Mlite83

Originally Posted by Vika 

 

if we are doing the symbolic ceremony and doing civil at home, do we have to bring our marriage certificate with us?

Don't have too as not everyone is married before the symbolic ceremony - we opted to do the civil ceremony after our DW, just worked out better for us that way.

Originally Posted by Adrianne 

 

 

Has anyone used any other catamaran companies for private tours?  I'm trying to do a cruise after my ceremony, preferably out of Puerto Morelos so we don't have to go far.  There will be 45-50 people.  Thanks!

We used Catamarans Cancun  - it was an awesome time!  We had 35 people for 4 hours - open bar and snorkeling were included and we paid $1300 for the boat plus $70/van (each held 11 people) for the transportation from Now Jade to the marina which was in Cancun (about 40 minutes away).  Everyone had a blast - the service was amazing on the boat and there was a photographer there who took photos on the boat and underwater as we snorkeled. He was an additional fee - about $200 for a disk with all his images but worth it for the great shots of everyone!  Our contact at Catamarans Cancun was Cecilia.

We made luminaries out of vellum paper (purchased at Staples) - really simple to do.  We made the template on Microsoft Publisher, printed them on the vellum paper and then used vellum tape to roll them (after we got to Mexico).  It was easy to pack, quick to put together and looked really nice on our long tables (we did one for every two people since we had long rectangular tables).  We also brought along battery tea lights from Costco and the "diamonds" you see scattered on the table.  All said our table decor was probably under $50 and we had 35 guests.

* We also had table runners and menu cards on the tables.

Originally Posted by ChocoTaco7568 

 

Quote:

I have tried to ask this question twice now, and it seems to get lost in translation because I never get an snwer that helps me any.  Based on the input from previos brides, my assumption is that the photo coverage is flexible and doesn't have to be used solely for ceremony coverage.  I know of other brides who have contracted outside photographers and used the Adventure Photos for a TTD session, welcome dinner coverage...etc.  So I hope that it's flexible, beacuse I'm planning to do that same as you. I have contracted Sascha for 4 hours of wedding day coverage excluding any reception time. We shall see.

That's exactly what I just did - we used Sweetfire Photography on the wedding day (who were AMAZING, highly recommend!) and then used Adventure photo for a TTD session 2 days later.  The TTD session was about 2 hrs and we stuck around the resort (in the ocean and pool).  The photos were ready by the end of the day for us to check out - they don't really do much in the way of edit/touch up work - and we got a DVD with our selected images plus the book included in the Divine package.  The package is for 24 pics so we had to pay $15/picture to purchase 7-8 more we liked...they only offered a bulk discount if we were interested in purchasing all the photos from the session.

I told Pilar my plan before arriving there - she CC'd Fredico on my email requesting a date/time and then at our planning meeting after arriving at the resort he came in to the meeting to confirm the details.

We ordered 7 suits through Studio Suits - groomsmen and fathers - everyone was very happy with the outcome: quality, selection and price are hard to beat!  A couple of the groomsmen had to have minor alterations (pants and jackets both taken out) but the seamstress said how well made the suits are and that they allowed a good amount of extra fabric in order to allow for alterations.

Here is a photo of the guys on our big day - they are all wearing Studio Suits Hawaiian Light Gray.  The far left and 3rd from left are in slim fit jackets and straight leg pants and the other two in the traditional fit jacket with comfort fit pants (just a bit more roomy).  All were super impressed and happy with their suits!  Here is a photo that shows the suit colour and slight check through the fabric.

My father ordered from the Italian linen selection - the colour was Italian Givochi Linen, he was also very pleased with the suit and liked the fabric choices with this line (suits from this line cost $200).

Overall we were very impressed with the company and would definitely recommend them to others!

Originally Posted by shannonmarie 

 

This is per person, correct?

yes per person, leaving from toronto for 7 nights.

Originally Posted by juicybride 

 

Do you happen to know what company you are using for the transfer?

Its through the airline (Air Transat) but my TA said it will likely be Nolitours (which is a subsidiary of Air Transat). We didn't book it - our TA took care of everything in our package price.  Sorry that probably isn't very helpful

Yup - I know jade includes transfers for the bride and groom but this way we all get to go to the resort together (and guests don't have another detail to worry about).

