amdecker

For a gift for the bridesmaids (and myself) I am giving everyone pedicures the day of the wedding. I really have no idea what color or design or anything. I'd love to see what others have done. I love the idea of "I do"! Very cute but I have no idea if the salon at the hotel will be able to do it. I can always ask!

I'm using both. I'm just hoping the flower petals will work out since I am having my wedding outside on the beach!

Hi everyone! I just found this thread and wanted to say hello. I only went to one bridal show, it was the Great Bridal Expo. It was a lot of fun. They had a fashion show and I brought my camera to take pictures of the dresses I liked. The next one around this area is October 10, 2009 at noon at the Hilton in Alexandria. Enjoy looking for dresses and ideas!

I understand your predicament. My initial plan was just to have a few close family members over to my sister's house to watch the wedding video. But it seems that there are going to be more people coming than we expected so we had to rent a space to have the reception. Its still going to be pretty cheap though. Of course, the decision is up to you! BBQ's are always fun and can be pretty inexpensive but if you feel you just don't have time to put something together, a 1 year anniversary is always good too. Good luck!

OK, thanks for the info. I guess I'll just see what the hotel will allow me to do. That's true, I could request a song from the DJ and do a first dance there. Nothing about this wedding is traditional so I'm just not going to worry about it. That is what will probably be going on anyway

Nicole, Just one more question. (Sorry, now that I'm less than a month away from the wedding, I want to have an idea of how the day will go). Did you do a first dance or anything? I just emailed the WC to ask her if we could play music from an iPOD dock for the guests at the cocktail reception. She told me I could only do live music on the terrace, not music from an iPOD so I may have to do the cocktail reception at a different location. I thought it would be nice to have someone announce us too when we are done taking pictures. Did you do any of that? I know another possibility is renting out the club at the Riu Cancun next door, but I just think that is too expensive since we are only having about 25 guests and it will cost around $800 for a DJ and to rent the place out. Thanks!

Ok, so I just got an email from Pamela, my WC and I'm a little worried. I was not planning on hiring anyone to do live music for the ceremony or cocktail reception. I was just going to use a CD of recorded music for the ceremony and I was hoping I could figure out a way to play songs from my iPOD for the reception. Now it seems that we can ONLY have live music if we want to have the reception on the terrace. I really wasn't planning to spend the money on a live band. The one the hotel offers is WAY too expensive. Should I try to find an outside vendor? I think it would be neat to have a mariachi band but I hadn't planned on it because it seemed expensive. I'm emailing the WC back to see what the options are, but apparently she has to ask permission from the hotel for us to hook up our iPOD and dock.

Quote: Originally Posted by stevensFiance Thanks girls! Amdecker - does the RUI in cancun require 80% of your total wedding party to stay at the rui? We looked at the one in Jamaica and the big castle one in Cabo, they both had that requirement. Yeah, they do. For me that wasn't a big deal, we only have a couple of people staying somewhere else. Unfortunately, they will have to pay the $75 fee to come to RPLA for the day of the wedding.

September 2009 bride checking in! Too bad I didn't find this thread earlier! Progress: I am still working on the OOT bags and my fiance needs to figure out what he is getting his groomsmen.I need to figure out what I am doing about video for the wedding. At this point, I am pretty sure I just want to buy a video camera, but we need to get on it so we can figure out how to use it before wedding time! Other than that, I just need to figure out how I'm going to fit everything into suitcases! We leave September 8th, 2009 so its less than a month away. So crazy!

I'm getting married at the Riu Palace Las Americas. You could check that hotel out if you are looking for some to visit. I personally have not been there, but the hotel has gotten pretty good reviews on here. Although it will depend on how many people you think you will have at your wedding, RPLA has a 50 person guest max.

I'm getting married next month, heading down the day after labor day. Yes it is hurricane season, but you never know when a hurricane could hit. For my fiance and I, this was the best time of year to have the wedding. The entire wedding party has travel insurance, so I'm just not gonna stress about it. If that time works for you, I say go for it!

Tough spot. What time is you wedding?

Quote: Originally Posted by marny61 I also understand if is a challenge picking up the sound on your own videocamera due to the wind and the ocean - a professional would make sure that you can hear/see the ceremony. Humm, good point. I really need to figure out something quickly, the wedding is only a month away!

