Shannon Burgess

How many bridesmaids are you having? I rented clear vases and the wedding coordinators put my bouquets in them right after the ceremony. And I also used the hanging arrangements on the tables as well. I know the fresh flowers are pricey but in this case you can use them twice and save some money on decor. I was very pleased the way they had them arranged on our tables.

What about for center pieces what is everyone doing?  The couple that I saw were $70ea  I don't really think I have room to be bringing down centerpieces in my suitcase I am expecting 40 guests I believe tables seat 8 per table so i would need 5 centerpieces.  Any ideas???

Here is a picture that shows my bouquets, they were absolutely gorgeous.

Here is a breakdown of what I spent and what I got for the money. It might help some of you get some ideas.

Oh, forgot that I wanted to ask if anyone has rented their ipod equipment. It's pretty pricey, but I don't think I want to buy one and lug it down there. She offered the small bose one for $150 for 2 hours and $50 for additional 2 hours or the bigger one with a mic for $250 for 4 hours. Thoughts from those that did not have a DJ?

Gazebo 55 is perfect...the back drop is absolutely gorgeous. There are rocks behind it and when the waves are big enough it makes a beautiful splash behind the gazebo. Tucanes is definitely the way to go for the reception. Everything was beautiful, we rented the sound system for $250 and brought my iPod and one of the staff played our music all night. We danced for hours then everyone ended up jumping in the pool. All of our guests told us is was the best reception they had ever been to. Will post pics as I get them. Also, instead of buying flowers for the reception, we had glass cylinders on the tables for the bridesmaids bouquets and we had the flowers we had made for the gazebo placed on the table also. Everything came together beautifully.

Allie is right on with the rooms...in the regular rooms we had 517 and it was perfect. 2nd floor with a great view of the ocean. The candlelight dinners are on the beach there every night and everything is lit up so pretty. I think building 5 is ideal because its right beside the main heated pool where we spent most of our time while everyone was here. We are in Casita number 2922 and it is a swim up. No complaints. It's literally right across from the Casita Spa which was very convenient on our wedding day. The swim ups in the casitas are heated whereas the regular swim ups aren't.

Our "Welcome" bags for our guests.

Girls who have not been to EDR yet, you're going to love it. It's more beautiful in person than it is in pictures. I'm sooooo glad I chose this place for my wedding. Rehearsal dinner tomorrow night, the Saturday is the big day! Those of you wondering about bugs... I have a few bites on me but no idea where or when I got them, haven't seen Mosquitos and gave but itched at all but something here bites. If anyone has any questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer though it may take me a couple of days to get back on here as the next two are going to be crazy busy :-) Here are some pics I've taken

Originally Posted by AllieH 

 

 

 

 

Oh no, you don't have to tell them ahead of time. When we did our meeting with the onsite WC team, she asked what other tables we would need, what we had, etc. So they provided the tables for the cake, the favors/place cards and the guest book - no problem at all. They drew up the layout while we were sitting there - I honestly didn't care about that and trusted them to put tables where they would work the best. And they did for the most part. Our table was right front and center, his mother's close by, but my family was towards the back. Oh well - that's what I get for not being specific. lol We didn't take the time to scope out Tucanes, but we could/should have!! 

 

I walked to Vitamin String Quartet's cover of Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are". 

 

Unconventional, but fun and totally "me". If you like it, let me know and I can email you the file. 

 

We were there 5 days before our wedding. I'd take $200 in $1, but that's just me. We tipped room service, bellman, bartenders and some of the waiters daily. We tipped housekeeping at the end of our stay, and our concierge too. 

 

I ordered the parasols from lunabazaar.com - my husband ripped 1 of them right after the ceremony when he tripped over it (BOYS!!). I loved that the WC staff moved them to Tucanes for us, and then set them up to hide the big rip. We didn't ask to have them moved, they just did it. 

 

Facetime it is!! Please do email me the file, I am running out of time Did you make welcome bags? Do you happen to have a template of your welcome letter? I thought I had plenty of time to do all of these things and now I'm down to 2 days!! Yikes!!! Thanks for all of your help and advice Allie, you have been a blessing!! 

