FranticBride2be

Hey, I thought this was such a great idea. I've decided to buy white, orange or teal fans (my colours), and stamp our program onto them. I found this really neat way to stamp it on (a friend is really into crafting). There are these clear plastic blocks you can buy at michaels, and really small lettered stamps. I've bought two sets of the stamps so I have enough for repeat letters, and stamp it onto the fans. I did this for name cards for the guests as well. I"ll attach some pictures when I get a chance. Thanks for the idea, E.

Hey, Okay, how am I actually planning a wedding! I"m getting married April 28th, not April 23rd. I don't know why I wrote this, 3's and 8's look nothing alike. Nor are they even close to each other on the keyboard:) I was talking to a girlfriend about which centrepieces I should pick and she said because the crystal room so big, I should go with these really tall ones. I agree, and now my mom has convinced me I should get chair sashes. The hotel rents them for an insainely high price, so I've ordered them for .90 cents each (they're the satin ones, not the sheer ones). I also ordered about 300 tiny starfishes that I"m going to use on name cards for showing guests where to sit, on my programs and on the tables. I ordered a crystal starfish for my hair, so there is a running theme:) We recently had 6 people drop out:( I'm pretty disappointed about that, but I'm glad I"m getting all the numbers finalized before we pay for certain things that are $$/per person. Hows everybody's planning going?

Hey, Sorry I know this is the tiniest picture! We have this on our website to show guests what the general layout of the resort it. I've been told they have shuttles that run from the lobby to the beach, and pick people up along the way. There are several images you can search for in google (look for Grand Sunset Princess Resort Map, in Google Images). We'll be arriving on the 25th, so we'll just miss your ceremony. How many people do you have coming down? I hadn't thought about not knowing where to go. I only have 45 minutes from make up ending to ceremony starting, and I've made a bet with C. who thinks I"ll be late. I have money on being there on time so I'll have to do a dry run the day before! I hope this pictures helps a little bit, sorry its not bigger. E.

Hey, Who's your WC? You should ask for some clarification on the audio system. I thought an audio system was when you brought an ipod and wanted to play music on their speakers. What is a domestic party? I heard it was $15 an hour for domestic drinks to be served during dinner, I"m not sure about the cost for a separate cocktail hour though. Did you look into having the coctail hour included in the wedding package? We're using the infinity package, so we're just sending our guests to the lobby bar to grab drinks for 45 minutes or so until dinner starts (while we get pictures done). I've asked Emma a couple questions, only to have the question not really answered at all. I've had to learn to ask very specific questions, its taken time though. As my wedding has gotten closer, Emma has been really good about giving me more information, and answering my questions more specifically. When's your wedding date? E.

