dbellie1414

Quote: Originally Posted by andim Hello all! I've been trying to figure this out and you all seem to be much more helpful than my TA or resort WC so maybe you can help! We are wanting to get married at the Iberostar grand, we met with someone at the hotel while we were there and she said kids could come to the wedding and to the reception but only if we rented out La Brisa and had the wedding on the beach. Has anyone done this? I seem to hear from everyone that they told them NO kids so I'm confused! Quote: Originally Posted by jpitts78 This is want was sent to me via email before: Dear Claudia Grand Paraiso is for grown up exclusive not kids allowed. The only option is rent la brisa for a private reception Please find the attached info Restaurant La Brisa (4 hours rental from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm) for groups composed by 30 people or more La Brisa restaurant rental (does not include meal) US$ 1000 DJ (to be paid in cash) US$ 280 Per person (includes dinner and drinks) US$ 50 p/p Important: The above prices are subject to change without notice.Exchange Rate: 1 USD is approximately 10 Mexican Pesos. If you need furher information, please, do not hesitate to contact us once again, we will be more than glad to assist you. Sincerely yours, Martha Rivas Cordinadora de bodas Wedding coordinator Iberostar Grand Paraiso Tel. (52) 984 8772800 Ext. 8597 Fax (52) 984 8772862 [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- De: Claudia Augustson [mailto:[email protected]] Enviado el: Jueves, 24 de Julio de 2008 01:30 p.m. Para: [email protected] Asunto: Hi Gemma, Can guests who are not staying at the Grand Paraiso attend the wedding? They will be staying at the Lindo or the Maya. Can children attend the wedding? What would the cost be for both children and adults? Thank you Claudia Augustson The iberostar changes rules all the time so if they told you this get it in writting and hold them to it (they will oblige as long as you have it in writting). We had our reception at la brisa and loved loved loved it (you can see la brisa in our pics)! (this was during swine flu and closing of del mar which all our stuff was originally planned at so we had it at la brisa since we were paying for private reception anyways; therefore they allowed kids for ours at grand.) However, remember if your guests are not staying at the grand you will be paying a daypass charge for them to come to wedding at the grand (i think it's $50-100 per person)!!! Also, I believe a plate per person at la brisa is 12 yrs and older $50. Which really isn't mentioned upfront so please keep this in mind. As long as you haven't booked anything or reserved a date with them yet (by sending them credit card and personal information) there is always always always room for negotiating!!! You will be surprised on the discounts you may recieve if you play it as "well do you want my business and all my guests or not because I am also talking with the ____ resort and they will do this for me". See if they can waive the daypass charges this is a riducoulous charge anyways!

Quote: Originally Posted by Barefoot in the Sand Ok so I had the exact same question regarding the extra amount. We are paying for the cake, the champagne, the wedding set up, and the private waiter service. Good luck. They also do not give you anything having more rooms booked. Because it's a rip and that's how all the all inclusive resorts do it... Is the short and sweet of it! It would be advised if you didn't fax/email them all your information regarding reserving a date; to negotiate with them before you start booking and reserving rooms. (we did all the negotiating before booking or reserving a date and there was some wiggle room because they wanted our business). But from the sounds of it you already booked rooms so that is out of the question. Basically, they have you by the gonads and there isn't to much for negotiating now that everything is booked. You can however look into outside vendors for more economical pricing and better quality (I recommend this and we did this and we loved the results). Wish I had a better answer for you...

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureBotter Hey girls! Finishing up some pages in our welcome books ... FI had a great idea to make a page of recommended drinks and shots! So, I'm turning to the experts ... drinks/shots ... throw them at me!! What do you recommend and what should we definitely order up while we're down there?? Thanks!! (2 bags packed today!! Yippee!!!) Maimi Vice LOVE THOSE THINGS!

