Norma83

What a neat idea! This looks great. I like the initials on the palm tree. It's a cute touch

Hi Precious! Welcome to the forum You'll find tons of info on here! Happy planning!

Kellygrrrl, we're wedding date buddies!!! We're getting married at the Gran Caribe in Cancun, though. I have to say that I'm feeling slightly panicked and super excited. I'm going over everything making sure we're all good but then I start second guessing myself and I'm like ahhhhhhh!!! My FI thinks I'm over thinking things but I can't help it!!!

Hi Catish11, I'm not using the GCR's photography services but I think I've only seen one bride use them because it was part of her package. If you go to the real site, on the wedding section, there is a PDF of the photography services offered with some sample images.

I just got my final invoice yesterday and I didn't see that we were charged anything extra for the time gap we are having. Our ceremony starts at 1PM at the Catholic chapel. Then the private reception at 6PM at the albatros terrace. The terrace does have a green floor, which doesn't bother me so much because our colors are spring green and black. And you are right, there are rooms that overlook the terrace but I don't think it's that bad when you see it in person. To get to the Albatros Terrace you have to go up stairs to get to it, which I liked. I'm not sure why they are giving you a hard time about it. Do you think maybe your WC is misunderstanding? I would think you would be able to pick the time you want your reception to start with no issue - unless it's a new rule they have implemented.

All are very pretty but I like #1 and #2 the best.

Oh girl, I know! I was doing the same thing. I was like I want to do the OOT bags but don't want to break the bank doing them. I have a lot of kids coming to my wedding and if I did a bag for each of them, FORGET IT! I put a little of everything in the bags.

Hi Jay Berry - I did my OOT bags per family/couple. We have a total of 44 people coming to our wedding and that came out to 14 bags. It sure can get expensive!!! I totally understand what you mean.

Hi Mizpriya - It seems a little crazy that you'd have to have your reception start right after your ceremony. Are you getting married at the chapel? If so, I can see them maybe having an issue with you guys taking pictures afterwards because they say that they have other weddings lined up after yours so they have to go in and get ready for the next one. However, it still doesn't make sense why you'd have to have your reception at 4:30PM. My fiance and I are getting married May 5th. Our ceremony will be at 1PM at the Catholic Chapel and we'll have about a 3 hour gap until the reception. Our reception starts at 6PM. The 3 hour gap works great for us because it will allot for picture taking and a lot of our guests have kids so they can go up to their room and rest before the reception starts. I know we may not be able to take pictures for a long time after the ceremony ends but at least we can go to other parts of the hotel to take pictures. We initially wanted our ceremony to start at 4PM but we didn't want to pay the $400 fee. I think it's the sunset fee or something like that. It actually worked out better for us to do it at 1 PM. Where are you having your reception? -Norma

Hello Ladies - In response to the question about writing your own vows for a symbolic ceremony - you aren't able to write your own vows if you are having a Catholic Ceremony. The priest ask you to repeat after him. The part about the vows is in a Church Guideline form we had to sign. In it, it said we cannot write our own vows. I hope this helps! Norma

Hi Guys! I'm getting married on May 5th at the Gran Caribe Real's Catholic Chapel. I've read a ton of threads from past brides that have gotten married here but I have not seen one bride mention anything about having to sign a church guideline form. When I sent my coordinator, Ana Perez, a PDF of our permission letter and Baptismal Certificates, she sent me the church guideline form and said that a signature was required. I reached out to someone that got married there last month and she said that she didn't sign any type of church guideline. I'm sure this is some new requirement that the Church has implemented but I was curious to know if any other brides, getting married in the chapel, have had to sign this. The form isn't bad. It just outlines the rules of the church. They are things that you would normally do in church. I thought it was worth posting on here for future brides/grooms to be aware of (if in fact, this is a new requirement). Here are the guidelines that are listed on the form (word for word): 1. Dress code: should be according to the celebration. Please avoid the use of hats, shorts, dresses too short, see-through and/or strapless that rest solemnity to the celebration and devotion by distracting followers. We suggest using some type of scarf to cover up during the mass. The use of shoes is requested at all times. 2. Wedding vows will be limited to the exact text found in the marriage ritual. 3. Punctuality is very important. We ask you to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time as the priest will start on time, because there are often ceremonies scheduled for each hour. 4. You are not allowed to eat, drink, chew gum, or to chat inside the temple. Also, please keep cell phones turned off to show your respect for prayer. As you approach the altar to read or participate in a ritual, or when crossing the aisle of the chapel bow your heard towards the altar as a gesture of reverance and respect. 5. The flower arrangements for the chapel is optional but it is very important to consider that every flower is an offering made to God our Lord, so it must remain inside the chapel after the celebration. 6. Refrain from throwing rice, bubbles, ballons or any other object inside the chapel. The atrium is the appropriate place (from the door to the chapel and out) for this. In this Prelature we believe that many people do not have food to eat and that it's wrong to waste the rice - being a basic food item that can be shared with the needy. 7. Children who cry: If your child cries or screams please go with him to have a stroll through the atrium of the chapel to calm him/her down, give the child a piece of candy and let others listen to the mass without a distraction and pray with a spirit of recollection. 8. Choirs and musicians in general: their presentation shall be uniform, both in clothing and musical performance. The group must keep composure and respect througout the mass. The audio should be moderate. The music interpreted will comply with religious norms; they must be songs with lyrics and music composed to praise the Lord. Profane chants are not allowed. 9. Photographers: their wardrobe and personal presentation is very important. They are not allowed to be barefoot, in inapporpriate clothing or hats. They should respect the altar or chancel area staying at least one meter away from the altar and may not distract the bride and groom from the celebration, etc. Especially in the most sacred and important moments such the consecration and the silence after the communion. They must keep a good composure and respect throughout the mass.

