jdrewett

Quote: Originally Posted by Mel&B Hi! I'll try to answer your questions. 1. I think you just have to think of the wedding as completely separate from the rest of the week. I also got D&E#1, and I really enjoyed having those two dinner's spaced throughout the week. I don't think it seems odd if you just think of the wedding night as its own special occasion (with its own special costs, of course!) Ok, just checking. I wish we could budget for both. We may decide to do the wedding night, plus one welcome dinner a la carte. Or maybe even do the wedding night, and have the D&E#1 with some portion going to the guests. 2. Bar is the same, or you can upgrade to the premium bar, which will include more brand name liquors. We kept the bar the same because we didn't have room in the budget for the premium bar. I was very happy with that decision. The bartenders make so many yummy concoctions that many people deviated from their usual "kettle and soda" or whatever. I didn't do an extra drink station. My advice with D&E #1 would be to get a desert instead of a drink station. Our guests went wild for the fried ice cream. I was thinking the same. If we have to pay for the open bar, I will just keep it the same as all the other nights. I'm glad to hear the guests loved the fried ice cream. We are planning to do that instead of a cake. Yay! 3. I didn't question the per table charge. I got quotes from other WC's that included linen and silverware rentals, glassware, etc., which PF didn't charge for. I think it all works itself out, and probably to our advantage. Ya, I just have to keep the big picture in mind that it could be more expensive somewhere else. When will you be there in December? We are planning to combine the trip with our trip back home to Texas for Christmas. So tenatively Dec. 20-23rd. Thanks so much. This eases some of my concerns and questions, coming from working in the industry. I just need to trust and enjoy the planning. hehe. : )

Thanks so much girls! I love to hear and see what you selected. The table runners are great. I have seen some great ideas and items for sale on this site, as well as etsy. I will probably start a planning thread in the next month or so. We had our call with Adam this weekend, so now we are getting really excited. He was so great and answered all of our other questions and we can't wait to see the property/meet Adam & Lindsay. I just had a couple questions for clarification. I thought I would ask here first in case I am just not understanding it right. I am a Catering Sales Manager for a hotel, which is why I am thinking of these details...I'm not just trying to be crazy detailed. lol. Adam said we can't use D&E #1 for a welcome dinner and the wedding dinner, since the wedding night is completely separate. So if we chose D&E #1, we could use it for a welcome dinner and dinner another night. He said the wedding dinner and open bar during the wedding reception is separate. He also mentioned there is a charge for the tables, regardless if you use existing or not. They invested in new tables, so it is for the upkeep and maintenance of their tables. They have enough to seat 64, but wi So my questions are: 1. Does it seem odd we can't use the D&E #1 for the wedding night if we like the menus offered and are willing to cover that cost instead of adding it to the guest charges? 2. Is the bar on the wedding night different than the bar on another night? If so, it makes sense. Did you girls choose to host the bar or do something different (signature cocktails, margarita station, etc)? 3. Since the property where I work there are options to use existing set at no charge, or rent banquet tables for a charge, I hadn't budgeted for this cost. I understand if they need to make money for their investment, but just checking I understand it all. As I mentioned before, we have a pretty set budget, so I am trying to anticipate/understand all the costs now to avoid surprises later. Let me know what you think. Those are the only questions in mind, but certainly nothing that would keep me from loving Playa Fiesta. I'm going to run them by Lindsday and Adam later this week too. We are going to do our site visit in December. We are looking at doing the 4 night weekday for November 2010. Thanks for all your help!

I was set on real flowers until I joined this site. Since then, I have seen so many amazing photos of real touch "fake" flowers. It has made me change my mind completely. Not only are they cheaper, but you don't have to worry about availability in the region or season. The girls that post on here say their guests don't even notice. I can't find the thread, but one girl said one of her guests kept it in water the whole time and even told customs it was real. She had no idea! Hope this is helpful! I would definitely look into it!

Where did you get the bags from?

