leighkarem

Quote: Originally Posted by wisconsinbride2010 Leighkarem: Did you have to write our your whole ceremony or was that just something you chose to do? Also, did you have a symbolic cermony or a legal one? I chose to write our own ceremony. We did a symbolic ceremony because it is much easier. we went to city hall in our city and did it legally when we returned. You could do it right before you go too we just had no time. To make it legal there you need to be there like 4 days prior and get blood work etc. I'm a nurse ans there was no way I was going to let them draw my blood in mexico-never know where their supplies come from etc (i'm a little too cautious)!

Quote: Originally Posted by beachykeen Also, Leighkarem: would you mind sharing what the cost was for your bouquet That's the look I wanted for mine with long stems. I did the LOVE package so my bouquet was included!! My BM bouquets I think were around $30-40. I honestly forget but it was not too bad.

I wrote our own ceremony (I got a little bit from this website and other sites and adjusted it to my own preference). I also wrote my personal vow as did my husband. You can use the resorts if you want to or use mine. It was short but sweet. I printed mine out and gave it to ANA who gave it to the officiant. He added a little bit which was fine with me. These guys do this all day long so there's no need to meet with him prior. They know what they are doing. Hope this helps...Leigh

Quote: Originally Posted by ddemayo Hey Leigh! Can you tell me where your husband got his Linen suit with the linen vest?!?! They looked amazing and my fiance is looking for the same ones! Loved the pictures, thanks for posting them. Deanna Perry Ellis - macys one more thing: I wore "barefoot sandals" on the beach! I got mine on eBay- they were swarvoski iridescent cyrstals! They were awesome and I got soo many compliments. You should really consider wearing them on the beach since you won't be wearing shoes on the sand- you will love them so so cute!!! You can see them in one of my pics in the album I posted.

Quote: Originally Posted by aubry Leigh, what a beautiful wedding! You're a lovely bride! Thanks for all your information! Were the gerberas for your BM's priced as a BM bouquet? Also, do you happen to have an itenerary from the resort activities? I'd really love to have a sample for my guests. Also, my wedding was supposed to be at 11, but now they're telling me 3. I'm worried that it will be too hot at that time of day in July - any thoughts? I had to pay around 30 to 40 dollars for each bouquet! Not sure on the exact price. My bouquet and the 4 calla boutonnieres were included in the love package. I did not pay extra for a cake for the number of guests I had (53) and just stuck with the cake included and believe me that was plenty. The are desserts on the buffet anyway so not even half the cake was even eaten. Don't pay extra for a larger cake-you will be wasting money. I really recommend buying your brisesmaid bouquets from "enchanting memories" they are not real but look and feel real! The owner pat will do whatever you want. I initially ordered them but my postman screwed up and I didn't get them til I returned. They were so much bettter than the resort bouquets. They were much larger gerber daisys and bright pink/fuschia. I had to send them back and they fully refunded the money. Definetely check them out www. Enchantingmemoriesstore.com!!! You will love her work! The resort leaves an itinerary in everyones room at night describing the next days itinerary and activities. It changes every day so don't bother making your own. It is hot at 11 and 3 so I wouldn't be too worried about 3pm. Actually 3 is better because then your guests can have a couple drinks while you take pics and before you know it it's dinner time. Don't stress about your guests- they are on vaca too and will manage just fine at this beautiful resort. Believe me my guests absolutely loved everything! They relaxed, ate awesome food and drank. My husband got his vest and pants from Macy- Perry Ellis!

Quote: Originally Posted by nikkimadril I would like to know this as well. Dreams charges a fee for color napkins, table runners, etc. correct? If that is the case, I will probably just buy some online and would like to know what lengths I'll need. Thanks! These are the organza table runners I used. They looked great! 12x108 embroideried beaded organza table runner-Fuchsia50209(1pc/pk) They are 12in X 108in!. I actually left at least 10 of them there at the resort. ANA should have them. They laid them on the tables where all the buffet food was on and all 6 guests table! Hope this helps...Leigh Don't bother with the colored napkins. You wont need them.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO EMAIL OR CONTACT TO SPA PRIOR TO YOU ARRIVING. you only need to make an appt not even 1 day prior to your wedding and they will accomodate ALL OF YOUR NEEDS!!!! they do a great job with hair and makeup and will do whatever you want. We wrote our own vows and ceremony script (i got some from this site and online) and we only did a symbolic ceremony. got hitched prior at city hall. too complicated to have it done legally down there. we chose to write our own vows and script. they have an entire script for you if you want.

