Lindsay30

You do have to go through the whole 'I do's' to legally bind that certificate to receive your marriage license. What you receive from the city clerks office is a certification that you have to bring to the judge who marries you. They sign it after the I Do's and then they mail it in. A few weeks later you can either pick your marriage license up to start the whole name change process or sometimes they will mail it to you. I had to go pick mine up. I'm in Illinois. You can also do a very quick I Do ceremony at the city clerks office and be done in 5 minutes. We probably made a bigger deal of the quick wedding at home than we wanted to but we have a family friend whose a judge so it meant a lot to my husbands family to have someone we are somewhat familiar with, marry us.. While we won't celebrate that day as our wedding, it'll be one of those things we will remember forever. We definitely felt that it was still real if not more so when we did it in Mexico and had our best guy friend perform the ceremony.

I don't want to give the wrong info since we got married @ The Iberostar Grand in the Riviera Maya area, but I have to assume some of the pricing is similar if not the same. The chairs cost $6 each for us and in our case we paid $6 for the chairs for the ceremony and another $6 for the chairs at the reception because they couldn't move them into the reception/restaurant before the reception began. The covered chairs, I think were included but we didn't pay much attention to that because we knew we didn't want them so I could be mistaken.. The vendor fee for the Grand hotel was $500 and then day passes were $200 a piece which included their meals for the event. You could also look into how much it would cost for the photographer and their assistant (assuming they have one) to stay for one night and pay that. It could equal less than those fees. It may have been less for us too but we didn't realize we would be having 4 people between the photographers and videographers before it was too late to look into it.

I definitely think you need to get clarification if you are able to bring a plus 1 to the resort at all. If yes, then they should definitely be invited to all wedding events, otherwise that seems very odd. We got married in July and added plus 1's to the guests who didn't have a significant other but kept it to the specific guest for some older adults that were family friends and wouldn't be bringing anyone along anyway. We felt that if they were willing to spend the amount of money it costs to attend our wedding, they should be able to enjoy their 'vacation' with anyone they want. We also didn't invite a ton of people to the wedding knowing we were having an at home reception a month later so we had 40 guests with us. With the wedding packages the hotel offers, they include a specified amount of guests so we only paid for 10 extra people and we could hardly complain about paying an extra $25 for 10 people when at home it would have been at least $100 per person per plate. And yes we paid for each chair at the reception and the ceremony.. but again, these guests spent money, time away from their kids, jobs etc...to be with us, I would have been happy to pay for an extra chair, meal, excursion that would have allowed our invited guests to enjoy their time with us and with their plus 1 weather it be a friend of theirs or a new relationship. In the end we only had 2 people come as singles due to either no significant other and it being their choice to not bring anyone and another person's wife was out of the country for work. My husbands sister, a bridesmaid of mine had a bad breakup a month prior to the wedding and she ended up bringing her best friend which we didn't mind at all. If she was willing to get all of the hotel info changed over to someone else and her friend was wiling to drop everything a month before the wedding and be okay taking a last minute vacation, why not? I agree that a destination wedding is more intimate but if someone brings along a person that you aren't that close with, you're hardly going to notice because you'll be too wrapped up in the excitement of the wedding, planned out events, your soon to be hubby/wife and enjoying everyone's company. And who knows, you might come to be great friends with this more random plus 1!

Claudia Rodriquez Photography was absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend her and her team. They did a fantastic job. Most hotels have the same company as their on-site vendor but we weren't too keen on them and don't regret it for a second that we paid a vendor fee and day passes to have her photograph our day. These pictures are with you a lifetime so it's definitely one of the wedding items we wanted to make sure we didn't skimp on. And all in all when comparing the packages, they were very close in price, minus the vendor fees. Good luck!

Are you going this January? I would defiantly try to get in touch with Connie asap if that is the case. My husband and I got married at the Iberostar Grand in Riviera Maya this past July and we had everything booked through the wedding sales department 7-9 months in advance and was in contact with our wedding planner almost daily once we hit the 3 month mark before the wedding date. I would make sure the on site photographers are available that day for you! We used the on site photographer for our welcome dinner on the beach but went with an outside vendor for photos and video for the wedding day and we booked the company 7 months before the big day along with the DJ and all the major vendors/events etc.. I hope you hear back from her and get all of your concerns answered! No fun being stressed out just months before the big day GOOD LUCK!

I just got married at the Iberostar Grand Paraiso in Riviera Maya on last month on July 21st and the weather was AMAZING! We were there for 8 days and it never rained once. I think that was out of the norm with it being the beginning of rain season, but we lucked out and I wouldn't have changed it for the world. I think most travel agents will suggest you don't get too far into August and September and you'll have better luck in June into mid-July before worrying about Hurricane season.

