Meredith

Thanks for the email address! When I hear back from him, I'll let you know what the quote is. Have a great day ladies!

Hi Fanny, As far as the slideshow, Perla said to contact SWANK about a price. That scares me - I think it might be pretty expensive. Do any of you SWANK's contact info? I will let you know their quote. -Meredith

I wanted to play a slide show of bride/groom baby photos at the rehersal dinner. Have any of you done this and know if they can set something up for this? Thanks, Meredith

Congratulations Kelly! Your photos are so pretty! I had a question for those of you who have seen a wedding (or have been married) on the beach. I was hoping to have my father-in-law play his guitar at the ceremony. Do you think the waves and wind will be too loud and that a microphone & speakers will be needed? I was hoping that he could just play and it would be fine. What do you think? Thanks! Meredith

Quote: Originally Posted by yamille I am 99% positive that the fantasy centerpieces are the hurricane lamps. I am not sure about the stones- but I may bring those down. Initially I was looking at center pieces that were like $85 each and decided against. When i asked about candle lighting ( i love tons of candles too) Elisa told me that the best ones are hurrican candles because the tealights tend do blow out easily since there is such a strong breeze on the terrace. I also want to find out how to dim the terrace lights. I was thinking maybe paper lanterns? Someone posted some LED paper lanterns (I need to find that thread again) Hmm fanny maybe we could split the cost since you are there right before me?? I am leaning towards a paper OOT bag. I don't know yet- again it's a bout minimal packing for me so we'll see. Hi Yamille - Do you know how much the fantasy centerpieces are?

Hey girls! We have 55 booked so far. Very exciting. I agree about the centerpieces - who remembers those? What is the "fantasy" centerpiece. I was just thinking of using a hurricane lamp and candle for the centerpiece and throw some stones around it. I wonder how much they can charge for that? I thought the hurricane lamp might better protect the candle from the wind so it won't go out. I am asking my soon to be father-in-law to play acoustic guitar at the wedding to try to save some money. If he can't, then I would pay the loads of money. I think music really sets the stage for the wedding and is really important. Just an FYI - Perla confirmed with us that the dinners include 3 hours of bar. If you just get the appetizers it only comes with 1 hour of open bar. What are you doing for OOT bags? I think the hotel charges $5/room to deliver them...yikes.

Congratulations Missy! I'm so happy for you! I was wondering if anyone had the centerpeice handout from Perla? Thanks! Meredith

Hi guys! I am getting married at the Paradisus on April 3, 2009 and I am going with Playaweddings for both video and photos. I asked the same question a few months back, but no one had used them for photos. I just fell in love with their videos when I saw them!!! Although they didn't seem to have a lot of experience with the photos (that I could see on their website), I figured anyone who would capture the emotions through the video could do the same through the photos! Hope that helps. Meredith

Brook- Another option the hotel is okay with: I am doing my ceremony on the beach with cocktail hour on the terrace, with the reception back on the beach. I am using Carlos Mannia as the DJ and he as a dance floor that he can place right on the beach. OR - you could could have the reception inside the hotel if you prefer. I know for one of the wedding reviews it rained at the hotel had the reception at the L'hermitage restaurant. The review said it was wonderful. That is another option. Hope that helps! -Meredith

If you are looking to save some money - we found that Playaweddings had good photo/video packages. I didn't want to spend a ton of money on the videos and photos and they could do both for a good rate. BJ - If it makes you feel any better, I've read all the pages of this blog (and tons of wedidng reviews) for the Paradisus and everyone LOVES it! Take heart in that!

Welcome to the forum! There are lots of ways to save money! We are actually thinking of doing a hors d'oeuvre buffet instead of a full sit down dinner to save money. There are other ways to save money too. As far as losing productivity, can't help you there! Wedding planning is lots of fun! The girls are great and can answer pretty much any question you have! Meredith

Thanks for the tips on the veils! The fish weights are a great idea! I am 50/50 I a flower in the hair or a veil. But, I really think I would miss a veil if I didn't do it, so I think I may go with a veil that is around my fingertips (so I can hold on to like you girls suggested with the fish weights) and then take it off after the ceremony if it is too windy. Thanks again for the info!

