Excellence Riviera Cancun Brides?

[JessicaC07]

Hi KayLynn,

 

Unfortunately they don't offer spray tans.  I had inquired about the same thing, because we went 3 days before the wedding.  I got a spray tan the day before we left home, and it still looked great in time for the ceremony.  I did avoid getting in the pool/ocean until after the wedding though.  I also had bought a product from Victoria's Secret that I put on all over the morning of the ceremony.  It has instant color and a bit of shimmer.  I loved it!! It was like make-up for my body.  It didn't come off on my dress either.  The inside of my dress did have spray tan on it when I took it off at the end of the night though.

[JessicaC07]

Hi Ladies!!! I'm back from Mexico and ready to share tips!  You can ask me any questions too.

 

1. I know there has been talk on here about having your cocktail hour at Las Olas.  Now that I've been there, I would highly recommend doing this.  I didn't even know it was an option.  I had my cocktail hour on the pier.  Las Olas is directly in front of the pier on the beach.  The waiters/bartenders are actually set up at Las Olas anyway, and they walk the drinks/food out to you on the pier.  Las Olas has a covered area, and is less brutal wind wise.  It's still beautiful though because it's right on the beach.  A lot of guests ended up going over there and sitting during cocktail hour anyway.

 

2. Mexico is Hot!!! LOL I know we all already know that, but it was actually a lot hotter than I even imagined.  There is a constant breeze on the beach, so it is great!  I wasn't hot during the ceremony because we had it at the beach gazebo.  My photographer took us for photos around the resort though, and it was so uncomfortably hot everywhere that wasn't on the beach.

 

3. We had our reception at the Lobster House.  It was really beautiful, and not too hot since it is close to the ocean and has a constant breeze.  If the Lobster House isn't available on your day, I would recommend asking about Oregano.  It wasn't presented as an option, but you never know.  It's also open air, close to the beach with a breeze.

 

4. Don't expect everything to go perfectly.  There were a number of mistakes made.  We just rolled with them, and didn't let them bother us.  Example: The officiant started off with we are here for "Jessica and Jason"...well, my groom is Justin.  And, one of the groomsmen is actually named Jason, lol.  We all laughed, corrected him, and moved on.  The reception table wasn't set up the way I had requested at all.  It didn't ruin the night though.  The DJ played the 1 and only song that I had on my do not play list, and during dinner he actually played "It wasn't me", lol.  He had a lot of what I would consider break up songs played during dinner.  It was weird, but again, we just laughed.  Even with all of the mistakes, we had an amazing time - and it was really beautiful.

 

5. The video that the resort videographer took of the ceremony was surprising in a great way.  Ours actually was edited, with cute music and everything.  I was expecting raw footage.  I love what we got!

 

6. The spa was really disorganized the day of my wedding.  Despite that, my hair and makeup turned out soooo beautiful!!!  While she was doing my hair, I wanted to cry because I thought it was awful.  I looked like I had little bo peep curls.  I was so worried it wouldn't turn out good at all.  She kept explaining to me that the curls would fall as soon as my hair hit the humidity and wind.  She was so right!  It ended up amazingly gorgeous and lasted ALL night.  I actually slept with it up that night, and it still looked great the next day!

 

 

 

 

7. Our guests said it was the best wedding they have ever been to, one of the nicest resorts they've been to, an amazing vacation, etc.  It really was overall an amazing experience!!!

 

 

I'm not the best at writing reviews.  I know there are a lot of things I didn't think to write about right now.  I'll answer any questions that anyone has though, and if I think of anything else, I'll add it later as it comes to me.

[KayLynn Oliver]

Originally Posted by JessicaC07 

 

Hi Ladies!!! I'm back from Mexico and ready to share tips!  You can ask me any questions too.

