Secrets Maroma Brides

[msop04]

Originally Posted by KCDawn 

 

I have the file with the reception locations.  I can send it to you.

 

 

 

 

Just ran across this post -- I, too, am trying to decide between the Gazebo or Barracuda Terrace...  would you send those files to me if you still have them??  That would really help me to decide.  (This forum is so great)  

[KCDawn]

Originally Posted by msop04 

 

 

Just ran across this post -- I, too, am trying to decide between the Gazebo or Barracuda Terrace...  would you send those files to me if you still have them??  That would really help me to decide.  (This forum is so great)  

 

Of course!  Just give me your email address.  You can PM it if you want.  Beachbride had her reception at the Barracuda Terrace so she can tell you all about that location.  Secrets Maroma has a Facebook page with a good bit of pictures on it.  Some are a little repetitive but I believe there are pictures of the Gazebo set up on there.  It's also a really great place to get resort related questions answered. 

[msop04]

Ladies, I need some reassurance with this whole SMB wedding thing. I feel really frustrated and "not in control." AT. ALL. Did anyone have a problem trying to get Cecilia and/or Mexican vendors to answer their emails? Let me start out by saying that I really am an impatient person (and Type A, if ya know what I mean... LOL), but this IS my wedding I'm talking about, and it makes me very nervous to leave so much unknown and "sight unseen." Especially when I'm gonna be spending tons of money to try to make this happen. Here goes... I am now using a TA that one of the fabulous ladies from this site recommended, so I feel a little better, BUT... (this is my little vent -- just bare with me...) My new TA mentioned that SMB can sometimes be slow in answering requests and a lot can be lost in translation, but that he would be my "liaison," if you will. **this made me feel 100% better!! I told him that I had sent in a Wedding Request form via SMB website, but that the only response I received from Cecilia was (and I'm gonna paraphrase), "Congratulations on your engagement... first step is choosing a date... lots to offer at SMB... let me know if I can be of any assistance..." Ummm... yeah. Didn't I just request a date using THE WEDDING REQUEST FORM?? Isn't that what it's used for? Okay. So my TA emailed SMB and Cecilia about my request and her answer was the she never received anything from me, had not heard of me, blah blah blah. Please note that she answered me with the form I filled out and my specific questions from the "Notes" section. So I forwarded the email from her to my TA. I guess it didn't matter at this point because our wedding date had already been booked. I have since emailed (and forwarded my TA) Cecilia requesting available Friday & Saturday dates in the 4PM slot for beach and gazebo weddings. I just hope I'll get an answer soon. I'm ready to put a deposit down and get the ball rolling! Then there's The Styling Trio for hair and makeup. I've sent two emails, but no response. I've seen two different sets of quotes (albeit VERY VERY DIFFERENT PRICES), but I need quotes of my own and confirmation that they could do it... Am I being my usual impatient self? Has anyone felt this way or had the same experiences? Sorry for the rant, ladies... just had to put it out there.

[beachbride2013]

Originally Posted by msop04 

 

 

Oh okay - I guess I need to be doing that too...  Did you just order them or did you actually print them yourself from a home printer?  I am thinking of designing them using VistaPrint - has anyone used them?  I can always add ribbons, bling, etc., but need someone to print them for me, I think.  I am open to any and all suggestions from everyone.

 

I made my own using cardstock, ribbon, and my own printer. I just have a really basic dell printer. I used a free template that I found on a martha steward site. It was quite simple but took all day to do it. It was my first DIY project ever I think. I think CriCri made her own menus as well.

[beachbride2013]

Originally Posted by KCDawn 

 

 

Of course!  Just give me your email address.  You can PM it if you want.  Beachbride had her reception at the Barracuda Terrace so she can tell you all about that location.  Secrets Maroma has a Facebook page with a good bit of pictures on it.  Some are a little repetitive but I believe there are pictures of the Gazebo set up on there.  It's also a really great place to get resort related questions answered. 

 

The barracuda terrace has better views of the beach/ocean but it has no gazebo, so it really just looks like an area by the pool....which it is. The gazebo is usually the first choice for brides (it was mine) but the barracuda terrace is the second best imo. The gazebo is beautiful and looks really grand I think. It's the same views, just no beautiful gazebo. Both areas will be away from guests of the hotel, both have restrooms near by. I heard someone say, this hotel is so nice that you could have your wedding in the bathroom and it would still be gorgeous. I wouldn't take it that far, but seriously the entire resort is so incredibly nice.

