nylalany

KellyandMatt08 - what color did you use for the text on the invitation? I ended up ordering mine to be made, so they ended up a more teal color than yours, but for the rest of my stuff (OOT screenprint, welcome letter, etc), I'd prefer a color similar to your blue!

Yeah I just don't know if I want to take the chance and then have them suck. But I love the energy of live music. Ugh!

Lala - that is crazy - well - I guess we all have to be flexible! I hope Maya writes me back! Meanwhile, I"ll keep looking in the US - if anyone has any ideas where I can find any turqouise vases, lmk!

oh - i didn't think about that - i was going to do something like this, a tiny bit bigger, with 3 per table if the vases are possible: but with these flowers (since the others are not available)

LALA (kate?) - do you think maya would have vases made for me even though I'm not getting married in Cabo? The Riviera Maya folks don't seem as on top of things...and the color of your vases are perfect!

By the way, for all 2008 brides searching for a site, Al Cielo is open through the end of 2008! Their lease was extended. The wedding planner there, Donaji, is really sweet. Tell her hi from Sarah if you do consider the site! I visited the site and did a tasting, if you have any questions. Otherwise, I'll be getting married in May so I can tell you more after that!

Sol, Which cenote did you go to and how much was the entrance fee? I was just going to take my guests to Hidden Worlds, but maybe there is something just as good but less pricey? Also, what is the type of red flower you wore in your hair for your wedding? I might need to copy you! Thanks!

I hired a team of 2 HD videographers who I am flying down to Riviera Maya b/c their package including the travel expenses was cheaper than the local videographer's equivalent package. We're kind of spending more than I would want, but I don't really know anyone personally with this high end of equipment, and I know that consumer video cameras don't provide ideal picture and sound. For my sister's wedding many years ago, my friend borrowed a 3 chip professional video camera from her work and shot the wedding. Luckily a guest was also shooting it for fun, so there was a lot of coverage. I ended up cutting it on Final Cut Pro, and both sets of footage had problems (shakey camera, cut-off heads, dropped frames, missing moments, etc). I did manage to cut together a great wedding video, if I do say so myself, but it took FOREVER (because I wanted something original and I'm a perfectionist). So I think the videographers' work is worth something (maybe not as much as I'm paying ugh!) My package includes the raw HD footage in addition to an edited video, so if I hate it I guess I can go back and edit my own version someday...

I'm trying to decide on a band vs. a dj. If I pick band, the WC said her music contact is trustworthy but that the band does not provide demos, so I'd just have to trust that they are good. My mom is tempted to fly down and hear them perform somewhere, because there is nothing worse than bad musicians! However, there is something fun and energizing about live music, which would be great. If I pick DJ, then we can have a bigger variety of music, including hip-hop and more current dance music, which is a plus on the other side. I'm pretty torn. I could also pick the band, and then have an ipod for any extra songs the band can't play, but that could get odd perhaps, b/c people might not dance during the ipod portion. Decisions decisions!

Did anyone order the teal OOT canvas tote from cheaptotes? If so, can you post a pic of the color? Also, did anyone bother ordering samples of bags (like 1 of various kinds) before ordering the whole lot of bags? Is that ridiculous?

Does anyone know how much a day pass is offhand?

I'm doing the photos before (btwn 3:30 & 4:30) and then a few more after the ceremony (which I'm guessing will end at 5:30, and gives us a few minutes for alone time first). This is how I've seen it done at all the weddings I've been at, and it just seems logical.

I am Jewish and my FI is not and there are definitely rabbis in the US who would marry us based on various criteria (promising to raise the kids Jewish, etc.). However, the list I had didn't include anyone from Mexico and so I didn't make any headway in my search there. In the end we decided to go with a person we know (my cousin's new husband) to marry us rather than flying down a stranger we haven't met, but I do plan on having a chuppah, a version of the 7 blessings, and the breaking of the glass.

Also, I agree that registering for cash is REALLY disgusting! I come from a culture that most people give cash for gifts anyhow (for weddings), but I just can't imagine anyone actually putting it on a registry! Even putting the registry on my website seemed a little tacky to me, but since everyone seems to do it, and since so many people have asked me where I am registered, I put it there. I hope that is ok by all those not used to wedding website etiquette.

It is NOT me sending the invites out - how can you send invites to your own shower - now that seems tacky for sure! I've decided since I've never received an invite where the person was registered that my friend should leave it off. I've always just asked or looked up on wedding channel, etc. I didn't think of asking her to include my website...everyone should already know it by now hopefully (not that they seem to read it!) Anyhow, thanks for your opinions!

My usher is making shower invites for the shower she and my bridesmaids are throwing and wants to know if I want where I'm registered put on the invitations. Is that something people do, or is it inappropriate? I didn't do it for my sister's invites (which I made for her shower)...

