Now Sapphire Weddings Formerly Paradisus Riviera

[Molly57]

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[HeatherViolet]

Hi Amy-

Thank you so much for explaining that there are 2 locations for the beach wedding. No one else mentioned that!  Amazing!

Out of curiosity... what time is your ceremony scheduled for?  If the beach ceremony/beach terrace is right in front of the pool, do you think a lot of guests will still be "mingling" around the pool at 4/5:00?

Are you doing the Eternity or Devine Package?

Are you getting a DJ?

It looks like a lot of brides do the Tequila Terrace... I rarely see people choose the Beach Terrace.  They both look gorgeous.... I am sure we have nothing to worry about!

What wedding planner have you directly dealt with at the resort, Anel?

Sorry for all the questions.... now that all of this has been screwed up.... I have my guard up!

We still plan on getting married at Now Sapphire even though we have had these problems.  I have spent hours upon hours trying to find a resort that would work for us.  This seemed like the best fit!  After speaking to some friends of my parents recently, we just found out they were at this resort for their 35th wedding anniversary.  They had tons of wonderful things to say about the resort.... no complaints.  You know it is a little more reassuring to have your wedding at a place that you personally know people that went to it... and enjoyed it.

Thanks again for your reply.... that helps a lot!

 

Heather

[Molly57]

Hi there! I have been meaning to post since I got back from my own site inspection trip at NOW Sapphire.  I tried posting earlier, but it never showed up.  While I was there I witnessed many weddings and also met with the wedding coordinators.  

 

Heather and Amy I think I can help answer some of your questions.  The tequila terrace and the beach terrace are not that far apart.  They are separated by a walkway and the restaurant Bluewater Grill (which is an outdoor restaurant).  Things you should consider with the tequila terrace is that it is surrounded by three restaurants, Fresco, Market Cafe, and the Grill (outdoor).  We actually sat outside for dinner while a wedding reception was going on there.  Also the Grill plays music too, which is right next to tequila, they use the same deck.  

 

I liked both locations and saw some beautiful weddings there.  They were both at the same time though.  Also they both had DJ's too. However, I don't think you could hear each other's music.  The beach wedding was in front of the tequila terrace and they had their wedding reception on the beach.

 

Let me know if you have any questions at all!  I asked a lot of questions and took a bunch of pictures which I can post soon.  I was there from the 4th-9th.  

 

Molly

[AmyG]

Hi Heather,

 

I don't mind answering any of your questions at all.  I have received most of my information from past brides on this forum and facebook. 

I am going to base my wedding ceremony time on the sunset, so the approximate time for the sunset on my wedding date (March 16) would be 5:57pm.  I will probably do my ceremony at 5:00 or 5:30pm.  I am expecting some 'beach lookers' and walk bys at that time but I know they try to set up the ceremony site during the day so no one is sitting directly in that spot.  Naturally people at the pool will see me and others walking to the ceremony but I figured I won't notice it too much and i'll just go with the flow.  In the end, it will only be my fiance and family/friends sitting around me during the ceremony. 

I chose the Divine package.

I am using the resort DJ for the reception, I will probably pay for a few additional hours.  I will bring my own music for the ceremony and possibly the cocktail hour.

I chose the Beach Terrace for two main reasons...1) I do not like the slats on the deck on the Tequila Terrace. Since I plan on wearing heels for my reception, I did not want myself or my guests to worry about footwear.  I also did not want the extra expense of renting a dance floor. The Beach Terrace is a concrete area so I will not have to worry about it.  2) I did not like the fact that people in the restaurant(s) are right next to the deck and would pracrtically be watching the whole reception.  At least at the Beach Terrace, the pool closes around 7:00 (I think) so we would have more privacy throughout the reception.  Mind you these are only my personal opinions and since I had the option of either location I am extremely happy with my decision.

I was previously working with another wedding coordinator but she is no longer there, so now I am working with Anel.

I'm glad you are still using the Now Sapphire for your wedding!  I have heard the best reviews from other brides there so I'm sure we have nothing to worry about.  :-)

 

-Amy

 

Originally Posted by HeatherViolet 

Hi Amy-

Thank you so much for explaining that there are 2 locations for the beach wedding. No one else mentioned that!  Amazing!

