Paradisus Riviera Brides - POST HERE!

Diana

If you sign up for a photobucket account, you download to pictures there and just copy the link under and paste it in the reply thread. I believe there are a few threads on how to do it.

Thanks LeShay. Im asking Perla if I can substitute some of the appetizers for something else. Crossing my fingers on this. Here is the list of cold appetizers included in the Fantasy Package:

Cheese Truffles with Chipotle Sesame Sauce

Ham & Asparragus

Roasted Cactus filled with Crab

Assorted Cheese tray with Crackers

Tuna Mousse on Toasted Rounds

I was really interested in having fire dancers at the wedding, big bummer Perla got back to me and due to the Palapas at the resort we can not have them. She said she is waiting on some pictures of a show she thinks would be nice. As soon as I get them I will post them.

I dont know about you guys but I need to get cracking on some of my DIY projects but most of the remaining ones are on hold until we get a head count. Which is about 3 weeks away. Im itchin' to finish though, but I did get a bit of head start and have all my templates ready to go in MS Publisher.

This is going to be an awesome planning week ladies! I can feel it!

Becks I took your advice and priced it out using the WISH Package and it will actually save us some money I think (SHOCKING I KNOW!). I am still undecided about the DJ - Swank doesn't leave a very good taste in my mouth but I am worried about the hassle of bringing someone else - Neither of us can decide as to whether using the IPOD might be fine!

In terms of photog - we continue to struggle as well. We want someone who will be with us all day, do a TTD and also be able to take candids during the week - which is why we are thinking of bringing someone from home although trying to balance that with the costs associated with it!

I hear ya though Becks - what about doing the dancing before/during dinner? I think you said your reception is post dinner on the terrace ..just trying to get the timeline straight in my head!

Diana - I think we are going into PLaya Del Carmen for our photos or perhaps the ruins - I wouldn't do a guided tour or anything - we are just going to take a cab if we are close - you can also rent a driver for cheaper for 1/2 or so if you are going a distance (and the Tulum ruins are over an hour away)

Good luck and happy planning!! There are a lot of sources in the forum!

d!no

Melissa, which ruins? and what's in Playa del Carmen? are you planning to go there for photos on your wedding day? so you think, that you can just grab the cab from the hotel?

You can very easily get a cab from the hotel. There's usually a line of them.

I don't know about pricing, but I'm sure most of it is negotiable.

Melissa - have you looked into Vanessa Vargas? She has an unlimited day of photography for $2500 (plus the $300 outside vendor fee), includes 200 prints and a CD of "selected" prints - you can buy a CD of all of them for $200, plus an online gallery. I don't have a price for the TTD, but a 2 hr session is $850. She's the only one of the 5 I reached out to that had an "unlimited" option.

Here's what she sent me:

wedding packages riviera maya 2008.pdf

By the way Melissa: GREAT new avatar photo! love your hair!

THANKs! My hair is normally short and sassy but I have decided to grow it for the wedding! I may resort to drastic measures by NOV!

I was wondering what you guys think of the photographer Miguel Cantrell of Mexican Wedding Photos. I personally wasn't really impressed but am not so thrilled about getting charged $300 to bring in outside vendors. I really like Matt Adcock of Del Sol. He is about 3500 for 6 hours + the $300 vendor fee. What have you all found?

Have any of you found any other DJ's besides Swank? To DJ the reception from 7p.m to 1 a.m. he is charging $1800.00. The only concern I have about using an IPOD is that there won't be anyone to anounce the 1st dance, cake cutting etc.

Why did all of you choose the Paradisus over the other resorts? I fell in love with the Paradisus online, but I am finding that all of the fees are a little ridiculous.

I also fell in love with the Paradisus online and am getting a litle weary of the fees as well. I think I'm booking Sol (Matt's wife) but she doesn't book until a year out. I still have a month.

Sometimes it seems that the feels are a little daunting but I honestly don't think that many resorts are much different - we figured it will probably cost us about $200 per person - including everything in our wedding e.g. flowers, dj, food, decorations, drinks etc.) Really I think the best advice is if you know what you want to try and negotiate with Perla or Elisa!

In terms of photogs - we are close to booking ours! We have two photogs that we want to fly in for the week with us and they are providing us a package which is essentially $5000 which includes Engagement shoot, wedding day, ttd, all week unlimited photography and travel and accom for the two of them! I told Elisa that they were part of our guest list and that was fine - I don't have to pay the fee cause they are staying with us for the week!