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Quote: Originally Posted by can't wait! I was wondering the same thing about the resort dj. I think (can't say for sure) someone on this forum used them and said they weren't too wowed by them. So I've started researching another dj that has gotten great reviews from other brides. They are mannia and if you do a search you will find them on here. I've actually contacted them and they are very reasonable. Plus, they offer all kinds of goodies like cold fireworks, illuminated dancefloors and special lighting. This is their email address: info@manniacancun.com.mx Thanks for the lead - I'm going to go ahead and use mannia (carlos, I think) for my reception. Will report back on mannia. FYI, for any jewish girls, he said he has hava nagila on his playlist (sp?) and a jewish mix (whatever that is, I'm not too picky). We were hoping to have the horah (traditional dance), chairs up in the air, all that, so looks like that'll be possible. Thank you!!! One task down, 327 left...

It will all come together! Love the bonfire idea - and there are many hotels that can pull that together. I'm considering that as well. Good luck!

Congrats and welcome - happy planning!

So good to start planning early! I wish I had! Enjoy the boards - a ton of info on here.

Welcome - so much great information on here, I love all the boarding pass tmeplates. Good stuff - and good luck!

Welcome - you have tons of time, so enjoy the process!

Oh my goodness! I've been gone from the boards for a while and missed this - but dang, what an amazing review - and sunbride, you looked gorgeous. I love the flower in your hair, I wonder if i could do the same with a real flower (or fake, if i can find one...). I do hope they have their own tulle by now - sounds like so many glad are inspired by your design - can't imagine how much tulle they must throw out!!

Quote: Originally Posted by chandrathebride Regarding the reception... my understanding is that unless you have over 50 people (and can therefore have a buffet) and you pick either the silver or gold package, you are required to pick 1 plate for everyone. Meaning everyone gets either meat/fish/veggie, etc. This seems really strange to me--have never heard of that. I don't need many options, but we do have a handful of vegetarians in our group. Does anyone know about this? My hubby to be thinks it will be fine to work this out with Sandra upon arrival. I am worried. I checked that with Sandra and landy during my food tasting when i visited - she said no problem on the vegetarians, just let her know in advance (which means when you get there!) I have several veggies to take care of too... and since I'm serving the filet/shrimp as the amin course, I plan on asking folks if anyone doesn't eat red meat and needs to switch out...

Did anybody use a different DJ than the one that Sandra/Landy provided? Music's important to us, and although the boy was planning on using a DJ that he liked from the Blue Parrot in Playa, he's running into some scheduling challenges. Anyone have a DJ that might even be able to MC the event (not a lot, but just announce us and stuff, announce the dance - our tango - etc.), just run the show a bit more than what I've heard the resort DJ does. Suggestions, let me know...

Quote: Originally Posted by leamil Thanks! I love the pics too.. We saved money in so many other ways and I'm so glad we decided to splurge on Vincent!! We were taking pictures during the cocktail hour but my family said it was great - per them - the Caribbean trio was really good background music that set the happy Mexican beach wedding mood, the drinks kept coming (we requested that they bring all different flavors of margaritas and they did that and more - they even recognized the father of the groom from previous nights and brought him cans of bud!!), the food was displayed on tables - they said it was a really nice display and everyone ate as soon as one person started, they said it was really tasty! Good to hear positive feedback on the Caribbean trio - still not sure what we'll do for music, but leaning that way.

The fireworks sound AMAZING! Now to see if I can, erm, borrow that idea - what a way to make the cake cutting something actually worth waiting for! (And I'm yet another queens girl - jackson heights, though I've deserted for manhattan last year. crazy, i know.)

Beautiful! I need to get crackin' on this stuff...

Quote: Originally Posted by soontobeamrs You'll be fine!! No stressing!! I may have that many people too... don't know yet. Let me know what you think of the ballroom when you get back- I'd love to see pics of it decorated. SO you are having a DJ I am assuming? What time are you entertaining until? Do they have a seperate price list for the ball room? Sorry to bombard you! Thank you for the info~ I'll absolutely send pics - Sandra and Landy promised to send me some, but haven't gotten them yet. I am having a DJ, but haven't confirmed yet... the fiance is supposed to be dealing with that one... They told me I could go as late as I like, with an extra fee (don't know what that is yet) as long as I have it in ballroom - which is one reason to have it there. No separate price list from what I saw - not sure for what? You mean to decorate it or just to book the rooms?

Quote: Originally Posted by SunBride If you go to post # 371 of this thread (page 38 ) I have added a link so you can go download my newsletter. Here is the link to that part of the thread http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...-38#post340908 Sunbride, to add to the chorus on this board, thanks so much for all your help and the wealth of info you've provided...

