Generations Riviera Maya 2015 Weddings (And 2014 Too)

[AllieH]

FYI - Mike Cantarell is on their list - Mexican Wedding Photo. they offer both photo and video services. Mike is also on BDW, so you can do a search for his work, and/or contact him.

 

@@hanaefaith

 

I haven't heard much about Mike Cantarell. I'm really torn about whether or not I want to cough up another $800 for video or just go with whoever is on Lomas' list. I really wish they'd expand the preferred vendors. We already have our photog and he's NOT on the list. 

[girlinthecity97]

@@rtscent - thanks very much for the tip about overnightprints! I really like the site and am JEALOUS you have a graphic designer friend! My save the dates will not be connected to my invites LOL.  I purchased 35 of these http://www.zazzle.com/riviera_maya_mexico_postcard_retro_style-239658713641614802 and a cute mexico resort stamp to go with, to send to my aunts and others who don't do email or social media. In hindsight, I kind of wish I'd done something different but I remind myself it's just a save the date. 

 

I REALLY like that you have a design you can carry all the way through and are doing a brochure style invite. I'm torn between a pocket style and those new booklet styles that I keep seeing on various sites. I guess to tie the postcard design in, I'll make my luggage tags with a beach background.  I plan to send those with the invites. 

Edited April 4, 2014 by girlinthecity97

[rtscent]

I'm so relieved, my guests exceeded my room block today which means I don't have to come out of pocket for the deposits! Such a huge relief! So far, I have nearly 22 guests and counting. I'm going to leave people alone at this point and see who else books their room, but now the pressure is gone. I'm going to send a special "thank you for confirming your accomodations" email and remind everyone else next month. 

 

I'm going to focus on my dress in the next month or so. I really love pronovias dresses. What are you ladies wearing? @@girlinthecity97 @@hanaefaith

[girlinthecity97]

@@rtscent - that is WONDERFUL!!! How did you get them to book so fast!? I have 6 days left before practically the entire deposit hits us.  Only 4 people have reserved rooms so far!  As for dresses, I too LOVE Pronovias!  I have only been tearing out pictures of dresses and putting them in my planner to take with me when I go dress hunting. I don't plan to start doing that until June because I hope to have my 1st 30 lbs down by then. I'm at 15 now and hoping to make it 20 by the end of this month.   

 

I am also debating on what type of reception dress I want. I'm justifying this since I'm not doing a Trash the Dress shoot.  I want something really beautiful but comfortable and fun. 

Edited April 18, 2014 by girlinthecity97

[rtscent]

@@girlinthecity97

 

In regards to the deposits,Try these tips, they seemed to have worked for me:

 

1. Send out email/blog posts showing them how to make the deposit and remind them that there is 6 days left to book.  Mention that the hotel could sell out and the rates may increase if they wait to book after your due date. ( this really happened to my mom's friend who got married in Cancun) 

 

2. Give a shout out to everyone who has booked on Facebook and tag them, this will remind other people to book their trip.

 

3. Have your sister or close family friend reach out to family members and close friends who really should be booking and have them send a friendly email saying that if anyone has any questions contact me, we really hope to see you all there, etc.

 

4. If anyone is having "trouble" booking, have your travel agent or planner (if you're using one) contact them directly to resolve any issues

 

I hope these tips help! Its SO STRESSFUL, I KNOW.

 

For the dress, I'm still considering renting, so I'm near LA and we're going to take a trip to Korea Town to their bridal district to see what they have. The Pronovias dress I'm looking at converts to a mini dress. 

 

What photographer are you leaning towards? 

[girlinthecity97]

@@rtscent - thanks very much for those tips! I'm going to try them and keep you posted! Some are starting to book but they are now driving me nuts with questions about the payment plans. I'm learning they haven't even tried but are flipping out about how the plan works. LOL

 

We have booked Sascha Gluk (cancun photos).  He was the only photog we agreed on and he was very helpful in terms of suggesting the best time to get married to ensure great daylight and sunset photos and the right amount of time truly needed to capture the day. 

 

It's nuts I have a photographer but no dress, or invitations yet LOL but this is something that was really important to me.

 

I really want a video as well but the fiance doesn't want to spend another vendor fee for this so I'm considering a Lomas company for that. 

 

What about you?

 

Hope everyone had a great weekend. 

[rtscent]

@@girlinthecity97

so you're going "outside" for photography?!!! I don't know if I can take on another $800. I will take a look at your vendor though.

 

What about your honeymoon. We are going to spend a few nights at Castitas then go to Maroma where they have that fabulous beach for another 5 days.

[girlinthecity97]

@@rtscent - yes, I didn't like most of the approved photogs and the one that I thought wasn't bad, my fiance didn't like so we agreed to cough up the $800 for that.  Right now we aren't paying it for any other vendors. I'm flying my hair stylist down and she'll be staying as a guest so I got around that $800 but am paying for her room and flight so I'm still paying. Are you mainly using outside vendors? 

 

As for our honeymoon - I'm the hold up. We haven't done anything on this. Pre-engagement, I was planning to rent a villa for me and 6- 8 friends to stay in for a week or so to celebrate a milestone birthday in May 2015.  Now that we are getting married in 2015, the Fiance has suggested we just do a 2-3 week trip anywhere I want to go that will serve as honeymoon & birthday. I'm not sure If I want to do that. Call me greedy but I'd like to do both a Honeymoon and have my staffed villa party LOL. Though given how much our wedding budget has grown, I know doing both is unrealistic. 

 

Your honeymoon plans sound fab! I heard from another bride I met at the Karisma dress rehearsal that the casitas are amazing and the maroma suites are equally fantastic!

Edited April 22, 2014 by girlinthecity97

[rtscent]

@@girlinthecity97 so we are not using any outside vendors as of yet. I don't know how everything is getting out of control, but I'm way over budget already. I currently have 44 guests, I'm assuming I'm going to have a big wedding, so I'm hopeful that we will qualify for some of the wedding promotions, i'm working with Valeria now to try to find out what I already qualify for. My hair and makeup people are coming as guests so I don't need to worry about that! Do you have a wedding planner / travel agent for your group? 

[girlinthecity97]

@@rtscent - Ah! Hopefully she'll have something to help you out. I hear you about the budget. Mine is looking out of control but I'm hoping to reign it in with the use of some local vendors.  Once I know how many people I actually have to plan for, then I can move forward with those negotiations and logistics.  I am using a travel co. My fiance, also known as "My personal rain cloud of reality" is the budget owner and has given me the  for what I have listed so far. LOL

Edited April 24, 2014 by girlinthecity97