ELAINENYC

So I am handing out the Guest Mad Libs for my guests to fill out. Not sure when I should hand these out. Any suggestions? Maybe during the Welcome Dinner? Or during the cocktail hour? i was originally thinking during the reception but now I do not think that will be such a good idea considering I would rather have guests be dancing then be occupied with filling out these. Your thoughts? Also, I am having the Photo Booth during my reception, which is for 2 hours. My reception is scheduled to start at 6:30 and end at 11pm. Should I have the photo booth at the beginning, or middle or end of the reception? Not sure what to do.....

So technically you have not paid the $250 set up fee. I assume this is something we pay when we arrive at AS? Yes, I recall reading from other brides about negotiating. So that is what I am hoping to do too! But that is based on the assumption that the set up fee is paid down in Mexico and it is not paid with our WC in Miami. thanks!!

Welcome and Congratulations!! Yes, it is amazing at how helpful all past and future brides are on this forum! There is no way I could go through this whole planning process without the advice and insight from all the ladies! Feel free to ask any questions as you begin your planning process! Hum.....its been awhile since we have seen that List of Dates...If you come across it, please copy and paste and then add your name & date! Happy planning!!

Jenny - THESE ARE AMAZING!!! You must be super estatic at the way these came out. And the double-sided RSVP is a great idea. If you do not mind me asking how much did these cost? If i had to do it over again, I would have def opted to do the passport invitations! Your guests are going to love these!!!!! So happy for you!!

Hi! I had not idea this was even done! Sorry i am of no help. But would love to know how it turns out! Thanks!! One more thing...did they quote you on a set up fee?

Hi! Welcome to the most amazing forum! And congratulations!! If you click on the link below, you will find the different packages and its prices. I am fairly certain you can get away with spending around $5K. The pearl wedding pacakge is $950, which includes beach ceremony and dinner reservations for your group not over 40 or depending on which resort you choose. Of course it will be extra for over 40 people and not sure if its extra if you ask to move the dinner to the beach. The expensive part is the extras, such as photographer, videographer, dj and decorations. All of this stuff can be pricey and adds up quickly. To help keep costs down, brides will pack up their decorations in their luggage and bring it down wtih them. Or divide up the stuff amoung family/friends. Of course, there is also a set up fee but it is still cheaper than renting the decorations from them. And of course if you want to do OOT bags for your guests this will also be extra. If you just do the min, which is beach ceremony and beach reception + your room and flight i think you can get away with $5k. How long do you plan on staying? Also, if you book over 15 rooms then your room is sort of for free. There is some calculation which i still do not fully understand. I think Jenny can explain this better than I can. Or if you look back, she did post an explaination on this. Happy planning! http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/packages/ficha_packages.php?hotel=El_Dorado_Royale&package=Pearl_Wedding

My guests are using Lomas Travel for the transporation from airport to resort and back. The round-trip transfers are $32/per person and my travel agent is coordinating it all. Unfortunately, it is same price for kids no matter what age...except infant..i think. You will need to check on this. The youngest guest I have is 3 years old and it is still $32/pp.

Hi! Jana I also read from past brides that shipping stuff to Mexico is a bad idea. I would love to have my stuff shipped down as well b/c I am now realizing my stuff is sooo heavy! Just the 58 pairs of flip flops and 38x 5'7" wooded frames is taking up 1 huge suitcase and that does not included the decorations and other misc stuff. I think I am going to have to leave the wooded frames at home and divide up the flip flops among my bridesmaids and MOH. Not sure if you can do the same thing....ask others to help you bring stuff down to AS?? Can't wait to see you!!! Oh, if you are wondering why i have wooded frames its b/c my future mother-in-law has been amazing in hand painting these wooded frames so each guest has something to place their picture in from the photo booth that I am having during the reception.

yes transporation from AZ to your presentation at ED is for free. And free transportation if you want to visit the other karisma resorts. If you are interested in trying out Le Chique, definitely tell the consultant as soon as you arrive on Thursday. If you and your FI are foodies people then i would highly recommend Le Chique!

Hey Jenny! Can't wait to see your passport invitations. I am sure they look fabulous! Wow! You sure have a HUGE group going. That is awesome! I have 58 people going and I think that is a lot. I can't imagine trying to do oot bags and coordinating for 75 - 100+ guests! ENJOY the down time b/c it will be over before you know it! lol. I'm less than 2 months away and def stressing a bit. Trying to get the music and OOT bags done by the end of this month. Wish I could just take off work for a week and just focus on planning... lol

Where are you staying? I stayed at Azul Sensatori and had my presentation at ED Royale. I met with the coordinate at AS on Friday and the site tour did not take long (max 2hrs) but my FI and I opted to relax by the pool for the rest of the day on Friday, so shame on us for not wanting to visit the other Karimsa resorts. Also, we were able to get reservations to try out Le Chique on Friday night so this was a plus! On Sat, we went to ED royale for our presentation which took about 4 hours (i think..it was definitely long). They give a detailed presentation on all of Karisma hotels and the differences between all of them and they go through the wedding packages and you do the food tasting and dessert tasting. After that we did a site tour of ED Royale and then went over to Azul Beach And Azul Fives. By the time we were done it was around 7 (i think)...sorry exact details are a big foggy b/c it was about 12-13 months ago... If you want to visit a lot of the different resorts, you will most likely need to spread them out between Friday and Saturday. I really do not think you will be able to do the presentation on Saturday and visit all of the places unless you only want to do a 2-3 other site tours. In that case you should be able to squeeze all of that in on Saturday. But as soon as you arrive on Thursday, let them know which places you want to visit and they will help you plan it out and arrange for the transportation.

