JoZee84

Hi Ladies, just wanted to know, I was asigned Lili as my onsite WC how long before I should be getting an email from her discussing when we are going to meet to go over everything before the wedding?  I'm about 3 weeks away now. 

Hello to the Mrs that just came back,  So glad to hear everything went well.  The pics you both posted looked great, can't wait to read your reviews.  My date is coming up so fast!!! and I can't wait

Dimax21, I agree. I would NOT check your gown.  Carry it on the plane with you, if your airline has first class available then they should have a closet. If you call and tell them you are in economy, coach, business, what ever, they will tell you they do not have one,  but usually they do.  It is for first class passangers only.   I had my TA call my airline and they said they didn't have one either, they had my reservation infront of them and saw I was booked in coach so they said no.  But when I called and told them I had a first class ticket and just wanted to know if they have one on the plane and they said yes.  Call your airline.  Also if they reall don't have one on the plane, try to be the first in line to baord the plane so you have a full bin overhead.  From past brides they said the resort is really good at steaming the wedding gowns. 

Originally Posted by dimax21 

 

Jennie0521- congratulations on you wedding! I can't wait to read your review! 

 

JoZee84- I am doing a legal wedding there. I thought about doing it here (privately) but I really wanted the first time we said "I do" to be in my wedding dress, and in front of our family & friends. I am not too excited about the blood tests, and everything else we have to bring... but I am excited about the day

 

speedy 130 -  good luck!!!! I hope you have an amazing day. I can't wait to hear about it.

 

I am trying to get everything finalized! I leave in 10 days!!! I can't believe that it is almost here. Lots of planning, but it will be worth it. Every review I have read gets me more and more excited! I finally finished my music for the ceremony and reception (we are using an ipod). That was stressing me out! but it is done! For those of you who used your ipod, (or CD's if you can) how was it? I hope that the sound system sounds great and it will be stress free. Thanks for all your help ladies!!!!!

Hi, Dimax21, We or I am not too thrilled about the blood test either.  But we also wanted this to be our real ceremony.  What else do you need to bring?  I know if you have changed your name or been married before you need birth certificates.  But all I was told I needed was my passport and tourist card.  You leave in 10 days! So excited for you can't wait to hear how it went.  please let me know how all the legal things went including the blood test.  Have fun!!!

Originally Posted by kellygrrrl 

was anyone able to successfully purchase day passes for your photog(s) instead of paying the outside vendor fee? or did you have to pay the outside vendor fee AND purchase day passes? if there is an assistant, does that mean you have to pay TWO fees?

 

uggghhhhh. the most expensive part is getting expensive-r. : (

We were told if they were a guest we didn't have to pay the vendor fee.  So we booked a room at the cheapest "REAL" resort, it was 90 for the night.  We just booked the room no meal plan, added them to our guest list and we're feeding them at the wedding.  We saved a little over 150 I believe. 
 

Hi Ladies, just wondering is anyone else doing a legal ceremony?

Have fun ChicagoBride.  I'm sure everything will smooth out once you get there!

Hi ladies, had to share  my dress FINALLY came in!! I was SO nervous it wasn't going to get here on time being that I ordered it in September,  they said it would be 4-6 months to come in, well they were wrong.  But I go for my fitting tomorrow! yeah!!!

Originally Posted by rosieposie 

 

yes it seems like the last 3 months have just flown by......do as much as you can and stay positive!

 

 

Quote:

 

 

I agree, I feel like its crunch time now!   Time does FLY!!  The stress is starting to settle in a bit, I just want the planning and DIY projects to be over and just have the day to enjoy. 

Originally Posted by rosieposie 

 

 AHR coming up, things are getting stressful on that part due to the money.

 

we've already made it as simple as possible (no cake, limited alcohol, use of same DIY & real touch flowers as DW, no decorations....) but it still feeling overwhelmed. FI had a big freak out over the cost and we got into an argument about it all. it's not like it was my parents who kept pushing, pushing and insisting on a 300 guest AHR. we've just about maxed out the restaurant capacity *WTF* ergh, feels like the same argument from months ago so i won't go into it but it's just frustrating when his parents wanted the AHR but backed out on forking out the cash for it and left us holding the bill.

