Fancy That

Thanks B2BDebbie! And thanks to everyone on the nice compliments We were so happy with the whole experience and LOVED our photographer/photos. I'm so excited for all the gals who are planning their weddings. You are going to LOVE IT!!!!! I swear, every bride should do a Destination Wedding We had a very small number of guests - only 11 people total, so we did a HUGE "At Home Wedding Reception" at our Ranch in California for 130 people. That was WAY CRAZIER to plan than our actual wedding in PDC BTW - I wore my dress into the ocean for TTD, and I "cleaned it" - by putting it in the big jacuzzi hot tub in our room. Just filled it up, stuck the dress in, and turned on the jets! It got all the dirt and sand and ocean water out. LOL! Then just "hung dry"....my mom pressed it when we got home and it was perfect enough to wear for our First Dance at the At Home Wedding Reception. I don't think that would have worked with a real silk dress though.....

I did my own make-up. All Bobbi Brown make-up Thanks for the compliment! Hair was done by Spa Azul (resort) The hair pin is a pave rhinestone hibiscus flower...I searched FOREVER for it. I WANTED exactly that, but it took me a TON of research to find the perfect one. Got it here: http://www.glamgal.com/b4008.html

Last couple pics by LuzMaria Avila from our 10.11.10 wedding:

More pics from my 10.11.10 wedding by LuzMaria Avila:

Ooops, I put these as attachments, which I can't even open (says I don't have permission) Let me try to imbed them? I'll post more later.. Quote: Originally Posted by Fancy That LuzMaria - yes, she's great for those on a budget AND who want amazing pics. Here are some of my faves. There are lots of fantastic photographers, but most are very expensive. With LuzMaria, you can have the best of both worlds:

LuzMaria - yes, she's great for those on a budget AND who want amazing pics. Here are some of my faves. There are lots of fantastic photographers, but most are very expensive. With LuzMaria, you can have the best of both worlds:

THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHER FOR FANTASTIC PICS ON A BUDGET is who I just used: LuzMaria Avila http://www.luzmariaavila.com/category/weddings/ For $750, I got 4 hours of coverage, starting in my room with getting ready, some classic portraits, then the ceremony, then normal "beach pics" with family and wedding party...then a TRASH THE DRESS session! it was AMAZING!!!!! This included about 200 digital pics, a professional video slideshow to our wedding song, AND, a handcrafted GORGEOUS wedding album with all the best photos. PLUS, she did this DURING our trip. She met us at the airport and delivered everything - DONE. She is AMAZING!!!!!! Here website is in the process of being updated, so our pics aren't up yet (we got married on 10.11.10) Here is our Wedding Video Slideshow to our Wedding Song (Two is Better Than One, by Boys Like Girls featuring Taylor Swift) http://video214.com/play/HVCPcnnE1IzYwCfRYJYhmQ/s/dark

Wow - great job on the OOT! Love the bag, too. And all the goodies, and personalized tags, etc. Â This is a DUMB QUESTION....but we have 5 couples attending our wedding as guests. Only 10 people. Do I create a nice OOT bag (similiar to what you did) for EACH COUPLE??? Or EACH PERSON?

Hey Wedding Buddy! I wanted to get 10.10.10, but it was taken (by you and probably several others) What a great date I'm the day after you, on 10.11.10  I'll be right after you!  I'm putting together my OOT bags but I have a problem, because I only have 10 guests. All the great advice for bags and items come IN BULK!!!!  So these great bags I was going to buy, come in a minimum of 25. So I have to pay for extra bags I'm doing a custom bag, like this one: http://myweddingreceptionideas.com/frosted_gift_bags.asp  In Clear color. Then using my wedding colors with Tissue Paper (Spring Green, Ivory & Dark Fuschia). Inside, I'll have a little "goodie kit": I had custom labels/stickers created to put on travel sized bottles, which I'll put SunScreen inside. Then I may include stuff like: chapstick, alka-seltzer, aspirin, gum (might do custom label) etc. And I may include a pair of cheap rubber flip flops. Still working on it!