Hey again D. That's really too bad about the spreadsheet. Its in google documents, I'm not to sure if you know how to use that feature, but its really handy! Did you check out the website? What do you think:) Haha, I like your comment that you're just going to come home with whatever. I was looking at an email, and C. was looking over my shoulder and got curious. I was making final decisions on centrepieces, and all of a sudden he wanted to have an input! Hahaha, I told him to butt out, that he said he didn't want to have any say, so he's out for good (I'll still take it into consideration a bit... ) Only a bit though:) I was thinking of getting the sandals, but I"m really not to sure about other gifts for them. They wouldn't agree on jewellery or anything else, so its pretty tough! I want it to be something they'll actually use again! I was suggesting to C. that he get the guys something like (http://www.shoes.com/en-US/Product/EC1103033-5069748/Reef/Bronze_Brown/Men's+Leather+Smoothy.aspx). Not exactly that, but a nice dressy leather sandal. What about cufflinks, are any of them professional guys? Its really tough. C. has already gotten 2 flasks from other weddings, yikes! Maybe I'll take the girls for facials...? The bracelets sound really nice! Especially in silver, that's really nice. Steve Madden is a great place to look! I'll have to check that out. I might make C. take me shopping in the states too, there could be some good stuff there. I need a new bathing suit anyways. Victoria Secret always has good bathing suits, so another good reason to go down. I think red will look really nice! Especially with sunset. I think pink/purple gets overdone. They're gorgeouse, and for anybody who reads this, don't be offended. Purple Orchids and Tiger lilies are really beautiful. But I wanted to do something really different (orange/teal). I think red adds a really good pop. What does your dress look like? Mine is not what I expected to get when I started shopping. I ended up with a silk halter dress, really tight but goes wide just past my butt. It has a sash that ties on the waist, and a really really deep neck, like 3 or 4 inches above my bellybutton. It has a pretty low back too. I heard spanx are good because it makes sure you don't get sweat stains. Plus I've gained (not lost like I hoped) about 5 pounds since I tried the dress on. It was a bit tight on my butt to start out with so the spanx are necessary! We're getting the infinity package. I don't think it comes with a cake, but I don't want to make (another) mistake, so I won't say for sure! I think they quoted like $5 or $7 per person for cake? I don't think everybody will eat it, so I"m hoping it we get one for 20 people, that will be enough. For nails I'm going to Absolute Esthetic Spa by the Foggy Dew, its past there a bit but in that general area. They do the biosculpt nails, and have a pretty good price on them. I got a groupon for full leg wax, mani and pedi for $25 bucks! It will be extra to add the biosculpt, but not much. I totally thought I was going the last weekend of March too, I"m actually going on the 22-24th. That would have been too funny! We always get good prices on condo's through allura.com. We usually go to Glacier Creek Condos, and we've always gotten really nice places for good prices:) Happy Planning! Quote: Originally Posted by VancityBride Hey E, Thanks for the email with the spreadsheet! I opened it and it didnt really have anything on it. So i dont know if it came through ok. But no worries, its all good. Ill see if i can find it on google. Well it seems to be your just about there, we are kinda at the same point. Everything in Mexico seems to be good to go its all the little details here that need to be taken care of. (rings, jewlery, boys outfits, fans, etc) It will all get done. I am going to start little by little every weekend going and getting some things I need. I was originally wanting to have S there, but you know how boys are, they like to do eveything last min, but I cant do that. So now I am going to go purchase what needs to be done and he is just going to have to deal with what I come home with..hehe I really dont think he will mind..haha I know what you mean about these boys and there outfits for the wedding. I dont think they get it..lol. The reason why I need S to go soon is because when I talked to someone at Black and Lee last year they said to come in sometime in Jan because there are so many wedding in April and the rentals get picked up fast. So i want them to be on it so were not panicking last min to find something. So these boys have another thing coming if they think that I am letting them take there time.. haha. End of Jan we are going to get there outfits.. period. I love that you are doing the catamaran.. i think that is going to be just great! I am jealous..hahaha. I would love to do something like that but its too late now, and I am sure that there will be some activiy that we can all do together. I have yet to get my jewlery either! I find it so hard. I have seen a few things that i have liked but i dont know how it will look with the dress. My dress is a little simple too, but I have a blingy belt so I want some bling jewlery too! lol. I wish I had my mom and sister here to help me They live in the okanagan so its been really hard not having them here with me for all this. My colors that I am doing is red. The BM dresses are red, (which i just picked up on Saturday and love them)and then I got my shoes which are also red with some bling on them. I bought them at Steve Madden in metro for $55! What a steal! The boys will be in a light kahki color pant and white short sleeve shirt and then S will be in the kakhi/white colored full suit. Then red roses for there boutenieers, and the BM will have white roses as there boquets and mine will be red roses. I really hope that the red looks good with a beach background. I have looked on google and havent really seen any red destination weddings. I just didnt want to do pink cause most of my gfs have all done pick, so I need to choose something else. What are your colors?? You mentioned that you are not sure about a cake.. Do you not have one included in your package? As for my BM gifts, I saw these really cute braclets at this engraving place, and there were actually a good price, but they are stirling silver. There is a heart on the braclet where I was going to engrave there nick name on one side and then what they were (bridesmaid, MOH) on the other, and then there is also a star with sparkles on it. But i am afraid that they will look cheap. What do you think?? What are you getting your BM's? You said something about sandals, is there anything else you are getting them? What about the groomsman.. S is having a hard time figuring that out. Any suggestions other than a flask... And now that you mention it i better get on tanning too. I usually tan all year but havent really been keeping on it. I went last week but that isnt going to suffice..lol. I also need to get my nails done, but i dont know where to go. I use to get them done all the time, but not in a long time. Do you have any suggestions? Nothing too crazy expensive. I find it so finny that you are doing your stagette in Whistler because so am I!!! And we are doing it the last weekend of March!! So funnyyyy. My MOH was going through some toug times this past month so we havent really done much for planning it. But it wont be too hard, just book some rooms, call some girls and lets go party! How many girls do you have coming? Are you doing a theme? Did you get a good deal on a condo or have one that you can suggest? We are having trouble trying to figure out what we want to do. Do we get a couple condo rooms and just go with that, or do we try to rent a house or townhouse. I feel that with a rental of a house there is more to worry about. What if we break something, or the owners dont like partiers, etc etc. Well I am def excited to meet you and your entourage..i think that it will be a great time

