yeemein

Kayley, thank you! Your tips have been more helpful. I am much more calm now then I was a few hours ago. If anyone has anything else to add I would love to read more.
 

Originally Posted by KRama 

Hi Yeemin, see below!
 

 

Hi all...I signed up on BDW.com late and been trying to read posts dating back to early-mid 2011 and came across a few things that i'm now concerned about. please help!

1. The Akumal Hammocks location is where I'm having my wedding too (...finally figured out what Akumal Hammocks was ) and is fabric supplied by the resort of do you have to bring your own?
2. Music for ceremony: any tips on how to make sure the CD is capitable to the cd player at the resort? I always use iTunes and don't know how else to burn music on a cd.
3. My sister will be my photographer, she is not a professional, as she doesn't do it for a living, but she's good at capturing moments and scenery. I read that there's a limit to camera equipment and also somthing about tourist visa that might need to be filled out? Can someone explain more? I'm super confused on this.

I thought I had everything under control, but now I'm starting to worry that I'm missing a lot of details.

Our ceremony is @ 4pm and reception is @ 6pm. Do you think this is enough time for photos? I don't really want to take photos before the ceremony because I don't want my FI to see me & my dress.

many thanks ladies! this forum has definitely kept me on my toes as to what to expect and think about!!!

Hi Shan2012, who is your WC? Mine (Maria) told me the following for cocktail setup between ceremony & reception and private poolside party after reception.

**Open Bars

Special Cocktail
Sparkling wine, Beer, Margaritas, Piña Colada                                      5 USD /Pers
                                                                                                        extra hour 3 USD /Pers
National Bar:        
Beer, Rum, Vodka, Tequila, Cocktails, Gin                                           17 USD/pers/hour
                                                                                                 extra hour: 12 USD/pers

As for DJ you can choose to use the resort DJ, which is less hassle but a bit more expensive. I believe the resort DJ charges $210usd/hr inclusive of taxes and the DJ I hired, DJ Bijan from Mayan Vibes, was recommended by a bride I found on tripadvisor, charges $150cad/hr but you'll need to pay for his day pass of $90usd which is valiad from 9am til 11pm. I'm hiring DJ Bijan for 3 hires starting @ 8pm. I'm assuming he will have all his equipment setup by 8pm and that's when we'll start with the 1st dance, followed by speeches and dancing!!!

We went with the Unforgettable package that includes the musical trio during ceremony, but we have no music during cocktail hour and at the reception...just the restaurant ambience. Since the restaurant isn't private to the wedding group we can't control the music being played, but if you have portable iPod speakers, then I suggest bringing those. It's probably what I will do.

I hope this helped. Happy Planning!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Shan2012 

Hey everyone,

 

I'm getting married at the Akumal on May 25. I was wondering if anyone had the breakdown on the bar servies. I have emailed my wedding coordinator and she has told me that is the amount ( national 12 / international 18) per person , per hour. I was wondering if the pricing is the same for the rest of you. I'm doing a priviate poolside reception and am having trouble figuring out what bar service option to go with. Also, I cannot decide how many hours to hire the dj, we only need him really for the equipment he brings and the dancing portion of it...I want to play music during cocktails in the begining but am curious who sets this equipment up for you if the dj is not hired until later..I would really hate to pay that much for a dj that doesn't really do anything until the dancing but stands around while we do speadches, just so we can use the mic and speakers.. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

 

 

gracias! this will help me a lot. haha my parents are prepared and have gotten $100 worth of $1 bills. =)
 

Originally Posted by Sunshine2680 

I usually leave about $2-$3 USD /day for the maid service - what I do is buy these mini coin envelopes and print labels in english/spanish -thanking them for servicing the room. I'll see if I can attach below...

As far as the bar service goes..I would maybe throw them about $3-5 USD every couple of days. You aren't required to tip them..but if you're consistently at the same bar...with the same bartender its nice to show them the appreciation every once in a while. I've also noticed you get better service when you tip them.

Anyone else..like the wait staff at the restaurants...maybe just leave $1 here and there if the service is good.

