JennyZ

Thanks for your kind words @@vancouverpetunia. No booking deadlines, but we did ask everyone to RSVP by July/August 1 latest, so we can pay for dinners, gifts, etc. The resort is small (only 350 rooms) so it does book up fast in the Holiday months such as December. Uncle is totally aware of the wedding plans, but they were just waiting until my Aunt started feeling better, to book anything... My 2 cousins are younger, but they live on their own, so I'm not sure if they are even able to afford to come? But I was going to send them invites so they were included anyway.

OOOO! I'm so happy I found this thread! I'm jumping in!!! I have done soooo much research on this topic and all in all, I get no specific answers! lol! I have been told it is completely acceptable to straight out ask your wedding coordinator, who should be tipped and how much, so I will be having that email conversation with mine soon! (I can update any ladies who are interested in her response). Based on my research and budget, this is what I have personally concluded and am preparing myself for: $100 - Wedding Coordinator $50-$100 - Photographer $50 - Officiant (we are just having a blessing) $80 - Servers (based this on 4 servers/$20 each) $50 - Bartenders (based on 2 bartenders/$25 each) $50 - DJ $80-$100 - Mariachi Band ($20 each/4-5 people) Please let me know if I'm way out there with these numbers?! I'm totally second guessing myself and would love to get feedback! I am also unsure, because we are having cocktail hour on the beach, before the dinner/reception, so am I suppose to tip those servers/bartenders too? (Or maybe they will be the same for my reception...?) EKKK!

@@Jsnyder0132 - I had been shopping around and was also torn between photographers, looking for reviews/advice here and not quite satisfied with my options... I posted this on another brides thread who was trying to decide between different destination photographers and she has since contacted my photographer and I believe they will be working together soon!! I just thought I would throw this out for you too, because I am SO happy and want to share with other Brides who might be on the same search I had been on for a LONG time!: Anyone currently shopping around for a destination photographer - Don't get stuck with the choices you think you only have! After MANY months of researching various destination photographers, getting their packages/prices, then narrowing it down to the ones who were the "best" of what I thought was available to me (but honestly still nothing special). Never did I think I would end up hiring someone from a different country (USA) of where I was from (Canada) and where my wedding was to be held (Mexico)! Not only is it totally do-able, but it was actually less expensive!!! I can’t help but to think finding this photographer was a “meant to be” situation and now I will always remember the interesting meeting, which turned into the best thing that could have ever happened in finding MY photographer! I found “Be Photography” after seeing his images on the Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal Facebook group a few months ago. I had actually commented on how GORGEOUS his pictures were and found myself longing to get the same quality for my own wedding at the same resort scheduled this upcoming December 1, 2015. James, of “Be Photography”, quickly responded to my comments and explained how he is also a professional travel agent (specializing in destination weddings) and if the wedding party group books their travel through him, his photography is actually free! Now, as FANTASTIC as that deal would have been! Unfortunately we had already booked all travel and I sadly thought the option was closed. Soooo! The search continued… Looking through different Mexican photographers portfolios, not really finding anything that “popped” for me and prices that were wayyy too expensive (keeping in mind, I would also have to pay an “outside vendor fee” + day passes for a photographer & his/her assistant AND also pay to feed both of them at my reception dinner! Woah!) Of course my resort had their own vendor, who didn’t even have a website to view pictures and their package basically covered the ceremony only, so I wouldn’t have any pictures of the dinner reception???.... Finally, feeling defeated, I settled on an outside vendor, who was all I found I could really afford. I contacted him to place my deposit, only to find out, not only would I have to pay the difference between Canadian $ to US $ (obviously not his fault), the outside vendor fee, 2 day passes and pay for 2 peoples dinners – but now I also had to pay a 5% fee, to pay his bill via PayPal! This didn’t sit quite right with me, so I decided to take a few days to think about it… Fast forward to a month ago!… “Be Photography” posted more pictures on Facebook of a destination wedding in Mexico and again, I went through the photos saying “this is EXACTLY what I want!” I private messaged him again, to compliment his work and before you know it, we started discussing options for him to be my photographer, without booking my travel. I was BLOWN AWAY when I received his quote!!! Not only was it more affordable than ALL of the Mexican photographers I had been in contact with, but I was actually getting THREE DAYS of photography (rehearsal dinner, entire wedding day/night coverage, PLUS the day after/trash the dress session) for less than what it was going to cost me, to hire locally! UNBELIEVABLE!!! Since he would actually be staying at the resort, there was no more “outside vendor fees” or day passes required! Now I get to work with a photographer, whom I LOVE his images and KNOW that I am going to have the most amazing memories captured, guaranteed!!! I also have to mention, the communication has been fantastic and I know everything is going to be completely covered! From the initial online video meeting/conference, to the detailed, easy to understand contract – which clearly outlined everything I was receiving (with WAYYYY more than what ANY other photographer offered!!!) I was able to pay a VERY reasonable deposit via an actual credit card processor, registered to an actual business - I am left alleviated! One less stress for a Bride is always a good thing!!! lol! You can find “Be Photography” on the WeddingWire website and with his impressive 200 positive reviews and a 5/5 star rating, I hope this review will help any other Brides out here, who don’t want to settle for anything less than what they deserve! http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/be-photography-be-vacations-fallston/ebd3e79e272f2633.html Be Photography Website: http://www.bephotography.net/pricing-2/caribbean-and-international/

