Ocean Turquesa & Coral Brides?

[LeahR]

Is anyone getting married around May 2, 2014 at this hotel? Also what have been done for center pieces?

[SarahWember]

Hello, all! I have been meaning to post in this forum for quite awhile; as I've spent countless hours reading through the thread, taking notes, and reading everyone's experiences. I booked our wedding at OCT back in July, and our wedding date is set for May 16th, 2014. I am pretty relaxed about planning, as I'm impeccably organized and knew we had so much time to plan everything out. Now, we are 6 months out, and I think the majority of the planning is done. From the other posts, it seems Ana is hard to get a response from, but it has never gone more than two days without a response. I have only asked her very straight forward questions that she can reply to simply, so perhaps that is it. I'm not quite sure what this post should entail,but I know I had A LOT of questions in the beginning. I wouldn't even say I'm a "planny" person, but I was over analyzing every detail, I've since let go of that stress. My MOH's sister was married here in MAY, so having someone who went through it was very helpful. Her advice to me was to not go overboard with the tiniest of details, because the setting for the wedding is absolutely gorgeous, and that I need to relax, and realize that it all does come together, and honestly, probably could be done in a week's time, honestly. BUT, I've started really focusing on the planning about a month ago. I mean, I JUST bought my dress a few days ago (I was scolded for waiting so long... lol)  I never saw myself as an actually girly girl who would get so into this, but I have, and have loved it. So, here is what we have figured out so far:

 

Ceremony will be on the beach. Now, I am just going to buy sashes for the chairs (mint green with a starfish on the back) since it is cheaper than renting them for $3ish/ea. I was told to move my ceremony from 5 to 6, by the sister of my MOH. She was married right around the same exact time and said the sun was just a liiiiitle too bright at 5, but would have been perfect at 6. So we are doing that. We toyed with the idea of a cocktail hour, but after reading everyone's reviews, we've realized that everyone can hang in the lobby bar, as our reception will start an hour later on in the lobby terrace, so they will be just outside the door. Saves SO much money and they will have something to do while we take our photos. We are not doing one of those "first look" things, so we'll need to get all of our pictures done withint that time. Reception will start around 7:30, and we extended it by an hour, for a total of 4 hours.

 

There were two things that we decided we would splurge on:

 

*An excellent photographer. I've seen the photos taken by the resident photog, and I was not impressed at all. In fact, I'm pretty sure my cell phone could take better pictures (no offense to anyone that has used them) I'm just saying, you will have these pictures for a lifetime, it's worth it. We hired Samuel Luna, who has been an absolute pleasure to work with so far, and his work is outstanding. We scheduled a Trash the Dress session with him for the next day (it was included in the package we paid for.)

 

*A DJ. Now, I know that a hot topic in here is just using iPod to play your own playlist, and I thought about that as well, and am sure it would turn out just fine. The DJ at the hotel, as far as I can tell, doesn't MC, he simply plays YOUR playlist for you, and does not interact. This is supposed to be something that everyone will remember for a lifetime, and it was important for us to have someone to handle the ebb and flow of the evening. We don't want to worry about someone introducing us, or our first dance, etc...and we really believe it will help keep the order of things. We are giving him a list of 30ish songs, I could have easily made my own list of 100's, and 100's, but someone that can read the crowd, keep things energetic, get involved, to us, it's worth it. We are bringing glow sticks and Thundersticks with to give to him, to incorporate into the party. Also, his rate was VERY affordable. I spoke with him on the phone for nearly 45 minutest last night, and laughed nearly the entire time. GREAT guy-- DJ Bob (http://weddingdjrivieramaya.com/)

 

Now...the part I hate! The fees! For a 2014 wedding, the hotel is now charging $500 for outside vendors. And they told me I need to pay an additional $200 fee the DJ, as this serves as an "energy" fee. I think it's completely ridiculous. Add to that, an outsider fee, to allow them onto the grounds for the day, which is, I believe, $80/ PP, Per day. I have two photographers coming in, and my DJ, so you can see my dilemma. I'm going to get them rooms for the night, which will be cheaper than paying all of the fees. However, Ana emailed me today saying that need to stay a minimum of three nights, which, I'm sorry, is BS. You can book rooms by the night online, and since they are having dinner with us, I have fully considered them my guests, so... I'm getting around this and not dealing with this noise!

 

That is really the only complaint I have so far about working with the hotel, or with my planner, Ana. If anyone has questions about planning, I know I have not gone through this yet...but I think I have it all pretty much covered so if you're wedding is around the same time as mine, and you're freaking out about anything, you're not alone. More than likely I have freaked out about it as well. I feel very confident now, though, that everything will run smoothly.

 

We are bringing items with us (menus, programs, welcome bags, place cards, table #'s, paper lanterns, string lights, party items for the reception dance, personalized Patron bottles to do a shot together, and some digital photo frames, guest book, I THINK that is it. We aren't bringing any huge items for center pieces, or lanterns, etc.  But these are all small details that I'm sure nobody cares to hear about : )

 

I work online all day, so I've literally been to this board 100's of times, and thought I would put my two cents in, in case anyone is interested in chatting!

