Excellence Playa Mujeres Brides Post Here!

[HoustonBride10/31/10]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrose Thanks so much, ladies, I found it! For those of you getting married in October, when do you arrive? We are staying til the 20th, so I was wondering if there was any overlap! As laid back as I was after we booked, now that it's only about 3 months away, I keep thinking of all these details!! Anyone planned with their photog when to take pics? Before/After the ceremony? May depend on the number of guests/family/bridesmaids...since mine is so small, we are keeping it pretty minimal to save money. We have had a few more people add on to our group, so I am going to add a cocktail hour now (we were just doing the basic package before) - we can either use the Revive Bar or the Spice Terrace. I'm thinking the Revive - our whole wedding theme is sort of casual Mexico vibe, and even though the Spice is indoors and air conditioned, it just doesn't have anything to do with the rest of the style of our wedding. Any insight?

I'll miss you - we are there the 28th of October - November 4th but please give us all a full recap when you come back!! I know exactly what you mean - I'm totally wrapped up in the details -- can't imagine what planning a traditional wedding would be like!

Regarding photography -- I am doing an hour before the ceremony (formal photos, not me getting dressed) to minimize the picture time afterward (I've read a lot about a private reveal - just you and your fiancee - he turns around and sees you - photographer captures his face seeing you for the first time, rather than being torn between you walking down the isle, and him standing there waiting... sounds super cute to me!). We're doing the silver wedding package with a cocktail hour and a dinner, and I've heard that if you don't take photos in advance, you are likely to miss some or all of the cocktail hour because everything takes place back to back. I don't want to miss the cocktails (or most of it), so photos beforehand seemed like a good idea. Also, my wedding starts at 5pm, and I want photos in the daylight (before the ceremony) and afterward at sunset.

If you are adding on the cocktail hour a la carte, I don't see why you couldn't just start that a bit after your ceremony is scheduled to end... there will be wine for your guests at the ceremony, and I imagine everyone would be cool hanging out at the gazebo or on the beach (or at one of the many bars) waiting for you to finish photos. If you took the husband/wife photos first, and the guest photos afterwards, I think the guests would be even less inclined to go to the reception without you -- they'll be waiting for their turn!

Regarding the weather and an air conditioned location - I think indoors or outdoors in mid-October will be just fine. I don't think it'll be cool weather, but I'd be shocked if anyone complained about being outside either. I'd stick with your style - if you arrive in Mexico to a heat wave, I'm sure they'll be accommodating about moving the location.

Just my thoughts... I'm sure your wedding will be perfect for you, no matter what!

[Dimenzi]

I agree - go the way you want to go and have it outside....if it rains then you have the Spice at a back up....and not a bad back up either.

[HoustonBride10/31/10]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrose One question....has anyone heard good/bad things about the hair/makeup people in the EPM spa? I plan on letting them do mine but am a little nervous...

Hey ladies,
I just got an email from the salon about my appointment -- here is what they said:

Your appointment will be set at 1 pm, so we can finish around 3:30 or 4 pm.

We provide the makeup. We have experience with curly hair.

You should come with clean hair so we can use all the time styling.

We can do a test one day before with a charge.

Your flower for the hair has to be requested through Yamina please.

Let me know any further information you may need.

That was the email -- I've written back asking how much the test run would cost... I am still going to bring my own makeup -- especially eye and lip stuff and brushes... Not sure if the test referred to both hair and makeup, but the hair is what scares me the most! (As you have deduced, I have curly hair, and can't even tell you how many times it's been screwed up!) The email address to make an appointment (and to ask questions) is: spa.xpm@excellence-resorts.com. Per Yamina, tropical flowers are $3/each, and imported ones are more expensive, depends on the flower. I also plan to bring down a photo that I like. Previous brides on this forum has seemed happy with the salon/spa so I am optimistic!

Hope that helps your planning!

Is anyone thinking of doing a rehearsal dinner the night before? I am uncomfortable with paying extra for food at an all-inclusive resort... already doing that for the actual wedding day... thoughts? Ideas? Thanks!!

[ncarolinadaisy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrose Thanks so much, ladies, I found it! For those of you getting married in October, when do you arrive? We are staying til the 20th, so I was wondering if there was any overlap! As laid back as I was after we booked, now that it's only about 3 months away, I keep thinking of all these details!! Anyone planned with their photog when to take pics? Before/After the ceremony? May depend on the number of guests/family/bridesmaids...since mine is so small, we are keeping it pretty minimal to save money. We have had a few more people add on to our group, so I am going to add a cocktail hour now (we were just doing the basic package before) - we can either use the Revive Bar or the Spice Terrace. I'm thinking the Revive - our whole wedding theme is sort of casual Mexico vibe, and even though the Spice is indoors and air conditioned, it just doesn't have anything to do with the rest of the style of our wedding. Any insight?

I'll JUST miss you too! HustonBride, and one other (can't remember who) will all be down there the same weekend!

I am doing pictures afterward. I bumped my ceremony up from 5 pm to 4. The sun sets at like 6:05 I think? I wanted all my guests involved in a few pictures and I really didn't want my fiancee' to see me before. Although Huston had a cute idea!

[caroline0277]

Hi girls!

 

My husband and I got married at EPM in May and I loved referencing this site to get as many details as I could. So helpful! I have hesitated in sending this out... but I know I am always looking to see what is working for people in regards to losing weight. I wanted to share this before I get too far removed from the wedding and this site.

