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...

Quote: Originally Posted by dcheung1111 Thanks Jento and Geminie for sharing your wedding reviews with us and also congrats on being newly married!! Both of you mentioned the day of the wedding seems rushed.. and wishing you had more time for photos. What time do you suggest that the bride and groom begin getting ready the day of the wedding? Geminie - it almost sounds like hair and makeup took you more than 2-3 hours! That's crazy! My wedding is scheduled for 4pm.. my fiance and I were planning on having photos taken before and after the ceremony. lol ohh boy! my hair and make up took (no word of a lie!) 3 hours and 15 minutes. I went to the salon at 12 and was out at 3:15 ... and the wedding was scheduled to start at 3pm! I had no time for pics of me with my wedding party.. none of me and my mother in law, none of me around the resort.. I couldn't relax while putting on my dress since i had to whip it on and run down to the gazebo, i didn't pee (no time) ... I love my photographer's work.. and I really wanted to have a portrait session just me and him... something more artistic me in lingerie putting on my dress etc...but I had no time for that.. and on top of it all.. my make-up and hair didn't come out the way I wanted it to... i wish I would have done my own make up or had one of my girls do it. I just didn't feel like I looked my best... she used and orangy color on my eyelids that did nothing for me I wish I had gotten ready at 10am... then I would have had time to sit in some comfy clothes with my hair and make up all done, and have some drinks with my girls and mother, and mother in law... we could have taken some photos... then I would get into my dress normally, not like I was late for a race but ohh well... there's always vow renewal ceremonies lol overall it was a great day... im trying to focus on the positives!

Quote: Originally Posted by Maybride2009 Geminie, quick question. I am getting married on the beach in May which is supposed to be very busy...can you tell me where along the beachfront they do the weddings? I have always wanted to get married on the beach but really don't want to be oogled...to much Thanks No problem.. ok so the royal is shaped like a W but looking at it from the beach you need to flip the upside down.. more like an M.. Looking at it from the beach... the left part of the upside down W is much wider than the right, the have beach weddings in 2 places, the first being right in front of the left side... where everyones enters and exists the beach from the Royal, and the second is right in front of the Wedding Gazebo on the right, where there is also an entrance/exist to the resort... Here's a pic http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/...a41079.jpg?v=0 Mind you the beach does not look like that.. the chairs are everywhere, and the staff waits until the last minute to clean up stray chairs form around the wedding set-up because they don't want to disturb the guests and because it's a public beach. If you get married on the beach you can expect to see a lot of people around you.. unless you have a late ceremony.. around 4:30-5:30 the beach starts to empty as the sun sets.. but then you're losing light. The sun sets very early there around 5:30-6:00pm.. but I'm not sure what time it sets in May.. you can try contacting Caribbean Blue Weddings, and ask them what the cost would be involved in having a wedding on a private beach.. how far away it would be etc... then you could still come back to the Royal and have your reception there... if you really want a nice private beach wedding.. Playa del Carmen Caribbean Blue Weddings Home Page Hope this helps

I watched quite a few weddings held on the beach and the setup was very very public! One couple had a very obnoxious woman call her husband over to pull up a lounge chair beside so that they could both watch the wedding.. they were of course wearing bathing suits and were maybe 2 feet away from the wedding.. absolutely no decency whatsoever! Everyone around me was stunned at what they were doing... and were saying how someone should say something!... well me being an outspoken gemini... waited until the wedding was over.. then I went over to the woman and gave her a piece of my mind! "Hi there... do you speak English? Woman -yes "great!, you know I couldn't help noticing how close you were to the bride and groom, and as a bride myself I'm sure that they didn't appreciate that, maybe next time there's a wedding you could be a little bit more considerate and keep your distance; respect the wedding that is about to take place no?" woman - yes it was something along those lines... and i did say it very politely... but we all couldn't believe the nerve they had to pull up their beach chairs even closer than what they originally were! so my tip is to get married in the gazebo! it is stunningly beautiful, you can still see the beach and the ocean, you can wear heels, and it's a lot more private! A LOT more.. Another option is to have the wedding on a private beach... a much better option.. the beach at the royal was very busy during all the wedding ceremonies that were held there...

