didn't feel like the rehearsal dinner was necessary (the reservation and $$ as the restaurant wasn't very crowded), but I can assure you I would have been a nervous wreck assuming things wouldn't have worked out.  So essentially we paid for my peace of mind.  However, if the resort will be more crowded in the summer, then you may very well need that reservation.

 

I am not sure if you have checked out the albums that are in my signature, but there are pictures from the resort there.

 

Courtney

[MsBlissMpls]

I really love the detail! Thank you for taking time to share with us. I LOVE your wedding day card with your baby and I will be copying this idea (with our kitten) - if I can get him to sit still long enough to take a photo. I also love your cake topper with the pup.

 

Thank you for sharing.

[to be mrs scuba]

Thanks for sharing your planning!  So well put together and thought out!!!

[leigh2011]

Thanks.  There were definitely treats involved with getting the dog to sit still.  I even got a couple of "out-take" shots that I printed and put inside the card.  In one the dog was licking his chops, and in the other his eyes were shut but he had his tongue sticking out a little bit.  Very cute - and Paul laughed & cried because of the card (the photog got some great shots).

Paul also loved the cake topper.  At first (from a distance) he thought the cake topper was just a generic couple until I told him to take a closer look.  Then he was so excited he went to each table to tell all of the guests to go and check it out up close.  That reaction made the expense and effort worth it.
 

Originally Posted by MsBlissMpls 

I really love the detail! Thank you for taking time to share with us. I LOVE your wedding day card with your baby and I will be copying this idea (with our kitten) - if I can get him to sit still long enough to take a photo. I also love your cake topper with the pup.

 

Thank you for sharing.

 

[AwayDC]

Honestly this is an amazing planning thread. Thank you so much for sharing

[marooon13]

Thank you so much for including every little detail- it really helps those of us who feel lost. This is an amazing planning thread. Also, congratulations!!