hwilley218

I'm taking all of wedding stuff on the plane with us- I've heard too many horror stories of stuff not arriving if it was shipped. 

I just wanted to share that I put in large vista print order in today- pre-travel brochures, welcome letter, photoshare card, stickers for favors and mugs and a hat for the FOB.  It's so nice to finally be able to some of these details out of the way- I'll post pics when they all arrive. 

Nmoreau- Thanks for posting this, your wedding sounds great, very relaxing.  How did you let your guests know what your plans were for the wedding?  ie dinner at the italian buffet, then moving to the bar, then moving to the disco? 

Originally Posted by nmoreau 

 

...on the swapping things out, they do not do that b/c I thought the same and figured I could negotiate that.

You either go the package route or you go a la carte....

 

But Maria runs it both ways to get you the cheapest deal.  We ended up just paying a la carte b/c it was the cheapest route for us and we didn't want some of the more costly parts of the package deals.

 

Overall with 50 guests our total bill was about $450 and $100 of that was the hair salon (which I really think we could have done just as well on our own) and the rest of it was to pay for the fresh flowers..... just gives you an idea of where you end up in the long run.

With that said we did no reserved spaces, no reception on the beach, etc.  We had our own photographer, used the Italian buffet space for dinner, our rehearsal dinner/bachelor & bachelorette party dinner/scavenger hunt was done at the Brazilian restaurant the night before and then I planned that meet & greet with out the hotel at the meeting point area.

 

Hope all this information helps.....

Since you didn't have a reception on the beach what did you do after dinner? 

I was wondering the same thing- I've seen pictures without it and it still looks nice, but after having seen the site with the arch it looks like it is missing something.

What is everyone doing for the reception?  I keep going back and forth over renting out the disco. It's my last thing to decide on and I've been debating it since last year...

I just found this site!  What a great find!  I'm getting married May 7, 2011- and hope to lose 15lbs by then-  I really just started after the holidays  (not a lot of time) To start off I did a detox, and now I'm just trying to stick to eating lots of veggies and lean protein while sticking to a workout regime- hopefully I stay motivated, but I think this site will help!  Congrats to everyone on their weight loss so far!

I'm originally from MN, but live in Utah now- but most of our guests are coming from MN.  I'm getting married May 2011 at Sandos Playacar. 

Originally Posted by kristamarie 

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwilley218 

 

I'm using Octavio Montes as well- His prices really are great and his work seems pretty great too.  I'm not that concerned about the pictures as some might be though.  But he has had great reviews and I know a few brides from Sandos have used him, so it makes me feel a little more comfortable that he is familiar with the resort.  I'm doing simple welcome bags of mugs, welcome letter, crossword puzzle, magazines, waterproof tip/card carrier. My only concern is how to get them to the guests.  Maria said that we could have delivered to the rooms for $3 per bag or give them to the front desk to give out at check in.  I just don't know if I want to personally deliver them- maybe I should wait until I have more of the guests travel info (they're coming from all over the US)  and I can meet them when they check in...

 

 

Hwilley218,  how are you getting your bags down there? and is it $3 a bag if they had them to the guest at check-in or onlky if delivered?

 

 

I believe it's only $3 dollars if you have them delivered and free if they hand them out at reception (at least thats the way Maria made it sound).  I'm just planning on bringing all my OOT stuff and other wedding stuff in my checked luggage.  When I leave I'll probably have an empty bag...lol- but I guess shipping your stuff down there isn't reccommend since it might not show up on time (gets caught up in customs)

I'm using Octavio Montes as well- His prices really are great and his work seems pretty great too.  I'm not that concerned about the pictures as some might be though.  But he has had great reviews and I know a few brides from Sandos have used him, so it makes me feel a little more comfortable that he is familiar with the resort.  I'm doing simple welcome bags of mugs, welcome letter, crossword puzzle, magazines, waterproof tip/card carrier. My only concern is how to get them to the guests.  Maria said that we could have delivered to the rooms for $3 per bag or give them to the front desk to give out at check in.  I just don't know if I want to personally deliver them- maybe I should wait until I have more of the guests travel info (they're coming from all over the US)  and I can meet them when they check in...

OMG! I just found this site I've been on the other forum for 2011 brides! lol.  I'm getting married May 7th at Sandos. Congrats to all the 2011 brides.

Is anyone hosting a welcome dinner? I want something that will get all the guests together to meet and mingle and possibly hand out welcome bags.  But don't really want to spend the extra money for something formal.  Any ideas? 

Thanks for the great reviews!  Such a help!  and I loved the pictures! Congrats

Oh boy- now I'm nervous, I was going to wait until after the New Year to purchase our airfare too, hoping prices would drop  I'm flying out of Utah, but most of our guests are flying out of MN.  I've been to Mexico a few times and always been able to find really cheap direct flights from both locations.  Right now I can't even find a single direct flight at any price, with the cheapest being about $400.  Does anyone know what's going on?  Is it always like this, this time of year?   

Welcome and congrats!  This site is super helpfull in all planning aspects.  Be warned it's addicting.

Yes! thanks for sharing, it's always nice to see pictures of the resort to help get a better idea of how things will look/ go.  Congrats! 

amazing!  Congrats

Thanks for sharing!  This thread is super helpful!  Congrats!

I was thinking of doing the same thing, but according to few brides on here it's not a good idea to ship things, they end up getting stuck in customs.  I know one bride only had three of her four boxes released.  I don't want to risk my dress and other wedding things not making it- so I'm just going to have a suitcase devoted to wedding supplies, it's a hassle but much better than my stuff not showing up.

We're using Octavio as well, the same package and everything.  After reading the reviews I just couldn't justify using the resort photographer, and really you can't beat Octavio's prices. 

Originally Posted by ColoradoBride11 

We are using Octavio Montes for photography. 3 hours of shooting and 90 prints, and a CD with all the pictures for $650. Not nervous about whether he can go since the wedding coordinator confirmed it was fine, and because hes done several weddings there.

As for the dinner, I am doing place cards, you just give them to Maria at your meeting before hand with a seating chart and she will put them where they need to go.

For my guest book, I'm buying seashells (online they are about $50 for a ton of them) and they are bit and soft on top so people can sign them, I'm going to use them in a picture frame to put around a picutre of my FH and I.

Hello everyone! 

I've been on this site for a few months, but just found this forum!  I'm getting married May 7th, 2011 at Sandos Playacar.  Everyone is so far along- it feels like it is so far away but, really its just around the corner.  So much to do. I love this site btw so much useful information.  I can't wait to start swaping ideas! 

Happy Planning

Good question!  I was wondering the same thing- also if anyone was planning on using programs for the ceremony.  I know its a nice touch but in the essence of saving money and since everyone going will pretty much know each other, could I go without them? 

Has anyone used the resort photographers?  Or have samples of their work?  We were just going to use the resort photographers but the reviews I've been reading on them is making me a little nervous...

Just sent my deposit for May 2011 at Sandos!  I love all the great info everyone is posting! thanks

Congrats!  I'm also getting married at Sandos, just set the date for May 7th- I'm guessing your a little bit farther along in your planning, any suggestions?