linaco80

@@Ellia123 I would negotiate upfront anything you might think it negotiable...specially services there are negotiable...DJ service, set up or anything that includes labor I think could be negotiable. As far as negotiating goods it will depend on what you want to negotiate BUT I would say.."EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE" just please do it upfront and NO when you get there because that might upset people.

Hey friends! Is anyone else planning to do save the date postcards? I have my save the date designed already in PDF form but looking for a good quality/cost effective company to go with. I've printed with Vistaprint before and not a huge fan. Thanks!

 

 

Alison

Try..http://www.magnetstreet.com/

I ordered my tradtitional magnet under the destination wedding theme

I don't believe it would be possible. The distance from the gazebo to the palm trees is quite far. And even if you had a string of lights long enough,..there are not enough trees around to create that visual effect you want.

 

They did have a set-up similar to this effect done on the beach. So perhaps that might be an option for you.

Thank you

GIrls,

Another question regarding gift envelopes at the reception party

I am NOT planning to put the box for gift envelopes and cards, I think we are thankful enough that our guests are going all the way to Mexico and we do not want to show any rudeness asking for money or any type of gift, however someone mentioned to me that it was ok to do it and I don't feel it is right....What are your thoughts???

Girls,

I know many of us have asked questions regarding lighting and I do not mean to repeat what has been said multiple times, I just want to ask again if anyone of you know that a string of bulbs can be set up outside of the gazebo, instead of the sting of bulbs being inside? perhaps hanging (or tied) from the roof (or pole) of the wooden gazebo to the trees that surround the area? I think someone said in the past this is not possible, but I want to make sure I am asking the same thing in order to be 100% sure. I would love to add the string of lights (bulbs) outside the gazebo, please see the pics I have attached what I mean, my Zavas pic is nothing done in photoshop lol so I just did what I could. Feedback is appreciated Thanks!

I have attended weddings where it's a "choose a seat" type of reception and although it may add less stress for the bride and groom in planning, it was terrible for guests! People would hold seats for friends, odd number of seats would be left with people either squeezing in or being split from their partner... It was terrible! I plan on doing a seating guide (table number and name on a tag around a neck of corona) since I will have about 80 guests. With smaller groups it may work to not have a seating plan maybe?

 

 

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Yeah, I dont know yet how many guests I will have BUT I will think a place card will be much better. what do you mean by "neck of corona"?  I plan to have the sitting guide BUT I think it might not work as you said, people holding seats...I have to learn how to create a seating plan guide

@@rebepax Awesome! I wish I could bring everyone from outside. I just do not like their vendors too much

It makes sense to have flowers delivered by the hotel lobby, think that one of your guests could also go out and buy them and bring them, so where is the fee to be charged? . I guess Lomas says "no exceptions for outside vendors" but I think you can get away with it and they must disclose that policy online to things that are obvious like the food, cakes, etc, as long as you do not mention it to the WC and just do it while being there, you will be fine.

I have not compared the prices you provided with what Lomas has, mostly I think Lomas brings the flowers from one of those local florists and just jack up the price because we are from the US and are willing to pay.

Are you using their beauty salon to get ready? or who is doing your makeup and hair?

Are you using place cards? I dont know how many people yet on my party, but I was wondering if it is needed or not. If I end up with a small count, I will pass (I think)

BTW they have a new stuff going on with the WC, where it works as first comes, first serve basis and you end up with multiple WC because they want to respond to your emails soon rather than making you wait longer until your WC comes back to your email, people complaint in the past of how long the WC were taking and Karisma is now trying that new thing, brides are communicating with many different WC and trying to go back to email threads in order to understand each wedding request. My TA is helping mewith all that, she has been amazing because she contacts them directly for me and saves me time.

@@KAT2015 Yeah I hear you, asking questions is the best. I do ask a LOT lol and when I go back to make my decision I am confused with so much info.

Definitely, stamps are for me something I did not account for and my vendor fees are also killing me since I do not like the vendors they offer (It is my own choice) , I have noticed that girls tip and that is one that I did not think of, plus taxes for food or any services if those are not included yet. I think my gifts to the wedding party is something that I was not adding to the bud   Oh boy...expenses keep flowing

@@rebepax Are those prices from Lomas or are you using an outside vendor? I don't want to pay more vendor fees (I have already enough vendor fees lol) Thanks for sharing the prices

I was thinking about the same with the fan programs, you could ask your WC how the whole thing will go and then perhaps add timing to the ceremony, cocktail after ceremony, picture time, dance and drinks and end up at the Mojito lounge.

