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We checked 4 bags and 2 of them were OOT bags.  we had lots of stuff, plus I assembled at home, which is less efficient packing wise (I didn't nest my cups) but way easer for a quick hand out when we got to hotel.   I also tied red ribbons on the ones for couples (2 cups) and blue ribbon for the single (1 cup) bags.   I think the cups and the bags themselves were the most used. The drugs (pepto, advil, tums) and first aid kit were close second.  the tide white sticks were also used allot.  I saw allot of door hangers, and room key holders too.  the playing cards were not really used, but we were blessed with good weather. 

Thank you so much for the ribbon suggestion! It's genius! I have been getting ready to order stuff for our OOT bags but trying to figure out what items are per person vs per room and how would I even go about doing that without losing my mind once we get to the resort. THANK YOU!

@@JennyZ Quit hogging their time JK JK! 

@@Jlk1004 Most people do not have 50 people coming so I would double check on that because it seems like there has been a mix up with information. I was under the impression you could rent the restaurant for $990 no matter what. I would just call the resort if I were you since you are so close to your date and get a straight answer! Good luck!

@@Jlk1004 I would see if the singer would count as an outside vendor or if you could get away with just a day pass. I know for cocktail hours it's $7 or $10 per person per hour. What I have seen about renting the restaurant is there is a minimum of 30 so if you're close maybe they would make an exception?

@@Evonneda the price sheet I got said colored chair sashes are $3 per chair

I really don't know how you ladies aren't freaking out so good for you! Mine is in July and Connie sent me an email 2 weeks ago saying she would introduce me to the wedding coordinator and haven't heard anything yet and getting frustrated. I have a crap ton on questions that need answered! I was hoping communication would get better but it's not sounding likely

We have like 70 people coming and I want to do OOT bags but FI thinks it'll be a waste of money. I like the Bubba idea and maraca but there's no way I can lug 70 mugs down there!

I was between 2 as well and I had my hair stylist take a look at each website. She picked Styling Trio and I also asked our photographer since they see alot of hair and make up being done. I also asked a friend who knows someone who lives there locally and across the board everyone said Styling Trio. I still get crap from FI about how much it is but seeing their pictures, I know it'll be worth it! To me it is worth the splurge

We talked about staying there later and changing resorts for our honeymoon but not having it earlier than the wedding. I would be stressed and preoccupied as well to relax and enjoy time with your hubby or I guess fiance still. Plus even though we've been together for more than 5 years I would want time with just him as my new husband. We are having an AHR and having the honeymoon after that so there are no distractions, nothing to worry about just time with me and him. I personally wouldn't like the idea but that's just me, if you do go for it. 

We have an outside vendor for photography, but she covers the vendor fee. We are using the preferred DJ, which I'm comfortable with because past brides have ALL said he does an awesome job, but he also isn't very responsive. He averages about a 12 day lag on responding to emails. My fiance would rather go with someone else because of this, but he doesn't really understand the vendor fee situation (attention to detail is not his strong suit, so I've been handling most things!). I am choosing not to worry about that because everyone said he is great, but we also aren't doing lighting or any other upgrades.

 

I'll use the preferred florist for my bouquet because it is included in my package, but I am undecided on an outside florist for centerpieces. Past brides say the preferred florist is horribly unresponsive and more expensive, but if another florist just drops off the flowers at the front desk then you don't have to pay a vendor fee. If they come on-site to set things up, then you do have to pay it. I just don't want to spend a bunch of money on flowers/centerpieces either...

The wedding planners response time is about 12 days as well. I have just gotten used to it since we were so far out. Hoping the actual wedding planner is better. I don't blame you I would not pay an extra $500. 

I sent out our invites without the time of the ceremony on it. We are 3 months out and I still don't know what time our ceremony is. We have a preference but it depends on what time the judge is available. I figured the time doesn't matter for people to know if they are coming to Mexico or not! I'll have an itinerary in the OOT bags so people know the agenda. 

@@purplekitten That's really odd she won't even give you the package options......From what I was given there are 4 package options Star, Silver Star, Gold Star and then the Dream Wedding Package. At the time we were between the 2 resorts so I'm 99% sure it applies to yours as well. We ended up going with the Silver Star which is for 20 people then $20 per person after that. I can email it to you so you can see it. The main extra we are paying for is renting the disco after dinner. We did want to do cocktail reception on the beach but like it was mentioned it is $7 or $10 extra per person PER HOUR and with our guest list still going up we couldn't justify paying that at an AI resort. I wish we could afford it because it would be awesome so @@beckys98 I'm def jealous! There are different options available with different prices. 

@@purplekitten Congrats on picking a resort! We have stayed at that resort before and we're getting married at Tucan which is further down. Have you not gotten the package options? I got the email yesterday actually to fill out the package spreadsheet to be introduced to our wedding coordinator which means we're getting closer! 

I would do carry on especially if it's breakable. What size are the Patron bottles because liquids need to be under 3 or 4 oz if you check it. 

They are considered an outside vendor and then you usually have to pay for day passes for each person on top of that. I am also using Styling Trio and we're next door to the Riu at Iberostar and we are going to their salon since they are close. I believe she said like 7 minutes away. You might want to consider that if you are comfortable. They are pretty strict with outside vendors since you are taking money away from the resort. 