Quote: Originally Posted by beachykeen Also, Leighkarem: would you mind sharing what the cost was for your bouquet That's the look I wanted for mine with long stems. I did the LOVE package and it included my bouquet and 4 of the calla lily boutonnieres! i paid a little extra for the gerber daisy bouquets for my sister and his sister.

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS IT WAS PERFECT!!! DO NOT STRESS OVER ANYTHING..IT WILL ALL BE DONE WHEN YOU GET THERE AND ANA & JAZMIN WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN...I PROMISE! Forget about making table cards or buffet cards, your wasting your time. We did a mexican buffet on the deck in front of the infinity pool..it is by far the best choice..you will not be dissappointed. I was hesitant about the buffet but wilth 53 guests, it's the only choice. The mexican buffet is absolutely AWESOME. It is sooo good and every one of my guests raved about it the entire trip. They make the buffet look awesome and lite it up with these big stars (free). I brought down fuschia table runners with beads on the end and theY draped them across the round tables-it looked great! PLEASE PLEASE DON'T STRESS! especially about the small stuff--your getting married at a beautiful, clean brand new resort on the ocean--you can't ask for much more of paradise than that! Ana barely responded to any of my emails/questions but believe me she will GET IT DONE--when you GET THERE! I had a friend of mine who's a DJ make me a mix of: 1 hour cocktail music (played on the deck while we were taking pictures) 2.5 hours dance music it was perfect..Don't hire a DJ-too expensive and the technician actually wanted my CD. we had the technician for the ceremony 5:30 and reception 7p-10p so that was even better. I walked down to somewhere over the rainbow by israel, my 2 bridesmaids walked down to only time by enya and i played a few songs for when the guests were sitting down and waiting! We played better together by jack johnson for the recessional---IT WAS AWESOME! We wrote our own vows and everyone was crying including the photographer. Here is a link to a few pics i donwnloaded on snapfish- we used juan navarro which was part of the package because I requested him in Nov. He is AWESOME also. Definitely get the videographer too-well worth the $$! Snapfish: Share:Registration here is a pic of the deck setup http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/sl...NAME=snapfish/

Here's a quick link to the buffet setup: Snapfish: Share Photo:Registration Here are our vows (my new hubby would kill me if he knew I posted it) our personal vows aren't on here..we typed it out on notecards. DAN & LEIGH’S VOWS APRIL 26, 2010 This beautiful setting should remind us that, like the ocean, human life is an ebb and flow- the life of the spirit and emotions- moves in cycles. To be in a relationship does not guarantee an eternal summer. To make a sincere and honest commitment does not promise an end to all struggles. What a good relationship does offer, much like this ocean, is the opportunity for renewal. It recognizes the abiding, shared hope that after every fall and winter, spring and summer will come again. On behalf of Dan & Leigh, I welcome you and thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful day to witness their marriage ceremony. The fact that you all have travelled such a great distance to be here today is a testament to the amazing amount of love and support they have. Many of you have given them much happiness, warmth, and guidance through the various stages of their lives. They would like to sincerely thank you all for being here to celebrate their big day. A special and respectful acknowledgement must also be made to those friends and family members who were unable to attend especially Leigh’s dad but whose spirit remains alive and strong in all our hearts. I have also been asked by Dan & Leigh to thank their parents for the wonderful lives they have given them, for the hard work and guidance they have provided, for their everlasting love, support, and encouragement. It is from them that they have learned the true meaning of love, friendship and family. Marriage is an affirmation of life, an undying commitment, a spiritual, emotional, and intellectual bond between two people. It is created from the purest of friendship, respect and love. The institution of marriage is not entered into lightly, because it symbolizes commitment on every level. Together you will continue to meet the challenges and obstacles of life head on. For Dan & Leigh, this day does not mark the beginning of a new relationship; rather, it is an acknowledgement and celebration, of a relationship that has been flourishing since the moment they met. Love is one of the few constants in the universe. It is reality, affinity, and communication. Only love is capable of joining living beings by their deepest essence. It makes burdens lighter because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them. Love makes you stronger so you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone. You have chosen to walk through life together. There is no truer statement of love. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- best friend, companion, lover, partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Soon you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife. As an expression that you are joined together in love, will you please hold each others’ hands in your own, so you may feel the gift that you are about to receive on this day. VOWS Leigh, will you look into Dan’s eyes and into his heart and now say your vows. Leigh will say her vows and when done say: Dan, if you accept please say I do… Dan, will you look into Leigh’s eyes and into her heart and now say your vows. Dan will say his vows and when done say: Leigh, if you accept please say I do… SAND CEREMONY Today Dan & Leigh have chosen to represent their love to each other in a special sand ceremony. Today you join your separate lives together. The two separate bottles of sand symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. They represent all that you are and all that you'll ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before today. From these two families a new family will be created today. As these containers of sand are poured into the container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Two families have now become one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will be your marriage. CLOSING: Dan & Leigh, Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. Challenge one another so that you may grow. Never take each other for granted, but always experience the wonder of your union. And may you live the days of your lives in passion, love, and happiness. We who are present today, hope that the inspiration of this moment will never be forgotten! With friends and family, along with the sun, the moon, and the sea, I have the pleasure of announcing you as husband and wife. Dan, you may now kiss your bride. (bride and groom kiss) Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Dan Whoriskey

