Savs1027

We are using Anel who is part of the Adventure Photo team (the resorts photographer). We have been very pleased with all of her work that we've seen! She's also very responsive and helpful via email

I have a blog where I post a lot of wedding related stuff (and other stuff as well)! here's the link where I showed my save the dates! http://www.savanahsmiles.com/2012/03/save-date.html

Are you doing a legal ceremony in Mexico? There is a required amount of time that you have to be there before to get everything done if so. We're just doing a symbolic ceremony and Eva OK'd us to arrive on Friday morning and get married on Monday. You'll have to talk with your wedding coordinator to see what they OK.

I'm getting married 12/17/12 so the light should be about the same for your ceremony. I originally had 4pm as our ceremony start time, but once I emailed with Anel (the photographer) she said she would recommend starting earlier because starting at 4 would not leave enough time for pictures with sunlight. So, now we're starting the ceremony at 3:30 and she said that should be perfect for group pictures in the light and then a few pictures right at sunset. Then our reception will be from 5:30-8:30.

I'm really confused on this DJ thing... I was told by Eva just a few weeks ago that there is only 1 DJ that the hotel allows and it's Visual Sound. But you're not the first person who has said there is another. I'm getting really frustrated with the hotel. I've emailed Eva 3 times in the past month and haven't heard anything. I know she's busy, but still. Oh well, I know it gets better the closer you get. And this whole everyone gets different answers thing is just really frustrating.

Eva told me a few weeks ago that there is only 1 DJ... It's the visual sound guy...

Since we're on the subject of chair sashes, are y'all going to have chair sashes for the ceremomy and reception chairs? If so, Are you ordering double or are you going to have them remove them from the ceremony chairs during the cocktail hour and add them to the reception chairs?? Wonde

I emailed Eva last night asking her again about the cocktail hour and also asking her about trading out other things in the package. I'll let you know what (if) I hear back! I emailed her a question about 3 weeks ago and she never responded!

my groom is wearing a tan suit, white button up shirt and a tie that matches the bridesmaid dresses. The groomsmen are wearing the same thing, except no jacket, just khaki pants. And brown belts and brown dress shoes. The girls shoes will probably be silver sandals. I think I'll let them pick out their own. No idea on entrance songs yet. I'm walking down the aisle to Somewhere Over the Rainbow (the version with the ukulele) only because Wizard of Oz was my favorite movie growing up and it fits me And the ukulele gives it a little bit of a beachy feel

To answer the DJ question - you have to use the resort DJ or pay an outside vendor fee. I'm not sure what the fee is though. I'm using the hotel DJ and he's responsive to emails and helpful. I have NO idea about the gazebo.... I never even thought about that! But, it's a good question!

Ok, it sounds like Yamina and Eva have totally different answers... Eva told me that you have to have 40 people to have a buffet. And she told me I could credit the cocktail hour towards our reception. And I know I've seen other people on here being able to trade out things in their package. (specifically the mexican trio). I don't need my hair and makeup done and I don't want the white chair covers that are included in the ultimate package so I was hoping I could get a credit for that too, but now I'm not so sure... UGH!!

They told me that I could substitute the Cocktail hour and use the credit towards dinner at the reception. I didn't ask about anything else but I SURE hope what they told me is right!!!

We are doing the $1500 package because I wanted the Trash the Dress. We're not having a rehearsal dinner so they are letting us use the 30 minutes from that on the day of our wedding. The photos in the package do not include the person actually taking the pictures. The photos in the package are just free pictures you get to pick but you still have to pay for one of the packages that the hotel offers. From what I understand, if you don't use the hotel photographer you forfeit those pictures in the package or maybe you can use the credit towards something else. I'm using the hotel photographer like I said with the $1500 package so I get all the prints/albums that come with that package plus the 50 prints (I think) that come with the ultimate package. Have you emailed the hotel photographers? They can help a lot with your questions! Hope this helps a little bit

I am getting married in December and I was told by the photographer that a 4pm ceremony would be too late/dark for pictures. We are having our ceremony at 3:30, taking pictures/cocktail hour 4:30-5:30 then reception from 5:30-8:30. We are using the pool deck for the reception mainly because I liked the way the wood looked. And it'll save us money on renting a dance floor. We are also using the DJ. My fiancé and I don't really listen to "dance" music so we'd have to pay to put all that music on our iPods so really in the long run the DJ isn't that much more expensive and a lot more convenient! Hopefully I've answered some of your questions!

You should be able to get this info from your wedding coordinator! I know our ceremony time and reception time (we're not having a cocktail hour) already and I'm not getting married until December. I also know where ours will be so you probably should find that out! Hopefully that will make everything easier for you! I am pretty sure you can switch out anything in the packages that you don't need for credits towards other stuff. I know Eva told us we could do that for the cocktail hour and it's just an even dollar amount - what's on the wedding guide. She said there was no upgrade charges or any other fees that go along with it either.

You are very welcome!! I actually almost reconsidered this resort when I saw the menu options!! I was like ummm no way is that going to be my wedding food!! haha! I think we're just going with the Mexican buffet

Well I can't answer all of your questions, but I can tell you that for us, going with the ultimate package was cheaper than adding everything on a la carte. I am planning on bringing what I can for centerpieces and chair sashes and table overlays for the reception. As far as the food goes, I am a picky eater myself so we are going with the buffet. It had a lot more "normal" choices and stuff I'd actually eat. I couldn't find anything on the regular menus that I would either. Hope this helps a little bit.

yes, you have to email them directly. Especially if there is a specific photographer that you want. I had heard great things about Anel so I made sure to ask for her specifically. They are much more responsive to emails than Eva!! Their email address is Dreams Riviera Cancun Photo Team <[email protected]> Hope this helps!

Are any of you ladies on Pinterest? I really don't know how people planned weddings before this invention!! Here's my wedding inspiration board if any of y'all are interested http://pinterest.com/savs1027/wedding-inspiration/

I just emailed you

I emailed Eva about this recently and all she said that was closer to the date we can absolutely coordinate a rehearsal time with the minister. That's all she said though so I don't know any other details.

After reading this forum, we have decided to not have an "official" cocktail hour. We are having our guests meet at the Baracuda Beach Bar after the ceremony where they can drink for free while we take pictures. Eva said we can use the cocktail hour credit towards our reception dinner. We will have the Mexican Trio that's included in our package play at the Beach Bar.

I emailed back and forth with her a few weeks ago. The first email I sent it took her almost a week to respond to. The next few after that took her usually a day or 2.

I can't believe they are doing this to people!! Do you think it was because your wedding coordinator changed? I'm hoping that since I've had Evangelina the whole time she's got it under control... I've seen a lot of great pics of the pool terrace or even the El Patio restaurant if doing it inside is an option!

The onsite photographer is Adventure Photos. I've heard from other brides Anel is great and that's who we booked. http://dreamsriveriacancun.adventurephotos.com.mx/ I've found a lot of slide shoes from previous brides on here and they are really good! I think you can use an outside vendor but there is a fee or they have to be one of your wedding guests staying at the resort. Someone else may be able to help with the fee on that!