1106wedding

Very pretty! Did they wrap it in the ribbon for you? Same for your bridesmaids? Thanks!

GORGEOUS!!! Do you mind if I ask how much your bouquet was? All roses, right?

We've all been through it in one way or another and we all agree its the worst policy ever. Basically if the resort isn't making money from us using one of their preferred vendors (as they get a huge kickback), they're going to make their money in charging us a fee. I understand it to a point but what pisses me off the most is that their vendors aren't up to par which really leaves us no option. When I was choosing my resort, this was almost enough to send me elsewhere. I'm paying $1k for my outside photographer and DJ as much as I hate it. As long as brides keep booking weddings there and keep paying the fees, I don't see them changing policy. All we can do is keep voicing our outrage to our TAs and coordinators. I know I have!

Matt - thank you - you're such a great source for info!! We booked at La Reve (the bugalow, beachside, private pool) and then found out that a wedding booked a buyout that same weekend. We were crushed!!! Nothing is comparing YET (or is way more expensive). Esencia is gorgeous but a little pricier than we can swing at the moment. I keep checking back for deals. Have you been to The Tides or La Zebra in Tulum?

Paul - I love it!!! Thanks for sharing. Hey, how did they do that mexican-themed photo booth? Was that with Rachel?

Thanks Jaime! When did you do garter/bouquet toss? I guess it doesn't really matter when exactly it happens...sometime after cake I'd think... You said you had a friend stay on top of the schedule, right? I have doremixx to help MC but I can't expect him to be in charge of the sequence of events I don't think. I need to delegate to someone in my group...I just don't trust anyone as much as ME, it's what I do for a living! Can we say control freak? :)

Thanks - I've looked, most seem to be a couple years old so I was hoping for some new input. I'm using tripadvisor too .

Does anyone have a timeline for their reception? Like 6:30pm guests seated for dinner 645pm Bride and groom announced 6:45pm Salad served Etc Etc... Thanks!

My guys are walking the ladies down the isle. I'm thinking: Groom's Parents Bride's Mom + 1 groomsmen ( I have one extra guy) 5 Groomsmen + Bridesmaids in pairs 2 Flower girls Me and my Dad. Wait, what about the groom? He goes first I guess w/ officiant (who will also hopefully be a friend!) This is going to be a separate set of research for sure! I would still like to walk through all of this with the hotel staff, I need them to be on the same page as me.

Gorgeous Jaime!!!!

Do they SERIOUSLY not do a wedding rehearsal? I mean, c'mon, I've put my anal personality aside for most things, but no walk through?!?

Gorgeous! LOVE the colors!!!

Update: we're now focusing on The Tides and La Zebra (in Tulum). Does anyone know anything about either of these?

Yes, I booked him. I might've gotten in before he "wasn't allowed" though

Thanks Maggie - do they not have waiters serving you in other parts of the pool? I just expected there would be, there has been at every other resort I've been to...or are you saying they allowed your guests to be at that pool/cabana? And right now NOBODY is staying in a premium room so we might not be at that pool at all I guess..

THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT. MY NOTES IN CAPS Quote: I will fill in what I can: 1) we booked with a GI agent (not DW.com), and were also told we could be upgraded. In the end they offered us the honeymoon suite, but we would then have lost our swimup premium room, so we passed. From my understanding, it really depends of hotel capacity at the time if they can accomadate you. I don't understand why you have to be in building 3 though??? You could simply walk over for the wedding ceremony. We stayed in the premium section, and I walked clear across the resort to our wedding spot by the pier. I HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT AN UPGRADE BUT I'M HOPING WE GET ONE. I PERSONALLY WANT TO BE IN BUILDING THREE SO I CAN GO STRAIGHT FROM MY ROOM TO THE SKYDECK...AND CAN FRESHEN UP AFTER THE CEREMONY 2) we did one of the set menu options. We gave our guests the choice between the mahi-mahi and pork. I also made it very clear that if they did not respond by a certain date, they would automatically be served the pork. This saved me from having to chase people down. We had absolutely no problems with speed of service. It actually went quite well for us. The only thing I would maybe have complained a little, was that the food was not hot. We had 63 guests, at the Zavas Plaza. OK, GOOD TO KNOW! 3) They do have premium liquor, most of the time it is hidden below the bar or in the back room. However we were not successful in ever seeing Grey Goose or Patron. If you plan on putting booze into the gift bags, you will have to give them to your guests yourself. They will not deliver items with booze in them....since technically you are not suppose to bring alcohol onto the resort. As long as you are aware, it should not be an issue. We brought a few good bottles of scotch and had them in our room. There was no problems there. OK, SO THERE'S HIGHER END ALCOHOL BUT YOU HAVE TO REQUEST IT. I KIND OF EXPECTED THAT. AND WE PLAN ON GIVING OUT OUR WELCOME BAGS AT OUR WELCOME PARTY THURSDAY NIGHT (WEDDING IS ON SATURDAY). A COUPLE BOTTLES IN OUR ROOM MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TOO... 4) The grooms' room is part of any of the wedding packages. (including the free wedding) But again, it is only available if there are rooms free. Also make sure to request it! We didn't want it, since my husband got ready in one of the other guys room (they had the massive balcony). But they did bring up a selection of bottles of booze and mix to our friends room (part of the groom's room bonuses).....strange though the bride doesn't get booze. Sigh....that's why I had other girls running to get me drinks all day! LOL - YAY, GREAT NEWS ABOUT GROOM'S ROOM, THAT'S AWESOME. I'LL MAKE SURE TO REQUEST, HOPEFULLY IN OCTOBER SPACE WON'T BE AN ISSUE. UM AND YEA, IF THE GUYS GET THE LIQUOR, WE SHOULD TOO. OR AT LEAST SOME CHAMPAGNE!! CAN YOU ORDER COCKTAILS VIA ROOM SERVICE? THANKS AGAIN! Hope that helps.

