loreli79

thank you to everyone who has responded so far. so it really seems like there are no set rules for tipping in this scenario. I guess you just have to do what you feel is right. We are generous tippers so I'm so we'll figure it out. If anyone else can post their personal experience with tipping during their dw I'd greatly appreciate it!

Oh, and 1 more I forgot. The Officiant? We are having a symbolic ceremony? Does the Officiant get tipped as well? Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi ladies! I have MANY questions regarding tipping for a DW. How much am I suppose to tip the Wedding Coordinator and when? And if there is a certain percentage of the wedding coordinator fee I should go by for tipping, what if the services of the Wedding Coordinator are included in my wedding package? Go by the cost of my wedding package? What do I tip the photographer and his assistant? What do I tip the hair & makeup artists? Do I tip the mariachi band performing during my ceremony? And how do I pull that off? Make sure my fiance has cash in his pocket on our wedding day? Do I tip the service staff during our private reception? If so, how much and when? Thank you in advance to anyone brave enough to answer my questions!

My future in-laws not only didn't come to my bridal shower, but they didn't even have the respect to respond to my mother who sent an invite and followed up with an email. Unbelievable! I love these people who think they can act a certain way towards us because of our wedding choices, yet have no financial involvement what so ever. It's my opinion that if the bride & groom are solely footing the bill for the wedding, the bride & groom get to call all the shots. And no one can say anything about it!

Thanks ladies for the compliments! I really appreciate it! As you know, we all go through that period of doubt, when we start to second guess our choice. We just need to remember that there is a reason why we are drawn to a particular dress and why we chose it, because it's perfect! My issue was that they made me order a size up from the sample, which fit good but was pulling a bit in the hips. I was afraid that I was going to spend a fortune in alterations. Luckily, they only came to $ 180! The dress btw is "Destinations By Mon Cheri." To those who are still struggling with finding the perfect dress, check out this line. They have a wonderful selection of DW dresses and are reasonably priced! That was a key factor for me, I didn't want to spend a penny over $ 500 on my dress, and I didn't!

maybe it would help if i read before I attached, sorry ladies! Here is me in my dress, no shots of the train though, just bustled.

Here is me in my dress ladies. No shots of the train though, just bustled.

Hello to all my fellow April 2012 brides! I am seeking advice here. How many of you have guests who returned a confirmed RSVP, but as of today, still have yet to book ANYTHING? We sent out our wedding invitations in September for our April wedding. Made the RSVP November 1. Wanted to give everyone more than enough time. Some of the people who RSVP'd that they were coming haven't booked anything yet and we really need an accurate headcount for obvious reasons. So I was going to send out an "Evite" reminder to those who have yet to book. It will say that if they don't book by Feb. 28th we will consider them "toasting from afar." Do you think that's ok? I wanted to hear from anyone else who's in a similar situation. Also, isn't it safe to say that if you haven't booked yet for a trip to Mexico in April, you probably aren't going??! I mean, come on, right?

HAHAHA My sentiments exactly

Whats with the people who RSVP'd "yes" to your DW but still have yet to officially book? Everyone knows the longer you wait, the more you pay. I choose not to go with a travel agent and in my case, the resort doesn't actually charge you until the day you check in. So the only upfront cost my guests have to come up with is airfare. And half of my "yes" RSVP's have booked thus far. And then you have those who don't even have the courtesy to reply to your RSVP, that you supplied a stamp for! It's like they are too embarrassed to tell you they are not coming, yet not replying is any different or better???

Our ceremony is at 5 as well!!!

Here is my dress ladies! It should be in by December. I found it online and fell in love with it instantly. Hunted it down and no one had it in stock so I had to order a sample of it. So it was the first dress I tried on and was told unanimously that it was "the one." I was drawn to the lace and the neckline. I knew I wanted something halter-like. The layers of vintage lace have a very "Mexican" feel to it!

Thank you! Are there any other Friday the 13th (April) brides out there??

Hi Ilia Just wanted to reach out to you as you are brave enough to be getting married the same date as me! Love your save the dates! Below is our invite and RSVP postcard!

