Generations Riviera Maya 2015 Weddings (And 2014 Too)

[girlinthecity97]

@@rtscent - UGH! again, SO jealous!!!  I so wish that offer had been available back when we booked. That sounds really nice, I can't wait to see pics! I know your guests are going to LOVE it. 

 

@@ChiTiff - we are still on the fence about video but are considering using Mike Cantrell (if he's still available at this late date). 

 

@@CnBWedding - unfortunately, I had to fly my stylist down because no one there will know what to do with my hair and I don't have anyone in my party who could do it.  A few others I've become friends with used The Styling Trio & Beso Brides (who's much cheaper than the Trio). Hope this helps. 

Ok Ladies - 

 

Since I'm next up (roughly 3 weeks away), the light at the end of the tunnel is FINALLY starting to show.  Maybe I should do a blog on the final planning stuff....we shall see.  Anyway, this post is more of a sanity check to see what else I need to do and maybe it will give you some ideas to do now and not procrastinate like I did LOL! 

 

Generations/Lomas - sent a detailed excel spreadsheet to our coordinator with everything we have requested along with prices etc.  With all the emails back and forth, I think some of the info previously shared got lost or dropped....My personal rain cloud of reality aka Dear Fiance suggested preparing this "one stop shop" document as did another bride friend who got married at EDR in October.  I am awaiting a couple of clarifications/confirmations then can send final payment. 

 

Items for wedding or OOT bags - the following have been ordered: 

 

- Flowers (confirmed Dear Fiance & crew will pick things up and what time)

- Boat Totes via Silkletter.com

- Black Waffle Cosmetic Bag [for "eeks & ouches" and skin so soft (mosquito repellant)]

- 1st aid drawstring bags for "eeks & ouches" content

- "eeks & ouches" content: advil packets, alka seltzer packets, emergen-c packets, band-aids & neo-on-the-go packets

- Custom Mexico poster for guests to sign

- flower girl pearl bracelets

- mini silver beaded frames for placecards

- personalized ribbons for zipper of black waffle bag

- customized NC bbq sauce (nod to his NC roots

- engraved "love, honor & old bay" crab mallets (nod to my Baltimore roots! GO RAVENS lol) 

- 2.5 oz metal mist/spray bottles for skin so soft to go in

 

Left to Dos: 

 

- black tissue paper for OOT bags

- OOT Welcome Letter

- Weekend Itinerary

- Catamaran Cruise Menu selections 

- 8.5 x 11 silver/wedding style picture frames for table numbers

- design place cards & table numbers

- update wedding site and wedding facebook page with info re Whassap so people can text each other at the resort while in airplane mode to avoid international roaming charges

- flowergirl purse/satchels in lieu of basket

- embroidered hankies for parents

- clothes to wear during our stay!!! (should probably move up to #1) 

Edited January 26, 2015 by girlinthecity97

[girlinthecity97]

Ok Ladies -

 

Because no wedding goes off without a few curve balls...can you please weigh in on the following:

• Sound Equipment - my onsite coordinator does not think the sound speakers will be sufficient on the pier for a group our size (roughly 60 people) and the open space.  Anyone have thoughts on this? She suggests we either rent the DJ equipment or hire a DJ.  HELP PLEASE!!!  Music & dancing really make the reception so I would hate for the total experience to be thrown off by inability to really hear the music or keep the momentum going etc...
   
• Family Style - given the diverse preferences our guests have, we think it makes sense to go the family style route.  Does anyone know if the portions are sufficient/satisfying?  My fiance is concerned the portions will be limited - leaving guests hungry?

[girlinthecity97]

Hi Again -

 

Is anyone doing candles?  I hear it can be windy so it was suggested I use LEDs but I'd really prefer actual candles.  What are you ladies doing?

Edited January 27, 2015 by girlinthecity97

[rtscent]

@@girlinthecity97 I think it's a little frustrating that they're just now telling you that you'll need a DJ equipment for your reception. I'm also having my reception at the pier and was told that the regular sound equipment would suffice. Is Hiring a DJ in your budget?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[girlinthecity97]

@@rtscent - BEYOND!  She said for that many people the music will not be loud enough. I asked my TA and she thinks I should trust what the WC is saying - her (TA's) other couples who rented the speakers were smaller groups and using an smaller and in some cases indoor space like one of the restaurants.

 

We have a conference call so hopefully that will shed some light.  The TA said the DJs offered are both great but just don't get enough reviews.  Given the equipment is just as much if not MORE than one of the Lomas DJs, I'm wondering if we should just hire the cheaper of the 2 and provide him with the mix my person is making. I checked out the playlists and they don't have certain artists we want as part of the mix.   One bright spot is we seem to be way under what we budgeted for the ceremony/reception so I think we can swing it. It is just the principle & being so close to the wedding date to learn this! I would have figured something out months ago if this was the case.

 

While I feel stress/anxiety creeping in....I am going to stay positive - loose ends are being tied, OOT bag supplies have been shipped & are enroute....list items are being crossed off!

Edited January 27, 2015 by girlinthecity97

[AllieH]

ok I'm frustrated for you! 

 

we used DJ All Music and were very happy with them. the price difference between DJ All Music & Mega DJ is that All Music has an MC announce everything. I liked that - took the pressure off of us/one of our guests to keep things moving. they had a good planning sheet that we completed and sent to Lomas prior to the wedding. 