HI everyone.. Not sure where the reviews go but here's a quick recap of my day ( Nov 5 2008 ) ... OK soo no one in my wedding party had been to a wedding before.. and my 2 sisters in law (that are both married) didn't come to the wedding... (that's another story!) ok - so I didn't know how long getting ready (as a bride) would take.. not to mention... how long it would take in Mexico.. At 9am my maid of honour and I went down the gazebo to let the guys putting up the decorations know how we wanted them (how I wanted them lol) ... I brought 9 silk hanging pomanders made of red flowers and hung them (with chartreuse ribbon) from the ceiling of the gazebo above where we said our vows. Also the posts were wrapped in white tulle... ok so the back and forth and trying to make myself understood took a while... and I was done around 12pm. I then rushed to the hair salon to get hair and make-up done... because the wedding was at 3pm. The one girl (that did my hair and make-up) finished at 3:10pm... I ran to my room to get my dress and shoes and went down to the gazebo. I had no time to even pee! or breathe.... I wish that Zulma would have let me know to get ready earlier.. or someone else.. but anyways... The best man comes to tell me (as I'm walking down to the gazebo that we have to cut parts of the ceremony because it's too long and the minister has another wedding.. and if I don't hurry up he'll leave!) ... so I cut the hand ceremony. I get down to the gazebo (the side where my fiancee can't see me) and the wedding party starts to walk down to this song: YouTube - Somewhere Over the Rainbow Up to this point it still hasn't hit me that i'm getting married... and I didn't even get a chance to let it sink in. Zulma looks at me and says "well this is it, are you ready?" and my heart starts pounding and my eyes are watering... but I have to walk so im a mess trying to get it together...finally it hits me! lol. The minister is standing in front of my maid of honour, and my fiancee in front of him... so I end up on the wrong side lol I have his best man beside me! ... ok so the minister starts to read the ceremony and he can't... every other word is sorry... and it's like listening to a little boy in ESL class practicing reading... horrible! And it was making me laugh... a lot! I couldn't understand a word he said and I knew what he was reading! I don't know what everyone else was hearing. Ok so i look at him and say " you know we could just skip to the vows" he replies "REALLLLLYYYY??" in a very high/excited/relieved voice. I had 3 readings as well... and my maid of honour, best man and mother and mother in law read their readings... We then exchanged vows.. and the minister didn't read them so we read them to each other... with a pause in the middle because well we had to flip the page to finish the vows. So with a binder in one hand and the ring in the other we managed to get through that.. At least he did pronounce us husband and wife! But i don't remember that part too clearly... After the kiss we turn and start to leave but I can't, the heel of my shoe is stuck in between 2 planks. A very cinderella moment... my husband bends down and attempts to free my shoe and slip it back on my foot while everyone is laughing and the best man has my dress hiked up (for easier access to the stuck shoe)! Ok soooo... all is great im freed and we enjoy a glass of champagne right in front of the gazebo... The wedding party and my husband and I head out on 5th ave to take some photos and in the meantime they are setting up for the reception in the gazebo (best idea ever! thanks to my father in law) The tables were set up in a T with me my husband and MOH and best man at the head of the T and everyone else sitting face to face along the body of the T.. the ocean was behind me.. ok so really the day didn't go exactly how i thought it would... but still it was very fun and memorable they had set up a dance floor on the paved area in front of the gazebo and it was the one that is raised with different colored lights underneath. The dinner was absolutely fantastic! Incredible food. Service was great! I didn't like the way the girl did my hair or make up... I would suggest doing own makeup and bringing lots of pics of hair styles you want. (I did bring lots... but she couldn't replicate the front area at all... and the back didn't turn out that great)... I don't know what I'm missing... but I'd be more than happy to answer whatever questions anyone has..

hey guys, ok so we're back... after 2 incredible weeks... i have to do a full review.. lol.. you'll see why I'm laughing once it's done.. ok sooo here's a little teaser video that my videographer did on the plane ride back to Toronto.. if you like it please leave a comment on his blog! thank you ButterflySquad.com Blog Blog Archive Cristina & Laszlo :: Destination Wedding Teaser - Mexico

Quote: Originally Posted by athena Those vids are awesome. There are some really good ones on you tube! The song is off of 50 First Dates movie: Somewhere Over the Rainbow - by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole WOW that song gave me shivers, what a beautiful voice! I am going to walk down the aisle to this song, thank you again!

Quote: Originally Posted by Shay2679 OMG...your time has come?! You must be sooooo excited. Just a few more days, and you'll be a MRS!!!! Hopefully we get to see a few of your engagement pics! xo Yeah it still hasn't really hit me.. and we're leaving on Saturday lol! I'll post pics on our site as soon as we get them from our photographer, they're going to be amazing I can't wait to see them!

Quote: Originally Posted by athena Those vids are awesome. There are some really good ones on you tube! The song is off of 50 First Dates movie: Somewhere Over the Rainbow - by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Thank you!

Hey guys.. I just saw those videos.. ok so for the first place winner... that song where the man is humming near the end.. it knida sounds Hawaiian to me.. does anyone know what it's called? Also for more amazing videos, check out these guys... they're local to Missisauga... but outrageously priced... but I've also never seen better wedding videos... Japan Trailer on Vimeo Ok im off to go get ready for our engagement shoot!

Quick question... what song are you brides planning on walking down the aisle to? I was thinking "Only Hope" by Mandy Moore... because my fiancee likes to sing to me, and she sings about that.. and I just think the song is so sweet