LisaAnthonyPoppy

Yea no one will know!!!

@@Vika thanks! Vika. What does something ole yours cost? Was mike personable? Did he honor your requests?

@@jennifernoel1 we were married in the states in February. But we wanted to exchange vows and do the real "show" in Mexico. It's important for us to have that special feeling. I'm being charged a very fair amount I believe. 250. The officiant has been emailing and talking to me about ceremony choices. Vows, special requests, our story, etc and she will put together our ceremony to last about 20 mins. It will be symbolic but no one will know better.

@@maredith thank you. you made my day. I have a 7 year old and a 14 month old. I really really want a video. I still have a lot of things to choose from. Planning a wedding is a lot of work.

@@atennille I'm glad I'm not the only one who has upheaved all of my planning! Its good to know there women with a little grit under their skin. @@maredith you will. You may not even need to. But if something is pulling at you or if you have been fair but you don't feel your vendor is being fair let it go . There are a million and one ppl that can offer you the same thing who will be happy to have your business.@@Tatimrivera I would love to go to Jamaica. I could do some ox tail, jerk chicken, red beans n rice all day. There's this little cafe in ATL that's got great Jamaican food. Brings back good memories... Ok I'm daydreaming.

To answer your question- yes. But you should check with your resort on if they allow outside vendors and if they charge a fee I have been very pleased with Petra. Her contact info is mentioned above. She does many ceremonies, in all kinds of places Good luck,

Yes! Its 2014 the internet and bilingual translation services on google can keep you in the loop! I was lucky enough to have time on my side! Good Luck!

@@acw271011 I agree. In fact I think I mentioned that, but that doesn't mean that I have to give them my business But good news is....I have found an awesome venue that stated in writing they would keep their word and pricing so I'm happy to give them by business! @@fashionleader oh yes lots of chocolate!! @@jennifernoel1 girl I know! Luckily it was a blessing in disguise. I'm happy to be working with another place. They have been WONDERFUL!! Thanks for your input!

@@jennifernoel1 Thanks Jennifer! I've visited Mexico 4 times over 10 years. My neighbor and close friend is married to a native Mexican man. We hang out 4 times a week, I've gotten to be friends with his family. They tell me what to look for and who I should contact, tips and such. I trust them. So that's been a big help. I love the culture and the beauty. I'm not a Mexican historian and I know there's crooks in every country. But I refuse to believe every one there is cut throat in the wedding business. I've met some really nice people there . My mother in law was married there. There are good vendors and such you just have to feel them out. I see your going to Jamaica. That's awesome! I'd love to go there . We've talked about it!!

@@jennifernoel1 I agree.

Who did you use for your wedding videography? Photos? Can you HONESTLY rate them based on product and service combined? You know what I learned with my first child? I didn't need all of the one million and such professional photos? My second child? I learned I still didn't need all of the professional photos and duplicates... Now that my wedding date is approaching I'm pretty sure that no, I do not need a million photos. I personally have interest in only a few photos. The ones that show emotion. ZERO posed. But what I REALLLLLY want is videography. So when Im like 80 I can pull out the outdated electronics and have my lap full of grandkids and they can see our wedding. So I can send to the family that could not come to the wedding. So I can have a post wedding party at my home. So Ive seen the big name websites of photographers and videographers, but are they really good, or are they good advertisers? I want to know your experience personally. Lets make them sweat a little hahah not but seriously. If you have had a bad experience you can PM me too! Thanks beauties!

