JenO

Hi ladies! We're back. I'll try and put up a full review later, but just wanted to post a couple of things. 1) Other people have said it, but I really want to say it again: Schedule your wedding EARLY in your trip. Before you get sunburned, before you get sick, and, if you don't get sick, before you outgrow your dress! My dress fit perfectly before I left for Mexico - it was mighty uncomfortable by the time we got married!7 2) I asked about substituting the package photography for a photobooth - the answer was that the photography was a $150 credit, period. So the $1000 photobooth price would be $850. We used the resort photography for our welcome dinner instead, and I'm really glad that's all we used it for. The photos were okay, but that's all. And there was no editing. 3) I was worried about the bamboo room being too big for our small group (20), but it was fine! If you want a private reception, and you want air-conditioning, this is your only option! 4) If you are trying to conserve on decorations, they can re-use your chair bows from the ceremony as table runners at the reception! 5) I went back and forth trying to decide whether to get my own fake flowers or use the resort for my bouquet. I ended up getting my own, and using the included bride bouquet for two smaller bridesmaids bouquets, and again, really glad I did it that way. The resort flowers were okay, but would have been a big upcharge to get the flowers and colors that I wanted. For example: hydrangeas are not available, only white callas in the eternity level, and orchids are premium. 6) We were told the cake would be decorated to match our colors - do not expect that to be the case. Our colors were grape and indigo. Our cake came out decorated with white flowers. I'd armed my maid of honor with some extra silk flowers that matched my bouquet, and we tossed those on the cake. I didn't really care about the cake, so not a big deal to me, but you might want to be very explicit if you do care about that.

Yikes! I'd hate to see the regular price. Looks like only those attending get to see us. Thanks so much for finding that for me!

We are leaving in a week! Just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this thread. I don't know how I could have done without it! A while back someone posted a live feed of their ceremony. Does anyone know if this is a service that the hotel provided, and if so, how much did it cost? Also, has anyone tried to get them to swap the photographer services for the photobooth?

Does anyone know what they mean by "preparation of the bride's gown"? Will they steam out a wrinkled dress? My seamstress told me she could do it to get out the deep wrinkles, and then show me how to fold it for packing so it wouldn't get re-wrinkled. But if the hotel will do it, I won't have it done here first. My dress is a big poofy thing with a satin skirt that is bunched, so ironing is definitely out.

Does anyone know what they mean by "preparation of the bride's gown"? Will they steam out a wrinkled dress? My seamstress told me she could do it to get out the deep wrinkles, and then show me how to fold it for packing so it wouldn't get re-wrinkled. But if the hotel will do it, I won't have it done here first. My dress is a big poofy thing with a satin skirt that is bunched, so ironing is definitely out.

Does anyone know what decor they will supply? Like, if I brought nothing and didn't buy additional decor, will I just have white tablecloths and white chairs, and the 1 centerpiece from the ceremony? I thought I read a while back someone said they put up paper lanterns for her. They must have some of every color by now from past brides who don't take them home! Also, I think I'm going to buy silk flowers instead of using real, and so now I won't need the included bouquet/corsage/boutonnieres. I wonder if they will swap me anything, or at this point if I should switch to a la carte pricing?

Can anyone help me understand the menu options? I read that someone posted you only get two options to give your guests. That seems rather harsh, given that everyone is paying for a whole resort full of food options. I feel like I'm punishing them for coming to our reception! I know we have at least one vegetarian coming, so would a veggie option have to be one of our 2 total choices? Or do those count as alternates you can get in addition to the two main choices?

Hi ladies, Can anyone explain to me the $20 per person rate for a group at a restaurant? Does this mean if you have your reception (with the eternity or divine package) at a restaurant, it is actually 20 pp more than if you have it totally private with the included eternity or divine package food? Or would this be covered within the package, and anyone over the 25 would be $20? I'm trying to decide if it would be easier to have it at a restaurant and not have to worry about decorations or DJs. We aren't really a dancing crowd anyway. What do you guys think?

Hi Ladies, We just booked for June 8, 2013. We're listed as going with the Eternity package right now, but may upgrade to Divine for the food choices. I was wondering when you all sent out your invitations and when you required rsvp? We've got a block of rooms reserved, and the deposit isn't much for people to choose and hold a room. I figure if people do it early, there will be more choice (and cheaper rates) if it turns out we need to add more rooms and/or different types of rooms. We're also struggling to figure out how much we can do diy for decorations. The flowers and decor items are ridiculously expensive for anything upgrade or not included in the packages, and I prefer lanterns and candles and things over flowers anyway.

Hello, We've just decided to book our wedding at the Now Jade next year. I've been reading a lot about how people have made and brought their own flowers, fabric, lanterns, centerpieces, etc. I was wondering if there might be a way for us to share some of these things. I know you are allowed to send things ahead to the resorts. It just seems inefficient to buy things in the States or Canada, stuff it into already-full luggage, fly to Mexico, use it for a day, and then either throw or give it away, or try to lug it all home again. I know I'd rather give my money to another bride to reuse her decorations, than pay $80+ per table to the hotel for a vase and some candles. Any thoughts? Jennifer