brigopens

Quote: Originally Posted by animaldoc I wasn't sure if everyone saw pictures of the various sites to have your ceremony, but Monica emailed me pictures so I thought I would share them. You can go back to this post I had a while back that has pics and descriptions of all of the sites. http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...077#post151510 I need to go back and change a few things... Obviously the casitas gazebo was trashed in the recent storm and is worthless if you have any more than 10 guests. There is the new faisanes gazebo which you can check out the pics of above...

We had 50 people (about 25-30 different messages) in our Shutterfly guestbook and not a single person smudged... I'd say that you can trust it...

We got our CD/DVDs of ALL of the pics from the wedding last week, and they are as amazing as the rest. I've never had so much fun looking at pictures again and again and again... Plus, the reactions we get as we watch them with people are truly priceless!!! If I haven't mentioned how great it was to work with Elizabeth Medina and how much we love her work, then let me do so now. If you're hunting for a photographer, you absolutely need to consider using her!

Quote: Originally Posted by Marcy M That is an excellent idea. I am sure my mother or sisters would be happy to do it! Priscilla - is she someone that helps with the whole resort or does she just manage El Cocotal? Hmmm, the name seems a little funny to me now. Have to check that oen with the wife as well. The lady I am talking about is one of the resort wedding coordinators. She works there and coordinates with the Lomas people. She's extremely friendly and outgoing. And she makes things happen!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsV-to-be Hey! good to see you back here!! 2 quick questions for you: (1) Do you have any pics of the new wedding gazebo or can you describe it a bit more? Would it sit up to 55 people? are there many whales around it? Does it have any greenery!! (2) the Health bar location. I was never offered this. Do you think it would accomodate a group of say 55 for a buffet dinner and then dancing afterwards. by any chance do you have any pics of the health bar? Thanks so much! Looks like you are taken care of with the Faisanes gazebo pics... Would definitely fit 50 people, but we liked the same gazebo you have chosen. Also a great location for pics after the wedding... I really don't think that I have any health bar pics... I really only went by there once or twice, so I am a little vague even on what it was like size wise. A relatively large rectangular palapa... I would imagine there is room underneath for 55 and the dinner set up. Can't remember where there is room nearby for dancing, etc... Somewhere off the back side of it away from the beach path I guess. Maybe someone else can help more. Bre is there now, and can probably shed her light on it when she's back!

Quote: Originally Posted by Marcy M Do you know if the resort will put the placecards where they belong for the dinner or do we need to be in charge of this before everyone gets there? I'd imagine they might do it for you if you talk to Priscilla when you get there. BUT, for something relatively simple, yet important. Why not ask a parent, bridesmaid or someone else to stop by, check on the palce and do it for you? That way you don't need to wonder if they will get it right!

Quote: Originally Posted by ctpetch We are also doing our reception dinner at El Cocotal's. So all worked out good just going to the martini bar afterwards. I was hoping that would be okay to do also & not have a private reception. Sounds like it worked out for your wedding. I was thinking of doing the mexican party the night before though. I am looking for feedback on photographer. Did anyone have the one on site or can you recommend anyone off site? That is my main dilemma at this time. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Tracy There's tons of info on this site about wedding photographers. Elizabeth Medina was amazing for us. We just put her up there for the night before and after the wedding. Mexico Wedding Photography, Yucatan, Mexico, Elizabeth Medina photographer Matt & Sol and their associates do amazing work. There are several others I've seen with very nice work but I forget their names. What I have seen from the resort photogs has been sub-par for the most part. They also cover basically the ceremony and an hour or so afterwards. I'd look elsewhere. We are so glad we spent the extra money...

Quote: Originally Posted by Melba Brigopens - your pics are fab. You're wifey looked gorgeous and I loved the TTD pics. Can you find out if she did a hair trial and if they had flowers for her hair in the salon or if she had to preorder them? Thanks!! Thanks for the compliments... My wife did look totally amazing, actually all 10 days we were there!!! You only got to see 3 of the days. :-) I know that she didn't do a hair trial. She had an idea of what she wanted and just told the lady. She was very happy with how they did it. I will check on the flowers. I know that she didn't order flowers for her hair. Just the bridal and bridesmaid's bouquets...

