MommyBride14

Hi! Depending on your budget, you can pay for a private reception separate from your package. My fiance and I chose the silver package and selected the private reception on the beach. You can also choose the shopping center or the private restaurant. They also have the DREAMS package, and that includes a ton of extra amenities, including a 4 hour private reception. I would ask your WC at the resort to give you a list of the options. Just make sure to keep bugging them with emails, but not to add too many questions in one email because they tend to skip over some of your questions. If you want to know what all is included in the dreams package, I would click on the Iberostar paraiso 2014 Brides Forum. I just looked on there the other day and saw that a bride had posted the price and list of the Dreams Package. Let me know if you have any other questions! I hope that helps! I will let you know what we are going with: Silver Wedding Package Adventure Photos Photography (at the resort) DJ Doremmix (Out of Cancun) Private Beach Reception

Hi Iberostarbride, Private message me your email and I can see if I have the documents that you need! :)

Yes, definitely check out Annie's pictures! They are gorgeous!!

Hi Mindy! I think my fiance and I are going with Adventure Photos so we don't have to pay for the extra fee for having an outside photographer. I've tried a few others and haven't heard back from them and Gerardo (from adventure photos) was very quick to respond . I'm going to bring a booklet of poses and pictures that we want done to see if they can do them for us; that way we won't feel like we didn't get the pictures that we wanted. I have too many ideas from pinterest!! (darn site!! ). I don't necessarily think their work is as exquisite and unique as other local photographers, but I think they do quality work and all I want are those special moments captured . Let me know what you choose!

Thank you, Scarma!! I am interested in the fact that she budgets! I'm only looking for the ceremony and after ceremony pictures with family and guests! I love her work already . And she helps animals?? I love her already!! Are any brides doing Bride & Groom pictures during cocktail hour?? I really really want my fiance to see me as I'm walking down the isle, but I'm hoping it won't take over 45 minutes to get our own photos done after the ceremony. What do you ladies think??

Right? He is crazy!!! . We thought about flying our friends down for the trip because they are professional photographers, but that would still be out of our price range . One of our friends was going to do it for really cheap! (Only $600!!), but I'm pretty sure she is bailing on us because she hasn't booked and hasn't returned my messages in two months?? We put more of our budget towards our reception and DJ, so I'm hoping we hear back from Adventure Photos and can get a quote. I still would LOVE to see your pictures, and of course steal posing ideas! . I'll send you my email! Thanks so much!!!!

I know... I'm nervous for that, but I'm thinking I need to just "go with it" and not care during the ceremony. As long as people aren't making obnoxious remarks during it, I'll be fine (I hope!). Thank you for the advice for picture spots! I would LOVE pictures near the water on the rocks! I have not yet booked a photographer. I was supposed to have a family friend who I was going to pay, but she has not yet booked and I really don't think she intends to because she won't respond to my emails, so I started looking into Adventure Photos at the resort because they were the cheapest I could find. Could you send me your photographers price quote? My fiance doesn't think we need a professional photographer, but I think he's crazy! Even just for two hours I would like to have one to capture the ceremony and individual/group pictures.

I think you are right! It will be outside on the beach and the beach will be beautiful enough! My guests are SUPER laid back and I know they won't pay attention to them, so I really don't know why I am stressing it! I guess I just don't want it to look too plain. I'm super excited to see your wedding pictures when you get them back! I'm never able to open picture links on here because I don't have enough posts yet to access them! . You have seriously helped me alleviate a ton of stress ! Thank you for all of your help!

I couldn't remember who had a wedding right after us!! Too bad it wasn't a few days sooner so we could meet! I'm excited for you! I just emailed DJ Doremixx and I think it's a for sure "GO" with them I'm pretty excited. I'm still nervous about centerpieces. I don't think anyone will care, but I want to do something in colored water with an illuminating light inside and some flowers. I just really don't know how I'm going to travel with stuff for the centerpieces, but I'd rather not spend money on flowers that we'd just toss after the reception. :S. What are your ladies plans for centerpieces?

