cheese_diva

Regarding the menu. My group isn't large enough to qualify for the buffet.. when picking a la carte, do I just choose a number and everyone gets that? Can you pick and choose courses? Rebecca, what about the menu for Portofino (your welcome dinner), was it the same events menu that you choose from?

Apparently cashing checks is a bit of a hassle for our Mexico vendors. I was able to transfer money into Maye's (our coordinator) bank account through Wells Fargo and she actually paid my deposits for me. My photographer, then sent me his receipt which also serves as his contract. The whole transaction took less than 10 minutes. Wire transfers are too expensive.. $40 or so international. For me, that would add up too quickly. Perhaps a traveler's check or money order so you have a record of sending? I would find out if you could get his bank account number and deposit money from the US.. Bank of America and Wells Fargo will let you walk in and deposit.

Wow!! I wonder how much?

Great review.. what is your wedding cake going to look like? If you go with the Dreams cake, do you get the pick the design?

Hmm.. I've always had some sort of idea of how many guests.. 30-40. it just seems to be growing more as we add family members. We based it on 40 and think we're at 35 right now. After we sent out our save the dates, people started telling us, "oh we can't wait" and "we're working on our plans" or "we've booked our trips!". I just kept track of everyone using theknot.com guestlist and put them down as though they rsvp'd yes already. I didn't really negotiate any "deal" with Dreams. I just received rates and when I booked my date told them where I wanted the ceremony and reception. To avoid another additional $22/pp, I think I will have my cocktail hour at the Oceana Terrace, same place as my reception. They consider each setup a separate event. I think it's crazy to pay extra for one hour of drinks and hourdourves. So, it will just be $44/pp (unless someone isn't staying at dreams, then it's $85 for them). I'm also having a welcome dinner the friday before at Portofino, that's an additional $22/pp Then of course if I want any color at the tables, napkins and colored table cloths are separate, same as chair ties. Then there's the centerpieces, flowers, etc.!! I basically told Mariana I wanted the "free wedding" which if I remember right basically covers having it at the resort without paying an additional fee, a very small cake, and some flowers, which I'll probably repurpose for someone else or something else. (I haven't gotten that far yet). I'm chosing my own vendors for mostly everything. I have a coordinator to help but with my small party and the people on this forum she probably wasn't all that necessary, although I appreciate her already and will so even more day of. Even though it's a "free wedding" it sure does add up! lol But I keep reminding myself the same wedding in CA would easily be twice as much.

Sorry I'm not familiar with your details, but is your isle on the sand? I saw something about colored sand or just flower petals, but not sure if you dress would get stained from either?

I'm such a nerd! I wrote al'carte instead of a la carte. lol anyhow, I know it's frustrating not hearing back from Yessica... try to narrow down the month you want to have your wedding, then ask her to send all of her availablity. You'll probably hear back within 3 days.. I was stressing trying to book my date and not hearing back, but they'll respond..sometimes kinda half questions.. I learned to not ask them too many questions at once because you'll only have one or two answered.. you'll find most of your answers here and Tammy the host is a great resource.. she's also a Travel Agent and can negotiate some great rates for a room block if you need it. I'm having about 35 guests and alot have already booked so I don't think we need it.

I chose to do al'carte for everything, but am staying 7 days and most of my guests are staying at Dreams (at least so far). For budgeting purposes, plan on $22/pp for each event.. ceremony $22/pp, cocktail hour $22/pp (if in a different location than your reception), $22/pp reception. Plan on using a max number from your guest list (minus the people you know for sure aren't coming). When it gets closer, you'll have "extra" money in your budget that you will find for something else. There's a menu list on the forum somewhere and pictures of some of their cakes. I'm basically using their packages for a guidline of what's included and what isn't, but all my vendors are coming from outside.

Welcome! Take a look around at the posts.. there is soooo much information. What I did is started a folder structure on my desktop and inside made multiple folders for cake, dress, location, etc... you'll find so many great ideas, it can be a little overwhelming. It's great to have a place to just copy and paste or save photos to. I just delete stuff when I make decisions.

Just saw this on the Yahoo forum... Love it! http://www.bouquetjewels.com/bythesea.htm

I double triple checked on the sunset time. Daylight savings is the first Sunday in November in 2007 so your 5:45 is accurate. I almost wish it were earlier so we had more time to boogie!

