JenK

Congrats and welcome to the forum!

Congrats! Turks and Caicos looks AMAZING!

Congrats! I've stayed at the Riu Ocho Rios and loved it. You will have a beautiful wedding!

Congrats and happy planning! This forum is fantastic!

Wow, everything looks amazing! I'm SO envious you are getting married in Greece, it is my FAVORITE place in the world. Unfortunately it is too far and expensive for me to get married there with us living in Canada. Anyways, good luck!

Huatulco is on my short list for destinations. Is it still lush and green in early December? I'm hoping to go when it is green looking but the cheapest charter flights from my home don't start until early December (I'm wondering if November is a better month to go to for it beeing lush?). Any thoughts? Thanks!!

ps-also is there a lot of choices for activities in that area, any nightlife???

I absolutely love the Santa Teresa area as well, I just discovered it. My only concern is that it may be difficult to get to for guests. Does anyone have thoughts on that?

Hi there, I am debating between an AI or staying at a boutique hotel/vacation rental. I have contacted a few wedding coordinators and finding that the costs of a wedding coordinator planning my wedding is out of my budget. Is it possible to book vendors on my own? This makes me nervous! I am thinking either the guanacaste or quepos/manuel antonio area. Does anyone have ideas or information of vendors in those areas (ie. reception location, chair rentals, linen rentals, florists? Thanks!

Wow that's great to know!

Does anyone know how to contact Fabian Lasala? I believe he does the photographs at Dreams. I may rent out a private villa but he doesn't have a website. Does anyone have a contact email? Thanks!

Thanks Ask Costa Rica! You have been so helpful for me with my many questions We are still deciding AI vs villas. We have time though since it isn't until December 2011. If you think of any others please let me know! And I will look into the ones you have mentioned

Does anyone know of villas that accommodate very large groups (40-60) in CR? I would prefer the Guanacaste area but am open to other areas!

Question....if I did a welcome dinner at the all-inclusive resort, our guests would have to use one of their 4 a la carte dinners. Is that okay or tacky?

Does anyone know if they will do any custom changes or other options besides the wedding packages listed on their website? I have contacted the wedding planner about this but have not heard back.

Hi Tinkertoy! I've pretty much decided on CR. It is meaningful to my FI and I (we went there together a few years ago and loved it) and my FI really wants something unique. He feels that everyone goes to Mexico. I too was thinking Mayan because it has so many activities and is cost effective. My FI is adamant on 'no mexico' though! We are thinking CR because it has the elements we are looking for-it's unique and has TONS of activities (and it's beautiful!). I find deciding on the location and resort vs boutique hotel has been such a difficult decision!

What kind of costs can I expect with a photographer in CR? I'm trying to set out my budget and wondering what most people have paid. Thanks!

I'm really leaning towards a couple resorts, Azul beach is one of them. I love the idea of a boutique hotel that is AI. Question...what is the nightlife like there? I am thinking it is pretty quiet, which is the only thing I am debating about-we have some friends that would probably like to have a bar that they can dance at!

Thanks for the info! I'll email Sensatori to ask them. Would you book a resort hoping that not all guests go?? That makes me nervous but I really like a smaller resort!

Hi everyone! I'm sure it is already mentioned on here but I couldn't find it-can you only have max 50 guests for the wedding at the Azul resorts? I am loving the looks of either Azul Beach hotel or Sensatori. However, I am planning on inviting 80 guests (but not sure how many can go).

I would love to have a wedding in Belize! However, I want it to be economical for my guests. I plan to have 60-80 guests and I am considering a number of locations. Belize would be my top choice but it might be too pricey. When looking at all inclusive packages, I am not wanting my guests to spend more than 2000 (coming from Canada). 2500 would be the absolute MAX amount I would want guests to spend. Are there any possible options?

Thanks so much for your helpful information!! The resort is beautiful, thanks for passing it along!

PS....do you know if Ceiba del Mar is fairly close to Cancun? There is not a disco on site, just wondering what the options would be for some of my friends that like to go out!

Wow mexbride83! You are right, our search is almost exactly the same! I was considering Belize too but thought the flight was too long (I live in Canada). I looked at the resort you booked and it does look beautiful! Are you booking it in a flight and hotel deal? What rate did you get? Azul beach resort doesn't work for me either, depending on how many people come. Thanks for your input!

Thanks everyone for your fantastic input! It has given me a lot to think about. I do agree that AI's are the easiest and I also agree that Costa Rica is a place that doesn't completely fit the AI type. The Paridisus Playa Conchal is absolutely beautiful and would have been a choice of mine, but it is a bit pricey. vlynnw-if you know the names of the private villas with chefs, I would appreciate that. We are big into having lots of activities for our guest, so my other choice would be mayan riviera as well. My fiance feels that he wants to go to a location that is a little bit more unique, but for the price and number of activities, I really like Mayan. Does anyone know of any smaller feel AI resorts that are nice? I will have children attending the wedding. Any thoughts on Mayan Riviera area?