Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

[JaimeCF2BR]

 

Oh, I definitely went through this too.  My first few months were awful!  We were open to going anywhere in the world, so trying to pick the best place for EVERYBODY left me crying almost every other night.  Now I realize making everyone happy is impossible, so I just need to worry about FI and myself and if people don’t want to come to our DW…oh well.  Then attempting DIY invitations was another mess that left me in tears.  We had to get them professionally done just to keep my sanity!  After finally booking the location then getting the invitations done I took about a month or so break from planning.    

 

It was actually everyone’s responses to the invitations that got me excited again (similar to Maggies picker-uper!).  Ever since, planning has been great.  I think this forum has A LOT to do with that though.  I don’t have arguments with FI anymore because I bounce all of my planning ideas off of you guys and leave him alone J. 

 

I really like your commitment Kelsey!

 

There is nothing wrong with venting on here…as long as it makes you feel better…and not worse.

 

And I am totally for dealing with everything in small chunks.  I think I'm on track to planning it just right, but I still have a feeling I'm gonna be a mad woman around March

 

[beaz2be]

Thanks for the comments and support ladies!  I really appreciate it.  Glad to know others went through/are having the same emotions.  Hopefully once my DIY invitations are done and out it will feel a LOT smoother.  :-)

[mmc1105]

Hey ladies! I just wanted to chime in and say that I have also felt like wedding planning is too stressful sometimes and needed to step away for a while.  I think Kelsey makes an excellent point!  We need to stay positive.  This is supposed to be fun, and although it's time consuming and expensive... the end result will be an amazing experience!! Thank you girls so much for keeping my sanity. Even though I don't post very often, I appreciate you all!

 

[mmc1105]

10 more posts and I can open attachments!!! How exciting

[JaimeCF2BR]

I'm getting there too...so anxious for the downloads!! 
 

Originally Posted by mmc1105 

10 more posts and I can open attachments!!! How exciting

[beaz2be]

You guys should go welcome some "newbies'  (helped me finally get there and is nice to do for those b2b's too) 

Originally Posted by mmc1105 

10 more posts and I can open attachments!!! How exciting

Originally Posted by JaimeCF2BR 

I'm getting there too...so anxious for the downloads!! 
 

 

[chong]

Jamie,

Thanks. I am so excited about the beach BBQ area after seeing your pictures. I am not sure which beach gazebo we will be using but we will figure it out once we are there Hope you are feeling better!!!
 

Originally Posted by JaimeCF2BR 

Chong - Both of these locations are great.  I preferred the one next to the Beach BBQ since it was at the end of the resort and would be more private.  My FI liked the one with the yoga platform because it made for a really cool dancefloor set up!  To be honest, there probably aren't too many people wondering around on the beach 7-11pm, so I'm sure both places are good for privacy. 

 

Which beach gazebo are you using?  If you are using the one by the pier, I would maybe suggest having your reception by the yoga platform.  This way it would feel like you are going somewhere different for the reception instead of just a few yards over. 

 

Thank you guys for the "get well" wishes!

 

 

Originally Posted by JaimeCF2BR 

Okie Dokie... I uploaded all of the pictures from my March site visit too.

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/gallery/album/view/id/8388/user_id/30664

 

I'm sure this is photo overload, but I figured better to share too many pics than too little!   The jpeg of each photo is pretty large, so if there are specific ones you'd like me to send you just let me know the title(s).  I can probably fit 2-3 per email.

 

Enjoy!

[chong]

You can vent all your want here. We are here to listen. So funny that your FI is all over you about the wedding stuff. Don't let him boss you around since he is paying for the wedding I do agree with everyone that you got a DEAL for your extra week of honeymoon.
 

Originally Posted by Mahalo79 

Hello,

Just need to vent a little.  FI is mad at me about pricing for our honeymoon week.  It will be an extra 800 for each of us to stay the extra week.  I was okay with this but my FI is still mad I didn't book us somewhere with "bride and groom stay free" and thinks my TA is just taking advantage and making money off us.  He wants me to tell my TA that is too much money and that he should do better for us.  or what?  im not sure.  We have obviously signed our contract, booked our guests, I have explained to him all the reasons we chose this resort (kid friendly, catholic ceremony, close to airport, nice resort with good food) and this is the resort we chose.  Anyways, he is still mad and wants me to email.  he is actually looking over my shoulder and thinking I am writing to our TA now, lol, obviously I am not!!  Also thinks I am too nice and letting TA take advantage of us.  I am not a confrontational person and I think our TA is being honest with us about pricing from the suppliers.  I am not paying for the wedding, he is, so he does get a say but still!!  he is driving me crazy!!  So much for an easy beach wedding lol!  i know it will be all worth it, but this is what I'm dealing with!  Thanks for listening, I feel like no one else understands what I'm going through.  Thank God for this forum!