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS IT WAS PERFECT!!! DO NOT STRESS OVER ANYTHING..IT WILL ALL BE DONE WHEN YOU GET THERE AND ANA & JAZMIN WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN...I PROMISE! Forget about making table cards or buffet cards, your wasting your time. We did a mexican buffet on the deck in front of the infinity pool..it is by far the best choice..you will not be dissappointed. I was hesitant about the buffet but wilth 53 guests, it's the only choice. The mexican buffet is absolutely AWESOME and is not like the food in the mexican rest. It is sooo good and every one of my guests raved about it the entire trip. They make the buffet look awesome and lite it up with these big stars (free). I brought down fuschia table runners with beads on the end and they draped them across the round tables-it looked great! I actually left them all there so help yourself (ANA has them) I also brought about 30 white and 20 fuschia chair sashes (satin) and also left them down there for ANA to share with the other brides! PLEASE PLEASE DON'T STRESS! especially about the small stuff--your getting married at a beautiful, clean brand new resort on the ocean--you can't ask for much more of paradise than that! Ana barely responded to any of my emails/questions but believe me she will GET IT DONE--when you GET THERE! I applied the cocktail hour towards the dinner for 20 more guests so it was only 20/pp for guests 20-40. Then it was about 50/pp for the last 13 guests-still well worth it. you do ot need the cocktail hours because they set a bar up on the deck and everyone was just relaxing there and drinking while we did our pics. Then we had dinner. I had a friend of mine who's a DJ make me a mix of: 1 hour cocktail music (played on the deck while we were taking pictures) 2.5 hours dance music it was perfect..Don't hire a DJ-too expensive and the technician actually wanted my CD. (Ana only charged us $350 total for the technician for the ceremony 5:30 and reception 7p-10p so that was even better) I walked down to somewhere over the rainbow by israel, my 2 bridesmaids walked down to only time by enya and i played a few songs for when the guests were sitting down and waiting! We played better together by jack johnson for the recessional---IT WAS AWESOME! We wrote our own vows and everyone was crying including the photographer. Here is a link to a few pics i donwnloaded on snapfish- we used juan navarro which was part of the package because I requested him in Nov. He is AWESOME also. Definitely get the videographer too-well worth the $$! Snapfish: Share:Registration

Quote: Originally Posted by nikkimadril Hi ladies~ Can someone clarify the chair sash thing for me? If I bring or ship my own, will they put them on for free? Earlier posts state that they did this at no charge, but I think I saw a more recent post that states they will charge you for that? $5 per chair sash seems outrageous to me. you can buy the chair sashes online for 89 cents and bring them with you. last I read, ana charges $1.00 per chair to tie them. Just have your friends or family tie them on... I bought my chair sashes from wedding linens direct home page. They are really nice. I got the fuschia satin ones.

