LKocelko

We are not doing a wedding cake. They were so expensive, I heard they taste medicore, and I was underwhelmed with the designs. With the private reception we get a dessert, which we chose as mango cheesecake, so everyone will have that in leiu of wedding cake. Since we did want to have the cake "ceremony" with the cutting and all that, our WC offered us a "petite" cake that's only $30. We'll do that so we can get some pictures, but it's not breaking the bank by any means. And if it's bad I won't feel like I wasted my money, since we'll still have the cheesecake.

Definitely buy, I got them from the site above. They are about $0.60 per sash, and at EDR it's $4 per sash to rent. We also got our table runners from there, and paid about $4 per runner instead of the $15 they asked. We are only having about 25 people, so it's not that big of a deal for us to bring them down. If you're worried about space in suitcases, I recommend getting those space saver bags you can vacuum seal. That's what we're doing. And yes, be sure to get a set for the ceremony AND reception. We didn't think of it so I had to order more and pay shipping twice. I don't know your plans for the gazebo, but we're also bringing the fabric down for that. It ended up costing $40 for 2 colored sheers as opposed to renting for $300. Let me know if you want the site. Good luck!

We struggled with that choice (adult only vs. kid friendly) and in the end decided adult was best. Since we'll be staying an extra week for our honeymoon, we didn't want to have to deal with kids during that time. We're going to El Dorado Royale (EDR) which my TA has said is one of the best. If you want anymore information there's a great EDR thread on here, or feel free to message me. Good luck!

We basically started talking about it as soon as we were talking to our WC, since reservations were part of our Pearl Wedding Package. I think I still have it saved in my email, if you want it let me know and I can PM it to you.

My fiance and I are. Our group is going to be only siblings and parents (and each of our best friends) so we're having an iPod during the "reception/dinner" instead of a DJ. We're gonna go out after (no clue where yet, on/off the resort) and I was just gonna stay in my dress. I only get to wear that thing once....I'm wearing it as long as possible!

Get a travel agent!! We weren't going to at first, but it's the best decision we've made. And use this website, it/all the women are such a great resource to have. PM me if I can help at all!

Do you want to PM me your email address? It'd be easiest just to forward what my WC sent then save/upload them here. We bought tulle, so it's not going to be quite as vibrant as some of the other fabrics may have been. But again, we paid just $40 to buy it all, so I'm willing to live with it. I just wanted the gazebo to have a little something for decoration, but didn't want to go crazy spending since the ceremony will only be like 30 min.

Thanks Allie! Finally, the fiance is starting to pull his weight I emailed our WC, and she was actually able to send me pictures of different gazebo setups with all different fabric. I don't love it as much as some of the thicker fabrics, but not enough to exchange it and spend more $$. I'm sure they will make it look great. Thanks for the reassurance

We're not having one, as we're already paying to fly down the photographers. Also, our photographers made a good point. The videography is so much more work intensive since they have to worry about lighting, sound, etc. So they told us unless you want to pay a lot of money to be sure you get a good one, a lot of times they aren't worth the price. I think if you have one of your guests who can tape it, that would be good enough. Just my two cents

Anyone on here made their own? We're bringing ours and found some really great looking "fake" flowers at a craft store here. Now I just have to figure out how to put them together! Do you just slap on some floral tape then wrap it in the ribbon you want?

He did! I wasn't even planning on having a logo, but now I told him we should just slap this on everything!

Thank you! What a compliment! We just found one we liked and tried to replicate it, my fiance did it in Microsoft Publisher. I think it only took him a couple hours or so. We're basically going to use the same one for our program, and then he's doing a wedding timeline also. If you like them or are interested in using it as a template send me a private message, I'll see if maybe he can email you the original.

In an effort to save money, my fiance decided to try and create our own menu, programs, and wedding day timelines for the welcome bags. So far he managed to make the menu (based off one I liked on Wedding Paper Divas) and I'm super excited/impressed!

In an effort to save money, my fiance decided to try and create our own menu, programs, and wedding day timelines for the welcome bags. So far he managed to make the menu (based off one I liked on Wedding Paper Divas) and I'm super excited/impressed!

