HaleGrifa

Quote: Originally Posted by cutierosie Hi Laura, I had not even thought about coffee!! how much did they charge you for the addition of coffee? Thanks for your help! Hello, Our Cocktail Reception & Private Dinner menu were amazing! I added the coffee & tea option - I just placed the extras items I wanted in my email (as I posted) and it was all done for me. I don't actually know if there was an additional cost for this - I don't think that there was as we were spending so much to begin with. If it was I didn't notice. All the extra's are worth every penny. Wishing you all the best Laura

Quote: Originally Posted by Dana_C Thanks a lot- this is really helpful because I would also like to subsitute a few items due to food allergies...initially I was going to have everything on the menu stay put and just stay clear of stuff that I can't have, but I can only imagine someone eating shrimp and then coming up to give me a congratulatory hug/kiss and then spending the night in the ER! How far in advance were you able to make these requests- did you do it through your onsite WC or one of the Miami ladies? Hola, I was in constant communication with my onsite WC - She prompted me for my menu weeks in advance. I made my request via email and all worked out perfectly! Wishing you the best of luck Laura

Quote: Originally Posted by Dana_C For the ladies who were already married at MP- did you have a tasting or just decide based on your preferences for the reception dinner? I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to print menu cards if we may end up changing our minds later on or once we get there...what is everyone else planning on doing? Hola Ladies, Menu Private Function No we did not have a tasting - actually never even thought of it, nor was it really offered. Truly it is not necessary - all of the resort food is amazing you will not be disappointed! We had a private dinner and we did print menu cards - it was a nice touch. I had them printed in English and Spanish - also a nice touch. Embrass the culture and incorporate it into your wedding. I did add additional items to both of our menus - please see my menu email below that I sent ahead of time to my WC. Note we had two menus - as we held a private cocktail reception and private dinner function. Hale/Grifa Wedding #33393 Thursday Janaury 29, 2009 3pm Ceremony - Chapel Cocktail Reception – Chapel Garden (following ceremony) Cocktail Reception Menu MEXICAN HORS D'OEUVRES bolitas de queso con chipotle / cheese truffles flavored with chipotle chile sombrero salami / salami sombrero guacamole con totopos / guacamole with tortilla chips sopecitos mexicanos / mexican sopecitos quesadillas de queso y champiñones / cheese and mushroom turnover sincronizadas de jamon y queso/ ham and cheese sincronizadas tacos de pollo / chicken tacos Can we also add: * Fruta fresca rebanada / Sliced fresh fruit VIP HORS D'OEUVRES * nopales rellenos de cangrejo / grilled cactus leaf stuffed with crabmeat * camaron con piña / shrimp with pineapple Wedding Private Dinner Function – Terrace Venado Private Function Menu (Wedding Dinner) B.B.Q. BUFFET fruta fresca rebanada / sliced tropical fruits ensalada verde / green salad ensalada de tomate / tomato salad aderezos y crotones / dressing and croutons ensalada de pepino / cucumber salad ensalada de elote dorado / golden corn salad ensalada de papa / potato salad Can we add: * ensalada cesar/caesar salad *** filete de pescado a la parrilla / grilled fish fillet camarones shish kebab / shrimp shish kebab pollo B.B.Q / B.B.Q. Chicken salchicha de puerco / pork sausage top sirloin a la parrilla / grilled top sirloin papas horneadas rellenas / stuffed baked potato elote en trozos / corn on the cob Can we add: * papas al ajo/garlic potatoes * Verduras asadas / Grilled vegetables *** postres mexicanos variados / assorted Mexican desserts variedad de pays / assorted pies Can we also add: * Fruta fresca rebanada / Sliced fresh fruit * pastel de chocolate / chocolate cake * café, decaf y té / coffee, decaf and herbal tea Wishing you all the best Laura

Quote: Originally Posted by blakeslade I have a few pictures of the arrecifes restaurant, this bride did her welcome dinner on the patio at this restaurant and it was awesome! Good food, great service, and great scenery! here they are... enjoy! Hello Ladies Weddding Date ~ January 29, 2009 My Hubby & I had our welcome dinner at Arrecifes Terrace Restaurant - we loved it! Set-up to perfection - our own wait staff - we felt like the only people there We used our dinner from our Deluxe Wedding Package for this, as well as the photographer - we we had a Private Wedding function on Terrace Venado and had hired 2 outside photographers to attend 3 days of festivities. Our wedding was truly magical ~ a wonderous trip of a lifetime!!! Laura

