kitkat863

There is no requirement regarding symbolic ceremonies, only the legal ceremony.

I was the exact same way before my wedding! As long as you don't get there and look for things to complain about I think you will be good. Sometimes I feel like people just like to complain and so they look for anything that they can to complain about!

If you go to my profile there are some pics there!

Honestly you have to take each negative review with a grain of salt. I have read other people say that the construction hasn't bothered them at all and they never even really noticed it while they were there. The food, in my opinion, was just like any other all inclusive. Some of the restaurants were good and others were so-so. I wouldn't let those 2 things make you worry about your trip!

Sounds good!

And if you want the lights I still have those...I can throw those in for an additional $5.

Really? I will have to look to make sure I have everything for them. I will tell you that they were used twice (Mexico and our reception at home) so they may have a a few small tears/holes in them but honestly you wouldn't know once they are hanging up. I understand if you don't want to buy them though for that reason! I would take like $15 for them plus shipping. Let me know!

I did bring fishing wire down for them to hang them up but I am sure that if you forgot to bring it they would have some anyways. If I were to do it again I would definitely still buy the paper lanterns. I bought mine from lunabazaar.com. I know they are kind of the "in" thing right now but I really loved how they looked in my pictures and they just were a little something extra with the decor. Honestly, I didn't bring that much decor down to Mexico tho so maybe that is why they stood out to me. The only thing that sucks is that now they are just laying around in my spare bedroom and I can't seem to get rid of them! I guess I will just throw them out but I hate doing that since I spent a good amount of money on them! haha

Gonzalo Nunez. He was amazing and his prices are great! I highly recommend him.

When I sent out my invites I never even asked Pilar how many entrees were allowed, I just assumed that I could pick whatever I wanted from the menu options. She never questioned me or said anything about it when I sent her the list. We also had 3 children so I gave them 2 options from Pilar told me regarding a kids menu.

I purchased the lights for the inside of the lanterns but ended up not using them. They didn't light up like I thought they would...I actually thought they looked silly with the lights. I think you are fine to not buy them!

Here is a pic of the lobster bisque...funny my photographer took a pic of it haha!

Wait...I lied! This picture is actually right behind where the DJ set up and so it wouldn't block any view for people sitting on either side of the restaurant!

I forgot that the one side has this wall thing that might block people from seeing things if you have people on both sides of the dance floor: This shows the bar which was directly behind where we had the dance floor along the back wall: This shows that not the whole side is blocked by the tall wall thing: Hope that helps give you a better idea of the setup!

The beef and shrimp was delicious! I didn't eat much of the lobster bisque but I think everyone agreed that it was pretty good!

I gave the guests 3 options: The beef and shrimp, scallops and mahi mahi, and pork medallions. I chose the shrimp and scallops in coconut milk as the appetizer and the lobster bisque but everyone got to pick their entree out of the three above.

I had my reception at Castaway, but I had one long table. How many people are you having? I only ask because where we had the dance floor was right in front of the bar and I think it would be cool to have people sitting on both sides for the reception, given that you have enough people to do that. I can upload some pics of my set up if you want.

I never felt that they were looking for tips, but it is nice and you might get better service if you tip. We thought the food was good. It wasn't anything spectacular but it was good. The food we had at the wedding was actually the best food that we had the whole time we were there. You have to take the reviews with a grain of salt. Most people are quick to write a review if they are going to complain.