July 2012 Now Jade Riviera Bride

Hello, 

Hello Everyone! I am getting married July 28th 2012 an Now Jade Riviera.  I have found this site tremendously helpful but still have so many questions. Piliar the wedding planner is very nice but she is so slow to respond. I have some questions if anyone can help.

Have people found that it is cheaper to hire an outside photographer, videographer, florist, DJ vs. the resort even with the additional 350$ additional charge for each outside vendor? If so... Does anyone have any recommendations?

Has anyone gotten the Divine package do you know if you can mix and match your dinner menu? And the open bar are the drinks included since it is an all inclusive resort?

Any other helpful information would be appreciated. I am sure that I will have many more questions. Thanks everyone!

Looks like you haven't received much help so far!  From what I've read, it seems less expensive if you buy the flowers elsewhere but then meet the florist and bring the flowers on the resort yourself.  Then you don't have to pay the vendor fee.  As far as photographer etc, it seems worth is to bring one in since their photographer doesn't seem that great.  I still haven't decided who to hire and it seems like they are all the same and a little too cheesy for me but hopefully I'll find someone soon! 

As far as the Divine pkg, I think you can mix and match since you are getting the higher price package but several people have liked the food better in the eternity pkg.  I didn't see any benefit to the Divine over the Eternity since they are replacing the DJ option for 2012 so I chose the less expensive option.  Trying to keep costs down!  I don't think the wedding coordinators really start working on your wedding until 2 months or so before hand so it's pretty normal to not get much of a response right now.  Annoying, yes, but they have so many weddings to deal with.  I've just come to grips with the fact that there are several things that I can't really plan until a 2 months before.  I think I am going to take some centerpiece inspiration pics with me and then run to Walmart in Playa del Carmen to get vases etc.  I'm trying to be laid back since the location is so beautiful anyway...people won't care too much about the decor!

Good Luck!!

Hi!

From what i understand the drinks are included, and you can also choose a signature drink for the cocktail hour and another for the reception...

Hello my fellow July 2012 Now Jade Brides....

I have been spending months on this website but this is actually my first reply. I am actually very impressed with how much information I have already put to use...

So just want to introduce myself and give you some of my wedding info and interests...

Our wedding with be on July 7, 2012

Colour Scheme - powder blue & leaf green

Rehearsal Dinner - on the terrace (negotiated $22 per person all inclusive with no $500 charge)

Ceremony - seaside garden, but have only seen one pics.

(Kinda worried that no one else has posted their interest in this spot - would love to hear some feedback about it.)

Cocktail hour will probably be at the blue beach bar (worried about the apps, didn't really like the selection given in the wedding guide)

Also wondering about some guest being preferred and others not being - do you have to pay from for prem selection?

Going to have a signature drink for before the ceremony and another one for after.

Reception is going to be in the Castaway restaurant - I would love any pics/info/questions about this. I think it is going to be a great space.

We are probably going to have 40-60 guests and are going to do the Divine package.

Photography - planning on using LuLuna photography (Cheaper than Del Sol but the same style)

Wedding Cinematography - $3000 for "Mediamorfosis" I don't know if I can afford this but looks amazing - any other ideas???

Hair & Makeup - I want to hire someone from outside but it looks like it will be $350 plus the charge of bring them onsite...???

The Divine package include hair and makeup - has any heard any feed back??

********

This is the email quote I got...

Bride
trial hair and makeup $200
wedding day $350
(with touch ups $800 we saty with you for 8hrs to change the makeup and hair or just to keep you fresh)
bridesmaids and family
makeup $120
hair $50 - $80
(this is depend og the style and long of ok)
I also requiere 50% deposit to hold the date please let me know if you can do this so i can give you
my sister acount and or address to make the deposit ok
warmest regards
fernando
www.the-makeup-pros.com

*******

Florist - not going with the hotel - and going to try to keep it simple (any ideas??)

Invitations - Doing my own Boarding Pass Invitations and it is starting to really come together. I promise to post pics by the end of Sept!!

