Simistar

Quote: Originally Posted by inspiredfyre Cecilia does take great photos, I actually have her booked for Monday, and am stoked!! Wish me luck ladies, I'm off to the airport in 4 hours!!!! I will post pics as soon as I get back...or at least when i'm back down to earth ;D yay!!! Exciting! Good luck!! Tell us all about it when you get back:-)

Quote: Originally Posted by SMILES10 The only detail I am still undecided about is the photographer, I see that a lot of past brides did not use the resort photographer so I am a little worried because that is who I was going to go with. I asked Cecilia for some info but haven't heard back yet...any advice ladies? Hi there! The resort photographer is Juan Navarro...or rather his company (i.e. you may not get Juan himself for your wedding, but one of his associates)... If you use the search function (top right), you can search his name on here and there should be some threads with reviews of girls who used either him, or one of his associates... What you choose totally depends on how important pictures are to you and what style you like... In a nutshell, I'd say if pictures are super important to you, you may want to book an outside photographer. if you're not too concerned, then Juan Navarro or one of his associates would probably be okay... you won't get the same quality as some of the pro photogs on this site though:-) We used one of his associates during our reception, b/c we had an hour included in our package (and at that time SMB was NOT doing substitutions of any kind :-( )... Anyway, since our pro photog (outside vendor) had left by the time our reception started, we had the resort photog cover our reception for about an hour/hour and a half... And actually, his pictures were pretty good! (better than we expected:-)) We actually liked quite a few of them and bought a CD of all the pictures... If you want, you can check out the pics he took for us on our photoshare site: (we had one of Juan's associates, who, if I recall, was named Edgar...he was really nice! Better than our pro photog:-)) http://michelledavidwedding.shutterfly.com/ Just click on the album labelled "resort photog pics"... don't bother going through the other albums... you'll get really bored:-) Anyhoodles...hope this helps, and if you have any other questions, ask away:-)

Quote: Originally Posted by angela040504 OMG thats horrible how do you not take pics of rings or walking donw aisle what is wrong with him? Did you get any money back? ~Sigh~ No...we didn't bother asking for any money back... mostly b/c M.Maurus doesn't think he did anything wrong! He thinks he did a bang-up job of capturing our wedding and that I am just being a bridezilla (not sure if you saw his post on this thread...trying to explain "his side" of things...haha:-)) At this point, I think what I'd like more than money back, is an apology and an offer to "polish some of the turds" he gave us:-) Quote: Originally Posted by Shocka He only edited a handful of them so we'll see what happens... I doubt he'll edit any more... there's a snowball's chance in hell I suppose that he actually changed his way of doing business after reading this review

Quote: Originally Posted by jerzygirl85 simistar - what color did you order the chair sashes in I am thinking of ordering some. Hey jerzygirl85:-) I ordered mine in P 026... However, I just checked the site and didn't see it listed... My guess is, they're just out of that color right now... Maybe e-mail the site (I know a lot of girls on here have done that...the owner's name is Joseph and I believe he's a vendor on here...) and ask about that particular color if that's the one you want...or ask about any other color you don't see there... They seem to be pretty accommodating with getting the colors girls want... Good luck!!

Quote: Originally Posted by nicitica My friend jaime can work with editing and creating a nice albumn for you from the disc he provided. She's done this for others who have had similar experiences. another friend just got married in June and used Michael and didn't say anything bad, but they also don't have their pics yet either. I was considering using him for a few hours since my friend will be doing most of our pics. But since she is in the wedding i still need another photographer. Awww.... you are SO sweet! Thank you so much -- sincerely appreciated!:-) However, I am SLOWLY but surely, through lots of trial and even more error, designing my album pages with Lumapix Fotofusion and a free trial of Lightroom to edit some of the pics:-) If it all goes to crap, however, it's REALLY good to know I have this as a back-up:-) Your friend got married in June and used Michael and she STILL doesn't have her pics?? That sounds like a long time to me...but again, maybe that's b/c June is such a busy wedding season...? Quote: Originally Posted by angela040504 Wow i'm really sorry to hear about this. Hope people at your wedding took some pics you love! Thanks -- and actually, in going through all the pics to design some album pages, I've found some really nice ones our guests took... Problem is, not all the ones I want to use are high enough resolution... ~Sigh~ :-) But I think/hope there will be enough... (of course, still doesn't make up for the key moments Michael missed...no pictures of our rings - NOT ONE! - and us walking down the aisle...) Quote: Originally Posted by Shocka I don't know what to do!? HELP! Shocka -- did you get my PM..?

