1dutchie

I was hoping someone may be able to recommend Signature Drink(s)? I was thinking of something blue and my fiance would like to have a signature drink with spiced rum. I wanted to know if this is an option? I am not sure what exactly is available in terms of alcohol/mix. If anyone has had a signature drink it the past please do share! Much appreciated!!

Hello everyone!

I need some advice PLEASE!

We are getting married in just a few months and now that our trip is paid I need to get back to wedding planning!

I need some advice in terms of Castaways. We have around 40 -45 guests attending. We would like to have a sweetheart table for the 2 of us and I was wondering how many people can sit comfortably around a round table? Is there a certain area recommended for everyone to sit and another for the dance floor? For those of you that have gotten married and used Castaways is there anything you would change looking back or recommendations you have?

We are going with the Eternity Package and I am not clear on how many dinner options I can offer our guests.. I was thinking 1 of the package options 1 gluton free option. Can a vegetarian option be given also? Or only if there are food restrictions? Does anyone have Eternity menu dinner recommendations?

Any cake / flavour recommendations from the Eternity menu?

I am considering getting a hair trial done.. My concern is do you get the same hair dresser the day of the wedding? Can the make-up that is included with the package be substittuted for a hair trial instead? Is it worth my while gettting a hair trial done? I have a pretty good idea of what I would like.. I just wonder if it is a waste going to get my hair done and then having to mess it up so my fiance doesn't see what my hair will look like the day of the wedding.. lol

Thanks for your time and hope ya's can help me out!

Have a great day!

Originally Posted by hortonk 

 

Hi Ladies!

 

I am posting this question in this forum because i cannot find any active forums reagrding Bachelorette parties and when to have them!

 

We are getting married on Jan. 09 2014 at the Now Jade. We depart on Jan 05 2014. My MOH and mother have planned my bridal shower for September 22 2013. (They planned it early because we live in Calgary Canada and some people will have to travel to get here so we didnt want it to be in the dead of winter).

 

Now I am struggling as to when my Bachelorette should be...?!?! I dont really want it in the dead of winter becuase I want to be able to wear a cute dress and I just hate going out in the freezing cold. At the same time, I dont think that i want it really far away from our wedding date as that just feels weird to me....

 

What are you ladies planning on doing? What have past brides done?? I need to wrap my head around this lol!

 

Any thought/ideas/suggestions are WELCOME plsssss!!

 

Thanks ladies, i love this site

We are getting married January 16th and I actually already had both my bridal shower and bachelorette recently. For the same reasons you mentioned. Plus we have 2 other weddings to attend in the fall so there will be showers, bachelor and bachelorette party's for those also. I don't feel there has to be a specific time as to when you celebrate. I say do what makes you happy! All the best!!

Originally Posted by remykion 

 

Just sent it over  xxx

Could one of you ladies be so kinda and send me the resaurant options too please?

[email protected]

Thanks!

Originally Posted by aarosenthall 

 

 

Although the disco was fun, I would say pretty dead until that nights wedding group made it over. However, they play great music and everyone had a great time. We did a dj and extended an hour, so by the time the wedding was over only like 10 of us went over. I think you would be fine either way.

Did you visit the disco any other nights besides your wedding day? I am just curious to know if it is the same idea every night or certain nights only?

Do you know when the disco opens? Closes?

Originally Posted by aarosenthall 

 

The resort was great, don't worry about the reviews. Very clean. In terms of customs you only have to declare gifts, not items used for personal use and then taken back with you. Although I guess I should have declared as the night of the wedding I looked at all my stuff, the room and told pilar to keep it all as it seemed overwhelming to bring it all back home. Great decision but I guess a gift to the hotel!

Good to know. Did you bring any flower decorations? I am having artificial bouquets made for my wedding party and was wondering if that will be a problem to bring with...?

Is there anything you would have done differently in terms of preparation? day of wedding?

Originally Posted by aarosenthall 

 

Hey all! I just wanted to let you all know that we are back and everything was great! I will work on a formal review hopefully this weekend, but wanted to send out a couple things for anyone that is in the planning stages as I wish I would have known....

