Sunshine2680

Have no fear - you have lots of time. I understand how frustrating it can be because you just want to get stuff planned. I was the same way. I got engaged 18 months beforehand- ha ha - and now just a few days out! The wedding co-ordinators are SO busy - they have an average of 2-3 weddings/day at the resort so they're focusing their attentions on the more current brides. My suggestion is just email your questions...and Jazmin will get back to you. Sometimes not for a few weeks but she will. She did for me anyway. As hard as it is - just try and be patient. Don't worry - once you've chosen your ceremony and reception locations - the rest of the details are pretty minor. And A LOT of your questions can actually be answered on here too. This forum thread has been a HUGE help for me. And feel free to ask any of us current brides for updated info! I know i'm happy to answer anything I can!

Ya - defo email him - He's off and on about getting back to you quickly. Usually he's pretty good (replies within a couple days) - but Ive heard some brides have had issues. Yes - sent him pics of exactly what I wanted..and told him "This is exactly what I want" - lol - He actually had some of the exact flowers on hand at the time and made a sample and took a pic and sent it to me - and it was perfect! yay! Thanks! Yes! We leave in a couple days!! Can't wait! I'll defo post pics and a review when I'm back!

I'm using Marvin for my flowers! He'll save you SO MUCH money compared to the resort. Especially if you want orchids- as I do...they're a necessity for me too! I even got my centerpieces through him also. My total bill was $1000 cheaper than the resort quoted me. His company is Maya Diseno Floral.

I also told the resort photog to take a hike (nicely) ...just said we wouldnt be needing their services. but they NEVER came at me with any kind of form to fill out asking for my photogs info etc...thats extremely bizarre. I would ignore and see what happens when you actually get there. Mind you I dont think i divulged that I was bringing my own either. Honestly I dont think its their business. Ours is staying with us the whole week also but we're just treating him like everyone else thats in our group...

Thanks for all your input!

Nice to see another bride from Calgary here! My wedding is coming up in 2 weeks! My colors are dark purple/plum and lime green - I was going to do lanterns by the pool too as we're having a private pool reception but ive discovered im just bringing down SO much stuff i forfeited the lanterns. Jazmin shoudl be your WC and not sure if she's told you but they actually decorate around the pool with paperbag lanterns - they're really quite pretty! Something to think about if you're trying to save on what your'e bringing down We're paying to have a private cocktail reception on the beach right after the ceremony Any questions let me know!

Thank you!

Ha ha thanks for your input! Ya- i think i'll leave it as is. Not only are we wedding twins but we're both marrying 'Brads'!! ha ha

Ok - working on the 'thank-you' speeches for the reception. Everything is pretty straight-forward except when it comes to thanking the parents,,, See...my parents paid for the entire wedding and my fiance's mom didn't contribute anything . I want to single out my parents because its a big deal that they made the day happen for us - but I dont want to disclude my fiance's mom entirely either. At the same time I don't think she should get recognition other than just being 'supportive'.... nor do I think my parents should be lumped into thanking her when they did so much more - gah! this is so difficult! This is what i have so far..... Last but certainly not least - we'd like to thank our parents. All the love and support you've given us over the years has shaped who we are today. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you and there are no words to describe our gratitude and appreciation. Mom..Dad…thank you especially for giving us the wedding of our dreams. We couldn't have asked for a better day and we owe you so much for making it all happen. Pleeeeaaaase tell me what you think! - ANY suggestions/advice is greatly appreciated!!!

I agree - I'm leaving in just over 2 weeks and trying to figure out the last minute details. What is an amount that is appropriate vs. and amount that's an insult? Like...if I throw $20 to the DJ is he going to be like "OMG! this is awesome!" or is he going to be like "uh...seriously!?"