Quote: Originally Posted by soontobeamrs That sounds good to me... like someone else said, I could have my reception in a ballroom anywhere! Are you having music/DJ or just going to the disco? I am so excited for you!!! Long happy hour would be great! It would be neat if you could somehow engage them in their own photo session... like they'd take pics of their families, friends.... for your scrap book? You might get some hams and end up with cool photos. I don't know how you could get the word out. Just an idea... camera + cocktails + time = kickass photos? Maybe. Soontobeamrs - you asked if folks were having 50+, I'm having abt 70-80 ppl at my wedding, sounds like that shouldn't be a problem. When I visited recently there was an 80+ person wedding, the guests all enjoyed it tremendously (I asked!). That was actually the first wedding they had in the ballroom, apprently some kinks to be worked out (dance floor-wise), but all was good by the time the wedding happened. I'm having the rehearsal dinner at the seaside grill, and the wedding reception in the ballroom. I went in there when i visited, and it's a bit, well, bare, but suspect it looks good with all the tablecloths, lights, tulle to split the room, etc. Some guests at the wedding suggested adding more flowers to make it look nicer. There's a stage, which will look good for our tango (!) but perhaps a bit bare during dinner... like it needs a band? dunno... Some thoughts: the beach is rocky, The guests I talked to suggested warning people to bring water shoes. I need to get a welcome email written and sent out that includes that... ack. Also warn them that it's a trek from the airport - those guests who weren't warned weren't pleased. Those who knew expected it, so that made the ride easier. I'm telling folks who can afford it to book a private shuttle...maybe I should try to organize something, but not sure yet. So much to do! I also want to arrange a trip to the ruins for the guests on friday day - if anyone's done that, let me know. (tour guide, van company, etc.) Some of the guests for the other wedding barely knew the ruins were there, and since the resport no longer does the bike trips to the ruins b/c of the construction on the road I'd like to get my guests over to see them. If anyone out there has any email/welcome note/anything they used do pm it over! Would be good to see what others have used. Ok, I should get going here... scary how much I haven't done yet.

And congrats to you, phalstead! My wedding's going to be at 6 at the gazebo by the seaside grill, feel free to come by and visit! PM me if you'd like any more details or to coordinate meeting up! Will be great to meet another bdw bride in person. And I can't believe it's coming up so soon - we are, of course, woefully unprepared...

Bonfire on the beach is a GREAT idea. Wonder if that could be done as a pre-wedding event as well (instead of formal rehearsal dinner...) Hmmm.... SO glad you all thought of these questions! Did anyone end up having the fire dancers yet?? And have folks gone straight from ceremony to reception or did anyone do a cocktail hour on the beach? Sunbride, I know you left today - hope you're having an AMAZING time - I'm sure you are.

Quote: Originally Posted by can't wait! I got my reception extended to 11:00pm but that's all Sandra would budge. The reason being is my reception will be at the Seaside Grill and there are guest rooms not too far from there. Sandra says it is hotel policy to end everything at 10:30 in consideration of the other guests who may want to try and get some sleep. But, if you're reception is in the new ballroom, I don't see why you would have to end it so soon. I think one of the reasons for building a ballroom is to have more private ceremonies. And it won't be close to any rooms so I think it would be okay to keep the party going until later. here's hoping! I can't see ending the party at 10:30 since I'm doing the wedding at 6:30 (the time they suggested...) But glad to hear that you at least got till 11:00... and hope that the new space lets me have it later (although i do feel for the fact that sandra will have been at work since the wee hours - but perhaps she can go home and rest while we dance??) Can't wait to hear a review of someone who had their wedding in the new building... Or else I guess we continue the party somewhere else... Ah, the fun details of this... who knew there was this much to do? Oy.

Quote: Originally Posted by DreamsTulumBride Groups over 20 people will have to eat at the convention center and party all night there (well...until 10:30 pm !). Is this still confusing? It's the same as having a private reception in one of their restaurant but is a big reception hall with many private rooms (big and small). Uh, should i interpret your quote below to mean that all wedding festivities have to be wrapped yp by 10:30 pm?!? Given that my wedding is currently scheduled for 6:30 , that sounds a bit early to me! (I was assuming that in june, since sun sets at 7:30, doing it at 6:30 would have me getting married round sunset - anyone know if that's a reasonable assumption? And yes, plan on doing my photos earlier). But I'm hoping that there's at least somewhere else to go on proerty if the party actually has to end at 10:30! Ack - another thingk i didn't think of yet...

Gorgeous - just had to chime in. I'm wearing one similar, but much simpler... are you waering a mantilla veil? Just starting to think about that...

Yes, thanks for the honesty - so that those of us who follow in your footsteps know what to look out for! Appreciate the honesty - and it sounds beautiful anyway. Just a good reminder for us that the little things aren't make or break...

My god, thank you for our review! So helpful, and appreciate your sharing your expereince for all of us just starting out...

I think I think I think (read: hope) that I'll be getting married at Dreams Tulum on June 14, 2008 - all due to Tammy working some sort of magic and getting me a date when I'd originally heard they didn't have any left (thank you!)... So... crossing fingers that everything works out and it's confirmed. So that's Ellie and Ari, June 14, 2008. Whee! First time in print!

so cute! How did you do the photobooth pics/magnets? Is there a link? (Just curious - I would NEVER get organized enough to do something like that. Wildly impressed)

Curious - what kinds of promotions do you think you're missing out on? And how would you recommend booking? Trying to figure out the best plan... Thx for your help!