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ChiTiff

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  1. ChiTiff
    @@salutvie I actually didn't have a room block, and that made things a lot easier on me because I wasn't on the hook for a bunch of rooms if a lot of people didn't end up coming. The way my TA did it was by requiring a $50 deposit to reserve a room for each guest. We had our guests call her to set that up. I also found it was a good way to get a confirmation about who was actually coming (even though a few people cancelled after paying deposits), and our guests were able to get the best rates available by doing it this way. You can still get the free unlimited events by doing it this way as well, they just aren't technically marked as free until you hit the required number of rooms. You may want to also check out the Royalton http://www.royaltonresorts.com/riviera-cancun It just opened in March, and they may have better promotions available. It looks super nice (and allows families), we seriously considered it but decided the opening date was too close to our wedding to feel comfortable.
  2. ChiTiff
    @@salutvie I wish some one had told me about ALL of these free items and discounts before I signed the contract! I really think it would have saved me a lot of money, and I would have had a lot more negotiating power if I had done this upfront. As I was writing this, I realized it could helpful for other Brides, so I pulled together everything that all the girls have mentioned in one list. Ladies - feel free to add to this! Discounts and deals that you should negotiate before signing your wedding contract Lomas Travel/Wedding Policy/rate for outside decor. Negotiate for them to either waive this or come up with a flat fee for all of your events. This can really add up, since it says in their docs that any outside decor is $5/per person per item which is CRAZY. I think some other girls got a flat rate $100 - $500 for them to set up the decor they were bringing in at all of their events. Guest Count at "Free" events. The limit for some of the events I got for free was 40 people, but since I have 55 guests, I ended up paying the per person rate for 15 people at each event. Fees for "special" locations like the pier/sky deck. Confirm locations for all of your events (even if it's a non-special location, like the beach or pool). The fee for the Pier and the Sky Deck can be waived since you're booking early Lighting at locations - This sounds crazy, but one of my "free" events is on the beach because there is no where else available to host it. Unfortunately, the resort provides no lighting on the beach, so I had to spend $100 on tiki torches for lighting at the area. This also goes for the lights on the balcony of the Sky Deck. Unlimited Free Events - If you have at least 30 guests (I think) and have your wedding on a non-weekend day, you get unlimited events every day! Free Catamaran Cruise - when you book 10 rooms or more plus a $1200 credit for Food & Beverage on the cruise $250 guest credit per room (can be used for the spa/ wine bottles/ & private candlelight dinners) Travel & Travel Agency Credits Deal for Free Flights: If you and your guests book their trip on a Funjet charter flight, usually the bride and groom will get a free flight. I'm not sure what the exact specifics are since we didn't use it, but I would have explored it more thoroughly. Lowest Price Guarantees: If the price of rooms at the resort drops or there is a sale AFTER you book your trip, get an agreement from the travel agent that they will give you a credit for the price change. @@rtscent recently posted about a 50% off sale at the GRM that ended up saving me about $300 in a credit because it was less than the rate I booked at! "Free" Gift from your travel agent at the resort: If you use one of Karisma's GIWC, you get one of the following: 1) a free brides package (I think it's mani/pedi for the bride, a guest, hair, makeup, and something else?), 2)one hour cocktail party, or 3)$500 credit from Caribe Photo. 1 Free Night for the Couple for every 10 guest rooms @@rtscent - Did you get the $250 credit for guest rooms from the travel agent or Lomas Travel? It's waaaay too late for me to add in a catamaran cruise (and I am lame about boats anyways), but I know my guests would appreciate that!
  3. ChiTiff
    I will share lots of pics @@rtscent ! For the bags, I made a list of everything I included in each bag. We have four giant checked suitcases, two carry on bags, my dress, Tim's suit, and our two personal items. We managed to barely make it all fit, but I'll be happy to unload it all soon! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  4. ChiTiff
    Ladies... My wedding is in about 2 1/2 weeks and I just got an email from my WC that read like a goodbye email. Did you start to work with the on site coordinator around this time, or should I just expect to have little contact with them until we arrive? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Welcome @@salutvie ! I will say that's it's tough to keep costs down. The resort is usually unwilling to negotiate the prices on their site, so you don't have a lot of wiggle room there. I would recommend thoroughly researching all available promos and offers BEFORE you sign a contract... So many people got deals that others didn't know about and it could save you a lot! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  5. ChiTiff
    @@rtscent does your TA have price matching? I believe mine does so I'm going to reach out to them!
