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Hi everyone!! I am getting married at Azul Sensatori in Mexico on January 21, 2017 and I'm really struggling with deciding on what to do for hair/make up. I'd really like to hire this Karen Lopez and she says that she can come to our room at the resort and all I'd have to pay extra is a daypass fee for a guest. I'm concerned I guess about this not working and they wind up charging me another whopping 800 dollar outside vendor fee. Too nerve wracking! But the salon prices at the resort are too high so I'd really like to go with another vendor for this. Any thoughts/advice or experience dealing with this kind of issue?? Thank you!!!
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Hi everyone! I'm going with Jasmin and Matt photography who I highly recommend for my big day on 1/21/17 at Azul Sensatori in Mexico. The outside vendor fee is 800 dollars though...wowsers. Anyone ever negotiated this down or have any tips for doing so? It really seems over the top especially since I'm using the resort for everything else so it's not like they're not making plenty of money on me lol. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this. Thanks! -Sarah
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My fiancé and I have decided on a destination wedding and we are so excited!!! We have been looking into various places (Punta Cana, Cancun, Costa Rica,etc.) and we really want to have everything at an adult-only all inclusive resort. Where I am having trouble is finding a place that is really nice, but also not outrageous pricing for my guests. We plan to have between 25-35 guests. All of that being said, does anyone know of great places we could go that are really nice but not to overpriced? And do most places give an overall discount for rooms when there are a lot of guests?
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Misc Wedding Items for Sale! Would hate to see any of these items go to waste. Located in the Etobicoke/Mississauga area, could also arrange for a pick-up near the Eaton Centre downtown Toronto. Used once for our wedding - washed, about 5" tall - $5 Purchased and didn't arrive in time for wedding - about 5 1/4" tall - $5 Bouquets used for centrepieces, 4 available, $5 each. 5 available - $3 each Never used, opened to look at games inside - $3 Never used - $4 Never used, still in box - $10 Never worn, misc sizes, 4 pairs - $5/pair Never read/opened - might be a good laugh for a groom-to-be - $5 Never used - $5 $2 for set, only used the palm tree stamp. Royal Doulton Cake Topper, never used, still in box -$70 Bouquet charm, fits Pandora bracelets - $10 Lastly, my beautiful dress... Tons of Photos in album: Size 10. Not yet cleaned, no alterations done except a corset added to the back which will allow this dress to fit smaller/larger if needed. Please msg if interested,
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Villas: Affordable Luxury for Your Destination Celebration
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
Perhaps the idea of a destination wedding appeals to you, but having to celebrate your wedding vows at a hotel or resort does not. Though most couples opt to have their wedding at a resort, if you're willing to do a little more research -- you can still have that posh and luxurious wedding resort feel with a whole lot more privacy by having your wedding at a private villa. And yep, you don't need to be a millionaire to make it happen! ' Hosting a wedding at a private villa has a lot of perks, besides of course giving you and your wedding guests ultimate privacy. Here are a few reasons why choosing a villa wedding might be the way to go when it comes to planning the wedding of your dreams: 1) The villa can also serve as your home for the week. Most villa properties that allow guests to host weddings on the property will also require that you stay at the villa for a minimum number of nights. This not only gives you a great place to stay at your destination, you'll also be able to prepare for the Big Day even easier since everything is truly "on site." Things to consider: you'll need to decide who will be staying on the property with you and make sure there are other accommodations nearby for the rest of your family members and wedding guests. Make sure to also ask if there is an extra fee you'll have to pay to host the wedding or any other events on the property grounds. And whether there is a time limit on how long your event(s) can last. 2) Besides the wedding, you can host other wedding events at your villa -- like a Welcome Dinner, a Meet and Greet or fun pool day to welcome all your guests to your destination wedding. The luxury of staying at a villa is that you can make and create your surroundings as you like and use it as the centerpoint for all your guests throughout the duration of your destination vacation. It really serves as a wonderful place for you and your guests to laugh and enjoy, and of course celebrate! 