Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda Brides post here

Thank you!!

This forum is wonderful, thank you everyone! I would be so freaked if I didn't have you guys!

My friends who were just married there celebrated with the other guests, so they made a reso in the restaurant, but did not make it private, so they didn't have to pay the extra, and said it was awesome, at that point everyone is your friend, plus people tend to keep to themselves, they also brought their Ipod and portable stereo and used that for the wedding music. Just a few ideas.... I can't wait to get more info from anyone and tips on what to make sure I do when I get there.

Christina

Where did they play there music in the restaurant or is there some place they went after and played it? We really haven't made alot of plans for after dinner...so just wondering what some others have done?

We booked today and we're so excited! I'm more excited than he is

Arriving Nov 8 and wedding on Nov 10, 09. I'm relieved that we've finally chosen our resort. Hopefully the rest will fall into place a lot easier.

Oh I'm so happy for you...it's a relief when you finally pick the place and book, I remember that feeling. Well happy planning with the rest. I will definitely post on here how everything goes with our wedding and any advice I could give after...we are less than three months away, I'm getting so excited. I just got a message from another bride from tripadvisor who said she would let me know how things went with her wedding:

" I just got married there last week and it was amazing. Everything was perfect. The only thing i could tell you that i didnt like was that we weren`t told and were planning on, doing our own vows so we got put on the spot there. So have something preparred.Our wedding was at 1 pm( the only time we can get the judge and just found out a couple of days before leaving that it would not be at 4 as originally planned.

The flowers were amazing, candy will send you bouquet options. I had a couple of flowers changed for a different color. Everything is done in the last 2 weeks before the wedding. Candy will also send you a menu option after you choose what restaurant you want. We had the french restaurant.

We didnt have a DJ, There is always entertainment in the sports bar in the evening and a beach party at night. I had originally reserved a photographer in mexico, (claudia rodriguez) but after reviwing the prices, flew out a photographer from winnipeg canada instead. Ive also seen the resort photography pics and they are nice. There was also a resort videographer there."

It's reassuring to know that things turn out well for weddings...just have to be patient through the lack of communication.

Jojo... I got a response from this person right away, they seem good and professional. [email protected]

Photographer, I am using someone from the US - www.mcllellanstudio.com .

As far as the payment, Nurse is correct, you put 50% of the package you choose down and then for the room block, you also need to pay the first night of every room on your block - for exmaple, if you have 10 rooms in the block, you multiply it by two the rate per person they gave you (for double occupancy). This money will be transferred to your "tab" (additionals), so I'm assuming that once everyone is there, they will credit your account with the reservations and hopefully you won't have a balance.

Please keep in mind that most of the pakcages will require you to include something, since there is no switching. The packages are also for a certain amount of people, so if you have a larger party, there will be incrementals anyway.

Another area that will "require your budget" is a rehearsal event. We opt for a rehearsal cocktail instead of a formal dinner - the pricing is better and everyone will have dinner on their all inclusive anyway....we are doing ours at a great area, outside the French restaurant. It's really pretty. I believe our pricing was along the lines of $1,500 per hour, for drinks and appetizers, for 100 people.

Jojo, I'll email you the photos.

P.

ops...here is the correct web site for the photographer - 100% Original. 100% McLellan Style.

I also checked with a few local places and honestly, the prices are pretty comparable - most of them start around $4,500 - for the kind of photo-jornalism pictures we want. You can probably get it cheaper if you are looking for normal pictures.

Nurse,

Have you started to get down to the details with Candy - things like table arrangements, etc? i have been trying to get a hold of her but as everyone, it has been tough. I got a few images from her on the flowers and am looking for something similar to what she sent - I am wondering how many changes or decisions we are expected to make on site, upon arrrival. I heard from other resorts that you should be there at least 3 days before the wedding and considering the lack of communication, I am thinking the sooner we get there the better.

A friend of mine that got married there said that they brought a bunch of stuff themselves such as place cards, a few arrangements, etc. I also know that there is a Wallmart around there that you can get last minute things (i.e. votive candles, etc). I'm just really trying to think of anything/any detail and make sure it's addressed in advance....

Let me know

P.