prettypigpig

Quote: Originally Posted by Linhy Have any of you all decided on putting together welcome bags? I am. Since my wedding theme is go green, ealrth friendly. I already selected my bags and all the stuff I want to put inside. I wish I can do it all right now order the stuff. Do you all think I should? hahaa WOW..Green and Earth Friendly....GREAT THEME!

Quote: Originally Posted by Linhy thanks for the advice prettypigpig! Hopefully in January there will be less kids haha I guess if u aren't allergic to kids, u will be fine! LOL OK, if they are my own, I am sure it will be different. Like my mom said, when it's urs, it will be different!...( I hope so too...)

Quote: Originally Posted by Angelfire Before you completely write this resort off, I ask you to consider 2 things. 1) the $3 fee helps keep the reef protected. 2) there is an amaxing oceanview terrace for weddings, ask Ana to email you the photos! This was an option for our service, but we had our heart set on feeling the sand between our toes. I have to say friend whom have married at other resorts have not had as great as service, and their entire wedding has flopped as a result. I still suggest you keep this hotel as an option when you make sight visits:) good luck! I will go for site visit for sure ( I like their rooms' decor), but lately...someone got bed bugs bites from the hotel too....so don't stay at Building 6 according to tripadvisor. I don't wanna get eaten alive, no thx, but really no thx. $3 to protect the reef, I have been there but I never see any info on "how" they protect it. (what u think and what it actually achieve can be 2 different things). $3 is fine, and they can include $21 in the package price, I have no problem with it, but add it on top in an AI, it bugs me. and I really don't like the idea of "privé" in an AI resort. AI should be all AI, not $42 for a lobster tail with a steak or extra for a better cut steak or premium liquor. They can raise the price to make it a real AI, I don't mind to pay $300 more to have premium liquor and good steak..and including that $3 per day for watersport. I don't find it is fair for my guests, like oh..if u wanna get a lobster tail and premium liquor...please get the privé option! if not then...oh well...no free diet coke in ur room! As for the sand, I have seen pink sands before (in Bahamas), so fine white sands are nice, but very common. I've been to Puerto Morelos, so I ve seen the white sands. I will still visit the hotel with my fiancé in June, because Ana has been very responsive, price is in the right range, the decor is nice.

Quote: Originally Posted by Linhy hahaha yeah prettypigpig! thats the one I am staying at in Puerto Morelos Stay on the top floors!!! avoid the rooms with kids!!! Puerto Morelos is beautiful, amazing reefs and quiet town like Playa Del Carmen 10-15 yrs ago.

Very important! Because there are tons of time share people from the airport to the airport parking lot! DO NOT STOP nor TALK to them!

Quote: Originally Posted by michelle2011 Prettypigpig - It doesn't seen you get alot for the Blueberry one compared with other hotels for a similar price.... We looked at Strawberry but thought the same about the 15 people. We will hopefully have 20/23 coming so although not alot more it all add's up! Also we dont want our reception on the beach like you get with some packages so that's why we narrowed it down to Blueberry..... Nicyx - can't wait to see your website and barefoot sandals.... It wont be long before we are all booked up! Whoop whoop!! We made a decision on our AHR today so we just need to see now if they have the date we want. Finger's x'd it'll be booked soon and then we can cross that one off the list ) OH...congrats! me too I am so jealous,as I don't really know if I will have an AHR (but now I am sort of tempted to get one too). I know it all adds up super fast!

Quote: Originally Posted by Linhy Is anyone staying at the dreams resort in rivera? I bought my shoes today! wow it seems like when I am not on here for a couple days I miss out a lot huh! Hi everyone again! The Tulum Dreams is too far from the airport,like 2.5 hours! so no no on my list. The newly renovated one near Puerto Morelos is nice, close to the airport and modern (open bathroom with no doors) has thin walls and kids running everywhere from 7am, so no no for someone with kids allergy like myself.

Quote: Originally Posted by michelle2011 Congrats Jrb and skadow! Wonderful news you have your wedding dates!! ) ahollo02 - we have to be in the country 4 day before the wedding at our hotel. So we hope to fly on the sun and marry on the following saturday. That's the plan anyway. Until flights come out nothing is confirmed. I have just been looking on the hotel site and one of the basic packages ($1520) doesn't include flowers, hair etc.. so will have to add that all on! If i go for a higher package it means they limit guests (or pay more) and you have a dinner in a banquet room which we dont want....hhhmmm decisions decisions... Good ones though, (i'm not complaining)...) Michelle, I know, flowers +$200, hair +100...etc it adds up fast! I was looking at the Strawberry package, $3080, but only for 15 persons, so..at $60 per guest extra, the bill can go up pretty fast. I am looking at another place offers $3800 for 35 persons...seems offer better value, because it is highly likely that I will have more than 15 people. Not to factor in the exchange rate forecast (not a concern for American brides, but a concern for UK and Canadians), a swing like in Oct 2008, can add 20% more on the cost ( I know I know...I am over-analysed at this point).