Originally Posted by juicybride 

 

Can I ask how much each of your guests are paying (including tax)?

We paid about 1450 all in for 1 wk with flight, transfers etc.  We are booked thru Air Transat.

Our TA told us that the quotes we were getting in January/February seemed high compared to previous experiences - it was her opinion to wait and re-price in the spring. We took her advice but also understood there was a chance prices might go up or stay the same. It worked for us. Some of the quotes she knew were a good deal b/c special promotions or whatever but for the most part re-pricing worked to our advantage with each resort (probably priced 5-6 resorts).

Originally Posted by juicybride 

 

I was also thinking of re-using the medallions since they're about $85 each! I thought they would look nice on either ends of the head table. And I was going to use the flowers on the ceremony table for the cake table or guestbook table.

 

 

A lot of my guests are thinking that it's too early for deposits but I really want to secure the rooms. It makes me feel better to know that other brides were that early too. I just don't want to wait too long and risk the rooms being fully booked. 

We booked through Air Transat for our February dates.  We started looking at price about a year out but our TA was very helpful to know what was a great deal and what we should reprice again in the spring.  The difference of January vs April pricing was a few hundreds dollars (average).  We booked in May, guests had 3 months to put down a deposit (so till July) and then our final payment was due late September.  Booking early like that did get us an early booking bonus too ($200 off per person) which was a definite bonus.

We are using the rectangular tables and putting them together to make 2 long tables (14 people at each) and then 1 long table for the wedding party...It will sort of be a U-shoe shape I'm thinking (but with space between tables for movement.)  We had an exact split of 14 family members and 14 friends coming (plus 8 at the head table) so that worked out best.  Plus it avoided any uneven tables for family since his side has way more members in attendance.

Originally Posted by AllieH 

 

this is gorgeous! 

 

 

Thanks! I was really happy to find one that my wedding coordinator could substitute in our wedding package at no additional cost.  Some of my earlier selections were crazy expensive (ie $140 extra to sub for the wedding package bouquet), yikes!

This will be my bouquet - the girls in my party are carying ivory calla lillies but I liked the pop of orange against my ivory dress.

Originally Posted by juicybride 

 

 

Where do you see the chicken? Are you guys looking at Divine or Eternity? In the wedding guide I can't see any chicken option. 

We have a guest who is allergic to seafood so Pilar gave her the option of a chicken entree (the menu choices seemed to be based on what the ala carte restuarants have on their menu).  We also have 4 vegetarians so she sent the vegetarian menu which also has the gluten free options and I believe there was chicken listed there too. 

We are doing barefoot sandals and matching necklaces but I also splurged a bit and got the travel jewelry roll for the girls since it is a DW and they will need to pack up they sparkly items for safe travels   This isn't exactly what I got my girls but something very similar.

Originally Posted by Mlite83 

 

My girls are also wearing Bill Levkoff Horizon and I found an exact match for ties at Le Chateau in mid-late August of this past summer.  The store I was in only had 2 but I was able to order the others online and they were very quick delivery - I think 2 days?  They came in skinny or traditional width and also had matching pocket squares.  Hopefully they still have some for you!

Forgot to add - they call it cobalt blue - this should take you to the them http://www.lechateau.com/style/jump/Skinny-Solid-Tie/productDetail/Ties-BOGO/269049/?navAction=jump&navCount=0&categoryNav=true&selectedColor=Cobalt

Originally Posted by AndreaandAaron 

 

I started a new thread about matching ties with bm dresses, but I thought I should post it here too!

 

 

Hi All!

 

My bridesmaids are wearing a Bill Levkoff dress in "Horizon"- a bright, royal blue colour.  I have been trying to find blue ties for the groomsmen to match.  I googled 'ties that match Bill Levkoff horizon' and a website called bows-n-ties.com came up and gave some options for matching ties.  http://www.bows-n-ties.com/wedding-ties-matching-bridesmaids-dresses-horizon.php

 

Has anyone ordered anything off this website?  Were you happy with the product? Did it match perfectly?

 

Thanks in advance!

My girls are also wearing Bill Levkoff Horizon and I found an exact match for ties at Le Chateau in mid-late August of this past summer.  The store I was in only had 2 but I was able to order the others online and they were very quick delivery - I think 2 days?  They came in skinny or traditional width and also had matching pocket squares.  Hopefully they still have some for you!

