JLCarrera

Welcome Katie! We are all on here to help each other with our planning. The wealth of knowledge and ideas that I have gained from some of these wonderful ladies is unmeasurable! Many of the previous reviews have great OTT bags and ideas. I cannot tell you how many hours I have spent on this website, you will not be disappointed. Welcome, again!

Merry Lee - Congrats on completing your tedious project! Can't wait for you to share the magnificent reactions from your guests that you are sure to get.

Thank you so much for making us aware of this situation, Summer Dawn! My reserved time of 4 PM has also disappeared and is now showing as available on March 24, 2012. I just e-mailed my Miami WC to hopefully ensure that no double booking occurs. Yikes! How long did it take them to fix the error for you?

Applause, Merrylee - Kudos to you and your FI on an amazing job! Glad you decided to go with no umbrella. Your guests will definitely be impressed, I certainly know I was. If this is only the beginning I can't wait to see what else you have in store.

Coco & Summer - Phenomenal Engagement Pics! Love truly looks beautiful on print. Congrats to both of you ladies!

Congratulations Mocha! Great job on everything, especially all your DIY projects. We look forward to seeing the pics from La Luna. Please continue to give us MP 2012 Brides your good advice.

Merrylee - I agree with the ladies at work....you ARE worth the dress. This is not just any "outfit" - this is your wedding gown! I think the dress you posted is beautiful. I think the price for a wedding gown is very reasonable. So many gowns nowadays are 3K and up. In regards to trying on a strapless, let's face it ... we are getting married in a tropical setting... neither one of us, regardless of our current body image issues, are gonna get away with wearing long sleeves. You have a full year to tone the arms up. It's not like you have purchased a dress 2 sizes smaller than you are currently wearing and you are trying to fit your hips into it, I think that would be more difficult. I would love to hear the news that you have tried the dress on. I made myself a promise that I would begin dress shopping the last weekend in April. I will let you ladies know how it goes. I decided that I will take pics to motivate myself for those days that I don't want to workout. Please keep us posted, Merrylee...we are all here to encourage each other!

Merrylee - I am right there with you in regards to dress shopping. I'm a couple weeks before you on 3/24 and still haven't mustered the courage to try one on. 30 pounds in 3 years when one is only 5'3 is alot of weight to gain. My BF keeps trying to encourage me to go but I'm not ready. I know if the dress is not ordered at least 6 to 8 months before, I will encounter all kinds of rush fees...I don't want that either. My FI wants me to wear something "sexy" and something that accentuates the curves - So not me! We've looked through bridal magazines together for him to give hints at what he would like to see me in ...He's out of his mind! When I got married the first time, 11 long years ago, I had the figure to wear something tight. Even back then I chose a ball gown style dress. It worked well because I was getting married in a church and I knew I wouldn't feel as self-conscience. Most destination wedding dresses are simpler, more flowy, and definitely more body clinging. Why did I ever give up my gym routine? I am excited to see what the other ladies are planning to wear. Girls, I need some inspiration, please! Hugs to all!

Welcome back! You were missed! I'm right there with you, Lady - I'm starting to feel a little behind. I too, didn't realize that Jan - March is the high season. I previously posted the group rates I was quoted. Little worried what others will think. We've never expected to have a very large group, but I don't want people (especially the FIs family) to think that we don't want them there. As you and I have shared - some folks have already voiced the "Isn't Mexico too dangerous" concern. I will be paying our TA the hotel accommodation portion this Friday. Yay! Our flight prices are not available yet, but I will share with all of you so soon as they are available. Let us know what the TA was able to negotiate for all of you. Sending positive "economical" vibes your way! Here's to finding great air fare prices!

You have been one incredibly busy lady! Can't wait to see the engagement pics. Are they are on your website yet? Haven't had a chance to check-sorry! You definitely deserve the wine! Please share your guests' comments - we all know that they will be impressed. Celebrating all that you've accomplished so far and wishing I had half as much done. Lol.

