aeluzu

 Oops, I don't know why it didn't work on the last post.

My Wedding Planner.xlsx

Here is a copy of the "wedding planner" that I received. The prices might be out of date at this point though?

Hi ladies,

I've just returned from 10 days at EPM. The wedding was fabulous, a dream come true. To be honest, I'm kind of sad that it's all over now! I do have some news - Yamina is no longer working at EPM. I was a little bit nervous because I had been in contact with her for probably over 1 year and when I got there... she wasn't there anymore. WOW. But not to worry, Norma and Ileana worked together and they said that Yamina left everything in order. Out of all of the details that I had discussed with Yamina, there was only one small detail that they didn't already know about. One of my guests needed a special menu. It was not problem, whatsoever, though. I found out that Norma is actually the wedding coordinator from the sister property, La Amada (which is literally right next door if any of you are looking for a place for guests with children to stay) so I'm not sure if she is just temporarily filling in at EPM or if she will be a permanent replacement. Regardless of who your wedding coordinator is, I would rest assured that they will handle every little detail for you! I do feel bad for the fact that you brides who are still in the planning process don't really have anyone to contact though... eek. What I would do is fill out that wedding planning packet that you should have received in the email and then write a list of questions and keep adding to it until you have someone to contact. You also have great references here, so let me know if I can help. Overall though I want to let you guys know that there is no need to worry because they will take care of it - whatever it is. You will have your dream day here. I'll write a full review pretty soon here but for right now I have some unpacking to do... my least favorite part of traveling!

Hi ladies,

Quick post from Cancun... The weather is B-E-A-Utiful, so I wouldn't worry. I've been here since the 7th and can tell you that we've had almost all clear sunny days. There was one night where we had a quick 10-20 min rain shower around 9PM and one morning that was DUMPING rain with thunder and lightening but all was clear and sunny by noon. I wouldn't sweat the weather! Scattered thunderstorms means that they might pass over your area but they don't hang around for too long. Everything has been SOOO amazing! More details to follow when I get back home in a few days. I hope that all of you other June 11 brides had an amazing time too and best wishes to the few of you who are still coming up!!!

Leaving tonight around 3AM! I can't believe that the day has finally come. Ladies, thank you all for all of the support and advice along the way. I can't wait to share my experience with you guys when I get back and I hope that all of you will share too. CHEERS!

Originally Posted by cole379 

 

Well ladies I am booked! Woo Hoo! My name is Nicole and I am going to be an EPM bride. My Fiance is Thomas and we will be at the resort with our guests from April 15-22, 2012 and our wedding date right now is set for 5 pm on April 17. I am so excited to start planning. Is anyone else going to be getting married there around the same time?

 

I look forward to posting on the forum and helping each other out while we plan our weddings. I have seen a lot of pictures (especially from Del Sol) and the weddings I have seen there look incredible. Very excited!

 

Congrats Nicole and good choice!

I'm leaving for the resort tonight/tomorrow- 3AM! I am beyond excited! I promise to share lots of details when I return. 5 days from now, I'll be walking the sandy shore with my husband!

Originally Posted by MoBayBride2B 

 

So, I tried my local Target and they didn't have any.  Are you finding them in the dollar bins?

 

that is where i got them, i'm not sure if they still have them anymore

Originally Posted by Amara3CUS 

 

where are these??? I haven't been able to find it

when i bought them, they were in the bargain bins in the front of the store near the entrance.

OMG OMG OMG

I'm legally a wifey, a missus, his old lady!

I wanted to save all of the theatrics for our Mexico wedding, and even though we didn't even exchange rings today, I still cried the whole way through the ceremony HAPPY TEARS OF COURSE! As soon as he looked into my eyes and said "I, Marc..." the tears started flowing.

It's raining cats and dogs here in Seattle, but they say "a wet knot is harder to untie."

I just hope that I got all of the waterworks (both tears and rain) out of the way so that everything is nice and dry for our Mexico wedding in T-Minus 9 days, flying out in 5 days!

Originally Posted by jessicap 

 

I've heard that the weather forecasting is highly unreliable, and not to be worried that they call for a chance of rain everyday. I'm hoping this is true, and that it will be just fine for our ceremony! I will be really upset if I've waited this long, and drug everyone to Mexico just to get married in the same ballroom area that I could've rented here.

 

Trying to stay positive though... 

 

Can't believe we leave in 6 days! 