 

Hope everyone's wedding planning is coming along nicely and hope to exchange tips in the coming months as we prepare!! Eeeek! I'm so excited!

 

 

Sarah

[LeahS]

Hello, all! I have been meaning to post in this forum for quite awhile; as I've spent countless hours reading through the thread, taking notes, and reading everyone's experiences. I booked our wedding at OCT back in July, and our wedding date is set for May 16th, 2014. I am pretty relaxed about planning, as I'm impeccably organized and knew we had so much time to plan everything out. Now, we are 6 months out, and I think the majority of the planning is done. From the other posts, it seems Ana is hard to get a response from, but it has never gone more than two days without a response. I have only asked her very straight forward questions that she can reply to simply, so perhaps that is it. I'm not quite sure what this post should entail,but I know I had A LOT of questions in the beginning. I wouldn't even say I'm a "planny" person, but I was over analyzing every detail, I've since let go of that stress. My MOH's sister was married here in MAY, so having someone who went through it was very helpful. Her advice to me was to not go overboard with the tiniest of details, because the setting for the wedding is absolutely gorgeous, and that I need to relax, and realize that it all does come together, and honestly, probably could be done in a week's time, honestly. BUT, I've started really focusing on the planning about a month ago. I mean, I JUST bought my dress a few days ago (I was scolded for waiting so long... lol)  I never saw myself as an actually girly girl who would get so into this, but I have, and have loved it. So, here is what we have figured out so far:

 

Ceremony will be on the beach. Now, I am just going to buy sashes for the chairs (mint green with a starfish on the back) since it is cheaper than renting them for $3ish/ea. I was told to move my ceremony from 5 to 6, by the sister of my MOH. She was married right around the same exact time and said the sun was just a liiiiitle too bright at 5, but would have been perfect at 6. So we are doing that. We toyed with the idea of a cocktail hour, but after reading everyone's reviews, we've realized that everyone can hang in the lobby bar, as our reception will start an hour later on in the lobby terrace, so they will be just outside the door. Saves SO much money and they will have something to do while we take our photos. We are not doing one of those "first look" things, so we'll need to get all of our pictures done withint that time. Reception will start around 7:30, and we extended it by an hour, for a total of 4 hours.

 

There were two things that we decided we would splurge on:

 

*An excellent photographer. I've seen the photos taken by the resident photog, and I was not impressed at all. In fact, I'm pretty sure my cell phone could take better pictures (no offense to anyone that has used them) I'm just saying, you will have these pictures for a lifetime, it's worth it. We hired Samuel Luna, who has been an absolute pleasure to work with so far, and his work is outstanding. We scheduled a Trash the Dress session with him for the next day (it was included in the package we paid for.)

 

*A DJ. Now, I know that a hot topic in here is just using iPod to play your own playlist, and I thought about that as well, and am sure it would turn out just fine. The DJ at the hotel, as far as I can tell, doesn't MC, he simply plays YOUR playlist for you, and does not interact. This is supposed to be something that everyone will remember for a lifetime, and it was important for us to have someone to handle the ebb and flow of the evening. We don't want to worry about someone introducing us, or our first dance, etc...and we really believe it will help keep the order of things. We are giving him a list of 30ish songs, I could have easily made my own list of 100's, and 100's, but someone that can read the crowd, keep things energetic, get involved, to us, it's worth it. We are bringing glow sticks and Thundersticks with to give to him, to incorporate into the party. Also, his rate was VERY affordable. I spoke with him on the phone for nearly 45 minutest last night, and laughed nearly the entire time. GREAT guy-- DJ Bob (http://weddingdjrivieramaya.com/)

 

Now...the part I hate! The fees! For a 2014 wedding, the hotel is now charging $500 for outside vendors. And they told me I need to pay an additional $200 fee the DJ, as this serves as an "energy" fee. I think it's completely ridiculous. Add to that, an outsider fee, to allow them onto the grounds for the day, which is, I believe, $80/ PP, Per day. I have two photographers coming in, and my DJ, so you can see my dilemma. I'm going to get them rooms for the night, which will be cheaper than paying all of the fees. However, Ana emailed me today saying that need to stay a minimum of three nights, which, I'm sorry, is BS. You can book rooms by the night online, and since they are having dinner with us, I have fully considered them my guests, so... I'm getting around this and not dealing with this noise!

 

That is really the only complaint I have so far about working with the hotel, or with my planner, Ana. If anyone has questions about planning, I know I have not gone through this yet...but I think I have it all pretty much covered so if you're wedding is around the same time as mine, and you're freaking out about anything, you're not alone. More than likely I have freaked out about it as well. I feel very confident now, though, that everything will run smoothly.

 

We are bringing items with us (menus, programs, welcome bags, place cards, table #'s, paper lanterns, string lights, party items for the reception dance, personalized Patron bottles to do a shot together, and some digital photo frames, guest book, I THINK that is it. We aren't bringing any huge items for center pieces, or lanterns, etc.  But these are all small details that I'm sure nobody cares to hear about : )

 

I work online all day, so I've literally been to this board 100's of times, and thought I would put my two cents in, in case anyone is interested in chatting!

