CatBride09

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson Hi all Well my wedding is coming up Feb 18th, still not sorted! Need to get dress fittings, favors, final numbers table plans etc!!! I've sent an email to the hotel asking about what kind of things we can hire for table decorations ie candles, lights... Im traveling from England, and have a tight luggage allowance, so cant really carry much stuff over. I'm happy to buy things once I get there is need be. Just feeling a little stressed now. Worried about having the correct paper work for my legal wedding (think I only really need birth cert. the other stuff I get there). REALLY worried that people will be bored. I keep jumping between having a DJ vs Ipod. There's only 30 guests, so feel like having a DJ is a waste and that it would be better just to use the hotel disco...AGGHHHH !!! Hope everyone else is doing well.x Hi Claire Sorry to hear you are feeling a little stressed, I remember the feeling myself but all i can say is don't! Its funny i remember how stressed i was feeling before we left about things like DJ, table decor etc but trust me once you get there all that will go away. I can't tell you enough how great Elena and her team are. I took with me some shells and some battery fairly lights, i gave them to Elena in a box and just said, 'do something with these' and they did an amazing job. My guests couldn't believe how lovely the reception looked. I also took some chair sashes which i was glad i did, it just gives your wedding that personal touch. They were just off ebay and really cheap. As for the DJ its really up to you, I'm sure the DJ is great but we ended up just taking an ipod which they plug straight into a big speaker and that for fine for us, we had everyone up dancing. We had 24 of us and 8 staff waiting on us. Take a look at the photos of my reception http://www.sajoalbums.uk.tt/Wedding If yu have any other question just ask - good luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by sobelove Sally--your pictures are beautiful. I was excited to see the color blue you used because that's what I am going with as well. Did you bring the blue tulle along with the names and menus, etc, for the decorating? I'm trying to figure out what I need to bring. Thanks, Kari Hi I took the chair sashes with me which i got from ebay. The names and menus were done by a friend on mine then i took some battery operated fairy lights. They made it look amazing. Happy planning, you are going to love it :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by engaged maya Hello, Has anyone used a hotel DJ for their private reception. I was wondering what you thought of the DJ. Let me know Thanks Maya Hello We have just returned from our wedding, I'm not 100% sure but i believe the DJ is just a member of staff. They have a big music box with a tazmanian devil on it that gets used around the pool during the day. Personally i wouldnt waste money on a DJ at $100 and hour. We took an ipod with loads of music on and they set up a large speaker in the chill out bar which the ipod plugged straight into, that way we could control what music was playing. That was $200 from 5.30pm til 10.30pm You definately wont regret a private function in the chill out bar. Good luck with you planning :-) Sally

Hi Girls Just returned from 2 weeks at the Cat for our wedding, you are going to love it! I’m sure most of what I am about to say is a repeat of what’s already in here somewhere but I thought you might appreciate a fresh take on things. We were met by Elena on day 2 to go through a few things and finalise what we wanted, took about 30 minutes including choosing flowers. She has a book with photos you can choose from. We had a centrepiece, bouquet and button hole free as part of the package then added on some pillar flowers for the entrance to the walkway and 3 extra bouquets for my bridesmaids. It came to about $100 which I thought was really good. We then had to go back another day for our blood tests, they were $100 each and it’s done in Elena’s office by the doctor. If you are having a private reception at the Pure Chill Out Bar (highly recommend this!) It’s not organised by Elena but by the restaurant, my contact was Myriam Vater [email protected]. Elena new nothing about my reception plans but as soon as I mentioned Myriam they liaised with each other. The ceremony was at 3pm so I started getting ready with my bridesmaids about 11.30am. I used Freelance Italian Hair Stylist in Mexico - Doranna Hair Stylist - Playa del Carmen - Riviera Maya - Cancun - Tulum for our hair and makeup and she did an amazing job, very pricey though but to me this was important. Our photographer came to my room about 2pm to take some photos of us getting ready, we used Michael from Mexican Wedding Photos & Videos | Wedding photographers he was just fantastic; we also used them for a videographer. Michael then met us at the airport to give us our photos and video. The ceremony was only about 15 minutes, the registrar we had was very nice and funny however I think there are a few so you wont know who you get until the day. After the ceremony we had champagne at the ceremony site with our guests then had our photos done. Our guests went to the lobby bar for an hour or so. At 5.30pm all our guests made there way to the chill out bar and then we made our entrance. It was so amazing, the place looked great, I can not tell you enough how hard the staff there work. We had 8 staff waiting on us and there were only 23 of us! I had given Elena a box with some decorations in, shells, fairy lights, name places, menus etc and they did such a great job. We had the grill menu which was basically a BBQ with pasta, salad, potatoes etc, there was enough food for about 50 and it was delicious. Anyway I don’t want to ramble on too much so if you have any questions please ask. Take a look at our photos here http://www.sajoalbums.uk.tt/Wedding I also have loads more photos taken by guests at the pure chill out bar on my facebook page, feel free to add me if you want to take a look. ‘Sally Upson’ I hope you enjoy your day as much as we did; it really was the best day of my life!! Sally