I just got my photo's in!!! YEAH!!! Check them out... They were done by Claudia Rodriguez's photographer Citlalli. Swine flu was the best thing that ever happened to us because even though the Del Mar was closed and we spent 2 years planning everything with them and all our outside vendors (florist, makeup, hair, photographer) IT WORKED OUT PERFECT!!! They let us still use the del mar gazebo and because we were having a private reception at the del mar's brazilian steakhouse (that they were shutting down for us since the del mar was closed that was a no go soooo) we got to have it at LA BRISA at the Iberostar Grand - MUY PERFECTO! It was what when we started negoitaiting 2 yrs ago we originally wanted and they said no way no how because we had kids in our group WELL THANK GOODNESS FOR SWINE FLU because all the b.s. we went through was a blessing in disguise! The food at the GRAND IS PHENOMINAL (that's where we stayed but had the wedding planned for the Del Mar and our guests ended up getting all free upgrades to the MAYA not just the lindo) but like I said we definetly went through some b.s. but it all paid off in the end! And now we just found out that we have a new adventure coming up - I am pregnant (that's why I have been to busy to post or read what's been going on sorry I feel so out of the loop) lol!!!! I want to wish all the upcoming iberostar brides the best of luck! XOXOXO Here is the link to the pics since I know we all love pics: Danielle & Daniel | May 16th 2009 | Iberostar Paraiso, Mexico

Quote: Originally Posted by jlj1176 Hi Gail, Reyna emailed me at 11 pm last night telling me that we are now being upgraded to the Lindo. She send a PDF about the steakhouse but not much information about it. I am happy for the upgrade - but really frustrated about the wedding portion of our trip. Have you found out any information regarding the steakhouse? Is it a "private" venue? Is it open air like the the Tropical? I am wondering if we just have to go there for dinner and then plan a separate area for drinks / dancing? Any help anyone can give me regarding the Lindo would be much appreciated!!! Thanks, Jennifer We ate at the steak house one night it has awesome food! The tenderlion is excelent. It is not an open air restaurant - it's air conditioned- and is located right by the lobby of the maya (if we are talking about the same one I forget the name). I have pics of it in my non pro pics the link is listed in my signuture section. It is kinda "T" shaped with 3 seperate rooms but all interconnected so unless they are shutting down the entire restaurant this will not be private enough to have a dance off! The decor is nice but it does have light fixtures in the shapes of bull horns so be forwarned. There is also a room that has a huge mural of a bull. Therefore, you will probably need to schedule for an event after dinner to have cocktails/dancing...

Gail I just wanna wish you luck, you'll be leaving soon! Super excited for you! Please, let me know the second you come back your a sweet heart and if there is anything you need feel free to email me! Remember sit back and relax your 1st MIAMI VICE is on me LOL the rest you will have to pay for on your own! HAHA... Trust me and get one they are the shiznit!

Quote: Originally Posted by noelynn What did you end up doing for your ceremony? Did you write your own vows or have readers? Thanks, Noel we just repeated the judges vows no writting of our own.... No readers either just did the basic civil legal ceremony. it took all of 10 minutes (15 if that)!

hello may brides!!! just got back from riviera maya MEXICO! and god was it beautiful we had the entire resort to just our group and ourselves and the staff waited on us hand and foot! I'll tell you anytime there is a pandemic i am surely traveling to that country LOL!!! here are some pics from riviera maya mexico the Iberostar resorts (you just have to have an account with snapfish or walgreens it's absolutely free to join)! Snapfish: Share:Registration Walgreens Photo Center | Share:Registration

