JennyZ

@@jsparrow10 - Not sure if it helps, but here is my timeline 4:00pm - 4:40pm - Ceremony will be held on the beach. 4:40pm - 5:00pm - Champagne toast for all guests to enjoy. 5:00pm - 6:00pm - Cocktail hour at ceremony site with Live Music. 6:30pm - 10:30pm - Dinner and Reception at the La Marimba Steakhouse Restaurant. - The Disco opens at 11:00pm for anyone who wants to continue the celebration.

I contacted this company to ask for their service information and pricing.... A week later, I've finally received a response, asking what services I am interested in?... (I've replied asking for a price list of his DJ services, so I can see what he offers, as per the first email I had sent). Anyone else find it weird for him to ask how many people are going to attend my event? Just didn't see how that was really relevant for the DJ/music portion of my wedding

@@jsparrow10 - Dont feel behind Hun!! I'm just over-excited to start the next phase of my life and am using the Wedding planning as my "happy thought" to get me through I'm sure you just have way better stuff to be doing right now! Me, not so much! lol! (Besides working 2 jobs/14 hours everyday. Boooo! ) Being a perfectionist, I just know I'm going to take months researching and changing/making everything! You have PLENTY of time!!! My FI comes home from the Military base this weekend, so I can't wait to show him all the things, I've been up to!

@@Shermul - Thank you SO very much! I really appreciate you posting the information!!! I am doing my dinner/reception at the steakhouse, but from what I have seen/heard, it is basically a mirror image of your tropical restaurant, just a different menu! You have made my day - I can now start thinking of my seating charts and finish making my table arrangements! Your lighted water beads look really cool and WOW! 100 guests! You are going to have a blast!!!!! Great choice in Wedding venue! Hope your day is beyond magical!

@@Shermul - Thank you for all the info and Congrats on your upcoming wedding! You must be soooo excited!!! Would you be able to share some of the details you have received with me??? - The photos of the Tropical restuarant all set up for a wedding / three different set ups. and - The lengths for the 8, 10, and 12 people tables I have quite some time, before Connie is going to forward me along to the WC to get this info (even though I have already asked) and am really hoping to finish all my DIY table decorations soon. I have enough to do & spend next year, with all the favors, OOT bags, etc! This was exactly the ino I needed to complete my dinner planning! Thank you SO much in advance if you can! My email is: wedding@@Jennyfer.ca Cant wait to hear about how your big day went!!!

This Picture Is From The First Day We Met! Frédéric and Jennifer met on Wasaga Beach in June 2013. Frédéric and his friend had approached Jennifer and her girlfriends while on the beach. Right away Jennifer recognized his French-Canadian accent, as one of her girlfriends who was with her, was also from Quebec. Finding that to be a "small world" coincidence, Jennifer welcomed the guys to sit down and join the ladies. After hours of chatting and getting to know each other (and magical sparks beginning) Jennifer asked if Frédéric would like to join the ladies for dinner. Both of Jennifer's friends were actually married (and one pregnant as well) but they were amazing "wing women" and came along so Jennifer & Frédéric could spend some more time together... As chemistry grew while they ate, it was decided that telephone numbers needed to be exchanged to keep getting to know one another. Over the next week & after many long talks, the two knew that they needed to see each other again and soon. They decided since they were long distance (Frédéric lived in Borden and Jennifer lives in Kitchener - over 2 hours apart) to take a trip together to Grand Bend Beach for the Canada Day long weekend. Despite the fact the they were practically strangers, and nerves were showing, they took the chance. Off to the beach they went, any nervousness melted away and a fabulous time was had. Dinner, dancing and of course continuing to learn about one another - and those sparks, turned into flames. As the months went on, the two spent every weekend together, it was obvious that they had something special and their love as well as their friendship was growing. The conversation of travel was brought up and a dream vacation was planned to the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Jennifer & Frédéric chose a beautiful Iberostar resort where they spent a week in paradise and ultimately fell in love. For the next year they were inseparable! They enjoyed activities such as hiking in different conservation parks and trails, picnics & BBQ's, camping, bicycling, golfing, zip lining, beach trips, pool parties, the museum, amusement parks, dancing, tobogganing, board game nights with friends, visiting family, and SO much more! However, the best and most important trip, was when Frédéric & Jennifer went to Niagara Falls for the Labour Day long weekend in 2014... Frédéric had completed his basic training in the Canadian Forces and was being transferred to CFB Petawawa (over 600kms away from Jennifer). He asked Jennifer to go on a fun & romantic trip with him to Niagara Falls for the last weekend before his departure. The couple packed their own picnic with fine meats, cheeses, crackers, dips, veggies & fruit (and of course a couple bottles of wine!) and off they went to see the wonder of the Falls. They spent the entire day exploring the town and went back to their "Junior Presidential Suite" to have a snack, before heading back out for more sightseeing. After their meal, the couple went onto their private balcony, to enjoy a drink with the beautiful view they had. Frédéric began talking about all of the wonderful times & memories the couple had shared together in the past 1+ year and how they only brought out the best in each other/both of them became a better person with each other - and on August 1, 2014 Frédéric dropped to one knee with a ring (and a huge smile) and asked Jennifer to be his wife, which of course, the answer was YES! The couple went back out into the town, just soaring with excitement and love. They went into different attractions throughout the evening and had decided to ride the "skywheel", a 175-foot tall Ferris wheel overlooking the Falls, before heading to the fireworks show. The line for the wheel took much longer than expected and when Frédéric & Jennifer finally boarded the ride and made it to the top, the amazing fireworks over the Falls began - this is where Jennifer presented Frédéric with his own engagement ring, as a symbol of her love and commitment to him. After getting to see the beautiful show from the best seats possible they headed to the Keg Steakhouse, both wearing their rings, to have a wonderful celebration dinner together. Now just over two years later, they will be returning to Mexico, to unify their love and hope their friends & family will be able to join them on their special day!

