jszy10

I chose the Trio because I figured it would be about the same but was over $100 cheaper I think? I don't feel like I heard from my WC until about 2-3 months before. I mostly dealt with Yesenia (sale coordinator) in Florida to request things I wanted until my WC finally contacted me..and they will change too sometimes...so I wouldn't stress too much about it. I actually didn't choose a collection, I went with the complimentary, purchased the things we really wanted "a la carte" and just brought my own chair sashes. If you pay for a musician to play, you don't have to pick songs unless you want to. I didn't pick any songs, our harpist played the whole time! You can go further and select songs for your musician to play, but I just let them play whatever they wanted and didn't stress about it. Nice find on the bags!!

We did the mexican trio for our cocktail party too and we LOVED them!! To answer your question about the cocktail party...they set up a full service bar that your guests can walk up to, but they also have wait staff that will get drink for them!

You're welcome! Thanks so much!! I got married in the Chichen Gazebo (I think they mostly advertise the Tulum and Coba gazebos, but I walked by this one and changed to it that day!) It's right next to the green area that separates the Spa from the Cove. I LOVED the wooden bridge walkway that it has that leads to the gazebo, plus its the only gazebo that is completely open all around. The Tulum gazebo I believe has like a white ladice around it, and the Coba gazebo has glass around the bottom. If you go to the "Our Trip to Riviera Maya" album, you can see overall pictures of the Chichen and Coba. My cocktail party was at the Pandero. THey actually took away all of those wooden slats, which I was upset about when I first got there, but I think they did a good job of making it look ok in the end. Hope this helps!! Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions! I'm glad my pics are helping!!

I forgot to mention that I'm sure you can pick any table layout that you want there. We chose to sit at the head of the table facing out guests. Feel free to check out my wedding pics on my facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jszy10

You're welcome!! It was definitely worth the savings for me, especially with a small group. I don't think my guests thought twice about it being at a restaurant either? Here are a few pics to try and help give you a visual of the covered patio we ended up on (sorry, I have no pictures of the terrace because I never got to see it!) I lost my table vases to the wind from the storm out on the terrace too, so the table looks pretty bare:

If it makes you feel any better, I only received 6 RVSPs back -- and 4 of them were no's :oP. I had a small group because we only sent out 25 invitations -- about 16 guests (8 rooms) booked -- so it was easier for me to keep track of. It was my experience that if people said they are definitely coming will book eventually, and those who haven't responded will most likely not. I think the only way you are going to know is to give them a friendly phone call! I would call 2-3 weeks out from your deadline and just politely ask them if they plan to book and remind them that the deadline for room bookings is at the end of the month. That should move people along and give you a better idea of numbers. We had enough rooms to get a free cocktail party, which I used for a welcome party the Thursday before our wedding, and we did dinner at Mundaca Steakhouse restaurant. They have a terrace in the front of the restaurant that you can request to have your reception set up on without having to pay for a private event. We had an AHR the week after we returned home, so we couldn't see spending the extra expense to have a private dinner. Our guests arrived to the restaurant while we were doing pictures and they ordered drinks and appetizers to keep themselves occupied, then when we arrived everyone could order from the restaurant menu and get whatever they wanted! We were actually originally set up on the terrace, but because of bad weather, we ended up under cover on a side outdoor patio -- which actually was completely private -- just us! So you could always request that patio too and have a "private" reception that way.

Thanks so much!! I ordered them from amols.com!!! If you search "Maracas" in the search bar you will see they have medium and large ones in all different colors! You can purchase them as "assorted" or if you keep scrolling you will find them in individual colors.

J-Me -- I chose the complimentary as well and made mine and my girls' bouquets. They WILL sub your bouquet out for an alter display -- that is what they did for me! I don't have the picture on my work computer, but I can post one when I get home! It was gorgeous...and they brought it over for my reception and then we took it back to the room and enjoyed it for a few days )

OMG!! I'm so excited!!!!! )

I'd be up for it!! I was married on June 25, 2011 -- not sure if that qualifies!?!

Hey Ashley!! To be honest, my husband, myself and all of our guests didn't mind at ALL that there wasn't a beach. You can still relax in lounge chairs and look out onto the ocean, you just can't feel the sand between your toes and jump through the waves. If you really want some sand time, you aren't too far from Playacar Palace -- which makes for a nice day trip. I thought the food there was great!! I don't remember having one thing (besides room service unfortunately) that I didn't love! Hope that helps!

Congrats Nikki!! You'll love it!!! Feel free to check out my wedding/resort pics -- http://www.facebook.com/jszy10

J-Me...I don't have direct experience with this, but I can say that even if they do allow it, you will definitely have to pay a guest pass fee for each person. I have also heard that they do require an insurance and may require something in terms of power usage? I'm not certain about those details though. Good luck!

Yes I did have sashes. Mine were still folded in the bags too and I just gave them to my WC and she took care of it. She tied them on the end chairs and used the leftovers as a runner for my reception table.

Liza gets married in two day!!! Make the best of it girl, spend lots of time celebrating your new marriage indoors ;o) and at the spa! Happy travels to those of you who are getting married next weekend!!!

( bummer...at least it is after we go for our anniversary...although, I hope renovation isn't a problem!!! Looks like they will be combining Cove and Spa again -- probably adult only? http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2011/10/hard-rock-hotels-plans-mexico-all-inclusives/555138/1 I'm so bummed about this...we absolutely loved this resort...it really was a spa like atmosphere, and it will definitely lose that with hard rock

Yay ladies!! So excited for you all!! Alysa, I assembled my OOT bags when I arrived. It was MUCH easier packing everything where I had room and putting it together there. After lunch on the first day my matron of honor came back to my room with me and we sort of made an assembly line and were done before we knew it! I took some of them back down to the pool to give them to my guests, and gave the rest out throughout the day whenever I saw everyone.

I have a silver "I Do" charm available that I was originally going to hang from my garter, and never did! I will ship it for free to anywhere in the US ) I was looking to get $5 for it. It is approximately the size of a dime (1/2" in size) and would be great to hang off your garter and to make a necklace or bracelet out of...or anything else creative all of you wonderful brides think of! ;o)

I bought them on amazon! Try searching "Just Married Flipflops"

I have both! PM'ing you now!