 

Hope everyone's wedding planning is coming along nicely and hope to exchange tips in the coming months as we prepare!! Eeeek! I'm so excited!

 

 

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

 

My wedding is May 2, 2014 and I feel like I have so many questions! What are you doing for centerpieces? Where did you get your paper lanterns? Did you plan your own layout for the reception? What are you doing for table numbers? Please msg me or send me an email at leah_rothwell@live.ca!

 

Leah

[ReeBik]

 

Hey Nadia,

 

60 days will go by fast...!!! lol

 

We did welcome bags too which included... personalized "welcome" tags, a wedding disposable camera, sunscreen, aloe, a person margarita recipe card with a mini tequila bottle, a custom made tri-fold brochure, mints, bottle of water, etc.

 

For our parents... I made them all scrapbooks.  The book was leather an in my wedding colour "blue" and had pictures from the night my husband proposed, our engagement photos, our stag & doe and my shower.  I left some space so that I can scrapbook pictures from our trip and wedding day for them to add to the book to complete it.

 

I'm glad Ana got back to you!  Let me know if you have any other questions... I'm happy to help in any way.

 

Whit

 

Whit-Bride,

 

did you get the mini tequila bottles in Mexico or pack them?

[MrsSheppardToBe]

Hi Everyone!

 

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! 

 

I'm so excited for the New Year as I will no longer have to tell people I'm getting married "next year"... just feels like the wedding is slowly creeping up on me (which I don't mind, of course!)

 

My wedding date is June 5, 2014.  Does anyone know how far in advance you actually start working with your OCT wedding planner and plan all the fun details (like food, decor, etc). I've been so bored with having no wedding prep to do, and I'm ready to get moving on these details!!

 

I've got my photographer and DJ booked (both are from the resort.... didn't want to pay vendor fees!)

 

If anyone here has gone through this process, or is cloe to their wedding date please let me know  what the timeline/process is... I'm super excited to start working with my OCT planner!

 

Happy New Year, brides-to-be! <3

[Leslied]

Hi everyone!!

 

I need help!! My wedding is on April 28th 2014 at Ocean Coral & Turquesa and everything has been running smoothly so far until I received an email yesterday from yet again, a new wedding coordinator.  Since I booked, they have changed my wedding coordinator 3 times and everyone of them say something different when it comes to prices.  This Pamela lady, who is now my wedding coordinator, sent me a rundown of the money I owe and is telling me that prices have gone up for 2014.  My previous wedding coordinator, Cynthia Lira, had given me prices for various things that she claimed were for 2014 such as packages (sunset package I chose was $1350 and is now $1450), outside vendor fee (was $400 and is now $500), cost for outdoor reception on the lobby terrace (price per person went up from $50 to $60 and she says I have to pay $400 on top of that for "land rental") etc.  Now Pamela is telling me otherwise.  

 

I feel like I being taken advantage of since everything is booked and Im sure they know that we can't back out now.  I could argue with her and send her the emails that Cynthia sent me containing the amounts she had claimed were for 2014 and ask that they honor it but, will they reallt do that?!

 

Has anyone encountered the same problem?  If so, can you suggest how I should deal with this?

 

Thank you so much!

 

Leslie

[MrsSheppardToBe]

What?!

 

My wedding coordinator was Cynthia, too.. and I have just recently been dealing with Pamela.

 

Maybe Cynthia is away on holidays? 

 

I'm going to email them right now and see what the story is with Cynthia and a 2014 price increase.  I'll let you know what I find out.

[Leslied]

The situation appears to have been resolved after sending a nasty email!!  I am now dealing with Ana from now on, who is also the manager, and she told me that she would honor the prices previously quoted by Cynthia.  I forwarded all emails from Cynthia where she had quoted various prices.  

 

I will be making a folder of emails to bring with me to the resort as Im really scared that Im going to get "f----d" once I get there.

 

This whole situation has put so much stress on me and I certainly dont need to be stressed once I get there.

 

She did confirm that prices have gone up for 2014...yet again!  I understand as a business that prices will go up from year to year.  I just dont think its right to increase prices several times within the same year for the following year. That is just down right insane!!

 

Im happy to be dealing with Ana from now on...heard alot of good things about her.  I can only hope that things will run smoothly from now until April and once we are there.

[Jeanetta H]

Hey everyone hope your planning is going well!! I am getting so excited only 4 months until our wedding!!! EEEkkkkk! Everyones posts are making me more excited!

Edited January 5, 2014 by Jeanetta H

[MrsSheppardToBe]

I've heard back from Pamela, and saw that the 2014 prices jumped by like $500!!  Crazy!

 

Anyways I've asked her politely if she will honor the prices that I was quoted when I originally booked by wedding in May 2013.  Still waiting to hear back from her, so we'll see.

 

Was it hard for you to get the 2013 prices back, or did you have to fight a bit to get it?