amcferron

So, the dress is definitely short.....I would probably just make sure the girls are comfortable wearing something like that. Because, if they aren't comfortable, they wont have confidence and no matter what it wont look good on them. just my opinion..... WOW!!! thanks for the link!! amazing pics!! have an amazing wedding!!

My wedding is May 13, 2011 @ 5:30pm. the "cocktail hour" is from 6ish-7ish and reception from 7-11!! you can't go any later than that. i think there is a bar open later and also some brides said they went back to someones room with a swim up suite and hung out until the sun came up!!!

So, I was told you can not have a cocktail reception up there. I hear they do give you a drink before the ceremony. In addition, other brides have said it is really hot so you won't want to have it there!! My ceremony is on the sky deck and reception at zavas plaza just like you and we just decided to open up the bar and plaza zavas for about an hour/hour and a half after the wedding and we are going to have passed appetizers and music before the "official reception" starts. this will give us time to take some pictures and others to freshen up if wanted. while those who want to start drinking can.

Just to warn you.....when i asked for my detail sheet it took over 2 weeks for fabio to respond. not sure what is so hard about filling in the blanks on an excel spreadsheet, but whatever..... and, agreed on feeling like i can't do those other things until i have a pretty close to final head count!! it stinks too....i am most excited about OOT bags!!! so many great ideas on the forum!! oh, and love the idea of pink shoes!!! fun, fun!!! Melib2b- i really feel like there is NO need to hire a wedding planner. i in fact have been completely underwhelmed at the amount of things i have to do, though my wedding isnt until may!! but, if you are the type of person who stresses over every single detail, you might want to consider it!! if you find a good TA they can be a huge help!! Quote: Originally Posted by melib2b Hello ladies! The reviews don't look too good for Luxe Destination Weddings so now I'm hesitant. Do you ladies recommend hiring a wedding planner although one is provided for us by Karisma or can a TA just handle it or is that an additional cost to have them contact the resort's WC regarding wedding details? Thanks for your help

I read EVERY day, but don't feel I have a lot to add at this point. I am sure when the time gets closer there will be more for me to talk about!! Speaking of......I feel like there are some things I should be doing, but am kind of in a lull for planning. Any suggestions for what can be done at this point May 2011 brides??? I have dress, STDs send, places reserved, good idea of food, flowers, invitations. Also, I am constantly researching for ideas and for music. But nothing to really "set in stone" right now. Am I missing anything?? The one thing I would say about the WCs is that if you are having a hard time getting in touch with them, put your TA on it!!! That's what they are there for!! Anytime I have a question that I need answered quickly, my TA e-mails Fabio and he responds within a day. I think all of us brides stress them out and they feel more inclined to respond to another "professional" in the wedding "business."

Hi girls, just wanted to share some info I got in an e-mail from Fabio today, FINALLY!!! I e-mailed him August 31 and just got the e-mail today!!! Â Â Â Lastly, we have started thinking about food. I have the banquet kit and we are wanting to do a sit down dinner. The question I have is are we able to give our guests choices or does everyone have to eat the same thing?? You are free to offer up to 2 main course options, all other courses must be the same for the entire group. The main course selection count must be submitted to your off site coordinator no later than 45 days prior.

One more question..... Â Are people able to decide at the dinner or are you putting the options on your invites??? Â

LOVE, LOVE the bags!!! Though, I don't see any on there with front flap and closure..... I have really been struggling with what bags to do and I think you solved my problem. I really hate the brightly colored "beach bags" every other place has. Def wanted something a little different. I also am considering doing the bags similar to what you see as cloth grocery bags. I feel people will be more likely to use them again. Â Also, are you all putting your name and date on them?? I had though about just putting Puerto Morelos with the date so maybe they will be more likely to use again. I'm pretty sure people don't want to carry around a bag with mine and FI name on it.... Â Oh, the chicken and the surf and turf sounds delicious!!! I wasn't really liking the options in the banquet kit...... I would love more details. You can PM me or e-mail at [email protected]. Thanks!! Â

Is it really 7 nights you are staying extra?? If so, I think the $800 per person is a phenomenal deal!! Â

Here is all of his contact info. I just received an e-mail this morning from him....I say call him!!!! Â Fabio Orjuela Azul Weddings Department Supervisor Premier Worldwide Marketing, LLC Exclusive worldwide sales and marketing representatives for Karisma Hotels & Resorts 3191 Coral Way, PH 202 Miami, FL 33145 Tel: 888.280.8810 Ext: 7300 Fax: 305.715.9837 Â

I am using jeremy gilliam: http://jeremygilliam.com/ Â He is based out of dallas and a super nice guy!! Also, I really think his prices can't be beat!! You should contact him!! Â

 So, this is the website i think i have found all of mine. Warning......IT IS ADDICTIVE!!!!  http://theperfectpalette.blogspot.com/

Here is an inspiration board with buttercup. And another just for kicks!!!

