Now Sapphire Weddings Formerly Paradisus Riviera

[Jackie Kraay]

So after going back and forth with the Juan Carlos my issues are now resolved. FYI...Any brides that are getting married in 2014 that have been booked with Now Sapphire for more than 9 months, I woud highly recommend making Anel or Juan Carlos aware that you booked your package using the 2012/2013 Wedding Guide.

 

It appears the 2013/2014 Wedding Guide does not allow you to exchange services that you don't need for something else (i.e. you can't swap out soup for an extra appetizer or use the saxophonist during cocktail hour).  And this was they reason why I went on a rant earlier this week, becuase initially Juan Carlos (the new Ramon replacement) was telling me that everything I wanted to do in my wedding I could not do, but he did apologize and agreed to honor all of my request since I'm a bride who booked well over a year ago for a different Wedding Guide.

 

KEEP ALL EMAILS...

Thank you for posting this! I emailed Juan today and he told me that because I booked my wedding in Dec 2012 that I could use the soloist for my cocktail hour.  I had given up on it after reading all the posts here about brides who were told they cannot use the soloist during cocktail hour, so thanks again!

I know it can feel unfair and horrible that newer weddings are not getting some of the same things as previous weddings.  I was able to use my musician for my cocktail hour.  While why I don't see any reason about why this can't be done anymore, it wouldn't have been a make or break item for me.  I would have used the musician for the ceremony instead, and I think this would have carried over into the cocktail hour.  The ceremony is about 20 minutes long and I believe you get the soloist for 45.

 

Although the wedding is important, the resort that you decide on needs to be so much more than just about the wedding.  Think about what type of experience you want for your guests pre and post wedding.  I hope I can outline the pros I found about the Now Sapphire:

The food at the Now Sapphire is much better than your typical all inclusive.  This includes the buffet, a la carte restaurants, and the food for the wedding.  My parents have stayed at many all inclusives in the area, and the Now Sapphire is up in the top 3 for food, service and experience.  A big highlight for my family was the Coco Cafe, a cute coffee shop where you can get espresso, cappuccino, lattes, and baked goods, sandwiches or desserts throughout the day.  Many resorts I have been to don't offer this, and it is so great to just grab a coffee, muffin, cookie or sandwich with no problem.

The pools are great.  You have a large busy pool for those that want a more lively experience, and a more quiet adults only pool for relaxation (my favorite.  Jose Louis the bartender there is amazing!)  Pool not your thing?  The beach runs the entire length of the resort (except for the areas for weddings) with many chairs and areas of shade.  A few of our guests love walking the beach, and they were able to walk for miles north or south of the resort with no issues.

The rooms are nice, clean, and beautiful.  We upgraded to an ocean view and are so happy that we did.  We watched the sun rise every morning (with coffee from Coco Cafe).  It was amazing.

The resort is close to the airport compared to many resorts in the riviera maya.  I've been to resorts where we had to take a bus for over an hour and a half.  The NS is only about 20-25 minutes from the airport.  It's also close to Puerto Morelos and Playa Del Carmen for your guests that want to experience life outside the resort (but this resort is great and they may not want to!).

I personally chose the Now Sapphire because the package included everything we needed and wanted for our wedding.  To add on the cocktail hour at many other places we were looking at brought the price up significantly for us.  I also fell in love with the Terrace when I saw photos of other weddings online - when I saw it I could finally envision myself getting married.  It was the most telling thing for me.  When I looked at other resorts the locations for the weddings could not compare.  I also really liked the fact that I could have our ceremony and reception in the same place, and I thought the deck was just beautiful. 

 

While I'm not saying that it is fair that newer brides aren't getting some of the same things that past brides have, I hope you will think about the other great reasons to hold your wedding at the Now.  If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask.  This site was so helpful to me when deciding on a resort and in planning my wedding I hope I can help other brides too.

I know you used a bose sound system for your reception - we are doing the same thing instead of hiring a dj.  Did you have an MC? How did that flow, and was it an issue not having a mic? There will only be about 20 of us...

[niknic456]

If anyone is looking for a great DJ service with reasonable rates I suggest Disco Movil Cancun. They are charging me $600 for 5 hours of DJ service w/ MC, 4 led lights, cold fireworks, and party props. So even with the $300 vendor fee it's a good deal. I initially booked the resort DJ but it was $700 for only 2 hours and didn't even come with a MC.