 

the norm is guests to the reception will bring a money gift, usually to cover their food cost. so we're hoping there will be enough there that we don't end up with a giant loss.

 

just can't wait to get that part done so we can go to mexico and start the celebration WE want.

! :'(  I'm sorry your arguing with your FI, I'm sure you dont' need that added stress right now.  300! wow.  I though we had a lot at 143.  But then again, that is only my family and friends.  The FI doesn't really have any family.  Sucks about ur in-laws.  I hope you at least break even

Originally Posted by RGWedding 

 

Hi Ladies, 

 

I took a vacation at the Royal in December and fell in love with the resort. My fiance and I plan on getting married there in November 2011. 

 

I am brand new to the forum and planning so I would appreciate any advice. Do you ladies know how many months in advance we need to book? Am I already too late to book November? How much is the deposit amount?

 

Thanks! And congrats to everyone!

Welcome!  Their is SO much information on this site!! from florists to rehersal dinner places on 5th ave., to questions your WC won't answer fast enough. 

My advice book EARLY! We wanted to book our date 2 years in advance and to make a long story short, we were told it was too early and had to wait so we did and we didn't get the origional date we wanted.    All worked out though.  Our deposit was also $200. 

Also I'd make a spread sheet and list things you want for your wedding, how much you intend on spending and how many people.  Price out how much each package is and compare it to how much it would be for the "free" package. 

Good luck planning! Your date will be here before you know it! !

ok ladies need to have my first real freak out.  So I ordered my dress in Sep. and it still isn't in! They said it would take 4-6 months to come in and its still not here.   They keep telling me not to worry about it that its coming. But my wedding is like 2 months away! What do I do if it doesn't come in ! ? !    

Hi ladies, I'd stick with Marvin.  He has been getting back to me rather quick.  He told me he was really busy right now, but trust me he'll get to you.  He sent me a contract and we are still tweeking it a little here and there.  He said cash the day of or if someone prefers to send straight to his bank account he'd give the information. 

Hi Ladies, I had to share.  I had my bridal shower this weekend and I have the most creative and thoughtful bridal party ever!  They really surprised the s*it out of me!  I thought I was going to breakfast and then shopping with my sister all day.  At 8 AM my doorbell rang I thought it was my sister and boy was I wrong!  I was greeted with a driver (my brother-in-law dressed as a chauffer) he handed me a card and a gift bag and stayed in character the ENTIRE day!   When I read the card it basically said the whole breakfast/shopping day was a crock.  Then he handed me another card and it started from there.  My bridal party put me on a scavenger hunt.  I won’t go through the whole thing cause it was hours long, but to make it short.  It started in RI where I live now and ended up NY where I use to live.  Every step I had a card with another clue to where I was heading next and at each stop I had a task to do and a gift (usually something to wear) that I had to put on.  Starting off with a flowery bag.  Then flower hair pin, sunglasses, fun summer earrings, hula skirt, coconut bra, temp tattoos and other stuff.  My FI knew about my journey but didn’t know he was going to get surprises too.  My gift bags were pink and his were yellow with rocket ships on them.  He also had to put everything on.  It was HYSTERICAL! Going into public placed dressed up in these crazy outfits! They had me go all over RI and then all over NY.  It was SO much fun!! I had NO idea it was coming.  We ended up walking into my shower dressed up in these crazy outfits.  It was a BLAST!!  

hey Heidi82- I booked my photog at the Real playa del carmen hotel and beach club, it is their cheapest hotel room at $90 for the european package (no meal plan).  Then they are considered "Real" guests. 

melsramey- We are only doing 6-8 per table.  I saw mentioned about 300 pages back (haha) that 8 fits good. 10 might be squishy. check out suzy831's pic above, theres 8 chairs 

Wow Rosie, the DIY projects came out awesome! I love the mint match books!! Cute idea

  Hey Jana, your right Jesmcan and Kshow looked TOTALLY hot in their pics! More stressing out and working out for me!  Your pics look awesome too! Its getting so close to our date! EEEEKKK!   I got for my chinese dress on April 9th, I hope they can get it done on time.    Did you get your AHR dress yet?  

Originally Posted by dimax21 

 

Did you just ask about the fee for thr judge? How did you get out of paying? Also, what was the info about the second garnish? can we get 2?