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsYak I originally was going to do the legal ceremony and it was 3 days prior...now we are doing symbolic, i don't think there is an amount of days you must be there before for symbolic. If you arrive on Sat you should be fine for Tuesday. We are getting married on a Tuesday and were going to fly in on Friday...but due to flight prices we are flying in on Thursday now...so that only leaves us one real day after the wedding because we fly out on the following Thursday...but we'll get home on a Thursday so that gives us plenty of time to get back in to work mode for Monday! Barcelo WC said 4 days in advanced for legal ceremony, and 3 days in advanced for symbolic ceremony (Sunday and Mexican Holidays excluded). The Royal PDC WC offers 2 days in advanced if you go with the expensive packages. Therefore, you have to ask the WC at your resort.

Quote: Originally Posted by sfrench0621 I was looking on the Barcelo Maya's website today and noticed they added a section on weddings there that they didn't have when I first started looking- it actually had answers to a lot of common questions, package prices, etc. May be helpful for some of you: Barceló Hotels & Resorts - Our destinations - Mexico - Barceló Maya Beach Resort wow, they should have done this long time ago (instead of having us waiting in front of our laptop and talking to walls). By now, I am more toward the Royal Playa Del Carmen, the location is better than the Barcelo, and no kids. Meanwhile, people with kids/monsters and people with budget constraints can still stay at the Gran Porto Real and come over to the Royal on the wedding day. Of course, I can go there to visit them any time too.

Quote: Originally Posted by ahollo02 Congrats congrats congrats!!!! A weight has been lifted, I'm sure!! Congrat! that is very nice! one thing off the to-do list!!! Ahollo, for legal wedding, it has to be like 3 to 4 days in advanced, the Royal PDC offers packages that u can arrive like 2 biz days in advanced.

Quote: Originally Posted by LynnieS NO WAY!!! STARBUCKS!! I knew I picked PDC for a reason-haha!! FI and I are definitely addicts That is reassuring that the Royal is not the only resort with bad communication-well not really but you know what I mean. I really believe that even though things seem bad trying to plan in the states, we will all be very very happy with our weddings LOL, yeah, last time I went to PDC (Sept 2009) I saw 2 StarBucks and I know there are 3 in PDC. 1 HagenDaz...and a few international perfum/makeup shop with MAC inside, so no need to panic in case u forgot that "waterproof" mascara...or that Vera Wang perfume! Not far from PDC ( a cab is needed) they have 1 Sam's Club and 1 Walmart...so OOT bags or at least some stuffs in those bags can be bought there instead of "imported". That also mean..less heavy luggages!

Quote: Originally Posted by jesmcan 1) as long as you keep everything in writing you wont have extra fees here in there, it all depends on when you book. At the time you put your deposit down then you are locked in to those rates. 2) The hotel seems to be selling out at least 3 months in advance. The only thing to do is get your guests booking early and let them know this resort sells out fast. I highly recommend working with a travel agent. If people want they can put down a deposit to hold just at least the room. 3) Non of the packages included the judge. However if you stay in a master suite or higher for 5 nights or longer than the judge is free. You cannot remove the video or photographer from it. 4) For every outside vendor there is a $350 fee. The resort has a list of approved vendors that you can book through them to avoid this fee. However be aware that usually the cost is a lot more if you go through the resort. 5) The communication for lack of a better word is atrocious, but every bride who has had their wedding at the royal has said once you get there everything is amazing. Just keep a binder with everything in writing. I agree with all the pros. Location is what really makes this resort so popular. Not to mention they are #2 on trip advisor and are well known for their food. ok...Thanks a lot on the info! I will go there for a site visit in June this year. Maybe I will see some of the brides on this forum...heehee

Beautiful pictures!

Ok I will cross this resort from my list. I just got an email from Ana, no beach reception from May to November because of the turtle season ( this is a deal breaker for me), and $400 of outside vendor fee, if someone wants to bring in an external photographer. The menu looks fine, and other locations look very nice too. There is $3 fee to play any watersport at the resort (another deal breaker for me), However, Ana is the most responsive WC among all the WC from all mexico resorts!

Quote: Originally Posted by Nicyx Im not sure about any speeches to be honest, well not te traditional oes like we would prob have getting wed in the UK anyway. Im sure both FI and I will say a little thank you speach at the reception diner, but i will ask my dad if he wants to say anything as he's not a confident person anyway and to make him do a speech would put im in an uncomfortable position. but i will just say to him if he wants to he can if not then thats ok too :-) I too love it when people do there own vows but im rubbish at things like that and wouldnt know what to put and would probably end up copying something from the internet but then that defeats the object coz they are supposed to be my vows!!! x Nicola, Maybe after a few tequila shots..your dad will open up! I saw a few drunken dads speech in the past, some of them were hilarious! (because the dads were so DRUNK, and started to talk nonsense!) I am serious! Be aware of drunken guests! especially those first time AI ones...I saw a pic of a bride on this forum who got wine spilled on her dress by some in laws...hmm...

