Excellence Riviera Cancun Brides?

[kjb0528]

Oh it looks like my last post didn't update. @@victoriasalv, it definitely feels more real now! But, it wont come in for almost 6 months. Here's a pict of me in it (ignore my facial expression, i was excited despite how I look!)

 

I'm also unsure about shoes. My fiance is 6'2" and I'm 5'7" so I'd prefer to wear high heels at the altar. I was thinking wedges but don't want to stumble down the aisle. I'm also unsure on hemming though if I go barefoot at ceremony and high heels for reception. 

 

I'm also trying to decide on my reception venue. I really wanted the Lobster House but its not available on Saturdays so now I'm considering Los Olas or Oreganos. I love the feel of Los Olas and its proximity to the beach but I'm worried it will be too small.  We are inviting 110 people and expect around 50+ to show up and want a DJ and to dance. Anyone have any advice on Oregano's vs Los Olas for a group that size? Its very important to me to be somewhat near the beach or semi-outside, so I want to make sure to reserve in advance since its MLK weekend. I looked through the thread here, which was somewhat helpful but hard to compare for my party size.

[kjb0528]

I set up my Trello wedding planning board today and wanted to share the template I found because I think its super helpful!! Tello is a list making / project management app where you can move cards around. Here's a link to example templates for a month-by-month break down of to-do lists, wedding day schedules, thank-you note organizers, table arrangements, etc. 

 

[victoriasalv]

@JamieCKL - ah I know! I struggled with deciding on doing online RSVP vs. the cards only so I didn't have to pay for more postage!

 

So glad you found a better dress. What i ended up getting was completely different that what I had visualized originally also. Funny how that works!

 

@@kjb0528 - thank you so much for sharing that! That looks really helpful i'm definitely going to check it out. You look stunning in your dress. I love the sheerness on the shoulders and back.

 

I'm with you about shoes, I hate being flatfoot because i'm so short (5'1) but looking at the wedding site it seems i might go barefoot or something for the reception only and change. We're doing our reception in the Lobster House (our wedding is a Fri).

 

I think either choice would be good for you. You have about how many we're expecting (currently we have 40 booked but i'm hoping for a few more). We are doing our cocktail hour at Los Olas. Oregano might be a better bet for you guys if you're picturing separate tables and a dance floor. Remember though you can overflow to the sand though i'm sure!! Oregano seemed like a great spo tand i think it just has a slot roof so you'll feel like you're outside! I saw some really good pics of a wedding there (i'll try and find) - both locations i think you can't go wrong.

 

Who are you using for your photographer? The in house people (Beach Wedding Studio) are great to email questions with and they can send you a shot of weddings at different locations!

Edited January 6, 2016 by victoriasalv

[kjb0528]

@@victoriasalv I'm researching photographers right now and I can't decide. I'm nervous about the cost of the in house photographers (Beach Wedding Studios) for the wedding packages as it does not look like you get many pictures for the price. I got engaged there last Nov 2015 and we did one of the free 30-45 min photo sessions where you walk around with the resort photographers and if you like the pictures afterwards you can buy what you want. We ended up buying them all and got around 100 photos, a slideshow and a small album for $550, and I will say the pictures are amazing and we are using them as our engagement photos! Its important to me that someone helps pose me and tells me very specifically what to do and I think they did a great job with that. The poses look natural and that's a result of our photographer saying things like "bend your knee more, angle this way, kiss her right there..."

 

Here's a link to my picts if you want to get a sense of non-wedding portraits and the different spots around the resort: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B04G6XBubGzPGjL

[JenniferH114]

I would HIGHLY recommend Juan Navarro. I cannot say enough wonderful things about him and his assistant, Arturo. Our photos are beautiful and unique. They went above and beyond; they even stayed well over the amount of time we paid for (9+ hours). The pricing was awesome. I am also so glad we added the photo album. I was worried that we had wasted money on it, but when we received it we were both blown away.

 

I thought Beach Wedding Studios was just so-so. They didn't "wow" me at all, but everyone is looking for something different.

[Sabes44]

I would HIGHLY recommend Juan Navarro. I cannot say enough wonderful things about him and his assistant, Arturo. Our photos are beautiful and unique. They went above and beyond; they even stayed well over the amount of time we paid for (9+ hours). The pricing was awesome. I am also so glad we added the photo album. I was worried that we had wasted money on it, but when we received it we were both blown away.

 

I thought Beach Wedding Studios was just so-so. They didn't "wow" me at all, but everyone is looking for something different.

 

I used Juan Navarro too and LOVED him as well.  We also did the Centoe TTD shoot which ended up being amazing and such a cool thing to see if you can while you are there!

[lynne1609]

This was a slight concern of mine as we have selected the 'Love Package' which only includes 24 pictures and they upgrade on the package for another 12 pictures is $200 - this is extremely expensive as in England you would get unlimited for around $500.  

[kjb0528]

@@JenniferH114 @@Sabes44 Thanks for the recommendation. He's on my list to check out. How far in advance did you book him? My wedding is on a Saturday, Jan 14, 2017 and its MLK weekend so I'm trying to figure out a timeline.  

 

@@Sabes44 I've been looking at the Cenote TTD pictures and the all look sooo cool! I can't decide if its in the budget though. I re-did my budget last night and things are already adding up much more than I thought it would be for a DW.  Did you actually "trash" your dress. I'm debating if I could still get it dry cleaned by the resort and not completely ruin it. I don't need it for anything after the wedding but, still.

This was a slight concern of mine as we have selected the 'Love Package' which only includes 24 pictures and they upgrade on the package for another 12 pictures is $200 - this is extremely expensive as in England you would get unlimited for around $500.  

My other concern is that its just the ceremony and, I'm assuming, not even bridal party pictures right after.

[lynne1609]

 

My other concern is that its just the ceremony and, I'm assuming, not even bridal party pictures right after.

It states in the package how long the photographer is for.  Mine is for 1 hour which doesn't bother me as I have only my Mom and Step-Dad attending and we will make our fun with our own pics (plus anyone else we may meet).

[Sabes44]

@@JenniferH114 @@Sabes44 Thanks for the recommendation. He's on my list to check out. How far in advance did you book him? My wedding is on a Saturday, Jan 14, 2017 and its MLK weekend so I'm trying to figure out a timeline.  

 

@@Sabes44 I've been looking at the Cenote TTD pictures and the all look sooo cool! I can't decide if its in the budget though. I re-did my budget last night and things are already adding up much more than I thought it would be for a DW.  Did you actually "trash" your dress. I'm debating if I could still get it dry cleaned by the resort and not completely ruin it. I don't need it for anything after the wedding but, still.

My other concern is that its just the ceremony and, I'm assuming, not even bridal party pictures right after.

 

The Cenote shot was not in our budget at all but my husband really wanted to do it and it ended up being a ton of fun and one of the most amazing things I have seen.  Plus, the pictures you get are amazing and can't get those anywhere else.  So if you can swing it, I say do it!  My dress did not get trashed at all!  Honestly it was cleaner after the Cenote than after the wedding!  I just let it dry out and had it cleaned when I got home and it looks perfect!  It is fresh water in the caves so doesn't hurt anything!