aalva416

Sorry everyone: Due to a lack of interest, my fiance and I have just decided to cancel our group agreement. Sorry to those who were interested. Thanks, Adrienne

DO NOT GO WITH DESTINATIONWEDDINGS.COM!!! They have been nothing but a headache for me! So much so that I cancelled my wedding because of them, (7 months in advance) and I'm told I STILL have to pay $13,000 because of a stupid group agreement! They don't help with any of the actual planning: and they're horrible travel agents! I had friends e-mail her over and over again and she wouldn't answer, then our friends decided they didn't want to go to our wedding because it was so much of a headache. Plus, they told us we could have price matching, but now I find out only if the resort puts out discounts! DO NOT USE THEM! THEY'RE SCAM ARTISTS!

Just to let those of you interested know, prices have dropped! Our destinationweddings.com website will be updated soon. For 7 nights, two people, it looks like just about $1,000! (Or about $146 pp/night) Great deal for an all-inclusive! Hope you all will join us! Adrienne

Yaku, when were you planning to get married? Maybe you and your guests can join my group agreement for a wedding June 25, 2011 at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya. We have 21 rooms on hold. (We had to postpone our wedding, but we're still trying to go on vacation!) I was getting married at 5 p.m. right before sunset at the resort's white Gazebo overlooking palm trees and the ocean, which is just SO pretty! (There's also a forum here on BDW for the Riu Palace Rivera Maya) Here's a link to the BEAUTIFUL all-inclusive resort with a SPA! http://www.riu.com/en/Paises/mexico/playa-del-carmen/hotel-riu-palace-riviera-maya/index.jsp To look at the prices, just go to our website at www.destinationweddings.com Click on the pink box that says "Attending a Destination Wedding?" Put in your e-mail address, then my last name, Alvarez, and our Wedding Passcode (which is ELPASO) No space in between El and Paso! Then it will ask you to create a password, and give your full name to add yourself to our Wedding Guest list. FROM THERE: It will take you to the Travel Details page. Select your number of nights and click the circle for 2 people (unless there are more people traveling on your honeymoon... } Fill out the form, and that's it! Our destination wedding specialist Camille will take care of the rest. So you know, the room must be paid by Apr. 1, and it's only $100 to book the room, and she can split your payments up until Apr. 1. So get started on your tax refund! Also, our DW agreement has price matching; so if you find a better price for the RIU Palace Riviera Maya somewhere else, just let Camille know and she'll drop ALL of our prices down too! Hope you'll join us! Maybe we can all be life-time friends after vacationing down there! If you have any other questions, PLEASE feel free to e-mail me at [email protected], or call me at +1-915-412-7396. God bless you! Adrienne Alvarez

Hello Ladies! (And Gents... ;D) I am a FORMER DW bride who had planned her wedding for June 25 2011 this year at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya in beautiful Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Well, things didn't go as planned, so FI and I decided to postpone our wedding. BUT, we're still being obligated to keep our group agreement, and need to book a minimum of 10 rooms. (We are still going on vacation, yay!) Here's a link to the BEAUTIFUL all-inclusive resort with a SPA! http://www.riu.com/en/Paises/mexico/playa-del-carmen/hotel-riu-palace-riviera-maya/index.jsp If you're interested in honeymooning at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya the week of June 20-June 30, come join our special room rate on destinationweddings.com! Just go to the website, www.destinationweddings.com Click on the pink box that says "Attending a Destination Wedding?" Put in your e-mail address, then my last name, Alvarez, and our Wedding Passcode (which is ELPASO) No space in between El and Paso! Then it will ask you to create a password, and give your full name to add yourself to our Wedding Guest list. FROM THERE: It will take you to the Travel Details page. Select your number of nights and click the circle for 2 people (unless there are more people traveling on your honeymoon... } Fill out the form, and that's it! Our destination wedding specialist Camille will take care of the rest. So you know, the room must be paid by Apr. 1, and it's only $100 to book the room, and she can split your payments up until Apr. 1. So get started on your tax refunds! Also, our DW agreement has price matching; so if you find a better price for the RIU Palace Riviera Maya somewhere else, just let Camille know and she'll drop ALL of our prices down too! Hope you'll join us! Maybe we can all be life-time friends after vacationing down there! If you have any other questions, PLEASE feel free to e-mail me at [email protected], or call me at +1-915-412-7396. God bless you all! Adrienne Alvarez

Hi ladies.. Some not so good news. My FI and I have decided to postpone the wedding. BUT... we are keeping the discounted group rate and we still will be going the week of June 23-29... and we have plenty of rooms still open in our group rate. So if any of you would like to join our group and take a site visit to RIU before your wedding.... at the discounted group rate... send me a PM and I will give you more details! I am also planning on selling my wedding jewelry... which is very beachy. I will post a pic up soon. Thanks, and I must say it's been a pleasure being a part of this forum. :-) Adrienne

Hello ladies! My name is Adrienne Alvarez, and I WAS a June 2011 bride at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya... but my FI and I have decided to postpone the wedding. BUT... we are keeping the discounted group rate and will be going the week of June 23-29... and we have plenty of rooms still open. So if any of you would like to join our group and take a site visit to RIU or have your honeymoon at the RIU at the discounted group rate, send me a PM and I will give you more details! Thanks! Adrienne

Dana, you could do a wedding seating chart! A pretty poster... number the tables... and just assign guests to tables... so you don't have to assign them actual seats! http://love2bcreative.com/wordpress/?cat=21 it's toward the middle!

