Jessica4LUXE

Hi Ladies, There are some amazing photographers in the Punta Cana area that I often recommend. Here are a few suggestions. 1) HDC 2) Julia Eskin 3) Steingard Photography 4) Caribbean Emotions Many of these photographers are able to customize packages that will fit your wedding budget. Make sure to touch base with your hotel coordinator to see whether there are any vendor penalty fees before booking. Happy planning!

Hi Ladies, First and foremost, congratulations on your engagement! You have picked an amazing property. Majestic Elegance is beautiful. If you are opting to have a symbolic ceremony in destination, make sure to advise your wedding planner that you want it to look as legal as possible. The ceremonies are virtually the same, so you do not need to worry about friends and family questioning the authenticity. Please note that you will be required to bring proof of marriage to the hotel coordinator in order to have a symbolic ceremony at the Majestic. Have you considered having Pastor Rick York perform the ceremony? He is a retired Pastor from the US who performs symbolic ceremonies in Punta Cana. His ceremonies are beautiful and he is very flexible with adding any elements you would like to incorporate. His services are an additional cost, paid in cash on the day of the wedding, but, he is well worth it!! Happy Planning!

Hi Jencakes21, There are many ways to stay within budget for your wedding! Here are some suggestions to consider. 1) Bring some decor elements from home. Printed material, fabrics, ribbon for your bouquet and cake etc. 2) Ask your wedding coordinator what flowers are local and in season. There are many beautiful fuchsia tropical flowers in Mexico. 3) Consider having a semi-private cocktail party. Have your on-site coordinator recommend a bar that is close to your ceremony site, where your guests can have drinks before the reception. 4) Rent a sound system for all events and create a playlist for the ceremony, cocktail party and reception. It is more work for you, but will be much more cost effective then live music or a DJ. All the best!

Hi Ladies, The Love at First Site trip is a great value and I often recommend it to my clients. I would suggest making a list of important questions for your meeting in advance. That way, you can have a very productive visit. If you already have a contact at the hotel, send them your questions ahead of time, along with any particular colour schemes you are considering. This will help the on-site team prepare themselves for your meeting. Here are some important questions to ask: 1) What are all private event location capacities and cut off times? 2) What reception locations allow platted meals? Many outdoor spaces require buffet set up. 3) Outside vendor policies? Does the resort have a preffered vendor list? 4) What forms of payment does the hotel accept? When is payment for the wedding due? Happy Planning!

Hi Erica, Thank you for your post! If you are looking for wedding package information, the best contact email is [email protected]. They will be able to help you with any questions related to the wedding packages! Should you be looking for group rates to the Memories resorts, you will be able to contract these directly through Sunwing Weddings. Feel free to email them directly at [email protected]. If you have any further questions, feel free to call me directly! I can be reached at 1.888.589.3933 x5794 or via email at [email protected]. I am happy to help! Happy Planning! Jessica

Hello Brides! So one thing that comes up over and over again for us is the issue with the cut-off times for a beach reception at the resort. We've seen them as early at 10pm! I just returned from Azul Fives in the Mayan Riviera and it was amazing! A great thing that I thought to share is that because the hotel rooms are not directly on the beach, you can party with your group until the wee hours of the morning! Let me know if anyone has any questions about this property! Jessica4LUXE

Hi Ladies, We recently planned a beautiful wedding at Casa de Campo and just posted the photos on our blog! Feel free to take a look at http://client.luxedestinationweddings.com/blog/?p=4822 Enjoy! Jessica

Hi Jreist, Did you try Sunwing Weddings? For a group rate with them, you only need 10 adults!

I love this idea! You could even make your own BBQ sauce and package it in cute mason jars. We are infusing our own olive oils for our wedding favours. Quote: Originally Posted by boven Because you are having a BBQ, my first thought is to get personalized bottles of BBQ sauce or hot sauce with your logo or picture from your wedding as the label. You could also pick up something like that in Cancun such as mini bottles of hot sauce. Another way you could tie in the location is to use photos from your wedding as table numbers.

LOVE this idea! I've used it for weddings in the past too! I would only suggest putting a table numbers somewhere on the back of the photo or table card for the serving staff. They usually ask for that

ATTN: CANADIAN BRIDES! I wanted to fill you in on an exclusive promotion that LUXE and Azul beach, in case any of you are planning on booking at this property! LUXE Destination Weddings Offers Complimentary LUXE Bliss Wedding Planning Services and a $500 Bride and Groom Air Credit at Azul Beach by Karisma for a Limited Time! LUXE Destination Weddings, is now offering Complimentary LUXE Bliss wedding planning services for a limited time on all new group wedding bookings made at Azul Beach by Karisma, in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. In addition, the bride and groom will also receive a $500 air credit with Sunwing towards air travel for the bride and groom’s travel for even greater savings. LUXE Bliss Services include the following features: confirmation of wedding date with resort; 5 hours of wedding planning with expert LUXE Destination Wedding Consultants; a detailed wedding outline and budget to make planning easy; assistance with all legal paperwork; e-mail and/or phone meet and greet with resort wedding coordinator; a list of LUXE Preferred Vendors; e-mail updates from your LUXE Wedding Consultant on destination wedding trends, style, décor, etc.; complimentary honeymoon planning and booking; complimentary planning and booking of first anniversary getaway. Group wedding bookings must be made between May 15 and May 31 for a Pearl, Silver, or Gold Wedding Package, with a minimum booking of 15 rooms. Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions! Jessica [email protected]