Wow!! I sure am active on here today...... Â Question..... For all of the different promotions (ie bride and groom free, etc) are your TA booking all through the hotel or using different resources such as funjet, covacations, delta, etc?? I think my TA told me the hotel has a list so they know how many booked with your party and that I would get $ back after the fact.....more like a refund/rebate. Thoughts???

 First of all, I don't know if I've met you before, my name is Amy!  I LOVE your color scheme and ideas. The gold and this fuchsia/magenta deal is fantastic!  I like the idea of orchids but you're right, that could get pricey. Another girl on here had a fuchsia orchid theme and it was simply stunning!  I don't know if this will make sense to you... but this was my first thought. I was thinking OK, you could pick a time period or taste that you like and have one of the colors be a focused theme but still keeping the other.  For example, say you love vintage... books, frames, trinkets etc. Doesn't all have to be the same thing, but it's all vintage & gold. OR Art Deco, or modern... so everything if it's modern is sleek and has clean lines and it could be different items (not just birds or starfish etc)  I'd have fuchsia as your color... then I'd do the accent color in your theme or taste. Vintage gold picture frames as table numbers. Vintage gold trinket atop your cake... vintage looking placecards write in a gold metallic pen... gold chiavari chairs... gold jewelry for you and your girls, fuchsia dresses for them, fuchsia hair flower/feather/accessory etc.  Just a suggestion off the top of my head! Amy, Hi!! My name is Ashley!!  And, Hello to everyone else!! Consider this my formal introduction!!  Amy, thanks for your suggestions!! Very intriguing!! Time to google...... Â

Hi girls!! So i definitely do more asking then giving input, but totally appreciate all the great ideas and information everyone has!! Â We are definitely still trying to decide on legal vs symbolic ceremony too. We are leaning more and more towards having legal ceremony here. More because my FI is Canadian and the whole visa thing too, but it also just seems easier!! Â Those of you who are Canadian, what are the big travel companies to use for all inclusive travel (similar to funjet, etc)?? We have a ton of people coming from Canada and although we have a TA set up for them to use, I always like to do some searching on my own!! Â Lastly, we have been thinking about having an ongoing theme for our wedding, but are having a difficult time coming up with ideas. We want things pretty formal and colors we are leaning towards are ivory, gold, and touches of raspberry/magenta. I have seen how some people have had birds, seashells, starfish, etc and am interested in something like that, but maybe different. We have considered orchids, but i have a feeling that is going to get very spendy very quick!! Any ideas?? I know my question is very vague..... Here are some inspiration boards below. Leaning towards less raspberry.magenta than seen here, but you get the idea!! Thanks!! Â Â Â Â

OK ladies, a few questions. I am trying to book my reception. It is looking like i will have 50+ guests. I thought zocola terrace was too small for a group that big?? anyone had a reception there?? amy, i think you did. Thoughts on the advantages of it over zavaz plaza?? i think it is more private, but maybe not as much airflow...... also, if anyone had a reception there, was there room for a dance floor?? fabio told me i can choose either place also, after all this talk about a cocktail hour, i think i too will just have the bar set up at the reception while we are taking pics!! genius!! also wanted to share a few quotes from his e-mail (returned 1 week after i sent it): "I apologize for the delay of my response, unfortunately after the departure our one of our coordinators our volume of work increased significantly and we needed some extra time to get back to all our brides. Thank god this little bump is almost over and we are now committed to get back to responses within 24 hrs. I thank you for your patience while I get back to you re-mails." Lastly a response to a question i asked him, b/c we aren't booking premium, but my parents are booking honeymoon or presidential: If another room in my party (my parents) book a premium or honeymoon suite, can we qualify for the free sweet wedding package, Yes! or does it HAVE to be us?? The room must be booked for at least 7 nights + 15 other room nights in any other category. As long as it’s within your wedding group we are ok to honor the free wedding package to you. I would appreciate any feedback and hope these responses in his e-mail help...... Happy friday!!

El dorado maroma is TO DIE FOR!!!! Small, intimate, quiet, romantic........perfect for a honeymoon. Only one small bar though with a pool table and board games to play. I have traveled all over mexico and the caribbean and it is the most relaxing place i have ever been. read a book a day while i was there. we are switching there for our honeymoon!!! I LOVE IT!!!!

El Dorado Maroma is TO DIE FOR!!!!!!!!! Very small, but the perfect place for a honeymoon!!! Romantic, intimate, and most other people there are honeymooners!!! It is very quiet though, so if you are wanting bars and music , its not the place for you. There is one "bar" other than the pool bars with a pool table and board games like jenga (which is tons of fun to play while drinking)!! But, that is it. We are switching there for our honeymoon. I had been there before with my mother and we loved it!! I have traveled all over mexico and the caribbean and it is the MOST relaxing place i have ever been to. I read a book a day while i was there!!! LOVED IT!!!

