jennib31

One more thing too For us Chicago brides only - the company Red Chair Photography is doing my "Husband to be" gift. I am doing a boudoir photo shoot!!! This place is super classy in the suburbs and while it is a bit pricey - it is an unforgettable present for the groom! They do your hair and makeup for a couple different sexy looks Please tell them I sent you (maybe we both can get a deal!) - Jennifer B - and they can hook you up! PM me for more info!

HI everyone! I wanted to show off my "Save the Date Passport" Please let me know what you think! If anyone is based in Chicago like me, the woman who made them for me is here and would love your business! PM me for more infomration! Jennifer PassportSavetheDate.pdf

Hi everyone! Absolutely! I would love to meet up! I work in the O'Hare area and live in the burbs but can meet anywhere. I also wanted to let the Chicago Brides know of a Save the Date that my FI and I are doing. It looks like a passport and has all the resort info inside. I would love to give this company some business as she gave me a great deal (and maybe some referal discounts!) Spilled Ink Press Amanda [email protected] p: 773.754.7331 c: 773.531.1220 I attached it to this thread but who knows if it worked.... please PM me and I will email it to you. VERY cute and unique for the save the date or invite! Jennifer PassportSavetheDate.pdf

Congrats BagLover21! I am getting pretty excited too. We have an update on the cost situation and Valeria was able to work some magic and get us a lower deposit and a fair price on the casita. We are thrilled to have some wiggle room and can take a deep breath. I asked for the contract ASAP for the rooms so our guests can book away! Thanks for your support

The process continues... My TA is working with Valeria about the rates for the Casita and the prepayment of $6K. If all else fails we will loose the deposit and go elsewhere. We figured out it was $30K in rooms revenue, $2,500 in the wedding private party and then the extras worth $1K for hair, flowers, vendor fee etc. I am in the business and with all the brides I deal with and negotiate with, I expect to be given some wiggle room. I'm not asking the world but I dont have $6K to prepay either! I'll keep you all updated!

The TA is out of town unfortunitly. I am putting my mind at ease because it is jsut not possible for me to find $6K right now. The wedding is in June so I was expecting more time. I feel comfortable with your deposit (they can keep it and apply it to the f&b and extra services later) Also - did they give you a decent rate on the casita? I got the free ceremony but now we got the bill for the 7 nights at the casita for $5,000. I wish she could cut me a better deal seeing as I am bringing those 84 room nights in June! Sorry if I am being a nervous nelly - I thought the process would be different. I am a wedding planner at a hotel in Chicago and our process for room blocks is very different.

When everyone made a room block at the hotel - did you have to put down $5,000 in order to hold the block? We have 84 room nights held and they are requiring 18 room nights to be paid for. That is $6,480! Why cant they hold the rooms until we start getting some reservations? I am so overwhelmed with the costs - I jsut paid a photographer, invitations and dress and don't have an extra $6K! HELP!

I understand everyone's frustration. I think that everyone would be able to come to our wedding given enough time heads up. We let everyone know what we were thinking x-mas 2008 and now the save the dates just went out. I will expect alot to change their minds and not attend - I will try not to have hurt feelings. The costs for us are really adding up too! I thought the destination wedding was supposed to be more economical!

Did everyone anticipate the high cost for photography? I guess I anticipated about $1,600 plus an album for $2K total.... Looks like I need $2,600 at least for the coverage then my resort charges $500 for the vendor fee.... That is really expensive and I know MTM are the best but.... yikes! How do I justify the photos cost more than the dinner!!!

Hey everyone! I live in Buffalo Grove, work in O'Hare area and am getting married June 5th in Cancun Mexico at the El Dorado Royal. Sorry to join the thread but I would love to join if you are meeting up! PM me for more info or a personal email address! Jennifer

CTPetch - Your from Wheatfield near Buffalo, NY? I'm a buffalo girl and thought that area sounded familiar. Thanks for the input everyone. I am trying not to freak out about all the extras but our budget is ever-expanding. The photography really worries me, what if the quality of the recomended companies aren't good? I feel I would rather pay more and rest assured they will be awesome shots - the photos are all we have!

