wanda

Hi Norma, I can see why you changed it to 1pm. I don't like feeling rushed either. I still can't decide. See I was really hoping to have our pictures taken at around sunset so the pictures would look nice and also we wouldn't be as hot. What time will you be taking your pictures if you're ceremony is at 1pm? I wonder how the guests will feel if they have to wait a couple of hours while we're taking pictures. I mean it's not that comfortable to be dressed up in hot weather. People are telling me it's not a big deal but I feel bad about it. Also our reception is only 3 hours, but we're thinking of adding an additional hour so it would be from 6-9 (or 10) but do you think that's too early to end it?

I also have pictures of the Albatros and Villa Terrace if anyone wants them, let me know. Note on the Spazul- my WC said we have to book and pay and for the services in advance. I know most packages include it for the bride, but just wanted to let you guys know for your bridesmaids or mothers, etc. I'm still searching for a photographer other than Funever. If anyone has any suggestions, please share. Also in case anyone is looking for Personalized Sandalwood Fans, I ordered mine from TheKnot.com. They were only $0.99 each. I think those will be great to hand out during the Chapel ceremony.

Hi Vchan, thanks for taking the time to respond. I have another question for you, what time are you booked for the Chapel? I just found out that the Priest take their lunch from 2-4. We wanted to have our ceremony begin at 3 so we could have the toast at 4, take pictures at 5 (sunset at about 5:30ish in Jan) and then the reception at 6. But my WC said that's not possible. We would have to have our ceremony at 1pm or 4pm. It kind of sucks because now we can only spend about 15 min for the toast and then we have to leave for pictures. We have 60 guests and our package only includes 35. So we are paying about $250USD for the additional people and will only enjoy it for such a short period of time. My WC said it's either we leave the toast right away or we have to switch to a symbolic wedding (which I really don't want to- I Love the Chapel idea). Just wondering if anyone else came across this problem.

Hi mressel,  We're getting married at the Caribe and have decided to make some of our stuff as well to save money. I was just curious about a few of your items- first your menu cards. Was it the same for everyone? Angie told us that we need to have a set menu for everyone and it has to be chosen ahead of time. Were you told that as well?  As for your bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages did you order the flowers from the Caribe or from another florist?  Are you brining your own table cloths? Angie just sent me a catalog the other day with all the designs but I really didn't like them and was going to settle for the white standard.  How did you make the room key/money holders? That sounds like a great idea! And as for the bubba kegs, were you able to buy those bulk? We wanted to give away some sort of thermal cups too but couldn't find any decently priced.  One last question, for the Chapel decoration are you brining your own stuff to decorate?  I look forward to hearing your response     Â

Hi abbypoo, Â We're getting married at the Chapel In January 2011 and having the reception at the Villas Terrace as well. We also chose the Luxury Package. Just wondering how long is your reception? Did you order color linen? Did you customize anything (flowers, centerpieces, decoration, cake, etc) that were not in their catalog? I've received some pretty high quotes for anything that wasn't in their catalog (which is understandable) but just wondering if you made any of these requests as well. Any info you provide me with would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hi Shoesiesluvr , Â Just wondering where you chose to have your reception?

Congrats, and thank you everybody for all the details you've provided. This thread has been so helpful.  Flowers- I have found them very expensive as well. I've been quoted $250 for my bouquet and $200 for each of my bridesmaids (there are 4 of them). So I'm currently looking for a local florist as well. My WC advised that if we choose to use an outside florist, the florist are not allowed to enter the hotel. They have to drop the flowers off at the front desk area and they will not help with setting up the flowers (which is understandable). She also advised that if the flowers are late for whatever reason, the wedding cannot be delayed. If we decide to use a local florist, we will probably pick them up ourselves.  Cake- As for the cake,I picked one similar to one in their catalog with a few additions and they quoted me $600! The one in the catalog was only $280 but because it's customized, they charge you more. Has anyone else run into this issue?  Chairs- I'm now having trouble with the chair sashes/ribbons. I have asked for green ones and they only have one color green which doesn't match my theme. Does anyone have any suggestion as to where I could buy them from Canada? Is anyone using white covers and white ribbons?  Music- I'm thinking of using the harpist for the ceremony. Does anyone have an opinion about it?  Reception- My WC advised that if we needed our microphone for the whole reception time, it's $80 to rent. Does anyone know anything about this?  Terrace- I have a few pictures of the Terrace from our WC. If anyone wants them, please let me know so I can email them to you. I'm a little iffy about the green flooring, is anyone having their private reception somewhere else?  Centerpieces- Is anyone making their own centerpieces? We were quoted $80/centerpiece for ours and it's just a few limes in a Small glass vase with 3 orchids on top. I thought that was pricey, so we might do it ourselves.  Hair and make-up- We chose the Luxury package and it includes the hair and make up but I' a little nervous about getting it done though the hotel (but don't have much of a choice). Does anyone know if they are any good?  The hotel will not let you modify or substitute anything that is included in your package. For example, the Luxury includes regular manicure, I asked if I could pay extra for french and the WC said no. I asked if I could give it to my mom and she said no. The cake included is a small signature cake and we have 60 people coming so I asked if we could pay extra for the couture cake and she said no. She also said we can't negotiate the flower prices but I noticed in some other threads that people have done that.  Chapel- does anyone know how much the flowers are for decorating the Chapel? I'm sure it depends on the type of flower but we want to use a different flower in the Chapel than our bouquet because we just want to use what's cheapest. I mean we're only there for 45 minutes right? Is that tacky? Is the tulle included? I heard the 2 centerpieces at the altar are included. I wonder what type of flowers those are. Also, is there a runner?  I have so many more questions but I better stop, lol. I'm so glad I found this site and hope that I can answer some of your questions as well. Best of luck in your planning    Â