girlinthecity97

Initially, my fiance wanted a legal ceremony but we now have to go symbolic (which ends up working out for the best). Someone else beat us to the Saturday date (which allows legal) so we took the Sunday & only symbolic ceremonies are allowed on Sundays in Mexico. A cousin who's an ordained minister has offered to officiate so we'll still feel official. I think we will get married beforehand via Justice of the Peace.

NICE JOB! If you add lace, I would only do so at the top. The colors are so vibrant & pretty, I think the lace could potentially compete/take away from them. If you do go the lace strips route, then I would only add maybe 2 or 3 spaced out evenly. Just my humble & unsolicited 2 cents. I agree with @@csho - stick with the satin. I goes nicely with your napkins.

@@linaco80 - Congrats & Welcome! You will definitely have time to visit other resorts and vendors if you do not opt to visit a lot of Karisma's properties. I was able to work in non-Lomas/Karisma vendor visits (they came to me) while I was there & swing down to Cancun to visit the JW Marriott. I recommend renting a car if you plan to visit non-Karisma resorts & vendors. It makes it much more convenient then having to get a cab from where you are to bring you back to your Karisma property. Also, I wish we flew in on an early morning flight rather than a midday one that arrived late in the afternoon/early evening. This would have given me even more time to do whatever I needed to get accomplished. Limiting myself to just the Dress Rehearsal dates really made for an exhausting trip. I was in "GO" mode nonstop, which wore us both out, especially my laid back fiance. He wished we had more time to chill (this was his first time visiting Mexico). I've been to Mexico before so I didn't care about chilling. I was a woman on a mission. Here's a rundown of the Dress Rehearsal Weekend. Thursday (totally free)- arrive (nothing scheduled). However, the gentleman at Azul Beach's (where we chose to stay) front desk was super nice and took us on an impromptu tour of some of the wedding spaces and the resort once he checked us in. Friday (8ish am until 1:30pm) - around 8 or 9 am you leave to visit your 1st site. We picked 2 other properties so we were out on a tours from 8:15am until 1:30ish. After that, I had already arranged to meet my front runner photographer & videographer teams at 2:30 and 3:30pm. Each meeting only took about 30, no more than 40 minutes. You just have to tell the front desk you are expecting someone & do your meeting in the lobby, otherwise they'll want to charge you a day pass for them. Saturday (8ish am until 1:00/1:30 pm) - Dress Rehearsal Event (tour of El Dorado Royale & Generations Riviera Maya, followed by a presentation and lunch). You are picked up at your resort (unless you are staying at EDR or Generations) around 8/8:15 am and the tours start at 9 am. It concludes around 11:00 and there is a "cocktail party" where you are offered some of the food & signature cocktails offered on the wedding/event menus. Then they move everyone inside for a 20 min presentation on why you should choose Karisma followed by time to look at the various decor set ups. The pastry chef is there, as is someone from Kendall Jackson so you can do a cake & wine tasting. Then they have lunch, which those who wanted to meet other vendors or do other things opted out of. We stayed for the lunch because you are sampling some of the entrees, salads, etc..that are on the wedding/banquet dinner menu. The event wraps up around 1:00pm. We didn't get out of there until 1:30ish because we were chatting with other couples and people from Lomas to help get a better understanding of the costs associated with choosing your decor vs the Memorable Moments packages. If you choose to skip lunch and leave, just let someone know so they don't hold up the shuttle back to your resort looking for you. Sunday (nothing) - depart. We had a mid-morning flight so no work was done that day LOL. We just ordered room service for breakfast and dashed. Here are some tips I learned from other couples we met at the Dress Rehearsal that I wish I had thought of/done: 1) Add a day or 2 - Some arrived a day earlier, added an extra night at the Karisma resort or did both, which allowed for more time to visit non-Karisma properties without feeling rushed. 2) Split your stay - some stayed at more than one Karisma resort (e.g., 1 night at Azul Sensatori, 2 nights at EDR; or 1 night split across 3 different resorts). Some also spent the extra day/night ahead and/or after the Dress Rehearsal weekend at other non-Karisma resorts for comparison. I think this is especially helpful if you are torn between a Karisma resort and another brand. They said it helped them make the final decision with greater confidence. I knew I was going Karisma based on price comparison & food but still felt the trip was invaluable. I went into it thinking Azul Beach or Azul Sensatori would be where we'd get married but quickly realized on the tours that Generations/EDR was the better fit for what we wanted. We wouldn't have come to that conclusion had we not visited. This is probably WAY more info than you wanted to know, so apologies for the novel.