Brides,

Are you using place cards on the table for all your guests? I had a friend who recently went to a DW and told me that at the entrance of the reception dinner, the couple had a nice decorated board "Today we are all a family, please choose any table" (something between those lines)

I thought that was cute and reduces pressure...although I was thinking to use the cards...what are you girls doing?

Lol! @@kmk2016

 

I totally hear you... It was honestly a last minute decision. I just kept thinking about how beautiful the ceremony pictures would look (which was most important to me) so I decided to splurge on the package. However, I brought the majority of my reception decorations down with me (chair sashes, paper lanterns, string lights, etc.) which helped me justify spending the money a little bit! Lol

 

Oh, and @@CharBec - I found these professional pictures too which show the entire setup! Obviously, the sun was setting in these pictures so the colors are still appearing a bit darker but in the sunlight they are much more sheer.

Hopefully I get to see pics one day soon..still counting to get to 150

Yup chandelier is being hung at reception and then I'm bringing string lights from

Home to supplement. They are the basic folding white chairs for reception and ceremony. I am upgrading to the drk brown Chivari.

Gotcha, a chandelier will look beautiful. I will find out if the basic set up includes the chair cover and the white organza bow (will have to make sure about the cover), I will bring my own color bows to switch the colors.

a chivari chair does not need much of decor, correct? I saw some covers and they look pretty but it does not need much I would think. how much do they charge for the upgrade from a basic folding chair to Chivari?

@@kmk2016 I was looking at a string of 12 bulbs and they were ridiculous pricey for the quantity $200  , they charge you like new and re use it.

Are you setting chandeliers at Plaza Zavas (if I am not mistaken that is your location for the reception)?

what kind of chairs does the basic set up have? I thought that Chiavari chairs come with the basic set up, I didnt even pay attention to the chairs but chiavari are nice

@@kmk2016 yes!!! I know and me too that is why I wonder how it goes there at AS.

@@nadiakat17 and make sure what does the stereo system come with, to rent my amplifier is $250 and the microphone is $50 which I was considering for our cocktail welcome party on the beach...It all adds up  I though all was included...

This isn't something that's in your contract... It's a service that you need to ask your WC about. Much like asking for pricing for special chairs or linens, or DJ... These are costs that are requested through the planning process. Some have better luck negotiating this fee once they arrive while others do so ahead of time and have it added to their detail sheet. Usually the fee must be paid locally and in cash- but confirm this with your WC as well, I would simply ask if there is a fee to have the onsite WC set up your ceremony/decor using your personal decor items. Most don't charge anything if it's just a few items but if your adding chair bows. Altar drapery, centrepieces, it can be time consuming and would need to hire staff to complete.

I thought that the fee has to be added to the wedding sheet previously,so the WC prepares the paper work for the upcoming event (DJ/Photographer etc).

I did not know that the vendor fee was usually paid locally and in cash. Now I wonder how the negotiation goes once you are there on site and how to handle it with a manager or supervisor. I have not read anything yet for negotiation at the resort and it sounds pretty fair to do. I will look for threads of brides who negotiated the fee while being there at the resort.

I thought of a lantern, a couple fake flowers, and a few candles around this- all i would bring from home, but my WC said that they were going to charge a few just to bring my own stuff ! (not sure what the cost is yet, but that is crazy)

When we were in Mexico (scouting trip) I asked that question at several resorts that we visited and the average was $5 to $7 per person and that would depend on how much stuff you bring.

I wanted to have my welcome bags delivered to my guests rooms and that was another $6 (or something like that) all adds up and the worse is to pay ridiculous prices per person on things that you did not count when the planning started 

From what I understand you need to bring them yourself... I'm sure you could rent some sort of thing from lomas but would pay through the nose!

Agree any expense with them is an arm and a leg to get what you want

@@kmk2016  do they rent the weights (Lomas) or the bride has to bring them?