ooohhh and a quick heads up... You do not need to wait for wedding coordinator to send you the marriage liscense and apositille to legally change your name in the usa! I thought i was gonna have to wait it out for the apositille (which takes the wc about 4-5 months) but you don't!!! So for all of you that are going to take the hubby's last name all you need is the certificates that the wc gives you while in mexico! I went to the social sercurity office today (you don't have to go in person I just did) and all you need is the marriage liscense/certificate (i don't know which is which but i think i have copies of both either will work), passport, driver's liscense/id card, and if you have your original social sercurity card than you fill out a S-55 form (you can do all this online and mail it from your house too) when there and vo-lah they will send you a new card in 2 weeks. (once, you apply for your social security card you can change all your credit cards and bank accounts over to your new name) I just applied for social security card today and changed all my credit cards and bank accounts in the same day. (credit cards were simple since they check everything electronically you don't have to do anything but make a phone call and the bank accounts i just had to show them my marriage certificate and reciept i got from social security office and they changed all the names on our accounts) Once, you have the social security card you can go to dmv with marriage certificate and social security card and get a new driver's liscense and id card. From there you can change passport and whatever else needs to be done. So don't wait for that apositille you don't need to!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Detroitbride Danielle - where did you get your fans at? Love your pics as well. my fan's i got at favorsandflowers.com they even made all the tags too! Quote: Originally Posted by LDeeken Danielle thank you so much for sharing your pictures! You looked beautiful! I love the way you had the gazebo decorated. Did the iberostar do that or did you do it yourself? Nope, the iberostar didn't do it. My florist did all the decorations and floral arrangements you seen he is marvin kinil at maya diseno floral his email is: [email protected] and website: mayadisenofloral.com.mx Also, random question for anyone. My soon-to-be sister in law just said that she heard nudity was allowed at some of the resorts!! I just wanted to know if anyone has seen any of that during their trips. I stayed at the Maya in 2006 and saw none of that. They have kids so I want to make sure they feel comfortable with staying there without having to worry about nakedness around the pool/beach. I was just there and there is definetly no nakedness (well except when I went drunk skinny dippin in the ocean at 3 am) but definetly no nakedness allowed Quote: Originally Posted by panda91376 Danielle - Great pics! I am so happy for you! How did you like the reception at La Brisa at the Grand? We have it booked for April 18, 2010 and I'm excited to hear how it was. It looks like the view is beautiful, but I'm worried about how to decorate to make it feel warm and full, you know? What did you do? And what were the food/menu options? take a look at my pics i posted the link on this page or the last one and you can see we used alot of candle light (actually a sh*t load of candles we had over 60 candles everywhere)!!! We also used huge centerpieces to try to fill the space! you can see how the room is setup in my walgreens link to my photos (we did 4 circle tables in bewtween the columns and 1 long rectangular table in bewtewwn center columns than we had the cake in the middle and bride/groom 2 person table right in front of everyone and buffet area) as for the menu options you have 3 choices: ------------------------------------------------- Restaurant La Brisa (maximum50 pax) MENU - 1 Lobster Ossobucco with sprouts and sea air * * * * * Pumpkin soupcream textures and soft cheese crunchy * * * * * Grilled Premium Angus Beef Tenderloin Truffle soup, Green Asparagus and Baked Potato * * * * * Chocolate Bon bon and Rose Petals Sugar Pistils and Raspberry --------------------------------------------- Restaurant La Brisa ( maximum 50 pax ) MENU - 2 * * * * * Capresse Salad on cheese Tulip seeds Balsamic and pesto vinaigrette * * * * * Queen Poultry soupcream with “profiteriols†and sherry perfume * * * * * Grilled Beef Tournedo on Lobster Medallions with Bearnaise and American sauce * * * * * Apple Tatin, vanilla cream and caramel needle * * * * * ----------------------------------------- This is a buffet menu! DINNER BUFFET for GROUPS, nº 1 (until 85 pax) RESTAURANT “LA BRISA†SALADS Sliced Tomato, Lettuce, Cucumber, Onion, Peppers, Palmheart, Asparagus, germinated TEA SPOONS Shrimp Ceviche, White Bait, Smoked Salmon, Mussels and Vinaigrette, Salmon Roe, Duck Ham and grapes, Tuna in Oil MINI BROCHETTE Octopus with potatoes, Ham with melon, mozzarella with tomato, Sushi MIRRORS Smoked Salmon, Roast Beef, Turkey Breast, Pâté “au campagneâ€, Shrimps with lemon CHESSES Camembert, Goat, Manchego, Roquefort, Emmental COLD CUTS Three Peppers Salami, Olives, Ham of Praga, Red sausage HOT DISHES: Broccoli with almonds Pilaf Rice Sautèed with ham spinaches Hazelnuts Potatoes Bolognesse Fettuccini Andaluzian fried squid Cod fish Croquettes Shrimps in rosemary brochettes Grilled red snapper tenderloin American Lobster Rib-Eye Grille Filet Mignon Prawns Vol au Vent Llasagne Fiorentina Lamb Strudel Cordon Blue TRINCHE Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Fruits Flavored BREAD BUFFET AND FLAVORED BUTTERS DESSERTS BUFFET Mini cakes selection, Seasonal Fruits, Ice creams, Creams and Mousses -------------------------------------------------------- we did menu option 2 it was steak and lobster as the main course and people are still raving about it! Thanks, and congrats! Quote: Originally Posted by Ctodd8 I am late to join, but I have been reading over these pages and want to say thanks for all the valuable information. Especially everything related to the re-opening plans! I feel more in the loop now. I am getting married July 6th at del Mar. Has anyone organized a fun group event that didn't cost an arm and a leg? I would like to plan and host a group event for all of my guests. There will be about 40 of us altogether. oohhh we did ziplining through selvatica we booked it directly through them and it was $80 a person it was awesome!!! it's called the canopy adventure tour at selvatica great times!