Out of curiosity... what time is your ceremony scheduled for?  If the beach ceremony/beach terrace is right in front of the pool, do you think a lot of guests will still be "mingling" around the pool at 4/5:00?

Are you doing the Eternity or Devine Package?

Are you getting a DJ?

It looks like a lot of brides do the Tequila Terrace... I rarely see people choose the Beach Terrace.  They both look gorgeous.... I am sure we have nothing to worry about!

What wedding planner have you directly dealt with at the resort, Anel?

Sorry for all the questions.... now that all of this has been screwed up.... I have my guard up!

We still plan on getting married at Now Sapphire even though we have had these problems.  I have spent hours upon hours trying to find a resort that would work for us.  This seemed like the best fit!  After speaking to some friends of my parents recently, we just found out they were at this resort for their 35th wedding anniversary.  They had tons of wonderful things to say about the resort.... no complaints.  You know it is a little more reassuring to have your wedding at a place that you personally know people that went to it... and enjoyed it.

Thanks again for your reply.... that helps a lot!

 

Heather

Molly57,

 

Thank you so much for the positive review!  I hope you had a great time during your visit!!

 

You did reassure me as to why I did not choose the Tequila Terrace, I never liked the idea of the restaurants so close by.  I just hope that the restaurants are not a distraction at the Beach Terrace.

I have heard that when two events are going on at both terraces you can not hear each others music, so I am glad you were able to confirm that.

 

Did you book your wedding there?

 

-Amy

 

Originally Posted by Molly57 

Hi there! I have been meaning to post since I got back from my own site inspection trip at NOW Sapphire.  I tried posting earlier, but it never showed up.  While I was there I witnessed many weddings and also met with the wedding coordinators.  

 

Heather and Amy I think I can help answer some of your questions.  The tequila terrace and the beach terrace are not that far apart.  They are separated by a walkway and the restaurant Bluewater Grill (which is an outdoor restaurant).  Things you should consider with the tequila terrace is that it is surrounded by three restaurants, Fresco, Market Cafe, and the Grill (outdoor).  We actually sat outside for dinner while a wedding reception was going on there.  Also the Grill plays music too, which is right next to tequila, they use the same deck.  

 

I liked both locations and saw some beautiful weddings there.  They were both at the same time though.  Also they both had DJ's too. However, I don't think you could hear each other's music.  The beach wedding was in front of the tequila terrace and they had their wedding reception on the beach.

 

Let me know if you have any questions at all!  I asked a lot of questions and took a bunch of pictures which I can post soon.  I was there from the 4th-9th.  

 

Molly

 

[HeatherViolet]

Wow Amy and Molly-

 

You guys are really helpful!  Thank You!  I appreciate all of your feedback so much!

I am still going back and forth about the DJ.  I know a lot of people just move their party into Elipse, the nightclub on the resort. 

Are you both getting an outside photographer?  I have been talking to a few online.... it seems that they are a little pricey, but that is the way to go!  If you are using someone outside of the resort, would you mind telling me who you are using?

One more question (for now)  Are you using the resorts florist?  Do you find that they are overpriced?  Do we even have a choice to use them or an outside vendor?

 

Thanks again Ladies!

Heather

 

[Molly57]

Amy,

 

I decided not to have my wedding at Sapphire.  I was sure it was going to be the place, but once I visited we both realized a big resort wedding is not want we wanted.  I saw some beautiful weddings there and it seemed like the brides and guests had a wonderful time there.  There just was not enough privacy for me.  We both laugh because the picture they have on the website of the the view of the hotel with the green all around it was photoshopped.  This is partly our fault, because we had not been to Mexico before.  We did not realize that they photoshopped the other resorts out.  So it is resort next to resort, one after the other.  Plus they all do weddings too.  Having seen that picture I thought it was a more remote location than Cancun.  However looking back at other pictures of resorts they all do this on their website too.

 

That being said we debated and debated, and decided to rent a car and drive an hour and half to Tulum.  My fiancé's biggest request was he wanted and amazing beach. Tulum's beaches had crystal clear water and no seaweed.  I am not that picky and found Sapphire's beach to be just fine, but there was seaweed all in the water so you would come out with it on you and it was on the sand.  They do clean it up with a tractor about 5 times a day.  We decided to do our wedding in a smaller venue.  In Tulum they have a stretch of roads that leads to the ruins called route 109.  All up and down are boutique hotels with cabanas on the beach.  This was just more personal for us.  I hope this does not make you feel like Sapphire is not the right place.  It was beautiful and we did go back and forth about it.  I had a beautiful and relaxing vacation there. 