Sarah - OMG, the orchid was my EXACT COLOR INSPIRATION!!!! That's how I chose my colors. I love this orchid, so I chose my wedding colors from this flower. And I'm using it as my bouquet (along w/ green hydrangea and some cream cala lily) http://www.wholeblossoms.com/img/productos/Vanguard.jpg  My wedding shoes (the fancy ones, not the flip flops that I'll wear on the beach) are dark fuschia And my dress is like a champagne color. It's called "Light Gold"...it's warm and beautiful and very flattering for my skin tone.  Have fun planning! I'll post pics when I have them Â

Hey "Oct.9-10-11 Crew" Â My main wedding colors are 'spring green & ivory' with a 'dark fuschia' accent. I don't have any fun tumblers planned, but maybe I should order some? If so - mine will be green! So between the three of us - there will be turquoise, pink and green tumblers running around the Royal PDC that week! Â Now to go find the Sand Ceremony stuff and start getting the actual vows/copy put together for the "flow" of the ceremony! Â

Luna - me too! I've been trying to find good Unity Sand Ceremony vessels (vases or frames where you can pour the sand in) Â Misglave - THANK YOU for the Etsy tip! I didn't see any sand ceremony stuff there when I looked earlier, but I'll check again. Â Luna - my WC said we just need to give them the vows/script for the Officiant to read, or if you two are reading it. And bring the "stuff" - like the vases, the colored sand, the ribbon for hand ceremony etc. Â Just tell them what you want to do and when, and they do it. You can communicate it earlier, but they will take care of it, probably when you meet them onsite, just before the wedding. Â SAND CEREMONY QUESTION - When , in the ceremonly, are people doing it? We are doing a symbolic, simple short ceremony (non-catholic, non-denominational) and I'm not sure "when" the sand ceremony should happen. Any tips? Â Â

Hey SMcKinney! yes, you me and RunningBride will all be there the same time! You first, then her, then me on 10/9, 10/10, 10/11 Very cool!!!!! I'll look for the fun bunch w/ the turqoise tumblers. also - since we arrive the morning of the 8th, I'll be able to see your wedding, too And then we can watch RBs You on the beach or gazebo or garden? I'll be on the beach at 4pm on 10/11/10 We only have 8 guests TOTAL...we were going to elope but the parental units, siblings and a couple friends wanted to come vacation Having a huge wedding reception at home, on 10/23....invited 125 peeps! That is WAY more planning than this little wedding on the beach!

Hey RB! We are getting married on the beach at 4pm, the day after you! We arrive the morning of the 8th, so I'll look for your wedding on the 10th!! How fun - we'll be there the same time! I'm getting my hair done at the Spa. Need to figure out how to make the appt. I think I'll just call? I was gonna do my own make-up, but seeing the posts about MAC is making me think of using MAC. I love MAC make-up and I'm hoping they can do a great job. Still want to hear how that's done, though (go to the store? they come to you?) I dunno - I do make-up really well, so I may just keep it DIY and let the pro's do my hair. You are inspiring me to lose the 10lbs I want to lose! I ride horses and live on a ranch, so am very active. If I just watch what I eat, I know I can do 10lbs by 10/11/10 I can't go crazy with workouts ...no time. Will probably just do LeanBody for Her shakes for dinner. That should do the trick (along w/ no/low carbs in general)

I need the Spa info for The Royal PDC, too. I feel like I should have booked my appointment already, but I have no info on it. Did you book the appointment for hair in advance? Did you call directly or did the WC do it? I'm a little over 2 months away, so I feel like I need to get that buttoned up. Thanks!

