Now Sapphire Weddings Formerly Paradisus Riviera

[vancouverpetunia]

We went to the club at the resort and had a GREAT time.  We went before 10 (reception ended at 8:30 I think) and played music through the portable speakers we brought for our reception.  The club and lobby bar are pretty close to each other - drinks came from there before the club "opened".  After it opened we had even more fun.  It was super nice to have people congratulating us the entire night.  Great night, great memories!

 

@@DinaQtobe - Are you saying that you were able to get into the club before it was open? I'm just looking at my budget and thinking about cutting back on the extra hours we add to our reception for dancing. Maybe we will move to the club instead - I'm thinking at 10, which I think is when it opens. Is it decent in there? I've only been in one AI club in Mexico and it was kinda nasty 

[vancouverpetunia]

Does anyone know if there are any rooms that are suites at Now Sapphire? We have a few families wondering if there are 1 bedroom suites available so that the kids/adults can have separate spaces. We've asked our TA but haven't heard back yet. I don't see anything on their web site and I think our WC told us that all the rooms are the same, other than the view. Hoping that is not the case. Seems like there should be family suites, given that the resort bills itself as a family resort. Thanks for any insight!

[DinaQtobe]

@@DinaQtobe - Are you saying that you were able to get into the club before it was open? I'm just looking at my budget and thinking about cutting back on the extra hours we add to our reception for dancing. Maybe we will move to the club instead - I'm thinking at 10, which I think is when it opens. Is it decent in there? I've only been in one AI club in Mexico and it was kinda nasty 

Yes, we were in the club before it opened.  I can't remember exactly but I think we headed over around 9:30-10.  It was pretty dark but it seemed clean.  We couldn't get drinks (it's a very short walk to the lobby bar) but I brought my JBL portable speaker in and played music for a bit before everything got started.  When the bartenders started to get things ready I asked if they could turn on some music for us.  I don't know if it was bridal charm but they turned on dance music for us and the club lights and we danced before it all opened.  After the club opened we had an even better time!!! 

[vancouverpetunia]

@@DinaQtobe - Thanks for the info. It looks like each extra hour of reception is going to cost $800 - $1000, so I'm leaning towards cutting it short! 

[jessiker05]

My wedding is going to be in the first week of May, and like many others I'd like to time it so that we have a bit of sunlight left after the ceremony for pictures, and then can capture the sunset as well. Can anyone suggest a good time to have a ceremony so this works out well?

 

Thanks! 

[jessiker05]

@DinaQtobe so the packages include a private dinner reception for up to 25 guests, but I can't really figure out if this means we have the space for the rest of the evening, or if there is a separate fee to use the space for the party after dinner is finished?

[vancouverpetunia]

My wedding is going to be in the first week of May, and like many others I'd like to time it so that we have a bit of sunlight left after the ceremony for pictures, and then can capture the sunset as well. Can anyone suggest a good time to have a ceremony so this works out well?

 

Thanks! 

 

@@jessiker05 I was just reading a thread on timing of the ceremony, photos, reception, etc. but now I can't find it! Maybe someone else can point you there. But there are suggested schedules on a local photographer's web site here: 

http://www.octaviomontes.com/tips.html

 

 

@DinaQtobe so the packages include a private dinner reception for up to 25 guests, but I can't really figure out if this means we have the space for the rest of the evening, or if there is a separate fee to use the space for the party after dinner is finished?

 

I think the included reception is 3 hours (our ceremony is scheduled for 4, the cocktail hour for 5, and our reception is supposed to end at 9). You can continue to use the space after this time, I believe, but you will have to pay additional to keep the open bar and any entertainment. The open bar is $15 per person per hour (even for your "included" 25 people). There is also an hourly charge for the sound system (if you are using just an iPod, etc.) and, of course, a DJ will continue to charge you. For our group of 40, it's going to be almost $800 just for the open bar (incl tax and service) per hour (at least I don't think that includes the sound system - I'm waiting for confirmation). 

[jessiker05]

@@jessiker05 I was just reading a thread on timing of the ceremony, photos, reception, etc. but now I can't find it! Maybe someone else can point you there. But there are suggested schedules on a local photographer's web site here: 

http://www.octaviomontes.com/tips.html

 

 

I think the included reception is 3 hours (our ceremony is scheduled for 4, the cocktail hour for 5, and our reception is supposed to end at 9). You can continue to use the space after this time, I believe, but you will have to pay additional to keep the open bar and any entertainment. The open bar is $15 per person per hour (even for your "included" 25 people). There is also an hourly charge for the sound system (if you are using just an iPod, etc.) and, of course, a DJ will continue to charge you. For our group of 40, it's going to be almost $800 just for the open bar (incl tax and service) per hour (at least I don't think that includes the sound system - I'm waiting for confirmation). 

 

The schedule on that website is a big help - thanks!

Hmm, yes it could get a bit pricey..

[DinaQtobe]

@@DinaQtobe - Thanks for the info. It looks like each extra hour of reception is going to cost $800 - $1000, so I'm leaning towards cutting it short! 

The sun should set a bit later in April too.  Your WC will give you a good time to have the ceremony if you want it to be right before the sun sets.  This will potentially push back your cocktail hour and reception also so you might end later than 9.  We were married at around 3:30 and it was perfect for November.  Our cocktail hour happened after the sun had gone behind the buildings and during dinner it was dark, which was fine by me, we had more than enough light from the lighting provided by the resort and the ambient light from the regular lights outside.  After dinner and speeches there was little time for a party, but the bartenders did an amazing job of bringing drinks to everyone - a few times they even brought different shots to everyone.  We stayed on the Tequila Terrace after the bartenders had packed up.  I had my own music system and this was fine.

 

@DinaQtobe so the packages include a private dinner reception for up to 25 guests, but I can't really figure out if this means we have the space for the rest of the evening, or if there is a separate fee to use the space for the party after dinner is finished?

The wedding package is very comprehensive.  The price includes the space for the wedding, cocktail hour and for the 3 hour reception (this includes the time it takes to eat dinner) afterwards.   As I mentioned above after dinner and speeches there wasn't a lot of time for the party after dinner was fiished but I brought down my own portable speaker system and we stayed and danced for a bit after the bartenders had packed up. No one will be scheduled to use that space after your wedding.  You can stay as long as you like, but there will not be bartenders.  You can extend your reception for an additional fee, but this adds up fast.  We didn't feel it was worth it for 19 people and instead, after our "reception" we headed to the club/disco.  Again, I brought my speakers and we danced for a bit before it opened.  Once it opened it was a really good time - lots of people dancing and congratulating us!

 

If you read my review you might find it helpful.  Go to my profile and then "reviews".

Edited April 23, 2015 by DinaQtobe

[vancouverpetunia]

@@jessiker05 - I just found this web page (local photographer as well), with lots of good info for timing of photos, etc.

http://delsolphotography.com/seasonal-guide/

 

Can you tell I'm shopping for photographers?