3) It can be quite affordable when split between different parties. While the base price for renting a villa can seem steep at times, if you have enough space to invite other family members or close friends to stay there as well, splitting the costs between the different parties can make your luxury stay quite affordable. The perks of staying at a private estate also make the money you spend worthwhile -- for instance, open access to the amenities (pool, spa, pool tables, lounge furniture), you get one-of-a-kind homestyle comfort and a spacious living areas you simply don't get in a resort room or suite. You will live like royalty for your entire destination experience and it'll be an experience unlike any other vacation you've ever taken! 4) Staying at a villa gives you total privacy. I've often heard of couples being totally appalled when they see other resort-goers in their bathing suits standing closeby and taking photos during what they hoped would be a romantic beach ceremony. Some former brides and grooms can attest to the running joke that there always seems to be at least one big-bellied man in a speedo hovering over the ceremony location and basically gawking. Well when you're staying at a villa there is one thing you'll be guaranteed and that is, privacy for your entire celebration. 5) Your Wedding Day is done on YOUR timeline. You don't ever have to compete with any other couple for the best time to host your beachside sunset ceremony or worry about whether your party will run too long. When you're staying at a villa and hosting your wedding on the property, you create your own timeline according to your needs and wants. 6) You typically don't have to worry about an outside vendor fee. At a private villa, you often have the freedom to use the vendors of your choice without penalty. Many resorts on the other hand, will require that you use their preferred vendors, but if you decide to use someone who's not on "the list," then you may have to pay an outside vendor fee and those can be upwards of $500 -- a hefty price to pay if you're trying to create a dream wedding team. When booking a resort, hotel or villa as your wedding venue, always make sure to ask whether there are outside vendor fees ahead of time to ensure that you can use your dream vendor. 7) There is often an option to add-on a butler or chef for the duration of your stay. Yes, not only can you live like kings, if you'd like you often also have the option to be treated like one too. At many villas, there is often the option or inclusion of a butler to help accommodate your every need as well as a chef to ensure you're well fed throughout your stay. Butlers often serve as your personal concierge, making sure that you are enjoying every minute of your stay while also fixing any problems or issues that need to be handled. To find out more about villa options at your ideal destination location, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger.-
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Hello Everyone! We finally decided on doing a destination wedding. There are sooo many hotels to choose from in Mexico. What do you guys recommend? Around 50-60 people would like private ceremony not on the sand preferably, budget friendly. Thank you for everyone's advice in advance!
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Things to Consider When Planning Your Wedding Decor Budget
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
Written by Sakurako Yakushiji the COO and Master Florist & Decor Expert of LATIN ASIA One of the most challenging parts of the wedding planning process is selecting your decor, not only because you may not not have a clear idea of what you want, but also because you may come across “surprises” when it comes to setting aside a decor budget. These days there are so many inspiration photos on Pinterest, Flickr, and Facebook, that brides fall in love with so many ideas, however, your budget may be overwhelmed if you're not well prepared or have the right advice. Therefore, having a professional decor and styling team to assist you through this planning process is a great idea. Here some important factors to keep in mind when it comes in setting your decor budget for your destination wedding in Cancun or the Riviera Maya. Make sure to take some notes! - Natural flowers in tropical weather As we all know Cancun and the Riviera Maya have warm weather most of the year, which is the reason why just a few flowers are cultivated and grown in this region. Therefore the decoration companies have no other choice but to buy the flowers from a wholesaler and they transport the flowers from other cities with more suitable weather, so it can be costly. Having said that, flowers like roses, alstroemerias, lisianthus, daisies, carnations, are affordable and available all year. On the other hand, there is another group of “deluxe” flowers, like for example: dendrobium or phaleanopsis orchids, peonies, Davis Austin roses, Calla