ElleGee

After spending WAY TOO MANY HOURS researching lanyards and badge holders, LOL . . .I found an amazing deal for a combination badge holder/lanyard for .40 each. There is a 100 minimum order, and I only needed 75 total, but I also had a link for a promotional coupon for $25 ANY ORDER . . . so for that price I couldnt pass it up.

http://www.4imprint.com/product/100677-E/Vinyl-Badge-Holder-wElastic-Neck-Cord

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/4imprint.com

Originally Posted by msop04 

 

First of all, thanks in advance to everyone on this site for being so informative and helpful!!  I have several more questions relating to my SMB wedding...  I know I could just email Cecelia, but she hasn't been as helpful as the ladies here!!  ...sorry for the long post, but I'm an "organizer" and trying to weigh all my options for the most perfect wedding possible -- kinda like all the other brides on this site!!  

 

**In regards to the following questions, we are doing the Ultimate Package.

 

1)  I am thinking of hiring a professional (Styling Trio Riviera Maya) to do my hair and makeup.  I sent an email about two weeks ago  requesting a price quote, but no response yet (so I sent another -- impatient gal, I know!!)    I read in a thread on this site where the STRM team did the bride, MOB, and BM's hair and makeup for $550...  But I will only need their services for me - can anyone provide a ballpark price (just so I can have an idea for my budget)?

 

2)  I was also wondering what type of credit(s) I would receive for not using certain parts of the Ultimate Package, such as:  

                a) "bride's hairstyling and makeup for ceremony" 

                "video of the ceremony (30 minutes edited)" --  $930 package, so I thought I might be able to get a nice credit here??

     

     Also, any advice what should/should not be used in the Ultimate Package??  Any special additions that you consider a "must"? 

 

3)  To upgrade your photo package, do you simply pay the difference in price??  

 

Ex: Package #3 is included in Ultimate @ $724, so to UPGRADE to Package #5 @ $1100 would be an ADDITIONAL $376 plus tax??  

      Am I correct in this thinking?

   

What are you guys doing for photography??  I really want to hire an outside photog, but just can't swing another $4-6K (GEEZ!!!)... Can I send Juan examples of "inspiration photos" that I would like for him to do for us??

 

4)  How many rooms must be booked to receive a "discount?"  I really want all of my guests (<20) to stay at SMB, but an incentive just might help convince them to fork over the extra cash to stay there!    If everyone stayed, I would be looking at a minimum of 7 rooms, possibly 8 or 9...  

 

Do all the rooms have to be booked "at the same time/throught the same source" or can they simply be linked to my "guest list" for a possible discount?  Do the guests have to stay a minimum number of nights or in a minimum level of room??

 

5)  I would like to do a "welcome bonfire/dinner" for guests a couple of nights before the wedding for everyone to get acquainted (and let's get serious, to PARTY TOGETHER and make them even happier they came!!)   How much does this cost??  Would it be a better idea (read: "less expensive" <--- HA!) just to include a date/time on my invitations for a welcome dinner at one of the restaurants (since it's included anyway) and simply make reservations in advance for all my guests??

 

Again, sorry for such a long post!!  Thanks so much for any and all responses!!  You guys are lifesavers!!   

Sounds like many of your questions have been already!!!

1) I just requested a quote from Styling Trio from their website.  The main reason I would choose to use them is for the airbrush makeup that I heard SMB Spa does not do.  When I requested a quote yesterday, Emily repsonded the same day with a list of questions to develop the quote. Here is her email:

[email protected].  She has not yet responded to me with an acutal quote yet. I will keep ya'll updated when she does

5) We are also doing a bonfire then night before the wedding from 8-10pm.  In addition to the $250 charge, and $10 per person for international bar, we are adding the lounge seating (approx $500) and the sounds sytem (approx $180). I saw photos from another brides bonfire and she rented the lounge seating and it looked great and comfy. We are expecting over 50 guests, so I definitely want to make it comfortable for them.  Otherwise, they just push the beach chairs together for you. We also rented the sounds sytem for music (of course), but also to do thank you speeches from us to our guests, and open table toasts from our guests!!! I almost wish I had a videographer  /  photographer for this event too

Former Brides & Brides to Be:

We are doing a symbolic ceremony. However, I want to write our own ceremony. What has been your experiences with this please? I am Jewish and my fiance is Christian, so we wanted to incorporate a very small portion to represent each of our faiths.  I havent emailed Cecillia yet, but I am really hoping to be able to be in contact with who will be performing our ceremony to discuss this further.

