Generations Riviera Maya 2015 Weddings (And 2014 Too)

[rtscent]

@@girlinthecity97 frames are favors girl! I've been to sooo many weddings where the frames have been the favors. I have always liked that too!

 

I'm doing a welcome package, so I really want to find a cheap favor when I get there, like macaroons or something.

 

For the welcome package, I really don't want to stress too much so I'm doing a custom printed beach towel, a small bottle of foaming bath soak (which I'm making at work), a candle (making at work), & biodegradable sunscreen with a little welcome note with our itinerary printed on there.

 

 

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[calgarybride2015]

@@ChiTiff - ok, I'm a bad example here - I totally whiffed on tipping for the wedding. It didn't occur to me, and I didn't plan - we didn't have cash on us after the reception. FAIL!!!!

 

We *should* have tipped the WC and the wait staff at minimum. If you go with the more traditional tipping, the DJ and officiant should have been tipped too (although our officiant was gone immediately after the ceremony - we didn't have the opportunity to tip, even if we planned on it).

I also forgot to bring the money with me as I had planned to ask the coordinator is a lump sum for the wait staff was ok and ran out of time. At the reception I quickly asked her if I. Could drop off the tip the next day and she said yes as she had a list of all who was working for our wedding. She also said the head of that night knew he'd have to split it up. I trust they did that!!! I had no idea what to tip though. I left $70 for WC, $170 for wait staff (which I think they probably also split between set up screw & DJ) and $50 for photographer. Like you said the minister was gone quickly and we were pulled in so many directions.

 

 

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[CnBWedding]

Hello again,

 

Has anyone gotten any feedback from their guests so far about the cost?  I am having major DW guilt as GRM is one of the more expensive resorts in the area and I know a few of our loved ones will have a tough time paying their rates, even with the group discount through our TA.  I know we can't please everyone, and the essentials will be there (moms, dad, siblings, close friends) but I know there are some people who genuinely want to be there but won't be able to fit it in their budget.  I thought GRM rates were reasonable until I looked at some of the other resorts like Dreams.

 

Then again you get what you pay for and GRM just seems so lovely and the food alone is unmatched.  IDK!

[girlinthecity97]

@@AllieH @@rtscent - Thanks for saving me from myself! Mini frames it will be! My mom said the same thing as you ladies.

 

I love what you did Allie and are making Rtscent. That sounds so cool. I cannot wait to see pics!

 

So they just confirmed the DJ will be Mega DJ. I will be sure to let you know if this was worth it or not and if we really could have gotten away with the ipod speaker situation instead.

 

As for moving my ceremony time due to the time zone change, they would only do 4pm. Not the exact time requested but will take it.

 

My welcome and reception dresses arrived yesterday!!! Hopefully they fit! My custom poster I plan to use as a guest book also arrived as did my travel size spray bottles. Needless to say I will be busy this weekend.

Edited January 31, 2015 by girlinthecity97

[girlinthecity97]

@@CnBWedding - yes, yes, and yes some more! I never thought I would be getting married without people like my Gran, godmother, aunts and uncles and some of my cousins etc. there but they aren't.

 

My own mom was very vocal about how she felt doing this was so unfair and "just not right! Not everyone has money to travel like you" in response to some of the complaints she received from some of her friends and relatives who expressed wanting to be there but couldn't due to cost.

 

I asked my fiance on quite a few occasions if we really were doing the right thing and maybe we should either: a) back out (which clearly we didn't do) or try to do an AHR to appease some of the grumblings (we also aren't doing).

 

He reminded me that this is about us and that we have done everything possible to enable anyone who wants to come to be able to do so. Those who are meant to be will be with the exception of my 97 year old Gran who has bad knees and early stages of alzheimers. We will send her a photobook.

 

While I still feel badly (especially given how expensive some people's flights are) he is right. We did everything we could from locking in over a year in advance to secure the grand opening rates etc. since Generations was in its final construction phase to splitting our block between Generations and EDR so guests not bringing kids (the majority of our group) could have a less expensive & kid-free option, to letting everyone know a year out and posting fare sale info periodically on our wedding website and Facebook page since I knew decent flights could be limited since it is a popular long weekend.