 

The resort's idea is from from ocean front- you may have a glimps of the ocean if you had binoculars- to the point that literally almost all my guests ended up upgrading to the preferred side. This made me feel a bit bad although no one really seemed to mind paying the difference and were very happy with their new rooms. If I would have know, I would have been more clear and also gotten a group rate on the preferred side from the beginning. With that being said, I also want to note that Teresa was great from vacations for less. We had a huge snow storm in Denver and I had people jumping on flights not even knowing if they would have a room when they arrived. When they landed, Teresa had taken care of it all.

 

For those of you planning on staying at the resort after they wedding as a honeymoon, it is not really that as you run in to your friends and family everywhere, them asking you to dinner, etc. unless they are leaving early, just be prepared it may not be what you think of. Looking back now, I would have switched resorts.

 

Honestly, that is about the only two downfalls, pilar and staff were wonderful, we did a private dinner at tamarinds which they closed for the night which was awesome, could not have been more pleased with the flowers, attention to detail, the dj, they pulled it together awesome. We used adventure photos for a ttd which was unbelievable at the cenote, really it was great!!!!

 

Stay tuned for pages of re-cap-

 

Oh, and they did menu cards for me without even asking in matching wedding colors!

Congrats!! Glad everything went great! Can't wait to read all about it

Originally Posted by ironman 

 

We're also sending out our save the dates this week (but our wedding is a bit earlier). I'm a bit stressed/unsure about who to send them to though. We sent out the info for our group travel booking which closes this week. Disappointingly, many people emailed us and told us they couldn't attend. I was thinking of sending save the dates to them anyways and just writing on them "sorry the timing doesn't work out" or "we're sad you may not be able to join us!", but I feel like it might be a bit redundant sending them invites as well. Can anyone let me know what they did in this situation?

 

Also for timing of invites - I think they want rough #'s at least 45 days in advance, so I was thinking of sending out the invites and asking for a reply (with meal preferences) with a deadline of at least 2 months prior to the wedding date. I'm sure there's a bit of added flexibility for people who book last minute though?

We had to send all of our guests an email with the early booking prices to start off with. We've decided that for those that have already paid their deposit we will send them a save the date in the next month or so. Our wedding will be 8 months away but we are doing this to provide our guests with our wedding website and give them the opportunity to leave posts/ask questions/get excited!! If other guests choose to book with us over the next 6 months we will send them a save the date also. We are going to send our formal invite out 3/4 months prior to departure. For those that aren't going to be able to attend we will most likely just send them a formal invite only. I feel as though that way it is a courtesy in the event they are able to book but we aren't bombarding them with mail (knowing they aren't able to make it)

Originally Posted by shannonmarie 

 

I imagine you should be fine. You can always google the temps in the area around that time frame to find out

Thanks for the suggestion. I did do that and I really like to outdoor feel (given we are at a resort) I just know fiancé and some guests wouldn't appreciate extreme heat.. I don't care one bit! I would rather hot then cold.

Originally Posted by Tlseege 

 

I don't think it'll be too hot in November.  November evenings in Riviera Maya are usually nice and cool.  If you were getting married in June... different story

We are getting married in January.. Should I be concerned with the temperature in the evening? From what I've read it shouldn't be as humid that time of year? We are having our reception at Castaway Restaurant.

Let me know your thoughts

Thanks

Originally Posted by 1dutchie 

 

Hi IronMan,

 

I understand you have a PDF file in regards to pricing for chairs and such. We have decided on the Eternity package and our guests exceed 25+ so I was hoping to find out what it would cost in addition for our guests besides dinner costs in terms of seating arrangements/chairs/chair covers or what not. I am not sure if there is an extra cost. (I am hoping not) but if you could email any info you have to me that would be much appreciated! [email protected]

Thanks!

Elisabeth

Oh and whether the movement of chairs from the beach ceremony to Castaway restaurant will cost extra also.

