~Katie~

hey girls,

 

it's been a while since I logged on here but I'm so excited for all you soon-to-be brides! I got married there on 7th May 2010 and it was amazing.

 

If you have any questions, please pm me (as I'll get an alert in my email messages as I don't come on here that much now) but would love to help out if I can. 

 

For anyone looking for a photographer too, we have just been blogged by Lidya that we used, so please feel free to take a look - http://lidyasolemidt.wordpress.com/

 

Best of luck to you all I wish I could do it all over again! 

 

K. xx

hey girls,

 

just wanted to warn those of you that are giving out their email address to get information that if a MOD catches you, you will get banned from the forum for a while as it is against site rules....just wanted to make sure you knew!

 

Good luck with your searches ladies

 

xx

hey whit

We are just about to get our moving in date confirmed after 6 months spent looking for our own place....after all that time we will finally have somewhere to call home, just the 2 of us I can't wait!

fingers crossed, we will be moved in within 2 weeks!!!!!

Well it sounds like you are getting there...remember, you can only do one thing at a time. and don't panic about how much is there....look at the list one item at a time and don't look at all of it. if you work your way through one at a time, you are only going to get closer to getting everything done

GOOD LUCK! I am soooo super excited for you! (and jealous - I want to do it all again!!)

xx

Hey whit

Married life is amazing! and we are in the process of getting a place too so that's very very exciting! then I think it will feel more like we're married!

But so far...it hasn't disappointed!

how are all your plans going? what have you got left to do? xx

just to jump on this - Ana is fluent in English, just make sure you don't use any slang terms or phrases and yes she is a one-woman show so she will need to let you know a date/time when she is not sorting out someone's wedding at the resort.

Good luck!

ah thanks, and you're more than welcome!

I am loving seeing your status countdowns on facebook!! I want to do it all again!!!!!!!!!!

DH wants to go back to renew our vows....for our 1 year anniversary (!!) he loved it so much! lol

enjoy it. it's all over way too quick

ah thanks Wendy it was amazing. we basically did a whole other traditonal wedding day, apart from the ceremony and we had gorgeous weather for it too.

thanks Chong. I'm feeling much better now...after 3 trips to the doctors in one week, 2 different lots of antibiotics and ear drops! I got there in the end!

hope you've had a fabulous time Renee! can't wait to hear all about it and see the pics!

we did a few...some did the Mayan village excursion where we went and climbed the highest temple in Mexico (which was a great accomplishment), visited a mayan village and people, and went to swim in a cenote on the way back. was good but for us the group was too large to get as much as we wanted out of it, but it was good.

we also did the swimming with dolphins. the best by far is the Dolphin Encounter in Riviera Maya - you get nearly a whole hour with the dolphins and the groups are only of 8. we did this last time we went to mexico as well and it was just as brilliant this time as it was last time.

4 of us did the pub crawl in cancun...it's a one-off payment and then it's all inclusive for the whole night. the clubs were absolutely brilliant and we all had a totally amazing night. it included a trip to coco bongos too which is a must to go to if you're in Mexico!

on a previous trip Chris and I went to xel-Ha which was lovely. a whole day around the resort with as much amazing snorkelling as we wanted and things to do the whole way round. may be a bit difficult to do with a big group, unless you just took everyone there and got them to go round on their own and just told them when to be back for....

also done the Jungle tour which is a good one for a group....2 people per speedboat (you get to drive your own) and you drive it to a reef and then spend some time altogether snorkelling around there.

on this trip, my dad actually went down to porto morelos and spoke to some locals down there and arranged a snorkelling trip where they came and picked us up from our beach (!!) and took us to 2 spots for some amazing snorkelling. they had us for 4 hours and it was much cheaper than booking through any tour operators.

we landed back in the Uk on the Monday and our AHR was on the Saturday... and it was perfect. the sun even came out for us and it was a gorgeous day. made it all feel more real.

and yep, i did have 2 dresses! I bought a cheap one off of ebay from a shop that made them to measure in China...it was actually a really nice dress but only cost about $49! i didn't want to risk my dress when I was going to wear it again when I got home!

hey girls, sorry I haven't been on here much - having been delayed getting home we had less time than we wanted to plan final details for our AHR that we had on Saturday, and since friday, I have had an ear infection and felt like total BLAH. Monday was my first day back at work and I lasted until 1pm when they sent me home....today I only lasted 10 minutes before they sent me home.

