newloves1975

I might just have to copy that and use it on my invites! I wanted to make passport invite so bad but last min I switched to pocket folds. I just didn't think I would have enough time to make the passport ones. Even though my mom isn't helping me financially she flipped when I put something about the $100 fee on the website. I had to change it and just state that a day pass is required. She would totally lose it if I wrote that on the invites. But if it was up to me I would!

Thanks! I already have a wedding website with a bunch of info. I don't know if people are actually looking at it or not. Right after I sent out the save the dates my travel agent mailed travel info to everyone with a quote that was good for about a month (I think). No one took advantage to the lower price except for my parents and siblings. TA never mailed out the new quote once the price went up. She also will price match so if a guest finds a cheaper price on any site she will match it. Did you use a TA? My problem is I can't lock in a price unless I block off rooms, I can't fill 10 rooms so that isn't an option.

Ok ladies, I feel like I am so behind on the whole wedding! With Cecilia handling almost everything you would think that I could manage the simple things...like ordering the invitations! I haven't ordered them yet, well actually I am planning on a semi DIY, I ordered the pocket folds and that's as far as I got! I need some advise/help on the accommodation card. As some of you may know I am totally stressed out that the price has gone up so much since I have decided on the resort. What exactly should I put on the accommodation card? TA info of course! But do you think I should put a quote or something cute about Secrets being one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, or a Luxury resort & that's why we chose it...etc? Should I even suggest nearby resort (that may be less expensive)? How do I get people to realize that you get what you pay for? You can take a Vacation to Mexico really cheap, but this resort is well worth the money. (Or so I have heard)! I am just so nervous about the prices and that people will cringe, have sticker shock and not go!

Beachbride- Thank You! This helps out a ton! I wasn't planning on bringing an iPod dock but I was really considering just using my iPod and renting the sound system. If I manage to get more guests confirmed I want to get the dj. I didn't even consider the possibility of 2 wedding receptions going on at the same time. I wonder what happens if both brides wanted to use the resort dj, would it be on a first come first serve basis?

Cri, I really love your set up! My color is similar to yours, but a bright pink! I am (or was) supposed to have my wedding at the gazebo at 4pm. All this talk about the new canopy set up, and people being at the beach vs. the pool is making me consider changing my location too. The new canopy is beautiful! The reason I chose the gazebo is because I was worried about not being able to hear the ceremony over the sound from the ocean, and it being more windy. My mothers ONLY request was that I wear a veil, I really didn't want to because of the wind, but I figured that since it meant so much to her I would wear one. Did you have a sound system? And was the ocean very loud and windy?

Amberh, at least I'm not the only one having a hard time reaching Juan! I verified when I booked him that he will be my photographer. However, the only thing that I have that confirms it is an email. I would like a reconfirmation, or a contract or something! I'm sorry about all the dress problems you are having. That really stinks. I ordered 2 dresses from eBay, I received 1 already and it looks really good! I just need to get the sides taken in a little bit. I'm planning on using that one for my TTD. I'm still waiting for my ceremony dress to come in. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, it has beading and appliqué lace, more elaborate than the first one. They are from 2 different dress makers in china. So what are your plans on the wedding day? Are you not having a reception? I have had several people tell me that they can't come because of the cost, even though they told me they were coming. I am getting the Ultimate package. If my guest list gets any smaller I may have to do dinner at a restaurant instead.

Cricri, thank you so much for your input! It's nice that you have experienced both! I was debating doing a TTD w/ adventure rather than Juan since they are cheaper, but I think I'll just stick with Juan!

The 4 month mark is creeping up on me! And the panic is starting already! Hey I think I heard somewhere that a DW is supposed to be easy and less stressful. If this is what planning a DW feels like, I'd hate to feel all the stress if I was having a big wedding back home! On a serious note, is anyone using Juan Navarro? And have you been able to contact him at all?? I have him booked, but I have a question on substituting something in my package. He hasn't responded to any of my emails or the ones that Cecilia sent him and copied me on. Has anyone done research on the in house photographer at Secrets? I think it's Adventure photos?

When did everyone's guest book their trip, or how many have booked already? My wedding is not until October (5 months to go)! I got a fairly good response from my save the dates. I am driving myself crazy checking the prices. I don't know if I got a good deal on my trip, but the prices are going up, and up, and up! Today I checked at its $1700 pp for a 6night 7day trip. My guest aren't going to pay that, and I don't want to feel like I am forcing them to stay at Secrets, but I really want them to. I want to be able to spend time together, have dinner, drinks, etc. Is anyone else freaking out over the rise in prices? Have any guests backed out after saying they want to go?

I feel so relieved, I was so worried about the gazebo lighting. This is what Cecilia sent me. What do most brides do about reception lighting at the gazebo for dancing?- they use the same lights that comes inside of the Gazebo and the lights provided by the Dj package, or they add Christmas lights or lit up the curtains with different colors I wish someone would have told me before that the DJ will have lights. For me, that can justify the cost for the DJ, rather than renting the sound system for the reception and paying for all the fancy lighting.

KCDawn, I just heard from Cecilia on the gazebo lighting. This is what she sent, and now I'm even more confused on what to do: "We do have lights inside of the Gazebo but they are not so Bright" Basically I want the gazebo reception to look nice without spending a ton of money. I think colored lights would look cool in there, for dancing.

