bambaleo

I would get the napkins from like The Knot's wedding shop or similar online vendors b/c it's so much cheaper plus u can get a discount for larger orders. They probably told you this but I think Jambalaya holds up to 80 people (El Tapatio is better for larger weddings). Also think about what kind of tables u want - I think the standard for us was square tables and we wanted round - so we paid extra for round tables (but I think this came with free Tiffany chairs...or some sort of chair that wasn't the wooden ones that the restaurant provided). I asked for pictures of flower arrangements and although my WC sent a few options they weren't the extent of what she had, so when we got to the resort and had the final conversation, I was much happier with the options she showed me from her binder. Basically....getting information in the planning process was like pulling teeth so there's certain things I just had to settle on not knowing details (and in reality you don't need to know these details in advance). However, once we sat down with the WC, she gave me all the options and prices...and if you push on them they'll make more of an effort...and we got everything we needed. Those details include bridal and bridesmaids' bouquet arrangements, centerpieces, over decor, tiki torches, types of hors d'ouvres for the champagne reception (1 hr after ceremony/before dinner). Also, you can ask them to extend your reception venue for an hour or so....trust me you'll want this time). You can absolutely continue on in the disco, but it's just not the same.

Next step is Save the Dates (if you haven't done that already) - it might seem early, but since your guests are flying out, it's good to give as much early notice as possible. In the save the date, you can ask for mailing addresses and start building a spreadsheet! I would also recommend signing up on theknot.com b/c they have a good month to month checklist of what you should be doing. Although most of the info doesn't apply to destination weddings, it's still good as a sanity check. Read this blog and the one from the previous year to see what we all had to go through at the resort, it saved me a lot of headache.

I would definetely double check the mic and speakers situation, because depending on how many people you have and which venue you're using, the speakers that are included might not be enough - you might need to rent extra speakers/subwoofers/etc. I think they provided us with 1 wireless mic, but could be good to bring your own backup just incase.

I would definetely double check the mic and speakers situation, because depending on how many people you have and which venue you're using, the speakers that are included might not be enough - you might need to rent extra speakers/subwoofers/etc. I think they provided us with 1 wireless mic, but could be good to bring your own backup just incase.

Yeah she did a great job with makeup. It stayed on all day and all night. I brought my own eyelashes and she put them on. My face didn't look caked on, so it seems their beauty products aren't too bad.

Yeah she did a great job with makeup. It stayed on all day and all night. I brought my own eyelashes and she put them on. My face didn't look caked on, so it seems their beauty products aren't too bad.

You can hire your own makeup artist - I just went with the spa they have onsite, thinking they would have their own makeup artist - but my makeup artist turned out to be the same person that did my hair. She is hired out by different hotels in Cancun/Riviera Maya - so I think that's even better than having a permanent person at the hotel!

I'm not sure what's in the Gold Star package...I think ours had the words Dream and Blessing in it or something like that. Our reception was in the Tapatio restaurant and no dance floor was needed, the regular floor is good. As for DJ - it depends on what DJ you hire so the hotel doesn't exactly charge you for a DJ - you find one if you want one...they probably have a list of preferred vendors...or ask for suggestions on this forum.

We're still waiting on the official wedding photos but I can upload a pic of the table number cards if that's what u want to see

I had 120 people so seating arrangements were definetely a necessity -- I think it'll reduce a lot of headache if you arrange people to go to a certain table and they can figure out where they want to sit at that table. That way no one is left shafted if they walked in later, single people don't feel awkward, etc. We had a little fun with the table numbers too, instead of just having a number, we found a photo from different places we've traveled to and Photoshopped the table number into the photo and laminated it (Double sided).

I got my hair and makeup done at the resort and was VERY pleasantly surprised. They actually don't have a permanent person and the lady that did my hair and makeup (can't remember her name unfortunately!!!) is hired by different resorts, so I think that speaks to a higher quality professional. I brought pictures of hair and makeup that I was shooting for and she executed perfectly - I highly recommend a hair trial...and bring your own fake eyelashes (if u want to have them put on) to ensure your preferred length.

Yes it does - they have a children's menu if u want to give the option of ordering off that.

There is a lot of traffic but they have security making sure they don't walk into your wedding... having said that... they don't do a great job...I had a very out of shape middle aged woman standing behind the wedding canopy in her bathing suit as I was walking down the aisle and one of my bridesmaids shoo'd her away...something the wedding coordinator should have been totally on top of. Pretty much everyone on the beach will be watching from the side, which I thought was kinda exciting....until they whip their iPads out and take pix of you LOL!! Bottom line, it's not super private, but just make sure ppl are aware that strangers might be in your shot and someone needs to tell them to get the hell away

For sunset? more than enough time...the ceremony is like 30 minutes on average (of course this depends on how you're doing your ceremony)...we had our ceremony scheduled for 4pm and I think we started like 20 minutes late and done by 5pm. Then we had a 1 hour cocktail ceremony (part of the package) with champagne and cold hors d'ouvres and then reception from 6-11. You can ask to rent tiki torches for additional light and ambience, they're about $10 each. Sunset makes for really pretty pictures (And no one is squinting their eyes), but around that time it gets a bit chilly when the sun goes down so just make sure to tell ppl to bring a coverup. Also note that the sun will not set behind you in the ocean, it sets over the land (I think there's only a few places in Riviera Maya/Cancun that catch the sun setting on the ocean). Regarding 3pm, it might be a bit early -- keep in mind you'll have to wake up early to get your and everyone else's hair and makeup done and pictures plus buffer time between everything in case of lateness (which is inevitable but not a big deal haha). The formal pictures take a long time so I wouldn't recommend cramming it into your cocktail hour, that time is better for pictures with guests on the beach.

I think the wedding night suite is in the hotel that you're staying at ...so for us we stayed at Lindo and our wedding night suite was in the Presidential Room at Lindo (AMAZING!!!!!).