Finest 2015/2016 Brides

Maurindy2016 · July 7, 2016

@nyarcher1215:

What package are you getting? For gold package, ceremony at the gazebo, I had a choice to decorate isle with shells or lanterns. I chose shells, but perhaps you can ask if you can use the la terns for your tables so you don't have to pack them? Whatever you pack, use a hard case luggage and include a nite in Spanish that the items are used for your wedding decor.

I used faux flowers for my ceremony as well. You cannot tell in pictures! And it holds up wel in the heat! Here's a pic.

That is correct, the resort does not do reservations. But somehow, for weddings I was able to reserve Lizo and do a private buffet dinner , free of charge ????????. They squally charge $28/person for that.

robynm10 · July 21, 2016

@@Maurindy2016

I have been working with Alquimia to organize my flowers. Do you mind me asking what they charged you for the table garland? And were the long tables included in your gold package?

Thank you!

Maurindy2016 · July 22, 2016

@@Maurindy2016

I have been working with Alquimia to organize my flowers. Do you mind me asking what they charged you for the table garland? And were the long tables included in your gold package?

Thank you!

hi Robyn:

I had 3 centerpiece garlands for my table (1 on each table, and 1 for my sweetheart table). It was $465 EACH, but I thought it was worth it because I had minimal decor, and it really did make the reception pretty. I also upgraded and got Gold Tiffany Chairs ($7/per chair), Ivory linens ($40/table), Napkins ($3/pp), Gold charger plates ($5/plate). Over all I spent about $3000 for the table decor.

I made my own faux flowers for my self, and 3 bridesmaids-- It was so much cheaper, and it looked 100% better than what they had offered. You do get 1 complimentary bouquet, but it really didnt look that great.

For those interested, I want to sell my bouquets. Message me at tocin4@@gmail.com for pictures from my wedding. I am happy to share.

Oh, you do get 1 6 inch table for "welcome" table, and the tables were included in my package.

Any one else interested in flower girl baskets? Selling that as well.

robynm10 · July 22, 2016

@@Maurindy2016

Thank you! Your wedding was beautiful!

nyarcher1215 · July 22, 2016

For those who may have used Las Dunas or the Grand Palapa for their reception, did you rent the big chandelier and white fabrics from Alquimia? Or rent lounge furniture?

robynm10 · July 26, 2016

@@nyarcher1215 We are getting married in the Palapa in May, and we are thinking of doing the chandelier with the white fabrics, a couple of the long high top brown tables, and the white lounge furnitire for 10. I am just having a hard time as to where everything is going to go, dance floor, etc. Any ideas?

nyarcher1215 · July 26, 2016

@@nyarcher1215 We are getting married in the Palapa in May, and we are thinking of doing the chandelier with the white fabrics, a couple of the long high top brown tables, and the white lounge furnitire for 10. I am just having a hard time as to where everything is going to go, dance floor, etc. Any ideas?

We decided not to have a dance floor. Our WC said it was unneccessary and the deck is perfectly fine to dance on without one. Its preference really. If you want one then by all means. We hired the DJ and he's bringing his own lighting and we are bringing string lights to hang over the deck so we didn't think we needed the dance floor. We also wanted our guests to spread out as needed and the dance floor is raised. We were afraid people would trip going up and down (we have some older people and kids in our group).

We were having a bit of a hard time trying to fill all the space but I think we've figured it out. If you are facing the ocean, we will have our dinner tables on the left side under the Palapa (we're doing the round tables), the welcome table mid-right and the lounge set for 10 people on the right side of the Palapa (if that all makes sense). We're going to angle the lounge seating where it will face the ocean. We're having our cocktail party in the same place so we're keeping the cocktail tables. The open deck will be our DJ area and dance floor.

Alquimia has advised us because of the size of the Palapa, its best we go with the largest chandelier and 8 white fabric sheets. I've seen photos of how they did this for Las Dunas and it looks beautiful but we're still figuring things out.

If you have any set up suggestions, I'm all ears.

robynm10 · July 26, 2016

@@nyarcher1215 That's super helpful! We are actually having an 8 person band play. They are bringing their own platform that they set up on, and are also providing a white dance floor that isnt a platform, but rather lays on top of the wooden platform. I think we will also do the band and dance floor on the open part of the palapa, and we are bringing flights to string on the inside and the outside. What are you stringing the lights on the outside too? Is alquimia providing you poles?

We are renting the long wooden tables for the reception, along with the high tops and the lounge. Where are you putting your bar? And where is your ceremony?

Thanks again for your help!

scrudele6 · August 1, 2016

Hi Fellow Brides!

I will be getting married at The Finest on June 10th, 2017 and have been stalking this thread for advice/details. We are booked for the ceremony at the Stone Gazebo and the Sky Deck for the reception. We're doing Welcome Cocktails Thurs night at The Grand Palapa and a Rehearsal Dinner Fri at Lizo.

A few questions:

-We made our guest list and my fear is we will have >100 people which is more than the sky deck can hold. Can any brides attest to having a larger sized wedding up there and how comfortably it fit tables plus DJ/dance area?

- What are the options for larger weddings outside? Anyone know anything about having it in the Teatro or a ballroom?

- Is the DJ cost $1,300 per hour or for up to 4 hours? Does this include an MC or is that something extra to pay for?

- As a New Yorker, my family is concerned 4 hot and 4 cold hors d'oeuvres will not be enough food for a cocktail hour. Did anyone add food options to the cocktail hour? Were guests hungry?

- If we want to have signature his/her cocktails, will they do this for free upon request?

- Has anyone done the catamaran for guests to Isla Mujeres and would recommend it?

@Maurindy2016

Your wedding looked absolutely gorgeous!! I noticed you were able to get 3 choices for your reception dinner menu. Did this cost extra or was it just requested, did they give you a hard time or easy to work with?

Thanks in advance ladies!

Stephanie