Thank you!!! Our wedding coordinator that we are working with is Idalia, and she has been awesome and very attentive . I'm a little crazy and get anxious when I don't have everything done right away, but she explained that we would go further in detail with planning within 2 to 3 months of our wedding date. I have our menu picked out and have reserved our reception for the beach and now I'm just waiting to hear a response from DJ Doremixx to see if he is available for our wedding date . I also sent out E-vites !

Mindy and Dax, We sent out our save-the-dates at the end of March (Our wedding is Nov. 10th) so that they would have plenty of time to plan and book their trip. We booked through destinationweddings.com and worked with a Wedding consultant who helped us find the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo as our resort and helped set up our website so that guests could book online on our site. It's been extremely helpful! Our wedding consultant helps all of our guests with any of their questions, which has taken a lot of stress off of our hands. If you want, you can go to our website to see an idea of what we we've done for our guests. You can just go to www.destinationweddings.com, click "attending a wedding" and click in MERRIMANWEDDING. You have to create a log-in but that is just for your personal use and won't show up on our site . Planning wise, I have just now started to dig deep into planning, but I still feel like I have so much to do! I will send you all of the documents I have from our wedding coordinator at the resort if you'd like? Just let me know

Brides, Are any of you having a beach wedding and/or reception? I really want to wear wedges for the reception, but I've never walked in the sand in anything other than flip flops. I won't have my dress in until September, but I want to know what I should wear when getting alterations; should I do that wedges or just go barefoot? I am only 5'2 ish...and my fiance is 6'2! I would like to look taller and slender in my dress, but I would rather not roll my ankle in the sand! Any suggestions??

I heard that it was star wars theme!!! Too funny! Well that makes me feel better because my fiance and I were first considering just having the disco as our dancing place after we had our reception dinner.. I didn't think that was very special for our wedding, so I'm glad that we are deciding otherwise! I know that when staying at the lindo we have access to the Maya, but I think that is it, which I am okay with . I don't even know if we'd have time to venture out to every place even if we had the option. I've also heard nothing but FANTASTIC reviews about the Grand, so we will have to make our way over just to see it! Oh shoot! I'm hoping it's still fun at the disco! I only have approximately 30 guests and they range from 23 to 53, but I know that we all like to be cheeseballs so my guests will probably be a little (understatement) intoxicated when they head to the disco after the reception, lol

I am working with Idalia and we will be getting married at the Lindo. I am waiting to see if the beach reception will be available for us. I think instead of favors I might do a welcome sheet just saying thank you and saying when we will have a welcome cocktail hour. I found these cute door hook signs that say do not disturb "We were partying all night at the wedding of so and so". Too cute!! I think it's a good idea just to have close family members for the group dinner. How was the steakhouse?!?! I'm looking into that and the Japanese restaurant (i'm not sure if they are the same), and then I'm pretty sure everyone else will be more interested in the buffet because it's quick and easy. Luckily, all of my guests are pretty simple and would be fine going to the disco for our reception... but I feel like that isn't as intimate, and they will really enjoy the beach reception! How often do you get to dance your booty off in Mexico on the beach?!

You are a rockstar!!! I'm getting really excited right now. It makes me feel better that we can just let everyone enjoy their vacation. I think I might set up a few nights for a dinner that we can all go to, one night for our rehearsal dinner and then one possibly for the cool Japanese Restaurant . I'm getting super excited that I finally have details coming together. Did you do provide any gift bags for guests or a little souvenir? I'm wondering if this is necessary, but I would like to leave a welcome note in each of their rooms when they arrive if the resort allows for that! Thank you for being so helpful!

