2011 Iberostar Brides

[Hanna20]

Hi Hannah!

 

My name is Hanna too and we are getting married on April 6, 2011 (exactly one month apart from you)!! We are getting married at the Beach thoguh so we have a different wedding coordinator than you do (her name is Karla). I have been in contact with Karla MANY MANY times.... we have emailed each other back and forth about tons of things. We already have our ceremony location, ceremony time, reception location all booked. The smaller details such as flowers, food, etc have not been finalized yet. I would suggest you email your wedding coordinator and ask her for menus, flower options, decoration options and any other questions you may have. It usually takes Karla a day or two to respond but when she does she provides detailed answers to all of my questions. As for the private excursion, I really don't have any advice to offer there!
 

Let me know if you have any other questions!
 

Originally Posted by Hannah5611 

Hello Ladies!!  I just ran a search to see if I could find some photos of Lindo weddings and I came across this website   I have read this thread and it has me a little nervous so I am hoping you all can help.  I am getting married at the Lindo on May 6, 2011!  We have 33 people booked right now, and we are expecting about 50-60 total.  It seems like you all are in contact with the resorts ....when I booked my date (back in April of 2010), I was told that they would not be in contact with me again until 3 months prior to my wedding.  I havent seen current prices, menus, or anything.  I did get pics of the reception venues back in April, but that is it....do you think I should reach out to Mayra and request menus and more pics?    Also, we are taking everyone on a private excursion the day after our wedding as our thank you gift to everyone...we were thinking about chartering a private catamaran - any suggestions?  ANY advice is much appreciated!  Thanks ladies!!

[Hannah5611]

WOW...so I guess I might be a little behind   I will email them right away!  Thanks so much for responding...only 4 more months till your big day!!  1 more question - I read a couple people said they put down deposits....did you?  They told me I pay for everything when I get there, and they didnt take deposits?!?  Thanks again - and what a great name you have!

[Hanna20]

Yes I did have to put a deposit down... I think it was 20% of the wedding package price. They wouldn't confirm my wedding date until they had the deposit. Once they received the money (via my credit card) they reserved the date for us and sent me a confirmation by email. The deposit was actually taken by Reyna who is the wedding sales manager (I think thats her title) then once the deposit was done she introduced me to Karla (the wedding coordinator) who took over.... I would be very cautious if I were you about not paying a deposit because to me they were very adament that the date was not mine until the depost was paid.
 

Originally Posted by Hannah5611 

WOW...so I guess I might be a little behind   I will email them right away!  Thanks so much for responding...only 4 more months till your big day!!  1 more question - I read a couple people said they put down deposits....did you?  They told me I pay for everything when I get there, and they didnt take deposits?!?  Thanks again - and what a great name you have!

[radiochic10]

I totally agree with the 1st Hanna about the deposit.  Hannah-ask ask & ask again about it because I had the exact same stress with securing my date.  We are getting married on Valentine's Day & since they only do one wedding a day at the Iberostar (LOVE that-many resorts do 2-3!!) it was super important that I had that date as soon as we decided on it.  I, too, dealt first with Reyna and now with Karla, as we are getting married on the beach of the Del Mar.  We are doing the 'mac daddy' wedding package-that's what I call it-it's the Dream Civil package.  That's the biggest one they offer & includes lots of stuff that we loved-like a private dinner on the beach at sunset the day after the wedding for the bride & groom, breakfast in bed the morning after, decorations at the wedding, cocktail hour and most importantly-a private reception! 

I know you're getting married at a different Iberostar, but I'm betting they all offer something similar. 

 

I just ordered our wedding favors last night & my bridesmaids gifts, so lastly will be the OOT bags for our guests and I'll deal with those next month when we have a final head count.  I still have to talk to Karla about the cake (we'll definitely need a bigger one than what's included in the package) the flowers, and what'll be on the menu.  She is awesome at getting back to me and has calmed my butt down on more than one occasion!  This website is SO helpful-especially the amazing post by this one bride-she helped me know what to ask for by her thorough description of everything. -Finleys7 (Shannon)'s Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar Review: 5-1-2010  I plan on doing the same thing when I get back to help all of you, since my big day is coming up quickly!!  But for now, if you have any questions, ask away.  I'm nearly an expert at this point. lol :)Erin 

 

[Lindobride14]

Hi girls!  Just wanted to check in.  Hannah, yes, you need to put down a deposit.  I would email or call Reyna directly since she is the one that takes the deposit.  I originally booked my wedding through the Lindo, and am now having it at the Del Mar, so I know from experience that both resorts do in fact require the deposit.