Quote: Originally Posted by nicitronrox Hello all, ... We had our dinner at Tapas house and they treated us like kings! They broight all the flowers and my flutes and cake in there as well. The cake doesn't look yummy- but it is. My advice is to know what you want and what you DON'T want and communicate that to Pamela. I had no issues with her or anyone at the Hotel at all. It was the right choice for me.Pics can be found at Nicole Hatton's Photos - Some wedding pics | Facebook I paid 550 for the photographers (There were 2 photographers that came and took pics- they work in a team) and 72 printedpics in 2 photo albums- with the CD and copyright to all 72. Nicole, I had a quick question for you. You said you brought your own toasting flutes, did you bring the cake carving set as well? I have my own, but I was wondering if I should bring it or not because I didn't know if there would be an issue flying it down (since it is a knife). I was going to bring it in my checked luggage. One other thing, did they have speakers set up so the guests could hear what the minister was saying? I'm a little concerned because I am doing my ceremony on the beach and I have something I want to read but I want to make sure my guests can hear it. BTW, I love your pictures, I'm glad they did a good job. I hired an outside photog, but I am impressed with the resorts!

Quote: Originally Posted by michellemon Thanks for your feedback and websites. Both photographers look great. We booked the royal package with thomson and get 12 photos with that i think and was just thinking of upgrading that with RPLA photographer. So not long for you now then, Bet you extatic !!!!! I will be with just a month to go ! What setting are you planning on having on the beach ? I seen some pics on trip advisor of a couple getting married on RPLA beach and they were stood infornt of a arch with all beauriful flowers on it . It looked amazing . Is there many of you going ? Do you know what time you getting married yet? Do you have the full day planned ? Sorry about all the questions but its nice to talk to people who are/have shareing the same experience!!! and know some info. Thanks again . I am so excited! I'm still trying to get little details together. I've been debating on whether to hire a videographer or just buy a nice video camera. (Seems the price will be similar, so I'm thinking video camera). We are getting married at 5pm on the beach so I'm hoping for some sunset pictures. (Although the sun sets over the bay side I believe). Apparently, the arch is extra. I didn't know that in the beginning. I thought it was included but I do like it so I will probably pay to have it. (You pay for all that stuff when you have your meeting with the wedding coordinator). Right now I believe we have 23 people coming. So nothing very big. I did hear back that I got the place I wanted for the dinner which is at El Romero Steak House from 6:45-8:15pm. I'm hoping that we can do cocktails on the terrace after the wedding but I think that isn't decided until we get there. I'm trying to not stress out about the details because I know they plan so many weddings that it will be fine. The only thing I'm not sure of is where we will do the first dance (if at all). I am hoping to do that on the terrace and play music from my iPOD. I'll will be posting everything when I get back! Let me knowo if you have any questions!

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t35088 -has tons of info on Cancun photographers

Hi michellemon, I'm planning to get married on the beach at RPLA as well. I'm praying for no rain! You can search this forum for photographers in Cancun, there are plenty of reviews and a lot of great photographers. My photographer is Cecilia Duma. Below is her website: Wedding photography | Cecilia Dumas, Cancun y Riviera Maya | Imagenes de Bodas You can also check out Del Sol Photography Del Sol Photography Blog My advice is to have in mind how much you want to spend on photography because it can get expensive quick!

Quote: Originally Posted by Jessica&Adam So we just booked our snorkeling excursion, and we actually went through Cancun Catamarans! So far they have been great work with and I just know our guests are going to love it. Here is the main info, I sent this in an email to those guests that I figured would want to go: Thank you so much for posting this information! It sounds like a lot of fun and I'm going to see if I can get a group together!

Can anyone give me an idea of how much a videographer costs? I want to have a video of my wedding, but I am trying to decide if its better to buy a nice video camera we can use again and have people pass it around to tape the wedding OR should I just hire a videographer. I'm thinking I will need someone to tape through the ceremony, reception and dinner, so maybe 4 hours. Any suggestions? Oh and since I'm staying at the Riu Palace Las Americas in Cancun, I have to pay $100 to bring the videographer on site. So, would it just be better to buy a video camera?

very, very cute! I'm going to look for the labels today. What size are the ones on the "O SH'T" kits?

Hi everyone, I was interested in seeing some pictures of your completed OOT bags. Pictures of the bag and what you put in them. If they are already posted, a link is good too. Thanks, Amy

I'm doing OOT bags, but I really haven't decided on anything for the dinner (ie placecards). I dont want to haul to much stuff down to Mexico, I always pack heavy on trips as it is. I do like the idea of buying some things when I'm down there. I like the hot sauce idea!

