TropicLover

Welcome and congrats Andecker! The ceremony and reception locations would be kind of based on the wedding package you choose. Has Ana sent you the 2012 packages yet? Each package includes a couple of items like brides bouquet, reception location, etc. The hotel did send me some bouquet options and to be honest I wasn't impressed. I have a feeling it was more to show me what types of flowers they can include. Anyway I've ended up scrolling through the internet to find something I like. One of the best websites for wedding flowers I found was the Mimosa blog. They're based out of Niagara on the Lake in Ontario so it's not like you can use them them, however their work is beautiful! The best I've seen in a while. Take a look here: http://www.mimosaflowers.com/wedding/blog I've just sent the hotel what I would like in terms of a bouquet and I'm waiting to hear back on additional costs and the do-ability of it ;-) Lol I've totally rambled, but my point is to find something that you like and send it in to see if they can do it. I haven't heard much about the resorts photographer and because photo's are very important to us we've opted to bring in our own (Sascha Gluck, he's based out of Mexico). I actually think a lot of ladies on here are bringing in their own photographers too. Just be aware there's an outside vendor fee when you bring one in. Ana can help you with everything else like chair bows, coloured linens, etc. From what I've learned the basic set up is hall chairs with white chair covers and tables with white linens. Here's an example of a basic Lobby Terrace Ceremony set up...I'll PM you with the other set ups too. So after the basic set up everything else is extra. For example we're planning to use gold Tiffany chairs and we've been quoted $8 per chair. I've heard of a lot of brides bringing their own coloured table linens and decorations. I plan on bringing a few things with me, but I really want to keep the volume down to avoid way too much luggage. Hopefully some of this makes sense, sorry for the rambling...lol I think I need more coffee ;-) Quote: Originally Posted by andecker Hey Ladies.... I am new to BDW. Has anyone used or heard any good things about the resort's photographer? How about flower options and reception sites? I just booked this week for our wedding there Feb 22 Any info you ladies have would be MUCH appriciated!!

Thanks Sharon99! I've heard a of people mention Allurements by Rebecca...I'll need to check her out.

I haven't purchased any OOT items either. When I'm shopping I do keep an eye out for sales on things like mini aloe's, advil, etc, but so far I haven't really seen anything worth getting especially since I would like to have a better idea on the number of people coming. I have a feeling that I'll have better luck buying stuff online. I'll probably start in Jan/Feb for items like bags and mugs/stadium cups. Is there anyone out there getting their invitations done? I have a ton of Etsy favourites, but haven't contacted any of them or made a decision yet. I know there are a lot of threads on this already, but if anyone has any current recommendations I'd love to hear them.

What a great day to get married! How are your plans coming along? My std's went out in June and our group booking deadline was mid-August. I'm going to send out formal invitations with rsvp's in January to everyone mostly because we have a lot of unsure and last minute booking people.....and also because my mom thinks it's only proper etiquette ;-)

Haha yes put them to work! Lol just kidding. Good luck with all your planning! I hope to see some of your pics after the big day )

That's great you're booked! I'm hoping for the same kind of style you're talking about....half up with long lose curls. We're doing our pictures prior to the ceremony so for the reception I'd like my hair to be up. Will you have Adrian stay and put your hair up? Or are you doing it yourself?

I totally know what you mean! I'd feel much more comfortable with a stranger too.

Hey ladies! If the flowers are listed as available does that mean it will be okay in the Mexican climate? I've been doing a lot of research and I don't want to have flowers that are wilted by the end of the night. Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks!

I'm sure they're both great and talented so it's very difficult to pick just one. Hmmm maybe browse through photos and see which ones have done similar hair styles to what you envision?

Hey ladies! Well I looked into pricing last night and you're all right....it's high! I've seen some packages for $250 - 500 that include hair, make up and then the photos. BUT if you want them to edit the photos she charges you per picture (lol and yes I have a "trouble" spot here and there that I wouldn't mind touched up ) I'd rather get the pictures and then do the book myself through MyPublisher....lol although I wonder what they'd think of seeing these pics ;-) I'm going to hunt around to see if there are any Boudior Marathon's happening because it tends to be a bit cheaper then. I'm going to assume more will pop up in Dec/Jan in time for valentine's day....fingers crossed!

Hey ladies! I'm getting married May 11, 2012 at the Ocean Coral & Turquesa - Puerto Morelos, Mexico! So excited!

Wow so a BD shoot seems to be the top gift! I'm thinking my FI would looooooooooooooooove it! I haven't looked into the pricing yet. What are the typical quotes you're receiving? Also how did you ladies manage to do it without him knowing? Can you get them done outside of your house?

Hey Charirtydawn! My suggestion is to give them pictures of exactly what you want. For flowers it's even better to include a list of the flower types along with the picture. I'm doing the same with the cake and found even after I sent it in I had to remind them that I wanted fondant instead of butter cream icing. Hope that helps!

Oh ya I totally hear you! You know you're addicted when you check BDW before you open your work email...shh don't tell ;-)

Congrats to you! Only a few more today! Can't wait for the templates!

