chase414
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Posts posted by chase414
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Originally Posted by jjurkovich
I'm getting married at Aventura Spa on November 11th.....do they allow you to bring any of your own decorations? They are transitioning a few planners and I'm wondering if anyone was allowed to bring stuff and how that process goes....
Also any advise on sports to hold everything? I would like to use the Terrza pandero for almost everything and the white structure for the dance floor....thoughts?
Any advise is appreciated!
Yes, you can bring your own decorations but they will charge you a set up fee.
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Your room charge includes gratuities. However, at the salon and spa, I did tip extra. 10 to 20% depending on the service.
We also tipped the bar tender and wait staff, $5 per person for our private events. And we tipped the waiter for our reception dinner $20. We also tipped our WC.
We also tipped the bell boys and room service waiters. Bell boys $1 per bag and room service $1
As for the regular bars, pool side service and dinner throughout we didn't tip.
Hope this helps. I think tipping beyond the already charged gratuities is really a personal preference and you should tip what you feel you want to tip.
Hope this helps!
Originally Posted by AlmostMrsMcD
All, does anyone have any tips on tipping for services at the salon/spa/bars?? I was just trying to figure out how much cash to bring and was wondering if anyone had suggestions?
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We had a travel agent as well but we were required to pay for our room in full in order to get the group contract. We were also required to pay for our wedding package in full prior to arriving at the resort. Our room was $433 per night because we went with the concierge room.
Originally Posted by breeburns
About the free room nights, our vacation company (westjet) we booked all our guests and our trip through is refunding us the nights aparently, we will see how this goes! We have just been in contact with them, I'll keep you ladies posted!
Just curious how much did you get per night? -
Hi Sarah,
We married at the Chichen Gazebo and I loved it! (They may consider this the cove side as well)
I have to honestly say that all of my events far exceeded my expectations! I brought so many of my own decorations and gave Karime (she was the best!) instructions on how I wanted everything set up. I was sure something would have been done wrong, but everything was set up just as instructed and perfect!
The only thing, like I said, I wish I would have known earlier that our guests had to be at the ceremony site 30 mins early. But we had the music situation covered so it wasn't a big deal. If we didn't have the extra usb stick and music already, I would have had poor Jeff running around Playa del Carmen to get it.
Some things you should know about the resort credits and your wedding contract:
1. If you purchased a wedding package they state that you can use the resort credit towards your wedding package. This is true but what they don't tell you is that they don't refund your money that you've already paid. What they do is put your money in an account that you can spend at the resort. This worked out for us anyway because we had over $2,000 in wedding extras, but if we didn't we would have had to find a way to spend the money.
2. If you have a group contract that states that they will be crediting you complimentary rooms post travel due to the amount of rooms your guests have purchased, don't plan on getting that money refunded to you either. They say they'll put the money in an account for you to spend at the resort or use for future travel. Jeff fought this and they are supposed to wire the money into our checking account. We're yet to see this money.
3. They just started a new 11% charge on use of your resort credits starting April 1st. If you booked prior to then this will not apply to you. However, they put it on your account and are supposed to take it off at the time of check out. Some guests had it removed others had to argue to have it removed. But they will remove it.
4. You are permitted to use $300 of your resort dollars at the fine jewelry stores but only on diamonds and gold. Also, you can negotiate prices in this store! Do not pay full price. You do have to pay 11% taxes.
5. You are permitted to use $100 of your resort dollars in the silver jewelry stores. Again an 11% charge. You can negotiate prices in these stores too.
6. There is no longer a limit on the dollar amount to be used in the spa. You can spend all of your resort dollars there.
7. Do plan on spending a significant amount of time in the vacation planners office to either confirm your spa apts or book them. I HIGHLY advise that you book your spa apts on-line in advance!! If you don't have the e-mail address to do this let me know and I'll give it to you. Otherwise the chances of getting the apt time you want is very slim! You can reserve your guests apts. on-line in advance as well and then when they check in they can go to the vacation planners office to confirm them and get their tickets.
My only other words of advice that I can think of right now is DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT!
I asked to have Tres Leches for cake and I received it.
I also asked if they could dye the flowers in my bouquet hot pink and they did. I also asked for hot pink ribbon around our bouquets and they did that too!
