briscoecrown

Quote: Originally Posted by TriciaD315 Yes, thank god we all have one another to vent to cause this news has really been bringing me down. My wedding is next month on June 14 so I'm hoping by then that everything dies down and that this flu is contained. Ugh, I'm sick to my stomach thinking about it though, and here I was getting all excited that my big day is almost here and now this happens!! Good luck to the girls who's weddings are right around the corner!! Keep your head up!! I TOTALLY FEEL YOU!!! This weekend I finished decorating my raffia fans and started my favors... I felt great!!! I was getting excited and felt like I accomplished a lot. Things were finally coming together and I could see a little light at the end of the planning tunnel. This just took the wind out of my sails!

Quote: Originally Posted by PhillyBride09 **Sigh** I am so sick and tired of the news and all of the Drama!! First it was with the crime and now this!! I don't want to put my guests in danger, however...I can only explain so much that everything will be ok. All I can hope is that by the time June comes, Everything will have died down with this stupid Virus!! UGHHHHH It makes me so made when they start saying, "Don't travel to Mexico" I know it's only a matter of time before I get panicky e-mails. Dr. Oz was on GMA this AM and he said they should know more about the Virus in a week or so..Like if it's really Serious & Severe or if it will just fizzle out. I am hoping it Fizzles and Fast!!! DOUBLE SIGH!! I couldn't agree with you more. I'm just trying to remind myself that it's completely out of my control and there's nothing I can about it (besides take extra precaution when we travel).

Thanks for sharing your pics, Kristin!!!!! Truly appreciated. You guys looked like you had a great time.... just beautiful. Congrats again. Your MOH's dress.... JCrew -- the Juliett, right? I'm a recovering shopping addict. :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 Carla - I am dyyyyyyyyyyyyying to read your review, I know you're busy but I am so stoked hehe. DITTO!!!!! I'm dying with anticipation.

Quote: Originally Posted by dbellie1414 Hey Ladies! So I'm getting close only 20 days left and I am in desperate need to find my something 'borrowed'. I have searched all the forums and read all the posts but I have always found ya'll to be the most helpful (and yes I know this has nothing to do with the iberostar post) but you are a great group and was hoping you can give a desperate bride some ideas?!?! So what are ya'll doing for your something borrowed? Here are a few more items you can borrow... toasting flutes (if not personalized), silverware to cut the cake, a book from the library to read a poem/scripture from or if your mom/sister/aunt still has their garter

Quote: Originally Posted by dbellie1414 Hey Ladies! So I'm getting close only 20 days left and I am in desperate need to find my something 'borrowed'. I have searched all the forums and read all the posts but I have always found ya'll to be the most helpful (and yes I know this has nothing to do with the iberostar post) but you are a great group and was hoping you can give a desperate bride some ideas?!?! So what are ya'll doing for your something borrowed? Hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm... something borrowed.... I suppose there's the traditional/typical stuff... jewelry (earrings, bracelet, ring, etc), a viel, hair accessories, maybe a clutch... sorry, my creative juices aren't flowing this morning. Iberostar09 -- Nice suggestion.

Quote: Originally Posted by akbeach Do you guys know what time night passes start? If the ceremony is at 4:00 pm, would guests coming onto the resort pay for day or night fees? I couldn't find this on the Iberostar site on in the info the coordinators sent me. Thanks! I'm sure it's probably different (because it would be too easy if it was the same), BUT the WC at the Lindo/Maya quoted $100 for an adult pass ($50 for children under 12). Guests are allowed to arrive 2 hours before the ceremony and can stay until 11pm or until the reception is over (whichever is later).

Sorry for the double posting... I have no idea why that happened (as if my first post wasn't long enough) LOL