Quote: Originally Posted by Linz2511 I just confirmed my wedding date! July 26, 2008 I am still deciding on the details. Does anyone have pictures or information on the reception sites? Thank You! What sites are you considering? You can see Tucanes pretty well from our wedding pics. Check them out.

Quote: Originally Posted by Marcy M You planned so much during your time there!! How did you do the welcome reception? Was this a private event and did you have to pay additional for this? I am so upset with my planner now, she said that Tucanes was to small for our party of 40 - is this true? We are having a sit down dinner, but I have read so many posts of this location. She moved us to the Health Bar for our reception - has anyone had any experience with this or have any comments? Help the wedding is fast approaching!!! Yep, we really did do a lot while we were there. We did our wedding reception informally. We figured that with 50 people, we could pretty much take over anywehre that we wanted to. We just had everyoen show up there around 5:30 (right after they open) and grabbed a bunch of tables together. It really doesn't start getting busy there until later in the evening. We hung out for about 2 1/2 hours and then all went to grab dinner... It wasn't private or officially organized with the wedding planners, so there was no charge. Tucanes is a little tricky... Yes, we had 52 there, but just for appetizers. i think that it might be pretty tight to have a sit down dinner. We barely fit 6 tables under the palapa with 8 chairs around each table. Probably need to have room for a table with food, etc... I can see hwo they would tell you that. It is an amazing location though! The health bar is a very nice location too. We saw a wedding reception there. It's along the main beach path, btu down towards the casitas in a relatively quiet area. I think you will be happy with it. They can put longer tables there for a sit down type dinner...

Quote: Originally Posted by brandoo Good to see you on here again! So I was wondering if you could tell me more about the dessert buffet, how much thay charged for it and what it included. My wedding sounds very similar in that we have the same number of guests and the same dinner and reception at Tucanes to follow. Did you ever post all of your pics? Thanks! -Holly Yeah, I've been busy being married... hahaha. All of the pics are posted. Slideshow from our friend Noelle Roberts and also the Elizabeth Medina pics. Just search for posts by my username and you'll find them. The buffet was very reasonable, something like $15 per person... Had tons of desserts, pies, cakes, finger foods, etc... More than enough for our group. Much more satisfied with this than the appetizer trays... PM me your email address and I can send you some other pics of the desserts.

Oops, guess I should post this info... Wedding Date-11/26/07 at 3:30 PM Ceremony- Symbolic at Gazebo 55 Reception-cocktail hour and then dessert buffett at Tucanes from 6-10PM Guest-52 of us total!!! Photographers - Elizabeth Medina and Noelle Roberts Welcome Reception - The Swing Bar Rehearsal Dinner - El Cocotal, followed by drinks at the Martini Bar Let us know if you have any questions!

Quote: Originally Posted by pryzeless Date: October 11, 2008 Time: 4:00pm Ceremony: Gazebo 55 Reception: Tuscanes (maybe) Guests: 45ish Welcome Dinner: "free" at Cocotal probably Friday We are planning a private dinner reception. Probably the sitdown or BBQ buffet (can't decide). We are planning on a cocktail party but not sure where we want to have it. Somewhere where we can see the sunset...any suggestions? Has anyone heard about the area behind JoJo's as an option? I am excited for all of us. Sun doesn't set over the Gulf, it sets on the other side of the resort. There's really nowhere to watch it! Didn't see anything going on in that area behind JoJo's ever. They probably wouldn't want to close the restaurant for the wedding party, and it's also relatively close to the candlelight dinners going on so they wouldn't want music near there... I'm biased since we chose Tucanes, but it was great. Gaviotas is also cool, but only if you had a smaller group (20-30) and they woudl shut it down to allow a private reception there.

Quote: Originally Posted by Melba Sorry for posting so late, haven't had much time to check this forum! Name: Melanie Wedding Date: May 10, 2008 Ceremony: 5:30 pm (was thinking Casitas, now Presidential...does someone have a pic?) Reception: 7:00 pm (was thinking Gaviotas) private dinner Cocktail Reception: May 9th, 5:30 pm @ Tucanes? Guests: 20-25 Search for old posts. I compiled pics of every location a while back before our wedding. I have new pics of the casitas location somewhere around here, but I can tell you that it is very, very small. Not possible to have your size group there, probably not even 10. presidential gazebo is also pretty small for your size group. They were building a new gazebo up the beach from the original casitas gazebo that should be ready before you get there. Otherwise, gazebo 55 or the one near the salt water pool is probably your best bet!

