ChicagoBride2011

I know how you feel, I had a minor freak out this weekend trying to figure out what I need to do over the next 6 months, I'm afraid that with the holidays time is going to fly by!

There are tons of great non-resort locatons in the Riviera Maya. Playa is a super cute town with tons of options!

Super cute!

Welcome back and congratulations RunningBride and Smckinney! I'm happy to hear things went well! Looking forward to reading your reviews! More pictures please!

Thanks so much Jess. In my original email to them I told them my wedding is at The Royal and looking to do a welcome party for approx 50 guests and asked for food/beverage prices. I'm going to try this email and see what happens. I used [email protected] and received a response from Maribel the first time. Thanks for your help, wish me luck!

This is strange, I emailed them on 10/7 explained to them my wedding is at The Royal and I'd like to do a welcome party on their rooftop and this is the response I got: I am sorry, we only host events for guests at the property, if you could book a number of rooms for the wedding, I will get back to you with room rates and the wedding coordinator with details for the event.

Jess- I know we are totally bummed. We LOVE La Tortuga and were super excited about having a welcome party there. Risa- My wedding is May 1, we sent the save the dates out June and have 36 people booked so far, and expecting 50-60. There was a really great discount if they booked prior to October so we really encouraged the people close to us to book before then. Most of the people booked are from his side, so I'm a little dissappointed but I have to remember that it's about us and nobody else. I wouldn't worry about it...most people probably think it's too far away to book and plan on booking last minute!

Hey ladies, I contacted La Tortuga for info on doing a welcome/rehearsal dinner there. I was told that you can only do private parties there if you are a guest of the hotel and I am totally bummed. Are you ladies doing non-private parties there? Hellllppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Danielle, I just realized you're from Chicago! I went to Eva's in Oak Lawn and it was disasterous, horrible. I know the Eva's in Orland is owned separately so maybe I'll check it out. I'm going to a place in Villa Park on the 23rd to check out the Maggie Sottero. Do you know how much these rush fees cost?

Ok ladies you lit a fire under my A** regarding dress shopping!!! Thank you for the advice. I just made an appt for the 23 to try on Maggie Sotterro dresses. I went to Davids a couple months ago and no luck, I hope this goes better! Jess you are awesome, thank you so much for the La Tortuga info! Runningbride good luck, and ummmm I may need to ask you about the Brazilian...I'm too chicken, hehe.

Ladies how far in advance did you purchase your wedding dress? Everyone that I talk to said I should have bought mine by now. I'm 6 1/2 months away. I'm getting worried!

Jenny do you have an email address for La Tortuga, we've been considering there for welcome party! Your day is so close, how exciting!

Hi, when we went in April we did not have any issues with dress code. Our first night we decided to go to Marias and the fiance followed the dress code but then we noticed other guys in shorts and sandals. So the other nights he wore what he wanted. I think it depends on the person seating you. However, as long as you're decently dressed I think you're fine. Maybe have the guys bring one pair of jeans and shoes just in case. I did see one women be asked to "cover up" before she was seated at Pelicanos and I thought she was fine, so like I said I think it really depends on person seating you.

Yes, LOTS of sun! I arrive at The Royal the day before your wedding. Hopefully I'll be able to sneek a peak at yours! I'll be the creepy stranger in the back-ground, haha JK.

Hey Jenny I'm getting married May1 first and we were told that Pelicanos beach is the biggest area of the beach that time of year, but it can hold up to 175 (I think thats what they said...could be more.) We went on our site visit in April and there was receptions on all three areas of the beach including a huge 120 person wedding that was held on the beach behind the gazebo. I don't think you have anything to worry about and that pherhaps your WC is confused. We saw large weddings on all three areas of the beach when we were there and I don't think April is neccessary considered rainy season, any locals we talked to said they hardly get any rain that time of year if any. Maybe I'm wrong bu that's what I heard at least. Also FYI ladies salon = ballroom. LOL

Whewww glad to hear that! I had to read her response a few times before I had a Bridezilla moment quietly at my desk. I laughed too and THEN panic set it, LOL. I was picturing people dancing in between barber chairs. Bahhhhhhhh!!!! Ok you girls just eased my mind, still waiting to here back from WC but I bet it was just a typo! I HOPE, haha!

Ok ladies, I'm a little concerned. When I went on my site visit in April I was told that a ballroom is always available just in case it rains etc. So I messaged my WC to verify that a ballroom space is available in the event that it does rain and her reposne: "Well we have always a back up at the salon, because the restaurants are just for semi-private receptions for 1 hour and al half without sound system and dance floor. At least right now we have one more wedding and a welcome dinner that day." WTF! The salon? I really hope "the salon" is a code name for ballroom and she doesn't mean the hair salon! I wrote her back to clarify. The resort will be hearing from me directly today IF she states there is no ballroom space. Have any of you ladies asked about this or been told the procedure?

A question for the ladies that recently got back from their weddings...for those of you that had beach reception was there other receptions going on at the same time as your at other areas of the beach and was there any issues with music or hearing the other receptions? Thanks ladies! BTW- Can't wait to see pictures!

Yes, there is a business center near the lobby. Not huge, prob 3-5 computers. Â Everyone has been recommending Blue Parrot, I haven't been there but anyone that I've talked to that's been there recommends it. I guess they put on a great fire show. Â Good luck with everything! You're date is soooo soon!

I LOVE La Tortuga, however it's not on the beach it's in town.

Hey ladies, is anyone else missing their subscribed threads/forums? Mine are gone?

Hi ladies, just caught up on all the new posts. Sorry to hear about TA isssues, I hope everything works out for everyone! I'm currently working with Sand n Sun Vacation and have no complaints. Jill has been great to work with and my guests that booked through her have had postive things to say as well. Sorry to hear that others feel differently.

Hi, I was told $350 per company.

Good question...I never thought about tipping the DJ or photographer. Â I was thinking hair/makeup, servers at reception and then the WC's after everyhting is done. Hmmmmmm.

OMG! 8 days! I can't wait to hear about it and see pictures! Â With the basecamp the coordinators have to be "subscribed" to the mesage/thread. I wasn't getting a response from my WC through the basecamp and then emailed her directly and she explained what had happened. Whos' your WC? Considering you are only 8 days away I would just call directly though! Â Good luck, keep us updated! Â