@@rtscent - thanks very much for the tip about overnightprints! I really like the site and am JEALOUS you have a graphic designer friend! My save the dates will not be connected to my invites LOL. I purchased 35 of these http://www.zazzle.com/riviera_maya_mexico_postcard_retro_style-239658713641614802 and a cute mexico resort stamp to go with, to send to my aunts and others who don't do email or social media. In hindsight, I kind of wish I'd done something different but I remind myself it's just a save the date. I REALLY like that you have a design you can carry all the way through and are doing a brochure style invite. I'm torn between a pocket style and those new booklet styles that I keep seeing on various sites. I guess to tie the postcard design in, I'll make my luggage tags with a beach background. I plan to send those with the invites.

@@tasha682 - no thanks needed! That's going to look great! My sister went that route. She picked up a simple but elegant set with a rice paper overlay at Staples. We worked on the wording etc and word template, then had Staples print them up & invited a couple of people over to help us tie the ribbons on at the top. No one would have ever guessed she didn't have them professionally done.

@@MrandMrsBonitto2016 - I am planning to partially DIY. I want to do a perfetto pocket style from www.cardsandpockets.com and ordered a ton of samples to help me play around. Although I designed my own invite, I have since decided I want something that ties in the fact I'm getting married in Mexico rather than just the beach/palm tree aspect (which my design reflects). So now I'm on the hunt for an invite (and inserts) that work in Mexico but can made to fit the 6x6 size of the pocket. To keep costs low, I plan to do my own matting and assembly.

Congrats & LOVE your profile pic! Not sure if you can get them created/printed (with envelopes etc) for under $200 but for very close to that, I would try etsy and www.minted.com. Friends who went the etsy route were able to negotiate with some of the designers to get nice invites that fit their budget. I would also check www.zazzle.com. To definitely go under $200, If you don't mind a little DIY, I'd check out the invite sets at Target, Michaels (carries the Martha Stewart collection) and Staples, then have FedEx Kinkos or Staples print them for you. Hope that helps & Happy Planning!

@@hanaefaith - nice! I'm working on mine now. I just keep changing my mind. On the one hand, I don't want to spend a lot and want to keep it really simple because I know they'll ultimately end up in most people's trash. But at the same time, I LOOOOOOVVEEE stationary and keep thinking I should somehow tie in the fact we are having a wedding in Mexico. Hopefully your invitation process is going smoother than mine. I haven't heard much about Mike Cantarell. I'm really torn about whether or not I want to cough up another $800 for video or just go with whoever is on Lomas' list. I really wish they'd expand the preferred vendors. We already have our photog and he's NOT on the list.

@@csho - thanks & I hear you! I like to call him my personal rain cloud of reality LOL

@@LilyPotter - LOVE it all (especially the sparkly tablecloth)! I think it's going to be beautiful and so romantic! Nice job!

@@trbutler - GREAT job!!! I especially love the little silver starfish charm on the raffia. Very lovely touch! I keep flip flopping on invites (to DIY or not DIY) - your post inspires me!

I think the little jars of Jerk seasoning sounds super cute! Are you going to do custom labels or tags for it too? You could also do mini bottles of rum to go with the seasoning. We aren't doing an AHR. My fiance feels it defeats the purpose of having a DW and I've given up on trying to convince him otherwise.

@@rtscent - thanks & no prob. I just saw a pic of the chapel on trip advisor and it looks really cute! I had to move on before I get torn on which location. @@hanaefaith - YAY!! MAJOR CONGRATS!!! I'm sure you are beyond excited and relieved to have that part behind you. I know I was. I broke out in a dance! Hope your planning is going well! Have you done your save the dates?

@@rtscent - we are doing the sky terrace. i was sold on it from the pics and concept but my fiance fell in love with the one at azul beach. i hear you about not wanting a bunch of looky loos or worse, half dressed folks in the background of pictures LOL, though i think my photog is skilled enough to either edit that out or avoid them. depending on the number of guests, we may have to go with a beach reception, which would also work out nicely because my fiance originally wanted to get married on the beach (until he saw the sky deck). he still feels something should happen on the beach so either our reception or welcome cocktail reception (or maybe both!) will be on the beach. i'd prefer the reception be on solid ground though..like a nice terrace that's partially ac and partially night breeze. i hear you about being on pins until the preliminary head count. it drives SO much. i haven't started looking at dresses. i'm trying to get 30 lbs down before doing so, that way when i lose another 15 or so, it's just a matter of alterations and not having to get a new dress. bridesmaids - just one, my sister, who will be matron of honor. initially, i was sad about this, but now i'm actually really happy - it is so stress free. the reason i have one is because my fiance is a bit of a loner and only has one friend he wanted to stand with him. since it's just her, i told her to find a really nice black or navy colored cocktail dress she likes. i don't want her to spend money on a bridesmaid dress she isn't honestly going to wear again. i would do the same if i was having bridesmaids. our wedding is going to be classic black and white - who doesn't need a great little black dress?

