calgarybride2015

My wedding package only includes my flowers and my fiance's boutenior. Also 2 hanging arrangements on the gazebo and one for the signing table. I was thinking of not getting anyone else flowers becuase I was trimming costs, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted my bridesmaids to have flowers. I picked a basic 3 daisy bouquet and they quoted me $22 each. I can handle that. I will get them 3, with an extra 4th one and use all of them as the table centrepieces at the reception. The gazebo flowers are then moved after the ceremony to the head table at the reception. All men will also get a boutenior. There are lots of alternatives for your bridesmaids - fans, pinwheels, clutches, etc. Lots of posts on that here.

I don't know how packages work from all countries, but I know in Canada for our price - $1565 - we get airfare, transfer to resort, the week at the resort (all inclusive), and taxes in that price. I think at our resort you have to pay for wifi, and maybe the safe in the room. Also, of course, you pay for any excursions you go on. From pictures I don't see any issues with our resorts beach and ocean. Very pretty. Because there is a reef there (great for snorkeling and seeing turtles) I heard some areas of the beach are rocky. We know a handful of people who have stayed at this resort and all gave raving reviews. Also know 2 who married there. I believe their base wedding package in Canadian was $1866, but you can go all the way into the $6000's. (If you get 10 double rooms that base package is free - that's what I am doing and then I did all the upgrades I wanted to get the wedding I imagined) I can email you their packages if you PM me your email address. Or I can post some info here. Let me know Choosing the resort and your price point is the hardest part.

Congrats! As someone said above, I think Cancun would be your pricier option. The Mayan Riviera tends to be cheaper, and also consider Puerto Vallarta if you are really looking for the best deal. I found one in January 2015 for $1250 (all in!!!). In the Mayan we are paying $1565 per person (includes everything!). At our hotel you can get the base package for free if you have 10 double rooms. This only includes 10 people (kids free), but includes alot of things. If you have a smaller wedding and don't want much fluff -- and are ok to have your dinner in an Ala Carte -- you can do your wedding for pretty cheap! I think it depends how many people you plan to have, and what type of resort you are dead set on. You don't want a 'dive' to cut costs, because you have to spend a week there!! If you want more info on my resort - Grand Sirenis - I can tell you about it. EDIT - I get your feelings on price. Last time I was in the Mayan I paid $1450 and I couldn't find ANYTHING close that wasn't a 3 or less star resort which I didn't want. Prices are going up unfortunately, and when you book in advance they have to base pricing on the previous year - so if the dollar sucks, so does the package pricing. But our price of $1565 was a steal, you can't get that on Expedia right now.

I think we all go thru periods of feeling stressed during wedding planning. We set a budget that we felt was fair and are working hard to stay within it. There are things I underestimated on (like wedding bands), but somethings I over-budgeted for, so things are balancing out. I think it really comes down to what is needed and what is not. For me personally, while I think the OOT bags are a great idea, they are 1. not in my budget 2. such a hassle to pack and bring with me and 3. I read alot that people bring their own stuff anyways. So I decided on luggage tags with a mailout pre-travel instead. Even that was more than I could stomach - paying all those stamps! lol! I am doing maracas for our wedding favors and found a stellar price on Amols.com. I did alot of stuff DIY - anything I could make alone, I did. You can find so many ideas, templates, etc. on this site and on google. I paid $30 for my boarding pass invites as I made them myself. I spent the money on the things that mattered most to me, but within reason. The majority of our budget is going to the actual ceremony/reception itself, as people remember a party, but not necessarily the centerpiece you used. You know? Example - I can't stomach paying $130 for a nice headband that I will only wear once, so I considered a cheap one. But they are too cheap looking, so I am going for a natural flower instead. I am doing some decor at the reception, but using the beauty of Mexico and the beach for the ceremony. I am shopping at the Dollar Store or using coupons for discounts at Michaels. For me, it's more what I think I really want, and what's within my budget - then just going nuts on everything because it's my wedding. Helps the stress!

I've also heard mixed reviews about the beaach, but I hear some of the areas farther off the main area are very good. Just gotta look around. That said, it's probably one of the only ones you can snorkel with the reef, and you can see turtles and such. So that is a bonus. SOOOO!!!!! I have verbal confirmation that my cancelled flight was changed to Saturday (was Sunday) and my wedding won't be affected. We still want the written confirmation, but my TA said he was calling her, and working hard to get everyone (all gateways) changed to the Saturday so it seems 99.9% a go! yay!!!!