Everyone from the waiters, bar staff and assistant WC's went out of their way to make our events very special.
Don't be afraid to ask any other questions and if I think of something else, I'll post it.
Good luck!
Originally Posted by SarahWitt
Chase,
Since you did get married on the Cove side in the Coba Gazebo, throughout the whole experience, what do you wish you would of known beforehand? Is there anything you would of changed?
We are having a cocktail hour on the Cove Terrace Friday night, then Getting married in the coba gazebo at 6pm on saturday, then dinner at the Maracas Terrace after with Mariachies, then going indoors for a dance party with a DJ.
Any suggestions, feedback, comments that you have not mentioned yet would be amazing!!!!!
Thank you
Sarah
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Hi Sarah,
Unfortunately, the swim up bar and brick oven pizza is closed. However, the waiters and waitresses can bring you drinks. And there is a snack bar open at the pool. They serve pizza but not from the brick oven. They also have a children's pool area with a really cool water slide! The cove side pool is 3x larger than the spa side. This may be a plus or a negative but there was hardly anyone at this pool. Probably because the swim up bar was closed. I really like the Cove lobby. They have a pastry cafe and a children's area near the front entrance with marshmallow lolly pops.
The cove lobby bar area is much nicer than the spa lobby bar.
They do offer babysitting services. The children's pool and children's clubhouse is fenced off so if you had them with the sitter it would be very safe. The resort is beautiful. Also, the breakfast buffet on the cove side is geared towards children. They'll love it, frosted muffins, homemade donuts, waffles, candy!
The resort is beautiful and if you go to the front entrance roads around 4:30 or 5 you'll see the monkeys! They also offer a monkey tour on Mondays at 5pm. We didn't do the tour but we did go and see them on our own one day.
Have faith, they may have it all up and running by the time you get there. Even if it's not I think all your guests will have a great time! The food at the resort is better than most we've been to! There are so many more positives than negatives
Originally Posted by SarahWitt
Hi Chase,
I am a little nervous!! Myself and all of our guests are staying on the cove side because we have a couple children coming, and we definitly drink and I was looking forward to the swim up bar.
Is this really closed as you said in your review???
(The Cove side swim up bar is closed along with the brick pizza oven)
I emailed Cristina my wedding coordinator, but the more I hear about this resort, the more nervous I am getting!!!!
Thanks & if you have any comments/feedback about the Cove side that would be great to hear:)
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LOL, You have to laugh some stuff off. We had a different officiant. I don't recall any overly religious stuff. She did do a mexican reading that she said is done at all mexican weddings. It was actually very quick. We also had my sister do a reading, which was nice.
Our officiant was a Mexican female and our funny story is that she and our best man were wearing the same pink guayabera shirt!
Originally Posted by breeburns
Yeah I had all my own makeup too! I even showed him the colours for my eye makeup but he never used it lol!! I could only laugh and still am fine that I did my own - it makes for a funny story (I wish I took a picture of it!!! We were gone all day on the Thursday for our TTD and your wedding day I wished I could have watched!
I loved my ceremony (Chichen Gazebo)!! Our friends set our ceremony and reception decor up (they wanted $300 for what little things I brought). I loved my starfish - sad that I left them there! I needed room in my suitcase for my dress on the way home.
The only complaint we had for the ceremony was the minister lady was so friggen religious!! Brad and I were both raised catholic but we aren't religious at all so we asked for non religious and got her talking about god and saying prayers the entire time. I can't lie I don't know really what she was saying as he and I spent the entire time chatting to ourselves! But I know the vow part started like "before god..." so basically ladies if you aren't religious really stress it to your wedding planner about how important it is that there is no mention of god etc. it was very odd for us. And she said my name wrong the entire time!! She did ask brad before the ceremony how to say our names (and she wasn't even Mexican, she was from the states), my dad halfway through also stopped the ceremony to correct her pronunciation and then she introduced us with the wrong last name! Again he and I just laughed, we are fairly easy going people! Again makes for funny stories! -
Oh No!!! He did mention to me that he did your make-up for the trash the dress and he didn't think you liked it. I forgot all about it until you just mentioned it.