 

Heather,

 

I am planning on using outside photographers:  some that I have looked into are La Luna (less expensive than Del sol), Claudia Rodriguez, Diego Munoz.  I am still researching some more too.  

 

I would be careful if budget is an issue on using any outside vendors.  It is $300 for every outside vendor you use including photography.  So you are looking at an extra $900 in just fees for photos, flowers, and DJ.  I saw the flowers they use there and they were beautiful.  She said you do not have to get one of the flowers arrangements from their booklet.  If you have something in mind send it to her she will look into how they can do it for you.  Basically you can get whatever you want as long as they have those flowers in season.  If it is a little more money then you will just have to pay the difference.  I also heard the resort DJ and saw him at a reception.  I made sure to ask if he was the "resort one."  He sounded pretty good to me and had a cool light up floor too.

 

Another thing asked about was how much every person over the 25 would cost for the reception in the "divine package."  Anel told me $99 per person plus 11% tax and 15% service fee.  The eternity packages is $94 plus the same fees.  

 

A cool thing she let me know about is they are doing a rehearsal dinner special right now.  For $20 a person in a cool area by the fountains on the terrace.  It includes 2 hours of service, 3 course dinner, white linens and chairs, open bar service, sound system and microphone, and a champagne toast. They do not allow groups of more than 10 to sit together at the restaurants, and some of the nights there was a 40min wait.  So I thought this was a really good option.

 

Please let me know of anymore questions.  Even though I decided to not go with Sapphire, I did ask a lot of questions and see a bunch of weddings so I would be happy to help.  I also went to dinner at Jade and walked into Dreams Resort (which is two resorts down) Excellence, and Azul Sensatori.  If anyone has questions about those.

 

Happy planning!

 

Molly

[magirl]

I wonder if you saw my wedding?!?! I had a smallish wedding 30 guests, long white table, it was AMAZING! details later

 

Originally Posted by jsal4 

@lianee

 

1. Do you have any other comments about Now Sapphire?

I really did like the resort. I guess if I had to pick out the best thing, it would be the staff. They were friendly, fun and very helpful. Because the Now Sapphire is not a huge sprawling resort, you see the same staff members everyday and really get to know them.

There were two wedding when we were there. Both had a beach ceremony and their reception on the terrace. The first wedding was smaller. They had simple white linens and two long tables. I would guess maybe 20 - 25 guests. Their wedding looked very elegant. The second wedding I saw was much larger with multiple round tables. The bride decorated the tables and entire reception area. They had a DJ and tons of people were dancing. It looked like a lot of fun.

2. Food - We tried every restaurant there.

Paramour (French) - I read that this was supposed to be the best restaurant. The plating was very pretty. The appetizer we had were really good. My fiance had the fish which was actually pretty good. I had ordered the steak, which was pretty awful. It had a weird gritty texture. I couldn't eat it. I did not return it or complain...I just ordered 2 desserts to make up for it.

Lemongrass (Asian) - We sat in the habatchi side. It was pretty good. Probably our favorite restaurant.

Cibu (Mediterranian) - It was ok. Nothing special.

Fresco (Mexican) - My fiance had the fish tacos, which were pretty bland. I ordered a shrimp dish that was really good, but the next day I had a horrible stomach ache.

Bluewater Grill - We ate there twice and it was bad both times. The burgers were ok, but something about the texture of the meat was not good. I also ordered a fish dish for lunch that came out cold. I let the waiter know. 10 minutes later they brought back the same plate. They had just stuck it in the oven (with all the other items one the plate including the cold side items) so everything was hot. The fish was very over cooked and slimy.

Market Cafe - Great breakfast. Good buffet. By the end of the trip, we pretty much at here because there was always a fresh made-to-order station.

 

I hope this helps. I really want to stress that the resort was great and the weddings there looked beautiful. My decision not to have it there was primarily that the other resort we looked at was more of what I had pictured in my head. Once we saw it, we knew that we could not have it anywhere else.

