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aerazo I had the same issue with the hotel and was reluctant to book at The Royal because of this rule. Some of the other hotels allowed to have semi private functions at the hotel restaurants and with only a $10-15 pp service fee. The Royal doesn't allow to do this, once you book a big group it is considered a "private" event and then you choose your location and pay a per person fee (like $40-$60pp depending on what you chose for the menu). I assume the reason is because they do 2-3 weddings most days of the week and if they constantly were booking the restaurants for the weddings their regular hotel guests wouldn't have a place to eat, I am sure when we are there we will understand but it is frustrating during the planning process since all our guests technically have paid for all their meals. We opted to take our rehearsal out of the hotel since we would be paying so much pp we thought we'd get everyone out for the night and we are holding ours at The Blue Parrot. They do a fire show every night so we thought it would be a fun event to go to and do all the wedding oriented things we are doing prior to the show and then have their fire show wrap up the night. Not sure when your wedding is but I can keep you in the loop as to how it all ends up. Let me know if you have other questions.

Wow congrats on picking up your dress Shay, I am still bummed that I am going to miss you by just one day I had my final fitting Saturday which was great because my sister and niece were visiting for my shower which was yesterday. I have such amazing friends, they went all out and it was so special. My friend and fiance actually coordinated to fly and pay for my mom to come in and surprise me at the shower. His mom came too and it was the first time they met so very special weekend in all As far as the information goes on the beaches the only reason that I know this much about the location is because I scouted in person in November. We looked at both the gran and the royal so we walked around to look at the gazebo, the garden, the ballrooms, the beaches etc. When we were talking to Zulma we would say what is available on this day or that day and what times are available etc. etc. thats how we narrowed it down to the date and location. I didn't want to have the reception on the beach simply because it gets so dark that you can't see the ocean at night and with older adults sand is harder to walk on which is why we settled on the garden, problem with that is that you have to be out by 10pm. There are other weddings the same day so we sort of just picked a time that wouldn't interfere but I have a feeling when we get there we may change the time since we can confirm the times of the other weddings. I don't think you need to worry about it, it sounds like when you get there certain aspects can be switched around and stuff as well fairly easily. Have you guys picked dinner choices and such already? What are you getting? Are you guys just distributing all the items in suitcases when you travel? What are you using for centerpieces?

Wow congrats on picking up your dress Shay, I am still bummed that I am going to miss you by just one day I had my final fitting Saturday which was great because my sister and niece were visiting for my shower which was yesterday. I have such amazing friends, they went all out and it was so special. My friend and fiance actually coordinated to fly and pay for my mom to come in and surprise me at the shower. His mom came too and it was the first time they met so very special weekend in all As far as the information goes on the beaches the only reason that I know this much about the location is because I scouted in person in November. We looked at both the gran and the royal so we walked around to look at the gazebo, the garden, the ballrooms, the beaches etc. When we were talking to Zulma we would say what is available on this day or that day and what times are available etc. etc. thats how we narrowed it down to the date and location. I didn't want to have the reception on the beach simply because it gets so dark that you can't see the ocean at night and with older adults sand is harder to walk on which is why we settled on the garden, problem with that is that you have to be out by 10pm. There are other weddings the same day so we sort of just picked a time that wouldn't interfere but I have a feeling when we get there we may change the time since we can confirm the times of the other weddings. I don't think you need to worry about it, it sounds like when you get there certain aspects can be switched around and stuff as well fairly easily. Have you guys picked dinner choices and such already? What are you getting? Are you guys just distributing all the items in suitcases when you travel? What are you using for centerpieces?

Oh by the way as far as which is the best spot i think its kinda up to you to be honest, the beach spots are all beautiful. The one in front of the gazebo I believe is the most popular because so many people like to have part of the wedding in the gazebo and that beach is only steps away..

When you get married on the beach basically they will look at your date and tell you what spot are available. I think that there are 3 beach spots, one is in front of the pelicano's restaurant close to the pier, one is center beach and one is the beach in front of the gazebo. When we set our date we got the times that the other weddings were on that day and planned our time and beach according to the other girls so that we weren't getting married at the same exact time. They aren't right next to each other but they are close enough that you can see another if happening at the same time and we just preferred to not have ours starting in the midst of someone else's celebration and vice versa. We are then moving ours to the garden area instead of staying on the beach. Hope this helps!

You guys are so sweet, I told my girls on the royal blog that I have been in such a funk lately because of finance and that its so nice to come on this site and have all of you make me feel so great!! Thank you for the kind words. As for the pictures we shot them at UCLA in the halls and corridors and they have a botanical garden walkway on the south side of the campus that we took all the scenic shots. His name is Ion just tell him I told you about him if you'd like to call him. I know him through a friend of mine so not sure if I got a better rate but he charged me his wedding day price + travel of course and a travel fee for out of work days He is super great and very nice! We are thrilled!! i will post a link when we return to show our wedding pics as well.