 

Now that the big day is fast approaching, I am glad we are doing things our way and he is right - those who are our true friends and loved ones are going to be there or have shown and extended their love and support in other ways.

 

I am happy/proud of myself for having the courage to compromise with and trust/listen to him on going the destination route as opposed to the big hometown shindig I previously always envisioned.

 

If this year plus long journey has taught me nothing else, it has shown that less is truly more (quite frankly it feels perfect now) & who our true friends and loved ones are (it WILL surprise you).

 

While hearing price complaints can be hard if not painful, remember why you guys chose this route and take comfort in the fact you have done/are doing whatever you can to make it accessible, then focus on making the day/weekend the special moment you guys envision!

Edited January 31, 2015 by girlinthecity97

[calgarybride2015]

@@CnBWedding - yes, yes, and yes some more! I never thought I would be getting married without people like my Gran, godmother, aunts and uncles and some of my cousins etc. there but they aren't.

 

My own mom was very vocal about how she felt doing this was so unfair and "just not right! Not everyone has money to travel like you" in response to some of the complaints she received from some of her friends and relatives who expressed wanting to be there but couldn't due to cost.

 

I asked my fiance on quite a few occasions if we really were doing the right thing and maybe we should either: a) back out (which clearly we didn't do) or try to do an AHR to appease some of the grumblings (we also aren't doing).

 

He reminded me that this is about us and that we have done everything possible to enable anyone who wants to come to be able to do so. Those who are meant to be will be with the exception of my 97 year old Gran who has bad knees and early stages of alzheimers. We will send her a photobook.

 

While I still feel badly (especially given how expensive some people's flights are) he is right. We did everything we could from locking in over a year in advance to secure the grand opening rates etc. since Generations was in its final construction phase to splitting our block between Generations and EDR so guests not bringing kids (the majority of our group) could have a less expensive & kid-free option, to letting everyone know a year out and posting fare sale info periodically on our wedding website and Facebook page since I knew decent flights could be limited since it is a popular long weekend.

 

Now that the big day is fast approaching, I am glad we are doing things our way and he is right - those who are our true friends and loved ones are going to be there or have shown and extended their love and support in other ways.

 

I am happy/proud of myself for having the courage to compromise with and trust/listen to him on going the destination route as opposed to the big hometown shindig I previously always envisioned.

 

If this year plus long journey has taught me nothing else, it has shown that less is truly more (quite frankly it feels perfect now) & who our true friends and loved ones are (it WILL surprise you).

 

While hearing price complaints can be hard if not painful, remember why you guys chose this route and take comfort in the fact you have done/are doing whatever you can to make it accessible, then focus on making the day/weekend the special moment you guys envision!

Well said! You will quickly learn who your true friends and loved ones are. It was a hard and painful experience at times for us too, but looking back I grew a lot as a person, rid myself Of drama/people that really shouldn't have been in my life and grew/fostered the right relationships 150%. Now that I've been home a week I think about our time in Mexico and know we did the right thing. It was all I could ever have dreamed of and more. Our guests had a blast and we got so many compliments on it being the best wedding they'd ever been to and being there for a week with friends and family was more than they'd ever realize it would be. So while I know it sucks to have this guilt (we all do) trust in what you and fiancé want

 

 

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[lauralane]

Hey ladies! Just checking in on the chain -- I'm not sure why my work doesn't understand I have a wedding to plan and is insisting on keeping me so busy right now 

 

@@girlinthecity97 - I did pick the family style menu because our wedding coordinator Marisol really talked it up when we went to visit. She compared it to the Argentinian steakhouses like Brazzaz or something with passed trays of entrees by different waiters... it sounded like a fun way for everyone to try a lot of different stuff. I believe that only the sides and salad type things are served per table to pass by the guests. The food there is so good in general that I'm pretty  much thinking there's no bad choice!