Quote: Originally Posted by nibsmom HaleGrifa! What gorgeous photos! I have to jet off to work, and I can't wait to get home so I can look at some more!!!! Seeing all these pictures makes me practically pee my pants with excitement!!! Reading about all these oceanviews makes me really want one...gawd, I really have to stop spending money on this wedding....ugh!! Thanks so much . . you sound just like me So worth all the money!! Our wedding was truly magical! Wishing you all the best Laura PS - soon there will be more to come

Quote: Originally Posted by cutierosie You look stunning and I love your bouquet, do you have pics of your reception? Thank you! I loved my bouquet too - just what I asked for. I am in the middle of getting my pics organized - I am sending a mailing to my guests that includes a cd & pre-paid envelope to have them send me their photos taken during the trip. As well, our professional photographers are currently working on our pics!!! Once all of this is a little better organized, I will be sending packages to our guest and be posting online. Pics - I am all about the pictures - but once you get home you think you will have all of this time to get all of the fun post-wedding items started - but you are soo busy just relishing in the wonder of your wedding and family trip of a lifetime. Besides it is difficult to get back into the swing of things. I will do my best ladies to speed things up - as I know being a bride how much we all want to see them to get an idea of our day. Send me your email and I will attach some pics for you. MP is amazing! Our Wedding was Magical! Wishing you all the best Laura

Quote: Originally Posted by kate.com Not exactly pictures, but Ray at Promo Vision PV send a 4 minute video from our wedding day so enjoy:) puerto-vallarta-weddings: Kate Lynn & Bill Wedding Amazing - Congratulations! ? - who put that together for you (we are in the midst of editing our many videos and would love some tips. Wishing you all the best

Quote: Originally Posted by Dana_C Great pics HaleGrifa!! You looked so pretty and so happy! Can't wait to see more... Thanks so much! We couldn't be happier - actually our entire group is going back next year! Looks like I get to plan another party!!!! More pics to come as they arrive . . . Wishing you all the best

Quote: Originally Posted by ashrose Oh wow... your pictures are stunning! What a gorgeous dress. Thank you thank you for posting pictures! I've been dying to see pictures from inside the chapel gazebo... and was curious where the horse and carriage dropped the bride off. I love the pictures of you and your dad walking across the bridge. So you said 1st installment on photobucket... does that mean we get more gorgeousness? Hi - you are so sweet Wow - I love this forum! Each of you are so sweet. Loved, loved, loved our Wedding - we would do it again in a flash! MP is an amazing environment - truly magical! More to come over the next few weeks . . . Laura

Hello MP Brides Please see our 1st set-up on Photobucket - Wedding Attire I posted on 'Show us your wedding dress' (non-pro shots) Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket More to come . . .

Here are some Wedding Attire images for the entire Wedding Party Copy & Paster Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket Hope it works

Quote: Originally Posted by lor hey girls, It's been so long since i been on here but just wanted to let everyone know we got married last week and EVERY thing is sooo much better then you could ever dream.... My WC was Kalena, very hard to get emails from her i had no idea what really was going on till the day we got there,, but she was Great!!!!!! She made me feel like i was her only bride that week, and i know they have a few a day each. But she NEVER made me feel like that. The Hotel was soo nice, the room, the food, the pool. And everyone who works there speaks good english and is so friendly and helpfull. The only thing is i wish i had a song list for the dj. I seen his list that he had emailed me and they were every song you think they would play at a wedding, but he didn't know what to play at first. You have to know the song and artist, if not he can't look it up to play it, but once we started to request some songs he seem to understand what to play. Other then that the dj did a good job. We had a few events for the wedding, welcome dinner(was going to be out side but was very windy last week) she moved it inside for us with no problem, our cocktail party was out side a few days later the wind was a little better, the food for everything was soo good! I had read b4 that someone had said about the Makeup was not a good idea, I Disagree my makeup and all 6 of my girls had theres done too and everyone look like supermodels, I did a trial just in case and loved her. I have a makeup artist that i use all the time for wedding and etc.. and was nerves about it. the salon is topnotch as is everything in this hotel. Good luck with your weddings i'll try to post the pictures if i can figure it out. Also our pictures came out great too. Lorree i dont go on her much, feel free to email me with questions Congratulations! We were married at MP on January 29, 2009 Kalena was our WC as well - she was awesome! We truly could not of asked for a better WC - worth every penny spent . . . we are ready to do it all over again. Wishing you all the best! Laura & Joseph

