beachbride2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Barbo Hi everyone! My FI and I are interested in the Azul Sensatori. I've read ALL the posts and have come across so many great things, but also came across many concerns. I've come to a conclusion, seems to me that things are improving and getting better everyday. It's nice to hear from brides who have come home from their weddings and had wonderful wedding experiences. I love how everyone is helping each other out, this is the best forum ever! I have a question: Did anyone one get the Silver package? From what I found there is a photographer included, has anyone used this photographer? How did the photos turn out? We're from Vancouver and want to get married June 2010 but have no idea what kind of price to expect for our guests to stay for a week. Does anyone near BC have a figure they can pass my way? Thanks so much! I still haven't figured out how to set up a counter and other cute things you all have Welcome! I don't know about the photographer, but as far as the prices go, I'm from Calgary and I would expect the prices to be quite similar. I have an 'estimated' rate from Signature Vacations at this point of $1621 per person for a week for the package in the basic lead-in room category, plus taxes. Mind you, this rate is for November 2009, but I think June is low season too. Good luck and hope you join us!

I'm having on...with teal fabric draped across and over the sides. I saw a few pictures somewhere where there was a "flower curtain" along the back of it, behind where the bride & groom stand...little white flowers strung down to the sand. Sorry for the bad explanation, but it is so pretty and I'm wondering if anyone has a picture of this? My WC is asking for a picture if I want a quote on the price. THANKS!

I'm working on my TO DO list and timeline TONIGHT!!!

Wow, Dana, you 've got it together! My date is the day after you and I thought I was pretty on the ball. I think I'm going to take notes from you and really get serious about it!!!!

Not earlier than 6 months...hopefully by then I'll have a good idea of the yeses and maybes as those are who I'm going to send more formal invites to...

Quote: Originally Posted by melissaG Has anyone decided on music for the ceremony? I am trying to figure out what to have the bridesmaids and myself walk down to? Has anyone heard of how the violinist or other musicians are? I spent 2 hours trying to figure out songs and got nowhere! I'm deciding between Somewhere over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and You're So Cool from True Romance, but leaning towards You're So Cool. It's tough to choose! I'm still debating what song to have during th license signing, and the recessional, but I have a few to run by my FI (however I have final decision making power!).

Quote: Originally Posted by Tracy_S Oh thats different, my destination wedding TA has already got us our rates for our hotel and which days they fly out... she doesn't have the exact times that these flights are but she does have our rates and dates. My TA is based out of Vancouver and I am in Calgary... but shes got the rates through Signature flying out of Calgary... you would think they would have them for you! Tracy S...sould you mind PM-ing me your rates based on double? Maybe then I could send them to my TA to see what she can do...strange I can't get them myself? THANKS!!!

I was wondering that myself...My arrival date is set for November 15th so it's a bit difficult to make arrangements for some. Have you been able to get a rate for that far in advance from your TA? Is it using a tour company? I'm in Canada and our tour company that sells Sensatori says they probably won't have their hotel contracts/rates for November and onwards until June! Usually you can get better rates from your TA if you are booking a package including your flights. What I've been doing is basing my "approximate" rates on the rates in late October until I get the real rates.

Thanks so much for the info! Too bad we don't have Target in Canada. Has anyone seen the Spanish for Dummies anywhere in our parts?

Andrea, you are my idol! i haven't bought them yet, I found a store online to buy them from and have been debating on what size lantern (10/12/14 inch - what did you have?) and trying to figure out if I can hang them around the area elsewhere so I buy enough and not have to make 2 orders. I was looking at the LED tealight ones...I didn't realize there are 2 different kinds...I'll have to investigate that further. My plan was to have the lantern in the middle, some LED tealights scatteredd around the lantern (1 per person at table as I was thinking of getting them engraved and using as favors) and then red rose petals scattered amidst the tealights. I want to make sure there's enough light as I don't want people complaining they can't see what they're eating (I can just hear my dad!) but I don't want it to be SO bright! I'm thinking of getting some and doing a test run here first to see if I want to make any changes. Do you have some photos of your reception? I would LOVE to see them! (Well, I know all of us would LOVE to see all your photos!) THANKS!!!!!!

I have the same problem with waiting on the flights to be released, plus the tour company who has the charter packages for our resort doesn't have their contracts with the hotel in yet so I probably won't even know pricing until May or June. Hard to get anyone to confirm until I get that info!

Quote: Originally Posted by andrea110808 We did not use the DJ, we used our iPod and it was good in my opinion. Yes, you do have to "run" your iPod all night but it was totally fine. we had a relaxed crowd and we danced and danced all night long.They are VERY strict about the 11pm end time. Hi Andrea, did you notice with a beach reception if there was anywhere to hang chinese lanterns? I'm having them on my tables as part of the centerpieces and thought it might be nice to hang a few around the reception area too...thanks!

For the beach towels, I was directed to this website where you can buy them in bulk and they'll also embroider for you: Untitled Document

Quote: Originally Posted by faithers81 I also want to do Passport invites. I cannot find a template to save my life! I would rather make them then buy them. I made Boarding Pass STDs and those where not too bad. I also want to make: -welcome totes -fan programs - center pieces - I cannot remember the rest! The place I am getting married only accounts for 10 people. Every person over 10 is $18 each! I am expecting 50 people, ouch! Faithers, you should put your resort in your mini-profile...i have a terrible memory! I think if you go onto the thread about STD's and invitations there are a bunch of brides that have added their templates for passports...check it out! Those darn resorts sure know how to nickel and dime us. Even though ours is an all-inclusive, its still going to be anywhere from $50-80 per person if we do a private cocktail party/reception on the beach. Puts a serious dent in the budget!