Oh and just to let you know if you are having a private reception, children under the age of 6 are free

Hi Ladies I leave this Sunday for Mexico for my wedding on the 2nd!! I cant believe its nearly here! :-) Just to let you all know that it appears Demitrio no longer works for the hotel, I have been contacted by a lady called Myriam Vater regarding reception arrangements. Her email is [email protected] She had litterally left it until this week to contact me for my requirements so for those of you with a long way to go til your big day dont worry to much about lack of contact as they will eventually. Anyway I will tell you all about it when I return! Bye :-) Sally

Quote: Originally Posted by Tifuhhknee Came across this photogs site. He has 2 Catalonia weddings in his galleries if anyone is interested in taking a peek. professional wedding family portrait event photographer in cancun playa del carmen mayan riviera mexico cozumel akumal tulum - eduardo machuca Thanks Tifuhhknee, I love seeing pictures, although did you say there were 2? I can only see 1 in the 'weddings 2' gallery.

Quote: Originally Posted by Amanda1520 Hey ladies! I have a couple questions, what have you guys done as far as a videographer does? I've been so obsessed with finding a photographer that I forgot about that. Also, I've been talking with Demetrio about renting out a catamaran, he got back to me with prices and oh man! The one that is right by the hotel is about $82 pp! that's more than the reception so I axed that. Do you guys have any ideas as far as a catamaran? Lastly, this may already be on here somewhere but what have you ladies done (or doing) for hair and make up? One of my bm's does hair but she certainly cant do all of us so I was thinking about flying down her friend that also does hair. If I pay for the flight it might be cheaper than hiring a local stylist. Let me know your guys' thoughts on any of the above Thanks~ Hi Amanda Wow the catamaran idea is brilliant, I would never have thought of that. Shame it’s so expensive. We are just having a reception at the PCB. As regards to videographer, we are using the same company for photos and video. They were recommended to me by a lady who previously married at the cat, I found her on Trip Advisor and have been chatting with her so I am only going on her opinion but she assured me they were great, here is the site http://www.mexicanweddingphotos.com/ She also recommended the hair and makeup lady, she is very expensive but for me hair and makeup is very important, she has been a pleasure to talk to. Doranna Hair Stylist - Freelance Italian Hair Stylist - Playa del Carmen - Riviera Maya - Cancun - Tulum As far as I am aware the Cat has a hairdresser but no makeup artist I'm sure you will get lots of different recommendations from this site so just go with who you feel comfortable with Good Luck Sally

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsPain2b The cake looks yummy and you both look lovely - beautiful dress. Oh what a shame the name of the photographer has been removed. I have received an excellent quote from Bluelenscaribe Photography and their pictures look beautiful but no-one including the Hotel seems to have heard of them which worries me! I am getting quotes in at the moment and am awaiting one from Cecilia Dumas. I had one from Mellisa Green and would LOVE her to shoot our wedding but she is just out of our budget sadly. It;s quite difficult chossing when you are so far away. Hi MrPain2b Just thought i would say Hi as i noticed you are a fellow UK bride and also getting married the day after me! We are going to be at the Cat from 22nd Nov until 6th Dec, getting married on the 2nd so will see you there. Sally

Hi everyone My wedding is now 4 months away and i have started hearing from the WC. I think Morgan has mentioned before i think they tend to deal with current weddings as a priority which is fair enough. Just hold tight they will respond eventually. I have also recieved a very informative email with photos from a guy called Demitrio Remirez, he is in charge of the private receptions and cocktail parties. His email is [email protected] I have also just discovered the cat have a new website (well i've not seen it before anyway) Hoteles Catalonia ? 4- and 5-star hotels in Spain and the Caribbean

Quote: Originally Posted by koolatta Thanks for the info. I heard great things about the resort hairdresser so I will probably go with them since they are cheaper. I wish I knew how the makep people are. I love the pics on Moments that Matter btw!! I dont think the Cat have a makeup person, thats why i have had to go elsewhere and use Doranna...she is quite pricey but hopefully it will be worth it. I've heard some fantastic reviews about her