I'm coming in late, but your photos look GREAT! I'm from WI originally and love the park photo with the bare trees. I was in Chicago the first weekend in Feb.. it was cold!!

Hi girls.. need your help with this one. Rebecca thank you in advance for all your suggestions and your timeline info.. Maye and I have been working on getting my timeline set for our big day. She suggested having the fire dancers perform before our first dance.. I think I would rather have them towards the end of the night, but before my photographer/video guys leave. I think I'm being a bit weird going to the quarter hour and I understand this isn't exact, but I'd like to have something set so it isn't all nilly-willy that day and we're rushed to get it all in. Maye also suggested having the cake and toast all within the same 45 minutes alloted for dinner. Won't people be too stuffed just having dinner to even look at cake? I'm not a big cake person, but if I'm spending money on it, I would like to people to be able to enjoy it. We're only have 35-40 guests. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. 4:00- 10:00: Tomas Barron- Photographer/Video: (6 hours) 4:45-6:45 Trio (Pre-ceremony/Cocktail Hour) 2 hrs 5:15-5:45: Ceremony and well wishes Sunset: 6:45 pm 5:45-6:45 Photos with family/guests and romantic sunset photos for couple 5:45-6:45: Cocktail Hour (location?) 6:45-11:00: Dinner/Reception Oceana Terrace 6:45 PM DJ BEGINS PLAYING AT OCEANA TERRACE (6:45-11) 7:00-7:45 Dinner 7:30 PM CAKE - DREAMS STAFF WILL CUT AND PASS OUT CAKE + Champagne for toasting 7:45: Toasts 8:00 PM FIRST DANCE (DJ will invite guests to join couple on the dance floor half way into the song) 8:10 PM BEGIN DANCING FOR EVERYONE (fast music) 9:30 PM FIREDANCERS (stop dancing & introduce Firedancers) 11:00 End of Party

#2 with my second choice being #1 Both look great!

Don't forget, Save 10% with code CJVA ex. 2/14/07 (not sure if it works with free shipping but I'm trying it out)

Not sure if this relates to anyone, but when we started talking about planning, we were going to open another checking account for our "wedding money".. then we thought, duh, if I use my Hilton Honors credit card for everything, we're actually gaining points towards stays at a hotel in the future. My credit card is paid off in full and rather than having that money sitting in a low interest bearing account, we're going to keep it one of our ING accounts (4.5% interest) until I need to transfer to pay off the card bill. I use my budget spread sheet to track all purchases (big and small) and will save all credit card invoices into a folder so nothing is missed. I want to know how much this bad boy is costin' us!

Change your wedding to Oct 07 and your grandma and my grandma can hang out! lol I'm in California and all of my family and friends I grew up with are all in WI. One of my great friends was told yesterday the wedding is in Cabo and she told her sister who says "Aw, Crap, do we have to go."... I didn't say anything, but all I thought was, you'd have to make a trip to CA regardless if you wanted to attend and we aren't "making" anyone go. I completely understand if some people can't make it, but I also know we're going to have a great time with the people we do. Maybe if you gave them 4 years notice, they might be able to make it. Yeah Right!

oopps meant 6:45 on 10.28 and 1 hour earlier when daylight savings happens.

I thought that was very odd.. film only AND he doesn't develop anything?

Fernando D. Ramirez - Photographer - Quality Video and Photography Services for all kind of events. Weddings, fifteen years, group events, celebrations, anniversaries, parties, etc. in Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos area. Phone: (624) 128 - 3469. [email protected] Response: Hello Angela,thanks for contact me,I available for that date and I charge $350.00 U.S.D. for the first hour and $280.00 U.S.D. for the next hours in this time I take unlimited pictures from you (around fo 200) and I give one album with 50 -100 prints in 4x6" for hour,the CD with all the images in high Resolution,the service included Special Digital effects(B&W,Sepia Tone and combination of them with color),sometimes depend of you the Sesion starts with some images of the bride when she`s getting ready and it`s a great moment for candits and more special shots. And for the Video I charge $300.00 for hour and I give a DVD with a Special Edition for you.I will Send to you another e-mail with some images part of my job, thank you for your time. Fernando Ramirez Photographer Cell Phone:624 128 3469

