Secrets Maroma Brides

I did think about that issue as well. I had a friend who has one year old, and wanted to invite her, but even if I select family friendly hotel I kind of knew that she won't be able to afford to come. I also have 2 other couples that have kids, but for the special day like wedding day, I wanted to be hassle free with just all adults. I might sound selfish, but we only get one day for the special occasion, and we have been very accomodating to others' weddings, so I thought this time others should be doing that for us! Also, since SMB is towards couples, it will be nice for the guests to get away for a long weekend without their kids to enjoy their vacation as well. They might be able to make arrangements for the grandparents to look after them.

ReeRee.

My mom bought our bags either at Michaels or JoAnn Fabrics (which are local craft stores), They were like $8.00 for 3. They were canvas solid colored bags, and were about 4"X16"X12". I'll see if I can find/take a pic for an example. We gave one bag per couple, and had different colors for each one ( so they didn't match our wedding colors), so that people wouldn't get confused about which one was theirs. I actually customized the bag myself. I found a cool graphic of a large hibiscus flower, and created my own stencil, and painted it on the bags with fabric paint. I also had stencil lettering and added my groom's and my initials and our wedding year to the bag. I didn't want to make it too detailed about our wedding, because I wanted people to use them again. I thought that if it had our full names and wedding date on it, or something corny, that no one would want to use it ever again. So most of the bag was an image of a large hibiscus flower, and then under neath I did "LK * 2010". Most people thought I had purchased them and were surprised that I did it myself. It kinda looked like a screenprinted T-shirt would.

The wedding schedule I did myself also. Just printed it on nice paper and put it on the top of the welcome bag to be sure that every saw it. The cost of the bag, decorating the bags, and the stuff in side was probably $150-200 total (we did 8 bags for 16 people). I know there are plenty of options out there for ordering them custom, but I kinda enjoyed knowing that it was my own handiwork.

This is very helpful! And note to all - the wedding brochure on the website has been updated with lots of great information.

here is the link:

http://www.secretsresorts.com/weddin...ding_guide.pdf

Cheers! Alana

Quote:

Originally Posted by melfry66 Hi Cheerleader   Thank you and I don't mind at all. We did pay extra for some things. We had the Secrets Ultimate Package but we paid additional for the following:   - 2 Bridesmaid bouquets @ $60 each - All of the table centerpieces that show the sandbox, starfish, candles and flowers. (I believe these were about $75 each and we had 5 tables). - The Tiffany chairs @ $5 per chair. - The napkins and the table runners   Our cake was the standard cake that came with our package, but I asked Cecilia to dress it up with fresh flowers. That was no additional charge. We had desert as part of our meal, so no one really had the cake though. It was for pictures only for the most part. I brought all the rest of the decor with me (Tulle for the chairs, Fans, Parasols, table rocks, favors) and somehow managed to fit it all into 1 small carry on suitcase!!   Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions and best of luck! Melinda

What is everyone doing about music? Cecilia sent me the contract with ~$800 for sound system rental on there! There's no way I want to pay that, it's the cost of the whole wedding package! Can we use an Ipod dock? I'd rather just ask for one for my birthday and take it with me or something. We're having a very small, but outdoor, reception.

For the ceremony, we are having a harpist (he actually plays in the lobby a couple nights a week and is amazing) and since we aren't using the photo package included in the wedding - Cecilia is crediting us $180 for the sound system to use for the ceremony.

For the reception - we are using DJ Mannia - set up in the ballroom. Maybe that is what she has listed? I couldn't imagine it being $800 for some speakers and an extension cord.

if you are having a smaller group, your i-pod might be fine to use. Bose and Sony make a great docking station and Logitech is another good brand. We are using our docking Logitech station for the beach bonfire the night before the wedding and it should be fine.

Now, if it was a DJ I could justify the costs but we said we'd bring music on an IPOD. I wrote back and told her we wouldn't need the use of it, but she just said ok and left the contract the same... I'm not comfortable signing it... Ugh, it's stressing me out already. I considered just switching to Excellence Playa because their coordinator seems more helpful, but my fiance really prefers SMB and the beach looks amazing so I don't know... Here's what it says on the contract:

Sound Stereo System for Ceremony $180 usd +10% tax $ 199.80

(speakers, microphone) Music will be bring by their own.

Sound Stereo System for Reception, 3 hours, $180 usd +10% tax $ 599.40

(speakers, microphone) Music will be bring by their own.