We are in the process of talking with Lindsay and Adam, as well as planning our site visit. Can't wait! What packages did everyone choose? We are looking at D&E Package #1, with some add-ons if the budget allows. I hope we can get the basic fireworks package too! We are bringing our photographer and getting real touch flowers. I would love to do some bougainvilla with candles on the tables. Did anyone use existing tables, rather than the banquet tables? I have so many questions, which we are working through to see if we can afford everything. We are getting excited!

Congrats! Can't wait to hear the details!

I agree, I think Playa Fiesta meets all your requirements. Check it out!

Congrats and welcome! I'm looking into Playa Fiesta next fall. There is a great Playa Fiesta forum and tons of great information! Can't wait to hear the details!

Congrats Jessica! Can't wait to see the photos!!

I'm going to do more research on this! I would love to do a turtle release and snorkeling for our guest activities!

Does anyone have any photos you can send or post?

The flowers are beautiful! Where did you get them from?

Did you have a photographer for your AHR?

I'm hoping to use bougainvillea on my tables with some candles. I've seen it before. It looks beautiful...and affordable!!! : )

Yay for Monday brides!! What day are you arriving? and your guests?

Quote: Originally Posted by kate.com Thanks! It was super fun... and I think a mexican theme would be really neat! I had googled papel picado and there are several templates and patterns online... just an idea. The most expensive part was the tent/table/linen rentals... It was $1800... I believe we had around 300 people... maybe a few more. I used linens on the tables and plastic on the serving tables- that worked out good and saved me $$. The treats were made by my mom's friends that wanted to do something and dislayed on a desert/coffee table... they managed that well! The only thing I wouldn't do again is make all of the food... granted the food was AMAZING because of it's freshness... but making kabobs at 6am is crazy, even if it is not your actual wedding day. Maybe you could have some mexican food catered and add your own touches We also hired a server to just remove garbage and stock drinks, directing the park cars etc. This was nice for our parents... they could enjoy during the celebration! Let me know if you have any more questions:) Yes, I definitely want to order some papel picado for the wedding and AHR! So cute! I'm hoping to get away with not doing a tent. My FIL has a family friend at our favorite Mexican food restaurant. One of my best friend's had a backyard wedding and said the set up and breakdown was the worst. Her family spent so much time putting everything up, then having it ready for the rental pickup. Thanks!

The girl I am buying the passport cover from on Etsy will be done on Oct. 26th. I can't wait to see them!! I'll try to post some pics. : )

For all you PF brides: What is your budget? How many guests? I LOVE PF from everything I have seen and read here. I'm just concerned about the costs and the costs for our guests. Let me know your thoughts. We are doing a church ceremony. We are hoping to host a welcome dinner, wedding dinner, and some group activities for 40-60 guests for under $9K. We will likely have to help some guests with rooms too. Do you think it is do-able?

Great thread. It's interesting to see everyone's budgets for informal v. formal AHRs. We are hoping to keep it casual and affordable in my mom's backyard. We have started a rough budget for about $3000 for 150. We will be getting discounted catering from a family friend.

Kate, great job on the AHR! We are planning to do something similar in my mom's backyard with a mexican theme? What would you do the same and different? If you don't mind me asking...How many ppl and what was your budget? I love it!

Great thread! I just read about half of the posts and have so much useful information now! THANK YOU!

I'm getting Mexican themed passport covers on Etsy. Im going to write them personalized notes inside asking them to be one of my "Senoritas"! : )

Cute idea! Does anyone have pictures of pinatas they are going to use/have used?

I work in the wedding industry. Just a tip: Make sure you are very clear about your budget and expectations from the beginning. Some wedding coordinators charge for every email, phone call, etc. as office hours. As you make changes and continue the planning, request updated estimates...or you might be shocked over the final bill. I have seen it happen!

Has anyone been here? The prices are right, just worried about the distance and some guests thinking it is too rustic? Let me know your thoughts.