Iberostar Paraiso Wedding Roll Call

[MommyBride14]

Anniebee02,

 

You have made my decision to hire DJ Dorremix (sp) so much easier!  My Fiance and I were thinking about just doing the ipod hook up to save approximately 2 grand, but I would much rather put that money towards having the time of my life at our wedding than worry about saving that money for an at-home reception.  I really hate to stretch the budget, but I am thinking about doing away with the AHR because it will just be too much stress and money planning for both!  I know that many people will miss out, but at the same time, I still don't know if the family that is unable to make it will still make the trip to our hometown for the AHR. 

Is there a resort fee for hiring Ivan at the Iberostar? 
 

[MommyBride14]

Anniebee02,

 

Did you have a rehearsal for your ceremony?  I'm hoping that my fiance and I can do a quick run through with the minister the night before, and then join the rest of our family and friends for dinner that evening. We are not having a bridal party because many of his friends are unable to make it, so it will just be centered around the two of us and our 2 yr old .   What are your suggestions?  I also am nervous about not having an outline for my guests for their vacation so that we can all meet up to do fun things together throughout our trip.  Did you bother with any of this, or just let them do their own thing during their vacation?  Thanks for all of your help!

 

Chantel C

[anniebee02]

You will NOT be disappointed, the reception is where you finally relax & enjoy the night!!! The DJ has to be reserved through your wedding coordinator and there is no additional fee from the resort, just the cost for the DJ- trust me you will not regret it. You can always reach out to Ivan through his FB page/website & he'll give you a list of music & some other info... It's good to have that stuff! That's so awesome that you will focus the wedding around you/your hubby & daughter, that's what it's all about! Having a destination wedding is always a challenge because you just don't know who will or won't make it, but please make it about you & your hubby, the rest will fall into place! We didn't give anyone an agenda, we let them just have fun and enjoy their vacation. I'm assuming you'll be staying at the Maya or Lindo because of your daughter? Trust me, you'll make a spot for meeting up & just make sure to make reservations for dinner ahead of time for everyone... I think at those resorts you can make them 2 weeks in advance but you do need people's names & confirmation #'s (from their travel arrangements) to reserve ahead of time, just an FYI!

Anniebee02, You have made my decision to hire DJ Dorremix (sp) so much easier!  My Fiance and I were thinking about just doing the ipod hook up to save approximately 2 grand, but I would much rather put that money towards having the time of my life at our wedding than worry about saving that money for an at-home reception.  I really hate to stretch the budget, but I am thinking about doing away with the AHR because it will just be too much stress and money planning for both!  I know that many people will miss out, but at the same time, I still don't know if the family that is unable to make it will still make the trip to our hometown for the AHR.  Is there a resort fee for hiring Ivan at the Iberostar?   

[MommyBride14]

You are a rockstar!!!  I'm getting really excited right now.  It makes me feel better that we can just let everyone enjoy their vacation.  I think I might set up a few nights for a dinner that we can all go to, one night for our rehearsal dinner and then one possibly for the cool Japanese Restaurant .  I'm getting super excited that I finally have details coming together.  Did you do provide any gift bags for guests or a little souvenir?  I'm wondering if this is necessary, but I would like to leave a welcome note in each of their rooms when they arrive if the resort allows for that!  Thank you for being so helpful!

[anniebee02]

Yes, the resort does allow it and when you meet with your WC she will ask you for them... I think those are one of the items that I wish I would've known because I think that's very sweet. But once again, don't worry so much about all the other decorations for the reception because it gets heavy & costly, and you'll have a beautiful venue already- trust me! Also, for the rehearsal we decided to only have dinner with our family members, since everyone else was going to all be partying and enjoying their time together at the wedding the following night. This gave our families time to really chat with one another. We did have a rehearsal happy hour at the Maya Lobby around 5:30 for everyone to lounge, take some photos and hang out, then just our family had dinner over at the "El Rancho" steakhouse at the Maya. Once again, your WC can assist in getting this all taken care of. Do you know who your WC is? Are you getting married at the Grand, Maya or Lindo?

[MommyBride14]

I am working with Idalia and we will be getting married at the Lindo.  I am waiting to see if the beach reception will be available for us.  I think instead of favors I might do a welcome sheet just saying thank you and saying when we will have a welcome cocktail hour.  I found these cute door hook signs that say do not disturb "We were partying all night at the wedding of so and so".  Too cute!!

  I think it's a good idea just to have close family members for the group dinner.  How was the steakhouse?!?!  I'm looking into that and the Japanese restaurant (i'm not sure if they are the same), and then I'm pretty sure everyone else will be more interested in the buffet because it's quick and easy. Luckily, all of my guests are pretty simple and would be fine going to the disco for our reception... but I feel like that isn't as intimate, and they will really enjoy the beach reception!  How often do you get to dance your booty off in Mexico on the beach?! 
 

[anniebee02]

Oh those door hooks do sound very cute! How exciting!!! Very true... You only get to experience this once and you might as well live it up!! The steakhouse was good, but I can imagine ALL of the restaurants are great, Iberostar is just amazing! You know, now that I think about it, if you're staying at the Lindo you might have to pay for the steakhouse at the Maya. You don't want to spend your money on that when you've got great restaurants at the Lindo, I'm just not familiar with them because we never ventured over there. We had two guests stay at that resort and they said it was amazing, so I'm sure you'll be fine. You do have to make it out to the Disco "Galaxy!" it is absolutely hilarious because it is a Star Wars theme... But the DJ was great on the two nights we went there... Tons of fun, but I'm not going to lie to you... We felt like we were the oldest people there, and we're in our late twenties, early thirties... Just saying! I'm very excited for you, it's going to be amazing!

[MommyBride14]

I heard that it was star wars theme!!! Too funny!  Well that makes me feel better because my fiance and I were first considering just having the disco as our dancing place after we had our reception dinner.. I didn't think that was very special for our wedding, so I'm glad that we are deciding otherwise!  I know that when staying at the lindo we have access to the Maya, but I think that is it, which I am okay with .  I don't even know if we'd have time to venture out to every place even if we had the option.  I've also heard nothing but FANTASTIC reviews about the Grand, so we will have to make our way over just to see it!

Oh shoot!  I'm hoping it's still fun at the disco!  I only have approximately 30 guests and they range from 23 to 53, but I know that we all like to be cheeseballs so my guests will probably be a little (understatement) intoxicated when they head to the disco after the reception, lol

[MommyBride14]

Brides,

 

Are any of you having a beach wedding and/or reception?  I really want to wear wedges for the reception, but I've never walked in the sand in anything other than flip flops.  I won't have my dress in until September, but I want to know what I should wear when getting alterations; should I do that wedges or just go barefoot?  I am only 5'2 ish...and my fiance is 6'2!  I would like to look taller and slender in my dress, but I would rather not roll my ankle in the sand!

Any suggestions??
 

[anniebee02]

I wore platform wedges on the beach, but the reception was inside, not on the beach. They put down a carpet like walk path... Oh wait was that because they had to bring my wedding in when it started raining... Oh my, I can't remember now... Sorry! But if you'll have your father walking down the aisle with you, just make sure he holds on to you... It's a short walk, and I honestly think those will be best, rather then heels.

 

Yes, I would suggest wearing shoes to your wedding alterations/trials. I bought wedges that I knew I would wear after the wedding, not fancy wedding shoes... No one can see them and you need to think about the comfort portion... You're center of attention this day, you want to be as comfortable and beautiful as possible!

 

Great luck!