Originally Posted by ironman 

 

Also of interest:

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS / DECORATION (PRICES PLUS 11%TAX)  Dance Floor for Reception (2-50 pax) $800.00  Dance Floor for Reception (50-100 pax) $1200.00  Paper Luminaries $5.00  Tikki torches decoration (6 pieces per event) $150.00  Tiffany Chairs $10.00 (Available in white, gold, silver, brown) (I thought i had seen this was $7 elsewhere... Perhaps that was an old price?) Bamboo Chairs $10.00  Versalles Chairs Available only in dark brown $10.00  Avant-garde chairs available only in white $15.00  Regular Ribbons for chairs $5.00  (Red,brown, yellow, freen, pink, ivory, white, purple, contact your wedding coordinator for special request)  Linen (per table) $18.00 to $25 usd (This depending of the color and texture selected) Table Overlay (per table) $18.00 to $25 usd (This depending of the color and texture selected) Special Color napkin (per pax) $4.00  Fans ( * Castaways restaurant ) $150 usd (so Castaways is likely not air conditioned if they're renting these out....) Light Packages $350 usd

Hi IronMan,

I understand you have a PDF file in regards to pricing for chairs and such. We have decided on the Eternity package and our guests exceed 25+ so I was hoping to find out what it would cost in addition for our guests besides dinner costs in terms of seating arrangements/chairs/chair covers or what not. I am not sure if there is an extra cost. (I am hoping not) but if you could email any info you have to me that would be much appreciated! [email protected]

Thanks!

Elisabeth

Originally Posted by shannonmarie 

 

I will also be purchasing chair sashes with in the next couple weeks. As soon as I get my final headcount. I'm leaning towards organza as well. I think I read somewhere that they will iron them and tie them with a $40 set up fee. I think it is also $40 to transfer the chairs for the reception. 

 

I asked this question about paying extra for chairs over 25 people and someone said you did not have to.

 

The chairs included in the package are the white covered chairs. Anything else is extra. There is a pdf that I believe IronMan posted a few pages ago with all that information on it. I think it's about $10 per chair to use the other chairs. 

Oh good thanks!

I think the organza is nice. It give that light airy feel. and it is also lighter for packing! Which is nice

Oh perfect I actually like the look of the white covered chairs so if there is no extra costs for those that would make me happy. Are you using the white covered chairs?

I don't mind paying the $40 set up fee but if I am gonna have to pay extra per person for a dinner and an additional charge for the chair in addition to that I wouldn't be too happy! I feel that should be included.. I will look up IronMan and ask if he could email be the file. Thanks!

Originally Posted by shannonmarie 

 

We are using round tables and a sweetheart table. As of right now we are expecting 69 guest and using about 8 round tables. I also read 6-8 people but will have 8 people at the majority and right now 2 with 9 people . It's just how it worked out. I really really hope they aren't too cramped!

 

I'll be sure to share pics and a review when we return! 

Wonderful thank you for clarifying that

Do you think Pilar/the staff at Now Jade is flexible in terms of how many people you would prefer to have sit at each table? Or does it have to be 8? I think 10 would probably be cramped but 9 should be fine.

Are you having to pay extra for the additional guest dining at the reception in terms of chairs? What chairs are you using at Castaways?

Thanks again

I purchased chair sashes and table runners. They are made of organza and because they are folded over in the packaging they are going to have creases in them once they are taken out. Does anyone know whether the staff at Now Jade will steam the sashes or take out the creases before decorating?

Also I am confused in terms of chairs.. We have chosen the Eternity Package. During the reception I understand we pay an additional cost for any additional guests in addition to 25. Do we need to pay extra to have extra chairs set up also?

During the beach ceremony we have more then 25 guests also. What chairs do we get? Do we have a choice? Do they automatically come with the white covers? Does it cost extra? I know that the staff will decorate the chairs with the sashes we are bringing. Will these chairs be transferred to the Castaway Restaurant (reception) after the ceremony?

Thanks!!

