Is anyone out there planning a wedding at La Amada in Playa Mujeres?

[Rmarino222]

We're doing a DJ instead of a band and are using DJ Mannia.  I have read a TON of great reviews and have no doubts they will do a great job.  If you are looking for a photographer, we are using Sascha Gluck (again, i've read great reviews and LOVE his blog).  I recommend talking to Gabi from Planner 1 events since i think that is who the hotel usually works with and it might make things easier to just go straight to the source.  Going straight thru Gabi might give you lower prices too.  I got engaged 2 days before you so i'm still in the beginning phases too!  One of my friends is a travel agent and she is working with the hotel to finalize the room block information.  If you would like to contact her to help you out, just send me a PM and i'll give you her contract info.  We are going down the first weekend in February for a site visit and to meet with Ileana, Gabi and hopefully my photographer while i'm there.

[Rmarino222]

Carla - i should have started that last reply with a big "CONGRATS".

[CarlaATL]

Hi Gabi,

I just spoke with Ileana on the phone this morning, and she said she often works with you on table/chair setup and decorations.  I'm planning on bringing down some of my own decorations, but I would love to get some information from you.  We would like simple but elegant.  Plain chairs, maybe some decorations on the chairs closest to the ailse for the ceremony, etc.  My personal email address is [email protected].

 

Thanks so much!

Carla

[CarlaATL]

Thank you and congratulations on your engagement too!  I've actually already booked a photographer, Rachel, with La Luna Photography...I just feel in love with their pictures...but thank you for the recommendation!  I spoke with Ileana today and I'm going to reach out to Gabi. Ileana's sending me 2 links I think of different vendors they use (with Planner 1 being one of them). My fiance and I are going to have speakers set up at our reception so we can play our own playlists through an iPod, and I think we might get a salsa band for a few hours!  Ileana said she could send me a few links to different bands that we can choose from.  We're going to have a bonfire the night before our wedding on the beach, and I just CAN'T WAIT for that!  There's actually an awesome review on Trip Advisor from a gal who just had a wedding there, and it consistently sounds like the most perfect place to have an intimate nice wedding.  Check it out when you get a minute if you can!  I think we're going to do a site visit in January, and I can't wait to see La Amada with my own eyes!  We're not using a travel agent, and we've negotiated a group rate with the hotels ourselves. We're pretty much leaving it up to our guests if they'd like to use their own travel agent or book directly through the hotel.  Again, thanks for all of your tips!  I'd love to hear how everyone's plans are progressing.  Have a great weekend and a happy Thanksgiving! Carla:-)  

[CarlaATL]

Thank you and congratulations on your engagement too!  I've actually already booked a photographer, Rachel, with La Luna Photography...I just feel in love with their pictures...but thank you for the recommendation!  I spoke with Ileana today and I'm going to reach out to Gabi. Ileana's sending me 2 links I think of different vendors they use (with Planner 1 being one of them). My fiance and I are going to have speakers set up at our reception so we can play our own playlists through an iPod, and I think we might get a salsa band for a few hours!  Ileana said she could send me a few links to different bands that we can choose from.  We're going to have a bonfire the night before our wedding on the beach, and I just CAN'T WAIT for that!  There's actually an awesome review on Trip Advisor from a gal who just had a wedding there, and it consistently sounds like the most perfect place to have an intimate nice wedding.  Check it out when you get a minute if you can!  I think we're going to do a site visit in January, and I can't wait to see La Amada with my own eyes!  We're not using a travel agent, and we've negotiated a group rate with the hotels ourselves. We're pretty much leaving it up to our guests if they'd like to use their own travel agent or book directly through the hotel.  Again, thanks for all of your tips!  I'd love to hear how everyone's plans are progressing.  Have a great weekend and a happy Thanksgiving! Carla:-)  

[CarlaATL]

Hello Ladies,

Here's what I've been told from Ileana:  She quoted $18 pp for table/chair setup, BUT she said that's all negotiable based on what we want as far as chair covers, bows, etc.  It's my understanding that the price goes down if you take some of those things away.  She told me there was no fee to have an outside photographer. I don't have that in writing, but I've already put a deposit down with La Luna Photographers, so I'm hoping that won't change!  I didn't hear anything about bringing your own alcohol, but they are flexible with the bar too - for example, you can limit the bar to beer and wine, pay by the drink per person (v. open bar), or select a limited bar to cater the pricing to your budget.  We're also getting a lower price for the Carribbean Buffet per person because I'm having her take off the desserts (since we're having a wedding cake and don't feel the need to offer desserts at the buffet).  I've actually been really impressed so far on just how flexible Ileana has been on allowing us to create what we want for our wedding day weekend.  It seems like she's willing to work with you on just about anything.  Anyway, I hope that was helpful!  If any of you have any other tips to share, that's be awesome.  Have a great weekend and a happy Thanksgiving!  Carla:-)

[Planner1Events]

Hello girls of course going directly with Planner 1 Events we can offer better prices for decor, furniture rentals and also flowers We have a special promotion with 10% discount for our price list items, so if you need any information, I will be more than glad to help you

Carla I am sending an email wit our info.

Thanks a lot and Congrats for your wedding at this amazing place!

 

Gabi

[Rmarino222]

Happy Holidays to all the La Amada brides!!!  I just booked a trip to go down the last week of January and i figure i can go over everything with Ileana when i'm down there.  I'm putting everything on hold until i get down there and see the place with my own eyes.  I'm sooooooo excited about seeing it in person.  She did confirm with me that we are allowed to bring in our own alcohol.  I really want to do a bonfire either the night before my reception or after.  I"m going to  meet with Gabi while i'm down there also, so she can show me all the possibilities.

[msucooper]

Congrats & Happy Planning!!!

[Kristine624]

hi all!

 

my fiance and i are getting so excited! only 4 months until our wedding at la amada

 

as for recent news - we have decided to take advantage of la amada's new all-inclusive option.  we think that our guests will be much better served under this option, since drinks and food at the hotel is generally very pricey. it's an extra $80.00 per day per person, but we think it's worth it (when we were on our site visit in august, dinner alone cost us $150, so we want our guests to avoid big bills at the end of the trip!)

 

we have also been working with gabi on our wedding decor. i cannot give her enough props - she has been so attentive, helpful and fast! we have decided on a mix of fuschia and orange roses, orchids and calla lilies for the flowers. we'll be using white chairs for the ceremony, and will be hanging flowers at the end of each row. the centerpieces for the reception will be two vases (one larger, one smaller) with votive candles around them. we're using navy blue napkins (my bridesmaids are wearing navy blue) and our table numbers will also be navy blue. we are also going to have floating candles in the pool and hanging paper lanterns. i hope this creates the "soft light" we are looking for!

 

the bridesmaids have their dresses and my flower girl also has her dress (so cute!). we are buying my fiance's suit from jcrew - he is going to wear light gray pants, a white shirt and a gray vest (no jacket). 

 

i just love the casual look - it's very much his type of look!  the groomsmen will wear the pants and the same white shirt, no vest. we're still working on the ring bearer's outfit.

 

we have our songs picked out, the menu is set for the wedding dinner, rehearsal dinner and welcome dinner. my fiance's brother is going to be our officiant, and the reader's are all picked out.

 

i feel like we are in a good place! we're ordering invitations this week and we'll work on programs and menus. the biggest "to do" at this point is get my dress to a seamstress for fittings, and get our honeymoon sorted out...

 

how are the other la amada brides doing??