@@calgarybride2015 - Holy smokes girlfriend!!! I just read through all these pages and can I say, what am AMAZING job you are doing?! Seriously!!! Everyone is going to be in AWE of all the personal and thoughtful touches you have put into your wedding! So creative and detailed! Here I was, all proud for making 6 dinner table arrangement/center pieces, until I saw all your bits! I have some work to do! LOL! (I say THANKS! but my wallet says nooooo!! ) You have poured your heart & soul into all of your planning and it REALLY shows. I have no doubt, you are going to have the most magical day possible!

@@calgarybride2015 and @@kmk2016 - Thanks Ladies! My excitement cannot be wavered! I still have 408 days to go (but who's counting, right?! ) and already have made all of my dinner table decorations, chose my flowers, my favors, the band, have my photographer, doing my own hair & makeup (luckily, I do that for a living) and have a list of everything that's going in the OOT bags - seriously can't wait to make those!!! The unfortunate part about my resort, is I can't choose my wedding package until I know how many people are coming (it's a HUGE price jump between 20 & 30 people), so I'm unable to book my restaurant/reception - we want a private dinner, but you must have a least 30 guests in order to get it. Cant chose the meal plan - for under 30 people we get a selection to offer, but over 30 people is a set menu. I've decided just to book the lower package and confirmed with the resort, that I can upgrade, should we need to! I'm not ordering invitations until people start actually booking, because what we're doing is - if people are going to spend thousands of dollars to attend our wedding, we're having these amazing custom "message in a bottle" invitations made - beautiful labelled bottle with sand, seashells, a script, wrapped with fishnet in a box - which are running us around $18US each (thank goodness I invited mostly couples!!! LOL! ) Anyway! With each passing day on here and the awesome support you guys give, I'm feeling more open to the whole experience and know in the end, it's all going to work out fine! I'm just being overexcited and wanting everything to happen too quickly. BREATHE!!! I took my extra energy back to my wedding website instead and wrote the story of our love, to share with everyone. Even had some tears while I was writing it! Mushy mushy!!! Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!

Just got back from my Parents house, where we were sitting down to discuss our resorts wedding packages/prices and have decided we are at an absolute standstill, until we start hearing back from people (no one has RSVP'd at all yet, but it is still 2 months before the deposit deadline). It's just so damn hard to "hold your horses", when planning the details is SO MUCH FUN! I already knew my "side" was going to be VERY small - just my Mom and Dad, Brother, Aunt & Uncle and a few friends... But ever since the "notice" went out, people have been dropping off like flies! LOL! I had a girlfriend reply yes! Then respond back the next day declining, due to the fact the wedding is NEXT year and not this year... Hmmm....? I'm even starting to doubt my MOH is going to come - So I'm really beginning to enjoy the idea of a sign at the ceremony saying "Pick a Seat, Not a Side" to even things up! Thanks to the ladies on these forums, I'm starting to see the same trend of stress for these issues and quite frankly, they are not ones you are able to control (I'm sure it drives everyone else batty too!!!). All in all, as long as my Mommy, Daddy and FI show up - it's going to be the most beautiful day of my life

