MEYER2BE

Quote: Originally Posted by Amanda1520 Thanks for the info ladies, this helps greatly. I will probably go with the private reception so we can have entertainment for our guests as well. Speaking of entertainment, the search is on for some good performers in Mexico. Any suggestions? Yes... I'm looking for bands too. I think I want a Mariachi band during the cocktail hour. Not sure how much they charge. When are you getting married Amanda? ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by hulaqt Octavio's site is back up and running: Cancun Wedding Photographer Riviera Maya photographers user name: chaya Nice pictures!!!! So did you do the "Renewal of Vows" ceremony? Looks like it was a beautiful day! Congratulations! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by engaged maya This is great info. and very helpful. Thanks everyone! I will def check out destinationweddings.com this week. I guess do they just assign you a TA? If you guys have any recommendations let me know. Cheers! Maya Maya, Destinationweddings.com will assign you a TA depending on the location of your wedding. They will pair you up with a TA that knows the area you will be get married at. They do also price match, if your guests find a cheaper price that is apples to apples they will give them that price. My TA says it hasn't happened much but they will honor that price. The other nice part is I sent our e-mail STD's out last month to give my guests all the information they need for booking right away. They also allow you to create your own wedding website that has travel details, couples page, maps of the local area, activities, pictures, etc. Check out their website! Good Luck! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by engaged maya Hello everyone, I was interested in hearing on how everyone is taking care of booking hotel and flights for your guests. Do you have them do it on their own? Do they have to contact CAT directly to day they are there for a wedding? Travel agent? Also are you aware of any group discounts or anything if you do it a certain way? Let me know. I am in the process of researching. Thanks everyone for your help. Maya Hi Maya! We signed up with destinationweddings.com and our TA is doing all the quotes for our guests. The great thing about this company is that if all your guests book through them we have a better chance of staying near eachother at the resort and if something were to happen with the resort "overbooking" rooms, we are guaranteed rooms and the other guests that didn't book with our group could potentially get "bumped" to another resort. I've read of overbooking happening quite a bit during the busy season. We didn't want this to happen so we have urged our guests to book directly with her! We only had to pay $50 for her services and let me tell you she is well worth it! She has eased our minds many times!! She has been so helpful and knows we and our guests are on a tight budget. She also speaks directly with our WC at the CAT. So it gives me a sense of relief that she has our back on any questions we have. I'm so glad she is there for us! Good Luck! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by Carlitarenee OOhhh... I LOVE food! There are lots of restaurants in Bali since there are so many tourists that visit so you can find any kind of food imaginable. The room service for our villa had excellent food and had a good assortment of Indonesian (its kinda Thai/Malaysian mix) and western food like burgers and fries. Our breakfast was also the usual western fare of eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc., but you could also get local cuisine, as well. We went to Ku De Ta one night and it was by far on of the most expensive meals, but really, really good with "New York" food is what they called it. I would recommend going there for drinks at night for the atmosphere (private bed/couches overlooking the ocean) and eating there for lunch (less expensive and more options). We had their steaks, tuna, pizza, hummus, salads and all were great. We were only there for 4 days so didn't get to try as many restaurants as I would have liked, but overall, we actually liked the food in Bali more than what we've had here in Singapore. We were staying in the Seminyak area and one of the strips we walked down had Italian, Indian, German, American, etc. so lots of options. Hello! We just started talking about our honeymoon this week and Bali came up! From what we've heard it's such a beautiful place and it is so tropical. We are getting married in Mexico, having an AHR in Michigan, and then flying back to China. We were hoping to stay a few days in China and then flying to Bali for 5-7 days. It's very convienient that we live in China and I think it's only a 4 hour flight to Bali for us. Does anyone know if a visa is required to travel into Indonesia? We have a lot of homework to do now. I'm glad to hear the good feedback on Bali. Good luck planning everyone!