Adding myself to the list for Royal PDC wedding this year: Fancy That on October 11, 2010 (I wish I got 10/10/10 but it was booked Runningbride24 - I'll see you there! I'm the day after you, on the beach. Juliet1 - September 17, 2010 jamk32179- September 18, 2010 smckinney22 - October 9, 2010 Runningbride24 - October 10, 2010 Fancy That - October 11, 2010 ReidCapote - October 24, 2010 Shirley_Ken - October 28, 2010 Natalie79 - October 30, 2010 Celine- November 5, 2010 bmlynch - November 6, 2010 Randi - November 11, 2010 Trinas79 - November 11, 2010 jesmcan - November 12, 2010 futuremrs1113-November 13, 2010 giraffexx - November 19, 2010 mslisaaragon - November 22, 2010 Lisa DSO- November 24, 2010 Jenny310 - November 27, 2010 FutureMrsYak- December 2, 2010 orbitingbklyn (rachel) december 3, 2010 msglave-December 11, 2010 MichaelandAraceli- December 18, 2010 N&J2011 - April 1, 2011 Suzy831 - April 16, 2011 pineapplebride - *maybe* April 2011 ChicagoBride2011- May 1, 2011 speedy130 - May 7, 2011 sarahe786 - May 15, 2011 rosieposie - May 22, 2011 orange_peel - May 27, 2011 Prettypigpig - July 4, 2011 Augustbride2011 -August 20, 2011

The Royal in Cancun is amazing. We went in 2007 and it was the best vacation we've EVER HAD. You'll see lots of info on The Royal, both the Cancun location and the Playa Del Carmen (PDC) location. I do have to say that The Royal Cancun is a smaller resort, compared to PDC, and each and every room is OCEAN FRONT RIGHT ON THE OCEAN. Also the pool runs along the ocean front and has an infinity edge. See my signature photo I LOVED it there and would have gotten married there this year (October wedding) except that we wanted to go somehwere new AND PDC has a nicer "town"....especially for out of town guests. There are other really nice All Inclusives (We like 5 star, Adults Only type)...and Le Meredian has a much nicer gazebo. The water and beach is nicer in Cancun for wedding photos - compared to PDC. You'll LOVE it there

I know that I can wear high heels and have the ceremony in the gazebo (not so great pics) and then pop down to the beach for the gorgeous beach pics. BUT - I really don't love how the gazebo ceremony pics look! For all the reasons you said - and I don't care for that DARK SOLID BROWN WOOD ROOF that you always see inside. I love seeing the turquoise ocean/water and sky in the pics, not a dark brown solid roof and low/shaded lighting. Anyways - I would do beach wedding in a heartbeat, if I could get some height. Has anyone seen brides to PLATFORM FLIP FLOPS/SANDALS on the beach? Or can they put down a whole wooden runway and platform? We are getting married there (The Royal PDC) on October 4, 2010. Was planning a 4pm wedding. Haven't picked a photographer, but MATT you guys are at the top of our list! This has been such an informative thread!

Quote: Originally Posted by alison15 When we booked, I didn't even think about hurricane season and now I am sort of nervous. However, we had so many people throwing dates at us that they could not attend and we wanted to give our guests a lot of time to book flights. It really never occurred to me until I read an article that they think hurricane season will be even worse this year. We are advising everyone to get travel insurance just for this reason. However I feel bad that they have this added cost. I'm nervous too, but I've also seen examples of gorgeous weddings in October, with no hurricanes See? Here's one from October 1 (the day before yours) 10.01.09 Christi and Scott | Excellence Riviera | Photos by Matt I would have changed ours, cuz we don't have the hotel booked or site...but we already have our flights. AND my folks have already booked thier timeshare and flights too. The cost to change everything will be expensive. ANY OTHER OCTOBER BRIDES HERE? We need support!