Hi Ladies!!! I stumbled upon this thread over the weekend and have spent the last day & a half reading EVERY post (even the older thread)!!! Needless to say, I haven't done any work today! Everyone has been going straight to voicemail! LOL First & foremost, thanks for all the comments & pics!!! I can't say how thrilled I am to know that I'm not the only one faced with this issue. You guys have some wonderful ideas & lots of knowledge. I've worn my hair (relaxed) just pass my shoulders for about 5 years. Naturally, I got bored with it because there's but so many styles you can do... ponytails, drop curls, double twists, wrap, etc. I cut it into a bob last year for a change and now I wish I had the length (sigh). I'm in that 'in between' phase. It's not short & it's not long. It's just sorta there. lol Right now, I have cornrows because I just couldn't handle doing my hair while working out regularly. 1 day in the gym and my hair looked like I never got it done (but, that's another topic in itself) !!! I usually get cornrows for tropical/beach vacations... so, in just about EVERY vacation pic, I have braids.... braided to the side, braided at an angle, braided into an updo... you get the point. I refuse to do braids for my wedding. I've been having long conversations with my stylist (she's probably so sick of me) about my hair options for the past 6 months. She actually was going to attend the wedding, BUT her son's HS graduation is the same weekend (good for him, bad for me!). HA! We've narrowed it down to a full head sewn in weave with wet & wavy hair. I've never done a full head, just a couple of tracks here & there to get the 'full' look for special occasions. Something for other brides to consider, my stylist suggested to carry a bun with me. She would 'create' it here and I could add it the day of the ceremony. All I would have to do is wash, pull my hair back & had some hair jewelry. There are just SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many options!!! This thread is definitely proof of that. You guys really got me thinking long & hard about my decision. I have to be honest with myself.... 1. I have every intention of hitting the water the moment I arrive. 2. I arrive 4 days before the ceremony, so styling it before with hopes of it lasting til my wedding day is not going to happen. 3. I'm lazy!!!! LOL I don't want to be bothered with styling my hair every day (hats off to you ladies who have the skill to pull it off). I literally just want to get up & go. BTW, I love the Nia Long pic... that's exactly what I had in mind. I've actually been looking for a similar magazine pic that I can take with me so that I can show the stylist at the salon. DivaDivine - we have the same wedding date. It's crunch time. Gotta make a decision soon!

Hi Ladies!!! I stumbled upon this thread over the weekend and have spent the last day & a half reading EVERY post (even the older thread)!!! Needless to say, I haven't done any work today! Everyone has been going straight to voicemail! LOL First & foremost, thanks for all the comments & pics!!! I can't say how thrilled I am to know that I'm not the only one faced with this issue. You guys have some wonderful ideas & lots of knowledge. I've worn my hair (relaxed) just pass my shoulders for about 5 years. Naturally, I got bored with it because there's but so many styles you can do... ponytails, drop curls, double twists, wrap, etc. I cut it into a bob last year for a change and now I wish I had the length (sigh). I'm in that 'in between' phase. It's not short & it's not long. It's just sorta there. lol Right now, I have cornrows because I just couldn't handle doing my hair while working out regularly. 1 day in the gym and my hair looked like I never got it done (but, that's another topic in itself) !!! I usually get cornrows for tropical/beach vacations... so, in just about EVERY vacation pic, I have braids.... braided to the side, braided at an angle, braided into an updo... you get the point. I refuse to do braids for my wedding. I've been having long conversations with my stylist (she's probably so sick of me) about my hair options for the past 6 months. She actually was going to attend the wedding, BUT her son's HS graduation is the same weekend (good for him, bad for me!). HA! We've narrowed it down to a full head sewn in weave with wet & wavy hair. I've never done a full head, just a couple of tracks here & there to get the 'full' look for special occasions. Something for other brides to consider, my stylist suggested to carry a bun with me. She would 'create' it here and I could add it the day of the ceremony. All I would have to do is wash, pull my hair back & had some hair jewelry. There are just SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many options!!! This thread is definitely proof of that. You guys really got me thinking long & hard about my decision. I have to be honest with myself.... 1. I have every intention of hitting the water the moment I arrive. 2. I arrive 4 days before the ceremony, so styling it before with hopes of it lasting til my wedding day is not going to happen. 3. I'm lazy!!!! LOL I don't want to be bothered with styling my hair every day (hats off to you ladies who have the skill to pull it off). I literally just want to get up & go. BTW, I love the Nia Long pic... that's exactly what I had in mind. I've actually been looking for a similar magazine pic that I can take with me so that I can show the stylist at the salon. DivaDivine - we have the same wedding date. It's crunch time. Gotta make a decision soon!

Quote: Originally Posted by jwalkowiak HI BBtoB- I'm from Colorado as well! I hope we don't get the snow tonight- I'm leaving in the morning for our wedding. Soooooooo excited. I'll write a detailed reveiw for everyone when I get back. Cheers! Best of luck & safe travels!!!! Enjoy your wedding day!