lilies, hydrangeas, etc. These could be way more expensive because they are imported, plus they have unsteady availability and are only available on specific months of the year. You may find these flowers in your country accessible and affordable but not in Cancun-Riviera Maya, so don’t be surprised by the costs and availability if you request these type of flowers. - Banquet room or beach wedding? Location and decor go hand in hand. The truth is that the majority of the banquet rooms at the resorts in Cancun and Riviera Maya are very plain, and decorations are a must. But couples are often surprised they see these banquet rooms in person. First of all, most of them have carpet, and lot of brides don’t find the carpet appealing, since they have an old look that doesn’t fit their décor concept and style. Another issue with the banquet rooms is their walls and ceiling, again, they can be considered plain and boring. The real problem comes when you want to decorate the walls, ceiling and floor -- draping is not cheap and is a deluxe decoration that will for sure be the most expensive in your decoration purchase order. Because of the quantity of fabrics you need, the staff to set up and the effort, hours and work that it takes will require a sizeable budget. Now let’s talk about the outdoors venues; a lot of brides love to have their reception on the beach, because they are on the Caribbean! But, they also want to be safe of the rain and wind. If this is the case, then you may want to consider a tent, which can be middle range expensive. If you want tall centerpieces on your beach reception or terrace, you should consider size. If the wind around here is really strong, it can pull over taller flower arrangements -- these are better for a banquet room, and they look more elegant. Another item that you need to consider for an outdoor venue is the ambiance illumination; the hotel normally can provide you with big lights for the area, however, these lights are not for any décor purposes, therefore, you will need hanging lights or lanterns. For an outdoor venue, lighting can be the WOW factor you need for your guests. - Fees for delivery, set-up and transportation Big companies that offer décor for a living and have experience in the market, will often have a warehouse outside the resort to store their inventory. Having said that, all the décor companies have delivery and set-up fees that are applied according to location, size of your wedding and amount of labor charged per trip, since they are not based inside the hotel. Even if the hotel introduces this company, they will charge you. - Outside vendor fees And last but not least, vendors who are not preferred vendors or "in-house" vendors at your resort, may have to pay an outside vendor fee to provide their services at your resort. So when you contact a decoration company be sure to ask them if they are in-house at your resort, and if they don’t then you must determine the outside vendor fee with the hotel. Without paying this fee, your vendor won’t be able to get into your resort and this can really be a mess, so be sure to ask both parties -- your vendor and your hotel -- about this detail. Now you have some tips for setting your decoration budget, look for your concept and style and start to have fun planning your décor! For more information on LATIN ASIA's services, visit their website at: www.weddingcancun.mx or contact the team directly at [email protected] - - - Sakurako Yakushiji, COO, Master Florist & Decor Expert of LATIN ASIA, has impeccable logistics knowledge, extraordinary floral design skills with a Masters degree and international license in Japanese floral art. Having her own Hindu wedding ceremony at Agra India, she and her team understand the deep meaning of what it takes to create a dream Destination Indian wedding regardless being Hindu, Sikh or Ismaili Muslim. Saku has trained people from scratch not only to execute great performances, but to make every member of LATIN ASIA a better person creating new opportunities every day.-
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Hello Ladies, I'm a newbie here and I need some help. I am planning a wedding for October/November 2017 for around 80 people. Could be more could be less. First of all half of these guests are actually from Puerto Vallarta part of the decision to hold our wedding their in the first place. 2nd of all I have a relatively small budget considering I have so many guests. I'm thinking our budget anywhere from 8,000 to 9,000 dollars.(Also FYI I don't know anything about weddings and only what I've read on some other posts) Does anyone think this can be done or should I cut my losses and decide to do it elsewhere. I don't need luxury I just want a beautiful wedding like any other lady here. And if anyone thinks it can be done can anyone point me to Venue's or places to look into. I don't mind if it's off the beaten path and actually would prefer it. Any suggestions?, or am I out of luck?
