LDeeken

Thanks so much girls! I was actually wondering about the ala carte restaurants. That is good to know that you can still make reservations even if you don't have a coupon. Amyrot - I would definitely try the other forum, there may be some people on there who could help you. Otherwise, I wonder if the WC at the Maya has an samples she could send you. Just a thought!

Oh Christy those are beautiful!!! I remember you telling me about the fake flowers at your house. Definitely something I might consider if I decide I want to keep my flowers. Not sure yet! But I LOVE your flowers so we'll see!! Thanks for posting a pic!!

AmyRot - Your dress looks very pretty!! Congrats on finding it so soon! Mandee - So glad to hear you had a nice visit! We are going down there at the end of this month and I'm anxious to meet with Reyna. What did you think of her in person. She seems very nice over email and has actually gotten back to me pretty quickly, compared to what other brides have said. Any advice for what to bring to the meeting? I really want to make the most of meeting with her in person. Also, when you were at the Del Mar were you able to eat an an ala carte each night? I feel like I haven't gotten an accurate answer on how that works. Look forward to planning with all of you =) Leah

Hi Girls, So I just heard from Reyna and we are going to get to meet with her when we go down for Christy's wedding =) She sent me a few pictures of flower options. I was just wondering if any of you designed your own bouquet or if you had to choose from one of their options. Also, are they pretty flexible with colors? Thanks, Leah =)

Awesome welcome bag ideas!! I have to admit that I may end up copying some of your ideas =)

Christy it sounds like you are a busy woman!! I might have to get that limo info from you. I was thinking that might be fun to take to and from the Chicago airport rather than fighting traffic and parking.

Congrats!!! You looked so pretty!! So jealous that you are going to Australia. You'll have to post about that too!! Have fun!!

Guess we're all in about the same place when it comes to planning! I found my dress but haven't ordered it yet. $1.00 per stamp sounds like a lot. I did get an idea for savings money on stamps for invitations. If you have a wedding website, you can have your guests RSVP via your website. We just received an invitation like this and it is so much more convenient. Just a little tip I just picked up. FYI, there is a way to set up your account so that you can see more posts/page. For example, when I go to the other Iberostar thread I only see 36 pages because they are consolidated.

Thanks Kathy!! I hope it keeps me cool!! Quote: Originally Posted by ~*Kathy*~ LDeeken - Oooh that dress is gorgeous and perfect for a DW, nice find!!

Hey Christy!! I went with my mom and sis in St. Louis a couple weeks ago and found the one!! We are trying to get as much accomplished during summer vacation so we don't have to worry about it once school starts. Here is the link to the dress on the knot. It is Style #1312 Mikaella Bridal Wedding Dresses - Mikaella Bridal Wedding Gowns - Mikaella Bridal Wedding Dress You may have to copy and paste the link. Let me know if it works. Can you believe your wedding is in less than a month. Colin and I would love to get together with you guys before the trip, but we are seriously out of town almost this whole month. But I guess we'll get to spend plenty of time together in MEXICO!!! Can't wait! It's going to be a blast!! Let us know if you need any help! Quote: Originally Posted by FutureBotter Deekan ... dress Already, girl you are on it! Where's the pics ...

Thanks Paul!! I have been emailing with Rachel and she seems so nice!! It makes sense now why there haven't been alot of reviews on here about your photography since it is fairly new. I had been getting confused why I couldn't find any information on BDW. I have heard alot of great things about your videography!! I hope that we have an opportunity to meet when we visit in July (I talked to Rachel about this). Quote: Originally Posted by PlayaWeddings Hello, I'm Paul from PlayaWeddings. Rachel and I started shooting wedding videos in Denver 6 years ago. We shot for two years together before I moved to Playa del Carmen. I've been here 4+ years making wedding videos. A little over a year ago Rachel came and joined me and we got married. We purchased camera equipment and Rachel moved from video to stills and began learning the cameras. At the end of last season we shot our first photo/video wedding, Kelly and Mike. You can see the photos on our site. Then we left for a summer long trip through Europe and shot a ton of photos. This past season has been our first full season of offering both photo and video. The response to our photo/video package has been great. We've done a few for BDW members but no reviews posted yet. We're upgrading all of our photo equipment for next season to the Canon 5D M2 with premium lenses. Our prices have gone up a bit for next season to reflect the upgrade in quality. We are delivering everything in HD on Blu-Ray disc. The resolution is fantastic on a large screen. We are still booking at last years prices for next season for our current leads. We'd be happy to extend that to BDW members here through August. Just let us know when you write.

