Any Ceiba del Mar Brides?

[1106wedding]

You are the best, I'll check it out asap! Thank you!!!

 

Originally Posted by savvybride2010 

1106 - I'll PM you our ceremony! 

[savvybride2010]

Thanks Laura, I'm happy to post it, I'll check it out! 

 

Originally Posted by lshaef 

From reading reviews on this site, we also decided to do the legal ceremony in the states and are doing a symbolic wedding.  My FI's uncle will be the offciant so it will be very personalized.  There's a thread already started with ceremony scripts so savvybride2010 maybe you could add it there if you want to share.

 

I think doing the legal part here would just make the whole experience of getting married in Mexico less stressful.  You don't have to tell your guests that you legally did it in the States...no one will ever know!

[savvybride2010]

Hi KP Southie,

 

Congrats and Welcome to the group!  We used a local travel agent to do the group rate negotiations with Ceiba so I didn't really deal a whole lot with Diana personally, but we were really happy with everything while we were there.  The onsite coordinator Paola Sanchez was absolutely great, she was very attentive our whole trip and very good via e-mail planning too.  We used Gabi from Planner1 for all of our decor needs.  She was super helpful, very prompt in her responses, and everything was exactly as promised.  I highly recommend her and her team! 

 

I'm hoping to get my professional pictures back in the next week or two and I will post a link here once it's up!  I was lucky enough to have my dear friend (and amazing photographer!) spend the whole trip with us, so there should be some pictures from the bonfire, rehearsal dinner, etc., included too.   

 

Our group really likes to party so I wasn't too concerned about what DJ we picked.  I figured they would have to be really bad for us not to have fun, but to our delight DJ Mannia was awesome!
I brought a CD of songs that I wanted them to play plus they also asked about what genre's we liked and what not to play.  They were very good at reading the crowds vibe and quickly picked up on what was keeping everyone moving.  I believe it was $900 for 4 hours including lights, cold fireworks (aka sparklers), effects etc.  Just an fyi, there's not a lot of e-mail communication ahead of time, which made me a little concerned.  But if you come prepared (cd of songs you want played, they had a lot but i'm just an indie girl at heart and didn't want to risk it!) and allow about ten minutes before you head to the reception to go over songs you want for specific events (they have a list, entrance, 1st dance, father daughter, cake, etc.) then they will take care of you. 

 

Good luck with the planning!

 

Lauren

 

Originally Posted by KPSouthie 

Hi Ladies! 

 

I'm new to the board so it's nice to find other Ceiba brides and all of the board’s useful information. We’re booked for July of 2011 and expecting 100 people.  I have to say a piece of me is nervous after reading a couple of the reviews, especially one in particular.  It’s hard not to second guess our choice after reading the negative ones.  However prior to booking we did go down for a site visit to 5 resorts (stayed at Ceiba overnight), spoke to other recent Ceiba brides who had excellent experiences and I’ve read a ton of positive reviews on trip advisor.  To date, I’ve had nothing but a positive experience with the hotel and especially when working with Dians so I’m praying they have since taken care of any problems or issues they were having. 

 

savvybride2010 –Sounds &looks like you planned an amazing wedding & weekend!  Do you have any additional photos from your other events that you’d be willing to share?  I’m trying to get ideas for décor.  Also I apologize if I missed it, but who did you use for your DJ?  We haven’t booked anyone yet but it’s really important for us to have someone who can keep everyone out on the dance floor.

 

Thanks in advance!

[tweets.13]

Ladies - Thanks for the ceremony tips!  We are still trying to figure it out!   I got a little more info on what to expect with the civil ceremony, which makes me feel better about it (we exchange rings, can say vows, etc.). 

 

KP Southie - I have had a great experience working with Ceiba so far.  Diana and Paola have been very responsive and accommodating.  We worked directly with the hotel, and so far our discounted group rates have been less than any specials posted on the various on-line travels sites and less than any of the specials Ceiba offers - so I know our guests are getting the best deal.  We visited Ceiba in June and LOVED it - very authentic, good food, accommodating staff, clean, spacious rooms, etc. 

 

Like Lauren, we are also using Gabi at Planner1.  So far, she has been great to work with and I love her ideas, etc. 

 

Not sure if you need invitation ideas, but we used a printer out of California - The Aerialist Press.  http://www.theaerialistpress.com/  They have affordable letterpress invitiations and plenty of destination wedding appropriate options.  They have more options than what is on the site - just email them what you are thinking.  Alexandra was very quick to respond and very helpful. 

 

Let me know if you have other questions about vendors, etc.  We have booked a DJ, Mariachi, guitarist, etc., so I can give ou some contacts.  All of the vendors were referred to us by Diana at Ceiba.

 

The wedding is in 3 months...!!!  (YIKES!!!)

