New: Planning Summer 2013 from Calgary

[MyTye2B]

Hi Sabrina,

 

Wow you're going to have quite the group!!  I looked at the Barcelo Maya resorts and it was on the top of my list!  We did actually just secure a date of August 19th, 2013 at Grand Palladium White Sand!  I am so excited!!  Like you, one of the main reasons that we decided on the Mayan Riviera was the direct flight option.  My fiance's family is all out west and mine is in Ontario, so to be fair to the western folks we wanted somewhere that we wouldn't waste too much time getting to!.  I have sort of started setting up a website through The Knot, but I don't know very many details yet so I haven't distributed it to my friends and family.  I will definitely check out Wedding Wire as well.  I debated on a Travel Agent but now I do think we're going to go with one - one who a friend has used for years and years and I've been in contact with her this past week and she's really great with communication.  She is based out of LaSalle, Ontario but it doesn't seem to be a problem at all with phone and email communication. 

 

I tried on dresses at Beautiful Bride, that's the only one I've been to so far.  They were really nice with me.  I have an appointment at The Bridal Centre tomorrow.   What is the 'wedding passport' that you're mentioning?  I did see a dress that I fell in love with at Beautiful Bride but I want to give myself a bit of time to make absolutely sure before I spend that kind of money, haha!

 

My next step is save the dates.  I thought I'd do them myself but I've realized I'm just not crafty enough, nor do I have enough time.  I will probably end up ordering some boarding pass save the dates but even choosing things like colours and paper material has me going nuts haha!!

 

Keep me posted on how you're doing.    Thanks for all of the advice!  I really appreciate it. 

[jolene028]

Lauren

 

I didnt think that I was going to stress about who was coming and who wasnt... sounds corny but I am ok with it just being the two of us! I think the thing that stresses me out is that if you can't come then just tell us that you cant come, dont say oh yeah we are trying to get there to do the deposit, or other variations just do it or dont but let me know either way! LOL as for numbers for planning I think that I am going to wait until the deposit date has come and gone and then I will take that number and add 10 to be on the safe side.

 

I honestly thought that it would be my mom and me going to get the dress but then there wound up being 6 of us! It was actually a fun day! Have you gone back?? Anymore info on resorts and flights?

 

I should be making a list but I am afraid that it will be so long... So I am taking a mini break and will get at it in the New Year (or at least thats what I am telling myself)

 

Sabina, I used mywedding to make our website, good call I forgot that I did it! I also went to Beautifal Bride (appointment) The one dress I loved was about 1000 over my budget (why ask if you arent going to respect it) I also walked in at Blissful Bride the lady there was great! I wound up buying my dress at Jessica's Bridal they were wonderful and super helpful!

[MyTye2B]

Hi Jolene,

 

Totally get what you're saying about the 'if you can't come just tell us' thing.  We're not quite at that point yet, but I can see it happening, and I have heard that a lot from other brides.  I guess I'll need to make peace with the fact that it will probably happen, lol.  Very smart to add the 10 at the end! 

 

I have not been back to Beautiful Bride, but I think honestly I fell in love with that dress.    I'm going to try to get home for Christmas (no confirmed tickets and flying standby is a gamble but I'll make it happen) so I can look with my mom out in Ontario.  If I am not able to make it home my mom has said she'll fly out here the first week in January so we can look.   

 

Your day of dress shopping with everyone sounds wonderful.  I went with a bunch of us and my cousin when she was engaged and it was an awesome day.  I forget where we were but I remember the woman being kind of a b&^%* saying that there were too many cooks in the kitchen (and maybe there were haha) but my cousin appreciated all of the help.  I'm like that too though, the more the merrier.  I'm appreciative of opinions, but I always end up trusting myself and my gut. 

 

I will have to check out Jessica's Bridal.  Is that on MacLeod?  I think I went in there before to try on some bridesmaid dresses and if it's the place I am thinking of they were definitely nice.  I think working in a bridal shop would be a lot of fun!  Except for the Bridezilla's of course, lol!

