1elephant

buy them (ikea has great deals on candles), keep the receipt (you should travel w/ the receipt anyway), and return if you don't use them.

Quote: Originally Posted by kimberl07 Thanks Lauren- I had no idea what world terrace was. When you say buffet, do you mean a patio area directly outside the buffet? I guess the downfall would be that it is not private? Have you seen a reception on the beach right in the sand? I'm surprised they can serve there. I can't picture it- especially at night. But, that might be the best option. Now I wish that we would have explored some off-site options for the wedding, but I hadn't even heard of that until I joined this Forum. This has been a big help. Quote: Originally Posted by autjo Hi girls. I attached the 09 wedding info from Rebeca that includes a picture of the World Terrace reception setup. Although it is next to the buffet the reception would be plated. It is also not as private as the beach or Las Palmas. the pic of world terrace looks great - however that is the center of the resort. it's the main entrance to the buffet and directly below (see the stairs in the background) the reception desk. it's also directly underneath rendezvous (bar). it is NOT private AT ALL. the reception on the beach is a great option - but look at the additional costs and make sure to either include that in your budget or find a way to have rebeca determine whether or not it will DEFINITELY be necessary. they are saying "we MIGHT have to use the tractor or move palapas", but what they really mean is that "we MOST likely will even if we don't NEED to." the beach is not private, but much more private than world terrace. b/c it'll be dark, you won't see people watching from afar. that being said, my bridesmaids had to turn several people away from las palmas b/c they were trying to "look at the pool" during our private party. people were also looking down at our party from the old tower. keep in mind that you're getting married at a resort where there are thousands of people vacationing. it's not a private ballroom. Quote: Originally Posted by smith3576 Lauren - Would you mind sharing the template for the contract you brought with you? I would like to do the same thing - I don't want any surprises. Right now I have all of these random emails of things Rebecca has told me but I need to consolidate it. jamie, i don't have it anymore. it's on my old laptop that died sorry!!

Quote: Originally Posted by J&MWedding Oh, and Rebeca did specifically write that the ceremony centerpiece (incl in the package) will be used for Bride/Groom table etc etc so that will also eliminate one centerpiece did you ask what that centerpiece will look like? we specifically asked for nothing - no table, no centerpiece, but got one anyway and it was ugly. not a big deal, but just so you're prepared. Quote: Originally Posted by kimberl07 I can't wait to see your welcome bags Jill. We have bought a lot of items for ours, but haven't yet put them all together...waiting for the final count. Initially from the early response to the STD, we thought we'd have about 60 people. But now we are getting new reservations from the invites- I think we are looking at 90 people- talk about panic...I don't know what to do. Upgrades for us our going to out of the question with 90 people. Rebeca told me that Las Palmas terrace seats up to 70, so I don't even know what our options will be for 90 at the reception. I hope we are not stuck indoors. I emailed Rebeca today and am waiting for her response. Any suggestions? 86 Booked and Counting! you try the beach? probably you're only option - world terrace is the buffett (and after all of this, do you really want your reception at a buffett?) idk about leaving the starfish - i'd make sure to have a back-up of some sort...they are really fragile and JIC it mysteriously disappears...hate to sound like a "debbie downer" but don't want you ladies to be disappointed...

my cocktail hour was at las palmas as well. didn't make sense to have it elsewhere...i wasn't there for 55 out of the 60 min tho - that was bridal party picture time b/c we didn't see each other beforehand.

Quote: Originally Posted by KarenM How great you girls (Jess & Kim) get to go scope out Dreams coming up! Jess, would you mind taking a peek at the las palmas terrace (& maybe a pic)? I'd like to see what that area looks like. Also, I think we'll be having welcome happy hours at Dreams on a few nights and I'm not sure if we should just pick one bar to meet everyone at or rotate bars. I know Lauren said the lobby bar or sports bar were the best. Would you be able to take a pic or describe the bars? Thanks so much! karen, check out my pics. our reception was at las palmas - you can get a pretty good idea of the layout. also, just an fyi for everyone, the lobby bar is a nicer, classier joint. the sports bar is usually empty tho, so if you need a spot for a lot of people, you're better off there.

i had floating candles, but it was too windy - all of our candles blew out. there was some kind of entertainment across the resort, but we didnt hear a sound.

that's awesome - i just sent it to our photographer and told him to get those shots at my BIL's wedding

Quote: Originally Posted by mexicana bride Where did you get your OOT bags from?? Or did you DIY? i bought them from someone on this board, but don't remember who. she got them from a dollar store. thanks, all!

our anniversary is 2/16 - close to v-day, but also a holiday weekend, making it more $$ to go away that weekend. it's certainly a popular weekend - my cousin is also getting married on 2/13, but in puerto morelos.

i just edited, but wanted to clarify - i was mistaken about the dazzling details price. mine was about $8k - my higher quote was from another company. apologies all around!!!!

in addition to all of the oot stuff, we did huge individually wrapped chocolate chip cookies from a local bakery in pv. we brought monogrammed stickers w/ us and put them on the night before. i agree - don't give useless crap...when in doubt, go for food.

my quote for my 2/08 wedding was about $8k - 30 people.

nat, i can't speak about rebeca, b/c i had a different wc, but keep in mind that it's JUST HER working with girls to plan all of these weddings. she ONLY does wedding stuff - not booking, travel, rooms, etc. keep in mind that although it's last minute to you, your wedding is still 5-6 months away, and therefore, other than confirming a date, rebeca may not be as interested as you would like her to be. there is a lot of information regarding extra guests, dinners, etc. that you can find on your own by reading through this thread very carefully. you may also want to do a search for dazzling details. they've been mentioned by many girls on this site. i found them very expensive, but others did not. the search button is on the upper right side of the page.

