The Now Riviera Cancun

[Moments That Matter]

As a photographer working here in the Mayan Riviera we deal mainly with destination brides from the USA and Canada. We have a standard $500 deposit for all our weddings with the balance due on or before the wedding. This is approx 25% down.

So 30% is not unreasonable. Just make sure your dealing with a reliable vendor and everything should be fine. Most deposits are also non refundable. This is due to the fact that once we take a booking, we start to turn down other work to reserve the date for you.

Best of luck!

[lisadias]

I paid 50% down and the rest on the day of the wedding!

 

Originally Posted by FutureMrsHolt 

Can someone tell me if 30% for a photographer is too much for a down payment?? My FMIL is making me crazy! Crazy enough to call this damn thing off!

[futuredawson]

I would love to hear how your experience was visiting the ceremony and reception grounds. Thank you so much for updating us during your visit, cant wait to hear about it

[Mischaka]

 

 

Originally Posted by lisadias 

 

I paid 50% down and the rest on the day of the wedding!

 

 

 

 

 

Really?? You are using Ivan right??

[lisadias]

Yes I am using Ivan Luckie. I had no problem paying it as I have the money now and I know that my expenses next year are going to be crazy so I would just rather get it over with and the dollar was decent when I paid and who the heck knows what it will be like next year as I had to pay in US funds and I am Canadian.
 

Originally Posted by Mischaka 

Really?? You are using Ivan right??

[FutureMrsHolt]

I'm about to pull my hair out dealing with her on this. She asked me to forward her the contract and then asked if they were approved by the resort!! I swear there is nothing but excuses from her or reasons why something isn't good enough.

[saraandjon]

Ok, so here goes:

 

I feel MUCH better after meeting with Ana today!  Thank god!  

 

She is definitely willing to work with me on certain things (this may be because I am expecting to have a larger wedding, ~ 75 people)  but, nonetheless, she is pretty flexible.  

 

We looked at my ceremony location (far end of the beach) and I'm sure it will be gorgeous.  I am planning on renting the white chairs for $7 each, because I am not a fan of the chair covers (some people love them and some hate them), I am going to have a simple chuppah set up, with white fabric and no flowers, and I might bring some pink fabric with me to make it look like the orange picture on the website.   

 

I'm not sure about cocktail hour yet...either Blue Bar or the pool deck, but both would be awesome.  I am tentatively planning on Carribean trio for both ceremony and cocktail hour music.  

 

For the reception, I'm going with Las Olas- its pretty much a cross between a covered patio and a real room.  I think this is great for a big party.  There is a bar there already, ceiling fans, and an ocean view!  We are having a plated dinner and she is letting us have 2 choices, as long as we tell her how many of each up front.  She is giving me the contact info for the DJ so I can check into what they will do as far as MCing.  I brought pictures of the centerpieces that I want and she is going to let me know what the florist will charge to make them.  Hopefully a reasonable amount, because she said I CANNOT use an outside florist.  According to her, you were allowed to when the resort was still NH, but now it is not possible.  We'll see what her quote is, because if it is crazy I might try to get around that! 

 

PS we ate at Las Olas today- the ceviche was good and the squid rings (basically large pieces of calamari) were great!  The breakfast buffet still wins as best meal by far though!  I think we are going to try SPICE or Asia (I digress but this is kind of important especially is you are having your wedding soon- all of the restaurants still have 2 names, not sure for how long, its very confusing), tonight.  I'll let you all know how it is.  

 

It finally stopped raining so I'm going to sit outside and read my book a little bit before dinner (if you haven't read The Help you shoud, so far its really good!).  

 

Let me know what questions you guys have!  And don't worry, it's really beautiful down here!

[1106wedding]

Awesome feedback! Keep us updated about the weather because it's close to this time next year that I'm looking to book (early october). I've recently been worrying a lot about the rain... didn't realize how close it was to hurricane season. We're planning on a larger wedding as well (75 - 85), did you see any ceremony options for a group that size other than the beach? Las Olas sounds like a perfect reception area. Oh and I'd definitely pay the extra for upgraded chairs!!
Thank you!

 

Originally Posted by saraandjon 

Ok, so here goes:

 

I feel MUCH better after meeting with Ana today!  Thank god!  

 

She is definitely willing to work with me on certain things (this may be because I am expecting to have a larger wedding, ~ 75 people)  but, nonetheless, she is pretty flexible.  

 

We looked at my ceremony location (far end of the beach) and I'm sure it will be gorgeous.  I am planning on renting the white chairs for $7 each, because I am not a fan of the chair covers (some people love them and some hate them), I am going to have a simple chuppah set up, with white fabric and no flowers, and I might bring some pink fabric with me to make it look like the orange picture on the website.   

 

I'm not sure about cocktail hour yet...either Blue Bar or the pool deck, but both would be awesome.  I am tentatively planning on Carribean trio for both ceremony and cocktail hour music.  

 

For the reception, I'm going with Las Olas- its pretty much a cross between a covered patio and a real room.  I think this is great for a big party.  There is a bar there already, ceiling fans, and an ocean view!  We are having a plated dinner and she is letting us have 2 choices, as long as we tell her how many of each up front.  She is giving me the contact info for the DJ so I can check into what they will do as far as MCing.  I brought pictures of the centerpieces that I want and she is going to let me know what the florist will charge to make them.  Hopefully a reasonable amount, because she said I CANNOT use an outside florist.  According to her, you were allowed to when the resort was still NH, but now it is not possible.  We'll see what her quote is, because if it is crazy I might try to get around that! 

 

PS we ate at Las Olas today- the ceviche was good and the squid rings (basically large pieces of calamari) were great!  The breakfast buffet still wins as best meal by far though!  I think we are going to try SPICE or Asia (I digress but this is kind of important especially is you are having your wedding soon- all of the restaurants still have 2 names, not sure for how long, its very confusing), tonight.  I'll let you all know how it is.  

 

It finally stopped raining so I'm going to sit outside and read my book a little bit before dinner (if you haven't read The Help you shoud, so far its really good!).  

 

Let me know what questions you guys have!  And don't worry, it's really beautiful down here!

[lisadias]

Who are you planning on going with? I am sure you have done your research and could show her reviews and such rather than getting her involved witht the contract. Sorry to hear you are going through this! I feel your pain. Try to keep your spirits up though because in the end it's all about the man you are marrying and nothing else

 

Originally Posted by FutureMrsHolt 

I'm about to pull my hair out dealing with her on this. She asked me to forward her the contract and then asked if they were approved by the resort!! I swear there is nothing but excuses from her or reasons why something isn't good enough.

[Amiep603]

I am confused about the dinner menu for the reception.....we are having the Devine dinner but do I have to choose one of the 3 menus or will each guest get to choose what they want to eat that day?