SunBride

wow, what a review! And you are not the first one to say such things about him, others have posted similar reviews so if there are any brides out there considering JM I would say go for it! It really sounds like he goes above and beyond. I'm jealous! I wish my photographer was that wonderful. So happy to hear everything went so well. Go Jean-Marcus!

Oh yeah, you may also want to start a seperate thread in the mayan rivera subforum, something like "best time for a wedding in June" or "weather in June" or something like that, as you will get more responses this way (since it's not something specific to Dreams Tulum, this way you can get opinions from way more people, and probably even some of our vendors who live there will answer you)

I've never been in June so I can't comment on that month. I would say the hottest time lasts later than 2pm if the sun doesn't set till 7:30. I would guess it stays really hot until 4pm. In my experience travelling to Mexico and elsewhere in the caribbean, I normally find it's really hot until about 2.5 hours before sunset. Maybe somebody else can chime in with their opinion?

According to this site Sunrise and Sunset for Mexico РQuintana Roo РCanc̼n Рcoming days The sun will set at 7:30pm. It will be REALLY HOT down there in June. I would think you'd want a late ceremony to avoid the heat. Probably like 5pm, or even as late as 6:30pm (if you don't mind seeing eachother before the ceremony to do photos). Alternatively, you could do it in the morning, as you previously mentioned. I would do no later than noon as it would get really hot. All this being said about the heat, if you are used to the heat (I see you are from Texas) it may not be such a big deal for you. The ceremony is only 20 minutes. Perhaps you could tell your guests that that men are allowed to wear shorts. Your husband could wear pants and just a short sleeve shirt. I personally would never have made my husband wear a suit if it was any hotter on our wedding day. But it's all a matter of personal choice!

According to this site Sunrise and Sunset for Mexico РQuintana Roo РCanc̼n Рcoming days The sun will set at 7:30pm. It will be REALLY HOT down there in June. I would think you'd want a late ceremony to avoid the heat. Probably like 5pm, or even as late as 6:30pm (if you don't mind seeing eachother before the ceremony to do photos). Alternatively, you could do it in the morning, as you previously mentioned. I would do no later than noon as it would get really hot. All this being said about the heat, if you are used to the heat (I see you are from Texas) it may not be such a big deal for you. The ceremony is only 20 minutes. Perhaps you could tell your guests that that men are allowed to wear shorts. Your husband could wear pants and just a short sleeve shirt. I personally would never have made my husband wear a suit if it was any hotter on our wedding day. But it's all a matter of personal choice!

it is very difficult to reach the coordinators by phone, but it is usually worth the effort as you will get more info this way. Just keep calling, and I wouldn't even bother leaving a message as I don't think they will return it. Just keep calling and it may take 5 or 10 tries before you actually have one of the coordinators answer. You can explain them your dilemma and they may try harder to help you than by email.

Another thing I just thought of, have you been inquiring about a legal ceremony or symbolic? If you are inquiring about legal, and noon is the only time the person is available, perhaps another option would be to meet with the judge at noon to sign the legal papers in the lobby, and then get somebody else to perform the symbolic ceremony at whatever time you want. I have heard of somebody else doing this before (I forget who, may not even have been at DT). This is also what people would do if they want a religious ceremony, but also want it to be legal. The only thing is, in that case you would be using the services of 2 different people, the legal judge and a minister, so you might have to pay an extra fee. One way around this would be to have a family member or somebody else perform the ceremony.

I would recommend calling the coordinators and getting more clarification about the times they have available. Just because they said noon doesn't mean they only have noon available. It might just be their suggestion. I know I asked for approx 4pm, and they gave me 5pm, and I was a bit disappointed that it would be a bit too late for photos. When I asked again to double check 4pm wasn't available, it was, it's just that since I said "approx" 4pm, they were suggesting 5pm as they think sunset ceremonies are nice. (A few weeks later I wanted to change to 3pm because I learned that my wedding was just before daylight savings time started, but they didn't have 3pm available (this they were clear on, the judge was not available). But when I arrived at the resort they checked with the judge again and they were able to move it up to 3pm!) So all this to say that you have to be very clear with them when requesting times, sometimes they will give the impression that only one time slot was available when really they are just recommending that time slot. Perhaps the best way to ask the question would be to say something like "I don't want to get married at noon, what are the other times in the day that are available, earlier or later?" When they get back to you and mention something like "10am" I would double check "so 10am and noon are my only choices, there is nothing else available at any other time of the day"? It seems annoying and redundent, but based on my frustration with setting a time, I would make sure it really is what they have available rather than their suggestion.

I would recommend calling the coordinators and getting more clarification about the times they have available. Just because they said noon doesn't mean they only have noon available. It might just be their suggestion. I know I asked for approx 4pm, and they gave me 5pm, and I was a bit disappointed that it would be a bit too late for photos. When I asked again to double check 4pm wasn't available, it was, it's just that since I said "approx" 4pm, they were suggesting 5pm as they think sunset ceremonies are nice. (A few weeks later I wanted to change to 3pm because I learned that my wedding was just before daylight savings time started, but they didn't have 3pm available (this they were clear on, the judge was not available). But when I arrived at the resort they checked with the judge again and they were able to move it up to 3pm!) So all this to say that you have to be very clear with them when requesting times, sometimes they will give the impression that only one time slot was available when really they are just recommending that time slot. Perhaps the best way to ask the question would be to say something like "I don't want to get married at noon, what are the other times in the day that are available, earlier or later?" When they get back to you and mention something like "10am" I would double check "so 10am and noon are my only choices, there is nothing else available at any other time of the day"? It seems annoying and redundent, but based on my frustration with setting a time, I would make sure it really is what they have available rather than their suggestion.