Miss Mocha - Do you happen to know how much MP charges to rent the Caribbean Terrace? Thanks for any additional info that you have. Since I can't get assigned a MP WC until 90 days before, I'm feeling a little lost.

I say "embarassed" because many of our friends and family have hit difficult times with today's economy. With as much as the FI and I desire a DW, we do understand and recognize that to ask someone to pay for a flight and a hotel stay to a location of our choosing is asking alot. Although my family is used to traveling, most of my FI family is not. They will all have to purchase a passport, which is currently $160.00 in addition to the other travel arrangements. For some a hotel room that is $400+ per night may not seem outrageous, but for those that have not traveled much,I know and am bracing myself to hear about the "sticker shock". I personally feel that it's a great deal considering that all food & drink are included, as well as the extended resort credit...I'm just concerned that others might not see it the same way. Following are the group proposal rates I was given by my MP WC for traveldates of 01/04/12 - 04/14/12 for bookings of 5 rooms or more. (I'm still not certain if the Destination Wedding TA will be honoring the same rates. I will need to call her tomorrow.) Moon Palace Room Category: Deluxe- Resort View** Single $406 (1 adult) per person/ per night Double $223 (2 adults) per person/ per night Triple $215 (3 adults) per person/ per night Quad $205 (4 adults) per person/ per night Children $55 per child, per night when sharing room with parents ages 4-17. **Deluxe room category is based upon availability. You must notify and confirm with your Wedding Sales Executive the number of rooms available in the category. ** Room Category: Superior Deluxe Suite Single $456 (1 adult) per person/ per night Double $248 (2 adults) per person/ per night Triple $239 (3 adults) per person/ per night Quad $228 (4 adults) per person/ per night Children $55 per child, per night when sharing room with parents ages 4-17. Maximum 4 people per room including children

Great News Ladies - Just in case you don't already know...Moon Palace did indeed extend their $1,500 resort credit through December 23, 2012 for those bookings made by October 11, 2011. Yeah! I can breathe a little easier now and not feel so embarrassed that the rooms rate is so expensive for my guests. Sure do wish I could win the lottery and pay for everyone's room. Hope you are all doing well with your planning.

Welcome to the site. Don't worry I felt pretty behind when I first joined too. The main thing, as many of the other ladies on this site would probably agree is to "lock in" your wedding date and time. You will get a wealth of information and ideas from the other brides on this site and we're a great support system for each other. Please let me know as you further your plans when you will be there. There are so many April brides that I wish I could afford to extend my trip into the following month. It would be great to have a new friend that will be there during the same time as me. Once again, welcome!

No, I don't think you need a contract with a TA. The only reason why I paid the $50.00 for Destination Weddings was that I was enticed by the fact that they would set up a website for me since, unlike many of you, I'm not quite as computer literate. Plus, I wasn't certain that all TA's would be willing to just do a deposit and monthly payments for the guests. My FI's family & friends haven't traveled much, so I figured that if I could already give them a contact it would be much easier for them. In regards to the website question - I would probably do a separate one, keeping the same format on both. I think it would make it look "neater" and more concise. Just my 2 cents. As for the Miami based WC, I have done both telephone messages and e-mails. The e-mail messages seem to be answered much quicker. I have yet to have my WC actually answer her phone, I've always had to leave a vm, but I will admit that she has always answered within 48 hrs. Emails seem to be answered the same day or early the following am.

SummerDawn and Coconoir - Those STD and Invites are amazingly beautiful!!!! WOW! Congratulations on impeccable taste! My STD s will definitely be much simpler and on a magnet, as this will be a second wedding for both me and my FI, but just seeing what you ladies have done makes me excited to see what else you ladies have in store. Your guests will definitely appreciate them! Again, Kudos on a great job!