So that is my plan in a nutshell. I have a lot of research in regards to fun ideas and games to entertain guests.

Also I want to plan an evening of entertain inside in case we get hit with a crazy ran storm - what are your thoughts or worries about this???

My plan for Sept is to get my invitations done and put up my website for guests... Where are you guys at??

I look forward to our future info sessions...

Ciao for now :-)

K.

Hi K,

Nice to hear from a Vancouverite! Just booked the Jade for Nov. 4, 2012. Just starting to do all the research now. All your info was very helpful, Thank You.

I am going down to see the Jade in about a month, so I will let you know what I find out. I will definitely be looking at the Seaside area as well.

Anything else you would like me to check out while I am there, let me know.

Luvthatsun

Hi everyone!!

I"m about to book my wedding on 21July 2012!!!! I'm from NY. Going with Delsol for the pictures..wanted Mediamoforsis too for video but can't afford it since I'm doing the TTD and day of wedding with Sol.

Haven't really planned anything with Ana yet..

Also planning to go there in March to check out the place.

Cheerios

Congrats on booking!!!

Originally Posted by Cheerios 

Hi everyone!!

I"m about to book my wedding on 21July 2012!!!! I'm from NY. Going with Delsol for the pictures..wanted Mediamoforsis too for video but can't afford it since I'm doing the TTD and day of wedding with Sol.

Haven't really planned anything with Ana yet..

Also planning to go there in March to check out the place.

 

 

Cheerios

Hi everyone..

I have seen in other threads that they are able to trade off the wedding package, but Ana Maria just emailed me back saying that there isn't anything to replace the photographers.. I have my own photographer! I'm really bummed..it doesn't seem fair that everyone else is able to do it and maybe I'm just lacking the negotiating skills!. Its not going to make any sense to have an extra photographer.. Anyone negotiating with her too? Any tips for me??

Cheerios

From my understanding, they quit trading from the packages a while back.  It sucks, but at least its not your negotiating skills!  I could be wrong so maybe someone else will have a tip for us. 
 

Originally Posted by Cheerios 

Hi everyone..

I have seen in other threads that they are able to trade off the wedding package, but Ana Maria just emailed me back saying that there isn't anything to replace the photographers.. I have my own photographer! I'm really bummed..it doesn't seem fair that everyone else is able to do it and maybe I'm just lacking the negotiating skills!. Its not going to make any sense to have an extra photographer.. Anyone negotiating with her too? Any tips for me??

 

Cheerios

 

Thank you everyone for such helpful information. Mrs. Ups have you found that it is worth spending the $350 vendor fee to get the outside photographer? The hair and makeup artist that you got quotes from seem expensive? I was hoping to honestly only spend $200-$250 on hair? and the resort still charges $350 to get an outside hair and makeup artist?!! That is insane. I have not seen or hear anything about the hair and makeup at the resort. I am very particular about that.   What are you thinking about flowers? Are the resorts flowers really expensive do you know? So, you are making your own invitations? I do not have the time for that and was wondering if you had come across any nice inexpensive one's in your travels?  I feel like I am so far behind in getting my invitations out. My fiance' and I sent out a mass email to all of our family and friends about our date. July 28th 2012!! Who are you working with Pilar? I just have had a hard time getting in touch with her sometimes. It does become frustrating. 

KThun, if you do an outside florist is the resort going to set up the flowers? or does the florist. I know that I do not have the imagination skills to do that. I just do not want to pay an arm and leg for flowers if that is what the resort charges. I know that I want a lot of elegant pretty flowers too.  YOu also mentioned that the photographer did not seem that great. Have you seen samples of their photography? I would love to see samples.  How much is Del Sol or Luluna photography? Is it worth it to pay their price along with the $350 outside vendor fee? Also, you mentioned that they are replacing the DJ fee? Does that mean with the Divine package we are going to have to pay an additional fee for a DJ?

Anymore help people can provide please do so!! I appreciate it more than you know! Heather