megcoff

Hi Ladies... My husband wore a tan colored suit with a white linen shirt untucked underneath. He bought both at Macys. He had some trouble because he did not like the khaki suits he was finding and didn't want a linen suit. He almost went with a seersucker suit from Brooks Brothers, but then decided on the tan suit. We went with the gold package and preparation of my dress and his suit were included (pressing, etc.)-- they did a great job. I am not sure if it is includeed in all wedding packages at EPM. I don't plan on posting pictures on this site, but if anyone would like to see them send me your email address and I will send them to you on Kodak Gallery. Megcoff@hotmail.com Megan

Hello all... I was married at EPM on May 28th...as far as what is included for the ceremony, I had a few conflicting answers going into it but ended up not being charged for things I had planned to be charged for- We purchased the gold package- and had covered chairs, a table with flowers, the sound system and bamboo setup with white fabric for the ceremony. We went into it thinking there was a $200 charge for the bamboo set-up and it was unclear about the chair covers but we were not charged for them- we just wanted whatever chairs were included with the package and it ended up being the covered ones. I know you have to pay for ribbons or flowers on chairs. We were told that we could do a Bon-fire for a rehearsal for $400 and I think $14 per person for drink service and appetizers....we didn't do it. For our reception dinner all white linens are included and table set-ups. The centerpieces aren't included (maybe one is with the gold package) we opted for a few bud vases at each table with one or two blooms in them. And we were not charged because I didn't use any of the other included flowers besides my bouquet and the flowers on table at ceremony. I can't believe the problems people are having with EPM now...I feel really badly that you have this added stress. Just make sure that you keep all of your email correspondence and bring it with you. I can't believe it would be worth it to EPM to get all the bad press. We went through a travel agent and I would suggest for a group to do that as well in order to get things like transfers included and other perks depending on size of your group. Plus you can keep in touch with one person to see how everyone's booking is going and how many are booked etc. We had to pay $100 down for each room through contract and just had guests mail me a check as they booked to get reimbursed. They were fine with it. I would be curious to find out what the banned photographers had to say about this relationship turning sour so quickly? Good luck!!!!