 

1. I know there has been talk on here about having your cocktail hour at Las Olas.  Now that I've been there, I would highly recommend doing this.  I didn't even know it was an option.  I had my cocktail hour on the pier.  Las Olas is directly in front of the pier on the beach.  The waiters/bartenders are actually set up at Las Olas anyway, and they walk the drinks/food out to you on the pier.  Las Olas has a covered area, and is less brutal wind wise.  It's still beautiful though because it's right on the beach.  A lot of guests ended up going over there and sitting during cocktail hour anyway.

 

2. Mexico is Hot!!! LOL I know we all already know that, but it was actually a lot hotter than I even imagined.  There is a constant breeze on the beach, so it is great!  I wasn't hot during the ceremony because we had it at the beach gazebo.  My photographer took us for photos around the resort though, and it was so uncomfortably hot everywhere that wasn't on the beach.

 

3. We had our reception at the Lobster House.  It was really beautiful, and not too hot since it is close to the ocean and has a constant breeze.  If the Lobster House isn't available on your day, I would recommend asking about Oregano.  It wasn't presented as an option, but you never know.  It's also open air, close to the beach with a breeze.

 

4. Don't expect everything to go perfectly.  There were a number of mistakes made.  We just rolled with them, and didn't let them bother us.  Example: The officiant started off with we are here for "Jessica and Jason"...well, my groom is Justin.  And, one of the groomsmen is actually named Jason, lol.  We all laughed, corrected him, and moved on.  The reception table wasn't set up the way I had requested at all.  It didn't ruin the night though.  The DJ played the 1 and only song that I had on my do not play list, and during dinner he actually played "It wasn't me", lol.  He had a lot of what I would consider break up songs played during dinner.  It was weird, but again, we just laughed.  Even with all of the mistakes, we had an amazing time - and it was really beautiful.

 

5. The video that the resort videographer took of the ceremony was surprising in a great way.  Ours actually was edited, with cute music and everything.  I was expecting raw footage.  I love what we got!

 

6. The spa was really disorganized the day of my wedding.  Despite that, my hair and makeup turned out soooo beautiful!!!  While she was doing my hair, I wanted to cry because I thought it was awful.  I looked like I had little bo peep curls.  I was so worried it wouldn't turn out good at all.  She kept explaining to me that the curls would fall as soon as my hair hit the humidity and wind.  She was so right!  It ended up amazingly gorgeous and lasted ALL night.  I actually slept with it up that night, and it still looked great the next day!

 

 

 

 

7. Our guests said it was the best wedding they have ever been to, one of the nicest resorts they've been to, an amazing vacation, etc.  It really was overall an amazing experience!!!

 

 

I'm not the best at writing reviews.  I know there are a lot of things I didn't think to write about right now.  I'll answer any questions that anyone has though, and if I think of anything else, I'll add it later as it comes to me.

Wow!  You look stunning!  Thanks for your help.  What is the product you got from Victoria's Secret??!  It sounds like I need this, lol!  Is it a spray or lotion?  What DJ did you use?  I am having my reception at Barcelona bc it was one of the only places that is inside but I know it isn't the prettiest.  Hopefully we can decorate it pretty!  What did you think of Agave?  I am having my rehearsal dinner there but having it catered instead of the mexican food served there.  Thanks so much again!  You are gorgeous!

[JessicaC07]

Hi KayLynn,

 

Thank you so much for the kind words!

 

This is the product I used by Victoria's Secret.  It comes out dark looking, but once you rub it in it looks great.  It was seriously like make-up for my body.  It evened out my skin tone and gave me color at the same time.  I put it on in the morning before getting my hair done, so it had time to absorb into my skin.  I don't know if I actually needed to do that, but I just did because mentally I thought it would help keep any of it from getting onto my dress.  I would definitely put it on before putting the dress on though.  It is a lotion, but it isn't streaky at all.  I just rubbed it in like I would any body lotion, and had my friend rub it onto my back.  I only used it on the part of me that was showing in the dress.  I didn't put it on my face - instead they used bronzing powder on my face at the salon.  I used the lotion other days I was there too - like on my legs before going on the beach, etc.  It washes off when you shower.

