melnryluvco

Our wedding is May 31 and we'll be there May 27-June 03....wishing I could be there now though, it's snowed here everyday since Saturday

So even though we're all getting married in May I thought it would be fun to post a few pics about where each of us are getting married. I'd love to see a lil bit about all the fun locations you ladies are getting hitched. So I'll start.. Resort: Now Sapphire Where: Riviera Maya, Mexico Dates: 05/27/13-06/03/13

I know I posted this in the frugal brides thread but we got ours at Ikea for like $.79!! They come in all sorts of colors and fold up nice and neat. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40210063/

Each resort WC has as many as 3 weddings a day so if they don't get back to you ASAP it's cuz theyr'e suuuuper busy. I have had luck getting answers when I was in the early stages of planning on the resorts facebook! We're using the Now Sapphire photographer, we don't have a ton of extra money to be spending on extra things. I have a link to their website/work it you're interested.

Love Love LOOOOVE this idea! However we're doing more flipflops and linen pants. I wonder how we could pull something fun like this off

UGH! So I wanted to have a real laid back reception and thought it would be fun to have buckets of beer and wine on the table. Anyone wanna guess what they're charging?? Min price of a bottle was $21 and a bottle of Beringer White Zin was $27!!! You can get that at a liq store state size for $10 for a liter. My BFF BDW Kellaway had the smart idea to get buckets while we're down there and just grab the beer out of our mini fridges.

Vendors hear "wedding" and see $$$$$$!!! We're doing an AHR and I've stopped using the words "wedding reception" and just use "gathering". What the hell does it matter to them what the gathering is for. I've found that prices deminish when it's just a "gathering". UGH

We bought a portable Bose sound system for $299 that works with Bluetooth. And it's pretty loud! As far as equipment goes our resort would charge us $150 an hour to use their sound system with our iPod. So $800 is pretty good if you'll be using it from 5-12 especially compared to the money a resort would charge you.

I would go to Oriental Trading. They have all sort of fun stuff. It's also not too expensive so if you leave it/trash it you won't feel too guilty. They have all sorts of colors. The resort may charge a few bucks per latern but from what I've heard sometimes they'll just put them up for you. http://www.orientaltrading.com/bright-party-lanterns-a2-3_8941.fltr?prodCatId=550543&tabId=2

And here's MrsHK's detailed post about flower prices. Gosh I just love her! She is an angel Quote: Originally Posted by MrsHK As far as I know there's not really seasonal flowers down here as the temperature doesn't vary a huge amount year round. The only season we have a rainy season, hurricane season, mosquito season and holy moly it is really hot and humid season. The ones she suggested for me are roses, freesias and lisianthus. I haven't been able to find the last two in the flower shops though, only roses. She suggested silk flowers for the ones that I want that would require her to import them from Holland. She also has all kind of tropical flowers such as lilies, cala lilies, gerber daisies, orchids, snapdragons, birds of paradise and a few others. Her prices are of course higher than the flower shops but she will arrange them for you, deliver them and you are guaranteed good quality. If you pick tropical flowers you'll have a better chance of finding them at a reasonable price since we are in the topics, either on your own or from a wedding florist. Most of the tropical ones I listed are availble at the flower shops in town. I went to a flower shop last night and their prices were a bit higher than Walmart although the quality is probably higher too. You can also pre-order with them via email with the shop I went into. It is called Floreria Sac-Nah and it is on the corner of 30th Ave and Calle 16, right across the street from the Walmart. Their email address is [email protected]. They don't speak English so I reccomend using Google translate if you want to email them to pre order your flowers. I would say you're having a gathering of friends and don't need them arranged, and don't mention they are for a wedding!! I wouldn't do it too far in advance either since "gatherings of friends" aren't usually planned months ahead of time. I took a photo of their price list (all in Spanish and pesos but I translated it) and here it is: Carnation (Clavel): 12 for 60 pesos or $4.70 Daisy (Margarita): 12 for 80 pesos or $6.30 Pom Pom: 12 for 80 pesos or $6.30 Gladiola: 12 for 80 pesos or $6.30 Spider (Spaider): 12 for 80 pesos or $6.30 Alstroemeria: 12 for 150 pesos or $11.76 Roses: 12 for 220 pesos or $17.24 Gerber Daisy: 12 for 220 pesos or $17.24 Cala Lilies (Alcatraz): 12 for 220 pesos or $17.24 Hibiscus (Hawaianas): 12 for 220 pesos or $17.24 Birds of Paradise (Aves de Parasio): 12 for 220 pesos or $17.24 Heliconia (similar to BoP): 12 for 220 pesos or $17.24 Iris: 1 for 25 pesos ($2), price for 12 was blocked by a shelf... why they put a shelf in front of their price list, I don't know... the rest of the prices will be per 1 stem since that's the only price I could see They had a bunch listed that all seem to be coming up in Google as lilies... Lily (Lili): 1 for 25 pesos ($2) Tiger Lily (Acapulco): 1 for 45 pesos ($3.53) White Lily (Casa Blancas): 1 for 45 pesos ($3.53) Lily (Azucenas): 1 for 45 pesos ($3.53) Tulipanes (Tulips): 1 for 45 pesos ($3.53) Hope that helps for those of you doing DIY bouquets! Again, I think the prices at Walmart are better than the florerias but you're risking not being able to pre-order and having a limited selection. I'm going to Walmart today so I'll have a look at what the other prices are.

