Excellence Riviera Cancun Brides?

[TealMarie]

Hi TealMarie,

 

Thank you for the information.  This is very helpful!  I may run my schedule by you, if you don't mind, once I have it put together.

 

Also, great idea about using Whatsapp!  It was my main means of communication when I lived in Mexico City for 2 months but didn't think of it for the wedding.  We're definitely going to include that on our schedule for our guests.

Karen

HI KariJean,

 

Gloria missed to mention Cafe Kafe so it was good to know that I have another option. 

 

I think I had read on this forum about being able to rent some things from them.  I asked Gloria about vases in particular and she said I could rent them for $5 a vase.  I had asked her for a catalog of decor options and she said they were working on one for 2014 but she asked me to ask her for prices for anything I had in mind and they would get back to me.  For example, I was curious to see how much glowsticks would cost since I was nervous about them activating in my suitcase if I brought them with me.  She said $3 per glowstick so we nixed that idea

 

The bouquet I sent her was a picture I found on pinterest.  I asked her if I could have something similar in the same price range as the flowers in the Silver package.  I'm still waiting to hear back from Gloria.  She's typically quick to respond but given all the information I had in the spreadsheet, I figured it is taking her longer to review, confirm and get back to me.

 

We are getting married in court before we leave.  Our friend is officiating our ceremony In Mexico and that will be our official weddding date.

 

Please let me know if you need any more information.

 

Regards,

Karen

P.S.: My understanding of the Gold package was that you get a bridal bouquet, a center piece for the ceremony and one for the reception.  So if you moved your ceremony center piece to the reception, you would have two center pieces.  If you want more flowers without having to pay $60-$70, you could rent vases and plop your bridal party's bouquets into those. 

 

I'll definitely have a look at your schedule. It's always helpful to run it by a couple of people. 

 

It sounds like you girls are doing great! You will be so happy having your wedding there. We have the best memories. Wish I could go back!

[correak0723]

I'll definitely have a look at your schedule. It's always helpful to run it by a couple of people. 

 

It sounds like you girls are doing great! You will be so happy having your wedding there. We have the best memories. Wish I could go back!

Hi TealMarie,

 

Here's what we have planned:

Tue, April 29th

7pm: Cocktails @ Martini

8pm: Dinner @ Agave

10pm: After dinner drinks @ Café Kafe

Wednesday, April 30th

12pm: Main pool/beach

7:30 pm: Cocktails @ Martini

8:30 pm: Dinner @ The Grill

10:30 pm: After dinner drinks @ Stars

Thursday, May 1st

12pm: Main pool/beach

6pm:  Meet & greet @ Martini

7pm:  Welcome reception @ XLounge

10pm:  After dinner drinks @ Café Kafe  

Friday, May 2nd

11am: Main pool/beach

6pm:  Get hitched

7pm:  Dinner & Reception @ The Lobster House

12am:  After-party @ Alegria

Saturday, May 3rd

11am: Brunch @ Toscana

12:30pm: Main pool/beach

7:30pm: Cocktails @ Stars 

8:30pm: Dinner @ Spice

10:30pm: After dinner drinks @ Café Kafe

Sunday, May 4th

12pm: Main pool/beach

7:30pm: Cocktails @ Martini

8:30pm: Dinner @ Basmati

10:30pm: After dinner drinks @ Café Kafe

 

* Subject to change due to last minute changes in restaurant schedule.  Venue for dinner to be confirmed at pre-dinner cocktails.

 

We had someone create a neat pocket-sized tri-fold for us with the schedule and a message from us.  I know you mentioned that Martini may be tight for 50 people but we won't have that many people on other nights, Thursday being the exception.  And since that's the first night everyone will be meeting everyone else, we liked the idea of being in a tight space and feeling like one big party. 

 

Any other thoughts on timing and locations based on your experience?

 

P.S.: How much time prior to the ceremony did you get your hair and make-up done?  I have to be ready by 4:30pm but am the only one getting my hair and make up done so I don't want to have my appointment at 10am.  Did you also do a test run?  I'm nervous about the make up more than the hair.

 

Thank you for all your help!

