mhagan14

I am getting married 5.5.12 and my onsite coordinator just told me I couldn't use an outside DJ. I already booked with DJ Mania and I am starting to panic. Yesenia told me I could use an ouside photographer so I assumed I could pay a day pass fee and use DJ Mania as well and my mexico contact just told me I couldn't. Talk about freaking out!!

Hey guys! I am new to this as an actual subscriber, but I have been stalking this website since I decided on a destination wedding. We decided Mexico because we are in Atlanta and flights are not overly expensive if people wanted to go. I knew I wanted a gazebo with the ocean behind because I am 5'2 and my fiance is 6'4...gotta have those heels! Anyway, after a lot of research and so many good reviews I decided on Le Blanc, May 5, 2012. That's right CINCO DE MAYO! Ha ha. Apparently Mexicans don't really celebrate it, but hey, at least my fiance and I won't forget it I am working with Yesenia in Miami, she wasn't very responsive at the beginning but now after a month and a half of being officially booked she replies back pretty fast. Decided on the signature package, a) I loved the simple decor it included 32 people in the ceremony/reception (we sent save the dates out to 75 with hopes of 40-50 actually coming). Definitely doing the Gazebo at 6:00, and I am going back and forth on rooftop or ballroom for reception. I just don't want to be in an oven my entire wedding day (depending on how hot it is), which is why I would choose a ballroom. I also chose to do group rates through the resort, they were cheaper than the travel agent I was working with, plus you get that incentive to get free rooms for you and your fiance or free private events. She sent me a group link to send my guests (I put this on my weddingwire.com website for my guests to use for any questions they may have), it gives you all of the information you need. There is a link for transportation from airport to resort and return trip for $24, she will send that you as well. Another note: my fiance and I are staying at the resort from wed-thur (8 days) and the $1,500 resort credit you get can go towards the price of your wedding package, so our $3,999 package is now $1,999! Helllllooooo! Photographer: I have done weeks of extensive research on this, I think the resort photographer sucks. They are unresponsive, I sent them multiple emails asking them to send pictures of Le Blanc weddings and finally had to ask Yesenia to get them to respond to me, once they did, they sent me a few jpeg's of pictures and they were horrible. I felt like my 5 year old niece could have taken them. So after finally accepting we couldn't afford De Sol or their sister company, we went with Sasha Gluk (Cancun Photos). He has the same style as them (check out his blogs) but for WAY less. I have a friend who works for a photographer in Atlanta and she said you really don't need more than 6 hours for (getting ready, bride/bmaides, groom/gmen, ceremony, family, wedding party, etc shots, reception. So I went with his 5 hour package and added an extra hour for $325. I noticed a lot of these photographers don't include albums, I asked Sasha if he would design one (because I can get a flushmount album done here in Atlanta for $300) and he said he would design one for $250. So I am getting my entire wedding, 240 edit images (i have been told you don't want ALL of the photos some photographers offer because it becomes overwhelming to decide which ones you like, I know I don't want to go through 600-700 photos) and design for album for $2,100.00. DJ: I was going to just go with Erik Sabagh because I didn't want to have to pay for another outside vendor fee, but if you guys know anything about him I am all ears. Decor: I asked Yesenia if decor was included in the signature and she said yes, I am assuming if you wanted more than they give in each package you have to use an outside vendor? Location: Has anyone heard if this part of Mexico isn't the "safe" part? I am really getting sick and tired of people telling me it isn't safe, when I keep seeing all of these people come back from Mexico and they all say that it was fine. My whole theory is "DON'T COME"! Any links or information on this would be helpful. Dress: Think I am ordering one off of JJsHouse.com, I refuse to spend a huge amount on a dress I am never going to wear again, would much rather have good pictures! The dress I ordered is VERY pretty, its only $155!!!! For my bridesmaids, I am definitely doing black dresses with bright tropical bridesmaid flowers, just not sure where I am going to get those dresses yet.... Flowers: I am tossing back starting to look for a florist, because I am only getting 3 bmaid flowers and mine is included in my package. But they are ridiculous expensive, so if anyone has heard of any good florists that show up on time and the flowers aren't dead on arrival, please let me know, it may be worth paying an outdoor vendor fee if they flowers are $300 less. Fiance's Attire: If anyone knows of a good place to buy khaki color suits, please let me know. Invitations: When are you supposed to send these out? I know we have to have everyone's rooms booked 3 months prior and that's when you start planning with the onsite wedding planner, so I was thinking end of January for a March 1 deadline? Wedding is 5.5.12 - so I figured that would be enough time. I already sent my save the dates out, so I am assuming most people have decided if they are going by now anyway?? I have never claimed to know all things etiquette, so any advice would be welcome. So excited for all of you that have AMAZING taste and are getting married in 2012 at Le Blanc! Should be a fun ride, can't wait for what's to come!