Quote: Originally Posted by pinkchick Hi, Im getting married at EDR on the 26th March and I was wondering if I need to book my hair appointment for the wedding day before I go or can I book it when I get there?? I assume it is worth booking a hair rehersal too! Does the hairdresser come to your room or will I need to go to the salon? Also, I've heard some reports that the acrylic nails they do aren't great so I was thinking I would maybe get them done before I go just to make sure they are what I want. Only 10 weeks to go! So excited!!! But sooo want it to be perfect! Will check with my wife for more specifics if you want, but here's my two cents... Valeria really wanted us to book everything before we got there. I assume she makes some kind of commission on everything she books, thus the urging we got. While there's really no reason not to book ahead, it didn't seem at all necessary. Actually, when we go there and checked on the hair/pedicures/etc, they weren't on the books. We just had them add it there, and it was no problem. You can check our wedding pics that Noelle Roberts took and see some of the girls at the spa the morning of the wedding. Noelle Roberts Photography Click on Client Proofing and then enter password Trash (case sensitive.) I think everyone in our group got their nails done before coming down, but I'm not positive.

Quote: Originally Posted by nolaroy724 For those of you who did/or plan to do the free dinner, did you do place cards? What sort of set up did they do for you? Also, is there something wrong with the search feature? I just get a blank screen everytime I try to search? We did El Cocotal. Had about 34 guests there for that dinner... We didn't do place cards, but sort of wish we had. They had three "tables" towards the back wall of the restaurant for us. One big rectangle with about 16 seats, a round table for 8, and another longer rectangle for 12. Since we were out taking pics while our guests were showing up, it was sort of a free for all, with our parents somewhat overseeing. It all really worked out fine, but place cards would have probably been a good idea. It would have bene very easy, once set up, for one of us or someone helping us to put them out... We went up to the martini bar afterwards and had a blast. Met the rest of our wedding guests there and watched the Eagles almost beat the Patriots!!! Let me know if you have any other questions!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by brandoo Pat Benatar "Hit me with your best shot"... hehe That may actually work. I'll play with it and post it somewhere once it's complete... More recommendations?

Quote: Originally Posted by urbangirl5 Congrats your pictures are beautiful!! It looks like you had a beautiful wedding. Elizabeth is my photographer as well, so its great to see her beautiful pics. Was wondering where you got the maracas...great idea! On 5th Avenue in PDC... Be careful, one store tried to charge us 11 dollars each after I thought we were negotiating in pesos. Went right down the street and got newer better kept ones for $1 a piece...

Quote: Originally Posted by Christa OMG Amy! I just watched you slideshow on Elizabeth's site. AMAZING!! I love, love, love the following: 5. Was one of the groomsmen giving a speech read from a piece of paper w/holes in it??!! LOL! 6. The tequila shot pics - no better way to get an range of facial expressions from people. 7. THE OBVIOUS LOVE & EMOTION BETWEEN YOU & YOUR HUBBY!! As well as the family - your dad's expressions made me cry. Funniest story about the groomsman speech... I copped out and refused to choose a best man despite my wife's prodding. I called my 4 guys my "Best Men..." Well, that particular one got up and started things off by saying that he was somewhat offended that I had only named him 1/4 best man after he had me in his wedding as his sole best man. He said that he had written a nice speech, but when he found out the news, he was so aggrivated that he ended up tearing at the paper and lost about 75% of the speech. He then gave us maritial advice in sentence fragments and single words... very creative... Even funnier, the next best man gets up and says, that I told him although there were 4 best men, he was at least 50% best man, so the previous speaker shouldnt assume he even gets 25%... Maybe you had to be there, or maybe that made you laugh... The tequila shots were amazing and added so much fun... I want to put together a slideshow with just those pics, since everyone else had so many of those facial shots as well. Anyone think of a good song to set them too besides the obvious Tequila

