aventura spa palace

[amberm390]

Hi juanitaeagle! I'm getting married at Aventura on December 10, 2011, so your wedding is obviously before mine. So I am in no way speaking from experience, but rather from things I have learned from other BDW girls!

 

As far as flowers, it seems like you pick these when you get down there and meet with the wedding coordinator. Then she can show you pictures in person. Also, I believe the flowers depend on availability and the season, so you never know what you may be able to get or not.

 

For the restaurant, it seems that alot of people go with Mundaca (the steakhouse, but it's on the Cove side). I have heard it has an outside terrace that is perfect for smaller wedding parties and it offers more privacy. Several people have said Mundaca was their favorite restaurant on the Cove side...I'm not sure about the Spa side.

 

For music, we are considering getting the harpist for the ceremony and Mexican trio band for the cocktail hour. They are a bit pricey, but I have heard it's worth it and people really enjoyed it. Although, one girl had a negative review on the harpist because she didn't play traditional wedding music like they had asked. I personally just don't feel like dealing with an Ipod and bringing my own music...many people have done this though!

 

We too will just be having dinner in one of the restaurants. We'll probably have about the same number of wedding guests as you...around 20 or so. I just couldn't fathom paying for a private reception and DJ for that small number of people, especially when we are at an all-inclusive resort to begin with. I'm hoping to have a nice, long dinner and then entertain ourselves until the resort disco opens (I believe it's open from 10pm-2am).

 

Does anyone know what time the specialty restaurants open at the resort? Is it 6pm?? I'm trying pick a ceremony time so that the events  kind of flow together and are not spaced out. I already picked 2pm, but I'm hoping to change it to 3pm!

[amberm390]

One other question, I have read on here about girls buying the Chinese paper lanterns to be hung for the cocktail hour. I'm just wondering if Aventura will hang them for you or if you need to pay for this to be done? I'm considering the Pandero terrace for the cocktail hour, but since we are getting married in December, the sun sets around 5pm. I just don't want it to be pitch dark during our cocktail hour. I'm wondering if there are lights around that area or not...

 

I thought planning a destination wedding would be much easier, but I'm not finding that to be true! There are so many unknowns!

[angelov321]

The lighting they provide is just fine. We got married in November and had our cocktail hour at Pandero also. We added no extra lighting and everyone was able to see just fine. It was very intimate. But, if you want to buy paper lanterns, your WC will hang them up for you for sure. 

Originally Posted by amberm390 

One other question, I have read on here about girls buying the Chinese paper lanterns to be hung for the cocktail hour. I'm just wondering if Aventura will hang them for you or if you need to pay for this to be done? I'm considering the Pandero terrace for the cocktail hour, but since we are getting married in December, the sun sets around 5pm. I just don't want it to be pitch dark during our cocktail hour. I'm wondering if there are lights around that area or not...

 

I thought planning a destination wedding would be much easier, but I'm not finding that to be true! There are so many unknowns!

 

[karebear79]

Hi ladies!

I'm so sorry I haven't been around! I have my AHR this weekend so things are still crazy. I finally got my pictures on a shared site so PM me if you want the link. I am working on a review and hope to have it very soon. In the meantime, feel free to ask me any questions. I would be happy to answer them if I can!

 

In regards to the floating beer pong, we did not do this but I truly doubt they would have an issue with it. They are extremely lenient when it comes to groups having fun...which worked out well for us! In fact, they have a ping pong table in the pool so you wouldn't even need to bring your game.

 

I'm so sad our trip is over because it was such a blast! I'm so happy for you all!

Karen

 

[sxcT]

Welcome back! Hope your AHR goes well this weekend.  Looking forward to the review and pics.

 

Originally Posted by karebear79 

Hi ladies!

I'm so sorry I haven't been around! I have my AHR this weekend so things are still crazy. I finally got my pictures on a shared site so PM me if you want the link. I am working on a review and hope to have it very soon. In the meantime, feel free to ask me any questions. I would be happy to answer them if I can!

 

In regards to the floating beer pong, we did not do this but I truly doubt they would have an issue with it. They are extremely lenient when it comes to groups having fun...which worked out well for us! In fact, they have a ping pong table in the pool so you wouldn't even need to bring your game.

 

I'm so sad our trip is over because it was such a blast! I'm so happy for you all!

Karen

 

 

[adales]

Thanks for that helpful info!  Can't wait to read your review when you get back!

[adales]

How is everyone's planning coming along?

[sxcT]

Hi Alisa -

 

Things are going good over here.  I think I'm ordering my dress next weekend along with the bridesmaids dresses and FI already bought his suit.  I have my bouquet, moh bouquet and groom's bout done and ready to be picked up, have my shoes and back up flip flops, finishing up my passport invites and sending them out next month, taking engagement pics sometime this month (a little late lol) and have my centerpieces figured out.

 

I have all the ideas and items I want for the OOT bags but as you know I have to wait until I actually have a better idea of how many ppl are showing up.

 

I can't wait to read Karen's review and see some recent pics.  It's been too long since the last review.

 

How is your planning coming along?  Gosh you only have a few months.  Lucky!! 
 

Originally Posted by adales 

How is everyone's planning coming along?

 

[amberm390]

sxcT- I know exactly what you mean about the OOT bags...I am chomping at the bit to buy stuff for them but I just don't know how much to buy! Every time I'm out shopping I find more things that I can't buy right now haha. So I see you said you are doing passport invitations...did you do save-the-dates also? I'm not really sure what the protocol is for a DW...my TA will give us save-the-dates for free, so I was thinking of just using them for our invitations since they will have TA's information on them. Just wondering what others have done...

 

Also, some of my guests have booked through other sources besides the TA, so technically they are not part of our group contract. Based on the number of rooms we're booking, we should get the free cocktail hour that Palace offers. My concern is that my TA said that the free cocktail hour is technicially for people who booked through our group contract. So does that mean my guests who booked through Apple Vacations can't come to the cocktail hour??? I was freaking out, because if we have a cocktail party, I want everyone to be able to come. Any ideas from people who have already done it?!

[jszy10]

Amber

 

You can have anyone you want come to your cocktail party!!!  As long as their at the resort (or you get them a guest pass) then they can come!  I'm sure that is her way of trying to make you think everyone has to book through her.  YOU are the one who earns the cocktail party for having a certain number of rooms booked through your group -- your guests are not the ones earning it.  Hope that helps!!  That's awesome that she has Save The Dates for you!!

 

--------------------------------

 

As for planning, things are going great here!!  I am about 2 1/2 month out, so I'm definitely getting excited!!  Pretty much everything is set for both our DW and AHR -- although I haven't been contacted by a new WC at all!?  I booked everything with Wilma before everyone seemed to say the WC was changing?  I'm just going to save all of my emails and hope that it is all in and good to go.

 

I have my BD shoot on the 16th (which I am SOOOO excited about!! I am 1/2 way through P90X and am excited about my results so far!) and my first dress fitting is the following week.  Then, at the end of the month my Mom and I are going to put together mine and the girl's silk bouquets, and just a few weeks after is my shower!!

 

I'm excited to read karen's review too!!