 

but anyway....sorry.

 

for those interested, here are some links to my brother's website. He worked alongside our hired professional photogs in Mexico, and worked alone with his wife for our AHR.

 

pics from my wedding - JD Photographs - Kate and Chris' Wedding

 

pics from my AHR - JD Photographs - Kate and Chris's Wedding - UK Reception

 

there's also pics on my facebook from the official photogs so add if you like Katie Day.

 

much love girlies xx

pics from my wedding (taken by my brother, not our official photogs) - JD Photographs - Kate and Chris' Wedding

 

pics from my AHR - JD Photographs - Kate and Chris's Wedding - UK Reception

 

more photos on my facebook if anyone wants to see... xx

hey Whit. ok here's some answers to your questions....

1. our guests were out with us the whole 2 weeks (coming from as far as here people don't really do such a long haul flight for less than a 2 week holiday). My tip on this is either have them with you but be disciplined to not try and run around after everybody, or go somewhere else for a week just the 2 of you. It was great having our loved ones round us, but we couldn't stop ourselves trying to look after everyone and spend time with everyone the whole time we were there, so we didn't really get a honeymoon, or any time alone.

re: excursions we went on what we wanted to, and if other people were doing the same things we all went together, but we wanted people to spend their money on what they wanted to do. this did work out as we got to do different things with different people.

2. the hairdressers are brilliant. I'd given my trial pics from the UK to Ana and they were there with the hairdresser when I turned up for my appointment. and they used them to refer to to make sure they got it right...not just make up what they wanted to. I was very happy with the results.

3. My makeup I didn't really know what to do about...just in that I didn't really have much of an opinion! I just said I wanted it to look quite natural....and the results were stunning.

The were also brilliant with my BM who got her hair and make up done and she hadn't had a trial in the UK and didn't know what she wanted doing but they gave her magazines to look through and she ended up asking them to do a cross between 2 styles - which they did perfectly. again, her make up was fab and lasted the whole day.

4. I ate at the villa marina once as just an evening meal and had the steak, and then the romantic meal on the beach was chicken, served from the Villa Marina. Both meals were absolutely gorgeous. just remember to ask for the steak well done - anything less than that has a lot of blood! Our meal we chose for our reception in the banquet hall was beef and was gorgeous - everyone said how great it tasted and really good quality food.

5. yes we did it all in the banquet hall and had our 3 hrs of DJ in there as well. then at 10pm when it finished we all went to the lobby bar.

in all honesty, where you have it is your call, but just remember the entertainment happens in the lobby bar (such as karoke - sp?!!) BUT we didn't change our mind about where we had ours until we got there and that was no problem at all - it wasn't even mentioned. ana just offered to show us round the options and we made a decision from there. All i'm saying is, don't panic that you have to decide now. There is absolutely nothing wrong with finalising it with Ana once you get there, and it won't cause a panic or stress as ana sorts every single bit of detail out.

6. we chose the vanilla cake and it looked beautiful. unfortunately we never got round to doing anything with it as husband's niece got rushed to hospital during the meal and everyone, including us, was a bit preoccupied and forgot about the cake. but we didn't ask to try the cake so couldn't say either way if you would be able to or not. always worth asking!

7. answered in question 1! lol

hope that all helps. I'll do a post with the links for photos on after I've posted this....

so excited for you!!! wish i was doing it all again!!

did you see my pics on facebook Whit?

welcome back Mrs!!!!

hey, feel free to add me too - I'm Katie Day and already have some of these girls on my account so it should show up as having friends in common. Feel free to look through the pics on my facebook - the albums are our official photographer pics and the links on my page are from my brother.

hope this all helps.

hey Lisa,

we had our ceremony on the rooftop terrace which is totally out of the way and totally private - no-one anywhere near you or your wedding party. we didn't get married on the beach as we wanted something more private, and I HAD to be able to wear a great pair of heels!! I loved it, as we went onto the beach for photos afterwards anyway so kinda got the best of both worlds.

we chose the banquet hall after hearing about the lobby terrace - it's not private at all and all other hotel guests can basically be sat inside looking out at you - they're literally just behind you! plus it was sooo hot, we were glad to be in the airconditioning!

after our private reception finished at 10pm we all headed up to the lobby bar and hung out there.