Leigh & dan april 26, 2010

you looked beautiful!!

Laura- how much did they charge you per person after the 20 person limit for dinner? I have 63 guests and have heard it around 50 dollars per person after 20! I am doing the most expensive package but that still only includes 20! I would think they would give us a break since we are bringing 60 extra guests they otherwise would not have!

Quote: Originally Posted by aj42781 Leighkarm..is your 5,000 price including your wedding package also? I didnt realize the stay was going to be so much money! does anyone have complete pricing info? I reserved march 11 2011!!! HI NO the price includes room, airfare and taxes for the 2 of us. You can get it way cheaper but we wanted a REALLY nice room and one where all the girls can all get ready before the wedding. the premium master suite ocean front room is a step below the governor and presidential suite. We looked at the honeymoon suite and its not much better than the regular rooms so its not really worth it. hope this helps...Leigh

Quote: Originally Posted by jfazzina You should confirm with Ana and make sure they credit your stay for your wedding. We were able to get the 90 per person a night Is the $90 /night just for you or everyone in your party? I called the resort group department and was told there was no group rate and to book through apple vacations. So I went with my travel agent who also told me they do not do group discounts because they are going to get the customers either way--you are going to book regardless! This is so frustrating because I have been saying from day one that we will have a minimum of 25 rooms booked since we knew for sure our frineds and family were coming no matter what. Let me know if everyone gets that rate or just you & your FI? We are booked in the preferred club master suite ocean front and its a little over $5,000 for everything for 10 days. We figured we might as well get one of the best rooms since we are only doing this once and are not splurging on a "typical" wedding at home! Thanks

I did a site visit and NO they do not give a discount. I have 63 guests already booked and confirmed and they really could give a crap!! I tried! The resort is beautiful and you will not be disappointed--i promise. I am having my ceremony on the beach-it is really pretty and we are having the reception on the deck. You literally walk off the beach and onto the wooden deck. It is perfect and is right next to the infinity pool. At night the whole resort has all different pretty lighting. Hope this helps.

I'm getting married April 26th, 2010 at 6:00pm

Thanks i love the website

Heres a cute picture of flowers for the bridesmaids--i love the gerber babies in hot pink. mexico wedding pink.zip

Just an FYI, enchantingmemories.com have really cheap and cute flower hair clips for $15.00. it's cheaper than getting a flower for your hair at the resort because the starting price is $20.00--again another rip off for "1" flower...

HI, Just so everyone knows i confirmed with ana that if you do not do a cocktail party then you will have a credit towards the dinner. I am having 65 people so the first 20 are included in the dinner and since i'm not having a cocktail party the next 20 guests are only $20 for the dinner. So overall I will only have to pay the full price for the last 25 guests (i know i invited too many people lol). I also confirmed with ana that over 40 people, you have to do buffet--which from the pictures i've seen is very nice...Also if you want bows or table runners, go to weddinglinensdirect.com and just buy the chair bows for 89 cents and have your friends put them on because if not it is 5.00 per chair (rip off). the chairs come wrapped in the white chair coverings for the reception with the ultimate wedding package (not sure about the love package) here is pictures from a recent wedding there:DREAMS RIVIERA CANCUN Fuschia is my color so I am going to utilize the free white table clothes and then buy the beaded table runners for each table in fuschia from the above website and lay those over each table.

Hi here is the wording from my invitation. Hope it helps. I sent it out in an "invitation in a bottle" invitationinabottle.com--they are really cute and your invitees will love them. "Paradise found" Walking on the beach together hand in hand we will be forever. With joy in our hearts, Leigh & Dan invite you to share the sun, sea and memories of a wedding ceremony when they exchange marriage vows ......(date, time, location etc) we also put the travel agents name and contact info at the bottom of the page. Also put in quotes "Your presence is your present" this way the guests do not feel obligated to also buy us a gift after spending money to come to our wedding in another country!!

My name is Leigh Karem and we are getting marring at Dreams Riviera cancun April 26th at sunset. Can't wait...Leigh