RNtoBe

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlyssaD21 
 

Hello Brides and Future Brides!

 

Flower question:

 

Has anyone used an outside vendor for flowers?? If so how did that work? I saw a post one time from a bride who got her bridal party flowers from an outside vendor and her parents picked them up? It was like half the cose I believe?? The hotel vendor is obviously going to be more expensive so I am looking for options! How would I use an outside vendor for the reception flowers? Do I pay the fee for them to come on the grounds or will the coordinator set them up?

 

Any and all info regarding flowers would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Thanks,

 

Alyssa

You will have to find the vendor youself and make arrangements for pickup or drop off. I don't think their wedding coordinator will help set anything up since they have a contract with a florist. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackshayne0123 
 

Hello Canadian Brides! I'm happy I found this forum! I'm getting married at the Blau Varadero in Cuba in January, can't wait! Looking forward to hearing about everyones experiences. Just wondering - is anyone bringing favors/decor/centre pieces for the tables at the dinner reception? Or not worrying about it?

Jackie

Every resort offers different wedding packages. I chose to bring my favours, all decor minus the flowers, cloth napkins, chair sashes and candles. 

I know it's hard to see in this photo but my something blue & something old was a piece cut from my grandmother's dress and I had it sewn in the shape of a heart on the back of my dress.

Something new was my dress and something borrowed was the pearl necklace I barrowed from my cousin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuffLuv 


Did you use one of those zip n seal like bags, the ones you suck all the air out? Or did you just out it up there in its garment bag? I'm trying to decide which method I'm going to use since my airline said there is no closet to store it in.

I used travel garment bags, they are bit thicker than a regular garment bag and have a loop at the bottom so you can hang the bottom over the hanger. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinaQtobe 
 

I am more concerned with other passengers being "annoyed" with us that we have this long garment bag.  I am not overly worried about the dress, just more about others giving us a hard time.  It's just the two of us on both flights.  Also probably something stupid to get stressed about.

Everyone on our fly was more than accomodating, everyone is on vacation! lol. Everyone will just need to suck it up and give you space on your flight to Calgary- your dress worth thousands of dollars is more important than their bag of clothes. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinaQtobe 
 

Hi Everyone,

 

I am curious if any brides have flown with WestJet.  I am starting to get anxious about flying with my dress and my FI's suit...  I should probably just call WJ and find out directly, but I am curious if any brides here have past experiences (good or bad!)

 

I know there is not a  closet to hang our garment bags, we will have to put them in the overhead bin.   Can other brides share their experiences with this?  Were most other passengers ok with moving overhead bags for the dress?

I am worried because we are not flying with any family or friends, it will just be the two of us.  Also, we are not flying direct.  We fly Toronto to Ottawa, and then Ottawa to Cancun.  It's really the Toronto to Ottawa flight that I am concerned about...

 

Would anyone recommend putting both the dress and suit into the same garment bag?  To maximize our other carry on luggage?

 

Anyway, I am probably getting nervous for nothing.  If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it.

 

Less than two months away for me now! 

Ladies, this is not something to stress about. I flew with both of my dresses- yes two wedding dresses in the overhead bin, they were completely fine when we arrived in Cabo. Depending on the material of your dress/suit you can have it steamed once you arrive at the resort or leave it in the bathroom to steam. After your wedding is said and done you'll wonder why you stressed about everything. Take a deep breath- it will all be okay. 

I put my dresses in the overhead bin, yes I said dresses. I had two dresses which were perfectly fine by the time I arrived in Cabo. The closests are usually filled with the flight crew's bags or other equipment. 

Originally Posted by MOrdonez 

 

My FI and I started the Insanity program yesterday - Day 1 DONE! Instead of doing the program daily I'll be mixing in running and yoga....only 3 months to go.....it's not much time but I will make the best of it! SUPER excited about the progress to come  

3 months is plenty of time to see changes as long as you stick with the program and eat relatively healthy. I lost 10-12 lbs within 3 months, Insanity will produce results- just stick with it!

Originally Posted by ryliemichelle 

 

Okay, thanks for clarifying. We are trying to save money so I'm looking at all options. Does anyone have any ideas how to have our own little reception without paying the extra for food and drinks? We are bringing our own ipod and dock. Thanks!

Unfortunately there is no way around not paying for food. You can opt to not have an open bar and chose to have the buffet meal which is cheaper than the plated options. At the end of the day the open bar option is only $10 per person. I was willing to pay this for my guests so they would not have to walk a mile to get a drink. Depending on the location you chose, there are not many bars around and you may be limited for options. You can also chose to make your own centerpieces or use the bridemaids bouquets as centerpieces. 

Originally Posted by ryliemichelle 

 

We are looking into Riu Palace for our wedding as well in July 2014. We have a very small group, but still want to do a nice little reception. Since we all will be on the all inclusive plan, we would not need to pay extra for our private dinner and drinks, correct?

