MagsieMexico

That is lovely lovely lovely! I am so impressed that you decided on location so quickly, I've been debating and debating for over a month! And still no decision, and I've been engaged for 10 months! Ha. Anyway, I do at least know that I'm doing Mayan Riviera as well, so we'll talk more, and welcome! and congratulations!

Yes, I don't want one either, and don't plan on having one, but if I find out that some of my special people can't come, maybe I'll change my mind, but as of right now, no plans... and no desire...

This is great info, thank you! So nobody has actually seen pictures of the beach ceremony, with an arch or chuppah set up?

I just can't believe how beautiful and perfect everything looks, absolutely perfect!!! Congratulations.

I honestly hadn't really thought about this, and I will DEFINITELY be bringing my rings... it's all about the wedding! I will make sure they are insured, and be sensible. These things do happen, and you can get unlucky, but I think it's unlikely if you're sensible, and you will have the insurance for the worst case scenario... I wouldn't go without it on the big day!!

Yes, these prices were not including air, and were from a package holiday site. I am VERY glad to know that they are more than you expect to pay. I did it this way knowing that it varies with tax and time of year, but just to get a sense of the expense of hotels compared to one another... Adamsgrl, would love any advice you have. I am looking at Moon Palace, Riu Palace, Dreams Tulum. I think that they are all roughly the same price range, and pros/cons are that moon palace is far out, dreams tulum is new so not much info, and riu palace looks lovely, but is not very responsive with weddings... Any thoughts would be great!

I'm so with you! And you are not a bad bride at all... I just felt that a) I have lived on my own for a long time so I don't really need stuff, showers are weird and I don't like them, c) everyone has to spend so much to come to our wedding that i don't wnat them to buy gifts either... But, my MIL to be, has been giving me a hard time about the shower. And I was told by someone else that it was *selfish* of me to not register!!! How ridiculous... something about me thinking I'm too good for people's gifts!!! I couldn't believe it. So, I don't know what to do now...

I'm bumping this up because we've seen a lot of newbies asking questions about resorts here. This should help a lot, and for those newbies that have already picked a location, let us know why!! Thanks!

Oh, I'm an idiot, I just realized that you are talking about Jamaica! Apologies, I am talking about Riviera Maya!

Hi melanie, I was considering Gran Bahia for my wedding: It's more affordable for guests that Riu Palace, Dreams or Moon Palace, and it looks nice, though it is huge. There are some pictures on this site of the ceremonies, that were nice, but not exactly what I was looking for. There are threads under the Maya Riviera Forum, so look there: Reload this Page Gran Baha Prinicipa Tulum Pictures and review Here's a link to the site on weddings if you haven't seen it yet. Bahia Principe Clubs & Resorts Hope this helps!

Hi there and Welcome!! I am the most indecisive person in the world so I have been trying to decide on a location in the Riviera Maya for about 2 months now! There is tonnes of good info on this site. I would check out the threads in the Riviera Maya forum on why you chose the resort you did. Having said that, a shortlist: Riu Palace - looks lovely, but wedding coordinator can be slow, and there are not included/free wedding packages. there is a Riu next door to it that is more affordable for guests to stay at. Moon Palace - gorgeous, more remote, well set up for easy wedding parties. Dreams Tulum - supposed to be good for weddings, but a new resort with some construction still going on. Grand Palladium Kanteneh or Colonial (next to each other and attached), are more affordable, but don't have good spaces for private parties. There are lots more, but those are the ones that I have been gravitating towards. Hope you enjoy this forum, beware, it's totally addictive! I've been away for 6 days and feel like i have missed out on everything!

Oh Very Cool! I'll have to buy a copy. Unless you've posted it already, I've been away for a week, so am well behind!

Can you do a cocktail hour too? I'm sure that is extra too... And is there a minimum night stay? And did you have to pay for your photographer to stay at the Riu? And if so, did you get a discount for not using the resort photographer? Thanks!

Hmmm, this is great. a) I never thought about being hot and not wanting to wear the petticoat crap on the day and the hoopskirt idea is great! This place is wonderful... no mistakes for me because you ladies have all figured it out!

Oh, i want to hear all about it! Why did you choose Gran Bahia? I am getting married next February 2008... so am just in the beginning stages of picking a resort... Gran Bahia is one of the ones I'm looking at. Thanks, and good luck!

I know, it is really overwhelming... For me, a private reception is important though, you'll have all the other days to go to the bar in the all inclusive... But i can see your point, low stress and a great way to save money! Now i think I'm considering Riu Palace Mexico, and Moon Palace... I think I have decided to push it out to February. That means I'm not getting married this year and I will have been engaged for 2 years when I get married finally!!!!

Hummingbird, can you start a thread with the pictures of your hairstyles I'm so curious to start thinking about it! But I agree, that is mental, I couldn't decide if I was afraid or amused!!

I love them! Perfect. but wait, what's Valerie doing posting Didn't she already leave?

Oh, that site is super useful Adamsgirl, thank you!

That's a great idea, since everyone who comes is so close to you anyway, they are all "standing up for you".... Lovely. Thanks!

Great advice ladies, thank you. I think that is what I will do, and I will tell the other girls that I would want them as bridesmaids, but this is an untraditional wedding, and we'll all have a spa day before... Sounds great. thank you!

Okay, it's true, I'm no that into bling, but look at this, with the wedding band, you've gotta admit it's a lot!!! By the way, Rebecca, your's is beautiful! More elegant and simple because it's not as fat and you don't have the bigger sidestones. You win.

Thanks Ann, I had pretty much decided to do none, exactly for the reasons that all you wise ladies mention, but then I read your post earlier today saying you kind of regretted it!! i think I will tell all of my best friends that I want them involved but with such a small wedding, I am only going to have my sister, although I'm closer to them than to my sister in most cases! But I love my sis a tonne too, and it's a different kind of closeness....

Sorry, I'm dumb! Thanks for explaining. Lovely idea too!

I have a group of 5 best girlfriends in California from my 10 years living there. I have a group of 5 best girlfriends in London from living here growing up, and again now (moved back 5 months ago). I have a sister. My fiance has a sister. If I had all of those as bridesmaids, I'd have 12 bridesmaids, and that would be half of the people at my destination wedding!!! I really like the idea of bridesmaids... for many reasons, and a lot because i am really close to these girls... but I just don't know what to do. So maybe just have none?? What do you ladies think?