I don't regret one single decision we made and would keep it all the same if we did it again. I loved the private-ness of the rooftop terrace, the photos on the beach, and being inside for the food.

here was what we did:

4pm - ceremony & sand ceremony on rooftop terrace
4.30pm - cocktails and nibbles on rooftop terrace
5.30pm - photos on the beach (we did photos of everyone first and then sent our guests to the lobby to relax while we had our couples photos done)
7.00pm - reception in the banquet hall
10.00pm - up to the lobby bar!

please do ask away with the questions....I can't see me having much time to do a review this week so it's easiest if you ask questions and I'll answer them!

ah thanks Whit it was amazing - even better than I imagined. and Ana is AMAZING!! she just sorted everything out. perfect.

Villa Marina is a lovely restaurant was our fav by far!

good luck and let me know if you have any questions...only too happy to try and help. xx

ah thanks chong

I didn't get married at AS or AB - I had booked at AS originally but it got too out of our price range and we changed hotels...but I still stayed in on this thread as these girls are amazing and I'd have missed them too much!

my make up I just asked them for nothing too OTT and keep it natural looking....and I loved the result I only took pictures for my hair which they recreated no problem.

thank you

thanks Meghan. my brother isn't professional - he's just started getting into it but wants to start up his own company so he's used my wedding to start up his portfolio and set up his own website. he's doing our pics on Saturday for our AHR and I can't wait!

hey Amanda, thank you!

I didn't get married at AS or AB so you wouldn't have seen it before lol i got married at Ocean Coral & Turquesa and would highly highly recommend it.

thanks Renee!! it was a real dream I want to do it all over again!

hey ladies...again! my TTD pro-pics are now up on my facebook so check them out if you want....and add me if you're not my 'facebook friend' already! I'm Katie Day (wow that sounds weird!!) and my profile pic is me and hubby on our wedding day so should be easy enough to find...I hope!!

 

pro pics of wedding day should be on tomorrow...still sorting through those ones!!

 

Muchos love amigos

hey ladies...again! my TTD pro-pics are now up on my facebook so check them out if you want....and add me if you're not my 'facebook friend' already! I'm Katie Day (wow that sounds weird!!) and my profile pic is me and hubby on our wedding day so should be easy enough to find...I hope!!

 

pro pics of wedding day should be on tomorrow...still sorting through those ones!!

 

Muchos love amigos

hey ladies....I'm back!!!!

 

I will write a proper review but I'm mega-over-tired, jet-lagged, headache and have felt sick and unwell since we've been back and we've got lots to get sorted before our AHR on saturday!

 

but just to give you a quick fix, here's the link to my brothers photos he took - JD Photographs - Kate and Chris' Wedding I have all the pics on a CD from our professional photog but still need to go through all 1400 odd of them!

 

enjoy ladies, and I'll post more soon.

 

oh, and I got to meet Krystal - several times - and we had some pics done together on her wedding day

 

xx

Thanks amy

hey girlies....missed you all!!

We are back, and I am still mega-tired and jet-lagged at the moment.

For those wanting to see pics, here is the link to my brothers' shots he got - JD Photographs - Kate and Chris' Wedding once I've uploaded our proper photogs pics, I'll post the link too (we have about 1400 photos on 2 CDs!!)

Meghan - have just quickly skimmed through the posts and seen you've been having some major stresses...I got the impression it's all worked out now, but I hope it all is and sending you big hugs. xx

YES!!!!!!!!! we are being picked up at 4 AM (!!) sunday morning by a coach so we all get to the airport at the same time! I'm sooooo excited!

I hadn't really thought much about it and now I can't decide what to do! I think it's 'normal' (as normal as you can get with a DW) to leave your engagement ring off for the ceremony isn't it?? I think maybe what made me think about it is that in professional pics, they have both on....but that must be done afterwards....maybe! haha

thanks Meghan I think this is what I'm most likely to do.

hey Amy, yep we leave on Sunday! and I am sooooooooooo excited! today is my last day in the office and tonight I'm packing! (busy ALL day Saturday so won't have time to do any then, and I will be out of the house).

yeah it's not as bad as I made it sound lol it's just the Mexico part has been so easy where everyone is booked on the same booking so we haven't had to do any chasing around...total opposite of the AHR. it's mostly been confirming numbers and working out food and drink quantities! but we're pretty much there now I think

Karen, Sammy and Amy....I feel like I've been missing out here! lol

 

Amy why did you not tell about this thread?!!