Quote: Originally Posted by J&MWedding Rebeca told me there was no extra charge, but you never know.... She also told me that the balance isn't paid until the day after the wedding, that we sit down and add it all up and then pay her. That worries me a little, that all these expenses will come up randomly. I just plan on being strict with her when we sit down and making sure everything we have set doesn't change during the actual ceremony night. i had a contract that i sent gaby ahead of time with a layout of the expenses. it really wasn't necessary, but you could make a spreadsheet of the expenses and go over it at the pre-wedding consultation. we paid when we checked out a week later.

congrats ladies!

cbbt, i think it depends what you want. if you're interested in any of the things on the list from the package, then the package is probably beneficial. you have to weigh the options.

here's what we did for my cousins: Toilet seat covers because crabs jump high Halls drops for when your throat gets dry. Travel toothbrush for nights spent "away" Aleve for your head the very next day. Rolaids for heartburn and upset belly Lysol for when your rooms gets smelly Some water and Gatorade with electrolytes And Pledge to clean up after drunken nights. Breath mints and condoms are a college must You know how to use them both, we trust A deck of cards for playing games with drinks Polish remover to get rid of the hot pink. Chocolate and Pringles are yummy to munch Baby wipes for your butt after cafeteria lunch. You never know when you'll need some Krazy Glue Antibacterial lotion after touching dorm room goo Some cute little socks to keep your tootsies warm Crayons and a coloring book so you stay busy in your dorm. Pretty pens to leave your number with a cute boy Now you are ready and prepared and we hope you enjoy.

Quote: Originally Posted by Future Mrs. Griffith Jamie is there a fee for having two different entrees? I think that would be the best for us, because so many guests love seafood and I am just not a huge fan. SO if I could have two then I would feel much better! Also where are you considering getting your cake from?? no fee, you just need to know who will be having what entree ahead of time. someone just said 11 days, i think i told gaby the day we got there. if i could have brought in an outside cake, i'd bring it from pie in the sky. we used them for our favors and tasted a cake there - was PHENOMENAL. there's a review for them in my siggy.

wow, thanks whoever nominated me!!

i'm not feeling it this season either...i usually plan my day around it, but this season, i'm dvr-ing and ff-ing through everything but the dances. i don't like brandon, he's too cocky for me...and i kinda feel the same about kayla. katie holmes sucked, there was no dancing, just walking on a stage, but it wasn't even the SYTYCD stage - totally not even in the building, let alone live... and they're going to have another season starting in sept.? let's see if the show gets any better then.

just as an fyi, they serve mashed potatoes with EVERYTHING there. it's the side dish for almost every meal.

why justify it? we just flat out said "it's our wedding and this is what we want". if they said, "well you know so and so won't come" we said "our choice is to have our wedding where and when we want it, and their choice is to either come, or not come". lots of people have changed their weddings for their family. i would not.

that being said, i don't know if the waiters actually looked at the ribbons. i gave gaby a final count and some were still messed up - possibly b/c people didn't remember what they had ordered. most ordered the chicken and steak. no one cared, though, but even so, the waiters went back to get whatever the guests wanted.

yes, the chicken and steak was good - seriously, i don't think there was a single food that was bad the entire time we were there. the desserts, on the other hand - blech. don't bother with more than 1 cake, if you even have that. we chose ahead of time b/c we did have two options. we emailed everyone and asked them to chose their meal on our wedding website. then when i put the ribbons around the starfish, it was brown for one meal, orange for another, and something else for the kids.

Quote: Originally Posted by J&MWedding Lauren, thanks for all your answers as usual! You are always helpful! To everyone: I emailed Rebeca a list of the bar beverages to make a bar menu with, and she basically listed all the typical alcoholic drinks. I asked her about a signature wedding cocktail and she said that was fine to add too. (Lauren, I think you did this) She didn't list beer and wine, but I'm assuming that is included....? If so, does anyone know the list of the basic beer/wine? I've been emailing her a lot (and I know that's her job) but I just thought I would ask you past brides instead of asking her again for such a little question. (I try to build up at least 4 questions before I email her and then email her all at once) Thanks! they have beer (corona and modelo, maybe?), but the wine situation is funky. you have to pay for a specific bottle, but don't have to pay per glass. the per glass is just their generic pinot noir or sauvignon blanc. the bottles are listed in a menu, just as they would be in a restaurant. i would imagine that they have wine by the glass available at the wedding, but i'd double check. i didn't put anything like that on my menu, but did have 3 signature drinks. the pic of the menu is in my planning thread. Quote: Originally Posted by jmmercer Thanks Lauren for you quick response! Rebeca did say the Las Palmas Terrace could fit up to 80 people. I think we will just figure out which terrace and beach when we get there. Thanks again! great idea as far as the terrace, but to be honest, and just as an FYI, while you CAN probably fit up to 80, i'm not sure you'd want to. you'd be really squished, part of your party would be on the other side of the pool, and some people would probably be sitting in the bushes. there would DEFINITELY not be room for 80 people, tables, chairs AND dancing space.