I only wear Mally make-up so I made him use my make-up for the wedding. But I was also on him about it every step of the way! Way back when, I used to be a make-up artist. I was planning on doing my own make-up until I met him and he did a trial run for me. I was thrilled with the result.
Sorry you had such a bad experience with him.
Oh and I saw your ceremony! We were watching from above. You looked beautiful!!! Loved your chair decorations
Originally Posted by breeburns
Lol your post with all your wedding photos was not up on my comp when I posted!!!
Loved the set up! You looked gorgeous!!
Okay funny story about your makeup guy - he did my makeup for my trash the dress day and it was horrible!! I looked like a transvestite! I ran out of the salon after I tol him it was bad, ran to my friends room with my head down and face covered and she couldn't stop laughing!! I wish I took a picture! I was orange and my eyeliner was so thick and rummed all they way around my eyes!!! So yeah I washed my face and did it myself! I'm do glad he did yours extremely well!! He also did Brad sisters makeup the day I my wedding and did a great job so he must have been off his game or something! Also I asked for light and beachy makeup because my wedding day makeup was fairly heavy (gorgeous but I was afraid too much would melt in the water) and I wanted something different from my wedding photos. -
I almost forgot our cake! We went with the Tres Leches and it was wonderful!!! The best I've ever had. There was so much cake left over, that I had them deliver to all the other guests in the restaurant and that was so much fun! They also packed some up for our guests to take back to their rooms.
Tres Leches is not a flavor that is listed for you on your paperwork. You have to special request it.
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Wedding Day!
We had a ceremony at the Chichen Gazebo. What I wish I had know prior to arriving (but worked out for us because we had music and an extra usb drive) is that your guests are asked to arriving to the Gazebo 30 mins prior to your ceremony time. They will not release you from your room until all the guests have arrived. So if you don't want your guests sitting around without music, bring a usb drive that they can use with the sound system at the ceremony. They may take other forms of music but didn't ask.
I didn't end up getting out of our room until 4:10 and our ceremony was supposed to start at 4:00. The saxophone player was late!
But it all worked out and it was all so beautiful. I can't wait til we get back our video and pictures from the resort!
Our after the ceremony reception was held at the Pandero Terrace. I loved this spot and so happy with our choice of location!
I'm also thankful, that I had a change in dresses! By the time the ceremony and photo session was over I was soaked. It was very, very hot in my gown.
We also hired the Mexican Trio and had our fireworks at this location! It was wonderful.
We had our dinner reception at the El Greco on the lower outdoor terrace. We had this area to ourselves and it was wonderful. After we sat down the waiter let us know that the chef would prepare a special menu of Filet Mignon and Grilled Shrimp for us! They had the champagne flowing all night as well. (I did request the lower terrace and wasn't sure that we would get it until we showed and saw that the area was set up for us.)
Just a few more things you should know:
The Cove side swim up bar is closed along with the brick pizza oven.
The Rock Climbing Wall is also closed, but it made for a great photo op!
And one more thing, Angel at the Salon did my hair and make-up! Also, knows how to apply false eyelashes. He's the best!! I love him.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'll be more than happy to help in anyway I can.
If you would like feel free to check out all of our photos at our photo share site. I have over 1000 pics on there between us and our guests! They're also broken down into event albums. They may give you a better idea on what the areas look like with decorations!
www.tammyjeffreylaporte.shutterfly.com
Good luck ladies!!!
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Hello Ladies!
We had an amazing wedding! Better than I ever could have hoped for.
There was a total of 14 of us and the perfect size.
We had a two hour meet and greet cocktail party at the Cove Terrace from 7-9 p.m. the night before our wedding and then we heading down to the fire show. The Cove Terrace was a great space with amazing views of the water and the resort.
We asked for a pink signature cocktail for our meet and greet party. All of our guests were welcomed with a pink drink with the sombrero straw's we provided! It was really a nice touch.
Here's a picture of our guest book table. Afterwards we all took pics with the sombreros. It was a great time.
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We just had our wedding this past Thurs. The weather was perfect and so was every detail for all of our events! I'll write a review when we return and make an attempt with a planning thread. There were a few things that I wish we knew before we left but everything still turned out great. I couldn't be happier with how our wedding turned out'
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We leave Sat. morning! Looking forward to seeing you and Bree!
