Now Sapphire Weddings Formerly Paradisus Riviera

[KRP87]

If anyone needs the full spa price list I got it from my TA

[SoozeCruise]

@@jh0510038 I tend to waaaaaayyyy overpack no matter where I go so I'll have to enlist some relatives to bring extras for me if it comes to it. My original plan was just to invite my entire 180-person guest list to Mexico and see who could make it....but that was before I really started researching the extra costs for all the little things they charge like chairs, extra hors d'oeuvres, etc....even if only 80 or so people come that really throws my budget out of whack...but how do I start uninviting people who have known I wanted to do a destination wedding for years now? So I'll really, really have to get creative with the budget because I would love it if lots of people come if I can manage to fit that into my budget.

[KRP87]

I got my dress today! eek! I'm so excited! I found out a bridal store in my town was closing and had a HUGE clearance sale on sample dresses.  So I went in just looking thing I wouldn't really get anything because it was the first place I went to! But I scored on a Mori Lee dress regularly $1600 for $450! :-D

[zeman321]

I got my dress today! eek! I'm so excited! I found out a bridal store in my town was closing and had a HUGE clearance sale on sample dresses.  So I went in just looking thing I wouldn't really get anything because it was the first place I went to! But I scored on a Mori Lee dress regularly $1600 for $450! :-D

Great job! Pics?

Edited December 14, 2014 by zeman321

[danimarieb]

I am so grateful for all of the sharing of ideas going on lately!

 

I was wondering which brand/model of Bluetooth speaker you brought with you? We'll be on the Beach Terrace with about 50 people, but if the volume and sound quality was good for your group I'm sure it'd be great for us as well.

 

Second question is in regard to your centerpiece lanterns... How did you get them to the resort? Ship or divided up in suitcases to bring over? I've been afraid to consider bulkier centerpieces even though I think lanterns would be perfect and practical for lighting.

[danimarieb]

We took the napkins, chair sashes, table runners, lanterns for the centerpieces, and the wooden V's for the centerpieces, and of course the thank you gifts and cards. We used the resort for the flowers. I ordered 1 bridesmaid bouquet,1 extra boutonniere, 4 centerpieces,flowers for her hair and the cake, and a lazzo. They charged 783 total for all the flowers not included in the package. We had 27 adults and 2 children and the total bill was 4370.26 (Plus the $500.00 deposit) We did not go with a DJ because we only had 28 people. I bought a bluetooth speaker and it worked great! I did not pay for any extra lighting....their prices were outrageous! We had the lanterns on the table and it was perfect...didn't really need any more. I kept the final bill if you want to know prices on anything else. Let me know!       Those pictures really don't do it justice...it was beautiful! The colors seem dull in the pics. Oh, and I found the table runners on Etsy for $6 each! We also took the silver chargers....at his mothers" insistence...I'm not sure if they would have used chargers or not.

I was wondering which brand/model of Bluetooth speaker you brought with you (especially if you found the volume and sound quality to be good.) We're not planning to spend money on a DJ but would like to have a playlist for background music.

 

In regards to the lanterns you used for centerpieces, how did you get them to the resort? Shipped directly or divided up amongst guests' suitcases? I've been afraid to consider bulkier things for centerpieces even though I think lanterns would be perfect and practical for lighting and ambiance.

 

I am so grateful for all of the sharing of ideas going on lately! After the holidays we should be close to our final count and I'm going to dive into more of the details for the May 2nd big day

@@jeffandrobyn thanks for the info! Any recommendation on DJ and photographer? I do wonder if the outside florist fee is still enforced if you go into town and pick up the flowers yourself and it's not the obvious "meet the florist right outside the resort gate the morning of." Sorry for the million questions; it's just starting to look like the costs might balloon a little more than I had hoped!