 

I did go to Bridal Centre on Monday but I hated everything I tried on.  Totally different experience than at Beautiful Bride.  It wasn't the people - they were great - I just didn't like anything.  Another thing I didn't like was that they are the ones who pull the dresses for you.  I like to be able to go look around and choose what I'm attracted to.  I didn't like any of the things she was pulling, and I kept asking for lace, but she said there was only one and it wasn't in my price range - but then on the way out I passed a whole rack of lace dresses and they were all but one within my limit!  The problem was that I am hippy and the size 12's I was trying were just fitting, not really and a lot of the lace dresses were size 8 or 10 so I left kind of feeling like they didn't want me to try them on since they wouldn't fit.  That's a whole other rant altogether!  Lucky people who are a size 0 haha.  I love my size (for the most part) but it's frustrating not to get to try certain styles because the samples are too small. 

 

As for flights/resorts and prices, I did hear back from our travel agent today and she got group rates back for our dates.  They were great prices!  Between $1240 and $1375 depending on whether leaving from YYC or YYZ for a week!  That included transfers to and from the resort so I was really impressed.  I was facilitating today at work so I didn't access my email until after hours, but I do have some questions about how that all works.  She mentioned needing names and deposits to secure the group rates but didn't mention a time frame, so I've emailed back to see if we would have to do that all at once.  Since we haven't even sent out the Save the Dates yet haha, I certainly can't put down a deposit for a bunch of people who I can't guarantee are coming.  If we don't get the group rates and people book individually I think it will end up being $100 more per person.  But I'll have to wait and see what she says. 

 

I think you're smart to take a mini break!  I think now that I've decided on the major thing - the resort and that's confirmed - a lot can wait.  I heard back from Vanessa again and I am so happy that many of the requests I've asked about don't cost extra and the things that do won't be too much more.  They seem very accommodating.  But I think I'll also take a mini break after figuring out how these group rates work.  Let's enjoy the holidays haha.  You have plenty of time and like everyone says, I think things will fall together.  I'm type-A about certain things and really chill about others (I don't care at all about flowers, but the chairs I'm worried about lol) so when it comes time for those details I'll stress but for now I'll relax. 

[jolene028]

Lauren

 

Oh that would be awesome to get to have your mom involved I know that my mom is my rock and not sure I could do that sort of stuff without her, I will keep my fingers crossed that you make it home, although you sound a lot like me, and in the case if I want something there really is no holding me back!

 

Yes Jessica's Bridal is on McLeod just north of Chinook. They seriously rocked, I had a picture of the dress that I liked but it wasnt exactly what I wanted and with the picture and my so so discription of how I wanted mine different she pulled 3 dresses and one was the one! It worked our perfectly!

 

I went to a place I can't remember what it was called it was just off Blackfoot, but simallar experience with the I hated everything she pulled I dont think that she got my vision, I am getting married on the beach, but I think that "destination" wedding dresses look like moo moo's so I want a light airy "princess" dress, this woman put me in a 160 pound satin dress with the worlds longest train... dont get me wrong if you were doing a church wedding here at home this dress would be perfect but are you deaf what part of beach wedding didnt you get?? LOL we just laughed about that, and we did Davids Bridal, skip that too it was annoying, they are in the room dressing you and they make you wear this stuff under the dresses, like a hoop skirt that makes the dress look different and you would have to buy this stuff too and they are really expensive, she also didnt get my vision and would only ask what I hated about the dresses not what I liked... oh well I guess all part of the experience.

 

I dont know which provider you TA quoted but I know with our package, Troy and I had to put down a $300 deposit ($150 pp) and that held 30 seats for 90 days at the quoted price, and then once that was done our guests have until 60 days before travel to pay in full! I have actually let this go, I will send out a Facebook reminder when the last day is closer but I can't and won't babysit these people we are all adults!!! PS your price is awesome, sort of makes me wish that we pulled a summer date! Oh well no going back!

 

And I would say get your STD out and then relax for a bit, there isnt much more you can do until people start paying deposits and you have a rough (very rough) idea of how many people you are having!

[mairelys]

I really suggest going to WedStudio on 17th Avenue!
It's a free wedding planning store and it's amazing. The staff are super helpful, and did I mention it's free? 
haha The only downside is I've found they're a little slow to respond. I went in in August and there were apparently some e-mail troubles..after trying a few times to contact them we only went in for an appointment last Sunday (although I really let it go as our date is so far out, I'm not in a rush). And we still haven't heard back. But I'm sure they'd be quicker with someone in more of a hurry. 

It's even just worth it to go in and have a look even if you don't go with them - they gave me like 10 free wedding magazines just for stopping by. 

Good luck with the planning!

