OFFICIAL NOW Jade Wedding Thread

[1dutchie]

Great questions in terms of payment I was curious to know too! I have read that payment is made prior to the wedding with credit card (I would imagine paying with 2 isn't a problem) When you have your initial meeting and iron out all the details and add ons and such. But, I would like to get a firm answer from someone who has already gotten married.  I am actually curious to know whether payments towards to wedding package can be made prior to arrival at the resort (after the initial deposit) I don't see why not but I was curious to know if anyone else has done this? I just don't want to wait until the day of and then pay for everything all at once if I don't have to..

 

I personally haven't gotten my hair done at the spa but I will be for my wedding.. Depending on how you would like your hair styled I know that it is best to not have your hair freshly washed. I am getting married on a Thursday and I will most likely wash my hair late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.. It all depends on how quickly your hair gets greasy (which of course you don't want) But the reason why I wouldn't recommend washing your hair the day of is because it washes out the natural oils in your hair and it is more difficult to style that way.. Your hair styles easier and colors easier when it is "dirty"..

[1dutchie]

Originally Posted by juicybride 

 

 

That is what I am being quoted now. And a lot of TA's are telling me that prices will increase so better to book soon. It's definitely a struggle trying to get the whole group to agree on the price. And a lot of them are not used to booking trips so far in advance but do I really want to gamble with my wedding just to save an extra $100? I'd rather book early and get it out of the way than later because it would only add more stress trying to watch the rates fluctuate. 

 

 

Wow that is the best rate I have seen so far! Are you flying out of Canada? Which airline are you going with? Did you have a TA?

Hey, we went ahead and booked through a travel agent. We did lots of research and got quotes from 3 different agents. One I felt was giving me the run around the other gave me an approximate price and the 3rd was bang on! As long as you know in your mind a price that you are happy with I say go with that. We had to put an initial $200 deposit down and the remaing balance has to be paid about 2 1/2 months prior to departure.

 

We quickly learned that you can't please everyone.. The people we least expected put down their deposit already and the ones we thought would do so right away will probably wait until the last day to put down their deposit to get in on the early booking price.. Even that I find stressful.. I don't like to hassle people or pressure our guests but the truth of the matter is prices will go up.. They may come down.. But, that isn't a guarantee.. This resort does weddings all day long and I noticed the week we are getting married (which isn't until January 2014) is booking up already! I don't want to take my chances.. Plus I don't want our guests to miss out on getting a good price or being able to stay with us.. The way I look at it is the people that really want to be there will be there.. They will make it work.. For those who can't or won't that's ok.. In a way I would rather know now or in the next few months then 2 months prior to departure.. It's different when you are travelling with a group of people you have to ensure there is availability at the resort.. We had a few guests suggest booking last minute.. I politely told them that we have to have to make seating arrangements and send the dinner options 2 month before the wedding.. I can't base our wedding and numbers on guests taking their chances and booking last minute to save some money.. Besides why would you want to.. What if the resort is booked solid?

[kelly bennett]

Originally Posted by 1dutchie 

 

Hey, we went ahead and booked through a travel agent. We did lots of research and got quotes from 3 different agents. One I felt was giving me the run around the other gave me an approximate price and the 3rd was bang on! As long as you know in your mind a price that you are happy with I say go with that. We had to put an initial $200 deposit down and the remaing balance has to be paid about 2 1/2 months prior to departure.

 

We quickly learned that you can't please everyone.. The people we least expected put down their deposit already and the ones we thought would do so right away will probably wait until the last day to put down their deposit to get in on the early booking price.. Even that I find stressful.. I don't like to hassle people or pressure our guests but the truth of the matter is prices will go up.. They may come down.. But, that isn't a guarantee.. This resort does weddings all day long and I noticed the week we are getting married (which isn't until January 2014) is booking up already! I don't want to take my chances.. Plus I don't want our guests to miss out on getting a good price or being able to stay with us.. The way I look at it is the people that really want to be there will be there.. They will make it work.. For those who can't or won't that's ok.. In a way I would rather know now or in the next few months then 2 months prior to departure.. It's different when you are travelling with a group of people you have to ensure there is availability at the resort.. We had a few guests suggest booking last minute.. I politely told them that we have to have to make seating arrangements and send the dinner options 2 month before the wedding.. I can't base our wedding and numbers on guests taking their chances and booking last minute to save some money.. Besides why would you want to.. What if the resort is booked solid?

