TATrisha

Welcome to the forum Danielle! Riviera Maya is such a beautiful area! I have heard of all your resorts and driven past most of them and they all look beautiful! best wishes!

You might be surprised, however here in the Midwest, summer books up VERY quickly. So you definitely want to book that sooner than later.

Totally realistic. The budget thread is your friend: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/f9/budget-933/ A LOT of us put our full budget into that thread. I personally paid for my wedding party... however I am definitely the exception and NOT the rule! So don't feel pressured to do so.

I was totally going to say to look into renting a house!!! I think that's just perfect! And in the summer I'm sure the grounds will be just phenominal!

Zappos!!! Free shipping to you, free shipping back! I will buy a bunch and then try them all on and ship back the ones I don't keep! It works PERFECT for finding that right pair of wedding shoes!

Quote: Originally Posted by KJT1985 So part of me thinks it's ridiculous that anybody would charge that much for pictures but at the same time, it's sorta a once in a lifetime thing and if you both like the pictures and neither are too upset at the cost it's not a rip off. Do they make like 500% profit on it? Sure they do. I have to say something in regards to this comment. I just want to set the record straight: For people who purchase from resort photographers who don't do ANY editing, or even just minimal editing, then yes. There is probably a very large markup. However, for normal photographers, this is COMPLETELY false!!!! COMPLETELY! And I don't want anyone to think that we charge what we do simply because it's a once in a lifetime event so we can. That's not the case. For instance, the wedding I just photographed in Mexico. Just the wedding. 10 hours of photographing. For every hour of photographing I do approximately 6 hours of "other" stuff. That would include editing, sorting, blogging, burning a disc, mailing, and backing up. So to photograph one wedding is 60 hours worth of work. Let's pretend that you hired a photographer for your wedding for $2,000. First things first, remove 40% of that, because that's what we pay straight to Uncle Sam. So now, the photographer is getting $1,200. Divide by 60 hours of work. The photographer is making $20 an hour. Not bad, but it certainly is not a lot! Now, please don't forget the cost of goods. So what if your package included a book? Images? Online Gallery? These things all cost money. Not to mention the cost of our insurance, our equipment, etc. In the end, many of us photographers end up making very little money. We don't do it to be rich. We do it because we love it and we have a passion for it. We love capturing such beautiful emotion and capturing the love on one of the best days of your life. It's what we do. It's what we love to do. But please don't think that we are making easy money, as it is anything but!

Oh I loved that wedding! I'm weird (and I FULLY admit that) but I thought it was perfect that it started pouring and they kissed in the rain. It's so romantic to me. It reminded me of my favorite scene in the Notebook. Something about it all of a sudden just raining is so beautiful. And heck, it's your wedding, make the best of it, right??!?! As for finding a replica of that dress for under 5 digits... I'm sure they will be out very shortly!

Jaime, I LOVE that dress! And I love what you're doing with the sleeve and back of the dress. I think that will just look gorgeous!! As for the train, just from a random's point of view... definitely have a train! Even just a little train. It's so beautiful and really looks lovely in pictures!

Awe shucks! Thanks! Really... I just loved reliving my wedding day through all of you guys! I loved every minute of it and would do it again in a heart beat, so I like helping others get to that point too!

Welcome to the forum Tracie! I have heard amazing things about Barbados and it's on my bucket list to go there. So you are one lucky bride to get married in such paradise!! Best wishes!

49 Days Erica!! That's so awesome!!!

I really can't help, as I'm in Wisconsin! LOL, but I got my engagement photos taken in NY and it was awesome! You will definitely cherish the photos, so make sure you get a good photographer!

I think the question is, where in Riviera and WHEN in riviera will you be going?

Sunnyee, do you think you could help the ladies out and let them know how much it was to purchase the pictures? I understand if you're not comfortable with that. Also, were they digital images? 4x6, 5x7

Hi Mom! That's really sweet of you to help out your daughter. Where in Cancun is she getting married?

Welcome to the forum! I was just in Playa Del Carmen. Super beautiful! Which resort are you planning on staying at?

And for the record, I'm standing behind Tammy practically peeing in my pants with laughter! Trust me people, the reception was FUN!!!!

LOVE YOUR DRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As for the bars, they are all included, except the Corona bar... well, unless that has changed.

The karaoke was so much fun to watch! LOL!!! I don't think they have it every night, but when they do... priceless! When we were there it was held in the Coba section. SO FUN!

Your best bet is probably going to be to fly in a photographer. Then you don't have to pay the $500 fee (not sure what the deposit is, or who that's from). But i just did a quick Expedia search (although I highly recommend booking with a travel agent), but to fly two photographers into your wedding from Chicago and have them stay three nights is only around $1000-2000. Prices aren't out yet for February, so I'm not sure if it'll be more or less..

Although I HIGHLY don't recommend this, a budget is a budget. And I understand that. Morgan - a bride on here, owns a photography business. She specializes in children, however she has a great newsletter with some simple tips on how to take better pictures with your point and shoot camera. Although children and TTD are different, I think the same rules technically apply Check it out! Morgan Henderson Photography | Fun family photography in Durham, NC

Search on etsy for tutudress. $40 All white one: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php...ng_id=41894703

DEFINITELY wear the dress that you love!!! Nothing is too fancy for a beach wedding. I wore a full lace dress, I've seen full princess dresses... it doesn't matter. As long as you are ridiculously happy marrying the man of your dreams, you will look FANTASTIC!

Seems expensive, but it might not be TOO terrible. I just did a quick quote on Expedia (I'd highly recommend going through a TA for actual booking, however), and to fly in TWO photographers from Montreal would only be $1800. And that's for three nights. So you could potentially fly in a photographer and get up to three days worth of GREAT photos for $1800. Now, most photographers will also charge a fee on top of that, but talk to them. Some might be willing to do it for right around there, maybe $500-1000 more. Is it worth it?? That is for you to decide and for you to decide how much you love photos. When I got married at my resort it was 70 pictures for $1080. And that is 70 5x7 PRINTED photos. No photos on a disc or anything. There are over 200 pictures in my photo album, so $1080 wouldn't have even filled that!!! Thank goodness I flew in my own photographer!!

Welcome to the forum!! I was just at the Barcelo Maya Palace and it is a beautiful place to have a wedding! Best wishes to you!