 

If you need her contact info, you can PM me. 

 

Erin, I am right ahead of ya . . . we're getting married on Januaey 22nd!  I dont know if you feel like me, but this week it dawned on me that we are at the 6 week mark until we leave and I thought to myself  "Where the bleep did the time go?" 

 

With the holidays, it's totally going to be the blink of an eye, and there the wedding will be!!  I have had all the big things planned for months, but I am finding that a lot of little things have snuck up on me.  A lot of scrapbook-y type projects like making placecards, table numbers, tags for our OOT bags, welcome letter, photoshare card, favor tags, program fans . . . I could go on and on!  I made a list this week and filled a whole sheet!

 

In other news, my bachelorette party is this weekend!!  It's gonna be a total blast.  My sister's planning the whole thing.  All I know is we're having like a pre-party at the Swissotel in downtown Chicago where we'll be spending the night.  There'll be food, drinks, and she's having one of those "beauty on call" companies do spa services in our suite, manis, pedis, massages, etc.  Then we're going to get ready and go out to some clubs.  Super excited that one of my best friends is flying in from NYC.  It'll be a really fun crew that's coming out.  Cannot wait!!  Oh, and the theme is little black or red dress.  I'm wearing an incredibly tiny black and white dress!

[Hannah5611]

Thanks ladies...I contacted Lily and Mayra 2 days ago but I havent heard back...I went back through my emails, and I have NUMEROUS emails from them "confirming my date of May 6, 2011" ...like I said, I booked the date back in April...they confirmed with me via email that I am doing the big "mac daddy package" (haha) too!  I guess I am going to stalk them again today until I get some answers - does Reyna handle Lindo weddings too?  Both of you are doing Del Mar, right?  Thanks for your help ladies....if I wouldnt have found this website, I would still be sitting back with no worries...now I am sooo worried  

 

On a good note, both of you seem to be really on top of everything!!!!  And both of your days are right around the corner!!!   I am so jealous that "lindobride14" will be sunbathing while we are snowplowing..haha

 

Hey...one more question for you girls - my sister got married at the Moon Palace 2 years ago..the more people she had, the more they threw in for her (i.e. private reception, cocktail hour, photographer, ect for having over 30, over 40, over 50)...it seems like with Iberostar, the more people I have, the more they charge me...I am bringing 50 plus people to the resort, and then they are going to charge me extra for each additional person after 10 at my wedding....basically, without trying to sound cheap (haha) do you know any secrets?  I would think they would be more willing to include stuff if you had more people..I mean, there are a lot of resorts that include the wedding in your trip package...

[Lindobride14]

Hannah-

 

I hope it's not snowing too bad in January, I want everyone to get there with no flight delays!!  haha 

 

To answer your question yes, Reyna does handle Lindo weddings.  Reyna is the wedding and event sales executive.   She handles the sales portion for all five resorts.  She takes your deposit and then once the contract and deposit are complete, she turns you over to our resorts's WC.  Not sure why that portion was skipped in your instance, but hey, at least you have an extra grand in your bank account for a few more months.  haha

 

Don't worry.  Lily and Mayra are fantastic wedding coordinators.  I was sad to switch because I loved them so much.  I met with Lily at our site visit in July and she's incredibly sweet.  If you have things backed up through emails, my expereince is they will stand by their emails.  I had an issue arise very recently and luckily it was all documented through email so there was no harm , no foul.  I am glad that they do everything via email for that reason.  

 

That being said, if you wanna dot your I's and cross your T's I would call Reyna.  I was having a bit of delay with emails when I initially booked so I bought a calling card and spoke to Reyna directly.  I think that may give you the peace of mind you're looking for.  Her direct number is 52 984 877 2800 ext.8009.  Her email address is [email protected]

 

Hope that helps.  As for the perks you mentioned such as at Moon Palace, I've got no secrets for ya.  I have heard of no special bonuses for guaranteeing X number of guests.

 

[radiochic10]

Hi all!