Quote: Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 Danielle - Welcome back girl, I missed ya around here!! Your pictures are fantastic and you looked so gorgeous! Did you do your own hair/makeup? Your gazebo was decorated beautifully, I am totally jealous!! I'm so glad everything worked out for you. I can't wait to read your review!! Oh and your bouquet was amazing...you used an outside vendor for that right? Quote: Originally Posted by kef1274 Danielle, you look absolutely gorgeous! Did you do your own hair? Wow, I hope I look half as good as you do! Quote: Originally Posted by sunandrun Danielle, Congratulations and welcome back. I am so glad to here that everything worked out so great for you. You looked absolutely beautiful! I love the 2 dresses! Quote: Originally Posted by kimrae99 Great photos Danielle! You look beautiful!! Thanks for sharing and congratulations!!! Thanks for all the compliments, ya'll are to sweet! Yep, we used outside vendors for everything such as (makeup/flowers and decor/dj/photographer). My hair was done by my b.f.f's which are hairstylists here in Illinois (they work out of planet color in mokena ask for Karen or Jackie- just giving them a shout out in case any of you need a good hairstylist)! Since, my 2 b.f.f.'s were flying out for the wedding anyhow they insisted on doing everyone's hair (gotta love them girls for that) They did a total of 7 girls hair including themselves! Which was super nice cuz I got 2 hairstyles in 1 day (one for the ceremony which was 1/2 up and 1/2 down and the other for the reception which was all up). And trust me by that time my locks needed to go all up I lost most of the curls by that time and my neck was just sweating with all that hair on me! So I stole them from the cocktail hour 30min early and they helped me get out of the wedding dress into the reception dress and threw my hair up and their own to get down to some serious parting! Quote: Originally Posted by kimrae99 Can anyone give me a little more information on the dress code at the a la cartes? I know the men are required to wear long pants. Is that the only thing they require? Thanks! As far as this goes the men are required to wear dress pants (or linen pants) and a collard shirt. This is a must! They made 3 of our guys go and change because they had on cargo shorts and a collard polo shirt. Now the day before they had on the same attire and they were let into the steak house restaruant at the maya but were told to change when they went to the japenese resturant.. So i think it all depends on the hostess at the front desk! If you don't want problems just let everyone know dress pants and collard shirt (no gym shoes or jeans are permitted). They can wear sandles!

Ohhh and here are some pics of the resorts and restuarants (well and some other stuff). Walgreens Photo Center | Share:Registration

Hello ladies, well were back, back again! and it was lovely!!! We ended up having our ceremony/cocktail hour as planned at the del mar wedding gazebo and they let us do our reception at la brisa at the grand (even with kids)! It was amazing and glad it is over I can finally sleep again - whew!!! Here are some pics my sister in law has up on snapfish.com (which is completly free to sign up). check them out and I will write a review later: Snapfish: Share:Registration loved every minute of it! you will not be dissappointed if you are staying at the grand it was and is the best hotel i have ever stayed in!

uh oh only 18 hours till we leave! Super stoked! Thank you ladies for all your help and information you have sent to my email! You all have been a life saver!

