JOSIE

Quote: Originally Posted by Paige2010 Thank you so much for sharing your pictures! On that note- does anyone know the official rules on outside photographers for the Riu? I know desiree said the Riu photog were great but are any of you using anyone else? I am using an outside photog. Last I heard you just act like they are a guest at your wedding and it's OK. I think we had to make sure they were staying at the RIURM to avoid any issues. Not sure about what happens if they stay somewhere else or need a day pass, etc. I hope to find out more details soon

Quote: Originally Posted by fallendragonfly Ok ladies, here are some pics.. Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket Thank you so much for taking the time to give us an extensive review and share your pictures! I really appreciate all your words of advice, especially since my wedding is only a few months away! It looks like you had an amazing time, and your pictures are beautiful!!!!!!!! congrats!

hey lovely ladies I am a NW burbs (palatine to be exact) BDW'er but technically a 2009 bride! (This November). Keep me posted on your plans for a meet up and i'll see what I can do!

holy SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by jean-marcus um well come to seattle and kick it with us. we are painting the town red on friday night... i better have a friend request from josie when i go look i don't waste any time!

Quote: Originally Posted by jean-marcus so here is a picture of us. the first one ever taken together in 12 years but not the last the story gets better and better with pics. you guys are adorable and you really do look in love and meant to be together! congrats I'm so happy for you! PS I'm totally finding you on FB!

both my picks are already nomiated, can't wait for the vote!

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Nicole~ B2B - JOSIE Mrs - my pick is already nominated. Good luck ladies!! you're the cutest thanks for the nom!

Quote: Originally Posted by Sheree10 Follow Up: Thank you all for sharing your stories. FI and I had a meeting with FMIL this weekend. We knew that we didn't want to add any more people but I also wanted a compromise. FI stood his ground. We played Good cop/Bad cop. We went over the list to make sure those she wanted to invite were there. I allowed her to add five more people. FMIL is planning to have an AHR for her family and friends so she can invite whoever she wishes to it. Now that we're done dealing with this, it will be something else soon. lol. trust me, there is ALWAYS something else! I'm glad it's over for now! Good compromise!

you're right thats silly of me! you'll hear from them before I do......DUH!!!!!! Desiree started sending me FWD's in June, but it was mid/end june which makes you pretty much right! do i really have to wait that long!?

OMG i went through this with my own mom. I originally wanted like 50 people total and somehow it grew to over 200 invited. I was (and still am) kind of upset by it but in the end since she was paying I conceded. I don't think that's what you should do though! I know my mom felt like the people "would not come" and she just wanted them to know they were important to us. I know this doesnt really help you, except for the fact that I can totally relate. Let us know how you end up handeling it, but I would let FI take care of it since it's his mom. good luck!

From reading that email, it sounds like it's included. I think the cost without is 1300, but its possilble I made that up. I'll let you know more when they contact me!

Quote: Originally Posted by Sparkles8300 After much worrying I FINALLY found FI's suit!! I had ordered an Express suit off Ebay but it did not look good on him (jacket wayyyy too short) and the material ended up being too thick for the beach. I got so lucky last week at the Banana Republic Outlet! They had a bunch of tan suits and but no jackets in 42L, although they did have his size pants. I snatched them up and had the cashier call around and he found the matching jacket at a store in Atlantic City. I ordered the jacket over the phone from the AC store and prayed that it would look good on him!! Thank God, the entire suit fits him perfect and does not need any alterations! Since FI waited until now to start looking for suits, no stores here in MD were carrying tan suits anymore. I am so glad we found this as I was at the end of my rope. The jacket was $99 on sale from $260 and the pants were $50 on sale from $98. We went to Express to get the groomsmen tan pants and white shirts. We used a coupon "buy $160 get $40 off" and when I told the cashier it was for our wedding, he gave us an extra $20 off!! The white shirts (the same one as FI has on in the picture) are buy 1 get one 50% off ($4 and the pants are buy one ($50) get one for $37.50. I hope this helps any ladies doing some last minute shopping like we were! p.s Sorry FI is so angry looking...he did not want to model for our blog!! LOL LOL LOVE THE SUIT! I tried to get FI to model but he wasn't having it. I had to settle for pictures of the shirt alone.......boring! your FI is a cutie though even angry looking!

Quote: Originally Posted by angelalanahung I can't view it How many points do I need to be able to download attachments? you need at least 200 posts.

