KatLew

Hi! I had my wedding back on august 4. We didnt invite many people -- only those closest to us and had a turnout of about 40 total. I am going to be attending one of my friend's weddings next month, and wasn't sure how much to give. My friend and I have been friends since graduate school (about 4.5 years --- still currently in grad school together. We are working on our PhDs. I had a shower, and invited his fiance. His fiance and cousin (I also am in school with his cousin, but have only known her for like 2 years) bought me a combined gift totaling about $50. At the wedding, in Mexico, my friend and his fiance attended, as well as his cousin and she brought her sister.... I am not that close to his cousin, but since I wanted to be nice and fair I invited her too. I didn't receive a gift or card from any of them --- and normally this wouldnt bother me, but there are a few reasons it is....My friend who is getting married keeps saying how he wants everyone to attend his wedding that he invited and he hopes to get a lot of money and gifts at his wedding.... (his wedding will be local - not destination - and he will have like 300 or more guests there). I attended his shower last month and spent about $50. Although my husband works, I am still technically unemployed because I am a graduate student and working at an internship that literally is paying me 3 grand a year! (yes I know, its ridiculous) I'm not sure how much I should give him for a gift for his wedding.... His family and fiance's family are paying for most of his wedding and the two showers they held.... for my shower and wedding, my husband and I covered most of everything. I know that as a destination wedding it is sort of expected that people will give you less money since they are traveling, However, my friend and his fiance, as well as his cousin and cousin's sister, were the only people who did not give us a gift at my wedding out of everyone else that attended... and I even had family and friends who could not attend that still gave us something. So, basically for the wedding and shower he gave me $25, (because his fiance and cousin split a gift that totaled $50 at my shower).... I so far have spent $50 alone for his shower gift... how much should I give him at the wedding? The wedding is also 2 days after Christmas. Thank you!!!

I had 40 guests.... everything was perfect! I mean - there were a few minor things that weren't "perfect", but I'm naturally a very laid back person and these minor things didnt bother me... also, it all worked out ok in the end anyway: - my dad didnt get a boutinere - this was my fault because i ordered 5 instead of 4.... but my dad also came late to wedding, so im sure that he would have been able to wear the flower instead of one of the groomsmen if he had shown on time. - my bridesmaids had to stand (there werent enough chairs).... but this was ok! they improvised. - we ordered live music to play in lobby bar for our group from 5 to 6, but they didnt show (they were double booked at at a wedding).... instead, they came and played during dinner from 6 to 7! This actually was way better to have the live music while we ate.... then my sister slapped together a quick playlist of relaxing music to play from 7 to 8. Honestly, these were like the only minor things i could think of. but, like i said, everything worked out ok! I had a great time with my wedding and just rolled with flow For speeches: our reception was in a tent outside of the mexican restaurant, and i highly recommend doing this if you have the option. We were right near the beach with ocean view and it was lovely!!!! For speeches, since we were in our private area in the tent, we ordered a microphone and speakers so that everyone could hear the speeches. it was 70/hour.

I worked with a travel agent to help us set it up... otherwise you pay for the cab

Sorry to hear you had so many issues! I honestly cant think of one issue that I had... maybe its because my wedding coordinator was a different one than yours? I had Fanny. Who was your photographer? I had Martin. I will post some pics later Here are a few pics I added to an album of pictures people took with their cell phones: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/gallery/album/17756-wedding/ Our wedding went like this: 3pm legal ceremony at Tulum gazebo then pics, then guests met from 5 to 6 for cocktails at lobby bar while bride and groom took pics 6 to 8 - dinner at tequila restaurant in a private tent on the ocean right outside restaurant! (had no idea they were going to do this)... it was beautiful... also, we had a mariachi band play from 6 to 7, then played music from an ipod (some relaxing instrumental) from 7 to 8... 8 to 11 - music and dancing at poolside

