Paradisus Riviera Brides - POST HERE!

Yeah it was weird - I emailed Perla to confirm about them not charging the outside vendor fee. She said she was going to forward along my email to Swank who responded with a "if there is anything else you need let me know"... I think I will probably go with Carlos..

I just realized... 4 MORE MONTHS UNTIL I'M A MARRIED WOMAN!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!

Has anyone heard from Perla or Elisa in the last week or so? I've got at least 2 e-mails outstanding - they aren't that important, so I haven't called, but usually they get back within a week or so.

Hi everyone!! I just returned from the wedding and honeymoon!!! I will be working on my review and will post by the end of the week. For anyone having doubts about the Paradisus and/or Perla and Elisa...DO NOT WORRY!!! Everything was beyond what I had hoped for and perfect is an understatement....magical is more appropriate. The resort is gorgeous and the wedding was amazing! Rest easy and know that you will all have a fantastic experience. Need to sleep now...but look forward to sharing ALL the details with you.

Wanted to share a few quick potentially helpful hints.

Music:

We were on a tight budget but music was really important to us. We were not interested in a DJ and weren't really happy about the $500 plus cost of renting equipment after the ceremony. We bought a LG stereo system at the Cancun Wal-mart for $130. We took 'shopping tour' bus there for free in the morning (just make reservations for your spot the day before you go), and $30 taxi back- only 25 min. from resort. I had emailed all my guests (only 25) and asked each to give me 3 of their favorite songs. Jamey and I made playlists for the cocktail party, dinner, and the reception using songs from guests and many, many more. Jamey had the bell man deliver the stereo to Elisa in the afternoon and hooking up the IPOD took a few seconds. We used our IPOD and had one tech savvy guest start the playlists at the appropriate time. The stereo was set up on a separate table. It was plenty loud and gave us complete control of the music. It worked out great and we saved a ton of money. We were going to just leave it there when we left, but ended up making friends with a bell man at our honeymoon resort and sold it to him for 1/2 price!

Since the ceremony includes sound system, we also made a CD of songs we wanted to play for the ceremony while guests were being seated and waiting for ceremony to start to get them in a nice 'love mood'. Elisa asked that I indicate which tracks we wanted for kids to walk down the aisle, myself for the 'wedding march' , and after as a married couple. They did an excellent job playing the right songs at the right time.

I am so tired right now I might not make any sense... if you have specific questions about this, just let me know.

Flowers:

The florist nearly replicated the photos I sent for the bouquet and centerpieces. If you look back the the photos I posted for flowers I liked, you will see that the base of the bouquet was wrapped in special fabric. I indicated that if she could not do the base in similar fabric I was fine with that because it was intricate beaded fabric. The FLOWERs looked better than the photos I sent! The base was even perfect. So, if you do want specific flowers, send photos because they make it as you want and it was worth the extra $$. I was amazed!

trying to post photos, not sure if I remember how...

more later...

Sorry photos so large...

Wow!!! Everything turned out wonderfully!! What vases did you end up using?

Congratulations! Your pictures are beautiful! I am so glad everything worked out so well.