Hacienda Tres Rios Brides Post Here!

Hi girls,

@Becks ~ I emailed you just now... We got the group contract back and I think we're going to sign today. Still waiting on some negotiations, but she says it doesn't matter in relation to the contract being signed.

@ Eadon ~ That really helps to see your breakdown. That's really awesome that you are able to pay for your guests rooms! I think my numbers on makeup/hair and photography/video are too high for one thing. For us, since we aren't paying for our guests rooms, Eddie and I decided we really want to give them a good party for their trouble, a nice dj or band, other events like welcome party, etc. It all adds up so fast though!

My budget breakdown looks sort of like this:

$300 catering ($20 x 15ppl)

$800 ceremony etc

$395 flowers (bride bouquet @ 100 two bridesmaids @50, centerpieces and altar flowers)

$900 photography (maybe? I don't know yet)

$350 hair and makeup (just for me)

$250 music (we're doing iPod speakers)

$200 cake (not definite. this is a guess based on what Allibe said)

$4848 2 night stay for 12 people

$2900 for me and FI including possible airfare

I don't know about chair sashes yet, but that's the only other thing I would add in.

Our trick to keeping cost down is limiting the number of people (we didn't want a big wedding) and by keeping it simple. There's nothing I have my heart set on other than being married by the beach.

I think the price I was quoted for hair and makeup is ridiculous But I"m not sure how to negotiate down. I mean, $350 is a ridiculous number. It wouldn't cost nearly as much here.

I'm not doing a site visit for a couple reasons. Mostly it comes down to not having the money and ability to take time off of work. But we only discovered H3R because that's where we got engaged! At a wedding convention I went to the year before for my Matron of Honor I won a free trip there! So we've seen the place and we know we like their food. That's going to have to be good enough for us.

Holy cow, some of those breakdowns of costs scare me a little bit.. Our wedding is not nearly going to cost 30,000. But maybe its cuz I am cheap. ha ha. I agree that the $350 dollars seems sooo crazy. But as someone told me, it is a one time event, so you might as well do it up right! Which kinda helped the feeling disapate.

I am still waiting from Allibe to hear the quotes on the flowers that I liked.

We booked our photographer/videographer with Claudia Rodriguez. I love the eye she has for her photos. You can check her website out at: Claudiaphoto.com

We are not planning on doing anything too fancy, believe the white chairs are fine. Don't need slip covers or sashes, as no one "really" pays attention to that, even though it may look nicer. It is not an important thing to us.

We are also not having a DJ or reception as when we get back we are having a reception here. Just bringing an ipod and a bose player.

We would just like to have a nice sit down supper after the wedding, and then we can go to one of the bars, or lounges or just hang out by the pool.

We did not do a site visit, or have the TA charges or anything like that as future MIL has shares in H3R and our guests are all booking condos with her (saves major $$ for our guests)

I think making things simple is an obvious way of saving money, but it all depends on what your dream day entails.. I am just happy to spend the rest of my life with the one I love, and have our close family and friends there. I am a pretty simple girl as it is

Although I will add that everything does add up, no matter how small the things are. Good luck with all your guys' planning! Hope you are having fun! (My dress just came in!)

Wings of Innocence - that is exciting that your dress came in!! I can't wait for mine to get here in September!

Hey girls have you guys gotten a menu of what they will serve during the cocktail hour? I never asked about this...

I agree completely about the hair and makeup... I was actually thinking about doing it myself! At least the makeup, I don’t like to wear a lot anyway. I do think I want to do something nice for my BM’s though for spending so much to get there, maybe something at the spa if we don’t do hair/makeup?

I wish we could get away with no site visit, but since we’ve never been there at all, I feel really uncomfortable. Oh well, at least it’s a nice weekend away…

Congrats about your dress Wings! Are Claudia’s prices pretty reasonable? What kind of package are you doing?

I’m not sure about the cocktail hour but I do have a “plate menu†Allibe sent that you can choose from and there are appetizers on it. I’m not sure how to post it on here but if you want to PM me your email I’ll send it to you if you don’t already have it.