jacqjade

I had my reception in the Bamboo room and the room itself is quite nice! I didn't bring anything decorations...but I did pay for that starfish and sand center piece..which was quite expensive. But Ana did had some clear/shiny beads onto the table which were nice..and of course there were candles. I thought it was still beautiful.

Originally Posted by JIACwed 

Hi, My wedding is less than 3 months away and I am starting to think about decor and setup ect. Are most people bringing their own centrepieces, room decor, cake cutter, ect? I have no other family members flying out from my city so I would have to bring this all down myself and its going to be alot.  I have heard some people say that they brought nothing and they did a great job at making the room look nice but when I asked Ana she said they don't decorate?  Any suggestions??

Hi! I just have a question about your DVD...when u paid for the extra hour on top of the package..was your video still just 25 min long? Cuz I had done the sme and was told that they FILM for longer..but the video isn't longer. Also, I was disappointed that 15 min. of the video was the ceremony where the camera was completely still.

Originally Posted by all the love 

Hi ladies,

Our wedding video DVD arrived in the mail yesterday! We used the videographer included with the resort and paid for an extra hour on top of the one that was include with our package. The DVD really is wonderful, he did a great job. The Videographer was Alex Gonzalez with cancunweddingvideo.com.

 

I can't figure out how to get this thing loaded up online yet but once I do I will share the link so you can see the quality of the work. We are so happy to have the video, it's great to be able to watch the ceremony again!

Ana said she was going to print the menus...but I think she forgot so that was a bit unfortunate...but at least the food was good in the end! So if you want to be safe and you have the time..i'd print your own menus.

Originally Posted by kitkat863 

I am also deciding on a rehearsal dinner or welcome cocktail hour. We aren't going to have too many people with us so I feel like we probably would be going to dinner or to get drinks together anyways so I don't know if I need something scheduled.

 

Also, does the resort print out menus for the tables or do I have to do that?

The Festival Terrace is really pretty..but if the Buffet is open that night, then some of the other guests might see your wedding party and it may not seem as private. I had my wedding in the Bamboo room in Nov. and my guests were really thankful for the A/C after intense dancing! The Bamboo room also looks really pretty on its own without having to add any major decor.

Originally Posted by jls02 

I'm hoping I can get some opinions on where to have my reception for a late June 2012 wedding for 30-50 people.  I know it's going to be hot so I'm wondering if the festival terrace is going to be too uncomfortably warm for eating and dancing?  Maybe I should switch to the Bamboo Room?  Any advice is much appreciated.  Thanks so much!

Hi Ladies,

I recently got married on Nov. 20th and I will 100% agree with the past brides that none of you have anything to worry about!! Ana was my WC and she did a fab job! Here are some details and my review!

Hotel

-Excellent value for the price you pay! I if you book a group of 5 people, you get the 6th room for free which I of course used for myself. If your guests keep checking the website, they can catch a good deal on a package..or even just a deal on the rooms only.

-All the restaurants were quite good. I honestly don't have high standards with all inclusive resorts, but I was pleasantly surprised..especially with the French restaurant.

-If you have a big group for dinner, I suggest you go at 6pm..put in your table request...have a drink..and u should be seated by 7pm for dinner!

-The regular rooms are HUGE and all my guests were very pleased!

Spa

-Angel did my hair and make-up and was fantastic! He also did my bridesmaids and we all complimented each other

DJ

-My dinner reception started at 7pm, but because of speeches, I opted to start the DJ services at 8 and he went until 11, which meant I only had to pay for an extra hour of DJ with the Divine pkg. THey played everything i requested.

-They did offer some lighting, which I didn't ask for so i'm not sure if that was a bonus or if they provide that to everyone since it says no lighting in the pkg.

-Its $350 if you want a projector screen for a slideshow. I thought that was pretty pricey for a 10 min. presentation..but it was always my dream to have a slideshow!

Food

- Overall very good! Highly recommend the lobster bisque and beef fillet. I was a bit disappointed with chocolate souffle. They actually serve the exact same thing in 2 of the restaurants..and if you ask me..its more like a chocolate brownie without nuts. But it was still good.