Well I promised my fiance we'd surf so I don't know if we'll end up at Qamea. My coworker said it was amazing, beautiful, private and amazing. He LOVED it. You sound like you travel a lot - so any other suggestions would be welcome!

klavallee - What has the WC told you so far? Are you having a rehearsal dinner? Are you getting your hair and makeup done at the resort? Are you using the front desk to deliver OOT bags? Who is your TA - maybe I should switch I heard about a good one from Canada who has a relationship with the Princess resort, but I'm in the US, so I went for someone here...with mediocre success. I'll be there May 1-8, with many of my guests staying for part or all of that time.

klavallee I am also getting married in May 2008, on the 4th, and my guests and I are staying at the new Princess resort too - so I'm going to have my welcome dinner there, but my wedding offsite. Have you gotten any information from Damarys about rehearsal dinners? Are you going to have your hair & makeup done at the resort spa? Are you using the front desk to hand out OOT bags?

can't wait - I was also debating waiting until Nov to get married b/c I wanted to get married at a Karisma propertythat allows kids but I expect way more than the maximum of 60 guests that Azul Beach allows. I visited Azul View at the end of November and thery had a lot of work to do still (just the skeletal structure was built. I'd love to hear what progress was made! The one thing I didn't like about Azul View and Paradisus, which is nice about Dreams Tulum and Princess, is that the former 2 are next to many other buildings and hotels, whereas the latter 2 feel more secluded and less crowded. Paradisus has a gorgeous pool, Dreams Tulum seemed to have a great beach area, and Azul View will be beautiful according to the mock-ups. Princess is at a totally different price point - everyone will be able to go and stay longer b/c of the price, but if everyone can afford the other 3, maybe you should go with one of them. For me, we decided that taking the risk so that the guests will only pay 1/2 as much was worth it for our guests, but I have a lot of anxiety all the time because of it!! Of course, I'm getting married off property, but I'm still planning welcome drinks and a welcome/rehearsal dinner for 100 people at Grand Riviera Maya / Sunset Princess, so we'll see! ccarmany23 - I heard $60 pp for the buffet beach party, including alcohol, which seems like a good deal to me too, except that I wanted a sit-down dinner for my guests (which I'll get at Al Cielo). But if you're happy w/buffet and your wedding isn't for a while, it sounds good! They also offer $75 pp for a sit-down dinner in a conference room, but I wouldn't want to be in a conference room. I'm trying to find out about renting one of the restaurants for my welcome dinner, but all I know is that she saved May 3 for me. Hopefully lemon will have more details soon as she is actually getting married there in May.

can't wait - I was also debating waiting until Nov to get married b/c I wanted to get married at a Karisma propertythat allows kids but I expect way more than the maximum of 60 guests that Azul Beach allows. I visited Azul View at the end of November and thery had a lot of work to do still (just the skeletal structure was built. I'd love to hear what progress was made! The one thing I didn't like about Azul View and Paradisus, which is nice about Dreams Tulum and Princess, is that the former 2 are next to many other buildings and hotels, whereas the latter 2 feel more secluded and less crowded. Paradisus has a gorgeous pool, Dreams Tulum seemed to have a great beach area, and Azul View will be beautiful according to the mock-ups. Princess is at a totally different price point - everyone will be able to go and stay longer b/c of the price, but if everyone can afford the other 3, maybe you should go with one of them. For me, we decided that taking the risk so that the guests will only pay 1/2 as much was worth it for our guests, but I have a lot of anxiety all the time because of it!! Of course, I'm getting married off property, but I'm still planning welcome drinks and a welcome/rehearsal dinner for 100 people at Grand Riviera Maya / Sunset Princess, so we'll see! ccarmany23 - I heard $60 pp for the buffet beach party, including alcohol, which seems like a good deal to me too, except that I wanted a sit-down dinner for my guests (which I'll get at Al Cielo). But if you're happy w/buffet and your wedding isn't for a while, it sounds good! They also offer $75 pp for a sit-down dinner in a conference room, but I wouldn't want to be in a conference room. I'm trying to find out about renting one of the restaurants for my welcome dinner, but all I know is that she saved May 3 for me. Hopefully lemon will have more details soon as she is actually getting married there in May.

I was planning on organizing and possibly treating our guests to an afternoon group tour leaving my resort (Grand Riviera Maya Princess / Grand Sunset Princess) to Hidden Worlds for snorkeling of cenotes, and from there to Tulum to visit the ruins, and then back. I'm guessing approximately 1/4 of my wedding guests will come (guessing 30 out of my guess of 120 guests). I got quoted $30pp for snorkeling cenotes at Hidden Worlds and $400 for a bus for the whole trip (that will fit 30 people rather than splitting people up in 3 vans, which would cost $380), so it works out to about $43 pp (not including entrance to Tulum). For you all who have organized similar trips or have researched, does that sound right? And is Hidden Worlds worth it or is there a cheaper option that would be equally as good?

thanks becks!

How many did you say you are making?

chprfan out of curiosity, which colors are your monogram?