Originally Posted by khunt29 

 

Also- does anyone know the etiquette as far as having the photographers for dinner? Photos in Cancun will be there, so I wonder if its expected? I don't know the rules!

My photog (Sweetfire) has it in the contract that for packages above 5 hours dinner break must be included...but I believe the day pass required for outside photogs would also allow them to grab a snack if necessary throughout the day.

Originally Posted by juicybride 

 

Hi everyone, a question about chair bows. For anyone bringing their own, do you have to bring them already tied or can we just bring in the fabric flat? I'm afraid the bows will get wrinkled if they are already tied. Does anyone know what the resort prefers?

The resort will iron and tie the bows for you at a cost of $1.00 each.  So best to bring them flat.

Originally Posted by Snoopy129 

 

That catamaran charter sounds so awesome!  Would you mind sharing what company you're going with?  Thank you!

 

I got quotes from about half a dozen different businesses - we ended up going with Catamarans Cancun.  I have been dealing with Cecilia and she is super fast on returning emails (usually within the day).  http://www.catamaranscancun.com/cat3.html is the website.  Good luck!

We are doing oot bags but handing them out in advance (going to be doing a lot of visiting in the coming weeks) - we didn't go crazy on the bags though - bags from vistaprint, travel mugs from factory 21 and then a few little things from dollar store (bug wipes, tylenol, tums, first aid kit, nail file, safety pin etc). 

As our favour we are doing a charter catamaran cruise (4hrs)...took lots of pricing but got deal we are happy with and think is reasonable for a nice extra to say thanks for coming.  it is about $1400 for our 40 guests with open bar.  the cruise includes snorkely equipment too so i think everyone should have a good time!

Originally Posted by kelly bennett 

 

does anyone know what the temperature is like in the evenings around 19th feb???

 

Also whith the devine package are couloured table cloths for the reception an extra?

 

taa

Coloured tablecloths or overlays are extra.  Only white is included in the package. 

As for weather, I'd say check out a weather site...I know it cools in the evening but not sure how much.

Originally Posted by kelly bennett 

 

hi ya everyone!!!!

 

I have a couple of questions and was hoping that someone could advise me?? I have been going through this thread but there is sooooo much to read so im really sorry if this has been answered before!!!

 

We are waiting on confirmation on our actual wedding date (feb 2014) but we are definatly going for the divine wedding package.

does anyone know the following...

1- Is the beach pergola decorated in this package or is it extra?? I guess that the flowers would be an extra but what about the fabric??

2- Is it worth me taking my own table place cards, menus and napkins etc???

3- Does anyone know approx how much extra flowers cost for the reception tables and pergola???

4- And lastly I was wondering if anyone could be kind enough to email me the wedding planning list that Pilar sends to people just so that I can have a little more of an idea on things!!! my email is [email protected]

 

Many, many thanks in advance

 

Kelly

I'll give it a try!

1 - the fabric for the pergola is included (just plain white i believe there is an extra cost or you must bring your own if you want colour). The flower medallions are included with the Divine package (Pilar just told me this, didn't really advertise it as such), they use tropical flowers which match your wedding colours.  Also in the divine package is a floral arrangement for the judge's table during the ceremony )(that can be used elsewhere during the reception).  Any other flowers ie for wedding party, chair decor etc are extra.

2 - Not sure - we aren't bothering with bringing napkins down since our colours our blue and white so the standard white they provide will work just fine.  I am making table place cards though so the wait staff can identify who gets which entree (ie steak will have dark blue background, tuna light blue, vegetarian white or something like that).  Menu cards are up in the air right now, I have read the resort provides them sometimes and brides didn't even realize that, I may do a single card for the table?

3 - It is best to send Pilar pictures of potential centerpieces and get a quote for her, if you go back to late summer of this year on this thread we had a discussion and I posted three options that pilar had priced (if memory serves $65 - 130ish) each.

4 - sending you the planning form now.

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by Marymack 

 

Does anyone have a list of must have pictures??

We booked Sweetfire Photography and part of her pre-wedding paperwork includes scheduling and noting must have photos...below is from that list, which has room to expand if there are any other photos you want but I thought it would help give you an idea.