Don't Believe Their Hype..

[LisaAnthonyPoppy]

Ok Brides,

 

After Planning my wedding for 8 months, I wanted to share some info. There will be no name dropping but just a bit of insight and encouragement.

 

If you are into hotel ceremonies and receptions bc you like it, then this post is not for you... no offense, truly.

 

If you feel you have to have your wedding at a hotel bc there is no way that you can pull it all together, take a deep breath and know that - YES YOU CAN.

 

One thing I like about weddings is not how good the cake is or what the bouquet looks like, all very important details yes, but your guests won't care, I promise

 

What I like seeing is the couple's creativity. Their own little personal flair that is unique incorporated into their wedding. The thing you see and say oh my gosh that is so them!

 

I have a friend who is a sous chef and for her table top centerpiece she had large vases each filled differently with asparagus, or some with slices oranges, then water, then flowers on top. her own touch.

 

So to be told that if I have my wedding at a resort I will pay 3k-8k and they will take care of everything and in doing so I get 1 choice of their very limited options that are tired and worn out?

 

No thanks.

 

So upon my 8 months I have learned a lot. There are many many many options in Mexico to marry. There are even more to have a reception. 

 

I had been working with a venue directly, they promised me one thing in email. Not just the manager but the chef etc. I hired a wedding planner and she told me opposite.

 

When things just didn't sound right from the wedding planner and the venue was telling me something else than she, it just got to be a big mess. And I had to just walk away.

 

Did I really really want to have my wedding there? YES. Did I like my wedding planner? YES

 

Did I feel that continuing to invest my time and potentially my money into either? NO.

 

WC response was that it might be hard for Americans and Canadians to understand but  the wedding business in Mexico is and I quote "cut throat"

 

Do I want to give my business to cut throat people?

Should I blindly just accept things that my gut instinct is telling me to be wrong just bc I think that my wedding has be perfect and held to someone else's standards of acceptability?

 

I have looked at many these vendors, ones that have the big websites etc and you know what? They could not care two.... about me at all!

 

Wedding ministers not responding, DJ's trying to hustle me for bigger packages, venues changing pricing etc.

 

You know what my previous wedding planner told me? That my venue didn't care about what they agreed to and that if I didn't like the changes, oh well the venue isn't pressed for brides and doesn't need my business so I better just accept it. Oh yes. She did.

 

That's not what I dreamed about as a little girl. And isn't it suppose to be our day?

 

So with trusting my God given instinct and 29 years of experience I went in the opposite direction and I can not tell you how happy I am.

 

I have found the most wonderful venue that is so friendly. Gives me all the choices I want. I can have a tab bar at the end of the night, I can have pre paid bar packages, I can bring my own liquor, I can, and I have created my own menu. I gave pics of the canapés I would like to have served and they have quoted me prices for those. They have beautiful furniture I can use at no extra cost. etc etc etc. In short- they rock.

 

I have found an amazing wedding officiant, Petra Rattue (ok I named dropped but shes awesome)

 

Yes I actually look forward to taking a walk to the local markets the morning of my wedding with my family and picking out flowers and creating my own bouquet. Something my previous wedding planner insisted I shouldn't be bothered with on my wedding day.I look forward setting up a couple table decorations.

 

I look forward to it all bc it's what I want and it's my day. May not be what you want, but for me it's everything. But what do you want??? Did you start with a dream and now find yourself settling?

 

Your wedding day is yours. I think vendors and wedding coordinators are awesome, if it were not for them we would still be getting married in our homes with no extras (totally acceptable too) but for the love of humanity, they need to be honest and held accountable.

 

You can make your wedding day your own. Just follow your heart <3

Hope this has encouraged you.

 

Lisa

 

 

[jennifernoel1]

Lisa,

 

Good article. I agree that your day is your day!

 

Congrats on planning

[LisaAnthonyPoppy]

@@jennifernoel1

 

Thanks Jennifer! I've visited Mexico 4 times over 10 years. My neighbor and close friend is married to a native Mexican man. We hang out 4 times a week, I've gotten to be friends with his family. They tell me what to look for and who I should contact, tips and such. I trust them. So that's been a big help.

 

I love the culture and the beauty. I'm not a Mexican historian and I know there's crooks in every country. But I refuse to believe every one there is cut throat in the wedding business.

 

I've met some really nice people there . My mother in law was married there.

 

There are good vendors and such you just have to feel them out.

 

I see your going to Jamaica. That's awesome! I'd love to go there . We've talked about it!!

[jennifernoel1]

@@LisaAnthonyPoppy

 

I've been to Mexico on a cruise and had a blast. I do agree that the people were nice.

 

Yes, I went to Jamaica and fell in love at the hotel I stayed at and I seen a wedding there. It was so beautiful that I wanted to have mine there not knowing it would be sooner than later.

 

I've been to a few countries and Jamaica is my favorite so far.

[atennille]

@LisaAnthonyPoppy Great article ! I just got rid of my travel agent, after paying her money, that I don't see where it went ! Everything was about her and how she thought things should be not ME , I got fed up. Thanks for your post, I now know that I made the right decision. :D

[maredith]

great read, i hope I'm able to pick out the bad weeds before they take all of my money!

[Tatimrivera]

Great read and absolutely true. Although I am getting married away I still want a traditional wedding and ppl have criticized me on that.

We love Jamaica and that's why we chose to get married their but ultimately I want everything traditional. It's our day so it's our way!

[LisaAnthonyPoppy]

@@atennille I'm glad I'm not the only one who has upheaved all of my planning! Its good to know there women with a little grit under their skin. @@maredith you will. You may not even need to. But if something is pulling at you or if you have been fair but you don't feel your vendor is being fair let it go . There are a million and one ppl that can offer you the same thing who will be happy to have your business.@@Tatimrivera I would love to go to Jamaica. I could do some ox tail, jerk chicken, red beans n rice all day. There's this little cafe in ATL that's got great Jamaican food. Brings back good memories... Ok I'm daydreaming.

[FutureMrsGlover]

Great post!!!  Reminds us that our wedding day is indeed about the us (bride and groom)!

[helenk]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with the first place but glad it's all working out for you! I'm not picky, but going through this site and the forums I want to add my own touches to the wedding too so I'm going to try and bring some of my own decor and have them set it up at the ceremony. We are on a tight budget so I'll have to see what we can afford to be flexible with!

 

 

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