un4gitabl

Okay, the site has changed since I was last on here so I am replying to two recent posts I think.  I got married in November at SMB and it was FABULOUS!!!!  I have not posted my review yet because we immediately went in to holidays and then started buying a new house when we got home so it's been a bit a of a whirlwind.  So overall, let me ease your mind, your wedding will be beautiful!  Cecilia knows what she is doing.  I made a bunch of last minute chnages once I got down there and she accomodated them all.  I will get in to that in my review, but I wanted to say I had 38 people and the best decision we made was to add a DJ last minute.  I can see that a JAMBOX would work, but it was so nice to not have to worry about music during the reception!  We used a JAMBOX for our bonfire on the beach the night before and since it was a VERY windy night we couldn't really hear the music. 

I do have pictures of the wedding food, but not on the computer that I am on.  I am going to try to remember to get on here tonight and upload some pictures when I am at home. 

Happy Planning and again, I promise, your wedding will be beautiful!!! :-)

I'm struggling to find individual servings of Pepto for an affordable price.  Anyone have any suggestions?

I just bought our cake topper and I'm loving it!!!  Bought it off Etsy from a store called LoRustique ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/LoRustique )  It was great!  It did take a few weeks because I believe she is rather busy, but as long as you plan ahead you can get it in plenty of time.  She was super nice too! 

Good Morning Ladies!!!  Two months from today I will be walking down the aisle!!!  eek!!!!  I CANNOT WAIT!!!   I am waiting for Cecilia to respond and that is a bit frustrating.  I put off discussing decisions that I made a while ago with her until closer to the wedding thinking that she would respond more quickly.  I was wrong, FYI, discuss things as you go.  BUT  either way we will end up married in the end so whatever! 

Ok, but my real question is what did previous brides do about people who did not send their RSVP's?  I am astounded at the number of people who have not sent their RSVP or even submitted one online.  At this point the hotel is sold out for our wedding date (another note to future brides, if you are getting married around a holiday let people know that they MUST book early or they will not have a room!  We have at least 5 guests who didn't book early enough and now are scrambling to figure it out).  I assume that the people who have not RSVP'd are not coming, but should I reach out to them to confirm?  Is it rude to reach out?  A lot that didn't RSVP are my FI family and I really don't want to be the neurotic new in-law.  :-)  Would love opinions.

Thanks!

Did anyone include a welcome letter?  if so what kind of information did you include?  Thank you!!

Originally Posted by Melissa Francis 

 

I have a few questions I hope someone can answer.

 

My wedding is on Nov 7th, it's very last minute despite already having 15 years under our belt.  So we gave people only 3 months notice.  Because SMB isn't on the cheaper side of the spectrum, people are looking into staying at places with a lower price point.  I was just told by Valeria that there is a $100USD fee for guests coming off site and 80% of your guests must stay at SMB.  I['m sitting here like ????  So let me get this straight, we pay about $3000 USD for the week not including airfare and we have a wedding and pay for extras and you want to tell me that if my guests stay elsewhere they may not be able to come.  We all flew from either California or Texas and they can't come because basically they can't afford to stay at SMB but chose to stay next door at the Catalonia Privledged?  

 

Has anyone dealt with this situation?  How did it go for you?  So far it's just the parents of the groom and my father(my mother is no longer with us), so they did say if it stays that small, they are willing to make an exception.  But what if I end up with 10-20 guests and they're all next door or at the El Dorado?  Did anyone get so irritated that they cancelled the wedding and did it elsewhere?

 

Also, how hard is it to get pictures and prices of beach gazebo setups?  I don't seem to get a response when I ask about that.

 

Thank you!

P.S. the Beach Gazebo setup thing may be a language barrier because in my understanding they are two separate places?  Like you can get married on the beach or you can get married at the gazebo.  May not be it at all, but I thought I would throw it out there :-)  Good Luck!!!

Originally Posted by Melissa Francis 

 

If there is anyone here who did their wedding last minute(3 months out) and they had issues with the quota issue(that 80% of your guests must stay at SMB or else you cannot have your wedding there) and they were able to get around it, please let me know.  I am so angry right now because this was brought to my attention yesterday.  I don't have an issue with the $100.00 fee for the people coming from off site, I have an issue with the quota.  My father decided to stay next door because it's $500 per person cheaper for 4 days/3 nights so he could actually make it.  I need him to be able to walk me down the aisle, I've been waiting over 30 years for this moment!

 

Did anyone get a travel agent and get a group rate?  Just trying to find a way to keep my wedding at SMB and not be forced to move over to Grand Velas where we are owners.  SMB is my current dream beach and resort.  Any advice would be super helpful.

