jordanb

You should give Doris a call if you're having doubts - she can probably give you some good feedback! You may also consider having a TA book your wedding guests. I originally hadn't planned to, but when I reached out to a few of the hotels I was considering about block rates, they all asked who my TA was before they'd give me anything, so I got in touch with her. She ended up not only helping me decide which resort was best for what I wanted, but also got me a great deal on rooms, and a bridal deal where my FI and I get $50 back for every room our guests book to help pay for ours (and guests don't know this). So far we have booked 20 rooms with our wedding, so $1000 back for us! (I also then don't have to mess with helping guests who arent travel savvy book, which is awesome.) Using any TA, whoever you choose, shouldnt cos't you anything, and I didnt have to put any money down to hold rooms or guarantee a certain amount or anything (some ask you too, I know).

 

So far I have been really happy with the Royal! You're right that they do allow kids day-of, and there are two other Real Resorts sister properties right next to it, so if the Royal is too expensive for anyone, they can also stay at one of the others, for less money (and they're kid friendly) and they still count as Real guests, so it doesn jack my wedding price up!

 

I'm sure if you go with Capri, it will be perfect! Good luck with all the planning

I'm a happy La Sposa by Pronovias bride!!

JordanB - Thank you so much for all your information!! It is greatly appreciated. I am actually going to contact her for her assistance. The more and more I research every day the more difficult its getting to make a decision. I need all the help I can get!! Your post was very informative. Thank you!!!!

Of course! Happy to help!!!!

If you wanna talk to her about it, here's her info - might be helpful - she can give you some idea of rate differences, packages, etc. too!

 

Doris Mundy Travel/The Travel Society

303-447-1660

[email protected]

www.honeymoonallinclusive.com

My TA mentioned this one to me when I was looking for properties - she stayed there three times, and had also stayed at Secrets Maroma and Secrets Silversands. She actually mentioned that the other two are both newer than the Secrets Capri, and Maroma beach is rated one of the top 10 beaches. Have you thought about the others at all?

Hi ladies!

I was recently looking for the same thing in Playa, and my travel agent was a HUGE help! She mentioned that both Secrets Silversands and Royal Hideaway were very nice adults-only properties, but I needed some options that allowed for children as well. I ended up going with The Royal (and Real Resorts  properties) in Playa on her recommendation, because it offered three resorts right adjacent to each other, one adults-only at a higher price point, and two awesome family friendly resorts at more affordable rates. That way there was something that worked for everyone, and all my guests counted as resort guests at my wedding locale (the four-star Royal) because the properties are affiliated (so the wedding was super affordable). She also mentioned Barcelo Palace as a great one (under $1000 for four nights and airfare for my guests from all over) - it has one of the only snorkeling beaches in all the Rivera Maya area, child-friendly water parks, shows every night, top shelf liquor and good food. Maybe think about that one too.

 

Also, my TA ended up saving my guests an average of $500-700 per booking on air/hotel and transfer with the packages she found (from what we all found online), and I get $50 per  guest room booking back to help pay for our travel (and my guests don't know this!). So we all score!

 

I def. recommend using a TA that specializes in destination weddings in MX. They don't charge you anything to book, save you and your guests tons of $ and then you don't have to worry about guests calling you to help them book. I cannot emphasize this part enough (And I was totally anti-TA before planning my wedding. I had never used one before). If you are still looking, I am sure she could give you some great resort ideas within your guests' budgets, and save them all some money! I have been so pleased! Here's her info if you want it:

 

Doris Mundy Travel/The Travel Society

303-447-1660

[email protected]

www.honeymoonallinclusive.com

 

Also, I am doing the legal thing in Denver before I go too - totally thing that's the way to go! Have fun planning!

Originally Posted by chelsrj 

 

My husbands cousin had just turned 16, literally days before the wedding, and is really tall and looks older but they didn't even question him. He checked in with his parents and had no issue. At least with us, they didn't ask for his ID or anything. You should be fine.

Thanks for sharing - that does make me feel better!

Hey brides - anyone have any luck (or try to) smuggling 15.5 year olds into the Royal? The only "child" coming to our wedding is my fiance's amost 16-year old brother, and so far all of our guests are staying at the Royal. Hoping they'll make an exception/turn a blind eye to him staying there. He's 6 ft tall, so you'd never know - the kid looks 18 and is as polite as can be....

Originally Posted by Nicci86 

 

Could I please please please have the spanish booklet? I can't download it. [email protected]

Sure - I will send it to you right now!

Originally Posted by Nicci86 

 

I hope you don't mind but I pinned the maraca idea, it's fantastic!