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 I leave in 2 days! and i've done nowt lol I need to clean the house major, tidy up and pack lol have I done anything? Have I shit lol FI has been off all day and guess what he's done? correct FUCK ALL lol he's cut the grass in the garden and thats it and the cheeky twat just said on Sat we can clean the house!! hello he's off tomorrow and I'm at work! Honestly I think i might kill him before the wedding lol Nah, don't kill him before the wedding do what I am gonna do... Just accidentally lose his passport!!! that'll be way funnier!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryan's girl We had our dinner at the Steakhouse as it was the most "private" option without being able to rent out a private restaurant. It was great, we had a complete area sectionned off for us and it truly felt like we had our own private room. We went with the steak option for the menu. Although lots of people really enjoyed it, many didn't as they don't cook it 'to order' so you just get what they give you. I had the chicken and it was awesome. If I could make any recommendation, it would be to go with the chicken instead of the steak. We ate at the Italian restaurant a couple of times and the food was really good. It was probably our favourite a-la-carte. The only thing about the Italian restaurant is that there isn't really an area that you can have 'to yourself'. I guess it comes down to what your priority is..do you want more of a private dinner or not. I would personally say that the food at the Italian El Fogon was the best but that's not saying that the Steakhouse food wasn't any good. If I were to go back and do it again, I'd do it at the steakhouse and order the chicken instead of the steak. I hope this helps! I checked and I don't have a picture of the El Fogon, but I do have one of the Steakhouse. Let me know if I can answer any more of your questions and I'll try my best! Love it you give awesome info!!! Thanks a ton! We will have the entire restaurant to ourselves they are gonna make it a private event just for our group (since that's what we negotiated at the del mar for the brazilian restaurant). I am just scared about the decor. Some of these restaurants are over the top! I seen some pics of the steak house (that's the one with huge horns hanging from the cieling right)!??! I haven't seen any pics of this EL FOGON can you describe it? If you have any pics of the steak house, I would love to see them I seen a pic of the french/gourmet and they have these crazy ass dolls somehow up in the ceiling balcony thingy (i don't do dolls yep that would freak me out all night with these things starring at me)!!! So if any of you went to EL FOGON or the Steakhouse (El Rancho) or even the Cajun and have any pics or can describe what it looks like I'm all eyes ohhh and ears! my email is: [email protected]

hello ladies! I would like to thank all of you for your wonderful emails filled with info, thanks so much!!! Quick question... Reyna and Anonieta both informed me that the menus some of you sent me for LA LAGUNA (ITALIAN REST.) the restaurant is not the italian restaurant no more, they made it into a buffet so you can't do your reception there anymore... They informed me that the place you have to go is EL FOGON for the italian restaurant, so I was seeing if any of you have pics of this restaurant you can send my way - if so send them to [email protected] Secondly, for those that already stayed at the lindo/maya or had there weddings there what did you think of the steakhouse vs. the italian (el fogon) restaurant - what food was better?!?! Thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by jpitts78 Actually if you do have the wedding at the Grand, they will not allow kids there... not even on your wedding day. I foreworn guests this if they decided to bring kids and stay at the Lindo/Maya. under the circumstances we are seeing what they will say that's all we can do...