Any advice, or suggestions?

These are my decor inspiration for ceremony (down the aisle), and then transition them into centerpieces for the reception.

After going back and forth, MANY TIMES, LOL . . .I finally settled on me wedding colors of persian plum (dessy.com bridesmaid dress color), silver, and grey.  My beach wedding theme was going to be romantic and fairy tale -esque. I want lots of glowing lights and ambiance. I was inspired by many items I have seen on this site   Here are the overlays I will be bringing with me. I will couple them with napkins and chair sashes in the persian plum color.

I really wanted to print personalized stamps for our invitations, but realized they were double the cost. Instead, I had photo stickers in black and white printed to seal my inviites. I had these m

made by Snapfish for under $40 for 150 of them. 

Although, I am unsure of the total number of guest that will attend, we already have over 20 booked. I decided to start working on my OOT bags.  I just received the first item. All the females will recieve a white mug with a top (from Factory 21), and the boys will reveive a black koozie.

Our invitations . . .  FINALLY! I ordered them off Etsy also.

My Maid of Honor gave me this to hold my ring. This has to be the best gift !!!

Our save the dates, which were sent to all of our guests in February.  Our resort, SMB, helped produce this photo (it's not us) and I had them made on Zazzle.

Wedding Mongoram (purchased off etsy)

My wedding dress

Bridesmaid Dresses

After many weeks of research and soul searching, I realized that a beach destination wedding was the only way to do it.  I have never used a travel agent previously, but knew that would be the best place to start. I enlisted the services of a local agent I had met at the Bridal Extravaganza, however I was not satisfied at all with the service. I then hired a 'master secrets agent' I found through my resort's facebook page. 

I quickly made most of the major decisions: destination, date, wedding party.

My next step was to ask my bridesmaids and MOH to stand by my side.

Hi!

I have learned so many priceless tips off of this website, I felt it was my duty to share with everyone my experiences as well. Please feel free to comment on anything you may see!

My boyfriend and I met March, 2010. He proposed to me on December 28th, 2012 in a cozy cabin in Texas Hill Country.

Originally Posted by msop04 

 

Thanks CriCri!  I never thought about not being with my guest during cocktail hour... There is one question that will greatly affect where my guests stay, and that is

 

"If guests stay at another Secrets Resort, do they still have to pay $100/person/day to get on the property?"

 

My family would like to stay at Silversands or Capri, but not necessarily if they have to pay so much just to get to the welcome dinner and wedding day activities...

 

Is there someone I can email to ask these questions??  Would a travel agent know this??  We've got to book as soon as we hear back from Cecelia about the dates we submitted on the wedding request form. 

 

Thanks again!   

We are having our wedding ceremony at 4pm,  and then pushing our cocktail hour to begin at 5:30pm, that way we dont miss the cocktail hour! We will do photos for the hour between ceremony and cocktail hour!

From what I understand, guest staying at another resort (even if it is Secrets resort), still have to pay $100 per person as a guest fee to come onto the property. I would definitely verify this with SMB, and keep us posted. However, that is what I was originally told several months back from my travel agent when we began this entire process.

Originally Posted by CriCri 

 

 

I have done my owne barefoot sandals but at the end I haven't  used for the cermony but only some days after when I have taken some pictures on the beach.

In any case, make barefoot sandals is VERY easy and inexpensive, let me know if you want any idea or explanations, I have collect some pictures before make my pairs.

Here following you can see my foot

 

I have bought the materials to try and make the barefoot sandals myself!!!!! I bought some cheaper beads for a trial run  . . .

CRI CRI, would you mind terribly emailing me explaniations that you have on how to make them, and anything else you may have on it. I REALLY appreciate all you have helped out with thus far Thank you!!!!