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryan's girl Did they seriously tell you that the Spanish translation is needed? All I can say is that we showed up with the long version of our birth certificates in English at our meeting, Toni took them and photocopied them and gave them back to us. Nothing was ever said about having translated copies and we had no issues with having a legal ceremony. I just don't get it and am so frustrated by this entire issue with the resort. Have you been dealing with Toni or Lily I specifically asked about the Spanish translation on Wednesday and Lily responded within a few hours saying it was necessary. My question was VERY direct and I even wrote in the subject line "Civil/Legal Ceremony Documents- Spanish Translation for Birth Certificates." In addition, I made it a point not to ask about anything else in my email just to avoid any confusion. I've been dealing with Toni mostly. She's been great with getting me information and addressing my concerns. Every once in a while, I would receive a response from Lily. FI & I have been discussing this all week... we're leaning towards just rolling the dice & taking our chances without the Spanish translation. I already have the Apostille & our certified/notorized birth certificates. I seriously do not want to jump through any unnecessary hoops. My father speaks fluent Spanish so I may have him call one day just to hear what the WCs have to say.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryan's girl Briscoecrown-the judge who performed our ceremony was awesome. Her english was great and she had a really good sense of humor. She did read what is required of her, but she added some of her own humor into it. She did give us the opportunity to say our own vows, which we hadn't prepared, so she went ahead with the traditional "in sickness and in health...". The ceremony was short and sweet. As far as I know from my communication with Toni, you can choose to add your own things to the ceremony, but the judge cannot perform any of them for you. You do not have to pay the $350 fee for the minister. We had my nephew read our sand ceremony, and Toni asked us if we would like to have it done before the judge announced us husband and wife or after the judge had finished. I wonder if she is just confusing your question with having the judge perform other things for you? I think that we have the wording that the judge used for our legal ceremony. I'll take a look tomorrow and post it if we do! I hope this helps! This definitely helps!! I'm thinking of having my sister and FI's brother read a scripture, poem or something to make the ceremony a little more personal. $350 for a minister was not even a thought! & after reading your comments, we're sticking with the judge!! Ryan's Girl, Paraisobeachbride --- Thanks so much for the feedback about the ceremony.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryan's girl This was the most confusing and frustrating part of the entire process of getting married in Mexico. We were told (time and time again) that we needed to order the long version of our birth certificates, have them translated into Spanish, and notarized and authenticated to have a legal ceremony at the Lindo. I had a friend that was getting married at the Del Mar a month before our wedding and she didn't need to get any of that stuff for her legal wedding. They just kept telling me that the different resorts within the Iberostar complex had different requirements. Whatever. So we went ahead, ordered our long version birth certificates, had an official translator to translate them into Spanish, had a lawyer notarize them before sending them off to the Foreign Affairs and the Mexican Consulate with a $200 money order to have them legalized and authenticated. When we hadn't received our documents a week before we were leaving we contacted foreign affairs to find out why they hadn't come. As it turns out, Foreign Affairs LOST our documents (original birth certs, translated copies, letter from laywer...everything). So needless to say, we were pretty much screwed for getting all of the stuff in time and at this point had wasted almost $500 in the process. With other stuff to worry about, FI and I both decided that we weren't going to stress about it, that we were going to go have the wedding of our dreams even if it meant having a blessing ceremony and getting legally married when we got home (having a legal ceremony was very important to me). After all of that, it turns out that those documents are no longer needed. All that was required of us for a legal wedding were our birth certificates. So I guess to answer your question (and I must apologize for the long rant...can you tell that I am a little bitter?), you DO NOT need to have a Spanish translation or an apostille. OMG!!!!! I am floored by your experience. UN - FREAKIN - BELIEVABLE!!! I can't even begin to imagine the thoughts running through your mind. Needless to say, I'm glad it worked out for you guys. Right up until yesterday, the WC said Spanish translation is needed. They really need to get it together. Valuable time & money is spent going through this process. This makes absolutely no sense! I don't know if the WCs realize the red tape & running around involved to obtain these documents. Well, you've put my mind at ease.... THANK YOU.

Quote: Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 briscoecrown - damn, extra work for you I guess but at least you know you will have everything...good luck!! Thanks, I'll need lots of luck!!!! & I'm making room in my luggae for the kitchen sink !!! HA!!

Quote: Originally Posted by kimrae99 Thanks briscoecrown! It's so nice to have some support on other brides going through the same thing. I emailed the WC and I will let you know what she says. I just received a response from the Maya/Lindo WC regarding the documents for the civil/legal ceremony. She sent the exact same documentation that's in the wedding package.... Passports, Tourist cards and BIRTH CERTIFICATES translated into Spanish by an official translator attached with an “Apostilleâ€. Looks like I have to get started on finding an official translator! BTW, Lily Perez is now responding. I haven't received anything from Antonieta lately.

Quote: Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 $350 just to include your own ceremony seems like a money grab to me...that makes me so irritated! Like they're not making enough money on your wedding as it is?!? Sheesh! That's another one of my peeves... the FEES!! There are fees for everything!!! Anytime I ask a question I prepare myself for the fee associated with the answer. It's a shame. Quite honestly, I think they should throw-in some extras for the amount of business a wedding brings to the resort. They can even set-up a system based on the amount of guests or rooms booked. But who am I?!?!? LOL BTW, I've done absolutely NO WORK today!!! This site is addictive!!

