orbitingbklyn

Has anyone used the "house" DJ? I am having trouble deciding between using my IPOD and paying $80 for a person at the hotel to operate it (with instructions from me) and getting a microphone ($80) for use for a few speeches. I am not doing all of the traditional events (mother-son dance, etc) and really really want them to play only the songs I bring with me so it seems silly to use a DJ. Can anyone who has been married already comment on this re the house DJ (as opposed to outside DJs which I have read the good reviews for) versus IPOD use experience?? I asked my WC if I can tell the DJ exactly what to play but I didn't actually get a response to that portion. Also, I am having a 4 hour reception, so $980 seems a bit much to have someone play songs that I bring down with me!  I asked my WC about the DJ & got this info:  DJ Service equipment:  02 Speakers JBL 15†02 Robotic Lights 04 Par 64 Led’s DJ Booth (With Mixer Rane and Double CD player Denon 4500, or turntables) Wireless Microphone (Speeches and announcements) Professional DJ (He can do the announcements) Souvenirs (Giant Balloons, balloons, light sticks, masks) Music from the 70’s, 80’s to the best music playing today with different genres.  Price: $850 USD (1-3 Hours of service)  Additional hour $130 USD

i asked my WC about a little welcome party & this is the info i got for restaurants, occupancy: Â If you do it at any Restaurant, they could only sit 9-10 guests at the most. For more than that you will have to request a Semi-private in any of the following restaurants: -Maria Marie, maximum 35 guests -Tapas N Pinxtos, maximum 20 guests -Pelicanos, maximum 20 guests -Asiana, maximum 35 guests -Spice, maximum 30 guests (Real guests $15usd each, Non guests $30usd each) So I think if you have 10 people you can do a dinner at the restaurant without it being an "event"

if the person is staying at the resort & a guest at the wedding you do not have to pay the vendor fee. i saw some people post that you don't have to pay the fee if they stay at another hotel but my WC said then i'd have to pay. so if she is your sister/friend/whoever & staying at the hotel & is a guest you should not get charged. Â i would also love info on the photographer permit issue! thanks!

I was wondering as well. My WC is great and I would like to tip her but I was not sure how, as I am sure I will not actually meet her because she is off-site somewhere in Mexico. Any thoughts? Â I do not think I am going to tip my photographer because he is an independent photographer flying in & I am paying for airfare & hotel & he gets the total fee, it's not like he works for someone else and has to pay them some part of the fee. Â Â

Risa- Â I am having my photographer stay at Gran Porto the nite before & night of the wedding (at the Royal). And he is a guest at the wedding (he has to eat too!). This avoids the $350 vendor fee. I double checked on this. I was told that if he is not staying at one of the hotels then I must pay the vendor fee. The way it worked out for me, I'd rather pay to have him stay than pay for nothing (the vendor fee). I am sure you could have him stay 1 night only, but I decided to do 2 nites. Â The $100 vendor fee is the old rate. All outside vendors are now $350 each! Â

that's great because people can stick $ in them! Â love your design!!

also, i have been having trouble getting all my RSVPs so i asked my WC if i can add people after i submit my final list & make payment & she said that was fine. so if it's 2 or 3 people i don't think you will have an issue. you will just have to pay for them when you add them. if you have an issue with this, check with your WC about this. Â good luck & happy wedding!! Â

this is what my WC told me (copied from her email): Â Please return wedding information sheet 60 days prior to your wedding date. Â Please note final payment is due 45 days prior to your wedding day. If final payment is not paid 30 days prior to your wedding date, your wedding will be CANCELLED!!! Once final payment is received, 30 days prior to your wedding date you will then be forwarded to an on-site wedding coordinator in Mexico. She will set up an appoinment for when you arrive and she will take care of you and make sure that everything runs smoothly. Â

this is what i was told (and i asked 2 different WCs and got the same answer) --> the reception includes a basic dance floor (doesn't light up) that is white wood. i think someone has posted a photo of it on this forum. there's no charge for that. Â the light-up dance floor from the resort is $700 (on the price checklist from your WC). i did see some brides post that they were given a light-up dance floor even though they did not pay for it, but i would not chance it if you want it. i am undecided for myself, although i am getting married in december & it will be dark during my beach reception & it would look really really cool. leaning towards it... Â with any outside vendor, remember that you are charged $350 fee in addition to whatever they charge. Â on the subject of invitations & # of guests, i invited 116 people and it looks like we will have 40-50. Â

great!!! this is so great to hear a positive review about hair & makeup at SpaAzul. Â when you start considering outside vendor fees, the cost of getting hair & makeup done can be a bit looney. and that's coming from a girl who gets her hair done at nyc salons! Â welcome to all the new ladies & thanks again to everyone who has posted their info & comments & reviews

 i believe that i've seen several people use SpaAzul & that is my plan as well. I am doing a trial to make sure there are no surprises. Â

i have to agree that while some people obviously have had issues, it's all been pretty good for me. it was difficult at first to sort everything out & get info from my WC. But then it's gotten better. And i just got reassigned to Ana Perez and she is really really great & helpful. and quick to respond. Â just throwing this out there so people don't get scared away! Â my friend attended a wedding at The Royal and he said it was the best wedding he'd ever been to. Â good luck ladies!!!! Â rachel

more great photos Lady_Di! Â thanks for sharing!