Thanks, I'll have to check out that deodorant and Sephora spray. I guess little things like that are pretty important to think about too! Love the Spanish for dummies idea!! Quote: Originally Posted by akbeach The ceremony on the beach wasn't too hot for the girls but the guys had to wait forus in the sun and they looked hot. Get the Secret waterproof deodorant- it works!! Use humidity resistant hair spray. Also, Sephora has this Makeup forever Mist & Fix makeup spray that comes in a travel size that works great but put mascara on after you spray it, Sephora: MAKE UP FOR EVER Mist & Fix To Go: Makeup. I didn't have to touch up my makeup although I should have put more lipstick on but I forgot! I wasn't hot during the ceremony but during photos, it got hot walking around the hotel property. The reception was a little hot but they have ceiling fans in the reception area so you don't need to buy any. We gave out fans to guests for favors and they used them. We did small OOT bags and put them together when we got there. People enjoyed them- especially the Pepto and Advil and Spanish for Dummies. Jenn- we didn't want to crash but it was tempting!!!!

Thanks for the info on Mike. Did you get the Gold or Platinum package? I like that with Playa Weddings you get so much footage/coverage included the photo/video package. From Claudia's price list it was hard to tell how much you actually got with your video. I basically would like the raw video footage, an edit of the ceremony, and then an edit of the entire event. I couldn't tell if that was part of the Gold Package or if you would have to pay more for the Platinum. Playa Weddings just seems so clear about their pricing and it includes so much. Ahh decisions, decisions!!! Quote: Originally Posted by Blkatz I used Mike from Claudia's team and I will tell you this, my husband told me not to spend the money on a video=we fought about it and in the end I won the arguement. We got the video back a few weeks ago and he told me that he was really happy that I got Mike because the video was so amazing. I love the video and I have probably watched it 10 times. I actually watched it last week and each time I am blown away at how great he was.

Thanks for the info about the heat! My dress is organza so its pretty lightweight, but I'm sure I'll still sweat alot when dancing. We are also planning to get married in the gazebo so probably not too much breeze there. Did they have any fans at the reception? I honestly thought about going to WalMart when we get down there to buy some oscillating fans =) Quote: Originally Posted by jlj1176 It is pretty hot. Not unbearable. There are plenty of shaded areas by the pool and beach that get a good breeze. Walking around during the day does get hot though. As for the wedding...we had our ceremony on the beach and it was so windy that it didn't feel hot at all. We had fans as favors on each of the chairs during the ceremony. I had a pretty formal dress with a train so at different points I was pretty hot. The ceremony location was okay - some breeze but not much. It wasn't bad for cocktails and dinner but dancing was a different story! I danced all night so I was definitely sweating! But like I said - I think that could have been in part of having a 20 pound dress on! I didn't hear anyone complain about the heat the entire time that we were there. We didn't ship anything down in advance. We bought a luggage scale online (best $10 I ever spent) and packed everything. Will's aunt came over a few weeks before we left and took close to 50 pounds worth of stuff to bring with her. We took the rest. We had two huge suitcases, one smaller suitcase, three carry on's, my dress, and a large cardboard box (about 50 pounds) filled with things. Since you can't carry liquids on the plane we had to check most of the OOT goodies (we had a lot of non liquids but also large bottles of lotion, after sun, pepto, etc) Quick question for past brides - when Karla delivered our wedding paperwork she said that we had to take our marriage license to our local courthouse and register it. I just called the courthouse and they said that we don't have to do anything. Does anyone know which is the case? Thanks!!!

Thank you so much for searching for me!! I really appreciate your help! It seems like there is a lot of info on their videography but not so much about photography. I've been looking at Claudia and Mike Cantrell also, but Playa Weddings are a little bit cheaper. I just want to figure out which is the best value. We may get to meet with them when we visit in a few months so maybe that will help out. Quote: Originally Posted by Jacilynda Sunbride used him for videography http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t18711 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t24067 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t5797 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t17118 I know MarieSam just used Paul for videography at her recent wedding but she just got home so she'll have a review in weeks to come. I can't think off the top of my head who's used them for photography

I've been researching photographers/videographers lately and have come across Playa weddings. I have been in contact with Rachel Schrank and she seems awesome! Unfortunately, I haven't found a lot of information on BDW forum about their work. I was just wondering if anyone could share their experience with Playa weddings. I'd especially like to hear more about their photography. Any info would be great!! Thanks in advance!

