krsmith

Ok got the email sent by Janina, but I SWEAR she told me over the phone we only had to pay 2 nights of our stay to reserve a room block, but the email she sent says that we have to pay for our ENTIRE stay! Basically exactly what our TA wanted too...I'm soooooo confused why mine is so different!

Ok I just called our Miami contact Janina, and she said that we would have to put a "good faith" deposit down of 2 room nights for my FI and I, then when everyone books, they will have to put down 2 nights stay as their deposit to hold the room. She said she will email me all the info today on rates and what not, but its still not as good as us NOT paying a deposit and our guests only paying $100....BUT its better than what our TA told us. We did get our TA through this site...we were kind of assigned her after I filled out Wright's form when you initially click on it. Hmmmm... I wonder how I can get what you guys seem to be getting?!?!

Is there a way to get my TA to go this route or should I just go without her and go directly through the wedding department? Do you still get discounted rates for room blocks through the hotel or can only a TA get you those? I would think that it would be WAY more reasonable to have each person pay their own $100 to get their room as opposed to us forking it over and maybe not all rooms would even be used! I guess I will have to just call the resort. We are sending out our STD this week...when would you call and get a room block set up?

Well dang! Maybe we should just go through the resort then! We paid a deposit ($850) for the Immaculate Conception package...are you going through the resort? How are you going about booking your guests? I was thinking of using a TA just because I thought it would be more convenient and get better rates, but its apparently not for us! I just want to make it as easy as possible for everyone. How many rooms did you block?

Great STDs! I am just finishing up my message in a bottle STDs and hope to send them out this week! I think magnets would have been way easier and less time consuming! Well I hope that people will be so excited about them it will inspire them to go! Now if I could just get the room block situation under control... What is everyone doing for room blocks and deposits? My TA says to block 20 rooms we need to pay $2050 up front (which will ultimately be credited to our room). I wasn't planning on having to spend such a large chunk up front...I have so many other things I need that money for! Is anyone else encountering this?

OH thank you so much! You are a life/time saver!!!

I like the idea of them putting down there own deposit. I understand it goes towards our room in the end, but I just wasn't planning on paying for that JUST yet! Especially now that I am not going to be working for a few weeks...that money will be needed. Hmmm I guess I will just have to wait and see... I want to get a better idea of how many will come before I put a large chunk like that down!

Beautiful wedding! I love your dress! Congrats!

Hi Ladies! So I just wanted to see what everyone's experience has been with room blocks through a TA. We are getting married at Moon Palace, and are using Vacations For Less TA. We were planning on blocking 20 rooms (not sure exactly if that's too many or not enough). This is what she said: "You can increase number of room if needed subject to availability at time of request. The group deposit is usually paid by the wedding couple as the hotel requires it upfront in order to confirm the room block. Based on 20 rooms for 4 nights the deposit amount would be $2,050.00. This deposit is applied to the cost of your stay and/or any other rooms you may be paying for and if any overpayment it is refunded back to you once the group is finalized about 30 days prior to arrival date. The dates and room categories can be changed as actual reservations are made, however, any nights and room categories outside of the group block are subject to availability at time of request. Same group rates would apply. The hotel will not guarantee room location in advance, they do try to accommodate wedding groups in the same general area of the hotel and most wedding groups are in the Nizuc section." Is this normal? I guess I wasn't really expecting to have to spend such a big chunk of our savings for something like this up front. Is there a way around this? We have so many other things to put deposits down for (photographer, ceremony package) that this would really make things difficult! Thanks in advance!

Yay! Got our confirmation number for our Immaculate Conception wedding! So excited! Now the next step is setting that up with our TA, and choosing a photographer! I think we are going with La Luna as they more affordable, but I REALLY want to do a TTD with DelSol. My FI saw the price for DelSol and was like "HELLLLLL NOOOO"...I'm sad because they are so incredible, but he said to spend $5k on pictures was out of the question. La Luna is fantastic too, so I'm sure I will be happy with them! I'm just having a HARD time picking which photographer! Jonathan, Melissa, or Rachael...any suggestions/opinions? Go to http://www.lalunaphotographers.com/ For out package, we have to be there 3 business days before (arrive before 3pm to make it count) and Vday is on a Tues, so I think we will maybe get there Thurs or Fri before. Its all coming together nicely now! WooHoo! Thanks ladies for all your help! I almost have my message in a bottle STD done and will hopefully be sending them out by the end of the week. I will post pics before I send the out!

