JuliaR

Quote: Originally Posted by volosikj Where did you get all of your supplies? Charms and Paper? You did an amazing job!!!! Thanks everyone! I got the charms through Oriental Trading. The sheer ribbon is from Michaels and all the paper supplies came from Renaissance Writings. That's weird about the images. I can see them just fine. There are 5-7 posted. Hmmmmm....not sure what to do.

I'm so excited about these because I did ALL the design work, assembly, gluing, addressing and mailing myself. Rob and i are getting married in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico on May 13th, 2010. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! I had to share my hard work with you all! It's a 7 x 7 Envelofold with several underlayments and a linen trifold I designed. It has an old/antique map of the Yucatan Peninsula on the front and inside. The response cards are hand cut in white linen and tied with a sheer, pink bow and charm. The charms are different, but they all have an ocean/travel theme. The response envelope is green to match the title text. The outer envelope is soft pink. So all in all the colors are white, peach, pink and green. Thanks for looking!

Quote: Originally Posted by jesmcan I can't get the image to load how do you guys get your images to show up in your posts? You have to host them on another site (like photobucket) and then click the photo icon (circled in pink below), and add the website address where the image can be found.

Quote: Originally Posted by 2mckee What is everyone doing for shoes?? We are doing the barefoot on the beach thing, so I am planning on wearing flat sandals at the reception. I have been looking for sparkly sandals for months now!! Any suggestions? I just bought these new $475 Santini Mavardi pink rhinestone sandals for $75 on an auction site! Wooohooo! Now eyeing the white Jimmy Choos. LOL

I feel bad because I just got a bit upset (but rightfully so) with Aja. She is telling me and my guests the Gran (my wedding location) is booked. However, when I go online to the Gran's website, i can book a room no problem! Here's the deal.....apparently, the girls in Michigan only have a limited number of rooms they can book at their special rates, so when that books out they refer people to the sister resort 10 minutes away and book them there instead of referring them to the Gran's Hotel Reservations line or hotel website! Argh! It must be a commission based booking for them. I mean WHY wouldn't they understand that all my guests WANT to stay in the same hotel as us? Grr...... So be forewarned. Just because they say the rooms are all booked, doesn't mean the ENTIRE hotel is booked. Check online first or call the 1-800 number for the Hotel itself and book under your wedding name. Basically, the WC office almost like a travel agency. They only get a certain number of deals and they want the credit for all the rooms they can book. No wonder they are sooooo adamant that ALL your guests book through them.

Quote: Originally Posted by ChicagoBride2011 Hi ladies, My fiance and I have had a very stressful week and was looking into other resorts as a result of the lack of communication from Suzanna. I just read on here that she's gone, and I'm willing to give The Royal another chance. Does anybody have email addresses from other US WC's? I would like to get everything in writing opped to calling them! Mine is Aja (pronounced Aisa). [email protected] She's pretty organized and was completely fed up with my other WC when she looked at my file. We spent an HOUR on the phone clarifying and going over all the mistakes that had been made. Aja can be curt and short with you, but she's very organized and gets back to you quickly.

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Stephanie~ So it looks like the resort is sold out for parts of our stay. I don't think anyone else is going that we sent invitations to, so hopefully that won't be a problem. I have resolved myself with being sad that we have such a small group, I know it will be less hassle and worry so I am just going to go with it. Guess I don't really need to do OTT bags! lol Oh don't feel bad. I only have 12 coming which includes my photogs! LOL. I think it's going to be intimate, quiet and wonderful not having so many people there. My fiance and I are not party animals anyways, so the fewer numbers makes me happy. Plus, it gives you more time ot spend with your guests AND you KNOW that the people coming are folks who truly love you and want to be there!