[TealMarie]

Karen,

 

Your schedule looks great and like a lot of fun (love the emphasis on cocktails). The only thing I'd consider if I were you is the night time entertainment. They put on a different show every night, they're a lot of fun and lots of people loved going to them. Our whole crew, didn't matter what age wanted to go to it almost every night and I believe it runs from 9-10:30. The stage is right by Cafe Kafe and Stars bar, so it's easy to meet up with people right afterwards. If you do want to see the shows, your 8:30pm dinners would cause you to miss the start of them, assuming at least 1 hour dinner. Also, if you're meeting everyone for pre-dinner cocktails and then saying, "Let's all go to Agave!" or whichever restaurant, it may be hard to get everyone in at the same place, even at 8:30pm. We often would meet for cocktails, split up for dinner into groups of 6-8ish and then meet up afterwards again for cocktails. 

 

You can fit 50 people in the martini bar, you guys will just probably take it over which would be fun! I guess I just meant, don't expect seats for everyone. It's a great idea and everyone will have a lot of fun meeting everyone else over a lovely martini.

 

They scheduled me to have my hair and make up done at 9am for our 2pm wedding, but there were 6 of us getting our hair and makeup done. Make your appointment with the spa and they will help you determine when you should get your hair/make up done. They'll schedule you for 1.5 hours but they are exceptionally fast and talented, so it was quicker than that. I had Elias, which a lot of other brides mentioned as well and he is phenomenal. Make sure to bring pictures, as he really likes seeing what you want. He didn't even really ask me anything and just started working and it turned out perfect (I did not have a trial). The makeup was great, don't worry about it. A few of the girls in my bridal party are very picky about their hair and makeup and they all loved what he did, so no worries. Just remember they do at least one wedding almost every day of the year, which makes them more experienced at it than most stylists and makeup artists in Canada or the US.

[correak0723]

Karen,

 

Your schedule looks great and like a lot of fun (love the emphasis on cocktails). The only thing I'd consider if I were you is the night time entertainment. They put on a different show every night, they're a lot of fun and lots of people loved going to them. Our whole crew, didn't matter what age wanted to go to it almost every night and I believe it runs from 9-10:30. The stage is right by Cafe Kafe and Stars bar, so it's easy to meet up with people right afterwards. If you do want to see the shows, your 8:30pm dinners would cause you to miss the start of them, assuming at least 1 hour dinner. Also, if you're meeting everyone for pre-dinner cocktails and then saying, "Let's all go to Agave!" or whichever restaurant, it may be hard to get everyone in at the same place, even at 8:30pm. We often would meet for cocktails, split up for dinner into groups of 6-8ish and then meet up afterwards again for cocktails. 

 

You can fit 50 people in the martini bar, you guys will just probably take it over which would be fun! I guess I just meant, don't expect seats for everyone. It's a great idea and everyone will have a lot of fun meeting everyone else over a lovely martini.

 

They scheduled me to have my hair and make up done at 9am for our 2pm wedding, but there were 6 of us getting our hair and makeup done. Make your appointment with the spa and they will help you determine when you should get your hair/make up done. They'll schedule you for 1.5 hours but they are exceptionally fast and talented, so it was quicker than that. I had Elias, which a lot of other brides mentioned as well and he is phenomenal. Make sure to bring pictures, as he really likes seeing what you want. He didn't even really ask me anything and just started working and it turned out perfect (I did not have a trial). The makeup was great, don't worry about it. A few of the girls in my bridal party are very picky about their hair and makeup and they all loved what he did, so no worries. Just remember they do at least one wedding almost every day of the year, which makes them more experienced at it than most stylists and makeup artists in Canada or the US.

Hi TealMarie,

 

Thank you for the feedback, especially about the shows.  It is really great feedback!  Our crew of friends typically stays out by the pool/beach till close to sun down; hence we went with later times, but it is worth considering doing earlier cocktails and dinner, even if on alternate days.  I could even see us going from cocktails straight to a show and munching our way through

 

Our hope for dinner is the same as you describe - i.e., we hope to do dinner with a different group of friends every day (6-8 at most) and then meet up again after dinner.  The front of our card tells people to feel free to join us or create their own adventures, so hopefully we don't have everyone wanting to do dinner with us on the same night.

 

Did you book your own appointment with the spa and request Elias?  I sent Gloria an email asking her whether she will or I need to schedule the spa appointment but I have not heard back.

 

Thanks again for all your help!  You are a life saver!