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Hi Ladies, As I was doing some spring cleaning I found a good amount of items that would be useful to someone planning a beach wedding. Message me if you're interested! Please send me your zip code to estimate shipping. 1. 21 orange Lanyard for badge id's (long enough to go around your neck) $15 2. 50 clear plastic badge Id holders $10 3. 2 packs of ivory cardstock paper. We used them to make the program fans $15 4. Unused Chalkboard paint $7 5. 35 wooden paddle handles (curvy) $5 6. If you purchase all of the items above in one purchase, I will throw in some clear gift bags (approx 20) we used for our 'first aid kits'. Happy Shopping!
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Hi all! I am REALLY hoping to do a mexico, cuba or dominican republic wedding. We are from Ontario and fiance is a teacher, so we are looking at December during Xmas break our March break, 2017. I started getting quotes from Sunwing for Dominican Republic travel+stay for Dec 31-Jan7, and the rates are roughly $2000 per adult, $1300 per kid, taxes included. I knew it would be a lot in high season but, damn - I feel like this is just an impossible ask for our loved ones. We were looking at about 50 people coming and I thought the group discounts would be more impressive. I am almost ready to give up already. Have people been finding anything any more reasonable for that time of year from Canada? Is D.R. just super expensive? Are we screwed Did any of you fine folks find some way to get something more reasonable for your group during high season? Thanks
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Hi, my husband and I will be together 15yrs in July and are looking to renew our vows. We came to a conclusion that it would be more sentimental if we took our 3 teens with us on a destination vacation/wedding trip. I have no idea where to start or what to look for, any suggestions would greatly appreciated.
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Hi all! I am a bride from Vancouver, Canada and I am just starting the planning process. My fiance and I originally wanted to do a destination wedding sometime in April or May 2017, for both the cost savings and the chance to get to spend a good amount of time with our guests (many of whom are coming from out of town). We are looking at Puerto Vallarta, but with the Canadian dollar being so low now, we are realizing that the cost might be too high - not just for us, but for our guests who we will expect to pay their own way. Our budget for everything is $12,000 and we don't want our guests to have to spend more than $800 a person. We are expecting anywhere from 20-35 people. Are any other Canadian brides out there struggling with this decision?? Any recommendations for a kid-friendly resort in PV that is nice, family-friendly and reasonably priced? Any recommendations for a good travel agent to contact? Thanks in advance!
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Hi Everyone, I am looking for new ways to save money on my wedding budget and thought who better to ask than this forum of lovely ladies. As I am planning my Grand Sirenis wedding I am noticing how quickly all the extras are adding up so I was wondering what is your best tip on saving money at a destination wedding whether it's décor, invitations, vendors, really any tip at all is appreciated! One of my tips I kinda stumbled on was for photography. To put it simply I could not afford professionally photography and my FI was totally against spending thousands of dollars on pictures. In his words he rather spend it on upgrading the wedding instead. So I started contacting various local Riviera Maya photographers within my impossible budget because everyone says you will regret not spending the money on a good photographer. I was recommended to a photographer who was the wife of another photographer. She totally sympathized with me and offered to do a couples shoot a couple of days after my wedding in my dress for only $400 US! I felt this was an amazing opportunity that I could not pass up and she was recommended by someone reputable so I am going ahead with it. Friends and family will document my special day but then I will also have these beautiful pictures around Playa del Carmen of me and my husband which is good enough for me!
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We are getting married in October 2016 and I although most things are sorted one of the areas I am really struggling to find are decent bridesmaid dresses for £100 or under per dress. The colours I am looking for are burnt orange and royal blue - naturally royal blue is easy to find but burnt orange is rather more difficult. I have found lots of websites which offer a service where you can buy a dress custom made - looking like they come from China. I used to live in Hong Kong and so have had things made in China before and the quality is very good. I am worried though that if I go with one of these companies I will be parting with a lot of money but not getting anything or getting rubbish quality products. One of the websites I've found is: http://www.jueshegowns.co.uk/ Anyone used this place or any other internet custom making service?
