hanna

Any of you TA's work with Catalonia Royal Tulum?? Just trying to book a vacation next May.. and our current TA doesn't work with that resort.. PM me if you can help! Thanks

Ya, Rocio is choppy in her responses.. but just know she is always super busy with brides that are coming in that week... so when your wedding gets closer, she is better about responding.. Here is what I got from her for our June 5, 2009 wedding: "In regards to the number of guests for the private reception.. if the minimum of people for a private event it`s 25 guests... but if the number is less than 25 people and you want still to go for the private reception I will need to charge for the 25 even the final head count it`s less than that."

So frustrating! Sorry to hear about that! My budget was around $1000 and I went with Mexicanweddingphotos.com and had Mike Razo. He was great and got 3 hours of coverage, album and retouching. Got my photos the next week on our honeymoon at the Excellence Riviera Cancun. I know it is that last thing you want to deal with, but if she is a flake now.. at least you found out before it was too late and she just didn't show on the wedding day or something.. Best wishes!

I had a blue garter - which was from Gainesville, Fl where we lived for a bit - Football team colors were orange and blue, so that was fun.

I haven't personally used them, but went there for our honeymoon and inquired about doing a TTD shoot.. after looking through their album, we weren't very impressed so ended up setting up a shoot offsite with someone else. The shots were very standard, like point and shoot.. I was suprised that their portfolio album didn't have amazing photos to impress people with.. I have to say that if possible, I would probably recommend hiring someone else.

