ldigliani

May 17th so a little over a week before yours!

Hey all... I've been working on perks for the guests during the reception and I wanted thoughts from past brides as to how things went. Anyone get the cigar roller or a photo booth? If so how was your experience? Also, we're going to be having a bonfire the night before. Any details, specifics, pictures and suggestions? Cecilia was pretty cryptic! Thanks all! ~ Lena

Lorcas... I am SO SORRY this is happening. One thing I found helpful when I was waiting for the confirmation of the deposit and the initial contract (and chomping all my nails off because Cecilia wouldn't contact me) is I got my travel agent involved. She's with Apple Vacations and she even was the one to suggest emailing them herself. One thing I noticed is the wording she used in the subject. Things like SECOND REQUEST, PAST DUE, NO CONTACT. We have to remember that Cecilia is dealing easily with 100s of emails/day. I am guessing the more distinctive you make your heading the better. Pretty lady, trust me I know about being anal retentive and wanting every detail perfect. Remember however that ANYWHERE on that resort will be beautiful. You're going to be at a gorgeous resort and you're marrying the man you love, the rest is details. After all the planning to have everything perfect it may still rain and any of us could be stuck indoors completely changing out thoughts of what it will be. I would suggest just pinning down anything you can agree to now, but definitely addressing the issue and showing the emails prior to paying in full when you meet with Cecilia. On a different note, does any one have pictures of the centerpieces that are included in the ultimate wedding package? I am debating upgrading, but am unsure of what the standard looks like. I JUST emailed Cecilia with other questions so don't want to harass her again just yet. ANYONE having used just the standard flowers for everything please post!!

Apparently now it's an in house AV staff. No more outsourced DJ. I asked Cecilia about it and she CC'd the gentleman on the email and I've been in contact with him. Supposedly they're good!

Ooooooh the day before! DO tell me how everything goes when you go down - we aren't able to get down there until 2 days before the wedding so I'm putting a lot of faith in people at the moment! Side note - has anyone with an upcoming wedding been told they are having the DJ be someone from the resort? From what I had read it was DJ Mannia for years and now I got contacted by the AV guy from the resort - a tad disappointing. Anyone else have that problem?

It's been mostly language barrier I believe? I think overall it's more the fact I am way too detail oriented and she's thinking to herself "wtf.. this wedding is a YEAR away." Examples of issues were that from the start I had stated I wanted platinum cocktail hour and dinner for all my guests (we're doing the ultimate package) and I think I saw 5 copies of the contract without it before she actually made the change. The changes come, they just take a bit of time. Now most is accurate (with the exception of extra charges I am unsure of as of yet). So I don't really know how to cease contact until when? January? March? lol What's your plan?

Hey all and congrats to all the May '14 brides! I got engaged end of March and got right to planning haha. My fiance and I are getting married May 17th '14 at Secrets Maroma Beach in Riviera Maya and we are SO excited. We actually picked the resort based on friends who are avid all inclusive Mexican/Caribbean resort goers, and they could not rave enough about this place! After looking into the resort, I can see why! So far we've gotten the contract down with the basics with the coordinator (with some issues I must say), picked a travel agent to book the entire trip through, and I am now looking to finalize a photographer. So many to choose from and so expensive .. but it will be worth it... right? Right! I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one who feels this awkward lull starting now since apparently the real decisions don't come together until a few months prior to the wedding. Ah.. I also picked my dress... I totally didn't want to give in to the cliche, but I went to Kleinfeld's in NYC this weekend and totally fell in love with a Pnina Tornai... I will needless to say have to re-arrange my budget as I spent way more on the dress than initially intended. Not 100% sure about colors yet... actually looking for some suggestions! My sister will be doing the STD and invitations (gotta love having an advertising/art major in the family) and the STD are going to be a blue around this hue... I was leaning towards bright pops of color such as that bright turquoise, bring hot pink, green and cream? Not sure. Congrats again and I'm looking forward to being able to bounce ideas and feedback with everyone here!

Hello all!! I've been on this website for days now reading and pouring over all the posts on this thread. My fiancé and I are getting married at SMB on May 17th, 2014 and right now it feels sooooo far away!! We've confirmed the date with Cecilia (after some contact issues, thank goodness for travel agent persuasion) and now I'm left with the uncomfortable decision of hounding Cecilia for details early on or sitting back and contacting her beginning of next year. Seems as though the common view is that things will start coming together the few months prior to the wedding. I guess my perfectionist trait is not enjoying sitting twiddling my thumbs until then. Haha. Anyone suggest any specifics be ironed out now as opposed to in a few months? I have already requested the beach for ceremony and cocktail hour, as well as the gazebo terrace for the dinner. Do I have to print, sign, and email her back each time she updates the contract? Everyone's wedding looks so beautiful. I am counting down the days with far too much anticipation!!

Hello all!! I've been on this website for days now reading and pouring over all the posts on this thread. My fiancé and I are getting married at SMB on May 17th, 2014 and right now it feels sooooo far away!! We've confirmed the date with Cecilia (after some contact issues, thank goodness for travel agent persuasion) and now I'm left with the uncomfortable decision of hounding Cecilia for details early on or sitting back and contacting her beginning of next year. Seems as though the common view is that things will start coming together the few months prior to the wedding. I guess my perfectionist trait is not enjoying sitting twiddling my thumbs until then. Haha. Anyone suggest any specifics be ironed out now as opposed to in a few months? I have already requested the beach for ceremony and cocktail hour, as well as the gazebo terrace for the dinner. Do I have to print, sign, and email her back each time she updates the contract? Everyone's wedding looks so beautiful. I am counting down the days with far too much anticipation!!