Now Sapphire Past Brides --- Help? -- From A Nervous Newbie Lol

[Natty1027]

Hello ladies,

 

We picked the NOW Sapphire as our DW and the date is set for May 2nd, 2017.

 

I had some questions for past brides or anyone that could be of help.

 

We are paying for my 2 (soon-to-be) stepchildren (1 of which will be at an adult rate as he's over 12 yrs old). Plus our photographer friend. So paying for 4 adults, 1 child as well as our honeymoon (so already at approx. 15k there)--- so  we are trying to save where we can!

 

Where there are 5 children so far coming, (that all love to dance), we decided we should have a "reception" of sorts. 

We currently are set up for the "Complimentary" (Your Moments) wedding package as we did not need a photographer and all packages would still require us to pay extras.

We decided on the gazebo with the Preferred Pool as the "dance" location. 

 

We want to have the "dance" so that our photos include our first dance, father/daughter, mother/son, etc. photos... plus the kids would not be allowed at the disco later, AND if we were to opt for the disco instead of a reception, the parents of the other children would have to tend to their kids so I'd be missing 4 wedding party members. 

 

 

I'm terrified of all the extra costs. The cost is adding up and I'm not convinced that a "Package" will even help us out either.

 

We're looking at renting the speakers from the resort (180$ per hour - 3 hours), and cost per additional guest after 10 is 22$ approx. (for the Your moments package) we are currently 30 attendding. Renting the Preferred pool is 1000$ and we are using an off site make up and hair team which wasn't cheap but it was something all of us ladies agreed on.

 

 

 

1-I'm thinking of bringing "fake bouquets" cause they seem pretty costly at the resort. I have 4 bridesmaids, 2 groomsmen and the 2 stepsons. What have some of you done regarding bouquets?

 

2-In regards to renting the speakers, we have also been in contact with a DJ where the speakers, the DJing would all be included but that would come with a vendor fee on top of their fee so approx 700$  I believe. Do any of you have any tips to share? I hear lots of brides mention a DJ app, how user friendly is this?

 

3-The lighting or decor... we want it to be very pretty for the photos, do any of you that chose the Preferred pool needed to bring anything additional? Lighting starts at 600$ and bringing your own, you'd still need to pay 100$ per pole to hang them. Any experience advice on that location?

 

4-During the wedding, do they play music or is that an additional fee?

 

5-Has the WC given out decor or anything complimentary with this package? i.e. aisle runner or little decorations on cocktail tables, etc or do they nickel & dime you every chance they get?

 

6-I was thinking of having some sort of video (short one), but not paying an abundant amout, has anyone done this at a reasonable cost? 

 

 

Basically - Have any of you chosen the "your moments" package, and if so, could you share your cost saving ideas? We aren't opposed to paying for some extras but just are looking at cost cutting where we can so that we can permit to spend a bit more on our guest bags and "at home party". 

 

I'm extremely excited about our choice and when I see all the photos our WC posts of the weddings, I'm in awe - I guess I picture that each bride must have paid for the packages and had a much larger budget than we do.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated :-)