Here is the email to my TA: Dear Sherryl, Thank you for contacting Riu Weddings Sales Department. Regarding to your first question, it is correct the only way to have a dancing floor is having a private reception dinner and the cost is approx $1700 usd (this can change) including the Sound System or DJ, as you wish, because the Sound System belongs to the DJ, so he charges the same for playing him self or for renting the equipment, and it is necessary to have 50 guests, but it depends of how many people you will be celebrating we can maybe make an exception, the Brazilian restaurant is indoors and has air conditioner but it does not have ocean view nor garden, and the Disco can be rented from after your ceremony for the 3 hours long. If you wanted a restaurant close to the beach for the reception can be held only at Riu Palace Mexico. If you shall require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Warm Regards, Mariana Naranjo Weddings Sales Coordinator Mayan Riviera Weddings by RIU America's Division **For all weddings booked at RIU Hotels & Resorts, the couple and 80 percent of the total number of guests must stay at the RIU Hotel where the wedding will be performed. We regret that there can be no exceptions to this RIU policy and ask for your understanding and cooperation. ***Please remind that you must respect the number of days prior the ceremony, otherwise we will not be able to perform your wedding.

Quote: Originally Posted by jetsbride Seiously, we have to pay $1700 to use the equipment even if we bring our own Bose & Ipod? I did not know that!!! Then there is no point in going out and buying the ipod and bose. Does anyone know if this is a for sure thing? We were going to buy the ipod and bose tis weekend but I will hold off until I find out forsure. Let me re-phrase. I believe $1700 is the cost of a private reception & DJ. I don't think you can have a DJ unless you have a private reception. I believe you can buy a BOSE system and bring your ipod and bring it out on the beach and play music with your friends and dance, but if you're looking to have a private reception its $1700 dollars either way.....that was my understanding Lisa. Let me look through my emails and I'll try to post more info for you.

PS: I have no idea what to do about centerpieces! I have so much to haul down there I'm thinking I'll use what they provide.

Quote: Originally Posted by Paige2010 Josie- are you giving the DJ a song list to play, and are you having a traditional first dance and father daughter? I remember reading somewhere that we could bring an ipod and bose system, or rent their equip- is that an option? Also wondering- are most of yall bringing your own centerpieces and decorations for the dinner/reception? Paige - I have no idea how the DJ works, YET. I'm supposed to be contacted next month to start communicating with the DW Planner at the RIU and I'm so excited. I promise to fill you in on all the details. I do know that I am definitely doing a traditional first dance and a father daughter dance. I'm HOPING I get to provide a song list too, and if I don't then I might consider the BOSE option. From what I've read, you can bring your IPOD and use the speaker/sound system set up but you still have to pay the same price as the DJ ($1700) to use the "equipment". So I figured might as well just do the DJ. I think from the sounds of it the DJ is outsourced and must be contracted to work with different resorts. I could be wrong on that but I think I remember reading it somewhere. Will keep you posted as soon as I know more!

boooooo i cant see the picture for some reason

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsMarch4 Happy Monday Ladies. I was a BM in a friend's wedding this past weekend & it got me so excited about my own wedding!! I have a few questions for you: 1) I am thinking about having RSVP's due 2 months before my date. Do you think this is enough time? 2) After dinner, are you having a receptin w/ dancing? Thanks! Alexis I I'm so late at responding to this but here you go! Our RSVP's are due by Oct. 1st and our wedding is Nov 28. We cut it close because we figured some people would be booking at the last minute anyway, so might as well not rush them....we also wanted people to have enough time to change their mind/save up after receiving the formal invite (which I just sent last week). We're having a private reception at RIU and we're paying extra for the DJ so we can have dancing.......very excited about that!

PS: Katie- I love your shoes

Quote: Originally Posted by jetsbride I have some questions for you ladies.. 1.Are you doing Speeches, either at the RPRM or at your AHR? If so what speeches are you doing? 2. Is anyone having a slideshow at rprm? I want to but I don't know if they have the equipment avaliable. 3. Have you got your garter yet? I don't know where to get one...?? Sorry I've been totally slacking on this thread. Work is actually busy for once! Lisa- to answer you 1. Jason and I are not doing speeches but our best man & MOH are at the RIU...(we're not having an AHR) 2. I'm not doing a slideshow.....just personally don't really care much about that and also don't want to deal with the equipment issue 3. I haven't bought my garter yet. But Jason is a huge Penn State fan, so I'm thinking of getting this: Penn State NITTANY LIONS Inspired Wedding Garter Set by GartersByKristi on Etsy

how horrible

Quote: Originally Posted by shellk what do you think ladies?i really like it but i got it half price so if i don,t use it its not the end of the world.thats the bracelet in the middle very cute and tropical! I love it! and your new siggy is so fun

amazing story congrats!