 

 

 

 

I asked my WC. We're getting married on a Wed at 5:30pm.  She said on my check list not to check the box for the judge and it was included.  Also the white linens are included without a fee.  We choose 2 garnishes, its $2 more per plate for a real guest and $4 for a non. 

Originally Posted by kellygrrrl 

 

really? 1:30 in the afternoon? I would have never know. thanks for the info! : )

 

 

 

I thought that was early too.

Originally Posted by SarahE786 

 

 

 

 

I'm waiting on Marvin as well! Trying to figure out all the last minute decisions like centerpieces is tough!

 

Can anyone that is doing their hair & make up in the resort spa let me know what type of timeline they went for? I have a 5:30 ceremony and want to make sure that I have enough time!

 

Marvin's stuff is amazing! If you tell him what kind of flowers your interested in he'll send you pics of ones he has already done with them.  Makes it a little easier to narrow down. 

I scheduled my hair apt at 1pm. It sounds early but I figured if I didn't like it, gives me time to fix it myself.  )

FYI for who ever in interested in going to the Blue Parrot, their fire show is at 1:30 pm and 10:30 pm.  monday and thursdays are ladies night no cover and free drinks. The rest of the days there is a $10 cover after 10pm.

Just letting you know I asked my WC about the fee for the judge and she said we don't have to pay the $400. YEAH!!! 

I don't remember who posted about the second garnish but thank you, I think its is so worth it!

My FI went to Vegas for his bach party and I was SO jealous! We'll see where my chicas are taking me!!   I can't wait!

Originally Posted by SarahE786 

 

I'm getting married this May 15th of this year (getting so close!!) and plan on doing a 5:30 ceremony...should be plenty of light!

 

Question for brides that have already become Mrs...did you do a sweetheart table? And if so, does anyone have pictures or thoughts on a floral centerpiece that they used?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Check out page 820 Matt's post.  MichaelandAraceli's wedding pics. they had a sweetheart table with flowers. I believe they used the resorts florist. 

We're also getting married at 5:30.  There should be plenty of light still for pics. after the ceremony.

Originally Posted by diahr 

 

Hey Ladies - I had my bachelorhood party this weekend in Atlantic City! Me and 9 of my friends got a limo and club hopped til 6am.. Now no wedding event is without drama so here it is - before we left the hotel room for the party, my older single sister decided to show me what dress she was going to wear for the wedding (she is not in the wedding party, you'll see why in a sec).. This bi*** had the nerve to show me a MINI dress from BCBG!! Guess what color the dress is - WHITE and black!!! And I don't mean a little white. The dress is a skunk!! Black on the sides and a HUGE WIDE white stripe down the middle and back!! What do I do? Am I being a bridezilla here? I told her she is not wearing the dress and that I was done with the conversation and then I walked out of the room. But she is just nuts enough to do it!! Her excuse is that she doesn't have money to buy a dress (she drives a white BMW) and she can't wear "cheap shi*." Okay seriously, dresses are not that expensive. I told her to go to Marshall's, JCPenny or something.  Her response was that she doesn't want to fight for clothes.. WTF?! Seriously, people at Marshalls are not savages.. I can't even...

The fact that this chick even thought it was okay / appropriate to wear a short, tight, black and white dress to my wedding... And my sister isn't small! What to do?!  We leave in 2 weeks!! How do I tell this chic this upsets me without causin awkwardness or getting into a fight?

! I know you don't want to cause a fight, but what if you went shopping for another dress with her?  Try explaining that your upset about it.  If it were me i'd just ask her to go shopping and then find your way to the dress section in what ever store your in.     Good luck! 

Originally Posted by Aricak64 

 

JoZee84- when is your wedding?  I noticed all the prices went up for 2012.  The minster, JP, Rabbi, etc is 400 in 2011, but in 2012 the price went up to 500.

This june, but we got pricing for 2010 cause thats when we booked it.

I have a question for past brides.  So I was looking over the check list and I noticed that they have a fee for linens.  I thought that it was free for just plain white?  Are they really going to charge a dollar for napkins and twelve for table cloths? Also I thought that you only paid the extra $400 for the minister, JP, Rabbi etc.  if you were getting married on a thurs-sunday?  Is anyone else surprised by this ?