Hello ladies!! Wow a lot's happened. JRB - It's 20 pp for the private... and the DJ is an extra $1200. I am getting it all too... and I think I'll have a party as big as yours. When's your big day? SCarp - I completely understand how you feel. People don't realize what they're really paying is for their own vacation! Every time I tell someone, yes, alcohol is included, then they get the idea. I did a whole brochure outlining EVERYTHING included in the price and how to book... and now people are telling me that it sounds reasonable. Maybe something like that would get your friends on the same page? But also, my cousin is exactly like your friend. I spent more than $1,000 on her wedding because I had to travel in for it... between dress, shoes, flight, stay, and gifts; I mean, I got her engagement and shower gifts, and money on her wedding day. I'm not asking for any gifts from ANYONE... and I offered to pay for her shoes and dress. But not only is she not going to my wedding... but she hasn't even gotten me an engagement present. There was a fall-out because she didn't want me to marry my FI... she didn't even know him! She met him at her wedding, and then tried to convince me that I was making a bad choice. At that point, I told her off... in the nicest way possible of course. (Even though I wanted to tell her to go where the sun don't shine...) Anyways... since then it's like she's punishing me... well, news flash for her: she's the one losing out. Dana, so sorry to hear about the dress fitting! That's really rude... if you have an appointment, you have an appointment. That's business. Hopefully she gets cracking! Well... I'm going to buy our plane tickets this week to Cancun! Can't wait! Just 8 months more for me! Eek!

Yay V! So exciting! I'm still searching for a court dress myself... but I also want it to double as a reception dress. Anyone know of anything short and cute they've seen? This is what I'm thinking about so far.... http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3096693?origin=category&resultback=123

The following is what you're supposed to get through a group rate at destination weddings. I booked 30 rooms... so I get the free cocktail hour(hor d ouerves) if all are booked. Â Exclusive offer through DestinationWeddings.com Reserve 10 to 19 Rooms and receive Free Upgrade for Bride & Groom to next room category from the one paid. Special Room Decoration for Bride & Groom's Room. Fruit Basket & sparkling wine for Bride & Groom's Room. Surprise Gift from Hotel Management for Bride & Groom's Room. Welcome Sign Welcome Drink upon check in Personalized Assistance from Groups Coordinator prior to arrival. Personalized Assistance from Hotel's Management during Group's Stay. Reserve 20 to 29 Rooms and receive Surprise Gift for Bride from Renova Spa (need to have previous advise to Group's Coordinator before arrival) 15% discounted prices from Renova Spa for entire wedding group (need to make previous reservations with Renova Spa) Late check out (based on availability on site) Daily turn down service. Breakfast in Bed one morning (Choose from Room Service Menu and prior reservation with your groups coordinator prior to arrival) for Bride & Groom's Room Bathrobes & slippers for Bride & Groom's Room tu use during their stay. Advanced Reservations for one of our A la Carte restaurants for Bride & Groom (one night during their stay, previous reservation with your Groups Coordinator and valid up to 6 pax) Standard wedding cake during cocktail party for attending guests (previous reservation with your Groups Coordinator) 1 complimentary room for site inspection (up-to 3 nights) for Bride & Groom within 4 months prior to groups arrival Plus all above items Reserve 30 Rooms or more and receive Free Upgrade for Bride & Groom to a Suite OV paying lowest category (upgrade will be given for same number of nights as majority of group's stay) (This replaces above free upgrade) Tuxedo Strawberries & spakling wine for Bride & Groom's Room. Dalily afternoon coffee and pastries for Bride & Groom's Room during their stay. Bottle of Tequila & Fruit basket for Bride & Groom's parents (up to a max.of 2 rooms) One Hour Cocktail for Wedding Reception at no extra cost (Basic Hors D'oeuvres included) for entire group. 1 Semi Private Dinner at no extra charge (previous reservation with your Groups Coordinator) 20% discounted price for the use of Pacha Disco for private 2 hours use (check details and restrictions with your Groups Coordinator) Advanced Reservations for two of our A la Carte restaurants for Bride & Groom (two nights during their stay, previous reservation with your Groups Coordinator and valid up to 6 pax each night) Plus all above items *Offer available only through group bookings with DestinationWeddings.com ** Restrictions Apply - Check with your Destination Wedding Specialist For Any Restrictions Related To This Offer 020510

Yeah, I'm fine. More like BM drama. One of my cousins I asked to be a BM has been ignoring my phone calls and FB messages for more than a month. I've been trying to confirm if she's going to be in it or not. But not even the decency to call me back! Â Then, after I made that posting, she has the gall to ask me "what happened" and if I'm "ok." !!!! Avoiding drama, I just wrote her an email saying I was fine, then I asked her again if she planned on being in the bridal party. Â Now she's giving me excuse after excuse after excuse not to go spend the money to come to my wedding. I understand some people being financially stressed, but when I was her BM for her wedding less than a YEAR AGO, I spent $1,500 on her, between gifts, the expensive dress and shoes she wanted, & the plane ticket to come to her wedding in NJ more than 2100 miles away from where I live. I am not even asking anyone for gifts! I did it without a question because I thought she and I were close. Â it's just disappointing.