I am looking at this resort. I went to the Gran in 2004 with my mom, and we were very pleased with the hotel and experience. So far...There is a few on the Royal: CONS 1) they seems to charge u here and there...left and right 2) Hotel can be full very fast, and then u have to pay extra for the day pass 3) does the luxury (the one at $3800, includes the judge?) and can we remove the photographer/video from it? 4) Extra External Vendor fee to be added on top? 5) very bad communication with WC (it is not only at Royal...same thing with brides dealing with Barcelo...it is like talking to a wall) PROS 1) very nice location, next to PDC, so no need to take $10-$30 cab to get to a town, super convenient for Bachelor party or girls' night out! or get extra supplies. 2) people with kids and limited budget can stay at the Gran, so no need to be stuck in a kids "friendly" hotel or force people to pay extra $200-$500 per week to stay at the Royal. 3) Starbucks in PDC for Starbucks addicts

Quote: Originally Posted by Nicyx exadiussgirl... I havent received a message from you Hmmmm, confused... it is [email protected] that your sending it too? might be worth sending me a message on here with your email? that might be better. michelle2011... Never really thought about a website much but just gave it a go and its quite easy really!! im quite impressed :-) OH AND TODAY I WAS SO EXCITED, i saw a board outside the TA's advertising summer 2011 prices available soon, so i popped in and they said it really could be any time now.... they have my number and she said not to worry im 1st on her list so as soon as they come in she will call me, was funny really she laughed and said "you'll definatly be first to know... i value my life to much" :-) mIm even more excited now...... The hair style is gorgeous, perfect even :-) I have a few ideas but its something i think im just going to play around with at the hairdressers and see what i suit!!! I love this if i have a flower : & I kinda like this if I go for the Vine : I prefer the first one with the flowers, because it will look nicer in pics! heehee The second one is less noticeable in pics.

Frech veil, yeah, I am glad that u girls like my idea of French veil. OOT bags, I saw a lot of brides are talking about them, but I think it is a bit too early to buy/ plan for what to put in them. In addition, I have a feeling that I will carry so much stuffs to mexico, OOT bags will probably overload my luggages too. As for the resort, I was told by Ocean Turquesa that I can't have a beach reception (because of Turtle season). Plus I saw a few negative reviews on Tripadvisor...hmm..I guess I will cross this resort off my list (even the WC is the most responsive one!).

I 've read some of the tripadvisor reviews lately, and decided to opt out of this hotel ( I know I need more to be happy). I think i know what caused the mixed reviews. I ve been to many resorts, AI, not AI, so I can compared and contrast. My feeling is, for those who never been to AI, the experience will be awesome ( I went with my best friend to an AI, she had a blast as a newbie, I was just like ok), for 2-4 stars people, the hote is great too, as long as they don't miss smth at the dinner, nor overcook food. but for those who went to AI like 2-3 times, the resort is ok, but not great. If there are any miss, then definately not great!

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsYak I also will not be wearing a veil....when I tried on my dress the lady put one on my and i was like ok this is ruining it take it off...maybe it was the veil she picked but i hated it! I originally planned not to wear a veil being outside by the ocean with the wind and stuff...not sure how I'll wear my hair yet...depends how long I can grow it in 10 months! : ) I am going to have a french veil instead of a traditional veil. I find it more modern.

Quote: Originally Posted by skadow Are you guys going to write your own vows? I dunno, because I am not a romantic, nor poetic person, so....eerrrr...I don't know if I am going to write my own vows. It is a very cool idea..but it is not my forté.

Quote: Originally Posted by michelle2011 Nicyx - I LOVE your dress it is so elegant and stunning. Perfect. The back drop neclace will look lovely! I can't wait to see your website. So clever! I have flowers on my dress so need to find the perfect flower to match it for my hair ) I have a hair style in mind i will try and upload the picture see what you girls think! Mexbride83 - we may become date twins as i have "on hold" 28th May 2011. Can i ask... are you having a legal ceremony?? I'm waiting to hear back from the WC as i read on one email legal's cant go ahead on a saturday in Mexico so just want to confirm with her.... ahollo02 - i would do the same. It is a big difference in price and you are right to proritise things and get exactly what you want! We have just booked in to see our last venue for viewing on sunday afternoon so by the end of this weekend we should have made a decision on the AHR! whoop whoop! Nice hair style! I am trying to grow my hair longer..and hopefully I can have smth like this by 2011! lol Nicola, I know exactly what u meant! If my dress is in my house, I would try it on whenever he goes on boys night out! lol

Seriously, if u have so much to bring to mexico, it is better to spread it among your travel companies, than get tax or trouble or surcharges.

Quote: Originally Posted by Linhy Time flies!!! Next thing you know its your wedding day! I know I have 10 month to drop 30 pounds! that is like 3 lbs per month, not that hard! Go girl! u can do it!