TATrisha

Do you have sole custody? You can get a passport with just one parent, it's just a little trickier. Here are the rules for it: Appear in person with the minor Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent Submit primary evidence of sole authority to apply for the child with one of the following: Minor's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate listing only the applying parent Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) listing only the applying parent Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by that order) Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adopting parent) Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent Death certificate of non-applying parent

Well that's annoying!!! But hey, December 5th sounds like a fantastic day to get married!

You look so beautiful and happy!!! And I love your bouquet. Very pretty. Congratulations!

Hi Casi! I can only give my opinion, and what I saw when I was photographing weddings there, but hopefully it'll help calm you a little. As for the first look. There are a TON of spots to do this at Dreams. I would give yourself a good 20-45 minutes. It depends. Do you just want to see each other and then disappear again, or would you like to take some intimate photographs while it's just the two of you? Some of the ones I'd consider would be the walkways by the fitness center entrance. There is a cute little pond and it's secluded so it'd be more romantic. There are also little courtyards between the hotel rooms. I think this might just be perfect for you. Here is a picture of one of the courtyards. Next, over by the quiet pool there is a wall of these beautiful fuschia flower bushes. I think it'd be really beautiful to do it there too, although it's not very secluded. Best wishes!

elissae, that dress is gorgeous and I love the belt that you added! Definitely makes the dress look amazing!!! joda you looked so beautiful. It was too windy for my veil too, I definitely liked my pictures better without it blowing in my face anyways

Here is her initial statement about it: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/2782/dreams-cancun-questions-for-those-married-here/6010#post_1729795 It doesn't matter what bag you would pack the items in. If you get searched then they will look through all of your luggage to make sure you are under the $300 limit and have receipts for all of your goods. If you're concerned, I would split it up amungst different families instead of just your bags. So have your parents, his parents, your maid of honor, ect take items down for you. Just make sure you provide them with receipts too. Would hate for them to get a tax penalty for carrying your items.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your engagement!! PV and RM are both gorgeous locations. I choose Riviera Maya because I live in the MidWest so it was cheaper for my guests. The beaches are also the bright blue color that I had longed for in my dreams.

My only advice is that if your resort photographer is not the best, then think of it as you have two options. 1. Lose out on the money by declining the services of the photographer 2. Lose out on the memories of your wedding day by having photos you're embarrassed to show or you have too few to make a proper wedding album from. Over time, the money from the wedding package will seem like nothing, but the family heirloom that is your wedding photos will live on forever.

Yeah, choosing my photographer was ridiculously painstaking. I mean, when you have a local wedding you typically choose from the talent in your area (and don't even consider flying people in)... but when you have a destination wedding then you can choose from talent around the world and their prices are often cheaper! That's just crazy to me!! It was so many options!!! So, figure out what you want from the portraits in the end. Find someone who will be able to deliver that, and if you have a connection with them and their work is great, book them.

You're welcome! I help out as much as I can Now go find yourself an awesome photographer!!!

OMG Lola it's gorgeous!!! I love it! Perfect dress for you!

Of course! Here is the Official thread for the Gran Bahia: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/75549/official-gran-bahia-principe-riviera-maya-thread And here is the bridal roll call that you've been added to! http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/75549/official-gran-bahia-principe-riviera-maya-thread/10#post_1663902

Quote: Originally Posted by katman Hey, thanks for posting! I hadn't really considered flying in a local photographer just because the idea seemed so expensive. If the individual is a guest at the resort but providing a commercial service, the vendor fee is waived? What about work permits? Also, for the cost of travel alone, do most photographers provide editing, prints and digital copies or is that an extra fee? As a photographer who is often flown in, I can say that it's not always expensive, and can often be less expensive than hiring the resort photographer. As a guest at the resort I do not need a vendor fee. Work visas are filled out on the FMT form when we enter the country and allow us to work there for up to a certain amount of days without paying taxes. For the cost of travel alone, it depends. Some photographers are desperately trying to be destination wedding photographers because they think it's glamorous or they want to start their portfolio. So you can sometimes get it for the cost of travel alone. But typically there will be a charge above and beyond travel for the full service. For instance, I start at $1,000 above travel for full day wedding coverage and all edited images on a full resolution disc.

Yeah, it's an industry thing to not clearly list out pricing. I have it on my website and I actually get emails from other photographers asking me to take it down. It's kind of ridiculous if you ask me. Knowledge is power. As for finding out what you NEED, that's always tough. Do you want prints for your house? Canvas? Large prints. ie: take a piece of paper and hang it on your wall. Step back. That's larger than an 8x10 and more than likely, it looks really tiny on your wall. So a photographer that gives you 5x7 prints isn't going to be what you want. You'll want a DVD of images so you can make your own Do you want a wedding album? ie: 20 years from now when your children want to see your wedding photos, how will you show them? Will the disc of images you're given be like a floppy disc now, where there are no medias to play them on? An album is timeless and classic and allows your images to be heirlooms Do you want all day wedding coverage? ie: is it important for your wedding images to tell the story of your day? To me, that story begins with the bride and groom getting ready. All the anticipation and excitement. And it ends at the reception dancing the night away with family and friends. To others, they only need pictures of the ceremony and family formals afterwards. Good luck in your search!

