Jennie0521

Don't stress on the menu stuff....there wasn't really a salad that appealed to us so I asked if we could just have a ceasar salad (and the ceasar is amazing and beautiful..it actually stands up on your plate...lol) and that was no problem. Also we only had 15 people but I ended up with 3 entree options, most people had the beef filet which was to die for, a few people ended up with the chicken dish and said it was good and 2 people opted for a vegetarian option. They are very accommodating, so anything you think you would like to have, just ask I bet they will make it happen. We actually done the same for the breakfast that they bring you the next morning we requested different things than they offered and it was no problem.

Just wanted to let you guys know that if you are not to fussy about some of the menu choices you can always request something else. I didn't like and of the salad choices on the menu that we could choose from so I just asked if they could substitute a ceasar salad. It was soooo good, and the presentation was amazing.

We actually had everything outside on the beach. The ceremony started at 5:30pm, finished around 6ish, we went and took pictures till 7:30 while the guests enjoyed the cocktails and hot h'orderves, then we started the reception at 7:30, and we done our first dance, father/daughter and mother/son dance prior to supper so the photographer could finish up early. And the reception was over a little past 10:30pm.

I just did up a seating chart on paper and indicated who was having what entree and gave it to the wedding coordinator. It worked perfectly and I didn't need to do more work for place cards or anything.

I think I posted a pic of my dress from the day we went dress shopping but didn't post any from when it finally came and my fittings were done, so here are a few from our wedding. The dress was perfect for a DW, so light and flowy, loved it. The last pic is from the TTD and it is actually the only pic I have with the train let down, I had it bustled the majority of the day.

We used our Ipod, as much fun as the DJ looked, I am glad we just went with the Ipod, we finished pictures at 7:30pm so thats when the reception started. We did our first dance, mother/son and father/daughter dances prior to the meal so the photographer could finish up then. But by the time the meal was finished we had about 1 1/2 hrs of dance time, since the receptions are for 3 hrs. If I could go back and do it again that is the only thing I would have changed, I would have paid for the extra hr for the reception.

Don't fret the blood work, I had myself all worked up about it and for the both of us it was like 2 mins. They only take a very small sample. We both said the shots that we had before we left were way worse. The doctor showed up at the marriage center, and she opens brand new needles for every person and takes a very small sample, like I said it was over in like 30 seconds. For the paper work, we just needed our tourist cards and passports. And the 4 days prior will give you time to get a nice tan and relax, it is an amazing place. I hope you have a great wedding.

Congrats...soon be time to leave...YAY. We used a IPod and we have no regrets....it worked out perfectly. I wouldn't have done it any other way. The reception is only 3 hrs long, so you have to take into consideration that your meal is a 3 course meal, so we only had about 2 hrs of dancing. So as fun as the DJ seemed to be it just didn't seem like it was worth all the money since the first 3 main dances took about 15 mins we really only danced for like 1hr and 45 mins. Don't worry it will be absolutely perfect. I hope you have an amazing trip!! Good luck

I'm a newfie...we just got back from our April 28th wedding at The Royal in Playa del Carmen. Congrats on your engagement!!!

I live in Canada, I found them at the Dollarama store, $2/each.....great deal!

Thanks. I got them from Express. They have a website too. I had a friend on a trip in NYC and got her to pick them up for me I think they were like $20.....I never even wore them much, we went bare foot in the sand!!

We just paid the $350 outside vendor fee and they had no problem. The photographer showed up with his assistant and told the front desk they were here for our wedding, they called the wedding coordinator and once she confirmed they were allowed in they we both given passes for the event. We had no hassle with this at all.

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!! OMG.....everything was perfect. You guys will not be disappointed with your choice! I will post a review of the wedding and everything once I get my photos from our amazing photographers (Moments That Matter Photography), so I can show you what it looked like. I still can't believe i'm married and how amazing the day was. YAY!

Hey everyone, can't believe we are leaving tomorrow morning. It is crazy. It seems like yesterday that I signed up on this forum and didn't know what to do next. You guys have been amazing, such great ideas and advice. I just updated my planning thread ( http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/63105/jennie0521-s-planning-thread-diy-invitations-on-pg-1-more-planning-photos-on-pg-3/20 ). I will post some pics when we return. So excited. And CHICAGOBRIDE2011 have a amazing wedding, we might see you down there. Talk to you all later!!!

Here are some of the other details. This is the grooms bout, comes standard from the resort. This is similar to the bouquet that I ordered. I is just going to be all calla lillies though with turquoise ribbon around the stems and the bridesmaids will be the same just a bit smaller. These are my bridesmaid dresses. Love them, I love the fact that it is something they can wear again and it is super light. I don't have a pic of the boys outfits but they are just wearing light grey linen pants with a white cotton shirt, and I found white and grey flip flops at Aldo for them for the reception. This is the only pic I have of my dress right now and it is from the first dress shopping trip so it doesn't fit quite right, but I love it. It fits perfectly now. It is so light and flowy, but yet modern, I fell in love when I put it on. These are my cute shoes. A friend picked them up for me in NYC at express. Just comfy flats for the reception, going bare foot for the ceremony. What else would you do on a beach! Here are my garters I ordered from itsmyday on etsy.com. Jori was a pleasure to work with. And I totally love them. I wanted a splash of color with my jewelry but nothing too bold, my bridesmaid/sister-in-law found this for me, it is perfect. And I think I will either be wearing these or a pair of diamond studs that the fiance gave me 2 christmas ago. And here are our wedding bands.....Love it. I think I love everything...lol Anyways guys I am off tomorrow. Will post photos and a review once I return. Just wanted to say thanks for all the amazing ideas and helpful advice I have found on this site. It has been a life saver. Thanks again and I will talk to you all when I am a MRS!!!!!!

