murmel

oops....for some reason my response didn't post. Regarding the blue water. It looks very grey in the pictures because the sky was overcast, which will reflect into the water. The water is usually quite blue, although not quite as stunning as you might see in other areas. This is due to the coral reef that is directly in front of the resort. Hope that helps.

Josie....my date twin! How are your plans going? I am almost done, just worried about getting it all packed! Wishing you all the best! Safe travels!

Just to update everyone...we got the house! Yipppeee Okay...now back to wedding planning LOL

Quote:Originally Posted by Michele4172011 Thanks Tisha! Beautiful pictures! This really makes me rethink that all of the guys are wearing white shirts and khackis. I love how Sarah had her hubby in white and the others in orange. In all of the pictures I see, the water doesn't look really blue (like Cancun and Riviera Maya water usually does). For the girls that have been there, are the pictures just deceiving?

There is suppose to be a Sikh wedding on the Friday after we arrive. I will try and take some pictures! But I will not be back until Feb 2...so it will be a while before I can post. And from my understanding they have about 100 guests. I am heading down for our wedding January 19. I will try to find this area and take pictures. If there are palm trees around, you could hang paper laterns, or string lights perhaps? Quote: Originally Posted by TLGnhci Thanks Vic!! And girls, is it just me or are the wedding coordinators pretty much useless? Maybe that's a harsh word to use but I feel like I'm always referred to the Lomas site and never really get a true answer on anything. I guess that's why this forum is so wonderful though. I need to set up a phone call. Maybe that would help. Any of our January brides using the exotic gazebo? I'm wondering about the candy cane vs draped shears. I really don't like the candy cane look. And I thought the reservation at Spoons was good for 50 people. Was just told it's 40. Am I crazy, or was it 50 a while back? The WC do seem quite useless at times. However they become much more helpful as your wedding approaches. I also found calling them and talking directly to them also really helped. Phone them, ask your questions, then email with all the points you just talked about. I usually got a fairly good response doing it this way. Spoon I think was for 40, and you could pay for the guests above that, to a total of 50. (I think?) Quote: Originally Posted by chicaloco1999 Hi All, I''m new to the blog and all the things you girls are posting is very helpful. I just have a few questions i'm hoping someone can help with. #4 For brides already married there - how safe was the area (I have a brother who is freaking cause he is worried) For the person who said they went through destinationweddings.com - I too went through them and they are HORRIBLE - I did most the travel details myslef (I even had to call and complain once). My coordinator is totally clueless and unorganized!!! Can't help with your other questions, but the Mayan Riveria is very safe to travel in. All the bad drug wars,etc. are thousands of miles away. But as with anything, use common sense! Stay in the tourist areas, don't flash cash around, etc. My FI and I have been travelling down there for over 9 years, and I have never had any problems. They people are very kind and friendly! You and your brother will love it! As for bad travel agents...I think we all have issues! LOL. I just keep babysitting my little idiot TAs. Keep calling them almost daily when it was required and telling them what I needed them to do. Our travel costs were due November 16, and even though I told them to charge my Visa back in October, after constant phone calls I finally managed to confirm we were paid up Dec 22! Over a month after all our guests! All I could keep thinking was....all my guests will be on the beach, and FI and I will be at home! LOL Quote: Originally Posted by nv+gms Just wanted to share something funny with those who get frustrated with the company they chose to book their wedding with: I chose a local company that specializes in "wedding holidays". I have yet to hear from them about my wedding plans (including wedding events, cost etc.). I haven't talked to them in several months! I have not even recieved my itinerary - and we leave in 2 wks! Everything I learned was through this website, The Knot and the coordinator I was assigned in Miami. I paid the people in miami direct. The worst part is that the local agency even screwed up multiple times trying to book my guests in the beginning! So basically they are useless! But this forum is golden - so don't get worried or upset if your local provider sucks! Agreed! Just do a google search for sunset times in Cancun, Mexico with your date. That's how I go our times for in January.

I am going through phases....very calm and happy....and freaking out! LOL Most things are done, now for little details and packing...and to add to the stress my FI and I are trying to buy a house. Put the offer in a few hours ago, just waiting to hear back! (we've been looking for almost 2 years in a specific area, and finally one came up...keeping my fingers crossed! Good luck with all your menu cards, centerpieces and everything else! I got my dress back a few days ago and it just makes it feel even more real!

Beautiful pictures! My FI and I so wanted to go to Azul Five for our wedding, but when we were booking they still could not confirm if they would be open! I am so thrilled for you, the wedding looked just beautiful!

Quote: Originally Posted by Hannah5611 YAY!!!!!!! When do you leave?? January 19! Two weeks away

January 24...it might be me...yikes!

I don't remember seeing or having any sushi. Lots of other wonderful meals though! They have ceviche at the Mexican restaurant which was amazing. Quote: Originally Posted by herbie76 I keep reading about some of you ladies are getting discounts on your private events or getting free cocktail hours, how are you getting these? Do you ask you miami WC or TA? It's just that here in England we don't seem to be entitled to anything which I think is very unfair and was just wondering how you got these bonuses? Thanks Herbie- even though they list the deals as mostly for US or Canada....ask! There was technically no deal when I signed and I asked my TA (also a GI agent-Karisma certified) and then our WC. I managed to get the 20% off our private event with just asking! It never hurts:) Quote: Originally Posted by arkae murmel, or any other ladies going out of canada....how're you handling extra baggage? do we need to get tags in advance or at the airport? how does this work? thanks!! We are flying Sunwing...which is very limiting already for baggage. We upgraded to their Plus section which gives us 10Kg more each. I am just trying to pack very carefully. I plan on packing later this week, and if I find I am over weight I can purchase extra weight from them ahead of time....or upgrade some of my other guests and just give them a bag.