- Ana was suppose to print the dinner menu for the tables..but she never did. I think she may have forgotten. Not a huge deal.

- The wedding cake..as other brides may have mentioned was a bit iffy. But by then everyone is full so it wasn't a big deal for me. I had 41 guests and the cake for "25" people was enough for everyone to have a slice. The same thing goes for the canapes during hte cocktail hour. Therefore, i don't think its necessary to pay extra for more people unless you have maybe over 50 people.

-Servers were all fantastic!

Flowers/Decor

-The flowers are REALLY overpriced. If i had known there was no extra charge to bring in an outside florist..i would have done it. Mine turned out exactly like the picture I gave to Ana, so at least i was happy. But yes, they were EXPENSIVE!!

- I only paid for the table center pieces that had the sand bowls with a star fish inside + yellow chair sashes. I didn't bring anything else with me and I thought the Bamboo room looked great just like that! So don't worry about bringing all these decor items!

Wedding ceremony

- We had Roxana (minister) perform our religious ceremony and I"ll have to admit I was quite disappointed. Apparently, she doesn't normally meet with the couple before the wedding, which I find a bit crazy. How can you not meet the person who is performing your wedding until you're walking down the aisle? Anyways, I felt she was really impersonal..and she just stood there reading from a massive binder. She also read very fast and it felt like anyone could have stood there and read from a book. She also stood where she was behind the pillar at the Pergola so that she shaded...which meant she was standing pretty far away from us. I guess if she does a wedding everyday in the sun..she doesn't appreciate it! But yes..if there is one thing that I was unhappy with..it was this.

- The flowers that come with the divine pkg for the ceremony are beautiful and I didn't think any extra decor was necessary. The setting was beautiful on its own.

-Our ceremony was at 3pm...and yes..timing is of the essence. By 5:15 it was pitch black! So you really need to organize yourself. But of course every time of the year is different.

Videography (Mike Cantarell - cancun wedding video)

- I had my own photographer and I was suppose to get an extra hour of video..meaning 1.5 hours...but in the end I only for a 25 min. video! So i'm actually going to have to ask Ana about what went wrong there. I wasn't super happy with the video either..but then again..it did come with the package so I wasn't expecting much. In the 25 min. of video..about 15 min of it was our entire wedding ceremony where the camera was held in 1 place..so really I felt that anyone could have done that!

Overall, I was very pleased with how everything went..and Ana did a great job! All my guests felt the same way as well!

Hope this is somewhat helpful for some of you future brides!

I had my dinner reception at Pergola and my guests TOTALLY thanked me for having it in an A/C environment. Originally when we arrived and we saw other wedding parties on the terrace partying they thought that would be a cool idea..but when it came time to dancing..they were so thankful!
 

Originally Posted by jmac 

Hi! Im getting married on April 17th... and right now I have the ceremony scheduled for 530pm, the cocktail at 6pm and the reception at 7pm (ish...) Was also looking for some feedback on timelines for April!

 

Im doing the pergola, the blue beach bar and then I have the bamboo room for the reception. I originally wanted the terrace but accidentally booked the wrong place and now can't change. However - Im thinking the air conditioning after people being outside all day would be welcoming.

 

I have approx 30 people right now coming.

I did print out programs for my guests...but it was mainly to show the names of all the guests so they all knew each other. I did a "day of" schedule for the wedding day..but it was literally...ceremony, cocktail and dinner reception time and location..that was it. I just did it on my computer.
 

Originally Posted by kitkat863 

So glad that you asked this!! Also, have you printed programs for the guests with your timeline? Have fun at your wedding!! It is sooooo close

 

Thanks for your input! That's what I was actually thinking too...but I didn't want to seem rude or super cheap!!
 

Originally Posted by FutureMrsBrew 

I have heard that people usually tip the WC but as far as the DJ, photographer, and videographer go I don't think that is as necessary as you are already paying them to be there. Unless of course they provide a spectacular service then I may throw so money there way. That's just my opinion though, I'm not sure of the proper etiquette.

Does anyone have an idea on who should typically get a tip after the wedding? WC, DJ...do photographers and videographers normally get tipped as well?? Is there anyone else? I noticed they already have a service charge for the food and beverages.