ATTN: CANADIAN BRIDES! I wanted to fill you in on an exclusive promotion that LUXE and Azul beach, in case any of you are planning on booking at this property! LUXE Destination Weddings Offers Complimentary LUXE Bliss Wedding Planning Services and a $500 Bride and Groom Air Credit at Azul Beach by Karisma for a Limited Time! LUXE Destination Weddings, is now offering Complimentary LUXE Bliss wedding planning services for a limited time on all new group wedding bookings made at Azul Beach by Karisma, in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. In addition, the bride and groom will also receive a $500 air credit with Sunwing towards air travel for the bride and groom’s travel for even greater savings. LUXE Bliss Services include the following features: confirmation of wedding date with resort; 5 hours of wedding planning with expert LUXE Destination Wedding Consultants; a detailed wedding outline and budget to make planning easy; assistance with all legal paperwork; e-mail and/or phone meet and greet with resort wedding coordinator; a list of LUXE Preferred Vendors; e-mail updates from your LUXE Wedding Consultant on destination wedding trends, style, décor, etc.; complimentary honeymoon planning and booking; complimentary planning and booking of first anniversary getaway. Group wedding bookings must be made between May 15 and May 31 for a Pearl, Silver, or Gold Wedding Package, with a minimum booking of 15 rooms. Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions! Jessica [email protected]

ATTN: CANADIAN BRIDES! I wanted to fill you in on an exclusive promotion that LUXE and Azul beach, in case any of you are planning on booking at this property! LUXE Destination Weddings Offers Complimentary LUXE Bliss Wedding Planning Services and a $500 Bride and Groom Air Credit at Azul Beach by Karisma for a Limited Time! LUXE Destination Weddings, is now offering Complimentary LUXE Bliss wedding planning services for a limited time on all new group wedding bookings made at Azul Beach by Karisma, in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. In addition, the bride and groom will also receive a $500 air credit with Sunwing towards air travel for the bride and groom’s travel for even greater savings. LUXE Bliss Services include the following features: confirmation of wedding date with resort; 5 hours of wedding planning with expert LUXE Destination Wedding Consultants; a detailed wedding outline and budget to make planning easy; assistance with all legal paperwork; e-mail and/or phone meet and greet with resort wedding coordinator; a list of LUXE Preferred Vendors; e-mail updates from your LUXE Wedding Consultant on destination wedding trends, style, décor, etc.; complimentary honeymoon planning and booking; complimentary planning and booking of first anniversary getaway. Group wedding bookings must be made between May 15 and May 31 for a Pearl, Silver, or Gold Wedding Package, with a minimum booking of 15 rooms. Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions! Jessica [email protected]

Hi Ladies, One of the owners of my favorite destination wedding photographers based in Toronto, Mango Studios, started the website www.socialgift.com for exactly the reasons you listed! If you would like to see an article on how it works, click on http://www.blogto.com/tech/2011/05/socialgift_makes_group_gift-giving_a_breeze/ It could be a great option for anyone looking to 'register' Best, Jessica

Hey ladies, Not sure if anyone has mentioned this website before, but at www.oncewed.com they have a 'used' wedding dress shop. Maybe you can find that designer dress at a great price

Hey Ladies, Vistaprint can be a very cost effective option for printed materials. I recently discovered a couple of other websites, while not as inexpensive- have some great stuff! www.delphinepress.com www.minted.com They have some really great designs! Thought it may be helpful to those having trouble with Vistaprint

Water wings!!!!! How cute would that be for the pool?

Hi Meagan, Best advice is to send an inquiry to [email protected] with all of your questions and you will hear back right away with details and more! You will be working with one of the planners directly and the price would be included in the wedding package! Let me know if you have any further questions. All the best, Jessica

Maybe I should have explained it differently! The Notary or the Justice of the Peace will perform the ceremony in spanish, while someone else translates into English (typically the on-site coordinator). Did the notary perform the ceremony in English? If so, that's very rare and you were very lucky! You are correct, the certificate is always in Spanish, though that can also be translated upon your return!

Not exactly in Cancun but some great options in the Mayan Riviera

Hi Truchis, As privacy is important to many of our brides, we often plan off-site ceremony and receptions. X-caret is a very unique and popular off-resort type of location but one of our favorites is the Marina Maroma. Hope this helps! Jessica

Hi Ladies,Would love to hear about the experience too! @Julznjames – I believe you are working directly with the resort as you started your wedding planning before Memories took over the hotel and wedding management. We didn’t get the pleasure of working together but I know that Diana will take very good care of you. @MBridal – do you have any specific questions about weddings at Memories? I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have. Good luck with your upcoming wedding Julia! Wishing you all the best, Jessica

Most of our brides and grooms end up doing a symbolic ceremony- but this is completely based on personal preference. I find the biggest reluctance is with the blood work and the fact that the ceremony must be in Spanish! Keep in mind that the officiants for a symbolic ceremony can make it look very legitimate- signing of papers and all! The only ones who would know the difference are those who know the legal requirements of getting married in Mexico, which I doubt there would be too many

And only $100 per sheer if you use white!

Probably the #1 question we get asked! "How much will my DW cost?" The answer really varies depending on where you go, how many guest you have and what you'd like out of your destination wedding. We've put together full weddings for as low as $800, and up to $300,000 but the real answer is we work with the budget you'd like to stick to! If you tell your wedding planner that you'd like to spend $10,000, we'll provide you options that will fall in that range. The most common budget we work with these days is between $10,000-$20,000 but it all depends on you! and of course falling under budget is always good too