Stack02

Hi

Do any past brides know how long it takes to get the video from the hotel photographer? How do they do this is it via an Internet link or do they send a DVD?

Thanks

Leigh

I got mine about 3 weeks after we got home. It came via DHL.

Hello ladies, I can't believe that we have been married 50 days now! It is surreal doing up the thank you vards and going through pictures.

Since I have the wedding planning void, I am just in the planning stages of starting an Etsy business (for wedding stuff, I DIY'd just about everything) when we return from our Honeymoon. One of the things I am going to sell is little "emergency kits" for the welcome bags, with tide sink packs, some tylenol, pepto etc if you are interested at all let me know! I can send pictures. Some of the things went over really well and I am glad we did them!

i can't decide if i want to bring heels since i know that ill be barefoot for alot of the time and usually during receptions everyones looking to take off their shoes!

I am also in the process of starting an Etsy business for these so let me know if interested.

I'm getting so concerned about the weather. @@Meg32IL Does it just sprinkle a little bit a time? It's calling for rain everyday we're there  

 

Also, anyone had any problems with their hair? I have natural curl and I went in for my hair trial tonight with my regular hair lady, and she couldn't really do what I wanted.  So I have scheduled a trial the day before my wedding, but so far I haven't heard anything bad about the salon girls down there, I'm so worried I'm going to get down there and not be able to do anything with my hair!! 

Especially in the humidity and rain...

Our wedding called for "torrential down pour" everyday. It end up sprinkling for about 10 minutes at 4:00pm daily. The only time for us there was "down pour" was 15 minutes before the wedding.

I also have naturally curly hair. I was worried as well. I took a picture of what i wanted and they made it look EXACTLY like that. I was shocked. They used many a tricks and potions I have never seen before. I got more than 1 "your hair looks so healthy and shiny" out of my wedding party there was only 1 of 5 that did not have curly hair and we all had it turn out well.

Just make sure the picture you take is exactly what you want. It was not possible to communicate having something from this and something from that. Also for my make up i showed her the picture (from pinterest) for 10 seconds and it was exact! The eyeliner was a little heavier than expected but it worked very well for pictures.

yes we got the uplighting and cold fireworks!

ladies that used dj discomovil did you send him in advance the music you wanted?

First of all, DJ Disco Movil MADE the night. For our wedding we sent him over our list of song for Entrance, First Dance, Father-Daughter/Mother Son, Wedding Party, Cake Cutting, & Final Dance. These are what he will send you a little form to fill out the week(ish) before. We also included about 10 songs we wanted to hear over the course of the evening. He got all of these things in plus was super good about requests. He chose the most perfect songs for our group! The whole room was up dancing all night.

Did you go with uplighting? For me, I found it created a whole lot of atmosphere for not a lot of cost.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but since most people seem to bring down the chair bows, do you have to have enough for the ceremony and reception, or do they move them for you?  Or do most people just have the bows at one event or another?

The chairs that are used at your ceremony get moved to the reception venue. So one set of bows for one set of chairs!

I see your point however when my family found out I pay per person extra they were like just have everyone go to one of the bars and party there...but to me I think having dinner together is less important bc we will just be gobbling it up at our tables...I'd rather have the dancing and the ability to have a private dance with my husband and my dad to songs we pick rather then dance at the sports bar to whatever's playing. Them saying they don't care about reception makes me think they assume that includes a dinner which I don't mind passing up if it means I can have A 3 hour dance/drink fest with everyone with a dj, speeches, and everything a wedding entails minus the meal...I'll talk with my parents tomm and see how they feel before I message pilar. It's just everything adds up and there are some things I don't want to compromise on like photographer and dj bc that's what I feel will make the memories....not just a night that whiz zed by. My brothers recent wedding reception was 6 hrs and felt too short so 3 hours is like crazy short in my mind[/quote

 

Ok, I was just giving my perspective! Clearly your mind is made up! Just go with what you want!

