Valentin Imperial Maya Brides?

[MrsAlmaguer2011]

My date is 11-11-11. I have decided to do a nonprivate dinner. I hope that goes well and that we can all get into the same restaurant at the same time. 

 

Are you doing a private reception?

 

I also am going to do a private "after-party" but the price of the open bar is ridiculous! so frustrating!

Originally Posted by futurMrsQuigley 

MrsAlmaguer2011-

I totally understand how you feel!  I went through that when we started planning.  I figured that they would give you a break on costs the more people you booked but that is absolutley not the case!  I wish I would have known this before I invited so many people.  I have tried to trim costs here and there.  I am bringing decorations...if you do them yourself you will save a ton!  I also decided the groomsmen didn't need boutineers.  Just try and cut things here and there and it won't add up to what you think. We also aren't doing a dj or anything...we will be in a beautiful setting with friends/family and drinks...that should be entertainment enough : )  When is your date? 

Jamie 

 

 

 

 

[futurMrsQuigley]

I am 12/9/11 so pretty close.  We are doing a private reception with dinner.  How many people do you have??  I have read on here that if you have a pretty small group they are really good about getting you in for dinner elsewhere(non-private).  Instead of the private afterparty just plan on going to the same place for drinks, then you don't have to pay for the open bar....again depending on how many people you have.  I am totally with you on some of the pricing it doesn't make sense to me because it is an all-inclusive and these meals/drinks would still be consumed if there wasn't a wedding.  I am just trying to stay positive and hope the extra money will equal an extra special day : )  I know that is hard sometimes.  What are you doing for photography?

 

Originally Posted by MrsAlmaguer2011 

My date is 11-11-11. I have decided to do a nonprivate dinner. I hope that goes well and that we can all get into the same restaurant at the same time. 

 

Are you doing a private reception?

 

I also am going to do a private "after-party" but the price of the open bar is ridiculous! so frustrating!

 

 

 

[JBean]

I'm getting married the day before you! 

 

Are you doing a wedding package? Our package includes 25 ppl, private reception on the Mexican Terrace. As far as I know, we only have to pay extra for any one over 25 people. She hasn't mentioned anything to me about drinks, so I'm assuming it's included. 

 

We are also skipping the DJ and using the bridesmaids bouquets as centrepieces to save costs.
 

Originally Posted by MrsAlmaguer2011 

Is anyone else getting overwhelmed with all the additional costs?

-pay per plate

-open bar costs

- dj

-centerpieces, etc!

 

I honestly don't know what to do. I am trying to save money here! I feel like i should have just planned a wedding at home!

 

 

[MrsJohns2be]

I completely agree. I thought the same thing ... the more people booking rooms for several nights the bigger break you would get. My FI and I chose to have a DW to save money but I might as well have a wedding in the states bc i do not see how I am saving. Does anyone feel in the packages they include unnecessary services that you are already paying some how? Are they negotiating with anyone or giving anyone breaks? I am trying to figure out how to cut costs, any suggestions I would love to hear.

 

So far I am excluding flower centerpieces and just having the boutineer for groom and just having boutquetsfor me and my girls . I am thinking of possibly cutting out the cocktail hour and I was thinking while I take pictures the guests can go to restaurant or bar since its all inclusive then meet for the private reception at a certain time.What does anyone think of this idea? OK or bad? I just cant believe how much they charge for appetizers, alcohol, cake, champagne and dinner per person after the amount included in the package when it is already all inclusive. My guests love to dance so I need to have a DJ. What decorations are you bringing and how are you getting them there? They charge for every little thing. How else can you save money?

 

Thanks Ladies!!!!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by futurMrsQuigley 

MrsAlmaguer2011-

I totally understand how you feel!  I went through that when we started planning.  I figured that they would give you a break on costs the more people you booked but that is absolutley not the case!  I wish I would have known this before I invited so many people.  I have tried to trim costs here and there.  I am bringing decorations...if you do them yourself you will save a ton!  I also decided the groomsmen didn't need boutineers.  Just try and cut things here and there and it won't add up to what you think. We also aren't doing a dj or anything...we will be in a beautiful setting with friends/family and drinks...that should be entertainment enough : )  When is your date? 

