Caroline1118

Great pic, Cheerios. Was this the wedding cocktail hour or welcome party?

Hey ladies! I heard back from Olivia and she was appreciative that I took the time to let them know of the reviews. She indicated that she's flagged these issues to the saftt so they can improve them. She also said that she responds to all comments on tripadvisor. I checked back today and didn't see her or responses to the recent feedback on tripadvisor, but at least its on her radar. Since I never left a review from my own visit, I took the time today to leave a positive one based again on my own experience. Thought I should give back with my own feedback to help other guests quell their concerns. My experience was great and I'm looking forward to having that again for my own wedding in April. As always, as brides have their weddings or visits at Now Jade, please let us know how and your guests experience was. Always comforting to hear good things!!! Overall, I feel like things will turn out wonderfully for all of us.

Hey Choco Taco, Thanks for bringing this up. I actually use tripadvisor alot for planning my trips. I relied on it alot when choosing to visit Now Jade for my site visit. Being so busy with wedding planning, I stopped checking them as frequently. But when I saw your post, I decided to check them again for an update. I have to agree with you, that lately the number of negative reviews for Now Jade has increased. I'm quite shocked because I'm not used to seeing that. In fact, Now Jade usually has pretty stellar reviews on tripadviser. Alot of these negative are fairly recent (since mid July), but I don't know of any management changes, so it is a little unsettling to see them. Considering that I rely on tripadvisor for hotel reviews (as do many of my friends), I feel like these types of negative reviews can deter people from staying at Now Jade. Like you, one of the most important things for me as a bride, is to ensure that my guests have a great time. Especially since they are making a financial commitment to be there with us on our wedding day. Based on my personal experience visiting Now Jade, I never experienced any of the issues that the negative reviews indicated. However, I felt that they were pretty consistent overall, so it has me a little concerned (particularly, the sanitary ones). I follow Now Jade on Facebook too, but I don't every see anything bad there, so I'm not really sure what to believe. I felt the best thing that I could do, is just alert Now Jade management about these poor reviews on Trip Advisor. Since poor feedback can hurt their business, I'm sure they will try to address these issues. I also noticed that Olivia, the social media rep who usually responds to reviews on FB and Tripadvisor, had stopped responding to feedback on Trip Advisor, so maybe they just aren't aware of them??? Who knows. In any case, I figured that it wouldn't hurt to alert them of the poor feedback they were getting. And hopefully it gives them an opportunity to address them on-line, but more importantly at the resort (if there's any truth to them). Maybe if other brides do the same, it will prompt Now Jade management to look into the poor feedback. Just a suggestion! I sent them a message via their Facebook account (but not on their wall). I figured a message is better since I didn't want to scare any guests who were checking FB. Maybe by bring up these poor reviews to their attention, they can do something about it. Ultimately though, you just have to hope for the best. Like the other ladies suggested, you have to take these things with a grain of salt. My hope is that the positive reviews (which totally outnumber the poor ones) are more accurate. And I also just think back to how good my own visit was, so I think everything will work out just perfect! If I hear back from the hotel management about my message, I'll let you ladies know. Please keep me posted too, should you decide to send them a message! Good luck!

Does anyone know what Now Jade's fee is to bring in external vendors? I can't seem to find it in my notes anywhere. Thanks ladies

Kit Kat - Your pics look great...Love the color combination Does anyone know what Now Jades fee is to bring in external vendors? I can't seem to find it in my notes anywhere.

Hi Kaycee - Which DJ did you guys use for your wedding and would you recommend to other brides?

Thanks ladies! July is way too early, so I'm definitely pushing it back! I like the idea of it being a few months ahead of the wedding date, so that I have time to pre-plan for decorations, etc.

