nrowe32

You can do a slideshow but you have to pay extra for the projector. If you are using an outside DJ I would recommend asking them, since you can negotiate the prices more. We were married at Castaways 11/7/14 and used Dean Sanderson, we paid I think about $3900 for 8hrs and a TTD, and our photos are incredible and Dean was great to work with, he really knows what he is doing especially with the TTD. I used the guitarist for the cocktail hour and it was perfect. I also thought it may have been a waste to pay for the Divine, but we had 62 people and a la carte would have cost more. We used the included photographer for a Welcome Cocktail we did the night before the wedding in the lobby and it worked out great and we got a book of the photos that were also included, and the videographer came for the ceremony and the video all turned out nice. Everything really turns out amazing.

My photographer said the makeup that comes out of the resort spas tends to be heavy and cakey. He suggested stylingtrio http://stylingtrio.com/, they use airbrush makeup and do a great job. I also have contacted MVP. The only issue I had is MVP has a minimum 2 guests and the bride, and my girls only wanted hair done so we got our hair done at the spa and everyone was happy. And stylingtrio was a bit pricey for what I was willing to pay plus you have to pay the vendor fee. My hair looked amazing from the resort spa. and I did my own makeup.

Ahhh, same here! I have almost everything done, but can't get rid of the feeling I am forgetting something!

Hi ladies, so for my centerpieces I plan on using three cylinder floating candle vases (3 different heights) filled with water and green sea glass on the bottom (our colors are coral and mint green, but the sea glass is pretty close). Let me know if any future brides (post November 7th) are interested in this and I would love to leave these at the resort for you to use, and save me the hassle of having to bring them back with me. I am having 60 people. So I am bringing 24, but have 36 if someone needs more. Here are the websites I used to purchase the centerpieces so you can get a visual. I can't figure out how to upload a photo to show what it looks like together. http://www.afloral.com/Floral-Supplies/Vase-Filler/Sea-Glass-in-Green-46-oz-Per-Container - Sea Glass http://www.quickcandles.com/Cylinder-Floating-Candle-Vase-Set-of-36-p/cylinderfl_set_36.htm - Vases

Oh great, thanks so much for this info!

Who did you book the party boat with? We were thinking of setting something like that up for the day after the wedding.

She should be able to provide this for you, it is labeled Wedding Contract, I just know we didn't receive it from Pilar until I started asking a bunch of questions. it just breaks down your package and extras that you are getting. I'd try asking for it, it was very helpful for budgeting.

It is probably too early for you to have received the wedding contract, which breaks down the prices for everything. Pilar sent it to me a few months ago and I am getting marred Nov. 7th.

Ok perfect, that's what I was assuming.

Mine said $65 too. But I really don't think she can raise it since the wedding contract shows the $65.

I'm using Dean Sanderson, he only uses more than one photographer if you request it, but typically works alone. If you want another photographer to research. He was much cheaper than Del Sol but had the same quality work.

For photographers, you do not pay the outside vendor fee. You just pay for the day pass, it was $65 but i think they raised it to $150. Either way, less than the $350 vendor fee.

I am right there with you! I have not thought about packing! Feel very behind!

Disco Movil wasn't available on our date, but I had him refer us someone to use. I'll see if he can add lighting, we go the cold fireworks, thanks!

Have any past brides or are any future brides using the uplighting? Our reception is at Castaways and Pilar recommended the uplighting extra but it will cost approx. $400 with tax. Is it worth it? Thoughts?

Still available?

Pilar sent me an extras price list that I can send you. From all the reviews on here it sounds like the guitar was a popular choice, I am having that during the cocktail hour because I have a specific song I would like for the processional. I believe the canopy is $350 (which I am still not positive if the fabric is included or not, since I am getting chair bows/runners on ebay I was hoping I could also get some extra fabric for the canopy in case it is extra. The flower arrangements for the canopy (2) is $150. I am using Dean Sanderson for photography, so I am going to use the photography for a welcome cocktail in the lobby the night before the wedding. And keeping the videographer for the ceremony since it's included (i just hope he doesn't get in the way of the photos!) I hope this helps! I am also freaking out a bit since I am Nov 7th!

My package comes with my bouquet, 2 corsages and 3 bouts. I am going to give the corsages to my mother and MIL and have my dad and FI wear the bouts. And get white calla lilies as my bouquet to divide up between my 6 BM's, which probably will be only 2-3 flowers a piece so they have something to hold for walking down the aisle. Since they won't need them for after ceremony, and the flowers seemed pricey at my resort. And then I am buying a bouquet on etsy for myself.

Ricardo from discomovil was already booked for my date. Have past brides been happy with the resort DJ and do you know who it is? Can the resort DJ provide cold fireworks? Any other recommendations for DJ's.

Thanks, maybe we will consider lighting more now! You can't do Castaways earlier than 7 because it is open to the public until 6 and they need time to setup. But I am pretty positive you can extend the reception to 11. We are having our ceremony on the beach at 4, and a break for people to freshen up, and then cocktail 6-7, reception 7-10 (and maybe we will extend it)

How did Castaways look? Most pictures are of Bamboo room so it is hard to plan! But Pilar said Bamboo would be too small for our group. I never saw anywhere that you get kicked out at 10. But I think you would just have to pay to extend it an hour. Or am I wrong? She sent me a few pictures of the lighting. It was pink, and I am not sure if it really made a difference. I know some of the DJs include lighting in their packages, so I thought I might shop around for DJs for that reason.

I only recently started emailing them. They have been fairly quick to respond. I was just questioning charges and how much the estimated total costs would be. And what I needed to do because I felt like I hadn't done anything! Pilar did recommend lighting package ($350+tax) and fans ($150 each+tax) for Castaways, which I think is pretty silly that fans wouldn't be included, that is more a comfort of the guest than added service. They give you a form to fill out with details about your plans, I know that is really the only thing that needs to be provided ahead of time besides salon appointments.

Well I know in reading reviews someone did a welcome BBQ party that they said was a great time, and I am curious if it could replace the reception altogether. But I am not sure.

Oh I like the idea of the boat. We prefer the buffet with the large group since you get more options than just one plate of dinner. And I expect the quality of food (warmth,etc) decreases significantly with large groups when doing a seated dinner. But we work in restaurants so we might have different opinions than the norm. I was thinking I would prefer to just do a Beach BBQ similar to someone's welcome party that was $30pp (I think). I imagine you could still have music and it would be similar to a traditional reception.

I thought it was required to have a buffet after 50 people, which was fine with us because we would prefer a buffet. But I am not positive. You can ask for the contract now. I was asking Pilar and Isela about prices and they sent me the contract that lists the prices and extras and what is included in your package. So I just fill in the extras and things that I know we want and it gives you a much better idea of what the total price will be. Every service/extra also has added 16% tax charge. And for example dinner charge over 25 ppl for the divine package is $53 plus $8.48(tax) plus $7.95 (service), so it really is $69.43 extra per person for dinner. I totally understand! We are getting married Nov. 7th and I am trying to make sure we have thought of everything! Let me know if this helps!