 

On the whole flower thing... I ended up just picking one of the pre-set bouquets and calling it a day. We're doing less flowers that I would have anywhere else (I love flowers!) but we're basically only doing bouquets for me and my bridesmaids! I hope it looks OK the day of but I honestly am just sick of dealing with it... that's the spirit, right? My fiance is NOT into the whole "let's go pick them up!" idea so I'm glad to hear that SOMEONE is sticking it to them at least a little bit... you go girl! I bet it will be beautiful!

 

GOD BLESS YOU for sharing your vendor for the totes... I've been looking everywhere and these are so cute and so reasonable. 

 

I am SO EXCITED that it's so close for you! Two weeks! I'm at almost exactly one month and I just can't believe its' almost here. Super super excited to see your pictures!

 

@@rtscent - your job sounds way cooler than mine! I love the idea of bath products for the bags. I really need to get it together and get my stuff ordered.

 

@CnBWedding  (and really everyone else!) on the guilt thing... oh man, yes. I may have had a little too much wine on my bachelorette trip to Sonoma and had a total ugly-cry meltdown with my sister on this topic. Our group of friends and family have such diverse life situations -- for some, this trip is NBD and for others, it's a huge expenditure. I was lucky to have visited this summer... we actually checked out two resorts, EDR and Generations and then another resort that was very nice but definitely no Generations. At the end of the day, our guests are spending probably $300 more than they would have at a less pricey one but I think the experience at Gen/EDR is so far superior to anything else, that additional cost is more than worth it. When I'm feeling really guilty about it all (or another person makes another, "wow it's so expensive" comment and I want to barf) I try to remind myself that I am 10000% positive that our guests (and yours!!) will have a vacation of a lifetime... wedding aside!  

 

Cheers, ladies... super grateful to have this forum, both for the moral support and the tips and tricks!

[CnBWedding]

@@girlinthecity97 @@lauralane Thanks so much for your feedback.  I too discussed this with my fiancé and he said the same thing about this being about us and those that really want to be there will do what they can to be there.  Having our wedding in my hometown will cost us over 20k and we know that is not what is best for us.  A few of my aunts and cousins may not make it but I am certain it will be a great experience either way.  I am also trying to discuss with our TA whether we can do a block at another hotel in the area or suggest other hotels for our guests to stay in.  Neither of us have a problem with that as long as they can make it to the property on our day.

Edited February 1, 2015 by CnBWedding

[girlinthecity97]

@@lauralane - no thanks needed! I hear you regarding searching high and low for bags.  I too went on that journey only to end up where I started.  Now that things have started arriving, I'll be sure to post my bags & contents with deets on where I got everything.  Doing all of this has made me consider opening an Etsy shop to help other brides find affordable but quality items for their weddings. 

 

Looks like we have the same WC!!!!  I too ended up doing the family style.  She said it was "very nice" and my TA confirmed it is a TON of food.  This took a lot of stress off of the menu selection.  We had a majority select the fish icon on the RSVP and my personal rain cloud of reality (AKA fiance) was making things more complicated/crazy with his feedback.LOL

 

Thanks so much for the well wish and support.  I'm running purely on adrenaline and excitement these days.  Since I didn't get confirmation from the resort about the changed ceremony time, I think I have to design & print my welcome notes and itinerary cards myself. I was SO hoping to have the people who did my invites handle this b/c my job, like yours, keeps interrupting.  

 

@@CnBWedding - I am sure your TA will come up with some great alternatives for people to stay at.  Not sure how you feel about paying for guest passes but if guests are coming to the wedding, you don't have to pay for passes b/c they are coming to attend a private dinner event.  If they want to come outside of that then you/they will have to purchase passes. 

[kfracassi]

@@CnBWedding - I have also had extreme DW guilt, with people making comments of the wedding being 1. Outside of the US and 2. Expensive. I have emailed my TA asking about the price with 3 guests in one room instead of 2, as well as possibilities of less expensive hotels in the area for other options for my guests. My fiancé talked about the DW and guilt the other day, and we came to the same conclusion as everyone else. The people who matter most will try their hardest to make it, and if for some reason they can't, we've let it be known that we understand if people can't make it.