I'm trying to decide what to wear for our home reception next Saturday! It's in our backyard and our invite specified informal celebration. If my husband had anything to say about it, he would be in a flannel and baseball hat. I'm going to try to get him to look a bit more decent, at least for the beginning of the party. I wasn't even going to wear 'white' but now I'm thinking weather it's an all white dress or a splash of white in a skirt or top, I will probably try to look somewhat 'bride' This home reception is more stressful than our Mexico wedding!

We just got married July 21st in Mexico and had Big Bang Productions for our wedding and some wedding events. Dulce was amazing! We unfortunately were so caught up in the dancing (great music and she played a ton of our requested songs) we didn't get to chat with her much but everyone raved about how great she was. We also used the Cigar Roller and had the Fire Show the night prior to the wedding during our Welcome Dinner and both were awesome and well worth the extra money. I would highly recommend them. Good luck!

Back home from our wedding and honeymoon and it was AMAZING!!!! I wish I could go back and relive that day forever. Hope everyone else had an amazing wedding and time away in paradise.

Just got back from our Wedding/Honeymoon! Had an amazing time. We invited 100 and had 40 there with us. We also reiterated to our invited guests that we would be having a home celebration as well so we think that gave some of the guests the opportunity to say no to Mexico but come to the home party. Good luck!

Aaah.. It's going to be busy weekend! Congrats to you as well and enjoy your time in Riviera Maya!!!!

We leave next Thursday! Can't wait! We are still not packed, still working on programs, escort cards and welcome bags but we have this weekend to get it all done and the rest of the week to get things printed! It's go time So excited! Haven't even had a second to think about our honeymoon with all of this wedding stuff going on. So looking forward to 3 weeks off of work!

I am heading there next Thursday 7/17 for my wedding on 7/21! I can update you when we get back from our wedding and honeymoon after 8/4! As of now, I have been very happy with the planning being done between me and the hotel so far. As with most destination weddings, you have to remember that between the time you sign the contract and your wedding date (however far out it is) they have many weddings in between so they don't want to get into ALL of the details of yours until 3 months before the wedding. I reached out weekly from November until April because I wanted to book special events etc.. and they were happy to do that. They made lists of everything I ever requested and when the 3 month mark came around and I received our actual wedding planner, she had all of the details listed out, priced out and planned out. We also visited the resort last October when we were deciding and it was by far the most glamorous hotel we saw. We actually think it's TOO nice for us and they probably have no idea what is going to hit them come next weekend with 40, 30 year olds at the pool bar We did go with the Dream Package, the most expensive starting at $5.250 but to us, when comparing to home, that was not a lot to start off at.. We did plan a welcome beach party the night before the wedding with fire dancers an cigar rollers, a private catamaran the night after the wedding and extras here and there so we've spend over that amount but we feel it suits us best and we may have saved a little bit of money going down to Mexico as opposed to having a typical Chicago wedding. Hope some of that helps. I can give a better review once we are back. Can't wait!

I am heading down to Riviera Maya next Thursday for my wedding @ Iberostar Grand Paraiso, The Adults Only Hotel. I too went through a Travel Agent to get rates but I preferred it that way so that it would be easy for my guests to contact one specific person to book all of their travel through. Some other hotels that we looked at did give us rates directly through them but then every guest would have to book their travel on their own and we didn't want that. At the Grand there wasn't a complimentary package, they had 3 packages available but we knew we would be spending more for extras anyhow so we chose the Dream Package and still went over what was offered. I noticed in some of the complimentary packages at other hotels, it didn't offer much or for enough people that would have accommodated the amount of guests we were having so we would have spent money with the free package as well. Good luck deciding. Can't wait to get down there!

Now that I have done my Survival Template, it wants me to print it on a normal 8.5x11 sheet so I'm thinking the bag needs to be at least 8.5'' long. Where did ladies find their clear baggies and did you resize the template to configure to a clear bag?

Ok I lied! After writing to you I sat down and really thought about all we have to bring and you are right, it is a lot more than I thought! Aaaaah. We are doing lanterns too so that and the OOT bags laid out flat will fit in one suitcase. Then we have all the OOT goodies, Programs and Escort Cards...Then clothes, lots and lots of clothes. We'll be gone for 19 days. How do you pack for that?!?!? We will definitely be doing laundry at the hotel before moving onto our honeymoon. We are also bringing a sand box type box (relatively thin but wide) to put the starfish escort cards in.. So I think between my fiance and I, we may have 3 suitcases each! Luckily my sister and her husband will be on the same flight as us so they can check in 2 of our suitcases. We thankfully are flying first class with all my travel miles through work so we can check in 2 bags for free each. So excited though!!! Things are finally wrapping up!

Has anyone gotten married at one of the Iberostar Resorts in Riviera Maya? While I am having my sister do my hair for my wedding in July, I want to find out some reviews of the Salon/Spa for hair and makeup so I can send my bridesmaids and any interested guests and have them be confident they will have great service. Any reviews or opinions would be appreciated! Thanks!

