Secrets Maroma Brides

[emsdds]

Your situation sounds similar to mine. I am in the middle of tacking down the contract and itinerary as well. Are you using Planner1Events for any extra stuff? Are you using the resort DJ?

I did a site visit at Secrets and met with Cecilia and Ismael (the DJ) they were both so accomodating, they even let us do a menu tasting! We also did a site visit of Grand Velas RM and the property was nice, but service was lacking compared to Secrets.

I am getting married April 29....I just emailed Juan Navarro to see if we can just have all the pics on discs and work something out separately, I also emailed to Cecilia to see if we can use that credit towards something else....

 

[emsdds]

I did try the surf and turf - it was good...not your upscale filet but good for the masses. The shrimps that were served with it were very good!

 

DJ MANNIA - how are they? I have read a few posts and they seem to be good but any other opinions. We were just going to have a 'play list' instead of a do not play list so we weren't sure if we needed the whole DJ/ just an emcee and sound system.

 

We are having our reception in the ballroom because we want to party longer than 11 and we are having our rehearsal dinner (the night before) outside. So we thought we would change it up a bit.

 

Ceremony will be outside and cocktail hour after (outside). We are expecting up to 110 (reasonably). We sent save the dates to 180 people.

 

I will post the save the date if anyone cares to see it....

[AnnieWeds]

Hi SMB Brides!  Glad to see this thread revived.  I am getting married here on May 12, 2012 and am just starting to plan wedding event details.

 

I wanted to ask if there are any past brides or brides to be that have or are planning daytime activities at or off the resort with their guests?  As a way to get everyone to know each other and have some fun before the ceremony day.

 

If I am going to do it, I am thinking of having the activities BEFORE the ceremony day so everyone can get to know each other before the ceremony.  Any opinions on whether it is better to have it BEFORE or AFTER the ceremony?  Any personal experience out there on the mattter?

 

We just want everyone to have a good time since they are making the effort to travel to celebrate with us.

 

Thanks everyone! =)

 

emsdds, yes please post your save the date!  I'm always interested in seeing what creative way others make their save the dates. =)

[kriztie707]

We thought about planning activities for everyone but then decided not to plan anything big because we didn't want to take up too much of everyone's time since it was their vacation too.

 

I would suggest doing a Welcome Dinner or cocktails somewhere at the resort. We did the Hibachi table at Himitsu and then all hung out at the lobby afterwards. It was a great way for everyone to get to know each other. Depending on how many guests you have, I would also suggest doing the bonfire on the beach.

[AnnieWeds]

kriztie707, thanks for pointing that out.  Guests may feel obligated and not want to have their time taken up by the activities.

 

We were considering the Bonfire on the beach and will probably be able to do that since we are expecting about 35-45 people at most.  The Hibachi table sounds like it would be alot of fun too. =)

 

Does anyone have experience with Rehearsals at SMB?  If the ceremony is on the beach, do they set up the aisle and alter so that we can have a practice run on the day before.

[ckrn]

Great question!  I've actually been wondering the same thing.  We're having a bonfire the night before to use as our "rehearsal".  However I know if we don't do a run through i'm worried i'm going to be so stressed!

[emsdds]

My website is:

http://www.mywedding.com/ericwilliamandemilymarie/

 

I am trying to post the save the date.

 

 

[kriztie707]

They don't do any formal rehearsals but they have done so many weddings now that they have everything down pat. I was nervous too about not having a rehearsal but we had no issues the day off. The arbor for the ceremony on the beach is always there, not always with chairs, but you could always do your own rehearsal. I had put all our music on my iphone and just told Ceclia what songs needed to be played when and it all went flawlessly. She is always in constant communication with other staff members during the ceremony.

 

 

[baririce]

I got the same response about the package she was doing when I contacted Juan. He said that she must have been mistaken and that she was upgrading her ultimate photo package. I would love the details too so I do not get ripped off. I just want all the images on a CD so I can do whatever with them later..

[baririce]

Are you providing transportation from the airport to the hotel? I would like to do this, but not sure who to go through for this.