Alicia415

I agree with everything you girls have brought up. It's frustrating and very sad that they make planning your wedding as stressful as they do. When we signed up for a destination wedding, this was not at all what we had in mind. The only thing that keeps me sane are the reviews that say it's all worth it in the end and they really do a great job at putting it all together. We'll see I guess. Question about how you girls are doing the coordinating confirming the menu and ordering invitations. Elsa seems to want no part in solidifying the menu (or anything else) until 3 months out, but we have to order our invitations before then. Are you just picking want you want to put on the response cards and then confirming it after?

I don't think it's weird that your bridesmaids or relatives want to get there hair and make-up done. As a bridesmaid many times over, we always get our hair and make up done with the bride. I know being a member of a destination wedding bridal party things could be different but all of my bridesmaids and the 2 moms are getting their hair and make-up done. I'm using an outside vendor, Fernado Fuentes, for make-up and then someone he usually works with for hair. I had to give a 50% deposit of the total cost. I left it up to them if they wanted to get one or both services, but they all chose to get both. Anyway, good luck as your day is getting closer and closer! We're at just about the 5 month mark!

I agree with all of you girls...the hotel's lack of communication and flexibility is really frustrating! We thought having a destination wedding would be more simple and easy to plan, but its turning out to be just the opposite! When we went down for a site visit we thought that we would be able to negotiate some things with them in person..but we had no luck at all. If you want to have a cocktail hour (with food & full bar) it def is an extra $5 per person and I believe an additional $5 is you want hot hors d'ouvers included instead of just cold ones. They said that that the $5 per person is to pay to have a private bar/bartender which is really just BS in my book. We chose to go with it anyway because we don't want our guests to just be served champagne at the cocktail hour, but agreed all of these extra fees are extremely annoying.

Thank you Emily...that is really very helpful!

I must of missed something bc I have no idea what the lazo or coins traditions are! If someone could elaborate I would appreciate it!!

Nina, we're having our reception inside in the ballroom and getting married in the chapel. I want to be comfortable and i'm sure everyone else does too. We are going to have a welcome party on the beach the Friday night, which incorporates the "beach party" but everyone will be more casual and I won't be in a wedding dress! This way we do get the beach incorporated in some way!

we're getting married July 27th! so it will be equally as hot for us!

Elsa has been OK. The thing I find most challenging with her is when I ask her something, her answer is usually such a general answer it doesn't really answer my question or just a completely different answer all together, so I wind up having to ask more than once.

I think we do actually get an onsite WC as it gets closer to the wedding date. I have Elsa as my WC now and I know that she doesn't actually work in either of the hotels, she works at an off site office. When we went down for our site visit we met with Diana Rodriguez who actually does work at the hotel. I don't know if she specifically will be our on-site WC as it gets closer, but I know that it won't be Elsa.

I'm using Derek & Lorena (Photos in Cancun) for both photography and videography. we met them when we went down for our site visit and they're great!

Nina, Patty initially began the process with us when we inquired about the date, venue choices and things like that. After that was confirmed we received a contract through Elsa and have been working with her since. As far as the room blocks go, we did that through the travel agent we're using, so I'm not sure who the contact at the hotel is..sorry!

Emily- we are staying in the pres suite as well. one of my bridesmaids, my MOH, is staying at the Gran Caribe. When we were down there for a site visit I asked Diana if she would be able to get ready in our room and she said yes that wouldn't be a problem. She said my niece couldn't come though (she will be 4). I'm obviously still going to attempt to get her there though.

They definitely shouldn't be charging you for the welcome bags if they are just distributing them at check in!

You can always try to give her a call. I've called her a couple of times to follow up on things. She was on vacation until 1/14 (and I only knew that because I called and someone else told me that) so on the 15th, I emailed her again and said I know you were on the vacation until the 14th can you please respond, and she responded and called me within minutes. Also, are you working with her through the Basecamp program. That's the only way I communicate with her now but at the begining I had sent her a regular email and she said not to send it that way because she doesn't see it? Not sure how true that was, but still.

@ Christen Jean...Good Luck!! It's soo soon! Can't wait to hear all about it. I agree with you 100% on their lack of negotiating and flexibility on things. It's not fair to do to couples that are giving them a huge amount of business in addition to the actual wedding. It's very frustrating! I do hope everything works out how you dreamed of it though! Have so much fun and enjoy every moment! @Kelly718, Elsa is my WC too. She is tough to work with at times. I've had to follow-up with her on things before she gets back to you. When she does answer it's not always the answer to the question you were asking or she gives the most minimal answer you usually have to follow-up anyway. I can't say I love working with her in all honesty but maybe things will be different for you! I think they don't really see a need to plan things so far in advance (as compared to us brides who want to)so there is never a sense of urgency on their end.