 

I have to add to the procrastination discussion too... My FI shirt should be arriving tomorrow or Friday. He's not freaking out about it, but I can't imagine not having a shirt 6 days before we leave. I guess that's why we're all different people, right? 

 

 

I'm worried about the weather too! I'm from Seattle so... I really, really, really can't have rain. I need it to be sunny. I will be so depressed if the weather is yucky

Originally Posted by jszy10 

 

Are the wedges you got from Target online!?!  I am trying to find a cute pair of wedges to go with this white strapless dress I bought from express for our welcome party!!

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/188-6471732-4451153?asin=B0043R9UCA&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|B0043R9UCA&CPNG=&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B0043R9UCA&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

blush, black or nude!

Originally Posted by skp1 

 

It is weird how close it is. I know everything will work out and once we're at the destination all will be good. The destination wedding isn't my stress-fiancé is. He procrastinates so it hasn't been a big deal all along but now time is of essence. I have become a nagging wife before I'm even a wife! Like our rings didn't get ordered and are now scheduled to arrive next Saturday - 5 days before we leave! So it's stuff like that.

 

This weekend I plan to start packing all our supplies. We're going to have so many bags. But I don't want to wait until the last minute - it's like moving-do a little each day.

 

Went for my final dress fitting and love it. They asked if i wanted to wait while they steamed it but I said if I take it home today I'll be trying it on every day!

Steph, I'm sorry but I have to laugh a little at this because I can totally relate. I think that the procrastination factor is deeply ingrained somewhere in that Y chromosome! My FI still hasn't gotten gifts for his guys yet. I'd be freaking out if I didn't have gifts for my girls! But something about men makes it so that they don't sweat it until the very last minute and I think many a womankind turns into the nagging wife and can be driven crazy by this factor. What can ya do? I just try to remind, remind, remind, set deadlines (sometimes purposely extra early) and stress to him when something is really important and when I really need him to be on his A game. I think part of being a wife, in some cases, means running the show behind the scenes (if that makes sense?) That's what it means for me anyway! I have a passive, kinda lazy guy - but I love him to death and that's really all that matters... Congrats on the final fitting! It's the best feeling to have a dress that fits you perfectly, isn't it!

Jessica, It all looks really great. Your details are so well pulled together. You're such an early bird! No procrastinating for you, huh?

I bet your guests will be amazed by all of the work that you've put in. Thanks for sharing so much with us and I cannot wait until it's your turn to report back as a Mrs!!

WOW it's all hitting me now....

Our legal ceremony is on Thursday - the day after tomorrow we will officially be MARRIED!

So excited.

Originally Posted by skp1 

 

I LOVE Target!!!!  They have everything.

 

so is anyone else on an emotional roller coaster now that we're so close?  I go from being super excited to being super annoyed.  I've friended all my vendors on Facebook and when I see pics and stuff from other weddings I just can't wait!  But then other times I'm just overwhelmed and wondering why I even did this in the first place (the wedding part, not marriage).

Steph, I think every bride feels that way at one point or another during the planning process. You're definitely not alone! For me, I hit that patch several months ago. Now, I'm feeling pretty chill, a bit anxious, definitely excited! Not regretful though. I think you just need to take a few deep breaths, maybe make a to do list just to manage some of the anxiety that you're feeling and remember that above all else, the only thing that matters is that you and FI will be there... committing yourselves to each other. That's what it's all about in the long run, not about all of the details that are so easy to fuss and fret over. No matter what happens with all of the vendors and favors and guests, this will be the most memorable and one of the best days of your life! Soon enough, the "I do"s will be said, rings will be on your fingers and all you will have are memories of this wonderful time in your life.

Thanks for the advice ladies! After much, much, much searching I found a cheapie pair of wedges from Target. Something that I think I would wear again. I'm just going to use them for the ceremony and then switch over to my sexy shoes. Crisis averted! LOL. It's funny how as the wedding gets closer, even a small set back feels HUGE!

Tasha! Girl! So soon. My wedding is the day after yours and I head out of town on the 7th. It's just so soon and exciting! I can't wait to get back and hear how everyone's big day went. It's all just going to fly by before we know it ladies!

Originally Posted by cole379 

 

We just found out that a few guests want to travel with their children. Obviously, since they can't stay at EPM they were thinking of staying in Cancun. For the adults only, would they be able to attend the wedding? Is there a guest pass or something that you can buy for guests to attend just your wedding (the kids would stay back at their hotel with a relative while they attended the wedding). What about not on the wedding day? Would the adults be able to join us for a day with guest pass?