 

 

 

Oh my you must be bouncing off the walls. I'm still 38 days from departure and I'm already waking up in the middle of the night with anxiety. Which DJ did you hire?

Which airline are you flying with? Most airlines will allow you to bring your dress/suit onboard. We're flying with Air Transat and they've upgraded us to their version of first class and have already told us that it's no problem for my dress and fiancés suit to come onboard. I would call the airline ahead of time to double check, just so you have peace of mind.

~su
 

Originally Posted by stylishmeNC 

7 Days until I am in Mexico and 10 until our wedding!!!! GAH! So close! So excited!

 

Last minute questions....

 

Continuing on the tipping - How much would you suggest tipping the DJ? (We are having him for 3 hours for the poolside reception).

 

Payment - I know that all wedding costs (minus the DJ of course) will be applied to our room charges... can we split the cost on different credit cards? The sets of parents are sharing wedding costs and it would be much easier if the resort could just split it there than having one couple pay the whole cost and then have the other write a check or something.

 

Airlines - Do you think I need to call the airline in advance and ask about carrying on my dress or just let them know as soon as we get to the gate in the airport?

 

Oh man, I know I am going to have like a million random questions running through my mind the next few days... so forgive me if I keep asking random little things and if I repeat myself, or someone else. You girls have all been such a HUGE help this past year... I don't know what I would have done without this forum!

 

Thanks,

Jill

Hi Christy12, what's the Akumal hammocks location?

Hi AD2012 and Flowerchild23, I'm also a May 2012 bride for GBP Coba. Maybe I will see you both of your weddings, as we're staying a 2nd week.

Maria is also my WC and she has been very slow at responding. I was hoping she would be more attentive in March but I'm still waiting between 2-3 weeks to get a response. I've been emailing Felix, the Guest Services Manager, and having him send Maria reminders to contact me. Felix is pretty good at responding the same day.
 

Originally Posted by AD2012 

Wow, what a great number! We have 32 people coming.  I’m having the same problem! We finally have everyone paid up so I’ working on sending out brochures with general resort info, a basic timeline of events and some luggage tags.

 

Everything will be OK! Your wedding day will go off without a hitch! 

 

Originally Posted by Flowerchild23 

We have 42 people coming. You? We're having a tough time getting everything organized via e-mail. Maria seems sweet, but her grasp of written English is poor. I'm trying to stay positive, but I keep having this overwhelming feeling the day isn't going to be at all what I envisioned it to be...

Hi all,

39 days til departure, this is getting real!

Can anyone give me tips on tipping? I haven't been to an all-inclusive resort before and wondering how much cash I should bring per week. We'll be there for 2 weeks total. We're planning on doing excursions during our honeymoon week, but will mostly charge excursions to our credit cards. How much tip do we leave per day for maid service, and how much tip do we give our waiters/bartenders etc...

Thanks!!

thanks for the advice! my friend got married in January at Now Jade and she was fine too. I'm hoping the rain will stay away for early May so the mosquitos don't come out.
 

Originally Posted by Tlseege 

Hmm.  When i was there in April there were NO bugs.  And actually even in January I was fine.  The big thing is STAY OFF THE GRASS!  If you go on the grass or the beach at night, you're asking for bites.  So I would make sure to stay on the paths, at least until your wedding.  But in May hopefully you won't even have to worry about it.

Hello all! I know this may seem a little strange, but does anyone know of anything that will keep moquitos away? You see I'm Asian and for some unknown reason they love me and my family/friends. I've tried all kinds of bug spray, ointments and even home remedies to treat my very swollen and red mosquito bites. I'm so scared I'll be all red and bumpy for my wedding day. I heard taking vitamin B supplements helps? But I've read so many things from google that I just don't know.

hi all! does anyone know what the nightlife scene will be like in Playa del Carmen on a Monday evening in May? My girls are planning a bachelorette and thinking of Coco Bongo. But I'm worried Monday night is going to be dead.

good suggestion! all white roses with touches of green hydrangeas would be a nice accent. i hope they can do it without additional charge. thanks!
 