Question about rooms: My requirements for rooms when i travel to the beach generally are to be as close to the beach as possible and to not be on the ground floor. From what i can tell, the only truly oceanfront rooms are the honeymoon suites.....Also, it seems the "premium" rooms are back behind the pool. I had ruled out the swim ups b/c i normally like to be up to see the sea good. Currently we are just booked in the luxury jacuzzi oceanview (b/c it is off gorund floor and as close to beach as possible). my TA (which i have used for years) says she thinks this room suites me best b/c of my previous travel choices, but you all have me wondering if i should just do a swim-up thoughts

Quote: Originally Posted by chong Holy Smokes! You are having 70 people That sounds awesome. I have about 35 people... still waiting on few people. It would be fun to see how everything will work out. I only have few things put together for OOT. I still have few things to buy for OOT but I figure I will start now. My next thing to work is the pre-travel brochure. I am so not excited about it. I am so ready to be done. I don't know how people have years to plan the wedding. With my personality, this is just too much time to make decisions. No worries... I am sure everything will come together at the end Take a deep breath and start decorating the cup cakes... maybe you are done by now and relaxing!!! OK....So, 70 people!! That's a lot!! We are expecting 50+, so my question is: where are you having your reception?? Are the only options the beach or plaza zavaz??

Quote: Originally Posted by MaggieandJay First, Thanks ladies for all the kind words and your right I totally took it as a sign that we weren't meant to go that weekend. I do like the ring of 5-15-11 so I am happy! Thanks as always for your words of encouragement! Amcferron - YEAH! We will probably come down Wednesday of that week. The good thing about the FMIL is she wants this to be the best it can be and isn't afraid to get pushy about it with the resort or TA. It is kinda nice to have a bully in your corner even if it did drag out a bit. She is happy, I am happy so all is right in the world again! I like the sound of 5-15-11 too!!! I am actually on Friday the 13th!!! LOVE IT!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by MaggieandJay We now Have Faye as well! My TA likes her but i haven't had a dealing with her yet. I just found out today. OK Ladies I NEED TO VENT! Deep Breath Long story short - I had reserved thru Cecila May 30th for my date but not put down the $200. My TA and FMIL were going back and forth between 2 resorts AS and The Royal Cancun. Unfortunately when you accept other people's $$ towards paying for the wedding you have to play nice and my FMIL being a former TA wanted to make sure we got the best deal. (She really did get us an awesome rate). Well for one reason or another that I do not know nor care at this point. All the dates for Memorial Day Weekend and the weekend before are now booked for AS. I lost the 30th. Cecila is gone. This all went down this morning. I had a minor freakout (possibly due to the fact that I am control freak and felt like things were out of control). After calming down, talking to the FI, Talking to my mom, talking FMIL I have a new WC (Faye) New wedding date (May 15th 2011) and feel back to normal. I really wanted May 30th but oh well. This morning was basically throw money at the 15th and see if it sticks. I will know for 100% sure in 24 hours. My FMIL and TA got Fabio on a call and basically got it done. AS was really understanding of my problem but booked is booked. It's our own fault for not putting the $200 down in the first place. WHEW - Thanks! I just had to get it all out and type it to feel better. NOTE: Ladies of Memorial Day weekend 2011 - I am sad we won't get to do that shot together. Also a word of warning. According to Fabio and Faye Thursday May 26th - Mon May 30th are BOOKED Solid with brides. They also said that there were some big groups. I would make sure your TA's and guest know that resort is going to be full that weekend and it's probably a good idea for guests to book ASAP. Again I am hearing this 3rd hand from my TA but might be something to be aware of. Is Anyone else getting married on the weekend of May 13 - 15 2011? Thanks for letting me get that all out. Good news I am offically (in 24hours when they email me confirmation) A Paying AS BRIDE!!!! YEAH! I am so excited! So sorry to hear about all that. Craziness!! I'm getting married the 13th!! Will be there from the 8-15 and then moving to the el dorado maroma until the 19th!! I had signed the contract and given them my card but they hadn't charged it in 2-3 weeks, so I actuallly had contacted fabio yesterday and he finally charged it today. So, hopefully now it is OFFICIALLY booked, since they have the $$$$!!!

All of you may brides out there that are already married, I have a question!!! I am wanting a ceremony as late as possible with good lighting for photog. on my wedding date may 13, it states sunset is at 7:17pm. We are planning on a 6pm wedding right now, but will the lighting be OK?? I suppose i can also ask my photog (when i finally hire one)!! BTW, picking a photog is the hardest decision!!

Quote: Originally Posted by meghan I am paying $2000 for Erik Rodriguez, but that is only for 4 hours. I don't know how others compare. I think he is pretty good quality, and photographers I looked at to fly down with comparable quality were a lot more expensive. Wendy and Amy had good photographers who they flew down, but I don't know how much they paid.... So, are you able to use photographers from Mexico?? I thought i read somewhere that it was either use one of the places Azul Sensatori recommends or bring someone from the US?? Or, can you use whoever you want but just have to pay the $500 fee