Anniebee02, Did you have a rehearsal for your ceremony? I'm hoping that my fiance and I can do a quick run through with the minister the night before, and then join the rest of our family and friends for dinner that evening. We are not having a bridal party because many of his friends are unable to make it, so it will just be centered around the two of us and our 2 yr old . What are your suggestions? I also am nervous about not having an outline for my guests for their vacation so that we can all meet up to do fun things together throughout our trip. Did you bother with any of this, or just let them do their own thing during their vacation? Thanks for all of your help! Chantel C

Anniebee02, You have made my decision to hire DJ Dorremix (sp) so much easier! My Fiance and I were thinking about just doing the ipod hook up to save approximately 2 grand, but I would much rather put that money towards having the time of my life at our wedding than worry about saving that money for an at-home reception. I really hate to stretch the budget, but I am thinking about doing away with the AHR because it will just be too much stress and money planning for both! I know that many people will miss out, but at the same time, I still don't know if the family that is unable to make it will still make the trip to our hometown for the AHR. Is there a resort fee for hiring Ivan at the Iberostar?

not*** Sorry for the typing error

I have no been told the prices for anything. I asked for different quotes on the dream and silver packages and how much it would cost for a private reception on the beach/shopping area/or private restaurant, and she hasn't gotten back to me. She said for my small group, it wouldn't work as well for the shopping area, which was my first choice. I'm hoping to hear from people who have had their weddings and what they were quoted. We will have roughly 30 people

Hi Jlmarfa!!! What decisions have you already made? MY Fiance and i have chosen one of the restaurants for our private reception, but I'm clueless as to what I should do for centerpieces as well. I would love if you would share what you have chosen thus far! We've basically chosen the reception site, and that's it!

So glad you had a great time!!! I was hoping to hear from you when you got back from your wedding. I knew you would enjoy everything!!! My biggest concern right now is all the odds and ends costs that will add up (table decor, ceremony decor, flowers, etc.). Where did you have your reception? Also, if it's not too personal to ask, would you be willing to PM me the ballpark cost you spent with wedding package, reception, and decor? I feel like I'm clueless on what to expect. I was overwhelmed with the millions of emails Idalia sent me in regards to flowers, location, menu, reception set up, etc. I think we want to go with DJ Doremmix (sp), and possibly the private reception in the shopping center area, so if you have any suggestions on what is worth the cost (spending extra money on flowers, centerpieces, chair sashes, etc) for the little extras please feel free to share if you are willing . I hope you post a ton of pictures!!! So happy for you!!! :) I wish I could view your pictures, but apparently I am not a fully active member on this site!

That doesn't seem too bad I can't wait to see pictures! How excited are you for your wedding coming up? When do you arrive in Mexico?

Thank you so much, BrideToBe12!! All of your information has been extremely helpful. Where are you having your reception again?? I will definitely request the pricing sheet with the extras list so that I can have a better idea of what we can choose from. I saw a video with a bride who had her reception at the Grand and it was beautiful!... but I'm not one who wants to spend an arm and a leg for the location! I'm just a visual planner and I need to see pictures before I can just make decisions! I hate that about myself LOL. Your wedding is coming up so fast!!! I think we might go with hiring a DJ if it is in our budget

I feel the exact same way! I like to have everything planned out right away instead of picking and choosing here and there for everything as the date gets closer. I think I just have no idea price wise for everything! I hate making choices!! I wish it was all laid out for me and I could just show up, but I have a hard time releasing control . I am getting married in November so I will definitely share all of my ideas down to the penny, too once we get married!

Really? See I don't even think I need all of the extras in the wedding package, I just want to be able to extend our reception time! I'm nervous about hiring a dj because I want it to be music that we like, but I don't want to have to get up and switch to the songs I want for the father/daughter, bride/groom dances etc. I just want there to be a nice flow! I'm hoping to here from some of the brides getting married in May to see what they recommend Where do you find your pricing information for the reception? I feel like I am clueless and am doing everything wrong trying to find information. All of my guests will be staying at the Lindo... is it possible to have the reception at the grand without having guests staying there?