My Fiance and are are getting married this October at Azul Sensatori (Puerto Morelos). We'll be at that resort with our guests for a week and then plan to have a mini-honeymoon for 3 nights before flying back and re-entering the real world. We're in the market for the perfect resort in the area, close to Playa (or farther south) preferably. We're leaning towards boutique, secluded, non-all inclusive resorts....we found a killer deal at La Reve for a bungalow, fell in love with the idea, were SO excited and then found out it's the ONE weekend in October they're booked . Very disappointing. They recommended The Tides, Zoetry or Maroma (I know there are a few there) so we'll look into those. I also found Banyan Tree Mayakoba which looks nice - they have the private plunge pools that we're now stuck on thanks to the La Reve rooms. Any opinions would be great. Thank you!

bigboponthebeach - THANK YOU for such a thorough review. I loved how you walked me through your experience. Being a type-a planner (I do corporate events for a living), I am aware that my wedding won't be absolutely perfect in every sense. Part of the reason we booked so far away is so that I couldn't micromanage every detail and I'd have to let some things go. It's healthy for me this way, yet it is difficult. The planning process has been very enjoyable overall for me in general, I'm just happy being engaged! I want to enjoy every minute of this 13-month period because it only happens once. Now that I am less than 4 months away from my wedding date, I'm starting to talk details with my WC (Erika Torres) and I know this is when it might get a little tougher. I'm going to try my best to keep everything in perspective. Regarding your review, a couple comments/questions for you (if anyone else knows, chime in!): *I too booked with a GI consultant who works for DW.com, she's been great. Did you know they were going to upgrade your room? I currently have an ocean view suite in the Azul section, but I'd love to get the honeymoon suite with the big balcony. SInce I'm getting married on the skydeck, I need to be in building 3, otherwise I would've looked into getting a room in the premium section. *do you know if none of my guests are booked in premium (they aren't any yet), do we not get to use that pool? Are they strict? *YOU ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE HAD ELIZABETH! She wasn't available for my date. You can 100% be assured you have gorgeous pics! *Speaking of vendors, did you have to pay for a day pass for them (I hope not, they're working!) - did you just buy them dinner? *Spekaing of dinner, what menu did you have? I'm leaning towards the pick and choose dinner (choice of 2 entrees, selected ahead of time). The timing of service concerned me. How many guests did you have? We're looking to be around 50-55. *Tell me about the alcohol selection. When I had my tour with Claudia, she told me grey goose was available. I since told all my guests in a bragging-manner. I have since found out that they may not in fact have it..and you said they don't have patron? What DO they have? We may need to pay our lomas driver a tip to stop at the local liquor store first! I was thinking of putting little bottles of booze in guests welcome bag too . *I am VERY particular about our ceremony script and I want to pre-request an officiant. Hearing that you did and then it didn't happen makes me want to ask a friend to marry us instead. Does anyone know if they're okay with that? *Grooms suite - did you pay for one night for him (it wasn't part of your package, right?) *EDM - do you have a picture of the room you booked? We're still in the market. We thought we had our picture perfect room booked (at La Reve, a bungalow) and then they became booked with a wedding. BOOOOO (well for us, not for the wedding party), so bummed... *I can't wait to see your pictures and video!!!! I know they will be amazing. Congrats again on a great experience (overall) and thank you so much for your words of wisdom and advice! Jessie

8 max!

Great pics!!!

Is anyone getting married on the sky deck soon (other than me)?

Awesome TTD photos!

I'll be at the resort 10/19 - 10/26 (married on 10/22) - not sure how early you're getting there! I think it'll be a perfect time of year :) Wow, that's steep, for just hair?? yeesh. Do you know how much makeup is? I am not going to host this for my bms (I'm getting them other gifts, and most of them will do their own anyways). I've been in 2 weddings and it was always an on-your-own option. However, I'll probably pay for my mom and maybe mother in law to get theirs done. Me too! Trial is critical in my mind! Thank you for the thorough review! It sounds like you had a great overall experience - well done! I love the shot of tequila before walking down the isle!! We're doing a white welcome party as well, should be fun! A couple questions - What type of room had you originally booked? How many guests did you have? How many silver runners did you have (my colors are gray and yellow so I'm considering silver runners). Thanks!

You can search THIS website for his info. I booked him as well! There are a couple good affordable DJ options in the area...you have to book them directly which is why there's a vendor fee attached.

So sorry to hear about your grandpa . But I'm glad to hear you had a fab AHR part 2. How fun to keep celebrating.... And thanks for the officiant's name!