Finest 2015/2016 Brides

[Clarianne]

@@Clarianne Thanks for your powerpoint. It is super helpful! Question about Archive Mexico. Are you paying a vendor fee for them instead of using the in house rental provider (Alquimia)? Thanks!

 

@@robynm10 Thanks girl!! Yes those are the PDFs they would have sent you to pick out your gazebo, flowers, etc. So not in love with the suff they have in there, I'm hoping they could at least use flowers similar to what I have on my PPT. 

 

As for Alquima, they are mad expensive but that's depending on what you're renting from them. I found that Archive Mexico has more selection and is more flexible with pricing Daniela is my contact and she totally gets my vision so I feel more confident knowing they are setting it up for me.

Edited June 18, 2016 by Clarianne

[SusanMarie813]

@@Maurindy2016 I'm so happy to hear Yanin will not ruin any more weddings. I'm sure Barbara is covering until they hire a new WC. I really hope I get Barbara but my wedding is in December so they'll probably give me the new one. I really hope the new one is the complete opposite of Yanin. I was so stressed out from that girl.

 

@@Clarianne Your PPT is awesome. I notice you keep referring to Finest Brochure for items. I don't recall seeing a brochure in anything they sent me. Is this the packets that show you pricing and options for gazebos, bouquets, boutinnieres, etc?

 

Also, did any of you use the in house decorator (Alquimia)? Are you happy with the results? Did anybody get a brochure from them with pricing? Now they're not responding to my emails!

 

So glad to hear Yanin is gone. I also wrote to them since I have 2 friends getting married here and it was because of my recommendation and how nice my wedding was. I hope Ludzary comes back she was the best! I ❤️ her she really went above and beyond to make everything perfect for us and if we had a problem she had a solution.

[Clarianne]

So glad to hear Yanin is gone. I also wrote to them since I have 2 friends getting married here and it was because of my recommendation and how nice my wedding was. I hope Ludzary comes back she was the best! I ❤️ her she really went above and beyond to make everything perfect for us and if we had a problem she had a solution.

@@SusanMarie813 - have you heard anything about Viviana by any chance? I had Ludzary before but then got switched to Vivi recently.

Edited June 19, 2016 by Clarianne

[robynm10]

Has anyone had the bonfire for either their welcome drinks or for a farewell before everyone leaves? We are struggling with what to do for a welcome cocktail hour, what time and where. We want people to enjoy the restaurants and the resort, so we don't want to occupy another one of their nights with a dinner. Any ideas what others have done? We also booked the Imperial Suite with the pool, and it comes with a bartender for a night. We were thinking of even hosting it there.

 

Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

[Maurindy2016]

Hi Friends! Made it back from our wedding! Overall, everyone had a marvelous time at the resort and wedding! Weather was PERFECT- thank God! Here's my review and some helpful tips:

 

GOLD package

# Guests: 57 (47 adults , 10 kids)

Symbolic Ceremony:

Venue: Stone Gazebo @5-5:30

Cocktail Hour (@5:30-630) + Reception: SKY Bar 6:30-11)

Color scheme: palm trees, gold, pinks, gray, white

 

 

I'm really glad I chose the Stone Gazebo. Weather was nice and sunny and standing under neath, there was a really nice breeze blowing through. And it was shaded for our family and friends and had concrete floors so guests and myself could wear heels. Located behind Building 5, it was nicely tucked away with a gorgeous beach, palm tree background. And was great for family pictures right after. We had to buy additional a ante garde chairs (package came w/ 20)-- rememeber to deduct ur wedding party in the head count for this.

 

Ceremony Music: download all your songs on Spotify and make sure they can play off-line using a phone or iPad. There's someone who will connect to speakers. Oh and make sure the officiants microphone works!

 

Cocktail followed and was nice that it was at the same area as the reception so guests didn't have to travel around too much which I liked.

 

The GOLD Package included: your choice of shells or lantern to decorate the isle, and a runner, a small podium table and a floral center piece, rose petals to sprinkle on floor or for use for flower girls.

 

TIP: I had 2 friends not in the wedding party that helped check on the decor and sent pics back to me to make sure it looked as I had envisioned. They were my eyes and ears. Asking a BM would be not possible bc they were w us through the whole day for photos.