 

Theresa

[Planner1Events]

hello KPSouthie!! CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR WEDDING!

 

I am Gabi Lavor from Planner 1 and I would love to help you plan your wedding at Ceiba! Diana and Paola are amazing and we do a great team together !!

 

Check out our facebook page and web site and you will see a lot of set up at the Hotel. Please send me a PM with your email to send you our information.

 

Thanks a lot and HAPPY 2011!!!

Gabi

 

http://facebook.com/planner1events

 

http://planner 1events.com

[KPSouthie]

Thanks Lauren and Theresa for the great info!  I saw after my original reply posted to the thread it said "lurker" next to my username.  I thought to myself "What the heck is that?? And who's going to reply when they see it?!"  Couldn't they just go with "Newbie"?? Haha

 

I've actually been working directly with Diana from the start and she's been fantastic -always prompt with her replies, accomodating and extremely helpful when I've needed her assistance with a couple of issues. She gave me a recommended vendor list, but it's always good to people who've had first hand experience when dealing with the vendors.  Gabi -thanks for the warm welcome!  We've actually been speaking over email already.   

 

Lauren -we were also thinking of doing a bonfire for our welcome reception.  Did you have music on the beach? What did you do for chairs/seating? Did people seem to like it?  This is one of the many things we're still trying to figure out.

 

Also what did you do, or what are you doing in Theresa's case, about hair & makeup? 

 

Thanks again!

Kristin

[Planner1Events]

Kristin!! of course!! sometimes is hard to the brides with the usernames ... Welcome to the Forum! it will help a lot. We have a lot of new pictures in our face book page of Ceiba del Mar set ups. Visit our page.

 

Welcome!!

Gabi

[MarisaKash]

Hey girls. Apologies if I missed it somewhere in the thread, but have any of you negotiated a group rate with Ceiba del Mar for your wedding guests? If so, what did you get it down to? Thanks for any insight! 

[tweets.13]

Great Questions!  I am interested in what Lauren did for the bonfire too.  We have one scheduled for Thursday night after a cocktail reception.  So far, we just have the bonfire.  A few friends are musicians so we are thinking they may bring their guitars.  We were contemplating bringing/renting a wireless iPod player.  Not sure about furniture, etc.  Lauren - any recommendations?

 

As far as hair and make-up, I am lucky that both my mom and sister are professionals - so I am "flying" them in!    I cannot remember if you said you have done a site visit to Ceiba - there is a small salon on the property.  I have no idea, however, about who does services there.  Sorry!

 

Originally Posted by KPSouthie 

Thanks Lauren and Theresa for the great info!  I saw after my original reply posted to the thread it said "lurker" next to my username.  I thought to myself "What the heck is that?? And who's going to reply when they see it?!"  Couldn't they just go with "Newbie"?? Haha

 

I've actually been working directly with Diana from the start and she's been fantastic -always prompt with her replies, accomodating and extremely helpful when I've needed her assistance with a couple of issues. She gave me a recommended vendor list, but it's always good to people who've had first hand experience when dealing with the vendors.  Gabi -thanks for the warm welcome!  We've actually been speaking over email already.   

 

Lauren -we were also thinking of doing a bonfire for our welcome reception.  Did you have music on the beach? What did you do for chairs/seating? Did people seem to like it?  This is one of the many things we're still trying to figure out.

 

Also what did you do, or what are you doing in Theresa's case, about hair & makeup? 

 

Thanks again!

Kristin

[KPSouthie]

Lucky you Theresa to have someone in the family to take care of your hair and makeup!  I've actually done the wedding makeup for a couple of my friends.  I was contemplating doing my own, but I'd really rather just sit and relax while someone else does it for me.  Oh! I meant to ask, are you definitely doing a civil ceremony or are you still considering a symbolic?  We're still going back and forth on this, but I think we're planning to do a symbolic ceremony with a minister Diana recommended.

 

Yes, we did a last minute site visit back in September and that is what sold us on the property.  I'm SOOOO happy we did for many reasons. As an events planner I needed to see first hand and experience the resorts as a guest would.   I guess that's the type A person in me.   While during our visit we stayed at one of the properties we were considering and both hated it. I couldn't imagine staying at this property for more than one day so a wedding there was out of the question!  With the Ceiba del Mar we loved the authentic feel, the wedding venue options, the friendly staff and the food & drinks were great!  A huge bonus for us was the size.  We really wanted everyone to be able to hang out and spend time together.  Seeing that we're taking over the majority of the property it's perfect!  And did I mention that Diana came in on her day off to meet with us?!  She spent over two hours showing us the resort and then sat down afterwards for an hour to discuss our wedding and answer any questions we had.  In the end it made a difference with us.

 

BTW Gabi, I owe you a reply!!  I will write back in the next day or two.