Thank you so very much for the info! I didn't realize I could still use Destinations Weddings and request a different TA. My current TA, Forte, could not be any nicer but when I asked her about vendor referrals she could offer me in Cancun she didn't have any. She stated that she has many in Hawaii, however, that is of absolutely no relevance to me. As a matter of fact, that is how I came upon this site. Thanks to everyone here for being so well informed! I feel like we are all each other's biggest help and thanks also to previous MP brides for the great very detailed reviews. Do you know where your TA is located? Mine is in Los Angeles and I'm assuming that that's why I was partnered with her. If you would share your new TA's email I would be most grateful. Just out of curiosity was your previous Destination Weddings TA angry? Please tell me that you did not have to pay the $50.00 fee again. I'm sure that their commissions are affected but I would much rather refer a bride to my coworker who was more familiar with a particular resort property and hope that in the future she would return the favor. I couldn't agree with you more... I would like to be assigned to someone that truly knows the resort and rules of that particular property. It's frustrating and obvious by all of our many posts that we get so many different answers and that's just amongst ourselves.

Thanks for the info. Maybe it's just my TA that is being difficult! I found her through Destination Weddings thinking that it would be easier for my guests but now I'm having serious doubts. I suppose I could just eat the $50.00 I paid and contact the TA my family usually uses. I'm still confused though as to why Michelle, the Miami WC, told me that promos wouldn't be available until May. If I could confirm that my guests and I would be entitled to at least the $1,500.00 resort credit I would have no second thoughts about booking immediately Thanks for letting me vent girls!

You were so so smart to think ahead. Wish I would have thought about it!

Glad to know that I'm not the only one that got the "Aren't you scared to get married there?" response. I thank you for this valuable link.

That's great to hear! I may call her again tomorrow morning. Did you book directly through MP Reservations or through a TA? I'm just wondering why I was given a different response. I booked the wedding directly with MP but have yet to book our rooms and flights.

Funny that the flowers were what attracted you to that package, same with me. Now that I've learned they are an upgrade I wonder what else is. I wish MP would post pics in their "options" as to what hey consider standard and what is not. From some previous posts and thanks to some great detailed reviews on this site it seems that the cake will also be a $250.00 upgrade. I definitely need to pull the calculator out and maybe rework some of my budget. God, I hate that budget word! Does anyone know if the decorations placed down the aisle are also an "upgrade" ?

You can indeed switch your wedding package. Ironically, I spoke to my Miami based WC, Michelle, this morning about the 2 most recent topics on our thread - the 2012 promos and the wedding packages. I originally booked the Amber package and already put down 50% of the cost. Now I'm not sure that I want some of the stuff that's included but would like to add others. Michelle told me that I might want to consider switching to the complimentary package and then figuring how much the items that I do want total up to be. Unfortunately, they will not give you credit for something that you don't use in the package. My question, for example, was that if I didn't have the fireworks could I use the alloted amount to go towards a bridesmaid's bouquet. The answer - No. Michelle stated that should I choose to switch to the complimentary package, they could either refund me the deposit (minus the $300/$350 held in case one cancels 45 days or less before the wedding date) or that they would hold my money to apply it to my add ons. I haven't yet done the math to figure which way will be more economical for me. One thing that she said that is of extreme concern is in regards to the photographers. As I mentioned on an earlier post, I am considering La Luna, although I have yet to contact them directly. Michelle informed me that I could not pay just a day pass for my photographer but that I would have to pay for a room at the hotel. Ugh! I have seen from previous postings that this is a constant debate and that everyone seems to get a different answer. Michelle stated that she had just checked directly with the hotel yesterday for a different bride and that this will be the policy that MP will now be enforcing. If truly so, why us 2012 brides???

In regards to the 2012 promos - Unfortunately for me, that would be a "no"! I spoke to Michelle, my Miami based WC, just this very morning about this exact topic. She stated that the new promos aren't usually released until May. I'm so frustrated! I was hoping to book my trip through my TA this month. It wont be until I book our trip that my TA will create the website for our guests to use. I wanted to include the website address on my STD magnets. Now I find myself trying to decide whether or not to wait until May to send out the STDs. My wedding is in March so I wanted to give the guests a 12 month notice ... doesn't look like this is going to happen!

Your Save the Dates are beautiful! Great job and extremely creative! Your guests will surely feel honored to receive them.