SMB&CRZ

So I got fed up trying to make my own invitations and ended up having my FSIL neighbour design them for me. She sent me two samples and I love them! Why didn't I do that from the beginning?? I'll have to take pictures once I get them printed and post.

I purposely picked a resort because I could bring in outside vendors (even though it costs me money to do so). I would never get married somewhere that doesn't allow me options on my vendors...especially when the prices for the in house vendors seem to be rather high, for much less then you get with an outside vendor. I hope people start talking with their wallets and wake these resorts up.

Oh, I'm late, but Lauren I hope you had a beautiful wedding!

Sarah, I'm going to do inserts for the travel stuff. I don't want to bog down the invite with that info. Do you think it needs to be on pretty paper too? Lauren, 4 days!!!!!!!! OMG! Good luck tomorrow with the travelling...I see sunshine in your future!

Hey ladies, I am trying to get my invitations done (I got a DIY kit from Micheals). I'm stuck on what to write for directing guests to the travel agent. We've arranged a group rate, that they can chose to use or not. Just not sure exactly how to word this part? Any suggestions?

Wow! Only one week...so crazy. I wish you perfect weather and a stress free time. Can't wait for your review and pics when you get back!

Thanks Yamille. I clearly messed you and Bumbles up in my post there. I was talking about Bumbles pics of hubby seeing her for the first time. I also looked at yours. I really like the blue shirt...but my colours are bright pink and green and FH isn't so keen on wearing either of those with his suit. He didn't mind blue, but I am thinking it would look rather random, since I wouldn't have that colour anywhere else. Bumbles, what colour dress and shirt did you 2 have?

I need some opinions. We are having a suit made for FH. I need to decide what colour shirt to have him wear. It'll be a beigey coloured linen suit. My dress is ivory. Should I try to match my ivory, or would it look ok if his shirt is white? I'm worried that if we try to match ivory, it'll be off and look weird, and that if we go white, it'll make my dress look 'dirty' coloured.

Yamille, love the pictures. Especially the ones of hubby seeing you for the first time all dressed up. So cute!

We bought in Stouffville. It's a really fast closing...July 31st. It should be interesting trying to get everything organized, and scary, because I've only ever lived in Pickering. New adventures I guess!

And Lauren, such great news about the restaurants! I can't believe you only have 18 days left. So crazy!

I guess planning a wedding wasn't enough on my plate, FH and I put on offer in on a house last night and it was accepted! Feeling such a range of emotions, from pure excitement, to 2nd guessing myself, to nausea! My FMIL's 1st words to FH were that she thinks we overpaid and rushed into it (ummm...what comparables did you look at?). FH was really upset, which upset me. Even if those are your thoughts, keep them to yourself and congratulate us. Grrrr!!! Sarah, I'll let you know what I find out about some type of performance (especially since we are both named Sarah!). I think it would be such a nice surprise for everyone.

Thanks cac...I contacted them and they told me they do not provide their services, unless you are using them as your wedding co-ordinator. : ( Wish I could help you with the photog...but I think I am bringing mine down from here. Good luck! I'm sure someone will be able to help you out.

So I was thinking about having fire dancers perform during the reception as a surprise for all my guests. But looking back through the thread, it seems they aren't allowed at the hotel because of the palapas. Dang! Missy, I think I saw you mention that Perla said she had an idea for a performance...I haven't found yet if you posted what that was. Could you let me know if she got back to you on that?

Lauren, your countdown is down to days! How exciting! SD - the gazebo can only accomodate like 15 guests, so if your wedding is any bigger, you can count it out. I chose the beach, because I've dreamed of getting married with my toes in the sand. I confirmed with Perla that my ceremony time is 5pm, so Lauren, our time lines will probably be similar. I booked Mannia yesterday. Very happy that is done, but he said Carlos won't be around for January. Oh well, I looked at reviews of some of their other djs and people also had great things to say about them as well, so I am not too concerned.

I am very excited about all the wonderful things I am hearing about Mannia. I am in the process of booking (just need to send back my signed contract and deposit) them for my Jan 21st wedding at the Paradisus. Can't wait!

Ok, so it's looks like I am going to book Mannia. Not sure yet if I will add the dance floor. Will have to wait and see what kind of numbers we are looking at to see if I can fit it in the budget. As for photographers, my sister sent me contact info for a friend of her's from high school and I love her work. Waiting to hear back from her on cost, but I hope I can afford, cause she's just the style I am looking for. Her website is http://www.nikkileighmckean.com/index.php

Hi ladies, Figured I would post on here, since I am also a 2010 bride. January 21st at the Paradisus. Just recently got my date booked and am trying really hard to organize a great group rate to offer. I am already starting to get super excited as I can finally start worrying about the more fun stuff, like photog and dj etc.

