DWandMJ

** Because we are not having a reception at the resort, our WC stated that we could use the two hours of reception photography coverage for the preparations instead.

We too, are trying to keep the cost of the actual wedding below $5k (excluding hotel accomodations which total $3k itself). My father footed the bill for our airfare. We were one of those couples that opted for a package through the Moon Palace in Cancun. By having our honeymoon there, we qualified for a free wedding package, which included: a wedding coordinator, restaurant reservations (AI resort so no added cost for food and drinks), a beautiful ceremony gazebo, the minister, the seating (pews), a champagne toast, and a cd player for the music. The wedding party only entails an MOH, with only approximately a dozen guests. *The OOT bags will be done, but simple and include items that guests can actually utilize/may have forgotten: environmentally safe sunblock (required when swimming near the reefs), aloe, chapstick, sugar scrub, and maybe a couple of extras. Plus ribbon wrapped raffia fans at the ceremony. *My dress was $300 from davids bridal, and fortunately my mother is one of those domestic goddesses that can alter it, make the sash, and the veil. We're renting a suit for the groom which wil be $140 plus the cost of his shirt and tie. *We'll have a nice dinner and go out to the disco in lieu of a traditional reception. *Ceremony decorations will include a simple aisle runner, freeze dried flower petals, and candles on the altar. *As extra, we're also going to use the horse drawn carriage ($130) and the resort photographer (whose work is surprisingly nice and prices are comparable to back home). *We're skipping the cake because we will do one at our informal AHR. All in all, I agree with the previous posts: Keep decorations simple, taking advantage of the natural beauty. All-inclusives (resorts or cruises) cut down on the expense of food and beverages. DIY projects can save you some serious money, but be cautious and use coupons whenever possible. and finally, Keep things in perspective. Avoid spending extra on things that don't matter and avoid over-personalizing keepsakes.

Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to the forum! Happy planning!

Congratulations on your big day and welcome to the forum! We're always looking for fabulous ideas! !

Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to the forum! Happy planning!

Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to the forum! Happy planning!

Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to the forum! Happy planning!

Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to the forum! Happy planning!

Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to the forum! Happy planning!

Quote: Originally Posted by kennynicole I’m sorry, I am sure this has been asked b4 but I was wondering why you have selected Moon Palace? I am still trying to choose a location for our low key, low budget wedding and this is one of our selections. Could you share why you chose this location…..hopefully your input would guide me in the right direction. THANK YOU!!! Although we have never been to the MP, my eldest sister was supposed to be married there in 2006. They called off the wedding three weeks before and, since my family (less me) had already booked the trip, they still went as if it were a family vaca. They loved it so much and rant and rave about it til this day. They look at us having our big day there as an excuse to go back and at least no gripes about the expense from my side. That being said, the MP allows us to have a beautiful wedding (with a built in coordinator) for a fraction of the expense if we were doing the wedding at home and then flying away for our honeymoon. I wanted a fancier wedding ceremony, but with that comes the expense of just as fancy of a reception. (we're having a relatively informal AHR when we return.) The resort is expansive enough that we don't have to worry about constantly running into guests and can enjoy our time there as our honeymoon. The included excursions are just frosting on the cake.

I second that on the passport. As far as I'm aware there is only one and you qualify for it if you stay three nights or longer. The resort has additional promotions depending on when you book. We booked our stay directly through the resort and got an early booking bonus of $15 off per person per day and two free dolphin experiences in addition to the passport. Plus we're staying on the grand side. When we booked, we were told that there was no price difference between the sunrise, grand, or nizuc sides. My family (who will be our only guests) really liked the sunrise side and have requested to stay there. It will allow us to still maintain the fact that it will be our honeymoon.

Serenah- How long will you be staying at the MP the week of? We're arriving on 3/29, leaving on 4/5, and our ceremony will be on 4/2...

I confess... That FI and I met on myspace and our first meeting in person entailed a 'sleep over' at his house 90 miles away. He was surprised that I stuck around afterward because he thought I may have just used him for sex. Apparently he had been used a few times before. lol. I also confess that I hope my father is a no-show to our AHR. We're inviting friends and co-workers that do not know that side of my family, and I don't want to be represented by him. He's got poor hygiene and lacks tact. He doesn't know when to shut the hell up even when he's been told that he's offensive and he shows little respect for other people. FI has only met him twice in the three years we've been together and I'm embarrassed to introduce him to FI's family. If he does come, I may have to buy him an outfit because I prefer that he doesn't show up wearing stained grey costco sweats. Thanks for listening!