Hey, Yes true, thanks for clarifying that Vancity Bride. A couple of days ago, I realized Emma made a mistake in telling me it included the DJ. She sent the three options (Chill out, Beach dinner, and Gala) and said they all come with a DJ. I clarified and the Gala menu and private room DOES NOT come with a DJ! I was pretty disappointed too when I heard this:( Sorry for the confusion! E.

Hey:) The wedding date is April 23rd! Good memory Hair at 230, Make up at 330, Ceremony at 5pm, Reception at 6pm Emma just sent a package of different centrepieces, totally different then the ugly ones she first sent me. They're still not perfect, but its a good cost savings, and I think she'll let me make a couple adjustments. I've sent the package off to my BMs, and asked them to vote on them:) We're getting our menu finalized by the 18th (we just updated our website and asked guests to choose ahead of time), so everything is coming along:) O my goodness, how do these boys not have their cloths together yet! This is madness! I"m going to let C. wait until April 1st (ish), since more summer cloths will be coming out then. I"m hoping they can find a nice fitted shirt and a pair of dressy linen pants. Hopefully something they can wear again. All guys can do with a white shirt, and the linen pants won't add up to do much, so I'm thinking they'll probably purchase. We decided to go with Paradise Catamarans. Its costing about 3k, so its taking a big chunk out of our budget. We're saving in other places though (my dress, not getting an outside vendor for flowers, not doing other give aways for guests). I really like the idea of going to China town to pick them up. I might try to go down and do that. My only hope with the Michaels ones was that I might be able to somehow print on them. I don't want to handwrite (and my writting's not very neat) 60 fans. It would be better if there were one's I could print out with an online template (like avery). Im not to sure that's going to work, but I might go peruse Michaels this weekend and see what the possibilities are. I"ll let you know if there are any good options when I find out, and I'll find out pricing. What did you say your colours were? I haven't gotten my jewellery, and I'm really nervouse about it. My dress is really simple, so it needs some mega jewellery! I"ll make my sister help out with that too. There's this amazing jewellery store in Victoria, so maybe I"ll go stay with my friend there and do some shopping. I don't have shoes either. Period. I don't have shoes for the ceremony or reception. I was thinking of getting wedge heals, something easy to wear, has height, breathable and still fancy enough for the wedding. The place I bought my dress at had these shoes I tried the dress on with and they were great, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to find anything like that. That's two good things you have just added to my list though, thanks! I'm actually not sure of what we're doing for cake. I"m not sure if we're doing one... Maybe just small cake for 20 people or something? Just something to cut through? I just brought it up with C. and he doesn't seem opposed, so I'll ask Emma about this. Three things you've added to my list, eck! A friend is going to Brazil right before the wedding, so I'm going to ask her to pick up some personalized Haviana Sandles for us (with little jewelled starfish or something, in orange for the girls, teal for the boys). I was thinking of maybe getting them a little necklace from http://www.etsy.com too, they sell some really cute stuff. My sister only wears gold though, so not sure if this will work. Agreed, Emma has been really awesome to deal with. I just had to remember to sit back and wait for it all to hit me (which it did about 2 months ago) and now communication is a lot better! Things on my to do list: get a pre spray tan at Kix Tanning (just legs to see if I turn orange), get my nails done (bridal shower), get my nails again with biosculpt (also getting legs waxed a couple days before), book full body kix tanning (if i didn't turn orange the time before), get my jewellery, get rings, choose centrepieces, buy shoes, get some spanx, dress fitting, cake? Ok, that doesn't seem so bad... PS. Stagette: two days in Whistler, we booked a condo. Half will just come up for one night to party, the rest will go skiing on the Saturday then party at night. C.s is this weekend, which I think is too early (he's going to Victoria), mine is end of March.