Important question girls...how did you communicate in Mexico...amongst each other at the resort and with people back home? Did your cell carriers offer Mexico plans? Or did you do calling cards? What is the best/cheapest way? 

Originally Posted by AllieH 

 

We got all of our photos a couple of days ago (all 800!!!). I've now posted a review, including pics of the ceremony & reception sets up, and our reception food. Just thought I'd share it with the EDR brides! 

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/el-dorado-casitas-royale-by-karisma-all-inclusive/reviews/6756

 

 

I can only hope my wedding will be as beautiful as yours!! You did a great job with everything! 

Originally Posted by mstigger 

 

Let's do this again;

 

Invitation

 

All of the invitations

These look GREAT!! I can tell you are a very talented and patient person!! 

Originally Posted by murmel 

 

A few little things which might be odd, but are useful:

1) a small sewing kit (with white/ivory thread)

2) a few safety pins

3) nail polish remover (you can buy pads which are sealed, so no chance of bottles leaking)

4) hair bobby pins

5) blank Thank you cards (these came in so useful! A few guests did some special and unexpected things for us, and a thank you note was awesome to have. It was also useful to be able to thank the WC, and give them a tip discreetly- should you choose to do so.)

 

And don't be nervous! All you really need- your dress, shoes, FI clothes and your rings! Just know you have planned for your special day, and the WC and staff are going to make it your perfect day 

 

And if you're still stressed, let me know and I can send you a full packing list! 

These look great! And your guests are going to love them 

Murmel...I will definitely add those to my list!! If you still have your full packing list I would love to have a copy of it just to make sure I'm not forgetting something that I'd really like to have. Thank You!!! 

Originally Posted by AllieH 

 

I'm excited for you Shannon!!!! 

 

If you can, take a list of all of your decorations/wedding items that you have for them to set up, and directions for where you want it. I had a couple of last minute phone calls on our wedding day from the WC asking about where I wanted this or that. Ok - really glad they asked, but at that point, it didn't matter lol 

 

Also, if you are brining an iPod for the ceremony, make sure you have the songs all labeled for the events - guest seating, parent seating, bridal party walk, groom walk, bride walk, etc. rather than the names of the songs. It'll be easier for them to know when to switch to the songs. 

 

lastly, if you see a bartender named Victor from NYC, tell him Steve & Allison said hello! 

 

Most importantly - enjoy every moment. know that there will be hiccups or something that could have been done differently, but it won't change the big picture. You're getting married, surrounded by family and friends. Happy wedding!!!!! 

 

 

Thanks AllieH, I'm working on my list right now!! Was I supposed to tell them ahead of time if I needed a table set up for Wedding Favors? I LOVED your umbrella idea and I remembered seeing a pink and a green on at Hobby Lobby, went by yesterday only to find them ripped...Where did you get yours? 

 

May I ask what you walked down the aisle to? I have been looking for days and just can't seem to find that perfect song!! 

 

If I see Victor, I will tell him you two said Hello. Did you tip as suggested? I think my husband (still very strange using that word) went to the bank and got $100 in ones, do you think that will be enough for 11 days? 

 

How many days were you there before your wedding? Were you able to scope out Tucanes and suggest how you wanted it set up? I'm taking some random docorations that I'm hoping I can fit in somewhere. 

 

So much to do, so little time!! Must remember your advice....Enjoy every moment!!! 

It's almost time for me to leave for MEXICO...we leave at 6:55am Tuesday January 1st...getting married on January 5th....For those of you that have already been through this, any last minute advice...anything that you forgot or that you wished you'd done before hand or something you wish you would have had with you?? Anything would be helpful!!  I'm beginning to pack now so I'm getting very nervous 

Originally Posted by AllieH 

 

I tried to tell my Lomas WC what I was bringing ahead of time, and that's when I got the crazy fee quote (not even the $5 per person!!). This was mid-way through the planning process (probably sometime this past August, but I don't remember exactly). I quit asking, and just brought everything with me and hoped for the best. 