I understand how you feel about wanting to know whos coming and whos not... if your a bit of a confrol freak like me its really hard not to get stressed about it... Our date is set for 19th Feb 2014 and we are getting the invitations done now ( I know its really early!!!!) and set the RSVP for 31st May, so that gives people a couple of months to decide and start saving... We also dont want to hassle people thats why we decided on sending out invitations early rather than save the date cards....

I just want to get the planning underway!!!! Exciting times!!!!!

[juicybride]

Exactly what I was thinking. People are waiting for a cheaper flight but the hotel rooms might be fully booked by then. And I'd like for us to be all together on the same dates as well. I hate hassling people as well but it needs to be done. I noticed that too on the reservation calendar, January is filling up! So I better get a move on it & book my trips. You made me feel a lot better. I was starting to think that I was an eager neurotic bridezilla for wanting to book so early when the guests aren't. I'm going to try to remember that I can't please everyone but it's so hard because I want to.

[1dutchie]

Originally Posted by juicybride 

 

Exactly what I was thinking. People are waiting for a cheaper flight but the hotel rooms might be fully booked by then. And I'd like for us to be all together on the same dates as well. I hate hassling people as well but it needs to be done. I noticed that too on the reservation calendar, January is filling up! So I better get a move on it & book my trips.

 

You made me feel a lot better. I was starting to think that I was an eager neurotic bridezilla for wanting to book so early when the guests aren't. I'm going to try to remember that I can't please everyone but it's so hard because I want to.

I know how you feel. Trust me I am going through the same motions right now.. You can't please everyone.. We told everyone the moment we were engaged that we would plan a destination wedding. Now that pricing and booking information is available to everyone and an initial deposit needs to be made some people seem shocked.. I mean come on this isn't news!

 

Yes, that is the calendar I was referring to.. I wouldn't wait too long if I were you.. No need to stress but when you are booking with a group I would hate to see there be limited availability because you waited too long or tried to save a little money.. It isn't worth the stress and I am sure people will still have complaints.. It will also give them less time to pay their balance because it is closer to the date.. In my opinion doing it earlier allows people to make payments over time.. I think it gives more people the opportunity to make it financially feasible.

[kitkat863]

Originally Posted by shannonmarie 

 

Random questions..

 

When do we pay? At the meeting before the wedding with Pilar or after the wedding? Do we pay by credit card? If so, can we use 2 different cards?

 

For those who got their hair done by the spa, did you wash it before you went or have them do it there at the spa? Or not at all? I've always heard that you shouldn't wash your hair before you get it done..

When you meet with Pilar you go over everything and she breaks down everything and gives you a total amount. I know we paid before the wedding but I can't remember if we paid the day of the meeting or we just went into her office another day to pay. We paid with a credit card so I would assume that you could use 2 different cards. 

 

I had my hair done at the spa and I did not have them wash it. I washed it early that morning. Depending on your hair type, you might be able to get away with not washing it that day but my hair gets very oily so I washed it the day of the wedding. You will probably want to put root lifter or something in your hair if you wash it the day of so that it holds a curl better (holds better if hair is dirtier.)

[Lindsay Green]

Isnt the booking part fun?? lol.  we got engaged on July 3 and by te 10th I was price shopping with TA's.  We were able to secure a decent price of $1426 out of Toronto - all in, for April 22 departure.  This was with Air Canada and booked with Flight Centre.  We immediately sent out an email - as the early booking bonus was on our tails - to let everyone know what was going on, what the costs were and where they could put down their deposit.  We have close to 50 joining us - and of course the stragglers who think last minute will work out for them.  So far, since July 2012, the price went up drastically the day the early booking bonus ended (close to $500) and has now come back down to what we paid.  Not once have I seen it for less, and I check all the time.

 

I have to say, this portion of the wedding was the most stressful by a landslide.  In the end, we ended up paying for more than one family member, and putting forward a payment plan for a couple of others.  It comes down to wanting them there - and considering one was FI's sister, we didnt have much choice. we sent a lot of emails reminding all of the important dates, and both the TA and ourselves followed up with phone calls.  I have hit a point now that I am happy with all who will be there - and basically, it is what it is.  Finances are always a touchy subject - so it is understandable how this can suck.  I was very upset when a couple of my close friends were not going to be able to make it - and had I selected a less expensive (and not as nice) resort, they could have.  In the end, they love you none the less, and you want your day to be the best it can be.

