DWandMJ

Hey ladies - Has anyone had any success (or tried for that matter) in getting a hold of a wedding coordinator at the MP prior to the 90 days? Marlyn in Miami can't answer half of my questions and I'm dying for answers! There are two other weddings taking place on the same afternoon as our wedding and I really want to reserve a specific gazebo! Marlyn told me that you must specifically have a catholic wedding to be wed in the chapel (which is my first choice but we're not catholic) and if thats true, I want the Tucan gazebo. I think I've also pissed off Miss Marlyn... Help!

Per the MP's website, outside vendors will not be permitted, however I've read about exceptions and loops holes including having the photographer be a 'guest' of yours. Did anyone have any trouble bringing their photog on grounds? Any tricks that worked in the event they give us a hard time about our 'guest' toting around camera equipment? The more I think about it, the more the idea of having the resort's photographer take pictures for only 45 minutes bothers me.

Hanna! You're awesome! I, too, am only looking at spending about $1000 for photos and the Mexican Photography link you provided looks great! Did they quote you anything? Or provide a price list?

We are combining the concept of a STD with our invitations by sending out the boarding pass invitations about six months prior because a lot of people already know when and where we're tying the knot. I never figured out how many hours were actually spent designing our invitations because a lot of the time was spent figuring out how to navigate through Adobe Photoshop. Clipart/Flashart/Quick graphics were never used, so they turned out (at least on the computer monitor) beautifully and appear to be professionally done. The design was reflective of our wedding colors and will be carried throughout our thank you cards, itineraries, and possibly our reception invitations. Because they are currently a work in progress we're looking at the following projected expenses for three boarding pass sections per 8.5"x11" page: Projected costs excluding labor: 1. 150 count package of 110 lb. white cardstock = $5.00 (only using 50) 2. Laserjet printing @ UPS Store $0.35/page (during sale), 50 invites= $20.00 3. Envelopes = $20.00 (tbd) 4. Clear labels = $10.00 5. Postage = $25.00 (tbd) Total: $80.00 Had we gone through a professional (whose concepts and overall theme were definately mimicked in the construction of our DIY) we were looking at $250 for 50 invitations which did not include postage or addressing. If we had access to a color laser jet printer free to use (which we didn't), that would save, as does handing out as many invitations as possibly instead of mailing. Good luck!

Lenchika- I'm not really stressing. I've caught myself a couple of times starting to wig out, but I step back and breathe and try to remember how much fun this is going to be.... It would be a heck of a lot more stressful planning a local wedding. I'm taking it one piece at a time and trying put my obsessive tendencies to good use. If you haven't already reserved your wedding date and time, I would (personally) do that first. That will give you more flexibility if the first date and time you want are unavailable. You can submit your request via the MP website and a sales coordinator will send you an email with a contract. After the wedding date is confirmed, then I would move forward with room reservations. From what I understand, the "Block" is only beneficial if you book 10 or more rooms. We are going with tropical sounding contemporary music for the ceremony, so we will bring a burned cd. I can't convince the FI to put out the money for a videographer. We will likely bring along our camcorder and have someone in the audience videotape it. The FI has been playing with the software that came with his camera, so he can edit and add music to the footage. If it doesn't turn out, I won't lose any sleep over it. Pictures are more my worry....

Lenchika- Welcome to the fun! We too are having a legal ceremony in CA about a week prior to the the DW and have opted for the symbolic. The sales coordinator sent me a sample of the non-denominational minister's script, and quite frankly there was nothing non-denominational about it. I've constructed a complete overhaul of the script and the coordinator has submitted it to the minister for review and hopefully approval. If/when its approved, I can send a copy to you if you're interested. From my understanding, the Moon Palace goes out of their way to be overly accommodating, regardless of the number of your guests. We're having maybe a dozen guests and I think we're going to forego reserving a block of rooms. Everyone that I know that will be attending will be booking their vacation through outside sources (Costco, Expedia, etc...) because its a bit cheaper plus its actually preferred if not everyone's rooms are within close proximity of ours. If you prefer otherwise, I would get in touch with your sales coordinator. I hope that helps at least a little. Good Luck!

Shires - Although I won't be of any help when it comes to the video, I received a response from Marlyn Toben and she stated the photographer takes pictures before, during, and after the ceremony for a total of approximately 45 minutes. Ok, so I understand that outside vendors are not allowed; however if a professional photographer just so happens to be a guest, then its fine, but they must stay as a guest at the resort for 1 night. Can someone explain why you would have to pay for the photographer's hotel room? Why can't you just purchase a day pass like you do for all of your other guests staying off-site?

Welcome aboard! You will discover, as I am, that this forum is an amazing resource of fabulous ideas and encouragement! Good luck and happy planning!

Also, what is everyone doing for their flowers? Is anyone planning on going through an outside vendor?

Has anyone gone the route/planning on going the route of renting the groom's tux/suit in Cancun or through the resort?

Thanks Rosie! I dropped a line Marlyn Toben (sales coordinator out of Miami/my contact person at this point) for her input and to request a revision to our contract. 4:30 would probably be an ideal time, but I don't think they do that. If I get any new information worth sharing, I will definately post!

