Stephanie2015

Up above, I have posted a picture of our welcome bags. In them I have personalized mugs. inflatable beach ball. Cheap dollar store sunglasses. A room key holder w/ wristband for swimming and a thank you note/ which would include an itinerary of the wedding day/ rehearsal dinner . Hope this helps a little bit. Wrist band for hotel key: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MB0TIC8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 http://www.amazon.com/HOSL%C2%AE-Waterproof-Plastic-Vertical-Holders/dp/B014KLQY5E/ref=sr_1_6?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1452808230&sr=1-6&keywords=waterproof+badge+holder Beach Bag : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00595AGJG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00 Bubba Mugs http://www.bubbabrands.com/ Sunglasses: http://www.amazon.com/Wayfarer-Plastic-Sunglasses-Protection-5402RA-SET-6/dp/B00LUZZPAY/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1452808440&sr=8-29&keywords=cheap+sunglasses

Lighting at Playa Azul was great! We had paid extra to have the palm trees lit up! Great idea, and I think only like $40 for 8 trees? Which is fine because the guys have to stay after their shift to put them up. As far as a welcome bag, I bought each room a beach bag. Inside the beach bag I had room key holders with a plastic zip cover and arm band so they could wear while swimming.. also I bough bubba mugs with personal labels that had our wedding logo printed on it. Also, I put in a beach ball and cheap sunglasses. They were such a great hit, without spending a ton of money! Most of it I found off amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008JF812M?keywords=arm%20band%20key&qid=1446342823&ref_=sr_1_15&sr=8-15 http://www.amazon.com/Heavyweight-Vertical-Holder-Resealable-1815-1110/dp/B004APYQI8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446342858&sr=8-1&keywords=badge+protector http://www.amazon.com/SySrion-Brand-Sand-Away-Beach/dp/B00LBUYZK4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1446342924&sr=1-1&keywords=beach+bags * Bought the bubba mugs off their website. Also, if you join their email list I think they will send another discount! (15%) Happy Planning! Ps It goes by so quick, so enjoy your time planning I got married on January 7th, last year and can't believe how time flies! *I guess I am having trouble uploading the photos. Let me know if I can be of any help! Bridesmaids Gifts, I gave each a bag (link below) Inside I put lip balm, mints and a handwritten thank you personalized to each girl. Also, paid to have them get their nails done at the salon. Which I had put in the note Giving that you are most likely flying you might not want to bring anything to big!. http://www.hobbylobby.com/Floral-%26-Wedding/Wedding/Favors/Black-%26-Rhinestone-Bridesmaid-Cosmetic-Bag/p/4115-TE0235 P.s With the hobby lobby they almost always have %50 off their wedding supplies. Hope this helps

I would say about 45 - 1 hour per person and the bride plan for an hour and a half. Yes, bring in pictures for both hair and make-up or just tell them what you want. As far as hanging out at the spa no there really isn't much to do. . I would suggest that you get nails done before you go as mine didn't last long and felt that was the only waste of money at the salon. Not sure as to what type of make up they use but it worked well with my dry skin. Hope that helps a little Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

Go with the salon for your make-up!! They did such a good job with mine I highly recommend them. Don't waste your money on bringing someone else off property in...

I went with sun country last month, and yes unfortunately I did have to pack my dress in my carry-on. It actually wasn't a big deal, as soon as I got checked into our hotel I took it out and the humidity got the wrinkles out.

Just got back from my wedding there on Jan 7th!! As far as your wedding dress I would recommend folding it carefully into a suitcase and taking it out once you arrive to the resort as the humidity there will take out any wrinkles. I ended up going to my local JC Penny's store and buying the guys attire there when they went on sale, therefore it didn't matter about renting when you can own for pretty much if not cheaper than an actual suit or say Men's warehouse. As far as gift bags I did a beach bag filled with a beach ball, cheap sun glasses both from oriental trading. Beach bag from amazon. I also did room key holders that had a stretchy arm band which was also waterproof. And finally I gave everyone a bubba mug. Everyone used these and the bags went over better than imagined. Any other questions let me know if I can help. Happy planning!

