Valentinemrs2Be - Let The Fun Begin - February 2016 Puerto Rico

[ValentineMrs2Be]

OK.  Work has been a bear but I've made some progress with the DW planning.  Adding to my booked list is the videographer and venue.  

 

The next few items my planner is working on is the hotel rooms, cake, and event design.  

[acw271011]

My photographer is booked.  YAY!  The venue proposal came in last night.  The estimated cost is great.  I am so happy with it. It is based on a hypothetical menu but the intent was to give me a number to work with.  I also had a few follow up questions. So now I am just waiting for the answers including the deposit amount to secure my date and then the venue is a definite check.  YESSS!!!!  

 

One thing I am a bit bummed out by is the cake.  I just completely didn't think about the fact that I would be in a tropical place and getting a buttercream wedding cake would not be a good idea.  Thus, I have to get a fondant iced cake. (**Sigh**)  I know it will be a pretty cake but as a cake lover I really want to be able to eat ALL of my cake.  LOL!  You can't eat fondant too well. Oh well.  

 

Umm why can't you have a buttercream cake? We're doing our renewal next week and having dinner on a rooftop terrace and having a buttercream cake. I HATE fondant with a passion and like you I want to eat all of my cake. Not leave the fondant frosting behind lol So we're doing buttercream. Don't know who told you you couldn't but I'd ask why not? lol

[ValentineMrs2Be]

Umm why can't you have a buttercream cake? We're doing our renewal next week and having dinner on a rooftop terrace and having a buttercream cake. I HATE fondant with a passion and like you I want to eat all of my cake. Not leave the fondant frosting behind lol So we're doing buttercream. Don't know who told you you couldn't but I'd ask why not? lol

 

LOL!  I hear you. I really want to be able to enjoy all of my cake. The reason I was given is actually the same rationale for what I was told from the bakers here in the States. A buttercream cake will melt in the heat and humidity unless it is kept in a cool place.  Since I am having an outdoor event in PR I am being strongly encouraged to go with a fondant cake.  I am considering getting a sheet cake using buttercream and the flavors I desire and just having a "fake" cake put on the table for the decor/wow factor for photographs and video.  

[calgarybride2015]

I had my wedding outside in Mexico and my buttercream cake held up well. Just have them keep it chilled until they serve it. They must be cooking there, so I assume there would be a kitchen?   The wedding coordinator brought it out as we were going to cut it and worked great.

 

Your back up option is a great idea too.

[acw271011]

That's the same with us. We're outside on a rooftop terrace and we're doing buttercream. They shouldn't be leaving your cake outside for hours anyway. No food should be left outside for hours in the heat. I would try and push the issue a bit like @@calgarybride2015 said. For your cutting and photos I can't see why it shouldn't be fine.

 

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[ValentineMrs2Be]

I had my wedding outside in Mexico and my buttercream cake held up well. Just have them keep it chilled until they serve it. They must be cooking there, so I assume there would be a kitchen?   The wedding coordinator brought it out as we were going to cut it and worked great.

 

Your back up option is a great idea too.

 

 

That's the same with us. We're outside on a rooftop terrace and we're doing buttercream. They shouldn't be leaving your cake outside for hours anyway. No food should be left outside for hours in the heat. I would try and push the issue a bit like @@calgarybride2015 said. For your cutting and photos I can't see why it shouldn't be fine.

 

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Thanks ladies.  I will push for my buttercream cake.  

[ValentineMrs2Be]

Yep so going with my "show" cake for the pics and will be having a butter cream cake waiting in the kitchen for consumption.  So happy to have my butter cream cake.  

 

Quick updates:  Waiting on the room block agreement from the hotel.  My planner will be going to the venue with the tent vendor to see about design for the reception space.  One of her team is working on finding the music vendors.

 

Three and a half months to go.  

I do have a question.  I need to make the reservations for flights. Should I use a travel agent if all I need to do is to book flights?  

[acw271011]

First question is what about your guests? How are they doing their flights? TAs can usually get good deals on flights but if you're trying to get everyone together then a TA is your best bet. What about your room block? Do you not have a TA helping you with that? If not, you could be missing out on some group perks that a TA would be knowledgeable about. Same with all of the bookings. Sounds like you have enough to deal with, without worrying about your guests getting to your wedding. We've been through the illness thing too, which is why we just renewed our vows, and it takes a lot of time and energy to deal with, plus wedding planning on top of it? A TA would almost definitely make your life easier! All the best!!

[ValentineMrs2Be]

First question is what about your guests? How are they doing their flights? TAs can usually get good deals on flights but if you're trying to get everyone together then a TA is your best bet. What about your room block? Do you not have a TA helping you with that? If not, you could be missing out on some group perks that a TA would be knowledgeable about. Same with all of the bookings. Sounds like you have enough to deal with, without worrying about your guests getting to your wedding. We've been through the illness thing too, which is why we just renewed our vows, and it takes a lot of time and energy to deal with, plus wedding planning on top of it? A TA would almost definitely make your life easier! All the best!!

 

The goal is to get the best rate for both flights and rooms.  My DW planner was able to secure a room block with a hotel and I just received the agreement.  However, it appears as if I and my fiance may be on the hook for a minimum amount of rooms and a cancellation fee that could be uber expensive.  I sent back a whole gaggle of questions to better clarify the agreement to the hotel's event/group sales manager to clarify.  If I am correct, then it makes sense for our guests to just book directly with the hotel since if a cancellation occurs they would just need to cancel within 48 hours of the arrival date and not be charged anything.  If the fee is not what I think then we will secure the room block and just have to deal with flights.

 

I think you are right and that it is best to check in with a TA to see what options we have.  I'd like to make it as easy as possible for our guests and for them to get a good rate for this trip on the whole.  I am just concerned about my guests not incurring any extra cost if, God forbid, that we should have to postpone or cancel delay.  I also don't want any more cost heaped up on me and my fiance either (i.e. the possibility of the room block fee).  

[acw271011]

The goal is to get the best rate for both flights and rooms.  My DW planner was able to secure a room block with a hotel and I just received the agreement.  However, it appears as if I and my fiance may be on the hook for a minimum amount of rooms and a cancellation fee that could be uber expensive.  I sent back a whole gaggle of questions to better clarify the agreement to the hotel's event/group sales manager to clarify.  If I am correct, then it makes sense for our guests to just book directly with the hotel since if a cancellation occurs they would just need to cancel within 48 hours of the arrival date and not be charged anything.  If the fee is not what I think then we will secure the room block and just have to deal with flights.

 

I think you are right and that it is best to check in with a TA to see what options we have.  I'd like to make it as easy as possible for our guests and for them to get a good rate for this trip on the whole.  I am just concerned about my guests not incurring any extra cost if, God forbid, that we should have to postpone or cancel delay.  I also don't want any more cost heaped up on me and my fiance either (i.e. the possibility of the room block fee).  

 

Well the owners of this site are destination wedding specialists and have won major awards with large resort chains. Why don't you contact them just to see what they say? No harm in asking and I'm sure they'd be able to get you some really good information that can help you make an informed decision. Here's a link to get in touch with them:

 

https://www.wrighttravelagency.com/go/destination-wedding?lp-variation-id=0&title=Planning%20a%20Destination%20Wedding?&source=BDW&creative=BTN%20WTA

 

It never hurts to ask and there's nothing to lose just by asking. See what they can do. Good luck!