2mckee

Quote: Originally Posted by dianep we're expecting only 12 guests. so my group will be small too... just what we wanted! i'm still planning to do OOT bags. but instead of getting anything personalized (though i still think that's so much fun), i just bought some reusable canvas totes. i think people would be more likely to use them on down the road since they're not wedding-y at all. the only downside, for me, of having such a small group, is the lack of much of a dance. my FI and i aren't big dancers, but it's always such a fun part of a wedding party. FYI, I found canvas tote bags on both theknot.com and etsy.com (less than $6 each including personalization) and we are getting each couples last name (plus a couple of people that are traveling alone) embroidered on each bag in our colors. We are going to make buttons with our wedding logo on it and attach one to each bag. That way everyone can still identify other people attending our wedding, but can take the button off after they get home and reuse the bag. Just an idea if anyone is still looking for that sort of thing!

Quote: Originally Posted by jesmcan Hi ladies asking about flowers, I gave Zulma a picture of what I wanted when we were on our site visit and she said no problem. I would send them a picture and they will let you know the cost. I got a cascading all white orchid bouquet and it's $160 so I find the $500 to be crazy. I think that they are pulling your leg. Awesome. Thanks for letting us know that! Think I am going to do that.

Quote: Originally Posted by stacylynn8529 If you pick a package that includes photography, but you want an outside photographer, do you just tell the coordinators that you don't want to use the one that's included in your package? This is one of the issues we had. Our photographer is coming with us and we have the luxury package. Kimberly told me several months ago in writing that we could use the included photographer at another time on the resort...i.e. rehearsal dinner or welcome cocktails. Now, after Kimberly left, I am being told its pretty much either use it or lose it and they wont honor what I was told before, even though I have it in writing. (Ladies- this was the last straw in a long line of things like this that provoked my Grrrrr rant the other day!) The suggestion was to go ahead and use the included photograper during the ceremony and ours for the rest of it.....hmmm. May be me, but pretty sure I want our phoitographer to document the most important part of the entire day! They said we couldnt use him at any other time that day either (i.e. getting ready early, etc.) Doesnt make too much sense to me. In short, yes, I think you just tell them you dont want it and you lose it. Kind of a bummer.

Quote: Originally Posted by louise_pernell We all receive wrist bands and they color coded depending on the type of guest you are: VIP, regulars, etc. fyi We are allowed to have the bracelets cut off for wedding photos. Hmmmm. What about the guests that come over just for the wedding? Do they have to check in at the front desk and get a different colored wristband??

Quote: Originally Posted by Lady_Di Ok, just heard from Julie...unfortunately, non resort guests are NOT covered by the package. we have to pay for them. That sucks!! i'm seriously pissed. this whole time, i thought the package would cover them. it is $100 per non resort guest for us. we are considering just going with a cheaper package and do a la carte but that means we might get $300 vendor fee instead $100 if we sign a new contract. booo. over This totally sucks- especially as The Royal seems to be booking up for everyones dates! I have been told we wont know the day pass price until we get there, but that doesnt make any sense at all, seeing as we will prob all have at least a few guests that need this info. Has anyone heard anything different??

Happy St. Patricks Day!!!

Is anyone having trouble with this situation??: I used to have Kimberly (before she quit) and she and I agreed on several things IN WRITING over email. Now, even with the proof of the email convo, I am being told she was wrong and they cant do anything. How is that a way to do business? Soooooooo frustrating. I know they may be overloaded with all of us, etc, but that, to be frank, isn't our issue. We have a contract that they accepted and expect certain things and as a business, they shouldn't be able to renege on already decided options. Grrrrrr. Sorry to vent. I am just so irritated.

Quote: Originally Posted by duprk452 Well I heard from my WC today and while I can understand that there is a 400$ site fee to cover the charges of tables, linens, lighting, setup, etc... I just wonder why this was not mentioned in the first 12 emails or the checklist. I'm not that worried about it, because like I said I understand and my MIL is paying, but still it's just the principle! Also, the resort is almost full the week of our wedding and I'm getting nervous because several guests haven't booked yet. Some are waiting for tax returns to be safe financially. Makes me sad that some might have to stay off site. Does anyone know when the $400 fee was imposed?? I havent heard anything about that, but it definitely wouldnt surprise me to have them throw that in at the end and tell me they told me about it months ago...... I think I am going to fight that one....

Quote: Originally Posted by dianep it's been nearly a week now since the big meetings. has anyone noticed a significant difference? i received information last weekend, but no response to any questions since then. No Difference at all. Good times. Still waiting days or a week to hear from Carole, who is my FOURTH assigned stateside WC.

Quote: Originally Posted by mykidsmomtx When are you doing your "free" cake / cutting - during the cocktail hour or during the reception? We were told we could do the cake cutting/champagne toast after dinner at the reception. I am definitely all about dessert first, but figured we would go the traditional "savory before sweet" route.

Quote: Originally Posted by Trinas79 I was told one garnishing, but we can pick 2 if we'd like (so, 2, to answer the question!!). Does anyone know if both garnishings/sides go on the entree plate if its a plated dinner vs. buffet?