Originally Posted by dimax21 

 

We are also doing the same thing.  Small group, about 18 people.  We opted for the ipod as well.  Let me know how it works out!  Are you hiring someone to controll your ipod?  I know it is around $80 USD.  We are trying to figure out whether its worth it or not.  I don't want one of our guests to have to controll the music for when the bridal party and I walk down the "aisle" or have the first dance etc.  I don't know what to do?

 

JoZee84- I will let you know about the ipod. I hope it works out ok! I decided to hire someone to run the ipod, it seemed like less of a hassle to not have to worry about it. SweetLe had posted about an app (wedding DJ) I downloaded it, and it looks like it will be a perfect way to organize the music for ceremony and the reception.  Good Luck with everything!! (also, stupid question, but I am seeing that a lot of people are getting the Tres Leches cake, what kind of cake is that??)  

 

I agree, the FI just wants to have them controll it for the ceremony and then just let it run for the reception.  We'll see.

Tres Leches is a butter cake soaked in three different types of milk. 

Originally Posted by geoffnsara 

 

So ladies I have a question about pictures.  I would like to have pictures before the ceremony at the Royal.  Do you know if that is possible without having to pay a fee to get in the hotel early?

You are allowed to have three people not staying at your resort to come three hours before the wedding with out being charged.  They have to be on your guest list though.

Originally Posted by SweetLe 

 

Geoffnsara,

    My planner is Bety.

 

 

Well, you girls have convinced me, our group is up to 17, and we still have some people to book- so we are going to go ahead with the private reception and just do the ipod thing. I heard about the ipod app from another thread called My WeddingDJ. It's supposed to help you organize the music by parts of the wedding, ex. "first dance", etc. It's $5, so I downloaded and I'm going to see if it's helpful at all. We're just doing the regular dance floor, I can't justify the extra cost for the light up one- though it does look cool.

 

Is everyone else doing a cocktail reception as well? If so what's your time frame from wedding to reception? I feel like our reception will be over by 8pm, and I was really hoping to go out in playa afterwards. That seems to early to me, I dunno. The wedding starts at 3pm.

 

Is everyone doing bridesmaid bouquets? I am working on this now, waiting to hear back from Marvin at Mayo Diseno. It seems like our budget keeps expanding-- and we really need to cap it because there is still the AHR to pay for! Any suggestions on how to find more affordable flower options?

 

This forum, has been such a big help to me with all this planning! So glad to have found you girls!

Thanks for the info on the ipod app.  We are doing a cocktail hour before the reception, we have a lapse in the time cause we don't want to miss it either.  After the ceremony their is a half hour break for pictures.  We figured our family would miss some of the cocktail hour as well cause of family photos.  So we have it starting a half hour after. Marvin is really reasonable and fast and his stuff is great!  But there is another flower shop there around fifth ave.  I have to look back and see if I can find it for you.  I don't think they have as many options or as good quality though.  Its really tough finding where to pinch pennies.  We're doing an AHR also and its getting tight!

Originally Posted by dimax21 

 

SweetLe,

My wedding is May 19th, 2011, and we decided to have a private reception. We have about 20 people going. I couldn't decided to do private or semi-private (because of the small group) but after reading many reviews, the private reception sounded like the best option. We also decided to go with using our Ipod instead of hiring a DJ. I hope this all works out. Good luck with your wedding!!!

We are also doing the same thing.  Small group, about 18 people.  We opted for the ipod as well.  Let me know how it works out!  Are you hiring someone to controll your ipod?  I know it is around $80 USD.  We are trying to figure out whether its worth it or not.  I don't want one of our guests to have to controll the music for when the bridal party and I walk down the "aisle" or have the first dance etc.  I don't know what to do?

Originally Posted by JHarris 

 

Hi Gals!

 

Have any of you had issues with guests all of a sudden backing out of the wedding bc of all the incidents happening in Mexico? We've assured everyone that is not Playa del Carmen and none of those areas are near it. Plus the resort is private. We indirectly found out that my fi sister and brother in law decided to pull out last minute. They gave us multiple excuses - how lucky are we? I'm pretty upset bc I already paid for her dress. Luckily we hadn't bought the guys suits yet. I'm more upset at the fact that we called them about something else and then they were being weird on the phone and after teeth pulling - they told us. I wonder if and when they were planning on telling us. ggrrr......