I read something similar regarding floating candles on the pool 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/18414-azul-sensatori-brides-post-here/page-1609

@mrsgordoncomeondown 

What I heard is they are trying out something new.  They are having the first available wedding coordinator ( in Miami)answer an email that comes in instead of having you wait for “your” wedding coordinator.  I don’t think it will work too well.  It’s a nice idea – but I think people would rather wait and work with one person. 

The person person in Miami will give you a wedding sheet where all your wedding details are recorded. You can access it yourself or have them doing it for you.

Yes usually coctail hours will be for up to 2 hours and the Mexican Fiesta you chose is one of those options or extend for $9 per person, but it might just be better to select a menu at almost the same cost, you can get a menu from $18 per person.

We are doing the Mexican Fiesta with a bomb fire as a welcome cocktail party @ $10 per person a day prior to our wedding, our ceremony will be on the beach at Zocalo pier gazebo, we got a cocktail as a "gift" and will use at at Zocalo Terrace after my ceremony, the reception will be at Plaza Zavas, we picked "pick and choose" menu and those start at a very reasonable price. 

So while I know when you travel anywhere tropical there are a lot of 'wildlife' and bugs and spiders.

I have been to Mexico in the Mayan and it took some getting used to have large iguanas, raccoons and monkeys around, but never really saw any nasty bugs or spiders. I really appreciated I saw nothing in Cuba although it was there.

 

Spiders are my worst fear in the world, even the smallest one will make me scream like a little girl! No really! lol

 

So today I was on Trip Advisor because I hadn't looked at my resort reviews in awhile - Grand Sirenis - and the lady mentioned seeing Tarantulas, no really she listed it in her review.

OMG! really? like I knew they would probably be in Mexico (but how dare they really) but right on the resort? I hope not, I hope she meant down the road somewhere else.

 

I am already have heart palpitations about it, and wonder if I saw one that I may die and there would be no wedding.

 

Am I the only crazy fool?

 

Maybe I can pack some raid haha!

Funny!!! Always you will have good and bad reviews, by your own judgement you can go and believe what you want It is always like that Trip Advisor is my number one site, BUT I always do my own judgement because not all the time everyone is happy!

@fluffykim @ladybugbt I hired DJ Doremixx and I am looking forward to working with him. They are responsive and it has great reviews, I read about happy brides recently

@@rebepax not sure if you got them but I read before a post and found this one below

http://www.christmaslightsetc.com/ 

I waslooking to bring the globe lights.

http://www.paperlanternstore.com/ from another supporter bride ( I saved the websites)

I think I will try this, I contacted the seller and it actually is not too heavy. I will have the map of my country crafted and the NJ map crafted, because we are in Mexico by the water the hearts will be blue hope all works out with the transportation

https://www.etsy.com/listing/167296282/alternative-wedding-guest-book-wood?ref=favs_view_24

@@rebepax I still cant see any, BUT I bet they are pretty. I am looking forward to receive mine next week

Your wedding is coming and I remember when we met at the BDR

@@nadiakat17

I know David's Bridal has dresses at $99 and you can get a coupon for $20 off on each of your bridesmaids dresses.

Also they are doing major Summer sale now.

I also have coral and here is my dress, the final cost is $119 after the $20 coupon. We live in NJ and there is not tax for clothing

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Short-One-Shoulder-Crinkle-Chiffon-Dress-F15608_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-All-Bridesmaid-Dresses

@@TheBHolders I believe you can have that type of ceremony which will be another denomination or you can hand them your own readings if you have the minister

@@calgarybride2015 Best time to buy SUMMER STUFF... Got the magazing from Oriental Trading and all seems to be cheap

@@Lilian84  did you set a date yet? how about your planning

@@calgarybride2015 Dear nice to see you back I have to read and learn more...have been distant 

@@MJTK

Try asking them if they can work with you at all on the outside vendor fee you need to spend to have them be your stylist. Sometimes these companies will share the cost or discount their rates a bit knowing you have to put out a large amount of $$ for this fee. It may not result in much of a discount- but it's worth asking. The worst they can say is no right?

This is a good idea, I have to ask them because I REALLY want Beso and the resort prices for airbrush are not any cheaper either, Michael and Martina from Beso have great reviews. I am looking forward to having them on my wedding day!