We have stayed at the Yucatan for vacation. Be aware Tequila where the club is does not have a beach. It is across the street so it is a walk for people to get to the ocean. Also, there is a tier of Rius and the lower ones can't go on the upper ones. Staying at the Yucatan we could go to Tequila and one more I forget. I think it depends on your crowd. We had a great time and people from Palace would come to our pool bar because it was more fun. Maybe stay with your guests up until the wedding and then switch to the other one so you aren't secluded? One of the Palaces is quite a walk from the other ones as well. My SIL and I walked to it from our hotel to talk to the wedding coordinator and it was far, wouldn't want to do it everyday

No issues with the food. I didn't get the popular ala cartes but heard they were good.

 

Lots of entertainment thru out day, games and activities aside from the regular volleyball and such. Nightly shows were good and the disco was always hopping.

 

Snorkeling is right on site and we have some awesome pics of fish and turtles.

 

Dolphins on site at a cost.

 

Spa was off the hook awesome.

 

 

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Without flight? Wow!!! I paid $1565 with flight and transfers for 7 nights.

 

 

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Ya which is why we didn't pick some of those options! We are paying about $1200, 7 days, direct flight

Congrats! When we were looking that's what we wanted to stay under for our guests as well including flight. Options we looked at that were around 1500 w/o flight were Hard Rock, Moon Palace, Azul Sensatori, Iberostar Cancun-Lindo/Paraiso-Tucan/Quetzal. We have also stayed at the Riu Yucatan and our whole trip was 12 or 13k with flight. Our date is in July so in those other months you'll probably be able to get it cheaper. 

Is anyone doing a civil ceremony? I know it is not the more popular choice but it is what we want to do. I have been getting the run around about what we need to do beforehand in regards to paperwork. My SIL needed birth certificates apostilled from Ohio but that was 8 years ago. I called the Ohio Secretary of State and the lady was very rude and very unhelpful. Our wedding coordinator said we just need passports, tourist card which we get on the flight and blood test but it doesn't seem like that much for the legal aspect. Has anyone else done a civil ceremony or going to and have a little more info and what we have to have prepared? Thanks!

We were checking out resorts for a day our travel agent said they usually use Lomas but it would have been like $350 for 2 of us for the day which we didn't want to pay. We ended up using Olympus Tours and it was $180 and our driver was great! He showed up on time at each resort, was such a gentlemen and was so sweet the whole time. If we needed transport again we would use them again!

We stayed there over the summer, talked to the coordinator, and saw a few events during the week. Congrats! The resort is gorgeous and we had a great time! There is a bar by the pool that is closer to the lobby that she said is possible to a cocktail/reception which is really cool. We saw it set up and it's gorgeous. Not sure if I have pictures of it still. We saw a garden  wedding set up and it was by the lobby and in between rooms, not sure if they have options for it but we thought the location was weird. Word of advice for the beach, if you can have the ceremony see if you can time it after the swim up bar closes. In October it'll prob be okay since it may not be that crowded but when we were there is was pretty lively and close to a ceremony going on, which seemed early. The beach and water is gorgeous so it depends what you're going for!

I know legally getting married in Mexico gets a bad rep. I personally did not like the idea of starting our marriage with not being 100% truthful with the people that have traveled so far to celebrate with us and picking which date for an anniversary. My brother did the legal and it was fine, they didn't have any problems. They actually got the documents translated when they got back home because it was cheaper that way. They did not do a chest xray but they did do a blood test which was quick, harmless and done right on the resort. Check with your resort coordinator to see what is required. At ours we just have to pay for the blood test which is $180. It's a personal preference that is up to you and your FI!

@@natmorales I just sent you over emails of pictures and info from the travel agent I got. Congrats on picking a location, your wedding is going to be so beautiful! I hope Paula is still the coordinator there, she was the sweetest person ever and really made our visit!

@@Samara What's your email I can send you info

Just breath it will all be okay! It is crazy how quick it adds up. If you haven't sent out STDs or invites the biggest way to cut down downs is guest list. I wish we were more selective with ours but weren't. It sounds like you have alot of big stuff out of the way. Have you set a budget? We have a savings account that we put money in each month and we do not touch it unless it's wedding stuff. Possibly do that if you haven't already. Saving each month helps lessen the blow what the end total amount. Good luck I know it's never any fun dealing with budget. 

I'm a dance teacher and a trick we use for tutus which are tulle is a blow dryer! Not super hot but the little bit of heat helps dewrinkle

Does anyone have any ideas of where to get a bathing suit with a low back but not a halter neck? I'm worried about tan lines before the wedding day. My dress is backless but has a deep V in the front. Any ideas?? 

I'm in the same boat! Most are halters or have straps across the back. There is 1 I've found at Victorias Secrets but hesitant because the butt looks a little small which won't work for me. Found a few from Nordstrom and also Swim Outlet. Haven't ordered any yet since I have 5 months but might soon or watch for sales so I have enough time to figure it out if those don't work

So sorry to hear about this! You are an incredibly strong woman and I admire your strength and courage. You have to take care of yourself and your family first and do what's best for them. Especially when you've been in a relationship for so long it takes a lot to take an honest look at it and see it for what it really is. I love that you are still going and making it a celebration. One of my best friends had her wedding called off a month before and on her wedding day all of us girls hung out all day. At the end of the day we had a blast and it was actually one of our favorite times hanging out during that summer because we had so much fun. Wishing you the very best

Why do people need to pay a deposit this February for a 2016 wedding? Were you able to get a room block so rooms don't sell out?It seems really super early to have people make a decision especially if the RSVP deadline is not until November. Flight information will not even be available for a really long time. My wedding is in less than 6 months and the first room just got booked this past week, the save the dates went out August or September, I forget.