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt Adcock I plan on writing a post about this subject.... LOTS of detail and photo examples. I'm also going to make it a new post, so it doesnt get lost in the 3 zillion other posts in this thread.... I am just swamped and need some time to organize my thoughts, etc prior to posting. Without a doubt, RUN, JUMP, go there as fast as you can.... have the ceremony at the front edge or outside the gazebo. when its inside, we feel like this: This was EXACTLY my #1 concern about having the ceremony in the gazebo. Specifically The Royal & Real gazebos are all DARK WOOD SOLID ROOF, so I don't love how dark it looks inside in pics. I know it's actually beautiful IN REAL LIFE, when you are there in person....but I'm really concerned about the photos. Matt - please post your thread on this topic! We are planning to get married at The Royal PDC (might still do Cancun) and not sure if we do gazebo or beach. WE only have 6 guests, so if gazebo, we were going to have them INSIDE the gazebo. Thanks! Please post example pics, too

I agree with what others have said. Last time we vacationed there was Nov 1 - 7, and that was PERFECT! Just at the end of hurricane season. We had to book a flight to Cancun based on a refund/credit w/ an airline and they wouldn't book more than an year in advance. So the LATEST we could do was Oct. 1 - 10. Ideally, I would have done Nov 1 - 10. Right now - our wedding is planned on October 4, and yes, it's definitely still hurricane season, however, it's just going to be 6 -8 guest max and no reception. We'll just do the beach gazebo.....

Quote: Originally Posted by dianep in case you're still looking, here's the info i received for the resort photographers: Thank you so much Diane~~~~ Unfortunately, i don't have enough posts to qualify to download those docs (need 150 posts...but I"m too new) Can you send them by any chance? To elaineshickman at gmail dot com Thanks!!!! Have a fantastic wedding next weekend!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by beachbum1285 Hey girls... I'm getting married there in 2 weeks. I'll be more than happy so share my experience and pictures. I'm having a beach ceremony so I won't have any pictures of the us in the gazebo but I can still get some to show. If any of you want any specifics just tell me or PM me and I will try my best while I'm down there. Oh how exciting!!!! We LOVE The Royal Cancun and I think the beach ceremony is the "prettiest".....my only concern is that noone can wear shoes (including me) So I guess it's just barefeet for all? If I want to wear high heels, I'll do the Gazebo at The Royal or next door at The Gran Caribe. The two gazebos look exactly the same, but The Royal's gazebo has a very "public" walk-up. There are lounge/cabanas all stacked up right until the gazebo entrance. So bride walks down an "aisle" w/ a bunch of beach/pool peeps on either side. Can you let me know if the Gran Caribe's Gazebo is similar? (if you pop over there. When we stayed at The Royal, we walked over next door via the beach to check out the sister resort) thanks!

Congrats on the wedding! I really love it when Brides come back here and do a review/report to help others w/ planning. We are getting married in the Cancun/Playa Del Carmen area on Oct. 4, 2010...and we've been to The Royal Cancun and next door at Gran Caribe 2 years ago. We LOVED The Royal. But the Gran Caribe has THE BEST CHAPEL for a ceremony! We haven't decided to do Cancun or try The Royal Playa Del Carmen......my question to you: - How did you and your guests deal with walking in the sand, on the beach, with shoes? Did you have to take shoes off? As vain as it sounds, I really want to be able to wear high heels, or high platform/wedge shoes.....but I love the look of a true BEACH ceremony. The downside is everyone has to be barefoot though. My other choice is the Gazebo - which isn't as nice for photos during the ceremony (but we'd go down to the beach for nice after-ceremony pics) You looked STUNNING! Loved how everything turned out...and thanks again for the report. We want to see the pro pics too! Oh - last question - you decided not to use the Resort Photographer? Not good enough quality of photos? What made you decide to pay so much more money for an outside vendor?

The Gran Caribe Real Chapel in Cancun is SIMPLY GORGEOUS. Thier sister resort next door, The Royal Cancun is SIMPLY AMAZING. You'd love it there.... THe Royal is my FAVORITE place/vacation of all time (stayed in 2007) The chapel is so amazing....I would almost get married there, but we aren't Catholic