Hey, Sorry I know I have a ton of posts today. I just wanted to let people know, in case you're interested. I"m using the most amazing spreadsheet to help me out. I found it on Google Documents -> Create-> From Template. I then searched Wedding, and found "Wedding: All-in-One Wedding Planner". I hope that helps somebody! E.

Tia, Sorry to hear you're having such a hard time. I had another wedding coordinator at the beginning of our planning, but was quickly passed over to Emma. Its been fairly simple since then (other then the regular couple glitches). I have the Crystal Room rented ($200 for 4 hours). We're also going with the Gala Menu (Ranges from $45-$110 per person). The Gala menu also includes domestic beer/wine, and soda. I might buy like 4 bottles of tequila at the grocery store in Playa Del Carmen and put them on the tables for the party peoples:). We do have to pay extra for the DJ though with this option. This is the only option that allows you to have a sit down meal (as far as I've been told). I was worried about sand fleas and sand in my food and wind, so the beach party wasn't an option. At the chill out club, she said half my party would have to eat downstairs maybe because we have 60 people. I didn't want to separate the group, so that wasn't going to work for me either. We're getting married at the Riviera Gazebo (the big round one), because of our group size. We've also chosen to go with the Infinity Package, and have enough rooms to qualify for the complimentary package. I asked a while ago about the $12/ person over the 20, and was told we did not have to pay extra since we weren't using an a la carte dinner (we weren't able to because of the large group size). I was also told that because they're overbooked for April, they're not letting people use the 'special reservation' any other night. We'll talk to Emma the night we get there I think and try to make that reservation anyways, although its not something I'm going to count on. Its really too bad because its something I"m paying for, but I'm not going to make a fuss about it. I actually asked Emma to call me because I was getting really frustrated. She finally did (a month later) and everything got sorted out really fast. It did take an angry email and the request to be contacted on the phone though. Yikes! E.

Hey Vancity Bride, I'm good! Everything is getting organized. I was going through my email, and I'm totally losing track of everything. Haha, Emma must be getting annoyed because I keep resending her emails that I didn't realize she had responded to. Its hard though when the email string is like 30 emails long! There are all these random attachments and stuff. hahah C. hasn't even looked for his clothes, or the groomsmen's. Its really important to me that they all match, but I'm not going to nag him about it. He knows I will uninvite him to his own wedding if he tried to come unprepared:) We also have to get rings (something C. doesn't get since he seems to think the engagement ring is it... crazy!), my sister probably hasn't touched the music, and I'm still working on flowers. I actually emailed Emma a picture I got from another florist (who quoted me $80) to put tulips in a vase, submerged in water. I asked if they could provide something similar, but maybe with tiger lilies and orchids, she is waiting to hear back from the florist to see if they can, and what the cost would be, or else I'll go with Marvin for the centrepieces. I'm using the hotel for my flowers (Rb-009, but I've changed the roses to tiger lilies, and will ask to add one stem of orchids maybe!). They're also doing a bunch of tiger lilies for each of the bridesmaids for $25 each. I've also made changes to the boutineres (bird of baradise and orchid). I think I might have to pay a bit to change the boutineres, but I'm still waiting to get confirmation of all of this. I agree that little is better then too much. I'm glad it sounds like you're doing similar decorations as me. Did you say you were also using the Crystal room? We're not providing any give aways to our guests, because we're taking everybody on a 4 hour catamaran/snorkeling/ parasailing adventure as a thank you the day before. We also thought this would be a good way for all of our family to get to know one another. I'm making name cards with a girlfriend (she's helping me a lot because I"m not crafty!). We got all of our supplies from Michaels. I"m trying to make them look professional, but they're not quite there yet. I was also going to go to Michaels this weekend (wine/craft night) and get some fans. I"m going to try to print the program information on the fans, or else make them myself. I was also going to go to the dollar store and buy tiny starfish's to put on the name cards and the programs to decorate them. I"m going to buy some larger ones to put in the bridesmaids bouquets (attached to a wire). I have this really amazing spreadsheet C. found for me. It really lays everything out nice and clearly. The crystal room, from what I saw in the pictures, provides tables for 8 people. And my spreadsheet has an area to help make a seating chart, so I probably will make one. I'll probably have the table number for the guests on the fans (ie it will have each persons name, so they can chose their own with personalized information). I spoke with Emma, and since we're getting to choose a couple menu options, we need some way of showing the servers where each menu type is going (ie Fish goes to the people with the teal name cards, lamb to the people with the orange name cards... ). Emma said she can get somebody to help with setting up/taking down. I'll also give the bridal party some things to do (boys can put the fans out, girls can do name cards at the tables). I don't think that will take very long, and they're not getting their hair/make up done, so they have extra time. I'm in the process of booking my hair/make up. They suggested 2pm to start, but I've asked to push it back to 2:30. They haven't gotten back to me. 230 will give me 45 minutes for pictures and final getting ready. C. thinks I'll be late but I'll show him! Emma's emailing me almost everyday, and has been really awesome. I think I'm being really nit picky, but she's been really responsive. I"m totally still up for getting together! I"m getting excited, I have bathing suit shopping coming up, my stagette coming up.... Its all coming along! PS. I went through all my papers and realized that I"m an idiot. There is no DJ included in the Gala room. She stated in an email that it was, but later clarified that the DJ is only included in the private beach and Chill out Club receptions... I hope that didn't cause anybody any grief!

