mrsnova

We choose the guitar and bass. Orginally my WC gave me those options but then I had heard their was an option for guitar and I asked and she said yes. They could play pretty much anything and I honestly didn't even hear it because I played a song for the BM and me to walk to down the aisle on my iPod but my husband said they were good. I would think singing with a microphone would be fine and any of the choices would be pretty

They changed my reception location when I met with my WC on site but it was an upgrade from the banquet hall to the grill next to playa azul...not really sure why they upgraded it but I didn't really ask much questions. That sucks that they would just change your site without your permission or explaination! One positive thing (if you are staying at the Palace) is playa azul is really far from the palace and if you are planning on partying late not sure how late the shuttle runs. All of the beaches are pretty secluded at night so I think either way it will be great!

cvincette & amcoletta I sent you the welcome book to your email and here is our wedding website kaelaandjoel.ourwedding.com

I did the same. Carried my dress on and just laid it across in the overhead bins (I have heard if they have room in the flight attendents closet they will hang it for you but they said no to me, I fly Frontier). Either way I was going to get my dress steamed the day of the wedding so it didn't really matter, but wasn't going to risk getting it lost in the checked luggage! We ended up having 4 suitcases. 2 were wedding stuff and we checked all but one suitcase (we always have a carryon with a some clothes for each of us just in case something happens to the bags). I made the mistake of not saving my receipts and read a lot of people saying things on here and it made me nervous! But customs was a breeze and had absolutely no questions coming or going. Good luck and congrats!

We had the mint breeze package so I think the food choices are a little different, but we chose caesar salad, minestrone soup, beef tenderloin (came with potatoes and veggies), and carmel spring roll for dessert. Everything was very good and presented well. Here is a picture of the caesar salad (sorry bad pic). Everyone raved of the salad and the desort. The beef was cooked perfectly. I really don't think you can go wrong with anything you chose but I would recommend picking more generic items that most would like.

We had bass and guitar. From what I was able to hear (make sure you have someone record some if it so you can hear it later haha) they did a good job, a very beachy feel! I choose 4 songs, some contemporary some older and they could play all of them!

Here is pics of the flower I wore (super cheap at hobby lobby haha)

My WC made the reservations for us ahead of time and when we met with her at the resort we picked the menue (2 choices). We just had a dinner at the Carribean restaurant and talked over the details of the wedding day with everyone. It was very casual and nothing to plan..

oh and my husband said that the officiant asked him a few questions right before the ceremony like if we wanted a prayer and a few things about us. I know it is weird and even stressfull to not meet with him before the ceremony but I guess that is what makes a DW different....going with the flow

I was also concerened about not speaking with the officiant before the ceremony and not knowing at all what would be said! I also asked my WC if she had a script of what he usually said and she said no but if I had something special I wanted him to say that she would give it to him. Even though I was worried about this...the officiant ended up being one of the best suprises of the ceremony! He did a great job and definitly knew what he was doing. I did write out a few things like how to say my name (it spelled differently ), that I wanted him to mention we had originally met in Mexcio, an explainiation of the ring warming ceremony we did, the hands reading, and that we were saying our own vows. I did not write out an exact script but put things I wanted incorporated and he did an awesome job of combining all of that with normal intros, vows, ring exchange, etc. I am sure you could write out an entire script and he would do it word for word but seriously I would not worry AT ALL he was great and even improvised for us when our ring warming ceremony reading was way too short. BTW I think there is only one minister/officiant used at Barcelo...

i love kenra hairspray!

We just got our professional photos back and I love them. Juan Navarro did an amazing job and I can't stop looking at them! Here is a link to my fb album that has about half of them....too many to post https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200408264106645.1073741828.1157136230&type=1&l=0c31ad27d3

I did my rehearsal dinner at the carribean restrauant. There was no charge and it was semi private. We had like 24 people and they set up two large tables right next to eachother. There was a set menue (you got to choose between two options) and I think you have to make the reservations ahead of time.

We had the best meal at the french restaurant! The japanese and carribean was good too

So we got our professional photos back a few days ago and I love them! Juan Navarro did an amazing job! Here is a link to my fb album that has about half of them...too many to post http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200408264106645.1073741828.1157136230&type=1&l=0c31ad27d3

Step 8 is if you have anyone that is not staying at the hotel that needs a guest pass and also if you have a vendor or something staying at the hotel I believe. Once you have completed those 8 steps your WC will then send you a separate spreadsheet for your guest list.

Thank you and happy to help I did not use the salon (did it myself with the help of my BMs) but I did see other brides getting their hair and makeup done at the salon and it looked good! They use MAC makeup and I have seen brides on here show pics and say that they did a good job. I got a manicure and it looked good but chipped within hours! All of ours chipped after it was completely dry so not sure if it was the humidity or something or the pollish they used...

