Now Larimar 2014 Brides

[Slaughter2be]

Hey all! Just wanted to give you guys a quick tip; if you REALLY REALLY want something at your wedding, all you have to do is ask. I know it sounds logical, but I wanted to let you know that not EVERYTHING in the Now Larimar Wedding Guide is written in stone....

 

So here was my issue... I'd been freaking out for the past several weeks because my guest list is so big (almost 70 adults). I read in the guide that the resort wants to serve us buffet style. My fiance feels strongly about having a plated dinner, as our guests are spending so much to fly down and stay at the resort, he thinks that the least they could do is give us a plated dinner on our wedding day! I completely agreed. We just didn't think that so many people would go with us so I just assumed that we'd always have the plated option. I contacted Luisa (my WC) and told her yeah, we have a lot of people but we still wanted to be served plates. She said that our guests would have to serve themselves at a buffet. I then asked if at least the same options on the plated menu could be the same for the buffet. She said no, we'd have to pick items from the buffet menu only. I looked through the buffet menu and wasn't too crazy about the options they had. Additionally, the resort charges EXTRA for buffet style per person ($55+tax for platinum menu), which I find crazy because it takes less work off the servers now that everyone has to make their own plate!

 

So I sent her a lengthy email about how I felt and how this is my one special day and went on and on....While I was waiting for her I'd began researching other reception sites (Jellyfish and Kukua Beach Club) as a backup plan. She wrote me back a few days later, agreeing to have my entire group served plated! She said it would be $5/extra per plate for guests over the 50 guest limit in the Platinum Package though, due to additional servers being needed and the time it will take to serve all of us. I agreed and now I get to have the steak and lobster menu that I wanted originally!

 

115 days to go and I can finally relax!

Glad that worked out for you. We paying all money we should get what we want! ❕

[Tiffany Ellison]

Hello Ladies,

 

I'm a newbie on this forum. My wedding is on Oct. 28, 2014 at Now Larimar and i must say, what a great help it is to read your comments and suggestions!! Thank you to all the brides who posted their description and the pictures of their wedding day.

 

I have a question, has anyone booked their reception at Carnival Terrace (its on the Secrets Resort side and can be used for reception)? Any reviews? 

 

Is anyone making the Welcome Bags or the Out of Town bags? What are you putting in there?

 

Thanks

 

 

I would love to see the decorations that your mother will make. My colors are coral and fuchsia, and i was thinking of getting flower balls/pomanders. 

Looking forward to the pictures!

 

@@OctoberBride2014

Why do you say the carnival terrace is on the Secrets side? I think that its the terrace outside of the Carnival buffet at Now Larimar. My wedding planner said it overlooks the fountain.

I'm having our small reception there for 15 people and can't wait! 

 

Oh and I am probably not bringing welcome bags but am bringing reception decor!

[DR2015]

@@DR2015 I read waaayyyy back in the forum that they still charge this fee. I believe that the person who posted this was WBA. I'll double check to see if I can find it again!

@@DR2015 It's on page 5 of this forum posted by WBA in response to another inquiry.

 

Thanks so much!!!!!!

[deelirious]

Hey all! Just wanted to give you guys a quick tip; if you REALLY REALLY want something at your wedding, all you have to do is ask. I know it sounds logical, but I wanted to let you know that not EVERYTHING in the Now Larimar Wedding Guide is written in stone....

 

So here was my issue... I'd been freaking out for the past several weeks because my guest list is so big (almost 70 adults). I read in the guide that the resort wants to serve us buffet style. My fiance feels strongly about having a plated dinner, as our guests are spending so much to fly down and stay at the resort, he thinks that the least they could do is give us a plated dinner on our wedding day! I completely agreed. We just didn't think that so many people would go with us so I just assumed that we'd always have the plated option. I contacted Luisa (my WC) and told her yeah, we have a lot of people but we still wanted to be served plates. She said that our guests would have to serve themselves at a buffet. I then asked if at least the same options on the plated menu could be the same for the buffet. She said no, we'd have to pick items from the buffet menu only. I looked through the buffet menu and wasn't too crazy about the options they had. Additionally, the resort charges EXTRA for buffet style per person ($55+tax for platinum menu), which I find crazy because it takes less work off the servers now that everyone has to make their own plate!

 

So I sent her a lengthy email about how I felt and how this is my one special day and went on and on....While I was waiting for her I'd began researching other reception sites (Jellyfish and Kukua Beach Club) as a backup plan. She wrote me back a few days later, agreeing to have my entire group served plated! She said it would be $5/extra per plate for guests over the 50 guest limit in the Platinum Package though, due to additional servers being needed and the time it will take to serve all of us. I agreed and now I get to have the steak and lobster menu that I wanted originally!

 

115 days to go and I can finally relax!

 

Thank you so much for this tip!!! I have 85 guests and would really like to have a plated dinner as well. I'm going to ask my coordinator if it's possible. I don't mind paying the extra $5 per person over the 50 guest limit. I'm hoping they can make the exception for me as well!