So we are leaving tomorrow morning to go to Playa del Carmen so I figured I would update this planning journal with my completed DIY things and a few things that I have bought. So excited. So here is are my DIY things. I love the way the bags have turned out. The maracas I ordered from Amols. They were great to deal with. I was in touch with a lady there through email who go the estimated shipping cost to Canada for me and I told her I wanted just turquoise, and when they arrived they were perfect. Very happy with these. I am going to place them on the table for people to take as their wedding favors. I really wanted to do travel mugs for everyone, and wanted to get the ones with the removable sleeve, but could not find any where I am from and it was too late to order them, so I found these for an amazing price and just bought some clear labels and put everyones name on there mug. I had purchased just a plain ol' pack of playing cards to put in the OOT bag but I was sitting around one night and figured I would try to customize them a little. I think they are too cute!! Just a welcome booklet I done. The first page has a letter from us thanking everyone for coming, the second page has our wedding day schedule, page 3 is info about a account we set up on Shutterfly for everyone to share their photos, page 4-5 has a map of the resort, page 6-7 is info about the restaurants and bars, and the last page are a few fun spanish sayings. I couldn't find a long reach stapler so the twine worked perfectly and added a beachy feel. Here are my wedding weekend survival kits. They include: Aloe Sunscreen Tylenol Chapstick with spf Tums Hand sanitizer Moist wipes 2 Tide to go packets for hand washing items And here are the bags. I purchased the turquoise bags earlier this year and was going to use them but then I came across these other bags the other week and they were perfect so I am just going to throw in the turquoise bag for a beach bag for everyone. I loved this idea when I saw it on here, I just had to do it. Here is our cake topper I purchased from Micheals. And this is the cake we chose from the Royal but they are doing just the 2 smaller layers and in the Tres Leches flavor. Can't wait.

Hey guys, Time is winding down.....less than 3 months to go!!! Just wondering about people who used their IPOD/computer, instead of a DJ? How did you find it and would you recommend it? Also how did you find it for organization, like announcing the first dance, cutting the cake, etc.....did someone do this for your from the resort? Someone asked these questions a few pages back but no one replied and I am really curious about this. Thanks guys, this forum has been a great help.

Hi everyone, Writing from Newfoundland, Canada......Getting married April 28, 2011 at the Royal Playa del Carmen. Can't believe it is less than 6 months away!!!!!

Hi there, just adding myself to the new list.......less than 6 months to go!!!!! 2010 Brides KerriMark2010 - November 4, 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 msglave - December 11, 2010 MichaelandAraceli- December 18, 2010 2011 Brides kshows - February 12, 2011 pineapplebride - *maybe* April 2011 Jennie0521 - April 28, 2011 ChicagoBride2011- May 1, 2011 speedy130 - May 7, 2011 SarahE786 - May 15, 2011 rosieposie - May 22, 2011 risa 1818- June 12, 2011 JHarris - June 17, 2011 Bride2B22- June 21, 2011 Sweetle - June 24, 2011 Prettypigpig - July 4, 2011 Heidi88- July 22, 2011 Augustbride2011- August 20, 2011 Bride2bDebbie - November 20, 2011

Thanks....I know I love it way way way too much....lol. It gives you instant curves....like a miracle dress...haha. It is by La Sposa called Laurel. La Sposa has alot of beautiful dresses like these with the flowy material and trumpet mermaid style. Here are some pics from the site with the model in it... you can really see how the back looks on these pics.

SO EXCITED....just picked up my dress. I am sooooo in love with it. It almost fit perfect just need a little alteration in the hip area and I am thinking about removing the bow to see what it would look like. But I just can't wait to wear it.

Well thats great to hear. I think what she meant about rainy season is that they it is their rainy season now and the beach is smaller now because of it. But hopefully there will be nothing but sun in April.

Hey I don't know who else is getting married around the end of April 2011 but I am in contact with my WC now trying to figure out where the ceremony and reception are going to be. We were originally going to have the ceremony at the gazebo and then the reception on the beach. We emailed her cause we wanted to change the ceremony on the beach as well. I got a email back and she said we could have the ceremony on the beach but the reception she is checking on now cause of the rainy season the beach is smaller and don't know if it will be large enough for a reception. She is checking on it now for us now since we are only having 10-20 people, hopefully we can still have both on the beach. Just a heads up for you guys having a larger wedding if you haven't confirmed the locations. I don't know if anyone has been told the same thing. Fingers crossed it works out

Just wondering if anyone is or have had there wedding ceremony on the beach at the Royal PCD. Would like to be able to see some pictures of some set ups or hear some ideas. Thanks guys.

Thanks It is actually a new ring.....but I love the antique look of it. It is actually canadian diamonds. I am ordering the matching band soon...I can't wait to see how it looks then.