$650 for a 45 minute Mariachi Trio set? Anyone else out there having a hard time with this? Really want to incorporate a trio into our wedding, but I need to know if I have any other options before I commit to that kind of money, for such little time. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated here. Thanks for stopping by,

Hola Mandijacole! Congrats on your upcoming wedding! It will be here before you know it! Im getting married at ERC in April '12. I read above that you booked DJ Mannia for your wedding and I have a ton of questions! Is he the resort's DJ? Does the resort have a DJ, like they have a photographer? If so and you choose not to use their DJ is there an additional day pass fee in order to use him? Is he cheaper than the resort's DJ services? Nayeli gave me a price list that has DJ Services for 3 Hours listed at $1,200. Just trying to figure out the whole DJ thing, amongst other things! We are not looking for someone to MC during the dinner & reception. The most announcing we want is when we first walk in after the ceremony and into our first dance. Maybe prompt people to get up and dance but that's about it. We will provide an entire play list. How extensive are the services DJ Mannia is providing, and for how long? Thank you in advance for getting back to me! :)

No. Excellence did not give me the information. Del Sol did by stating that they no longer take bookings for Excellence Resorts. I tend to think it has everything to do with money and the resort wanting an unrealistic cut of the photographer's profit. It infuriates me to no end. Especially when the resort gives me NO discounts based on the amount of guests I bring to their resort.

It was just brought to my attention that Del Sol photography is no longer offering services at any of the Excellence Resorts in Mexico. I reached out to them regarding my upcoming wedding and was told they no longer accept bookings at these locations. I am extremely disappointed & just about at the end of my rope with this. Can any professional wedding photographers out there who are able to work at Excellence Riviera Cancun please contact me? I refuse to use the services of the resort photographer who can't even show me a single picture of a wedding he's photographed. And I think it's rather asinine of the Excellence Resorts to not embrace working with Del Sol. To me, they appear to be among the best in Riviera Maya and it only makes their resort more appealing to brides. God knows their own website is lacking wedding photos. Telling a bride they can't have the photographer in whom they wish to pay photograph their wedding will be a deal breaker to many. If the resort is so determined to have their brides contract the resort photographer, they better do a better job of promoting them. What bride wants to contract a photographer whose work they can't see?

Hi ladies! If there are any ERC brides out there who have first hand experience with the make up artist & hair stylists at the resort on your big day, could you please post your experience & maybe even photos? I don't really know what to expect! Thank you in advance for your response!

i like the luggage tag idea! i saw the tequila bottles, look really cool, but had the same thought as you! are favors really necessary for a destination wedding? we found some really cool sugar skull flasks and we considered having them engraved for the male guests, but at 30/pc, that could really add up!

Hi ladies! I am trying to decide on favors for my Riviera Maya Wedding. Would love to see pics if anyone has any!

Hey Jass, Hows the planning going? Make any progress with the photographer?

Ok, ok! Here is the dress that I have been hunting down for months. It's made by "Destinations By Mon Cherie." Anyone out there familiar with this designer? I fell in love instantly as it is exactly what I envisioned. I finally ordered it as a "loaner" from a local bridal shop and I'm going to see it in person & try it on next weekend! EEEEKKKKK!!!!!! Very nervous! Any tips ladies? I think it's dangerous to fall in love with a dress online. Especially for me, what I love and what looks good on me are 2 completely different things!

Jass- I'm getting married at ERC next year and am in the same photography dilemma as you. Have you actually contacted "Blue Lens Caribe?" I did, and Ashley got back to me. After several weeks of going back and fourth she finally put me in contact with her photographer who claimed to be the photographer of Excellence Playa Mujeres, even though I over stressed the fact that I was getting married at Excellence Riviera Cancun. When I asked him to clarify he explained that Blue Lens Caribe does not work in Excellence Riviera Cancun, and that I need to talk to Massimo Volpi, from VIP Weddings. So I contacted him about seeing his work and he told me that their site is currently down but I can view their work on another website: www.calypsofoto.com. (ok? even more confused!) Check out that site and let me know your thoughts. At this time, I am highly irritated by the fact that I cannot view specific wedding pictures the resort photographer has taken. Its kind of an important aspect of the wedding and their lack of information and is very frustrating.

Hey Jass7! Congrats to you! I too am getting married at ERC in April of 2012. We visited there this past May and fell in love with the resort. I've been dealing with Nayeli as I'm sure you have as well. I was told the same thing about outside vendors, especially photographers. There are a lot of things I do not like about using the resort photographer: I don't like the fact that I can't view examples of weddings he's shot in the past. When I contacted him I was told his website was currently down. Right now, I have no idea what I'm paying for quality wise. I don't like the fact that I cant use the cost of the photographer in the wedding package towards something else should I choose not to use him. I don't like that fact that I have to spend an extra $150 on a day pass if I want to bring in an outside photographer. I don't like the fact that the resort photographer charges $15 per digital file of every picture we choose. All we get are (24) 5x7 prints. Have you struggled with the same thoughts?