Iberostar Brides....POST HERE!

My TA forwarded me the pics of her other Iberostar wedding client and the bride was very happy with the resort photographer. I wouldn't have been happy with the pics, but it all depends on what you like. We had to pay the Photoshop $300 for the outside photographer fee. We met with Araceli the first day we got there and she said we had to pay them directly. When we went over there the girl didn't speak much English and didn't know what we were talking about. I thought we were going to get off not having to pay, but we booked the resort videographer. He reminded us on the wedding day that we needed to pay the fee so we went the next day and paid $300 in travelers checks (they write down your passport number so be sure to bring that with you, we had to go back to our room to get ours since we didn't have them on us). We also had to pay $50 per person for the vendor day pass fee (guests is $100). We hired Citlalli Rico (through Claudia Rodriguez) as our photographer and she works with an assistant so each of them needed a pass. We included both of them and the videographer in our seating chart for dinner, but since we hired the resort videographer they are not allowed to eat with us and we didn't need to pay for a pass for them. These were the Lindo prices. We transferred to the Grand after the wedding, and had scheduled our TTD photo shoot for Monday. We had to pay $150 per person day pass fee for that hotel and they were only there for 2 hours and didn't eat or drink anything. I thought the pass fee would be $50 as it was for the wedding, but Araceli wasn't there when they came. At that point I didn't care since I just wanted to make sure they were able to get on the property. All the fees are charged to your room and you pay when you check out (except for the $300 photoshop fee). We paid $360 for the videographer, but we didn't pay until we picked up our DVD. He told us at the wedding it would be ready after 6PM on Saturday. We got there at 7:30 after dinner and he told us to come back on Sunday after 6PM. It was ready then and we got to watch it before we paid. We got the 65 min video, and that was plenty of time since the ceremony itself was only 20 minutes. It is nothing spectacular so if you want a great video hire an outside person. The video wasn't top priority for me. We could have hired the videographer through Claudia as well and I think it started around $500 something, and I'm sure you would have to pay a day pass fee as well. I'm not sure if they would charge you another $300 for the outside fee though. It got the ceremony some video of us taking pictures, people sitting down to dinner, and then the cake cutting, first dances, speeches and some other dancing. Then he made us go out into the walkway and wave which was super cheese IMO. His English was fine, and after the ceremony he asked us if we wanted some footage of pictures, dinner, etc. I told him to get a little bit, but wanted to save most of the time for the reception part. If you don't want that stuff you can tell him what you want. During the pictures they added an Enrique Iglesias song which I hate. I wish we would have been able to pick the music, but other than that it did it's purpose.

You are going to love Citlalli! She is so nice and so easy to work with. We gave her a list of pictures we wanted before hand, and she double checked it and noticed we forgot two shots so we did them during the dinner. She had an assistant with her on the wedding day, and at out TTD. The assistant at out TTD was her sister Tamara. I can't remember the other girl's name. I can't wait to see our pictures!!

We did the civil ceremony at the courthouse by our house. I know you have to do the blood test at the resort. There are a couple clinics onsite. I also know you have to get the paperwork translated. We didn't want to bother with all that so we did it at home. You sign a marriage certificate during the ceremony as a keepsake. Once you have your marriage license (ask fr a couple copies!) you have to apply for a new social security card first to change your name. You can download the form online and just need to send the form, marriage license and make a copy of your driver's license (the SS card is free). I got my new SS card in the mail while we were gone so I took that with my marriage license to the DMV to get my new license and ID, and then I went to change my bank info. I still need to change all my credit cards and bills, but at least the big stuff is done. I had to pay $25 for my license and ID, but my ID was expired. If it wasn't it would have cost $15.

Hey Michelle! I'm glad your back and that you had a great time, I'm anxious to read your review! When you say you know that you have to get the paperwork translated, what do you mean? Do you mean the marriage certificates they give you in Spanish need to be translated in to English after you get them in the mail? Or do you mean our birth certificates need to be translated in to Spanish before we go? I'm so confused about the whole birth certificate translation thing since Gabriela (wc) told me that she does not need them translated. Please let me know if you can.

Thanks!!

I would love to have the information if you wouldn't mind. [email protected]

Thanks!!

I am getting married the day after you at the Del Mar as well!!! I am also looking into Cecilia Dumas!! Which package did you choose? I am thinking of having her for 4 Hours. Do you know if you are going to have to pay any additional guest passes for Cecilia/assistants?

We will be at the resort until 5/9, so I will probably see you there!!

Congrats and welcome back Michelle! I can't wait to see some pics and to read your review!

Email Sent!! Enjoy!

Welcome back Michelle!! Glad to hear that you had a wonderful time. Looking forward to your review

Welcome back Michelle! I'm so glad that everything went good. Can't wait for the review Congratulations!!

Hi Michelle,

 

I am new on the site, I think I joined while you were getting married. I look forward to hearing your review. Thanks for all the info! I hope you had an amazing wedding!

 

Congrats!

 

Bess

 

Lindo July 5, 2009

Please, send them to me too... [email protected]

THANKS!