OceanWonderland

Well, I could do cocktail hour directly afterwards. But dinner can't start until 6:30. So either way, there's a gap after the ceremony or after cocktail hour. 3 - ceremony 3:30 to 4:30 - cocktail hour 4:30-6:30 - ????? 6:30 - reception

I got a question. What time are your girls ceremonies at? Mine is currently set for 3pm, because I wanted to have time for pictures before the sun goes down (around 5pm). I'm just concerned about what my guests will do between then an cocktail hour around 5. Do you think I should make my ceremony at 4 instead? Hmmm...what do you girls think?

I really hope Mexicana fixes everything that's going on. It makes NO sense that they can't figure out a way to transfer you to another flight from like a sister company or something. And they should definitely have to pay you back if they completely cancelled your flight. At least we still have a few months to go, imagine if you were getting married in 2 weeks and flying through them! How frustrating... I'm sure they'll have it figured out soon. They'll have to. But I'd still keep looking on kayak.com for cheap flights. I know Delta was having RT flights for around $300 from CA the other day. Which is a GREAT deal. Usually the best prices are released Mon-Wed. Good luck girls!!

#2. Hands down!! It looks like it was made for your body. Absolutely gorgeous. Did you figure it out yet since it's been a week? How exciting to have 2 amazing choices

You did such a great job! Everything looks wonderful I bet your guests had a lovely time.

I don't think you have to start your alterations yet. The only reason I started is because she's a busy lady and we get 3 different appointments (more if needed), so it will take me about 1.5 months. My dress has a corset back so if I lose a few pounds it won't make a difference. We are just hemming the length, adding bra pads, and adding a french bustle. Â Also, it is weird not knowing how many guests will be attending your wedding and that completely changes the cost of the reception and OOT bags. I just guessed that we're gonna have 70-80 guests and if some people don't get a shot glass or pashmina, then so be it. It's not my fault they waited until 2 weeks beforehand to come to our wedding. Who knows if that will even happen. Â I'm finally getting our budget back together as well, and OUCH! I was originally budgeting for about 40 guests, and that has doubled (!) and even though we're at an all-inclusive...oh well! Still another $6/per person for champagne toast and $55 for dinner. It starts adding thousands and thousands of more dollars really quickly. Is anyone else going over their initial budget? I don't know HOW anyone does it for under 5K. You have got some mad skills!

I can't believe it's less than 100 days!! Time is going to fly by now. I finally sent out my invitations last week What a relief. So much work. We also did our registry and figured out the GM attire. All the big things are done. But it's true, there are just SOOOO many little details, it's hard to keep your head around them all. But at least it's things that if it doesn't happen, it won't make or break the wedding. I have my first dress fitting today! I am pretty excited to get an idea of what's going to happen to it. It's a corset so losing or gaining 5 pounds probably won't do anything with alterations. I'm just confused because you're supposed to wear the shoes you're going to wear for the wedding. And I'm going barefoot for the ceremony and I'll bring heels for the reception, but I feel like I'll just wear flip flops since who's gonna see my feet? And my FH is only a few inches taller than me, so heels will make us the same height. What are girls thinking of doing? Heels or flip flops?

We use a free one called mywedding.com and it's complete customization. You can turn on or off any page you want, so while you are working on one, you can see what it would look like but until you activate it, no one else can see it. For the beginning stages we only had our wedding date (home page), our story, and accomodations. Since then, I've added more pages, RSVP, Music requests (and you can make a 5 song playlist), FAQ, Wedding Party details, Packing lists, etc.... We also didn't have a registry for quite some time, but about 2 weeks ago I got a phone call from my parents upset that we didn't have one because our grandparents expect it! So I added a registry for them. I guess for some people it's customary. If you think you will have guests that want to be sent a registry, you might want to give them a little piece of paper in their invitations only stating where they can buy you a gift, if they choose to. Who would have known people wanted a registry?

We sent out 110 invitations (220 people or so). And we have 70 people officially booked, and expect maybe 10 more. We still have 3 months to go, but I think these are pretty firm numbers. Looks like 30-40% acceptance rate, not too bad. I will say there are 10 people (friends and family) that we had on the 'definite' list, and they aren't coming (like best friends and in-laws). Life gets in the way, either from money to job to kids or parents. It's always surprising, but don't take it personally. You will still have a great time. I will admit some of these "can't make it" from my close friends does kinda hurt, but I'm just trusting what all married brides have said that 'you won't even notice they aren't there'. I still gently remind these friends they have 3 months to book though!