1. We only had 30 people so not sure if you want more entertainment with a DJ or not, but we just used our Ipod. With only 3 hours (if you choose not to add more time) it was perfect for us. We did speeches during during, went right into our dances, then had about an hour and a half for dancing and partying. I have herad of people using the Mariachi Band and sounds fun! I do think it is kinda spendy though.. 2. Here is my playlist for the ceremony & reception: WEDDING PLAYLIST Seating/family & groomsmen (guitarist) 1. Better Together - Jack Johnson 2. Marry Me - Train 3. All You Need is Love - The Beatles 4. I Won't Give Up- Jason Mraz Bridesmaids down aisle Forever- Ben Harper Bride down aisle Your everything- Keith Urban After ceremony (walking down aisle) White dress - Ben Rector Toast Crazy Love- Van Morrison (1:51) Livin our love song- Jason Michael Carroll Here comes the sun - The Beattles (3:00) I'd rather be with you- Joshua Radin (2:43) History in the making - Darius Rucker Entrance to reception Ho hey- Lumineers (1:57) During dinner One of those nights- Tim McGraw (3:41) Kiss me- Ed Sheeran (4:34) Thank You-Led Zeppelin (4:49) Day before you- Rascal Flatts (3:59) Dream Girl- Dave Matthews Band (3:59) Home to me- Josh Kelley (4:40) The first time ever I saw your face- Roberta Flack (4:18) Wanted- Hunter Hayes (3:50) Home- Phillip Phillips (3:30) Look at you girl - Chris Ledoux (3:09) We got us- Cannon Smith (3:29) It did- Blaine Larsen (4:10) Flowers in your hair-Lumineers (1:39) Hold my hand- Hootie and the Blowfish (4:18) Love like crazy-Lee Brice (3:35) Is this love-Bob Marley (3:45) Sea breeze- Tyrone Wells (3:57) Making Memories of Us- Keith Urban (3:53) Everything - Michael Buble (3:30) Anywhere with you- Jake Owen (3:28) You are the best thing- Ray LaMontagne (3:50) Whatever It Is - Zac Brown Band (3:27) So easy- Phillip Phillips (3:40) Lucky-Jason Mraz (3:08) I do- Colbie Caillat (2:52) You and me- Dave Matthews Band (4:18) Drunk on you- Luke Bryan (3:33) = 1.8 hr First dance When you got a good thing - Lady Antebellum (4:55) Father-daughter song Tim McGraw - My Little Girl (3:35) Mother-son song My wish- Rascal Flatts (4:03) Slow songs (dancing) You and I - Crystal Gayle & Eddie Rabbit*dedicate to parents* (3:57) I won't give up- Jason Mraz (3:58) God gave me you- Blake Shelton (3:48) Dance songs Black Eyed Peas- I got a feeling (3:04) Thrift shop- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (3:55) Don't stop believing- Journey (4:07) Give me everything tonight- Pitbull (4:12) Tongue tied- Group love (3:38) We speak no Americano- Yolanda be cool (3:56) We Found Love-Rihanna (3:34) Country Girl- Luke Bryan (3:44) Fine by me- Andy Grammer (2:52) Sweet Child O Mine - Guns n Roses It's Time - Imagine Dragons Call me maybe- Carly Rae Jepsen (3:12) Tonight is the night- Outasight (3:10) Sweet home Alabama- Lyndrd Skynrd (4:43) Paper planes - M.I.A. Party anthem-LMFAO (4:24) I believe in a thing called love- The Darkness (3:35) Billie Jean- Michael Jackson (4:53) Feel so close- Calvin Harris (3:25) Right round - Flo Rida (3:24) Tequila makes her clothes fall off - Joe Nichols (3:16) Without you- David Guetta & Usher(3:38) Grease mega mix (4:47) Fire burning- Sean Kingston (4:03) Yeah 3x- Chris Brown (4:01) Some Nights- Fun (4:34) Sex on fire - Kings of Leon Wild one- Flo Rida (3:51) Rock your body- Justin Timberlake (4:21) Say hey - Michael Franti (3:54) Marry you - Bruno mars I would do anything for you- Foster the people (3:35) Beautiful - Akon = 1.9 hr Cutting cake You got what I need- Josh Radin (3:01) last dances Shook me all night long- ACDC (3:30) I don't want to miss a thing- Aerosmith (4:55) 3. There are speakers and microphones setup for the ceremony and reception (with iPod hook up) 4. Here is a map: 5. We did a ring warming ceremony. Here is what was said: Later in the ceremony _____ & _____ will exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment to one another. As the ceremony proceeds they would like to invite family and friends to take part in The Warming of the Rings. As the rings make their way through the group please take a quick moment to hold them, warm them with your love, and silently make a wish or ask a blessing for this couple and their future together. When these rings return they will contain your love and support for their union to keep it strong throughout the years. The rings were tied together with a ribbon and passed down the aisles. While the rings were passed the officiant did a reading. This might be better for smaller groups though because we had 30 people and it still took some time.

Chairs with chair covers (same as from the ceremony) and the plates are included. There is only one centerpiece included (usually for the head table and this is also used at the ceremony). All other decorations are an extra cost but you can also bring your own or rent vases and such from the resort (we rented vases and they were $7 per vase).

I agree! You have to go in with the mindset of not everyone you want to be there will be able to come and you can't please everyone. Plus it makes it for a very intimate wedding and that was one of my favorite parts! I think if you start early with the right mindset you will prevent a lot of stress and in the end I am sure no one will regret doing what they want for their wedding even if you upset a few people:) I am SO happy we choose a destination wedding and you can always do a AHR or party to include everyone.

Thank you so much sarahandjake and KWandCM!!

I was feeling the same way before my wedding. I was just kinda leaving it up to the last minute to see how the weather was. I really wanted to wear my hair down or half up but was worried about the humidity (I have frizzy hair) and ind. But in the end I decided to go for it! I did my hair myself with the help of my BMs and used A LOT of Kenra hairspray and texture powder to hold it. I also pinned the curls right after I curled it to add some more hold. My advice is curl it A LOT tighter than you want it, lots of hairspray (bring extra with you), and consider pinning some of it back so it doesn't blow in your face in case of wind. Here are some pics: What it looked like after I took the pins out and before I pinned it back (the curls dropped a little not long after going out side). And this was the finished product:)