Quote: Originally Posted by dianep what kind of experience have you ladies had with the flowers for your bouquets? i kind of want to piece together my own bouquet vs. just chosing one from their list. as long as they have the flowers available, they're able to make it, right? i have the classic package (at the gran porto), which comes with a semi-private reception. have any of you had to make an upgrade for your private reception? i would love to have it on the beach instead of at one the the resort restaurants. what are the options/logistics of doing this? i'm still waiting to hear back from my WC... going on 2 weeks now. I'm at the Gran Porto too. We took the Free Wedding package and added on a private reception at the beach even though we have just 15 people coming. We have to pay for 20 b/c that's the minimum # for a private reception. You can upgrade to a private no problem. The decorations are supposed to be lovely and the tables are lit up at night. They are also very flexible with menu options. I chose different courses from three different menus. I just have to hope it doesn't downpour that night on the beach! I don't really want to be moved into a ballroom at all!

Congrats! And welcome to the forum! West Bay Beach is supposed to be stunning. When we were there, the locals raved about it. I also remember Barefoot Cay being a good place to go too. Access to it may be limited though, but I believe it is all inclusive because of it's private location just offshore of the island on its own private cay. They have a weddings page with lots of pics! Roatan Weddings | Beach Weddings | Private Island Weddings | Caribbean Destination Weddings - Barefoot Cay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

This is the checklist I received two weeks ago. It's the most recent I believe. New Wedding Price list 2010 (12-8-09)-2.xls

This is the email I received from Aja. I look forward to working with you but your wedding day is quickly approaching and we need to start finalizing your details. Please note that 60 days prior to your wedding date the checklist/details are due, 45 days prior to your wedding date a final payment is due and 30 days prior to your wedding date you will be forwarded to an on-site wedding coordinator in Mexico. ***If final payment is not paid 30 days prior to your wedding date, your wedding will be CANCELLED!!! **** By the beginning of next week I would need to have the checklist returned! If you have not received your wedding checklist PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP! Also, I would need a rooming list of all guests who will be attending your wedding. Be sure to list their name and the hotel they will be staying at while attending your wedding.

I was told checklist is due within 60 days. Final payment within 45 days.

I need help with menu choices: These are the options for private reception. Anyone give advice on what to pick? I get one from each course. Oh the decisions! SALADS Spring salad with goat cheese & almond oil (PE-1) Alexandria salad with duck breast, watercress & aioli (PE-2) Caribbean salad with shrimp au smoked pineapple & jasmine flower pesto (PE-3) Livornese salad with smoked salmon & capers (PE-4) SOUPS & CREAM SOUPS Cream of oyster’s soup with fried leek (PE-1) Princess cream soup with green asparagus au mint flavor(PE-2) Clam chowder with chopped vegetables au white wine flavor (PE-3) Countryside soup with mushrooms, carrot & spinach (PE-4) MAIN COURSES Beef fillet with Dijon mustard varnished with Provençal herbs (PE-1) Lamb chops perfumed with fresh spearmint (PE-2) Chicken breast Casablanca stuffed with seafood & covered with almond sauce (PE-3) Salmon fillet varnished with sauce béarnaise au red chili (PE-4) DESSERTS Cheesecake with chocolate (PE-1) Strawberry pie with vanilla cream (PE-2) Fruit mousse with warm chocolate sauce (PE-3) Apple cake with tangerine (PE-4)

Quote: Originally Posted by jenconrad Hi everyone, Does anyone have a contact for someone higher than the US office. I am pretty much depressed and worn out with what has happened with my booking/contract and trying to get the ceremony time place that is on it back that I just dont know what to do. I dont want to post the details till I get it figured out but if anyone knows someone I can talk to that actual cares about the bride that would be awesome. Thanks! Jen The Michigan WC office is a mess. One of their WC's got arrested for DUI this weekend. I now have a new WC because of it. The new one is fantastic. Thank goodness for the change b/c the old one was not doing her job. They have 7 WC's total, plus 3 new ones in training. I don't know anyone higher up. Sorry. But I bet if you call their reservations line, they may give you access to someone higher up if you ask. Reservations: USA & Canada 1.800.760.0944