We had kind of decided not to do anything because of the cost of the wedding - decided that was our gift to eachother lol. But I said I may still do a gag gift (I saw a pair of socks wrapped with a sign that said 'if you get cold feet') but I am unsure now. I really do want to get him something. He already has a watch as I got him that for Christmas and doesn't wear much else. Maybe just something you know he likes, like shirts, or books, or? I know it sounds lame, but you want to get him something he will enjoy and use. I don't think I am daring enough for a boudoir session, so that is out! lol! And here they are probably like $500 I collect Pandora and really want their new bangle (considered wearing it on the wedding day but don't feel it will match) and told him he could pick the wedding charm himself and that could be my gift - surprising me with what charm he chose, but he said no I could just get the bracelet because I wanted it lol So unsure if he is doing anything. I guess I should address this again.

Lucky you! I heard great things about them but could NEVER get a call back. Even when she said she would, she wouldn't. So I finally had to find someone else!

The cheapest resort I could find for my week in January (18-25) was the Grand Palladium in Puerto Vallarta, it came in around $1250 per person! Maybe check it out? But the Trip Central idea is good. My TA does alot of pricing for Mexico so she knew what resorts to steer me towards.

Yes they did send me copies of the menus if you are using the palapa not a restaurant (aka Ala Carte). There was 2 or 3 to choose from and we chose the cheapest one, which I think is more than enough. If you PM your email I can send you the menus. Can't recall if I got menus for the restaurants because I never planned to use one, I never paid much attention. Can't wait to hear all about it and see some pictures!!! Good luck and have a fabulous time. Congrats! ps - awesome dress. Did it fit well? a doctor I work with did that, but her's wasn't even close and it was dirty, so she got another one. Her's was only about $130 though. And because I am snoopy - is the $7000 just for the wedding or your vacation packages too? our vacation packages (family of 4) cost $5066, wedding around $4500-$5000, and photography $1600 (that is with the free package.... but we do get some bonuses thru AC that we will use towards our $5066 fee, so hope to pay around $1500-2000 less)

We are getting married on the same date - but I am marrying at the Grand Sirenis. I am also using Air Canada and was to leave January 18, but they cancelled our flight. Awaiting what they are changing us too. Are you running into this problem?? I get the same perks as dreamteam17, and then at our resort if you have 10 double bookings you get the base wedding package free. Which I am doing, then doing all the upgrades I want!!!

yeah I found Yeah it was a little unattractive to me as well because alot of our guests have never done an all inclusive and I wanted everything accessible, etc. But our beach is rocky I've heard, I guess you can't win them all! If you are interested in the Sirenis at any point let me know and I can send you their wedding packages. Good luck!

I have also stayed at the Sandos Caracol and really liked it. Their prices came back way too high!!! I only paid $1450 in 2013, and for 2015 was over $1700!! We are paying $1565 out of Calgary for the Grand Sirenis in January 2015. I believe at the Grand Sirenis if you upgrade to the private beach, you also get the private palapa, but you could ask them if you could get an Ala Carte location for the dinner. I didn't want this, I wanted it private and more beachy! They have 4 packages (one is also free if you get 10 double rooms -- this is what we did, then just upgraded everything we wanted). ETA: So we are having a private beach ceremony, then a toast with appetizers right on site. Then when we are doing the photo session all the guests can head to the palapa (Hut) for an open bar, then we will do the dinner, cake cutting, and dancing until 11pm. Then we can head to the disco! I am not sure if you know this about the Coba but it doesn't have a beach, you have to go to the resort next door (whatever Bahia resort it is - Akumal?) and go to their beach. The Coba has the kids waterslides though.

Pics are sent - sent 2 emails. Some from resort themselves, and some of a friend who attended a wedding there. One of the pics was the public beach, but all the rest were on the private beach.

I know that feeling... my bestfriend who I couldn't picture NOT being there hasn't talked to me about my wedding since I got engaged. Basically our friendship dwindled to nothing over the past 3 months. She never RSVP'd no, but I assume it's a no and that we no longer have a friendship. WTH??? I hurt at first, I tried a few times to figure out what the problem was/repair ?? the friendship, and then I dropped it and moved on. I totally agree with others. It's par for the course. So many people were gung-ho, gave dating ideas, etc. and then said no! I try not to let them bother me, but it's hard not too. At the end of the day all of our family will be there and some good friends (I am shocked with our number at 42, because at one point I figured it would just be the 2 of us).... I decided not to pick my bridal party until I knew for certain who would be coming. Was stressful.