@@kmk2016 - I absolutely agree, posting one word would be more than frustrating, to old members and new! If you take a peek at my posts, you'll see I have a hard time keeping it under at least 4 paragraphs! LOL! I guess I have just misunderstood the thread I had seen (I had searched "noobs" to see how long I would be one! lol!) and didn't read through all the pages, since it was an older topic. Just was very clear the title "Noobs posts - I dont want to see them" is what stood out for me. In any case, sorry if I have offended! I am having a wonderful time contributing my thoughts/plans to the community and appreciate everyone who does the same! Look forward to seeing you on the forums

I'm jumping in here too! Especially after seeing a topic with Brides saying they don't want to see posts from noobs! I can't help that I just started out Not exactly my first choice to be a "noob"! lol I guess they sometimes forget, they had to start from new too

I'm sorry I dont have any tips - All I can say is if you wouldn't have said it was DIY - I would have FOR SURE thought you bought that!!! I am a perfectionist myself and can honestly say, it looks AMAZING!!!!!!! Stop being so hard on yourself Hun! Maybe take a break from it and look upon it with fresh eyes! I think you're done! Great work!!!!

When I booked my resort, I messaged the coordinator to ensure my ceremony was the closest day possible to my arrival, just for the fact I have traveled to an all-inclusive before and came back 10-15lbs heavier! lol! I was mortified when I was told, I have 3 full days of all you can eat/drink heaven, before having to squeeze into my gown! I have always yo-yo'd with my weight, from between 180lbs to 130lbs, now sitting around 165lbs (damn all those delicious engagement celebration dinners and booze ) Maybe I should have stopped celebrating, seeing as we got engaged almost 3 months ago! OOPS!!! Right now, I'm fitting into a size 10/12 wedding dress, but my hopes are to order an 8, when I go for my measurements in Feb/March. I then have another 8 months to battle to stay on track (I just love food, no point denying it here!) and my dream is to be in the best possible shape of my life, maybe 140lbs, for my wedding day. After that, BRING ON THE CAKE!!!

@@Jlk1004 - in the wedding packages, you get a hair trial & the day of wedding hairstyle, so I'm going with pictures of what I want and am going to see if they are able to recreate. I'm a professional MAC makeup artist, so it goes without saying, I'll just be doing my own make-up If they can't do my hair, I'm pretty sure I'll just do my own as well. Working in the bridal industry for over 10 years, I can tell you, the last thing you want to be doing on your wedding day is running around town to appointments! These forums are great though, just do some searches and see if brides are referring the same girl(s) so you can have some peace of mind I'm bringing my own photographer here from Canada. By the time I paid for an upgraded package to include their photographer (who is only there for the ceremony, toast and cocktail hour) I can fly my guy out and have pics for the entire week! That means, pictures of the ladies/men getting ready, the "reveal" pic where bride and groom see each other for first time, ceremony, whole rest of the day/night/party, family shoots on the beach, pics at the restaurants, etc! I dont want to have to only be able to chose 60 pictures from a 2 hour span by using theirs. Get ready for some emails girl!!! @@Jlk1004 - Check your email Hun! Sent you 4 separate emails, with different attachments for their Wedding locations, cakes, flowers, restaurants. The gold package and flowers. The photographer. The dream package and flowers. They did have 1 package, which was the least expensive (I believe it was called the "Mayan package" for approx $1400?) but I dont have that information anymore, as I didnt find I was getting much from it/was worth it to go with the Gold package. Hope this helps!!! P.S. We're planning on approx. 20-30 people, but no one has RSVP'd yet, so have noooooo idea! EKKK! lol!