  6. ChiTiff
    We stayed at the Paradisus last year and loved it... But unfortunately planning a wedding there was too difficult (they were very unresponsive, overpriced, etc.) We chose the Generations Riviera Maya because they have the same quality/feel as the Paradisus, and a private sky deck! You might want to check on other Karisma properties, I know the Azul Fives also has a sky deck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  7. ChiTiff
    @@kfracassi Talk to Nikki! I think you should definitely be getting ALL of the discounts that @@rtscent mentioned (though I'm not sure about the $250 resort credit for each guest). I found the details in an email Nikki sent me when we first signed our contract, the subject is "Your Group Details Sheet". I did just notice that your wedding date is Dec 30, so it's possible that you're getting married during a black out date for that promotion? I think I recall there being a few of those dates right around that holidays. Hope this helps!
  8. ChiTiff
    Ladies - Crazy logistics question. How does everyone get to the airport with all of the wedding luggage? I know this sounds crazy, but we'll have at least 4 large suitcases, 2 carry-ons, my wedding dress, and a 100lb dog (we're dropping him off at a boarding facility near the Chicago airport). I am in serious doubt that all of that stuff will fit inside of our car (a Jetta), so my other consideration was using a pet friendly car service to get an SUV - however this is going to cost us about $200! Our friends/family also have smaller vehicles (city living), and I couldn't bear to ask anyone to take us to the airport at 6am on a Sunday morning.
  9. ChiTiff
    @@lauralane I hope your wedding is amazing!
  10. ChiTiff
    Good luck @@lauralane ! I'm sure it will be fabulous, and all of us can't wait to hear about it. @@girlinthecity97 You've also been my wedding angel and are frequently discussed in our house! It's actually pretty funny, you're like family.
  11. ChiTiff
    @@girlinthecity97 Thank you for answering all of my questions so thoroughly! I feel reassured and a LOT clearer on my random crazy lady concerns and will be following up with WC about some things. I think it's time to just have a glass a wine and relax!
  12. ChiTiff
    @@girlinthecity97 You have been MORE than helpful, thank you! On the Sky Deck thing - my WC assures me that we can have the ceremony and dinner completely set up at the same time without an issue (but you are making me question this). Because of this, we chose to just have everyone stay at the roofdeck for cocktail hour. But instead of having to pay for an extra cocktail hour, we chose to make our reception 3 hours, and took the time for the cocktail hour out of the 4 hours that was alotted for the reception anyways. Ok, BIG Question - BUGS? ON THE SKY DECK? On the pier? Please elaborate. My FH and I are both terrified of creepy crawlers (we make a wonderful pair when there is a spider in the house). I also heard a horror story about a friend's DW and a mosquito attack, so I'm a little on edge about this issue. Our ceremony is at 6pm, sunset is at 7pm. I'm also now a bit worried that it might be too chilly up there at night, but I'm not sure if that can be helped at this point (because the Pier is already booked for another wedding). Ok thank you, again!
  13. ChiTiff
    @@girlinthecity97 First - well done! Everything looked amazing, you looked gorgeous, and I'm so happy for you! I had some questions that maybe you can answer... so sorry for the onslaught, it looks like we're going to harrass you! How many guests did you have? We're at 60, which is kind of big for a DW. Officiant - did you use one of the officiants that came with the package? What were they like? Were you happy with it? Reception - Did you have your reception AND ceremony on the Sky Deck? Was there good lighting on the sky deck at night? I am a wee worried it's going to be too dark, since our ceremony is at sunset. Anything interesting about the Sky Deck location? Welcome Cocktail Party - Did you feel that any decor needed to be added to this event? I am trying not to stress myself out about this (especially because ours if free), but I just want to make sure it's not too plain on it's own. Rehearsal - Were you able to do a rehearsal of the wedding? Sorry I'm so all over the place and asking so many questions! Your wedding looked so amazing!
  14. ChiTiff
    @@rtscent love the cake topper! I ended up making one, I'll have to figure out a way to share a photo with our group! Yay @@girlinthecity97 ! I'm excited to see pics!
  15. ChiTiff
    @@lauralane I seriously may be emailing you once you get back! There are so many questions that I don't know the answers to, but have resigned myself to knowing. The biggest thing bugging me is the rehearsal... I guess we're going to have to DIY that one! Hopefully one of my recently married friends can coordinate!