 

TIP: Make sure you have someone tell the officiant to announce that a cocktail hour at location is immediately following !!!

 

Cocktail Hour: We did it on sky bar, it's off to the side of where the reception is, had seats , podium high tables. I brought some pics in gold frames as decor on the tables, made a sign of all the hor d'ourves. Used a Trio band that came w the package. The bridal party used that time to go take pics.

 

Reception: I used Alquima-- I didn't even think to use outside vendor, they were pricey. I used them and paid to do 2 long tables , garland center piece for each table made of greens, succulents, pink roses, upgraded gold TIffany chairs, white linens, 60 votive candles, gold chargers. I though they did a lovely job with the table decor! I brought my own table numbers.

 

I wanted to add string lights up there. Alquima charged $600 for 3 x 50ft string of globe lights ????. That's way too much-- so I ordered them on Amazon ($55 each) and brought my own lanterns. TIP: if you bring your own, they will string them up for you for free.

 

There weren't any additional lights up there, and I really wanted to lighten it up for photos. Glad I did.

I also got a garland of flowers for the bride groom table. Brought my own "Mr&Mrs" sign. And brought my own gold sequin table cloth.

 

The package also comes with welcome table abt 6ft long. I brought everything to decorate.

 

Menu selection: We were able to negotiate plates dinners with 3 different entree selection, and everyone gets the same salad, soup, dessert. My husband liked that each guest was served a dish versus having to get their own food via buffet style. Food was good but not spectacular. I barely ate bc we were so busy so I have no idea what it tasted like. If you do this, create a color coded place card to help the waiters.

 

DJ: we used DJ Mannia- he was really good and very nice... really quick to respond and good to work with. Give him your play list and write down when he needs to introduce stuff : 1st dance, cake cutting , etc.

 

SPARKLERS: I ordered them from INPLAYA in Mexico. Eugenia, the owner, was wonderful to work with! Very prompt in responses and she drove an hour to deliver them to me. They were cheaper than some other vendors, $91 for x60 2ft sparklers.

 

My coordinator was Barbara. She was nice. She executed her role. And she was pretty quick in her email response. I thought she did her job. She was a bit late in getting the ceremony started and there was a lot of confusion abt that but it was ok in the end.

 

TIP: Create a diagram and Picture of how you want your stuff to look and layout. That's the best way to get what you want. And be prepared.

 

Rehearsal: They never mentioned that rehearsal was a big deal. But I think it was. We did rehearsal 30 min before our welcome dinner. That was NOT enough time. Plus having drunk groom and groomsmen not present didnt help either ????

 

TIP: I would recommend at least 45-60 min. Some ppl had trouble finding the gazebo.

 

WELCOME DINNER: The day before wedding day, we did a private dinner at Lizo (first choice as Dunas but it was already booked). I thought here was an outdoor component to it, but there wasn't. It was free however and we were not charged for this!

TIP: if I could do again, I wouldn't do it here. I'd rather free up guests for dinner here as an option. I woulda just done cocktails/ drinks at Dunas or something on the beach, bonfire perhaps.

 

FLOWERS: I didn't like the flowers in their brochure and they were expensive. I brought my own faux bouquets bc I wanted peonies, dahlias, hydrangeas. And they quoted me $570 for something similar to what I envisioned for my bouquet alone! I thought the ones I brought looked great! I only bought 2 Boutineers for dads and 2 coursage for moms.

 

HOTEL: it was a beautiful resort-- your guests will have a great time. MAKE SURE YOUR PLANNER TELLS THEM ITS FOR UR WEDDING, AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW AT CHECK-IN. You should get some nice things in your room.

Food was ok. If you can stay in Finest Clib or Excellence (Building 5 and 6)

 

Lastly, I gave guests welcome bags with goodies inside. I ended up not having the desk deliver the bags ($4/ person), and just handed them out when I saw them.

 

Over all it was a great wedding, and weather was great to make that happen.

[nyarcher1215]

Has anyone used Canteiro Weddings as their decorator? I've seen their decor on Instagram and its gorgeous but not sure what their pricing is. Alquimia seems very expensive. Charging $232 for 46 feet of lights is hard to swallow. They are quoting me $66 to rent a 13 inch lantern! 

