JQLONG's Mexican Reflections & Dreams Riviera Maya Wedding Review (Part Uno)

[JQLong]

As many of the lovely brides (and grooms) have started out by saying "thank you to the talented creative people on this site".....I will say the same..Thank you for all the talented and creative people on this site.  Wedding planning to me seemed like it was a chore (which is why we opted for a DW).  You all have made the "tasks" of planning a DW a pleasure and a joy!!!  I actually ..... kind of miss it...

 

So...let me begin....short story short....Me and the now hubby...met online in March 2008.  I knew from the first time I saw him that he would become my husband (no stalker....just a little voice that told me he was the one).  he was silly...just like me...So I knew we were destined...

 

 

We dated for about 3 years (well it was 3 days away from our 3rd anniversary) when he popped the question. 

 

Yeah right!!!  this was actually the paper weight he bought me (On Valentines Day) the year before he proposed...He had a little note that said he was working on it!!!

 

 

Here is a picture of my actual ring....he did good!

 

Now onto wedding planning...We initially decided on St. Thomas (Marriott)....we put a deposit down and everything....then.......

My honey lost his job.  We put off the wedding planning for about 6 months....We also realized that while St. Thomas was beautiful...there are very few all-inclusives and the prices to travel were very high.  My honey found another job and said, let's find another destination.  Neither one of us had ever been to Mexico (and since he thinks our cat Peaches is Mexican...it just seemed right)....

 

 

After reading several threads about using a travel agent (oh...we thought we could do it on our own initially)...We ended up using an agent in our town, Travel Leaders.  Our agent did not necessarily specialize in DW's but he was very knowledgeable about the destinations.  We decided on Dreams Riviera Maya in Cancun.  It was a blast....(I'll get back to that)

 

We booked our trip and the deposit for the wedding in October of 2011.  so that left 8 months for me to "plan = shop = DIY' for our wedding. 

 

First (kind of late for first...) I should have stated this in the beginning...We were on a budget!  We are both in our mid (ok late) 30's and were paying for the wedding ourselves.  We wanted to have beautiful wedding without breaking the bank...

 

COLORS - YELLOW, TURQUOISE & FUCHSIA

 

As a bride that had never thought about becoming a bride....wedding planning, dress shopping and all that stuff did not appeal to me...I needed to make the process painless....and affordable.....

 

I had actually saw my dress online before he proposed.  I had no idea how expensive it was but i was deadset on a dress budget of $500 (Not a dime more!!!).  I had seen many bridal gowns that while pretty....just did not fit MY idea of a flowy DW bridal gown...

 

 

After stalking...I mean stalking the "Knock off dress" thread for weeks and extensive research online....I ended up ordering my dress from jasminesbridalshop.com - the service was great....communication was awesome.  If you decide to go with a replica gown I would highly recommend jasminesbridalshop.com

 

I was AMAZED at the beautiful quality of my gown that was WAYYYYYY......under budget....even after the slight alterations I needed....the price was still under budget....

 

Bridesmaids Dresses

My 16 year old daughter was my bridesmaid and my best girlfriend was my MOH.  I just told my MOH the color I wanted and she chose their dresses....

 

 

Mother of the Bride Dress

 

 

As you see...my Mom is "Fancy Nancy" (that is what I call her...) and it was hard finding a dress for her....but we did....the Lord & Taylor outlet for....$39.00!!! (Yes.....$39.00!!!!)

 

Guys

 

Sorry...no pics....the boys shopped on their own....you will see them later. They opted for White linen shirts with khaki colored linen pants...and Mandals...(no toes showing..ugh!)

 

TO BE CONTINUED......See Part Dos!

[RollerBride]

This was too cute to read.

You're ring is gorgeous and i really lol'd that your husband thinks your cat is mexican

[AllieH]

me too!!!!! I'm so glad to read your review & planning JQ!

Originally Posted by RollerBride 

This was too cute to read.

You're ring is gorgeous and i really lol'd that your husband thinks your cat is mexican