Hey there We wanted to share a link to our photographer's blog. We are bringing him from LA to Mexico in May for our wedding weekend and we did an engagement photo shoot to get to know him. He posted his favorites that he did a little retouching on and posted them as a preview on his blog. We are so happy with the results and are excited to have him with us the entire stay in Mexico Stephanie and Gabe Check em out and let me know what you think!! View My Blog

Thanks so much guys for your support. Its funny because I have been so stressed out and this morning I was like you know what...my friends on the blog might make me feel better and though you didn't solve my problems (shocker its nice to have your support. On a positive note, we got a preview of our engagement pictures today. We are bringing our photographer with us to Mexico so he is going to document the rehearsal dinner, which is at Blue Parrot, the wedding, the trash the dress session the next day as well as photos at the pool and throughout town. He is so great, really captures the moments vs. just posing for pictures.

Just need to vent.... First off before that I am so excited that Veronica is back and that she had the best time ever, we have been concerned about the safety so I am excited to learn how if at all if affected your trip. Can't wait to hear specific details! Now for my venting. I am a freelance tv (reality) producer and I wrapped a show about 6 weeks ago and have been freaking out about money ever since. I finally booked a 5 week job that started yesterday and just now got to feel positive about the upcoming weddding. I am just a stresser when it comes to spending money so that past 6 weeks have been miserable cuz all I do is stress and panic and feel so overwhelmed that the wedding isn't even exciting during the stressing periods. Well I started yesterday and they cancelled the show in the afternoon so now I am again out of work and stressed. TV shows are typically longer gigs and I have missed out on 4 recently because I have to leave in the middle of shooting for the wedding so they couldn't hire me. Now its basically too late to get another show before the wedding so it looks like I am going to be out of work for a minimum of 2 more months!! I know it sounds nice to have the time off but imagine no money for nearly 4 months and it may put you in a panic as well. I know that the whole world is suffering right now and that my financial worries may be less than so many others but we are spending all of our savings to survive right now and I just can't believe that after all these years of looking forward to this time in my life stress and a horrible economy has hit us over the head and all we can do is fret over how to pay our bills when its time to figure out how I am going to style my hair!! GRRRRRRRRR.

Hey there venting brides to be I just wanted to let you know that I completely understand and unfortunately I think that it is just the way that it is, people don't realize how much effort and love you put into the save the dates or that you would love to hear that they received them. I had the same thing happen to me, somehow I expected everyone to call and tell me how excited they are and how wonderful my resort looks etc. etc. and it just never really happened. I got a few calls but those were from the parents. Your wedding is so far away too that I just don't think that people can realistically tell you that they are coming yet (unless its part of your closest crowd). We always thought we'd have about 70 people and then we started speaking to people and everyone said they were coming so we thought my goodness we could end up with closer to 90!! In the end we are still waiting for responses but it looks like we are going to have about 50 in total. I guess it depends on your people and their situation but it really is a lot to ask for people to fly to a destination in these difficult times. I also think that the people sometimes aren't saying anything because they feel bad that they aren't going to make it and part of them hopes that somehow they will. I know for us people really wanted to come but just can't.....

Hey there venting brides to be I just wanted to let you know that I completely understand and unfortunately I think that it is just the way that it is, people don't realize how much effort and love you put into the save the dates or that you would love to hear that they received them. I had the same thing happen to me, somehow I expected everyone to call and tell me how excited they are and how wonderful my resort looks etc. etc. and it just never really happened. I got a few calls but those were from the parents. Your wedding is so far away too that I just don't think that people can realistically tell you that they are coming yet (unless its part of your closest crowd). We always thought we'd have about 70 people and then we started speaking to people and everyone said they were coming so we thought my goodness we could end up with closer to 90!! In the end we are still waiting for responses but it looks like we are going to have about 50 in total. I guess it depends on your people and their situation but it really is a lot to ask for people to fly to a destination in these difficult times. I also think that the people sometimes aren't saying anything because they feel bad that they aren't going to make it and part of them hopes that somehow they will. I know for us people really wanted to come but just can't.....

I just want to say CONGRATS to Veronica, I am sure she is not checking this blog (or I hope she isn't anyway while she is there but here wedding is today, not sure when but I have a feeling she is officially married right now!! I Hope that she is having an incredible time and taking in every moment

Meli122 I have been e-mailing with Doremixx as well and there seems to be about a $250 savings to book them directly for 5 hours vs. going through The Royal(and that would include $100 fee). I just sent them an e-mail asking them what I need to do to secure them.