I just wanted to give everyone an update. The wedding coordinator for Riu Palace Las Americas just got in touch with me. I now have Pamela. I just thought I would post some information that she sent to me in reply to a few questions I had. Sorry, its a bit long: 1.What does the "royal" decoration setup for the ceremony include? (This was the package I bought from the RIU) The wedding use to be in the gazebo or the beach. Gazebo: 2 flower arrangements with tropical flowers for the columns- the same as your bouquet (not tulips not orquids). Chairs with covers in color white and ribbon in color white (for all your guest in case to require them) Beach: 1 flower table centerpiece with tropical flowers- the same as your bouquet (not tulips or orquids). Chairs with covers in color white and ribbon in color white (for all your guest in case to require them) 2. What are the choices for flowers? Also, I know I will need to buy bouquets for the bridesmaids, boutonnieres for the groomsmen and corsages for the mothers. I'm also interested in the hair flowers. About the flowers for bride and groom: The bride´s bouquet and the groom´s boutonniere are included in the wedding package but this are only to be tropical flowers (like daisies, callas, roses, gerberas, lilies and more). If you would like a different type of flower it will have an extra charge and all flowers and colours are subject the flowers season and availability. If you would like a different flower, please let me know at your earliest convenience to verify with our florist if the flower will be in season for your wedding date and /or if it will have extra charge. However at our appointment shortly after you arrive to the hotel you will be able to see the flower catalog. If I understand correctly, do all of those need to be paid in cash? The full payment of the wedding package and the extras is done upon arrival after our meeting. The hotel accepts travel checks, visa and master card, NOT AMEX. However we recommend you to bring some cash with you. If needed close to the Hotel is an ATM machine. 3. For music, I was planning to bring my iPOD. Since my wedding is on the beach, will there be speakers or some way to play the music? During the ceremony we use a sound system to play a CD with three different songs: The 1st song is Cannon in D Major from Pachelbel is played when you are walking down to the area(altar). The 2nd song is an instrumental song and is played when your are exchanging your rings /vows. The 3rd song is the traditional marshal nuptial song when the ceremony ends. Or you can bring your own music (3 songs) recorded on a cd, just let me know the tracks and the moment that each song would be played (not mp3 format). In the restaurants is not possible to have any music. 4. When do I need to let you know which restaurant for the dinner and how many people? The Dinners offered in the Wedding Packages are non-private and they have no extra charge. The specialty restaurant of your choice will separate an area for the Wedding Group. The hotel does not offer private dinner receptions at any of the specialty restaurants. The menu is the same that each Restaurant offers everyday for dinner. RIU PALACE LAS AMERICAS/ Restaurants winter/summer schedule: Restaurant El Romero- Steak House- (á la carte) - sitting reservations only if available 6:45 or 8:45pm Restaurant Tio Pepe- Spanish- (á la carte) - sitting reservations only if available6:30 or 8:45pm Restaurant Los Arcos- Brazilian- (á la carte) - sitting reservations only if available 6:30 or 8:45pm You will be able to stay only in the 1° sitting maximum 1hr and a half and for the 2° sitting is possible to stay maximum 2hrs. For the Restaurants: If you already had chosen one, please let me know at your earliest convenience to verify the availability of the restaurant so we can make a reservation for you, I will need the total number of guests and the sitting time of your preference. Please be advised that in the restaurants is not possible to have any music or sound equipments like: microphones or speakers. The restaurants are subject to availability and capacity. At the Restaurants the decoration includes white linens on the table only and usually the decoration of the ceremony location could be used as centerpieces for the table, unless you would like more flowers it is possible however any extra flower decoration will have an extra cost In the information below you will find some detailed information for your wedding. CAKE About the cake: We have a standard cake, the Royal package includes a cake for the couple and 50 wedding guests or less. You may choose the flavor of your cake, it could be: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, marbled or cheesecake. Outside is cover with a white icing decoration of flowers If you wish to bring your own topper, you may be able to bring it, as the wedding package does not include one. You could have the main toast and the cutting of the cake right after the ceremony at the ceremony location or at the restaurant when you are having dinner, however this can be decided at our meeting shortly after you arrive to the hotel. GUEST LIST As soon as you have your total countdown of guests we will need you to send us the total number of guests with their full names and please specify under which names (lead name for room booking) are the room reservations at the hotel. PHOTOS For the pictures; the Royal package includes 12 photos and this are only taken during the ceremony, if you want to have photos taken afterwards (not available during dinner at the restaurants) you may up grade your photos at an extra cost and you may decide this once you are at the hotel at our appointment as well as the other upgrade like: flowers, video or music (subject to availability). RESERVATIONS FOR SPA & SALON For the Royal Package at the meeting we will provide you of a Gift Certificate for the included Spa services upon your arrival to the hotel after your meeting with me. Please, present the original Gift Certificate at the Spa reception in order to receive the services. Please be advised that since Renova Spa is an independent company from the hotel, you would need to contact them directly for pricing and further information. Therefore, we cordially invite you to visit their web site: Renovaspa - Beauty, Health and Spirit You can reserve online or directly at the Spa’s reception upon arrival to the hotel. For online reservations, please contact Paula Casas via email at the following address: [email protected]

OMG! Those bags are so cute!

Just curious. What size bag did everyone order? I have no idea what size I should get...