I could not agree with you more! This site is AMAZING! Past and future brides are incredibly helpful!!! Not at all! I did not do it either. But I did set up a wedding website outlining the resort's information, my travel agent's info, etc. Trust me those who are coming will know the date, or you can remind them to visit the site (if you set one up). Yes, you should be able to visit El Dorado Maroma and El Dorado Casitas Royale. Just make sure you tell them as soon as you arrive and they should be able to make the necessary transportation. Trust me, they are going to wait on you hand and foot....whatever you want, they will say yes. Remember they want your business...lol. They will actually give you a sheet (at least I know i got one) that gives you the perks for booking with them depending on the # of rooms you book. For example, booking b/w 1 - 15 rooms has certain perks and booking 16-30 are another set of perks and so on and so on. Also, your travel agent will also be able to help you with the perks. The only thing you need to keep in mind is the very expensive add-ons. Enjoy your dress rehearsal! Elaine

Wow! That is a LOT of invites! I am not sure which site has cheaper boarding pass invitations but what about doing 2 different kinds. Meaning, spend the money on the boarding pass invitations on those who you know will go. As for the people who you do not know (and most likely not coming) send them a more inexpensive invitation, like the ones you can get from Michaels. They come in a box & you can just print them out yourself...really easy. Of course, there is always the other option, which is asking your FI to ask his mom on chipping in. I went to my dress rehearsal last year and had blast! Have fun! Ask many questions and take many pics! And don't forget to ask to visit the other Karisma resorts, such as El Dorado Royale. My FI and I LOOVVEEDD El Dorado Royale but this is an adults only resort. Our guests are bringing kids so we picked Azul Sensatori. Don't forget to report back on your experience!

Rachel & Josephine - Thanks for the input! Will give personalized gifts...

Can't thank you enough this amazingly helpful thread!!!!!

Ahh...thanks for the info. Good to know no music at Spoon...one less thing I need to think about. Question on Groomsmen gifts - Do you get them all the same gift? Or is it a big no no to give them different gifts? A couple of guys I know would really appreciate watches and a couple of guys would really appreicate a mini bourbon barrel and a couple of other guys would appreciate a shaving set. My FI and were thinking of giving them gifts based on what we think they would like and their personalities. Is this ok?

Murmel - AS ALWAYS...YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER!!!!!!!! Thank you soo much. It is definitely very helpful. I have been going crazy the last couple of weeks trying to figure this part out. I know I still have 2 months but I feel like I still have so much to do..AHHH!!! Working on OOT Bags and music this month and next month is my headpiece, bridal sash/belt and any other last minute things I may have forgotten. I am having a welcome dinner the night before the wedding at Spoon, so all of my guests can get to know each other. Did you (or any other brides) play music during this (assuming you had a welcome dinner). Not sure if its necessary since everyone will be talking? Thoughts? Thanks again!

Oh... forgot to add THANK YOU!!!

Ladies - Need some ideas/suggestions on welcome booklet/brochure to place in OOT bag. Are you doing it in the form of a brochure? Newsletter? Booklet? What info are you putting in it? Any ideas or suggestions would be soo appreciated!!

Can't wait to see pics and can't wait for you to report back on your Big Day!!! I am sure everything will go perfectly!!! Originally Posted by Nicci86 I'm off to get married ladies!! Be back in a week!

My FI and I really loved the idea of giving our guests the many options to choose from so we are going with the Family Style. Although it is a bit more than Pick and Choose meal, we feel it is worth it. We did a dress rehearsal last year, so we got to taste and experience the family style and we loved it. The apps and sides are placed in the center of the table and then the main course (lobster, chicken, steak, etc) is passed around. We got to taste all of the main courses and it was great. Also, since there are so many desserts that come with the Family Style we are NOT buying a wedding cake..just going with the cake that comes with our silver package. My FI and I are not cake people so it was not a big deal to us to have an elaborate cake.

Not sure what questions you have about baby food but my friend's 5 yr old daughter has a lot of food allergies. I informed my WC, who noted my wedding sheet and assured me AS can def accommodate her. I would think when you arrive at AS I am sure they will do everything they can do accommodate you. Sorry you are going through these last minute surprises. But try not to stress too much..of course easier said then done. Once you are on that plane nothing else matters except you & your FI and your baby! You are almost there..hang in there!!!

Just wanted to share the personlized flip flops that have arrived. Each guest will have a pair in their OOT bag. And I did ask each guest for their size. A bit of a pain but so worth it! Not exactly the color I wanted but I can't complain since my cousin had these made in China and I did not have to pay anything. Starting to gather the stuff I want to put in each OOT bag...can't believe i am 66 days way. Where did the time go?!?!

Hi Ladies - So sorry I have been away for quite some time. Finally caught up with the posts I have missed. Congratulations to the new brides who have recently joined!! You are going to find this forum to be a life saver through your planning process and try to enjoy it! I joined some time last year and now my big date is 67 days away! Nicci - Congrats to your upcoming date!! Can't wait to hear all about it! I will be cheering you from NY. As for your FI's aunt, I agree w/Murmel, this is a surprise..so act surprise!!! But of course try to in some way show your appreciation by writing a thank you card as suggest by Murmel or maybe briefly mentioning in speech? anyway...hopefully you are not stressing over it too much!!!