MEYER2BE

Quote: Originally Posted by Amanda1520 Thanks for the info ladies, this helps greatly. I will probably go with the private reception so we can have entertainment for our guests as well. Speaking of entertainment, the search is on for some good performers in Mexico. Any suggestions? Yes... I'm looking for bands too. I think I want a Mariachi band during the cocktail hour. Not sure how much they charge. When are you getting married Amanda? ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by hulaqt Octavio's site is back up and running: Cancun Wedding Photographer Riviera Maya photographers user name: chaya Nice pictures!!!! So did you do the "Renewal of Vows" ceremony? Looks like it was a beautiful day! Congratulations! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by engaged maya This is great info. and very helpful. Thanks everyone! I will def check out destinationweddings.com this week. I guess do they just assign you a TA? If you guys have any recommendations let me know. Cheers! Maya Maya, Destinationweddings.com will assign you a TA depending on the location of your wedding. They will pair you up with a TA that knows the area you will be get married at. They do also price match, if your guests find a cheaper price that is apples to apples they will give them that price. My TA says it hasn't happened much but they will honor that price. The other nice part is I sent our e-mail STD's out last month to give my guests all the information they need for booking right away. They also allow you to create your own wedding website that has travel details, couples page, maps of the local area, activities, pictures, etc. Check out their website! Good Luck! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by engaged maya Hello everyone, I was interested in hearing on how everyone is taking care of booking hotel and flights for your guests. Do you have them do it on their own? Do they have to contact CAT directly to day they are there for a wedding? Travel agent? Also are you aware of any group discounts or anything if you do it a certain way? Let me know. I am in the process of researching. Thanks everyone for your help. Maya Hi Maya! We signed up with destinationweddings.com and our TA is doing all the quotes for our guests. The great thing about this company is that if all your guests book through them we have a better chance of staying near eachother at the resort and if something were to happen with the resort "overbooking" rooms, we are guaranteed rooms and the other guests that didn't book with our group could potentially get "bumped" to another resort. I've read of overbooking happening quite a bit during the busy season. We didn't want this to happen so we have urged our guests to book directly with her! We only had to pay $50 for her services and let me tell you she is well worth it! She has eased our minds many times!! She has been so helpful and knows we and our guests are on a tight budget. She also speaks directly with our WC at the CAT. So it gives me a sense of relief that she has our back on any questions we have. I'm so glad she is there for us! Good Luck! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by Carlitarenee OOhhh... I LOVE food! There are lots of restaurants in Bali since there are so many tourists that visit so you can find any kind of food imaginable. The room service for our villa had excellent food and had a good assortment of Indonesian (its kinda Thai/Malaysian mix) and western food like burgers and fries. Our breakfast was also the usual western fare of eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc., but you could also get local cuisine, as well. We went to Ku De Ta one night and it was by far on of the most expensive meals, but really, really good with "New York" food is what they called it. I would recommend going there for drinks at night for the atmosphere (private bed/couches overlooking the ocean) and eating there for lunch (less expensive and more options). We had their steaks, tuna, pizza, hummus, salads and all were great. We were only there for 4 days so didn't get to try as many restaurants as I would have liked, but overall, we actually liked the food in Bali more than what we've had here in Singapore. We were staying in the Seminyak area and one of the strips we walked down had Italian, Indian, German, American, etc. so lots of options. Hello! We just started talking about our honeymoon this week and Bali came up! From what we've heard it's such a beautiful place and it is so tropical. We are getting married in Mexico, having an AHR in Michigan, and then flying back to China. We were hoping to stay a few days in China and then flying to Bali for 5-7 days. It's very convienient that we live in China and I think it's only a 4 hour flight to Bali for us. Does anyone know if a visa is required to travel into Indonesia? We have a lot of homework to do now. I'm glad to hear the good feedback on Bali. Good luck planning everyone!

Quote: Originally Posted by Amanda1520 Hi ladies! I have been in talks with Elena for months to confirm our March 6th ceremony. Eventually she said we were "in the books", whatever that means. I too, am a bit nervous that there is no contract or deposit that has to be put down but from the sounds of it they know what they're doing. Have any of you girls that are doing a private reception thought about entertainment for it? I'm trying to find salsa dancers but not having much luck! Add me to the list of being "In the book" too! Although we did put down a small deposit on our room because we have been working with Wedding Destinations and Planning | Destination Weddings .com and it will guarantee us rooms in case the resort gets "overbooked" which I've been told can happen. As far as entertainment goes, we are going to have a cocktail party on the beach after our ceremony so our guests can enjoy themselves as we are getting our pictures taken. We thought about adding a Mariachi (sp?) band to keep them entertained. Haven't started to look for them yet. Has anyone heard of any good Mariachi bands in the area? I don't even know what they would cost for 1-2 hours. ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by engaged maya Hello everyone, I am having trouble getting ahold of the WC at the CAT. I keep calling and either no one answers or the assistants tells me she will respond to my email but it never happens. From what I read, she is great but for whatever reason, I can't seem to get anyone to answer any of my questions. I am trying just to confirm a non legal ceremony and I had some questions in general. Anyone else experiencing similar issues?? Advice would be helpful Hello Engaged Maya, I just sent her an email today and I expect to get a reply from her in the next few days. Do you have her email address? Her name is Elena Asti and her email is: [email protected] I was told that Cora is helping her out while she has some time off. I'm guessing they are just really busy. Good Luck! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by koolatta Hi Guys, Quick update, they do have a makeup person onsite at their salon. I still don't have the prices. I'll post once i get them. I agree with Morgan on the hotel photographers btw....if their website is the best they got then I would go with someone else. I am using Ivan Luckie Photography. He is great and affordable. He flew to NY to meet with me and a few of the other girls on the forum when he came up to buy equiptment. He is very nice. I have a thread on him if you search Ivan Luckie it will come right up. Morgan how do you put the links to the thread in a message...I am so clueless..lol Yes... I agree on the hotel photographer! I just wanted to put the prices up in case anyone was interested. I did email Ivan Luckie and just got an response from him! He seems like a very accomodating photographer. http://www.luckiephotography.com ~ Erica