 

 

[magirl]

ok so quick review. 

Let me say we loved this resort, it was smallish not to big so by our third day everyone seemed to know our names. It was perfect.

 

There was one other wedding the same night as mine. I found this out when I went to the spa for my hair appointment and here entire entourage was there, and I had to wait another 1/2 hour. I don't know if the other bride knew how obnoxious her guests were being, but the staff kept apologizing to me and were clearly frustrated with them.

 

Ramon was amazing!! He was able to work some magic and help us stay in budget. I cannot thank him enough.

we had the eternity package and about 30 guests, plus two photographers from la luna.  (we did not have to pay the 300 b/c anel did not mention this when I told her about them so they waved it) for each guest over 25 i think it is $58 plus fees and taxes not 94.  Since some of these were children it was even less. 

 

I had my wedding on the beach in front of the tequila terrace and the cocktail hour and reception on the deck. Honestly I didn't notice any of the people in the restaurants! The other wedding was on the beach terrace but I didn't hear them. I was a little miffed when their bridesmaides and guests kept cutting through our reception area.

 

Ramon set up two long tables because I wanted everyone to sit together family style. I was perfect, so intimate. Ramon informed us that the speakers and microphones were available for the ceremony only, this was great b/c we thought it wasn't. We bought a bose for our music. So we used the speakers and mic for our ceremony, which was lovely, (I didn't notice anyone else on the beach) and then our bose for the cocktail hour and reception. the bose was plenty loud enough.

 

Ramon did an outstanding job. the only decorations i brought were little luminaries in white and blue paper which I asked him to scatter around. He took it upon himself to also scatter seashells and other larger candles. and even though we didnt think we needed the centerpiece( it thought it would be too small and look silly), he put in there anyway and it was gorgeous! He really knows his stuff! He made sure the decorations on the cake matched the blue i had picked for my bouquet ribbon too. 

 

My guests all said they loved it and it was perfect. my parents and family want to plan to go back for their 50th wedding anniversary. And my friends said they want to go back to do a girls vacation. So i guess the resort was a hit. Everyone couldn't say enough about the staff and they were very impressed with the food in general and especially at the wedding. it was delicious!

 

my only complaint was some the other weddings guests, who at one point were very rude to my niece, yelling at her to translate some spanish since she "looked like a native". I was pissed when she told me a the next day. 

 

 

 

 

 

[babestaaa]

I'm glad you had a great time! I've had several nightmares about my wedding and that it went all wrong lol and I seriously think I can have a panic attack if it does. Right now we're planning for 5pm wedding. I don't want it to be sunset, but I don't want my guests to roast either. I may change it to a little earlier actually (I want to be in my dress from 12am that day lol!) But I have been nervous about decor and everything going perfect and maybe it's because I'm close (not too close, 8mos. away) and idk. The dreams dont help. I really wanted to work with Yazmin since I don't know Anel and her work. Unfortunately Yazmin has just passed my "requests" to another one of her workers and after 2months they were still not able to give me a proposal for what I requested and there is a lack of communication. I feel like contacting Yazmin again but I am extremely disapointed with her workers service. So I requested a quote from Euforia Eventos and their prices aren't too bad and it seems that the communication is wonderful, responses in 2 days and she understands (or seems to) understand my vision.

 

As far as the resort is concerned, I really loved it there and the authentic feel while I was there. It was relaxed and I considered it small because we didn't get lost (as opposd to others we went to see).

 

I'm not a modern girl so a lot of the other resorts turned me off. I liked the privacy of the Now Sapphire, having the private beach then private ceremony after. Plus, they're a family resort and in all honesty, I love my family and would not seclude any little ones

 

The basics from my package I am going to utilize, but I am hiring my own cigar roller, fireworks, and DJ. I am going with a more romantic feel with the relaxation of beach. I just have so many ideas lol I must condense and not over-do it.

 

Please share pictures of your wedding if possible, or if anyone has seen any reviews of euforia eventos, I'd appreciate it!

[HeatherViolet]

Amy-

With the resort's DJ.... here is a dumb question.  Is that included in the Devine package for a part of the time?  You mentioned you were going to pay for additional hours.  I think it woudl be fun to have the DJ on the beach instead of hauling everyone into the nightclub!