beachbride2009

I too am wondering about the OOT bags and whether you are making one per person, or one per couple/single We have a lot of couples coming and don't think it's necessary to double up on everything. I was then thinking of doing different ones for the guys than the girls...ladies would get a canvas or cotton beach tote whereas the guys would get a mini cooler bag...what are your opinions please ladies?!? THANKS!

I love the idea...I am debating on doing the coolers too...coolers for the guys and totes for the girls maybe...most of the guys in our group are golfers and the coolers come in handy for BYOB golf courses! I think they are more likely to be used over again so it's easier to justfy the expense! I'm trying to find a place in Canada that I can order 25 from without paying an arm and a leg. I can't wait to hear how they go over with your guests!

Amazing! I am SO looking forward to seeing your pics & your review. You two make a gorgeous couple! I would love to use your templates for the guest brochure! I'll PM you...thanks and congrats!!!!

Welcome jetsbride! I found a great dress (but not your typical wedding dress) after looking for weeks online...then once I found it I googled to see if any of the shops here in Calgary carried the designer, and since only one did, and she had the exact dress in my size to try on (total fluke!) I got really lucky and got it for half price in her sample sale (only $800!!!!) It's a Nicole Miller crinkled taffeta gown...you can find them online. So I have put out the message to all our invited guests that they need to book with their deposit by the end of the month or there is a chance our group pricing might increase (something to do with the Canadian dollar being in the crapper right now)...which is a good thing for me so I have a better idea on how many people to expect so I can start working on OOT bags and all that stuff. Get this...my FI's brother is getting married in July, and I had a "thing" with his fiance a few months ago (a long story but basically after me & my FI decided on a DW, she changed her mind from a local wedding to a DW...and she wanted to have it 7 months before ours! I had it out with her over that! In the end she's now having it fairly local after a lot of pressure from multiple sources)...anyway, I just found out that she is so mad at me over this that she is not inviting me to their wedding and she skipped the family Christmas because she doesn't want to see me! What a beeatch! I could care less about her having a hate-on for me, but I feel so bad about my FI's mom...she's going to be so upset! She is SO excited both her boys are getting married this year (finally...they're 40 and 37 yrs!!!) and this is going to kill her! My FI asked me if I would be willing to extend an olive branch, but I'm not sure what to do...I want to because of the family, but I don't want to because I feel its like I'd be rewarding bad behaviour! And I don't feel badly about how I reacted to her at all! (I admit I could have handled it differently but hindsight is 20/20 and you don't mess with a bride-to-be and her wedding plans!). What to do, what to do...I'm just happy with the progress in my own plans...286 days to go!!!

I've been dealing with Tiffany and my last email was Friday afternoon in regards to the free wedding package being pulled and to see if they will still be honouring it...I hope to hear from her Monday, she is usually really good about getting back to me within 24 hours...

Hi ladies...I just got some somewhat disturbing news yesterday regarding pricing from Canada to the Mayan, and specifically AS, as that's where I have my rates for: my TA told me that the rates I've gotten from Signature were apparently a misquote by the tour company, as they are expecting the group rates to go up at least 20% for the next winter season, mostly due to the fact the Canadian dollar has tanked again. So my TA said she was advised we should get everyone in our group to book now before the time deadline on the rate quote I got runs out or we could be quoted new rates upwards of $300 more per person! Just thought I'd warn anyone out there that could be in the same boat as me. I'm lucky enough to have a 3 week deadline so I have time to get after my guests! Good news is apparently Signature is doing their "Price Guarantee" again for the winter season...this is a big reason why I wanted to book with Signature...for my departure in November, if on September 15th the prices have dropped to below what my group rates are, Signature will do a one-time price match and match the lowest rates for my entire group! This is so handy with getting people to book early...you can explain to them that they won't get shafted by sales later on!

Quote: Originally Posted by jenbuchan I am getting married there May 27, 2009! Welcome to the forum! You'll get lots of great info on here!

Quote: Originally Posted by cappucino2009 Hi everyone! I have finally narrowed down my selection for my destination wedding to the Azul Sensatori... despite the minor glitches, sounds like there have been great reviews. I have a question with regards to price. I am from Toronto, Canada and planning to have my wedding during the first week of November 2009. I was quoted $1800 per person taxes included for a week - does this sound reasonable? Is this what I should expect for this resort? I was told that new pricing just came in and it will be over $2K after this week. Should I continue researching for a better price? Any insight from past brides or TA, that would be great. I hope to finalize my venue by Friday... so excited! t. Hi cappacino...I'm from Calgary and my guests will be travelling November 15th for a week with Signature Vacations...our rates are around $1900 taxes in, for the least expensive room category, so it sounds like you're getting the right rates cause I think TO is usually cheaper than from Calgary. You should add your wedding date to our list! Does anyone remember what post number the list is at

Congrats & thanks so much...can't wait to see your photos!

Quote: Originally Posted by milejilo Even during the ceremony? I'm sure we wont want the whole song to play, just pieces, depending on what part of the ceremony it is. yikes! another thing to figure out... I think I'll ask Tiffany in my next email to her because I've been chatting with a girl who's getting married at the sister property the Seaside Suites and she was told the WC at the hotel will man the iPod during the ceremony so no one has to be distracted...I would think it would be the same for all the Karisma hotels, plus it would be anice gesture, it's only a half hour or less of their time, but it means so much to the bride & groom, and we are all bringing a ton of business to their resorts!!!