2 months!! Can't wait! Unfortunately I've been so swamped with work and heading out to LA tomorrow for a week for work so once I'm back, it's go time! I already have a list of things to get done Memorial Day weekend. We still need to get the rest of the OOT goodies but the rest of it is general stuff so I'm not too concerned. I'm making the programs and escort cards as soon as we have the final rsvps which are due May21st! We are buying lanterns to bring down there as part of our centerpieces. That's the major things we are bringing down with us so between those, the programs and escort cards, I think we will have 1 extra 'stuff' suitcase. Although I'm probably forgetting something major at the moment! I'm continuously finding more clothes to buy which I'm sure will be the case for the next 2 months. We leave for our honeymoon from Mexico so I have to pack for a 7 night wedding trip and a 9 night honeymoon! Eek!!! That's going to be tough!

We are getting married in July and are having our ceremony at 5:30. Our friends got married in June and I believe they did it after 5 as well. I'm not sure how the sun is in May though so I can't give you exact advice. Good luck

I ordered them from the shop: WhoDoesntWantThat Lots of options!

I got my OOT bags on Etsy. $8 each, spent $175. They have a palm tree, Riviera Maya, Mexico and our wedding date on them. Love them!

I am officially done shopping for my bridesmaids gifts! Our wedding is in July. Glad to be done early. I put a specified amount of money toward each girls dresses as part of their gift. I got hand engraved wooden hangers for each with their name and the wedding date and then I bought monogrammed beach bags with their initials on them. I could easily keep going and trying to find more things to get because I love shopping, but I have 6 girls and I can't keep spending more money. I know some brides pay for their bridesmaids hair to be done or jewelry that can be worn at the wedding so those are options too.

I'd say if your guests are use to the cost then they may not be as shocked as some of our guests may have been seeing those prices. We went through a local travel agent near Chicago, IL that we already knew previously. It may be the time of year that's causing the price hike. May is a really busy time because it's probably the best weather Mexico has. We are doing a Welcome Dinner the night before and a Catamaran the evening after so I hope some guests see that as part of the deal but some just can't afford it and we just have to be okay with that. For our guests we are anywhere between $257 per night person to $350 so I guess it would look like $500-$700 per room per night since it's based on 2 people.. It all depends on which room option they chose and how many nights they stay. Some are staying 3 nights and it's only $773 in the Junior Suite. Some people didn't care for the on the beach view since they said they won't be in their rooms most of the time anyways. That could be an upside for the guests staying in the Zen area but those guests have to take a small shuttle to get to the beach section of Grand Velas which is a little bit of a bummer. I swear the contact we have at Iberostar did say a child could join for the reception and ceremony so if you do consider it, I would double check again. The El Dorado resorts looked really nice online, definitely could have been an option if we saw them in person but once we took the trip down there we felt we should go with a place we went down there to see since we spent so much to go for the site-visit. We had such a hard time deciding so I hope us giving you this advice helps. Go with your gut and you can't go wrong! It's you guys' day and some people just wont make it but it doesn't mean the day will be any less special.

We got it figured out! Finally He found pants he liked for everyone, some extra outfits for the trip and we bought all of the groomsman's shirts. So nice to have that done. I knew it wouldn't take long, but it just took getting out and doing it!

I'm happy to help. I don't want to persuade you from choosing Grand Velas because seriously it is my ultimate favorite when it comes to the look of it, the pool, beach etc.. It was just that price that got me. And same here, we would have paid it ourselves and we were actually contemplating secretly putting some down for each guest making it appear cheaper to them but that would have used most of our budget and we thought that some still may not have come anyway because the price still would have seemed too high. We tried prices through the hotel and our Travel Agent. The hotel was actually cheaper than the TA got us but it was still too high as I mentioned the prices above. The Grand does allow children and guests staying at the other Iberostar resorts to come for the ceremony and reception. I was hoping to have my niece and nephew come to the wedding but my brothers entire family won't be there so that's why we made the decision to go adults only. A lot of our friends have kids but this sort of allowed them the option to bring them but be separate from us most of the time or make it an adult trip. We saw the Azul hotels earlier in the year before we got engaged while we were on the 'work' trip down there and although it was pretty and a great size of hotel and they take such good care of you, we didn't like that they had Gerber Food and Hi-Chairs everywhere. It was too kid-friendly for us but everything else seemed great there. I don't recall if some of the restaurants were closed @ Grand Velas the entire time we were there or if they just switch off days or operation. (We went the 2nd week of October) I'm sure you do not need reservations, we just wanted to be cautious because we were bringing along my mom and my fiance's parents and wouldn't have wanted them to see us unprepared When I found the reservation option on their website I just followed the instructions and received an email confirmation for the dinners we reserved and when we arrived were told the restaurant was closed. They did switch them for us which was nice. Btw, we were 1 of maybe 5 groups there. It was really slow which questioned why they wouldn't budge on the price when our wedding was going to be in June or July on a Monday. I think every hotel we saw had some great perks. It's tough because I would stay at any of those hotels on a vacation but it was a lot tougher choosing one for the wedding. Hope you find exactly what your looking for!