 

and I've failed at taking pics tonight, and counting the lanterns. we had a bit of an off-kilter night, so I promise to get those things done by the weekend. sorry to keep y'all in suspense!! 

 

I'm beginning to think thats what I'm going to have to do. Everything she quotes me is outrageous. I went to the table cloth factory site that you provided and ordered 16 napkins, and 36 bows for $40...Lomas had quoted me over $250 to rent those items which I had agreed to until I read your post with their web address. I'm canceling tomorrow, hopefully they will only charge $5 pp for set up fee, which is still cheaper than renting!! You have been so helpful, thanks again!! 

Allie, did you tell your wedding planner everything you were bringing ahead of time or did you wait and explain everything to the onsite coordinator? 

Originally Posted by Tammy Host 

 

Just a reminder, Karisma Hotels Wedding Webinar is this Saturday @ 9:00am PST.  The link has more information on how to register.

 

There is still time to register, but spots are limited.

Thanks Tammy!!! 

Originally Posted by AllieH 

 

I will have to count how many lanterns we had - I honestly don't remember lol I would guess somewhere around 40ish. I bought them all from Luna Bazaar. http://www.lunabazaar.com

 

They did a FANTASTIC job with the set up. I had a list, and she went through the bags and then would ask me what I wanted them to do with other things that I forgot on my list, but had packed away. 

 

We brought everything in suitcases. We picked up some cheap luggage sets from sales at Macy's, mostly for the big bag, but it also had a couple of smaller suitcases. All I can say is that now we have more luggage than we'll ever need! lol 

 

All of the lanterns, parasols, the basket, chair sashes and table runners went in a 29" suitcase that my mom brought. I had all of the OOT bags, paper items and favors with us in 3 smaller suitcases. Coming back, I packed my dress in one bag, tucked that suitcase inside the 29" bag, and then we packed the rest up. 

 

In total, we had 6 suitcases - 2 for our clothes, 4 for wedding "stuff", plus my dress. So coming back we had 5 suitcases, and the dress was in one of those bags. 

 

I will be working to sell the lanterns, chair sashes, table runners, shells, starfish and the misc. leftovers I have. I'm hoping I'll get them all posted next week 

 

 

I wish we were using the same colors as you, if so I would totally buy your stuff!! Love the way you decorated!! Did you say they only charged you $150 for everything in the set up? Thanks for the website & all the information. 

Question girls...Did any of you pay the $250 to use the sound system @ Tucanes? Just wondering if it would be a huge difference to just bring my own ihome speaker to play my ipod with to save some money or if the sound system would make it feel more like a party. 

My photog blogged and posted our preview photos:  here's the blog:  http://www.lotusblossomphotography.net/2012/11/allison-and-steve-el-dorado-resort-mexico-wedding/ and here's the slideshow:  http://www.lotusblossomphotography.com/index.html#/slideshows-allisonsteve/ I thought I'd focus on the ones of the resort/set up for this thread:  ceremony site (Gazebo 55) - I brought the lanterns, chair sashes and parasols. got the wooden aisle runner from Lomas:  Table setting - I brought the votives, table runner, frame w/ table number and all of the shells. Rented the vases from Lomas and they filled with sand ($30 each):  The cupcakes - chocolate & vanilla w/ cream cheese icing (YUM). I brought the stand and the cupcake toppers (paper on lollipop sticks - super easy DIY!) FYI - there are pictures of all the food in the slide show.  I brought the paper straws w/ banners too:  Here's a wide shot of Tucanes - we brought all of the paper lanterns w/ the DIY LEDs. We had enough to go all away around the palapa, and it looked awesome! 

 

Originally Posted by amanda50388 

 

That is amazing news, I just posted a couple above that I love, it was easier then going through and seeing where i posted some. You well pleased.

 

Also, this is the white Gazbeo that they talk about everyone, we got married there.

Your pictures are beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing. I think I will be very happy with Sarani