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When you ask, I listen! Most of you brides have been emailing me about this service, and now its official Wedding Planning Consultations are now available for you. Be informed, because Knowledge is power, – especially when it comes to planning a destination wedding. When you know what to expect and you have the right tools, you’’ll save yourself a lot of money, time and kick overwhelm in the butt! Planning you destination Wedding doesn't have to be complicated, it is supposed to be an amazing time, filled with fun surprises. For those brides who do not know what that means! This service is for brides looking for extra guidance and support. A no-nonsense guideline. I am not here to sugar coat anything - Learn the REAL truth about planning your Destination Wedding. First we eliminate all the stigmas around Destination weddings. Its a 1:1 call where you will discover the following: The myth/stigma around destination wedding How to choose a travel agent and why it is important to choose one when planning a Destination Wedding. Budget (lets help you figure out this part) How to select a resort for your destination wedding Guests list wedding planning timeline Timeline for the wedding day And many more tips and tricks, you dont even know about yet. Be in the know, stay informed and get the support you need , to help you kick start planning your destination wedding! Feel free to reach out and schedule your call. Happy Planning! Joyce
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Question: What Kind of Budget Should I Set Aside When Planning an Indian Destination Wedding? Answer: According to Preety Jaswal, Destination Wedding Specialist of Platinum Travel & Destination Weddings: "This all depends on the guest count, how many events the couple will have, how elaborate each event should be and what vendors they will bring to their destination. For most Indian weddings, the couple may bring down their own DJ, photographer/videographer, Priest, and sometimes makeup artist. All of these play a huge factor in wedding costs." - - - If you have a question you'd like us to "Ask the Expert" message me (MarieSamSanchezPhoto) and we'll feature your question and answer on a future post! "Ask the Expert" features commonly asked questions by brides and grooms with answers and insight provided by our very own Best Destination Wedding Forum experts.
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Hello Ladies!!! I am very new to this and am looking for help. I have never been to a destination wedding but have had lots of advice from other friends who have. My question is... is there any way of getting my hands on the extras that the RIU Palace in Cabo has before I speak with my wedding coordinator. We are just trying to make up a budget and I only can access the package pricing for their 3 packages that they offer. If anyone could please help me out. Even if you are a bride that could forward me the email that would be great. Thanks a million ladies
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Hey ladies! I was wondering if anyone has gotten married recently at this beautiful resort? I have soooo many question! My groom and I got engaged in December 2014, and we are thinking about getting married in Feb 2017. I wanted to know if anyone could share their experience with this resort to help us with this crucial decision. Also, there are a lot of conflicting reviews about this resort. Any weather, price, items to bring, color schemes, photographers, and make-up and hair tips would be greatly appreciated!
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Hi everyone! I have decided I should start a planning thread - I figure I should share my experiences as I go. A little bit about me .. I am from Toronto, Ontario. I got engaged in August 2014 and am planning to have a Mexico (on the caribbean side) wedding in January 2016. So far, planning has been quite a process and I haven't even booked a resort yet! Kenny (my fiance) and I knew we wanted a destination wedding from the beginning. We are avid travelers .. backpackers, living abroad, that sort of thing. Our families and wedding guests are from all over the world (literally!), which makes planning a destination wedding a bit of a hassle as far as booking through an agent. STARTING TO PLAN We started in November by setting out to Mexico to search for a perfect wedding venue. We went to see 5 resorts, and have narrowed down our list to 2.. The Dreams Tulum and the Azul Sensatori. We wanted to give our guests extra time to save for our wedding, so we didn't book a venue right away. We are finally ready to book now - and our TA gave us prices that are WAYYYY above our budget per guest. (budget = $1800 per guest). Our rates given this week were between $2100-$2400 per guest double occupancy from Toronto. After visiting these resorts ourselves - we deem it outrageous to charge that much per head. (Especially when I have seen bookit.com deals for about $1500 including flights for these resorts). So, because we are now at a loss.. We are reaching out to other resorts to see what their quotes are. Unless there is a great deal - we will just continue to wait it out... see if the prices go down. Although that