You do not have to put any money down if you are doing the complimentary package. We are also doing a Catholic ceremony, and I believe we have to pay 1 nights stay as a deposit. I would CALL asap! I think we got quick response becuse of that...everytime we have a question we call. Emails seem to get lost in the shuffle as I'm sure they get hundreds everyday. The very first time we called we got our date and time set! Good to know about vistaprint! We already made our STD (mib), but those would be good to have for RSVPs!

Oh my GOSH! This is such a great thread! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you included so many templates! I am always in need of DIY help! You looked beautiful!

This is so awesome! I was wondering how I could possibly do this! Now I think I get it!

Congrats! I think just about everyone can relate to you. I think just about everyone we have told has voiced some kind of concern/complaint about our DW. Mostly about finances. I have heard from a few friends that have done a DW that many of their guests did the same thing, but ultimately they ended up going, and saying they had a GREAT time and want to do it again (even if they were REALLY opposed to spending the money)! Just do what you feel is best, and the people who REALLY matter will be the ones to make the effort...and for those who can't afford it, if it is important to you for them to be there, see if your finances would allow to help them! Happy Planning!

Oh ok...that makes more sense! I definitely think I will use Vacations For Less. I have emailed some with Teresa, and so far she seems like she will be pretty good. I think I would rather put that responsibility in someone else's hands than leave it open like that anyways. Once I get my contract # I will be contacting Teresa again and hopefully getting the ball rolling!

So getting rooms through a TA could result it inferior rooms?!? Oh geez! I wouldn't want that! I did actually click on the banner above and filled out a form. They set me up with Vacations For Less Inc. I haven't heard anything good/bad about them. I wonder if it would be just as easy to direct everyone to book directly through the hotel? I definitely want to make this whole process as easy as possible for me AND my guests! Our guest list is at 108 (including everyone's spouses and kids), but I HIGHLY doubt it will come even close to that. I'm thinking it will be more like 50. What are you doing for this?

I also have Janina. I can't really say anything good/bad about her at this point. I did email her the other day because she sent us the contract and paperwork for the complimentary/symbolic package we were going to do at first, BUT we decided to switch it to the Catholic ceremony in the Chapel. She actually got back to me maybe 2 days later and told me they will have to check with the priest. Fairly quick from what I've heard from other people. I will probably be a big pain in the ass for her though because as much as they say you cannot chose your locations for some things and have to take what is available, I will not go for that! A few brides have said they had to be kind of pushy/demanding, but in the end they got what they wanted. One thing I have seen from other MP brides on here is if they are having communication problems, they CALL and voice their concern, and get their WC switched to someone else. Do you know who your on site WC is? I would definitely get SOMEONE on the phone and get things going. I would have thought at 90 days they would really be on it! Get a little pushy and get some answers...its YOUR day and you shouldn't have to feel this way! Does anyone have a different Miami coordinator? If so, what is your feedback so far? MachaMakes3- I guess I should have read a little more thoroughly! Thats a bummer about a room deposit. Does MP give a pretty good discounted rate for room blocks? Do you know if people would be able to pay throughout the year in installments? I will have to check out the new promos now too!

Oh and here is the "Bread in a Cup" recipe 1/4 C ground flaxseed or almond flour (I like to do a little of both. Play around and see what you prefer) 1/2 t baking soda 1 packet of stevia 1 egg A touch of butter Cinnamon taste Mix it all up in a stright sided mug and microwave for 2 minutes. Let cool, and slice! I like to slice mine and then put it in the toaster oven to dry it out a little. It will seem a little slimy/eggy when it first comes out, so I think that toasting it helps. Then I top with some butter! You can also play with the seasonings you put it. I have tried a savory version that was pretty good too!

Haha yes I can almost see it! NO you do not eat your fruit and melba toast in P3. You go to basically the Atkins Induction Phase of the diet for P3. Although I do have a recipe for "Bread in a Cup" that you can have sparingly. Its not quite the same, but its a nice substitute when you are craving bread. Super quick and easy! And of course with this phase you can add FATS back in! Yay for butter, dressings, oil, and Mayo! I think I will be doing the Isagenix a little into P4. I want to give myself a little break in between, but not enough to lose control again. PLUS we have a trip planned for the beggining of April, and I definitely don't want to be doing any dieting on our trip...too much temptations and I don't want to cheat! Keep it up!

