82turtles

Thank you so much for sharing!! These will be really helpful

From what I have down, Lisa's description is right. The only way to have a free dinner would be to have your dinner in the regular buffet with other hotel guests. They would put together tables and try to section your group off though, so it's a little more private. Caroline, I think you might be wondering about having the private dinner still, just served buffet style instead of plated, correct? My understanding is that even in that situation, there is still the additional cost per person for their dinner (price depends on Eternity vs Divine menu). I would guess you get the same menu choices - they just offer to serve it as a buffet if you have 50+ people. Hope that helps!

Ooh, that's awesome!! How exciting! I wish I could do a site visit. Those two are my top two choices, but have no idea which to choose - both seem awesome, so I'll be very interested in hearing your thoughts/opinions about everything and which you would choose and why! If you could get some pictures of the Sapphire's reception options, that would be great. All the wedding set-ups I've seen for the Sapphire have the dinner/dance on a covered open-air terrace with the beach wedding just steps away, but was wondering about having a beach or pool-side reception, or inside options (like how the Jade has the bamboo room..). Same thing for the cocktail hour: where can you have that set up - right on the beach or just up in the terrace? Maybe also ask about what the back-up rain plan is? Also, if you could ask about and/or get pictures of what they have for standard decorations down there, and find out about the set-up fees if any? Not sure so I'd want to haul a lot down if they have a decent amount of things there to use. Thank you soooo much for being willing to get the pictures and answers! It's hard to decide and plan some things without seeing the options and set-up! Have a great trip!

That's a great explanation. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the detailed review Tracy!! Sounds like you had a wonderful wedding! Can't wait to see your pictures when you get them in!

Pretty sure they said you could have a free group dinner at one of the buffets, that they would group together the tables. If you go to one of the other restaurants, I believe it is $22 per person, plus tax and service, and you have a set menu. That's what my notes say at least!

Oh wow, Tonia, looks hot! We are looking at a sunset (4-4:30pm) wedding time in November, so not sure how hot it'll be. You never know though.. we'll just have to see! Still torn between a few resorts at this point. Wish I wasn't so indecisive!!!

Hi JandK, They do offer an option to pay a one time fee of $30, which allows you to skip the post requirement to be able to download. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/wiki/become-a-best-destination-wedding-supporter Just thought I would pass that along so if there is something you really want to download, you would know there are other options!

Fernando Fuentes http://the-makeup-pros.com/ [email protected] I saw this posted on another thread.. You should contact him for exact prices since these may be out of date (gives you an idea of the cost though): BRIDE TRIAL HAIR AND MAKEUP $180 DAY OF THE EVENT $350 BRIDESMAIDS AND FAM ONLY MAKEUP $90 ONLY HAIR $50 up to $80

Baezas, Hm, that's strange it won't let you PM me. Well this is my first time trying to add an image, so let me know if it doesn't work! Below is the picture that Elena sent me. She said "I attach a photo where you can see the white tent and the bamboo on the back of the altar. It costs about 250usd and it can be fixed on the back of the altar." Kind of confused me a little bit -- not sure if they would put up the tent AND the bamboo thing like in the pic or if they would set up just the bamboo structure. Guess that's another thing to follow up on with her..

Thanks for the answers! The more and more I look at things, the more I think that my idea of a $10K total isn't really going to happen! A girl (and her checking account) can dream though, right?! lol Weddings aren't so expensive where I live, so it's hard to spend for me to so much on a DW since it's not saving me anything, but it's always been my dream to be married on a beach, so whatever.. We'll make it work! btw, see you're from Charlotte.. my grandpa lives there (well suburb at least). Love that city!! Wish I could visit more often Ah, yes, tipping.. I'll be sure to budget that into things, too. Thanks!!

Just saw on another post that lots of ladies are having issues downloading files (people with 200-300 posts, even an elite member with nearly 6000). Must be a bigger issue. One of the girls said she was going to contact a moderator or Tammy, so hopefully it's resolved soon. Just thought I'd let ya know!

Anyone know if there are issues with downloading in general? I hit 150 posts a week ago and still can't download attachmentsl. Trying to be patient and there's really no rush for me, so it's not a big deal, but was more or less wondering how long it takes? Save me from trying each day and being disappointed!! lol

Hi Angie, Hope this isn't too personal for questions, but I think I would have a group right around 40 ppl, so close to what you had.. You said you were under $10K easily, but I was wondering what all you included in that number? I'd like my total budget to be at $10K, including photography, travel, wedding dress, gifts, AHR, etc. Would you mind letting me know what your final price for the resort was (i.e. ceremony, dinner reception, dance, etc)? Maybe my numbers are just unrealistic!! It just seems there are so many 'extra' fees, that I'm finding it hard to compare resorts! Feel free to PM me if you would rather not post that.. Few other questions -- how much was it to have DJ Ivan come in, and how much for the lighted dance floor? Any outside vendor fees have to be paid for that? Any hassle with having an external DJ? Congrats and thanks for posting your pictures! Sorry to hear that you had issues with the weather and a number of your guests weren't able to attend Looks like everything turned out beautifully though! You looked great!! Can't wait to see more pics! Quote: Originally Posted by avong1228 I've been crazy busy with work but will post a review. We ended up only having 42 due to the hurricane and people not being able to attend but yes stayed under $10k easily and still would have with 60. I guess it just depends on all you want.

Kind of quiet on here lately! Just wanted to follow up.. I heard back from Elena, and she said the rental price for the wooden bamboo structure would be about $250. I don't have the picture she sent with me here, but PM me if you'd like me to forward that on. Anyone have the live music options and prices for the ceremony and/or cocktail hour? thanks!

Congrats Tracy, hope you're enjoying the rest of your vacation! Wow, that pergola set-up is so nice! Thanks for taking a few moments to share some of your pictures so far!

There Will Be Blood = Paul F. Tompkins

Congrats Tracy!!! So happy for you!

btw, Morgan, just checked out your Zazzle shop & postcards for Mexico. I was looking for something just like that yesterday after I saw another bride's cute vintage Hawaiian postcard STD's! I've bookmarked your page and will be in touch if I decide to go with that idea! Need to probably set a date and location first before I get carried away with DIY projects...

Hi Morgan, That's reassuring!! I would worry about the same thing! I'm more than happy to put a deposit down to guarantee a day, but sounds like they truly don't require it and everything goes well. Thanks!!

Exciting!!! I would LOVE to have a T&C wedding, but that was just out of my budget! Just a couple weeks now.. good luck with all the last minute things and hope your ceremony goes great!

Just had to lol @ all your folders.. I'm the same way, so many folders and files and things to keep track of! FI makes fun of me and all the spreadsheets I make.. Yay for you!! 7 weeks? I can't imagine how excited I will be at that point!!

Woohoo! Just hit 150!! Hopefully the downloads will work for me in the morning and give me another distraction from work! lol I'm with you Aumiller.. wedding won't be til Nov next year or so (need to set a date still..), but I really wanted to be able to see those downloads and templates and start working on things! So many great ideas out here on this forum!!!

Agreed.. I like the raffia ones. Although I like the suggestion for the sandalwood hand fans. Seems much easier to pack! I have way too many ideas of things I'd like to bring down there, but thinking it's not very realistic

Those are super cute!! I've been collecting turtle things since I was little (hence the screenname..), so something like this would be perfect for me! Thanks for posting the etsy seller name, too.