Generations Riviera Maya 2015 Weddings (And 2014 Too)

[girlinthecity97]

@@lauralane - Apologies but I also meant to extend sincere thanks to you as well for all your help in my meltdown moment.  Between you, @@AllieH & chatting with a couple other Karisma brides I've become friends with (one just got married and another got married back in October), I think I can see the "light" and start to breathe a little. THANK YOU! 

 

So you are definitely right re the vendor fee for picking up flowers in the lobby.  We had a conference call with our agent the other night and she too was basically on team "Hell No" but did say we would NOT be charged if we went in town to get them.  Since we don't have a ton of flowers AND Vanessa Jaimes is located only 20 min away, my fiance, his best man (doesn't know it yet hehe) and possibly one other guy will be going to get everything from her studio the morning of the wedding. I REFUSE to give them the kind of money they are charging.  It's nuckin futs.  It's bad enough I'm paying $200 for what's probably $40 sheers but Mr. Numbers (my fiance) says for what it will cost in extra luggage fees etc, it's worth it to only buy and bring down what we can't manage to work with of their offerings. 

 

I also enlisted my agent's help on fighting about this but she basically said they have gotten "hip" and are really cracking down. 

 

As for the onsite team, unless some changes have been made, I am told the "dynamic duo" that cover Generations & EDR are NOT the easy breezy let things slide type.  My friend that got married back in October said they were awful to deal with and had to get our TA involved to help resolve some issues she encountered.  I truly hope this does NOT freak you or anyone out but I just thought I'd share because I too have read many posts on this site re the onsite folks being a lot easier to deal with and was thinking like everyone else "eh, I'll just battle with the onsite team and not stress about x".  She did have rave reviews about Generations, EDR, the food and what a wonderful time her guests had in spite of. 

 

I too booked Generations for ONE kid (my niece who is in the wedding) but now have a few more coming.  My college bestie locked in so her 2 little girls are definitely in and will be flower girls and another friend is bringing her twins since the resort is family friendly.  As your guests book you may be surprised by how many bring their families, I was - but we are still "lopsided" room count wise. The bulk of our guests are at EDR with 10 rooms booked at Generations. 

 

I too also booked Generations for the skydeck which at the time was under construction and no where near complete.  The resort itself hadn't opened yet but was in the final stages of constructions. I received confirmation it is 100% complete and I know you will have a beautiful reception there.  We have decided to just trust the gut and going in reverse of you - Wedding & Cocktail hour are on the skydeck & our reception will be on the Pier. 

 

@@AllieH - THANK YOU (as always) for the cocktail hour/pics and pool deck feedback.  Since you mentioned the pools closing on the early side and I read over on tripadvisor complaints the pool is freezing, I'm hoping that a pool deck reception from maybe 4-5 (or 5:30 if I can get it extended for a half hour to an hour) will be ok. I basically want to use this time to hand out my OOT bags and say hello to everyone. 

 

While I have yet to find a pool deck picture, I did find pics that laid out the sections of the sky deck so I feel a lot better re the Cocktail hour and Ceremony both being there.  Pics are MAJORLY important (we had our photog booked before we secured the resort & scheduled a meeting with him when we went to the BDR) so I'm hoping what my friend says is true re people being distracted with taking pics post-ceremony since we'll be doing so, delaying the start of the cocktail hour so it won't feel like such a long time.  We will also come back up should we get finished with pics early.  I really want to take posed ones with the families and maybe some friends post-ceremony, then pics on the beach and other places around the resort before taking pics at the reception.  He prefers it be dark for the reception.  

 

I was successful in getting them to change the times for everything so I'm ultimately hoping to do the cocktail from 4-5:30pm then have the reception go from 5:30-10:00pm. 

 

Now to actually order my OOT bags and other items and start putting that together!  

 

Thanks again ladies for your support and patience! I FINALLY feel things are coming together - now for last min guests to STOP booking (though I shouldn't complain because it's better than the alternative - last min cancellations).

@@EriLu11 - CONGRATS!  We are going with a Memorable Moments package for the reception.  One tip we learned during the BDR is that it's cheaper to pick the MM package you like best and then you can tweak it without incurring much (if anything) charge wise, depending on what changes you want to make - unless you plan to bring a lot down.  So for instance, I chose the Coast Bliss but don't want the seat covers & want plain silver charges.  These are being swapped for no additional charge. 

 

I also think it's important to make "peace" with their fees/charges and budget them in or figure ways to get around it.  When I was trying to decide and lurking on this site, the Karisma/Lomas fees seemed to be the biggest point of frustration (understandably).  

 

My other piece of advice is figure out as much as you can without headcount so you are a crazy chicken with your head cut off like me!  I didn't decide cocktail menu or food menu citing "I need my head count" and now feel a bit overwhelmed with having to do so 3 - 4 weeks out.  This goes for securing your location and decor.  You can ALWAYS make changes so don't be afraid to lock in. 

 

Happy Planning! 

Edited January 22, 2015 by girlinthecity97

[rtscent]

@@girlinthecity97 I would like to thank You! I've been following this thread meticulously and everything that you just went through has helped me with my planning! Ally's advice has been incredible and I know that this thread has helped me tremendously with the planning of my wedding and I'm so grateful for everyone who is contributed on this thread!

