calgarybride2015

Welcome and congrats. The gifts to each other are completely optional. Some do them, some don't. In the beginning we had planned not to as we paid for the wedding ourselves but in the end we did some fun gifts. I got my husband a shirt with a saying I knew he'd love and he got me a pandora charm. Nothing over the top!! That said if you did want to do the gift, a lot of brides do watches, cuff links, boudoir shoots or that sort of thing. You'd be out of time for the photo shoot I'd assume though at this point. Again it's not a hard and fast rule you have to follow. It'd up to you and your fiancé. Good luck in 2 weeks! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Omg your photos are gorgeous!! I'm so glad you had the wedding of your dreams!!! Thank you so much for sharing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We didn't put the money down -- I meant we took the gamble hoping that the price would be honored over the 15 rooms/30 seats and that the resort wouldn't fill up Aside from @@vancouverpetunia, I know a few ladies who have, but it's not many! If we did that, I am not sure we would have lost the money -- but it would have been a nightmare getting reimbursed from our friends/family, so for us it couldn't be taken off our trip. The people had to reimburse us directly.

Our travel agent also suggested we either pay for some extra holds or if we had people who wanted to put their deposit down right away like we did. In the end we took the gamble and it worked out for us. We were at a mega resort though with over 1000 rooms. It did sell out though near the end! Hahha although I say I'm shy, I am a Leo and would love the onboard announcement!! Someone will buy you a drink maybe Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think your price drops were good! Around $100 isn't nothing to pass up, especially since you have the regulations with enough rooms needed etc. And I believe our dollar plays a role so who knows what will come of prices. I wish we got 1 in 11 too!!! We got 1 in 16 that was with AC. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@acw271011 I think the border guard was tired and over the day. We had went into the US and went to Seattle just for the night. Since it was a 6ish hour drive I think he thought that was suspicious. He found nothing more than 50 maracas lol @@vancouverpetunia Good luck!! I'm sure you will sort it out. I'm so not old fashioned in the sense it blows my mind that the brides parents should pay -- I'd be like 'you want her? You pay'hahah ok just kidding but still it blows my mind. I understand the reasoning but times sure have changed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome I agree with @@kellymiller Do you have all the packages offered by your resort and the extras price list? I would start there -- read thru them all, see what packages intrigue you or if you can go a'la carte (take a basic package and add on what you want), see what you can afford and/or want to spend. Start thinking about your theme, what you want as your vision, your favors, etc. While most resorts don't start planning until closer to the date, with a good set of information from the resort you can basically have it all planned out yourself beforehand. Then when you have contact with your WC you can iron out the details. Do you have all those package and price sheets? if not, that would be my first start - either you or your TA need to contact them to get a copy of all your options! Good luck!

I think they will be. I had the same idea, just different straps, and the stones sparkle!

Gorgeous! You made a beautiful bride and your dress was stunning!!!

I totally read your post wrong and was having a blonde moment - duh I've seen your photos. Don't mind me we have discussed doing some yearly now too because they turned out so well but we shall see lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@yycbride2016 I used a fella in Calgary who charged $200 for 90 mins and 100 edited photos. I thought that was reasonable. If you are interested let me know Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awe look at my handsome son in the chair hahah!!! Couple thoughts... 1. How heavy is the tassel hanging from the chair bow? Reason I ask is that you will find as the night goes on the chair bows fall on their own -- may happen quicker if the tassels are quite heavy. 2. You can definately upgrade the chairs but I am sure there is a cost. You'd have to check the price list. Hopefully it's not too bad!!! 3. Pretty darn sure you can rent those hangers as I've seen them in the resorts own photos Good questions to check with the wedding department Sorry you are struggling with this but on the positive it's probably best now then in Mexico! Let us know what you decide Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

At first I was nervous when you said 200 because I was like 'OMG what if they all book?' hehehe, but 56 is a very respectable number and like you mentioned (and are seeing) you will always get some stragglers! We had 3 children at our wedding, 2 of them being mine LOL!!! Kids make life fun, but I totally respect both sides. I also made a spreadsheet!!! Had about the same information as yours, but I had columns for 'deposit paid' 'paid in full' 'double occupancy' etc. As I had to have 10 double rooms booked to use the free wedding package that we had planned on! You are on top of things!!!!!

How about both? Wear the barefoot sandals for the ceremony and the heals after? They are both lovely!!!!

Congrats again, We have a couple upcoming brides, but this thread has been a little quiet. If you scroll back a ways in the thread there are a couple brides from last year who had the presidential package - oilersbride and okotoks bride. (I believe) they left great reviews. I am going to send you a private message on here with some links to things you may find helpful. If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask! You typically don't get your WC until 1 month out. That said I never had any issues with communication over the 9 months I planned my wedding - it was Mexican time forsure, but they still got answered. I got my WC 1 month out - Araanza - and she was fabulous. Just remember you aren't their priority until a couple months out, but your wedding will go smoothly! When you are on site you are their number one!