  16. ChiTiff
    @@lauralane I didn't realize you were getting married so soon! I'm still 4/25, but I bet you are dying to get to Mexico after the foot of snow we've been in lately! Can't wait to see your wedding pictures! Good to know the ballrooms are the backups... so frustrated by the chats with Lomas (or emails)... I feel like they just tell you "no" for everything, but maybe I'm just annoyed by the language barrier? I'm not sure if that means they actually would help out with extra decor, or we'd have to buy it? I'm also hoping the location will be my "natural" decor so without it, the ballroom is going to be very sparse!
  17. ChiTiff
    @@girlinthecity97 The seating chart is driving me nuts! The FH wants to encourage people to mingle, but my view is to just put people together that you know will want to be together. They will have already spent 3 days "mingling" with the group so I figured for the 45 minutes of dinner, its no big deal if all the people who already know each other are at the same table. On the sweetheart table thing... I feel like it's definitely worth it. I hear that you don't get much time together on the big day, so it will be nice to have a place for us only even if it's just a little while. Lomas was giving me a hard time about table numbers! We are bringing our own (they just go directly into the flower arrangement), so we didn't have to worry about frames. What are you doing for escort cards? Also - you mentioned that you are bringing your own menus, are they charging you the setup fee for those? I was going to have a girlfriend put on on each place setting before the ceremony, so there's no real reason they should charge us $5/pp for menus. @@lauralane Are you getting excited!?! We are getting married on the same day! Do you happen to know what the "backup" location is in case of rain? We're doing the SkyDeck, I think I recalled you said you had picked the pier?
  18. ChiTiff
    Is anyone getting video services directly from any of the Lomas vendors? The prices vary so widely and it has been tough to get real examples of each of them. We originally weren't going to do this, but since my Grandmother can't be there, we wanted her to see the big day.
  19. ChiTiff
    @@AllieH I know there have been multiple threads on tipping, but what did you do for your DW? We're wondering who (if anyone) we need to tip at the Generations!
  20. ChiTiff
    @@lauralane You're totally right about the fee. My planner has been totally unwilling to compromise on the $800 outside vendor fee, and I've never heard anything directly from Lomas about waiving the fee. We are bringing our own bridesmaids bouquets, but we're using fake flowers and my Mom is making them (way different than having fresh flowers from somewhere else). Honestly, I'd be nervous to gamble on this based on a few posts from people you don't know. If it's not in your contract or they don't agree to it in your planning spreadsheet, don't be surprised if you get charged $800. It's such a major component of your day, it would be unfortunate if it didn't work out!
  21. ChiTiff
    @@rtscent maybe I will! I'm interested to see if other people have Ana as their WC and what their experience has been.
  22. ChiTiff
    Thank you! This was beyond helpful. Who is everyone's WC? I just feel beyond annoyed with mine, it's like she doesn't care at all.
  23. ChiTiff
    Is anyone using the dinner reservation at Chef's Market that's included as part of the Always & Forever package? We were planning on using it as our rehearsal dinner, and were told that it was a plated meal where we would be able to pick our entree selections. Now, 3 months after we booked our wedding, the WC is saying it's just a reservation for 40 people and we all still need to eat from the general buffet at Chef's Market.
  24. ChiTiff
    I really like these ideas! My FH were fretting about what to do for our wedding, as he wants to hang out with his family that is staying after the wedding. I kind of feel like it might be weird for me because it's his side of the family only (they're wonderful people, but they live pretty far away from us so I've only spent time with them about 3 times on holidays). We had considered staying the area right after the wedding, but I sort of like the idea of just doing something later in the year, though it will be tough to get more time off of work. And I'm glad I'm not a monster for not wanting to hang out with his family in MX (or at least, not the only one).
  25. ChiTiff
    So after talking to my photographer and friends, I really want to do airbrushed makeup! I found out at this is the "Dior" package on the Lomas site, but has anyone done it at the resort? It's really pricey ($250, $500 if you want a rehearsal), so it's giving me some hesitation as I thought this was going to be the one service I could get an outsider vendor for without a charge! Also - How does this all work without a rehearsal? I can just imagine it all being kind of a mess without one. I have 6 bridesmaids, 5 groomsmen, a ring bearer and 3 flower girls. So lots of people to wrangle!
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