 

Bottom line,  get the invites out early, get a stiff upper lip, and ignore the commentary.  Now that I see the costs going up (everyone has $125 sign on them lol) I sometimes almost wish it were just the two of us.

[1dutchie]

Originally Posted by Lindsay Green 

 

Isnt the booking part fun?? lol.  we got engaged on July 3 and by te 10th I was price shopping with TA's.  We were able to secure a decent price of $1426 out of Toronto - all in, for April 22 departure.  This was with Air Canada and booked with Flight Centre.  We immediately sent out an email - as the early booking bonus was on our tails - to let everyone know what was going on, what the costs were and where they could put down their deposit.  We have close to 50 joining us - and of course the stragglers who think last minute will work out for them.  So far, since July 2012, the price went up drastically the day the early booking bonus ended (close to $500) and has now come back down to what we paid.  Not once have I seen it for less, and I check all the time.

 

I have to say, this portion of the wedding was the most stressful by a landslide.  In the end, we ended up paying for more than one family member, and putting forward a payment plan for a couple of others.  It comes down to wanting them there - and considering one was FI's sister, we didnt have much choice. we sent a lot of emails reminding all of the important dates, and both the TA and ourselves followed up with phone calls.  I have hit a point now that I am happy with all who will be there - and basically, it is what it is.  Finances are always a touchy subject - so it is understandable how this can suck.  I was very upset when a couple of my close friends were not going to be able to make it - and had I selected a less expensive (and not as nice) resort, they could have.  In the end, they love you none the less, and you want your day to be the best it can be.

 

Bottom line,  get the invites out early, get a stiff upper lip, and ignore the commentary.  Now that I see the costs going up (everyone has $125 sign on them lol) I sometimes almost wish it were just the two of us.

lol I thought it would have been.. Not so much! Good for you for finding such a great price. Our price isn't too far off. We booked with a travel agent that was referred to us by another bride actually and we are flying with West Jet out of Toronto. We had a few headache's a long the way.. A few teachers that would prefer us to book over the christmas holidays (which is far more expensive) and we had to keep in mind guests traveling from other provinces which is generally $100-$200 extra per person depending on where they are traveling from.  ...and we had a long list of requests.. Not too far from the Cancun airport, must be able to sight-see, good food, must be able to snorkle, drinks must be included at the disco (which someone resorts it isn't) must have balcony, can't be too big of a resort, can't have too many resorts close to it, and of course it had to be priced right. When realistically you get what you pay for! It is a nice resort and you aren't gonna be paying $1000 per person!

 

Wow! Your turn out is amazing! We were concerned at first we might be inviting too many people.. We have family we have to inivite, some of which won't be able to fly. Understably so and at this point I feel as though I have no idea what the turn out is going to be like! We have had a few friends tell us they won't be able to come because they are having baby's this year. We send out an email with the booking info on it already a few weeks ago. I think we are going to send out our save the dates in the next week or so. It will have our website on it with all the info and updates.  Not too sure when our formal invites should be send out but probably some time this summer.. I want to avoid having last minute guests as much as possible.. If I can help it.. Unless it is circumstancial of course!

 

hahah yes I have even said that! Let's go to Vegas instead! lol but we can't bring our boys with us and we want them there

[WeddingCancun]

Originally Posted by 1dutchie 

 

I was thinking the same thing khunt29!

It would be such a shame not making use of those flowers after the ceremony, but I was worried they might look silly laying down too.

 

flowers won'r look silly at all , don't worry. Actually you can put them on a large table and they'll look fantastic!

 

[chantal09]

Originally Posted by shannonmarie 

 

Random questions..

 

When do we pay? At the meeting before the wedding with Pilar or after the wedding? Do we pay by credit card? If so, can we use 2 different cards?

 

For those who got their hair done by the spa, did you wash it before you went or have them do it there at the spa? Or not at all? I've always heard that you shouldn't wash your hair before you get it done..

- My Hubby and I paid after our meeting with Pilar. I am sure they will allow 2 cards to be used. Advice for my fellow Canadians *pay for your wedding invoice in travellers cheques as the US exchange is better than Visa or mastercard.

 

- 5 of my BM got hair done at the spa and the spa did not wash any of their hair. I would say dont wash it, but they are pretty great at making sure your hair will stand the elements throughout the day