Hello and a few questions

[marip123]

Hi everyone! I introduced myself on the newbie list, and received a very warm welcome, and wanted to say hi here. I also have a few questions.

 

For anyone getting married on the beach. Are you all using a microphone. It seems like it will be quite loud, and I want people to hear us. We are just using an Ipod, and the hotel will charge us for two set ups for this. ONe for the beach and one for the reception. I'm quite annoyed, and looking for any suggestions. we were thinking of purchasing our own portable speaker system, but we'll still need a microphone.

 

Also, the Westin seems to want to handle everything vendors wise, music, flowers, photographer. I'd like to secure my own, I think. After what I've read, my choices are much wider than I thought. It's crazy. Anyway, any insight you have would help a great deal. I know someone answered me on the other board (sorry, I don't remember your name), but she only used food & beverage.

 

I'm feeling like I'm way behind. Our wedding is in June!

 

Sorry so long, but I appreciate your help!

Stephanie

[Golden]

Not sure if I will use a mircophone, but I did ask the dj for speakers to hear the music. I selected my own vendors on my own. Only vendor I might use from the hotel is the florist

[jthrasher]

I've shot beach weddings where they used a mic and also where they haven't. Both were just fine. But, it depends on the number of guests you have and how the ceremony will be set up.

 

The wedding where they didn't use a mic, was a pretty informal ceremony and instead of having people seated in chairs, they had everyone crowding around the couple in a semi circle. It was very cool and very intimate.

 

As far as letting the resort handle everything, I would frown upon that. I'm sure it's fine to let them handle some things but not everything. Typically the resort photographers are more traditional and you don't get very much with the package. If you want photojournalistic photos that are more artistic, I would definitely suggest hiring a photographer on your own.

 

The resort might want to charge you a fee for bringing outside vendors in, but just tell them to drop the fee or you'll take your business elsewhere. They won't charge you if you are having your photographer, or other vendors stay at the resort.

[chicagopuja]

is there a fee for bringing in your own vendors to the hilton? mara or emeline never mentioned that to me. ??

 

any hilton brides know?

[Helland Photographs]

... Congratulations. If you're at the Westin you'll have a great time. As far as mikes go the only thing I can say is that make sure your sound/DJ guy tests everything out, at the ceremony location, BEFORE the ceremony! I can't tell you how many times the sound system has crapped out in the middle of you saying "I do"...

 

Gary

[Maura]

you're getting married at the Westin Los Cabos right?

 

So am I, so I can serve as a bit of an authority. YES you ABSOLUTELY can bring all your own vendors (except for food I believe). I am obsessive about photography, so I booked my photographer first after confirming my date with the Westin- Bradley Fraser. One thing I will warn you about is that the Westin will try to screw you by charging fees for bringing your own vendors. There is a small fee for the unions that they can charge, but they sent a BIG fee on our contract and my FMIL refused to pay it so they backed off. They will also charge you a corking fee if you wish to bring your own alcohol, which we are, but we aren't paying the fee because FMIL fought that one too. As long as you really bitch about it and tell them no, they seem to back off on the extra fees.

 

We arent getting married on the beach and havent chosen a DJ yet, so I can't help you with the sound system. My wedding is in August so I'm eager to get stuff pinned down there too. Send me a PM and we can exchange email addresses and I will give you all the info that I have!

[TammyDez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthrasherphoto.com I've shot beach weddings where they used a mic and also where they haven't. Both were just fine. But, it depends on the number of guests you have and how the ceremony will be set up. The wedding where they didn't use a mic, was a pretty informal ceremony and instead of having people seated in chairs, they had everyone crowding around the couple in a semi circle. It was very cool and very intimate. As far as letting the resort handle everything, I would frown upon that. I'm sure it's fine to let them handle some things but not everything. Typically the resort photographers are more traditional and you don't get very much with the package. If you want photojournalistic photos that are more artistic, I would definitely suggest hiring a photographer on your own. The resort might want to charge you a fee for bringing outside vendors in, but just tell them to drop the fee or you'll take your business elsewhere. They won't charge you if you are having your photographer, or other vendors stay at the resort.

I love your reply because my resort wants to charge me $79 to have my photographer each day and I have 50 people booking! I am going with your advise!

[Doc2B&LosCabosBride2B]

Mauraw, did you bitch via e-mail or via phone call.....I'm getting married at the Westin as well in April....time is drawing near, stress is pilling up, etc.....

So far my planning process with them has been really great....I am bringing my own photographer but I'm using thier DJ and videographer person......I am using an outside vendor for flowers and for decor as well so they are pretty flexible....The thing I love about them is that you are allowed to be as unique as you want and are allowed to do as much as you want and they work with you to make it happen because you are the only wedding that day and most of the time that entire weekend. The down side is the expense of everything because it isn't all inclusive but it's a trade off. You girls can PM me as well and we can trade notes, etc about the Westin. I can't believe I have less than three months!!!!!! Oh and in that time frame I'm supposed to take Step 2 for my medical license and I find out in March if I match in a residency program.....It's like the rest of my life literally unfolds in two months.....I'm bananas right now!

[Doc2B&LosCabosBride2B]

Crap, I forgot the real reason I submitted a post: The sound system.....I am using the sound system their audiovisual department provides and yes there is a fee. I'm in the process of negotiating but I'm using a basic package......speakers, wireless mic, CD player for the ceremony and then we're having a welcome reception and we're just renting speakers to hook up to our IPOD docking station.

[Maura]

Hey all if we're gonna talk about the Westin, let's do it on the thread that's for Westin brides in the Cabo forum -- just so that it's more easily searchable for future westin brides.

 

And also for reference, my FMIL bitched (in Spanish) via phone that the extra fees are designed to screw americans and that we're mexican so she refused to pay the "american price" - as soon as she did, they lowered or nixed just about everything.

 

Also, let me post on the Westin thread later today about the audio visual stuff - I may have a contact that can save you a decent amount rather than using the westin's people.

 

Here is the link to the Westin thread I started:

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t13267