Thinking outside the box...I have a 5pm ceromony...think there's any way to have everyone get food on their own and then have a 3 hour reception with drinks and dancing? I hate to pay for anyone over 25 and have it cut into party time as I feel 3 hours with dinner and cake will be so rushed...I've been to another destination wedding and the food was ok but if it meant more dancing fun time I would have been willing to grab included dinner from the buffet lol...think it's worth emailing pilar about? And does what I'm asking make sense? I'm starting to panic at the cost plus thinking I won't have enough time with everyone. Ceromony at 5 then pics prob 5-630....only leaves the wedding party 1.5 hrs for dinner and to meet back up....but is 2.5 hours in between too much for the guests? I guess they would have cocktail hour til 630 so maybe it would be ok? Opinions please!Btw I would want cake at the reception so I would be paying whatever extra that is plus having a bar in the area...we are Irish lol

One lesson I learned was: It rained 15 minutes before our wedding and because of this our ceremony was pushed back to 5:40pm as a result we ran out of light for pictures. If I could redo things I wished I would have been cautious and had the ceremony at 4:00pm to build in time for nature.

In regards to having people eat on their own. The food at this resort was unbelieveable at the wedding. Several guests said: "this was the best wedding meal I've ever had." Put yourself in these peoples shoes... You have spent thousands of dollars to bear witness to your day. how would tou feel to go all this way for a ceremony and cake?

It is not a big deal to have the 2.5 hrs between things. There are bars 8 feet away from everything! Plus it is so so hot, getting out of the heat is a treat!

Good luck on what you decide! In hi dsite I wish I would habe had the ceremony earlier!

Okay ladies, here are a couple pictures...I don't have many right now, so I will post some more when get them!

My sisters and I and my three ring bearers and one of two flower girls (they are also my nephews and niece)

image.jpg

A close up of my makeup done in the salon

image.jpg

This is the included centrepiece that came with the divine package. Smelled amazing!

image.jpg

The view from our balcony. Not ocean front which is what we wanted but still a great view and room!

image.jpgOkay! I have a couple more!

My dad walking me down the aisle. I'm certain that he cried more than me!

image.jpg

My Uncle was our minister...it was so great!

image.jpg

We do!!!

image.jpg

Our entrance into the reception in the Bamboo Room

image.jpg

Our speech

image.jpg

Did you only have the one centerpiece? What did you do for the other tables? Did you request certain colors for the flowers?

@@Stack02 - a lil concerened about the guys pressuring your friend for money - sounds scary - you never heard back anything on who thse guys were?

 

The 3 gentleman were our 3 waiters for the evening. I have travelled to Mexico aLOT and have never felt unsafe. I feel telling someone that 3 of them will go with the single lady to her room so they can open their safe is way out of line.

Also, one of our wedding guests at the end of the night went to shake the waiters hand and the waiter put his hand out and expressed the gratuity wasn't covered. I am so angry about all of this. The wait staff saying drinks weren't included and to get them yourself. I did not expect anthing like this because I have never seen it in any review.

Alex (the F&B manager) and Pilar said they would like to meet with our lady and gentleman who witness it after they spoke to their staff. They never got back to us. Disappointing.

Hello All, I just posted my review for some reason I can't link it. search "now jade wedding review" we had a less than stellar end to our night. Something to be aware of. As an aside the planners are amazing and I promise you have nothing to worry about in our 10 days there were 19 weddings! they have got you covered.!

Is anyone looking into having a candy bar? I would like to bring my own stuff but I see that they offer one. I think the price they charge is crazy and would rather have family and friends bring down the candy and containers and pay the hotel to set it up. Thoughts?

We just got back 2 days ago. I love the idea of the candy bar. The heat and humidity was off the charts. I would suspect that despite the beaury of the candy bar it would stick together.

We just got back 2 days ago. I love the idea of the candy bar. The heat and humidity was off the charts. I would suspect that despite the beaury of the candy bar it would stick together.

We ended up giving luggage tags that I sourced and all put together and they went over fairly well.

Isela is on medical leave currently. She was my coordinator up until about 3 weeks ago (we got married 1 week ago) I was turned over to Camen and she is a dream!