I would say send the STD as soon as you know your wedding date. People will need time to save money. Usually that is anywhere between 8-12 months. Invitations traditionally are sent 1 month before the wedding, but I've seen most DW brides send theirs out around 3-4 months before the wedding. It's sort of a gentle reminder for those that may not have booked or forgotten about your wedding, that it is VERY close and they should realllly think about booking their travel and accommodations. Especially if you are getting married during a busy travel season, hotels have been prone to sell out, so you want to make sure your guests have booked early enough. Pre-travel packets anywhere between 2 weeks and a month (give people time to go shopping for essential items) and a lot of people also include a welcome brochure once they arrive at your destination. The great thing about DW is there are no set rules and you can really do whatever you feel like

Thanks so much for posting these! I just shipped mine based off of yours as inspiration. My guests have already started receiving them and just love them, they are so creative To those asking about shipping prices, we just put 3 x $0.61 cent wedding stamps on the box, so about $1.83 for each invitation. I had quite a bit more than 50, but still, not that bad! I made about 120 invitations in all, and it cost about $300 for all the supplies. Overall, that's about $5 per invitation (supplies and shipping). A great price for such creative and beachy invitations! I think if you use glass bottles instead of the plastic ones, then it will be a bit more in shipping. But the plastic bottles look just as good! Also, I remember another poster said that she spent a lot more for someone else to do these for her, and I can tell you that it makes sense! These things took SOOOOO long to do. I had 6 different friends come help me over several days, and I'd say it took about 80 collective hours of work. So definitely have friends help you or you'll be spending a lot of time making these babies.

The men are all having an outing during our wedding weekend as well, but I think they are doing it in the least time-consuming way. My dad and uncle are renting a boat to go fishing/drinking from 7am-1pm and inviting all the boys in the group. So while the boys are out on the ocean doing whatever they do, us girls can enjoy a lazy, slow breakfast, and drinking mimosas by the pool. By the time they get back, we'll be ready for lunch and maybe they can grill up some of the fish the boys caught! Us girls might even do some souvenir shopping that morning since the men don't usually want to be involved in that aspect anyways. Then we have the rest of the trip together as a group. The only thing that sucks is my fiance won't get to meet with the wedding coordinator since he'll be on a boat, but it's not like he really cares about the small wedding details. It's kind of bothersome because I've already had to plan the entire wedding and now I'm gonna be in charge of the final meeting as well...but in all honestly, it's probably a lot easier being the sole person in charge. He only tells me when he doesn't like something. Anyways, maybe a half day outing can be the boys outing (like ziplining or fishing trip...).

I've read through this entire post as well, and I've got to say, I think you are doing your best to compromise. I don't understand how your FH thinks it won't be an 'all out party'? In fact, I would suggest that you do hire a DJ instead of an ipod. I know you are trying to keep it under 10K or so, but it's only another $500 or so and they will ensure that it's a real party. They do all the announcements, can tell everyone it's time for a tequila shot (!), get the party started after dinner instead of sitting around waiting for people to dance. I would also definitely state in your invitations that the ceremony is 5, directly followed by a reception in a restaurant (or even cocktail hour to the reception). I can't BELIEVE he is okay with a wedding just being a ceremony. I would be BEYOND pissed if I were to fly to a friend or family members wedding and there end up being NO reception? I would think you were SUPER cheap and unappreciative of us coming. It sounds harsh, but it's true. Your guests will be spending about $1K each to go to your wedding (plus vacation), and I think they will expect both a ceremony and reception (with food and dancing!). They won't care for playing basketball or volleyball in between - well, they shouldn't. And I think you are doing great with your budget thus far, very similar to mine. I already have 70 guests booked and I'm trying to keep it under 10K, but the food adds up. At Dreams Tulum, you can rent your site ($750) AND the food costs ($55/person OUCH!). So the fact that you are getting a dinner reception for $1250 is absolutely amazing...seriously! I'm jealous. I think even with flowers, you'll still be able to keep it under 10K. I had to cut the flowers and out of town bags...just can't afford it with that many guests. Although I think my mom is still buying stuff for out of town bags, she just can't help it (it's the southerness in her), but I've warned her that buying $1 items x 100 can add up fast. But yeah, we decided no flowers for the BM (just me) and they will carry pomanders (Apple green pomander by MyKreations4U on Etsy), and our centerpieces are going to be tequila bottles with limes and mini-maracas (which we'll buy when we get to Mexico). Just a thought to help save money. My mom asked me if I remembered any centerpieces from a wedding I've been to (i.e., flowers), and I haven't, so I thought why spend $$$ on flowers if barely anyone remembers them. I guess it's for the pictures. Finally, I would definitely have the wedding you want now (with compromises) instead of the wedding of your dreams in 10 years. In 10 years, you and your friends are going to be focused on other things in life, like children, and I would think spending all that money for a wedding, even after you're already married, it just seems a bit unrealistic. It's like saying "one day, I'll drive a porsche" knowing full well you'll never spend that much on a car, but it's fun to dream about. I hope your FH is realizing that this is going to blast the entire time you and your friends/family are there. I can't wait for our wedding and the days before and after hanging out and drinking with my friends on the beach in paradise. When else do you get everyone you love together at the same place for a few days? It's gonna be great!

