violetmal

Quote: Originally Posted by jesmcan After your experience with the salon would you recommend finding another one or even doing your own hair and make up? I think they are probably as good as any salon when it comes to hair, but I would recommend doing your own makeup.

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilandRyan Thanks for all the info ladies! I really appreciate the input and photos to get ideas!! Currently still planning and looking for photo that is reasonably priced. Check out Lincoln & Lori at Moments that Matter Photography. Their rates are reasonable and you get full rights to the digital photos. They also make you a beautiful slideshow set to music which we showed during our AHR. They are very creative and work as a team so they really capture every moment!! I'm not sure what their current rates are so I suggest contacting them directly. Their email address is contact@momentsthatmatterphotography.com, and their website is MEXICO Destination Wedding Photography, Wedding Photojournalism throughout the Mayan Riviera.

Quote: Originally Posted by aerazo Hi Violetmal, your pictures are awesome and you look so pretty! congrats again! Did you get your hair and makeup done at the salon on the resort? If so, did you like how they did it or would you recommend getting your makeup and hair somewhere else? Also, I've been told the reception on the beach has to end at 11pm, do they really enforce this rule? Is someone from the resort there waiting to end the party right at 11pm? What time did you guys end ? Thanks so much! Adriana Thank you!! We did get our hair and makeup done at the resort since it was included in my package. I can't say we were 100% happy... one of my bridesmaids almost burst into tears because she hated her hair, but they were able to fix it and she looked beautiful. We all ended up having to "tweak" our makeup as it wasn't really colors we would have chosen for ourselves, and my eye makeup was way too heavy (I asked for a smokey eye with browns). I also wish I would have worn my hair up - it didn't really turn out how I had imagined and since it was SO HUMID out there, all my curls went flat in like an hour... As far as the reception goes - the cutoff time is 11:30pm. If you still have energy to party afterwards, I suggest walking over to the Blue Parrot (maybe change out of your wedding gown first - lol) But Jason and I were so exhausted we just went straight up to the room where they had a romantic surprise waiting for us! The in-suite jacuzzi is very nice!!!

Hey everyone!! It's been just over a month since our wedding on July 4th and I wanted to stop by and say that it was the most magical day of our lives!! The staff at the Royal was amazing, the food was delicious, DJ Ivan was fantastic, and our photographers, Lincoln & Lori at Moments the Matter, were wonderful. All 12 of our guests said it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever been to. Here is a link to a short slideshow on our photographers' website: Mayan Riviera Destination Wedding Photography Galleries by Moments That Matter Photography.

Quote: Originally Posted by Maybride2009 I really can't wait! SO excited! I am in packing mode right now and things are FINALLY coming together. Who is your WC? I did most of my planning with Patty but she went out on maternity leave in April so she transferred me over to Michel. They have both been great!! Who is your WC?

Maybride - I bet you can't wait to get down there!!! I know I can't... We leave in 5 days and will be married in 8!!! It's all coming up so fast but we are ready!! We will be having 12 guests, and they're all from my side. Mostly friends and family coming down from Canada. My poor fiancé is a little dissapointed that none of his groomsmen or family could come down from Texas but we're having an AHR on august 1st at our house (ack!!)...

Hey everyone!! It's been a while since I have posted, but I have been here in the background reading your posts as they come in via email... Our wedding is coming up July 4th and we have no plans of canceling at this time due to this "swine flu" freakout. We live in Dallas but I am Canadian and my parents and some family are flying down from Canada... my main concern is that airlines in Canada are canceling their flights!! I'm just hoping and praying that this thing calms down before we head out on July 1st... otherwise we may need to consider a Plan B as well... I emailed our photographers in Playa yesterday to see how things were on their end, and they said there have been no reported cases of the swine flu in the Riviera Maya. I also sent an email to my TA this morning so hopefully she can offer some insight into the situation... I have put so much effort into planning this wedding and it would be a shame for it to be canceled!!! I'm sure you all feel the same... Good luck ladies... Stay positive!!!

Wow, compared to you ladies, I feel like a slacker!! I've been out of the loop for a while... Just over 5 months to go for me and I haven't even tried on a dress!! Just lask week though, I did hire a Dj through Patty for our reception. The company's name is Doremixx As far as deposits are concerned for us (from what I have read, it looks like it's different for everyone), we have already paid for 25% of the estimated cost via credit card back in November. Another 25% is due in May and the remainder will be paid in June. I'm asuming any additional charges and add-ons will be handled at the resort after the wedding. Patty also sent us the cake options at my request. My sister (who is a stay at home mom but sort of has a side busiess of making fabulous cakes) didn't like the options that are included in the package!! I didn't think they were too bad but weren't really what I had in mind... Have you ladies decided what you want to do for your cake?? I thought of maybe just ordering a plain white square fondant cake and getting a really pretty cake topper and maybe putting a ribbon around the bottom or something... We haven't ordered invitations yet either... Any suggestions on affordable but pretty invitations?? I'm lazy so I'm not really a DIY bride...