That price was confirmed by Cecilia too, because I figured it would only be $78. This is the email: Video package 1 is included in the ultimate package. If I wanted to upgrade to video package 2 will it only be an additional $78?- Price list do not necessarily reflects the Price of the items included in the wedding package, in this case the upgrade it would be of $108 usd

After my little freak out yesterday I sent Cecilia an email asking about lighting. She sent me an email back with a picture of the reception set up at the gazebo with a light circled in red, (near the pool) if anyone has the "wedding areas" document she sent out the picture is from there. She never verified that the gazebo was dark, but that's kinda what I get from the picture she sent. She also sent me a VERY helpful document "wedding services price list 2011-2012" this has all the decor WITH prices. She copied and introduced me to someone at planner1events. I guess that's the decorating/setup company they use...? This is extremely helpful! It's making me rethink my budget though! Cecilia is wonderful, she is always so helpful and quick to respond. I just don't understand why she doesn't send out all the information, pricing, maybe a FAQ list after we put our deposit down. It seems like all of us have to ask her a question, then we get an attachment with pictures etc. Just my opinion, it would lessen her inbox and make things a bit easier for herself. KCDawn-from what I understood from the attachments she sent me, if there was lighting, candles, etc it was all purchased separately. I wish someone who was married there could let us know. I don't want to make these decisions too early, my goal is 6 weeks before the wedding have everything picked out. Cecilia did say to make the spa apointment for hair/makeup 1 month prior to coming down. I can make a massage apointment when I get there, or before. Another bit of information that I didn't realize or know until yesterday. The champagne flutes are mailed to your house AFTER the wedding. And if anyone reviewed the video packages, the basic video of the ceremony is included in the ultimate package, but to upgrade to the next video package it's only $108 more. That sounds like a good deal to me.

Anyone who's wedding is coming up soon, or already passed can you tell me when you decided on all the little details? Like flowers, menu, decorations? My wedding is 6 months away and this is stressing me out already. Cecilia sent me a ton of pictures of decorations, am I supposed to pick out of them without knowing any of the prices? Are the only bouquets they have to chose from the ones on their website? Same goes with the cake.... Also anyone who is having their reception at the gazebo what are you doing for lighting? This just occurred to me that the inside of the gazebo will be dark. I thought I was pretty much set and had everything planned, now I have so many more things to decide on! @CriCri: Cecilia sent me the wording for the symbolic ceremony. I would assume that since the sand ceremony is added by you, then you can decide when during the ceremony you want it. I have read a ton of ceremony scripts and its been done at different times during the ceremony. Most of the time it is after the vows and rings. But really It's up to you. I think that I am doing the hands of the bride and groom reading, and I want it done before the vows and rings.

I sent her 2 emails yesterday and she responded to them both within a few hours.

My wedding will be at the gazebo. I didn't even think about the clean up with the fake flowers. I may give in and get the real ones. LED candles are a great idea. They would give the reception tables a romantic touch. Are you bringing them down with you, or shipping?

It all adds up so fast! Cecilia sent me a bunch of pictures of reception set up decorations but all it says is *extra cost*. I don't know how much. I read they charge $2 per bow, but in her last email Cecilia said $1 per person. Maybe that means they will not use the same chairs for the reception that they do for the ceremony. I found some nice colored overlay table cloths really cheap. I think it will add a big pop of color and really make it look nice. Everything included in the ultimate package is white. I think I'm gonna bring cheap fake rose petals for the isle. I think it will still look nice. I'm curious what type of lighting there is if I have my reception at the gazebo, does anyone know? I do not want to have to pay for extra lighting, even though it looks nice I just don't want to spend the extra cost.

What is everyone doing for their reception decor? I'm thinking about bringing my own chair sashes and tablecloths and paying the small set up fee. They are charging $5 per chair bow, I can get them online for like .60 each, and/or maybe have someone in my wedding party set it up. I'm only going to have about 20 people. $20 for a bag or rose petals sounds pretty outrageous to me. I'm trying not to blow my budget on little stuff like decorations for a 3 hour reception. Does anyone have any good ideas?

I love it! Dang, I found some good stuff too, AND I wanted to do a sand ceremony. At this rate my ceremony will be way over the 30 min!! Love the hand thing though, love it, love it, love it!

I haven't been on here for a while, but I think I'm all caught up now! There's been a ton of talk about the reception, etc but has anyone done any research on the actual wording at the ceremony? Cecilia sent me the wording for the symbolic ceremony, and maybe it's just me, but I don't like it. I've been doing some research on different ways to word it. I'm looking for a good scripture reading and/or a poem. Does anyone have any ideas?

I just booked my date earlier this week with Cecilia. October 13th, can't wait!!!! I told her I wanted the Secrets Paradise package, I think I may change that after I see how many guests I have. Anyway, I was thinking about gazebo decorations too, the contract only has the chairs w/ white covers and the ceremonial table included in the package, with decorations listed as price subject to change. So I don't think the decorations will be included. I also just booked Juan as my photographer. It takes him a few days to respond but he always gets back to me. The way I read his packages I think you only get the print rights on whatever is on the CD. So on #1 or #2 that's only 36 pictures. That's just my opinion, I don't know this for sure. I went ahead and got the 5 hour package, photography is my only splurge! What kind of dress is everyone getting? And does anyone have any experience or opinions on getting a replica dress made from china? I've been looking at eBay and dressilyme. I want to do a TTD, and I'd feel a lot better about it if my dress was under $300. Some of the ones I liked we're even around $150!!

I am so so happy that I found this forum! I haven't booked my DW yet but I want to have it at Secrets Maroma! The price for my guest has me on the fence about the resort, so I have been looking for other options, but I keep returning to Secrets. I just think it is the perfect resort for me. I'm thinking about September or October 2012. I have emailed Cecilia a few times and she always responds very promptly, that gives me a great feeling about having my wedding here! I emailed a few other resorts 2 days ago and have yet to hear back from them.