Wow Congrats! 11.6 lbs! Woo Hoo! I know what you mean about being prepared. That is the HARDEST part about this diet. I usually make about a weeks worth of meals on my day off, so I have NO excuses! Usually it consists of LOTS of Chili. It tastes better as left overs! So that usually is my lunch, then when I get home I can make whatever I'm feeling. I want to lose about a total of about 30lbs too. However I know it will not be accomplished in this round. I am hoping for 20 lbs and the most. That ends up being the average loss for women (1/2 lb a day). Another 22 days seems SOOO LONG, but I'm already almost halfway through...just have to think of the long term goal. When I'm done with this round I think I am going to do the Isagenix cleanse. I know a few people who have done REALLY well on it! I did really good on P3. The whole point is to STABILIZE, so if you read that part of P&I, you can not lose or gain more than 2lbs from your last dose weight. I did stabilize about a pound above my LDW. Don't be afraid of P3. If you do what you are supposed to, you won't have to worry about gaining. HOWEVER P4 is where you will have to really be careful and watch what you eat. I started P4 right at the beginning of Nov, and I went a little food crazy over the holidays...NOT GOOD. I gained it ALL back! But I wasn't watching what I was eating AT ALL, and not watching my portions...I wasn't holding myself back from anything. So it was bound to happen. This time around I will be much more careful and SLOWLY add carbs back into my diet. If you DO have some cake limit your self to a super small piece...just enough to get the taste. Although then you run the risk of wanting more so that your cravings might take over!