Hiya Ladies, So I'm in part of the May 2013 Brides thread and one of the girls in this thread actually moved from Canada to Playa del Carmen. I could literally kiss the ground she walks on for all her personal insight and helpfullness. MrsHK is a true godsend. Anyways, I thought I would share with you all some of her posts about florist there. Playa is 15/20 min cab ride away so it's easily accessible and for the money you can save on flowers you'll want to kiss MrsHK as well! Don't be shy to PM her or kiss the ground she walks on

I had to let you know that I am sharing this post and your other post about flower prices with the girls in the Now Sapphire thread. So if you get more adoring fans you know who to blame

You guys are all just the best! You have restored my faith...it could also be the glass of wine I'm sipping on but I'm saying I'm in better spirits because of you all

Ok so I looked it up and we're only about a 15/20 min ride from the Walmart so if it's across the street I should be good. I took almost 5 years of Spanish in High School, including AP, and converse of a basic level after forgetting a lot of it over the past 10 years I've been out of high school. If they don't mind me sounding like a 4 year old I can talk with them en Espanol. I remember more when I've had a few margaritas so maybe I should down a few before heading down there. HA HA!! So I'll be like a drunk 4 year old. I just cannot imagine paying $65 per BM bouquet!! I have 4 girls....who in their right mind would do that for something they'll hold for for 20 min?? So speaking of Playa maybe you'll have to show us around on my bachelorette night. If you're around town I'd love to meet you face to face and buy you a cerveza for all your insight and golden nuggets of advice!

OMG ladies! I am literally overwhelmed with all of your insightful and heartfelt suggestions. I knew you would be the best group of ladies to ask!!! I love all of these ideas. I am totally going to have to start putting these ideas into play. I love each idea so I'm going to try and do a lil something of each suggestion. It's so hard to find something for this boy cuz he's a massage therapist/esthetician so he gets pretty pampered! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

I will ask my May Brides since you all are the quickest to respond. So I have a Maid of Honor, a Man of Honor, and 3 BM. I have the girls gifts figured out but what do I do for my Man of Honor/GBFF(Gay Best Friend)? I have a cute flask so far but I am at a total loss. I mean it's not like the groomsmen stuff (ie Golf stuff and Beer) so what now??? And I don't think he'd enjoy lipgloss and pink spanx like the girls. UGH I need some ideas ladies!

That's exactly what we're doing. And when I say "we're" that's the ole royal "We". I'm pretty sure my FI is going to be just as surprised as our guests. Anyways, we're doing laterns and sea glass bottels with single steam flowers in the vases. Even if I did have an endless budget to spend on flowers not sure I'd want to. Seems a lil over the top to have thousands of flowers when you have a beautiful beach backdrop! Speaking of single steam flowers. Where was the best place to get gerbera daisies in the Riviera Maya aka Now Sapphire area?

