calgarybride2015

The resort provides someone for us - also doing symbolic - but unsure who it is. I am pretty darn sure it is not the WC though! In Canada we will just pay a justice of the peace. My friend just did this, so we just plan to use hers if she is available.

@@SammyBranny21 - I'd be curious to know what she cleared up? We love comparing notes to see if we missed anything!! (have you been on the Grand Sirenis brides thread?)... I understand how to add my extras, and how upgrading works (you get noone free, pay for all, etc.) but.... paying for extra chairs over the 10, etc. blew my mind. Only realized this today lol!!!! Yes I took the free wedding package but upgraded to the palalpa. That was about $980, then about $1312 for food, $1354 for 4 extra hours of open bar, DJ for 6 hours, extra hour of cocktails while we take pics, the golf cart charge, blah blah blah! Just didn't realize I had to pay for seats over / above 10 and more appis/toast drink over/above 10... sigh another $200!

I always recommend insurance when travelling. I never thought of wedding insurance because my wedding contract clearly states the deposit is non-refundable, so how do I get around that? you know? So if I can get my money back on my travel package and just forfeit my $500 deposit I would be ok! (miffed, but oK!)

@Icboyko, wed pics is basically the same. I downloaded wed pics and plan to give it a try. I will send out all the info on how to use it with my pre-travel letter.

I couldn't imagine not bringing my kids to the wedding!!!! they are MY kids but since mine are coming I was ok if anyone else did. We have 1 that is 8, my 2 are 9, and then we have a few that are teenagers

Ok I found the price per chair, which is $2.49 ... I blew over this section not realizing I had to pay for seats! The appies/toast is $4.15 per person, so over and above the 10 (awaiting to confirm this is in fact accurate), but I am unsure I will pay more. I heard noone eats them anyways, and directly after have the open bar/cocktail hour anyways! Maybe just ensure we have enough to toast with.

Maria went on mat leave over a month or two ago - do you still talk to her? I have Andrea now and she is very quick. I have all the price lists, but thank you for the offer. Just needed more of the specific details for seating arrangements, etc. but all has been worked out Thanks! congrats on your wedding. 5.5 months for me!

So I went back over my price list, etc. this morning over breakfast. Their info is so extensive, so it bugs me that nothing is listed about only getting 10 chairs, etc. but in their extras price list (which I mean includes everything) they do have a price list of chairs which is $2.50 each and the toast/appetizer which is $4.15 each. As people mentioned above - kind of annoying you are paying for physical chairs because I am sure they are paid 10x over, if not more. Not sure I would pay more for the toast part as I have so many non drinkers that I already have to pay open bar for!!! So depending what my WC says, I guess this could be my hidden cost! and it may no longer be hidden because of you awesome ladies. When I initially looked over the price list, I ignored the extra furniture part because I thought it was more the people who are planning the fancier weddings, in fancier locations than their norm, as some chairs even show there is an extra transportation charge! This is totally me for my wedding as a whole. Somethings I know just aren't going to be foreseeable, or what have you, but I am trying hard to be realistic and stick within my budget. So I have ex'd some things, I have compromised on others, but some I just flat out pay because it means a lot to me. Agreed. We had 10 free before we upgraded to the private area for ceremony/reception. I know my cake is fine and the size depends on the number of people (I can't control this). But it never dawned on me I would pay for extra chairs LOL!!! who knew! It does irk me we are on an all inclusive and I am paying for an open bar. That is my resorts charge when you extend your reception time.... you pay per person at the open bar and the DJ, nothing else. I know they can't control who is going to drink, but when 12 and over is adult - seems unfair as they are under age for crying out loud!!! Annoying to say the least, but not a hidden cost as their forms are quite descriptive of this cost. A little mad about the chairs, as this will be about a $85 cost extra for me. Not sure I even want to price out the toast/appi's price. Leave that for another day LOL!

I never quite understand some people - just because your husband doesn't want to go doesn't mean you don't have too, they are adults and they can handle themselves for a week. (I have a friend who declined because her husband had to work - he told her to go and have fun, but she felt bad). On top of the fact you are willing to pay for her, wow!! If she wouldn't even jump on a free trip I am not sure if it worth your hassle (and potential of a life of hell!!). If you feel extra bad for your fiance, which I am sure you do - we all would - you could give it one last effort. Maybe pull her aside and say 'hey, fiance is super upset because he has no family coming and his best friend just backed out. It would mean the world to him for you to come, and we are still willing to pay your way'. I wouldn't hound her or beg though, but your situation sucks. I feel for you. we had some no's that stung, but I guess I should prepare myself for the ones who did pay the deposit but still back out before final payment is due.

