Traci7642

After a couple bad dresses from Wonderxue (who I was going with initially), I've sent in for quotes with Jasmine's, Babyonline, and Dressilyme.. 

Does anyone have a link for babyonline?  That's a dhgate seller, right?

Okay ladies... I think I figured out how to upload our dvd to youtube.  here it is!

http://youtu.be/ubPoG5ZWfpA

I'm so glad you like them!  They really were a big hit with our friends and family.  I tried to upload it, but the file size must be too large.  I can try sending them to your personal email addresses if you want to PM them to me. 

As for downloading YouTube videos, here's a link to download w/o installing any extra software http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt2SmMprL48

Originally Posted by normas09 

So you inspired me to go the video save the date route. How did you download a video from youtube? I didn't think you could do that. Also, would you mind sharing your video? I've been looking at other save the dates and have nothing like what you have described. I am not the creative type so any help would be great!

~Norma

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

Best idea ever! I wish I'd seen this or thought of it! Do you have a copy of the video you put together?
 

omg... after cjfraser's post on wonderxue, followed by the beautiful pictures from rawalter, i'm thinking i should jump ship on wonderxue and go with jasmines.  Wonderxue is quoting me $390 which is pretty close to Jasmine's prices.  Agh!!!!  Cjfraser, I'll be anxiously awaiting pictures from your wonderxue experience.  

My date is 12/13/13 at Marival Residences & World Spa in Puerto Vallarta.  Most of the places that I looked at required a deposit or a room block with a deposit for each room.  Marival fortunately didn't require any of that.  Here is their trip advisor page (I used trip advisor to analyze most of the places I was interested in).  Let me know if you have any questions!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g154267-d154855-Reviews-Marival_Residences_World_Spa-Nuevo_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast.html

Originally Posted by violet0711 

 

Thank you for your feedback. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I got quotes from Hotel La Reve and Maheka Beach Resort and it appears they all require a certain amount of rooms booked in order to hold the wedding there. That is where I have a problem for I don't know exactly how many guests I will have and I'm not sure if all my guests can afford those rates or want to stay there. Can anyone offer any tips on this? I need help to find an ideal venue!

I found that this was more common when trying to reserve boutique style hotels.  I was very fortunate that the location I chose didn't require any $ or bookings to schedule my date. Good luck!!

I feel like they are good rates but I don't have too much to compare them too.. This is a rough estimate of our rates.  This is round trip airfare and the all-inclusive stay.  These prices also include unlimited excursions (zip lining, dolphin swims, sunset cruises, etc.) but since then they've limited it to 1 per stay I think.  Let me know if you have any questions!  

8 days/7 nights - $1634

7 days/6 nights - $1462

6 days/5 nights - $1292

5 days/4 nights - $1123

4 days/3 nights - $942

3 days/2 nights - $870

I don't have any specific suggestions, but I would suggest checking out tripadvisor.  That's where I got most of my information to help me decide.  Nothing like reviews to tell it to you straight :-)  Also, you may want to pay close attention to the week that you decide to go so that you don't get too many spring breakers, unless you'll have the fun party crowd that would like that.

I decided on Marival Residences & World Spa.  They have a free wedding package that people say is actually free lol.  I do plan though to not fully utilize that and will be doing the private 4-hour reception which is $30 per person.  Here is the free wedding package.  I've read in reviews that people actually walked away without paying a single thing and had a fantastic time.  

Free Wedding Package at Marival Residences

• Fruit basket
• Up grades based on availability
• House Flowers for ceremony: location
• Bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutonniere
• Wedding toast with margaritas & martinis
• Option of spiritual or legal ceremony (including medical exams, judge fees and wedding certificates)
• Three-course dinner in specialty restaurant included for wedding group who are registered all-inclusive guests
• Wedding cake for all invited guests
• Bottle of champagne in room on wedding night
• 30-minute massage for both bride and groom
• Breakfast in bed.

No minimum number of bookings required

Available Extras

• Ceremony at sunset: $170 USD
• Mariachi band: $790 USD per hour
• Trio: $450 USD per hour
• DJ: $580 USD per event (4 hours)
• Photography: $450 USD (30 Photos)
• Wine/Champagne List: Prices upon request
• Minister Services: $390 USD
• Weekend or Statutory Mexican National Holiday wedding dates: $150 USD
• Translation of documents in Mexico (birth certificates): $30 USD per page
• Translation of divorce decree (if applicable): $30 USD      

Another option you have is to find a resort that doesn't charge the 'per person over 10'.  It was something that I really stressed over so I finally found a resort where the dinner/cake/cocktails were all included if they stayed at the hotel, regardless of how many.  However, that is only if you do the semi-private reception.  If you want the private dinner, then you do have to pay the per person fees.  

We aren't planning to use a dj either.  Two of my three bridesmaids are djs so I hope they know that I plan to fully use them at the reception to mc as well as premix some music.  Don't forget to have your location provide you a microphone at your reception site 

Originally Posted by cjfraser 

 

I would say if you're thinking about using Wonderxue then be sure to order early.  The date I've told her is April 5th and I've still not got my dress from her or notice that it's been shipped although she has assured me I will receive it this month.  I've ordered the dress, veil and a cover up from her so if they don't turn up/there are issues then I will be in a tight place!

I will definitely keep that in mind!  My wedding isn't until December so I feel pretty comfortable with the amount of time as of right now.  Has she sent you any mid-production photos?

So I plan to use wonderxue on Etsy and she has this amazing dress in her portfolio that she's created.  I'd really like to try on the original to make sure it does indeed fit my shape and size.  I asked her if she knew the original inspiration and she said she didn't because she just made this off a photo someone sent her.  Has anyone seen this dress and possibly know the original designer?

K, I hope you'll still post your review on Marival.  Super excited to hear all of your details :-)

I would suggest checking out tripadvisor.  I'm not familiar with these hotels, but I can tell you that Iberostar Bavaro is #1 out of 99 in Punta Cana and Dreams is only 29.  I relied very heavily on the tripadvisor ratings and reviews to pick my spot.  Check it out!!

I don't think there is anything wrong with it either.  And on the bright-side, if they all know this prior to booking, it will have everyone that really wants to go book asap so you'll have a more solid number in advance to plan around.  I'm afraid we're going to get last minute bookings that'll throw off our OOT bags and table seatings.  Good luck!

lol... i meant 'ladies'

Thanks for the compliments aldies!!  Albellis, I fell in love with the Message in a Bottle on this forum and knew from the get go that we would send those as our invitations.  

Where I live, we have a quite a few casinos.  At the end of every night they have to throw out their cards since they can't reuse them for the next day.  I've been told by frequent gamblers that I can just go there and ask for their cards for free. 

I just went to Landy Bridal's website and it says 'Please be advised that www.landybridal.com has been shut down pursuant to a court order of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued against the website's prior owner due to its unauthorized usage of trademarks and/or copyright protected imagery in order to sell counterfeit merchandise.'

atgb, so sorry to hear that.  Yanira has always been super quick to respond to me and answer most, if not all of my questions.  I find that it's easier to ask questions in a bullet format, she always responds to each bullet with a different font.  Maybe it's a busy wedding time at Marival and that's why you're getting delayed responses.

Congrats, K!  I'm so glad everything went well and can't wait to read your review.  

Thanks so much!  We really enjoyed making them together and everyone enjoyed receiving them.  Happy Planning!

http://www.groupon.com/deals/vista-print-weddings?utm_medium=afl&utm_campaign=4219593&utm_source=rvs

This groupon is still valid, but I think it expires later today.  It's $25 for $100 worth of goodies at Vista Print.