Quote: Originally Posted by Amanda1520 Hi ladies! I have been in talks with Elena for months to confirm our March 6th ceremony. Eventually she said we were "in the books", whatever that means. I too, am a bit nervous that there is no contract or deposit that has to be put down but from the sounds of it they know what they're doing. Have any of you girls that are doing a private reception thought about entertainment for it? I'm trying to find salsa dancers but not having much luck! Add me to the list of being "In the book" too! Although we did put down a small deposit on our room because we have been working with Wedding Destinations and Planning | Destination Weddings .com and it will guarantee us rooms in case the resort gets "overbooked" which I've been told can happen. As far as entertainment goes, we are going to have a cocktail party on the beach after our ceremony so our guests can enjoy themselves as we are getting our pictures taken. We thought about adding a Mariachi (sp?) band to keep them entertained. Haven't started to look for them yet. Has anyone heard of any good Mariachi bands in the area? I don't even know what they would cost for 1-2 hours. ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by engaged maya Hello everyone, I am having trouble getting ahold of the WC at the CAT. I keep calling and either no one answers or the assistants tells me she will respond to my email but it never happens. From what I read, she is great but for whatever reason, I can't seem to get anyone to answer any of my questions. I am trying just to confirm a non legal ceremony and I had some questions in general. Anyone else experiencing similar issues?? Advice would be helpful Hello Engaged Maya, I just sent her an email today and I expect to get a reply from her in the next few days. Do you have her email address? Her name is Elena Asti and her email is: [email protected] I was told that Cora is helping her out while she has some time off. I'm guessing they are just really busy. Good Luck! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by koolatta Hi Guys, Quick update, they do have a makeup person onsite at their salon. I still don't have the prices. I'll post once i get them. I agree with Morgan on the hotel photographers btw....if their website is the best they got then I would go with someone else. I am using Ivan Luckie Photography. He is great and affordable. He flew to NY to meet with me and a few of the other girls on the forum when he came up to buy equiptment. He is very nice. I have a thread on him if you search Ivan Luckie it will come right up. Morgan how do you put the links to the thread in a message...I am so clueless..lol Yes... I agree on the hotel photographer! I just wanted to put the prices up in case anyone was interested. I did email Ivan Luckie and just got an response from him! He seems like a very accomodating photographer. http://www.luckiephotography.com ~ Erica

Dear brides, These Photography prices were sent to me by the sales department at the CAT. Hoteles Catalonia - 2009 WEDDING PHOTO PACKAGES PACKAGE 1 25 color printed Photos size 6x8, with black and white and/or sepia option. It includes the Ceremony, Group photos with the family. It includes a CD with 25 printed photos. Price: $ 350.00 USD PACKAGE 2 50 color printed Photos size 6x8, with black and white and/or sepia option. It includes the Ceremony, Group photos with the family and Session with the bride/groom. It includes a CD with 50 printed photos and handmade album. Price: $ 550.00 USD PACKAGE 3 80 color printed Photos size 6x8, with black and white and/or sepia option. It Includes the Ceremony, Group photos with the family, Session with the bride/groom, Restaurant and Party till the cake cut. It includes a CD with 80 printed photos and handmade album. Price: $ 800.00 USD ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition to our packages the bride, groom and the guest can choose other photo size (8x11 and 11x16), printed photos or cd at the commercial selling price established for all the Hotel guests. Hope this helps a little! I just wonder what kind of photo equipment they have and if they do touch ups on the pictures. ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by MayBride2010 April 20, 2010 Wow! How are you losing all your weight MayBride2010? That is fantastic! I've been running daily, cutting my food portions down and drinking pu'er tea! Still no results but it's only been 2 weeks. Keep up the good work girl!!!! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson Hey Erica Yeah Im doing the TTD shoot the following day. Looks great fun! Shame they are already booked. Sure the other photographer will be great. Yeah... from what I hear with the TTD sessions, you do the water stuff at the end that way the water will clean up your dress. Ha-ha! I'm still looking for photographers, the one they sent me still was very pricey! We have time, I'm going to keep checking around! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson Im using moments that matter, they are great at getting in contact and seem really laid back. Love your pictures and hair Angie! I wanted to use "Moments That Matter" but I emailed them and they are already booked for my wedding day. So they suggested another photographer I might use. Are any of you going to do the TTD shoot? I'm really thinking about it! I think it would be fun!!! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by MexicoBride1 I had my hair done there, and it was only $60 US which I thought was reasonable. I didn't have to worry about it and it gave me a chance to sit back and do nothing for at least an hour that day... One of my BMs also had her hair done and it was the same price. (you can check out the hair on MEXICO Destination Wedding Photography, Wedding Photojournalism throughout the Mayan Riviera and we're Puerto Aventuras - Catalonia Yucatan - Angie & Chad) Cool.. I'm going to check them out too! $60 is more of what I was thinking. Did that include make up too? Thanks for posting! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by CatBride09 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 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

Quote: Originally Posted by CatBride09 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 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

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson I think its also nice to have a little something from the country you're living in. Im in Korea, and was thinking about taking some stuff from here. You should take advantage of the cheapness that is china! I change my mind like you wouldn't believe so I could end up with the mother of all OOT bags yet. Did you chose a photographer yet? Im thinking about going with Moments that Matter. We visited Korea in January and it reminded me of China. I bought quite a few souvenirs. I have been buying post cards from every place we visit and I plan on making one of those postcard guest books. Having all the guests fill out one postcard each and then having them bound into a book so we can always remember it! I haven't even looked into Photographers yet! The girl that is doing our engagement pictures was asking if we had a photographer yet for our wedding. I would love to bring her but it would be too expensive b/c she requires us to pay her way + photo packages. As far as make up/hair goes, I haven't even looked into that either. OMG.. I have a lot of planning to do! Yikes!