 

Right before our big day I really hurt my back which was not great for working out and trying to lose weight so I would want to be in a bathing suit. I am not usually one to send out emails, but I had success with this product and wanted to pass it along. This site promotes a 90 day challenge for weight loss. Since I wasn't working out at the time it was a great motivator for me and resulted in weight loss, too! It's a shake/meal replacement product (along with other supplements based on how aggressive you want to be with your weight loss). I have really enjoyed using it and feel it has been better than any SlimFast/EAS thing I've tried. I have been using it as breakfast and even lunch on days when I don't have a lot of time. While you're taking the challenge there is a website that you have access to which allows you to track your diet and also gives you shake/menu ideas. All in all, I just feel like it has made me more conscientious of what I am eating since I start my day tracking calories. Even if I miss a day or two I am usually right back to it since (at least for me) it keeps me disciplined.

 

If you're thinking of trying something out, I recommend taking a look at this. Like I said, I am not usually one to send out a message about a product, but I am fan and feel like brides to be are always looking for ideas.

 

Check it out... and let me know what you think! There are links to details (like nutritional facts, etc) in the link below. If you have any questions or insights, just PM me. http://sweetcaroline.myvi.net

 

EPM is an awesome place... Yamina is wonderful! You all will love it! Best of luck!

[ncarolinadaisy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoustonBride10/31/10 Hey ladies, I just got an email from the salon about my appointment -- here is what they said: Your appointment will be set at 1 pm, so we can finish around 3:30 or 4 pm. We provide the makeup. We have experience with curly hair. You should come with clean hair so we can use all the time styling. We can do a test one day before with a charge. Your flower for the hair has to be requested through Yamina please. Let me know any further information you may need. That was the email -- I've written back asking how much the test run would cost... I am still going to bring my own makeup -- especially eye and lip stuff and brushes... Not sure if the test referred to both hair and makeup, but the hair is what scares me the most! (As you have deduced, I have curly hair, and can't even tell you how many times it's been screwed up!) The email address to make an appointment (and to ask questions) is: spa.xpm@excellence-resorts.com. Per Yamina, tropical flowers are $3/each, and imported ones are more expensive, depends on the flower. I also plan to bring down a photo that I like. Previous brides on this forum has seemed happy with the salon/spa so I am optimistic! Hope that helps your planning! Is anyone thinking of doing a rehearsal dinner the night before? I am uncomfortable with paying extra for food at an all-inclusive resort... already doing that for the actual wedding day... thoughts? Ideas? Thanks!!

Thanks for the info Houston!

I am not planning a rehearsal dinner, but from what I have read it's not that big of a deal to just walk in with a large party to one of the restaurants. I am not even doing a reception. I am just doing a cocktail hour and I am just going to wing it afterward. But I am crazy like that!

Have you all picked out your dresses yet?! I am interested to see what everyone is wearing. Formal, informal, short...Please post!

Here is mine! I am got it in the diamond white. I have over $200 in alterations being done including a sweetheart neckline being added.

Allure : Style 8526 From AllureBridals.com

[ncarolinadaisy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by caroline0277 Hi girls! My husband and I got married at EPM in May and I loved referencing this site to get as many details as I could. So helpful! I have hesitated in sending this out... but I know I am always looking to see what is working for people in regards to losing weight. I wanted to share this before I get too far removed from the wedding and this site. Right before our big day I really hurt my back which was not great for working out and trying to lose weight so I would want to be in a bathing suit. I am not usually one to send out emails, but I had success with this product and wanted to pass it along. This site promotes a 90 day challenge for weight loss. Since I wasn't working out at the time it was a great motivator for me and resulted in weight loss, too! It's a shake/meal replacement product (along with other supplements based on how aggressive you want to be with your weight loss). I have really enjoyed using it and feel it has been better than any SlimFast/EAS thing I've tried. I have been using it as breakfast and even lunch on days when I don't have a lot of time. While you're taking the challenge there is a website that you have access to which allows you to track your diet and also gives you shake/menu ideas. All in all, I just feel like it has made me more conscientious of what I am eating since I start my day tracking calories. Even if I miss a day or two I am usually right back to it since (at least for me) it keeps me disciplined. If you're thinking of trying something out, I recommend taking a look at this. Like I said, I am not usually one to send out a message about a product, but I am fan and feel like brides to be are always looking for ideas. Check it out... and let me know what you think! There are links to details (like nutritional facts, etc) in the link below. If you have any questions or insights, just PM me. Find Your Trim Slim Shape With ViSalus! EPM is an awesome place... Yamina is wonderful! You all will love it! Best of luck!

I don't diet...I breastfeed!

[caroline0277]

A diet is just a way of life... in regards to what you consume. I was just offering up something that has helped me maintain a healthy lifestyle - nothing more than that. Not at all meaning to offend.

[ncarolinadaisy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by caroline0277 A diet is just a way of life... in regards to what you consume. I was just offering up something that has helped me maintain a healthy lifestyle - nothing more than that. Not at all meaning to offend.

You didn't offend me at all...it's not what I consume it's all the calories that my little man does. I was just commenting on your post.

[caroline0277]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncarolinadaisy You didn't offend me at all...it's not what I consume it's all the calories that my little man does. I was just commenting on your post.

Oh thank you for responding... I was feeling really bad for my post! I have heard that little ones can certainly take a lot out of you (literally and physically! - so fun though)! Enjoy your day and congratulations!