Vancity Bride, Hows everything going? You seem to have all your planning done!! Hey I"m not to sure where I saw this, but somewhere you said you were having Flowers by Juliet decorate for you. What kind of decorations is she setting up for you? I"m worried that the Crystal Room might be a bit plain. I've decided to go with the hotel flowers (they've made some changes to the bouquet I wanted), but we're getting flowers by Marvin to do our centrepieces (I think...) Other then that, I don't really have any decorations, except the programs and name card's that I"m making. Do you have anything else on your to do list? I was also trying to get ahold of the spa to book hair and make up but they're not responding to my emails. I"ve met Emma know. I always wear my hair the same way (ponytail or straight), so it wouldn't work for me if the spa didn't make my appt! Hope everythings going well! E.

Hey! Yeah, maybe I can leave you a message at the front desk letting you know where in the resort we're staying. I think it would be so much fun to meet up. What did your contract look like? I haven't heard anything about a contract, except the one we signed months ago saying out wedding was there, and letting us know how much we had to pay for deposit. Did it have all the details you had agreed upon? Have you been in contact with the hotel florist? or are you leaving those details for when you arrive? Also, are you having hair and make up done in your room? or are you going down to the spa? I read one of your other posts and realized I needed to start asking more specific questions, instead of assuming (ie Gala menu says "beer/soda' per 4 hours, which I assumed meant we had the room for 4 hours..., which might not be true). She also said somewhere, but now I can't find, that it included a DJ. We're not paying for a DJ,. but we bought the bose sound system, so hopefully that will be good enough... eck! My sister still hasn't made any progress on the music, but I told her my FI has his bachelor party planed for next weekend and so now she's freaking out and getting things organized:) We have a couple people that have bailed on the wedding, but have 57 people so far. A lot of them are from the FI's side from Colorado, so I won't know about half of them. Photography: We went with Del Sol, but my original pick was Photosincancun with Lincoln. He takes amazing pictures. Unfortunately some lucky bride already booked him for April 28th, so we decided to go with second pick, Del Sol. I really like their stuff too:) E.