Originally Posted by Tlseege 

Quote:

Are you opposed to all white roses?  Or white roses with white lillies? Maybe with some touches of green hydrangeas instead of the whole thing, just to add a little color?  Roses and lillies are included, so that should help.
 

The three milk cake is delicious!  Very moist white cake.

hi everyone!

i need assistance with my bridal bouquet. the options maria sent me are not my favorite. i sent samples of what i'm looking for - all white bouquet, hydrangeas if possible. maria confirmed their florist would be able to provide hydrangeas but they would be light green and since that bouquet isn't included in the wedding package pricing, it would be an additional $80usd. i'm already spending loads of money on flowers for the ceremony and although i want an all hydrangeas bouquet i also need to keep costs down. does anyone have tips or can think of an all white bouquet that won't cost too much? thanks in advance.

hi everyone!

i need assistance with my bridal bouquet. the options maria sent me are not my favorite. i sent samples of what i'm looking for - all white bouquet, hydrangeas if possible. maria confirmed their florist would be able to provide hydrangeas but they would be light green and since that bouquet isn't included in the wedding package pricing, it would be an additional $80usd. i'm already spending loads of money on flowers for the ceremony and although i want an all hydrangeas bouquet i also need to keep costs down. does anyone have tips or can think of an all white bouquet that won't cost too much? thanks in advance.

Hi all!!!

I'm brand new to this website/forum and I need help. Here's my story:

We're getting married on May 3, 2012 on Akumal Beach (mid-afternoon) followed my reception at the Portofino Restaurant. There are approx. 30 of us, guest list is still growing. I'm 50 days from departure and so far all that is planned is the ceremony location/time and reception location/time. I am still waiting on details on the private event after reception. Can someone advise me of this info, if  you have it? My wedding coordinator is Maria Hernandez, she is nice however often I need to wait 2-3 weeks in between emails. This is not ideal, as I'm a bit of a perfectionist and like to be organized, but who wouldn't for their wedding day right? Maria sent me a catalogue for bouquets but I'm not a fan of the flowers. I've sent her samples of what I like and I'm waiting response. So far I know peonies bouquet cannot be accommodated by the florist. Anyone have ideas on an all white bouquet, round setting? Luckily for my own sister will be my official photographer but my understanding someone from Arrecife will also be there to photography since my wedding package includes 10 photos. Has anyone use their videographer? The pricing seems outrageous! Obviously I would like the whole day videographer, but they gave me a price of $15,600mxn!!! Any suggestions? I feel like I have all the major items planned, however I don't want to miss on details. Brides future and former, please give me your wisdom.

I've never ever been to Mexico before and I'm extremely allergic to mosquito bites. Like I swell instantly without me even touching or scratching them. I feel like I've tried every kind of ointment out there including several home remedies. Can anyone tell if how the mosquitoes are that time of year and if anyone has any suggestions on remedies for prevention? I and the rest of my family would greatly appreciate it.

I think that is everything for now. I feel like I have more questions but don't want to make this post too long...

Thank you in advance!!!!

Hi all! I'm new to this and need assistance.

I'm getting married May 3, 2012 at GBP Coba on Akimal Beach at 4pm. My wedding coordinator is Maria, she is nice however I'm waiting sometimes 3 weeks to get a response. I have locked down the ceremony details and reception location. I am trying get details on private event after the reception and the cost of it. Maria sent me information but i cannot make any sense of it. Does anyone have information on DJ's? Can we hire an outsider? Maria sent me the bouquet catalogue but I'm not a fan of any of them really...I've sent my personal samples and hoping florist can re-create. So far I know the florist doesn't have peonies. =(

I didn't know artifical flower pedals weren't allowed...I bought a load of them from Michael's =(

I'm about 50 days until departure and I feel like I have the big things planned but the little details I'm struggling with. Did anyone use their videographer? And what about music during the ceremony or reception? Did you bring your own music? I'm also very concern about walking down the aisle in my 4" heels. I'll in on the beach. I wanted the gazebo location but didn't want the huge gap of time between ceremony and reception.

Any help is appreciated!!!