Congrats again!!! Love your story. It gave me goosebumps. Men can be so romantic sometimes, the scrapbook is a lovely keepsake!! We also have family in ON and BC so everyone would have to travel. Why not go to paradise. Great decision. I am so glad your TA could find something to make it happen for you! Your engagement photos are beautiful. And I agree - they are good practice for the big day. I said that as well. Gave me the confidence for our wedding photos. I love them both. Can't wait for more. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Same. We were done before schedule because it became such an oiled machine. My MC (brother in law) was right on top of it. Best decision ever to have someone in charge. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree. My guests paid in the last day or two!! It was stressful. We sent out two reminders because we knew if they didn't book with us the price was hundreds more. I had a picture by the chapel but didn't go in. It's right beside the palapa. It looks beautiful. All my pics and review are below in the links if you want to check them out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome, I married at the GS in January. I used the resort photographer Adventure Photos. What I should point out is that there are many photographers associated with them. What I did was request work of all the photographers still on site and then browsed their work. The one I liked the best I requested for our wedding. Her name was Perla but she is no longer with them. Her husband may be and his name is Hazel Gonzalez. I have also heard great things about Ulysis (sp?) there. If you do go with an outside photographer you will have to pay $300 USD for an external vendor fee. There are brilliant photogs all over the Mayan!! as @@TinkerSofi said!!! I have a few short listed (Bohemia, Samual Luna, Dean Sandersen) but in the end I went with the ones on site as I LOVED Perla's work and she didn't let me down. Good luck.

I emailed my photographer a few times before we left to see what her thoughts were on our timeline, how much time we should allot for x y and z, but otherwise no we didn't have a lot of contact. That said, I was able to meet my photographer once I got to Mexico before the wedding. Are you? If not, you will probably need to firm up a schedule before hand then. IE - what time to expect him on site and where? (groom getting ready shots in room 1525 at 130pm) or whatever, then plan your schedule all the way until he leaves. Also make sure he knows what types of photos intrigue you and some must haves - like night photos as Juan would like. I don't know if I would send him your 'must have' list but you can -- just also make sure you give it to your MC or someone who will be in charge to ensure all your group shots get done. i would also firm up cost, when you should pay, when to expect your photos, and any extras he may want from you. I am sure you can also send him some inspiration pictures as well. Hope that helps some.

Congrats on getting so close to your big day! 1. Flower petals are an extra. I believe I paid around $18.50 for a bag. They will give some to the flower girl and they will pre-sprinkle the isle for you as well. 2. They will put flowers on the cake if you request this. Generally what they do is just pick flowers off the ceremony ones and the WC will put them onto the cake. Can it be more formal? Probably, you would have to inquire. I preferred her just picking some from the ceremony flowers to save me in cost. You can also get them to put ribbon on the cake - I requested fuchsia and she used her own stock. I brought a cake topper as I felt it was more personalized and I think it looked really good. Either way is great though (you can see my pics in the links below) 3. I will assume that your confetti will be allowed. I was going to do this, but ended up not bothering. Wish I had though! My only concern for you though is if you are having your reception outside or in the palapa - if yes, the wind will blow it all off the tables. If you can, maybe get the gems/rocks instead because they are heavier. You can find them at Dollarama and Michaels in numerous colors. 4. Your WC will handle any decor you have for the ceremony and reception. You give it to her in your meeting before the wedding and just give her a heads up on how you want it set up. You can even take pics of it set up to show her. I had separated all my items into large ziplock bags so it was easier for her to know how much and what goes on each table. Hope that helps!

You make a valid point that the dispute would be with the seller, ugh!!! It's a tough spot because you should be reimbursed, but I see your point that it's totally not the seller's fault. And we all know CP won't be paying for it. Keep us posted. OMG LOVE your brochures, they are super cute and festive. Seeing your spot for room numbers makes me wish I had went thru with it. A fantastic idea, knowing what I know now Your photo props are not only cute but a steal of a price! Good job. Us brides are bargain hunters that is forsure. Just at about a month now - wooohoo!! What day do you fly out again?

Just wanted to jump in and say HOLY SMOKES!!! That cake better be lined with gold. I agree with @@acw271011 that you should question a cake of such value. Another thought I had, and please don't take this the wrong way, but could you be seeing a price that is in peso? That would make more sense to me!!!!! I am just trying to justify the cost for you. I didn't even pay $1400 for 45 people to eat at my wedding LOL! I personally have never been to Cabo so hopefully someone can jump in and help!

Glad to hear your wedding was everything you had wanted and that you came back to share it with us. I loved your tropical colors and you looked so gorgeous in your dress!!!!! Beautiful pictures.

@@yycbride2016 Is it in Red Deer again this year? @@TNT2015 Your dress is absolutely gorgeous! Can't wait to see you wearing it. I think it really depends on the store if they store your dress for you or not -- I believe they would have to have proper insurance. I know here in my city David's Bridal would not hold your dress for you, so it hung in my bedroom. Not even joking LOL I was too scared to leave it in the basement (bugs) or in the kid's rooms (well you know why lol) but my husband wasn't even tempted. If you have a spare room maybe hang it in there - out of site, out of mind. You can bring your dress for alterations wherever you want too. If you prefer the bridal store you purchased it from great, if someone has a recommendation of a seamstress for half the cost, even better!! I tend to find that bridal stores up the cost. I went to a seamstress in my neighborhood more for access - as I live in a large city the bridal store was about a 30 min drive. Most people do alterations 2-3 months out. I did three months out, but she had more than the basics to do. I had a hem, bustle, and she took my dress out and had to replicate the bead work. Most people don't recommend doing it much earlier than that because your body shape may change and you would have to get the work done twice potentially. Also ask the shop where you plan to have the work done - if they are more busy you may have to go in sooner, etc. With saying that, bridal stores are super busy -- David's Bridal in Calgary books easily 6 months in advance if not more. Hope that helps