murmel

So sorry to hear you trying to deal with a dress issue. Hopefully the salon will be able to fix the problem quickly. Why on earth did they shorten it without your consent? Personally I would have them order a new one at their expense! Sigh....let us know how it goes Allie. My fingers are crossed for you.

Glad to hear they will be able to make it! Yes, unfortunately the legal wedding must be done in Spanish (done by a judge). However they do translate it english (usually the WC). I personally think it adds to the unique experience of a destination wedding. But after the legel stuff, i think they say you are man and wife, they will allow personally vows, before announing you Mr. and Mrs. to walk down the aisle. Just make sure to inform your WC at your inital meeting. To be very honest, the entire area is usually quite windy. More so on the Sky terrace, but there is always some wind on the beach. Round tables of 8 comfortably. They do offer a sweetheart table, or a rectangle table for the head table (I only ever saw 2- so it might fit about 4 to each rectangle one)

Don't get to worried. For the most part they are Mexican "showers". It might rain for 30 minutes and then it will clear up. I can't tell you how many times we have been to Mexico and expected rain everyday- and it usually only ended up with one or two sun showers and maybe some rain overnight. (we have been to Mexico for an average of 2 visits per year for the last 6 years) Including 2 hurricanes! (and even those were really not bad)

It all will depend on what you want to do. As another bride mentioned you can do the Pearl wedding for $950, but that is dinner at Spoon restaurant in a curtained off area. If you want a reception on the beach or private it will drive your price up. We had 63 guests with a private reception, as well as a private cocktail party. Our total was about $13,000. I think you can tailor your wedding to be closer to $5k, just be aware you might not be able to everything you envision (ie. beach reception). Honestly, most of the rooms are 2 queen beds in the family section. In the adult only section, as well as the premium section, they are mainly a single king bed. I don't think your aunt and cousin should be too worried. I would make sure they book in the family section, and have the TA add a note requesting the 2 beds. As well, as soon as you arrive to check in, have them check in first and I am sure they will be able to accomadate them.

First of all, have a wonderful trip! As for transportation...if you have never flown into the Cancun airport, first thing to note, once you get through security, passport control, etc. and have your luggage-get out of the airport. In this I mean ignore all the people offering taxis, shuttles, etc. inside. You want to be standing outside in the fresh air. This is where the legitmate companies work! I have not used a taxi down there in years, but I remember it being about $75. However if you go online you could order prearranged shuttle service (either private or shared). They will range in cost of about $20-120. We have been using Lomas transfers and they are great. http://www.lomas-travel.com/transfers/Shared I have also heard from some brides that they have used American Express transfers. Hope that helps!

Welcome to the forum! So much great information to learn and plan with.

Welcome home MRS! Congratulations Hope everything was wonderful and can't wait to see some photos.

Glad I can help Elaine! As for music at Spoon- there is background music. But you will not be able to play your own music. I don't think it's a big deal, everyone will be busy talking anyway! The personalized gifts is a wonderful idea! Just make sure they are about the same value-just so that there are no hard feelings. (ie. someone gets a $100 watch and someone gets a $40 pen).

So thrilled that the dress issue is resolved! Good luck with the last minute planning. And have an amazing time! Make sure to take a moment to take it all in- since time flies when you're having fun! Can't wait to see photos in the near future.

We did a pre-travel brochure (which we mailed to our guests in advance). Then I made this welcome brochure for the OOT bags. You can also see a photo of them in my planning journal: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/69198/murmels-planning-journal-pic-and-template-heavy It was all done in Word, so super easy to edit/change for your own wedding. And printing was quite cheap at Staples. Info included: a welcome/thank you note. Map of resort. Locations where functions where to occur (wedding, reception, etc.). Time line of wedding day. Names of our guests. Tips for around the resort, good sightseeing trips, car rental info, etc. Hope that helps. If there is anything else specific, feel free to ask. Welcomebook1.doc

Have a wonderful time! Remember to stop for a moment and take it all in. So excited for you

Azul Beach is also a beautiful resort. Even smaller than Sensatori- so it really depends on the feel and size of your wedding. As for the El Dorado resorts- I have been and stayed at the El Dorado Royale a few times. It is a wonderful resort, with beautiful rooms. It is however very large. So depending on what you like it may or may not suit you. I have hear Maroma is a bit smaller and just as nice. The Casitas is a great bonus for a honeymoon couple who want to keep to themselves. Most of them are huge rooms and many are private swim out rooms. Many brides have brought their own sheers. If you look through the forum you will find the sizes required. Not sure exactly what the set up fee would be- since usually it is the onsite WC who decides that (and different WC seem to charge different amounts). Also usually girls talk about the set up fee also including table decorations, menu cards, favours, etc. (I know for my wedding, 63 guests- hanging some lanterns at gazebo and reception site, menu cards, center pieces, kids table; I think the set up fee was $120-140)

Well, if she wants it to be a surprise....be surprised. When she doesn't get an OOT bag-apologize, but explain you didn't know she was coming and it was all arranged ahead of time. I would however take a package of "Thank you" cards with you (we took a box of 10 with us)- that way you can write a quick personalized thank you for showing up and 'surprising' you.(after you've been surprised!) Plus I think she wants to be a bit of a 'star', make sure you tell her what a wonderful and unexpected surprise and you're thrilled she made it. Leave it at that and don't stress yourself out! Plus don't worry about the extra chair/stuff- the WCs are professionals and will deal with this for you!