Quote: Originally Posted by SarahandRichard http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t16832 This link is what I used to help me post picks. I used photobucket which is pretty easy to upload pictures to a photobucket account. Then used the mountain icon to insert pictures. You need the IMG code. I hope this is helpful! Congratulations on your wedding I'm sure it was beautiful. By the way, I thought your "on the other side" comment was hilarious thats excactly how I felt. Sarah Hi Sarah & Richard, Congratulations - your photos are stunning. When did you get married? Thanks so much for the link to posting pics - very helpful . . . now I have to put it to use - lol I know 'the other side' I miss being a Bride and our destination wedding - it was such a magical vacation and true time with close family and friends. We miss everyone so much - but are already planning a reunion on our 1 year anniversary at MP!!! It is such a special and love enduring time - carry it with you always! How are you feeling afterwards? We want to do it all over again!!! Now we look forward to thanking our guests in a special way and putting together packages and then onto next year's planning - hope to put on a special private dinner with our guests as a thank you! Hoping to work with our WC to put on an amazing evening. Take Care - Wishing you both all the best! Laura & Joseph

Hello MP Brides! Can one of you assist me with complete directions on how to post pics? Thank you Laura

Quote: Originally Posted by lawieland Good luck with the WC. My wedding is 3 months away and they told me I wouldn't get my WC assigned to me until 30 days before!!! We actually bought one of their wedding packages, so some of the flowers, etc are included. However, I'm not happy with the cake that is included, do you know how to find out about outside vendors? The flower price list I have provided by MP, their flowers are VERY expensive! The photo package I have is included, unfortunately, it's not enough and I will need to try and find an outside photographer. Anyone have any suggestions? Congrats! You will love, love MP! Cake - let me set your mind at ease . . We purchased the deluxe wedding package (top package) and we were not too keen on the cake (too small) - so we were provided a binder of options during our meeting (have your WC email you the PPT slide show of some of your options ahead of time) We knew ahead of time which one we wanted - we selected the Beach Themed cake (not sureof the exact 'name') - it was an additional $210.00 Totally worth it! I would not suggest using an outside vendor - the MP has many options and some good price ranges. Best of Luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by Camie78 Congrats Laura! I can't wait to see the pictures! LOL on your 'other side' comment. Thank you! I miss MP and all of our guests so much! It was truly a magical experience. Being an event planner business owner at home - I am now planning many MP weddings - it has been terrific. Looks as though I maybe representing Signature at some of the Palace locations as well! I am happy to take on more contracts if there are any brides out there who requires my assistance. Best of Luck!! Laura

Quote: Originally Posted by soon2bemsleblanc I got my save-the-dates in the other day and finished mailing them all out! I also ordered my invites and they are being printed!! Our group contract is also completed and ready to accept reservations. I finally feel like this is really happening!! Do you girls know when the optional services need to be paid in full? My WC referred me to another girl but she hasn't emailed me back in awhile. No help at all!! We need to purchase some services since we went with the free package. Anyone know if we can bring in our own flowers?? I know it says no outside florists but the flowers they offer are a little pricey!! What photo package is everyone going with? Hello, Optional services are charged to your hotel bill and paid upon your departure. Our entire wedding bill was paid at check-out (not sure if this is standard though - each WC may do it differently) I would verify this with your WC. You will need to provide a credit card upon check-in (I had mine blocked so that no charges would go through until I approved - as items will be charged during your stay - so contact your credit card company) Flowers - so worth going with MP florist - fresh & beautiful! You will need to watch bringing 'plants-flowers' into the country as there are laws on that. We purchased the Deluxe Wedding Package - totally worth it! Consider what you are going to add as most additions end up totalling the package price. Ours included photography - but we hired two destination wedding photographers (wicked). Seeing as photog was in our package we used this for a Welcome Dinner & had a photographer join us. As well, we also paid the extra for a private wedding reception - so we used the dinner in the package as the welcome dinner. Consider that you are going away & people are joining you - splurge a little (nothing like joining a destination wedding with no flare) believe me there is no comparison. Wishing you all the best!

Quote: Originally Posted by Dez921714 Hi there I'm a MP bride too...about 2 weeks before you!!!! Hello! How was your MP Wedding! Ours was truly magical - weather was perfect! We are so blessed to have such great family & friends to share in the day with us. We are already planning a 1 year celebration - the entire group wants to attend. Wishing you all the best Laura