Hey, Wow thats news to me. Emma emailed me saying all I had to pay was the day pass which allows him enough time to drop off and set up the flowers we've chosen. That's really a shock. Has anybody contacted the florist at the hotel? Are we allowed to make adjustments to the flowers they're providing (I like the Rb 009A, but I don't like roses, and was hoping to swap to orange tiger lilies). I also don't know what their centrepieces look like. Does anybody know? For the Gala menu, it says beer, wine soda included per four hours. I read VancityBride's post, and got a bit worried, so I'm emailing her a bunch more questions right now. We have Emma for a coordinator, we were originally booked with Pilar, but she passed us off to Emma. We've been with Emma for about 6 months now, and she's been really good. I did have to be really firm, and am now learning I have to be more specific with my questions, but I know it will all work out. The reason I'm having a destination wedding is because I don't want to worry too much, so I'm going to let this figure itself out:) Meet for drinks anybody? We're there from April 25-May 2nd. E.

Hey! I would love to meet up for drinks if you ladies are still free:) I arrive April 25th though, so if anybody's free that day, I'll definitly be ready since I"ll have been on a long flight from Vancouver with my family that morning! We've chosen all of our menu options and everything, and have decided on the symbolic ceremony and the Crystal room for our reception. I"m trying to decide on flowers now though. I heard about somebody called 'Marvin, from Diseno Floral in Cancun. I was in contact with a women named Julietta, and she was really responsive at first, but now she's not responding to my emails. I"m not sure if I want to rely on her. Have most people chosen flowers from the hotel? Or is anybody using an outside vendor? Erica

Hey, I was thinking I might go with orange. It seems to be the right colour of orange, but I just wanted to make sure it would be close. It looks like the seller has a good reputation and accepts returns, so really wouldn't be a big deal anyways. I was a bit worried it might look a bit too busy, but we're going with a pretty simple room, so I think it will be okay! Thanks again,

Hey, I just got quoted on sashes from the hotel. $4 each!! I was wondering how accurate the colour was? I"m worried it won't really match the colours I've chosen for. thanks,

Thanks for the information on sunset. I agree. It probably starts to get a bit cooler at 6, but I really can't imagine it's going to be dark. We've decided to go with 5pm, since C thinks I'll be running half an hour late anyways (he's wrong... ). I might change the time back to 5 30. Thanks again

Hey Katiem2012 Where are you getting married? I'm at the Grand Sunset Princess. I haven't met anybody either who's on the same date:) I really think she's confused. there's no way it sets that early... I think maybe it has to do with getting things organized on her side. Also, she been offering us packages based on what she thinks I want, not what I actually want. So maybe she thinks nobody goes to Mexico for a sunset wedding??

Hey, Thanks for all the info about your recent weddings! Its great to hear from people who have just gotten back! I asked Emma about sashes and other decorations. It costs $4 per sash. It seems a bit steep. I think you could make them for less. I think I'm going to go to the dollar store and get some white starfish, and tie them with a small ribbon to each of the chairs. She hasn't told me the cost of any extra decorations, but I think we'll just make some small stuff here before we leave. I think now that our reception/ceremony is pretty much booked... there's really nothing left to do! PS: I asked Emma a couple months ago when we originally booked our photographer to email me a confirmation of the price for bringing in an outside vendor. I think she quoted about $120 all in for two photographers to stay the whole time. She might try to change this, so I'm glad I have it in writting!

Hey Riviera Bride, That's really too bad about what happened. How many people do you have at your wedding? Who's your WC? We went with a private room for the reception. They have the Ibiza room, Crystal room and Jalisco room, and you can use a Gala Menu. This is for four hours (you can do a sit down or a buffet), it includes beer and wine, and a dj. The cost will really depend on the number of guests you have, and the menu you choose, since its a per person cost if you go this route. You can also choose different package options, some of them include flowers. I've decided to go with an outside vendor for flowers. One of the options includes a private cocktail hour. We've just decided to just send our guests to the lobby bar for a drink while we get pictures done. I hope that helps!

Hey, We ended up booking for 5 instead of 4 or 5 30. Fi thinks I'll be running late (which I won't be), so he says it will work out to 530 anyways. O well, I'll play it by ear and see how it turns out. We're getting married April 28th, and sunset is supposed to be 712. I think the WC must have been confused when she told me the sunsets at 605...

