OceanWonderland

Awww, that sucks. I'm sorry. I bet you were so excited the wedding was almost a year away, but I agree with some of the other suggestions...maybe you can plan it for May 2011 instead? Give people another 4 or 5 months to save up after their summer plans and holidays (and they could use their tax money to help them with the trip?). I know what you mean though. We already had to change our date to another 6 months later because of important people scheduling conflicts and money issues and I almost feel like just going to the courthouse or having a really small wedding in the park and whoever can make it, does. It's weird how much you have to cater to others for a day that is supposed to be one of the happiest of your lives. It's like they don't want it to happen (?). I know it's not true, but sometimes it sure feels like it. Good luck in whatever you end up doing.

Hi girls! Thanks for your input for the music and such...not worried anymore I finally got a reply from Landy and she says that I can choose between 2 or 4 pm in November. The sun sets at 5, and I was hoping for a 3pm slot, but apparently those don't exist. But 2 seems a little early (hot?). What time do you think is best? We definitely want photos after the ceremony before the sun goes down but also don't want a 4 hour gap between the ceremony and reception. Dinner starts at 6 right? A 4 hour cocktail hour is just insane... Leslie

Oh, and they also said that the setup fee has increased for the ceremony and is now $15/pp. I don't want to spend $500 buckaroos just for them to tie some bows onto the chairs and maybe string some tealights up.

Wow...ummm ok, not sure about this but one of the April 2010 brides is getting married at Dreams Punta Cuna (sp?) and she said she just got the new wedding package info. and it says ... "The Ultimate wedding package and the Dreams of Love wedding package inlcude dinner-reception per 3 hour event at the Ballroom or On the outdoor locations , wedding groups smaller than 25 people could be at the restaurants , just consider the fact that special music or dancing is not allowed , in that case we suggest the ballroom." She already booked her wedding, so it 'might' not be a problem...and I've been trying to book my wedding at Dreams Tulum for the last 2 months but have to keep changing the date and so haven't officially sent in my signed forms meaning I would definitely be using this updated requirements. If I'm only allowed to have music played in the ballroom, then that's a HUGE difference and could easily impact my decision to change locations. Does that mean all through dinner there would be no music? No first dance? Why even rent out a restaurant then?? Has anyone else got the new updated wedding information package and understand what it means by no music in restaurants or outdoor locations? I'm so disappointed as I thought this would be the perfect place, but music is very important to me and I really don't want to fly to a destination wedding and get married in a freakin' ballroom. I could do that anywhere!

Craftsteak is NO McDonald's!! Girrrrlllll... Craftsteak if owned by Tom Collichio, the main judge on Top Chef. It's probably one of the best restaurants in Vegas (for steak). Great choice!! They will LOVE their steak there and have many options. Some of the best chefs in America have set up restaurants in various hotel casinos, the concierge/front desk can suggest many fine dining establishments if you want more after being spoiled by Craftsteak. Off the top of my head, there's Bouchon at the Venetian owned by Thomas Keller Bouchon at The Venetian Restaurant and I've been dying to go to one of his restaurants, specifically the French Laundry in Napa Valley. I live less than 2 hours away but have yet ventured there...of course, there's a 6 month waiting list and it's about $300 per person to eat there...but imagine! Bouchon is more reasonably priced though, so don't worry. There's also the Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay where they have this gem of a burger: Rossini $60.00 Kobe beef, sautéed foie gras, shaved truffles, Madeira sauce, on onion bun Named after a XIX th century Italian composer whose love for fine food was legendary. The preparation always includes foie gras, truffles and a rich brown sauce, in this case, Madeira. Isn't it funny how we all want destination weddings? I love vegas, but since I grew up there, I don't want to get married there. Instead, I'm going to Mexico I wonder what it is that makes us desire to go somewhere exotic for our wedding? Oh, but I will be having my bachelorette party there, woot woot!