Tipping!!! This confused me too for the longest time. The general rule of thumb is you tip people who work for a company but not those who work for themselves. So if your DJ owns the company, then no do not tip, but if they work for some company (and thus aren't actually getting all of the money you are "paying" them), then yes you should tip. As for the wait staff and bartenders, their is a 15% service fee added to all the food and drinks so I would not tip the bartenders or servers (unless they are exceptionally good!).

I'm planning of tipping the wedding coordinator (personally I'd say a few hundred...), guitarist (maybe $50... depends on how good he is :-P), person preforming the ceremony (again maybe $50, we're a symbolic non-religious ceremony so it will be short and sweet, if it was more complex I'd probably tip more). We're flying our photographers down with us (it's actually very cheap because their trip is their payment!) and they own their own business so no tip needed, but most hire theirs through a company so I'd tip a couple hundred to them if they were with you all day and did a good job.

 

 

 

 

 

This is what I've been thinking anyways.... I am a little scared that I'm being too cheap...

I think this sounds like a solid plan. I also got charged the 15% service charge on everything not just food and drink. I wonder if that all gets thrown into the mix as well?

Lol! I got up super early to do wedding stuff too!

 

You have me stumped-what is a kissing game?? Now I am intrigued.

 

Your colors sound pretty! Ours aren't exactly "matching" either, as the peacock blue color of the bridesmaid dresses is almost impossible to match. Most of the other blues I'm using (table runner, lanterns) are more of a teal as well. I threw orange in there too to brighten things up, and I think it will work out well!

 

I do have one question that keeps coming up between my fiance and I. Tipping!! What are you thinking about tipping the wedding coordinator and waitstaff for the dinner? We keep going back and forth on that one. Any thoughts?

I have heard that if you get Darius as the bartender he really gets the party started, so him? But how much?

The guitarist for cocktail hour?

The wait staff? Again how much?

Our external DJ? But we had to pay big money as an outside fee?

I am really torn on this because things can get out of hand quickly. If I was getting married in our city the auto gratuity covers most of these things and I worked as a banquet waitress/bartender years ago and very rarely was I tipped additionally?

What are other peoples thoughts? I don't know what is customary?

In regard to the kissing game it use to be at a wedding reception you would clink your wine/drink glass with cutlery to get the bride and groom to kiss. Now a days people have gotten much more creative or glasses will be clinking all night. I was thinking that if you want the b and g to kiss you have to answer a trivia question?

Congratulations to you as well! We will have 3 checked bags (it's myself, my fiance and my 2 sons who are 12 and 13), plus the 2 carry-on bags (so far anyway!) I envy you for having way more room than I do in the totes! Ha! Go figure.

 

We arrive on October 21st around 1 in the afternoon-I can't wait!! We went to my best friend's destination wedding at Dreams in Tulum last October, and it was an amazing trip-so I'm extra excited for this one!

 

Our colors are peacock blue and orange-what are yours? And how long will you be in Mexico?

I have never been to a destination wedding (go figure!) so I am pleased to hear you had a great time at Dreams.

We have 40 guests coming so I never could have fit all the stuff and things into suitcases. I am bring mostly everything down to candles.

We leave on the afternoon of the 20th (nuts)

Our colors are blue, (Aqua, Turquoise, and teal). I did that so everthing wasn't to matchy matchy because I ordered mostly everthing online and thats how it worked! I also am so super indecisive that I just started throwing in a little green so if I went white/ green for the flowers is would "go"

Are you having a kissing game?

Are you all ready to go? I got up super early today to still cut the menus, name tags, and finish the rafia fans.

What was I thinking?

Hello ladies! I can't even believe it-our wedding is in 20 days! Although I've only posted here a few times, I read all of the posts, which have been very helpful-so thank you everyone!