[KCDawn]

Originally Posted by msop04 

 

Ladies, I need some reassurance with this whole SMB wedding thing. I feel really frustrated and "not in control." AT. ALL. Did anyone have a problem trying to get Cecilia and/or Mexican vendors to answer their emails? Let me start out by saying that I really am an impatient person (and Type A, if ya know what I mean... LOL), but this IS my wedding I'm talking about, and it makes me very nervous to leave so much unknown and "sight unseen." Especially when I'm gonna be spending tons of money to try to make this happen. Here goes... I am now using a TA that one of the fabulous ladies from this site recommended, so I feel a little better, BUT... (this is my little vent -- just bare with me...) My new TA mentioned that SMB can sometimes be slow in answering requests and a lot can be lost in translation, but that he would be my "liaison," if you will. **this made me feel 100% better!! I told him that I had sent in a Wedding Request form via SMB website, but that the only response I received from Cecilia was (and I'm gonna paraphrase), "Congratulations on your engagement... first step is choosing a date... lots to offer at SMB... let me know if I can be of any assistance..." Ummm... yeah. Didn't I just request a date using THE WEDDING REQUEST FORM?? Isn't that what it's used for? Okay. So my TA emailed SMB and Cecilia about my request and her answer was the she never received anything from me, had not heard of me, blah blah blah. Please note that she answered me with the form I filled out and my specific questions from the "Notes" section. So I forwarded the email from her to my TA. I guess it didn't matter at this point because our wedding date had already been booked. I have since emailed (and forwarded my TA) Cecilia requesting available Friday & Saturday dates in the 4PM slot for beach and gazebo weddings. I just hope I'll get an answer soon. I'm ready to put a deposit down and get the ball rolling! Then there's The Styling Trio for hair and makeup. I've sent two emails, but no response. I've seen two different sets of quotes (albeit VERY VERY DIFFERENT PRICES), but I need quotes of my own and confirmation that they could do it... Am I being my usual impatient self? Has anyone felt this way or had the same experiences? Sorry for the rant, ladies... just had to put it out there.

 

First off, you are dealing with the Caribbean and the culture is very different from the U.S.  Everything is much more relaxed and less urgent in the Caribbean areas.  So you have to keep in mind that it may take a while to get things answered and plan accordingly.  I emailed Valeria recently to change our ceremony venue from the gazebo to the beach and it took almost two weeks to hear back from her, which from what I've read on this site is typical.  When she did answer, everything was handled, including the other 3 questions I had asked and I had a new contract.  So while we may get frustrated that things aren't being handled right away, it does seem to get handled.  I have noticed little translation issues where she didn't quite answer my question, so I just rephrase a little simpler and ask again.  It is Mexico, English is not their first language.

 

I think it's a great idea that you are now using a TA to get everything set up.  We have a TA and she helped us get the date locked in and the initial contract.  She also faciliated getting the locations reserved.  It did take a few weeks to get everything finalized and I understand your frustration because I was a little nervous until our date was confirmed. 

 

It is hard planning a wedding from afar but in the end they do this all the time and after everything I've read (and I've read a lot), they do a great job putting everything together.  So, just have a little patience and grab a glass of wine!  Your wedding will be beautiful!     

[KCDawn]

Originally Posted by LolaTX 

 

 

4) We are also using a travel agent that secured the price of $579 per person, based on a double occupancy for three nights in a jr suite with partial view. This also includes airport transfers. My guests can book directly through him, he even created a website just for our guests to inquire upon with our picture.  I can share his information if you like.  He requires $150 paid upfront and then the balance 45 days prior to departure.  We are not earning any type of additional discount though . .since apparently this pricing is VERY LOW. However, after reading through this forum, I did recently ask Cecillia what they do for gratis for us since we will be having over 50 guests, and they will all (or MOST) be staying at SMB. I will let ya'll know what she responds to this!

 

Did you happen to get an answer on this yet? 

[beachbride2013]

Originally Posted by KCDawn 

 

 

First off, you are dealing with the Caribbean and the culture is very different from the U.S.  Everything is much more relaxed and less urgent in the Caribbean areas.  So you have to keep in mind that it may take a while to get things answered and plan accordingly.  I emailed Valeria recently to change our ceremony venue from the gazebo to the beach and it took almost two weeks to hear back from her, which from what I've read on this site is typical.  When she did answer, everything was handled, including the other 3 questions I had asked and I had a new contract.  So while we may get frustrated that things aren't being handled right away, it does seem to get handled.  I have noticed little translation issues where she didn't quite answer my question, so I just rephrase a little simpler and ask again.  It is Mexico, English is not their first language.