is really risky for us, considering we are getting married the first week of January. Its a bit stressful, because I have my invitations all designed, and ready to go ... but without a date/time/place! ARRGGHH. In the mean time, I have started a list of things that i CAN do while I wait. (decor, dress, color schemes, etc). I really never realized how much planning goes into a wedding. I wanted someone to do it all for me ... we can only wish. THE DRESS: This was another process. Dress shopping was REALLY difficult for me. Im about a size 2, so I always swam in the dresses I tried on. Nothing but $14,000 designer gowns fit me. The cup sizes were all huge, the backs so high, the waists like a paper bag. I went to about 8 shops total. And went back and forth from style to style, fell in love with quite a few, but nothing was really PERFECT. I wondered what was wrong with me. Why a dress was speaking to me... why I wasn't crying. Why nothing was quite right. I was even asked to do Say Yes To The Dress Canada, and didn't find anything. So, one day I just decided. If you like it, buy it. So this search can be over and done with. I showed my maid of honor a pictures of the dress I have been looking at online, and as we walked by a small boutique we saw the EXACT dress in the store. I made an appointment for the next day, went in, tried it on, and gave my deposit. I splurged a little (about $3000 for my dress, not including alterations). BUT, I think it will be stunning when it comes in my size. The dress is Allure Couture c288. Its truly so beautiful! Havent quite decided if I am going to have a veil or not yet.. I may get a cathedral veil for pictures, and then just have a headpiece or flowers for the ceremony/reception. What do you think? DECOR/COLOR SCHEMES: I know even though I haven't picked a resort, we will get married on/near the beach. So I have started to plan out my color scheme, archway, chairs, that kind of stuff. The more I research, the more I realize I have expensive taste. I also realized I really like dark/deep colours, which doesnt exactly fit with a "beach" theme, but why does it have to be a beach theme? I have chosen coral for my bridesmaids dresses (the girls really wanted coral, I wanted burgundy, haha). BUT, instead of burgundy dresses, my decor colours are going to be burgundy, nude, gold. I have decided I want them to have bouquets of deep red calla lillies, about 25 in each bouquet. I think I will buy silk, or fake ones and bring them with me .. I found a website online $85 for 105 fake calla lillies - making about 4/5 bouquets. As far as my archway - I want it to be draped in chiffon. I don't know if resorts do that .. or maybe they do for $$$$$$$$, but I am thinking of just bringing my own with pictures to set it up. I am going to go with Tiffany Chairs and have white chiffon decorations on the back row of all the chairs in the ceremony. Only the back row so they it doesn't look too busy. I will use the same decorated chairs for my head table at my reception. FLOWERS: I know I want those calla lillies for my bridesmaids, for myself I will probably have a mix of white/burgundy/gold flowers. I think they are usually included in the wedding packages. I want quite a bit of flowers on my arch - two circle chunks of them on each side of the archway down halfway in the middle. I may outsource and get a florist off the resort, depending. The dreams, and other resorts charge upwards of $300 per bundle of flowers on each side.. CRAZY. They also charge $6 per tea lights.. ha, insane. I hope to bring SO much stuff with me. I will probably use my bridesmaids flowers as centerpieces for the reception, which will bring in the burgundy tones. RECEPTION: My overall vision is clean, white, burgundy, gold, crisp. Nothing too tacky like shells on tables, or nothing too bright. I want it very "glam" looking, not "beachy". Although, nothing against the beachy theme. I just want more of a warm winter feel. I envision a lot of lighting, a lot of white chiffon decoration, and a lot of flowers. Not much other than lighting and flowers. I think I will buy tons of tea lights, or small candles and bring them with me. I may/may not have chinese lanterns. Depending on the reception venue, they may look cheap. But I really like them! MUSIC: Probably going to hire a DJ. Probably going to have to rent a sound system for the ceremony for music.. Dreams charges like $275 just to use microphones for vows. GEEZ! I'll keep you posted on how much that stuff costs at other resorts. You would think it would be included for the ceremony at least? DINNER: Not really sure about any of the food options, etc yet. I know that most venues with over 40 guests have buffet style - which I think is horrible when you are charging me about $100 per person to eat. I would prefer a plated meal for that price, but we'll see depending on where we book. How have the dinner prices worked out for you guys? BUDGET: Our budget was originally $10,000 - not including rings, dress, or our trips. $10,000 just for the wedding at the resort. I don't necessarily want a cocktail hour, I would rather use that money for an extra hour in the reception. The dreams only includes 3 hours .. do other resorts include 4? That would be awesome. How much is