Thanks ladies for all of your posts! Always so helpful, and nice to know that I am not alone on most of mine Would Do: OOT Bags: we kept them pretty simple - but the stuff we put in there our guests really used: ~ I made first aid kits with bandaids, advil, rolaids, wet wipes, immodium. Esp since the resort shops charge so much for that stuff. Probably would have been good to add small bottles of aloe and bug off wipes. ~ Bubba Kegs !!! The best thing ever!!! We had an entire suit case of bubbas - 40 of them total. Bought them from fireflybuys.com for $6 each incl tax & shipping, and EVERYONE used them the whole time and loved them. Even for the guests that weren't drinking loved to just keep nice ice water in them. Highly recommended for lounging at the pool/beach all inclusive ~ Welcome folders with the itinerary, map of resort with specific wedding locations highlighted, guest list with photos and how we knew them - this was especially helpful for the parents to keep track of all our friends , soduku, spanish translations, photo share info (set up account on photobucket and stoked most of our friends uploaded their pics) Ceremony on the beach - loved it and it was our dream. It was so beautiful - although it was hot - June 5th at 5:00pm... Probably would have encouraged our guests to wear khaki shorts... Private reception - even though we had 4 hrs (7pm-11pm) it went by soooooo fast. Couldn't imagine having to do it in a 2 hr non-private ceremony. Cost a few extra grand, but I felt it really made if feel like our wedding. Esp since we had 40ppl.. We did our rehearsal dinner in one of the restaurants, and it was hard to relax not being private. Upgrade to ocean view suite. Was amazing to have the spectacular ocean views from every window and 2 balconies. Super nice to have living room for our guests to hang out. Grand Palladium - we did a group block in order to get our guests $86 pp/pn AI. The resort was fantastic, and our guests couldn't believe how nice everything was considering they paid so little.. Especially most guests hadn't ever stayed at an AI and were just amazed at the value for all you can drink & eat and great service. Also- due to the low occupancy swine flu, everyone got upgraded to Jr Suites Flowers incl in wedding package - contemplated doing real touch to save on costs.. but in the end my bouquet and 1 bout were included, and paid $200 for 3 BM bouquets, 3 bouts and 2 corsages. They were so beautiful and exactly what I wanted. Stuck to white and greens and it was stunning. Photographer: Mike Razo with Mexican Wedding Photos. He was fantastic and we got our pics a week later on our honeymoon at the Excellence. Booked the 3hr package for $1000 and it was great. He is very talented, although I wished he would have told me to stand more facing the camera cause 75% of my shots I am standing with my side facing.. and didn't like that view of the dress and made me look a little fat.. haha.. We did a photo list.. but didn't really use it.. Got most of the pics we wanted, but my mom wanted some of her and the grandkids.. even though she didn't tell me.... so I guess make sure you ask your parents what is important to them.. Although I pretty much planned the whole wedding and every detail by myself and would have loved a little more input and help from people.. but oh well... ~We did IPOD music and set up our playlists which worked out great... until some of our drunk friends put their IPOD's on!!! And totally ruined our playlist and we missed our father/mother dances.. plus it was only younger hip hop all night, rather than some other music we added for our parent's generation... so would assign someone in charge of the music and to make sure nobody touches it!! ~ Spa - morning of the wedding went to the Spa with the girls to get massages and manis. Wasn't sure if I was going to have enought time that morning for it, but it was fantastic. Didn't realize how stressed and tense I was, so it was very much needed. Although, for my mani, got a french and the lady didn't ask me if I preferred round or square tips.. and just started filing all my nail away till I was left with this short stumpy little square.. it was fine I guess.. just not what I wanted at all. I am not a big mani girl... so now I know to be more specific in the beginning... The only thing is I tried not to be a bridezilla.. so we took our time and had a leisurly lunch.. but then we ran kind of late to do hair & makeup in the room. Would have allowed myself 5 hours total for shower, hair, makeup, dressing, photos... by the end we were 15 min late to the ceremony and didn't have any time before for photos... Give yourself a lot more time than you think you need!!! ~ Brought lots of dollar bills... brought $300 in ones for tips for the staff, and comes in really handy.. WOULDN'T DO: ~ We didn't hire a videographer due to budget, but my brother & mother have camcorders. So, my brother set his up on a tripod, which was great.. until the photographer and guests stood up infront of it the whole ceremony taking pics.. so that was ruined. And my mom had one.. but she never hit the record button so there are all these pics of her holding it.. for nothing... Would have assigned one of our tech savy friends to be in charge of it so my brother/mother didn't have to worry about it... ~ Stress... was so worried about everyone and all the details, was hard to relax. But, I think that is pretty normal for a wedding. Would have wished I had one organized reliable person to make sure I didn't forget stuff and help me with the details. My husband is in the military, so we move around a lot, and we live in DC where all my best friends are back in Cali.. so was kind of hard to coordinate everything on the internet. Esp on the wedding night, would have loved to have someone help me stay on track with the timeline.. I didn't hire a wedding coordinator, but I can see where that could be very useful.. although expensive for a DW.. ~ Greet all our guests... we took 2 days out of our trip really to greet everyone upon arrival. As I was glad we did it because the resort was huge.. wished I would have delegated some of it out.. Felt like I really missed out on hanging out with everyone cause I spent the whole day in the lobby... By the end though we just left their gift bags, a note and a map at the front desk to meet us at the pool. ~ Plan a cocktail mixer.. we all hung out by the pool all day and didn't want to leave at 5pm to get ready for a mixer.. having planned activities is hard because everyone is on their own schedule and time frame, and nice to just go with the flow and not have a schedule to stick to..

endless love - those pics are wayyy better than the ones I got cause I didn't want to get too close as the ceremony already started. smf47 - I am almost positive the isle is sand. The location of the beach ceremony is beautiful. It is on the far right side of the resort right off the Excellence section. It was nice that it is a covered area so your guests won't get too hot. Note that it is on the border of the property line, and to the right of the ceremony location, there were lots of beach goers and locals looking on. But - the ceremony site is set back pretty far from the water, so it isn't really intrusive, although they may get in your pictures. The reception location outdoors (shown in last recep photos posted by endlesslove) upstairs past the lobby overlooking the ocean and resort is beautiful!!! I also saw a reception set up on the sand that was decorated Mexican style which was pretty cool, but more public as it is in the center of the resort on the beach. The resort is beautiful and whatever you all decide, you will have a great time.

