kmk2016

My invites went out already and my RSVP/booking deadline is September 22nd of this year. We have 58 people booked and paid with our TA and are expecting about 20-30 more before our deadline. We have a wedding website so the invites were directing people there to RSVP and to start planning. Once booked, those guests will get passports with all the pertinent info for our wedding about 3 months prior to our big day!

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Yup keeping everything crossed! I'm sure it will work out- I was just surprised that after only 1 month we are completely sold out on our contract with so many of our guests still to book. I was warning them too (and apparently lots listened) but for some I think they figured so long as they booked by the deadline (or a few weeks before) they would be safe! Haha- who knew I had so many planners in my circle! One of the girls who hasn't yet booked is my BM and has more money than anyone else in my bridal party. (Made millions in a recent divorce). She originally said she was going to wait for a seat sale- but when the booking info came out I told her this wasn't an option. She didn't book... Even after the other girls all kept on each other to book. Oh well...I'm not chasing her again and her price will be more- I'm not worried. I am paying for their dresses so will not do so for her until she is booked. Funny part is, I bought my bridal party tickets to Katy Perry later this month so all 6 of us are going together and I'm sure it will come up then since everyone else has paid.... We will see what she does!

@@calgarybride2015 when the tour operators set up your contracts, they have an attrition rate (high and low) so your 30 person contract likely had an attrition that allowed 50 people which is why it wasn't an issue for you to add more guests. (This is standard in hotel contracts), my problem is I have now gone over the attrition threshold (50 people booked the package with a other 20-30 still to book) so sunwing needs to price out a new contract. When I booked originally there was a sale that lowered the taxes significantly, which is now no longer in effect so even if he rate stays the same- the new contract will be $200/pp more expensive. Argggg

Hmmmm I'm doing the chandelier but at the reception... Maybe the gazebo tables are different at fives than sensatori sky decks... But I thought the "package" was identical with what you get. Damn! Oh well... $150 wasn't too bad... I will suck it up I guess.

Where did you hear you get the plexiglass table for free??? I was told that the skirted table was included and the table that was clear was $200 (managed to get it for $150 since that was what the price was quoted at BDR). That is for a sky deck wedding and on top of the $1700! The set ups I had seen of the sky deck had a skirted table and I hated it- so I'm upgrading but they certainly said it was a rental that needed to be brought in by lomas.

Oh that is soooo sucky of them!!!! Is there any chance you can reach out to them directly (not your FI) and explain to them how much it would mean for them to be there for your FI and that staying at the same resort is really really important? If they still push back, could they look at using vrbo to book a room at fives since there are condos on that property? It's not ideal... But would be a bit cheaper (maybe). I'm thinking maybe if you go direct to them and just say hey- I need you to step up and do this... Maybe they will listen to you.

So an update from our planning.... I heard from my TA today and have an all new (unexpected) stressor! Haha- Our wedding date is not until February 2016, and our RSVP/booking deadline is September 21st of this year. We heard today that we have 50 people booked on packages and 8 more in land only bookings that have all paid. Our contract pricing was for 30 people, with an attrition that allowed for a total of 50 packages- so we have hit that number! There are still several people who are planning on booking and we have over a month left in the deadline we gave our guests! Now we are at the mercy of the tour operator to give us an equally good price for more seats/ but there are no guarantees. (Expecting another 20-30 people based on who still needs to book and their recent indications that they were coming) In addition we have 23 people booked and paid for first class/elite plus with our sunwing flight- and there are only 27 seats on the plane in this category. When you book with sunwing as a bride/groom you get upgraded to this level, However we have used practically all of the seats and sunwing was shocked! They don't know what to do- since it's 1.5yrs away, and if they honor all of these bookings there will likely be nothing left for other brides on this flight (if there are any). I'm of the mindset that the early bird gets the worm- and we should get them all if we booked/paid for them... Since we shouldn't be punished just because we were organized! I'm worried some of my guests may get bumped which wouldn't be fair... And that other guests who still book before our deadline, will pay more than I had hoped! (We are already at $2000/pp for 7 nights all in with flights/transfers/tax. Arggggg

I think it's important to determine how many people you truly think will be attending your wedding celebration, because this can definitely impact your "free weddings". For some, the more people- the more that are free... But for others, at first glance it may seem like a lot is included and that a practically free wedding is possible- but then with the fine print you may discover that this is only for 10 people (for example) and any more than that would have a $/pp which can be very steep. We chose a resort that had the basics included but lots of other options offered ala carte- which I liked better since with many "wedding packages" I researched, several items would not have been used and you couldn't trade them for something so they became a waste!

Mine is a GI certified rep who has affiliation with my specific resort (and many others in the area- GI is only the certification for my specific resort company)... So she is negotiating free events at the resort, created my save the dates, helped vett my DW website, is coordinating my pre-travel mailers and programs, suggesting reputable vendors and providing guidance on timing and activities I should arrange for my party.