 

Thank You

Hi Melissa,

I am going to do my best to answer questions that I can.  So far I’ve had some guests say that they are staying off site and my understanding is that if there are more that 3 or 4 that SMB requires a CC to guarantee the price, but not that they couldn’t come.  That sounds silly and I’m sure that you could talk to them. I know that is easier said than done b/c they are super busy.  Also, if you select the Ultimate package then your guest fee is $70 per person as opposed to $100. 

I have a travel agent and she can definitely get better rates than what is on the SMB website!  I didn’t do a room block with her, but she is an Apple certified or specialist or whatever it is so that she works with Apple frequently (Apple is a parent company for SMB so a lot of times they get better rates).  All of our guests have just called her when they wanted to book & she gives them the current rate that day.  In my experience it has been significantly lower than those on the website.

We are using an offsite photographer b/c I felt like I was getting the run around with their photographer situation (I now understand that they were changing their relationship with Juan, but it was confusing a few months ago).  Plus I really liked the pictures of the photographer we went with (Sascha Gluck) and his pricing was simple and straight forward!

Originally Posted by lorcas 

 

 

Good! We will have beautiful weddings haha

 

And yes, your friend is extremely lucky!!

My thoughts exactly!!!! 

Originally Posted by Billandstina 

 

I w

I would highly recommend the meds! Just about everyone used at least two things or more out of our survival kits! Lol

Thank you!!!  I am thinking I will include some kind of OTC pain meds & Pepto for sure!  Did you include Bandaids and did you feel like people used them?  I was thinking maybe I would put 2 in each or something like that.  

Originally Posted by lorcas 

 

 

Are you going down there to do a site visit?

Unfortunately, I am not!  I am going to go in blind!  :-)  Well kind of blind, one of my bridesmaids actually went there for work a few months ago (How lucky is she!  She gets to travel to beautiful resorts and be PAID!!) and while she was there she and her coworkers took pictures and asked around.  They came back and said out of all the Secrets resorts that they toured that Maroma Beach was by FAR their favorite and absolutely the best one to get married at.  I think they toured 6 properties in the area and they all agreed that SMB was the best.

I had not thought about using a space bag!  My dress is tulle at the bottom, but my hotel does steam it.  I will have to talk to my seamstress and see what she recommends.  Thanks!!

Originally Posted by vas2014 

 

These are super cute!!

I am still slowly but surely trying to reach 150... Hope you all are having a fabulous day of planning!!!

Originally Posted by Melissa Francis 

 

Hello Everyone!

 

I thought I had posted this the other day, but it doesn't seem to have ever showed up so here I am again!

 

First off, thank you ladies for everything you have posted.  This has made me feel better about my decision.  I have been with my future husband 15 years already, we met when we were kids, so coming to SMB Nov 3-10 was my Annivresary gift.  I had no idea until last week that our luxury vacation was going to turn into my wedding!  Nov 7, 2013 is the big day!  Just a little more than three months away!  I thought it was a blessing that SMB was going to be able to take us!  I thought I might have to find a different place in Playa!  Valeria has done a pretty good job as far as correspondence goes. I'll admit I am now concerned that she hasn't gotten back to me since I filled out the questionnaire and I only have my spot reserved until Friday.  I 

 

My wedding party is going to be really small, maybe even just the two of us, but my instincts tell me it could be up to 10 people.  So my idea is to just have a small reception/dinner at one of the restaurants so I was hoping to get a few of my other questions and concerns out of the way so I can plan accordingly, I can't believe I will be there in about 100 days!  Time is already starting to fly by!

 

1.  Are there any restaurants that have a good view of the ocean?  According to the map Oceana perhaps?

2.  I'm concerned that there won't be anyone qualified to do my hair which I will definitely need.  I am half African American and I have type 4 curly hair that I may want to have flat ironed for the evening.   If no one is qualified or comfortable doing my kind of hair, is there a salon in Playa that can?

3.  I am still waiting on Valeria to let me know what ceremony venues are available as well during my time slot.  If the beach isn't available, what do you ladies feel are the next best options.  I think this will determine my shoe purchase as well.

 

I know I will have a lot more questions as time goes on so I thank you all in advance for any advice you may offer.

 

Best,

Melissa

Congratulations Melissa!!!  This site is absolutely super helpful!!!  So our wedding hasn't happened yet so I can't answer all your questions, but I wanted to say that I have Blanca written down as a good hair person at their salon.  I have hair that can be rather difficult as well so I am planning to do a test with her on Tues when we arrive to make sure that we are on the same page before the big day.  Not sure if that is an option for you.    Happy Planning!!!

Originally Posted by LKocelko 

 

I had these sandals from DSW - so glad I chose to wear flats! The sand was really uneven. I ended up kicking them off on our way back down the aisle for the recessional.

 

 

 

Oh I really like these!!  I am still looking for sandals as a back up!  Hoping toward the end of summer I can find something fabulous on sale!!