Agustin Parada - Professional Photographer - Has plenty experience as photographer and He knows the best places in Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos area for taking the image that you are going to remember for the rest of your life. Landscapes, Groups, Weddings, Aerial, Full Color, Black and White, Commercial and Portrait. Shoots digital with Nikon Equipment. Calle La Palmilla #297 Colonia Arcos del Sol, AP 418, Cabo San Lucas, B. C. S. Cell phone: 044 (624) 141-9294. E-mail: [email protected] www.agustinparadanet.com Response: Hello Angela ; Till now I had available that date , and work with almost 40 persons is not a problem for me, My rates are $ 300.00 usd per hour flat, In that service are incluide CDs with all the images can I take during the ceremony, also I gave to you ; 100 Photos 4 x 6 in Album like samples , in Color , B / W , & , Sepia tone and 2 - 8 x 10 portrait one inColor , other in Sepia or B / W. All my Best Agustin. Angela in case you decide get my service please I like can you send me a Wedding List . Gracias. Agustin Parada Guzman Professional Photographer La Palmilla # 297 Fraccionamiento Arcos del Sol Cabo San Lucas B C S Tel Estudio ; 624 17 314 94 Tel cel; 624 14 192 94 / 624 129 56 31

Andrik Oechler - Weddings, Groups, Portraits, Advertising, Landscape and Activities. Use Nikon Optics - shoots with F-5 and D-100 bodies. Phone: (011-52) 624-146-9065;* (011-52) 624-141-8187 |*E-mail: [email protected] | www.photoandrik.com Response: The cost for the Service is $300.00 USD PER HOUR. Includes; All pictures printed on 4x6 inches, One Handmade Photo Album and All Images on High Resolution CD's. To Reserve the Date I Require a 50% Deposit. Also please let me know if you will be in Cabo before October so we can meet! Thanks! Andrik Oechler. 624 1469065 (studio) 624 1282156 (cel)

Bruce had some great photos, but sounds like he uses film only and you develop yourself in the US.. I always thought that digital was better (when done right) because you can easily convert to B/W or cepia and perform coloring work. Bruce Herman - Photography - Stock and location photography, specializing in Los Cabos and Mexico. Bruce Herman is an accomplished professional photographer now living near Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur on the Pacific coast of Mexico. After a successful career in Europe shooting sports and fashion, Bruce moved back to Los Angeles, California and rekindled a long remembered love affair with Mexico.Cabo San Lucas Phone: (624) 143-4793 (from USA dial 011 52 first) E-mail: [email protected] www.brucehermanphotography.com "for a normal 5 hr wedding I charge 2200$ plus film at the end of the ceremony I give you the film to process in the states as I dont like the labs here and dont like to trust them with somthing as important as your wedding film usually runs a few hundred dollars my son does video well have to check with him on pricing if your interested hope to hear more about youyr event thanks bruce herman tel in cabo 52 624 14 34793"