Hi, Do you plan on having a cocktail mixer / reception for your guests the day before your wedding? I'd like to do something like this for my guests the evening before, so that everyone can mingle and get to know each other. I was thinking of hosting it at the Hotels main lobby bar...would you happen to know if there's an extra fee for that? I imagine other brides might have done this before and perhaps have tips/suggestions on other venues at the hotel where I can host this (in addition to the hotel lobby bar?) Thanks! Caroline

Thanks so much for all these responses ladies! I think I'm going to include them on my invitations because so far, even though some of my guests are checking out my wedding website, not all are. At least with the invitiation I can guarentee that all guests are going to read the options on the RSVP card when they receive the invitaiton in the mail. Another question to throw out there... about how much time ahead of your wedding date will you be requirings guests to RSVP? I'm getting married April 26,2013. My travel agent was suggesting that the RSVP date should be July 31, which is the first deadline for guests to place a deposit on their rooms. Does that seem to early? Is there a suggested guideline about when guests should RSVP before the wedding date?

I am...That's a good idea!!! Not sure why I didn't think of that. How are you collecting the food choices on your website --- does each person submit their name and food choice? Also, I'm having a hard time deciphering the menu options. I'm going with the Divine plan, so does that mean my guests just have 2 choices between the: Beef Filet & Shrimp OR Yellow Tail Tuna? Or do they also get to choose from the Eternity Menu Options, which gives them a total of 4 options (the 2 divine items, plus the Scallop & Mahi Mahi OR Pork Medallions)?

Hi Ladies - I'm working on my invitations and was wondering how brides are collecting your guests food choices. Are you including them in the invitation response cards. If so, can someone send me an example of the wording. If not, how do you plan on collecting food choices for your guests.... suggestions are welcomed! Thanks! Caroline

Hi ladies - I'm also another Now Jade April bride --- April 26, 2013! Happy planning Jen & Cassidy One of the photographers confirmed for me that sunset is at 7pm during that time of month.

Thanks so much, Matt! I look forward to receiving the questionnaire and getting the process started! Gracias for your help!

Thanks for the link!!!

Sorry to post 2x...I forgot to quote the original message before I hit submit! Oy.... see below. Thanks! _________________________________________ Hi Matt, I absolutely LOVE the pictures that your team produces at Del Sol! They are gorgeous. Can a member of the team also contact me to get information on pricing...I'll be getting married April 26, 2013 --- [email protected]. In your experience, what time does the sunset in April - 5, 6, 7ish? I'm trying to plan the time of my ceremony, but want to make sure I have enough sunlight after the the cermony ends to take photos. Any advice? Thanks!!! -Caroline

Sorry to post 2x...I forgot to quote the original message before I hit submit! Oy.... see below. Thanks! _________________________________________ Hi Matt, I absolutely LOVE the pictures that your team produces at Del Sol! They are gorgeous. Can a member of the team also contact me to get information on pricing...I'll be getting married April 26, 2013 --- [email protected]. In your experience, what time does the sunset in April - 5, 6, 7ish? I'm trying to plan the time of my ceremony, but want to make sure I have enough sunlight after the the cermony ends to take photos. Any advice? Thanks!!! -Caroline

Hi Matt, I absolutely LOVE the pictures that your team produces at Del Sol! They are gorgeous. Can a member of the team also contact me to get information on pricing...I'll be getting married April 26, 2013 --- [email protected]. In your experience, what time does the sunset in April - 5, 6, 7ish? I'm trying to plan the time of my ceremony, but want to make sure I have enough sunlight after the the cermony ends to take photos. Any advice? Thanks!!! -Caroline

Hey all! I also found out about Ana Maria not being there anymore on website, so to play it safe I contacted Pilar and confirmed my date. I had been working with Ana Maria previously, but Pilar confirmed that my date is still OK: April 26, 2013!!! Phew Like Kerri said, Pilar is on top of it. Her responses are a bit delayed since she's the only one there but she is getting back to folks. There are so many April brides for next year! Popular month --- I'm thinking about photos after the ceremony and was wondering if anyone knows what time sunset is in April? 5, 6, 7 ish? I just want to make sure I have enough sunlight left after the ceremony in order to take pictures during cocktail hour. I might ask Matt from Del Sol... I thought I saw him on this thread somewhere... but if anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks! Happy planning, ladies!

Oh boo! Thanks for the update, Shannon marie...I see you're also a 2013 bride! How exciting Hopefully we can help each other out as the big day approaches. Happy planning!