it usually to have an extra hour? I don't know if $10,000 is doable. It is seeming at a place like the dreams, it will be tight. Ie: $250 set up fee if you bring your own decorations. $300 fee if I use an outside florist. $870 for the DJ for 3 hours. $4 per table napkin... LIKE HONESTLY! Crazy! I would love to hear about pricing for other resorts. Either that, or I will be bringing in ALL of my own stuff, haha - and still probably ending up paying more than $10,000. Previous brides - is $10,000 a realistic price? Let me know. It seems like until just before the wedding you really get the pricing, which seems crazy considering we are bringing thousands of dollars into the resort. Anyway, that is all the planning I have done so far. It gets kind of crazy, and I could literally spend hours doing research - its sooooo much work! I never knew. Maybe we should all elope, haha. Good luck planning. I welcome any feedback, advice, comments you guys have! I attached a few photos of some of my decor ideas.
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A List of New Year's Resolutions for Every Bride-to-Be
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
It's time to say goodbye to the year that has been and open your arms to the year that begins. New Year's resolutions aren't for everyone, but if you're a bride-to-be, here's a couple of resolution ideas that will help you get your year off to the right start as you come closer to the Big Day ... 1. Get organized and have a plan. Jot down everything you need to get done before the Wedding Day and draft up a to-do list that outlines your plans monthly, weekly and daily. Yes, putting everything down will help give you a better picture of what deadlines need to be met and what plans of action need to take place before you run out of time. While your Wedding Day may seem like it's far out, it will creep up on you before you know it. Remember, there are certain aspects of planning a wedding that generally need to be done way in advance (booking a venue, ordering a dress/suit, etc.) and other duties that you can reserve for the final month (alterations, meeting with vendors to finalize details, creating a wedding day timeline, etc.). Nothing feels better than putting a checkmark next to things on your to-do list! 2. Create a budget and stick with it. It would be nice to have a unlimited budget wouldn't it? But unless your name is Kim Kardashian, you've probably got a budget like the rest of us! Regardless, it's wise to create a budget (even if it's a general range) to help keep you on track so you can really narrow down what you want for your Big Day. Trust me, there can be such a thing as "too much." Simple can be wonderful, but if you want details galore roll with that and just remember to stay in line with your budget -- it will save you a lot of time and stress in the long run! 3. Relax and don't freak out. There will be things that don't happen the way you want them to as you plan your Wedding. Maybe it's that one of the bridesmaids can't make it to your bachelorette party, or perhaps one of the groomsmen forgot to pick up the right colored shirt. Stuff happens and for the sake of your own sanity (and that of your soon-to-be spouse), don't let things get you stressed out. Take a deep breath and remember, things may not always be perfect, but everything will work itself out. Keep your heart set on what matters the most -- you are getting married to the one you love! 4. Implement a healthier diet and workout plan. Making healthier changes to your diet and exercise regimen is a common theme for most people come each new year, but when you're a bride, looking your best come your Wedding Day can be especially important. Whether your changes are drastic or gradual, create a plan that is feasible and doable. Remember every change you make no matter how big or small is making a difference for your overall health and well-being. 5. Spend quality time with your sweetheart, family and friends. Sometimes as busy brides-to-be, we forget to take care of the relationships in our inner circles. While you may be swimming in things to do leading up to the Big Day, don't neglect the one you love, or your friends and family for that matter. Try to dedicate time each week/month for your loved ones. Even it's something as simple as going out for coffee or ice cream, or maybe spending time watching a movie out or even at home. Take time to "simply be" with the ones you love. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.- 1 comment
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I never thought planning a wedding would be so overwhelming. I just contacted a travel agent through a list of specialized Royal Wedding Specialist ( We want the Royal Playa Del Carmen). I am not sure if that was the right first step, or if I was supposed to reach out to someone from the hotel first. Are the prices online, pretty close to accurate - Im not sure how to figure all that out. I know I need a photographer out there, so any recommendation would be great! I am also super interested in a videographer. I decided on a destination wedding because I thought it would be more affordable. Is 10k a realisitc amount for a wedding of 20-40 people? any advice, input etc would be great!