So for those who are booked for weddings Nov-2010... what types of "extras" did you order? Who did you choose for photograpghy? I'm still torn on Moments that Matter... just seems like a lot of money ($2,500 for the photogs plus $500 resort fee) Are you doing a private dinner? Did you pick any colors?

Hi everyone! I thought i would join this thread now that i am offically booked at EDR on June 5, 2010! We have about 50 guests to invite so hopefully we will have 35-40 that can attend. I picked June for the deal 15% off on the f&b pricing for the party. I think its a great deal and my room rate wasn't bad either (I think $340? Maybe my travel agent can do better?) So far it has been easy on the planning. I hope to reserve "Moments that matter" photography even though there is the extra charge.

Thank you for the wonderful review! I am booked on June 5, 2010 and will ask about the ceremony locations. I did want it a bit more private. I am thinking about live music for the ceremony and an ipod for dinner. Hopefully then the fun will start at the disco bar later...

Thank you so much Tina for all the pictures! This is def something we are looking for! This is so challenging not being there to see what the places are like in person - wish it wasn't so much $ to go and check them out! We are still torn and might push a wedding date back so we have time to make the best decision for us and our guests!

HI Ladies! We haven't selected a resort yet... down to Sun Palace and Paradisus. Doesn't anyone have thoughts on the difference? Also did anyone encounter any negative family members or friends who do not like your idea of DW or boycott? My father is threating not to go because my elderly grandparents wont be there! Stressful!

Hi Lyzkoco! I am meeting with a travel agent today to get some more info. As I research more and more, I feel the SUn Palace might be the better fit. I looked on their website and then called. The lady in Miami who sells the hotel said it was $388 per couple, per night. I am in the same situation - under $2K for each couple is max. This would still be a good option though. You and I should fly there and check it out!!

Upon reviewing some traveladvisor pages I see that Paradisus had alot of kids... thats really not the environment we want. But Sun Palace was "dead" after 10:30pm. We dont want that either!! We are also considering Le Blanc - maybe that is in between?

Hello brides out there! I am STUCK! I need advice on which resort is the best for us! I am drawn to Sun Palace because it looks hip and fresh (and expensive!) but want to make sure everyone is comfortable. There are no pics of weddings at sun palace though... Then Paradisus looks like and comfortable with plently of past brides to put your mind at ease. We would like more adults only, plently to do, good food with 4 or 5 restaurants and a nice private area for the reception and dinner/dance. Price is a big concern too but I will work with a travel agent. Any compairisons for Sun Palace vs. Paradisus? THANK YOU!

Hello there Sun Palace brides - Do you have any photos of weddings from that resort? I am compairing to Paradisus and this one looks more fancy. The prices may be similar but I have alot of pictures from the other resort. Please let me know!

Rachel - I am interested in that date too - I was wondering did you already sign a contract for that date? Do you reserve a specific area for ceremony and reception? I will look further into June for another date. I cant get ahold of Perla to hold and reserve the date for me! ~ Jennifer

Hi everyone! I am seriously considering this location for our small wedding reception in May 2010. What are some rates you are getting for the guest rooms? I was trying to get lower than $400 per night per couple.... THANKS

Hello Destination Wedding Brides! My name is Jennifer and I am planning a destination wedding in Cancun in May/June 2010. We hopefully will have 25-30 guests. Right now we are considering all-inclusives and Paradisus or Le Blanc Resort. We would love a place with activities and maybe a spa, not so family geared, must be all inclsuive. We are not so concerned with the price for us as the couple (i think we can keep around $7-$10K) but with the price for our guests. We want them to pay $2,000 MAX for flight and rooms for 4 nights. Does anyone know if this is possible?! I see alot of great postings on Paradisus - does anyone recomend any other resort? THANK YOU!