Geminie

Quote: Originally Posted by jaxsebridetobe I have a question on the reception and the music... I don't quite know how many people we will have with us, but let's say it's 20-30 people. To save some money, i'm thinking of not going with a DJ - so if we just use our own music (either IPOD or CD's) how is the sound? I do want people to get up and dance and have a good time, but will the sound be good enough without the DJ? Thanks! The sound was awesome! and very loud! - it can be as loud as you want it to be. We were surprised by the lit up dance floor, we didn't ask for it but it was there.. we had our reception in the gazebo and the dance floor was set up right in front on the little patio are (for 10 of us it was absolutely perfect!) we used our own ipod to save some money, and made 2 play lists, one for the dinner, the other for the dancing.. had the song for the walk down the aisle on a different playlist and it was all fine..def go for it if you're trying to save some money, but don't leave the music till the last minute! lol

Hey Shay you're going to look beautiful! I had a really long veil.. i think it was cathedral, but it was really really windy even in the gazebo and the longer veil was heavier and stayed out of my face. if you have a short veil you may be constantly trying to keep it out of your face... just my thoughts.. the dress is very beautiful and you look gorgeous btw

We never paid anything until we got down there, then we paid by cash and credit cards.. if you don't want to do the down payment, then I wouldn't worry about it. Whatever excel form they send you to fill out.. I would do that and send it back right away and make sure they receive it. -By the way for small groups (10 or so) the gazebo is amazing as a reception location!

We never paid anything until we got down there, then we paid by cash and credit cards.. if you don't want to do the down payment, then I wouldn't worry about it. Whatever excel form they send you to fill out.. I would do that and send it back right away and make sure they receive it. -By the way for small groups (10 or so) the gazebo is amazing as a reception location!

Hey guys! So I haven't been on here for a while.. but I have been very busy! I started a new business, got a new puppy, and moved into a new apartment! ok so on to wedding related business.. I still haven't received the final video or final photos from my vendors, but that's not a problem.. I'm a patient person. I did write my entire ceremony as it was supposed to be read on my blog: Geminie Photography because a lot of friends and family that couldn't make it have been asking to read the ceremony. Also on there I have a link to the best site for inspiration when writing your own ceremony (17 pages of poems, readings and just really beautiful passages). I got some amazing stuff from that repository. My new business is photography, and searching for my wedding photographer has sparked a flame in me that i didn't even realize I had. I absolutely love photographing people! If any of you need photography, my services are free, as long as travel is covered ( I can stay in the city at a small hotel.. usually for $60-$90 US a night, that's how we did it with our photographer and videographer). I haven't done any weddings yet, but everyone has to start somewhere! I'll be interning with my wedding photographer in the spring so I can't wait for that. As soon as I have my photos, I'll post a link, I can't wait to see them My husband and I explored Mexico, we rented a car for 4 days, and it was amazing! I know a great location for an amazing Trash The Dress shoot, and if anyone has questions just email me at crisitna @ geminie.ca (I check my email there regularly but don't come on here as often). Also to anyone getting married there soon... I left 9 beautiful red silk pomanders with Genuine Swarovski Crystals hanging from each one (3 strings) Here's where I got them from: Etsy :: RESERVED for Geminie - 9 Floral Hanging Wedding Balls with Crystal Drops They were hung from the ceiling of the gazebo with chartreuse ribbon above where we said our vows (different heights), and it was just magical. I have asked Zulma repeatedly to mail them back to me since it was her fault that they could not be be found the day of our departure. Please if you want, use them, but could you also ask her to send them to Cristina?? I would appreciate it so much! You could hang them like I did, or use them inside the hurricane vases that the Royal provides, both options would look great! Thanks so much! And please take a look at my blog, and if anyone needs photography, give me a call! Have fun planning!

Hi guys... for those wondering about privacy issues on the royal's public beach check out this video: Laura + Josh // The All Brevis Wedding // Mexico on Vimeo it wasn't at the royal.. but you can see how close the blue lounge chairs are.. the people walking by on the beach.. it's worse at the royal... anyways.. it's a beautiful video and I wanted to share it with you enjoy!