Ok Brides, After Planning my wedding for 8 months, I wanted to share some info. There will be no name dropping but just a bit of insight and encouragement. If you are into hotel ceremonies and receptions bc you like it, then this post is not for you... no offense, truly. If you feel you have to have your wedding at a hotel bc there is no way that you can pull it all together, take a deep breath and know that - YES YOU CAN. One thing I like about weddings is not how good the cake is or what the bouquet looks like, all very important details yes, but your guests won't care, I promise What I like seeing is the couple's creativity. Their own little personal flair that is unique incorporated into their wedding. The thing you see and say oh my gosh that is so them! I have a friend who is a sous chef and for her table top centerpiece she had large vases each filled differently with asparagus, or some with slices oranges, then water, then flowers on top. her own touch. So to be told that if I have my wedding at a resort I will pay 3k-8k and they will take care of everything and in doing so I get 1 choice of their very limited options that are tired and worn out? No thanks. So upon my 8 months I have learned a lot. There are many many many options in Mexico to marry. There are even more to have a reception. I had been working with a venue directly, they promised me one thing in email. Not just the manager but the chef etc. I hired a wedding planner and she told me opposite. When things just didn't sound right from the wedding planner and the venue was telling me something else than she, it just got to be a big mess. And I had to just walk away. Did I really really want to have my wedding there? YES. Did I like my wedding planner? YES Did I feel that continuing to invest my time and potentially my money into either? NO. WC response was that it might be hard for Americans and Canadians to understand but the wedding business in Mexico is and I quote "cut throat" Do I want to give my business to cut throat people? Should I blindly just accept things that my gut instinct is telling me to be wrong just bc I think that my wedding has be perfect and held to someone else's standards of acceptability? I have looked at many these vendors, ones that have the big websites etc and you know what? They could not care two.... about me at all! Wedding ministers not responding, DJ's trying to hustle me for bigger packages, venues changing pricing etc. You know what my previous wedding planner told me? That my venue didn't care about what they agreed to and that if I didn't like the changes, oh well the venue isn't pressed for brides and doesn't need my business so I better just accept it. Oh yes. She did. That's not what I dreamed about as a little girl. And isn't it suppose to be our day? So with trusting my God given instinct and 29 years of experience I went in the opposite direction and I can not tell you how happy I am. I have found the most wonderful venue that is so friendly. Gives me all the choices I want. I can have a tab bar at the end of the night, I can have pre paid bar packages, I can bring my own liquor, I can, and I have created my own menu. I gave pics of the canapés I would like to have served and they have quoted me prices for those. They have beautiful furniture I can use at no extra cost. etc etc etc. In short- they rock. I have found an amazing wedding officiant, Petra Rattue (ok I named dropped but shes awesome) Yes I actually look forward to taking a walk to the local markets the morning of my wedding with my family and picking out flowers and creating my own bouquet. Something my previous wedding planner insisted I shouldn't be bothered with on my wedding day.I look forward setting up a couple table decorations. I look forward to it all bc it's what I want and it's my day. May not be what you want, but for me it's everything. But what do you want??? Did you start with a dream and now find yourself settling? Your wedding day is yours. I think vendors and wedding coordinators are awesome, if it were not for them we would still be getting married in our homes with no extras (totally acceptable too) but for the love of humanity, they need to be honest and held accountable. You can make your wedding day your own. Just follow your heart <3 Hope this has encouraged you. Lisa

Yep!

@@krystinsanchez37 I say figure out what venue you want to have your wedding at and then find a wedding coordinator that is experienced there. Trust me a wedding planner that is not in a good working relationship with Your venue will not be able to give you as good of service as one who does. So is start there. If you don't have a clue( and i don't blame you!) as to where you want to have your venue then I would look at reviews of wedding planners. Tammy, the host of this board and Joyce a wedding planner sent me a link of wedding planner ratings from past brides. You can pretty much find your own caterer, dj, furniture rental, flowers etc yourself. But it really helps having an experienced planner gather your contract and help you the day of! I've been planning mine for 8 months! Good luck and let me know who you choose!!

@@NotSoWitty I know! I feel like if a bride is contacting you even if your swamped you should respond within 48 hours at least to serve the purpose of acknowledgement. Try Petra if you haven't already. I'm like positive she will be your best bet! Good luck!!!

I have another board I commented on about wedding officiant. And luckily bc of these forums an officiant Petra Rattue contacted me. http://www.minister-petra.com/ I've been extremely impressed by her attention to details and overall a wholesome good feeling that comes over me when working with her. Very pleased. I hope someone sees this and finds comfort in Petra too!

