HeatherViolet

Custom Built Lobster cage- Transformed into wedding card holder. Perfect for the beach/outdoor/ tropical wedding location. Also perfect for that destination wedding couple looking for the perfect item for their local reception party. Lobster and netting included. $60 plus you pay for shipping. HeatherViolet Wisconsin 920-419-6684

Babestaa- Ugh.... I am sorry you didn't know about that outside vendor fee! They definately know how to get ya on fees! If it helps any.... the day pass for the photographer is only $65. I had 2 photographers, but they only charged me 1 day pass for the both of them. They do anything in their power to try to get to use them for ALL of their services. And if you don't... they charge up the wha-zoooo! Heather Violet

I did 6 hours for the wedding, and 2 hours for TTD. I will be completely honest.... I have zero cons with him. I absolutely loved working with Gonzalo! The only con is that I wish he lived here! Besides being a great photographer, he is just a great guy! I still talk to him thru email. I would HIGHLY recommend him to any one of you girls! I know a lot of photographers here in my home town and they have seen his pictures and are very impressed. I will attach a few of the TTD pics to for you to see. There is one with birds flying over us.... absolutely breathtaking!

Here are a few pics from Gonzalo Nunez Photography that he emailed me....

Hi LTheil- I made some starfish with ribbon pew markers and some paper luminaries for the reception. My pictures of them are at the printer here in town.... once I get the CD back, I will show you some pictures!

ltheil- I am not sure how the resort works with making/supplying your decor. I handmade mine and brought it down there with me. Any decor I had, I gave to Ramone a day or two in advance, and he took care of setting it all up (free of charge) If you want some tips on decor, or if you even want me to make some for you, let me know! I had a blast making stuff... because of that, I now have some of the stuff I made in a local florist shop. She is selling it to brides that come in for consultations! Yay! Heather

Yes and no with someone operating the AV system. Ramone stood there and clicked on "Wedding Ceremony" on my I pod song list. Once it was the dinner, he clicked in" Wedding Dinner" on the I pod song list. That took about 2 minutes of his time "operating" it.

Here are a few pics of the table set up and decos from the Beach Terrace....

Hey Everyone! I just got back last weekend from my wedding at the NOW Sapphire! I am here to answer any questions you may have. Couple things..... I didn't use the resorts photographer... I used Gonzalo Nunez Photography, and he was AMAZING! I heard comments from almost every one of my guests on how awesome he was. He took pictures of EVERYTHING! I would highly, highly recommend him! He also speaks great English so he is easy to communicate with. We also did TTD pictures with him. What a blast! I also did not use the resorts flowers. I emailed them a picture of what I wanted... 5 bouquets and 5 bouts, and they quoted me $1000! Yikes! So, I ended up using "Flowers by Lucy". Her name is Liz, I can get any of you her email if you are interested. She did the 5 bouquets, 5 bouts, 5 centerpieces, and a bag of rose petals all for half the price of the resort! The pictures I emailed her were exactly what I ended up with for flowers. The resort wants $300 for an outside vendor fee.... BUT, if you meet her in the lobby and have some of your friends place the centerpieces on the tables for you, you can get around that fee. I just played dumb when they asked me why I didn't need flowers for the wedding. As far as a DJ goes. I didn't want to pay $350 an hour for one, so I brought my IPod. It worked out great! Just some info I wish I had known earlier though. They charge you $150 an hour for a speaker rental for your IPod. The ceremony part is free, but the cocktail hour, dinner and dancing, they will charge you that speaker fee. I told them that was insane that they want to charge that, so they knocked down the price a bit. It was great.... and a lot cheaper than a DJ. I had the Now to Eternity package. The appetizers were amazing... but I ordered the fish for the main dish for dinner, and it was icky. Super, super salty. I don't recommend ordering that. Everything else we ordered for the dinner was great! We had our wedding on the Beach Terrace and I would highly recommend that..... it was beautiful! People have said that the Tequila Terrace had wide slots in-between the deck, and it does. If your guests had on heels, they could easily get caught in them. The Beach terrace is stamped concrete...easy to walk, dance.... whatever! One more thing I wish I knew... the price they quote for the packages DOES NOT include tax. If you add that, the price for the Now to Eternity for just 25 people is $2,440, not $2,199. Everything else you add on the tax and service fee you to death. I had 8 people over the 25 (they include the bride and groom in your number) and it is about $100 per person over that number.... plus tax and fees. If you want me to go over that more, I can.... I don't have my pictures back from the photographer yet, but I did take some pics of the Beach Terrace and the Tequila Terrace for you all to see. I will put some up for you! Overall... I am SUPER happy with my decision to get married here. Ramon was WONDERFUL to work with. You will all be very happy you chose the Sapphire! Heather

