Barcelo Maya Palace Brides

[holls213]

I was also wondering about the paying in cash thing.  We had an outside photographer coming as well and I dont want to bring thousands of dollars in cash down to Mexico with us. 

 

Also, this is probably a stupid question, but roughly how much and who is everyone tipping?  I feel like you have to tip EVERYONE these days!!  I've heard people tip their wedding coordinator, and some say tip your photographer, and then all the servers for your reception, and the hairstylist/makeup artists...it never ends haha. 
 

Originally Posted by kisekae 

Does anyone have an idea of what things NEED to payed in cash? For example I know for having an outside photographer the $300 fee can only be paid upfront in cash. And for those things that do require cash payment, does that mean in Peso's or can I use Canadian Dollars?

 

I'm leaving in 3 weeks and just trying to figure out how much money I should be taking with me on top of cash for tips.

 

Thank you, all you lovely brides! 

 

[danandjamie]

Tipping:

We tipped the wedding coordinator $250 (they work their butts off)

We tipped the mariachi band $40 (they already charge an arm and a leg)

We gave the minister & violinist $25 each

We tipped the wait staff $100

 

Paying Cash:

Minister $300

Marichi (if you get them) $400 

Adrian (outside hair and makeup) whatever he charged us, it was cash

Maids: $25

 

As far as having a lot of people at your wedding and trying to save money on the reception, I don't necessarily agree with it. I understand everyone has a budget but these people are spending thousands of dollars to come and see you get married. Trying to have your reception at a buffet or at one of the bars doesn't really do it justice. We had 71 people at our wedding. After we factored in the 7 day trip cost, the ceremony, the photographer, the cocktail hour, the beach reception and all of the goodies in the welcome bag it was around $15,000. You can't even have a ONE DAY wedding reception of 100 people at home for that kind of money!

 

Here is my advice. Go to Capital One's website. Apply for a 15 month 0% interest credit card. Charge the entire wedding and pay it off over the next 15 months AT NO INTEREST!. That's exactly what my wife and I did. Capital One doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees either.

 

 

 

[gilmana]

I completely agree!  I already feel bad that they are spending so much money on coming so the least we can do is make them feel appreciated!  

 

Did you use an outside photographer?  If so, who did you use? and were you pleased?

[danandjamie]

We used Ivan Luckie. He's an amazing photographer and an even better person. His prices were also cheaper than most of the other people we shopped.

 

ivan@luckiephotography.com

 

He flew to NYC in August and did our engagement photos.

He did our whole wedding day (Saturday October 8th) including our reception which went until midnight

We paid for him to stay 2 nights at the resort because we did "Trash the Dress" the following Monday

 

Here is a link to our photos. There is a lot. We specifically love the engagement and trash the dress photos!

http://www.luckiephotography.com/blog/Proof/2011/Luckie_Photography_Wedding_Galleries/Jamie+Dan.html 

 

-Dan

 

[kisekae]

That's extremely useful information, thank you!

 

What currency did you tip in and pay for the minister etc?
 

Originally Posted by danandjamie 

Tipping:

We tipped the wedding coordinator $250 (they work their butts off)

We tipped the mariachi band $40 (they already charge an arm and a leg)

We gave the minister & violinist $25 each

We tipped the wait staff $100

 

Paying Cash:

Minister $300

Marichi (if you get them) $400 

Adrian (outside hair and makeup) whatever he charged us, it was cash

Maids: $25

 

As far as having a lot of people at your wedding and trying to save money on the reception, I don't necessarily agree with it. I understand everyone has a budget but these people are spending thousands of dollars to come and see you get married. Trying to have your reception at a buffet or at one of the bars doesn't really do it justice. We had 71 people at our wedding. After we factored in the 7 day trip cost, the ceremony, the photographer, the cocktail hour, the beach reception and all of the goodies in the welcome bag it was around $15,000. You can't even have a ONE DAY wedding reception of 100 people at home for that kind of money!

 

Here is my advice. Go to Capital One's website. Apply for a 15 month 0% interest credit card. Charge the entire wedding and pay it off over the next 15 months AT NO INTEREST!. That's exactly what my wife and I did. Capital One doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees either.

 

 

 

 

[JoanneIreland]

We paid everything in US dollars which seems to be the standard.
 

Originally Posted by kisekae 

That's extremely useful information, thank you!

 

What currency did you tip in and pay for the minister etc?
 

 

 

[Brenners]

Your WC sends a spreadsheet that labels everything that needs to be paid in cash - or at least ours did.  We tipped the WC, JOP, violinist, videographer, photographer, and the reception waitstaff for our wedding.  We gave US $$ and that was acceptable for both tips and the wedding costs that required cash. 

 

Also, we had around 50 people who verbally told us they were coming.  Worry about final numbers after people book.  We had a final number of 20 people.  Seriously, people talk big and some will come but most get caught up in the fun idea of going on a vacation to Mexico but do not think about the reality (cost, time away from work, where to leave the kids or take them with which adds to the cost) until it gets to the point where they need to make a final decision.  Then reality kicks in and people back out.  You may end up like some who have 70-100 people, but most DW do not end up like this so don't worry until you have real numbers to work with.

 

Also, the Capital One credit card is a good idea, but determine what you can really pay.  Finances should be taken into consideration before you even send out the invites or start verbally inviting someone.  By the time you have chosen your resort, these things should have been taken into consideration.  Our WC told us how much extra it would cost per person above our 15 included in our wedding package so we sat down to ask ourselves, how many could we afford to have at our wedding and who did we really want at our wedding?  Questions we would have asked ourselves had we gotten married in the US anyway.  If you cannot afford 70-100 guests, then do not invite 70-100 guests.

 

Our photographer was Erick Rodriguez.  He is an amazing photographer and I highly recommend him!

[Hrcahill]

For those who have already been married there, did you think it was necessary to have a cocktail hour?  I was thinking of just sending everyone to the Carey Bar (I think it's called) at the Palace while we take pictures.  We are getting the Mariachi Band, but were planning on using them during our reception.  Any thoughts on that? 

[bluelenscaribe]

Hello Barcelo Brides 2012!

 

The Barcelo resort is a wonderful place for getting married. The beach is huge and perfect to take pictures without anyone around.

The photographers of Blue Lens Caribe love to work at the Barcelo.

You can visit our blog on http://bluelenscaribe.com/blc/photo-gallery/weddings/nicole-and-matthew-wedding-barcelo-maya/ to see one of the wedding we shoot at the Barcelo!

 

[Brenners]

Hrcahill, we did not do a cocktail hour.  Our wedding was at 4:00 and lasted about 30 minutes.  Afterward, we did the champagne toast and some pics with our guests.  By then it was around 5:00 or after and everyone went back to the Carey bar.  At 6:00 a bus came to pick up our guests to bring them to Playa Azul where they were greeted with drinks prior to our arrival at 6:30.  No one seemed to miss the cocktail hour as all of our guests had a great time.
 

Originally Posted by Hrcahill 

For those who have already been married there, did you think it was necessary to have a cocktail hour?  I was thinking of just sending everyone to the Carey Bar (I think it's called) at the Palace while we take pictures.  We are getting the Mariachi Band, but were planning on using them during our reception.  Any thoughts on that?