Jamie 

 

 

 

Originally Posted by MrsAlmaguer2011 

Is anyone else getting overwhelmed with all the additional costs?

-pay per plate

-open bar costs

- dj

-centerpieces, etc!

 

I honestly don't know what to do. I am trying to save money here! I feel like i should have just planned a wedding at home!

 

 

[JBean]

It is a lot, but we figure our entire wedding will cost about $10,000. That's probably what it would have cost us to get married here (at least), but this way we're also getting a 2 week vacation out of it. All the "nickel and diming" at an all-inclusive is hard to swallow though.

 

I am bringing tons of decor, and giving a bit to everyone to bring down to lighten the load we have.
 

Originally Posted by MrsJohns2be 

I completely agree. I thought the same thing ... the more people booking rooms for several nights the bigger break you would get. My FI and I chose to have a DW to save money but I might as well have a wedding in the states bc i do not see how I am saving. Does anyone feel in the packages they include unnecessary services that you are already paying some how? Are they negotiating with anyone or giving anyone breaks? I am trying to figure out how to cut costs, any suggestions I would love to hear.

 

So far I am excluding flower centerpieces and just having the boutineer for groom and just having boutquetsfor me and my girls . I am thinking of possibly cutting out the cocktail hour and I was thinking while I take pictures the guests can go to restaurant or bar since its all inclusive then meet for the private reception at a certain time.What does anyone think of this idea? OK or bad? I just cant believe how much they charge for appetizers, alcohol, cake, champagne and dinner per person after the amount included in the package when it is already all inclusive. My guests love to dance so I need to have a DJ. What decorations are you bringing and how are you getting them there? They charge for every little thing. How else can you save money?

 

Thanks Ladies!!!!

 

Quote:

 

 

 

[NikkiT1021]

We are bringing all our own centerpieces down to cut costs.  My future SIL gave me her glass vases from her wedding and we are using glass marbles, artificial orchids  and floating candles to fill them.  We also bought cheap overlays from efavormart.com to go on the tables at the reception. I do plan on leaving all my stuff down there after so if anyone wants to use anything I'll let them know when I'm there!

[futurMrsQuigley]

We are getting no breaks at all!  The only thing I was told we don't have to pay extra for is we are doing a quick rehersal run through the morning before the wedding.  Veronica informed me there would be no charge.  I am getting centerpieces from them but I didn't think they were too bad in cost...32 a piece.  They are just white lillies in square glass containers.  I am bringing the marbles to put in them.  I will also bring the votive candles.  I am keeping decorating simple....

 

I do agree with MrsJohns2be about the packages including things that I have no interest in.  The other part that gets me is that the cheapest package includes a centerpiece but the others do not...????  Another thing that irritated me is that you can only choose one option for the dinner.  I would like to have 2 options is that too much to ask????

 

Oh an is anyone else worried about getting their dress down there in one piece??????  Starting to worry about that too.

 

And cutting the cocktail party....I see no problem with that at all.  You are going to miss the whole thing anyway.  That would be a huge cost saver.

 

Originally Posted by MrsJohns2be 

I completely agree. I thought the same thing ... the more people booking rooms for several nights the bigger break you would get. My FI and I chose to have a DW to save money but I might as well have a wedding in the states bc i do not see how I am saving. Does anyone feel in the packages they include unnecessary services that you are already paying some how? Are they negotiating with anyone or giving anyone breaks? I am trying to figure out how to cut costs, any suggestions I would love to hear.

 

So far I am excluding flower centerpieces and just having the boutineer for groom and just having boutquetsfor me and my girls . I am thinking of possibly cutting out the cocktail hour and I was thinking while I take pictures the guests can go to restaurant or bar since its all inclusive then meet for the private reception at a certain time.What does anyone think of this idea? OK or bad? I just cant believe how much they charge for appetizers, alcohol, cake, champagne and dinner per person after the amount included in the package when it is already all inclusive. My guests love to dance so I need to have a DJ. What decorations are you bringing and how are you getting them there? They charge for every little thing. How else can you save money?

 

Thanks Ladies!!!!