@@Jlk1004 - oh girl! I am a PLANNER! I have gotten almost everything from them (I think!) lol! I have all the packages, contracts, time lines, all the flower options, all the "add on" prices, restaurant choices and descriptions. I'm sure Connie thinks Im a huge control freak with all my questions, but I really dont care! I'm going with the Gold Package but adding on the band, the private dinner and bringing my own photographer, which ends up saving more money than using the "Dream" package! So far, this is what I'm doing: 4:00 - 4:40pm - Ceremony on the beach 4:40 - 5:00pm - Champagne toast 5:00 - 6:00pm - Cocktail Hour with Mariachi Band 6:30 - 10:30pm - Private Dinner reception at La Marimba Steakhouse - Disco afterwards, for anyone who wants to continue the party Have my flowers picked out, but am just unsure about the DJ they have (I have another forum post here reaching out to any Brides who might have used them/asking for reviews) I was going to go the Ipod route, but am starting to think, I dont want someone to have to control it all night and its going to take a ton of time to download/make all my song lists!

Last weekend, I encountered this problem with my Fiance's side of the family - which to say lightly, was rather offensive and frustrating (even caused some tears). I have been working very hard with a travel agent for months in order to find the lowest rates available and even had to "fire" my first travel agency, as they were not being respectful of the budget I had given (under $1500 per person). Since I am having a "smaller" wedding with approx. 20-30 guests (most on his side), it is very important they all book with the group deal we have been given, so everyone can get the group rate. I decided to send out an explanation letter, before sending out Save the Dates, to make the arrangements very clear. Here is what I sent to friends and family (some details removed for privacy): With love in our hearts, we, Frederic and Jennifer, are pleased to announce our engagement to be married! We are planning a destination wedding in the Riviera Maya, Mexico leaving on November 28, 2015. Please know how very important you are to us and that we would be honoured by your presence at our wedding. At this time, we are reaching out to our loved ones, to see who will be able to join us on our special day. We have been working hard with a specialized travel agency who will assist everyone in making all of the arrangements. Through this company, you will be able to take advantage of an interest free payment plan for the trip. The final cost including tax is $1310-1325 per adult, out of Toronto and Montreal airports. This includes flights (both there & back) and one week all-inclusive accommodations at the beautiful Iberostar Quetzal Resort in Playa Del Carmen. We will also be given a “price match guarantee” to ensure everyone receives the best rate available and if any of the costs lower closer to the wedding date you will be appropriately compensated. We welcome you to visit a few links about the resort: http://www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/riviera-maya/iberostar-quetzal Here is a video tour taken by an actual guest (shows the entire resort grounds): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8xpCwOFa5s&feature=youtu.be If anyone would like to confirm their attendance: The above prices are valid until December 15, 2014 (will increase after) and only requires a $250 deposit per person to lock in the discounted group rates we have been given. You will then be given an interest free payment option, which is payable up to June 15, 2015. Contact our travel agent Krystyn directly at: Toll Free: ----- Email: ----- Hopefully this will provide you with ample time to budget and consider your ability to attend. Although it would be fantastic to have all of our loved ones there as witnesses, we appreciate that limitations exist. We would of course be saddened by your absence and miss you greatly, but we want you to know that we would truly understand. Please let us know if you will be coming so we may get an approximate number of guests, and if you have any questions whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact us! We will soon have an actual wedding website as an information resource and plan to send out formal invitations once we hear back from everyone Since sending this and hearing back that the "other side" will either just find their own flights, or even stay at a different resort?!!!.... I have modified my wedding website to kind of make it less of an option, asking them to please book with the "wedding group travel agent" that we have reserved for the courtesy of our guests. I guess a lot of people don't understand, there are fees for day passes/guests to come in from other resorts and also extra charges (at least at my resort) for outside guests to attend the dinner - which gets billed to the Bride & Grooms account! I have asked my Fiance to speak with his family to try to explain the above, but I find myself worrying they're all going to wait last minute (a deposit has to be paid by this Dec 2014 to lock in the early booking bonus/discounted rates we have) and be charged the $1600+ we were originally being quoted! I know I have no control other this, but it's so frustrating, especially when these people are saying $1300 is too much for a 5 star resort...? Guess they're in for a big surprise!!! My plan at this point is to send out the link to my wedding website soon (just sent above explanation letter 3 weeks ago) and then to send out "reminder emails" when the deposit deadline is approaching. Just very worrisome knowing the group deals can be ruined, should our invited guests start deciding to plan their own approach of our wedding! If anyone has any other suggestions, I am totally open to them!!! I should mention, his side are all in another Province of Canada (so we dont get to see them very often) AND speak another language, so that is also a bit of a challenge to getting everyone "on board"

@@calgarybride2015 - WOOHOO! 3 months! Down to the crunch time girl!!! All of my guests need to put a $250 deposit down with our travel agency by December 2014 in order to get the early booking bonus we received, otherwise they'll be paying at least $200 per person more than the deal we have. A lot aren't really getting this and think they'll find better deals themselves.... I try to remind myself not to stress about not knowing who's coming (especially so far away from the wedding date) but how are you suppose to plan your budget/make all these bags/order supplies, when so many people wait last minute?!