If anyone reads this thread I want to tell you I found the most wonderful wedding officiant. Her name is Petra Rattue. http://www.minister-petra.com/ Wow! She really wants to make your experience personal. Trust me. She sent me a questions that were very detailed. She wants to get to know your situation and trust me mine is unique. Her fees were the same as those who didn't deliver half the amount of service. I can't wait to have her perform and officiate my wedding! I hope she stays for cocktails! Good luck brides

Omg lol I can't take this anymore! So months ago I emailed and spoke on the phone to grand corals wedding coordinator, their manager and the chef. In black in white all 3 of them knew my wedding date, guest count. They confirm date send me contract. I in the meantime hire a wedding coordinator who wants to add a few details ( I totally agree with her) before we sign. Yes you could say the painfully boring and obvious comment " if you didn't sign yet things can change". Duh it 2014 I'm not naive I get I hadn't signed. BUT yesterday I get an email from my WC stating their menu has totally changed for 2015 as does their rates. And it affects me too. So she send me over their new 2015 info which they created a long time after they had all (grand coral) emailed me and told me what they could offer. I feel that because their new menu and rules pricing wasn't in affect when they quoted me and held my wedding date that they need to honor that regardless of what they changed it to after we spoke! I also feel like my WC shouldn't just see their new menu and automatically tell me that it applies to me without contacting grand coral and bringing to attention the emails I have and the quotes about my wedding have already been done way before their new changes. I'm a little annoyed bc I had to put my foot down about being able to have 2 menu selections, and then after putting my foot down for the kids I hear oh ya you can get a rate of 60 dollars a head instead of 100. I would like to know where the issues lie. Not blaming anyone but it goes back that there is no better wedding coordinator than the bride herself even though I do really like my WC and am happy to have them.

Are you serious?! That is great ! So here's the scoop. They want to charge me like 25 to give kids chicken fingers and fries(which I don't want to serve) So I have to get approval to bring something else for them. If anyone wants food but is not of age to consume alcohol which for me is like 1/2 of my guests ( family only wedding) Then I have to pay full price which is 100 per head. Complete bullshit. But it's whatever. They are offering canapés with the meal chicken, tuna, and salmon. I think I need more variety such as fresh fruit or some veggies etc and I have to get permission to supply them myself. This makes me want to host the reception myself at a villa. Blah. Haha

I think they have an indoor space and I know they have a golf course. They have a HUGE pool... I'm trying to think what else?? I've always planned on not having my shoes on, no makeup, no hair do. So the beach is the only place I've considered, but I'm almost certain they have multiple areas for a ceremony. I'm using Dayna and Daniela from iweddings Mexico and they are so helpful and very affordable. I also have the number to the beach club and the email of the manger there.let me know if you want them! Good luck!

Barefoot.

I can totally see the need to vent girl I feel your frustration. You can control your dress your food your vows etc but you can not control other people. Your wedding will be special and when it's over with your still going to enjoy it whether she is there or not. Send out positive energy over your wedding day and let the rest go. I would hold her to the same RSVP date as everyone else and let the concerns go. If at that time she doesn't go then find a solution and be at peace. Stop worrying tell her that you are leaving the decision and all aspects over it to her. My own mother is refusing to travel to Mexico. You can't control people, only control you! Good luck girl!

My recommendation would be to have a catholic service at one of the churches on 5th in playa del Carmen. I think that there are a few. That would be really cool! Just a thought!

My sons birthday is March 14 so what a perfect date! I almost cried when I saw the sign that says " daddy wait Gil you see her" I love it. I might do that and have it say " daddy wait til you see mama!" Awesome!

Yes def check to see what the head counts are for children and if they will be priced at the adult rate. I'd like to know the answer! I informed my WC, iweddings of Mexico that it just was not going down like that but am waiting to hear their final response. Oh the joys of planning a destination wedding! I need a shot of tequila! Ha. Let me know what they say about the kids...