So cute! Best part is that everyone is smiling ear to ear Love it when people enjoy themselves that much!

Heard about it on the weekend. So tragic. And yes, a very good reminder if you choose to do a TTD in the water- be careful. Avoid currents, strong tides and be aware that the dress does get very heavy!

LOL! I LOVED the outdoor shower (Casitias side only)! And yes, it's true it does shorta shoot out and up....but it looks like a branch that has been made into a shower head. So unique! It's just such a neat treat to shower outside ....naked and not be seen!

Okay, so first off the sand ceremony- I am sure you will be able to snag some beach sand. I would do it before the wedding. Just bring another container with you, and then when you're on the beach one afternoon fill it up. As for the lanterns, I asked for some brides when I visited and they said No. The reason is fear of the lantern/balloon drifting towards the buildings and they all have reed roofs (very flammable) and the possibility of a fire. And the wind usually comes in from ocean towards the resort. So unless you go further away somewhere where there are no buildings I don't think you will be able to use them. Sorry.

Oh no. Was it super expensive? Could you reorder the dress in size 12 and get it before the wedding? Or can you mail it back to exchange it for the larger size? I am sure she feels embarrassed and will get around to it, but for the sake of your stress level I would hope she decides to do something! And soon. Hugs

I agree with the other girls, take the dress to a seamstress first and see what can be done. They truly are mircle workers! And even though it might cost a bit, at least it should work. The other thing is it the correct size that was ordered? Did the bridal salon have a mix up?? Good luck and keep us updated.

Oh no. What a stressful situation! I would try the dress on one more time with a close girlfriend and make a rational decision. If you really can see your ankles, and you can afford to buy another dress then I would try that. If you can't afford another dress, perhaps try buying a slip/chiffon in an accent color and adding it underneath to add to the length. Would sort of be like adding a pop of color with shoes, but it would be a small hint under the dress. I am so sorry this is happening and what a difficult situation it must be. Perhaps you could even try selling the shortened dress to a short bride? Good luck. Oh my goodness. First of all, you are so lucky to have caught it when you did. Can't imagine how it would have worked with the not flying for 6 weeks if you were closer. Yikes! Now hopefully your recovery goes smoothly and quickly!

We did the "Exotic Gazebo" and I didn't ask the WC (miami) at all. Just when we got to the resort, I said I just wanted the sheers draped across the top. (we did not have any problems with it-but it's not to say it's a sure thing. I am sure it could vary with who your onsite WC is) The gazebo in the photo of the Lomas site, is not one from the Sensatori. The gazebos on the beach are always there, not just built up for weddings. So my guess if they do the wrap around the poles, there would be nothing across the top. I think doing a sunset ceremony is a very romantic idea. Just be aware that the sun does not set over the ocean (you are facing east). Not sure if you were planning to have the sun in the background of the ocean/beach, but that might make you change your plans as to where and when you do some photos. Anyway you can get some pretty shots from the lobby area facing the sunset in the west. As for buying bottles of booze...having a few bottles in the room is likely a nice idea. Although there are plenty of bars close by, so running over to get a drink is not a huge deal. Also remember that the bar fridge is stocked daily with soda (coke, sprite), water and beer. As for drinks not being strong enough....just ask for a double! LOL

I would not pay until the deadline, once they have your money you cannot change things easily or move stuff around. However one way to keep the dollar value up would be to open a US cash bank account. I know RBC and Scotiabank have them. All you do is open the account, and then deposit your money into it. It is converted to US dollars and remains in US dollars. I would think that you could then take that money directly out later in US dollars to pay your balance. Or you could purchase US traveller's cheques and pay with those. Good luck!

Unless Karisma has changed policies again (which they seem to do daily!) you were allowed to book a minimum 3 night stay and then you would NOT have to pay the outside vendor fee. We simply told the WC that it was a "family friend" who was a professional photographer. NO issues for us at all. Mind you, we flew our photographer down with us, and he stayed the whole week- so he was a guest at the hotel. Only thing I could see being a slip up is making sure the 'vendor' checks in and then out of the hotel. (otherwise they may say since no one checked in, that they are not a guest?) So maybe even have them check into the room, it's a great spot for them to put equipment, etc.

Great photos mrendic! And hope Florida and the new job are treating you well.

Love the pictures in the forest. Very nice.