Quote: Originally Posted by Maybride2009 So it turns out that the beach wedding is right in front of the pelicanos restraunt...in high season..which should pretty much make the wedding a show! I am seeing if I can move it to a bit lower traffic area..I doubt it but I have to try ETA: no dice! Can anyone that has seen the pelicanos restraunt give me an idea of how public an area this is? Pelicanos is an open air restaurant with an entrance from the royal, and a public entrance from the street in between the royal and the gran porto real. pelicano's isin't right on the beach... there is some greenery, then there are beach beds then there's the beach, SO someone having lunch at the restaurant wouldn't have a 100% clear view of your wedding.. BUT people out for a stroll near the dock or on the beach or even guests at the gran porto real could all see the wedding clearly... hope this helps...

We got married (total of 10 people) and had our reception IN the Royal's gazebo and it was absolutely perfect for our little group! The put tiki torches in between all the posts and it was gorgeous at night! I can't wait to get all the pics so I can show you girls istephiez - have you considered having the reception at a restaurant on 5th Ave? Depending on what you like there's some very nice and elegant restaurants (La Casa del Agua), and then there's more fun and mexican ones (Ajua Maya) .. a really nice one is Yaxche... Elizabeth Medina covered this wedding at Yaxche.. and the ceremony was at The Royal Elizabeth Medina Photography Blog Archive Playa del Carmen Destination Wedding Photography, Gladys and Carlton in Mexico More weddings at the royal covered by Elizabeth... Elizabeth Medina Photography The Royal Weddings

We got married (total of 10 people) and had our reception IN the Royal's gazebo and it was absolutely perfect for our little group! They put tiki torches in between all the posts and it was gorgeous at night! I can't wait to get all the pics so I can show you girls istephiez - have you considered having the reception at a restaurant on 5th Ave? Depending on what you like there's some very nice and elegant restaurants (La Casa del Agua), and then there's more fun and mexican ones (Ajua Maya) .. a really nice one is Yaxche... Elizabeth Medina covered this wedding at Yaxche.. and the ceremony was at The Royal Elizabeth Medina Photography Blog Archive Playa del Carmen Destination Wedding Photography, Gladys and Carlton in Mexico More weddings at the royal covered by Elizabeth... Elizabeth Medina Photography The Royal Weddings

yes 2 hours seems okay.. but you may want 3 because the beach is beautiful and if it's a hot day (we were drenched by the time we got to the beach) you'll want to cool off in the water...(so bring swimming gear for sure.. or wear it underneath) also when you get out of the ruins there's a little shopping plaza.. and you can eat and drink there as well, my husband and I had fresh coconuts (the water kind, they have no meat inside) and they had been chilled in the fridge and it was certainly something worth trying... The beach isin't too hard to get to (you just walk down some steps) they are a bit steep.. but if you go slow and hold on to the railings it should be no problem at all.. there were plenty of older ppl at the beach when we went..

hey i've been there.. and it would be better if you rent a car and go on your own.. not sure how many people are going.. but we rented a car from playa del carmen, and it was $35 US for the day... you can spend an hour or more looking at the ruins/reading everything and the rest of the day on the beach.. or you could drive up a bit more and explore some of the other beaches or cenotes in the area! lots of fun... I would recommend going to Cenote Azul on the right on your way to Tulum! It's beautiful there

Quote: Giminie, You're photos are BEAUTIFUL! They look like they're right out of a couture magazine! WOW!!! Thank you!! I can't wait to see the rest I do agree with the cost of the chuppa on the beach being so expensive and the negatives of the time and privacy issues.. you have to also decide between a symbolic ceremony, or a civil one (civil is legal + very short from what i've heard) .. has anyone looked into a private beach?? Check out Sol's blog .. about a great post on different types of ceremonies available in the Riviera Maya: (scroll down a bit) Sol Tamargo Photography I think the best thing for those wanting a beach ceremony.. is to look into the cost of a private beach ceremony... i have no idea what it is tho... the Royal is not private at all... (on the beach) also everyone here has been awesome about helping me figure out what I wanted to do before I left for my wedding.. so hopefully this little blog post : Luxe Photography will help new destination wedding brides find their way here.. and experience this awesome community too

