Anyone Else Overwhelmed With Cost?

[Dimps]

I did not expect to be paying for food, napkins, table cloths etc. I figured being an all inclusive resort those items were taken care of already. That's what I get for wanting a little privacy. I chose the private reception option.

[Lia33]

@@Dimps I haven't thought about the napkins, tablecloths, etc....is this the case at most resorts? Does it depend on your package or are people paying for this separately if they have a specific style/color they want?

[kmk2016]

@@Dimps I haven't thought about the napkins, tablecloths, etc....is this the case at most resorts? Does it depend on your package or are people paying for this separately if they have a specific style/color they want?

I've never seen a resort that doesn't offer "standard decor and place settings" with their private menu events. It's when you want to fancy it up and do something special or unique where there are added costs.

 

It's a good reminder for future brides to research not only things like proximity to the beach and the room amenities, but to do your research on your resorts wedding packages and what is/isn't included before moving forward. For us- I wasn't keen on a big inclusive wedding package that had things like photos and flowers because, I would rather select the elements that were important and pay for those separately rather than get inclusions I wouldn't use. YES this style feels like nickle and diming at times but id rather pay a premium for what I want rather than waste a bit of cash of useless stuff!! That's just me!!

 

 

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Edited August 31, 2014 by kmk2016

[Lia33]

@@kmk2016 Hey nothing wrong with that! It's great to spend more on the things that are most important to you and be able to customize/choose exactly what you want.For me, I've heard great things about the photography company my resort uses so I'm totally fine with using theirs. I prefer the packages as I do not want to add more planning for myself lol My resort has basic simple decor which is what I'd likely stick with other than the sashes and arch for the ceremony. 

[calgarybride2015]

I've never seen a resort that doesn't offer "standard decor and place settings" with their private menu events. It's when you want to fancy it up and do something special or unique where there are added costs.

 

It's a good reminder for future brides to research not only things like proximity to the beach and the room amenities, but to do your research on your resorts wedding packages and what is/isn't included before moving forward. For us- I wasn't keen on a big inclusive wedding package that had things like photos and flowers because, I would rather select the elements that were important and pay for those separately rather than get inclusions I wouldn't use. YES this style feels like nickle and diming at times but id rather pay a premium for what I want rather than waste a bit of cash of useless stuff!! That's just me!!

 

 

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Exactly why I chose the free package with the upgrades I wanted!! No fluff I don't need

 

 

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@@kmk2016 Hey nothing wrong with that! It's great to spend more on the things that are most important to you and be able to customize/choose exactly what you want.For me, I've heard great things about the photography company my resort uses so I'm totally fine with using theirs. I prefer the packages as I do not want to add more planning for myself lol My resort has basic simple decor which is what I'd likely stick with other than the sashes and arch for the ceremony.

Who's your resorts photog?

 

My package includes all of that -- the basics and nothing over the top. All white. I am paying for colored chair sashes though. My resort includes an amount of people in the package that includes chairs, tables, basic linen, food, booze, appies, etc. The minute you go over you pay a price per person but that also includes it all.... 

 

Phew hope that made sense, it's late!

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[Lia33]

@@calgarybride2015

Lol you made sense no worries! My resorts photography is from Blue Lense. I checked out their site as well as chatted with people who have used them and no negative comments!

Does your resort charge a lot per person once you're past the amount included? My resort is $125 per person after the 30 :/  This includes all festivities but it's a lot....really hoping we aren't that far beyond the 30 but we are budgeting for exceeding the 30 so it'll be fine.

Edited August 31, 2014 by Lia33

[calgarybride2015]

@@calgarybride2015

Lol you made sense no worries! My resorts photography is from Blue Lense. I checked out their site as well as chatted with people who have used them and no negative comments!

 

Does your resort charge a lot per person once you're past the amount included? My resort is $125 per person after the 30 :/ This includes all festivities but it's a lot....really hoping we aren't that far beyond the 30 but we are budgeting for exceeding the 30 so it'll be fine.

