tweets.13

We looked at Le Reve for our wedding and it is a GREAT property. Arlenis was wonderful to meet with, full of ideas, and very willing to meet any of our reqeusts.

Yes - I agree. Just email or call Ceiba, tell them when you are thinking, number of guests, etc., and they will give you a quote.

Ahhhh.. the snow!!!!!!!!! We were planning our honeymoon to French Polynesia last night, so I am dreaming of Mexico and the South Pacific as I stare out my office window at a sheet of white! KPSouthie - I do not know if Javier plays any traditional songs. (I have not even asked him what he plays - I think will just let him play whatever he thinks at the time.) I just enjoyed his listening to his music online. Good to know about the bugs - have you looked into buying any bug spray in bulk for OOT bags? I have been trying to find some, but no luck yet. I am hoping to find the wipes - so it is easier to travel/pack. All - any tips, suggestions, comments on menus?

I too am TIRED of the dirty snow piles! I am a skier too (and looking forward to a weekend in Stratton next month), but living in Manhattan with snow piles stinks! The snow takes up much needed parking spaces! (Makes me all the more excited for Mexico in 2 1/2 months!) We are using DJ Doremixx. Our communications with Ivan have been great, and every review (and there are many out there) of his work has been great other than one review posted on this forum. Plus, Ceiba said he does a great job. His price was better than some of the others as well. For the ceremony, we are having a guitarist play - Javier Rojas (www.javierrojas.com.mx). His music sounds great on-line, and Ceiba also recommended him. We are using Pam Lopez to perform the ceremony. She has been GREAT and put up with many, many questions from my FI and me. She is quick with her responses, and provides detailed information. Her website has helpful information on it: www.beautyweddings.com. As far as decorations/flowers, we are using Planner1 - Gabi Lavor. She has been wonderful to work with, so if you do not like the quote from Eventos, definitely check her out! www.planner1events.com Just as an FYI if you have not ordered invites yet, we used The Aerialist Press www.theaerialistpress.com. (I posted this already somewhere on here, but cannot remember where - so sorry if this is a repeat.) They do very nice letterpress for a very affordable price. They have samples on their website, but they also have options not listed - so if you don't see something, just ask them. (We wanted palm trees, but could not find one we like - so they emailed us a sample that was not on the site.) What have you ladies decided to do about cake?

I am looking to buy the bug spray wipes (with deet) for people - to put in the OOT bags. Lauren - I think I recall you had your rehearsal dinner on the beach with tacos. How were the tacos and what did you serve with it (rice and beans, salad, dessert)? Were the tables/chairs set-up by Ceiba and included in the set-up cost? I am also curious where you did your cocktail reception. Thanks for answering so many questions! Theresa

Hi! Which place did you go to? Pioneer Group?

Ladies - Did/Are any of you doing a cake through Ceiba? (I assume we have to use their pastry chef?) If so, what did you decide on?

Sorry to hear that! I hope you are at least having a good experience with your WC. If I remember correctly from other posts/PMs, things were going well, right?

This is a VERY delayed reply to your post - sorry! 1) We are currently booked for a legal ceremony. A judge must perform it for it to be legal, and you cannot really personalize/incorporate any readings, prayers, etc. You do exchange rings, and you can say your own vows, but other than that it is out of your hands and up to the judge. Have you looked into the legalities of it for when you return? I know the US government recognizes foreign marriages so long as the marriage is legal in the foreign country. However, I am having problems with finding out what NY state recognizes, etc. Just curios what you know... 2) We are having Planner1 hang white chinese lanterns on the terrace for the reception, along with candles on the tables and tiki torches in the sand. We have not yet decided where the rehearsal dinner will be. What did you decide to do for lighting? 3) We booked Javier and DJ Doremix. Both were very responsive. 4) We decided on a mariachi for the rehearsal dinner. The drums sound great though! 5) I think we are going for 3 course as well - beef and fish option. 62 rooms is excellent! The whole resort will be your friends and family! We have 29 rooms/56 guests so far... 3 months away!

Great Questions! I am interested in what Lauren did for the bonfire too. We have one scheduled for Thursday night after a cocktail reception. So far, we just have the bonfire. A few friends are musicians so we are thinking they may bring their guitars. We were contemplating bringing/renting a wireless iPod player. Not sure about furniture, etc. Lauren - any recommendations? As far as hair and make-up, I am lucky that both my mom and sister are professionals - so I am "flying" them in! I cannot remember if you said you have done a site visit to Ceiba - there is a small salon on the property. I have no idea, however, about who does services there. Sorry!

Ladies - Thanks for the ceremony tips! We are still trying to figure it out! I got a little more info on what to expect with the civil ceremony, which makes me feel better about it (we exchange rings, can say vows, etc.). KP Southie - I have had a great experience working with Ceiba so far. Diana and Paola have been very responsive and accommodating. We worked directly with the hotel, and so far our discounted group rates have been less than any specials posted on the various on-line travels sites and less than any of the specials Ceiba offers - so I know our guests are getting the best deal. We visited Ceiba in June and LOVED it - very authentic, good food, accommodating staff, clean, spacious rooms, etc. Like Lauren, we are also using Gabi at Planner1. So far, she has been great to work with and I love her ideas, etc. Not sure if you need invitation ideas, but we used a printer out of California - The Aerialist Press. http://www.theaerialistpress.com/ They have affordable letterpress invitiations and plenty of destination wedding appropriate options. They have more options than what is on the site - just email them what you are thinking. Alexandra was very quick to respond and very helpful. Let me know if you have other questions about vendors, etc. We have booked a DJ, Mariachi, guitarist, etc., so I can give ou some contacts. All of the vendors were referred to us by Diana at Ceiba. The wedding is in 3 months...!!! (YIKES!!!) Theresa

Question for you - we currently have a civil ceremony scheduled for our wedding. We learned that we cannot personalize it (readings, prayers, etc.), so we are contemplating doing a civil ceremony followed by a symbolic ceremony. Do any of you have any experience, suggestions, comments? Thanks! Theresa

Beautiful pictures!!!! Congrats!!!!