 

I just want to throw in my two cents on the outside vendor flowers, I too have been struggling with the idea of whether to bring fake flowers or use an off-site vendor. I definitely do not want to incur the 800 dollar fee so I did have this checked out with my TA & and WC. My TA is actually at generations right now they both wrote me the other night and said that I could do outside flowers as long as they were not delivered to the lobby I would have to go and get them myself or have one of my wedding guest go get them and bring them back to the hotel. As long as there are no deliveries I could get around the 800 dollar fee. I know there's been some back-and-forth on this topic however that was told to me and I do have it in writing. I purchased 10 bunches of fake white hydrangeas for my white party, however I would really love to have real flower bouquetsfor the wedding ceremony and reception

 

 

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[girlinthecity97]

@@rtscent - aww no thanks needed! I'm just thrilled the generations ladies have a thread! Back when I created it, I was wondering if we somehow made a mistake since the resort was still in final construction stages and it seemed no one else booked! I echo your sentiments regarding everyone's great tips/discussions & @AllieH 's invaluable insights.

 

Could I ask a huge fave re your TA?!?  Would she be able to provide pics of the pool deck area or insights on how private or semi-private this space is?!  We are thinking of having our welcome reception in that location but I'm unsure...we can only do it there or the beach.

 

I hear you on the flowers thing. I am not going to fight it.  Where did you get your hydrangeas from? Also what did you choose for your dinner option?  I have asked our WC if we could do the BBQ Deluxe family style or is this buffet. 

 

Ladies - does anyone know how many entree/protein options you select with the Family Style & BBQ Deluxe menus? We are thinking about these for the reception dinner. 

Edited January 22, 2015 by girlinthecity97

[rtscent]

@@girlinthecity97 I will ask my TA for pool deck pics and options on private and semi-private space options! 

I ordered my hydrangeas from http://www.bliss-bridal-weddings.com/#!product/prd3/3346991991/5-bunches-of-hydrangeas

This website has really good pricing and just about everything that I need. I have not received my flowers yet, I just ordered them so once I receive them I will post pics on the thread.

 

For my reception dinner options, I'm offering the Grilled Beef and The Salmon / Sea Bass Duo. This is from the FREE private events menu. Since I have over 20 rooms booked, I qualified for the promotion of unlimited FREE events. You do have to pay $5 pp to have 2 options. I also had to pay $500 to have my reception on the pier, but I wanted to know for sure where I was going to have it.

 

I'm not ordering off of the Banquet menu at all, I figured my guest can eat at all the amazing restaurants while staying there, and it was a nice way to save a little money. I'm using a lomas approved photographer who is wiping out my budget. I booked Sarani, which was one of my only splurges.

 

What to do about flowers though....

 

Here is a picture of the hydrangeas that I bought online:

First time I've seen so many poor reviews on GRM on Tripadvisor. I'm hoping that we get some better reviews before my invitations go out so my guests don't get skeptical     

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g659488-d5527618-Reviews-Generations_Riviera_Maya_by_Karisma-Riviera_Maya_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

[AllieH]

I'm so glad it's coming together for you ladies!!! 

[girlinthecity97]

@@AllieH - thanks same here! We all owe you huge!

 

@@rtscent - oh you hydrangeas are beautiful!!! I will check that out for phalaenopsis orchids for hair combs we are making for my flower girls and junior bridesmaid.  For flowers, check out Vanessa Jaimes.  I thought she was going to be expensive but she's REALLY reasonable and proactively offers "low, moderate and most expensive" options.  Maybe someone from your party or a family member can pick them up for you the morning of?  her location is near/at the airport so it's about a 20 min ride.

 

SOOOOOOO jealous you get to use the Unlimited Private Event offer. We signed up in Feb 2014 so we are ineligible...so I am trying to figure out if the BBQ can be served family style or if this buffet. If it's family style, then I think I will go with that and call it a life.

 

What about a rehearsal dinner? I think we are limited to just Chef Market? 

 

As for the reviews, I know! So far none of my guests staying there have ready those reviews and are still very excited.  My EDR staying guests are beyond pumped and keep telling me they can't wait.  If you encounter any skeptics, I say remind them they CAN go over to EDR and take advantage of the beaches and restaurants there.  The other bride I know who married at EDR in October was upgraded to Generations, as was her entire party and they raved about it.  She said everyone is already trying to figure out how to go back.

Edited January 23, 2015 by girlinthecity97

[rtscent]

@@girlinthecity97 for my rehearsal dinner, I'm calling this my white party. I'm having 1 hr & 30min cocktails then dinner and inviting all my guests. This is falling under the FREE events promo again. So I will not know the location until I get there. I ordered Mahi Mahi for my guests.

 

I'm sorry you didn't qualify for this promo. My wedding was 5 days from almost not qualifying I had no idea about this promo until after I signed my contract. I think the TA's should promote it more to brides before they lock down their dates.

 

 

 

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[ChiTiff]

Is anyone getting video services directly from any of the Lomas vendors?  The prices vary so widely and it has been tough to get real examples of each of them.  

 

We originally weren't going to do this, but since my Grandmother can't be there, we wanted her to see the big day.

[CnBWedding]

Hello Everyone!

 

I am a GRM bride! We set our date for November 7, 2015.  I too am very nervous about some of the details but this board has been very helpful.  I hope those brides getting married in the coming months post pics and share their experience.

 

Are any of you using outside vendors to get your hair done?  I know about the outside vendor fee, but I think flying someone out to style my hair will cost just as much, if not more.  Please share any ideas!

Edited January 26, 2015 by CnBWedding

[rtscent]

@@ChiTiff we are getting a mini video (5-7min) from Sarani for $950. Her packages are pricey however I know they offer some less expensive options through Lomas. Check out the lomas wedding site for pricing. http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/planning/

 

 

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@@CnBWedding I'm going to have my friend who is a bridesmaid do my hair for the wedding

 

 

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