Kristibear

Thank you Jamie, you are so sweet.  I thought the Ipod was cheaper too, but they are charging for the ceremony and the cocktail hours.  I just found out that a DJ is $130 per hour with a minimum of 4 hours.  That totals $520.  So a DJ is cheaper?  I am getting further clarification on this and will let you know.

 

Originally Posted by Jamie5280 

(((BIG HUGS))) I would be stressing out too!  I am putting positive thoughts out there for all the girls getting married out there in the next few days/week!!! 

 

I thought the I-pod set up was cheaper?    But I see that you decided on the extended cocktail hour, so that will be really fun for you guys!!!

 

Again, praying for you guys!!!!
 

 

So it's $568.00 for the Ipod setup. That is supposed to cover the ceremony and extended cocktail hour.  And I can't use my resort vacation dollars towards it.  Since we are only having a dinner, we will not need 4 hours of music, as required in order to have a DJ from the resort.  Yet, outside vendors are not allowed unless a room is booked for them.  Oh and there's a huge hurricane that has the potential to ruin my wedding.  Today is not a good day.

Has any past brides used Alex Marrufo from JSAV for a DJ or heard anything (it's the DJ that MP recommends)?  I just don't want to pay for any more rooms for outside vendors and would really like to have a DJ.  Any information would be helpful.

Also, thank you for the comments about the room nights.  Although there is still discussion about it my TA is fighting hard for us, so I will update ya'll when I find out the final verdict and if they give us our credits.

Here is the dilemma I am currently dealing with.  My wedding is 11/4/11.  We have 57 room nights booked.  When I tried to confirm all the wedding details in regards to our free cocktail hour, etc, the coordinator informed me that we need a group contract.  Now, of course, this is the first time I have heard of this, so this is currently being researched by the travel agent.  I am really annoyed because I have asked about these room night credits several times, and now less then 30 days before the wedding, we may not get credit for all of these people we are bringing to the resort.  Has anyone had this problem? 

Bikini

Fall or Spring?

Ooooh good idea Jamie! I didn't even think of an extended cocktail hour.  Our wedding is 11/4/11.  So pretty much, a month away.  We are at 20 people right now and it just doesn't make sense to spend money on a DJ.  Thank you so much for mentioning extending!
 

Originally Posted by Jamie5280 

I believe even with an I-pod we still need to rent speakers and a technician for like $400 or so (don't mark my words on that, though). With that said, I believe the technician will start and stop your songs for you.

 

As for a reception...It honestly depends on how many book.  I want a reception, but if we only have 20-25 we may opt for the dinner option and maybe extend cocktail hour????  Not sure.  We just sent our STD's, so we have a ways before we know the # of guests coming.

 

How soon is your wedding??? 

 

Uggggghhhhhh! If that's what they require I guess that's what we'll have to do.  My photographer lives locally and it seems crazy to rent him a room.  I don't understand why the $88.00 wasn't enough for them.  Thank you for your help, I just feel so nickel and dimed by them

 

Originally Posted by erinandchad 

We're getting married October 15 and I have an email from Michele Farinas (Miami office) saying we need to book a room for our outside photographer. So that is what we did. I was originally under the impression that a day pass would work fine, but apparently that's not the case. They seem to be inconsistent about this policy from bride to bride which is disappointing. 

 

Thank you Jamie.  Are you planning on having someone start and stop your songs for the wedding if you use the ipod set up?  Are you planning on doing a reception or just a dinner?
 

Originally Posted by Jamie5280 

I am not married yet, but we are using an I-pod for sure, not matter how many people we have, but we may have just as many as you....  Not sure you can have DJ in a restaurant anyways...

 

As for a photog, I know I have to purchase a room for him and his assistant.  But we are getting married in 2012, so you may want to check you contract.  They are definitely trying to do away with a day pass.  A bride (a few posts up) is there right now and said she paid $300 + 88/pp for her photogs to be at MP.  So, it's a little cheaper to do a room...

 

Hope that helps! 

 

I need advice ladies.  So the wedding is quickly approaching and it's definately time to make some decisions.  First off we will be having about 20-25 people attending.  I am contemplating whether or not to have a DJ or just do the Ipod setup since we are planning on just having a dinner instead of a full blown reception.  I figured we could all go over to the Discotech place afterwards to continue celebrating.  Thoughts???

Also, I am using an outside photographer.  I was under the impression that I could just purchase a day pass for him.  Is that still correct?

Lastly, does anyone know if the videographer that works for MP offers live streaming video. I wanted to look into that for friends and family to see the wedding live. 

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

MPWedding you are amazing ! Thank you so much for all of the photos and info. I don't have it in my budget to make a site visit, but your pics gave me the comfort I was looking for.  Now I just need to decide.  My wedding is at 2:00 on the beach and my room as at the Nizuc side.  In your opinion which terrace would be closest to the wedding and for the rest of the guests if they are on the sunrise side?

Thank you!!!!  It's Maggie inspired (Adorae was the one I wanted, but was over my budget) It's cheaper, but acheives the same look!  I went to an amazing bridal store in Houston called "Impressions" and they custom order/make the dress for you.
 