Quote: Originally Posted by MEYER2BE OMG!!! Those prices for hair/make-up and ridiculous! I think I will do my own for that price! Why so much? What does that include? Okay, I'm going to check out her website. Thanks for the info! I had no idea this stuff would be this expensive! Yikes! ~ Erica I know its so expensive, i think my budget has almost doubled since i started planning! Oh well it will all be worth it :-)

Hi Everyone I have been in touch with a lady called Doranna (found her recommendation on this site) she sounds really nice and the pictures of the hair and makeup on her website look amazing. I am definitely going to book her. Doranna Hair Stylist - Freelance Italian Hair Stylist - Playa del Carmen - Riviera Maya - Cancun - Tulum These are her latest prices (Based on RM) HAIR Bride 200 USD. Bridesmaid 95 USD. (discount for group) MAKE UP ( by Olivia) Bride 150 USD Bridesmaid 95 USD Also I emailed a lady on tripadvisor who has recently returned from her wedding at the Cat. She has been soooo helpful.. here is some info she gave me: * Photographer/Videographer she used Mexican Wedding Photos & Videos | Wedding photographers * She hired the PCB. The cost was per head for the meal (e.g $55 per person for Mexican buffet) this cost included all drinks (3 bartenders), hire of the venue until 10.30pm and decoration of the venue. * A DJ is $100 per hour, she did not have a DJ but instead took her own cd's and hired the music equipment ($40/hr) and a microphone ($30 for 30 mins). This info may already be on here but it saves having to search through the pages. Hope that a helps Sally

Hi Everyone I have been in touch with Doranna recently, she sounds really nice and the pictures of the hair and makeup on her website look amazing. I am definatley going to book her. Doranna Hair Stylist - Freelance Italian Hair Stylist - Playa del Carmen - Riviera Maya - Cancun - Tulum These are her latest prices (Based on RM) HAIR Bride 200 USD. Bridesmaid 95 USD. (discount for group) MAKE UP ( by Olivia) Bride 150 USD Bridesmaid 95 USD

Hi Everyone This may have already been answered but to save me searching, has anyone had their hair and makeup done at the Cat? I've read a bit about the hairdresser but no mention about makeup. I had a trial done in the UK last week and she made me look amazing, there is noway i could do my makeup myself that well Thanks Sally

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson Do you guys think Im worrying about nothing... Im not getting married until Feb 2010 but I really want the hotel to confirm that I can have private area for the reception/night. Do you think I should keep asking them until they confirm, or sould I just wait a couple more months? I'm sure it will be fine, i also want to hire the PCOB for a private reception but i was gonna wait til about 2 months before my wedding before i start emailing the WC with all my requirements.

Quote: Originally Posted by Alexis Look at my website at Alexis & Chris wedding in Mexico!. Go to the Accommodations tab and you will see that I posted pictures and rates of all the different rooms. Upgrade is 100% worth it. Our room had a office and extra living area and MUCH larger bathroom. Thank you so much this is very useful

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan What's a kettle? A tea pot? To boil water :-) My friends needs to boil water to heat the milk for her baby

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan they are very different. I had a standard room (you can see pics in this thread) but mine was larger than most standards. I think they gave us a nicer one. The luxury rooms have a stand up shower inside & the tub on the patio. I didn't want my tub outside so we did not want to upgrade. The suites are completely different. it's not just a few upgrades. its an entirely different design. our guests really liked them, but I prefered our room. They have a mini fridge, also. That is why my mom upgraded. Thanks Morgan I just have one more question about the rooms... do the standard rooms have a kettle and a bath tub? Two of my guests are bringing babies and need these facilitlies. Thanks Sally

Hi Everyone I have booked all my guests into standard rooms however most of them have said they would like to updgrade before we go rather than do it when we arrive. Does anyone know the specific differences between the standard and luxury rooms? Thanks Sally

Quote: Originally Posted by DBnov09 Mexicobride1: thanks for posting that the menu cost was worth the $$...we are having our reception at the P.C.O.B and are going with the Mexican menu...We also booked the DJ equipment but will bring our own music. Thanks for the advice! I'm excited to see that there are a few others Cat brides getting married around the time I am Lots of tips to share! Will you still be there on the 23rd November? Thats when we fly out with our wedding party

Thank you so much for the info on the chill out bar. This website is a life saver :-)

Hi I would also like to hire the Lookea bar (Chill out Bar) for my reception. Have you had to pay a fee to hire the Lookea bar ? I've heard its $500 an hour is that right? Also how did you manage to get the menus? I've email for them 3 times but no luck! Thanks

Hi Yes having a legal ceremony and its been confirmed for the 2nd December. I booked mine through thomas cook and they did all the chasing etc for me

Hi Everyone I'm new to this site and am finding it extremely helpful so far so thank you to everyone!!! I'm getting married at the Cat 2nd December 2009. Sally