FYI, I found a HUGE assortment of travel hand steamers when I was looking a few weeks ago on amazon.com

Quote: Originally Posted by Lady_Di They will set it up for you. Hey Lady Di, Do you know how we go about that? We are thinking about bringing in all of our centerpiece items (mostly glass and candles with cobalt blue glassware.) Im wondering if we just set up a table how we would like it done in our meeting or something like that?

Quote: Originally Posted by bridetobe1515 Ladies we just called the resort today and they said that our week is all booked up. The hotel isn't taking anymore reservations. May 15 is the wedding date. Yeah, I heard that is a big issue. My TA just emailed me and said we need to get the word out that our weekend is about to sell out! And we arent until June 27!

Quote: Originally Posted by Kriswim I got married in May and walked up and down 5th ave looking for cheap Maracas ( i wanted nice ones that said Playa Del Carmen on them) the cheapest i found was at a store close to Constitution Ave they were $1 or $2 a pair. They wouldn't go down in price. Thanks- I was thinking about something similar. Jesmcan, thanks for your input as well! "Hi ladies yes the price of maracas for the big ones are $3 - $3.50 and than medium $2 - $2.50 and smaller ones from $1 - $1.50 however it is true you can haggle with them. Especially if you say ok I want 20 you can get even the big ones for $1."

Quote: Originally Posted by beachbum1285 Is anyone upgrading their wedding cake or just keeping the standard one that comes with their package? I'm a cake freak but hate to spend the extra money on it if I don't even know how it tastes!! And can anyone tell what kind of icing it is? It all looks like fondant to me. :/ I was hoping for more of a butter cream. I think we are going to upgrade, based on the amount we are having. (Around 50-60.) Tastewise, I prefer buttercream over fondant as well, but do you think there might be a melting issue with that? A couple of the girls have mentioned that the tres leches flavor is really awesome, so I think we will prob go with that. Dont know about other flavors though.

Quote: Originally Posted by duprk452 I hate hearing all of the communication issues that y'all are all having. We have Aja and I have not had any problems with her. She is very quick with her responses and has answered all of my concerns! Hope things get better for everyone. Also, if anyone has the menu options can you e-mail them to me? [email protected] Just sent you the menus in case you haven't gotten them yet from someone else.

Quote: Originally Posted by bridetobe1515 I remember reading somewhere on this forum that some are sold for just a dollar. Plus I think you can haggle with them there! Thanks for the info!

Quote: Originally Posted by dianep the wal mart is pretty similar, but the mega is a better store. as far as the maracas, you'll be able to find some in 5th avenue. i'm considering getting some there for favors or a part of some OOT bags. Good info. Does anyone happen to remember the price range of the maracas on 5th Ave if you have seen them there? Thanks!

Beachbum1285, WELCOME!! Where did you find the corporate upper management email?? I have wanted to email them MANY times!

What is everyone else doing/planning in their ceremony? Anything different? Would love to hear.

Quote: Originally Posted by Lady_Di Oh we can personalize our ceremony? Cool! I would like to add a reading but i dont know what kind of reading to add. I am with you about rehearsal...i have 5 bridesmaids and 2 MOHs so our wedding party is big. I guess we will wing it? I have a friend who had a beach wedding a few years ago and she had one of her cousins (or whoever you want to honor) do a reading. I've only heard religious or biblical readings before, which are fine if thats what you want, but this one was different. It was a poem- can't remember the content exactly, but it was about waves and sand and love. It was actually pretty cool without being too cheesy. He had a very soothing voice as well! Lasted about a minute or 2 and there was only the sound of waves behind, which was VERY cool. Or something like Shel Silverstein (Where the sidewalk ends author) or a great childrens poem/ book that you and your fiance loved as kids (i.e. I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always) could be pretty great as well. As far as the rehearsal, if they wont set up an actual place and time, I think we will just have everyone gather at a set time and do the rehearsal ourselves??

Quote: Originally Posted by Lady_Di ok, i want to make my ceremony programs but i don't know how their ceremony go...i emailed Julie and asked her if its prelude, processional, exchange of vows, certificate signing & declaration of husband/wife. she said that was it. i am not sure if she actually asked the people at the royal. does anyone know how the legal ceremony go? I asked Kimberly about this when she was still with the company and she said you can basically have whatever you want. You can add readings, sand ceremony, person singing, whatever you had decided you wanted in your wedding...... Does anyone know anything about having an actual rehearsal? I know they said they dont do that in Mexico, but we have several people in our bridal party as well as a couple of specialized things, and I think it would be better to "practice."

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Stephanie~ I emailed Zulma to ask my questions, but if anyone else knows about what you get with semi-private or specifics on minimum numbers let me know... in the mean time I will patiently wait for her to reply... in the meantime, onto suits and shoes! Hey Stephanie, I am not an expert on this by any means, but from what I understand, if you are paying for a package, there isnt a minimum- The min is only for ala carte weddings.- I just read a review awhile back- jaxbride or something like that and she said she had the luxury package and 18 guests. Hope it works out!!