NOW SAPPHIRE - help please

[Jessica4LUXE]

Ladies, you are all correct about the seagrass - it's generally on the beach at most of the resorts surrounding the Puerto Morelos area (NOW resorts included). It washes up, and the hotels seem to have full time staff that work on cleaning it with machines, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, etc. But I don't think you'll notice it too much on your wedding day. Brides tend to worry about it in advance, including what photos will look like, but trust me, you will not notice - you'll be busy getting married. if you want that pristine caribbean beach, this coast is a bit more rustic looking but nonetheless beautiful. Don't fret about it!!

[HeatherViolet]

82 Turtles-

I just booked Gonzalo Nunez!  Can you show us some pics he did for you?!?!?  I can't wait to work with him.... he seems wonderful!  Did you do a TTD session with him too?

 

HeatherViolet

 

[Noxx]

I am also booking my wedding at the sapphire. I am debating on which package to go with. Are you doing any up grades? ie Dj or longer reception, flowers, rehersal dinner? I was looking at the gazebo but im not too sure where the guests would sit. 

[Noxx]

Originally Posted by Llkrik1010 

 

Hi Everyone,

I believe the original question in this thread was about seaweed in the ocean.  I visited the Now Sapphire in early June 2011 and am getting married there June 30th, 2012.  There was seaweed in the ocean and it did wash up on shore.  I can say that they have machines clearing it off the beach a few times a day, but you can't avoid it in the ocean.  There was a pending storm when I was there, so I am not sure if that was the reason for all of the seaweed.  I was hoping to hear from someone who has been there more recently to see if they also had the seaweed problem.  I believe the seaweed is there because one of the largest barrier reefs in the world is nearby??

Anyway, I have chosen my ceremony on the beach and cocktail hour/reception on the Tequila Terrace.  My wedding coordinator is Ramon and he was very helpful and responded fairly quickly as I was booking everything. I have kind of been at a stand still and really haven't contacted the resort more recently though, as my wedding is still far away.  I am going with La Luna photography for the wedding.  When my FI and I were there visiting in June, we got a private dinner on the beach (FYI the food was delicious and we really enjoyed it).  The resort photographer took pictures of us, and we were really very disappointed with them.  As a result, I decided to look elsewhere.  La Luna is pretty expensive, but photography is important to me, so I thought it was worth the extra money.  

To answer some more questions, they do allow up to 2 weddings a day.  Neither of the locations are completely private, as there may still be guests in the pool area if you choose the beach location and there may be guests in the restaurants or walking on the beach for the Tequila Terrace.  Honestly, I think I will be so excited to be getting married I won't even notice!  I believe outside vendors cost $300, except for a photographer who only costs $65 (although I have heard different things).  I have 35 guests confirmed right now and may have more and we were quoted at $105 extra pp over 25 people.

Let me know if you have any other questions.  I posted pictures of the resort on another thread as well and have more if anyone is interested.  

For those brides getting married soon, Enjoy!!

Lauren

Thanks for the info. Have you decided on a photographer? Any suggestions?

[Llkrik1010]

Hi Noxx,

I am going with La Luna photography.  They are well known in the area and plenty of girls recommended them that have used them.  They are pricey, but I am hoping well worth it!  I leave in 2 weeks from tomorrow!

 

As for answering your questions on the packages and upgrades,  I am going with the Divine Package.  I have 35 guests, so I will have to pay the extra charges which gets pricey, but I really think the upgraded meals and other add-ons will be worth it (ie. massage, hair and make up, etc.).  I am going to add an extra appetizer for the cocktail hour because the cocktail hour is my favorite part and we have quite a few vegetarians, so I want to make sure there are enough options for them as well.  In addition, we are doing a signature drink (at no extra cost), which is ocean breeze (blue one of my colors!).  We are also going to upgrade to some hanging lanterns.  I think it looks so elegant!  Although, they quoted us at like $900 for the light up ones which is absurd, but hopefully we can get that price down.  I know others are bringing their own down, but things are crazy for me right now, so I didn't have time to bargain shop for decorations (I am working 2 jobs, going to grad school, fitting in the gym, and planning this wedding!).  We will pay for bouquets for my bridesmaids and corsages/boutteniers for parents and grandparents.  We are going with some divine centerpieces and also going with colored bows for the ceremony only.  Just so you know, right now they are having a rehearsal dinner promotion.  We originally weren't going to go with the rehearsal dinner because they quoted us at like $3500, but they have a discount right now at $20/p.  It is a private dinner by the pool, includes IPOD set-up, champagne toast, 3 course meal, and basic set up.  You might want to ask about it now, because not sure how long they will be having this promotion for.  