We're having an AHR in early June to follow our April 2 nuptuals in Cancun, and its actually been pretty fun so far. Because only about a dozen people will be able to attend (and only 50 of our closest were invited), we're openning up the AHR invitation list to include more acquaintences and co-workers (approximately 120). We're all faced with the consequence of missing a few people at our DWs, but it has some definate advantages as well. For us, doing the separate reception permitted us to have a differing ambiance at each event. I get my formal ceremony in a beautiful location, and he gets the laid back party reception, all the while keeping costs down. (a formal reception was never an option due to the expense). It provides you with more time for the DIY projects, and it even allows you to contribute to the set-up and food preparation that you wouldn't otherwise participate in when you're caught up in the hussle of the big day. The AHR itself will be a laid back, backyard fiesta (sans tacky cliche elements) with a few simple but pretty wedding decorations (votives/riverrocks/cymbidium orchids). We're trying to keep costs down so we're doing Mexican food (universally liked / it plays into the destination wedding) with enchilladas, a taco/tostada bar, chips and homemade pico de gallo, rice, beans, and fruit salad. The booze is being kept simple with two types of beer, tequila, rum, vodka, and whiskey for mixing, and then daquiris/margaritas as the 'signature' beverage(plus soda and water), and sparkling wine/cider for the toast. Although it seems almost passe now, we're doing a cupcake tower because its cheaper, easier, and works better with the informal feel. The total cost for everything wedding related, minus the all inclusive resort and airfare which can be coined 'honeymoon', we fall in right around the $5000 mark. Now I've just gotta call to get the rentals taken care of.

Camie- As far as I know, you don't need the apostille document or blood tests if you aren't making it legal in mexico (confirm with miami). You will, however, need to bring a copy of your marriage license with you. If you can find a darker (or lighter) pair of khakis for your groom, that would give him a little more presence in comparison to his attendants. Its the same idea as the groom wearing a different colored vest in a traditional wedding.

I can totally handle 500! I sent her an email on Monday, now I'm just waiting. Although I'm pretty sure Daniel will be wearing a rented suit for the wedding, I saw a video on utube with the groom wearing a white button down shirt and jeans playing in the water... it was hot. The FI is a little opposed to doing it, but if we're down there, he's totally a captive audience. Provided the the atmosphere/gazebos, what are you ladies having your grooms wear for the wedding?

Yea I don't have that kind of reason either.... How stressful! I'm sorry!

Nibs - Do you remember approximately how much Cecilia Dumas runs for a TTD? Her work really is beautiful and there were a number of pics of hers I had to save to show as samples to the resort photog. Although I have a fall back that I can do a solo session at lake tahoe, I would so much rather do it on the beach with the waves and non-alpine tempertured water. I sent her an email to see if she would even be available in the couple of days following our ceremony. Cross your fingers for me!

Holy god, we're at 3 months and counting.... Why does it not feel like anything has been accomplished? We haven't ordered our rings yet The groom's attire is still yet to be 100% determined Nothing for the OOT bags have been purchased I need to find a petti-coat or decent slip I need to get an aisle runner I need to find a gift for my MOH and parents I haven't completely decided on the ceremony music The veil and sash have not been started yet ... eek! And the only thing thats been accomplished with our AHR are the favors. We still need to figure out an exact venue, the cake, decorations, food, booze, music, rentals.... How on earth have I spent so much time obsessing about this wedding and have minimal to show for it?

Congratulations, my fellow Reno (err.. Sparks)-ite! The pictures are beautiful and it looks like you had an amazing time!!!

What kind of Apostille questions do you have? Maybe we can point you in the right direction. Have you logged onto the US Secretary of State website and subsequently the state you were born in?

Quote: Originally Posted by nibsmom Anndddd...in a second post... Okay, I'm not really sure what to do about this. Four weeks ago, I was assigned an on site WC. I emailed her several times, and never got a response. Finally last Tuesday, I called the Moon Palace, only to find out she's been on vacation and won't be back for at least another two or three weeks. I left my contact information and questions with the woman on the phone, and she said someone would contact me shortly. No one has called or emailed me. It's now been another week. I'm getting really mad, and I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I should switch resorts if this is how it's going to be the whole time. If I can't get answers to my questions about really important things like my apostille documents, how am I going to get an answer to littler questions about receptions and all that?? I'm not really sure what to do...should I call again and complain? I don't want to be a bridezilla. I just really want SOMEONE....ANYONE...to answer my questions!!!! Have you tried contacting your Sales Coordinator in Miami? Or sending a message to your WC immediate supervisor? In her absence, you should be able to contact the supervisor, express your frustrations, and get some answers. No need to go all out and change venues, especially if any of your guests have already begun booking. Also, have you tried sending an email to another coordinator at the resort? I did that (not knowing who my assigned one was) and the gal I contacted offered to adopt me into her case load.

Yea! I get David Pena! And the desired suit was available to rent through the resort! Two happy emails received today! Also, just a heads up: Claudia sent me an email stating that Mario is no longer working at the palace. The new head of photography is Armando.

Both FI and I work for the California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation. I'm not really sure how I ended up here, I was going to school for Interior Design...