I'm still on my photographer search. I came across a few people that I haven't seen much on this board and will post individually the responses I received. I have an email full of additional photos. Let me know if you want me to forward to you. Rates seem reasonable.. anyone use him or almost use him? He does video and photography.. but how does that work if you want both for your ceremony? Tomás Barrón Luna - Professional Photographer and Videographer - Cabo San Lucas. He studied communication science at school specializing in photography and audio-visuals techniques. Mar de Irlanda M- 14 Lote 1 Fracc. Miramar. Cabo San Lucas. Baja California Sur. Cell : 044 ( 624 ) 113 -1140 [email protected] | www.tomasbarron.com I would like to take Pictures and Video from their wedding. You can see some examples in my web site www.tomasbarron.com, In addition I will sent another email with recent examples. My list packages is this: Weddings packages of Photographie Super Basic 1 hours, * Formals, Ceremony * Unlimited color and black & white images. * Print album 100 with 4x6 images & 1 with 8x10 images, * All photos on CD $ 300 USD Basic 2 hours, * Bride's Getting Ready, Formals, Ceremony * Unlimited color and black & white images. * Print album 150 with 4x6 images & 3 with 8x10 images, * All photos on CD $ 600 USD Custom Package I 3 hours * Bride's Getting Ready, Formals, Ceremony * Unlimited color and black & white images * Print album 200 with 4x6 images & 5 with 8x10 images * All photos on CD * Overtime $200 USD $ 900 USD Custom Package II 5 hours * Bride's Getting Ready, Formals, Ceremony, Reception * Unlimited color and black & white images * Print album 300 with 4x6 images. * All photos on CD * Album complete with: 5 8x10's, 10 5x7's. * Overtime $200 USD $ 1,400 USD Custom Package III 7 hours * Bride's Getting Ready, Formals, Ceremony, Reception * Unlimited color and black & white images * Print album 350 with 4x6 images. * All photos on CD * Album complete with: 7 8x10's, 15 5x7's. * Overtime $200 USD $ 1,900 USD ALBUMS OF LEATHER GOLD DIAMOND . SIZE 10 X 13" 1 ALBUM SIZE 12 X 12" 2 ALBUM SIZE 6 X 6" 30 Pages $ 1,500 USD 30 Pages $ 2,000 USD 40 Pages $ 2,000 USD 40 Pages $ 2,500 USD PACKAGE PACKAGE GOLD 30 Pages $ 2,300 USD Includes the Leather Gold Album ($1,500 Regular Cost) And 5 hours of photography ($ 1,400 Regular Cost) PACKAGE GOLD 40 Pages $ 2,800 USD Includes the Leather Gold Album ($2,000 Regular Cost) And 5 hours of photography ($ 1,400 Regular Cost) PACKAGE DIAMOND 30 Pages $ 2,800 USD Includes the Leather Diamond Album ($2,000 Regular Cost) And 5 hours of photography ($ 1,400 Regular Cost) PACKAGE DIAMOND 40 Pages $ 3,300 USD Includes the Leather Diamond Album ($2,500 Regular Cost) And 5 hours of photography ($ 1,400 Regular Cost) Payment: $150.00 deposit secures date, (non refundable) remaining balance due by the Wedding day (to pay in cash, or traveler's check ). · TOMAS BARRON uses Canon & Minolta Digital SLR & 35mm cameras. · Travel Expense: For weddings outside of 80 Km of Los Cabos Baja California Sur there may be a travel expense added. Video Weddings packages Super Basic - Processional - Ceremony - 2 copy DVD. (Cinematic Edition with special Transitions, titles and music of 10 minutes) $ 300 USD Add a: Second Videographer’s Service $100. Basic - Processional - Ceremony - Reception (Cocktail hour, Toast, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Dances) - 2 copy DVD. (Cinematic Edition with special Transitions, titles and music of 20 minutes) $ 600 USD Add a: Second Videographer´s Service $150. Custom Package I - Processional - Ceremony - Reception (Cocktail hour, Toast, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Dances) - Video Clip of Bride and Groom and Wedding Party - 1 copy DVD and 1 Copy VHS. (Cinematic Edition with special Transitions, titles and music of 25 minutes) $ 800 USD Add a: Second Videographer´s Service $200. Custom Package II - Bride's Getting Ready - Welcoming - Processional - Ceremony - Reception (Cocktail hour, Toast, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Dances, Cake Cutting and Party) - Video Clip of Bride and Groom and Wedding Party - 2 copy DVD. (Cinematic Edition with special Transitions, titles and music of 35 minutes) $ 1000 USD Add a: Second Videographer´s Service $250. Custom Package III - Rehearsal of Ceremony and Rehearsal Dinner - Bride's Getting Ready - Welcoming - Processional - Ceremony - Reception (Cocktail hour, Toast, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Dances, Cake Cutting and Party) - Video Clip of Bride and Groom and Wedding Party - 2 copy DVD. (Cinematic Edition with special Transitions, titles and music of 45 minutes) $ 1300 USD Add a: Second Videographer´s Service $300. Payment: $100.00 deposit secures date, (non refundable) remaining balance due by the Wedding day (to pay in cash or traveler’s check ). · TOMAS BARRON uses Canon & Sony Digital video cameras. · Travel Expense: For weddings outside of 80 Km of Los Cabos Baja California Sur there may be a travel expense added. I am ready to answer you any question or to receive any suggestion. I hope that you like. thank you. Cordially. Tomás Barrón. Professional Photographer. www.tomasbarron.com

FYI: Daylight savings in Cabo,-2007 is 1st Sunday in November. Sunset on 10.28.07 is 5:45.. on 1.4.07 it will be 5:41.