Quote: Originally Posted by Jess Yay! It is about a 99% chance I am a Nov '09 bride - just waiting for the contract The plan (as of now) is this: Puerto Vallarta wedding with the Dazzling Details Wedding Coordinator (so excited - I love her work)....Wedding ceremony at Catholic Church in town and then reception at Dreams PV. colors are pale yellow, gray, and white Looking at STD's but just need to nail down the date (which we assume is 11/28/09) - then I need to get them out ASAP! Otherwise, it looks like I am wayyyy behind you girls in your planning - uh oh! Don't worry Jess, you'll catch up! I've been all over this forum getting ideas from other brides...there are so many good ones it's hard to choose! i wanted to have firedancers but that was ruled out as the resort we chose doesn't allow outside vendors. Bummer, but I have some other ideas..I'm going to try and convince my FI we should do a "Rock the Reception" first dance. How fun would that be!

Erika J...you are pretty organized! I just got an email from the resort today asking for more details but I find its hard to give definite answers without knowing the number of guests attending. Erika, where are you ordering your pashminas from? I was thinking of getting turquoise beach towels embroidered with our date and place etc for each of the guests. They'll take up a lot of luggage space, but if the guests use them then they could easily spot each other throughout the resort! I want to get on that stuff, but am hesitant in case I don't order enough!

Quote: Originally Posted by faithers81 I am also a November 2009 bride! I just finished my STDs this weekend. They were a lot of work, but I am ready for the next project! I am getting married in Riviera Maya at the Iberostar Del Mar. I am so excited! I am also a little nervous about the cost. Everything is starting to add up. I plan on doing a lot of DIY projects. Anyone else? Hi Faithers81...I'm terrible with DIY projects, but I've chosen an easy table decoration set-up to bring down with me instead of paying through the roof for flowers. I just don't have the patience! I'm attending the big bridal show in Calgary this weekend to get some more ideas for things, plus I'll be sending out more formal passport invites in a few months and there's a shop that does them here locally I want to see. Plus get more ideas for flowers and stuff too. Tell me about everything adding up...this weekend I talked to my FI about the budget and he asked me "wasn't part of the reason we chose a DW was to save a little money"...well, it's not looking like that's going to happen for us either!

Hi Tracy S...I looked it up for 2009 and found out that the holiday is the 3rd Monday in November, which is the 16th. I was originally going to get married on the 19th, but with the Monday being the holiday I had to move it to the 20th in order to have the 3 busness day rule satisfied. Thanks for the heads-up...I actually just resent an email to Tiffany at Karisma to confirm again. could you imagine LOL

Gorgeous! Congrats!

Exciting times! Venue is very important...we are planning the whole day on the beach from the ceremony to the reception, and the budget is creeping up there. We think we'll have anywhere between 30-50 guests, but its too soon to know for sure. Our colours are turquoise with a touch of red...for example I'm designing the table centerpieces myself...a turquoise chinese paper lantern lit with an LED candle in the center with LED tealights scattered around it (one for each guest...we're hoping to get them engraved and give them away as favours), with red rose petals scattered amongst the tealights. Bridesmaids will wear turquoise and we'll have red bouquets. I love the colour combo, very retro. Your colours sound gorgeous! Very soothing and beachy. Make sure you choose a resort with a good wedding coordinator! Read up on the threads of some of your possible choices on here to see how the brides already booked are doing with their coordinators at the resorts. A good coordinator = way less stress and work for you!

I too am thinking of doing something unique and funky, but have yet to come up with ideas that fit "us". I thought of the Dirty Dancing dance as well...I love the movie and the song would be great to start off the night! I also thought if I get organized in time we could do something where my FI and I lead it off, then have the wedding party jump in and join us for an ensemble dance, like the one we've all seen on Youtube of the inmates in the jail dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller...how hilarious would that be?!?

Hey ladies, it's time we have our own thread! Only 10 months away from our weddings...lets chat about our plans, our timelines (who has done what already!) and share ideas! For me, wedding is booked, STD's are out, colours picked out, MOH & BM asked (and accepted), website up and running and accepting RSVP's (9 already!), and dress has been bought. Have been scouring this forum almost everyday for new ideas on decorations, OOT bag ideas, etc and loving it! Still working on my budget, which I think will end up being tweaked in the months to come once we know how the guest numbers add up. Does anyone else have weather concerns for outdoor receptions? This past November was pretty rainy in the Caribbean.

Quote: Originally Posted by Mrs.StephP.2Be Hello Ladies! We're back and we're MARRIED! Just wanted to write a quick note to let you all know there is nothing to worry about. We had such a good time! The resort is beautiful, the service was excellent, the food was sooo good and most important the wedding was amazing! I will write a more detailed review as soon as possible, but in the mean time ignore the nasty people on TripAdvisor CONGRATS from one Calgarian to another! I can hardly wait to read your review and see your photos!

Quote: Originally Posted by Solidshan83 These are the favors my GF mage for me for my home party...what do guys think? $3/each Wow! Those are great! And what a great price! Turquoise is my color too!