 

www.discomovilcancun.com

[gannonham]

Ladies, I am kinda freaking out right now!!  We were under the impression that no paperwork was needed from our home country in order to do a symbolic ceremony in Mexico, but our TA is saying something different.  I even see in the wedding guide that it says:

 

SYMBOLIC OR NON DENOMINATIONAL

This ceremony focuses on love, marriage, family and society.

Mexican law does not consider this ceremony legally valid.
No documentation or blood tests are required.

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY

This ceremony is performed by a minister and focuses on

God, love and family in a Christian perspective. Although

many people consider this fundamental, Mexican law does

not consider this ceremony legally valid. No documentation or

blood tests are required.

Do you guys know if I will have to bring a marriage license from Canada with me in order to get married in Mexico?  I really don't think so, but would love you to put my mind at ease

Thank you soooooo much!
 

Edited March 20, 2014 by gannonham

[DinaQtobe]

I know you used a bose sound system for your reception - we are doing the same thing instead of hiring a dj.  Did you have an MC? How did that flow, and was it an issue not having a mic? There will only be about 20 of us...

We didn't have an MC.  The cocktail hour flowed seamlessly to the dinner for us.  Ramon helped ask everyone to have a seat for dinner.  Once we took our seats everyone followed suit.  After dinner the cake was brought out, we cut it, then we had our first dance.  We didn't feel that anything needed to be announced because our party was so small.  I felt that our reception was very laid back and relaxed, but still organized.  I don't think an MC is necessary for a group so small.  However, if you want to appoint someone to be your MC, you should give them an overview of your timeline after you meet with the WC.  We finalized a lot of our timelines with Ramon at that meeting.

 

I hope that helps!

[Melissa Erling]

 

Ladies, I am kinda freaking out right now!!  We were under the impression that no paperwork was needed from our home country in order to do a symbolic ceremony in Mexico, but our TA is saying something different.  I even see in the wedding guide that it says:

 

SYMBOLIC OR NON DENOMINATIONAL

This ceremony focuses on love, marriage, family and society.

Mexican law does not consider this ceremony legally valid.

No documentation or blood tests are required.

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY

This ceremony is performed by a minister and focuses on

God, love and family in a Christian perspective. Although

many people consider this fundamental, Mexican law does

not consider this ceremony legally valid. No documentation or

blood tests are required.

 

Do you guys know if I will have to bring a marriage license from Canada with me in order to get married in Mexico?  I really don't think so, but would love you to put my mind at ease

 

Thank you soooooo much!

 

 

 

I spoke to Anel a month ago and she informed me that we did not need to bring any paperwork with us.

[DinaQtobe]

 

Ladies, I am kinda freaking out right now!!  We were under the impression that no paperwork was needed from our home country in order to do a symbolic ceremony in Mexico, but our TA is saying something different.  I even see in the wedding guide that it says:

 

SYMBOLIC OR NON DENOMINATIONAL

This ceremony focuses on love, marriage, family and society.

Mexican law does not consider this ceremony legally valid.

No documentation or blood tests are required.

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY

This ceremony is performed by a minister and focuses on

God, love and family in a Christian perspective. Although

many people consider this fundamental, Mexican law does

not consider this ceremony legally valid. No documentation or

blood tests are required.

 

Do you guys know if I will have to bring a marriage license from Canada with me in order to get married in Mexico?  I really don't think so, but would love you to put my mind at ease

 

Thank you soooooo much!

 

 

We didn't bring any documentation with us and there were no issues.  Your travel agent must be confused and think that you are doing a civil.  Don't worry!

[gannonham]

We didn't bring any documentation with us and there were no issues.  Your travel agent must be confused and think that you are doing a civil.  Don't worry!

 

I spoke to Anel a month ago and she informed me that we did not need to bring any paperwork with us.

Thanks so much for putting my mind at ease, ladies!  That's what I thought as well.  Phewf!

Edited March 20, 2014 by gannonham

[gannonham]

I just got confirmation from my TA that I don't need any paperwork for a symbolic ceremony.  Hallelujah!  I guess she was confused.  However, she checked with Anel and I am in the clear.  Crisis averted

[vanessav53]

@gannonham- glad to hear it worked out. Can't believe your wedding is only a MONTH away!!! So exciting. 

[Melissa Erling]

I need to submit my wedding planning form by the end of this week and I can't decide if I want to have the Spa do my makeup or my mother who has a passion for makeup. I have read mixed reviews and was wondering if anyone has pictures of their makeup from the Now Spa! Thanks!