I"m getting married next weekend and apparently it gets almost pitch black at 5pm (hate daylight savings!)!! So I opted to have my ceremony at 3..then do picturs afterwards until 5pm... Then I chose to do my cocktail at 6 and dinner at 7. I know there's a gap in between the ceremony, but i had to make sure to have enough sun time after our ceremony..so i'm assuming ppl will just hang out around the bar..or take a break in their rooms?!?!

 

Originally Posted by kitkat863 

I would also like to see some programs people have had. Thanks in advance!!!

 

So far I have also only been able to swap the photography for extra video hours.... and I was told I would only have to pay for the day passes for the outside photographer. I think that you have to pay for an outside vendor for pretty much anything else you use...like florist..live band..DJ...

And if you think about...having to pay the day pass for your photographer also covers a meal for them at the buffet..which is usually asked for by photographers anyways so having to pay for the day pass isn't that huge of a deal.

I wasn't pleased with the flowers in the wedding book either..but Ana said I could send her a picture of what I wanted and she'd try to copy it...i'm hoping that works out!! We're getting married in less than 2 months!

Originally Posted by Chante 

Hello girls,

 

I am now a Now Jade bride too ! We were supposed to go at the Dreams Riviera Cancun but we were dealing with Sunwing (flying from Ottawa, Canada) but they "forgot" us and only have 6 rooms left at the Dreams. And it's coming pretty soon, January 18th, 2012.

So, we were lucky enough to have space available at the Jade on the 18th.

Any advice would be appreciated, since I made all my planning around the Dreams...

Ceremony will be at the Pergola

Cocktail, probably blue bar but I would prefer Orange bar so I am working on it

Reception : On the Carnival terrace (I would love to hear your comments or pictures on this, because I am really not too sure about that one!)

 

What about DJ on site ?

Ana is my WC, she sent me flowers options which I am not really pleased by...anybody has advice on that ?

 

Thanks girls

I'm getting married on Nov. 20th..which is close to yours..but I actually DO want sunset pictures so I"m not too sure if my timeline is helpful. But we are getting married at 4pm..then I plan to do pictures from 4:30-6:30ish. Our cocktail is from 6-7..and dinner reception is at 7.
 

Originally Posted by melissa80 

Hey everybody!

 

I am getting married at Jade on December 5th. I have my wedding ceremony planned for 3:00 because I dont want sunset pictures. I am looking for examples of wedding programs that people made and also somewhat of a time line. I am worried that since we are getting married so early, the entire event will be over super early.

Does anyone know if the round tables are for 6 or 8 people? Or you can choose?

We paid roughly $1250 USD for 7 nights..but I think it may be slightly cheaper now...its actually a slightly better deal now because of the exchange rate compared to 6 months ago! We're flying from Vancouver.

(I replied before..but I have no idea where it went! lol)
 

Originally Posted by irishdonna 

Just curious on what you paid for your trip? Are you flying from canada?

 

For 7 nights we were paying around $1250 USD....but I think it has gone down a litte bit..and with the exchange rate changing with the CDN over the last couple months..its actually an even better deal now for my guests. And yes..we're flying from Vancouver.
 

Originally Posted by irishdonna 

Just curious on what you paid for your trip? Are you flying from canada?

 

I booked myself and my family  for hotel and flights and I they said I could get a van that fit 10 ppl for $195 (there and back)..so if you get a bunch of ppl together its pretty cheap. I also noticed if you just booked packages for 2 ppl..you could get transportation for $45 per person (there and back)

Ours is Nov. 20th..and its a 4pm. But we actually chose that time cuz i wanted PLENTY of time for pictures.

Hi Jessica and fellow ladies! I just came back from a friend's wedding in Hawaii and it was really simple and elegant! She didn't have any OOT bags or any wedding favors for the guests..and it didn't take away from a beautiful wedding week!! So try not to stress about it too much..even though I know that will be hard!! Fedex should be able to locate you pacakge!!!! Its just whether or not it'll get there on time! GOOD LUCK!!!!

