Alyssa, My wedding was AWESOME!!! Jatziri asked for my guest list, so that's how she knew that 80%. We went thorough a travel agent, but it's probably just as easy to go through the hotel separately! No....you don't make payments prior to arriving. Everything is paid after you meet with the wedding coordinator! That way, you make minor changes if needed. Make you get a total before you leave and your paperwork with you....just to have your own documentation. Jatziri is awesome!!! We had our semiprivate meal at the Mar de Cortes restaurant! It was delicious!!!