OH my goodness Veronica...we are all going to be thinking about you!!! Have the best time of your life

Hello there We are planning on doing a symbolic ceremony and I am trying to figure out what to include. I want more traditions vs. religious ideas due to being a catholic girl marrying a jewish guy. We are not religious but we do value our upbringings and the traditions. Do you ladies have your ceremonies sorted out? Do you have readings to include, poems, hand/sand ceremonies, candle lightings or other things to include that remembers lost ones, breaking the glass etc. Just want a very special and memorable ceremony so ideas are welcomed!! Thanks Stephanie

my bad that is just the response card. I will have to try and do the others when I get them in myself. I think their jpeg is too big to attach to the website!

Wow Shay I love the invites, they are soo cute! They turned out perfect! I thought about doing mine myself but just decided it was going to be too much work to save about $120. I'm impressed that you did them yourself! I am trying to upload mine but the picture of the invite isn't uploading properly not sure why but I think I managed to upload the rsvp card and welcome insert. Stephanie Ziebarth RSVP-1.pdf

Welcome girls its nice to see some new faces. For those of you who are getting married in the next few months have you gotten a head count yet? Also what package are you guys getting? I feel like the packages don't save you much and I think we are getting one of the basic packages but what are you guys doing? Also I never hear back about the TTD session if you guys are doing it and if so where you plan to do the shoot? As for carrying my dress I am not too worried about it either because I am planning on having it steamed down there anyway...I don't plan on packing the dress because of the obvious chance of it getting lost but I feel like it will be fine wherever it ends up on the plane. I wish I had Shay's cheat sheet in front of me everytime I write on here because I want to see everyones dates in front of me. Veronica its getting close!!! I am picking up my invites today, I want to see everyone's. I am so excited to see them in person. I ended up going with Prim and Pixie. Not sure how to attach them but they are really cute!

Hey Steph I agree it would be much easier and that was originally our plan as well. The problem for us is that our parents live in 3 different states and we live in another and they want to be present for the legal aspect. Its frustrating to me because I think we should save the hassle do it here in LA, hop on a plane and do the ceremony with everyone in Mexico....I just seem to be the only one that feels that way Our compromise is to do it legal in the day and then have our ceremony a few hours later with our friend leading it in order to make changes. I will look into your suggestions! Thanks and sorry for such the detailed explanation may be more than you cared to know

Hey Girls Did you get your BC aposilled? I called the number on the form that Zulma sent me and they quoted my $275 for the BC and the stamp and $175 for the aposille. Did anyone find a better way to get it done? Seems quite expensive!

I think you will make the right choice and feel great about it either way. The heavier the better. Are you guys all doing the trash the dress session and if so are you actually using the dress you are wearing on your wedding day?? Are you going off location to do the shoot? Where? My dress is an amymichelson dress which I love and need to go in to start alterations myself. I bought a sample because it was sooo expensive and was able to get it half off. I have a lot of altering to do because the size is big on me. As for my trash the dress i just bought one this week off of craigslist. It is nothing like my dress but I think will be pretty for the photos the next day and I can't wrap my head around possibly ruining my expensive wedding gown!

I actually love the chapel length veil, there is something nice about having a long one but...that being said I do think the shorter one is really pretty with the dress. I kinda feel you can't go wrong, they are both nice! How exciting...you are getting married, can you believe it. Its now coming so close that you are actually trying on the dress for fittings thats pretty awesome! I am thrilled for you....You look great, I think that you are just self conscious of your arms and thats what you are focusing on. Everyone has their issues but not everyone notices them Anyone else have fitting pics yet?

I actually love the chapel length veil, there is something nice about having a long one but...that being said I do think the shorter one is really pretty with the dress. I kinda feel you can't go wrong, they are both nice! How exciting...you are getting married, can you believe it. Its now coming so close that you are actually trying on the dress for fittings thats pretty awesome! I am thrilled for you....You look great, I think that you are just self conscious of your arms and thats what you are focusing on. Everyone has their issues but not everyone notices them Anyone else have fitting pics yet?

I think the dance floor size depends on the number of guests that you have but you can always rent a bigger one than they offer to be safe. If you two are able to dance like that (IMPRESSIVE) I have a feeling your whole group will be dancing and you will want a big floor!!

Wow Shay..I think that we are all so impressed. I myself just want to firm up and possibly lose 5 pounds and its so hard to stay motivated to do just that and look at you! Absolutely post your photos when you can. I have to find someone to alter my dress as well. I bought a sample and tried it on the other day and realized just how big it is on me. Its amazing how good something can look with all the clip and the other day...it just hung there looking way less amazing then I had remembered As for the whole deposit and picking wedding package deal, we haven't sent them anything or put anything specific down as a request other than the locations and the the times. We e-mailed Zulma about it and she said we didn't need to worry. Not quite sure why we didn't have to put a deposit down and curious when we may need to pay for something...she said not till we get there but I would assume that as it gets closer that will change. We leave 3 months from today