So anxious!
Originally Posted by jkg10
See you Monday Bree and Tammy! We leave Sunday morning and I can't wait!!! -
So happy for you Bree!!! Let me know how the weather is. We leave early Sat. morning! See you Monday evening!
Originally Posted by breeburns
Sitting in the airport!! See you there Tammy and Jen!
SO FREAKIING EXCITED! -
Count me in! We're getting married next week at Aventura Spa Palace! I have a whole suitcase full of diy and purchased decorations to bring with us!
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We chose the saxophone player, a live musician came with our wedding package. I chose some really pretty Latin music for him to play. Just heard back from Karime yesterday that he's able to play what we've chosen. So happy!
Originally Posted by SarahWitt
Has anyone had or is going to have a Soloist at the actual ceremony?!?! If so what instrument, thoughts?!?! I didnt want to just do a CD, but am torn on which one to pick!!
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What time of day were you there Jess? I'm wondering if I should request extra umbrellas now. Our cocktail party doesn't start until 6pm. What do you think?
Originally Posted by jszy10
Here is the pic of my welcome cocktail at pandero. I was very disappointed when I first saw it without the 'roof', but I was happy I had it there. They did end up adding another umbrella for us because of the sun, but it all depends on the time you are there.
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ATTENTION BRIDES!
A few of us BDW brides are meeting at the Spa Lobby Bar on Monday, April 30th between 5:30 - 6 p.m.
We thought it would be fun to get together for a quick drink after chatting and sharing on the website.
I will put a small sign on the table that says BDW brides!
Please join us if you can!
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Rooms do have to be booked through your contract booking number. But keep in mind the bride and groom's room counts towards your room nights! Even though we have a small party coming we did okay because our room alone gave us 9 room nights!
Talk to your WC and explain the situation. She may be able to throw you a little something. No harm in asking with puppy dog eyes!
Good luck.
Originally Posted by AlmostMrsMcD
Yeah thats what we were afraid of!! I know at least my mother in law (go figure!) didn't book through our travel agent but a few people did book after our group contract had already run out so I don't know how that all works. My fiance is all up in arms over them counting the nights but what can we do right?!
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We're wearing ours on the plane. My wedding band is not going through security without being attached to my body. Once we get there I'll put it in the safe in the room.
I know you can't stand the Pandero but...we decided on this area for our after ceremony cocktail hour. We're going to have fabric banners strung in an x in the center of the beams and then we're going to string paper lanterns between the posts. I wanted a space that was open that I had the ability to hang lanterns and this was it. (If I go down there and see differently, I may change my mind)
We're having our welcome cocktail private function Wed night before the wedding for 2 hours at the Cover Terrace. The view is beautiful! And we timed it so we can watch the sun set.
Originally Posted by breeburns
hey lades what are you (or did you) do with your rings before the ceremony? did you wear them, carry them with you, leave them in the room safe?
Did you/do you trust the security of the rooms and safe to leave those super important and expensive rings there?
confused about this!
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Good luck to you! I hope all goes well and your day is special!
Let us know how it goes!Originally Posted by NatalkaC
I am getting married there april 22, and we leave tomorrow ... i have been reading trip advisor and freaking out .... but my friends are already there and said its AMAZING!!!
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Thanks. You can purchase all of the materials at Michaels or any craft store. You'll need rubber stamps in the alphabet. So many styles to choose from. A Versa stamp pad (it's a stamp pad that goes on clear and sticky) Embossing powder (you can get these in any color) and a heat dryer (looks like a small blow dryer)
Stamp the bag with your letter, sprinkle the embossing powder over the stamped letter (do one letter at a time through the whole process) then dump the bag over on a piece of paper to get rid of all the excess powder and then take the heat dryer and hold over your stamped letter until it heats up and becomes smooth. Continue on with all of your letters! Just make sure that there isn't any excess powder on the bag or when you heat the powder you'll have speckles everywhere. I use a very small brush around the letters to make sure the area is clear of excess powder. Practice on a piece of paper first.
Very easy! Good luck.
