kmmathes

Wow, it looks like I finally found the right post! Thanks Chrestena, Claire, and Lauren for all your helpful info. I'm getting married at the Grand Palladium April 11, 2013 and I'm starting to freak out a bit it's coming so soon! Our ceremony is scheduled at 2pm....yet I thought there was only one wedding per day at GP, so I'm wondering if you have any advice to score the 4pm time slot? I was hoping to have a cocktail reception with hot appetizers from 7:30-9:30, so this way the guests (and photographer!) won't be sitting around for hours and hours after the ceremony. Also wondering how you booked the rehersal dinner the night before? I'd love to book the Portofino for my group. Do you have Vanessa's email address? I've been dealing with Rocio up to this point but it sounds like Vanessa is super helpful! I'm hoping to have a Welcome Reception the Monday night after everyone arrives so it would be sweet if there was a party happening that night too. How did you organize that? And the brunch? When it comes to the private cocktail reception, what are the pros and cons choosing between Las Rocas (salt water pool), La Laguna, and Gran Azul? Any favorites from those who have been? Thanks for any suggestions from current/past GP brides! I feel like time is ticking down and I need all the help I can get

Hey - where did you get the pashminas from? They look gorgeous.

I'm also wondering if anyone has a semi-easy way of stenciling or stamping their canvas bags? I'd like to do something simple like a palm tree, and 'Mexico 2013' underneath, but am looking for what materials would be best/most cost effective. Any suggestions?

Lots of great suggetions for totes, ladies - thanks. I was able to get another bride's leftover totes that she didn't use, but there were only 12 of them, and I'll need twice that number. I was thinking of just having half look one way and half another - I've spotted some decent looking totes at Dollarama - great size, canvas-like material, and only $2.25! It will just take some hunting around at the various locations to get the number I need.

Great tip - This forum is like a jungle filled with great tips and suggestions. I often get lost among links trying to navigate through!

I'm wondering if any brides have given out their OOT bags at the airport prior to departure - and what guest reactions were to receive them in the airport?

The bag toppers and Avery kits are ideal. Curious to see if I can create some as cute as yours, soonCB!

Wondering if there are any/many brides from Halifax/NS checking this out?

Where did you buy the Palm Tree Stamp from?

Those ideas all sound fantastic, I'm definitely planning to check out those tour operators!! Thanks so much for sharing

Thank you so much Lyman, those links are extremely helpful!

Great template, so cute! Can you upload it? Although I still need quite a few more posts before I can download

Has anyone used Ivan Luckie? My FI and I liked his website, but any details from brides with experience would be much apprecaited!

Hi all, I'm getting married at the Grand Palladium Mayan Riviera in April but I can't seem to find any reviews on this thread. Has anyone got married there? I have lots of questions about the ceremony, ideal reception location, and wedding planner. Please help! Thanks

Our destination wedding is sneaking up on us and I just remembered we need to shop for wedding bands! How far in advance do people typically do this? And any suggestions on styles or stores to look at? My FI picked out a square cut solitaire set in platinum for my engagement ring....

Great thread! I look forward to checking out Studio Suits. Just wondering how much a custom linen suit costs on average??

Great ideas!

Wow, some of these numbers are blowing me away! Part of why we decided to get married down south is to save money. But I agree you don't want to compromise on your big day. Our breakdown looks like this: Wedding ceremoney (incl hair, makeup) and reception at resort: <$3000 Airfare/accomodation at resort for a week (for both of us): $2600 Engagement ring: <$5000 Photographer: ~$3000 Yikes it's more than I thought, things really add up! We're hoping to save money by having a simple back year BBQ for our AHR and will save up for a honeymoon next year. Are these prices typical?

Wow, this thread is intimidating! I guess I should get planning! I'm collecting stuff for my OOT bags, booked the photographer and have a dress. I'm wondering how far in advance people start shopping for wedding bands? I'm also under the impression the wedding planner at the resort will take care of the decorations, food, and cake, but is there more I should be doing? Thanks!

Hey there - I might be super late, but are any of these dresses still available?

Are the OOT Bags still available? Do you have any pictures of them? Thanks

I'm assuming it's generally best to give the OOT bags to guests at the airport before leaving? I'd love to have them waiting for guests as they check in to their room, but I'm thinking baggage costs would be huge if we took them all ourselves. What do others think? Did your guests have any problem with receiving an OOT bag at the airport?

Any recommendations for places to get affordable bags in Eastern Canada? I'm jealous we don't have easy access to places like the Dollar Tree or Oriental trading.

I guess it really comes down to the weather at your ceremony location...So having an open mind about either option would be the best approach. I know my fiance mentioned he would just love to see me with my hair as it normally looks - nothing too crazy or intricate - So it's nice to know there are not big expectations with how my hair should look. I can just go for whatever is most functional the week/day of!

This is a genius idea. I'm just new to the whole forum thing, and am overwhelmed with the number of posts and options. Definitely a great tip - Thanks for sharing!