LauraM

$450 for an hour for a steel drum band? I'm beginning to think I chose the wrong resort... everything palace allows is so expensive =( We're only having about 23 guests, and only about 15 of them will be attending our cocktail hour (the rest will be with us for photos). I don't want them to feel awkward or get bored so I definitely do want music of some sort... I also want the party to be started by the time my hubby and I arrive. It'll be worth the $$, i'm just frustrated about all the costs right now.

So I wanted to hireDJ Discomovil for my Cancun wedding. I've ready great reviews on here and he has been very responsive. Unfortunately, he is now unavailable for my wedding date. I haven't been able to get in contact with DJMannia, my second choice (they haven't responded to my emails). So, I think I'm left with the Palace approved vendors (JSAV & PSAV). At first, my WC only told me about JSAV. Their prices are OUTRAGEOUS (like 2-3X the price of doscomovil). I told her I can't afford them. She then sent me prices for PSAV, wich are much more reasonable (something like 1,300 for 4 hours with full DJ service). I'm concerned because the price for PSAV is so much cheaper (which is a good thing... but makes me question why?) and it was the resort's second recommendation, not first. Neither PSAV nor JSAV are on the vendor review list here and I'm having trouble finding anything online about them. Does anyone have any insight or past experience with either company?

How are you customizing your wedding vows/ ceremony? We've seen the sand ceremony/water ceremony/wine ceremony time and time again. Any other ideas? We're curious about how it'll play out of we ask our DW officiant to include a Celtic Oathing Stone ceremony with out tradition vows. We would send the wedding planner the script in advance and hope everything goes smoothly but we're a little concerned there could be a lot of confusion. Anyone else doing or done something unique at their DW? How'd it work out? (if you're not familiar with the celtic oathing ceremony... this is what is read at the ceremony; " mr and ms will now say their wedding vows to each other using the Celtic tradition of the oathing stone. For those of you not familiar with this tradition, it originated in Scotland and is when the bride and groom hold their hands together on a stone as they repeat their wedding vows. An oath given near a stone or water was considered to be more binding. (vows are said here with couple holding the stone together.) Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time passes, remember... Like a star should your love be constant, Like the earth should your love be firm. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, Let the strength of your wills bind you together, Let the power of love and desire make you happy and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with each other, For storms will come, and they will go quickly, Forced to dissipate in the light of your love. Be free in giving of affection and of warmth. Have no fear, and let not the ways Or words of the unenlightened give you unease. For your love is with you, Now and always"

SO 2.5 week vacation... beach every day... that's a LOT of bathing suites (yes, i'll wash them in the sink and let them dry in the shower and re-wear them... but I'll still have to pack a bunch). Where do you buy you'r suites? The only place I can find that is high quality/attractive/sells in my size is Victoria Secret. At $120 each... I need other options, please! I need suites that are sold in cup sizes (not just S/M/L) and offer support. I prefer online shopping. Any ideas? I've done the usual google search but everything I'm finding just seems cheap. (I know this isn't exactly "wedding attire" but I didn't know where else to post. sorry!)

We're trying to make things as simple (meaning we don't want to be directly responsible for anything, we also won't want to be handing tasks off to our family/friends) for our wedding day... so while bringing a speaker and playing music is possible.. it's not ideal. Especially since those closest to us will not even be at the cocktail hour to man the ipod (they'll be on the beach for photos). Good idea nonetheless. I did want the Mexican trio for cocktail but it's even more expensive than a DJ! $900 for a trio for 45 mins! =( it's still an option though, since it'd be very fitting. I'd be sad to miss such an expensive/wonderful part of my wedding (again, we'll be far from the cocktail hour, taking photos).

Such a simple question but I need help! Every wedding I've ever been to has music playing at the cocktail hour. However, the DJ is just setting up and such, not really "DJ'ing" too much. Are you all hiring a DJ to start during cocktail or to start at the beginning of the reception? I hate to pay a whole hour for him to sit and play simple music for cocktail hour. But I also can't imagine a quiet/music-less cocktail hour either! Opinions? Thanks!

My WC just told me the 40 person cake is 6" top and 8" bottom (that seems so small???)

I put down 50% for Del Sol in Cancun... I would also be skeptical of such a large down payment overseas if it wasn't for so many American/Canadian positive reviews. Definitely do your research before paying anything.

Would also love to know the size of the cake. I emailed by WC about that about 2 weeks ago, so I can order my cake-topper, but she hasn't gotten back to me yet. Does anyone know the minimum guest count needed for a private reception? I've already booked the rooftop pool area and started reserving vendors and such but my guest count looks like it'll only be about 21-25 people. I think I remember reading somewhere that you need at least 25 people for a private function (rather than just an area for a regular dinner in one of the restaurants)?