FI is wearing a linen suit, however his groomsmen are wearing dress shorts and short sleeve dress shirts! I like that it will be a little more casual...plus we are asking that our guests NOT wear suit and tie...it's going to be way too hot for that! LOL

The 20% off room rate would be off the price on the Karisma website (quite steep!) http://www.karismahotels.com/ If you are using a TA, their rates should be well below the posted rate on Karisma.com....however there would be no further discount. Hope that helps! Zavas terrace is too small for 60 people...I think the maximum is 25-30 for cocktails, sitting down would be less. If Zavas plaza is taken you have the beach options, Yoga Palapa, or the banquet rooms. The legal wedding has to be done in Spanish, however I was told you could request the WC to translate into english.

Never saw the promotion for 20% off rooms. But if that's the promotion online, it may only be the price for rooms through their website, and it's likely your TA would be getting a better room rate for you. We got 20% off private events, ie. dinner reception and cocktail hours.

If you click on my profile, there are some pictures from the resort. FI and I visited last April and loved it! Quote: Originally Posted by jazz04 Hi all, I am frustrated b/c I had asked for the zavas plaza months ago for my reception and now they are saying they had a new wc at the resort and she messed up and gave it to someone else already the same night. They are not acting like they are willing to change and I think they have put me somewhere else and I can't even think of where or what it is called. All I know is that it is by one of the bridges by the pool. I have asked for my wc to get pics from them so I can see and they still have not sent any. All they say is how beautiful it looks when set up but I am not convinced. I just wanted to vent a little about my situation. Any suggestions? How many guests do you have? The Zavas terrace is very nice, but small. My favorite location was the back patio area of the Mexican restaurant Zocalo, but the maximum they can handle is 40. Really nice tables and chairs, with a beautiful view of the ocean! Plus it's sheltered, in case it rains you would not have to move venues. That would be my #1 choice (and was my choice until we ended up with over 60 guests). Check my photos in my profile, I might have a photo, if not, PM me and I will dig it out and post it.

I believe each area can hold around 75-80 easily...the beach likely more. People will be able to see you at either location, but the beach is below the walkway and in the evening you shouldn't be disturbed. If you want privacy, I would suggest the two large banquet rooms in the main lobby building (they also both have private balconies). Good luck with your choice! Quote: Originally Posted by ginnigurl For all of you that were married at AZS, the pictures are so beautiful and thanks so much for sharing!! One question is that in many of the pictures it looks windy... is it very windy there everyday??? i just want to be prepared! Thanks all and keep it coming!! I am so thankful for all the info!! We have visited that area in Mexico many times, and it is usually windy (except in the mornings or late evenings when it is usually calmer) Quote: Beautiful pictures! Can't wait to do our TTD! So sorry to hear this Maggie! Hope your wrist heals quickly Quote: Originally Posted by Michele4172011 Oh my gosh, I finally got it to work Here is the picture of the heels I bought from Zappos. I wasn't sure about the flower but I think it will grow on me. Let me know what you think. I'll probably wear these for pictures and then wear my white reef flip flops (silver bands) for the actual sand ceremony. Great looking shoes! I am still trying to find some....17 more days til I 'm on a plane Eeekkkk!

1. There are numerous places you can hold your 'private dinner'. The beach has 3 locations, the back patio of the Zocalo restaurant, the Zavas Plaza (by the wedding location just above R5 on the map), and also 2 banquet halls in the main lobby building. You can also have an area in the Spoon restaurant, and the Italian (although I think it might be a max. of 20) 2. You have to choose a set menu (and they will not let you mix and match- we tried!) However we were able to do one of the 'add on' courses from a different set menu. We were able to offer our guest the choice of 2 mains, but the numbers had to be given to them about 40 days in advance 3. Cocktail hour is not free (unless you have a GI travel agent, in which case you may be eligible for one). They offer most basic cocktails, or are open to you designing one.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season! And best wishes for the New Year! Good luck to all the January brides (including me and my gigantic to do list LOL)

Quote: Originally Posted by rkf1046 Hello Ladies! Sorry I have been MIA since our wedding (12/11) but returning from our honeymoon on the 18th and getting ready/shopping for Christmas this week has been CRAZY!!! I just wanted to say our wedding and overall experience was AMAZING!!! So glad to hear everything went well! Congratulations! Can't wait to read the full review. Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! And Happy New Year!

We will be sending out announcements once we return. However we are hosting a small cocktail reception at home. We also don't want gifts, and have somehow added that statement into all of our items (save the date, invitation -on the RSVP, pre-travel brochure). I don't think waiting a month is too long. It might actually be better to wait, then people may also feel like it is more of an announcement, and think it's past gift giving time! Good luck.

That's wonderful Jamie. We did our 'secret' legal wedding a couple of weekends ago. It's so much fun to think I'll get to get married again in only a few short weeks! That's really disappointing...I thought it was the draped look...sigh. I just put in my payment yesterday. Oh well, I knew I would not be able to get everything I wanted. Hopefully once we're at the resort the WC there, can fix a few of the 'problems'.