Beautiful photos Lauren! I especially love the ones of you laughing and playing with your veil, and all the TTD photos.

I made my own last year too. I used the mugs from Oriental Trading Company linked above: Design Your Own! Travel Mugs After shipping and eveything it came to like 4$ a mug. Now they have the ones you used at Dollarama in Canada for 1$!!! Was very annoyed when I saw that 2 weeks ago. Everyone should know that these are not insulated mugs (neither the ones I used nor the dollar store ones) like the more expensive ones. They are more like a cup with a lid that looks like an insulated mug. But they save you a lot of money. I laminated my inserts as I was worried that water would leak inside and ruin my inserts. It added about 1$ per mug to have them laminated (had it done at Staples).

In case there are any Ottawa ladies reading this thinking of doing BD photos, I thought I would post a link to this thread. I've organized a boudoir marathon for April 5th in Ottawa. http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t38364

Hi Ottawa ladies, Well after doing a bunch of research I've decided to use Bella Stella for my boudoir photos, and I'm hoping some of you will join me! Check her out at Ottawa Wedding and Boudoir Photographer - Bella Stella Photography She is offering a great deal! 75$ for a one hour session including... all images on a CD (low resolution, good for 4x6s) one copy of all images printed 4x6 25$ credit for the purchase of additional products You can add on.... CD of full resolution images = 100$ 10x10 Photobook (20 pages) = 150$ (remember you have a 25$ credit towards these purchases) Make-up and/or hair = 35$ each The session will take place at her home (all pictures on her website were taken there) or we can get a room if we prefer (at our cost). Personally, I'd like to get a room because it would be fun to have pictures looking out the window with a view of the city, or on some cool modern furniture. Hopefully we can get enough girls that it would be pretty cheap to split the cost of the room. However I'm not set on the hotel room, I like all the ones in her portfolio and those were taken in her home so that would be fine too if that's what the other ladies prefer. If anyone is interested, post here or send me a PM.

Quote: Originally Posted by dollbird We got 4 torches for the fee, but I would suggest not getting them if your reception is on the beach or close to the beach. The wind at night is so strong that they blow out every couple of minutes. Our waiters were so good about scrambling to light them every time they blew out but we told them not to bother. Welcome back dollbird and congratulations! Will you be posting a review and pics?

Okay I really want to see this thread die becuase my lack of "s" in the title for thread(s) annoys me each time I see this thread on the home page as being the most recently updated thread in this sub-forum!

About the security threat issues people were talking about yesterday, I asked the Mods to create a mega thread to discuss this issue, as I could see that it was a big concern for brides. You can find that thread here: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t38173 That thread also includes links to the other threads, which are now closed so that all discussion stays in one place.

good job Ann! This should be really helpful for all the worried ladies and can reduce the info repetition.

Quote: Originally Posted by neen OK, OK, here's a link to the pics that i finally received; I'll post my review later tonight or tomorrow but didn't want to keep you waiting on the visuals SmugMug Photo Sharing. Your photos look better here. Amazing photos. WOW! #38-45 you look like a supermodel! Your profile pic doesn't do you justice at all. Same with photos 257-260 (close up of you laughing as your husband kisses you). You look so glamourous. I also love the profiles of you guys kissing with the palm trees (the ones where the pictures are really dark) and the ones of you walking on the beach. They did an awesome job of getting amazing photos of you in the dusk lighting. Not all photographers are good at that. I know mine wasn't (she preferred bright daylight). They made the colors of the sky and the ocean look so blue. I love how they make use of their ultra wide angle lens for some pretty cool shots. Reminded me of why I initially wanted claudia photo for my pics, they are overall fabulous.

Quote: Originally Posted by Blkatz Neen-you are such a tease with these 2 pictures!! I am dying to see the rest I agree you are a tease! I've been waiting WEEKS for your pics and review! Happy to hear you finally got them. We're all waiting with anticipation!

Thanks for clarifying. So did you pay the 350$ to get the rest?

you got a CD with all the pictures free, or a CD with the 40 pictures that comes with your package? I thought when you paid 350$ it was to get all the pictures on CD

you got a CD with all the pictures free, or a CD with the 40 pictures that comes with your package? I thought when you paid 350$ it was to get all the pictures on CD

Oh so you didn't purchase the digital files. If you take the time to scan them all, I know all the brides on here will appreciate it. They love seeing more photos, especially some from the resort photographer to get a better idea of their work.

How many people did you have in total? Are you posting a full review or would you prefer it people simply post their questions? If you are posting a review people can wait till that to ask questions.

Quote: Originally Posted by JeninVirginia Pictures by Jeninvirginia - Photobucket Pics ! Let me know if you have trouble seeing I'm happy you were able to figure out how to upload them! Your set-up looks beautiful, I love the bright pink. Do you have wedding photos taken by the photographer to share? You know that's what the brides want to see the most as they love seeing the work of the resort photographer. It's good that you were able to get his name (Reuben, for anyone who missed it in the photo captions) because it confirms for us that there are at least 3 different photographers (Reuben, Philemon and Andrea)