Awesome! I ordered a few more favors incase we get some last minute people! You have an awesome number, isn't it great? Feels so special Our deadline just passed, and then final payment is due in October. Yes, I know exactly what flights are now available for January thru Air Canada, BUT, it's their call to make so I sit and wait for them to give us our options. I guess it has to be formal, but my TA has gave them my first request so they know what I am interested in. SOOOO frustrating, more so to for my guests thinking about doing a second week at another resort, AC is holding off quoting until they decided on my departure date change.

Hello! At the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya/Mayan Beach they have two wedding locations.... 1. the public beach 2. a private beach where you can get married on the sand as you pictured, with Mayan Ruins around it. Then there is a palapa (hut) close by for your dinner/reception. Some packages include this private area, but I choose a cheaper package and just upgraded to this area, as I didn't need the extra fluff of the pricier packages. Coba and Grand Sirenis aren't that far from eachother either, and from my research (I also looked at the Bahia resorts) the Grand Sirenis was a bit cheaper in price point. I can't attach pics (or don't know how yet lol) but if you want some I can email them to you. Good luck!

We did a wedding website that had all the resort info, pricing, dates, good to know info, tips, wedding party profiles, etc. The guests also RSVP'd thru it and I think it was much easier! www.mywedding.com Best of all - it was free!!!

No advice, but good luck! I am also marrying in Jan 2015 in the Mayan

Searching resorts left my head spinning, so I totally understand and agree - home and destination weddings both have challenges. I feared I would pick a resort and it would end up being so terrible my guests would hate me! ha! I also recommend getting a travel agent - they have so much experience that they can lead you to a resort that you may felt was out of your price range, but isn't! that is what happened with us. We ended up short listing all the resort she had suggested and none I thought would be a good price!!! I have been to Varadero, but I stayed at a Melia resort that was adults only. They didn't do weddings either from what I could see. From the research I did, I think you can't go wrong with Iberostar in Varadero. There are also a few other newer resorts there you may check out - Oceans, and a Melia brand too. The Paradisus should be top notch, as well as the Royal Hicacos (sp?) but it is also adults only. Good luck!

I found a travel agent thru a friend here in Calgary, AB. She is not local, but she has done alot of leg work for us. I think a travel agent is your best start -- she can guide you in a good direction on what to look for with resorts, prices, departures, airlines, etc. Mine also did the initial leg work with the resort on their packages, then once I was ready to book I started contacting them myself. The hardest part is finding a resort you love that has a good price point for your guests. It left my head spinning, but thankfully my travel agent did alot of quotes and helped steer me in the right direction of resorts she knew would come back in my price point. I've had a couple glitches -- we booked 9 months in advance and the airlines schedule changed so we have had to make some adjustments but I hear that is very common and can be par for the course when you book so far in advance. I had pricing done a year in advance, so if someone tells you they can't, they can!! I am not sure how it works with USA and CDN guests, but I know in Canada they can make you several gateways as a part of your package - I have Calgary and Toronto. Good luck!

I asked Andrea about the dinner and she said because it wasn't in our package we would have to book thru the concierge once we get there. Which means - fat chance - it's hard enough to get an Ala Carte already, but one for 42 people? ha! Maybe when we get our coordinators a couple months before the wedding I will ask them too. I don't need a rehearsal dinner, just something with all of us together. I guess I can plan welcome drinks somewhere. I wasn't going to get flowers for anyone but me and my fiance, but decided I have to suck up the cost and do it. With the bright pink/fuchsia dresses, I really like the idea of orange and yellow gerbers, so I have asked for a quote for a bouquet of 3 each. We will see what that price is. Their flower prices do seem steep! So I picked up my dress and got it on again because I wanted to make sure my jewelry matched well. it does! yay! BUT new dresses fit snugger than stock/floor dresses and that caught me a bit off guard. I plan to put it on alot to make it not so stiff lol That's awesome that Air Transat did that. When was your deposit deadline? When do people have to pay buy? We made our deposit deadline a week before AC's deadline just in case Still haven't heard anything about what my flight change will be GRRR

I am not a 2014 bride, but I am from Calgary and marrying in January 2015! Congrats everyone.

You too!! What's funny is that we priced out the resort you chose, would have been crazy had we have picked it

Awesome, great job!

I have a few singles going. I think at our resort it's about $146 more so no one really cared. And didn't want to bunk up with someone they didn't know.