Yes the Riu Palace is an all inclusive however, they consider a wedding a "exclusive" event. Therefore if you would like a private reception you will have to pay a site fee, pay per person plated or buffet menu, open bar per person and dj & lighting. 

Originally Posted by meganlaura 

 

Hi girls! Newly engage Canadian here looking for info on a Cabo wedding in March 2014. Where do I start? Haha

Hey! I was just married in Cabo at the Riu Palace in May! It was amazing and you have picked an aweomse destination! I would first start making a list of your priorities for you wedding, location for ceremony and reception (private vs. semi-private), etc. Then look into resorts, and consider what your budget and guest budget is. I wanted to keep it below $1900 for a week. I compared resorts, some offer transportation to and from the airport, some do not offer room serivce everyday and I wanted the resort to be big but not too big that you required a golf cart to get around. I then narrowed the search by comparing their wedding packages.

Here are some of our photos http://www.cassiescamera.com/2013/06/09/dayna-ray-just-married-calgary-destination-wedding-photographer/

and our wedding video:http://vimeo.com/69731511

Happy Planning!!

Originally Posted by imires 

 

will you be posting any photos of the wedding? i am trying to decide between riu palace and PBSB.

Here is a blogpost from my photographer. http://www.cassiescamera.com/2013/06/09/dayna-ray-just-married-calgary-destination-wedding-photographer/ Also, our wedding video by Angel Zapien. 

Originally Posted by AlyssaD21 

 

OK so I just got a big email with package pricing and additional information. One question.... I have the Royal package (which includes 20 guests) but is this only if I have the semi-private dinner?? what if i want the private dinner and pay the $600 rental fee? Do I then have to pay per person per plate? Or do I still get 20 people included and I pay for additional people?

 

Also, if I were to do the semi-private dinner, do we eat dinner and then move to another reception area? Where would we do the dancing and cake etc?

 

Hope this makes sense!!!

 

Thanks,

 

Alyssa

The semi private dinner/reception will be in one of the restaurants, I think they section off an area so you are away from the other resort guests. The site fee of $600 is for a private reception- with this you have to pay for either the buffet per person or the plated menu per person. 

Originally Posted by pzl101 

 

So the resort didn't mind that she was up and about working and taking photos during the ceremony? (clearly, not just a guest)

 

I guess the resort is getting a lot more money from her stay (for a few nights?) than a flat fee so why would they complain?

No they did not mind. She technically was a guest as she attended the ceremony and had a seat at the reception. She could have been a friend with a DSLR camera taking photos for all they knew. 

They made a lot more money off of her 5 day stay at the resort and the cost of my wedding than the $300 vendor fee. 

Originally Posted by trishk 

 

RNtoBe-

Your wedding video was amazing!  I teared up a little and I don't even know you personally

I'm getting married March 2014 at the Riu Palace and had noticed in another post you booked with Suzanne Morel, I think?

What time did you make your appointments for and was it difficult getting there?  Or did you pay the vendor fee to have her come to the resort.  Just wondering how to work on the timing of the day if we want to have a first look prior to our ceremony at 4pm.

 

Thanks for all of your advice and posts- you have been very helpful to those of us earlier in the planning stages.

Thank you! I love our video, Angel Zapien did an amazing job. Our appointments at Suzanne Morel were scheduled for at 9:30, 5 of us got our hair done, 3 out of 5 got makeup and we were out of there before 11. The salon is a 5 minute cab ride from the resort. I did a first look with my dad and husband, and it didn't take long at all. 

Here is our wedding video! I couldn't be happier with it!

I was married at the Riu Palace in May. 

Coordinator: Jatziri was our wedding coordintor and was awesome to work with! She is busy planning 4 weddings a day, 6 days a week so be patient if she does not respond to emails right away. 

Ceremony: I chose the San Jose Gazebo because it is beautful and private! I considered the beach until I saw photos of the location that they use. It is in front of the pool, resort guests can peer over the wall and see everything. 

Reception:  We paid for a private reception and chose the Baja Sur. We also chose the buffet for dinner so our guests would have more options for food. 

Minister: I requested Marco Arechiga after seeing him in many other wedding videos. He is amazing and we received a tonne of compliments on him. 

Decoration: I brought all of the decorations to Cabo. 

I know it is nerve wracking trying to plan a destination wedding and having to wait until 2 months before, but know that the wedding planners are great at what they do! 

Here is my wedding video http://vimeo.com/69731511.

Originally Posted by meganlaura 

 

Hi all,

 

Newly engaged and we have decided on Cabo in March 2014. Now to choose a resort, anyone have up to date pricing or info on any resorts you would recommend?

If you contact the resort you're interested in, they should provide you with their current package prices. I would recommend comparing each package, this is how I narrowed down my choice. 