Sounds like you had a wonderful wedding Thank goodness you got El Patio! I'd be the same way...who flies to have a beach wedding in a convention center (). I'd rather have it on the beach in the rain personally. Sounds like most brides get a break in the clouds though, so that's good. Congratulations on being a Mrs!

This is a question for any girls married recently: If dinner reception started at 6:30, did they let it continue until 10:30? Did you have to pay extra for this? Or did they really cut you off at 9:30? Also, how long does it take overall to serve dinner? I want to have adequate time for dancing.

Quote: Originally Posted by jaynreneewed Another question... How long is the reception? I think its supposed to be 4 hours. My ceremoney is at 6:00-6:30. Cocktail hour is from 6:30-7:30. Reception is from 7:30- 10:30, but that only give me a 3 hour reception! I'm paying for a 4 hours (i think), I read that the ballroom closes at 10:30, are they going to keep the ballroom open the extra hour? Should i email her? I thought it was 4 hours as well, because I thought girls said they started dinner at 6:30 and it didn't end until 10:30. But I emailed Aurora and she said very matter of factly that the reception is ONLY 3 hours and after that I have to pay I think $15/per person/per hour (might be more). I can't find the email...but I'm pretty sure it was something outrageous. Especially since I've already booked a DJ Doremixx for 4 hours. What the heck is the point? So now I'm paying an extra hour for a DJ I'm not going to have? I just don't get it. They seem to really have a vendetta for brides getting married this year. First, no $20 menu, superfluous set-up costs, now having to pay an additional $1500 if I want to have a 4 hour reception, even though I'm already paying for the private event fee. Do they expect me to get married at 3pm and wait until 7:30pm to eat dinner? I was hoping 3pm ceremony, pictures, 5-6 cocktail hour, 6:30 dinner till 10:30. I felt like others had done this and it was included....not surprised though. Should have just had an at home wedding, seems like after all these nickel-and-dime fees it would have been exactly the same cost.

Gorgeous photos!! Absolutely love them and you both look so happy What cenote did you do your TTD photos? Was there a fee to get in there, if so, how much per person? I would LOVE to get my TTD pics at that cenote, looks like a lot of good options for creative photography. I'll also be getting married at Tulum, so I hope it's a nearby one. Thanks!

Chicago gets all the luck!! I've been looking for a boudoir photography and I can't find one for such a great deal!! I would book in a second if I lived near Chicago. If you ever come to the Bay Area (San Francisco, San Jose, Napa), I think we could EASILY get enough girls for a boudoir marathon. Maybe one day... I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I am also renting out the Seaside Grill, fee and all. Yet she still said we can only have the silver or gold menu there. How did you finally get her to agree to the $20 menu? Was that through Aurora and about how long before the wedding? I just can't imagine spending that much on food, I might as well have gotten married at home! Really frustrating. I might have 100 guests so this will realllly hurt. Could you maybe email me the chain of your conversations and I could try a similar tactic?

Quote: Originally Posted by MnM2Mexico Hi ladies-- it's been three weeks since my wedding at Dreams Tulum- and I have to apologize- I have not written my review yet! I felt guilty not checking in. I promise a review soon! Congrats on getting married!!! Can't wait to see your review, love reading those

Hi all, I emailed Aurora with some things I wanted, I made them concise statements because I heard that's the best way to handle things with her. Anyways....I told her I hired DJ Doremixx for the reception music and he would be there for 4 hours. And her response: The reception dinner is included for 3 hours, is necessary to pay additional cost for extra hour $15usd+tax+service per person. But based of people's reviews, it always seems like your dinner starts at 6:30 and they let you stay till 10:30. Should I just ignore Aurora and assume I'll be ok and not have to pay another $15/per person fee. Because that's absolutely ridiculous, they really do try to take every single penny from you. Also, I asked for dahlia flowers, and she said they won't have those, but they'll have 'polares', what the HECK are those Finally, did any of you recently married brides successfully get to use the $20 menu, and if so, how? Because she once again claimed I can ONLY use the silver or gold menu.