Quote: Originally Posted by Shocka We've tried calling, emailing (which is now sending it back to us) and filling out forms on his website to ensure that he gets something. We even have our wedding cordinator calling and she's had no luck. I don't know what to do!? HELP! Yikes...I just sent you a PM with all the e-mails I have for CWP... It could be possible they're just busy after all the summer weddings... but I would think SOMEONE would respond to your e-mails!?? Again...poor customer service

YAY! Congrats on picking a place AND a date! Whew -- whatta load off, right?:-)

I vote #1 or #3... both VERY flattering on you -- can't go wrong with either:-) (Oh, and I agree...I never got "THAT" feeling either:-))

Quote: Originally Posted by lorig0212 Hi Simistar. I know its been some time since your review, but I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to write it. I'm having a DW @ SMB in April, 2010. I've already read your review like 5 times!!! LOL It really has helped me soooo much. I deff got a little freaked out about some things (the geat hair debacle, LOL) but really got a good idea of what I need to watch out for and what to expect. Thanks again!!! Great to know it's helping someone:-) A heads up though -- there have been a few things that have changed since I got married at SMB I think... For example, they now charge extra for the bonfire (used just be you paid for food per person, $25... now I think the government makes them charge $200...) Also, I think Cecilia has an assistant now! FINALLY! So that should be really helpful and makes things run a bit more smoothly... I still haven't heard GREAT things about their salon, so you should maybe still be prepared to do your hair yourself OR bring someone in... (there's a thread in the RM vendors section about a make-up and hair near Playa Del Carmen and someone posted the website and name of a woman who will come to your resort... the hair and make-up on her website looks REALLY nice! I definitely wish I had gone this route, lol:-)) Honestly, if there's anything else I can help with, if you have any questions, ask away! :-) Congrats on your upcoming wedding BTW

Quote: Originally Posted by Flasong I love love all these ideas. I swear Simistar is the best! lol. Awww...thanks Flasong!:-)

Happy to help:-) SusieQ... I should point out what while I'm in Canada, my in-laws live in the States, which is here I had them delivered... that's not to say they don't deliver to Canada (sorry, I never checked), but if they do, it would likely take longer than the two days it took for mine to be delivered... just a heads-up :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by harv0136 Simistar, What type of music did the band play? I am looking for something fun and upbeat during a cocktail hour. Do they have a song list? THanks! Yikes... you know what...I don't really remember!:-) We just told them to play whatever they wanted... I mean, we gave them some specific songs to play during the ceremony (walking down the aisle, etc)...but we weren't really too concerned with what they played as long as guests enjoyed it... I know...that's not very helpful, sorry I will say -- all our guests raved about the band later... You could try e-mailing the [email protected] address (Jill is American so can read/speak English :-)) and ask her for a song list...? My guess is she'll just ask you what songs you want and then they'll play them... they seemed very easy going that way... I should warn you though...sometimes it takes a couple days to hear back...she's kind of on "Mexican time"...but not as bad as the resort WCs seem to be, lol:-) Sorry I couldn't be more helpful... that day was such a whirlwind I just can't seem to remember the music :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by islandbride317 Thanks for the tip, Simistar! Great website.... No problem:-)

Hey there, I bought my chair bows/ties off this site: wedding linens direct home page They are VERY reasonably priced, good quality and came in like two days after ordering! I think lots of other BDW girls have ordered off here too with good results... On the site, just click on either organza shair sashes or satin chair sashes and there are lots of colours for each... I think I saw some "burnt-orange-ish" colours... HTH! :-)

St. John, as in St. John, New Brunswick..? If so, you might have more luck checking out the "regional" threads on the weddingbells.ca forum... Those typically have lost of local info and vendor referrals... Good luck!

I don't want to buy anything, but i just wanted to say how GORGEOUS you look in your wedding dress AND reception dress!! Wowza :-)

Sorry -- I don't have any advice on making table runners -- BUT i would recommend you check out this site: wedding linens direct home page (just click on 'table runners" on the right-hand side menu) I just checked quickly and they range in price from $3.10 to $6.99 depending on type of material and size. I ordered our chair bows off this site (and I know lots of other BDW brides have ordered stuff off this site as well) -- and they were great! And they came really quickly (like in two days I think!) Anywaaay...maybe you really want to make your table runners, in which case ignore this post:-) But for the prices on this site you can just buy them for not that much money and maybe save yourself some hassle :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by karalampia I'll be asking you MANY questions, if you don't mind....getting married at SMB in April and Cecilia is killing me Hopefully everything is going to turn out as planned! Yes...Cecilia... she can take a while sometimes :-) But I hear she now has an assistant! So hopefully that will help things along... As I said before, I'm MORE than happy to help out with anything I can... (i.e. if you need any price lists sent to you etc, am happy to do it...though most of all that stuff is posted already in the "accommodations" section of the forum or even in the old Silversands/Maroma thread)... Anyhoodles -- congrats! And let me know if you need any help... (need to know the layout/set-up etc...) Cheers!