 

So interesting that you mentioned the 'rewards' other hotels give you.  Some even give you a free trip back for a week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Then, there's the Iberostar.  No such luck.  The one good thing for us was that we reserved the date & paid the deposit before the 2011 prices came out, so I have in writing that we just pay 2010..so that saves a little I guess.  I don't even know if they've set up 2011 prices-I would assume so.  I do hate that over 10 people is $$...and it's $20 per person..There are more than 10 people IN our wedding when you include us & the ring bearer/flower girls.  I'm trying to add things up in my head so I know what to expect more or less.  I'm going to see if we can bring some of our own decorations-I don't know how that works and I'm going to surprise my FI with a cigar roller at the reception.  He'll FLIP-he loves cigars so much.  I'm also ordering personalized matches for that table-and hiding them from him so he doesn't guess what I'm doing.   The surprise stuff is fun!  I may appear to have it together, but I swear it's a rouse. lol.  I am mostly a mess...thank GOD we have a wedding coordinator with a destination wedding because if I had to deal with this on my own here-oh it wouldn't be pretty.  I'm almost at the point of empathizing with the horrific figures on "Bridezilla." 

 

Lindobride-I have absolutely no idea where the time went.  This is what I was afraid of too---once Thanksgiving hit, it would be just this mammoth blur of time and then the wedding.  The good thing is, I thought of this ahead of time, and despite having 4 broken bones in my back at the moment (I fell in May-broke 5 total...been in crazy pain-but at least I can walk-came close to never walking again) I got the OK to hit the gym back in Oct. and have been there every day since.  I haven't gotten my gown altered because I'm down a size & with some luck, maybe another by mid-January.  Yahoo!  Way to wait til the last minute-I know, but with the back-I didn't have much of a choice.  Told ya I'm mostly a mess!!! lol  Have the best time at your bachelorette party!  I don't think I'm gonna get one because I live in Boston but my sis & family reside in Pittsburgh, so unless I can find something for my FI to do during X-Mas break in Pgh while I go party, I think I'm outta luck! Ha.  Can't wait to hear how much fun you have!

 

PS-Hannah5611-you are adorable with your FI in that picture!
:)Erin

[Hannah5611]

Tara - Have a BLAST at your bachelorette party!!  Hopefully the snow doesnt slow you girls down...

 

Erin - you live in BOSTON and arent having a bachelorette party??  My second favorite city - next to Chicago of course   I told my girls I just wanted to do a pedi party at a salon before we leave...everyone is spending so much to come, I feel bad having them spend more on a night out in the city ..and everyone will need pedis before we leave   AND, my favorite pedi place lets you bring your own alcohol in..PERFECT!  haha 

thanks for the pic compliment - your pic is great as well...I was just about to change mine ...I think I still might  

 

ps - I have sent THREE emails to Mayra now...so if I dont have a response by Monday, i will either call or email Reyna...thanks ladies!

 

pps - ERIN, what is your "down a size" secret at the gym?  dieting also?  good luck with the back! that SUCKS!!

[radiochic10]

Hey Hannah!

 

  I'm sure my pals in Boston would totally throw me a Bachelorette party, but there's no way my sis could swing flying up here for it and I know she really wants to do something for me...so I'll have to figure that all out. How awesome that you can do the pedi/mani and it's BYOB! HA!!!  Are all of the girls in your wedding from Chicago? (One of MY favorite cities, by the way!!!)  As far as my downsizing (lol-love that term when it doesn't mean someone lost a job!) I have a friend who's a nutrition coach & she pounded into my head that if I'm gonna eat a carb-I always need a protein with it.  I will LIVE by this theory from now on!!!  I swear by it.  So, if I have a yogurt (which is a carb? Always thought of it as a protein-as I clearly didn't read the label) I'll have a cup of cottage cheese with it.  That see-saw effect has sped up my metabolism and made me not hungry for stuff I normally crave.  I also have found that by doing this, I don't eat as much sugary stuff, as protein isn't about sugar, so I no longer have sugar crashes.  Then I go to the gym M-F before work and I have a trainer.  She's actually a good friend who put together on paper a program I can do that won't hurt my back & it's been a lifesaver, as that's what I was most scared of.  I'll give you the detailed workout if you want it-just PM me   So I only meet with her maybe once every other week to check in & have her vary the workout a bit, otherwise it's just up to me.

 

  I also wear a "Bride" hat at the gym every single morning.  That way, when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, it reminds me to kick it up a notch if I'm slacking at all that day! lol.  I'm on a mission!!