Now Sapphire Weddings Formerly Paradisus Riviera

[danda]

Hello Ladies!

I've been stalking this thread for a while and finally joined.  

We're putting together a list of what to put in our OOT bags and were thinking of getting some water bottle labels.

Does the resort provide bottled water?  Do you think they'd give us a case of bottles to put labels on to give to our guests in their OOT bags?

TIA for your responses

[zeman321]

I'd like to know which florists everyone is using also!

[Noxx]

The costs add up quickly but there are ways where you dont have to pay if your not overly picky. Think of your numbers and what is most important to you.

Each person over the 25 in your package cost extra. something to think about. Remember you dont have to use all the resorts stuff you can save money by bringing your own chair sashes and table linens, centerpieces and outside vendors for flowers or better yet bring your own decor.  

[Noxx]

Originally Posted by Mya062813 

 

Hello Everyone!

My fiance & I are booked for June 28, 2013!  We are excited but I am also getting very nervous as we are going into this sight unseen:-)  We were looking at the Divine package as it includes the most & we are trying to keep costs down.  However I am not 100% sure what type of ceremony, cocktail hour & reception setup is included.  I see many of you posting comments about bringing in centerpieces, renting linen, hiring photographers, florists & hair & makeup artisits.  We were under the impression that most if not all of this was included.  Can someone help ease some of my stress???

Hi Mya,

You do get a photographer included in the package however, i do believe you only recieve 24 photos. I have heard horrible reviews in the past in regards to the resorts photographers. We booked with Sweet Carribean. I really liked their work and had great prices. They are extremely quick at responding to your emails. The bride gets free makeup and hair. everyone else is $50 for hair and $50 for makeup book ahead if you can ramon will give you the email to the spa. Table linens, i believe you only receive the white.  I am bringing down my own chair sashes to be placed on the chairs and extras will be used on the guest signing table and decor. I paid $0.74 each including shipping and the resort was charging $5 each sash. Im not sure about the cocktail ceremony setup. i know you receive very little and the costs add up quickly. my suggestion to you is keep your numbers low. We didnt thinking most people wouldnt book and we are at 50 people which is double the package. If you can keep it under 25 it isnt too bad to do a few extra things. I am saving by not adding any extra numbers to the cake and only using the 25 glasses of champange. I also decided to take out the soup option of the meal and add an extra hor d'oeuvres in lieu of the soup. i think the more you bring the cheaper it will be

[melnryluvco]

Hey girls,

Just thought you all might find this thread helpful. It's from previous brides of what they put in their OOT bags and what the guests liked and what they didn't. A great help so we don't go overboard and buy crap they won't even use! Anyways, hope you find it helpful as I did!

Best,

Melissa

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/35759/my-oot-bags-the-big-hits-and-the-things-that-werent-used/840#post_1858437

[melnryluvco]

Originally Posted by Mya062813 

 

Hello Everyone!

My fiance & I are booked for June 28, 2013!  We are excited but I am also getting very nervous as we are going into this sight unseen:-)  We were looking at the Divine package as it includes the most & we are trying to keep costs down.  However I am not 100% sure what type of ceremony, cocktail hour & reception setup is included.  I see many of you posting comments about bringing in centerpieces, renting linen, hiring photographers, florists & hair & makeup artisits.  We were under the impression that most if not all of this was included.  Can someone help ease some of my stress???

Hi Mya,

There is def a way to go WAAAAY overboard for your wedding by hiring outside vendors and adding on the "linens" and "special chairs". We're trying to keep it simple cuz we'd still like to have $$$ to do an AHR when we get back. Below I've attached a pic of their "basic" set up is like. I wanted to have one long tabel for our guests but as you can see it is suuuper basic. I will be bringing down our table decor. See page 78/79 for pics of my general idea of what I want to do. Anyways, we going with what the package includes. I am not a fan of paying $350 for each outside vendor and I'm certainly not paying the resort to rent linens and $180 for additional floral centerpieces. We went with the Eternity package because having musicians at the ceremony won't make or break the special moment. They have a sound system there and I'd rather walk down to the version of songs I like/chose. There's also other things you can do to keep the costs down if your party gets over 25 guests. For example you can ask them to keep the wedding cake to the package size of 25 people and give people a choice of wedding cake or the dessert that also comes with the package. That way you don't have to pay $7pp for cake when you package also comes with dessert. If you would like me to send you the pricing sheet I would be more than happy please PM your email if so. Happy Planning!