[karijean]

Hi TealMarie,

 

Here's what we have planned:

Tue, April 29th

7pm: Cocktails @ Martini

8pm: Dinner @ Agave

10pm: After dinner drinks @ Café Kafe

Wednesday, April 30th

12pm: Main pool/beach

7:30 pm: Cocktails @ Martini

8:30 pm: Dinner @ The Grill

10:30 pm: After dinner drinks @ Stars

Thursday, May 1st

12pm: Main pool/beach

6pm:  Meet & greet @ Martini

7pm:  Welcome reception @ XLounge

10pm:  After dinner drinks @ Café Kafe  

Friday, May 2nd

11am: Main pool/beach

6pm:  Get hitched

7pm:  Dinner & Reception @ The Lobster House

12am:  After-party @ Alegria

Saturday, May 3rd

11am: Brunch @ Toscana

12:30pm: Main pool/beach

7:30pm: Cocktails @ Stars 

8:30pm: Dinner @ Spice

10:30pm: After dinner drinks @ Café Kafe

Sunday, May 4th

12pm: Main pool/beach

7:30pm: Cocktails @ Martini

8:30pm: Dinner @ Basmati

10:30pm: After dinner drinks @ Café Kafe

 

* Subject to change due to last minute changes in restaurant schedule.  Venue for dinner to be confirmed at pre-dinner cocktails.

 

We had someone create a neat pocket-sized tri-fold for us with the schedule and a message from us.  I know you mentioned that Martini may be tight for 50 people but we won't have that many people on other nights, Thursday being the exception.  And since that's the first night everyone will be meeting everyone else, we liked the idea of being in a tight space and feeling like one big party. 

 

Any other thoughts on timing and locations based on your experience?

 

P.S.: How much time prior to the ceremony did you get your hair and make-up done?  I have to be ready by 4:30pm but am the only one getting my hair and make up done so I don't want to have my appointment at 10am.  Did you also do a test run?  I'm nervous about the make up more than the hair.

 

Thank you for all your help!

 

Karen I love this idea. I may do the same. Will you tell Gloria your schedule and have her set up reservations for you ahead of time for 6-8 people? TealMarie how do you set up restaurant reservations? All resorts are different and some are a lot harder than others.

[correak0723]

Karen I love this idea. I may do the same. Will you tell Gloria your schedule and have her set up reservations for you ahead of time for 6-8 people? TealMarie how do you set up restaurant reservations? All resorts are different and some are a lot harder than others.

KariJean, we are not setting up reservations.  We'll just head to the restaurant with our group and figure it out.

[TealMarie]

Hi TealMarie,

 

Thank you for the feedback, especially about the shows.  It is really great feedback!  Our crew of friends typically stays out by the pool/beach till close to sun down; hence we went with later times, but it is worth considering doing earlier cocktails and dinner, even if on alternate days.  I could even see us going from cocktails straight to a show and munching our way through

 

Our hope for dinner is the same as you describe - i.e., we hope to do dinner with a different group of friends every day (6-8 at most) and then meet up again after dinner.  The front of our card tells people to feel free to join us or create their own adventures, so hopefully we don't have everyone wanting to do dinner with us on the same night.

 

Did you book your own appointment with the spa and request Elias?  I sent Gloria an email asking her whether she will or I need to schedule the spa appointment but I have not heard back.

 

Thanks again for all your help!  You are a life saver!

 

Not a problem, happy to help. 

 

Yes, you set up your own hair/make up reservations with the spa. There's a contact form on that section of the website and they will email you back with confirmation. I think you just need your booking confirmation number if you want it put on your room tab and maybe your wedding confirmation number from Gloria.

 

Karen I love this idea. I may do the same. Will you tell Gloria your schedule and have her set up reservations for you ahead of time for 6-8 people? TealMarie how do you set up restaurant reservations? All resorts are different and some are a lot harder than others.

 

Hi Karijean,

 

You're not able to make restaurant reservations. I'm pretty sure they do that so that the restaurant seating flows more smoothly, otherwise you would have a longer wait to get a table because a bunch of them would be sitting reserved. I think the only times you can do it is if you have one of the honeymoon/anniversary special meals, or a welcome party. Sometimes we were able to ask them at 5pm that day if we could have a table at say 8pm and it worked. Plus you should do that if you want to go to the teppanyaki at Spice, which is a lot of fun.

[omontes]

Hi ladies!

 

We hope you had a great weekend, we're so happy to write for you on this topic, please take a look at our photography work in Excellence Playa Mujeres:

http://www.OctavioMontes.com

 

[omontes]

Hi Excellence brides! 

 

It's a pleasure to write for you on this topic, I want to share those unforgettable moments with you. 

 

please take a look at the wedding of Brittany and Daniel on the beach, was magical and beautiful.

http://www.OctavioMontes.com

 

[correak0723]

TealMarie,

 

Did you get your wedding planner a gift?  Not sure what the protocol is.

 

Karen