RIU RM Palace Brides??

Welcome Jannae! I just checked out your website and I love it so far! Definitely love the bright colors! As for using a TA, we definitely got lower rates than if we had just booked on our own. She also mentioned something about getting a couple of nights free (me and my FI) if we had so many rooms booked, but I don't know for sure yet. I sent my STD's out the beginning of June and gave my guests until July 1st to send in a deposit; however, those who haven't booked yet still can. They pretty much send in the deposit when they book and then two more payments are due before the trip.

Thank you for all of the compliments on the website! I wanted bright fun colors, I think I am going to incorporate lime green into it too… Also, I’m getting on figuring this travel agent STAT, so I can get going. I am so excited to be part of this group.

Desiree—thank you for emailing that info so fast, you ROCK!

Samira- if you contact Tammy host, will you let me know how it goes? And any others?

Katie- Who did you use? Is she nationwide, since we live on opposite ends of the US? 

My NEW question. Is anyone using an outside photographer? If so, or even if you’re using the hotel one, can you give me an idea on package pricing? I REALLY want to use Elizabeth Medina, but I’m not sure how much all of this is supposed to cost- she is pretty pricey! It may not even matter, because I’m in LOVE with her work. I’m just bummed that she cannot ‘pencil’ me in, and I cannot get the deposit to her for another month ½ or so… Anyway, I wanted to check others prices too!

Josie you are a peach!

I actually signed up for destinationweddings.com last year when I thought we were going to plan sooner. I heard about the mixed reviews, but if you are happy, then maybe I will go with them. I got assigned Forte Carter, who do you have? So they have been helpful? Very good to know….

CONGRATS on winning that contest—that ROCKS!! Can’t wait to see your pics—and Thanks!!

OH, and if I do go with EMedina—I will probably have to give up some other stuff! It is more than I expected, but from the start I said as soon as I found someone that I loved, I would go with them…. I guess we’ll see what happens though!!

Jannae - we are not getting an outside photographer, we are just going with the one the RPRM provides. We went with the Caprice Package but I think we will probably add photos on top of that and the package we are looking at getting is $1200.

Elizabeth Medina does do beautiful work so I would totally go for it if it's in your budget!

Josie - try not to worry too much about the OOT bags, have you thought about what you are going to put in them? and you are not the only one, I haven't started mine either!! I am hoping to get started on them in august.

Welcome Jennae! We're using 3 outside photographers! We actually won their services through BDW just like Josie did. We got the Wedrockers (Rafa Ibanez, David Jouse, and Fer Juaristi). They do beautiful work, and usually work individually, but I think they wanted to have a collaboration in their portfolios or something. I've seen reviews and samples of Rafa and Fer's work on here, and some of David's through his facebook page. I have no idea what they would charge, but I think it's pretty reasonable. It wouldn't hurt to keep checking the vendor marketplace, there's usually a photographer offering their services for travel expenses in a contest. I'm really impressed with most of the photographers that are members of this forum. I had no idea you could have such interesting wedding photos until I found this place.

Josie, what are you planning on doing for OOT bags?

MY DW.com TA is Sherryl Dabbs. I found that they werent all that helpful in the beginning (originally i was assigned to a different TA who I did not like, they reassigned me to Sherryl after I complained).......I think they struggle with helping you choose a resort. But once I picked RIU RM and was assigned to Sherryl, she has been nothing but helpful and I am extremely pleased with her!!!

If I had the money for EM I would have booked her in a heartbeat...her work is AMAZING!!!!!!!

Lisa- about my OOT bags, my mom wants to get these massive ones (ones that can fit beach towels, etc) but then she only wants to put a few little things inside (suntan lotion, chapstick, etc) and I think that will look stupid. But my main stress is hauling them to mexico for over 50 people :/ yikes!

jannae,

welcome its great to have another fellow rprm bride to share things with

josie,

try not to stress too much you will get everything sorted you still have lots of time.it scares me to think that i want everything sorted by the end of november and you will be married by then hehe.have you moved into your house full time now?hope so and things are much easier.

desiree,

no way will you sleep the night before you leave you will be way too excited.

Jannae- I LOVE LOVE LOVE Elizabeth Medina's work too. She is just too pricey for us because we are having a huge AHR when we get home. You will have gorgeous pics for sure if you go with her!

Josie-I am not doing menus or place cards because I haven't really had time to make them to be honest. I think menus would look great on the table though...you can just use the menu info I sent to you from Ael and DIY. They have some really pretty DIY ones on here.