Amanda- Sorry.... I haven't had time to look at this forum! I had a graphic designer from my work design these. He is just starting out.... so he only charged my $200 for the design of these, my local invites, that logo, menus, reception fans and a couple things for my welcome bags. I would highly recommend that if you have a pretty good idea of what you want your stuff to look like.... find a guy like this that is just starting out. They love to have stuff like this in their portfolio. I then emailed the invite proof to a local printer who I am friends with, and they printed all of my stuff for a couple cases of beer! Now THOSE are cheap invites!!! It absolutely pays to know people! Heather

Wow.... everyone's pictures are AMAZING! You all look so happy and so good!!! My finace, Ryan and I leave a week from today for our May 25th wedding at the Sapphire. I am sooooooo excited! We are doing the Beach Terrace for everything... and by the looks of all of your pictures, I think we made the right choice! One quick question for any of you.... Do you need to bring an electric plug adapter? I have stayed at other resorts in Riviera Maya, and we had to have an adapter to curl your hair, plug in your MP3 Player, etc. Do you need that for this resort? This forum is wonderful... thanks for all of your help with planning. I would normally be nervous about having my wedding at a place I had never been before, but because of all of your help.... I haven't "freaked out" yet! Thanks! Heather Violet

Amy- those cute colored palm tree things you had for the table. Where did you find those? ADORABLE!!!!

Amy- Your pictures are beautiful! Thanks for the "Tips" you had about the Preferred Lounge. I have asked my travel agent some questions about that same thing, and she didn't have any answers for me. So thank you! Sounds like you just have to be persistent with them to get what you were promised! I am bringing your "tips" down there with me just so I don't forget all your good info! How was the wait at the "sit down" restaurants when you were there? Besides men having to wear long pants, do they have to wear closed toe shoes as well, or are flip flops ok? Was check in easy for you and your guests? How was the weather when you were there? Heather

Ryan- Where did you end up finding sashes so cheap? I looked at Hobby Lobby and the tule stuff just comes in a roll, so I don't know how much I would need. We too are looking for aqua.... but I am also looking for orange. What are you guys doing for decos during the ceremony? Getting flowers from the resort, or making something for the "pew bows"? How about the reception? Any decorations there? Heather

Sandy- I know they know how to "Nickel and Dime" you for flowers at the resort. Do you have an suggestions on outside flower vendors? Anyone that is more reasonable than $350 for a bouquet? I know there are vendor fees.... but if you would go into town, or meet the florist at the gate, would the resort still charge that vendor fee? Just trying to find better ways to save money on flowers. Thanks! Heather

Sandy- I know they know how to "Nickel and Dime" you for flowers at the resort. Do you have an suggestions on outside flower vendors? Anyone that is more reasonable than $350 for a bouquet? I know there are vendor fees.... but if you would go into town, or meet the florist at the gate, would the resort still charge that vendor fee? Just trying to find better ways to save money on flowers. Thanks! Heather

Thanks Sandy!!!!!!!!

Wow, that is really nice Sandy. Here is a dumb question. If I bring my own paper luminaries that I am making, do I need to supply tealights, or will the resort give me some? Are they free, or would that be another charge? With the colored ties for the chairs, if I would bring that (instead of them charging me $5 per chair, would the resort put them on the chairs for me, or would I have to have a friend or someone do that for me? Thanks! Heather

It sounds like Anel has been pretty easy to work with. I haven't had any contact with her as of yet. My travel agent has done all of that for me. I am starting a list of questions for Anel though that I will email closer to our wedding date in May. Do they have some decorations for the isle? Are any of you using anything like that, or keeping it simple with what they provide?

I just got my invites done! I love them! Thought I would share!

Hello brides! I have been to the Bahia Principe 5 times over the last few years....most recently this past June with my family where I got engaged! We are not getting married here....decided to try somewhere new. Going to the Now Sapphire in Riveara Maya. If anyone has questions about the layout of the resort or the restaurants.... I would be happy to answer your questions! You will not go wrong getting married here.....the service and the employees are absolutely wonderful! Food is excellent! Harlequin and Don Pablo are our favorites! Good luck planning!!! Heather Violet

82 Turtles- I just booked Gonzalo Nunez! Can you show us some pics he did for you?!?!? I can't wait to work with him.... he seems wonderful! Did you do a TTD session with him too? HeatherViolet

JayKay and Bride2012- Thank you!!! I appreciate the info!