Last week, I received an urgent call that I needed to rush to the hospital, as my Aunt's cancer treatment had unexpectedly failed and she was now in her final days... My beloved Aunty passed away on Thursday April 16th after a short, but very painful battle with multiple myeloma cancer at the age of only 59. We are all devastated, as worst case she was given 5-15 years to live from her diagnosis in December, and she only made it for 5 months I will be greatly missing her at all the events she was suppose to be at this year (my bridal shower in June and the Mexico wedding in December) where we were planning of making amazing family memories together, but I do find peace in knowing she is no longer in pain and being ravished by the disease. The funeral was today and I now find myself alone at home putting together our newly arrived wedding invitations for some stress relief... Obviously I know it is WAY too soon to be sending these to her immediate family, but I wanted to reach out for some advice as I'm sitting here perplexed and heart broken... Do I still send my Uncle a wedding invitation? and if so, when & how do I address the envelope? (It breaks my heart to omit her name ) Any thoughts or words of advice would be greatly appreciated.

@@Laurahanby - No problem! Glad I could help!!! Congrats on the soon-to-be new addition too btw!!! Go back to the files I sent you and check out the "MY wedding details at IB T&Q" pdf. - Starting on page 6: Each restaurant actually has the menu listed As for restaurant set up, that info you will have to get from the wedding coordinator. I haven't planned that far yet. Standard decor is just white tablecloths, with your plates, cutlery, glasses, etc.

@@toriw83 - Both are fabulous locations and resorts - You really cant go wrong at either! They actually look very similar (decor, restaurants, food, walkways, etc.) I chose the Quetzal/Tucan for my wedding, due to it's smaller size. The Paraiso, has 5 Iberostar resorts side-by-side (the Paraiso Grand / Paraiso Beach / Paraiso Lindo / Paraiso Del Mar / Paraiso Maya) and is a huge complex. They have their own shopping center with an AMAZING taco shop and a burger place that you have to check out, if you go! (all included in your stay), where the Quetzal only has the Tucan as it's mirror image (2 resorts side-by-side). I found there was a lot of walking at the Paraiso, but it was so nice to be able to go over to the next resort(s) (literally just a pathway separating them) to check out different theatre shows and activites everyday! Hope this helps a bit!

@@Jlk1004 - what's your email addy? Let me send you the smaller packages (better when you have less people). I only have 20 guests, so it made sense to purchase the Gold Star Package, then add on the extras I wanted - still wayyyy less than the Dreams package and I get everything that is included in the Dream! Gold Star includes the flowers, the cake, a couples massage, a romantic dinner for the wedding couple, hair test and hair style for bride, cocktails and appetizers for an hour (cocktail hour on the beach) with live music and so much more. Definitely the way to go!!! BTW Ladies, here are your choices for the chair sashes. They are $3 each/per chair

@@Jlk1004 - You can purchase the $2799 gold package (that package covers up to 20 people) and pay an extra $990 for a private dinner/reception from 6:30 - 10:30pm. Then you pay $25 per missing person, up to the 30 people that is required to rent the restaurant. 50 people is only for the beach. The gold package also includes the 1 hour cocktail party and 45 minutes of live music (we're using the mariachi band)

@@Laurahanby - Hey Neighbour!! lol! Sure, I'll be happy to forward you the info hun! Hopefully it isn't what the sales team has sent you already. Let me know!

I dont know what the heck is going on with you poor ladies!!! My Wedding is Dec 1, 2015 and I am already in contact with the wedding coordinator! I simply told Connie, I had enough of her, and was ready to be passed along! lol! Follow up/reforward multiple times with your emails! It pays off! Private dinner option - you can rent out a restaurant for $990 usd, even if you have less than 30 people. The catch is, you have to pay $25 per missing person (i.e. if you only have 20 guests, you have to pay $250 extra to make up the 10 missing people).