Hello Ladies, I was married at EPM on May 28, 2011. Everything was wonderful and you will not be disappointed! I got a lot of great information from this site even though I really didn't post much, so I will return the favor. Yamina was still working there then and I am surprised that she is no longer there. When I first decided on a destination wedding at EPM there was another wedding coordinator working there that had awesome reviews so I was nervous when Yamina took over. You shouldn't worry, I'm sure they will have a very capable replacement. I know it's hard to plan from so far away. I assume all of their options will stay the same as far as the menus, cakes, flowers, etc. so I will give you a little run-down of my options... We were married on the beach at 5 pm, but changed it to 6pm when we got there-- the only problem with that was that pictures needed to be rushed along but we got some great sunsets shots. We used the resort photographer and were happy with the photos (you only have ceremony shots included in gold package and will need to buy an hour for $350 to get shots after or longer if you want the whole event photgraphed) Some were included in the gold package but then we opted to upgrade the plan and basically bought everything that was offered. Even though I was happy with the photos, I should have looked into the other photographers in the area and their packages. The beach is very windy, which helps with the heat, but not so much the hair-- so if you are going for hair all down you may want to re-think it. I had half up-half down and it was a great choice, but I should have secured my side swept bangs a little better. so they weren't blowing all over in the pictures. I got my hair and makeup done at the spa...my hair turned out well...I wasn't crazy about the make-up but it looked good in the pictures. (both were included in the gold package) We paid for the guitar player to play at the ceremony which costs $500 and I feel was well worth it and really set a mood with the ocean in the background, but there is a sound system and you do have the option of playing recorded music which they have the traditional songs for you to use. The payment for a solo-ist at the ceremony is just added onto your final bill at check-out. We had white covered chairs and the seashells and starfish making an aisle in the sand. We also had the white fabric draped over the wooden structure--we thought we would have to pay $200 for this set-up but I didn't notice it in the bill. We also had a table up front with flowers on it as a decoration where we did the sand ceremony and signed the documents (we had a symbolic ceremony)-- we didn't discuss the sand ceremony but it was there when I got there so I just went with it-- I knew it was an option but thought it needed to be requested. We had cocktail hour at the x-lounge where we opted for all of the Mexican foods and the marriachi band (part of the gold package) and then dinner on the terrace of the spice restaurant. We had 37 people total so the first 20 were included in the price of the gold package and then you pay $45 for each additional person. Dinner was great except for the mahi mahi-- it was completely breaded and it was very dried out-- I didn't really eat it and all of my guests at first tried to be polite but then admitted it was not good at all. The beef tenderloin on the other hand was a big hit. We chose the silver menu III and added the mahi mahi choice. (you can mix and match items from gold and silver if you get the gold package.)-- they are very accomodating and will probably honor most requests. Since we wanted to offer two different entree choices we needed to give a count a month ahead with all of our final choices. People raved about the chocolate dessert that was part of that menu and also the vanilla cake with strawberries that we chose. They will have tables with white linens set-up...we opted for roses and gerbera daisies in bud vases spread out on table with some votive candles-- very simple, but pretty-- I think in this location over doing it with flowers can sometimes look out of place. (we did not pay extra for the centerpieces since I didn't get any flowers that were included in the gold package except my bouquet so I printed out a picture and brought it with me and asked Yamina if I could just substitute) my bouquet was red and dark pink roses and gerbera daisies tied with a turquoise ribbon...very beautiful. I was hoping for dahlias since I prefer larger blooms, but the daisies were pretty much the only option for larger blooms. -- again I brought pictures just to show the look of the bouquet and the color (different flowers were used)-- I requested a flower for my hair which was not brought to the spa as promised and was brought to my room last minute with a hair pin. I never would have been able to put it in securely and it didn't lay in my hair correctly so I opted for a fake red rose that I had brought from home to use in my trial photo...it was actually a "real touch" flower and everyone thought it was real. We did not opt for a DJ...we are having a reception at home in a month and the dancing will be done there. The guests who came to Mexico weren't a group that missed the reception feel while there. We just brought an ipod dock and played music on the spice terrace during dinner. We didn't bring OOT bags, but did bring fans to put on everyone's seat at the wedding but they were not needed because it was very windy. We decided to meet up at cafe kafe the night before the wedding and wanted to send around a typed-up itinerary but would have been charged for it to be delivered to each room so I suggest type it up yourself and bring it with you to be given when people check in. We did not have a rehearsal or rehearsal dinner. We had no wedding party so we didn't feel the need. We all just met up after dinner (you could probably all just eat together at one of the restaurants if your group is a reasonable size)-- we almost chose the bonfire option on the beach for $400 but you would have to pay $14 a person for drink service because it was considered a private get-together. It would have been too hot for a fire anyway and I didn't regret it since you are at an all-inclusive and our guests were just happy to be together, sitting outside, enjoying the musical entertainment and taking advantage of the included drinks. The resort itself was great and it was big enought that everyone can do their own thing but still run into each other. Some people chose to do excursions, some didn't. We basically had our beach spot daily so if people wanted to hang out we would meet there and come and go to the swim-up bar, the lazy river pool, or to enjoy the activities. I could go on and on...if you have any specific questions, feel free to email me and I will answer them. (megcoff@hotmail.com) Everything turned out great, but I did do a lot of planning on my own sending lists of questions to Yamina every now and then. -- I would email the temporary person and ask her to email you all of the options lists for cakes, flowers, decorations, menu, etc. if you don't have them already so you can start narrowing things down.

I am glad to hear you had a wonderful time at EPM and it sealed the deal for you!...just a few quick questions. I am in the final planning stages and leaving in a couple of weeks. How was the weather when you were there- is the humidity bearable? I am wondering if the breeze/wind near the beach helps with the heat? We are getting married at 5:00 pm on the beach on the 28th. Also, I am unclear about decorations for the dinner that is included with the gold package? Did you by any chance discuss this with Yamina- do you know if anything is included to decorate tables or if it is all extra? I am leaving the 25th for EPM and have sent her a list of my final choices, but there are some things we will discuss when I get there. I know the time between now and then will fly! Thanks for you time in answering any of the above questions. Happy planning!

Hello- I am getting married at Excellence in three weeks. I am looking to hire a guitar soloist now after realizing the sound system is all that is included for the ceremony (and after reading your review : ) )-- I am purchasing the gold package as well and look forward to the marriachi band for the cocktail hour- I have a question about Javier Rojas...did you have all of your songs picked out before contacting him or did he give you samples of what he can play? I'm not sure where to start...