 

Anyway - did any past brides pick the trio or quintet to play during cocktails? In the package it says Mexican Trio - is that the same thing as Mariachi? 

We have only had two people drop out so far my future SIL and her daughter, it wasn't about the violence or anything related Mexican related.  But it is still annoying cause we really wanted them there.  And we bought the BM dress already.  We're just going to put it on ebay or craigs list.  At least thats good its near prom and wedding season.

Originally Posted by diahr 

 

Hey ladies - I leave in 3 WEEKS!!!! So anxious... Anywho, I keep hearing people mention a checklist from the Royal WCs. I have not gotten any such thing nor has my WC even mentioned it. The only thing that I can think of is that we have mostly everything done at this point so we don't need a checklist. I dunno. Should I be alarmed ladies?  Does anyone have a copy of the checklist that they can share so I can see what's on it?

 

I just got my favors in yesterday, I will post a pic later since I am at work now.  Below are the things that we have done so far. Can you ladies take a look and let me know if I am missing anything? This can be very overwhelming and it doesn't help that I don't really know anyone close that has ever gotten married b4.

 

Pre Marital Class - LOL! We needed it √                     FI Suit √

Airport Transfer - Cancun Transfers √                     My Dress √                                           PENDING

Wedding Bands √                                                     Shoes âˆš                                        

Jewelry – PENDING                                          MOH Dress √ 

BM Suit âˆš                                            Hair Appt @ SpaZul √

 Makeup - Norma from MAC √             Photo - Cecilia Dumas √

Chair Sashes √         

OOT Bags - IN PROGRESS        

Programs - NOT STARTED

Reception Centerpieces - Royal √

Video - DIY (I know, I know...budget!) √

Wedding Party Flowers / Wedding Decorations - Marvin √

Favors - Brushed Nickel Picture Frames & Personalized Matchbooks  âˆš

Cake - Tres Leches / Chocolate √  (Are you ladies getting cake toppers? For the cost, I am not sure if it's worth it)

Reception Menu - Goat Cheese Spring Salad / Salmon, Beef or Shrimp Dish / Chocolate Pear Tart or something - lol! âˆš

Music: Ipod - Couldn't justify the cost of a DJ for 20 people, most of which are women (only like 6 men including my FI)√

Excursion - Private Tour to Xel Ha & Tulum (guests will pay $75, we pay the rest and it's optional to come) âˆš

Sorry for the long post!

 

Are you doing place cards?  Or getting your bridal party gifts?  Are you hiring someone to run your IPOD?   Yeah for Tres Leches!!! Thats what we chose too.  Let us know how it is. Its almost here you must be SUPER excited!!

Originally Posted by Aricak64 

 

Hello Brides,

 

I am four weeks away from my wedding date.  We are having a small wedding, 14 guests total.  The wedding is at 4 pm, 4:30-6:00 pm toasting, cake, drinks, etc. and then the semi private dinner at 6 pm.  Do to the small size of the wedding and my wedding party, a dancing reception really doesn't work for us.  Does anyone have any ideas of what I could plan to do with my guests after the dinner?  

 

Thanks!

 

Arica

5th ave is right there and their are plenty of places to hang out, if your looking to do something off the resort.

Originally Posted by SBBride 

Hey guys~ 

I need some help with my oot bags.  I have a few questions that maybe you guys can help me with:

 

1.  Did anyone purchase travel mugs to put in their oot bags?  Is it worth it?  I probably won't buy the insulated ones so the drinks will get warm but it's a cute idea.   Does the Royal serve you drinks in little plastic cups? 

 

2.  Did anyone else make room key/tip holders?   Are the room keys the size of a credit card? 

 

3.  What else did you find useful to put in the oot bags (other than the bandaids, Advils, Tums)?

 

Thanks for your help girls!!

 

There were some earlier brides that purchased personalized mugs and said everyone loved them and I don't think theirs were insulated.  Other things that were put in OOT bags were, reg playing cards and board game cards, hand sanitizer, disposable cameras