I just got back from my Wedding/ Honeymoon! I got married on January 7th, cannot believe how fast time has gone by. I absolutely loved Barcelo, as it was my 4th time visting the resort. Just a brief overview, I arrived on Friday January 2nd. I met with Andrea, the wedding coordinator on Monday the 5th, just to go over the details and the timeline for the day. She spoke english really well and did not have a hard time understanding her at all. She was so nice, and things couldnt of gone better. I went with the Strawberry package. Everything on the wedding day went perfect, have no fear it will be the same for you! We got married at 3 in the afternoon, I did nails at 9am, which seemed to take a while but so relaxing. I got around to my make-up at 11am the spa did an amazing job with my make-up no need to hire out a specialist for this.. save your $. I can't speak about hair, as I had a friend from the states do mine along with my bridesmaids. The morning seemed to go by really fast, and before I knew it I was getting picked up on the golf cart by Andrea for the ceremony. I had my ceremony at Playa Azul, which I highly recommend as it was a bit more private without that many people around, even though I did have random people in their swim suits watching and taking pictures on me.. (akward lol) There were a few life guards on both sides making sure these random onlookers didnt get in the way. I had the saxaphonist play, and to be honest I didnt pay much attention to him as I was more focused on walking down the isle. We had our reception at Palamaras beach, which was perfect. Side note, it costs $5 per palm tree if you want them lit up. The dinner they served, surf and terf was AMAZING I couldnt of asked for more, I was so full by the end of the meal. They also had 5 waitstaff for 24 of us, they took care of us needless to say. I had a family friend come down from the states to take pictures. Lastly, I wouldnt stress out so much about the little things. Dont worry about hiring outsiders for make-up and hair, the salon does a wonderful job, and plus you dont have to pay any vendor fees. Relax take a deep breath and just be in the moment, it will go by fast. Any questions I would be happy to answer. Happy Planning Barcelo Brides! P.S Ask for the room upgrade, we were put in the most amazing suite while we were there, it had 2 bathrooms, 2 showers and three patios/ with an amazing hamock outside! I stayed at the Tropical and Carlos the manager at the front desk was so easy to work with. I just cant speak highly enough of Barcelo, and the staff there! I just got back and I loved feeding banana's to the turtles, lol they said it was a Mexican manicure!

Don't be worried about the "down time" they are in beautiful Mexico I'm sure they won't mind. I'm at the two week mark today and feel the same way about stress over the little things

Hey any feed back on if your guests used their key card holders? I just ordered mine and hope people will use them! lol

@@cometgirl Thanks!

What did you guys end up going with? I just bought the coils for the arm.... Any feedback?

I just bought coils. Does anyone have any feed back yet on which worked/ have you had your wedding yet?

So the real question, I am about 18 days from leaving and going crazy on how all of my bags and 21 bubba mugs will fit inside my luggage. Ha, how many bags(luggage) do you all plan on bringing with you. I don't have the time, and family near by to have a pre -party to hand them out at. which probably would have been the ideal situation. Thinking I well pre check bags to save on that before I hit the airport.

My resort Barcelo Maya, has specialty restaurants that have a dress code. I told my guests to follow that. Meaning no jeans or tennis shoes. I'm not all the picky. Hopefully us brides won't die in our dresses lol

I have the same blue tea light holders! I have decided to use blue jewels around them simple and easy to fly with!!

Money is always a tough subject, my parents are contributing about 8,000 where as my fl side is contributing about $500. Its tough because I feel bad my parents are so willing to help, and his side not so much. I feel like I shouldn't use my parents money because it just wouldn't be fair, and it seems like my fl isn't really appreciative for their help..

Does anybody know if the bride and groom gets upgraded to a suite?

I am so going to do a shot with my bridesmaids!! Thanks for the idea, what a great photo op

Awesome thank you guys for the opinions!

Has anybody asked guests not to post pictures from the wedding onto social media sites such as Facebook? Since my fiancé and I will be gone for almost two weeks I don't want to come back to a bunch of photos online. I would like to be the one to initiate the photos once I return home... Any thoughts?

We are getting married in 48 days, exciting but I am second guessing having picked the Strawberry package!... I can not believe that it is $70 extra for one person. Did anybody pick the Mint package? I mean the only difference would be that the reception wouldnt be on the beach. .... I just dont know, after all why would I get married in Mexico only to have the reception inside. What would happen if it were to rain though, wouldnt they just move you inside anyways?? Any advice on this one??

I have decided to fly a photographer from home.. I paid for their trip 4 days which comes to about $2000. But I also get a photographer that knows me, and can be with us for more than just my big day!

I am selling my Mia Solano wedding dress. Never worn, still has tags and no alterations. This is truly a gorgeous dress, but I bought it before I had found "the one" I purchased this dress for $998. I would like to sell for $650. This is a beautiful dress for a beach wedding. Message me for more information or pictures. Size 8. Corset back, sleeves are optional as they can be removed.

Thank you so much for the reassurance that I shouldn't use vendors! Love the pictures! The review helped so much! Congrats on becoming Mr.& Mrs. Anybody on here getting married in January?!

Only 74 more days until I am on the beach getting married. I leave in about 70 days. I'm getting so excited, I did run into a bump as far as my wedding dress, I had my alterations appointment, and realized I couldn't stand my dress...so the hunt is on hopefully I can find something quick! I have also come to the terms that I am going to want a photographer, at first I couldn't really comprehend spending so much money especially to get them inside the resort, but in the end I think I am going to start the hunt for photography! Any ideas?..prices? Thanks! Also, as far as welcome bags, anybody have a good idea as far as what works well? And decorations ...I really want sparklers guess I will just have to find some when I get down there...maybe a Wal-mart run..that's if they sell them