 

I was also working with Isela, and now am working with Carmen.  I haven't worked with her too much, since she first began as our coordinator after I sent in our wedding forms, but so far so good.  I started packing everything up yesterday, to be sure it all fits! As of now, I am using 2 carry-ons, one with all the decorations (paper lanterns, table runner, personalized fans, chair bows, bridesmaid and groomsmen flowers, and one for all of the "wedding day stuff" (bridesmaid gifts, my jewelry, etc.) I was able to fit the welcome bags themselves into one of the carry-on bags as well, but will be putting all the items for them into our main suitcases.  I swear, worrying about fitting everything has been the most stressful part now!

 

We are using the sound system for 2 hours after the dinner for dancing on the terrace (there are only 17 of us, so I was hoping that would work).  I've seen some mention on here recently of the "sound link"-can I ask for more information on that?

 

Thanks ladies!

Congrats! Will you be able to carry all of that on or os it checked. We leave in 6 days and I went and got 2 rubbermaid roughtotes (within airline sizes) I am finding ot hard to "jam" everything in so I forsure envy you! What date do you arrive?

I have been finding Carmen to be very lovely and attentive!

Lastly, what are your wedding colors?

Is anyone been dealing with Isela as a wedding coordinator? We are getting married in 16 days and I emailed her and did not hear back and she has always been a dream. Today I got an email that said Isela is out of office and I have a new coordinator (Carmen) Has anyone heard if she is coming back?

I am very jealous of all the planning!! The more I read this thread and look at Trip Advisor the more I feel that Now Jade is the place I want to pick. Unfortunately, Sunwing from Montreal was very expensive (much cheaper to book online) and West Jet is taking forever to respond. Starting to cause me stress. Did anyone have issues getting group packages or did all the guests book separately online?

Hello, congrats! I am nearing the end of the planning! I have been very impressed with the Now Jade planning.

I ran into the exact same problems you are having.when I first started planning I got quotes from every single carrier in Canada and the prices were coming in at $1800 + per person to travel Saturday to Saturday. We wanted to keep ot under $1500 per person because closing in on $2000 is a lot to ask. From my experience we started talking to our guests and found out that there was a really big varience on people travel preferences, stop overs, night flights, time off, days of travel etc. what we ended up doing is making everyone responsible for their own travel arrangements but I helped most people book. This way it gave folks the freedom to choose their room catergory, if they wanted to use points and travel time. Our wedding is on the Thursday and we have people showing up at the resort the Friday before to the Tuesday before. We have some people coming for 4 days upto 2 weeks. I think we had a bigger turn out that expected because then people could customize it themselves. If you want to see how I did it visit our wedding website. Www,karlandstacey.com. I checked prices all the time and it was not a bad process at all.

Hello, congrats! I am nearing the end of the planning! I have been very impressed with the Now Jade planning.

I ran into the exact same problems you are having.when I first started planning I got quotes from every single carrier in Canada and the prices were coming in at $1800 + per person to travel Saturday to Saturday. We wanted to keep ot under $1500 per person because closing in on $2000 is a lot to ask. From my experience we started talking to our guests and found out that there was a really big varience on people travel preferences, stop overs, night flights, time off, days of travel etc. what we ended up doing is making everyone responsible for their own travel arrangements but I helped most people book. This way it gave folks the freedom to choose their room catergory, if they wanted to use points and travel time. Our wedding is on the Thursday and we have people showing up at the resort the Friday before to the Tuesday before. We have some people coming for 4 days upto 2 weeks. I think we had a bigger turn out that expected because then people could customize it themselves. If you want to see how I did it visit our wedding website. Www,karlandstacey.com. I checked prices all the time and it was not a bad process at all.

I should also say we had oeople coming in from Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, NFLD and the Yukon so that was another factor.

55 days!! So excited! So much to do! Set in my final planning paperwork last week to Pilar... no response yet!!!!

 

I've already started re-thinking some choices. Is this normal?

 

Started to finalize a timeline for the day yesterday.

 

First dress fitting today!

 

We booked through Apple and had enough people book to get one of our stays free. They told me we still have to pay it in full then they will credit us later. Is that the norm?

Does anyone know if you use the guitarist during the ceremony, does he pick the music? Does he plan before and during? All songs... like prelude, processional, interlude, etc...?