Congrats & welcome Hossierfan! You will have a great wedding at the Azul...I'm getting married the day before you at the sister property the Azul Sensatori!

Quote: Originally Posted by daifje Sabino Moisture block works great. It is made by a small company so you won't find it in your average beauty supply store but you can buy it online. It is great if you have curls and have had your hair blown out. You put it on right before you blow it out and one more time afterward. It worked really great in new york but it couldn't stand up to the humidity in miami in mid july so I'm not sureabout mexico!! Try it for your everyday stuff. You might really like it! thanks daifje, I'm going to look it up online now!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by daifje To my fellopw curly girls!!! THe hair is definitely a concern of mine as well. I may end up with an updo even though I want a relaxed look because I know that a relaxed look won't last!!! Will keep you posted! And mine! I can't control the frizz, and I too want to wear my hair down...if anyone knows of any wonder products for controlling frizz, please share!

I've got Tiffany and she is pretty on the ball....however sometimes she has to get a price quote from off-site and says she'll get back to me, but I have to chase her down about it. No worries to me as I know I am low priority at this point and she is putting her time & energy in couples with closer wedding dates.

Oh Erika, I would die to have peonies...but I've never seen them in a bouquet in Mexico, have you?

Tracy, did you have a local florist make them up to your specifications, then take the pictures to send to the WC, or did you make them yourself? They're fab!

Congrats, your photos are SO beautiful! I sent the link to my photographer so hopefully he can catch the same style as your photog! Spectacular!

Quote: Originally Posted by heather hunder Hi, so I got a reply back from Tiffany and she said "Yes, you can have the Barbeque Deluxe at the Plaza (Center of the Resort) " So thank goodness! Has anyone picked out Bouquets yet? If so which ones? Thanks Hi Heather, also from Calgary! I haven't totally decided on one, but I am leaning towards the tulip bouquet in red. I think if you don't find one you are absolutely in love with you can send a picture to your WC and they can try and copy it.

Quote: Originally Posted by daifje Hope to join this thread. Not too sure how to!!! I fell in love with this resort online. My fiance and I are going to check it out this weekend. I'll take a bunch of pics and post them when I return. Has anyone gotten married there yet? I hear that there are two weddings this weekend. Will keep you all posted Hi Daifje, welcome to the thread! Hope everything goes well this weekend, and maybe there will be a wedding happening while you are there so you can see in person how it goes! I am waiting for your return...would love to see any photos you have of the beach area where they hold the ceremony and reception. Have a great time!

Quote: Originally Posted by tsashamia Hi! I'm leaving in 10 days! I'll try to post a very detailed planning journal and put a link here. I'm also going to try and post a detailed review when I get back. I think we've decided on At Last by Etta James for our first dance, with Melissa by the Allman Brothers for the son/mother dance (her name is Melissa), and Let's Get it On by Marvin Gaye for our last dance! ha! Can't wait to be in Mexico! Have a fabulous time and congrats! How exciting...I can hardly wait to hear about your day and please post pictures! Besides being really happy for you I'm sure all of us are eager to see the grounds and areas used for the ceremony & reception. We'll be thinking of you!

I am using my own iPod...I'm setting up separate playlists for ou cocktail party, dinner music, then party tunes for after dinner. I'll also have my songs set for the ceremony. I heard that the wedding coordinator at the hotel will man the iPod during the ceremony for us so we don't have to ask one of our guests. Also I read a review that the resort DJ played some inappropriate songs at another wedding..."It must have been love...but it's over now..." I can't help but laugh, but I'd be a little pissed if it were my wedding! As far as the private event set up, I'm not aware of any charges for the basic set-up, i think it is included in the cost of the meal. But I think if you are having them set up some of your own decorations (as I am but haven't been given a price) they will charge.

Quote: Originally Posted by Katherine4-09 Don't read what trip advisor says because some people just can't be happy no matter where they are. I think everything will be great it's what you make of it. Our wedding is 4-24-09 and we can't wait! Hear hear, Katherine! I completely agree. You have to remember that people who have something to complain about usually do it with a vengeance, and those who are happy are more complacent about writing reviews! As long as we don't expect everything to be perfect, it will be awesome. There's nothing worse than going on a holiday with a bad attitude to start, because you'll never get over it and you won't enjoy yourself at all, and just notice the negatives.

I understand what you're going through. My dad is being a big grump about the fact we're going away to get married. My mom is already saving, but my dad is being all grouchy saying he can't afford it, blah blah blah (not that your mom is being grouchy!). anyway, I know my dad isn't too pleased about the DW, but I have pretty high hopes he's just going to be difficult because that's his nature, but he'll be there when it gets right down to it!

I'm going to be choosing off the menu...a salad, a main course and a dessert. I haven't confirmed this with the hotel, but I'm hoping to offer the guests a choice of 3 main course (one chicken, one fish, and a vegetarian) and then let the hotel the numbers when they are due. I figure that should be enough as we'll have hors doerves (sp?) prior to dinner and then I thought possible have some cheese/cracker trays come out later like around 930pm or so.

I started an "Idea Book" right away...I just used a 3-ring binder and sectioned off all the big things, then started making notes, pasting in pictures of inspiration from magazines and the web, etc. I also keep a small notebook at my desk and in my purse in case something comes to me (or I grab a great idea off this forum!)...sometimes I'll be out of the house and hear a fantastic song I want to play at the wedding, so I now write it down anywhere I am. I bit of a fanatic, but it helps me sleep at night!