JMK923

Hi! Does anyone have any recommendations on restaurants/ bars at the resort where guests can meet for drinks after the ceremony? I've decided not to have a private cockail party anymore, but I was hoping to suggest a place where everyone can go and mingle while my FI and I get our pictures taken... I was planning on putting this cocktail location on our 'schedule of events" for the wedding day, in attempt to direct people and keep things somewhat organized.

Christine, your pictures look great! I love your bridal bouquet, and the picture of you and your hubby jumping in the pool!

Congratulations on opening your Etsy shop, Megan! Best of luck to you that's so exciting!! I checked out the link and it looks great so far

Love your pictures Tkuzma! The piñata is a great idea, so cute! These are def teaser pics I can't wait to see more

Oh cool! We live in South Jersey... Washington Township. I know I will def miss planning!! I don't know what I'll do haha I'll have so much time on my hands!

For those of you who are doing OOT bags, how are you delivering them to your guests? My WC said they can deliver them to each guests room for $4 each but I can't see paying that.

I love ALL of your DIY projects!! You are one creative girl. I especially love your starfish raffia and the table number alternatives.... I noticed you two lived in West Chester at one point. I grew up in Chester Springs which is like 10-15 from WC borough. When my FI and I got engaged last year, I moved to NJ to live with him. Small world

Congratulations!! Sounds like you had all had a blast and everything turned out wonderfully. I had the biggest smile on my face while reading this. I can't wait until our special day. Thanks for the review, it's very reassuring!

MK0386 - I love your ideas for centerpieces and the afloral website has a great selection. I may look into something like this also. I did hear that the Walmart in Cancun is double the price as opposed to the states. I have centerpieces through Lomas right now which are very pretty but so expensive - $90 each! Not sure what I want to do... Where did you buy your lanterns and lights from? I've been looking at beau-coup.com for lanterns as well as a lot of other cute decorating ideas/ wedding favors!

Thank you both for your input! I was actually talking to my dad this morning (since he's the one paying for everything) and we are thinking about just providing food for everyone at the AHR, and not having an open bar at all. He thinks open bars can get out of control sometimes lol especially with my side of the family. Which I agree, I don't want it to turn into a drinking fest since it's just a fun party for everyone, and to celebrate my FI and I's new life together as a married couple. My FI also brought up a good point - he said if people want an open bar then they should come to our wedding in Mexico! Lol. Not to mention an open bar is pretty expensive! But, I am going to price out an open bar with wine and beer only since someone else on here mentioned that option can cut costs significantly! I think liquor is where it gets expensive... and also out of control! As far as the invites, I think I'm just going to send out the invite for the DW first. I agree with both of your points and I'm particuarly struggling with the fact that my FI's side of the family is having a tough time paying to travel for a DW. But, if I give guests the option to choose I do not want it jeopardize our attendance for our actual wedding, because I'm sure A LOT of people would opt for the less expensive option.. I know I would! So, I am going to send out a separate invite for the AHR and spin it off more as a "Just Married" party and invie everyone Thank you both so much, you girls are SO helpful!!

Hi ladies! This forum has so much great information about AHR, I'm so glad I found this! We are in the process of planning a casual AHR down at the shore, 3 months after we return from our DW - we're getting married February 2014 in Mexico and are hoping to have the AHR in June in New Jersey. We are looking into various restaurants for pricing on an open bar for a few hours and hor d'oeuvres or a small buffet. However, I'm still confused how to go about inviting guests to the AHR - which is really just a casual party for everyone who coudn't make it to the DW that we wish could have been there. We are inviting all our close friends and family to the DW which is 190 people. So, I guess my question is when sending out the formal invitations to the DW, do I give guests the option to choose between attending the DW or AHR DW? Would doing this cause confusion? Or, do I send out the invitations to the DW first and then later send out invitations to the AHR? Do I invite everyone that was invited to the DW to the AHR, or only those that couldn't make the DW (since I'm pretty much having it for those people)? Sorry this is so long, I'm just at a loss on the proper way to handle this Thanks!!

