Excellence Riviera Cancun Brides?

[HNeal]

@@hapykat

Sorry this is a very long reply but wanted to answer all of your questions....

The package from Maracas Mexico was no issue at all. I think the issue that people run into with shipping stuff ahead of time is when it has to pass through customs. Since the company was already in Mexico I didn't have that issue. They also told me exactly what info I needed to make sure it gets to Jessica and they told me when I needed to order by to make sure it gets there. I then let Jessica know to expect it. Anything that I got from the US I packed in a separate suitcase and brought it with me.

Papel picado is in the pic below. It is traditional mexican wedding banner. It's the white flags hanging. It's a tough pic to see it in but each flag has a different design and they are gorgeous! You can see my papel picado in detail on their Facebook page under "Matt and Heidi".  The pink balls I bought at Michael's and packed them in my suitcase.

 

                   

 

 

We went directly through Coco Bongo for tickets. We went to the one in Playa Del Carmen. They don't advertise this but if you go in a group and purchase "Gold Member" tickets then transportation is included and they will pick you up at the resort. Gold Member is the way to go...you are on a balcony out of the massive crowd, you get private waiter service, and a VIP bathroom. If you're serious about doing this we can chat more...it was a little tricky figuring it out but with some research we managed to get the best seats!  Here are a couple of fun pics that a friend took while at the club....

 

 

             

 

 

             

 

 

             

 

 

             

 

 

 

That last pic is a large cake platter with special shots for my fiance and I to drink in celebration of the wedding.  They had a video on us and we were on the main screen in the club during this.  A fun moment for sure!

 

 

We didn't appoint anyone as master of ceremonies.  Jessica takes care of the timing of everything. You will discuss it with her the day you have your meeting. Our ceremony was at 5 as well. The ceremony flowed into the cocktail hour which flowed into reception. Jessica just told us where to he when it was time. As for the reception....the only traditional dance was our first dance as bride and groom. We did that immediately and then sat down for dinner. We had dinner right away which was nice. We had three speeches and they were spread out over dinner. Jessica coordinated this with the DJ. Each speech took place at the end of each course. The timing worked out perfectly! I would recommend doing the speeches that way. When dinner was over my father and I spontaneously kicked off the dance party and everyone joined. We danced for about an hour and then cut the cake. Jessica has the cake all set up so I just needed to let the DJ know when we were ready and he took care of the rest. After the cake cutting and eating the most delicious cake (tres leches) we danced the rest of the night! It went so fast.

Here are some pics of my bouquet. The catalog pics are sooo bad! I just told Jessica what flowers I wanted and she made it happen. As far as my centerpieces I told her again what I wanted...there was nothing in the catalog I wanted.

 

               

 

 

               

 

 

 

Let me know if you have any more questions...I would be happy to help.

Edited November 5, 2014 by HNeal

[JenniferH114]

Did anyone do a symbolic ceremony and use ERC's officiant (or equivalent)? I'm just curious if you can give a brief overview of how your ceremony went. It makes me a little nervous that I can't see some sort of script ahead of time. Seeing as they do so many weddings there, I'm sure it'll be fine, but that's a pretty big part of the day so it would help it I could have an idea.

 

Or did anyone write their own script for the person to read? I know some people have added things like a sand ceremony, so I'm assuming you just let them know.

 

Just trying to get a feel for how it will work... Thanks!

[HNeal]

@@JenniferH114 and @@IrishRose

 

We had a legal ceremony and the same issue of not know what the script was ahead of time.  We had our own vows written so after the judge spoke he made sure there was time during the ceremony to say our vows.  Even though I initially wanted to know before hand what was going to be said I am now glad that I didn't.  The words that the Judge spoke were beautiful and it felt very natural and organic not knowing exactly what was going to come next.  Just tell Jessica what components you would like included and she will make sure it happens.

[hapykat]

@@HNeal

 

Would you be able to explain what you mean by componemts the judge said? Thks

[HNeal]

@@HNeal

Would you be able to explain what you mean by componemts the judge said? Thks

By components I mean to let Jessica know if you are writing your own vows or doing a sand ceremony or having a reading, etc. We had a legal ceremony so I am not sure about the symbolic but the judge basically spoke briefly about marriage in Mexico and what it means for today and the future. They were simple yet beautiful. He then asked us the "I do" questions and we had the signing of the documents (legal). Since we also wrote our own vows he made sure to add that into the ceremony where it was appropriate. I am sure whatever you have it will be perfect!

[Sabes44]

Did anyone do a symbolic ceremony and use ERC's officiant (or equivalent)? I'm just curious if you can give a brief overview of how your ceremony went. It makes me a little nervous that I can't see some sort of script ahead of time. Seeing as they do so many weddings there, I'm sure it'll be fine, but that's a pretty big part of the day so it would help it I could have an idea.

 

Or did anyone write their own script for the person to read? I know some people have added things like a sand ceremony, so I'm assuming you just let them know.

 

Just trying to get a feel for how it will work... Thanks!

I was wondering the same thing.  We are just doing a symbolic ceremony, but its "real" to all our guests and we want to make sure we are going to have the right words too.  I haven't even talked to Jessica about this part yet.  Good to know they will work with you and especially on the flowers!  The ones they sent don't look that good at all.

[Crystal17]

@@upstatekj I didn't know about Elias..ugh...thanks for letting me know!  I just got confirmation of times for my hair/makeup. Hopefully they have someone as good as him!

@@HNeal thanks for all the info, I'll check out your pics/review now!

[Crystal17]

@@HNeal we are also having our reception as Lobster House.  Did you choose to have the one long table or could you do like smaller round tables?  We are having 29 people so just thinking of the space and room.  We've eaten there before but can't think of how it will look without tables/chairs.  We are having a DJ with a light up dance floor so I'll have to see how that fits.

[HNeal]

@@HNeal we are also having our reception as Lobster House.  Did you choose to have the one long table or could you do like smaller round tables?  We are having 29 people so just thinking of the space and room.  We've eaten there before but can't think of how it will look without tables/chairs.  We are having a DJ with a light up dance floor so I'll have to see how that fits.

 

We had the same amount of people that you are having and we fit in the Lobster House just fine.  We chose to have one long table.  It was an option to have round tables if we wanted them.

[hapykat]

Hi this message is for MrsHK. I was hoping to connect with you about your wedding rentals. Thks!