Quote: Originally Posted by koolatta Now that you guys mentioned OOT baga..I am def doing them, but how am I going to get them over there. I feel like I'm taking eberything down to the kitchen table with me..lol Yep... I know the feeling. The list of items I have are over a page long. I have to start narrowing them down! Look at this list! I think I'm out of control... Hand sanitizer Sunscreen Can coozies Granola bars Ibuprofen Aloe Disposable Camera Picture of us Chocolate Kisses (with stickers on bottom – E & M 2.10.10) Candles Crackers/Cookies Ear plugs Eye masks Deck of cards Seed favors Tissues Candy – fireballs, Tootsie Rolls, Laffy Taffy, etc. Bottled Water? Hand Lotion (Bath and Body Works) Gum Manicure kit Luggage tags Mints Tea Chinese fans w/monogrammed “M” tag (to be used at the ceremony) Have someone hand them out. Map of Mexico highlights/Welcome Brochure Insulated cups imprinted with “Meyer Wedding 2010” Shot glasses with “Meyer Wedding 2.10.2010” SPECIAL BAGS for kids Crayons Toys Inflatable beach balls/rafts I know... over the top huh?!?! It's fun coming up with the ideas... now it's time to cut the list in half. If I don't do that I will be buying an extra seat on the plane for the "OOT" bags!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson I really hope that people cant get in! Not planning on doing OOT bags. Its a lovely idea, but I know what my lot are like, they will have everything that they need. Plus I dont want to carry them. Lazy? Yes I am. Only things I'm taking are my dress, BM dresses, favors and lanterns. Will buy some mexican style bits when I get there for the tables: maracas, tequlia and shot glasses maybe. Keeping it simple. Ha-ha!!! I think I want to do them because I currently live in China and things are really cheap here... go figure! The only hassle will be carrying them over to Mexico, other than that I think our guests will enjoy them. We won't go overboard on them just a few small items to let our guests know we are thinking of them and thanking them for joining us! We'll see, I just started planning so I could get overwhelmed and lazy... hee-hee! ~Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by koolatta Really!! People are allowed in the resort during the week. Things must have changed since the last time I was there in November. I hope that changes too. No... I heard that local people were allowed in on the weekends not the weekdays. I will double check this with Cora on this. I can see how they are losing money due to the swine flu so they might be trying to gain some back... who knows.

Yahhhh!!!!! That date seems to be very popular. Maybe because it is 02.10.10... in the european format it would be 10.02.10. Kind of fun! Let's keep our fingers crossed for beautiful weather that week! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson Hi Erica Yeah it is early, but we are making it a big family holiday with a wedding thrown in, so going to be there for 2 weeks. What to have a legal wedding so need to be there 5 days anyway. Sure the weather is going to be perfect. Well I'll be there for any last minute help! Wow... sounds like fun! Are you doing the OOT bags? I'm trying to come up with the items I'm going to put in them. I have been hearing that on the weekends at the CAT the locals are allowed to come into the resort and use the facilities. I hope that ends before next year. I'm guessing because it isn't as busy with the swine flu status and such. Thanks for offering help - I might need it! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson I'll be arriving at the CAT on the 7th, so I'll get to meet you before you get married! Wow! You are getting there early! I heard it was suppose to be really nice weather that week! (hee-hee) I hope it will be! It will be nice to meet you! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson I'll be arriving at the CAT on the 7th, so I'll get to meet you before you get married! Yaahhhh!!! Wow, you are getting there really early! We plan to arrive on Feb. 9th... we have an early flight scheduled so we can get our OOT bags done and given to the front desk for our guests. It will be nice to meet you! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by engaged maya Hello, I need some advice. I am trying to get married in Catalonia but am having the hardest time scheduling it. I've been trying to reach Elena Asti who has been out for at least two months. I am trying to schedule it next April 2010 but they keep telling me that I would have to call back in September because the court need to approve the date and that won't start until Sept. Is this normal? Seems kind of late to set a date. Any advice would be appreciated Hello! I also booked the symbolic ceremony and was able to reserve my date a few weeks ago for my February 10, 2010 wedding. I know Elena is out for a few months so they are trying their best cover her work. The woman that has been helping is, Cora. She does take a few days to get back to you but she will eventually answer your questions. It's hard to relax once you get the date reserved I understand completely! Just stay positive and be persistent in getting all your questions answered. GOOD LUCK!

Has anyone been to a "renewal of vows" ceremony? I'm wondering if you would know it was a renewal if nobody said anything? The reason I'm asking is we are getting married in the U.S. before we head down to Mexico for the symbolic ceremony. I don't want my guests to know we already got married in the U.S. I'm not sure how they would feel if they traveled down to Mexico under false pretenses. Or should we tell our guests we did the paperwork back in the U.S. in order for it to be legal. I don't know what to do, help!!! I need some feedback on this, thanks! ~ Erica