Shannon Burgess

I was just wondering the same thing...there is no way a 6ft strand is going to make all the way down a 9ft pole with a 12in diameter and look good. I think she did send me a picture of icicles but I think the regular strands look better. think I may just do without the lights, I don't know if I want to deal with traveling with them to and from. I am having 8 Tiki Torches, 25 candle bags, 3 lanterns with votives and tee lights on the tables...hopefully that will be enough light/decor. She is a lot nicer to you than she is to me, I must have made her mad. lol

I have a few small things that I would like to have on the tables that cost me less than $40 that I'm considering having a good friend sneak over ahead of time and put out because I refuse to pay $5 per person for something that doesn't apply per person. I wish they weren't so greedy!!!

So Valeria finally messaged me back about set up fee's...These are her exact words... The set up fee to display christmas lights on each pole at Tucanes bar is of 25 usd (per pole) You will need to bring 12 -15 ft long christmas stringing lights per pole Plus 6ft to 8ft long electrical extension cord to plug the lights, this is per pole. This makes it near impossible to bring your own...I would have to take a whole suite case dedicated to Christmas Lights and extension cords!! The set up fee to hang 10 medium size (can you confirm the exact size of each pom pom?) is of 75 usd. Note that as mentioned before, the pompons can only be hanged from the edges of the ceiling as there are fans on the ceiling that will tangle the nylon string in which this will be hanged and can cause an accident. $75 to hang 10 pom pom's that cost me less than $20 This is so ridiculous, it makes me want to scream!! I'm scared to ask about anything else.

I have actually been looking at those, I'd rather have something to show for my money rather than throwing $250 to the resort just to rent for a couple of hours. Thanks for the suggestion.

Valeria told me the Lanterns if you bring your own is a $150 fee, then she told me to tell her everything additional and she would quote me a price seperately. I am kind of scared to find the set up fee. I want to take strands of Christmas lights to put around the poles at Tucanes because they charge $50 each if we use theirs so I asked Valeria how much the set up fee would be for those and she has yet to respond. I am interested in hearing how much yours ends up being Allie, please let us know. Who is your WD?

Thanks for the advice girls!! I've been looking for a small portable device that packs a punch for less than $200...but I may end up going with the one Lomas has to offer.

Hi Girls...I am having a private reception at Tucanes and I don't want to spend $1500 on a DJ so I thought about just bringing a device to play my ipod,,,Those of you that have done this or are planning on doing the same thing, what kind of ipod connector did you use or plan on using?? I don't want to spend over $150 for the device but I want it to be pretty loud and not sound "cheap". Any suggestions?? Thanks!! Shannon

Congratulations Allie!! I'm doing the same thing in December about a month before we go...we are also keeping it a secret I'm not good at keeping secrets so not sure how that will go but we'll see lol

Hi I had the same problem as you but ended up deciding on the Private Reception at Tucanes..but I only have 17 guests so the food isn't going to end up being that pricey (less than $400) but if you want to beef up the decor thats where it gets expensive. I've booked the Beach chapel terrace gazebo but I had seen where so many people had chosen Gazebo 55 that I almost switched to it....but I think my final decision is going to be the Beach Chapel Terrace Gazebo...I just really like the white one for some reason. From what I've read a lot of people like the location of Gazebo 55 and you can't see sand bags in the view. I would do whatever you think would make YOU the happiest!! Best Wishes!

Hakuna Ma Tata's is super cute and very unique!!

Oh man, I only have 13!!!....now 14 lol I've got to get busy!

Thanks Lyman....that is very helpful!!!

I hate that they charge you for EVERYTHING...I do like your idea about Walmart, that is really something to think about. When is your wedding? Do they charge a set up fee for wedding favors also?

TheWolferts: I tried to open your weddingplanning template and it says I'm not "set up" to view it, do you know what I could do to be able to view it? Or is it something that you have to approve? I am new to the site and kind of clueless lol weddingplanningtemplate.xls

AllieH....you are awesome!! I wish I could be as organized and in control as you!! Are you using your LED lanterns for the Tucanes reception? I really really want them but they're $150 for 6 and I'm sure I'd need 18 or more. Also, are you packing all of this in your suitcase or shipping? I am so excited for you, your wedding is coming up so soon..You have to post pictures of your setup!!! Who is your wedding coordinator and photographer? I'm thinking Sarani, I've seen some of their pics on here and they look gorgeous....there are just too many decisions to be made!! Thanks for sharing your lists!!! I would like to see the others as well, if you don't mind sharing

I love those place cards...how did you make them? Did you go through someone or did you make them yourself?

Are you taking decorations with you?? Can we do that? That would be so much cheaper!!

Which gazebo location is this? Its gorgeous!!

Melanie, I totally agree about Tucanes...love the location and I've been browsing lighting options and decor for my dining tables. I love pink and green but I haven't been able to find the exact pink and green I want on the Lomas site. Does anyone know of a site you can look at decorated reception tables? I would like to find a picture and send it to my WC and say "thats exactly what I want"!!

Thanks AllieH....I am definitely getting the Donkey...I have a free cocktail hour from booking with DestinationWeddings.com so I'm just going to the add the adorable Donkey for $200. I feel like I should change my gazebo to gazebo 55....Any suggestions? Why did you guys choose that particular one?

Thanks for your help!!

I just randomly found this wonderful site but I am a little confused on how to get into convos and ask questions. I love looking at everyones pictures and reading the advice. My wedding is in January and I'm beginning to get a little overwhelmed. I don't even know where to begin to start picking things out for the reception. I have 17 guests and I'm doing the private reception at Tucanes- I have picked out tiki torches, floating votives for the pool and 100 sand bag candles...that is as far as I've gotten with the planning, sadly. I've seen where some of you girls had a "welcome reception" some even with the adorable Donkey...my wedding planner hasn't even mentioned any of that fun stuff to me. Please help!! ANY kind of planning advice or tips are welcomed and will be GREATLY appreciated.

Love the Tucanes Pictures, I am having my private reception there also. Did you add the round colored lanterns as extras or were they included? If you added them, do you mind me asking how much they were. Also, did you have a DJ? I see that a lot of people chose Gazebo 55, is it supposed to be the best? New to this site so if I'm doing this wrong someone please tell me : Thanks!!