avong1228

Congratualations!! I am a Riviera Maya bride too. We chose Paradisus Riviera. They allow outside vendors but there is a fee. Good luck!!

I got an email from Cecilia today!!! She answered all my questions but of course I had 50 more. I am not paying $4 a bag for OOT bags to be put in peoples rooms. I am having a welcome reception and have asked her to just set a table up and I'll place them there and people can grab them then. I know its frustrating not to hear back but what I've heard from past brides is that they are slow at first as they have weddings that are closer in date that they put priority on and as your date gets closer, the communciation is much better. I'm undecided on centerpieces as well. I sent her a pic of what I want but if I'm over budget, I may just bring floating candles and have them set up bowls with water which is $15 each. My fiance and I had a hard time understanding all the costs at an all inclusive too. It seems ridiculous but from what I hear that its the same at all hotels as its a private event and the staff waiting on your event is just for you for that time. I don't like it either but what can we do?? I've also changed my mind again about my photographer. I am now back to flying someone in. I'm so indecisive!!

Lauren, sorry to hear that. Hope you are feeling better!

Question about photographer ... if you fly someone in, do they have to stay a minimum # of nights for you not to have to pay the outside vendor fee?

I am booking him for my October wedding!! So excited! Here is a bunch of the weddings he's done. Weddings - Bodas Photo Gallery by Ivan Luckie at pbase.com

I am booking him for my October wedding!! So excited! Here is a bunch of the weddings he's done. Weddings - Bodas Photo Gallery by Ivan Luckie at pbase.com

NaM, you look amazing!! I contacted Fernando today. So do you have to pay a day pass?

Welcome!! This board is a life saver!!

I've decided to go with Ivan Luckie. He's local and fits in my budget. I was originally going to fly someone down which surprisingly wasn't that much more but after weighing all the options I decided it would be less stressful and a lot of girls on the board have used him before. Big check! I thought about calling too but I really want things in writing. I rather have some kind of back up just in case! I may have asked this already but what is everyone doing for centerpieces? I thought I would bring my own stuff but the more I think about it, the more I don't want to lug more things. I am already bringing my own chair bows, table runners, OOT bag stuff and of course all my clothes and dress. We are going on our honeymoon right afterwards so need to pack for 2 weeks! But, I don't want to pay the outrageous prices either!! Champagne taste on a beer budget! Story of my life!

Why do I keep on double posting??

I am cheap too!! I haven't decided on a package or custom. It seems cheaper to do a custom but my fear is that I'll forget to add in decor for the arch (which is normally included in the packages) and it will be bare ... or something like that! Good news, Cecilia responded to my latest email about centerpieces and bouquet!! Well kinda of. She responded saying she'll look into it so let's see if she really ever responds and to my other emails!! I think I've finally decided on a photographer today as well! Whew ... decisions, decisions!!

I am cheap too!! I haven't decided on a package or custom. It seems cheaper to do a custom but my fear is that I'll forget to add in decor for the arch (which is normally included in the packages) and it will be bare ... or something like that! Good news, Cecilia responded to my latest email about centerpieces and bouquet!! Well kinda of. She responded saying she'll look into it so let's see if she really ever responds and to my other emails!! I think I've finally decided on a photographer today as well! Whew ... decisions, decisions!!

Kelie, that is such a relief. Glad it went well. I just wish she now would respond to any of my emails!! Lauren, you will have a blast and totally agree with Kelie you will know when you try it on!

I'm debating on this as well. I hate the thought of packing all that with me along with everything else I need to bring! Ughhh!

Love your bags!! Your guests are going to love them!

I've been trying to use the Contact form on his website and it's not working for me. I guess I'll call! Thanks for sharing!!

Don't stress!! Everything will be great!

Don't stress!! Everything will be great!

Ok, that's a great idea!! I swear since I've found this board, I never get any work done!!

I'm not doing any type of entertainment as it will not fit into my budget. I thought it would be nice to have something at the rehearsal dinner or cocktail hour but just can't bring myself to pay that much for 45 minutes! People will entertain themselves with plenty of booze! I'm so glad you heard from Cecilia!! I didn't hear about destinationweddings.com either until I got on here and we've already booked our trip. I may have asked this already but are any of you arranging any excursions for everyone? If so, what and who pays for that? Any suggested vendors to go through? Anything included at the resort? When we stayed at the Paradisus in PC, snorkeling was included!

I've been wondering about hair and make up as well. I am not so lucky ... nobody attending does hair or make up!! My sister is pretty good with make up so I guess I could have her do it. I really want to wear fake eyelashes for the wedding but have no idea how to put them on and would hate for them to come off during ... how funny would that be??!?!! I wonder if there is a make up artist that you can have come to the resort (without paying the $300 vendor fee)? Probably not! Lauren, I got your pm ... I'll definitely contact her to see what her prices are and if she's available! Still no word from Cecilia or Daniella from anyone?

Also, I am having some second thoughts about bringing my own photographer ... what are you ladies doing? Is it only the one photographer that they recommend without the outside vendor fee? My budget is bursting at the seams already and the thought of spending over $3k for a photog is scaring me a bit but I don't think I can do any better either way. I've heard good things about Samuel Luna but his package is around $3800 than you have to pay the $300. Advice?

I am planning on bringing my own bows ... my question to them was do i need to bring enough for both the ceremony and the reception or will they help me move them to the reception site? For 99 cents I guess I should just get enough for both. I feel better now about $6/piece! My FI is a graphic designer and wants to do them himself. I just think it would be a lot less stressful if we got someone else to do them! I did not opt to get insurance for either as of right now. My TA said I can add the insurance to the trip at any time but hadn't thought about the whole wedding. What is the cost for that and do you do that through the Paradisus?

We were thinking 4 months out but maybe we should do 5! I really want to do the passport invitations but from what I've been seeing they are around $6/piece. Do you think that's expensive?

We have no idea how many total we'll get. My first guess was 50-60 ... we'll see. Are you getting a block room deal of some kind?