Hi ladies, I've emailed DJMannia for a quote. I thought I was a simple kind of bride, but I just saw a picture of their lighted dance floor, and it looks so cool! Uh oh! Also, I'm looking for suggestions for photographers. I am trying to decide whether to use one from there, or fly one in. I want most of my pictures to be candid, so I need someone who is good at being unseen so they can get some great shots. I will still get the standard pics of us with certain family members, but I don't want to spend two hours taking posed pics of us with our wedding party. Any recommendations for a photog who takes great candids? Also, how long did you have your photog there for? I am thinking I want someone from when I am getting dressed through to at least the start of the dancing. And one more question, how many of you did a video of the ceremony and who did you use for that? How did it turn out? Ahh! So many questions. Now that my day is booked and I've almost got things arranged for the price, I am getting so excited. I don't think I've slept well in 3 weeks now. Can you imagine when I actually get close to the day

Quote: Originally Posted by SarO35 Thanks! I know there are so many pages to this thread I'm trying to read them all and get caught up. Are there any site travel agents anyone has used? Or all outside TA's? I'm also trying to get a feel for the weather situation in RM. It seems like June 2010 brides have already booked! I better get my site visit soon! I'm just so excited this resort seems wonderful. Does the resort give any discount for booking a block of rooms? Thanks! Sara Sara, I just booked my day in Jan 2010 like a week ago. I wouldn't get too worked up about availability in June. Perla told me that aim to have it done no latter then about 6 months out. June is probably a bit of a slower month for them, so I'm sure you'll be fine.

Welcome to the new ladies and good luck! So I think I am going to contact Carlos directly and skip even asking Swank for a quote. I don't feel like dealing with the stress of having someone tell me I owe them for quoting me a price if I decid not to use them, and I've seen nothing but good things said about Carlos. Hopefully he is still free on my day still! Does anyone have a direct email for Carlos, or do I just send to the general mannia one?

Quote: Originally Posted by navarrabrooke Hi Rachelle - Just to be sure you get the date you want, I would stay on top of her. When I was going through the booking and quote process with Perla, she was pretty slow to respond. I was told to expect 2 or 3 days response time, but at times it would take up to 2 weeks to get an answer. Which was especially frustrating once we were ready to book, but just had some minor questions. Our TA was also frustrated with her and sent her a few "encouraging" emails in addition to ours. But around the same time, I found this forum and read all about what a great job she does in the end. And the closer to your wedding the more responsive she is. I definitely hope that's the case for me too! Good luck! I emailed her on June 2nd to reserve my day and she only just responded today. I ended up calling on Thursday, as I am very impatient. The first time I called I got voice mail, the 2nd time I got through and she sent me the info to reserve the day right away.

Thanks Missy. That's how I understood the group rate as well. Trying to arrange a meeting with the TA tomorrow to sit down and discuss and get this sorted out. In the meantime, I am happy to announce that I am officially a Paradisus bride!!! I spoke to Perla this afternoon and booked January 21st, 2010 for my wedding. So rain or swine, guests or none, I am getting married then!

So Missy, for the rest of your group, they had to pay a different rate, based on what was available? Did the rates end up being similiar, or was their a big difference. The group rate is so far quite a bit less expensive ($1726 taxes in, compared to $1735 plus taxes).

Ok everyone, I am super stressed out! So I’ve been holding off reserving a day so that I could see what prices would be and pick the most reasonable cost wise in January 2010. I finally decide to go with the week of Jan 17th-24th and emailed Perla on Tuesday to confirm the 21st is available (haven’t heard back yet, so I phoned and left a message today as well). So my TA got me a quote that I think is pretty good through Sunquest. She also contacted Air Canada and is waiting to hear back from them to see if they are willing to match the price. The problem is, I only have until June 9th to decide. It wouldn’t be a problem to put deposits down by then for my immediate family, but we are inviting approx 120 people. There’s no way I can get everyone who wants to come co-ordinated by then. Is this usual practice? I was under the impression that as long as we had at least 10 people for the group rate, I could hold that rate for a period of time (say at least a month) for people to make their decisions and get their deposits paid. Am I wrong on that? I thought a destination wedding would be less stressful, but I am quickly learning that it is the opposite! Help!!!!