Wow, so many new wives!!! Congrats to all of you!! All the pictures were beautiful!! Danielle, congrats on the baby, that is just so exciting!! Jen, thank you for sharing your advice. You had some great suggestions, especially regarding the welcome bags!! Just a quick question for any of you who were just down there...How hot was it really during the ceremony and the reception. I'm starting to get worried that it's going to uncomfortably hot, especially during the reception at the Tropical restaurant. If you wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts I would really appreciate it! Thanks!!

Wow, so many new wives!!! Congrats to all of you!! All the pictures were beautiful!! Danielle, congrats on the baby, that is just so exciting!! Jen, thank you for sharing your advice. You had some great suggestions, especially regarding the welcome bags!! Just a quick question for any of you who were just down there...How hot was it really during the ceremony and the reception. I'm starting to get worried that it's going to uncomfortably hot, especially during the reception at the Tropical restaurant. If you wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts I would really appreciate it! Thanks!!

Great question CTodd, I was wondering the same thing! Gail, your wedding picture looks so pretty!! Congratulations!!

When I called Mexico about a month ago I actually talked with Karla. She seemed very nice and helpful. I think it's great that they will have 2 wedding coordinators helping out on our wedding days!! Just a little more reassuring. Quote: Originally Posted by mxbride789 Hi! I just wanted to share that my last wedding details email from June 7th has been answered. YAY! What i esp wanted to pass along from the email is this: "We did received all the information that you send to us, and everything is going to be like you are requesting to be …One day after you are arriving or the day you arrive, we will send you a letter to set up an appointment to meet with you and your fiance (“Bride to Beâ€) and we can just give the last touch ups to your wedding." This little bit about what happens when you get there completely put me at ease so hopefully it does the same for anyone else still waiting to hear from them...the other thing was that the email was not signed off by reyna but instead "Karla Tejeda, Wedding Coordinator,Paraiso del Mar & Beach" maybe they finally thought to hire Reyna some help?? In either case, I hope this helps...

Congratulations!!! Can't wait to hear all about the wedding!! Quote: Originally Posted by kimrae99 Hey girls!! It has been forever since I've posted because the wedding stuff has kept me so busy!! We spent 15 days in Mexico, then came home for our AHR which was on Saturday. Now everything is over and no more planning Anyway, I want to let you all know that our wedding at the Maya was PERFECTO! I would not have changed a thing. Lily was absolutely amazing. I will post a review soon. Congratulations to all the June brides, and July brides, believe me, everything will be fabulous!!!

Yeah!! Have such a great time!! Hope to see pics when you get back!! Congratulations in advance!! Quote: Originally Posted by sunandrun Reyna finally got back with me!!! We ARE having our wedding at the Del Mar/Beach. Leave on Sunday...I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!!!! Thanks for all of your help!

Guess that's what I'll be doing for the next year huh =)

That's a good idea talking to the manager. We are going down in a about a month for a wedding and plan on meeting with Reyna. I will check it out. Ryan's Girl - I was just on Elizabeth Medina's website and on her contact page she has a picture of you and your husband. Just thought I would share!!

We considered the Grand Palladium and were working with their WC. I found that they took just as long to get back to as Reyna has. It is usually about a week before I receive a response. But, I have only had experience with those 2 resorts. Hope that makes you feel a little better =) Quote: Originally Posted by mxbride789 my date's coming up quickly w/ no word from reyna on our last details so all that can be done is to sit and wait. in the meantime, ladies i've been wondering....did you research your resort options before deciding on iberostar mexico? i didn't research at all when i chose them...i just knew they were our most cost-effective (translation: cheapest) alternative at the time. everything seems to turn out well once you arrive and sit w/ reyna face to face but i've been wondering if all resorts have this time lag in communication. after having to go through the roller coaster of events in mexico the last few months then topping it off w/ a non-responsive wedding coordinator, would the just-married ladies choose this resort again? are brides to be who aren't hearing back from reyna deciding to take their business elsewhere? I feel that maybe that's what i should have done when it took over a month and many faxes of id and credit card info to set the date w/ gabriella. maybe i'll change my tune once i return from mexico but i've been wondering if the whole experience could have been different depending on the resort? sorry for being a downer...i'm just venting and also curious about the what ifs....