truelove4life

Me again ... I am full of questions!! Has anyone had a Symbolic Ceremony at the ILA? Were your quests aware ahead of time that it would be symbolic? If not, did it look like the "real thing"?

For those of you who were already married at the ILA .. would you recommend bringing your own table decorations or just going with what they provide for the dinner/reception? I am starting to put all of my stuff together and I am realizing I have WAY too much stuff to bring ... I'm not sure what I should leave behind.

I just added you on facebook as well (my name is Rhea) but it says that it is awaiting confirmation ... I can't wait to see your pics. I am leaving in 6 days and I am starting to get a bit anxious ....

I would love to see some pics as well!! [email protected]

I have been way out of the loop ... there is a wedding gazebo now

AliciaM Don't be alarmed. This has been something we have all been experiencing the last while with Yahimara. It seems to take a week or two before getting any sort of reply back from her. Remember to keep all of your emails between the two of you as well and to bring them to the resort with you, in case they try to change things upon arrival after you have them planned with Yahimara. Rhea

Hey Ladies!! It's been a while since I have been on here ... It's only 3 months away for me now and I am still a bit frustrated with the whole planning thing with Yahamira. Not only is she super difficult to get in touch with BUT she keeps giving me mixed information. I asked her last week about booking a rehearsal dinner in advance and she said that I had to wait to get there to book it!! She also said that my 8:30 dinner will not be private if the hotel is busy and that we will only know when the time comes. Is anyone else still experiencing these little issues?? For my wedding favours, I was thinking of doing personalized travel mugs as well as welcome bags. Has anyone looked into travel mugs or the pricing to get them done?? I wanted to give them something practical that they will use again ... and I know when I go on a trip, I always remember to bring a travel mug to keep my all inclusive drinks nice and cold!!

thanks Barrierunner! i think I am going to go with the private and free dinner at 8:30. that seems like the most worthwhile, price wise. so many decisions!!!!

Is the dinner at 8:30 private or public?

I'm wondering if a section of the steak house, for example, could be reserved.(i.e. the outside area) I am also wondering if an hour and a half is enough time to do a few short speeches, the traditional dances, and eat the meal. ?? I am now considering a private dinner and paying the extra $150, which may be better than having a dinner at 8:30 with other resort guests plus renting out the disco or conference room for some privacy. Especially with this crazy charge of $8pp.

I am really confused now, too. I had no idea it was an additional 150 to have dinner at 6:30. I would rather eat at 8:00 if that is the case! My head is spinning. lol.

Hey Chevy14! I asked Yahimara the other day if there was any way to have a beach reception. The answer was no. I also asked her about having the dinner/reception somewhere other than in one of the restaurants. She said no. lol. She said that after dinner, I could "rent" out the disco or the conference room from 9-11 for an additional $150. On top of that price, if you want drinks served in the disco or the conference room, you need to pay an extra $8cuc per person, which didn't make any sense to me since it is an all inclusive resort and you would already be paying $150 to use the facility. If anyone can clarify that for me, or has any additional information, please let me know!! I am starting to realize that this is going to cost me a bit more than I expected in order to have the day that I want!! I'm sure it will all be worth it and turn out perfect in the end.

Barrierunner ... here is something to possibly consider ... we could share the disco from 9-11. we could go half on the cost and you could have one hour and I the other hour .... Just an idea!! What is the gala dinner that a few of you have mentioned??

I still have no idea what I am doing for a photographer, either. I have contacted several and checked out so many of the adds on here and on facebook and for the most part, you have to pay their travel expenses PLUS an additional price for the photography package. Since my FI and I are already paying for our whole wedding and we are staying an extra week, this is definitely not in the cards. A relative was supposed to do the photography for us but she is unable to take time off of work so we are back at square one. ugh! Has anyone heard anything about the resort photographer? Or the cost of using the resort photographer?? The kind of packages they offer?

I am wondering about the gap as well ... from 8-11. I wanted to do the traditional dances and speeches but how the heck am I supposed to do that if I am having dinner in the steakhouse with other guests there!! ugh. There is so much time in between - they must have evening entertainment, though, that we could go watch before the disco?? As for the private dinner ... how do you arrange for that? I was under the impression that my dinner is in the restaurant while other guests come and go as well. That doesn't sound too intimate to me, having dinner with other people watching and eating dinner as well. And how are we supposed to decorate some tables and stuff?? lol. Now, I am starting to stress!! Barrierunner! I think it is pretty cool that we are getting on the same day too!! We will have to get together later on ... maybe in the evening ... and get a few pictures together! As for my colours, they are white and purple but I haven't gone as far as to ask Yahamira about whether or not they have purple, yet. I should probably get on that. I would also like to know about the material for the chairs. - where to get it or any suggestions on how to make them -is it just really wide ribbon?? It is really hard to figure out how to decorate when we can't really bring much with us on top of our usual travel luggage. I was thinking of bringing flower petals in purple from Michaels as well as small tea lights and tea light holders and some seashells to decorate the tables for dinner. Some small stuff that won't take up too much space or weight in my suitcase. On the one hand, it feels like I have so much time to get things organized ... but really, time is just flying by and I am getting a bit anxious!! aaaaah!!!