 

 

 

 

http://www.victoriassecret.com/swimwear/self-tanners-and-bronzers/instant-bronzing-tinted-shimmer-lotion-beach-sexy?ProductID=90766&CatalogueType=OLS&search=true

 

 

The DJ was DJ Mannia.  I think they must have multiple DJ's that just work under the one name.  I swear it was this guys first time DJ'ing a wedding.  It didn't ruin the night - we laughed about the "It Wasn't Me" song, it was just ridiculous.  The only song on my do not play list was "The Electric Slide".  I know it's a popular one, but I never learned how to do it, so I didn't want to hear it.  It wasn't the end of the world that it got played anyway - I just took a break from dancing for that one.

 

I'm sure you can decorate Barcelona up nicely.  It isn't too bad on the inside, kind of a blank canvas really - and A/C will be a huge bonus!

 

Agave is nice.  It was my favorite restaurant actually.  8 of us ate there the night before the wedding.  It was one of the only places that would accommodate a larger group.  I don't remember being hot, even though it is outside.  We ate at night though; the sun had already set.  Plus, we did a lot of tequila shots at dinner, lol.  We had a great time!!

 

One thing I'll add about the restaurants is that it was hard to get them to accommodate larger groups at dinner.  Basically anything larger than 4 we had to semi-beg for.  Chez Isabelle wouldn't do it all.  We had to do multiple separate tables with 4 max at each.  I'll also say that anytime we had dinner more than just the 2 of us (so even just a group of 4), the service was unbelievably slow everywhere.  I think they are definitely used to just couples at dinner.  Your catered event will obviously go differently - I'm just talking about regular walking into a restaurant for dinner.  The hibachi tables at Spice sit up to 10 - so if you do want a group dinner on another night that isn't pre-set up - I would recommend doing that.  You have to get to the restaurant when it opens at 5:30 and make a reservation for the hibachi.  It gets filled up fast!

[ampanda52]

Originally Posted by JessicaC07 

 

Hi Ladies!!! I'm back from Mexico and ready to share tips!  You can ask me any questions too.

 

1. I know there has been talk on here about having your cocktail hour at Las Olas.  Now that I've been there, I would highly recommend doing this.  I didn't even know it was an option.  I had my cocktail hour on the pier.  Las Olas is directly in front of the pier on the beach.  The waiters/bartenders are actually set up at Las Olas anyway, and they walk the drinks/food out to you on the pier.  Las Olas has a covered area, and is less brutal wind wise.  It's still beautiful though because it's right on the beach.  A lot of guests ended up going over there and sitting during cocktail hour anyway.

 

2. Mexico is Hot!!! LOL I know we all already know that, but it was actually a lot hotter than I even imagined.  There is a constant breeze on the beach, so it is great!  I wasn't hot during the ceremony because we had it at the beach gazebo.  My photographer took us for photos around the resort though, and it was so uncomfortably hot everywhere that wasn't on the beach.

 

3. We had our reception at the Lobster House.  It was really beautiful, and not too hot since it is close to the ocean and has a constant breeze.  If the Lobster House isn't available on your day, I would recommend asking about Oregano.  It wasn't presented as an option, but you never know.  It's also open air, close to the beach with a breeze.

 

4. Don't expect everything to go perfectly.  There were a number of mistakes made.  We just rolled with them, and didn't let them bother us.  Example: The officiant started off with we are here for "Jessica and Jason"...well, my groom is Justin.  And, one of the groomsmen is actually named Jason, lol.  We all laughed, corrected him, and moved on.  The reception table wasn't set up the way I had requested at all.  It didn't ruin the night though.  The DJ played the 1 and only song that I had on my do not play list, and during dinner he actually played "It wasn't me", lol.  He had a lot of what I would consider break up songs played during dinner.  It was weird, but again, we just laughed.  Even with all of the mistakes, we had an amazing time - and it was really beautiful.