Ladies- not sure if someone else posted this, I didn't see it, but I just found out that Rebekah, my WC, is leaving Mexico. She apparently just came down to get everything sorted out. I found out by emailing her. So my new WC is Ana Perez, who has been great so far. Rachel

Juliet1 - September 17, 2010 jamk32179- September 18, 2010 smckinney22 - October 9, 2010 Runningbride24 - October 10, 2010 ReidCapote - October 24, 2010 Shirley_Ken - October 28, 2010 Natalie79 - October 30, 2010 Celine- November 5, 2010 bmlynch - November 6, 2010 Randi - November 11, 2010 Trinas79 - November 11, 2010 jesmcan - November 12, 2010 futuremrs1113-November 13, 2010 giraffexx - November 19, 2010 mslisaaragon - November 22, 2010 Lisa DSO- November 24, 2010 Jenny310 - November 27, 2010 FutureMrsYak- December 2, 2010 orbitingbklyn (rachel) december 3, 2010 msglave-December 11, 2010 MichaelandAraceli- December 18, 2010 N&J2011 - April 1, 2011 pineapplebride - *maybe* April 2011 ChicagoBride2011- May 1, 2011 speedy130 - May 7, 2011 sarahe786 - May 15, 2011 rosieposie - May 22, 2011 Prettypigpig - July 4, 2011 Augustbride2011 -August 20, 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by jamk32179 OMG I feel your pain. I am now on my 3rd WC since December. This is getting rediculous. I am now working with Rebekah. Anyone have any experience with her? I'm just ready for it to be here already!!! i agree that Rebekah is good. i got a little frustrated at first with emailing & not getting the thorough responses i wanted. i called her & she was sooo nice & then i felt better & have had the rest of our contact by email. but i've gotten the most info here from you ladies!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by kerrimark2010 He's fantastic. And we're doing the same thing you are, including him as a guest. Way to buck the system, sister! :-) yeah, i'd like to at least get something for my money! do you have him staying at gran porto or royal? my plan is gran porto on thurs & fri nites (wedding on fri at 4pm) so that way he can come over at 1pm from gran porto on fri & start photos (sun sets at 5:15pm so gotta get the pix in!)

Quote: Originally Posted by kerrimark2010 I am using Nathan Cordova. He's based out of Portland, but even adding in the cost of his travel he's still less expensive than many others in the PDC area. He's been super to work with so far. i agree! i am also using nate & he is great. he has a brand new blog: licensetostill.com

Quote: Originally Posted by Natalie79 The fee is per vendor, you wouldn't have to pay additional for assistants hi ladies. been a little busy & am back to the forum. hope everyone is having a great & relaxing summer. i think this might have been answered before but i'd appreciate clarification. i am going to have an outside photographer (nate cordova) and i plan on having him stay at the gran porto for 2 nights (night before and night of my wedding) and he will be a guest at the reception. i will bring him over to the royal 3 hours before the ceremony as one of the 3 people who can have access. does this get me around the $350 vendor fee? huge thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsYak Is this a stupid question.....now I'm thinking because of the above post...if we add international to our cell phones, we should be able to use them in Mexico right? We'll have service and all? FI and I plan to add international but not use the phones much. Just in case anyone needs to get a hold of us. i have a verizon cell & my phone totally worked in mexico. if you want to dial out you have to add the international code (same for texting). it just costs a bit more. i have verizon in nyc with the normal plan, no international.

Quote: Originally Posted by prettypigpig The Gran Porto Real Lobby bar is much smaller, but it is nice. They have pool table at the lobby too! The Gaviotas next to the pool is a good place if you do it during day time. thanks for the info! i was wondering the same thing. i was thinking of doing a welcome party at the lobby bar at the royal but some of my guests will be at the Gran Porto. i thought maybe the few would not be noticed at the Royal in the lobby but maybe they are super strict. any experience with this ladies? all of the photos that everyone posted are gorgeous!!! congrats to all!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Lady_Di Thanks ladies...i guess it is my day because our pics from underwater TTD with del Sol are ready too! 05.31.10 Diana + Roque | Trash the Dress | Photos by Matt Adcock + Sol Tamargo They did an awesome job! I looked a bit nervous though! you look soooo amazing. model perfect. and not nervous at all! congrats. you will treasure these photos! congrats!

Quote: Originally Posted by SarahE786 Yep! My WC Rebekah sent me the info a couple weeks ago saying it would "help streamline the process". I think they also have the higher management having access to it as well. Maybe its just better documented for them and easier to organize? I signed up for it and have been using it. Its actually pretty helpful to keep track of things. I will say though that the very first thing I did was post a thread on there with a copy of all our correspondence so far to make sure that everything previously talked about was documented as well! Hope that helps! oh wow, rebekah did not tell me this. perhaps i will inquire. thanks again ladies!!

Quote: Originally Posted by bridetobe1515 The photographer from the resort did take some pics of us too, and they came out good. I liked my photographer way better, but it could be because we spent more time with her. I think 2 hours is not enough time. I only say that because if you plan on them taking any pics during cake cutting, bouquet toss, etc. then you will need to rush it all in the very beginning of the reception or else they will miss it. We faked our cake cutting so we could get some good pics and then did our bouquet toss, etc. early so we wouldn't have to pay for more time. It worked out pretty well. i agree that you need more time to get it all in. i have thought about this a lot after chatting with photographers. what i did was think about what photos i wanted and what the timeline will be for the wedding. based on that i realized that 2-3 hours isn't enough for me.

Quote: Originally Posted by bridetobe1515 I just wanted to post the link to our slideshow for you ladies: Your Photo Slide You have to hit HQ by the volume on the screen or else the pic quality is bad. beautiful!!!! great photos. you can tell that you had an awesome time! congrats!!!