Quote: Originally Posted by jfwolfe72 Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! You two make a wonderful looking couple!! And to have Elizabeth Medina AND another great photographer photograph your wedding is just wonderful. The pictures are absolutely gorgeous! If I haven't said this before, congrats on your marriage, too! Did you also happen to write a review about your whole EDR wedding experience that I may have missed somehow? Thanks so much to everyone for all of the nice things you had to say about my beautiful wife and our two amazing photographers... I know I am keeping a lot of people waiting for a review. I apologize and will get on it ASAP. Between being married, the holidays and our busiest season at work, I just haven't had the chance. It's certainly coming. In the mean time, any of you who are getting married at EDR that have specific questions, feel free to PM me. Thanks again for all of your thoughtful compliments!

I wore a shirt and pants, no jacket. Had a boutineierre but wish I hadn't... Groomsmen also did shirt and pant, untucked. No flowers for them... If I did it again, and hopefully I never will, I'd blow it off... First off, they didn't attach it that well, so it was a pain in the ass to keep straight. Second of all, I don't think that it was really necessary. Guess it's just a matter of personal preference...

Elizabeth Medina did an amazing job with our pictures... She was great to work with, the pics turned out perfect, and she really captured the moments and feelings of our entire day... We couldn't be happier! Amy and Brian For those of you who didn't already see them, one of our best friends and bridesmaids also took pics the day before and after. She's a professional photographer herself, and did an equally amazing job. She usually shoots kids, so this was a rare ADULT session for her and also her first and probably only TTD shoot ever... Noelle Roberts Photography --> Client Proofing --> Password = Trash I think that having one photographer capture beautiful shots of your wedding is a true blessing. To have ended up with these two incredibly talented people in the same place for our wedding... You just have to look at the pictures yourself!!! Thanks so much to both Elizabeth and Noelle. We'll have incredible lasting memories of our wedding forever thank to both of you!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Hopels I would think that you could just forward the confirmations... it would be annoying, but it would work. I'm using Kodak and paying the $25 so that everyone can download high resolution images for free. I still need to make a card... does anyone have a pic of Angela's? Paging Angela... I used dotphoto and have been very happy with their free site. Not sure if anybody is ordering prints from them, but I didn't really care about that. Wanted to have a nice site to share them and allow high res downloads. From there, people can u/l them to the site of their choice or put them on a flashcard to print at CVS, Walgreen's, etc... Another great thing is that guests don't have to create an account to view your photos. They can either see them through the Digital Photography-Upload, Print, Share, and Organize Your Digital Photos with dotPhoto.com site or on a customized personal site that you create (whatevernameyouwant.dotphoto.com) If you have more questions let me know. You can password protect stuff, make slideshows, etc... We've basically used it to upload photos and view. About 10 of our guests have theirs up already and not one person has called me with a problem. There's my two cents... Or maybe three.

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt Adcock There are many other photographers LOCALLY who don't charge travel fees and have legal permits to work in the region, so just be sure you check into the local talent prior to commissioning a foreign photog. Here are a few Local talent photogs I recommend: Elizabeth Medina D-Eyed Claudia (be very specific you know who is shooting when / if you commission her) I know there are others, but these I can confirm will deliver! Listed in order of preference... Matel del Sol We had an excellent experience all around at EDR. We did not ever discuss the outside photographer issue with them. We booked a room for our photographer, added her to our guest list, and went from there. It sounds as if you may be able to talk with them up front and save a little money by booking a night for your photographer +/- assistant. Certainly be nicer for the phtographer I'd imagine. But you also open the door for them to say no, and then you're back at square one, using their crappy photographers or paying $500. As for local talent. We used Elizabeth Medina and absoutely loved her. The end result was amazing and she was pretty reasonable when compared to other local photographers. The only additional costs for her were the acocmodations as she can drive to the resort. I HIGHLY recommend her, plus she knows the resort pretty well now as she's been there a few times. Of course, Matt & Sol's work is also amazing, based on all of their weddings I have looked over!

Quote: Originally Posted by Debs Her hair and makeup looked so good, was this done on the acual wedding day or no? I also can't wait for the ceremony pictures!! Actually, we did it the next afternoon. Our friend Noelle (the photographer) told her to just blow her hair out straight and she hardly put any make up on!!! Amazing how sometimes simpler is better, right?