@@nattiegams325 - I agree with @, @@acw271011 and everyone else - you & your guests should book your rooms through Wright under the group block & handle air independently. I did the same & are having my guests do this. To help guests find the the best airfare, I added links to my fave fare watching sites on my wedding website. Although my wedding isn't until 2015, my group rate locked us in at 2014 discounted rates so the likelihood of my guests finding a cheaper package is HIGHLY unlikely. Another benefit to having everyone book under our group rate (aside from the perks) is that my TA can keep track of everyone's air (they have to provide it to her), which helps us get a sense of when everyone will be arriving and we can plan a welcome event accordingly.

Hi @@rtscent - I found a site visit helpful in confirming whether or not the resort was the right fit for us & noting things I'd like to point out to my guests like ignoring the annoying travel people that attack you after getting your luggage & making your way to the shuttle. We initially were considering Azul Beach and Azul Sensatori but once we got there, we realized that Azul Beach was a definite no and fell in love with Generations & EDR. I am hoping to do another visit to Generations so I can see the reception & private event sites and the sky deck because they weren't built when we were there. From that perspective, a site visit isn't necessary because I could do this when we come down for the wedding, but I'm "A type" and just want to see the resort again, try the food etc. LOL I'm SO jealous of how on top of things you are! Our wedding is next February and I JUST sent out Save the Dates electronically and am waiting for my limited number of post cards for those family friends and family members who don't use email or the internet much. Have you picked out your invitations? I thought I had that all down but I'm switching gears. I am hoping most of my guests will book within the next month or so, so I don't have to order a lot of invites and can therefore splurge since I am ordering fewer. I haven't had my caffeine so I hope this made sense!

@@travelgal78 - thanks! We have Marisol Vera. I think we met her when we attended the BDR and she was really helpful. Keeping my fingers crossed the planning goes smoothly and I don't encounter some of the craziness others have experienced.

@@travelgal78 - thanks so much for the info! We went attended a Bride's Dress Rehearsal in January when they were putting finishing touches on the resort to try to open it in February, so I've been trying to decide if I should plan a trip once the Sky Deck is done to see it and see where the various reception sites are. Did you get to see any on your tour? CONGRATS on your engagement & EDR wedding! Hope your planning is going well! @@rtscent -CONGRATS on your engagement & locking in your date! I know you are super excited and probably relieved. I know I was!! Have you started on your Save the Dates yet? I'm in the process of doing mine, though I feel a little unorganized because I've been sending as many as I can via email or facebook and ordered postcards to send to those family friends & relatives I don't have email for or they just don't check email much. I'm so excited to have others posting here! LOL I felt like odd bride out! LOL

Hi There - We too are doing a legal ceremony here in the U.S. prior to our wedding in Mexico next year but aren't going to tell our guests. My fiance really wanted to have a legal ceremony at first but then changed his mind once I did research and showed him the extra costs associated with such among other things. Ultimately, our minds were settled for us because our wedding date has to be on a Sunday and they don't do legal ceremonies on Sundays.

You should also consider Sascha Gluck of Cancun Photos www.cancunphotos.net

Congrats Nina! I am a fellow Northern NJ bride! I like your Save the Dates! You are ahead of me on Save the Dates. I hope to send them out this week! My date is a month ahead of yours. I too am trying to find a traditional invite that ties in Mexico. I haven't started dress shopping for myself but took a friend out in the city. We hit the usual suspects but also hit wedding atelier and a few shops in the garment district. We also went to bijou bridal in Paramus. Bijou and wedding atelier both had some really nice dresses. You have to know what you want in the garment district. Hope this helps!

Hi jd0922 - CONGRATS! I'm a fellow NJ bride getting married at a Karisma resort! I too would like to include local Mexican items in my OOT bags and as possible favors. There is a former bride who lives in Playa del Carmen area that started a biz renting decor items and sourcing favors. I will pm you the information. Alternatively, you could go to Playa or Cancun a few days ahead of your wedding and pick up a few items. Hope this helps!

Thanks very much Icboyko! I will be sure to check my Michael's

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! you are beyond amazing!

@@rvalenka - did you come up with the design or did they? Thanks for the tip on anypromo! I think I may have to get my bags from them because so far they are coming out cheaper than silkletter.com