Hi! Funny you ask... I initially booked our wedding at Azul Beach and switched to Azul Sensatori a few months ago simply because it's much larger. I thought a larger resort would offer my guests more options. Then, being the indecisive person I am when it comes to my wedding, I recently tried switching back to Azul Beach several weeks ago because I am such a beach bum, and a "nicer" beach was important to me. However, they would not let me because they said they could not accomodate a group that size. Not sure why they allowed me to book AB in the first place, but I am happy we're staying at AS regardless

Thank you all for your input with the cocktail party decision, it's very helpful! I'm thinking that guests can just go to one of the bars before the reception... The majority of our group likes to party, and they'll probably like the bar scene better anyways lol. I do have another question, just to get everyones opinion and it's actually regarding the rooms... We initially booked a Premium Swim-Up Suite, but after reading another bride's review (I believe on this thread), they mentioned that the Premium section isn't worth staying in if your guests aren't staying in premium rooms because the hotel does not allow those guests to visit the premium section. So, we looked into the Honeymoon Suite but for 6 nights its very pricey! I think we rather splurge a bit more on a room on our honeymoon which will be at Secrets Maroma Beach. Has anyone heard any reviews on certain rooms that are nice/ newer for a reasonable price? Thanks!!

Hi! I'm curious if anyone is having a cocktail party after their ceremony, or if they have anything scheduled in between the ceremony and reception? Is anyone having food served, or just drinks? I'm up in the air about having one since our guest list is pretty large - we're inviting 190 friends and family. Although, we expect about half to attend... But it's still a pretty big destination wedding! Anyways, I'm trying to be conscious about spending as much as possible and thinking about eliminating the cocktail party or having an alternative. Typically, I feel a cocktail party is required at a wedding but since this is a destination I figured I'd ask. What's everyone else doing? Any ideas?! Have any past brides had a cocktail party and really liked it?!

I know right, oh well it is what it is! I tried pushing back but they wouldn't budge on it. Not sure what the big deal/ issue is. Our discussion was only around the DJ vendor. I don't think that applies to all outside vendors because our photographer is a close friend of ours, and they are allowing her to shoot the event (and she is staying at the resort of course).... Thank goodness!!

Well, I heard back from my WC Lynda about having DJ Doremixx at our wedding. She said "At the moment, we have honored those brides that have booked with him before this policy changed for weddings in 2013 – but no further exceptions are being permitted after this year. This news was a little bit of a bummer! But, hopefully DJ All Music offered by Lomas Travel will be just as fun. Just wanted to share this information with any other 2014 brides who were looking into booking an outside vendor for a DJ.

Thank you both! I followed up with her and asked if this was a recent change in their policies. Hopefully she is wrong because I was really looking forward to booking this DJ.

Hi Brides! Wondering if anyone has recently booked DJ Doremixx? I read through some of the threads on here, and it looks like some previous brides back from early 2012 were able to book him and pay the outside vendor fee. However, I asked my WC Lynda and she said that they do not permit outside DJ services. What's this all about? Any input would be helpful! Thanks!!

Ah that's so exciting to hear!! it seems far away but 2014 is going to be here before we know it!

Thank you! I had a feeling I may be the only 2014 bride on here right now... I'm planning wayyy in advance! Lol

Hi Brides! I'm so excited that I found this forum. Everyone's advice is very helpful! We're getting married at AS on February 8, 2014. Are there any other February 2014 brides on here?!

Hi Brides! I'm so excited to have come across this forum. Everyone's advice is awesome! We're getting married on February 8, 2014 at AS. Any other February 2014 brides on here?!

Hi Brides! I'm so excited to have came across this forum. All the advice and feedback I've read so far is awesome and SO helpful!! Our wedding date is February 8, 2014 at AS. Any other February 2014 brides on here?! I'm in the somewhat early stages of planning... Sending out save the dates, selected ceremony and reception locations, and slowly working through all the details.