Originally Posted by shan0487
Hey Chase! You're bags look great! What did you use to emboss the "Mexico" on them?
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I bought them at the Dollar Store, but if you google foldable water bottles you'll find many sites to purchase them from! I thought they were a great idea. The resorts usually offer water bottles but this was great because I figured when you're finished with it you can just fold it up and stuff it in your purse. Also, great to pack for the way home.
I also purchased foldable vases for the cocktail hour to decorate the tables. They were at the Dollar Store too, and they were two in a pack.
Originally Posted by SarahWitt
Chase--
I love the reusable water bottle idea!! Where did you get them at?!?!
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If it makes you feel any better, I'm getting married on May 3rd and didn't hear from my on-site WC until this past Friday. And that was after sending Yesenia an e-mail telling her that I was very disheartened by the lack of communication. I was told a few months ago that I would hear from a Miami WC in March and then the on-site in April. Unfortunately, I never heard from a Miami WC. Yesenia has been great but she can't go to Mexico with us!
On a more fun note, here's what I did for my Welcome bags. For $2.50 a bag, I'm having them delivered.
That's my bag put together! Since I took this pic, of course I had to buy more stuff. Here's
some more pics.
I bought the beach bags at the Dollar Store and made the cards to attached to them. I also embossed them myself with Mexico.
I bought inexpensive pashmina shawls on e-bay for $5 each. They're actually really nice for the money.
I made these little pockets to hold the photo share cards that I made. I created a photo share site on Shutterfly.
I bought sewing kits at Family Dollar.
Mini bath sponges and bath gel in the shape of fish that I found at Pier One Imports
Puzzle books, and a pocket calendar.
Lanyards for their money and room keys
Little survival kits filled with antiseptic lotion, bandages, vitamin c drops, advil, shout wipes, bottle of tums, alcohol swabs, cotton swipes, Q-tips, chapstick and I'm sure there's other stuff in there that I can't remember!
Flat water bottle and a cross word puzzle for our wedding.
I made bookmarks too!
I bought mini note pads and pens too.
I also, had these printed through Vista Print to put in the bags. I'll fill them out when we get there. It would have been nice to have it all printed out, but because I didn't hear from anyone, I was forced to do it this way.
I hope this helps with some ideas! I got most of my ideas from this site. Thanks to all of the ladies on here for their help and support.
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I'm bringing my portable steamer with me! Just in case it needs a little something! With my luck lately it would be traveling around Mexico and wouldn't make the wedding! LOLHere's the link to purchase my steamer! It's the best thing since sliced cheese. I don't travel without it ever!
Originally Posted by jszy10
I flew US Air, and I (meaning my loving husband) carried my dress in a double garment bag through the whole airport as a 'carry on' item. I was told that they could make no guarantee and that I had to ask the woman at the terminal, who also told me they could not promise me anything. When I went in, the flight attendants even told me that I had to put it in the overhead bin, but I had a friend in first class and he just hung it there for me, no questions asked. I would bet that if you asked someone in first class if they would mind, I'm sure they wouldn't! I think it really depends on the people working the plane. MOST people would be very understanding and willing to help you, knowing it is your bridal gown!!
My gown shop pressed my dress before we left and I didn't need to do anything to it on my wedding day. It was still as perfect as day 1. If they press it nicely, it should stay. At least know this...unless something has changed...they send your items OFF SITE to have them steamed/pressed, and it will take a few days. If it were me, I wouldn't send me dress away!
Hope this helps!
aventura spa palace
in Destination Wedding in Riviera Maya, Cancun & surrounding areas
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They do not let you book excursions in advance.
I'll send you my wedding website info later and it has all of the info on the golf on it.
If you look at some past post on this thread you can see a pic of my cake and the cake for 30 is more like cake for 70. There was so much cake I had them serve it to the entire restaurant. Crashing at one of the bars is fine, but they don't serve food. If you do have it at one of the bars, I would recommend the Martini Bar outside. At least you'll have music. We paid the extra $800 for a private function the night before the wedding and had a meet and greet cocktail party for 2 hours, private bar and too many eats. We held it at the Cove Terrace and we felt it was worth every penny! We brought our own music.
Good luck