Originally Posted by Mahalo79 

That is our quote for the 2nd week to stay at AS, 800 pp, I am trying to explain to my fiancee but he is not in a listening mood.  It is more to stay at EDR for the 2nd week, i think at least 1200 pp it works out to be.  I don't really know what to do.  i don't want to write my TA an angry email, I like him!  hoping FI will chill out and just accept this is the price.

Amanda,

We are sooooo close. Less than 30 days We are still taking care of little things. I am soooo nervous that we are not going to have everything. I am so glad to hear that OOT bags came in and look great. We bought Whole Foods bag as our OOT bags. They were $0.87 per bag, looks pretty and something everyone can use later.

 

Yes, we should talk. We are also taking some pictures before our ceremony but should not be no where near the sky deck but you just never know.

I don't have my detail sheet finalized yet. Carolina and I are planning to talk on Monday to go over the details before we pay for it. Let's setup a time... not sure when I am actually available since my work has been crazy. Let me know

Originally Posted by amandamarieb 

Ok ladies so I have been MIA again. 32 days and I have SOO Much to do. BUT I wanted to let you know that I received my OOT bags today and they are great. Well they are good but for the price, they are AMAZING. I got 75 custom printed lareg jute beach bags with a front flap and a closure for $208 with shipping! I used a site that I haven't heard others mention so I thought I would share the info in case any of you are looking...DiscountFavors.com. Let me know if you have any questions about the bags or the service. Eventually I'll get it together and post my planning thread so for those of you with some time left, you'll get to see the results.
 

Chong, darling we need to chat! What time is your cermony? Cocktail reception? Reception? And the locations? I just want to be sure we aren't stepping on each other's toes. For example I def want to take pictures on the pier before my reception (and before the sun goes down) but if you are getting married at the beach location right next to the pier I don't want to shoot photos while your ceremony is going on. I want all eyes on you! No distractions! Maybe we can chat about this and figure it out? Also, I am having a 70 person cocktail reception by the pool which (looking at the map) is close to the yoga platform. Maybe Jamie can chime in here and let us know how close. I am sure we'll work it all out but just better to have these convos now rather than later.
 

Amy, not sure if I thanked you for this but if not THANK you. This is so helpful!

[chong]

we are doing family style dinner. it's the most expensive option but we thought it will give the most options for our guests. we have some picky eaters we initially looked at having the BBQ but we didn't like the idea that some were pre-cooked and some were just getting reheated on the grill. Also, it's not as nice... it is a wedding and didn't want people to lick fingers and be all messy.
 

Originally Posted by beaz2be 

Have any past brides done the buffet?  I'm more of a buffet girl myself than a plated dinner (more casual I feel somehow.  And that way big or small eaters can get their fill).  Is anyone else considering the Deluxe BBQ Buffet?  I'm hoping that the food is good - as it seems all the food at AS gets relatively strong reviews. 

 

 

That's a great idea! I hate DIY projects....
 

Originally Posted by rkf1046 

Jaime - thanks so much for the pics!!! Is the one you just posted the gazebo near the Pier?  I think it is...also had you not brought your pics I wouldn't have thought to request a ceremony location so  many thanks again!

 

Also for bags I also found some jute bags on discountmugs.com that have a front closure too.  I thought about monograming them and thought that other people may not want my monogram...duh!  So, a friend suggested customizing each bag with the guest's monogram via stenciling.  I went to Hobby Lobby, bought initial stencils (4in or 5in, can't remember) and paint in my wedding colors and plan to stencil them.  I'm still looking for something to go around the initial but I think I can find something.  Of course, we are having a smaller wedding so I only have to do about 15 or so.  I am not crafty in the least but it appears rather easy.  Just an idea for you DIYers. 


 

 

Amanda,

the bags look great! I am sure your guests will love it.

LOVE your menu design. we opted to just have the menu put together by the resort as part of the free wedding package.
 

Originally Posted by amandamarieb 

Thanks. Here's the photo of the bags. Like I said I had them custom printed with our initails, Riviera Maya and our wedding date. I am sad that the handles don't match the rest of the bags but for the price, customization and overall quality, I am pretty darn happy.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahh! This does make me feel better. Thanks so much. Chong, PM me so we can talk about pier shots.
 

