Nylalany's Reviews Part 3 - Al Cielo Wedding - Vendors & Wedding (Riviera Maya)

[nylalany]

They are no longer accepting outside vendors What? I wonder if I caused problems - haha? Well, the only outside vendors I had were florist, photographer, and videographer. Everything else was arranged through Donaji. You might verify with them about those 3 vendors - maybe they've expanded their florist contacts, and you can work through them, and maybe you are still allowd to bring in your own photographer and videographer?

[ACDCDCAC]

wow thanks fo rthe extensive review, and the pics! you looked gorgeous and hubby looked so handsome.

[San Fran Sarah]

I met with Donaji and she seemed pretty clear on this. If we could bring our own photog and florist we would almost definitely get married there. They are doing a package deal and I'm guessing they think they will make more money by doing everything in-house or with vendors.

I have a feeling they are going to get a lot of resistance to this policy. Maybe it will change.

[nylalany]

Yeah, their taste in everything besides flowers was great. I wonder which photographers they plan to use - like maybe they'll use photographers such as Elizabeth and Sol & Matt since they've already shot there? And maybe they'll add Vanessa Jaimes and Euforia Florist as vendors that they'll work with since they've seen how great their work is? I'm going to write Donaji to clarify this and mention that the gals on the forum are upset about this- and maybe that'll help them see that limiting photographers and videographers is a bad idea?

[San Fran Sarah]

Donaji also emailed me today and told me they decided they WOULD still offer al a carte weddings (allowing us to bring the photographer and florist of our choice). I'm so glad that they reconsidered their policy. It may be a bit costly because it requires 6000 in wedding coordinator fees but we are waiting for the quote to see if it is within our means. Thank you all so much for your help and advise! Thanks to Al Cielo for being reasonable. I don't totally understand why the WC fee is so large simply for bringing a few of your own vendors but at least they decided they will still allow those vendors.

[TTla]

So I've been trying to figure out exactly who your dj was... It looks as though Acoustic Project is more of a contracting agency. They supply djs and equipment for events all across Mexico. Do you have any idea what his name was?

 

It looks like your wedding was ideal with the fun music keeping everyone going. I'd love that for my wedding, and there's no way to really know what you're gonna get.

 

Also, I'm curious about what type of music he played: was it house/dance or more pop, or was it songs everyone knows from college... what about the music kept everyone dancing?

 

Oh, man. I hope my wedding turns out as great as yours. Sure, it's about celebrating the marriage, but when you have all your friends and family flying down, it's also about a good time.

[nylalany]

Hey TTla - I live in Venice too! Crazy! Where abouts are you (if we're allowed to ask?)

 

Unfortunately I can't remember the DJ's name! I can try asking Donaji but she might be reluctant to share if you're not having the wedding at Al Cielo? I still owe her some photos though .

 

He played a wide variety. During the cocktail hour and during the jazz band's breaks, it was sort of lounge music the way you would have at an outdoor hipster lounge bar type place. Like when world music is remixed into electronica/lounge music? You know that trend? Like KCRWish.

Then during dancing he played a mix from poppy songs (Madonna) to hip hop to a little dance to funk, to old songs everyone knows - but I think what kept it going was that he'd play the beginning and best parts of the songs, and then fade it into some other song that worked well in the crossover, so that you never get sick of a song. And perhaps he could figure out if the song wasn't going over well? And there were definitely a lot of songs people knew, but probably the cheesiest one was the Madonna one (Like a Virgin), and he didn't really play the annoying cheesy songs like We are Family or Celebration, thankfully (I think I made a do not play list that he adhered to). Also, my friends and famly love to dance, which certainly helped.

He also played the tracks on cds I gave him (for Jewish and Greek circle dancing, and for my first dance song).

[TTla]

Weird. It sure is a small world. I'm at Navy and Pacific. Where are you?

 

Anyway, you know what else is weird... I was going through your posts and realized that we got our dresses at the same shop. Mine is also a Cymbeline, though a different style, and your engagement ring is based on the same antique design as mine. I've never seen anyone else with it yet. Al Cielo was one of my three choices for venue too; it was between that, Esencia, and Ceiba del Mar. I chose Ceiba. So, given those similarities, I'm pretty sure I'd agree with your taste for vendors!

 

I kinda doubted that Al Cielo would share that info. I'm gonna send an email to Acoustic Project and see if I can get any info from them. My hotel gave me a dj recommendation, but I am just super worried that their dj has more of a norteno/ranchero inclination. I just mentioned all ths to my fiancee, including that you were from Venice, and he said, "well, I'd be inclined to trust the people from Venice..." So, thanks for posting. You really have no idea what peace of mind it brings me to see that it all worked out for someone with similar expectations.

[nylalany]

That is crazy! Did you get your dress on Montana? And re: ring - you obviously have good taste - we printed out photos of an antique ring and brought them to a good jeweler to use as a guide. Ceiba del Mar looks gorgeous online - nice choice - esp. since u can probably have your guests stay there, which is more convenient. Why didn't I choose it

 

I'm just east of Lincoln on Indiana - not quite as hip an area, but you can't be too picky in SoCal - I figure as long as I'm near enough to run to/on the beach, I should be happy. Well, I guess you know what I look like from the photos - if you see me in the neighborhood, be sure to say hi (I'm probably easy to pick out when w/my hubby who is ridiculously tall).

[TTla]

Yep, got the dress on Montana. And that's interesting about how you brought in an antique design for your ring. We got mine at 23rd street, and my fiancee slightly customized a design they already had (which was based on an antique style -- probably the same as yours). It's delicate and pretty and I love it.

 

So, I'll have to keep an eye out for you. Maybe I'll run into you at the new Whole foods Take care!

 

-Teresa