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryan's girl Ok, I am home now and managed to recover some of my info for the Lindo. I could post links but then you'll have to use points to open them all up...so it might be better if I email them. I am sure that it is going to be the same as BBtoB so I don't know if it's really worth sending (she willl probably have all of the info as I think I may have already emptied my recycle bin with some things in it) but I'm still willing to email if needed. Let me know. Kristin Quote: Originally Posted by BBtoB Thanks Kristin! I am happy to take on this task. That way you can focus on your review. jk hehe I have the emails ready to go. There are 2 of them. I will be offline tonight. Heading to the Nuggets playoffs. But I will send it tomorrow or tonight if I am back on. ohhh and me too please, [email protected] I might of already recieved them if you sent them to me I can't remember who sent me what already... But thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by Gail Sorry Danielle, I'm with you I planned everything for del mar. Gazebo/tropical- don't know anything about lindo. as for reyna, don't expect response- esp since moving everything- she will be focusing on upcoming weddings with in near future- which she should- since they f..... up all our plans Maya: good thing they said they would shut down the italian rest. for us after they gave us some ham-hock cajun restaurant which i thought was just an insult. The FI isn't on board he wants to cancel (I don't care either way anymore seriously I can't wait for this to all b over with - on the real yo) he isn't digging anything about the maya/lindo we choose the del mar for the wedding BECAUSE of the gazebo. So we are throwing are last hail mary and telling them we want the wedding at the grand now HAHAHA and we are gonna have 5 kids there (this should be good), ohhh and if that wasn't enough they can f-off on daypass charges and we want a discount! Like I said I can careless either way I just want to get married on may 16 i don't care if it's in mexico or the county courthouse down the street... And the real kicker is I ain't even stressed anymore *i think i finally cracked* I was more stressed for the 2 years it took me to plan all this than the 2 weeks it took for all this b.s to come apart (is that crazy maybe i need some couch time anyone know a good shrink? LOL) As for reyna, she finally called my ta back and actually all the managers and herself are bending over backwards to accomodate us. kinda nice for once! Just as much as they have us by the balls we got them too (since they are dying for any and all business). so if any of you have any info on the GRAND or LINDO or MAYA... Once, again if you could please shoot it my way at [email protected] I will love you long time round eye!

nope, not staying at the maya we are at the grand... not so good news for us regarding our wedding we have alot of questions and it's a week away... it's sucking right now... especially cuz we had the brazlian restaurnat as our private reception rented out and ummm now not so much! as far as anything at the del mar or beach everything is closed all restaurants and gazebo's you cannot be on the property (we asked) so as far as the tropical you are s.o.l!

Ohhh, the wedding coordinator retard reyna confirmed this via email to my ta at 8am this morning. call the resorts and ask them yourselves 011-52-984-877-2800.

Yes, it is true the resorts are closing as the other brides indicated!!! we are in a scramble to try to switch our wedding WHICH IS MAY 16 over to the MAYA... I need all your help ladies!!! Since, for the past 2 years we have been planning everything at the DEL MAR I now need as much information as I can get as quick as possible about the MAYA/LINDO weddings!!! This is my email: [email protected] Please, send everything you have meaning: restaurant menu's, restaurant choices, what is this los vitroles room, pictures of different restuarants, commercial center gazebo, wedding packages, what is the lounge chair setup, rules/regalations to have a legal wedding SERIOUSLY ANYTHING YOU HAVE PLEASE FORWARD TO MY EMAIL!!! Still can't catch a break!!! And yes, they are willing to upgrade all guests from del mar/beach side to lindo!

here's a good website to keep up on the REAL FACTS of swine flu not the media hype: PandemicFlu.gov

so after those mo fo's at usa 3000 cancelled all our flights to mexi we actually rebooked EVERYONE on american airlines and EVERYONE has the original dates AND WE GOT APPLE VACATION to waive all the fees and upgrade us to american airlines for FREE! WHOOOO F-ING HOOOOO!!!! I am still anticipating that swarm of locus and hurricane to hit mexico so I am stock piling bug spray and water rafts LOL! At this point all that can go wrong will so I am anticipating anything and everything!!! If any of you are flying american airlines keep me posted of any cancellations!!! After this catrostophe my fi mother said she's cancelling/not going (and did) because she JUST DECIDED SHE DOESN'T APPROVE of her son getting married in MEXICO (mind you we asked her 2 years ago before we said anything to anyone and she said she was down) and who does this a week before we leave WTF!?!? SO after a very nice conversation between me and her (sarcasm)- she changed her mind. This has been one hella week! SO IF any of you have like a ritual of sacrificng a goat or pig or whatever for LUCK please let me know, I can't take no more drama - on the real!