I've been working with Patty Hernandez and she's been great. I usually get a response within the same day. Her email is phernandez@realresorts.com Hope that helps!!

Oh and for the payment method; Patty sent us a contract (which outlines your confirmed services, as well as the payment details) and a credit card authorization form. We will fill out a separate credit card authorization form for each payment.

Hey Shay - as far as payments go, it is broken down into three deposits. We are getting married July 4, our first deposit of 25% is due November 2, the second deposit of 25% is due May 4, and the rest is to be paid June 4. I'm assuming there will be a final bill after the wedding to take care of any additional costs that may come up. Also, I don't think it's necessary to tip the WC.

Afternoon of July 1, 2008. Jason was working from home, I was at work. “I bought you a surprise!†Jason sends to me in a text message. “Is it sparkly and can it fit on my finger?†I reply, jokingly. “Well… it is from Best Buy and it is kind of sparkly when the sun hits it… †An MP3 player!! Yaay!! “Oh, guess what!!†I send, “It’s Canada Day!†“Oh, It is, isn’t it?!! We should celebrate!! I’ll go pick up some champagne!†he replies. There’s nothing unusual about this conversation… We celebrate any chance we get, and we drink (inexpensive) champagne often! I get home from work to find an awesome pink Sony Walkman MP3 player on the kitchen counter. I give Jason a big hug and a kiss… “Thanks, babe!! I love it!!†I had gone shopping earlier in the day while my computer was out of commission at work, so I had a few bags to take up to our room. Jason cracks open a bottle of champagne and begins to pour a couple of glasses. “Why don’t you go change into some comfy clothes and we can go sit out by the pool?†he suggests. “Sounds great!†I reply, “Let me take this stuff upstairs and I’ll change and be right downâ€. So, I take my bags up to our room and begin to play with some makeup I had bought while out earlier. Jason walks into the bedroom and sets the glasses of champagne on top of his dresser. I thought it was a little odd he had followed me up as I was planning on coming right back down, but I didn’t think too much about it. We pick up the champagne glasses for a toast. “Happy Canada Day!!†I say as I tap my glass against his and take a sip. “Happy Canada Day to my favorite Canadian who I hope to be with for the rest of my life…†he says as he puts his champagne glass down without taking a sip and begins to fumble in his pocket. “What’s he doing?†I’m thinking to myself… “Is he REALLY doing what I think he is?? Is he joking around with me??†Then he pulls a little jewelry box out of his pocket, opens it, and gets down on one knee. “Will you marry me?†He asks, looking up at me with his big blue eyes…. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!!†I gush as I throw my arms around his neck. “Of course I will!!! Yes!!!!!!!!†Then we hug and kiss for like 20 minutes and I cry…….. and then we called our mothers!! The rest of the evening was spent drinking champagne out by the pool talking about wedding stuff! Jason ordered the ring from a jeweler in NY and he received it a few days earlier. He was going to wait to propose until we were in the mountains in Canada a few weeks later, but he couldn’t wait that long! It was burning a hole in his pocket! When he told me that he had a surprise for me earlier in the day, he later said that he was going to take it as a sign if I said anything about a ring... Sure enough I did, so he went for it!!

Quote: Originally Posted by khowell15 Actually, Angie is who I've been communicating with the most too. I've asked a ton of random questions and she always gets and answer for me and pretty timely. If she doesn't know the answer she emails the WC's and finds out or speaks with the head of the WC department. I also wanted to ask if anyone on here has (previous Royal brides) or plans to get a DJ for their reception. If so, who have you or do you plan to use? We are planning on having a mariachi band for the ceremony/cocktail hour but wanted some fun dance music for the evening. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'm not sure if the Royal has someone they typically use either. We are planning on using a DJ for the reception. We are just getting whoever the hotel uses - it is $900.

I just heard back from Patty today regarding the use of an outside photographer, and she said there was a $100 as well... I was not told that I could not use an outside photographer. Yaay!!!

Welcome to the forum!! We have a few things in common! I'm new to the forum as well, AND I'm a Canadian living in the US getting married at RPDC (in July)! I wish I had some advice for you as far as getting your documentation for a civil ceremony... FH is American and we are going to do the whole legal thing here in TX, then have a religious ceremony in Mexico... it just seemed easier that way (and nobody gets stuck with a needle!!). Good luck with your planning!!