[mairelys]

For passport invites, they had really nice ones on display at WedStudio. I was considering doing them. Here's the site: http://www.gottheinvite.com/deposit-tropical-i-themed-passport-invitation-suite/

[mairelys]

Oops - hit enter too early. 
I actually wrote out a longer reply, but it's awaiting moderation? Not sure why these two are going through.. sorry for the confusion, but I assume another response from me will show up in a bit?
Also unsure how to edit entries.. :S

I got my dress at Jessica's Bridal, yes it is on McLeod. The display outside is crazy, we actually went in as a joke. And ended up buying a dress!

[MyTye2B]

Hi Jolene,

 

Sorry I took so long I've been SO sick the last few days.  I think I need to sleep more and think about the wedding less, haha.  I had to laugh at your experience at the Blackfoot place.  I just kept picturing this giant gown collecting the sand haha!!  I will try Jessica's.  I am a sucker for good guest experience stories and maybe I'll find something.  I still keep thinking back to that original one though, but I'm holding off until my mom can get out here.  I haven't gone anywhere else since that last not so good experience. 

 

Our guest list just keeps growing - my mom keeps remembering people who invited us to their wedding or their children's wedding so we should invite them as well.  I honestly don't think they'll all come (at least I sure as heck hope not!) but I do think it will end up a little larger than we had initialy planned.  We are going to have a couple of very small (backyard BBQ type) receptions in both Alberta and Ontario in the month after the wedding.  Of course I imagine people will keep saying they'll come etc. until close to the due date.  I am going to tell people we need definite numbers by 2 months prior but I don't think the resort actually needs it until a bit closer. 

 

The TA that we're using is wonderful so far.  She's in Windsor where I'm from and I have a good history with her.  She got group rates through WestJet which can change after 10 days until we book.  The price is crazy good right now so hopefully we'll at least get the families booked at that good price.  If others hold off for now that's ok too, they can be renegotiated.  I figure no one will book until they get the save the dates obviously and since I had to call and order more (lol!) they will still be another week until I receive them.  My fiance and I booked our flights through WestJet and our room separately.  We're all squared up though - now it is just all the rest of the guests!  I kind of like how your TA did things and that sounds typical of most TA's.  I don't like not being able to give people an exact number but I do trust that she'll give them the best deal she can get. 

 

Well I will be back and forth but I have to go to Vancouver for work for the week next week and then hopefully getting home for Christmas so not sure how much time I'll have to dedicate to all of my plans until after Christmas.  I am so thankful for this site and the people who are willing to share their information.  Thanks for letting me talk this all through with you!

[MyTye2B]

Originally Posted by mairelys 

 

I really suggest going to WedStudio on 17th Avenue!

It's a free wedding planning store and it's amazing. The staff are super helpful, and did I mention it's free? 

haha The only downside is I've found they're a little slow to respond. I went in in August and there were apparently some e-mail troubles..after trying a few times to contact them we only went in for an appointment last Sunday (although I really let it go as our date is so far out, I'm not in a rush). And we still haven't heard back. But I'm sure they'd be quicker with someone in more of a hurry. 

It's even just worth it to go in and have a look even if you don't go with them - they gave me like 10 free wedding magazines just for stopping by. 

 

Good luck with the planning!

Hi Mairelys!

 

I have heard of WedStudio on 17th!  I've never been there but whenever I drive by I want to go in.  Guess I have a reason to now, haha!!  It's such a pain to park down there but I'll have to drag someone along with me.  Haha - I think it will be like Pinterest in a store - so many good ideas!  What kind of stuff did you go though at your appointment?  I'm just wondering what they help you out with.  Thanks for the advice!

 

Any ideas on where you'll be holding your wedding yet?

 

Lauren

[jolene028]

I hope that you are feeling better, I know that there were some people in my office that were really sick last week and this week, knock on wood I haven't gotten it and I hope that I dont, I dont do sick very well (althoug does anyone).

 

You will have to let me know how things go with your mom and if the dress is still the dress when she sees it... funny how just having one person agree with you makes it that much more "real".

 

As for Christmas I havent even started LOL I am big time wait until the last minute kind of person, why do today what you can put off tomorrow, I was hoping with age that this would get better, but it may actually be getting worse! I plan to do it all in one day next week (maybe)

 

I agree this website is great, there are so many ideas and here I didnt realize how many people actually do a destination wedding! And no problem with the help glad to have someone that knows exactly what it is that we are going through and doing!

 

Have a great Christmas if we dont talk before then!