I love this little place a little bit off of the strip (~5 min cab or limo ride). It's a tapas bar called Firefly and has wonderful, tasty tapas (little main dishes) and amazing sangria - great intimate setting and afforable. If you don't want to stay directly on the strip, that could be a good place for a rehearsal dinner or cocktail hour. Just rent a limo since you have few guests and have them take you over to Firefly, spend an hour or two there snacking and drinking and then move on to whatever hotel you want to spend the rest of the evening. You could always rent a table/lounge area at a popular club like Pure at Ceasar's or Skin at the Palms or something at the Luxor/Mandalay Bay since those are closest to MGM.

Quote: Originally Posted by Melidell This made me think of one of my pet peeves. I hate it when FI does something nice or helpful (say chores around the house) but totally screws it up. 'Cause then I'm caught between a rock and a hard place: I can't really tell him he's making me mad because he's only trying to help. So I usually wind up gritting my teeth and saying "thanks, sweetie" then sneaking behind him to fix it. For example once he washed a favorite sweater of mine and totally ruined it but I couldn't have a nice, old fashioned satisfying hissy fit because he was trying to help me out by doing my laundry. We did have a little talk about reading the labels on clothes before you wash them, though (but that's not nearly as good a way to blow off steam as a temper tantrum lol). I know exactly how you feel! You are thankful that they are 'trying' to help out, but deep inside I wonder if they sabotage on purpose so we stop asking? I ask mine to help fold the laundry and he does a horrendous job of it that I end up re-folding everything. Or we have this deal that whoever cooks dinner doesn't have to do the dishes...but he still doesn't do the dishes when I cook dinner, so then we have 10 plates and pots/pans all over the kitchen for a few days that I end up washing even though I cooked. I shouldn't complain too much though, he finally took the puppy outside to pee this morning so I could sleep in for once (he leaves for work at 6:30am and I prefer getting up at 7, but puppy won't let me sleep - he needs to pee!). Hopefully he'll get used to taking puppy outside in the morning, it sure was nice

I was raised in Vegas for 15 years of my life and can tell you that February is going to be quite cold and windy. Most likely 40-50F. If guests are okay with being outside in the cold (depends on your definition of cold I suppose), then I'd go for the outdoor ceremony. The hotel walls should block most of the wind. Just depends on your preference. Good luck and congrats!

Gorgeous dresses!! I love how unique they all are I am still a newbie, and I can't seem to get the image to the right size, so here's a link to the dress I've purchased. http://pics.boards.weddingbee.com/24...rick+piero.jpg It's a San Patrick (Pronovias) Piero and I absolutely love it. I might get rid of some of the fringe on the top, but otherwise it fits amazing and is lightweight. I would post pics of me in the dress but I'm afraid my fiance would somehow find that picture!

Hi ladies! Looks like I might soon be joining the April 2010 upcoming brides group We will potentially put our deposit down tomorrow to reserve our date! I know it's short notice for a lot of my family but it sounds like a lot of guests don't book their reservations until around this timeframe anyways, so I think it should work out. We are very excited and can't wait to get married! It all depends on whether my dress will be here in time, I find out today when it's supposed to get here. Can't wait to find out. Do you think I should sent out a real save the date and then invitation since I'm having it so soon? Or do you think an 'email' save the date/details to book trip, and then real invitations in January would be sufficient? Hope you're all having a wonderful day! Leslie

Is it possible to rent the illuminated dance floor exclusively? Or do you also have to use DJ services?

I was wondering what type of dance floor the hotel provides? Is there an option to get the light up dance floor to have for a beach reception? If so, is the cost similar (~$600-800)? I'm not planning on using a DJ, just renting or bringing speakers and playing my own ipod playlist, but would love to have a light up dance floor. Just wondering if it's an option or not. Thanks