 

On a side note, I did find some other things on my own that I am bringing with me.  We are bringing with us a sand ceremony, which seems to be a tradition for destination weddings.  Also, instead of a guest book, we found a frame that everyone signs and can leave a message, so we can hang in our house someday.  I also am putting fans on each of the chairs for the ceremony, in case it is hot.  I got personalized ribbon too to match my bridesmaid's dresses to tie on the end of the fans.  The favors are starfish wine stoppers.  We just finished getting everything for the welcome bags.  We ended up with personalized cold drink mugs with straw, tote bags, flip flop cards, puzzle books, leis (everyone for the rehearsal dinner will wear one), glow necklaces (to be handed out at the wedding at night!), water guns, beach balls, and a survival kit (i.e. tylenol, aloe, chapstick, tums, bandaids, etc.)  If anyone is interested in where I purchased these things or what they look like, feel free to let me know and I can attach pictures or more information!  

 

Lauren

Originally Posted by Noxx 

Thanks for the info. Have you decided on a photographer? Any suggestions?

[crystalwaterwed]

There beach is amazing, my girlfriend just got married there 2 months ago and seaweed was never a issue. Happy Planning

[Poohbear]

I just got married at the now sapphire this past weekend and it was absolutely beautiful! I have not been very active on this thread but after my wedding I felt obligated to tell others about my wonderful experience ! I will try to post pics by the end of the week

[Poohbear]

I just got married at the now sapphire this past weekend and it was absolutely beautiful! I have not been very active on this thread but after my wedding I felt obligated to tell others about my wonderful experience ! I will try to post pics by the end of the week

[Jenbd817]

Originally Posted by Poohbear 

 

I just got married at the now sapphire this past weekend and it was absolutely beautiful! I have not been very active on this thread but after my wedding I felt obligated to tell others about my wonderful experience ! I will try to post pics by the end of the week

Hi Poohbear, I am hoping to book the Now Sapphire in just a few days for my wedding in November 2013 and would love to see some pictures and hear about your experience!!

[Noxx]

Originally Posted by Llkrik1010 

 

Hi Noxx,

I am going with La Luna photography.  They are well known in the area and plenty of girls recommended them that have used them.  They are pricey, but I am hoping well worth it!  I leave in 2 weeks from tomorrow!

 

As for answering your questions on the packages and upgrades,  I am going with the Divine Package.  I have 35 guests, so I will have to pay the extra charges which gets pricey, but I really think the upgraded meals and other add-ons will be worth it (ie. massage, hair and make up, etc.).  I am going to add an extra appetizer for the cocktail hour because the cocktail hour is my favorite part and we have quite a few vegetarians, so I want to make sure there are enough options for them as well.  In addition, we are doing a signature drink (at no extra cost), which is ocean breeze (blue one of my colors!).  We are also going to upgrade to some hanging lanterns.  I think it looks so elegant!  Although, they quoted us at like $900 for the light up ones which is absurd, but hopefully we can get that price down.  I know others are bringing their own down, but things are crazy for me right now, so I didn't have time to bargain shop for decorations (I am working 2 jobs, going to grad school, fitting in the gym, and planning this wedding!).  We will pay for bouquets for my bridesmaids and corsages/boutteniers for parents and grandparents.  We are going with some divine centerpieces and also going with colored bows for the ceremony only.  Just so you know, right now they are having a rehearsal dinner promotion.  We originally weren't going to go with the rehearsal dinner because they quoted us at like $3500, but they have a discount right now at $20/p.  It is a private dinner by the pool, includes IPOD set-up, champagne toast, 3 course meal, and basic set up.  You might want to ask about it now, because not sure how long they will be having this promotion for.  

 

On a side note, I did find some other things on my own that I am bringing with me.  We are bringing with us a sand ceremony, which seems to be a tradition for destination weddings.  Also, instead of a guest book, we found a frame that everyone signs and can leave a message, so we can hang in our house someday.  I also am putting fans on each of the chairs for the ceremony, in case it is hot.  I got personalized ribbon too to match my bridesmaid's dresses to tie on the end of the fans.  The favors are starfish wine stoppers.  We just finished getting everything for the welcome bags.  We ended up with personalized cold drink mugs with straw, tote bags, flip flop cards, puzzle books, leis (everyone for the rehearsal dinner will wear one), glow necklaces (to be handed out at the wedding at night!), water guns, beach balls, and a survival kit (i.e. tylenol, aloe, chapstick, tums, bandaids, etc.)  If anyone is interested in where I purchased these things or what they look like, feel free to let me know and I can attach pictures or more information!  

 

Lauren

 

 

 

Hi Lauren, 

Thank you so much for the reply. 

I am thinking of bringing down paper lanterns to hang. our ceremony is on the tequila terrace. just not too sure how many to purchase.  How many did you have?

Also i was thinking of personalizing the drink mugs. would love to know where you got yours.

i am going to bring down chair sashes and i think we are going to have tequila as our favors but havent decided as of yet. I am going to have flower centerpieces not sure if i need to put anything else on there. Any suggestions?

Did you go with the hotel hairdresser and makeup? how did you find it? 

Thanks again 

Andrea