Quote: Originally Posted by DWandMJ Welcome back Laura and congratulations!!!! You just know that we're all salivating for the photos! Give 'em up! Hello! I know - I know Actually it is so strange to be 'on the other side' You will not be disappointed!! I have guest shots and am awaiting our destination wedding photographers images (may take awhile) They are also completing a web slide show that I can post the link too, once I receive it. I need HELP though posting pics- funny enough I don't know how. Can someone help me Wishing you all the best! Laura aka Mrs. Grifa PS - it is great being married - it changes things and is awesome!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by ErikDaGenErik congrats on getting your details and events confirmed!!! how did you get away with getting an outside photographer? will there be a wedding at the chapel gazebo during your cocktail at the chapel garden? I am interested cause i am booked for a wedding in the chapel gazebo and i would like a cocktail hour in the chapel garden as well. I'm just hoping no one else is getting marrie during our cocktail party =) thanks!!! Hi I just notified my WC - Kalena right away and booked them a room so that the hotel did not have any issues with it. We were able to secure the Chapel Gazebo (nicest one there) it was magical. We had a cocktail reception to follow in th garden then a full reception on Terrace Venado. There is an expense for this but well worth it! Our day was truly magical and our guests can't say enough good things! We lucked out with only 1 other wedding on our day - January is a slower time, whereas the spring-summer months there are a lot of weddings each day. Only saw 'sunnybride' in the salon - we nevered crossed paths after that - so we felt like the ojly wedding! I would suggest that you pre-reserve as much as you can with your WC - being ahead of schedule is truly how you will get what you are hoping for. Best of Luck - MP is amazing and you will not be disappointed Laura

Quote: Originally Posted by cutierosie Have you been given a quote for the lounge set up? Hi Lounge set-up was through DecoCancun I worked with Also - he was very accomodating! We tossed a few emails back and forth until we were happy with our selections and the cost. We spent about $895 - totally worth it!!! All the best

Quote: Originally Posted by lor Hi HaleGrifa, I'm getting married on feb 7. On the beach the cocktail party will also be on the beach and the recp will be in on of the ball rooms waiting to hear on which one, we have 60 guest coming. what the party hopper tour Hi New Bride! We just returned from our magical wedding!! Sorry that I did not receive your post until after you arrived. Party Hopper - is usually arranged through your vacation rep i.e. Signature Tours (was ours) Meridith arranged the night for us and catered it to our needs! Such an amazing night - in bed at 6am - AMAZING! Wishing you all the best Laura aka Mrs. Grifa

Quote: Originally Posted by SunnyBride Hi Laura, I'm getting SO EXCITED!! Most of our guests are meeting us there on January 24th, but we're leaving this Friday, so just under two days to go. Planning has gone pretty well. I'm working with Lily, and she's been really responsive and easy to work with. We've got the flowers, centerpieces, cake, etc all arranged, along with equipment for a slide show (we're inside in the Ballroom Carey). How did that stuff go for you? Who was your wedding coordinator? We'll have a welcome dinner on the Sunday night, because some family members don't arrive until then at the Italian restaurant (El Mangar?). I can't remember the name right now. The ceremony is at 4:00 on January 29th at the Tucan Gazebo - same time as yours, I think? Are you going to the disco later in the night after your reception? We'll have to keep an eye out for each other. Best of luck with your wedding and your trip! Janet Hi Janet! All of our planning has gone perfectly! Our WC is Kalena and she has been a dream to work with. We have the major items booked and will discuss and confirm the final details with her during our meeting. We have also planned a Welcome Dinner on the Sunday from 7pm-10pm on the Arrecifes Terrace (private with a view of the water). The photographer is coming to the dinner as well, seeing as we have a destination wedding photographer team, we thougt best to use what we paid for from our deluxe package - so Kalena glady arranged for the photog to join us! Wedding Ceremony is scheduled for 3pm in the Chapel, Cocktail Reception to follow on the Chapel Garden and then off to Terrace Vendo for our private dinner and reception. We also reserved a contract with DecoCancun to have a louonge area set-up, along with d lighted bar. Our reception is on Terrace Venado - we love it! Our plan is to extend the private dinner as long as we can and then decide on the disco. But we will mosly likely end up there - so we may see you. I have purchased a second dress for later in the evening, the disco and our trash the dress the next day. When do you depart from MP - what are your honeymoon plans? Wishing you all the best ~ See you soon Laura (Bride to Be) want to write that as much as I can now, seeing as it won't be long!!

Quote: Originally Posted by SunnyBride This is exactly why this forum is so useful - for giving us brides a bit of perspective! I think I was getting a bit carried away; your responses make me think this isn't such a big deal. I guess I was just trying to imagine this at any wedding I've ever been to (none of which were destination weddings) and it seemed so out of place to me. Hey Sunny Bride Not long now before we depart for Mexico. My group departs on January 24 for our January 29th Wedding. How has planning gone for you? What have you pre-booked? Who is your WC? What time & location is your ceremony and reception? Wishing you all the best ~ See you in Mexico Ciao Laura

Quote: Originally Posted by DanielleNDerek Severine from Photosouvenir just posted my pics on pictage. check them out ..:: Pictage | Registration ::.. Hi - yes, please post - love to see them