No problem!

Originally Posted by stella331 

 

Does anybody have any current reports on dress issues with United?  I called the airline and they said I can bring one carry and one personal item.  Does the dress count for the personal item if I want to bring a carry on suitcase?  Can I still bring my purse even though thats considered a 3rd item?  Help! So confused!

Stella331, did you ever  get a solid answer on this? I was wondering the same thing and planning on calling, but if you did, please let me know what you were told! Thanks!

I used the knot and it worked really well for sharing DW info - feel free to check my site out: http://jordangarrett.ourwedding.com/. I'm not sure you could do a DW without a website - there is so much info to share!

Hi and congrats! They say that you shouldnt have any problem getting the flight attendents to put your dress in the first class closet if you just ask right before or when you board (it may also lead to an upgrade or a comp drink if they know you're headed out to get married!). As for favors, you can only bring $300 each of stuff (outside of clothing and personal effects) into MX without getting taxed, so bring receipts, keep it under that, and try to buy anything you can there! (It's expensive to ship there too). I am enlisting a bridesmaid or two to check an extra bag for me (I'll pay the charges of course). Hope that helps!

We're getting the same thing, and went out of our way to make it as easy and affordable as possible - we asked all our families and close friends if they could make the trip before we booked the resort, because having them there was the most important thing. Everyone said yes, then later, my FI's sister (who is also a bridesmaid) tried to bail, as did my grandmother. Part of the reason we picked a DW was because most of our family members are scattered across North America, so they'd have to fly and get a hotel anyway (we found that for most it was actually CHEAPER to go to MX than to travel to Denver where we live). On the other hand, our friends, who live in Denver and wouldn't have had to travel, are all so great and totally on board and excited.

 

We gave people 10 months to plan, picked a hotel group with three different all-inclusives at varying rates from a very affordable one ($99 pp per day ALL INCLUSIVE) to a five star one, so everyone had an option that should work for them. We also got a travel agent who found great dicounted rates on top of this and booked everything for guests (most people saved almost $700 off posted rates on airfare, hotel and airport transfer), and we picked a three day weekend so people wouldnt have to take as much time off. Still, lots of push-back from people who hadn't even looked into rates, etc. and already said they'd come before we made it official. Some of these are people whose weddings we have traveled across the country for in recent years.

 

I got a lot of the violence comments too, from people who are just ignorant about the geography of Mexico. I ended up putting a whole page on my wedding website dedicated to the myths and truths about the violence in Mexico. Now when I hear a snarky, uneducated comment like "why would we want to get married there?" I just direct them to the site and the facts. It has shut a couple people up. At the end of the day, I have used the guilt card on a few people who I know can afford it and I feel need to be there (like my FI's sister), and the rest, I just let go. Most of the people we really really want to be there are coming, and for the others, I say their loss (and if they aren't already married, maybe we will now not feel the need to make the effort to go to their out of town weddings either...)

 

Man does it feel good to vent to others who are experiencing the same thing!

How fun - I love the umbrella!

Originally Posted by Katryne 

 

Everything looks awesome!!  Don't forget to bring your glue gun to MX in case something falls!  And best of luck bringing it all down there!

Good call on the glue gun - thanks!!!

I ended up buying the deal for this since it was only $15 and got good reviews on the Knot, etc. will let you ladies know if it was worth it after the wedding!

Beautiful!

Awesome idea!! I had no idea up until right now about it. Looking forward to hearing about brides that have used the service. I just viewed a sample video and its pretty cool. The only thing I wasnt super crazy about is the music plays even through the ceremony. I would have liked to capture some of our vows?

I think you -or they- can edit it that way! I saw one video on their site that cut to and from the music for talking!

this is what i saw on pinterest and what we are planning for my fiance and the groomsmen and I  will use a starfish instead of boutonniere

We are doing starfish bouts instead of flowers with them too!

Totally!

Good link, thanks for sharing!

Sounds like the jury is still out if it's worth it, but Wedding Channel has a deal for the platinum package for $15 today if you wanna try it:

 

http://deals.weddingchannel.com/deal/14265/spend-just-1495-dollars-and-get-the-im-a-mrs-premium-package?utm_source=PublisherDealEmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=gc_2012-08-21&utm_term=National

Thanks, ladies!

i love the lanterns!!! i wanted to do something like that but no idea how to travel with em.

It I'll be a bit of a pain, but it is literally saving me hundreds on centerpieces and I love he look. I can fit about 4-6 in a large carry on, so I think me and my FI can get most, and I will probably enlist a couple bridesmaids to take 1-2. I'll see if I'm ambitious enough I bring them back home