Jacqueline
 

Originally Posted by Jessiphi 

I sent my things fedex to the resort and now they can't find my package. Do you think it is safe to say I am never going to see it again? This if the only thing that has gone wrong for me but it is a very MAJOR thing to go wrong! I am worried I am not going to have welcome bags for anyone now! AH! I am still working with fedex to figure everything out but what are your thought?! I need advice!

 

Thanks, 

 

Jessica Phillips

Hi Irishdonna,

I had the same question as you..and all Ana offered to me was an extra hour of video..so that sounds like it'll work for you! I want to do a slideshow..which is suppose to cost $350 I think and I decided to opt for that instead of the extra hour of video since I REALLY wanted a slideshow..even though i'd probably get more money's worth with the video.

Jacqueline
 

Originally Posted by irishdonna 

Hi Ladies=)

Just curious if any of you swapped items on the divine PKG? I'm bringing my own photographer and  the package already comes with one :s I was wondering if it's possible to get more DJ time or longer video...If any of you have done this or tried and failed can you let me know?=) thanks.

Thanks Hammy! You just made me feel SO MUCH better!! Because one of my biggest worries is that the hotel gets full and some of my guests won't be able to stay in the same hotel! My wedding is on Nov. 20th (sunday)..and that's the weekend BEFORE US thanksgiving (Thursday)..hopefully it'll be ok..

I just realized that the group rates are exactly the same as on the website. That's a bit frustrating, but I guess there's no choice in that matter! My whole point in trying to get a group block was to get a good "group" rate, but then hey..its the same price!

Originally Posted by hammy0426 

Hi ladies, even though I got married about one month ago...this site was my life line for so long that I can't help checking in every few days...

 

There seems to be a lot of talk about a having a TA or not.  although I did not have a good experience with my TA, I called a few different ones in the beginning and asked for quotes.  I never hid it from them that I was shopping around and that seemed to help with pricing.  I also did my own research on-line myself to see what pricing I could get on my own..ultimately I ended up not using a TA and booking on line and letting my guests book on-line themselves.  TA might help if you have a larger party or if you are coming from another country like some of the brides, just keep your options open.

 

I did not block out rooms for my party and unless you are having your wedding on a super busy week or a large group, I don't see why you would need to do so.  I had guests booking on-line up to 3 weeks before the wedding and since you give the guests names to your WC before you arrive, we had no problems with the rooms even though the resort was at over 100% capacity.  There was no way I could have fronted all that money for each guest room deposit in advance.  All of the platinum room guests were all located in the 7000 building so we were close to each other and the non-platinums were on the other side of the resort.  Not sure if it is necessary to block rooms for your party.  Even if your party ends up in another building or on the non-platinum side, the resort is not very large and all the restaurants and bars are centrally located so we did not have any problems with gathering together.

I hear back from her around the 13th. I find if its an easy question she usually responds within a week.
 

Originally Posted by SKing24 

Is anyone else having trouble getting ahold of Ana?  I emailed her Saturday the 12th and still havent heard back from her.  I am not having any luck this week!

I heard back from her last around the 13th...She usually takes about 1 week to get back to me. I find that if the questions are easy she answers within a week..if its more complicated then it takes longer.
 

Originally Posted by SKing24 

Is anyone else having trouble getting ahold of Ana?  I emailed her Saturday the 12th and still havent heard back from her.  I am not having any luck this week!

All I can say is...for once I don't feel like i'm the only one going crazy here! Thanks Ladies. *sigh*..I just want to get this booked and over with!

Hi Ladies,

How did everyone handle blocking rooms and deposits direct through the hotel? Did you just have to put down an initial 10% deposit and then all your guests deal directly with the hotel to make their own individual payments leading up to their arrival?

Also, how do you block room if you have some people staying for a different number of nights? I was thinking of just blocking for 3 nights and then if people want to stay longer, they'll have to book earlier (rather than 1-2 months prior) to ensure they can stay for the week.

Kim, I totally know EXACTLY what you are going through! I spoke to 2 travel agents..and after 2 months of going back and forth..i've come to realize that using a travel agent will actually cost my guests MORE money. Although it'll definitely increase my stress level because now I have to coordinate with the hotel directly. But my friends and family are already making the effort to come..so the least I can do is handle a bit more stress so they can save money.

Jacqueline