SexyCebuana

Originally Posted by futurearlington 

 

Oops, meant to reply to sarahKbride. Thanks but all of our planning & selections are done for our November 2013 wedding. Since we're keeping it beach casual (sundresses & flip flops), we didn't stray far from the package we selected & only upgraded the bar & music/entertainment. Plus, since we live & work in a resort town that gets busy starting May 1, we buckled down & made sure all of the planning was done by the end of February so other than finding a dress for me & putting together welcome bags for the guests, wedding planning is complete for us! Congratulations & please share your wedding experience with us once your back home!

I'm getting married in November too!! What day is your wedding? 

Originally Posted by maridr2012 

 

I did my reservation via email.  This is the email address I corresponded with:  [email protected] and I was communicating with someone by the name of Gelen.  I've attached the form they sent to me; not sure if its the same one they sent to you but I filled it out very early on and there were no issues when I arrived to the resort.  The Miami folks did re-confirm all the appts for me several weeks before the date, and when I arrived to the resort I did walk over to the spa and confirm my appts as well as with Jennifer and Miguelina - the onsite WC's.  Hope this helps!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't open up the document. could you email it to [email protected] please!? thanks  

Spa Hair Makeup Appt Confirmation.xlsx

Originally Posted by maridr2012 

 

I meant that if you have the bridal suite reserved, and then decide you want to cancel it you have to do your cancellation 24 hours before the reserved date so you don't get hit with the fee.  Kinda like a hotel room reservation, that's all.  They charge it b/c they could've made the $ with someone else had their been another party interested in the room.

 

The Spa and the Bridal Suite are separate from one another.  The Spa is over by the Standard rooms, and the Bridal Suite is actually a room in the Royal area.  The Bridal Suite is just a short walk away from the beach, so if you're having a beach or a gazebo wedding ceremony its very conveniently close - they'll send a trolley to pick you up along with your bridal party and you'll trolley it over to your ceremony site where all your guests and groom will be waiting for you already.  It's really nice : )

 

My husband and his guys got ready in the best man's room.  It worked out well because the bestman had a suite in the Reserve section which was big and roomy so they had ample space.  The photographer got some great pics of all the guys getting ready together in the best man's room, just like he did of all the girls getting ready together in the Bridal Suite.  This leaves your own room nice and tidy so when you get back at the end of the night you're bed will be all done up with decorative roses, you don't have to worry about clothes and items being all over the place.  

 

The only thing is I suggest when you book the Bridal Suite book it for the whole day - they say they allow up to a 4 hour rental but that's pretty much the entire day anyway depending at what time your ceremony is - just tell them how many girls will need to get done and what time your ceremony is so they can space everyone out for hair/makeup with ample time.  Also, they won't allow you to leave all your things in the Bridal Suite once you're done until the next day  - they have to clean up the room that same day.  So...have one of your girls carry anything you have left over - your clothes, your dress bag, any hair stuff/makeup etc you may have walked in there with and take it to their or your room when everyone has finished getting ready. They can get a trolley to take them to the room and leave your things and then bring them back to the bridal suite.

 

oh thats perfect!! I am getting married at the beach gazebo Just had a question on how you booked the bridal suite? I've been in touch with the spa manager, she sent me an authorization form but it was full of mistakes and grammatical errors. It also asked me for my passport number and birthday! I think its kinda odd to have to give that information to book the bridal suite...did you just call? 

Originally Posted by maridr2012 

 

I booked it and am so glad I did.  Contact the resort spa department; they don't charge you to reserve it but you have to cancel the reservation 24 hours before you wedding day otherwise you will get charged for the room.  I suggest booking it NOW, even if you're unsure b/c if for some reason they do have another wedding that day (they can do 2 weddings per day) or if there is another event you don't want to be left without the room if you decide you did want it after all.  If I recall correctly the fee was $250 and that includes a bottle of champage and a selection of 4 or 5 cold canapes.  You can always order room service to the room if you want something else to eat - I think the room service fee was only $5, and that's exactly what we did b/c we were hungry and wanted hot food.  It's a nice space to have because your photographer can go and do pics of the bride with moms and bridesmaids etc getting ready in there, its a separate space for you to chill relax and hang out in before the actual wedding.  The hair/makeup girls will go directly to the room and do everything in there, you can get dressed in there etc.  It's a pretty room with a white couch, and mannequin for you to hang your dress on (photo op!) and a cabana just outside the room (again, photo op!).  There's a big restroom, plenty of good lighting, etc.  Its also nice to have b/c the resort staff will decorate your room for your wedding night with roses etc on your bed and will prepare a lovely bubble bath - you won't want them having to move all your stuff around in your room from you and your girls getting ready in there from earlier in the day...or worse yet...the guys getting ready in there!!  