I know this has been asked not too long ago, but what's the email address to book our hair and make up appts? Think that needs to be crossed off my to-do list. Also, does anyone know how much it costs for them to do your make-up?

I'm an oceanography doctoral candidate, so I have some familiarity with ocean currents. I am not a physical oceanographer, so I'm no expert in the specifics, but I have a lot of access to what physical oceanographers think might happen. I've attached a youtube video showing what a flow projection in the next 4 months could travel to (determined by modelers): YouTube - Ocean currents likely to carry oil to Atlantic As you can see, most of the oil is heading around Florida and up the Gulf stream, but there's also a small possibility that some oil could get caught in the Gulf of Mexico Loop current and make it's way down to some areas of Mexico...but like I said 'small!'. Also, since this has never happened before and they are just using their best estimates of localized flow, so it might not be perfect and the scientists who ran this model state as such. And it's important to remember that these oil slicks/plumes will be degrading overtime due to natural bacterial degradation in the ocean, sunlight, wave action, etc...so the potency and toxicity won't be as great as we're seeing off the southern states. Not to say there might not be some tar balls, but a low chance. There's also this website to follow with a lot of other forecasts and real-time oil tracking: CeNCOOS - Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 2010. The bigger concerns to me are the ocean plumes below the surface of the ocean, and the dispersants...we have NO idea what that's doing to the organisms swimming through these currents. The fact that they are blatantly ignoring orders to stop using disperants is absurd and I don't understand how they are still able to purchase any more. But BP will do anything to keep the oil below the surface so the public doesn't have a larger outcry. In conclusion, I'll be getting married in Tulum in November, and I will still be swimming and snorkeling in the ocean. But I will continue monitoring the situation, and you have to remember, even if they STOP the oil from flowing tomorrow, there is still a WHOLE lot of oil out there (probably 5 times more than what the media and BP is suggesting). I really hope this devastation prompts the US to seriously fund alternative/renewable/sustainable energy resources, and decrease our dependence on oil (foreign or not). Next time you go to the grocery store, bring a canvas bag instead of using plastic, one more step in the right direction. In other news, we'll know within 24 hours whether their new 'top hat' was successful in siphoning up most of the oil and gas coming out of the hole. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

I don't know how much your room penalties are...but for our group, we basically had people who 'verbally commited' and if they backed out, we told them they owed up the penalty. It's not fair to us that they said they were going to come, then back out, and we get fined for it. None of them complained about having to pay the penalty fee either, at least not to our face. So maybe you could try that? It's a lot cheaper than the amount they'd end up spending to go to the wedding, and maybe they would feel the pressure to just pay more money and COME TO YOUR WEDDING!! It's a fantastic vacation, why would anyone say no?

Quote: Originally Posted by selassie11 This is interesting...I've looked at a ton of pics on BDW and I was feeling the same way. I thought it was just the feminist in me, but it seems strange to me that the ladies are spending thousands on designer gowns, wearing full wedding gowns, trains and all, on the beach, and the guys wear khaki, flip flops, and linen shirts. It's always seemed a bit imbalanced to me. If the guys wear khakis, the women should be casual (ala JCREW) as well. But it doesn't go so... I completely agree! Why is it okay and completely expected for the woman to where her heavy, hot wedding dress (which if you hold a tux in one hand and your wedding dress in the other, the wedding dress is usually heavier), but men can wear khaki pants? I mean if a guy WANTS to wear khakis and a white shirt, so be it...but in my case, he wants to wear a black suit with a blue peacock shirt, and all the groomsmen have black paints and a peacock shirt only (no tie or jacket). Yes, he'll be hot, but the ceremony is only so long and then he can take off his jacket and tie, roll up the sleeves for the reception. He's willing to make the sacrifice because it really looks good on the beach and he felt like khaki would look out of place next to my wedding gown. But like I said, it's a choice. I'm choosing to wear a gown that would work in a vineyard as well as a beach, but I'm definitely going to be sweating up a storm. My point is, go with what you both envision. Who cares if it's not the norm for a beach wedding, everyone does what they want That's the great thing about non-traditional weddings.