 

5. The video that the resort videographer took of the ceremony was surprising in a great way.  Ours actually was edited, with cute music and everything.  I was expecting raw footage.  I love what we got!

 

6. The spa was really disorganized the day of my wedding.  Despite that, my hair and makeup turned out soooo beautiful!!!  While she was doing my hair, I wanted to cry because I thought it was awful.  I looked like I had little bo peep curls.  I was so worried it wouldn't turn out good at all.  She kept explaining to me that the curls would fall as soon as my hair hit the humidity and wind.  She was so right!  It ended up amazingly gorgeous and lasted ALL night.  I actually slept with it up that night, and it still looked great the next day!

 

 

 

 

7. Our guests said it was the best wedding they have ever been to, one of the nicest resorts they've been to, an amazing vacation, etc.  It really was overall an amazing experience!!!

 

 

I'm not the best at writing reviews.  I know there are a lot of things I didn't think to write about right now.  I'll answer any questions that anyone has though, and if I think of anything else, I'll add it later as it comes to me.

You look amazing!  I'm so glad to hear about all of the good and bad!

 

I was wondering about spray tans too so I'll have to pick up some of the Victoria's Secret stuff.  Is it super sparkly?  I have another brand, Loreal, I think, and it is sparklier than I'd like!  I've also used Sally Hanson leg makeup before.  It comes in a spray can and is AWESOME.  It washes with soap and water.  It's basically a leg makeup but I've used it on other parts, like arms and shoulders. 

 

I'm also glad to hear about the resort video.  I've heard others say they also received an edited video.  I'm having them take my photos.  I've heard mixed reviews but I also have a guest taking shots with his professional camera, so I'm not too worried. 

 

Congrats!!

Mandy

[JessicaC07]

Thanks Mandy!  It does have a decent amount of sparkle, but I don't think it's too much.  It isn't glittery; it's more of a soft shimmer.  I actually got compliments on it!  I've never used the other brands, so unfortunately I can't compare it to anything.

 

I think you will be fine with them taking the photos.  Since I had the gold package, I had 24 photos included.  I hired Juan Navarro as my photographer (great experience btw! I haven't received the photos yet, but I'll definitely share when I get them).  The resort photographer took the 24 photos of my guests during cocktail hour.  I actually really like what I got.  They gave them all to me on a cd, so I was able to share them with the guests.  Everyone loves them!  It isn't anything artistic, but I wasn't expecting it to be.  They are just professional quality straight shots.  She did take some fun ones though, and I love those the best.  I'm at work now so I don't have them, but when I'm home later I can post a few for example.   Now that I've seen their work first hand, I don't have as many doubts as I did when I was first deciding on the photographer.  I'm still happy I went with Juan, but I think I would have been pleasantly surprised by the resort had I chosen to go with them.

[JessicaC07]

Here are a couple of the photos from the resort photographer of the guests during cocktail hour:

 

I love how you can see the mariachi band in the background!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And for fun, these are some of the photos from Juan Navarro that I've seen so far:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a few images from my friend's cameras:

 

 

 

 

[Mayerlis]

JessicaC07- you look gorgeous and your wedding looks like it was a lot of fun! Thanks for posting all of the information- definitely helps a lot!

 

I was wondering if any of you ladies shipped anything to the resort before your wedding if you already have or if you're planning on shipping anything there.

I will be shipping a box with things I'll be using for centerpieces and I'm nervous it won't be there in time or that it will be super expensive.
 

[ampanda52]

I'm planning on shipping a big box of stuff in about a month. I'm concerned it will be expensive too. I guess we'll see!!

[ampanda52]

JessicoC07

 

Thanks so much!  A soft shimmer sounds great!  I'll have to pick some up! Also, thanks for posting the resort photog pics.  You're right...they are ok.  Pretty much what I expected.  Juan Navarro's are amazing!!  He was slightly out of my budget and I have a photographer fam member, so I hope I'm covered!!

 

Mandy