We got married closer to Playa Del Carmen than Cancun (Secrets Maroma) last December 7th. The weather for the most part, was REALLY nice. We had a really rainy night one night (thank GAWD it was one night AFTER our wedding!)... but that was the worst of it. It was still sunny during that day. We stayed for two weeks (our guests stayed for one)...so the second week when we were on our own we had one or two kind of cloudy days, but still warm enough to sit out and read by the pool. I think by the end of December, you will be safely out of the rainy season and have good weather... But check out that site Simba posted...I checked that same site before we got married and it was quite accurate (i.e. historically it rained the day after our wedding...which it did:-))

Quote: Originally Posted by Tlseege Feel free to send some my way too if SunBride is busy. I'd be more than happy to crop them for you. Oh my gosh...I don't even know what to say... Everyone on here is SO generous! Pro photogs Story By Photo also kindly edited a few of the pics for us as well... Big shout-out to them too! And now you as well! Honestly, I think I may be covered... but I will definitely contact you if needed...Again, thank you SO much... I almost want to cry you guys are so nice! Quote: Originally Posted by delauren This is by far the worst story I've ever heard. Is there a Better Business Bureau for Weddings? Or in Mexico? I feel like he should be reported officially, not just on our forum!! Good question! Quote: Originally Posted by delauren I was thinking of not letting other people take photos at our wedding as I didn't want them ending up on Facebook for others who weren't invited to see - now I know, it's good to have back-up! DEFINITELY have your guests take pics JUST IN CASE! And with so many "hobby" photogs out there, one of your guests may have almost a good a camera as your pro photog:-) Quote: Originally Posted by delauren Here's to you guys going down for your ten year anniversary and taking some great photos with a photographer you KNOW is amazing!! Amen to that! Great idea:-) Of course I'll be older and saggier by then :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by SunBride If you want me to crop some more of them with photoshop just email me again, I'd love to do whatever I can to help. You are seriously SUCH a sweetheart! I've got to give you a loud shoutout for helping with some of my pictures already! And if you truly don't mind, I may have a few more for you... As I mentioned above I'm FINALLY just getting down to choosing the pics for my album...so maybe once I've narrowed it down, maybe you can help with some of those..? :-) (BTW, I hope you had fun on your vacation! :-))

Quote: Originally Posted by jean-marcus wow all that is very unfortunate. i can't believe he threw down the photos and said he quit. ive never heard someone get pissed off over something like that. Yep... we were all pretty shocked by that one! He actually made my friend CRY... and believe me, she doesn't cry easily:-) Quote: Originally Posted by jean-marcus as for the lighting he has you two lit perfectly but he should have slowed the shutter down longer to show the lighting of the sky and not make it look like its midnight. thats unfortunate. ~Sigh~ Yes.. I've heard from a few pro photographers about what he did...not right:-) Well, as my DH likes to joke, the next time I get married I'll hire someone who does amazing work (such as yourself :-))

Thank you so much ladies! I've actually been going through our pictures as I FINALLY get my crap together to put together an album... and looking at them makes me angry so I can only work on going through them for a short while before I need a break b/c I get so mad !:-) But I am least happy to hear I've saved some future brides from the same stress:-) DeBooCL-- you are more than welcome for any help...and I look forward to reading your wedding review:-)

Quote: Originally Posted by BBtoB Also, what is the cost? I have not got my pro pics back yet, but should get them soon and looking to get this ball rolling. Thanks ahead of time. I think it really depends on how many pages/sides you want and whether you design it yourself or have someone else do it... If you design it yourself and order through BRI or Picaboo, it will probably cost anywhere from $400 - $1000 (again, depending on number of pages/sides and any other options you choose, like leather cover v.s vinyl etc etc) If you have someone else design it for you, add anywhere from $300 - $600 design fee on top of that... Sarah Sproullie's prices are actually VERY reasonable... so if you want to go the route of having someone else design for you, she's a great option. (Plus, Blkatz just posted her review of the book she received from Sarah and it looks amazing!)

Quote: Originally Posted by karalampia beach2009, Wow!! Amazing!! May I ask you, where is that abandoned mansion? I'm possibly doing my weeding at SMB and it'd be a nice option for us to do our TTD session on the beach and that beautiful mansion! I'm not sure but I think this is the abandoned mansion that's right next to Secrets Maroma... If you walk out onto the Secrets Maroma Beach and turn right, it's about a two minute walk next door... I never went in it though b/c it looked super creepy, haha!:-) But after seeing these pics, I wish we had:-)