 

Quote:

 

 

 

[VanessaV]

Hi everyone,

 

For centerpieces I am bringing down votive holders with the little mini candles and some candlesticks and taper candles in bright colors. I can easily bring these down with us and we will save on not buying the flowers for the centerpieces. Even here in the U.S. people try to save costs by foregoing the flowers and we will all have the beautiful surroundings of Mexico. I think the flowers could be a good cost savings, but for some people the flowers are important, it's all personal preferance. If you are having bridesmaids and doing bouquets you could ask for a vase or two on each table and have the girls flowers in there. They usually just end up laying on the table or floor somewhere for the reception anyway, might as well put them to use! I was also told that we would need to bring the things for our centerpieces with us, (as opposed to sending with other people), so that we can give them to the planner beforehand when we have a meeting during the week. I assume this is the same with decor. I feel like I will end up bringing just about everything myself then, since I will also need to have the welcome bag things there with me as well.

 

For those of you thinking of skipping the DJ they do have a sound system with microphone that you can rent and just plug an ipod into. You can make 1 or 2 wedding mixes and bring them down with you.

 

For photographs we are going to use blue lens caribe. They did our engagement photos and we really liked the way they came out, (minus the ones where we were making hideous faces from the sun being directly in our eyes, but you don't have to get those ones For anyone getting pictures done on the beach, it is way harder to keep your eyes wide open than you would think. I was sure I would be able to do it and I would be fine, but your eyes water because of the wind and sun. We liked travelling around the resort and doing pictures all around. The beach shots that we got (with eyes open) were great too, you can't beat the backdrop!

 

For the cocktail hour, if you do want to do it, just arrange a gap between the ceremony and cocktail hour, it's your wedding! People can amuse themselves in the all-inclusive resort in the meantime! We plan on being present for most if not all of the cocktail hour. I don't want to miss out on any of my own wedding festivities. 

 

For the added expense of things I did not agree or understand it much at first either, but when you think about it you are paying for the whole orchestration of it. It takes a lot of prep time and staff to be able to churn out that many meals all at once. You also have the set up and the servers to account for. The additional cost for beverages at a cocktail hour is a little hard to swallow, but again it's special staffing and set up for a private event. Ultimately I am trying not to get hung up on the stuff I cannot control, try not to think too many negative things about it because it is your wedding. I know that it will all work out wonderfully for everyone and together I am sure we can think of ways for potential savings, weather it's different flower species or no flowers at all, or a sound system instead of a DJ, or entertainment from a friend's band.

[MrsAlmaguer2011]

futurMrsQuigley:

 

I have approx. 35 people. We have decided to not have an AHR since the wedding in Mexico is going to cost more than we expected, so we want it to be semi-private so it has the "feel" of a reception.

 

I hired Gonzalo Nunez to do my photography because I heard mixed reviews about Blue Lens, and I would be so upset if I didn't love my pictures.  He is pretty reasonable, unfortunately I didn't know until after I hired him that I had to pay $300 to bring him into the Valentin!

 

I am definitely trying to stay positive, and I am really glad I have this site to look to for help saving money

Originally Posted by futurMrsQuigley 

I am 12/9/11 so pretty close.  We are doing a private reception with dinner.  How many people do you have??  I have read on here that if you have a pretty small group they are really good about getting you in for dinner elsewhere(non-private).  Instead of the private afterparty just plan on going to the same place for drinks, then you don't have to pay for the open bar....again depending on how many people you have.  I am totally with you on some of the pricing it doesn't make sense to me because it is an all-inclusive and these meals/drinks would still be consumed if there wasn't a wedding.  I am just trying to stay positive and hope the extra money will equal an extra special day : )  I know that is hard sometimes.  What are you doing for photography?

 

 

 

 

[MrsAlmaguer2011]

I would love to use your glass vases and orchids. Floating candles too, but those i'm not too worried about. What type of vases are they?

 

Thanks!!
 

Originally Posted by NikkiT1021 

We are bringing all our own centerpieces down to cut costs.  My future SIL gave me her glass vases from her wedding and we are using glass marbles, artificial orchids  and floating candles to fill them.  We also bought cheap overlays from efavormart.com to go on the tables at the reception. I do plan on leaving all my stuff down there after so if anyone wants to use anything I'll let them know when I'm there!