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When I began planning my wedding, my then fiancé (now husband) and I agreed that a few aspects were absolutely necessary no matter where we got married: good food, good music and good photography. Fortunately, we nailed every single one of those details. But as we inched closer to our wedding date, I began to wonder if I should hire a videographer too? Honestly, I didn't even consider it when we first began the planning process two years before our Wedding date. Frankly, I was akin to only cheesy wedding videos and wanted no part of it. But then I remember clicking on another bride's wedding video and becoming completely enamoured with the fact that it wasn't cheesy at all -- it was cinematic, it was set to beautiful tear-inducing music and it was like reliving the day and actually being there. Suddenly I found myself putting good wedding videography on my must-have list. The problem of course became, the sudden necessity to increase our budget when everything had already been planned out. It was going require that we put aside at least another additional $2,000 and that was a huge investment for us. So I began cutting out other expenses just to find a way to accommodate my want/need for a kick ass wedding video. And I can tell you right now, it was the best decision I could have made. When our videographers (Playa Weddings video based in Riviera Maya) delivered our highlight film, I remember watching it with my husband and laughing and crying at the same time. It was just like I had hoped for -- we were reliving the day with beautiful music in the background and remembering how magical our day was. It was incredible and brought back so many wonderful memories. And I can tell you, in that first year, we watched that film at least 150 times Not even kidding a little bit! The importance of having incredible wedding photos and wedding video became even more apparent to us three years after we tied the knot. You see, that's when my husband lost his father after a 7-year battle with colon cancer. To have his vibrant smile captured so beautifully in our photos and to hear his laughter and special speech to us in such an incredible wedding video is priceless. It is worth every single penny to have these precious moments captured on film. That is the crazy thing about photos and video -- with time their value grows, especially when it comes to preserving memories shared with those who have passed on. So when you wonder if you should hire a wedding photographer or videographer for your wedding day, the answer is a resounding YES. Find a quality photographer and videographer who fit your style and price point range -- and if it's not in your immediate budget, if possible, find a way to cut expenses elsewhere. When it is all said and done, you will have a few things to remember the Wedding Day you have so lovingly planned: each other, your rings, your photos and your wedding video. Don't let the significance of these important details be forgotten. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.
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Hi Everyone, I am a newbie and I am completely overwhelmed during my search for a resort. I do not know where to begin! Right now I am looking at getting married either in May or August 2016 with approximately 35-50 guests. I am looking at places in Mexico (still trying to decide where). While looking at wedding packages online, I wanted to know what are some additional costs that you can expect? I always thought that packages included everything you need (I REALLY WISH!) but I am slowly beginning to notice that some really important items are missing from packages such as photography, videography, DJ, and reception! For those experienced brides, how much did you incur in additional expenses? It is worth working with a complimentary wedding package and then working to upgrade or input extra costs towards all the extras? Thanks so much
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I just got engaged and I have no idea where to begin. I am open to all places, not just Mexico. However I'm under a pretty tight budget under $10k. Ideally $7k. Is it doable? For an all inclusive ?
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Left over wedding items!! I am accepting all reasonable offers buyer pays shipping! -10 table numbers - 1 sandwich bag of orange sand -1 pair silver pumps size 9.5 fits like 9 -1 pair of blush Steve Madden Sandals -1 garter 2pack unopened - 4 silver frames 5x7 (3) 6x9 (1) - 24 bubbles - 1 bag of seashells -1 gold tone headband -2 Gray organza overlays
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