I found fabric for my table runners (we are making them ourselves) and I am sooo excited to get it!!!

Originally Posted by Peach 

 

Some people used our bags, some did not. Some used a few items from our "for better or for worse" mini bag, which was small, but most did not. No one used our digital flip camera, but that was because we did not give them memory cards (duh!) for them. We had a few small items (like pens and sticky notes), and people liked our welcome/activity passport books. The biggest hit was DEFINITELY the bubba kegs!

Thank you for the feedback!!  I really like to know what people used.  Did you have meds in your mini kit?  That is what I'm debating about now.  

Originally Posted by lorcas 

 

 

Thank you! This really helps calm me down. We have reserved the Oceana Terrace for our reception. Cecilia told me that there are times when other areas open up and people cancel or change their minds, so it might work out anyway. Like you said, what matters is who is there, so I am going to just go with it. After all, going with DW option, I knew I wasn't going to be able to control every aspect of the wedding haha.

I'm so glad that you got it reserved!!!  I'm sure that anywhere on the resort will be beautiful!!!  Congrats a big check off your to do list!! :-)

Seriously Jillsy!  Your bage look AWESOME!!!  Great job!!!

P.S. do you happen to remember the duty free limit?  I can look it up, but I thought I would ask :-)

That is probably what we would do, hope they don't but deal with it at that time if they do :-)  Thank you again for posting!  I really think we may do this!!
 

Originally Posted by tmdavis13 

 

We did not want to waste money on flowers and our beautiful beach setting needed little to be added. We used mirrors to reflect the light and surrounding candles. We also added Patron Silver bottles to each table, this brought in our green color and invited guests to take them with them to the after party (though some guests opened them at dinner! ) And finally we used limes to number our tables. It was simple and didn't take up much room. 

 

 

 

 

 

That is a GREAT idea!!!!!  I love it!!!!!!!!!  Did you buy the liquor once you got to Mexico?  Did your hotel charge you anything for using that as your centerpiece?   Thank you!!

Thank you so much KCDawn!  I didn't want to bug you, but I thought I would check with you.  I am leaning toward just making them longer so if the tables are smaller then the runner will go down further on the sides of the table, but if they are bigger then they should still work.  I figure too big is better in this situation.  :-)
 

Originally Posted by MMK0386 

 

Gifts:

 

I went a tad overboard with gifts, but we only had a few people to buy for, so we kind of had that luxury. 

 

For our parents, we bought personalized hankys from an Etsy seller: https://www.etsy.com/listing/102051422/set-of-6-wedding-personalized-custom?ref=usr_faveitems

 

There is also one for my FI and one for our Flower Girl. The Etsy seller that I linked to above was a pleasure to work with! The one I originally ordered from, however, was NOT. Buyer beware- EmbroideryByMelissa on Etsy did not follow through. I'll leave it at that....

 

We also got t-shirts for the parents, BM, and ring bearer. I designed these and then had them printed through VistaPrint.

 

 

I can't find the picture I had of them before I rolled them... Sorry! Instead, here is the file for a couple of the shirts to give you an idea:

 

 

 

 

In addition to his shirt, the BM is also getting a pair of Armani Sunglasses and the rest of his gift is TBD.

 

The girls gifts are complete, though and here is where I might have gone a tad overboard

For a complete list and more pics see the thread I made here: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/86020/my-bridesmaids-and-flower-girl-gifts-lots-of-pictures-some-diy-things

 

Necklace and Bracelet:

 

 

Barefoot Sandals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like I said, here is a link to the thread where I have a complete list: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/86020/my-bridesmaids-and-flower-girl-gifts-lots-of-pictures-some-diy-things

Here is a link to my thread for the DIY bathing suits and tank tops: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/85447/my-diy-bride-and-bridesmaid-rhinestone-bathing-suits-and-tanks

Link to my barefoot sandals thread: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/84982/my-diy-beaded-barefoot-sandals-jewelry

 

For my Flower Girl, I got similar things:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, I forgot to mention that since my FG is one of the only kids, she and her brother (my niece and nephew) will get special OOT bags! I don't have a picture of my nephews bag, but here is my nieces OOT/Welcome Bag:

 

 

 

For my FI, I got him a personalized hanky, I plan to do a boudoir shoot (maybe!), and possibly get him a watch he has been wanting.

 

Also, for Thank You notes, I made my own. These DIY Thank You's were fun and easy to make and wayyyyy cheaper than the ones I saw on etsy. I am a HUGE Thank You note writer, so I made a card for just about everyone. This pic only shows a few and is a crappy pic...sorry!

 

 

I think that about covers gifts!

Did you print the thank you notes on your computer or stamp them?  IF you did them on your computer do you have a template by chance that you could share? :-)