Originally Posted by shannonmarie 

 

I am getting very excited! I can't believe it's almost here! I made a basic seating chart using Wedding Wire just so I know which guest will be at which table number so I can make the escort cards and it's mostly complete. I'm just waiting on our exact head count to finish it completely. I'll also bring Pilar a list of how many of each entree at each table number. Our reception is in Castaways and I have no idea how the room set up so I just made a basic seating chart to give to Pilar and she can just put the tables where ever. I do plan on having a guest book table and a table for our escort cards. I haven't had much contact with Pilar in this past year so I'll just figure all that out when we get down there. I'm pretty relaxed about the whole thing. Everyone's reviews say they are awesome pulling it all together once you get down there so that's what I'm hoping! Our ceremony is at the Pergola and Cocktails at the Mix Bar. Right now we have about 60 people booked and expecting 7-10 more to book within the next few weeks... I'm hoping that will be it! We are already wayyy over what we originally expected! 

Hi Shannon,

I was curious to know whether you are using round tables for the Castaway restaurant? We are having the reception there also and I am wondering how many guests will sit comfortable at 1 table. We are planning on having a sweet heart table and giving our wedding party the chance to sit with their significant others. I think I read somewhere on here that a round sits 6-8 comfortably but I can't remember. Thanks for your time and all the best for your big day! Can't wait to see pics and read the review!

Originally Posted by khunt29 

 

Check out what came today, Anthony is gonna be so excited LOL

 

 

They are very pretty! I must ask where you found these.. I have been researching and hoping to find a seller that will make Ottawa Sens ones.

Originally Posted by ironman 

 

 I'm exactly a month before you on December 16! We didn't get our first choices for that day, but I think they'll still be great. We're at the Pergola, Orange Lounge and Castaways.

Woo hoo! That's exciting! We had a hard time deciding between the Pergola and the Beach. We ended up choosing the beach because that is where we had our first date.. Cheesey I know! hahahah

Originally Posted by UMassRN007 

 

Woooohoooo, the NJ is going to be full of brides that weekend!!!  We are doing a 4pm ceremony @ the pergola, cocktail 5-6 at the mix bar, and then reception 6-10 at either the bamboo room or castaways....This may all change depending on how many guests end up booking (we invited 136!)....thinking of just going to the disco afterward.  How about you? 

Yes! It will an amazing week!! Wow that is a big list of guests!!! We are having a 3pm beach ceremony skipping the cocktail hour and 7-10pm reception at Castaway. We looked into getting more time for our reception but they will only go until 11pm latest and it is an additional $15 per person.. So disco it is! Fingers crossed it is a happening disco and the music is good! I understand it is a sports bar during the day and then turns into a disco at night from what I gathered.. I don't know if this is on specific nights only or what time it is open until. Do you? Are you bringing your own music? Or getting a DJ?

Originally Posted by UMassRN007 

 

 

Welcome Kari!!!  I'm getting married @ the NJ on the 18th      How far into planning are you? How many guests are you inviting?

Hello ladies! How exciting! We are getting married on the 16th of January 2014! What did you ladies decide on for your ceremony and reception? Happy planning!!

Originally Posted by 1dutchie 

 

Does anyone have the email address for the spa handy please? I looked on the website but I only see phone numbers..

Thanks!

Nm found it!

Does anyone have the email address for the spa handy please? I looked on the website but I only see phone numbers..

Thanks!

Originally Posted by heathersierra 

 

@1dutchie I'm getting married on January 16th at the NJ too! Where are you from and how far along in the planning process are you?

I just privite messaged you

Originally Posted by shannonmarie 

 

Pilar is allowing me to switch the dessert for 2 more h'odourves at cocktail hour.

Oh good to know thanks! Although we aren't having the cocktail hour..

But perhaps we could have a few h'odourves available after the dinner as a late night snack?

Or perhaps she would allow for more champagne during the ceremony.

Originally Posted by Happy2BMrsMills 

 

 

Our wedding was ceremonial only. And it was beautiful! We waited to do the whole legal/courthouse thing until after we got back form Mexico. It just made it simpler to wait because then we didn't have to worry about the name change/passport stuff.

This is part of the reason I would am thinking having the legal ceremony after would be better for us also. If we were to have the legal ceremony prior to the destination wedding would we be required to have the name change completed on the passport before travel? Because I have read it can take up to 3 months for the marriage license to arrive..