Originally Posted by amandamarieb 

Also ladies...my latest project is getting all of my printing done. I am working with a wonderful vednor on estsy hwo is custom designing programs, table numbers, seat cards, menus, guest book signs, signature menu signes, you name it. She's great to work with and is giving me a wonderful price. I am happy to recommend her once she's finished my projects.

 

As you know I am going for an "antique'd romance" theme with antique picture frames and hummingbirds. Attached is the dinner menu she designed for me. It will be printed on ivory shimmer cardstock. I am so excited.

weclome bags.docx

[chong]

I am sorry to hear about your house. It's always something. I hope everything works out soon
 

Originally Posted by murmel 

Sorry to hear you couldn't get your orginial quote of $800, but $1285 is still awesome. We are staying for the 2 weeks and our price is way higher (I think it's about $1570). If your FI is so worried about the cost, you could always fly home after the week, and then do a last minute selloff (but of course you don't know what will be offered). Hopefully he will take some time to look at prices of other resorts and just compare. Good luck!

 

Talking about venting and stress, the last week has been insane. I finally listed my house for sale, and it sold conditionally in 36 hours (selling my house, cause I moved in with FI). Anyway the buyers inspected the house mulitple times over,and then today told me I had to reduce the price by at least $10000 to redo the boiler/furnace system to what they wanted. Keep in mind that the furnace/boiler both work right now. There were a few other little things, and I agreed to reduce the price slightly. But the buyer told me that wasn't enough. I don't know what they are expecting...you buy a house, and then choose to do improvements yourself, you can't expect a 70 year old house to be perfect! Sigh....anyway the deal's off, and I am hoping another comes soon! I just hope it sells soon, so I can concentrate on wedding stuff

 

We are paying $1410 per person for 9 nights/10 days in the lowest level suite. Though we are getting upgraded so I am super excited about that.
 

Originally Posted by TLGnhci 

Mahalo79, who is your travel agent?  What is your total rate?  I feel like there's a huge difference in their rates which is crazy to me.  Our guests are paying $1206 for a week in the lowest level and I had to battle to get that down.  Now, I guess to make up for that loss, they've bumped up all the other categories.  Some of our guests had really wanted to do the swim ups but they are charging us and our guests $1700/pp for just the next level up, not premium.  That's $500.00 more pp, and people just aren't going to do that.  My FI and I really wanted to premium swim up and were told that it would be $760.00 more than our regular rate (total) and now we've ended up paying $1400.00 more for a grand total of $3800 (for the both of us, for one week).  Sorry to rant here, but I just think it's crazy that the rates can be so different.  It's like people make them up.  Grr.... :Op

 

Good luck with the sale of your home!!!  Fingers crossed for you!
 

Great information Daniepps!!  Thank you!!
 

It is stressful. I got less than 30 days to go and have to say it wasn't as easy as I thought. Why is the destination wedding so much harder? I am happy to hear that you are being positive about everything. It will work out. But everyone is having one of those moments... money is definitely one thing I am super stressed about but my mom keep reminding me is that half of the money we are spending is really for US not for the guest...like the hotel and flight, etc. And she is right. Half of my budget is actually being spent on US.

Originally Posted by beaz2be 

Okay ladies, I am writing this post in a hopes to affirm something for myself.  I have been feeling and expressing a lot of negativity over my wedding this past week or two.  Both on this forum and just a feeling I've had.  It's felt like more stress than fun and that is NOT what I want my planning experience to be.  I think partly it's because planning a wedding IS really stressful;  partly because I picked up my dress last weekend - which was awesome - but has also made me a bit overwhelmed about this day actually happening and all that needs to be done before that; and partly because a lot of the work I've done to date hasn't resulted in anything tangible, other than bills to be paid.  I've done a LOT of planning, hunting, working on invitations, yet nothing is completed and I think that makes me feel like nothing's been done (I know in my heart that's not true but still)... finally, the stress with the WC organization I think is getting to a number of us Brides2Be

 

So... I am writing it on here to have you guys help hold me accountable.  I WILL have a positive outlook on things.  I WILL be excited that I'm going to work on invitations tonight and that I'm going to also go look for wedding bands and to have my e-ring appraised locally (for our insurance co.);  I WILL try not to get overwhelmed by the cost of the wedding and I WILL try and express my excitement to others (on the forum and elsewhere) and not my stresses.

 

positivity attracts positivity right?!?!  :-)

 

Thanks for letting me use this forum to express myself ladies.  I will try and be a positive reflection to you all as much as possible from here on out.  (that doesn't mean no venting from time-to-time obviously.  But hopefully not the majority of my posts).    YOU GIRLS ARE GREAT!!