I'm just catching up on this thread and noticed your question about a photographer. It would have been too expensive for us to fly a photographer out from Seattle, and I kept reading negative reviews about the resort photographers' work (further back in this thread) so I popped online and chose Octavio Montes Photography. His website is well-laid out and I was impressed by his portfolio and the reviews he's gotten from past brides on this website. I did the initial inquiring online and he set up a personal phone call with me before finalizing things so I feel pretty good about it! I warned him that he'll have his hands full with my groom who hates pictures...

 

Here's his info: www.OctavioMontes.com - Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya. (He also gives a 10% discount offer).

Reviews are at: www.bestdestinationwedding.com/reviews/p/21614-octavio-montes-photography

 

Congrats, and happy planning! I've been so incredibly grateful for happening upon this website accidentally. I think all of my best ideas for wedding details will come from the brides on this thread.

Edited December 14, 2014 by danimarieb

[zeman321]

I was wondering which brand/model of Bluetooth speaker you brought with you (especially if you found the volume and sound quality to be good.) We're not planning to spend money on a DJ but would like to have a playlist for background music.

 

In regards to the lanterns you used for centerpieces, how did you get them to the resort? Shipped directly or divided up amongst guests' suitcases? I've been afraid to consider bulkier things for centerpieces even though I think lanterns would be perfect and practical for lighting and ambiance.

 

I am so grateful for all of the sharing of ideas going on lately! After the holidays we should be close to our final count and I'm going to dive into more of the details for the May 2nd big day

 

I'm just catching up on this thread and noticed your question about a photographer. It would have been too expensive for us to fly a photographer out from Seattle, and I kept reading negative reviews about the resort photographers' work (further back in this thread) so I popped online and chose Octavio Montes Photography. His website is well-laid out and I was impressed by his portfolio and the reviews he's gotten from past brides on this website. I did the initial inquiring online and he set up a personal phone call with me before finalizing things so I feel pretty good about it! I warned him that he'll have his hands full with my groom who hates pictures...

 

Here's his info: www.OctavioMontes.com - Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya. (He also gives a 10% discount offer).

Reviews are at: www.bestdestinationwedding.com/reviews/p/21614-octavio-montes-photography

 

Congrats, and happy planning! I've been so incredibly grateful for happening upon this website accidentally. I think all of my best ideas for wedding details will come from the brides on this thread.

 

We bought a Harmon/Kardon bluetooth speaker. It was great! I have seen posts saying the Bose speakers were good also, but we went ahead and spent the extra for the Harmon/Kardon. As for the lanterns, I was able to fit 5 lanterns in one suitcase with the linens that I took. Just used lots of bubble wrap and used the linens to pad everything. Of course I had to iron after we got there, but that didn't take long and they have an iron and ironing board in the rooms, I took all of my receipts in an envelope for customs, but didn't get stopped. I had two extra suitcases of wedding stuff and the airline only charged me for 1 extra on the way down. On the way back I was able to fit one suitcase inside the other, so only had 1 extra. Carried the speaker on as my husbands' carry-on.

[KRP87]

Does anyone know with the free package, if the structure thing is included for the ceremony? And how many chairs, 10?

[jeffandrobyn]

@@KRP87

 

I pasted below what the free package includes. I *think* you can use the canopy, but the cloth decoration is not included. I'm pretty sure to add that on is only $100 or so though. 

• Dedicated wedding coordinator
• Symbolic Ceremony*
• Bouquet(s) and boutonniere(s) for wedding couple
• Preparation of the couple’s wedding day attire
• Wedding cake for up to 10 guests
• Sparkling wine toast for up to 10 guests
• Romantic turndown service that evening with rose petal-drawn Jacuzzi bath, bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries
• Late checkout for the couple (upon request and availability)
• 20% off spa treatments (boutique purchases not included)
•  

[kyoung090]

Has anyone had their cocktail  hour/ reception at the preferred pool? Getting married in May and would like to know thoughts about it. I believe its something newer that they have offered and so there are not a ton of pictures or info. Thanks!

If anyone needs the full spa price list I got it from my TA

I would like it please! my email is katiehelenyoung1@hotmail.com