I am getting married on the beach in the afternoon around 4:00. I would like to have a veil, but I am worried that it would just blow around in the wind and be in the way (during the ceremony and in the photos). Can anyone provide some insight or thoughts Thanks! Meredith

Fanny, As far as a DJ v. IPod, I think it is a budget issue and person choice. I liked Missy's tips about booking before the end of the year to save money! I don't think you can really go wrong between Mania or SWANK. I went with the DJ just because I wanted someone to "host" the wedding and keep it moving. I have been to some weddings where they didn't have a dj and they didn't have anyone "announce" the cake cutting, or people walking in or generally keep the party with a lot of energy. I think that the DJ can the party moving along with a great vibe. That said - if you have a great IPod mix - you can get the same effect.

Congrats Erika! I'm glad you settled on a date and place!!! That was the hardest part for me. Once that was finalized - all of the planning fun could begin!!!

Hi Girls! Yeah – I am having the bufet dinner and dancing both on the beach. The DJ has a dance floor that he can just place on the beach. My only concern is the breeze, so I hope the weather cooperates! So far, your comments have made me feel better! I would think the hurricane vases are the way to go. Not to be too cheesy, but the other option out there (if you can get them cheep) would be those new battery operated candles that look like the real deal! You can get them cheap on eBay. I may look into those. Then you can resell them once you get back. -Meredith

Hey girls - On the chairs - I was planning on having the reception on the beach and then moving everyone up to the Grill for the cocktails and then back down to the beach for the reception. Do you think the ceremony chairs are suitable for reception chairs? And - do you think they can move them during the cocktail hour? Great idea on the eBay bows! Also – on the hair - How many hours before your wedding did you get your hair done? My wedding is at 4:00. I would think maybe of scheduling my hair for 1:00 I have 5 bridesmaids and I have no clue about these things?! Thanks for all your help!!!

Missy - Thanks for information! It really is super helpful and exciting! Your signature drink idea sounds like a lot of fun!! -Meredith

Thanks for the great info Missy! Are you doing a custom package or one of the hotel packages? Also, did they charge you extra for your signature drink (what a great idea! - is that at the welcome dinner or the wedding)? Thanks, Meredith

Thanks for posting the information and photos Becks!

If you haven't already, I would suggest that you check out the forum that is dedicated to just the Paradisus Riviear Cancun hotel! It is amazing!!! Other than that - I just LOVE the videos done by playaweddings! On the Paradisus forum, there is tons of information about flowers, cakes, food, djs, etc to help you with your planning. Hope that helps!

Hi Brooke - Congrats! I'm sure you know this - but be sure to check out the forum which entitled Paradisus Riviera Cancun which has TONS of info about weddings at the hotel! Happy Planning!

Just based on my reading of the blogs, I think that a lot of people had the "rehearsal" dinner at the buffet restaurant...because from what I understand they have a really cool Mexican show there on certain nights. I think they can reserve your tables and you can have rehearsal there (for free). That way, you can entertain your guests too! That is what I was planning on looking into anyway.

Quote: Originally Posted by Fanny In case anyone needs ideas for bouquets, I have a seventeen page gallery sent by Paradisus! I'm having trouble uploading it but PM me if you would like the file! Fanny - I would LOVE to see the gallery. I don't have enough "points" yet to PM you, so if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you email it to me? My email address is: [email protected] Thanks!

Erika - We booked in July and April 4th and 11th were not available back then, so we booked April 3rd. BUT...maybe there have been some changes or cancellations since then....I will keep my fingers crossed for you! The TA we have spoken with have not been able to go cheaper than the hotel's prices (which average around $360ish a night). (FYI - Early April is generally much more expensive than late April). Can any of you give me some specific names/contact information of a TA that has given you a great deal on a hotel room price for the guests (group rates) so I can contact them too? That would be a great help!