I THINK why some go this route is that many brides want a beautiful wedding day, but don't want to deal with all the hassles of creating that vision. Putting together the little details can be not only time consuming- but overwhelming for some... And many find the WC process leading up to the wedding a bit daunting since you often have to know what to ask and what you want, since the WC really don't suggest a lot. For me, I'm waaaayyyy to type A/detail orientated and I love being a part of every little decision and part of the planning process. I think adding one more person in the middle would make me lose my mind- so I chose a TA that specializes in DW and can help me with certain aspects, while leaving the real wedding detail to me (which I love). It's whatever works best for each individual bride.

Not getting in until late isn't the WORST thing.... Often the travel day is a lazy one for people and ends up being kind of wasted anyway. The best part about it is that on the return, that late arrival means you get a late return departure, and that's a real bonus! By the 7th day no one wants to go home... And being able to relax by the pool all day and take advantage of those last rays of Mexican sunshine! Trust me- your guests won't mind!

I also feel that you need to be smart and keep yourself out of trouble. YES there is a lot of crime in Mexico- but you can do your part as a guest in the country to keep yourself away from most of it. If you leave your resort, wander the back streets of downtown cancun looking for drugs to spice up your holiday- chances are you may meet some unsavoury people who may not have your best interests at heart. We travel a TON- and have taken out kids practically everywhere with us. Being alert, smart and respectful goes a long way when in a foreign environment. Many of the incidents that occur with tourists in Mexico (or elsewhere) are often a result of someone ignoring these simple rules. I respect the decision of some who may not want to come due to their own fears, but I do NOT understand those that project those fears onto us, or fellow travellers expecting us to drop our plans and cater to their lack of experience/knowledge. Luckily we haven't had anyone tell us to our faces that they won't come because it's mexico- but we have heard rumblings that my FI's brother was excited to book (and be a groomsman) until his wife said she would NEVER go there. I guess we will see!

Totally having a hashtag! It will be "in play"from the second people board the plane!

Http://www.kimiandmark.com

I would wait to see if the invitation itself is addressed to both of you- save the dates really can't be a good indication, and if it IS? That's totally rude and a surprise considering most hotels are based on double occupancy and it's weird that they would expect guests to come alone knowing it will cost them more, and when they are part of a household unit! (Married, engaged or loving together). I would ask your FI to clarify with his friend. If his friend was responsible for addressing "his side's" envelopes... Guys are often clueless and it may have been done in error! Is the DW another city where it's a quick in and out with one night hotel where you both can manage somehow if it's important to your FI? Did you invite this couple to your wedding? Ps- if this was intentional and not an error- TOTALLY RUDE!

The larger your wedding group- the harder it is to get a price drop as well, since there has to be enough seats/rooms available to cover all of your guests in order to be eligible for a price drop. So if there were only 20 rooms left with your tour operators inventory when they drop the price, and you have 21 rooms in your group- the price drop will not be honored! I will be stalking the pricing as soon as it drops! Haha

No need. We are getting married at Sensatori on the sky deck and are auper excited. But thanks for the offer! I agree sky deck is definitely the way to go if brides can afford the add on charge. It will definitely be stunning and should obstruct the cement pillars in the ocean at the right angle.

We were told you could use this location as your set location- not just as a rain back up and I agree it is stunning. Definitely wheel chair accessible too. (Just off main lobby). If the Miami coordinators don't allow you to book it right off, tell them that the WC at the BDR said it could be booked. It can only be used for ceremony though- not reception... So reception could be at one of the restaurants? Or ballroom/ may be your only options. Unless you move your date by a day where there is room at plaza zavaz..... Depending on the size of your group, we saw a small wedding (20 people ish) have their reception over near the family pool... They strung lights and had a DJ and surprisingly it was possible to have both this reception and one with a DJ at plaza zavaz going on at same time and it couldn't be heard from one to the other. It was definitely a smaller space but the hotel accommodated the group and they looked like they were having fun!

Why feel akward? People need to know the cost if they plan on booking and joining you on your special day! It would of course not be appropriate to have on your invitation, but your website is the perfect place to detail pricing!

We were assigned a wedding designer from the start so no change there for us, but I have noticed a huge improvement on response time now that they work as a team on files. Now that everyone works together on replying back to emails that come in, I find they get back to me with answers way quicker!

6 months is a bit tight if ordering a designer dress and leaving time for alterations! Especially if you may not find THE dress immediately. A year out will allow you time for your ideal dress to come in (which can take over 6 months with some high end designers), and not be stressed.

I think it will look great! Maybe try to tie the two in an earring if you are worried but I think it will look fabulous!

Problem is if I don't order from David's the Colors may not be the same as what I go with- so I'm scared to do that. I may for the time being but will still need to grab true swatches for my actual dresses from my dressmaker.

Doing a honeymoon later... Way to expensive to go from one tropical local to another in terms of flight. I would either move to another local within Mexico, hop on a cruise (if you can find one that allows embarkation from Mexico) or try flying out of Mexico City.... But prices will still be high!