Our packages only include 10! The price depends on what package your are in. I can't say what those prices are without looking. I changed it up a little -- my package only included an ala carte --What I did was chose to upgrade my location so my fees changed. I paid more to upgrade mr location to the private beach palapa but then I no longer had anyone included and I paid a price per person for everyone! The menu I chose (buffet) was about $32 per person. That includes all the stuff I listed before. This is for 3 hours. Since I chose to extend to 6 hours I had to pay 3 hours of open bar per person which for the cheapest booze is another $8.45 per person per hour. All said and done my wedding is about $4500 before our trip costs and photography. We have about 47 people but 3 kids are free. $125 is a lot!! Does it include anything extra special.

 

Thanks! Our resort photog is Adventure Photos. Some good work some not. Did my research and found out who the actual

Photog was that did the stuff I loved. I was told I can request her as she works on site. Narrowed it down to 2. Still debating.

 

 

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Edited August 31, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[calgarybride2015]

If we have any $$ left over which we might from a booking bonus I think I will get a mariachi band

 

 

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[KAT2015]

I've just been reading through ALL the posts on this one.  I'm glad I'm not alone!

 

I went into the idea of a DW thinking that I could do the whole thing for under 10k.  And actually, I would bet that I could.  But then comes the guest list - we've had some people from England RSVP already and we weren't sure anyone was coming from there.  And then the dress - I was sure I could do mine for $500 - $600 - and I could have, but that perfect dress I tried on was $850...

 

It adds up, but here is how I am planning to save costs while still adding some decor to the ceremony/reception...

 

1) Our set up is white at beach ceremony - instead of paying for the resort to do chair sashes we can get them for .65 each.  If we do them, we'll have them only on the back row of chairs and aisle.  Also, we can bring tissue poms with us and have them tied onto our aisle sashes for no extra charge (as per my WC).  Throw two more up on the bamboo gazebo and there is some colour.

 

However - the resort doesn't charge for programs, so if I make a few programs and attach small poms with ribbons on it, I can likely have them hung over the chairs for colour at no charge.  Just depends on what is more cost efficient on our end.

 

2) For the reception its all white too.  No chair sashes - the resort doesn't charge us for place cards.  So I will make the name cards, attach them onto ribbons in our wedding colours and have them hung over the back of the chair  (with a charm/weight on the other end) or tied on.  

 

3) For the centrepieces, I am hoping to do a piece of driftwood in the centre, with a couple plain pillar candles wrapped in some rope.  Hopefully the candles will be in one of our colours.  I may skip the pillar candles, and do small candle favours, because the resort will not charge for that either (so all they have to do is throw a piece of driftwood on there).  Again, it comes down to what our cost would be to make/bring it vs the set up fee for something simpler.  I'll probably bring some fake flower petals down to add some colour to the table instead of a runner/table cloth.

 

 

I would suggest you find out from your resorts if they charge set up for favours/programs/place cards and use that to your advantage.  

 

We're saving on photography by bringing our own - it'll be about $2000 (just their travel costs) at the end of the day, but that includes a full day of coverage (12 hours) with our photographer and her assistant, plus a TTD.  She would do a free engagement session, but we aren't in her city, and will also cover another event for us (so rehearsal or stagette) if it works with the timing.  So we are still saving in comparison.

 

In our budget, we are trying to keep aside enough money to pay for my mother's trip as well.  

 

We are trying to look at the big costs and get the most bang for our buck - photography you are always going to spend a lot if you don't just go with the standard 36 photos your resort gives you.  We'll find our best choices, and save money on the smaller things!

[calgarybride2015]

I am not sure I viewed any resorts that included photography in their packages!  This is new to me to hear of this.

 

None the less, I agree, you can totally find cheaper options.   Aside from the flowers I splurged on, I did my table centerpieces for approx $8.50 per table.   Each table will have 1 pink frame for the table number, 3 mini white pails blinged out with a votive inside, sea shells scattered and that's about it!     My BM's bouquets (plus 1 extra) will serve as the flowers for the tables too.

 

Using our maraca favors to also add a splash of color as well.

 

I splurged for the colored chair sashes - they are $2.95 each but one less thing I have to pack and I don't want to have to sell them once I get home.  That was worth it for me. We have SOOO much to pack between the cups and the maracas already.

 

I also looked into bringing a photographer from Calgary but most wanted their normal costs and their travel expenses..ummmm not really in my budget to spend $5500 on that.  I am sure I could find one for the cost like you - but I am ok to find one in Mexico.