Hello!!! I just got back from my Mexican wedding I have nothing but amazing things to say. I hope you find my review helpful: - We were engaged on July 4, 2013. We always knew that we wanted a smaller wedding, so a destination seemed ideal. Three years ago we traveled to the Gran Bahia Coba resort, so decided it would be good to host our wedding there since we were already familiar with it. - Since I am still in school (grad student working on doctorate), our wedding dates were limited to either August or December (when I have a break from classes). We decided on august 4, and booked our trip in early September. Prior to booking, I confirmed the date, time, and location of ceremony for availability. We wanted to get married at the Tulum gazebo. - All I can say is that the planning was really easy and stress free. I bought my dress, veil, and shoes online..... I also paid for my bridesmaids dresses and shoes since they were flying down to Mexico. I designed the wedding invitations, and made all of our decorations. - The biggest thing I can recommend is to stay organized. I knew how I wanted my decorations set up, so i made a book with pictures that I took of the setup for the wedding coordinator. They host like 10 weddings a day, so its important to be clear and organized. -Upon arriving, we did not have a letter in our room from the wedding coordinator (which on this thread I had read that other girls had that), so the following day after check in I asked the front desk. They directed me to a wedding coordinator and we set up a meeting. - The meeting was super easy and fast. My new coordinator upon arrival was Fanny, and she was amazing!! She had all of the emails I had sent to Jazmin, and we basically just read through the contract to clarify everything. During the meeting I also provided her with my decorations (that were separated into plastic bags and labeled as "ceremony", "dinner", or "reception").... and I provided photos for the table decorations for the dinner portion. I had everything in a carry on size suitcase that I let them keep until after the wedding. - The wedding was perfect... flowers, ceremony, dinner, reception --- no complaints. However, I was very organized, so this made it easy for the wedding coordinators. We also brought down our own music for the DJ. - Our wedding was a legal ceremony, and we had 40 guests. There was a total of 5 tables at the dinner part. I had everyone pre-seated prior to the wedding, and had my bridesmaids pass out the wedding favors ---- luggge tags with attached table card seating on it so everyone knew which table to sit at. I also made my own table numbers. Any questions --- just let me know!

Do you think if we give the DJ a USB with mp3 music files on it he will be able to play it for us?

oh yes good point! Thanks! I think making it at 5:30 might be better anyway because doing a run through shouldn't take more than like 15 minutes? and we want to meet everyone up at 6 for a "dinner rehearsal"

no - but i figure we can do a run through near it. i just want people to see it before

thanks we leave in 9 days! wedding in 13 days!

Arsen and Kat will be checking in on July 30, and leaving August 7. Bride and groom plan to have dinner with the groom’s family on July 30, and with the bride’s family on August 1. Sunday, August 3: · 5:00pm – wedding rehearsal & meeting with wedding party, as well as parents of bride and groom at the Tulum gazebo. · 6:00pm – dinner at the Tulum resort buffet. All guests are welcome to join! Monday, August 4: wedding day! · 3:00pm ceremony at Tulum Gazebo · 5:00pm-6:00pm cocktail hour with drinks, live music, and speeches · 6:00pm to 8:00pm dinner at Tequila Mexican Restaurant · 8:00pm to 10:30pm poolside reception · NOTE: Dress code for men at the Tequila Mexican Restaurant is long pants or dress shorts and shirts with sleeves (long or short sleeves, no tank tops). The wedding dinner will count as one of the a la carte dinners of the all-inclusive package.

Can you guys help me with the wording? Like, to make it sound more warm and less structured? Wednesday, July 30: · Day - Bride and groom check in and get settled. · Evening - Bride and groom have dinner with groom’s family. Thursday, July 31: · Day - Bride and groom will meet with wedding coordinator. · Evening - Bride and groom have private dinner together. Friday, August 1: · Evening - Bride and groom have dinner with bride’s family. Saturday, August 2: · Day - Bride and groom relax and make preparations for wedding. · Evening - Bride and groom have private dinner together. Sunday, August 3: · Day - Bride and groom make final preparations for wedding. · 5:00pm – wedding rehearsal & meeting with wedding party, as well as parents of bride and groom at the Tulum gazebo. · 6:00pm – dinner at the Tulum resort buffet. All guests are welcome to join! Monday, August 4: wedding day! · 3:00pm ceremony at Tulum Gazebo · 5:00pm-6:00pm cocktail hour with drinks, live music, and speeches · 6:00pm to 8:00pm dinner at Tequila Mexican Restaurant · 8:00pm to 10:30pm poolside reception · NOTE: Dress code for men at the Tequila Mexican Restaurant is long pants or dress shorts and shirts with sleeves (long or short sleeves, no tank tops). The wedding dinner will count as one of the a la carte dinners of the all-inclusive package. Tuesday, August 5: · Day - Newlyweds rest and relax. · Evening – Newlyweds have private dinner together. Wednesday, August 6: · Day - Newlyweds rest and relax. · Evening - Newlyweds have private dinner together. Thursday, August 7: · Newlyweds checkout! J Gorgeous hair! So was it too hot having it half up? did it blow in your face on the beach pictures? Did it get sticky over the course of the night with the heat and sweat?

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/gallery/album/17741-dress/ See the above link for my dress! Hello, Here at this link you should be able to see my dress? http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/gallery/album/17741-dress/

I'm getting so excited and nervous! We leave on July 30, and wedding is august 4!!!!