Mdgirl76 - I just got married and wore my hair down because I hate the way I look with my hair up. I was glad with my decision because I thought it looked pretty *however* in retrospect, I wish I would have pulled some of it back. It was windy on the beach and hot. My hair would blow in my face in pictures and was kind of a pain. I think if you wear it partially up or back, that would be good, and just make sure you pin any lose hair down or it will end up in your face.. I used a lot of hair spray.. but apparently not enough..grr. best wishes

Hi ladies, great thread. My husband and I just got married June 5, 2009 in the Riviera Maya. We met when he was the CO in the Coast Guard in Santa Barbara, CA. Fell in love and moved with him to Gainesville, FL 1 year later. It was hard to leave my family, job, friends.. all behind, but it was worth it! He attended grad school for 1.5 years and now we live in Washington, DC. I think the hardest part for me is reestablishing myself professionally. In Santa Barbara, I loved my job and worked as a groups coordinator and manager of a Resort & Spa, and since then just doing Exec Asst. But, I want to get my MBA and do it online once the GI bill is able to be transferred to me. Then I would like to eventually be a HR Director. DC has been nice because there are so many other Coastie people that DH knows so it has been an instant social circle. Florida was more difficult and took more time to get used to the area and find friends. I love traveling and moving around though, and luckily my husband hasn't been deployed while we have been together (although he was over in the middle east before we met). I did most of the projects and planning for the wedding, which I enjoy. Did anyone else find it a little lonely (besides having the forum of course)? I think with moving so much it is hard to establish really close friendships, and so I found myself doing everything really by myself, so it got a little lonely. It would have been nice to have my family and best girlfriends around to help. But, thanks to the forum for so many great ideas and support.

We returned from 16 days in Mexico (Riviera Maya / Playa del Carmen) with no problems at all. We mostly stayed on the resort, but we went to Coco Bongo in Playa one night for our Bach party, some of our guests went to Playa during the day for shopping, and Cozumel. Everything is normal and safe. The airport they are doing health screenings taking your temperature and filling out a questionairre. Nice because customs is super fast! For anyone that has traveled during peak season, you know that customs in Cancun can take over an hour, and this time there was zero wait time! Nobody is in masks or sick or anything. So, happy planning and have fun!!

We did a symbolic and just booked the "renewal of vows" ceremony - which was cheaper too. Just bring your marriage certificate and you will be fine. We actually brought our own officiant which happens to be one of our good friends, so he performed the ceremony which was really nice because it was very personalized. Since it isn't "legal" you could actually have anyone perform your ceremony for you, doesn't need to be designated by the resort.

added a french bustle also. here is the link to the Davids site. David's Bridal - Allover draped taffeta trumpet with button back.

Purchased brand new from Davids Bridal. Worn once at the wedding. David's Bridal - Allover draped taffeta trumpet with button back. Style: P9345 Color: White Size: 8 Bustle: French White taffita fabric with sublte rooching throughout the dress. Zipper closure with cloth button overlay. Medium sized train with easy to use and beautiful french bustle that stays in place! I am 5â€7’ - wore 2†heels with dress, 130lbs, 34b, 30 waist, 34 hips. Minor alterations - took in bust a little, hemmed very slightly - like 1/2 inch, added bustle It is in great condition – worn for 3 hours during wedding. Only a little very slight dirt stains at the very bottom of the train. No tears or noticeable stains. Will include veil for free: 1 tier, Swarovski crystals, white satin trim - it is beautiful! PM me and make an offer. Puchased for $500 new, looking to sell for around $250 obo.

Carried on my dress, a small Vera Bradley backpack and a larger backpack. FI carried on a larger carry on duffel and a small backpack.. no problems. We flew Airtran.. which is a cheapie airline (booked on United.. but cancelled as they added a layover) and Airtran isn't the nicest as they are more of a budget brand. But - I just layed my dress flat in an overhead as the flight was only 50% full.. no problems. They said there wasn't room in the closet (ya right) ... but worked out fine since the resort steamed my dress before the ceremony anyway

I think because it is a program, and more of a nice touch to the ceremony, most guests won't even notice. They will be busy taking in the beautiful atmosphere and probably skimming the program. I say let it go and focus on the bigger things.. Esp since it is just in a song title, not like you spelled your mom's name wrong or something.