 

 

Thanks chica! I am definitely planning to book it! They did tell me that it does cost 250 to book the bridal suite...what did you mean by "you have to cancel the reservation 24 hours before your wedding day otherwise you will get charged for the room" ? And where is the spa on the resort? So the guys should get ready in one of the other groomsmen room? 

Hi everyone! Does anyone have information about bookin the bridal suite!? Have any past brides used it and is it worth it? 

Originally Posted by Denise Vasquez 

 

SimplenSweet,

 

Thank you for providing this. I am having a hard time securing transportation from the airport to the resort. Do you have a company you can refer?

 

Also, I read in another thread regarding a $500 credit card hold per room at check-in time. Is this true?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Denise

hi Denise,

I thought to block off rooms, it was $100/room. Then you would be credited the total amount you paid for blocking off the rooms towards the wedding? 

Hey Katie,

I saw in an earlier post that you were thinking about possibly booking a ballroom for the reception...but you've booked the pool terrace?! I was thinking the pool too...how did you decide? Whats the capacity for the pool terrace? 

Also does anyone know what time the reception can go until? Or is there no time limit? 

My wedding is November 19, 2013 and I actually contacted katya nova also to possibly photograph my wedding but she said that her and her husband will be in India for vacation, so I would contact her soon and hopefully she'll be available for your october wedding!! The $1000 outside vendor fee can be waived if you pay for a 3 night stay for the photographer (whether or not they stay there is up to them). I've actually booked HDC based on the amazing reviews of past brides on this forum  

Originally Posted by JennyAdele 

 

Hey ladies,

 

GAZEBO QUESTION:

 

I just put down my initial $800 deposit to secure my wedding date and time, and submitted my contract. Now they are emailing me saying that the $500 gazebo payment is due right now too? Is this right, because Lauren from the Romance Team has told me otherwise!!?? (Hoping its not right considering christmas is around the corner! ughh...)

 

 

Thanks

 

Jenn

it sure is right...i had to do the same thing. the $800 is to secure your wedding date and time, and the $500 is to secure the gazebo. they only allow one wedding a day at that location. hope this helps! 

Originally Posted by mariel12 

 

 

Thank you for the info sexycebuana! The website is such a great idea! And yours looks awesome! Thnx!

Thanks!!! Are you gonna be making one too? 

Originally Posted by Denise Vasquez 

 

Hello ladies!

 

My wedding is in February 2013. I've been working directly with the AskMe office in Miami, which manages the group reservationss. Has anyone had experience with working with this office or Cecilia? 

Oh nevermind, its in february!! That's coming up quick! My wedding planner, Jessica, through the Miami office has been great so far...she's been prompt at returning emails and very helpful  

Originally Posted by Denise Vasquez 

 

Hi SexyCebuana,

 

This photographer loop-hole is amazing. I really want another photographer. Which contract is this information located in?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Denise

Hey Denise,

If you read the Romance Contract that the Paradisus has sent you, the information about the wavied outside photographer fee is in the Outside Vendor Services section Which photographer are you planning to go with? When is your wedding? 

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by mariel12 

 

Has any one of you used a photo booth or would anyone know of a good company for it down there? Thnx!

 Its in the contract, that if you pay for a three night stay for an outside photographer the fee would be waived. So i checked the website and its about $750 for a 3 night stay...better than $1000USD but I'm willing to pay it to make sure I get some awesome photos!! 

Originally Posted by LoriOlivia 

 

Hey Sexy Cubana!

We are using the Hotel photographer.

Email Tamir and ask her to send examples of her photographers work (there are 3 guys I believe).  Obviuosly you need one who is available your date.

 

We were able to go through their portfolios and chose which best fit our style!

Hey Lori,

I did some research and decided to book with HDC instead. They offer more in their packages for around the same price. They are ranked as #1 in wedding photography and Arrecife is ranked #33.  Tamir was great with answering my questions, but I really trust the reviews and feedback on this forum! 