Congrats! Where in Mexico will you be getting married?

CONGRATS!!!!!!! Have a wonderful honeymoon and I cannot wait to read your review!!! Less than 5 months for me!

CONGRATS!!! I just sent a PM to you - I would love to see any pictures you have to send. My fiance and I are getting married there in April. We are using Pam Lopez and doing the civil ceremony and Gabi from Planner 1 for our flowers and decoarations. It is great to hearing that everything went well, and that Paola was so wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

Congrats and happy planning! My fiance and I visited Le Reve, La Amada, and Ceiba del Mar in June (we visited a fourth too, but they are no longer in business). We loved all three - and they all had different things to offer. We selected Ceiba del Mar, but Le Reve was a very, very close second. Our biggest issue with Le Reve was that it was too small to hold all of our guests. It is small, so you may be able to rent the whole place so your nephew and niece can attend - we have a 7 and 9 year old attending our wedding as well! The WC at Le Reve was incredible, and so far the people at Ceiba have been amazing - so no issues there. The WC at La Amada was also very responsive and helpful when we planned and attended the site visit. I wrote a review on here somewhere back in June/July. If you have any questions or want more opinions/info about our visits, feel free to ask! Good Luck!

I hope you had a great wedding and have a wonderful honeymoon! I look forward to reading your CdM review and getting any tips, etc.!! CONGRATS!!!!

Wow - 60 rooms! That is excellent. Such fun! We are doing a legal ceremony. We have been working w/someone that Ceiba recommended and so far it is pain free. For it to be a legal ceremony, I am fairely certain you have to have a judge perform the ceremony. You have to arrive several days before the wedding and have blood tests/paperwork done. It seems fairly painless though. We are getting lighting/flowers from Gabi at Planner1Events. So far so good! We are having the Chinese/paper lanterns hung on the terrace for the reception. We are also placing tiki torches in the sand between the terrace and the beach with some pillows for guests to hang out if they want to move away from the reception. Gabi has been VERY informative and quick to respond to all my emails/questions. For DJ, we are using DJ Doremixx. He is affordable and very quick to respond to emails. They have a basic package with speakers, wireless mic, etc. Ceiba said he is good and has done a lot of weddings there. We booked Javier for the ceremony too! Very exciting! We decided to hire a 6 piece mariachi band for the rehearsal dinner. Ceiba again gave us the name. If you want any contact info, let me know. As for food... haven't got there yet! Do you have transportation set up? We are working w/a company that seems really affordable (again, referred by Ceiba) that sets up a website for your guests to book online in advance of their arrival. The guests can pay either through PayPal or when they arrive at the airport.

We are working with a transportation company that Paola and Diana recommended. Our guests can book online directly with the company, and either pay through PayPal or pay when they arrive. The rates are really affordable. It is private in the sense that the only people in the vans will be your wedding guests - so they will coordinate arrivals and departures to pair more guests together to keep the costs lower. I don't have the info with me right now, but email Diana/Paola and ask for their recommended vendor.

My fiance and I checked out La Amada and Le Reve (as well as others) in June. (We ended up booking Ceiba Del Mar.) Both La Amada and Le Reve are incredible places, but they are COMPLETELY different. In our opinion, a couple who would love La Amada would likely not love Le Reve and vice versa. I posted a site review on here, that gives more details. Both are excellent options, but like I said - they are very different (different vibe, room amenities, room options/pricing, kids -vs- no kids, etc.) If anyone wants more info on either, I am happy to provide info on our experience, etc.

 I agree with Michele re Vieques - incredible place. Happy planning! Â

 Definitely email Diana or Paolo for the list of vendors - or PM me with your email address and I can send you the list they sent me. We are in the process of booking our florist, DJ, etc., so I can try to answer any questions you have based on the info the vendors sent me. My fiance and I did a site visit in June, so I can try to answer any questions you have about the property as well. Don't worry - everything will come together and it will be BEAUTIFUL! Â

I am looking into the legalities of it, but I can only assume you have to file the Mexican marriage certificate/license with either a local or state agency/clerk's office. Mexican marriages may be recognized, but it depends on the laws of the state where you live. You should contact your State Attorney General's Office. I would think you definitely have to file the papers here for legal reasons, but I am not sure. It does not seem like a simple name change through the DMV and/or social security would be enough, and you definitely want to protect your rights as a married couple.

Thanks! We are doing the ceremony at 5:30 as well! I just paid the deposit for the judge performing the ceremony and confirmed the time. Â Sorry if I already asked, but have any of you ladies decided on a florist yet? Â Theresa