I am SO beyond thrilled that had to share my excitement with other Brides who might be on the same search I have been on for a LONG time! Anyone currently shopping around for a destination photographer - Don't get stuck with the choices you think you only have! After MANY months of researching various destination photographers, getting their packages/prices, then narrowing it down to the ones who were the "best" of what I thought was available to me (but honestly still nothing special). Never did I think I would end up hiring someone from a different country (USA) of where I was from (Canada) and where my wedding was to be held (Mexico)! Not only is it totally do-able, but it was actually less expensive!!! I can’t help but to think finding this photographer was a “meant to be” situation and now I will always remember the interesting meeting, which turned into the best thing that could have ever happened in finding MY photographer! Soooo! The search continued… Looking through different Mexican photographers portfolios, not really finding anything that “popped” for me and prices that were wayyy too expensive (keeping in mind, I would also have to pay an “outside vendor fee” + day passes for a photographer & his/her assistant AND also pay to feed both of them at my reception dinner! Woah!) Of course my resort had their own vendor, who didn’t even have a website to view pictures and their package basically covered the ceremony only, so I wouldn’t have any pictures of the dinner reception???.... Finally, feeling defeated, I settled on an outside vendor, who was all I found I could really afford. I contacted him to place my deposit, only to find out, not only would I have to pay the difference between Canadian $ to US $ (obviously not his fault), the outside vendor fee, 2 day passes and pay for 2 peoples dinners – but now I also had to pay a 5% fee, to pay his bill via PayPal! This didn’t sit quite right with me, so I decided to take a few days to think about it… Fast forward to a few days ago!… “Be Photography” posted more pictures on Facebook of a destination wedding in Mexico and again, I went through the photos saying “this is EXACTLY what I want!” I private messaged him again, to compliment his work and before you know it, we started discussing options for him to be my photographer, without booking my travel. LADIES – I was BLOWN AWAY when I received his quote!!! Not only was it more affordable than ALL of the Mexican photographers I had been in contact with, but I was actually getting THREE DAYS of photography (rehearsal dinner, entire wedding day/night coverage, PLUS the day after/trash the dress session) for less than what it was going to cost me, to hire locally! UNBELIEVABLE!!! Since he would actually be staying at the resort, there was no more “outside vendor fees” or day passes required! Now I get to work with a photographer, whom I LOVE his images and KNOW that I am going to have the most amazing memories captured, guaranteed!!! I also have to mention, the communication has been fantastic and I know everything is going to be completely covered! From the initial online video meeting/conference, to the detailed, easy to understand contract – which clearly outlined everything I was receiving (with WAYYYY more than what ANY other photographer offered!!!) I was able to pay a VERY reasonable deposit via an actual credit card processor, registered to an actual business - I am left alleviated! One less stress for a Bride is always a good thing!!! lol!

With all due respect ladies, I am kind of glad she wrote what she did... It has actually helped out and made me feel a lot better about my situation... I feel WAYYYY more badly, for the poor Bride who gets that MIL!... All of a sudden, financial reasons don't seem quite so bad anymore! lol Thanks for all your kind words xo

@@Gemma987 Firstly, I'd like to say, there have been zero demands. That came across as very negative. You have gone a little too far comparing your own situation to mine, and in the process, your post is actually very bitter to read. I'm not exactly sure why there have been so many comparisons to your sons wedding (which sounds nothing like my own) so perhaps you might want to reread my original posts before casting your judgment on my "tone". Where have you gathered in my messages, that we have a wedding location with no meaning or sentiment? That couldn’t be anywhere further than what we chose together - a place that is very important to us, with memories and many things we knew our families would all enjoy. They might have to spend a bit to get there, but I worked very hard to get everyone amazing prices (even worked it out, so the deals were based out of the closest airports to each guest), then my family is then paying the ENTIRE wedding bill - so really, not such a bad deal, if you consider the total cost, right? I wish my future MIL would offer to host rehearsal dinner... But, that wasn't offered to me and I am paying for everything myself. Again, a comparison that didn't really match my original posts what so ever… I’m sorry you seem very disappointed and jaded with your future Daughter-in-law’s plans. It really sounds as though you needed to communicate your concerns earlier in the planning process, especially if you are flipping the bill. Much better than resenting. Luckily for you, it's just a once in a lifetime event. My only suggestion to you regarding your luggage (which is such a small thing to worry about in the grand scheme of things, really?) To perhaps pack a little lighter/get everything into 1 case each (shoes in your carry on) and steaming the suit/dress if need be? Or you could even pack the dress, suit and shoes into just one extra luggage and save $$$ on needing to carry 4 pieces of luggage, as that just seems a bit excessive.

Thank you everyone! I'm glad to get such great feedback Since I am having a rather small & intimate wedding, I am doing bigger OOT bags (guesstimating $50-$75 each) so I was just being a little hesitant, if I should make up a whole another bag for this new guest, or make one up, like I would have for the original couple. After thinking about all the positives there still will be, I will make her one of her own, to make her feel welcome and part of the group Thanks again Ladies!!!