I did a brochure layout with basically what everyone has on their website. I also put information about what the all-inclusive really includes, about how to book, who to contact to book, and some of the rules. (like telling everyone they have to stay at the resort). Just because I sent the save-the-dates and no one responded except my immediate family. The websites do look great girls!

Sent out my Wedding Update Newsletters today!! Hopefully people start to book! EEK!!

They look amazing!! Congrats!!!

Eek! SCarp, I completely understand how you feel. I wish I could offer to help my BMs come, but we're already struggling to save for the wedding as it is. :-( I don't have many close girlfriends, so I asked 3 girl cousins to be BMs (1 is my MOH), my fi's sister, and a friend. Â Well, My cousin who's just 4 months younger than me automatically said yes to being my MOH! But it's sad when you have a friend you've known for just a couple years that immediately agrees to go, and cousins you've known your whole life are keeping you in the dark for more than 6 months. I called two girl cousins yesterday, and my mom told my aunts that I would be calling them to find out what's going on, and they didn't answer their phones. Â I understand not being able to afford to go, but just be straight with me! If you can find the money later to even go to my wedding, great! But I do need to know who is going to be in my bridal party so I can plan and budget accordingly.

I am doing chair bows, and plan on ordering and bringing them with me. The RIU charges $4 to rent one chair bow, and I found some for $.65 each! I'm also bringing votive candles and other stuff to decorate just a tad bit. I hope with this new wedding planning company they'll have more options by the time I get married in June! Â Also just got my Wedding Update Newsletters designed... just printing and sending them out now! Hopefully this will motivate some people to book!

My problem is... My resort requires 80 percent of guests to stay at the resort in order to have the wedding! We are budgeting for 100 people to go.. So at first I thought, ok, the first 20 people to tell me they are staying off the resort can, and the others will have to stay at the resort. But, what if all 100 can't come? Then I promised those 20 can stay off the resort, but I will be over my limit with the resort!! So, I just told my family that if they plan to go, they HAVE to stay at the resort. Now a lot fewer people think they can go. I thought I picked one of the cheapest resorts possible, and hate this whole rule!

Wow, I've missed a lot lately. Here goes: Â Dana, so sorry about your dress drama!! I was so scared about my dress being ordered too big too... but it fit when I got it. And that's so frustrating about your sis!! She should have def. spoken up sooner... Â Staicy, I completely understand your price frustration. I'm SO worried about what the prices will look like come next summer!! Â I'm bringing my cousin as my photographer, and she's one of the guests. I was told that's not a problem, as long as they're staying in the hotel. Â Can't wait for this week: I'm getting a week-long vacation, and am going to Albuquerque to do wedding planning with my mom.

Yea Linds, originally it was $1700 flat for private reception and DJ, but now it's $20 pp for private rec. And extra 1200 for DJ. So, that brings it total 3200 (20*100 ppl= 2000 + DJ) I am budgeting for 100 people to go... I was told that because my party is so big, I am required to have a private reception, which means I have to pay the 20 pp now without the option of a semi private dinner.

Yea Linds, originally it was $1700 flat for private reception and DJ, but now it's $20 pp for private rec. And extra 1200 for DJ. So, that brings it total 3200 (20*100 ppl= 2000 + DJ) I am budgeting for 100 people to go... I was told that because my party is so big, I am required to have a private reception, which means I have to pay the 20 pp now without the option of a semi private dinner.

I am booked.. and just found out I have to stay with RIU. Because I went through DestinationWeddings.com, we'll lose out on our $6,000 deposit for the 30 rooms if I cancel it. EEK I guess I'm just going to have to cut down the budget MAJOR... no centerpieces or OOT bags or anything fun for me. :-( Oh well, on the upside... it's less stress trying to figure out how to bring things down there!

This is completely unfair!! It's so much more expensive now... I have between 70 and 80 telling me they're going... so if I want the private reception, it's 1600 just for food (at an all-inclusive resort mind you!), THEN 1200 on top for the DJ??? Then I have to get the sparkling wine for $15 pp?? That better be some good sparkling wine!! Â Then $9 pp for open bar? Then $16 pp for hor d'hoerves? Â This is way out of my budget now.... AHHH I think I'm going to have to start looking elsewhere. :-(

The semi-private reception won't allow you to have a DJ at the restaurant... you can rent the Riu Tequila Disco for $1300 and go after dinner, but it's at the RIU Tequila, a different resort. Â You can have the DJ in the restaurant for the private reception, ($1700) but the resort won't let you have a private reception unless you have more than 60 people I think. Â Not sure about the child care!

Well you can always have the same sashes moved to the reception! That's what I think I'm going to do. During the cocktail hour, have the coordinators (and some friends overseeing) move the sashes over to the reception... so you get double use out of it.