Best,

Melissa

 

 

[TaraB]

Originally Posted by DinaQtobe 

 

Just so I understand, the resort DJ is $350/hour, but to rent speaker system for an iPod is $150/hour.  To get an outside DJ is a vendor fee of $300.  This is insane.

I feel the same!  we bought an awesome ipod dock that we are taking down with us made by Kicker for $200, rather than spending $600 plus taxes (for 4 hours) on renting the resort one!

[melnryluvco]

Originally Posted by zeman321 

 

Hi all, I am new to this site. (Well, I have to admit that I have been a silent stalker for a while...) My daughter just got engaged and wants to get married at Now Sapphire. She and I visited the resort last summer and loved it!  I would like some opnions on an idea that we have been thinking about for a while. Please be honest with your opinions! Instead of doing OOT bags, we are thinking of making up bags or boxes to send to guests a couple of weeks before the wedding. We would include luggage tags, bug spray...all the normal stuff along with a couple of bottles of Corona or small bottles of tequila and a note telling them how excited we are that they are going to be there to share her big day. What do you think?

Hi Zeman321,

Congrats to your daughter on her engagement. This website is chalk full of amazing and wonderful tips, insight, and advice. Personally we chose the NOW resorts because they allow up to 25 guests with their packages vs their sister properties (ie Dreams, Secrets, etc) which only allow 20. Anyways, you could probably save a lot of postage if you did like a Mexican themed get together before you all leave and hand them out. Then you could also give everyone the time table in Mexico of any activities, important contact info, and wedding day time line. Anyways, I'm thrilled for you and your daughter and the fun planning you have ahead. Congrats!!

Best,

Melissa

[zeman321]

Originally Posted by melnryluvco 

 

Hi Zeman321,

Congrats to your daughter on her engagement. This website is chalk full of amazing and wonderful tips, insight, and advice. Personally we chose the NOW resorts because they allow up to 25 guests with their packages vs their sister properties (ie Dreams, Secrets, etc) which only allow 20. Anyways, you could probably save a lot of postage if you did like a Mexican themed get together before you all leave and hand them out. Then you could also give everyone the time table in Mexico of any activities, important contact info, and wedding day time line. Anyways, I'm thrilled for you and your daughter and the fun planning you have ahead. Congrats!!

Best,

Melissa

 

Great idea, Melissa! Thanks!  At this point I think I am more excited than she is! She is busy studying for boards...( just graduated Nursing ). I can't wait for her to pass boards so we can get on with the planning! She hasn't even decided on a date yet!

   We do have the dress...( it's beautiful! of course!) and she knows she wants Now Sapphire. We visited over the summer and fell in love with the resort...so I guess that's a start! This thread just made her want Sapphire even more. Love the way everyone is so helpful!  You are all amazing!

 

                                                                                     Kim           

[LTLFAITHY]

Originally Posted by zeman321 

 

 

Great idea, Melissa! Thanks!  At this point I think I am more excited than she is! She is busy studying for boards...( just graduated Nursing ). I can't wait for her to pass boards so we can get on with the planning! She hasn't even decided on a date yet!

   We do have the dress...( it's beautiful! of course!) and she knows she wants Now Sapphire. We visited over the summer and fell in love with the resort...so I guess that's a start! This thread just made her want Sapphire even more. Love the way everyone is so helpful!  You are all amazing!

 

                                                                                     Kim           

 

Congratulations to you and your daughter! And best of luck on her boards. I passed the boards last February, and I've been doing nothing but wedding planning (and working of course) ever since!!