Hey ladies! When is the webinar for Now Jade this weekend and how do I sign up. JMC - I'll be getting married there on April 26, 2013! For a minute, I thought maybe I was one of the few 2013 brides, but I'm glad to hear that you will be getting married in April too! I'll be arriving Monday 4/22, maybe you will be around? Happy planning!

Hi Ladies, I posted on the other Barcelo Maya thread, but this one seems to be more current for newer brides!!! Great idea on coming up with this thread. I'm back from my Riviera Maya site visit and now I'm between two choices for the wedding: Now Jade and Barcelo Maya Palace. They are both very beautiful resorts, but different from each other. Fortunately, my date: Feb 26, 2013 is available at both! So now I just need to make my decision. Does anyone have recommendations on travel agents that they worked with for travel/room rates for Barcelo???? I would really appreciate any leads. I really want to contact a few travel agents over the next few days in order to iron out the travel/hotel contract and send my STD's. The Wedding Coordinators told me that once I blocked the rooms thru a travel agent, that my date would be booked. So please, if any recent brides can recommend a travel agent that they worked with for their wedding, or if you have any tips on the best way of going about finding one. I'd really appreciate all your recommendations and advise! Either post, private message, or you can email me: [email protected]. Thanks so much ladies!!!! I'll be posting my pics of Barcelo Maya soon along with my review of the other hotels that I visited during my site visit. -Caroline

Hi Ladies, I'm back from my site visit and now I'm between two choices for the wedding: Now Jade and Barcelo Maya Palace. They are both very beautiful resorts, but different from each other. Fortunately, my date: Feb 26, 2013 is available at both! So now I just need to make my decision. Does anyone have recommendations on travel agents that they worked with for travel/room rates for Barcelo???? I would really appreciate any leads. I really want to contact a few travel agents over the next few days in order to iron out the travel/hotel contract and send my STD's. The Wedding Coordinators told me that once I blocked the rooms thru a travel agent, that my date would be booked. So please, if any recent brides can recommend a travel agent that they worked with for their wedding, or if you have any tips on the best way of going about finding one. I'd really appreciate all your recommendations and advise! Either post, private message, or you can email me: [email protected]. Thanks so much ladies!!!! I'll be posting my pics of Barcelo Maya soon along with my review of the other hotels that I visited during my site visit. -Caroline

Kimmy - Your pics are fantastic! My fiance and I left on Friday from Now Jade, so we actually saw the hotel staff setting up the gazebo for your wedding that day. Looks like your wedding turned out fabulous! The weather was perfect! We didn't want to leave back to NYC that day.... We stayed at Now Jade for our site visit trip and we really loved the hotel!!! I will be posting my reviews of Now Jade and of all the other hotels that I visited very soon. Hopefully it will help any other brides who are still trying to decide what hotel they should choose. I'm between two choices right now: Now Jade and Barcelo Maya Palace. They are both very beautiful resorts, but different from each other. Fortunately, my date: Feb 26, 2013 is available at both! So now I just need to make my decision. Does anyone have recommendations on travel agents that they worked with for travel/room rates at Now Jade???? I would really appreciate any leads. I really want to contact a few travel agents over the next few days to iron out the travel/hotel contract and send my STD's. Pilar and Ana told me that once I blocked the rooms thru a travel agent, that my date would be booked. But they didn't have any contact information. So please, if any recent brides can recommend a travel agent, or if you have any tips on the best way of going about finding one. I'd really appreciate all your recommendations and advise! Either post, private message, or you can email me: [email protected]. Thanks ladies!!!!

Hi ladies, Has anyone here had a site visit to Aventura Cove Palace before? I'm actually going to be having my site visit there next week on Thursday (the week of November 1). I'm very excited for the trip, but I'm so nervous that I will forgot to ask important questions while I'm there. Does anyone have any suggestions or questions of things that I should definitely ask during the site visit? I greatly appreciate any input from former or 'soon to be' brides! Thanks so much, ladies! -Caroline

Congratulations!!! I'll be flying to RM on Monday for my site visit..... I was so nervous because of the storm. I'll actually be at Dreams on Tuesday for my site visit there... Best wishes!