 

but just joining in on convo here....I said to FI about writing our own vows, to which he replied 'why?' that was enough to put me off! though he had a valid point that then he'd have to use some stuff that he wants to use in his speech, so at least we don't have that worry.

 

And regarding reception music/playlists, we are playing an iPod rather than having a DJ and FI said to me about 6 months ago that he would sort out the music as music is his forte (his words not mine!) and 3 days ago he started it!!!!!!! I spent months nagging him about getting it sorted! but to be fair, he started it and finished it in the same night and created a playlist and put our ceremony music onto a CD so he did come good in the end!

 

I had my hen night about 2 weeks ago now and before then I couldn't even remember the last time I'd drunk alcohol, let alone got drunk! same with FI. we both survived our hen and stag nights but it was tough! (and cheap! lol) but I definitely need to make sure I pace myself on the wedding day!

 

happy thursday ladies

 

amy - 3 days until I fly out!! madness!!

hey, can you add me too? I'm 7th May at OCT (Ocean Coral & Turquesa).

I've only just discovered this thread but wanted to come in and wish everyone a very happy May 2010!!!

hey girls,

 

just a quick question...

 

what are people doing about their engagement rings on the wedding day? is anyone leaving it on, or are you taking it off?

 

just trying to decide what to do myself!!

hey Whit,

We got engaged late February 2009 (when we were on holiday in Mexico!). At the time we didn't start planning as I was in the process of being made redundant, but as soon as I had my first week in my new job, we booked it all! So we've been planning for about 10/11 months.

how about you?

regarding the photog, we decided to bring someone in and stomach the vendor fee (it's actually a very reasonable vendor fee when you look at what some other hotels charge - can be double!). We're using Lidya Solemidt and she has been very flexible in coming up with a package to suit us and our budget. I love her pics and can't wait for her to photograph our wedding and TTD!

Home Lidya Solemidt Photographer

and thanks, Krystal heard from Ana on Tuesday in the end and I heard from Ana yesterday/this morning. so at least we know she's still alive!

hey amy, seems like you're really getting loads done! bet you feel loads better and I love how easy you are finding your AHR (sorry the theme is lost on me as I don't understand it!! haha).

strangely it has been the AHR that I have found most stressful! the wedding in Mexico has been a breeze in comparison - get options from WC and just pick....done! AHR has been like planning and organising a proper wedding!! lol

ooooo I live in Kent....just Kent in England! haha.

it looks beautiful

haha i was the same....I was trying to stay calm until you said you hadn't heard from her either!!

would it cost you the same to call the hotel as it would be? (sorry, I'm very ignorant when it comes to international calling, other than that it's expensive!!)

and sorry everyone else.....

ah thanks Krystal I wasn't really 100% happy with it until my final final fitting and then I just thought it was perfect

well, look on the positive side - at least you tried it on, and your seamstress can fix it for you, so on the day, your guests will be none-the-wiser! good luck with it, but I have no doubts it will all work out for you perfectly too.

and the car is a bummer, but you will be fine can someone lend you there car to do your running around in, even if it's just for a couple of days?

what time do you land in Cancun? our ceremony is at 4pm....if you're there in time, or any time after that, feel free to pop along and say hi! would be great to meet you

OMG - FI has been going insane about us not having heard from Ana for so long! I too sent an email about 3 weeks ago and didn't have a response so last week I sent it again (thinking maybe it hadn't got through to her) but I've had no response. and I have read receipts on my emails and she's not read either of them. FI is mega stressing me out with this. he's even suggested calling the hotel to find out what's happened, but it would probably cost us the price of our wedding to do that from over here!!

what's your next plan of action? I really need to hear from her before we go or FI might self-destruct, or I might end up killing him! whichever comes first lol

but I definitely think it's gone past the stage of being polite and waiting for an answer. I mean, she could have left, or be off sick and no-ones picked up her work - I'm not blaming her until I know why we haven't heard back as she could be sick or something. but I just need to know from someone at the hotel that she's still there and everything is ok for our wedding!! HELP!!!

xx