I need some input on food choices! I have no idea what's good and what isn't. Anyone who has had a site visit or wedding at either the Gran Porto or Royal, can you tell me or give advice on the best course options? Thanks in advance! SALADS Spring salad with goat cheese & almond oil (PE-1) Alexandria salad with duck breast, watercress & aioli (PE-2) Caribbean salad with shrimp au smoked pineapple & jasmine flower pesto (PE-3) Livornese salad with smoked salmon & capers (PE-4) SOUPS & CREAM SOUPS Cream of oyster’s soup with fried leek (PE-1) Princess cream soup with green asparagus au mint flavor(PE-2) Clam chowder with chopped vegetables au white wine flavor (PE-3) Countryside soup with mushrooms, carrot & spinach (PE-4) MAIN COURSES Beef fillet with Dijon mustard varnished with Provençal herbs (PE-1) Lamb chops perfumed with fresh spearmint (PE-2) Chicken breast Casablanca stuffed with seafood & covered with almond sauce (PE-3) Salmon fillet varnished with sauce béarnaise au red chili (PE-4) DESSERTS Cheesecake with chocolate (PE-1) Strawberry pie with vanilla cream (PE-2) Fruit mousse with warm chocolate sauce (PE-3) Apple cake with tangerine (PE-4)

Photography is SOOOOOO important! I am spending more than 50% of my wedding budget on the photography. We are blowing a wad to bring in one of the most world renowned photogs to Playa. Think about it...... It's the ONLY thing you will have to truly remember you wedding years down the road. What's the point of even having a beautiful wedding if you don't have great images to remember it by? Sorry, I'm biased. But ask any woman who did NOT get good images and chances are she is sick about it.

Quote: Originally Posted by ktnicole I will either meet my FI halfway or have him meet me and walk with me. My parents don't speak with me either = ) gotta love family right?! I'm in the same situation. My dad JUST disowned both my sister and I (evil step mother's influence, i think). It's why we changed our entire wedding to a DW at the last minute and scrapped a 150 person wedding here at home. My FI is going to meet me right at the end of the aisle. We'll stop there for second, hold hands, drink each other in and then proceed down the aisle to the altar. I think it's going to be the best moment of the entire ceremony. Who better to walk me down the aisle than the man I trust, and will trust most in this world forever?

Quote: Originally Posted by Lady_Di most likely, it will be humid... At least the humidity will reduce the wrinkles in your dress.

Hi Guys, New here. Getting married May 13, 2010 at the Gran Porto Real. I too went with the "Free" wedding package (we're staying 5 nights in a suite) and then upgrading everything from there. I originally started with the Eternal Romance package and quickly realized I didn't need what was in the package and it's cheaper for us to just add on a la carte. We have about 20 guests. Private reception, Gazebo wedding at 4 pm. Very excited to finally have a plan nailed down! Suzanna has been working with me just since the end of Feb when I started the DW planning process. She has been pretty good about responding, especially if I call her and stay on top of it. She's been very nice---a little scattered at times, but kind. My feeling is that those girls (US based WC's) are completely overloaded with brides. I have found being kind, patient and understanding with them gets you a loooong way. Calling them is also the best way to get a quick response if you really need it. My bet is they are way understaffed because I just can't see Real Resorts condoning slow response time unless it was an issue they can't financially control right now (economic climate). I actually feel a little sorry for the US based WC's. Can you IMAGINE the sheer number of brides they are working with right now? For ALL the Real Resorts?? Phew!

Allison! Thanks for the review. I'm a pro photographer in Oregon considering a quick shotgun wedding at the Gran Porto or Royal in two months, mainly because of the images I saw of your wedding. Michelle and Justion Stevens entered your wedding album into the Professional Photographers of Oregon Photographic competition and it got a 97!!!!! That is quite remarkable and highly unusual to score so high (out of 100. I was on the print committee and got to handle it for the judges to review)! It won so many awards that night it was ridiculous, including the PPO Sweepstakes Trophy. Fabulous photography. You should be very proud. Your album is one of the most beautiful pieces of art I have ever seen. Thanks for the review!

Does anyone know if PP will allow you to bring in an outside photographer? I read on their site this is not allowed, however curious to know if it can be done for a fee or whatever?