Dear brides, These Photography prices were sent to me by the sales department at the CAT. Hoteles Catalonia - 2009 WEDDING PHOTO PACKAGES PACKAGE 1 25 color printed Photos size 6x8, with black and white and/or sepia option. It includes the Ceremony, Group photos with the family. It includes a CD with 25 printed photos. Price: $ 350.00 USD PACKAGE 2 50 color printed Photos size 6x8, with black and white and/or sepia option. It includes the Ceremony, Group photos with the family and Session with the bride/groom. It includes a CD with 50 printed photos and handmade album. Price: $ 550.00 USD PACKAGE 3 80 color printed Photos size 6x8, with black and white and/or sepia option. It Includes the Ceremony, Group photos with the family, Session with the bride/groom, Restaurant and Party till the cake cut. It includes a CD with 80 printed photos and handmade album. Price: $ 800.00 USD ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition to our packages the bride, groom and the guest can choose other photo size (8x11 and 11x16), printed photos or cd at the commercial selling price established for all the Hotel guests. Hope this helps a little! I just wonder what kind of photo equipment they have and if they do touch ups on the pictures. ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by MayBride2010 April 20, 2010 Wow! How are you losing all your weight MayBride2010? That is fantastic! I've been running daily, cutting my food portions down and drinking pu'er tea! Still no results but it's only been 2 weeks. Keep up the good work girl!!!! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson Hey Erica Yeah Im doing the TTD shoot the following day. Looks great fun! Shame they are already booked. Sure the other photographer will be great. Yeah... from what I hear with the TTD sessions, you do the water stuff at the end that way the water will clean up your dress. Ha-ha! I'm still looking for photographers, the one they sent me still was very pricey! We have time, I'm going to keep checking around! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by claire.cw.watson Im using moments that matter, they are great at getting in contact and seem really laid back. Love your pictures and hair Angie! I wanted to use "Moments That Matter" but I emailed them and they are already booked for my wedding day. So they suggested another photographer I might use. Are any of you going to do the TTD shoot? I'm really thinking about it! I think it would be fun!!! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by MexicoBride1 I had my hair done there, and it was only $60 US which I thought was reasonable. I didn't have to worry about it and it gave me a chance to sit back and do nothing for at least an hour that day... One of my BMs also had her hair done and it was the same price. (you can check out the hair on MEXICO Destination Wedding Photography, Wedding Photojournalism throughout the Mayan Riviera and we're Puerto Aventuras - Catalonia Yucatan - Angie & Chad) Cool.. I'm going to check them out too! $60 is more of what I was thinking. Did that include make up too? Thanks for posting! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by CatBride09 Hi Everyone I have been in touch with a lady called Doranna (found her recommendation on this site) she sounds really nice and the pictures of the hair and makeup on her website look amazing. I am definitely going to book her. Doranna Hair Stylist - Freelance Italian Hair Stylist - Playa del Carmen - Riviera Maya - Cancun - Tulum These are her latest prices (Based on RM) HAIR Bride 200 USD. Bridesmaid 95 USD. (discount for group) MAKE UP ( by Olivia) Bride 150 USD Bridesmaid 95 USD Also I emailed a lady on tripadvisor who has recently returned from her wedding at the Cat. She has been soooo helpful.. here is some info she gave me: * Photographer/Videographer she used Mexican Wedding Photos & Videos | Wedding photographers * She hired the PCB. The cost was per head for the meal (e.g $55 per person for Mexican buffet) this cost included all drinks (3 bartenders), hire of the venue until 10.30pm and decoration of the venue. * A DJ is $100 per hour, she did not have a DJ but instead took her own cd's and hired the music equipment ($40/hr) and a microphone ($30 for 30 mins). This info may already be on here but it saves having to search through the pages. Hope that a helps Sally OMG!!! Those prices for hair/make-up and ridiculous! I think I will do my own for that price! Why so much? What does that include? Okay, I'm going to check out her website. Thanks for the info! I had no idea this stuff would be this expensive! Yikes! ~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by CatBride09 Hi Everyone I have been in touch with a lady called Doranna (found her recommendation on this site) she sounds really nice and the pictures of the hair and makeup on her website look amazing. I am definitely going to book her. Doranna Hair Stylist - Freelance Italian Hair Stylist - Playa del Carmen - Riviera Maya - Cancun - Tulum These are her latest prices (Based on RM) HAIR Bride 200 USD. Bridesmaid 95 USD. (discount for group) MAKE UP ( by Olivia) Bride 150 USD Bridesmaid 95 USD Also I emailed a lady on tripadvisor who has recently returned from her wedding at the Cat. She has been soooo helpful.. here is some info she gave me: * Photographer/Videographer she used Mexican Wedding Photos & Videos | Wedding photographers * She hired the PCB. The cost was per head for the meal (e.g $55 per person for Mexican buffet) this cost included all drinks (3 bartenders), hire of the venue until 10.30pm and decoration of the venue. * A DJ is $100 per hour, she did not have a DJ but instead took her own cd's and hired the music equipment ($40/hr) and a microphone ($30 for 30 mins). This info may already be on here but it saves having to search through the pages. Hope that a helps Sally OMG!!! Those prices for hair/make-up and ridiculous! I think I will do my own for that price! Why so much? What does that include? Okay, I'm going to check out her website. Thanks for the info! I had no idea this stuff would be this expensive! Yikes! ~ Erica