Originally Posted by JennyAdele 

 

Hey ladies! Big update!

 

I just received wedding date confirmation...our wedding will be July 2, 2014!  ....thats right...2014! Unfortunately being a teacher with several teacher guests I'm limited to summers for traveling (Christmas/Spring Break are out of the question!). My sister is pregnant and due in late spring which rules out summer 2013! So literally, the first week of July in 2014 is the earliest time we could arrange! Oh boy...I have a long way to go! At least I'll be a part of this forum for a LONG time!! haha! 

 

Jenn

Woo hoo! congrats...i felt so relieved when I finally had a confirmed date!!!! 

I see that you're getting married in January!! It's getting pretty close...what did photographer did you decide to go with?? You can waive the $1000 fee if you want to use an outside photographer by paying for a 3 night stay for them. It's in the contract and I've confirmed that with my wedding planner in Miami. So it might be cheaper to pay to pay the 3 nights than pay the $1000! 

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES GIRL!!! you and everything looks amazing!!!

Originally Posted by mariel12 

 

hi ladies!

 

I'm just about ready to send out invites for our wedding of june 14, 2013. i was wondering if there were any information, fun travel tips, etc that you guys included in your invites which the guests found particularly helpful or cool to have? the design i chose is a suite that includes the regular invite, rsvp card, travel tips card & accommodations or reception dinner menu options card. i just feel like there's so many additional cards! lol. so i wanted to gather your opinions. should i just stick with the regular invite & rsvp card this early on which will be send out to everyone and then wait for the replies and send add'l cards to those who have confirmed attendance. or should i just do everything at once and get it done with? i like having the add'l cards included i love that it gives the invites a bit more of a formal feel to it. it's just a bit more tricky knowing what to include or what not to include this early on since we havent finalized our itinerary for the wedding & the events yet. thank you for your help as always! xo

Hi Mariel,

My wedding is a year from today and I've already started looking at invitations! When I was getting quotes for pocket invitations with an rsvp/information card, it was getting a little pricey. So I decided I was gonna use the knot.com to make a wedding website with all the information related to the wedding, including the RSVP (an email notification is sent to me when anyone rsvps). It was more cost effective for me and will save some trees  So I went with a much simpler invite with was half the cost. If you wanna check out my wedding website go to www.joseenandluke.ourwedding.com 

Originally Posted by LoriOlivia 

 

Hi Sexy Cubana!

We decided to get married at 4pm in January based on the photographers recommendations for the best lighting.  He explained to us that if the sun is too high overhead it creates a lot of shadows which isn't flattering for anyone.  Sunset in late January is about 620p.

 

The other thing to consider is the later in the day the less people on the beach gawking!!

 

Not sure what the weather is like in November but when we did our site visit in September it was brutally hot in the middle of the day.

 

Have you decided to go with the resort photographer?  I was just ask them if pictures are your biggest concern.  They know best.

Hey LoriOlivia!

I also thought later in the day would be better so I confirmed my ceremony for 4 pm as well I'm thinking about going with the resort photographer (Arrecife) because they know where all the best spots are for pictures and also the best for sunset pictures. Have you confirmed with the resort photographer? I've been in contact with them and they have been great with responding quickly to my emails. 

Hey ladies,

I have a confirmed date of November 19, 2013 but I still need to confirm my wedding ceremony time. I originally wanted 3pm but I think I want it for 4 or 5pm so we can have pictures at sunset. Also, i hope that it won't be so hot later in the day...what do you girls suggest? 

I'm so glad that your wedding turned out so amazing!!! Just wondering if you used Arrecife studio as your photographer...and if you did, what did you think of them? I'm debating on whether to use them or use a different photographer...any input would help!  Thanks
 

yay!! saving 1000 bucks is a big deal  

That's great! Your big day is coming up pretty quick! What did you decide for your ceremony and reception?? I was thinking of the doing the seaside gazebo for the ceremony, but not sure about the reception yet....I was looking at the picasa online album and didn't see pictures of all the locations...

oh geez, i didn't meant to post that three times!

Thanks JennyAdele!! 

Just got confirmation for my wedding on November 19, 2013!! WOO HOO!!!

Just got confirmation for my wedding on November 19, 2013!! WOO HOO!!!