[DestiBride]

Hi Ladies, I just got back from my wedding at Now Larimar and is was absolutely incredible, the wedding of a lifetime! My message to everyone: Don't stress! Just make your plans, be specific when telling them what you want, and trust that they will do their job. They are very experienced - whatever you're asking for, you're not the first and you can trust that they've done it before and know how to do it well. When we arrived, we saw so many other weddings happening before ours, I was worried that we would feel like "just a number". It is a bit of a wedding factory over there... but when it was our turn we enjoyed every moment and the fact that we were probably wedding #27 for that week didn't matter one bit. We had a civil ceremony on the beach - yes, there were onlookers and other events happening on the beach at the same time but it didn't matter, it was perfect. We had our reception at Castaways, which we paid extra for. It really is the best reception location, in my opinion, so I don't regret the expense at all. We used all of their services including DJ and photographer and I can't imagine why anyone would pay more for outside vendors (unless you're very particular and want something very specific). Their in-house team does a fantastic job. 

 

Past brides were a huge help to me when I was in the planning phase so I would be glad to help anyone out or answer any questions. Feel free to message me anytime!

[Jahanee Conner]

@@DestiBride

I'm glad that your wedding turned out to be a success. Do you have any pics that you can share?

[duchovny0901]

@@DestiBride Congratulations! I'm so excited that your wedding was a blast! I'd love to see photos as well!

 

Also, how was the temp in Castaways during your reception? I know it's covered but in terms of heat and humidity were you & your guests comfortable?

 

What time was your reception and what were your food choices?

 

Did you have assigned seating and menus created?

 

What was the order of your reception (first dance, cake cutting, food, get the party started, etc)? I booked the resort photographer as well and am curious as to how much of the reception they get in their photos.

 

Thanks in advance!

[DestiBride]

@@DestiBride Congratulations! I'm so excited that your wedding was a blast! I'd love to see photos as well!

 

Also, how was the temp in Castaways during your reception? I know it's covered but in terms of heat and humidity were you & your guests comfortable?

 

What time was your reception and what were your food choices?

 

Did you have assigned seating and menus created?

 

What was the order of your reception (first dance, cake cutting, food, get the party started, etc)? I booked the resort photographer as well and am curious as to how much of the reception they get in their photos.

 

Thanks in advance!

The temp in Castaways was perfect. It is on the beach so you do get the nice breeze and everyone was comfortable. Our reception was from 7pm - midnight and that amount of time felt perfect. We started with our entrance, followed by dinner. During dinner we had our first dance, speeches and a song performance by my singer/songwriter husband (ooh, still getting used to that word!). Dinner was shrimp cocktail, pumpkin soup, surf and turf and pear tartlet. I think it was pretty good although I was too excited to really taste it and we had so many things going on during dinner that the food really just passed me by in a blur... Then we started the party, had fire dancers around 10pm and then cut the cake some time after that. The resort created menus for us which I was pleasantly surprised by and not expecting. I had table numbers and escort cards made, which I gave to them in a disorganized heap and they put everything together very nicely. I didn't use the pro photographer for the reception because I thought it was too expensive and we had already splurged in other areas (Castaways, extended reception, premium bar, fire dancers...). We relied on friends and family to video / photograph the reception. I still haven't seen any of their photos since it was just last Saturday and it will take a while for everyone to get organized and send us their stuff. I opted for "bride getting ready" and "ceremony" pro photos. All photos and video were ready for us to pick up two days after the wedding, which was amazing. I will post pics as soon as I finish unpacking and get around to digging out the CD. Oh, and regarding the order of things, I didn't make those decisions. Our wedding coordinator was there to orchestrate all of that with our MC (my maid of honor) and the DJ. We just followed along with whatever they told us it was time for. So much less stress that way...

@@DestiBride

I'm glad that your wedding turned out to be a success. Do you have any pics that you can share?

Thank you! We got prints of all of our photos (bride getting ready and ceremony) so I have yet to dig out the CD and put pics online. Will do soon!

[Tiffany Ellison]

Just got back from my wedding and it was absolutely AMAZING!

Francina was our wedding coordinator and executed everything just the way I imagined.

We got married at the fountains (BEAUTIFUL) had our cocktail hour at the gardens right off the fountains, and then our reception at the carnival terrace.

It started raining during our first dance and Francina and team rushed to pick up the table and move it to the covered area of the terrace. She even saved the cake BEFORE any one else thought about it!!!!

The rain there only lasts for 3-5 minutes and then our party resumed.. such a great memory!!! Wouldn't have changed it even if I could!!

Our guests raved about the dinner! We had the heart of palm salad, lobster bisque, champagne sorbet, steak and lobster, and the mocha dessert. We were all so stuffed but still made room for cake because that was THE BEST wedding cake I have EVER had!! (We had lemon cake with strawberry filling)

We used WBA (photographers onsite) and are more than happy with the way all the pictures turned out. Our photographer was Amy (Amalia?) We will really cherish these pictures forever!

 

The spa (Hair/makeup) left a lot to be desired, however. I may have had too high of expectations... I ended up redoing the curls in my hair and also my eye makeup. (And I'm not so sure the spa knew how to apply false eyelashes) All's well that ends well, though... the groom LOVED my hair and eyelashes

 

I feel like this should also be said-- We stayed in a preferred club ocean view room... Which was actually a pool view room with a SLIGHT view of the ocean. I was initially extremely upset with our room as I felt it was deceiving, but decided not to let it ruin the vacation/wedding and I ended up really enjoying it! 

[Feath07]

@@deelirious Thanks for the info.  very useful and great to know!

@@Tiffany Ellison great post! So helpful, thanks!

@@Tiffany Ellison  if you don't mind me asking, how many guests did you end up having?