 

Thanks!

Once again, I can't recall exact prices, but yes guests who are not staying at the resort can come to the wedding but there is a charge for a day pass... i think around 70-80 per person. I believe that they can also purchase a day pass on non-wedding days. For guests with kids, you should check out La Amada. I think it's the only other hotel in Playa Mujeres. It's a sister property of Excellence. It's not adults only and it's all inclusive optional. I've heard that it's just a short walk away from EPM.

I had my second fitting today... I just love this dress. I had the attendant take a photo for me that's a bit better than the last one I posted....

OOPS i don't know why they flipped to the side like that? Anyway, all that's left dress wise is pressing and final pick up.

I do have one dilemma... SHOES! Originally I was going to have the ceremony at the gazebo rather than on the beach, but one of the photographers who goes to EPM often made a point that it is difficult to get good photos in the gazebo, even though it is beautiful. He did kind of a side by side comparison of beach photos vs. gazebo photos and it really changed my mind. So now we're getting married on the beach and I can't wear my heels in the sand. And I can't go barefoot because I'll trip on my dress.... The dress attendant suggested wedge sandals.... but I'm not finding anything cute! EEK. Of course, I've had all of these details set for months and now I change my mind on one thing and have to change a bunch of other things to suit that decision.

The same discount applies to all of the packages. If you get the simple package, and book those rooms then the simple package is free. If you get silver or gold and book those rooms then they subtract the price of the simple package from your package.

Originally Posted by adales 

 

Hey girls!

 

Just when I thought life couldn't get any more hectic, it did!  Guess who had to go into emergency appendectomy surgery Tues am?  Yep, this girl!  Just what I need a week and a half before I leave for my wedding.  I got released from the hospital last night.  The doctor seems to think I will be fine by the time we leave but I am seriously stressing.  Oh and to top it off we are moving out of our house this Saturday into a new place that we just bought.  Shoot me now!!! 

 AWW, Alisa! I can't believe that. I think if any of us were in your shoes we'd be stressing hardcore too. On a bright note, at least it happened at home rather than abroad! Could you imagine? Wow, I can't believe that you have to move right now too. I despise moving... Do you at least have a long weekend with all 3 days off from work? Do you have a good support system with lots of family and friends to help you out? If you have any favors to cash in, now seems like the time. I'd just reach out and see who is able to help. You can't do it all... Especially while you're still recovering from surgery. Poor thing! The good thing is as that as soon as you get all of this yucky stuff over with, you'll have a nice new home to enjoy and then you get to go to paradise and get some much needed R&R.

Originally Posted by cole379 

 

Hi Everyone!

 

All of your pictures are beautiful. It looked like a great wedding!

 

I was hoping that you experts can help me. We just got our quotes back for all the resorts and EPM came back as the cheapest (and I use that term loosely!). I was not expecting EPM to be the cheapest so I don't know to much about the wedding planning and packages there. I like the gold package but was wondering how it worked with outside vendors. I know you cannot use any DJ but DJ Mannia right? What about hiring a make up and hair person not from the spa? And what about an outside photographer? Is there a vendor fee to pay? As well, I can't find prices for extra items that you ight want to add to your package. Is there a list of those prices for 2012? Sorry for all the questions but I would appreciate any help! I checked their website but could not find these answers.

 

Actually one last question. For those who have visited or had their wedding, was the beach nice and water swimmable?

 

Thanks!

There is an outside vendor fee. I'm not sure how much exactly, I want to say around $100 per vendor. You should contact Yamina, the wedding coordinator, to find out for sure. She will also be able to provide a list of prices for things that you might want to add on that aren't included in the package. I have been to EPM before and the beach is beautiful and beckons you to jump right in.

Girls! What do you have left to do? We're down to weeks... days!!! It's crazy. I just can't believe how fast everything has flown by and I know there's no slowing down probably until after we say farewell to our last few wedding guests and have a few days alone, together, on the beach. Ahh.. It sounds so nice. I wish I was leaving tomorrow- take that back because I still have a few more things on my to do list:

*print welcome brochures once all details are finalized

*eyelash extensions

*hair triim

*mani/pedi

*wax

*pack

NOT BAD

mostly pampering and getting myself into tip top shape...