@@calgarybride2015 - Ekkk! Sorry to hear that! Yes, for sure everyone has different experiences. I guess that company's service must vary per Province! I'm in Ontario and all I can say is they jumped through hoops for me. Every email was returned immediately and I even ended up adding my travel agent to my Facebook, she was just that amazing! haha! Very happy it all got sorted out for sure! Nice to be moving forward at least. There's better wedding things to be worrying & stressing about

@@Jlk1004 - Congrats on your upcoming wedding!!! I'm also a Quetzal Bride (Dec. 2015), so feel free to message me anytime and perhaps we can exchange some info we get!

Reaching out to all Brides to see if anyone has used AV Solutions as their wedding DJ's??? I am getting married December 1, 2015 at the Iberostar Quetzal in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and they are the resorts "exclusive" dj. I am done searches here on the forums, but can't find anything said, good or bad (and they have zero reviews on the vendors page). Maybe I have missed something being a "noob" but I would love to hear some feed back! Thanks in advance for your time!!!

@@calgarybride2015 How did you manage to get first class??? I'm also flying with Air Canada and could use that hook up to transport all my bits! lol!

@@calgarybride2015 - Thanks for the info! That's totally what I was thinking and have no where close to the USA to ship to. I did see the little tubes at Dollarama and thought maybe they would be perfect, because if anyone parties like I do, they'll be needing more than 2 Tylenol's each! I think that answers that!!! @ - Oh my goodness girl! Congrats on the success on your wedding guests!!! I'll be lucky if I get 20-30 MAX! Some of mine are even wanting to book their own flights/resorts, even after I found the most AMAZING deals available! But that's a whole other forum post/rant..... grrr lol! So with saying that! I'm sure 1 extra suitcase will do me just fine!!! (Especially if I dont have to do OOT bags for the @ssh%les who want to stress out my wedding plans! haha! ) Sounds like you have the most amazing event approaching! Wishing you all the best for your special day!!!

@ HAHAHA! OMG! 6?!?! Crazy girl! But such a good idea! I'll probably hit a thrift store and purchase a used suitcase to just leave there for the OOT bag stuff! My carry on is already going to be loaded with glass candle holders I'm bringing for the reception dinner, so I'm already expecting to be "fully loaded"! How many guests are you expecting, to have SIX extra suitcases of stuff?! (sorry if I missed this in any of your previous posts) I just hope I'm not underestimating myself!

Please excuse me if this is a stupid question.... But when tipping the wait staff - should I be asking someone to chase each one down before the end of the night and tip them all separately? Should the chef's be tipped too, if I am having a private dinner/reception? Hopefully this isn't a "tacky" question to be asking my WC. I had no idea tipping wasn't allowed at all inclusive resorts? (Based on previous posts)

I had a HORRIBLE experience with DestinationWeddings.com.... Was taking weeks just to get pricing for resorts I was interested in, and when they finally came back, all were well over the respectful budget I had asked my agent to stay within... After over 2 months of frustration (no alternatives being offered, doing all my own research after paying the company to do this for me and lastly, being told that I should wait for it to be closer to the "one year away mark") I decided to start shopping around with another travel agency. Good thing I did!!! Firstly, not only did they find my 1st choice resort IN the budget range I had asked for (strangely, the first company had quoted the same dates/same airlines, but was over $400 per person higher???) BUT I also received an "early booking bonus" of $200 off per person, which would have expired, had I listened to the first agent and waited any longer! In my experience now, it takes agents approx. 2-3 business days maximum to receive their group rate quotes back from the Airlines. P.S. When I contacted destinationweddings head office to report how my agent had left me hanging and missed the early booking discounts... I was refunded the money I had paid for their "services" Don't be afraid to shop around Ladies! I highly recommend "Flight Centre" for my fellow Canadian Brides!!!