I Catholic ceremony is performed in the Chapel Gazebo by a Catholic priest and includes mass. It usually lasts about an hour. I symbolic ceremony is done wherever you want it by a non-denominational minister. It usually lasts about 30 mins. I was really surprised by how much extra the Catholic ceremony costs...but it does include things like a harpist and chapel decor. I didn't think you do a blood test for the Catholic ceremony because it isn't viewed as legal in Mexico. We are lucky that we have all our classes done! We were actually supposed to get married at my childhood parish last Aug, but the guest list was getting so out of control I was getting to be a mess and decided we needed to postpone. So I'm hoping we have a lot of that work already done, however it seems like the paper work to do an out of country wedding will be a pain in the a$$! Not to mention pricey! I guess my next task is to compile costs and figure out how to present it in a POSITIVE light on our website. Of course airfare is not out yet for Feb 2012, so I guess I will have to just put hotel costs. I was going to go through Vacations For Less Inc TA, but the rates she gave me doesn't seem that discounted. Has anyone been given rates yet? This is what she sent me: Rates below apply to Moon Palace quoted "per person per night" and include all taxes/fees, valid for stays January 4 - April 14, 2012: Deluxe Resort View: $214.00 per person based on double / $392.00 per night single / $206.00 per person triple / $197.00 per person quad Superior Deluxe Garden View*: $238.00 per person based on double / $440.00 per night single / $229.00 per night triple / $218.00 per person quad Superior Deluxe Ocean View: $250.00 per person based on double / $464.00 per night single / $242.00 per night triple / $230.00 per person quad Superior Deluxe Ocean Front: $256.00 per person based on double / $476.00 per night single (maximum occupancy 2 Adults) Concierge Level: $272.00 per person based on double / $506.00 per night single (maximum occupancy 2 Adults) Children 4-17 years pay $52.00 per night. Child rate applies only when child shares room with 2 or more adults You may already be familiar with the "Added Values" Palace Resorts offers when booking a wedding at their resorts. We can of course confirm the same group benefits: · Hotel will provide one complimentary Cocktail after ceremony with 5 to 9 rooms paid nightly for 3 nights or total of 15 room nights. (Function areas are assigned upon availability with the onsite wedding planner and confirmed upon arrival). Should you require additional functions there will be a surcharge based on the number of guests and type of event. · Hotel will provide one complimentary Cocktail after ceremony and 2 complimentary nights (based on lowest room category rate) for bride and groom with 10 to 19 rooms paid nightly for 3 nights or total of 30 room nights. Complimentary nights have a $10.00 per person, per night, nonrefundable charge for tips and gratuities applied. · Hotel agrees to provide one upgrade to a complimentary private function instead of a cocktail party plus 4 complimentary nights for the bride and groom with 20 to 24 rooms paid nightly for 3 nights or total of 60 room nights. Complimentary nights have a $10.00 per person, per night, nonrefundable charge for tips and gratuities applied. · Hotel agrees to provide unlimited private functions plus 7 complimentary nights with 25 rooms or more paid nightly for 3 nights or total of 75 room nights. Complimentary nights have a $10.00 per person, per night, nonrefundable charge for tips and gratuities applied. · Hotel agrees to provide the bride and groom with a room upgrade for a minimum of 25 rooms paid nightly for 3 nights or 75 room nights, based on availability. · Private Group functions are available without surcharge in meeting rooms and outdoor venues, except for beach and rooftop terraces with no elevator access, when using inclusive Hotel menus. The private functions provided by the resort will solemnly depend on the number of rooms booked through the group contract with Vacations For Less, Inc. Reservations booked through other sources will not be counted towards the group room block. Private areas are assigned based on availability. The above group benefits apply only when securing a Group Block Agreement which would lock in the rates for your guests and guarantee the availability of rooms. All rooms would have to be reserved through the group block which would mean that all your guests would have to book through our office. Reservations booked through other sources would not count towards your group block room night production. Palace Resorts is also offering a Resort Credit for all guests staying at their hotels: $1500 Resort Credit per room for stay of 5 or more nights, $750 Resort Credit per room for stays 4 nights, $500 Resort Credit for stays of 3 nights. The Resort Credits can be applied towards Tours, Golf, Spa, Beauty Salon, Upgraded Wine Selection, Romantic Dinner, Room Upgrades and Palace Wedding Collections. Depending on number of rooms required, when securing a room block at any hotel there is a good faith group deposit required by the hotel. The deposit amount for Palace Resorts is about 6% of the total estimated room revenue and I can let you know the amount based on number of rooms and nights you would consider blocking. The first group deposit would be applied to the cost of your room and/or any other rooms you may be paying for and any overpayment is refunded back to you upon finalizing the group which is usually about 30 days prior to arrival. Your guests would be required to guarantee their room reservations with a one night deposit at time of booking, there would be a second deposit due date set by the hotel to complete 50% of total room charges and final payment would be due 45 days prior to arrival date. Each guest would receive a confirmation invoice from us upon booking detailing the deposit/payment deadlines. Guests usually welcome the payment plan rather than having to pay in full if booking online and they can also make installment payments in between as long as each deposit is completed on the due dates. Anyone get anything different/better? If people go through something like Priceline can they still count towards our group so we can get the "added values"?

Thanks Ladies! Do you know if a TA can get discounted airfare? I know it won't be available for a couple months, but it would be nice to have one lump sum to offer my guests. I have searched airfare for THIS Feb, to get an idea of what it would cost, but who know for next year! The TA can also get discounted accommodation rates too right? This is my first time using a TA, and I have NO CLUE what I'm doing! I'm trying to decide what will be the best rate for everyone and honestly the rate our TA gave me don't really seem discounted. If guests book their own through say Travelocity/Priceline would they be counted on our total group (for the group booking perks)? Those type of websites seem to have really good deals most of the time!

Ok so I guess I need to buy Office then! I remember when I bought my Mac that I could buy the extra software, but at the time I thought "I will mainly be using this for the internet and I don't really need it for any papers/reports", and I remember it being pretty pricey, so I just never bought it...now I REGRET it! UGH! Thanks ladies!

Oh and I'm talking more specifically about Boarding Pass Invites... but just about everything doesn't look proper.

I used to think I was somewhat computer savvy, but now that I have a Mac Book Pro I'm feeling like an idiot! Does anyone else have troubles viewing the templates when you download the attachment? It ends up looking like a bunch of gibberish with random names/dates/etc in really weird places. I don't have Microsoft Word or ANY of those programs on my computer! Man...I was thinking I LOVED my Mac...now I feel like I can't do anything I used to! I'm also having a hard time finding free clipart...I want to use clipart that looks like Passport stamps and general Mexico clipart thats not cartoonish. Thanks for all the help!