Soooo someone mentioned this on another board and I thought I'd throw it out here.. Packages include 10 people. I know when we upgrade to palapa we pay for everyone BUT.... Do we may more for each chair? Do we pay more for the toast/appetizers? Or does it only include the 10? Their price lists are fairly extensive and they seem to cover everything but this I couldn't find anywhere unless I missed it - ie a price for each chair or person for appetizers so I hope we are ok!! But I'd like a heads up on cost beforehand. Thanks Ps - I emailed Andrea too Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good thoughts ladies. I know when I upgrade to the private location that I now have noone free and I pay them all - but never did I read anywhere I pay for more chairs and champagne/appetizers as that was included in my package. Time to see what the cost per is!!! My resorts price list is fairly extensive so while I may have an extra cost because I never thought of it when I made my initial budget - they didn't hide them from me so I can see they charge. This extra chair charge etc isn't there so hope I am ok. But gives me questions to ask! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My dad offered to pay our second week in Mexico. (Shocked us!!!) We declined and said that it would be hard because I'd have my kids and it wouldn't be a honeymoon. He agreed and is paying for us to go to Vegas at another time. While in Mexico we plan to spend the next day/night alone without our kids and friends/family just to enjoy the marriage aspect but otherwise it's all in with everyone. I don't think you are nuts to feel that way. I'd either do one if a few things :Stay longer, change resorts or go at another time if it's in the budget of course. The benefit of staying longer whether at your resort or another is you still only pay the airfare once so second week is cheaper. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk My FI is kind of the same. More of a backpacking guy. He did Asia last year before we started dating. Getting him to Cuba in March was tough (he proposed there yay!) but I said - hey if we do an AI we can leave and do a lot of excursions etc. We spent a lot of time off the resort which is pricey but it worked for both of us. That said he thinks the concept is a neat idea now and would do it again. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Our resort allows 5 to a room so this is a non issue for us. That said for our package you can only get one child at the cheaper rate so I plunked my other kid under my dad. At the resort they will room with us though and my TA said it's a none issue and no one would no or care. Seems like you'd have to do it under the radar if that's their policy but I'm sure happens more often than we'd think. Good luck And ps- since they are technically kids by age I'm sure the resort may charge them as adults but they'd still be kids for the room numbers. No one expects a 12 year old to bunk alone. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk At our resort 12 and over is priced as adult which was mentioned above that some don't. I wish!!! Ticks me off as no 12 year old is boozing! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So you won't believe this. I bought luggage tags as favors awhile back and they cost about $40. I changed my mind and will now send out with a pre travel letter. So I'm speaking to my TA (as Air Canada finally firmed up my flight changes) and mentioned this to her. She said she does it for all the guests when she sends them their ticket packages. I plan to just tell her id like to do it as I paid the money. But really? Kind of shocked me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Children's place had tutu like things this year in white and blue. Maybe check them out? Unsure if they are in babies though as saw them for the older kids We have two smaller bridesmaids and one larger. As a former plus sized girl I took that into account when we went shopping (2 couldn't come as they live in another province) so I hope we picked well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I got the bridesmaids dresses from David's Bridal and I got my daughter's from Winner's. My daughter is a tom boy and I had to bribe her to wear a dress to begin with, so I didn't want to spend a lot - it was $30. I will take a picture and post it soon!

Also considering this! My only fear is what bank allows you to make a point of sale purchase for $7000? Maybe I can up it for the day!

I have 3 bridesmaid of all varying sizes, so I let them pick the dress they liked the best. Thankfully they all liked the same one. I just got to pick the color and give my input My daughter is the flower girl, and her dress is a light pink, whereas the bridesmaids are hot pink/fuschia. They don't clash so I am ok with it. But I do know some bridal stores - even David's Bridal - makes options for the younger girls to match the adult ones. You could look into that. Also - you could get them all dresses in the same color but not the same style to help? I would just stick to the same material and they would all look good. I also considered that convertible dress but couldn't find the color I was going for!

Since we only booked in May for January, we sent out our invited ASAP! If you did a save the date first, you can send your invites much later. Your choice! With respect to another thing you mentioned about people not knowing what they are doing that far in advance - it's the gamble!! We were 9 months, so it wasn't too bad, but it's a hit and miss either way. They could get insurance should something come up!

EDIT: Can't seem to find it right now. Sorry I will keep looking.

Working on it - just googling now, taking me longer to find it but I know I did I also scored tonight - went back out on a sandal mission and found exactly what I wanted at Le Chateau for $9.99 each. Silver sparkly flip flops! May get myself a pair too!!

@@MissJen3. Totally agree about the sunscreen!!! And I posted to bring lots on our wedding website and will again with my pre travel letter there is a website I found with all those sample packs and travel sizes decently priced.

I have a friend who lives in Mexico but makes Canadian money. He said the big banks/ATMs will just convert Canadian to pesos but the small ones won't. So have to go into playa to convert. Not sure I want this hassle but maybe to save that much in exchange to USD I should?!? I don't pay anything until I go for my wedding in January! My deposit was $500 USD but I paid $561. Also nervous to convert close to $7000 there as I may make myself a target!!! Swiping a credit card seems safer.

Not sure the truth in this but I was told anything under 19k white gold needs dipping Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks everyone for your support. Feel better hehe flip flops stress me out I guess it could be worse The sample pack items I think are a perfect way to give a fair amount but not break the bank or your luggage weight lol. I'd totally so that if I was doing OOT bags Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk