Any Grand Palladium brides?

[Sarah519]

Originally Posted by jengullage 

 

Hi ladies!

 

Welcome to all the newbies!  Vanessa emailed me this week and told me that the Karen Bussen Packages are available now and that I could change my vow renewal package to one of the new ones so I have been looking at these for options but have so many questions and concerns! Maybe some of the new brides here will be wondering the same thing/know the answers to!? 

 

What I am finding with these new packages is that you can't really "customize" anything in them.  If you choose white as your colour pallet from the limited choices they offer per package (which is what I would have to go with as they don't have coral or torquiose) then you cant make any of the flowers anything other than white.  So for example I am looking at the Mayan pearl package, and choosing white- so the flowers are white lilies for everything-even the bridesmaids, so there is no colour contrast. And I couldn't choose their pink colour as my colour scheme because it would clash with the coral dress of my bridesmaid.  Ideally, my bridesmaid having white would be fine-but for that package all they offer is a tiny white lily bouquet (i think its one or two flowers only), and then i would like to have a few coral coloured flowers mixed into mine, but they can't do that.  So I am disappointed about that.  It's kind of one colour for everything  Is anyone else going through these motions right now and finding out anything more than what I have discovered???

 

You might think "well then just keep with your original package" however my fiance has really fallen in love with the look of the mayan pearl package decorations and palladium packages will not let u use those decorations unless you get the karen bussen packages.  The chairs and more modern looking chair covers is what has caught his eye and he is pretty stuck on them now~ lol.  

 

So if anyone else has some more answers on how we can change or if we can change some details in these packages please let me know!

 

Jen

I have also been sent the new packages if I wish to change it but are the Karen Bussen packages an additional fee or do you think that fee replaces the original one? I too don't like the set colour schemes. I think Palladium should offer some kind of incentive for hosting weddings with them. I am over the 40 guest mark now so I am very stressed about not being able to have my dinner at an a la carte. I can't afford to pay 50-60 per person for dinner and am already having to pay $20 per person just for the ceremony on top of wedding package so its adding up quick. Gah!

I think I am going with the original vow renewal package I picked. Grace has sent me the bouquet examples I can choose and the other items like bridesmaids bouquets seem to be priced a bit better. They don't seem to have outside vendor fees so what about going with the original package and seeing if there is any rental companies in the Mayan that would be affordable enough to bring in a few things that your fiancé really likes?

[Carlota1981]

Hola chicas!! Yes I think I have found a good deal for my guests! Well in Spain we love the Caribbean and there are a lot of good offers for going to Republica Dominicana and Riviera Maya. The guests pay that for everything but Thomas (my fiance and I) have payed more. The guests will go with a different touroperator than us that has an offer to stay just 7 nights ar Palladuum. No possible one day less or more. Thomas and I will be there 3 weeks. We will arrive one week before because it will be a legal wedding and the other two for the honey moon as well as 3 days out in which we will rent a car for visiting mayan areas. We have got 2400 USD each one for the three weeks. Well girls about the newpackages. My experience is this: we have the Diamond package that is not possible to see anymore. We booked this because it is one that seemed us more complete. This has a cost of 2400 usd. The day before yesterday I saw on the website the Beach Party and I LOVE the idea! So I wrote to Vanessa. Yesterday she answed me that for having the beach party i would have to choose on on the new packages. I think it is not "fair" . So I started to read the new ones but i dont really like for the same reason: only one color. We have booked more flwers arrangements because we like more flowers that Diamond package offers. So i think i am going to ask Vanessa about the cheapest package and i will continue with my flower shop in Playa del Carmen. And pay the difference that other things that offers the Diamond Package so maybe if this are not ver expensive being payed by separetely we could have our party on the beach. I will let you know when Vanessa answers me. By the way, she has told me that the beach party can start at 7 pm or later... you choose th hour and has a duration of 2 hours. For other brides that ae asking. My wedding ceremony is starting at 4 pm at the gazebo beach. From 5 to 7 the cocktails and appetizers at the Sports Bar and from 7 to 11 pm the dinner at the Laguna restaurant. So the beach party would be from 11 pm to 1 am. Chrestena, my wedding is on 6 August and I am having a lot of my dreams about the wedding and i have a notebook with photos, phones, mails, and loads of information about the wedding!! I completely understand u!! ; )

[Carlota1981]

Chrstena!! I almost forgot, sorry!! I love your shoes! I am also looking for sandals like yours with sparkly details and "open" just like this. Really beautiful!!

[Carlota1981]

Chrstena!! I almost forgot, sorry!! I love your shoes! I am also looking for sandals like yours with sparkly details and "open" just like this. Really beautiful!!

[MyTye2B]

Hi Ladies!  It’s been a while and my crazy month of March at work is finally over.  Once the class I was teaching finished I flew back to Ontario last weekend and spent 3 days with my mom and bridesmaids and it was absolutely wonderful!  I feel like I finally got to sit down and start doing some real wedding planning and DIY fun while wine drinking and gossiping – it was exactly what I needed!  We were able to do some iron on transfers for the OOT bags.   Here are a couple of them:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also got to go try on my dress again (not my actual dress but the style with the hair flower I ordered) and it was so great!  I’m even more in love with it.  J  I did have a bit of drama this week though too, mainly some miscommunication with the bridal store over the hair flower – seems minor but I actually had my first bridezilla moment lol.  It all worked out though, although I was annoyed that I was having to chase them down once I was back in Alberta and there was the time difference and I was busy with work hours.  The other drama was with our TA (who doesn’t have drama with their TA lol??) but that’s sorted out too.  It puts us back $1500 which my fiancé wants to pay for his brothers and sisters to help them out, and I’ve decided it’s not worth the argument since it’s going to happen anyway.  He said that’s all he wants, except for the DJ haha, and I can order as many chairs and lanterns as I want.  So we’re going with that. 

 

Girls I asked the question in another thread but I didn’t get any response so I’m hoping you guys can help me out.  I want one of those tree fingerprint guestbooks – a hand drawn picture of a tree and underneath are your names and wedding date.  My date is a fantastic artist so as a gift he is going to do one up on a canvas that we can frame at home and put on our picture wall.  The guests will ‘leaf’ their thumbprints in ink in our colours and sign their names just above the print by their leaf.   I am wondering what kind of ink remover I should have?  Will a little basket of alcohol wipes work?  With a little garbage on the floor?  I certainly don’t want our guests to be walking around with inked fingers all night in their nice attire, haha.  Has anyone heard of something that will work? 

 

Carlota I am just now realizing your wedding is on Aug. 6!  Mine is on August 19 but we will be arriving on August 15.  I see that you will be there for 2 weeks after your wedding as a honeymoon so it looks like we will be there at the same time.  J  Also I agree that you got an incredible deal on the hotel!  I think your timeline sounds good - the beach party fits in really nicely and would be a great way to end the evening. Did they say it would be ok to start it that late at 11pm?

 

 

Casey I was sort of wondering the same thing as you about the elderly family members.  I’m not sure if my Nana will actually be able to make it, but it would be nice to guarantee that there is something there to help her out if she can.  Please let us know if you hear back from Vanessa.  I’d say just to email her about that.  She is fantastic about replying to emails.  The one time she didn’t immediately respond within a couple of days to me I was worried something was wrong and she ended up writing back about a week later and she said she had to fly to Mexico city and felt SO badly when it wasn’t a big deal in the least.  She is great.  As for your other question about the reception prices, that $50-$60 is per person.  None of the receptions are included.  L  You’re right, it sure adds up.  We have 42 confirmed right now, so just above the limit and I have a feeling we’ll be closer to 55ish when all is said and done.

   

I don’t have a wedding day timeline to share but here is what we’re doing – 4:00pm ceremony which will last about a half hour.  Then the Spanish Trio will be playing for 45 minutes and the champagne will be served.  We’ll go to take pictures leaving the guests with about 2 hours to themselves before the reception starts at 7pm at La Laguna.  On our website (if you want to check it out its tyrelandlauren.ourwedding.com) and in the welcome packages I have written something like ‘time to freshen up and have a few drinks but don’t eat too much because there is a lot of food to come.  I’m worried about the pace of dinner because the one wedding I went to before at Grand Palladium was wonderful but it was sooooo slow!  It was like after dinner was over there was barely time for dancing and there were only 40 at that wedding.  We have hired a DJ as well for 4 hours so I’m kind of wondering how to use him appropriately.  I just have an iPod for dinner music but maybe he can man that and then it seems we’ll probably only get 2 hours of dancing.  At least we’ll have the mike available during dinner for speeches and things.  Any suggestions from anyone on that aspect of things? 

 

 

Maybride I have heard great things about El Dorado Steakhouse.  Actually a couple of people including someone I work with who had her wedding dinner there said that the steak can rival Alberta beef and that is saying a lot!  I think you’ll be happy with it there. 

 

Welcome Kathy and Bre, more Canadians!  I can’t wait to discuss all the plannings with you two.  I know it will take a loooong time, but I’d totally suggest heading back through this thread when you have some time and reading what the others have said.  They  have been so helpful.  Or else just ask again, haha.  We’re here for you! 

 

Jen and others  - I feel your pain about the new Karen Busson packages.  They are so classy!  I hate though that you can’t change the colour scheme.   One of the reasons I was attracted to Grand Palladium was that you could personalize so much and without the outside vendor fee.  It seemed like a lot of other resorts you had to go with their prepackaged stuff and if you wanted to change anything it would cost a fortune.  Don’t get me wrong, lol, this is still costing a fortune, haha.  Initially Vanessa did tell me that they would be eventually available but since we didn’t know when I wanted to start planning I just decided not to worry about it and go with the vow renewal.  I loved, loved, loved the Mayan Pearl package and the Tropical one too.  My biggest thing was that I really wanted the tiffany chairs which I agree look so elegant.  I ended up ordering them from an outside vendor Latin Asia at Wedding Cancun where I also ordered a crystal backdrop for the gazebo.  I’m really happy about it but of course it wasn’t cheap.  Mostly the delivery charge!  Our colours are turquoise and I have already purchased the lanterns, and the girls’ have their dresses and it’s too much to change now.  I really love in the packages how the gazebo can be decorated and I’m bummed that I won’t be able to have that – and the beach bashes sound so fun, but we are pretty stuck with what we have now so I’m going to go with it.  My suggestion would be the same as Sarah’s which is to look at some outside vendors for the few things your fiancé really wants.  J  Sarah, I also loved your suggestion about not waiting for the prices to go down especially when it comes to group rates.  I’m in the industry and it never happens and disappoints people all of the time.  The last minute stuff is for flexible dates usually.  Grab those early bird discounts when  you can. 

 

Karen certainly you’re not online right now but I want to say that I hope you had the most fantastic day!  I’m sure it went off without a hitch just like they always say it will.  Mikeycelle, Maybride and Chrestena you guys are in my thoughts right now as your days are just about here!!!  How are your nerves?  Chrestena you’re funny that your table is all piled with stuff.  You’re so organized!  And with killer shoes like that you have nothing to worry about.  I absolutely can’t wait to see your pictures ladies, you are so beautiful as is your weddings are going to be gorgeous!  Is there anything last minute we can help you with?

[MyTye2B]

Hi Again, I'm trying to make an actual wedding day itinerary to put into the welcome books.  I'm looking for suggestions on what restaurant the ladies can have breakfast at on the morning of the wedding so that we can avoid the boys.  Any suggestions?  We're staying at the White Sand but will go anywhere.    Also, what pool should we hang out at that morning?  We won't have much time until the spa appointments, but just because we want to keep it separate from where the boys will be.  Which I'm assuming will be the swim up bar haha!  Thanks!

[HeatherLynn83]

Hi everyone! I really enjoy reading everyones post! We have just put our deposit for the resort to hold group rates for our guests. We are going March 12, 2014!

Does anyone know if the resort is booking wedding dates yet for 2014? I read a few posts back that they were putting people on waiting list.

 Still deciding if I want to stay at the resort for wedding or go off site with an outside wedding planner.

[Mikeycelle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrestena 

Hi ladies!! So many new brides-to-be since I logged on last!  A huge Congratulations to everyone:) I had to pop on here because tomorrow is Karenk's wedding. Karen- I am thinking of you and wishing you and your hubby to be a beautiful, happy wedding day!! Mikeycelle, your day sounds like it is filled with all the best and I'm getting so excited for you! Both you and Maybride are the same week. I am one month away from our wedding day, and I can barely sleep- my mind is constantly thinking of " do I have everything done-am I forgetting something?" I can only imagine how you two are feeling:) I have to laugh because our dining room table has become wedding central- everything is laid out, organized and I have more lists and notebooks than a college student- lol. My shoes came today and they are so pretty. Mikeycelle, thanks for the backup on the veil. I did order one- so it will be interesting to see if I decide to wear it or not. I really think I will- it makes me feel bridal:)

 

Caseylynndavis- welcome and congrats!! I have a timeline on my wedding website of the way our day will run- please feel free to check our the way I worded it if it can help:) our site is www.christinaandmichaelswedding.com. It must go in the browser- not a search engine like google- too many Christina and Michaels wedding sites to filter through. I hope it helps!

 

Karenk-I can't wait to hear about your day- I hope you are snug as a bug in bed getting rested up for tomorrow!! 

 

Ok -since were girls-I have to share my wedding day shoes. They just came today and I love them!

ps- anyone else have a fiancé that is getting nervous about saying the vows out loud in front of everyone with a micphne ? Lol. 

 

 

Those shoes are gorgeous! 5 days till Mexico!

[claire0701]

Hi ladies,

it's been a while since I've had time to get my BDW fix and i've loved catching up on all the threads with a wee cuppa tea this afternoon!

 

Chrestena - those shoes WOW! They are gorgeous and you can totally wear them on another occasion as well.  Here are my shoes...

you can't see so well here but they have some lovely lace applique on the toe and up the back as well.

 

Mikeycelle -you must be so excited now the countdown really is on!  I can't wait to hear how it all goes for you and hopefully see a few photos as well!

 

MrsTye2be - your bags look great, I'm sure everyone will love them and I especially love a DIY project!  The fingerprint tree is such a lovely idea and it's sweet that you can have yours hand drawn as well.  I would say baby wipes would be just fine for guests to clean their inky fingers afterwards but maybe try it out first just to check?  With regards to your timeline and making the most of your DJ, could you start dinner a bit earlier maybe?  I'm sure everybody's day will go by in a flash of fun and excitement!

 

caseylynndavis - the white party runs weekly (I think it's a Monday night) and guests are invited to come along wearing white.  There is food and firedancers and I think it sounds fantastic!  I asked Vanessa about reserving an area for our group to have a get together there (sort of welcome drinks) but she said it is open to all guests at the hotel and could not reserve us a space.  I guess we'll just turn up and enjoy! 

 

I'm curious now as well about the Karen Bussen packages and how they work cost wise with the Catholic Ceremony. Would we need to pay the $2100 for the Catholic Ceremony package (this is what we have booked) and then the whole cost of the Karen Bussen package on top, or would the cost of the Karen Bussen package include the priest and ceremony?  Thank you for any advice.  I don't like to email Vanessa all the time if I can find the answers form you lovely helpful ladies

[claire0701]

Oh! Another question you girls may already know the answer to ... are we allowed to remove our AI wristbands for the day of the wedding (for photographs sake) and does this apply to just bride and groom or bridesmaids, mother of the bride and groom etc as well?  Thanks!