Hey Shay, no problem.... as for the tulle... not sure exactly how much you need, but you definitely DO need to bring lots of photos of what you want. Zulma/Micaela are not the ones that decorate the gazebo... it's just boys that work there.. so you kind of have to be there to watch over and make sure that everything is done right. I didn't have pics.. so I had to be there... I'm sure that if gathered some photos and sent them to Zulma ahead of time with detailed instructions, she could give you a price breakdown and also make sure it's done the way you want. Also the boys didn't speak english... but luckily I speak a bit..and my MOH's boyfriend is spanish! so he helped translate When you get there... you'll know for sure where you want to have it. You'll see the 2 entrances to the beach from the hotel.. and that's where the weddings take place.. so you'll have an easier time making the decision.. but I say gazebo 100%

Katy, I am very sorry for your loss, i hope you'll be feeling better soon..

Quote: Originally Posted by Shay2679 Wow Gem...it sounds like, though now blissfully married, it was a bit of a hairied experience (sorry - couldn't do without a hair pun in there). Its great you're focusing on the positives...its all you can do! I'm sure your photographs are going to be amazing... We're planning on using the Chuppa below (we just love the look of it) and...were wondering... 1) Did you see anyone else use this type of ceremony covering while you were there? Did it look like it offered any more privacy? 2) In your humble opinion...is it a waste of money? Should we just get married in the gazebo (the location does look pretty nice)! There are only going to be 13 (including FI and myself) there...and...for the money for the Chuppa...I'm really starting to question if it will be worth it for 20 minutes!...the nice thing is we'll all fit under the chuppa...so there's that... Anyways...same questions to you as I posted earlier... Anything, besides the timing of the morning events, that you wished you had known or asked about? Anything that the WC did automatically? Without you having to think of it...that really pleased you? pissed you off?! LOL xo Congrats on being a Mrs...I can't wait for my turn! Hi Shay, Thanks you ok soo to answer your questions: -I did see similar set-ups .. but they do not offer any more privacy because the sides are not covered, it's just 4 posts and sometimes the top... and only the bride/groom and officiant fit.. so there are still people looking all around you. If you like the flowers you can put them up on the 2 posts of the gazebo (at the entrance) and wrap the rest of the posts in white tulle for a similar look. I'm not sure how much money it is, but the weddings that I did see on the beach were over very quickly (I'm assuming that they were legal ceremonies). If you wanted the flowers it would be extra to decorate the gazebo as well. Since we didn't have to sign paperwork, I decided not to use a table (didn't want to block the view!) and instead of a centerpiece I got a bouquet made for my MOH. No one else had flowers just me, my husband and MOH.. and everyone was fine with that. I don't think you'll all fit under there... none of the weddings I saw had anyone else other than the bride and groom and officiant.. but in the gazebo you will fit, and have room to spare! Also I just remembered .. they have gorgeous new chairs (the preety ones... not padded tho, and that don't need to be covered).. i forgot what they're called...anyways we used them. We were also lucky because we used the tulle from a previous wedding .. so we didn't have to pay extra to rent that!. The wedding co-ordinator didn't do anything special.. at all! nothing that really pissed me off.. although I do wish that she would have stepped in and took over the ceremony... because the officiant couldn't read a word! other than that.. i'm still here if you want to throw more questions at me... also guys! umm I started my own biz (photography!) I just feel like I finally discovered my passion so please take a sec to check out my new blog: Luxe Photography .. and let me know what you think I also posted my fav photos from our wedding day there... if you guys want to go and take a look! ok well i gotta get back to work, talk to you later! -ohh one more thing- they don't have anything colored at the Royal.. you'll either have to bring your own... or buy it/rent it from a store down there...