Hey, Wow honestly, I can't believe the how many of us Vancouver girls are getting married at the end of April!! We booked our date back in May. We got engaged in February and did some looking around to find the right hotel and venue. We originally selected a hotel in the Dominican Republic, but just as C was entering in his credit card information for the deposit I totally changed my mind and we booked Mexico instead. I saw pictures of the DR hotel and there were sooo many people walking right through the ceremony location, it didn't seem very private at all! I think for our 'first dance', we might go with Etta James "At Last". Is that way to cheesy? I don't think we'll do the first dance right away, we'll eat, then have some music on and let everybody talk a bit, then do cake and first dance. I thought for the father daughter dance, my dad is a country dancer and he used to take me to little festivals and competitions when I was young, so I might do a nice two step with him, but a song that everybody else can dance to as well. I don't want something to be dedicated to just the two of us. What colors are you ladies using for your wedding? We're going with orange teal and white. I found these really cute dresses at sears that matched the theme really well. Are you going to use the hotel ribbons for the chairs, or are you making/bringing any decorations on your own? I don't know if its worth it to bring them down, and I don't know how I'd get them all set up anyways... I was thinking though of making a backdrop of starfish for the ceremony (I saw it on a craft site, you hang small starfish onto a fishing line and let them hang down like a curtain). Again, not too sure who'd set this up though... For favors, we're taking everybody who wants to come on a catamaran tour instead the night before. The company is also throwing in a parasailing boat. We're doing the 4 hour, snorkeling/sunset tour. We've asked the company to come down on the price since we're not including food and since we'll be asking them to keep the drinking to a minimum. We don't want everybody to get hammered the night before our wedding and not make it through the ceremony! We also thought this would be a good way for everybody to get to know each other before the wedding. I have a friend who's going to Brazil a month before the wedding,so for bridesmaid/groomsmen gifts, we were thinking of picking up orange haviana sandels for the girls, and teal ones for the guys. You said you're getting a photobooth?? O my goodness that's sooo awesome. You're getting it brought to the hotel? How did you organize that? There was one at the wedding show at the Convention Center in Vancouver and we (the girls) had so much fun! What was the cost of getting that organized? Erica

Hey End of April Brides:) Okay so we finalized the time, we're officially (well symbolically I guess) getting married at 5pm. C thinks Ill be running late anyways, so that will put us at the best time for sunset pictures. We also booked the crystal room and selected our menus. I was having such a hard time with this because she wanted us to select only 1 menu option for all sixty people. I asked her to call me (she's much more responsive on the phone, and has recently been getting back to me right away) and we agreed that I could offer my guests two gala menu option, and one vegetarian option of our choice. I told Emma I'd be happy to have our name cards (on the tables) colour coded so the wait staff would know who was eating what (ie orange = meat, teal = fish, white= vegetarian). We'll send out our options to our guests and hope to have the final numbers by the end of January to give to Emma. She said as long as they had some heads up, it would be okay. We also decided on the most basic package. I think its going to be easy to upgrade if we want to, but since I'm going with an outside florist and photographer, and my dress is really simple (so I don't need the de-wrinkling), I think this one best suits us. There had been a couple questions about payment. We have run into multiple issues. We've been charged 5 times now for the $200 deposit. They refunded a couple times, but this meant we lost some money each time on currency conversion and interaction fees. We've told them that any additional charges need to be put aside for our package. So we've actually almost paid off our entire package. Apparently the rest of the money is due the day you arrive though. I would suggest not paying the whole thing ahead of time, as this will give you a better bargaining chip if anything does go wrong. Haha, Danielle, I saw the part you wrote about sand getting in your food and I laughed:) I had exactly the same thought. Also, and I know everybody has horror stories, but we went to Mexico two years ago and had a nice romantic dinner on the beach. I realized when I got back to our room that I had been meliciously attacked by sand-fleas. I had bites evverrywhere!!!! all the way up my leg, and they were sooo uncomfortable. I"m worried about that happening to my guests, and the music not carrying if there's wind, and sand in the food and all the other unknowns you have to plan for. I know the Crystal room isn't exactly traditional Mexican, but at least its a more controlled setting:) I'm actually a bit worried about the music, I'm not sure my sister has started at all. I want there to be some Mexican or slower music at dinner, and then have dance music later on... I'll worry about that later on. A friend of mine didn't do her music untill the night before, so as long as I'm better then that I"m okay... erica

