KK2013

@@CurlyKristen no worries! My wedding video has a lot of pulling up on the dresses going on...it became such a joke that the photographer took an aerial shot of everyone's cleavage! I'm a good sport, so I thought it was funny, but in hindsight, probably should have gone with a different dress =)

I have a small opinion to offer, but only related to the dresses! I chose the Donna Morgan Laura dress and while this is completely unrelated to your topic, I wanted to share that if any of your bridesmaids have a larger chest, steer clear of that dress. My wedding party was a boobfest. lol

@@btam You're welcome! Anything you need, let me know!

It's tough to say because there are two sides to the hotel (adults only and kid friendly) and the rates are different on each side. I would just ask them the group rate because I think it can change. Contact Wendy Hicks at Wright Travel (she is on this forum) and she can help you with rates.

Yes, they are! @@liz24 Fans are sold, but I also still have the maracas. Another thing to note, the maracas have "Shake at the Kiss" tags on them attached with peach raffia. It will be easy to swap out with your color ribbon.

@@btam Our DJ was Ultimate Party Central. Keep in mind, you need to rent all the equipment from the resort, so I would ask them the costs before getting a price for the DJ. I had no issues with the wedding coordinator at all. Jessica was so sweet, responded quickly and was always ready to help me. I have one piece of advice for all the brides: I know that planning a wedding is stressful (and I definitely had my bridezilla moments ) but the old adage still holds--you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. People are more willing to work with you when you are genuinely nice, so try to be happy through this process. I know it's hard...I stressed so much the whole time, and now that it's over, I miss it! hahaha

@@futuremrs13 I got a local DJ in NJ and flew him out. It was a bit more expensive, but TOTALLY worth the peace of mind and they did an amazing job!! In fact, another BDW bride was on a site visit and popped into our wedding to see it, and she hired our DJ too!! =)

Here is the tricky part that everyone tells you, but you won't believe. As easy as you make it for people, not everyone will fill out that little self addressed, stamped card! It's so crazy! I had a large list (250 ppl invited) and by a week after my deadline, I still had 80, that's right, 80 that were still outstanding! If you have a date you need to know by, make it a month before so you give the people who forget time, and you have time to bug if you choose. I know some people don't want to bug, but I did. I broke it down by my friends for me, my hubby's friends for him, his family to his mom, and my family to my mom. That way it wasn't overwhelming. Good luck!!! Another idea I've seen on other threads is to have people's RSVP be the booking with the travel agent, and put a date on that. That will kill two birds with one stone, since after bugging people for RSVP, you then need to bug people to book! Definitely not trying to be negative, just this was my experience. In the end, all of the bugging was worth it and it was the best 3 days ever! Enjoy!

Check this thread: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/62583-the-new-paradisus-playa-del-carmen-la-perla-and-la-esmeralda/page-25?hl=%2Bparadisus+%2Bplaya+%2Bcarmen&do=findComment&comment=1699874 I got married here, so if you have any questions, fire away!

Hi! I have 46 black bungee key rings (I used to attach to little pouches for key card holders). Will take $18 for all, or let me know if you are interested in less. I have 18 palm leaf fans. Will take $1 each. I have approximately 18 white maracas, and will take $1 each. PM me if you are interested! Thanks!

I went to her Mac store for a trial months before the wedding, but on the wedding day, she came to my resort. She did makeup and had another person with her for hair. Based on how many people she is doing, she will bring extra people. She brought an extra for makeup for mine, but I had 12 people for hair and makeup. Yes, my vendor fee was $1000, but they didn't charge it for hair and makeup, only for the day pass which wasn't high. Try to negotiate that. Best of luck!

If any of you ladies are interested I have around 18 palm leaf fans and 18 white maracas (need to check exact) for sale. Let me know

You may have high prices for the 14th since it's Valentine's Day weekend (thinking they may jack up the prices). From what I've seen, April can be very hot in Playa del Carmen. I know people who have done weddings then and said it was very hot...in the 90s. I don't think you will see spring breakers in February...I think you may experience a mid-winter break (kids), but since the Royal is an adults only resort, you should be fine. I would inquire with them if they have an age minimum...some resorts that are adults only will only let 25+ say there. As far as the water temperature, I think it's fine in February. I just got married in December and the water was in the 70s. Unfortunately, I don't have any insights on cost at that time. I have been to Playa 4 times....in November, December, July and August. In the summer it is HOT. Have a beautiful wedding!

Sold

Del Sol does a beautiful job!

These are still not sold as of 1/10/2014...if you are interested, please PM me

I think it is totally fine to send the save the dates without the resort. Mine didn't have it on it, but it deferred to our wedding website where I listed it. The only thing I would be concerned about is if you are putting a date, what happens if the resort you decide on isn't available then? I also think its fine to say April 2015, but then be sure to send your invites well in advance.

OH also, make sure you ask about the service fee and tax. It can add up.

Then you should be fine! The only extras I had to pay once I got there were day passes for my vendors that weren't the preferred vendors of the resort and I paid extra for an additional tier on my cake. Most of my extra charges were for use of what I wanted that wasn't included, as in, I wanted ivory napkins, not white. Also, the extras that I had were mariachi band, fire dancers, guitarist for ceremony, flowers, etc. I also had to pay to rent equipment from JSAV for the DJ I was flying out. I would say you will be fine with your budget if you don't want the extras. Also, once you begin speaking with the decorating company, Alquimia, you can tell her your budget per centerpiece, and she will send you some options. I found that to be a lot easier than continuously sending her things I liked and getting prices. They did a beautiful job. The resort is amazing...you will love every moment!

You're welcome!

Sold

bridesmaids were $150 each for hair and makeup, bride $240.

To be honest, I think staying under $15k will be really difficult at this resort for that number of people. What did you include in that number of $15,000 that you estimated? There are definitely ways to cut, and I think it will be possible, I just thing once you start seeing everything you can get, it becomes more difficult to turn it down. They do an absolutely beautiful job...everything was the storybook wedding I had always dreamed of...but I paid, a lot for it. Are you planning on legally getting married in Mexico? If not, that is a great cut to make. Between the fee for a legal wedding, the apostille seal, and shipping back to US, just that portion was $1500.

I used these: http://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/custom-totebags/milan-jute-tote.htm In the natural color with no logo. They looked so pretty...I bought a huge ream of peach tissue paper to stuff them (peach was our color), and got welcome hangtags online to match. I gave them out at our first event and they looked gorgeous all lined up on the table. The guests really loved them, and they especially loved that anyone with that bag they immediately recognized was a guest of the wedding

Yes, I am in NJ. Yes, they are still available. Please let me know how many you need. If anyone who wants to buy them could private message me it would be easier because I get an email notification. Thanks ladies! =)