@@LMichelleB ... here are the rates I got from my TA for May 2015. What prices have you been quoted? Resort View: $195.00 per person based on double $356.00 per night single $186.00 per person triple $182.00 per person quad Lagoon View: $198.00 per person based on double $360.00 per night single $189.00 per person triple $185.00 per person quad Ocean View: $210.00 per person based on double $384.00 per night single $199.00 per person triple $193.00 per person quad Concierge Level: $234.00 per person based on double $432.00 per night single

Can someone please guide me through this? I live in Massachusetts. We need a simple no-frills legal marriage prior to traveling to Mexico for our destination wedding celebration. I've been reading the laws and doing some research but I'm still confused. I think I need to go to my town clerk's office to get a "marriage licence." But then what? Are we married? Do we need to do something WITH the license? My mother keeps telling me that I need to then hire a justice of the peace to officially marry us. She seems to think we need to do the whole "i-do" mini-ceremony thing at home in order to become legally married. Is this true? I'd rather not do anything of the sort. I literally want to sign a paper and then forget about it, so that we can treat Mexico as our wedding, anniversary, celebration, etc. Please educate me! =)

I'm using Tania Tagle (Check out her website and facebook - work looks amazing). I can't remember who the approved vendor is for my resort but I remember looking at their prices and laughing a little bit (something like $400ish for bridal... ya, no thanks).

I'm paying $150 for bridal hair/make-up (airbrush) and eyelash extensions.... but that's with an outside artist who will be coming to my room at the resort with her team. My resort spa got mixed reviews. Not sure about Moon Palace though.

I found a reputable outside vendor that is $700 for 4 hours and $100 for each additional hour. Unfortunately my resort charges a $800 vendor fee. The approved vendor wants $700 JUST for basic equipment rental and no actual DJ. A complete DJ package is well over 2k for 4 hours.

I just reread you'r post and realized you are speaking of the Iberostar Cancun. I have not stayed there, just Iberostar in Punta Cana. Sorry for the mix up! Happy planning!! =)

ugh It drives me nuts when people say 200-250/night is too expensive for an AI. YES, it's a lot of money. BUT the average hotel is 150/night (so lets say $75 per person per night). Then include 3+ meals at a nice restaurant (say $75 per person per day), unlimited drink ($50+ throughout the day - probably way more considering people are ordering fancy frozen mixes), service poolside/on the beach/room service all day AND the fact that it's probably a very nice resort.... suddenly the price doesn't seem so crazy. And the pure peace of mind knowing you can eat/drink/lounge endlessly while enjoying a safe & gorgeous resort, without paying for things in the moment is such a nice touch.

I've stayed at this resort and my only complaints are that they are ridiculously pushy and rude with their time-share presentations EVERY time you walk through the lobby. They also lack evening entertainment. But all hotels have their downfalls, still loved this resort.

@@Mangosong no cost to me. Saves both my guests and me money, in fact. Let us know how things go with Wright Travel! They got me in contact with Teresa from Vacations For Less and she has been wonderful!

UPDATE: Bought custom stamps from zazzle. Pink hearts for the invite and "RSVP" over a rose for the RSVP card. LOVE them! More expensive than regular postage, but whats $30 more (50 invites, each with an inner (91 cent) and outer (49 cent) stamp) in the grand scheme of wedding costs? My only word of advice is to double check the exact size of the stamps! Our RSVP stamps are slightly too large for the tiny envelops and look a little funky.. we still used them but it wasn't perfect.

In the same boat as you... could also use some advice... Worst part; everyone wants us to have an AHR at OUR home because it's new and no one has seen it. hmmmmm... NO. Planning a DW is enough work/stress. I really do not need to have a 150 person party at my house following the DW. Definitely don't have time/money/desire for that.

We're not having a bridal party. We want our wedding to be about US and be a celebration for everyone. All our guests are equally important to us and we don't want to single anyone out. Just because they're not "official" bridal party members doesn't mean they won't be there for us and doesn't really change anything. It does however keep the focus on my fiance and I's relationship/marriage and eliminate a lot of potential drama.

Do a site-wide search for "OOT bag" and you'll have suggestions for days.

Congrats! I am May 1, 2015! Don't worry! Stay organized. Save Everything. Make spreadsheets, email folders, word documents, collages - whatever you need! I promise it will all come together in time =) Oh and keep using Best Destination Wedding!! It has been my #1 source of info, advice, and ideas!!

The biggest pros for me: - eliminating the language barrier (including poorly translated & misleading contracts) - working with someone who knows the resort and their rules/regulations/practices - She can predict what the resort will say/do before it happens (helps me plan things easier) - prices roughly $30-55 less per person/per night than any other source (including Expedia and the resort itself) - having someone to advocate and fight for my needs & wants - knowing that if all does not go as planned when I check in (as it never does - from my experience in Cancun at least), I have someone to call who can help me and take the stress away - keeping things organized - the resort is much quicker to respond to my TA than they are to my emails/calls I have yet to find a con.

they all look great on your body, #2 needs to be altered, but if you're willing to do extreme alterations with a good seamstress, it will look great. I vote #1 as the BEST of three great options.