Originally Posted by lorcas 

 

Your video is amazing!! Congrats!

Thank you, so happy we ended up getting a videographer! 

Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall 

 

 

I love all the audio overlays. I wish my videographer had done something cool like that. It's nice to hear the things you said to each other and your officiant was hysterical. I loved what he said! Beautiful wedding, congrats.

Thank you! I love it and so happy with it! I cannot wait to receive the rest of the footage. 

Originally Posted by Jeanetta H 

 

This is a great thread! I am in the process of planning a DW and we have changed our resort due to comments on price from people. We are still getting negative comments. My fiances cousin even went so far as to call another travel agent and try to arrange for a cheaper trip and then proceeded to tell other people that she can get the trip cheaper. I just cannot get over some peoples behaviour. We are still waiting on people to book.....including people in our wedding party! Its stressing me out. I told my bridesmaids to chose a dress they felt great in as long as it is in the color i want and knee length and flowy. Not one of them have a dress yet. And when I send group messages about dress shopping or how everyone is comin along finding a dress I either dont hear back or they havent found anything. So frustrating. I could have picked one and said they had to buy it but I was trying to be nice. I am so happy we have this forum to vent. I dont want to complain too much to other people because I dont want to be a bridezilla. I have also found that everyone was soo excited about the engagment and wedding....now nobody talks to me about it or asks how the planning is coming along. I thought this was supposed to be a memorable and exciting experience. Honestly I feel like other people will always ruin it for you so make it about yourself!!!

It's ridiculous how some people act when it comes to DW! My aunt did the exact same thing, she contacted a different travel agent after she had just agreed to our group rate that I received from a TA. I know it's easier said than done but don't stress about other people, it's not worth it! If they come, they come and if they don't well thats their loss. 

I just got married in May in Cabo! I can honestly say I would have no been able to plan my wedding without this site! Being able to talk to past brides of the Riu Palace helped tremendously and helped put my mind at ease with all the of uncertainty of planning a destination wedding. What I learned about planning a DW:

• Expect the unexpected from family and friends. The people who you think will support you the most might be the ones to give you the hardest time and put you through the ringer!
• Everyone else will try to make your wedding about themselves and everyone will have an opinion. Just remember- It is YOUR wedding, not theirs.
• Spend the extra money for a good photographer! At the end of the day, all you have are photos and I wanted to love them. We flew our photographer from Calgary to Mexico. Look into local photographers as some offer destination discounts! Here is a link to her blog on our wedding http://www.cassiescamera.com/2013/06/09/dayna-ray-just-married-calgary-destination-wedding-photographer/
• In the beginning I had a hard time justifyng the cost of a videographer. After finding a great one Cabo I knew I would regret not having one. Our wedding video: 
   The cost of the photographer & videographer took up a majority of our budget and I wouldn't have changed anything- they were both worth every penny!
• Don't stress, enjoy being engaged and planning your wedding!! 

Originally Posted by AlyssaD21 

 

Hi Dayna,

 

Thanks for getting back to me! I think we're going with the middle package as well =) then we can add people on. So, just to clarify you do not make any payments for your wedding prior to the getting there?? Does this make it easy to switch/add/remove things if necessary?

 

Also did you use a TA? I am still unsure of what we should do since we normally book on our own using bookit.com etc when finding a good deal. And since you have to pay for your flight in full when purchasing air tixs is it worth it to use the TA for rooms?

 

If we do not use a TA do we go through someone at the hotel or how do they know that 80% of my guest are staying there?

 

Thanks!

 

Alyssa

 

PS How was your wedding?

I paid for the wedding when I met with Jatziri. You can small changes if necessary, I added an additional guest to the reception when I met with her. 

I did use a Travel Agent as I received a group rate for my guests. I found this to be easier than blocking rooms at the hotel. This way everything was taken care of, flight, hotel, transfers between airport and resort and seating selection on the flight. 

Keep in mind, 80% of your guests are required to stay at the resort, if you have outside guests you will have to pay for a day pass for them to be able to gain access to the resort. There is no way around this and this is the case with all resorts. 

My wedding was amazing, I just posted our video on another Riu forum. 

Originally Posted by brgephar 

 

Does anyone have any photos of the Disco? We thought renting that out after dinner to save on costs, but I really want to know what it looks like first! I can't find anything. 

There aren't any photos, but I'm going to be honest with you, its a tiny square, black room! It's very small, dark and damp in there. 

Originally Posted by AlyssaD21 

 

Also, Do you pay for the entire package at time of confirming or is it a deposit??

They do not take any payment until you arrive at the resort. Just a heads up, they do no accept US money as a form of payment, you can pay in Mexican peso or credit card. Jatziri is an awesome wedding coordinator!! She is busy doing 6 weddings a day so she may not be so quick to respond to emails.