Originally Posted by KCDawn 

 

 

I think you girls are talking me into it!  I have to talk to the Fiance about it and figure out the shoe situation, as silly as it sounds.  I already bought some expensive heels and if I now have to make my dress shorter, I probably won't be able to wear them.  What is everyone wearing for their beach ceremony?  Sandals, bare feet?

I agree!!! KC . . join us beach ceremony girls ! I am also a 'heels lover', but I plan to use my gorgeous shoes for my bridal portraits (being done in Houston the month before), and I will bring them for photos at the resort pre-ceremony (with the "i do" stickers and such), and have them as an option to wear for my reception (which is being held by the pool in the gazebo area).

For the ceremony, we will either be barefoot (as I have read that if you try to wear shoes on the beach, you just end up kicking sand up in side your long dress, EW), or wear those fun barefoot sandals. I have five girls in my wedding party, so it gets expensive to purchase 6 pairs of the barefoot sandals.  I  have seen many brides DIY the barefoot sandals, and I am contemplating whether or not to take on the task!!!!!

Has anyone had any experience making their own barefoot sandals???  I think they are so cute, but for about $30 each (times six pairs), that is kind of expensive for a 20 minute ceremony .  .especially with ALL of my other costs adding up!  Plus my girls dresses are also long, so you wont even really be able to see them!

This is a photo of their dress . . .and the color as well !

This is so cute! would you mind emailing me your template please!!

[email protected]

THANKS!

Originally Posted by KCDawn 

 

Cri, I second what Amber said!  I can't wait to see pics and hear how everything went.   Same thing for CKRN and Beachbride!

 

I'm down to 4 months now!  The panic is slowly starting to set in.  It seems like there is SO much to do!  I'm trying to lay out a timeline to organize everything I need to do.  Does anyone know how early you need to give a final guest count to Valeria or Cecilia?  Did you/ are you picking out the menu and flowers before getting to the resort?  How early?  We're expecting 30-40 guests so I'm guessing some of this needs to be decided ahead of time.  Thanks!

I am feeling your anxiety KC!!! I  have right under five months, and the timeline thing is becoming overwhelming. I cant seem to focus on one part because I get sidetracked so easily. We are hoping to have between 50-75 guests, and I just emailed Cecilia today if we can arrange to try all the food options the day we arrive. My fiance has pretty much let me take the reins . . except in the food department, LOL. I will let you know what she says.

I am still confused on the beach ceremony options. I also asked her to send me both chuppah options with only what is included in the cost. I have so many differing emails, Im getting confused!!!

YES!!! It totally makes me want to go and try on more!!!!

Who is wearing a veil? I am on the fence . . . Perhaps just for my bridal portraits I will wear one? I fear the wind will have it blowing in my face during the ceremony (its on the beach). Plus, I want to wear a low side bun with a orchid and dont want 'too much' going on!

ThoughtS?

Hi BrideRN!! Congrats ! I am getting married the weekend after you! We arrive on Wednesday, October 24th, so maybe you will still be at the resort and we can have a celebratory cocktail!!!! I think CKRN used the Styling Trio for her wedding last week. She communicates with this thread and would be be a good resource! I have chosen to use the on site spa services. I will be bringing my own makeup and plan to do a 'trial' run a couple days before the wedding for good measure. Happy Planning!!!!

I LOVE both of these other gowns!!!!  We do all have similar taste !!  My dress did not come with the belt, in fact the dress had some flower embelleshmints that I had them removed and then I found the belt on my own at Nordstroms (on clearance for $90!!!!!!). I am SOOO happy I chose this lightweight dress because I dont think I could carry anything heavier around all night, LOL. I was already sweating just trying this one on.

My first fitting in on August 23rd. My goal is to lose 2 inches in the hips/buttocks area as I need some more dancing room !!!!  Crossfit and bootcamp two a days are now in order!!!

Originally Posted by elissae 

Ladies - LolaTX & aarosenthall.

 

LIKE MINDS..my dress is very similar to both of yours!  Love your choices.

 

Here's a pic of mine (previously posted forever ago)...

 

 

Quote:

 

Congrats to all you newlyweds and brides to be!!! I cant wait to see your pictures and hear all the details !!!!! Enjoy your day!

Let me try this again . . LOL!!!!  My dress just came in, and this is the first time I tried on MY dress !!