Hi MrsMoye, I would suggest working with a Travel Agent. They'll not only be able to work a deal with group rates but chartered airfare too. I could kiss our TA for all the fab work she's done. Certain hotels even offer "kick backs" for the bride and groom. Because of where we're staying and how many rooms we've booked qualifies us for free rooms/nights. Good luck to you and congrats on 10 years!! Best, Melissa

Hi Annette, Congrats on finally putting a date on things. Whew that was a long wait. Personally we chose the AMResorts based off the benefits. I don't know how many guests you plan on having but most packages only included up to 20 guests. We chose the Now resorts based on the fact that they have up to 25 guests and we can still go dine and play at other AMResorts (ie Dreams, Secerts, Zoetry, etc) at no additional fee. We are getting married at Now Sapphire in Riviera Maya but there is a Now in PV. I probs didn't make this any easier but hope if helped a lil! Good luck! Best, Melissa

Hi nlh1227, So according to the pricing sheet it's an additional $10 per chair to have something different other than the standard white chair with covers. You should jump on the Now Sapphire brides thread. All the girls on there are so helpful. There are even a few former brides who chime in often to help answer the tough questions like the moving of the chairs cost. In fact one the the photographers from Moments That Matter just posted a pic of a reception at Sapphire with the chairs w/ white pads. You should introduce yourself to the girls on the Now Sapphire thread! http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/74418/now-sapphire-weddings-formerly-paradisus-riviera/900#post_1871493 Best, Melissa

BTW I just noticed you're in Denver!!! Very cool. I've met another bride off here who literally almost lives a mile away. We should have a BDW Denver brides meet up!!!

Hi 11-30-13 Bride, Congrats on narrowing the list down to a much complicated area of Mexico. There are SO many choices. We're getting married at Now Sapphire. Since you're not getting married there then the wedding packages don't really matter to you but if you chose any of the the AMResorts (ie Dreams, Now, Secerts, Sunscape, etc) you can participate in the Sip, Savor, and See program. This is what we're planning on doing. So even though we're staying at the Now we can go have dinner and take in the other AMResorts for no additional fee. So it's like "going out to eat" or have other adventures at the other resorts but without the cost. So you could even give your guests a choice of resorts and let them decide. I know there is a Dreams with in walking distance from Now Sapphire and everything else is a super short cab ride away. Just a thought for you. Out of curousity where are you getting married?? Kinda interesting to see you get married off the property. Is it cheaper? Let me know and Happy Planning! Best, Melissa

**These were just ideas and no necessarily the tour companies at the Now resorts

The Ruins at Chichen Itza and Eco-Arqueological Park (Cenote): http://www.cancunvista.com/travel/chichen_itza.htm Underwater Sculpture Museum of Cancun: http://www.aquaworld.com.mx/cancun-snorkeling.html Snorkeling and Scuba: http://www.ecotourism-cancun.com/english/snorkeling-and-diving-tours-cancun-mexico.html Deep Sea Fishing: http://www.ecotourism-cancun.com/english/fishing-tours-cancun-mexico.html Romantic Dinner Cruise: http://www.ecotourism-cancun.com/english/fishing-tours-cancun-mexico.html Evening Pirate Dinner Cruise: http://www.ecotourism-cancun.com/english/fishing-tours-cancun-mexico.html Zip Lining: http://www.ecotourism-cancun.com/english/adventure-tours-and-ecotourism-cancun-mexico.html

Hi Michelle, We get married at the Now Sapphire in May 2013! I just posted some ideas to our wedding website for our guests. From what I've been told through my TA is that there are known and trusted tour companies that have reps at the hotels. They may not be "rock bottom price" but at the end of the day at least I know that I'm not going to be strained by some no name just cuz we got a good price. I would get a good sense of what others want to do and then make those plans down there with the tour companies. Also, you may be able to escape for an adult outing since the Now offers child care. Good luck and you'll have to share lots of pics for me!! Best, Melissa