So we ordered our own fabric to bring for gazebo sheers, because I was able to find them for $20/bolt. Aka I only spent $40, instead of the $300 the resort was going to charge. Score! I'm a little uneasy, because I had emailed our WC and she said they use all sorts of fabrics and pretty much anything was fine. So we went with tulle because it was cheapest. For brides that have been there already, does this sound like it would work? I'm nervous it'll be weird and maybe we should get chiffon? I couldn't tell what the sheers they provide are made of. Thanks!

I've seen a lot of people comment on how happy they were with the spa for hair appointments. My question is, has anyone been for makeup as well, and what did they think? I'm pretty inept when it comes to that type of stuff, so I was planning on getting mine done but wanted some feedback before making appointments. Also, did anyone go ahead with hair and/or makepu trials prior? Was it worth it? Anyone who didn't but wish they had? Thanks!

We are bringing ours down. I did think it would be way expensive, but agree that it's not enough cheaper that we would get one there. We just did our engagement pictures today, and love ours so much (a husband wife team) that we couldn't resist. I also think it's better because you get time to meet, know each other, etc. The pictures are the one thing we'll have to show everyone at home who couldn't come, so we were willing to splurge.

Hey, I'm doing the presidential gazebo the week before you! I just ordered sheers for our gazebo, the colors are silver and eggplant. If that's too dark for your fuschia thing I understand, but if you'd be interested let me know, maybe I can leave them behind! Feel free to message me

Thanks, I didn't even think of bringing cash for that! With that being said, how much cold hard cash did everyone feel was necessary to bring??

I agree with Allie, don't let yourself get too overwhelmed. About two or three weeks ago I was in the same spot as you, and things just started falling into place. It looks like I'm getting married the week before you...perhaps (if you like it and our colors match up) we can share decor? I can leave some stuff behind for you? Just a thought, if it would make your life any easier. Feel free to send me a private message and we can talk We are only having about 25 people come, so we are keeping it simple. Because of this small number, it's not difficult to bring the decorations with us. We are trying to purchase as little as we can from EDR, just because it's so $$. Even just glass vases with floating candles looks beautiful. Or glass vases with some sand (free!) and a pillar candle. Think of it this way: even if you have zero decorations, and just go to a restaurant after, you're still getting married on a beach....in Mexico. Does it get any better than that? Feel free to message me about anything

I haven't been getting a consistent number. At first I was told it would be included in the $5 per person fee, but then was told since I'm bringing so many decorations it will be a minimum of $250 and the sheers are in that. She said the price would be confirmed on site. I'm just gonna wait until we have all our decor, take pictures, and send it to my WC hoping she can give me a better idea of the real set-up fee. I was upset, but kind of just accepted that it is what it is. I can't do anything about it, and we need the setup, so whatever it costs is what we'll have to pay.

We only invited a total of 28 people (ourselves included), and only know for sure 2 aren't coming. So I just went ahead and ordered 26 to be safe. I figure at only $0.60 if I have some extra, it's not a big deal. If you're using them for both the reception and ceremony (I am) be sure to include yourself and any of your bridal party in the calculations. I was going to order 4 less since we'd be standing at the ceremony, but then realized our chairs at the reception would be empty!

Allie gave me a great website for the sashes and table runners. The sashes were $0.60 per sash, as opposed to the $4 per sash EDR charged. In addition the table runners were just like $3, instead of the $15 they quoted. We just ordered it all yesterday! http://www.tableclothsfactory.com/tablecloths-Table-Linens-Chair-Covers-Sashes-s/6.htm We also went ahead and bought our gazebo sheers, and will bring them down in one of those space saver bags where you can vacuum seal it so they don't take up much space. I couldn't stomach the $150 per sheer, but really wanted to have them. We got them for $20 each! A steal if you ask me. http://www.efavormart.com/tulle-and-organza.aspx

Thanks everyone! My fiance kept insisting (and telling his family, despite my protests) that this wasn't necessary. So are we just talking like a buck here, a buck there, or were you all doing more than that? I wasn't sure about the WC, because I have Claudia (who I've been emailing) and then we'll have someone else on-site. I wasn't sure what is typical to tip them, if you chose to. Thanks ladies!!

So I have a random question....did you all tip at EDR? I know some resorts (I've been to Sandals) strictly prohibit tipping. So I'm not sure where EDR stands. Also, did you tip your WC?