Oh you totally said what I've been thinking since our STD's went out in May! Quote: Originally Posted by JBean Ladies - I never knew how stressful a destination wedding could be, or all the things you would learn about people in the process. I'm afraid this whole experience has left a bad taste in my mouth. We knew not a lot of people would be able to come to Mexico, and that was fine. I was handling it all quite well, until yesterday, when 3 people (including a bridesmaid!) bailed on the wedding, a mere 50 days out. A bride can only take so much! I need to vent so I'm saying all the things you can't say, and I'm saying them here so that I don't make some regrettable phone calls the next time I've had a few bevies. 1) It's not the fact that you're not coming that is bothersome, it's the way you go (or don't go) about it. Why wait until the LAST MINUTE to RSVP? If you know you're not coming, why not pop the little card in the mail? Huh? But at least you people RSVP'd at all! Which leads me to... 2) LEARN how to RSVP people - is this a lost art? Has respect gone out the window? WE INCLUDED THE STAMP AND sent out reminder emails - it's not that difficult!! And frankly, it's inconsiderate and RUDE. 3) For those of you (especially close family members) that said to our faces that you would "definitely be there", and loved to talk about how much fun it was going to be, and THEN miss the RSVP deadline AND don't end up booking - Seriously??? 4) To all the people who use money as an excuse for not coming - You all had over a year and half to plan and save for this wedding. If you REALLY wanted to be there, MOST of you could have made it happen. At least lie and say you can't get the time off - that's a bit easier to swallow. 5) To my eldest (yet seemingly youngest) brother - don't pin your inability to come to the wedding and financial issues on your baby daughter, and then post pics of your new motorbike on Facebook. Also, when our other brother (who IS coming) offers to share a room with you to cut costs, don't say "I'd rather have a room to myself" and then tell me the trip is cost prohibitive. 6) To my fiance's family, of which barely anyone is coming or even bothered to RSVP - I wish I had more reasons to be excited about becoming a part of this family. Your welcome was about as warm as a block of ice. 7) To my bridesmaid, who waited until yesterday (6 weeks out) to cancel - see #4. Waiting this long to cancel, unfortunately, will hurt our friendship. I have your dress, BM gift and flowers sitting here, reminding me that one of my longest, closest friends, who swore she'd be there - will not be. 8) Finally, to those of you who *gasp* RSVP'd ON TIME (and some of you more than once, just to be sure we got it), whether you're coming to the wedding or not - THANK YOU! It's taking every ounce of strength I have not to post this on Facebook. Emilyjane, you're so right too! Some people just don't want your wedding as their holiday. It's sometimes difficult for me to wrap my head around it because if it was their DW I would TOTALLY be in!

Hi Sara! I'm curious to know if you also do hair. Cheers!

This stuff is great! The bracelet is very sweet and thoughtful. I love the Corona & Lime idea! Did you buy the Corona in Mexico before you got to the resort? I'd like to do something along those lines, but I'm worried about the amount of time needed to land, get the beer, get to the hotel, put together the bags and distribute them all within hours of getting there. Lol makes me tired just thinking of it Any tips would be great!

Hi there! Welcome and congrats! Do you want a really large hotel or small and intimate? We're getting married at the Ocean Coral & Turquesa in Puerto Morelos (Riviera Maya)....it's in-between Cancun & Playa. I'm bit bias of course since this is our resort ;-) but this place is great! It's not too big and it's not too small which means it doesn't feel like a wedding factory with a bunch of weddings going on daily. Here's the link to the resort for you to check out. http://www.h10hotels.com/en/hotel/hotels-riviera-maya/ocean-coral.html#!prettyPhoto[gallery1]/3/ The other resort at the top of our list was the Barcelo Palace. It's beautiful and huge. Like many of the hotels in Mexico it's a combo of hotels at different price points which might be good depending on our guests needs. Dreams is another good one. I've also heard amazing stuff about the Iberostar and Moon Place. Honestly the internet is your best friend. Do a ton of research on what you and FI want - some resorts only allow dancing in the disco, others don't let you bring your own photographer, so really you need to figure what's most important to you. After that start getting quotes left right and center ;-) Good luck and have fun!

I'm from Vancouver where right now it's raining (surprise surprise) so I'll take hot and humid over rain any day! Haha. I'll definitely keep you posted on what I end up choosing. Right now everything else I come up with my mom hates. The latest and greatest is that she hates orchids. Lol who hates orchids?! I'm just trying to be accommodating because she's contributing a lot financially speaking...however I'm sure it will get to the point of where I ring up the coordinator and say "let's just go with plan A" Oh the joys of wedding planning

#1, it's stunning and ultra feminine!

Hey AnaS! I've looked through the menus and have no idea what we're going to choose....lol. Are you combining any of the menus? I was thinking of choosing 3 Starters, 3 Mains and 2 - 3 Desserts that way our guests can select their choice for each section. Can we even do that? I'm a vegetarian (lacto-ovo so dairy and eggs are okay), some people coming will only eat fish as a meat and then I've got the traditional Polish meat lovers ;-) Do you know if there's an extra charge to combine the menus? Oh and have you seen the appetizer menu? I'm not too sure how you select those. It looks like they've estimated that each person will eat 6 pieces each....but in each appetizer grouping there are more than 6 choices. So my question is do you select 6 items from the group OR do you select a group and get a few of everything?

I've only been to Mexico in August and it was SUPER hot! Like couldn't walk on the sand without shoes hot! May is pretty warm too, but I'm hoping not as steamy as July/August. My wedding coordinator is actually heading to Mexico in the next week and will be visiting our hotel so I've asked her to check with the hotel coordinator to see what she thinks. I'm not 100% set on these hydrangeas so if it doesn't work out then I'll need to figure out something else. Right now I'm googling away ;-)

Awesome plan! How cool is it that you get to have 2 different dresses and 2 events?! And yes you definitely want to make the first look a private event!

Great advice jmastr05! I think you're so right when it comes to using the stuff at the resort. I've seen so many ladies talking about candelabras they're bring and here am I thinking "how many bags are you bringing????" Either way I'm sure I'll have my share of extra luggage, I hope that I get bumped to first class, if not there's always the wedding party you can pawn off bags to ;-)