Originally Posted by RyGuysBride 

This is gorgeous! Is it Adorea by Maggie Sottero?

 

 

I loooooooovvvvve the 2nd dress!!!!!  The lady who helped me find my dress gave me good advice.  She said "you will probably LIKE alot of dresses, but make sure you choose a dress you feel the most beautiful in."  It sounds so common sense, but it helped me narrow down my choices.

Originally Posted by vbbbtk 

 

Beautiful Dress!  Is it a Maggie?

 

It's actually a Maggie inspired dress.  The one I wanted was wayyyyyy more expensive, so I was ecstatic to find this one at a much more reasonable price.

Just bought it!!!!! Sooo excited!

Thank you Mocha.  Did you do any tours or anything? If so which companies did you go with?

 

Originally Posted by mochamakes3 

Yes, the sparkling wine is always available. I had mimosas most mornings, and a few times I saw girls walking around at night drinking straight out of the bottle.

 

I didn't have make up remover, so yes, it took days to completely get rid of it all.

 

The only time I saw the Moet pink was at the reception. I probably should have told MIL to not pay for it, but she asked if it was okay and I agreed.

 

I don't think there is any charge for the bikes or tennis equipment. You just have to sign it in and out.

 

Kristi, don't worry at all. Moon Palace is like a secure compound. There is only one road in/out and it is far from the highway. Everyone has to sign in and out to access the grounds. If you're not on a tour bus you have to provide your bracelet number at the security gate. We had one guest arrive late and they made him sit on a chair in the lobby for two hours until they figured out what room he was supposed to be in. They wouldn't even let him get a bottle of water! It is super secure. We didn't have any issues when we were off the resort either.

I think I may be getting paranoid.  Are any of you worried about all the crimes against Americans in Mexico.  I have had MP booked for months, but I am just now getting ready to make my invitations and panic set in.  I am starting to think of other possible locations even if I do lose my deposit. What do you ladies think?  Has anyone looked into this?

Like (but I need to learn )  But I also like snowboarding

Crawfish with melted butter

Yaker, you and I have the same wedding date

Congratulations on standing up for yourself! Hopefully you didn't lose too much money due to cancelling your NJ wedding, but no one will ever argue with getting married on a beach.  I just sent my Save the Dates yesterday!!!  Once you get started, everything will start to fall into place.  Just get busy girl!  We are sending out formal invitations as well as Save the Dates even though all of our information is on our website.  We feel like it will serve as a reminder and a formal invitation.  Also, for those who can't make it, it's a perfect reminder for them to send you a gift. 

 

Originally Posted by yaker33 

Hi ladies!  I am getting married November 4, 2011 at Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort in Montego Bay.  I just booked this last week!!! I have nothing prepared.  My FI and I got engaged two years ago and we wanted to do a destination wedding but my mother get very upset and begged us to have the "traditional" wedding here.  So we went with that but have been unhappy ever since. Now that the wedding is getting so close we finally put our foot down and said enough is enough. This is our wedding and since we are paying for it we want to do it our way. So I canceled the venue here in NJ and booked Jamaica. I cant wait!! I was miserable planning this wedding here and now I am so excited about Jamaica.  I dont know how many people we are going to have. I have 4 friends who are definite but not sure about family.  Seeing how its late notice I'm not sure people will be able to afford it. My mother is very upset with us so I wouldn't be surprised if she refused to come.  My FI and I are completely fine with just having an intimate wedding with the two of us. We never wanted a big wedding to begin with and we are only invited 26 people to the destination wedding. I still don't have a wedding dress yet and I am just starting to do my STDs.  Question, do I have to send out invitations as well? or can STDs be fine?? Thanks everyone!!!

I am using Sascha too! He is very easy to contact and seems very professional.  I am looking forward to seeing more of his work

 I am confused on which one to buy and I'm still looking, but I love the 3rd one. Any advice?

That is such a pretty dress and it fits your shape perfectly.  I am also searching for a trumpet/mermaid dress.  I have tried on about 20 dresses so far, so you have proven that there's hope of finding the ONE! 

 

Originally Posted by melfaybik 

 

Hello Everyone!

 

Here is my Alvina Valenta Bridal Gown! I tried on over a 100 dresses in over 6 months and thought I would never find the perfect dress.  I think I went to every bridal store in Colorado! lol I was starting to think something was wrong with me and that there was no perfect dress out there for me. I was about to settle on a dress but then I found THE ONE and I am so in love with it!!  The wait was definatley worth it and I can't wait for my first dress fitting!

 

 

Love the first one! The material looks expensive and the draping makes you look like a princess.  You made the right choice girly!

 

Originally Posted by JennW818 

Okay, so I made the mistake of trying on more dresses after buying one.  Now I am three months away from my wedding and I don't know if I should wear.  The first is the one I already bought:

Ashley that dress is gorgeous!  I can totally imagine it blowing in the wind.  I originally had a similar idea, but I recently fell in love with trumpet/mermaid style.  Are you actually getting married on the sand or in a gazebo?

Ok, good to know. Thank you!

 

Originally Posted by mochamakes3 

I think they only book 2-3 months in advance, and you have to have your reservation paid in full.