Hi Dainty! Sadly, Jill doesn't really come to the forum any longer. I actually don't believe wedding photography is her primary focus any longer, either. I believe she wants to focus on newborn lifestyle portraits. Just thought I'd let you know so you weren't waiting. Best wishes Trisha

Hi! I photographed a wedding at Sandals Negril, but to save money the bride had me stay in a different hotel. It was the first (and last) time I've ever allowed it. Not just because of the day pass, but it was a total pain in the butt. I had no where to store my stuff, I felt out of place and I wasn't able to enjoy the resort. If your guests know that ahead of time, and know the cost of the day pass, then that's their decision. I personally (and I know people disagree with this), but I really don't think it should be your extra cost when people are coming to Jamaica for your wedding but choosing to stay elsewhere. Now, if they LIVE in Jamaica, then that's another story.

Your wedding details look so amazing! You should be in Cabo now, so I know you won't read this until you return, but best wishes!

In April 2011 I photographed two weddings at Dreams Los Cabos. Both brought in their own makeup artists. Here are my thoughts and then the wedding pictures so you can see the makeup and even the artists that you'd have with you. Susan Morales - Susan was not there, she sent two of her makeup artist and then a translator. The makeup artists didn't speak English very well so the translator was essential. The ladies did a nice job, but it was a little heavy for some of the ladies and some had to do touch ups. Overall, a nice job. http://blog.faberphotography.com/weddings/dream-wedding-at-dreams-los-cabos-mexico/2011 Blanc Salon - Neysa came for the second wedding I did. She is amazing. A super sweet woman, speaks perfect English and did exactly what the bride wanted. She did airbrush makeup and it was flawless. I would definitely recommend Neysa! http://blog.faberphotography.com/weddings/victoria-alastair-dreams-los-cabos-gazebo-wedding/2011

Mood Events has the dance floor Here is a list of a bunch of reviews from the different DJs http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/75549/official-gran-bahia-principe-riviera-maya-thread#post_1663893

Nope, those are outside vendor DJs

Tough to say. I had an entire suitcase which as only out of town bag supplies... so 35 cups, beach balls, lotions, lip balms, etc... but I also didn't hit a red light! My husband, parents, and myself had a deal. We'd approach the light as a group and set that bag in the front (but not obviously). If the first person hit the green button, they casually would grab it. If they hit red, they'd leave it. And so on. We all got green, so it was never an issue. But I would not want to deal with Mexican customs, that's for sure!

So sorry I didn't see this earlier. There are DEFINITELY savings if you can get together with another bride and fly in a photographer. The flight is typically the expensive part, so you definitely will see savings. For the Gran Bahia thread and the NOW Jade thread, that's why I created a bridal roll call. You can see who is getting married near your date and hopefully share some expenses And yes, I have had brides split the cost. I photographed two weddings in Cabo last year via that method. Both weddings were at Dreams Los Cabos. Wedding 1 and Wedding 2 As for the resort photographer, their prices are crazy ridiculous. And the photo quality really isn't good. If you compare them to any photographer that you see on the major wedding blogs (style me pretty, what junebugloves, green wedding shoes, etc), you'll notice a huge difference in the look of the photos. It's hard for people who aren't photographers to notice the flaws, which is good, because then hopefully you'll be happy with the photos. I just would hate for you to hate the photos a few years down the line and have regrets.

Here is a copy of the form which you fill out for customs. The back talks about what you are and are not allowed to bring in duty free. http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/Descargas/DECLARACION_ADUANAS_(INGLES)_final_191005_check_211005.pdf

The wedding coordinator set up our entrance. We hid by the bar and then they said our names and we entered. It was nice. As for customs. It is $300. Not sure what she was talking about. Perhaps pesos? One or more duty free goods which value may be proved with the invoice or note of sale and do not exceed $300 U.S. dollars or its domestic or foreign equivalent when the entry is by air or maritime transport or $50 U.S. dollars when the entry is by land. Alcoholic beverages, beer, manufactured tobaccos, cigarettes or automotive fuel may not be introduced within these exemptions. For everyone else that is wondering about other restrictions... I have in bold the restrictions for photographers... for those of you using inexperienced ones: Luggage: Used or new goods for personal use such as clothing, footwear, and personal hygiene items that reasonably respond to the duration of the trip and that due to its quantities may not be used for commercial purposes; one photographic camera and one video camera, and its power supply; up to 12 rolls of film or videotapes; filmed or developed photographic material; one mobile phone and one pager; one typewriter; one used or new laptop, notebook, omnibook or similar portable computer; one used or new portable copying machine or printer; two portable used personal sports gear; one portable radio/CD player; 5 laser disks, 5 DVD, 20 compact disks (CD) or tapes; books and magazines that due to its quantities may not be used for commercial purposes; 5 toys, which can be normally transported by a person; medicines for personal use, provided that prescription must be submitted for psychotropic drugs; one set of binoculars; one portable musical instrument; one tent and one camping equipment; one surfing board or one windsurf board; and 4 fishing rods and its accessories.

Shan, split it up among suitcases. Bring a sign in spanish that says it's for the wedding of X & X on May 25, 2012. And then pray for a green light. I didn't have receipts for all of my stuff, but it worked out just fine in the end. In crazy news, the Gran Bahia has a pinterest account!!! And they have a weddings section. And of that weddings section it's almost all my pictures that I've taken at the resort... or pictures of ME! HA! http://pinterest.com/bahiaprincipe/caribbean-weddings/