 

they will use their own laptop to run the music, and have you fill out a requested song list. my suggestion is fill it up with so much stuff that they don't have room to go off on their own. they also asked us what we wanted that wasn't on their list, and tried to accommodate that. You could also bring the music you want that they don't have on a USB, so they can pull it into their laptop.

 

if you want candles, you'll need hurricane glass vases to go around them and protect them from the wind. they will not stay lit on the pier....they'll blow out very quickly. I'd do the flickering LED candles honestly. set them inside an opaque little candle holder and only the very nosey will realize they are LED. 

 

 

@@rtscent - BEYOND!  She said for that many people the music will not be loud enough. I asked my TA and she thinks I should trust what the WC is saying - her (TA's) other couples who rented the speakers were smaller groups and using an smaller and in some cases indoor space like one of the restaurants.

 

We have a conference call so hopefully that will shed some light.  The TA said the DJs offered are both great but just don't get enough reviews.  Given the equipment is just as much if not MORE than one of the Lomas DJs, I'm wondering if we should just hire the cheaper of the 2 and provide him with the mix my person is making. I checked out the playlists and they don't have certain artists we want as part of the mix.   One bright spot is we seem to be way under what we budgeted for the ceremony/reception so I think we can swing it. It is just the principle & being so close to the wedding date to learn this! I would have figured something out months ago if this was the case.

 

While I feel stress/anxiety creeping in....I am going to stay positive - loose ends are being tied, OOT bag supplies have been shipped & are enroute....list items are being crossed off!

[girlinthecity97]

@@AllieH - Thanks (as always) for the awesome feedback!  Dear Fiance thinks we should ditch paying our DJ person to make a mix and just go with a Lomas person - loading them down with songs OR and a USB of those they don't have, so something tells me that is ultimately where we will land.  This makes me a bit sad though b/c I was REAALLY looking forward to the dope mix.  My sister had an AMAZING DJ at her wedding.  Between the food and great job the DJ did - making it a non-stop party has people STILL talking about her wedding 11 years later!

 

Thanks also for the idea of going mini- LED candlese instead of real!  I will definitely look into those.

 

I am really (and quite frankly FINALLY starting to get excited....the only thing is resolving this DJ dilemma .

[AllieH]

@@girlinthecity97 - you are most welcome. I just kept reminding myself that this is so much easier than planning a wedding at home. DW's aren't without their own stress, pain points and weirdness for sure. 

 

DJ All Music did a great job for us - we danced the entire time (and I'm not a dancer - only at weddings...). It helped that they played music we all loved. And didnt play the stuff we said absolutely NOT to play. I think they will still give you a dope mix. and if they happen to play something you aren't fond of, tell them to change it! 

 

@@AllieH - Thanks (as always) for the awesome feedback!  Dear Fiance thinks we should ditch paying our DJ person to make a mix and just go with a Lomas person - loading them down with songs OR and a USB of those they don't have, so something tells me that is ultimately where we will land.  This makes me a bit sad though b/c I was REAALLY looking forward to the dope mix.  My sister had an AMAZING DJ at her wedding.  Between the food and great job the DJ did - making it a non-stop party has people STILL talking about her wedding 11 years later!

 

Thanks also for the idea of going mini- LED candlese instead of real!  I will definitely look into those.

 

I am really (and quite frankly FINALLY starting to get excited....the only thing is resolving this DJ dilemma .

[girlinthecity97]

@@AllieH - many thanks again. We pulled the trigger and are getting a DJ. Waiting to find out which one. Dear Fiance still has the side eye regarding choice based on the playlist i downloaded so we are having our dj download her mix to a thumb drive (thanks for the suggestion) and will just give it to them to play. She said it will have to be in 4 files so hopefully they will transition into each nicely.

 

You are so right regarding DWs being worth it in the end. We came in way under what we budgeted or would be paying if we did it in my hometown like I initially wanted. Guests also would not be getting the type of welcome bags they are getting.

 

Now to turn my case of the spazzies to the tiny details that are like pebbles in a shoe. Lolol

 

Did you do favors?

Fellow planners are you doing them?

 

Dear Fiance says no to any because of the OOT totes and place cards will be in mini silver frames. I still feel some type of way about no favors.

[AllieH]

@@girlinthecity97 - there you go, a good back up plan! 

 

we did favors, but our OOT bags were not elaborate, and we didn't spring for an excursion for everyone. so I felt favors were needed. I think if you've done generous OOT bags, and you have the little frames, just be clear that those are the favors for your guests and don't worry about anything else. 

 

our favors were fairly simple too - small ornaments with our wedding date on them that looked like sand dollars. they could double as a diffuser for scented oil too. 

 

@@AllieH - many thanks again. We pulled the trigger and are getting a DJ. Waiting to find out which one. Dear Fiance still has the side eye regarding choice based on the playlist i downloaded so we are having our dj download her mix to a thumb drive (thanks for the suggestion) and will just give it to them to play. She said it will have to be in 4 files so hopefully they will transition into each nicely.

You are so right regarding DWs being worth it in the end. We came in way under what we budgeted or would be paying if we did it in my hometown like I initially wanted. Guests also would not be getting the type of welcome bags they are getting.

Now to turn my case of the spazzies to the tiny details that are like pebbles in a shoe. Lolol

Did you do favors?
Fellow planners are you doing them?

Dear Fiance says no to any because of the OOT totes and place cards will be in mini silver frames. I still feel some type of way about no favors.