I'm sorry to hear you are having trouble with printing. It could be the type of printer you are using or the paper is just too thick for your printer. Are you manually feeding the paper in? I found that using a laser printer worked best for me. I made boarding pass STD on magnet sheets and it worked just fine. I would think the thickness of a magnet sheet would be somewhat the same as the cardstock. I would maybe try feeding in the paper one at a time. I hope this helps!

You can say that again! I was literally thinking this today. It's going by so fast! Now, I find myself thinking over things to make sure I'm not forgetting anything. Ha!

Hi Guys - My FI and I are getting married at the GCR Chapel in a little less than 3 months!! Did any of you have to sign a Chuch Guidline? I told our coordinator that we just got our permission letter and that I would be scanning and emailing to her. She then sent me a Church Guidline from the church and said that she needs signatures. I was reading it and it's pretty much the rules of the church. No cell phones, shorts, hats, no eating, chewing gum, etc. It seems pretty obvious you would be respectful in the church already, but was wondering if anyone else had to sign this. Also, did anyone have a married couple, not married by the Catholic Church, be the sponsors of the Lazo? Although our couple was not married in the Catholic Church, they are still Catholic. Did the Priest ask anything about your sponsors? Thanks! Norma

Your invites look great! I'm sure your guests loved them

Hi Mac2012 - How exciting to have booked your wedding date! Your wedding is actually 3 days before ours We're also getting married at the Chapel and having our reception at the Albatros Terrace Roof Top! Maybe we'll catch a glimpse of your wedding Enjoy your planning!! -Norma

Congratulations! Time will go by so fast!! Enjoy the planning process -Norma

This is a great find!

I agree with JayKay. It is a little bit of a gap but I'm sure your guests will find something to do. I'm also having a bit of a gap but alot of them have kids so we figure it'll be a good time for everyone to go rest up and then be ready to party for the reception. You'll probably be out taking pictures anyway so it'll give you and your fiance some time to be together before the dinner/reception. I hope it all works out!

I know my post is kind of late but you may also want to try the Clinique Acne Solutions. It works great! It'll dry your face out at first but it's normal. It's taking off all of the dead skin and after a while your skin is flawless. I don't have bad acne at all. I just had minor break outs here and there but it was enough to bother me and look for something. I've tried all types of stuff and Clinique works the best. Ever since I've started using it about a year ago, I have not broken out. Now, if you don't use it everyday (morning and night) then you will get a breakout. However, it's not like a nasty breakout. It goes away really quick. If you do use the Acne Solutions, you should also use another moisturizer on top with SPF because your skin will be more sensitive to the sun. If you also notice your skin drying out when using this product, you can clear it up with the Superdefense Moisturizer. It also has SPF in it so it works out perfectly. It only dries in the beginning and clears up once your skin gets used to it. I hope this helps!

These look great! I love the last photo also Great job on these!

Your pictures look awesome! I especially love the last shot.

These are really nice! I love the colors.

So exciting!! Everything looks awesome and I love your wedding cake. The palm trees are so cute!

Hi Shay12 - Congratulations and welcome to the forum! I'm no TA but you should be able to get the 2012 rates for flights and hotel already. The rates are usually available 330 days from your departure date. It seems like yours would already be out. My fiance and I are getting married at the Gran Caribe Real, May 5, 2012 and if you haven't booked your date already, you should be able to do that as well. I personally like the Gran Caribe and so far am happy with my choice. There are many reviews of the Gran Caribe on here - some good, some bad. It's just all your preference and what you want. My fiance and I did have the opportunity to tour the hotel and stay there and it was exactly what we wanted. Since we've been, there have been some changes to one of the receptions sites, which is where our reception will be, but I'm totally fine with it. There are some complaints about the coordinators. I did have an unresponsive coordinator but this was when the coordinators were based in the US. Now, they are in Mexico and our coordinator has been very responsive and helpful. Have you already booked your date with the Gran Caribe? Well, if you have any questions about the Gran Caribe, please feel free to ask! Norma Quote: Originally Posted by Shay12 Hi Ladies!! Just did my homework and read through the whole thread from start to finish!! We are getting married Feb 24, 2012!! It took us months to decide and convince and now we are waiting for our TA to give us the go ahead on booking. She said we should wait for flight rates to be released....?? I'm getting a little impatient, especially after seeing how so many of you are sending out your STD's We have been decided for 2wks now. And talking with close family and friends. Now another TA has been recommended from a close friend... I'm thinking about giving her a shot because I'm tired of waiting for this other lady. We have not signed anything so I guess I could but I feel kinda bad. We are doing Gran Caribe Real. I saw some mention of it early on but not any more. Do you think I'm making the wrong decision??.....ugh! See I just need to book already and move forward!!! What's the hold up! Well hello anyhoo!!