 

I think it's a great idea that you are now using a TA to get everything set up.  We have a TA and she helped us get the date locked in and the initial contract.  She also faciliated getting the locations reserved.  It did take a few weeks to get everything finalized and I understand your frustration because I was a little nervous until our date was confirmed. 

 

It is hard planning a wedding from afar but in the end they do this all the time and after everything I've read (and I've read a lot), they do a great job putting everything together.  So, just have a little patience and grab a glass of wine!  Your wedding will be beautiful!     

 

I agree with this completely. I think part of the appeal of a DW is that you don't have all of the control....you don't have to worry about all of the tiny details in the end. At least that was the appeal for me. I didn't want to try to control everything, I wanted to relax for the most part and enjoy it. It's the beach, it's not meant to be stressful.

MSOP-when is your wedding?

[msop04]

Originally Posted by KCDawn 

 

 

First off, you are dealing with the Caribbean and the culture is very different from the U.S.  Everything is much more relaxed and less urgent in the Caribbean areas.  So you have to keep in mind that it may take a while to get things answered and plan accordingly.  I emailed Valeria recently to change our ceremony venue from the gazebo to the beach and it took almost two weeks to hear back from her, which from what I've read on this site is typical.  When she did answer, everything was handled, including the other 3 questions I had asked and I had a new contract.  So while we may get frustrated that things aren't being handled right away, it does seem to get handled.  I have noticed little translation issues where she didn't quite answer my question, so I just rephrase a little simpler and ask again.  It is Mexico, English is not their first language.

 

I think it's a great idea that you are now using a TA to get everything set up.  We have a TA and she helped us get the date locked in and the initial contract.  She also faciliated getting the locations reserved.  It did take a few weeks to get everything finalized and I understand your frustration because I was a little nervous until our date was confirmed. 

 

It is hard planning a wedding from afar but in the end they do this all the time and after everything I've read (and I've read a lot), they do a great job putting everything together.  So, just have a little patience and grab a glass of wine!  Your wedding will be beautiful!     

 

I'm really trying...  I'm just worried that, in the end, I'll be disappointed...  **deep breaths**

 

I tend to get stressed easily, so I was hoping this DW thing would not be as bad as a traditional wedding (I'd hate to think of how it would be otherwise...)  

**breaking out the tequila now...**      HA!!

[msop04]

Originally Posted by beachbride2013 

 

 

I agree with this completely. I think part of the appeal of a DW is that you don't have all of the control....you don't have to worry about all of the tiny details in the end. At least that was the appeal for me. I didn't want to try to control everything, I wanted to relax for the most part and enjoy it. It's the beach, it's not meant to be stressful.

MSOP-when is your wedding?

 

That's the million dollar question, beachbride...  It's also the major problem/worry/etc...

 

I can't seem to get any answers as to what is available, so I can book.  It's like, "hello, I want to give you a lot of money now, but you won't seem to let me pay you..."  LOL  

 

I can't relax until I know what's going on... here's why:

 

My original date (that I requested anyway) was 2/22/13.  I didn't think this was a problem, as the SMB site showed the entire month of Feb (and all time slots) available.  However, my TA forwarded me an email from Cecilia stating that the site only shows definitive dates - meaning it has been paid for or a deposit has been sent.  So my thing is, if I'm ready to pay for a date for sure, then wouldn't that make mine definitive (therefore overriding all those who have "tentative" dates)?

 

Frustrated doesn't even begin to describe how I feel -- helpless is more like it.  Our guests will need to book their rooms ASAP and most will have to apply for passports, so they are constantly asking me about a date (since they are the ones who are inconvenienced by not knowing anything... sheesh!)  

 

I know you have to crawl before ya walk, so that's what I'm trying to do... First things first -- A DATE -- but I can't seem to get one (it's been almost 3 weeks and 4 emails since I sent the initial request).  Once I get that in a contract, I can work out the details, but everything is riding on the date.  I can't do invitations, STD, or even tell anyone that's invited because the first thing they ask is, "FINALLY!!  I need to book! ...when's the date?"

 

Do you kinda see my frustration??  ...or am I just being a crazy bridezilla?  

 

I'm gonna try my best to chill this weekend, but I'm getting aggressive next week.  I need to book and pay/sign a contract in the next two weeks, so I can actually start all the planning. 

 

When does this get fun?  Does it ever get better??