[Maurindy2016]

Anyone need anything for their wedding - invitations, decor, etc? I have an 40% off coupon from weddingpaperdivas.com

Edited July 2, 2016 by Maurindy2016

[Clarianne]

@@Maurindy2016 Thank you for your detailed post!!! Your wedding looked beautiful! I love your hair. Did you get that done at the spa? Im thinking of something very similar but I'm afraid it won't hold very well with the humidity.

 

Also,did you pay extra to get the sparklers delivered to the resort? And do you know if they are allowed on the plane? Also what time did you light them up (what time does it get dark?)

 

So many questions! Lol thank you so much in advance. 

 

- C

[Maurindy2016]

Thank You @@Clarianne! Feel free to ask questions-- I know this forum was super helpful during the planning.

 

Hair & makeup-- made appointments for 3 bridesmaids and myself. For gold package -- mine was complimentary-- so make sure they don't charge you! They did charge me originally but I mentioned it, and it was credited.

 

First of all, it was extremely humid! I wanted my hair down, so they curled it a lot and then don't mess w/ it. Or be prepared to bring a curling iron to re-curl if your ceremony is later in the day. Seriously though-- don't waste your money doing hair there at the salon, unless it's an updo. One of my BM had her hair similar to mine and it was undone. And I recommend updos hair style . It holds better in humidity, and if you're gonna pay money, it should last.

 

Salon service was very slow. And they don't really do makeup well ????. Had to have them fix mine and a bridesmaids. We were better off doing our own makeup.

 

Sparklers: you cannot pack this on the plane or check it in! It's considered explosives. If you want them-- I recommend the company in Mexico. Inplaya. I found their prices was cheaper than some other companies. We paid abt $91 for 60 2 foot sparklers. The owner is really nice and they respond to emails fast. She will deliver to your hotel- free of charge. She met me at the lobby (she drive an hour to get there).

Contact: Eugenia Palacios email :: [email protected]

 

We ended up lighting them after the party was done at 11 as part of our "exit". All the guests went down on the beach and we light them, ran under them in our photos. I am glad we got long ones because it was really fun just having everyone play on the sand. It was a bit hard to light up with just a lighter-- it was a nice breeze at night. Luckily there was a other wedding on the beach that had a bonfire so we used their fire. In exchange they ran under our sparklers for their wedding photo.

 

 

 

@@Maurindy2016 Thank you for your detailed post!!! Your wedding looked beautiful! I love your hair. Did you get that done at the spa? Im thinking of something very similar but I'm afraid it won't hold very well with the humidity.

 

Also,did you pay extra to get the sparklers delivered to the resort? And do you know if they are allowed on the plane? Also what time did you light them up (what time does it get dark?)

 

So many questions! Lol thank you so much in advance. 

 

- C

That's expensive-- have you considered bringing your own light and lanterns? They will hang them up for You for free. We did that and saved a lot.

 

 

Has anyone used Canteiro Weddings as their decorator? I've seen their decor on Instagram and its gorgeous but not sure what their pricing is. Alquimia seems very expensive. Charging $232 for 46 feet of lights is hard to swallow. They are quoting me $66 to rent a 13 inch lantern!

 

[nyarcher1215]

@@Maurindy2016 - We are researching bringing our own decorations since Alquimia charges a lot of money. The lanterns we were looking at are for centerpieces. They wanted to charge $66 each for a 13 inch lantern. I can definitely find it for less expensive online but its the idea of packing metal/glass lanterns in a suitcase for centerpieces that makes me rethink what I want to do. I also thought it was crazy to charge $232 for 46 feet of hanging lights (20 bulbs). I will order these online as well. I will also be getting faux flowers for my bridesmaids and for the centerpieces since the costs the resort and Alquimia are charging for real flowers is a lot. 

 

Did you request a private rehearsal dinner reservation through Barbara? I was told months ago that if I needed group dinner resos to make it through Raul when I arrive but recently was told the resort does not allow group dinner resos. 

 

Oh and my new coordinator is Nadia and so far she is soooo much better than Yanin. Only time will tell. 

 

Thank you for the heads up about the spa not being able to do makeup well (I guess more so for the Asian brides). I guess I'll have to do some online tutorials to do my own for the wedding. I will do a hair and make up trial and make sure the same person will be available on my wedding day. 

 

This forum has given me so much useful information!