Hey Danielle, My name is Erica, I'm from Vancouver, BC, and I would love to meet up for a drink! I'll definitely check out the Jalisco Gala Room. The Crystal Room and the Ibiza Room that she offered are pretty stark... They have marble floors and floor to ceiling windows, not exactly what I'd expect going to a wedding in Mexico!. I found a florist, but I'll definitely check out this person's work. I don't like the flowers provided by the hotel, they seem sooo expensive for what you get! I want my three bridesmaids to hold just like 3 big tiger lilies, something really simple, and they were going to charge like $55! I'll probably do the same as you, go with the hotel flowers that are provided with the package for the bridesmaids, and then do something special for myself (my dress is pretty simple, so I need to accessorize a bunch!), and do nice flowers for the reception. If you send me your email address, I can send you some of the information that Emma sent us (the gala menus, that state it comes with a DJ, and some other stuff). You might already have all that, but if you're interested. I'm doing the symbolic ceremony. I heard you have to get blood samples taken and a bunch of other stuff I don't want to organize. I have a friend here who's a Justice of the Peace, so she'll marry us (we're only telling close family and friends its symbolic, my mom mentioned some people might be offended they few all that way for a symbolic ceremony). The signing of the papers for me isn't the big deal, its the actual ceremony, so we'll keep that part under wraps. We spoke with our WC here, and she said that because the basic package is free if we have 8 platinum rooms (i think its 8) booked, and we already have 6 booked, we should just upgrade 2 peoples room, at a cost of $400 total and have the basic package, and then do add on's since we can't use the A La Cart, and since we're using the menu option that comes with a DJ, and since we're only doing symbolic anyways. So then we can spend the extra money on things that we actually care about. Having the music on CD's is a good idea too, I don't know how up to date the technology is over there, so I'll do both (Ipod and cd's) as well. I think the one nice thing about having the cocktail hour at the pool is if you have anybody with mobility issues. If you want the pictures she sent for the cocktail hour (and all the info I was sent), let me know and I can send that your way. I just spoke with Emma the other day, because she told us we could do this really nice sit down meal, but now shes saying we have to choose one dinner option for everybody. I"m pretty annoyed since having all 60 people eat the same thing isn't really going to work, so I told her to call me. I'm not going to stress about it like I was stressing about everything else before. Its just too bad. Also, I"m still having issues with what time I should have the ceremony at. Our photographers said 530 to take advantage of sunset for pictures, but she said sunset is at 605 (sunrise is at 605), so I think she might be confused. Given what we've gone through with her already, its hard to care too much about what she says, but on the other hand, she is the WC, shouldn't she know???Yikes. Maybe I'll compromise and do it at 5... Erica

Hey! I'm glad we connected on here! We're arriving on the 25th in the morning. I was only told there was the one gala room. How much are you paying for the other room? Were you given a lot of options? Do you mind posting a picture of the room you're using. I can do the same for the crystal room if your interested. What are you doing for food? I spoke with Emma today and she told me that all 60 people would have to use the same menu. I'm about to send her an email back saying that that just won't work. I can see using one set menu for a group of 15, but not for 60. Nobody is going to agree on what to eat. I think we're going to use one of the most basic packages for the wedding, then pay separately for anything we need (we don't need the cocktail hour, but we do need hair/make up done). I'll definitly check out the florist. How did you organize the florist? Do they drop everything off? Do you have to pay an outside vendor fee for florists? Do they set it all up? Emma hasn't provided me any me any details on what kind of decor the hotel is able to provide (even though I've asked several times). In the email she sent me with food options, it said for the gala room/sit down dinner, the dj is included (as is beer/wine). We bought a bose sound system though (so if they don't provide music for the ceremony, we'll be covered), and we'll use our ipod with some music (my sisters in charge), so even if the dj is terrible, we'll have back up! I spoke with our photographers, and they suggested we move our ceremony time to 530pm. They said this is the best time for pictures. I spoke with Emma about this though and she said she strongly disagrees. Any input? What time is your ceremony? PS. I was told we could have the cocktail set up at a different outdoor location (ie around a pool) if we wanted it. I think if you're doing cocktail hour though, the beach would be really nice.