I agree with Tlseege - I think you're overpaying for what you get. Not saying that Arrecife is a horrible photographer but the price should reflect the product you're getting and I personally don't believe it is..going by the pics I've seen online.. I even showed my photographer a few images and he agreed that the quality is just not quite up to par with regards to price. Having said that however- I understand all the brides over in the UK/Europe...its defo way too expensive to bring their own. We are lucky enough to have travel credits that covers our photographers travel expenses. So essentially we're just paying his 'fee' which is still pretty substantial but we get 2 engagement sessions (one at home, one in Mexico), the ENTIRE wedding day (I was very irritated to find out you had to pay extra for Arrecife to photograph the reception)...AND TTD session the next day. If UK/Europe brides are concerned about using Arrecife and dont' want to bring their own photographer from home...i would entertain using a local one and paying for the 3 nights...I can almost bet it would be cheaper to do that. I was considering this and was SO CLOSE to hiring Ivan Luckie ..(he is AMAZING!!) - or Del Sol if you're willing to spend a bit more. But definitely shop around. Photography is a different priority for every bride. I personally intended on spending a lot of my budget on photography - because to me...this is all I really have to take home with me after the big day is overwith. For others photography isn't a big deal. To each their own!

dbourrassa is right - your WC should be sending you a brochure of the flowers available. Like she said - you can pretty much get any flower you want - but if its not in the brochure..expect to pay more...A LOT more. I actually went outside the resort for my flowers as the quote was literally $1000 more through the resort than with a florist from Playa del Carmen. So i would figure out what you want for flowers first...and see what is included in the brochure and go from there. I think roses... white calla lilies..irises......bird of paradise...gerbera daisies...white daisies..casablanca lilies.. stargazer lilies...and aster are all included. If you're going for exotics like orchids it will cost you a fair bit more.

Thank you!

Due to the HIGH prices of my resort photographer...and the fact they wouldnt let me bring in a local photographer (unless I paid for a 3 night stay at the resort) - I decided to bring my own from Canada. Yes - it the long run its probably a bit more money - but the benefit to this is that we get 2 engagement sesssions - one in Canada and one in Mexico...we get the ENTIRE wedding day (not just getting ready, ceremony, and after ceremony pics)...and TTD session. Plus..our photographer has a chance to get to know us as a couple before the 'big day' and can get a feel of who we are and what we like. Id rather have that any day over a complete stranger who's just showing up to my wedding to do a job and then leave. I believe my photographer will be working extra hard to deliver the best shots possible. Plus..he's with us the whole week so nothing will be too rushed!

Thanks for all the Info Ivan! You are amazing! Do you know by chance if photographers have to get a permit to shoot at the cenotes?

I'm also looking for any info on where to go for my TTD. I'm bringing my own photographer with me from Canada and I'd like to find a cenote that isn't busy with the public. Unfortunately - asking any one of the local photographers is out of the question as they're not willing to give up their special locations. Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions as to where to go? I'm a bit worried about going to deep cenotes as my dress is quite heavy and i don't want to sink - so any ideas/help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

eeeeeeeeee! i'm the same week as you! On the 5th at Tulum! Soooo exciting!!! We've got snow already so Ive started my tanning already! ha!

Ya- thats what I heard. My FI just finished ours but im trying to find an old CD player to figure out if it works or not

Nice to see another Calgary Bride on here! From what I've been told - as far as the ceremony goes - it HAS to be on a CD and CANNOT be in MP3 format either. You're getting married at Akumal so it might be different but I would check with your WC. For the reception i think you're safe with ipods as the DJ can just hook it up.

Nice to see another Calgary bride on here! Did Jazmin send you the flower catalog ? I woudl start there and it shoudl tell you whats available. If you're loving yellow - you could do calla lilies...or all yellow roses? Im giving my guests a welcome booklet with all sorts of info in it..including the itinerary for the wedding day..and just general info about the resort and what it offers...popular excursions to take..etc etc.. Ill be giving these out at our 'Welcome Breakfast' the 1st morning we're in Mexico. We're having a rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding - and its more just to get the bridal party on the same page about the wedding day...where to meet..what time..etc. And to hand out our bridal party gifts! Can't help you on the ceremony part - as we're doing the legal thing in Calgary first

ohhh phew! I'm bringing my own from Calgary - he's staying the whole week so they really can't say anything My photog is Andras Schram

Matt - these photos are unreal! OMG! I wish my resort wasnt so restrictive on outside photographers otherwise I'd be hiring you guys!!!

Uh oh- what fee is this? I simply emailed Arrecife back saying i wouldnt be needing their services for the wedding day...did i miss something?

Ya- looks like it will be a gamble...sigh..decisions decisions.. If i KNEW i could just go to Playa Del Carmen and buy them there I would but no guarantee of that