Hey ladies! I am a potential April 2010 bride. Have emailed the resort and photographer and it looks like the date I want is open for both! I just have a few concerns and I was hoping you girls could give me your advice/experiences. First off, I feel like this might be super short notice to give my guests. My side of the family knows of my intention to get married in Mexico and they are starting to get excited about it. My mom really is pushing for us to get married in April, she says guests can use their tax returns to pay for the wedding/vacation. Wishful thinking? My fiance has yet to mention getting married in Mexico to ANY of his family, and he has 2 older brothers with children who need to know asap. He is concerned they might think we are 'pushing them away' and making them feel like we don't want them to be a part of our wedding. But my justification is that we live in CA and they live in Boston...they are already going to have to travel across the country, so why not meet down south in Mexico? Do you think it's too short notice to have a wedding in April? We are probably going to invite 150 people, but I honestly think only 50-60 would actually come. Do you think if I postponed it until November that more people would come, or does it seem like if they want to make it they will do so with 6 months or 12 months notice? Also, I will send out a mass email to most of my guests letting them know about the date, but about how long does it take to order magnets with save the dates and get them to the guests? When should I send out the official invitation? Sorry for all these questions. I don't want my guests to feel like I'm excluding them!! I just think that overall, ALL of our family will have to travel and pay for hotel, and I really want to get married barefoot on the beach. Thanks for any advice you may have. I might have more questions later -Leslie

Hi future Sandos brides! After looking at hotel after hotel after hotel in all the locations around Riveria Maya and Tulum, I THINK I have settled on this one. My fiance and I decided not to talk 'wedding' plans for at least a month after the engagement...but come on!!! I'm too excited not to do the research and plan the wedding, I just have to keep quiet about it until the 20th. Also, I've realized if I want a beach wedding, I need to start planning sooner rather than later, especially if I want a photographer like Claudia or Lincoln/Lori. I've read through this whole forum a few days ago, so please excuse me if I forgot something and am being a newbie by asking something that's already been asked a million times. I just want to clarify a basic wedding day schedule at this venue. Saturday wedding in Winter/Spring: 4-4:30 pm: Everyone/Guests heads down to Beach for ceremony 5pm: Music plays, Fiances see each other for first time today,Ceremony Begins 5:30: Ceremony Over, Mothers wipe the tears away Group and bride/groom pictures somehow between 5:30 to 7:00 6:00-7:00: Cocktail Hour/Champagne/Speeches (?), preferably on the beach under one of those huts 7:000-8:30: Reception Dinner, most likely buffet since expensive for private event, more champagne and speeches 8:00 - 10 or 11: This is where I get confused!! So we had the dinner at the buffet and NOW we want to DANCE! We have a song, and I really want that to be our first dance, but where do we do this? I love the idea of by the pool or by the beach and I'd be fine renting out that are for the private reception for the dancing part (no food!)? Is that ok? If so, do we hire a DJ ($50/hour) and can they play by the beach or pool? Will they play songs that we choose? I can provide an ipod and cd's. Then I can have guests walk over to a bartender at the hotel area instead of paying $18/pp for alcohol? I want there to be dancing, I have specific songs in mind (as does my family) and I just want to make sure there is room to move and good speakers. What time would they end the private reception and we'd have to go to the disco? 11pm? I just want a few hours of my family and friends dancing together Thanks for any input!! Also, I'm still thinking about 'when' to have our wedding. To get the photographers I like it has to be sometime after August 2010, and that's entering hurricane/rain season. So I was thinking Nov/Dec 2010? I would prefer mid-Nov, but still pretty risky for the weather, but December, less guests might come because of holiday costs. I still like November because I want to be this man's wife sooner rather than later. But am willing to forgo a month or two if it guarantees no rain (i.e. beach wedding). Any suggestions? Thank you for your help girls! Can't wait to become an active member of this site. Take care, Leslie

Hi Girls! What a wonderful forum. I've been browsing the last few weeks since I got engaged and I really am hoping to have a destination wedding in either Riveria Maya or Tulum...just have to convince, well everyone! They say it's 'our wedding', but the momma's sure do like to lay down the law. Did anyone else have similar problems? What did you say to convince your family that a wedding in Mexico is better than a wedding (very expensive mind you) in Northern CA? They all are flying in from all over the country anyways...why not some fun in the sun? Can't wait to start planning my wedding with all the helpful information on this site! Take care, Leslie