Pariasobeachbride2009 --- FANTASTIC!!! THANKS SO MUCH for posting this again!!!! At this point, it's too late for me to switch to a blessing ceremony. The trip is already booked (4 day early arrival) and we preferred to have only 1 wedding day. I definitely agree with you.. this is a stress point! Part of me feels like having every possible document available... Apostille, translations, birth certificates, passports, SS card, work ID, HS diploma, first grade report card (lol)... just to be on the safe side. I would be HEATED if we get down there and there's some 'last minute' change to the requirements.

Paraisobeachbride2009---- Were you completely satisfied with the wording the judge used for your ceremony? Did it sound 'legal'? Or did it have a love feel? Did it have any traditional stuff... i.e. 'to have & to hold'... 'you may kiss your bride'? I'm really trying to get an idea of what to expect. I asked the WC if we could add anything to the ceremony and here's the response I received. "Appreciating the time you spend to be in contact with us I regret to inform you that the judge can no read special vows in the ceremony because the government provides to the judge specific wording to performance the wedding ceremony and that information is confidential. In case you would like to have an additional ceremony with a minister I would like to inform you that you can pay for a minister $350 usd and include both ceremonies in your wedding date. The advantage of the minister is that you can have your own votes or change some wording in the ceremony." Right now, the last thing I want to do is pay another fee. Besides, the idea of us going through two seperate ceremonies performed by two different officiants doesn't sound too appealing. Not to mention, having my guests sweating in the sun. Any thoughts? I appreciate any feedback.

Quote: Originally Posted by kimrae99 Jwalkowiak and LindoBride2009 - Welcome back!! I can't wait to read your reviews. I have a question for either of you or ParaisoBeachBride2009. My FI and I are having the civil / legal ceremony and are wanting confirmation of the legal documents that are required. Intially, the WC said they need a Spanish translation of birth certificates with an Apostille, but now she says they no longer need an Apostille. Could you please help me with whether or not any Spanish translations are required? I apologize if this has been discussed previously. I couldn't find it : ) Plus the rules have apparently changed recently. Thank you! Kimrae99 - we're on the same page! I was up late last night searching the threads about the civil/legal ceremony and was slowly getting frustrated. I already obtained the Apostille and was about to start the translation process. I intend to email the WC today to get the scoop. We can compare responses. Paraisobeachbride - Thanks for your feedback. I find it so strange that both resorts would have different requirements considering they're located on the same property -- go figure!

When I hit the 3 month mark, I sent the WC an email to start the communication. It was very basic and straight forward with my wedding date, arrival date & ceremony location. I just introduced myself and waited for a response. Even though I had tons of questions, I didn't want to overwhelm them with my initial email (that came about a week later! LOL )

Hey Carla!!!! Glad you made it back safely... can't wait to see your review & pics!

Hey Kristin!! WELCOME BACK!!!!!! Can't wait to read your review & see your pics. CONGRATS!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by jomia32 HELP! HELP! LOTS OF HELP! Congratulations everyone on your engagement/upcoming wedding/marriage. I'm planning to marry at the Lindo next January and am drowning in questions and anxiety. We somehow ended up inviting almost 90 people and expect about 60 to make it so far. A) I'm worried about the reception. I figure, when we get a better idea of how many guests to expect, we can make a firm decision about reception sites. But, if 50+ people do show up, what are our options for dining? It looks like the Disco and Convention Center are our only options for a reception party. I gathered that the Disco seems cheezy, but the Convention Center has a crappy sound system and no bathrooms inside? Is that right? Then should I look for dj's who have an extensive collection of audio equipment? 'Cause I was kinda hoping to just use an iPod Mix. C) Lastly, until a decision has been reached, I'm wondering what our paper invitations should say about the reception? How should I word it? "Reception to follow at the Lindo resort but we don't know where yet"? Hi Jomia32! Welcome aboard & congrats! I'm getting married at the Maya in June. I have over 50 people attending too so I understand your concerns. A) Your dining options are the same. You can choose any restaurant to have your wedding dinner. The WCs haven't indicated any restrictions when it comes to selecting a restaurant. If you have 70+ guests, you can have a private dinner & reception combined in the convention center. However, you have to pay per person and the rate starts at approx $50 per plate (depending on your menu selection). The Disco & Convention Center are your options for a reception party with more than 40 guests. However, when I inquired about a lounge set-up, I was advised we could have an outdoor reception in one of the courtyards. As far as the DJ equipment, the WC said we could rent the equipment from a vendor without the DJ and use our own CDs/IPOD. I haven't heard about the bathroom situation.... seems kinda odd not to have one available for a large gathering. C) I would suggest keeping the invitations as general as possible. Maybe something like "Dinner and Reception to immediately follow." I'm sure some of the other brides will chime in. Happy planning!

Thanks for the link to your review. Even though our wedding will be at the Maya, I'm DEFINITELY looking forward to our honeymoon at the Grand.