I think it is normal to rethink everything. I am 30 days today ( the heaviness of that just hit me) wow! I have been second guessing every decision I have made. This morning I was even rethinking the colors Seriously! I think it is just nerves and for me I have never been to the resort!

I was wondering about this as well. Most the options look like things I would not normally eat!

Anne Marie

November 21, 2014-Now Jade

OMG! I just sent in the final documents today! We are 50 days away today and I agonized the most over the menu. I was only going to have 1 menu choice for everyone and then it dawned on me.....geez, people may have a seafood allergy or hate it. Since we are paying a premium for the menus I want to make sure everyone has a great meal they will like.

When all was said and done I have a Seafood and Non Seafood menu.

Seafood:

1st course- Mixed Salad from the Vegetarian menu

2nd Course- Lobster Bisque From Devine

Main- Beef Filet with Shrimp in a red wine sauce and mashed potatos - Devine

Dessert- Chocolate Souflette in a baileys sauce

Non Seafood

Course 1 the same as above

2nd- Spinach Ravioli in a Basil Cream Sauce

3rd- Beef Filet same as above without Shrimp

Dessert- Same as above.

I tried to keep them as streamlined as possible because the more complicated the longer dinner service will be cutting into the party party!

I really hope everyone enjoys dinner, I love wine and food and the whole reason we chose this resort was for the private dinner option with great menus.

@@Stack02 that is a SUPER good idea to break it up into events!

Anne Marie

November 21, 2014-Now JadeWhat is everyone taking for the cocktail hour, if anything?

Anne Marie

November 21, 2014-Now Jade

Hi Anne Marie,

I am super looking forward to the cocktail party. For me on this one I wanted to have little details like (from my packing list)

Signature Drink Menus

Paper Straws

Stir Sticks with Silver Washi Tape Flags

Personalized Cocktail Napkins

Tall Skinny Candle Holders for the tables (wind won't blow out) our Cocktail Party is 6:00pm and it will be dark by then so I wanted a little lighting.

"cheers" signage

Guitarist for Cocktail Hour

Lastly I saw on Etsy these little cut out 2" glittery confetti for lack of a better term to go on the tables the sunset/candle reflection would give a little glow.

Share your packing list! I feel like I am drawing a blank and need to make sure I have everything!!

There are some great packing lists for Destination Weddings on Pintrest. I started from there and tailor made it for different catergories

1- Airplane

2- Welcome Bags

3- Cocktail Party

4 Group Dinner

5- Excursion to Chichen Itza

6- Rehearsal Dinner

7- girls Day at Spa

8- Wedding day

- getting ready

- spa

- ceremony

- cocktail hour

- reception

9- Honeymoon

I did the same listing for each day for an itinerary and "what to accomplish" each day we are there.

I feel good that I will not forget anything and worst case scenario you can rent anything from the resort so all you need is the dress!

Have any past brides or are any future brides using the uplighting? Our reception is at Castaways and Pilar recommended the uplighting extra but it will cost approx. $400 with tax. Is it worth it? Thoughts?

We are getting married in less than 2 months and we hired DJ Disco Movil. His rates with the vendor fee is cheaper than the resort DJ. We got cold fireworks and the uplighting is only $20.00 per light, he said 4 should do the trick.

Congrats!! Can't wait to read your review and see some pics!! quixk question, what was the vendor fee for the dj?

Thanks for the details! We also booked Ricardo I think the fireworks will be fun!

The fee to have him onsite is $350

What did you do for centerpieces?

For anyone who had a exception in the bamboo room, what sizes and how many paper lanterns did you get?? Just trying to order them but I am not sure how what to choose!!

Did you get some insight to the above I am getting married the week before and have no clue?

Does anyone have any excursion recommendations? What was the best part of your trip besides the wedding?

We have about 40 of us going to the wedding. We wanted to organize different activites because we have alot of single travellers. I contacted Gray Line directly and they were able to give us a private group trip to Chichen Itza for the day for $69.00/person.