tmcdonald

Ended up waiting a few days and then went on a zip lining excursion.  I did not do a formal invite, just let people know where we wanted to go and a lot of them wanted to join us.  Several of the couples had already went home which was okay because then I didn't feel like I was taking up the time of the guests that only stayed a few days. 

@@tmcdonald

You are soooo close to your wedding!!! How is planning? are you all finished or still working out the details? I wish I could do it all over again!

Still planning.  Probably will up until the last minute.   They are not giving me the options I want for the private reception so I am just going to think positive that it will all work out when I talk to the onsite planner.   Going to organize and pack this weekend.

Tricia

Congratulations on the pregnancy!!!   Thank you for your planning blog and all your advice.  This site can be overwhelming so it was nice to follow you through this process.

_{Sounds beautiful.  Congratulations!  Thanks for the tips!}

_{Cant wait to read all about it!}

Im on the fence with the MOB flowers.  I think my mom wants a bouquet...but at the same time I would prefer to save the money and do a corsage or something.  She's def not the clutch type...but that is a cute idea

Thanks.  I found a pearl wrist corsage on Etsy that may work.

Any ladies hiring a videographer? Who are you using?

 

I don't know what to do... I really want a video. This is a momentous occasion and will go by so fast... but the approved vendors are no good and the $800 vendor fee is crushing.

 

What are you doing? thoughts?

 

I'm having an unplugged wedding so that website that pieces together guests videos is no good.  I also don't want to look out at my small group and see their faces hidden by cameras, phones, and Ipads.

As of now no, but I am having second thoughts.  My photographers husband does video so maybe I could get away with one vendor fee.  Cant do another $800.

I also want to do an unplugged ceremony.  I figure it was only going to be short time so they could put their phones up for a little while.  Might be hard to convince my step mom.  They are all so worried about not getting pictures.

Hi Ladies,

I thought about starting a new thread but I will start on this one first.  What are you ladies doing for Mother of the Bride flowers?  Or are you doing MOB flowers?    Somebody mentioned maybe getting them a clutch to carry instead?

@@tmcdonald - did you book through a GI Coordinator as well to get your free event?  

 

@@talicea7812 - thanks (as always  ) for the info! I wish I had known the free event part or else I would have gone with one of their agents. I wanted someone impartial since I wasn't totally sold on going with a Karisma property at the very beginning. *sighs* live and learn right?  

 

@@ng2015 - i totally agree about fighting for every perk!  I didn't read anywhere that you cannot combine offers etc... i plan to fight as well when the time comes and from the sound of things it will.  

 

i'm adding "earn a free event" to my list of things to ask when i'm down there this weekend.    has anyone else seen the competing offers on their site that say on the one hand guests can get 33% off if they book early but else where it's 30%. I know it's only a 3% difference but a deal is a deal and every little bit helps for not just us but our guests. 

Sorry if I already responded to this.  My mind is all over the place.  I booked through Destination Weddings so she negotiated  contract for me.

@@girlinthecity97 Honestly, I didn't get offered any extra perks. I blocked off 20 rooms with Liberty Travel so I'm guaranteeing them at least that. We haven't even sent out save the dates yet so I'm just assuming. I was totally scared that our guests wouldn't get rooms because everything goes so fast!    Also, a good chunk of the day was used for site visits but you still have the later part of the afternoons to do your own thing.  

@@talicea7812 everything I'm finding and asking for is on the Karisma website....their Bride and Groom stay free promo says 1 free room for every 10 booked so that's what I argued. Here's the link http://www.karismahotels.com/savings/brideandgroomstayfreeaz

If they're offering it, we should totally use it!! 

So here it is straight from their website:

http://www.karismahotels.com/savings/brideandgroomstayfreeaz

 

" Book ANY OF THE AZUL HOTELS FOR WEDDINGS AND RECEIVE 20% OFF PRIVATE EVENTS, $250 IN RESORT CREDITS FOR ALL GUESTS, PLUS A FREE SUITE FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM!

Room Details: Current room rate promotions apply

Free Rooms: Bride and Groom can earn free rooms based on the size of their wedding group

(varies by hotel and date range) One free room for every 10 rooms booked

 

Resort Credit: Guests can receive up to $250 per room resort credit (valid on specific items only)

Private Events Discount: 20% discount on any event the bride or groom purchases from our 

banquet kit" 

Again, you have to fight for everything with them so if you're willing to put the time and effort in, they'll eventually do it.

Thank you for the tip!

Bride and Groom Free Promo?  I would love to find out about that as well.  I am trying to get enough rooms just to get a free private reception.  I dont have enough yet, however our guests are staying for longer than three nights so we have a total of about 68 nights. So far I have a room upgrade and a free cocktail hour.

Beautiful pictures!

That is insane!  I have not checked yet.  Let me know how it goes.

Great hints!

@@tmcdonald

 

how's planning? who's ur coordinator?

It's going pretty good.  I am sending out invites today although I think the guests that are going are already signed up.  Got the dress.  I am going a little crazy with the out of town bags; I cant stop buying! I have a photographer booked.  Now I am just looking at easy inexpensive decorations I can bring.   My wedding coordinator is Stephanie Collazo.  I have not contacted her yet.  I figured I better soon.

How about you?

Tricia

Azul beach bride- April 12, 2014!

 

Anyone else out there?

I just noticed your date is so close!  Yay!  Hopefully everything is going as planned. 

Tricia

I am June 2014

are you all putting your names etc on the out of town bags?  playing around on silkletter.com, i designed one that does and one that doesn't and am torn. while i think the one with our name, wedding date etc... looks really great (DF actually loved it), I also don't see very many people using it after the wedding if we go that route. would love to hear you alls thoughts!

I really wanted to personalize the bags but wanted the guests to feel free to use them when they got home.  Maybe just the location and date? Then it looks like a souvenir.

We planned group activites (sailing/snorkel trip, welcome dinner with casino night, spa day for ladies, deep sea fishing for guys, surfing, trip to town).

 

In hindsight, we probably should have planned less group activities or played it more by ear when we were at the resort.

 

Once we were at the resort we had so much fun just hanging out by the pool, it became sort of a chore to leave every day.

Thanks Tammy.  Thats what I am leaning toward.  Spending time by the pool for the first few days and a few excursions later.

Lots of views but no responses.

^{I still have 114 posts to go.  I might make it before my wedding date in June.}  

Thanks for the info.  I wonder how that works with the wedding planner at the hotel.  I am going to look in to it.

Thats the route we are going, just now sure how to say it on the invite.

Hi ladies,

Is anyone doing a planned group excursion?  I want to do a group excursion but am afraid the guests will feel obligated and it will cut short their activites.  If I do does anyone have suggestions for language on the invite?

I have definetely got most of my ideas from you ladies but something I have not seen a lot of discussion on is eye masks and ear plugs.   Not that the hotel we are staying in will be loud but it was inexpensive and easy.  I also got some water proof pouches the guests can put their phones and money in on excursions involving water or just to the beach.

Very helpful.  I look forward to getting started.

Thanks for sharing.  Love the watch idea.