We had originally scheduled a civil ceremony, however inevitably changed it to a symbolic type due the hassel and added expenses involved. For us, its just easier to make it legal at city hall back home and skip the blood tests and translations. No fear, I had done some research prior to the change in plan. ... Its a lot less trouble if neither of you have ever been married before. If this is the case, you will need to have a certified birth certificate Apostilled (assuming you're all Amercian) through the Secretary of State for your home State (it may be per the State issuing your birth certificate, if it differs). Here is a little history: Apostille Requirements Although I did not save the overview with quick-links to all of the States, here is Nevada's to give you an idea: Nevada Secretary of State: Apostille - General Information If you google "state apostille requirements", direct links come up for each state. Once you have received your Apostille document in accordance with your birth certificate, it can then be translated. I apologize that I will be of no help if the resort you're staying at doesn't offer this service. I know the Moon Palace charges $55/person's set (bride's + groom's = $110)of docs for the birth cert and apostille document, and they must be translated on site if you are to have your ceremony there. Also, the Moon Palace in Cancun requires that you be in the country/at the resort for at least 3 business days (Saturday included) prior to the ceremony. Hope this helps at least a little.

With the benefits of our Free Wedding Package through the Moon Palace, only about a dozen guests able to attend, and by doing a laid back party/reception when we return to the States instead of everything in Cancun, we’re looking at pretty controlled damage, including: Bridal Attire $550 (includes the dress, accessories, veil, shoes, undergarments) Hair/Make-up/Mani & Pedi $200 Groom’s Attire $200 Ceremony Décor $200 (Keeping it simple) Marriage License in the States (Doing a symbolic ceremony in Mexico) $50 Guest Favors/ OOT Bags $150 Wedding Dinner @ Restaurant $100 (includes tip and simple candle decorations) Flowers $300 Hotel Accomodations for 7 nights at the MP $3200 Invitations (Homemade) $100 Airfare $1700 Attendants and Parents’ Gifts $150 Photography $500 Grand Total for Wedding and Honeymoon = a conservative $7,500 My father is paying the airfare and my mother and step dad are kicking back $2,000…. Leaving us to cover about $3,000 out of pocket.

Hey girls - I need your opinion! We currently have our reservation set for 6pm. Do you believe this will be too late/too dark for decent beach photos? I would like to have sunset pictures, but the sun sets right around 6pm in April. The 5pm timeslot on the same day has already been reserved, however the 4pm is available the same day and a 5pm timeslot is available the day prior. What do I do?

So what color scheme are you ladies using? I was so set on sticking with my black,white, and green, but I think the black would be too stark and will not necessary flow with the setting. Do you guys think steel gray would be too cold for the setting?

Hey ladies! In the event that this is not posted elsewhere, below is the website for the MP on-site photographer. Palace Weedings Photography This is the route we're taking, and I think by providing samples of specific shots/style, it should turn out nicely. Enjoy!

Yea Rosie! We're kindred! Thanks for the info Unfortunately, someone has already snagged the 5pm time slot, but we'll see what we can work with. Maybe we can do our photos prior to the ceremony. If the carpet is removable, we can just as well bring a fabric aisle runner in the design/color of choice. I'm getting to be soo excited at this point. I know that I have the potential to get carried away with all of the stress and sweating the small stuff, thats why the MP will work out great. I don't think I would otherwise by able to afford a wedding coordinator and working out the logistics of set up and break down quite frankly scare me. I wanted to have a beautiful wedding that I could actually enjoy planning rather that making myself miserable over trivial details, plus we'll still be able to buy/build a house to hang the pictures in when its all over.

Greetings ladies! I'm new to the BDW forum and I'm beginning to realize that my planning is not nearly as far along as I had thought. We have our contract in for April 3, 2009 @ 6pm... which may be pushing it for my sunset pictures. We're on a budget which actually inspired us to go for the destination wedding at the MP. We flirted with the idea of a complete overhaul of the plans because absolutely no one from my FH's side will be able to attend.... not even his mother or father. However, the more we price shopped for a local event, the expenses kept adding up and the stress was mounting. His family is definately not happy with the idea, however we will be having a big potluck reception party when we return so they can at least be included in that. We've also recently submitted a request to change our free civil ceremony package to a free symbolic service and we will be making it legal back home at city hall. That way we can reduce the stress and added expense of translations, blood tests, etc, plus his parents and siblings can at least stand witness if they are unable to attend the big day. I do have a question for anyone willing... Understanding that there are multiple gazebos, do we have a choice? After looking at the 360* tour from the MP website, I almost prefer the 'religious' gazebo (unsure of actual name). I'm more fond of pews than the chairs, the lack of the large archway, and I'm not crazy about the red carpeted aisle at all. Rather than dragging on, I'll spare you guys. Thanks for your help! Kindest Regards!

Thank you all for such a warm welcome!

Thank you so much!

Greetings all! My name is Marie and we are planning our nuptuals for April 3, 2009 at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico. This website looks like it should be a tremendous help for the pretty little details and I'm excited to do some exploring!