Party wise - my girls threw a fabulous bachelorette party for me over the weekend - the same day as FIs bachelor party. Oh my goodness!! I had so much fun. They got a hotel where we all met and had some champagne, followed by dinner at a super cute restaurant, dancing like old times at a club and then.... probably the funniest/most awkward part of the night. They took me to an erotic art show. WOW! Interesting to say the least. Then we went back to the hotel for the night. I haven't had such a blast in quite a while! The only party that we have left at this point is a few days before we leave. We're having the wedding party over to our place for some drinks and grub and we're going to give them their gifts and thank them. I'm STOKED!!!!!

Originally Posted by michelle2011 

 

My turn ladies, we fly out in the morning. Thank you all so much for your support x

WOO HOO

Wishing you the time of your life! Can't wait to hear how everything goes for you!

OK ladies,

Let's hear your borrowed, blue, old and new!

Borrowed: Sapphire ring from my sister

Blue: Above ring but also "I DO" blingy stickers on the bottom of my heels

Old: The diamond in my Ering, passed down from FIs sweet Grammie... who I love dearly

New: Well, pretty much everything else I'll be wearing! ahaha

Wow, I feel like I have so much to reply to today!

Jessica, your bowl is adorable! Very unique and what a great keepsake. Just imagine looking at that bowl 50 years from now. How special!

Originally Posted by jszy10 

My ring bowl from etsy vendor SayYourPiece came today!!  Love it )

 

          

Girl! I saw your post in the "show off your shoes" thread and I was dying to find out where those barefoot sandals came from. I'm taking this as a sign - must order!

Originally Posted by RedIByChelsea 

Hey ginnigurl! Congrats on the wedding and I'm sure you're insanely excited! Per your question on barefoot...I design barefoot beach jewelry (for Brides & Bridesmaids), so it's another option in case you'd like to save the heels for the reception and walk down the beach aisle with your feet sparkling in foot jewels (this is what I did)!  Here is my page on here for [Red-i] By Chelsea: Exotic Travel-Inspired Destination Wedding Jewelry as well as my site! I'm happy to customize any orders as well and I can do a quick turnaround time!

 

Thread on my business: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/73260/red-i-by-chelsea-exotic-travel-inspired-destination-wedding-jewelry

 

My site is www.redibychelsea.com. All jewelry is travel-inspired based on exotic destinations I've visited. Everything can be customized by color, style & personality

 

Cheers!

 

Chelsea
 

 

Jenn,

You've got some last minute work cut out for you but I'm sure you'll find all of the advice that you need here! Hehe. For me, I made a last minute decision to switch my wedding ceremony from gazebo to beach, so I'll be skipping shoes completely (or going for the barefoot sandals above!) for the ceremony, but I have some HOT heels for the cocktail hour and reception. In my opinion, if you're getting married in the sand, go big or go home. No flip flops for me. But, that's really a personal choice.

For your playlist, is it for the reception? Do you have a theme set for your music? I am just wrapping up my playlist and it's a really cool, relaxed, reggae/bossa nova type of thing... Are you thinking relaxed dinner music or hoppin party music? I had fun with that part.

Welcome letter, there are plenty of examples to peruse and take the words that express what you feel and put them down on paper in your own way. I found it helpful to read a few other people's just so that I knew that I was on the right track...

OOT bag, I don't think it's a bad idea to ditch the bags and do a gift instead. Whatever you think will be more useful and express your gratitude to your guests will be best. Do you have a gift or a price point per guest in mind??

Also, I voted for you! Best of luck!! Here's hoping our fellow June bride wins

Originally Posted by ginnigurl 

It's really close!!!  We are leaving in exactly two weeks and here is what I have left:

 

-Need ivory flip flops...  I have nice heels for pictures, but my dress is short so I need nice flops for beach... any ideas or just go barefoot???

-Finish ipod list

-Welcome Letter

-Isle decor:  Need to attach white pencil starfish to ribbon, has anyone done that?  What is the best way??

-OOT bag: thinking of giving up on these and just taking it all back and getting everyone a nice gift???  thoughts?

 

Anyone have any advice??

 

Thanks ladies!!

Michelle,

Pinch, pinch! It's really happening! And it will be amazing!

Originally Posted by michelle2011 

Aw lovely OOT bags Jessica...

 

I am sooooo excited. We leave in 6 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had my hair coloured yesterday. I collect my dress on Saturday, have my eye lashes going on, on sunday and my nails done Monday! Then that's it. I'm off.

 

Our tickets came today i am literally pinching myself ha ha x