Barcelo Maya Palace Brides

[juliboley]

We are bringing our photographers with us.  If they weren't staying at the resort, there would have been a $500 off site vendor fee for them, but if they spend at least 2 nights at the resort, the fee is waived.  I asked my WC yesterday about whether or not there is an outside vendor fee for bringing someone in to do hair and make-up, and this is the response I got:  "Any external vendor has to pay a fee, the hair and make up must pay a 30% to the resort of the price that you pay to them. "  Seems incredibly expensive and ridiculous to me.  Especially since their spa doesn't have the best reputation.  I have noticed a lot of people on this site brought in the Styling Trio and am interested in knowing if they had the same experience.  

[nicole80]

Originally Posted by Avens 

 

 

Our wedding (pictures are on my planning thread) we did the ceremony at Playa Azul, and reception at Playa Palmeras.  In my opinion - it was perfect.

 

Playa Azul is really pretty, its at the end of the beach so there are far less people, there was a bit of a breeze because it was more open (for a late afternoon wedding). It also gave us some time for pictures etc, while everyone bussed back to the Palace.

 

We were initially going to have the reception there to - but it is quite a trek from the Palace, and I'm glad we didn't have it there - as I forgot a ton of stuff in our room (guest book, pashmina etc.). I have also heard that it can get more windy there in the evenings, and sad in food etc. has been an issue.

 

Playa Palmeras was a perfect reception ship, its located right in the no mans land between the Tropical and Palace - so it was literally 5 minutes back to our rooms in the palace (which was very handy for running back to get forgotten items).  A few of our older guests retired a bit early, and they were able to just walk back quickly.  The beach and walk ways really slow down at night, so you rarely saw anyone walking past. It is more sheltered, so we didn't really have an issue with wind.

 

I wouldn't want to have my ceremony there, as in the daytime - its right in the middle of the action.  The Palmeras buffet is open during the day, so people are always going to get food, there are loungers all around you (and in that exact spot during the day normally) and people swimming in the ocean in front of you, pool behind you - just a lot of activity. If you were having a later wedding (5 or 6, Palmeras would probably be okay).

 

That is my opinion!

 

Just looked up your planning thread-- what a beautiful wedding! So much great information!

 

Looking for information on the Mariachi Grill-- one of our options for the reception...anyone had theirs there or planning to?? Found some pics and it looks very similar to the Palmeras Grill but we were wondering if we are able to have the tables on the beach...

 

Avens, did you ask your WC to have your reception at the Palmeras Grill or the Playa Palmeras? Or would that be the same thing? Thanks

[nicole80]

Originally Posted by Avens 

 

 

Our wedding (pictures are on my planning thread) we did the ceremony at Playa Azul, and reception at Playa Palmeras.  In my opinion - it was perfect.

 

Playa Azul is really pretty, its at the end of the beach so there are far less people, there was a bit of a breeze because it was more open (for a late afternoon wedding). It also gave us some time for pictures etc, while everyone bussed back to the Palace.

 

We were initially going to have the reception there to - but it is quite a trek from the Palace, and I'm glad we didn't have it there - as I forgot a ton of stuff in our room (guest book, pashmina etc.). I have also heard that it can get more windy there in the evenings, and sad in food etc. has been an issue.

 

Playa Palmeras was a perfect reception ship, its located right in the no mans land between the Tropical and Palace - so it was literally 5 minutes back to our rooms in the palace (which was very handy for running back to get forgotten items).  A few of our older guests retired a bit early, and they were able to just walk back quickly.  The beach and walk ways really slow down at night, so you rarely saw anyone walking past. It is more sheltered, so we didn't really have an issue with wind.

 

I wouldn't want to have my ceremony there, as in the daytime - its right in the middle of the action.  The Palmeras buffet is open during the day, so people are always going to get food, there are loungers all around you (and in that exact spot during the day normally) and people swimming in the ocean in front of you, pool behind you - just a lot of activity. If you were having a later wedding (5 or 6, Palmeras would probably be okay).

 

That is my opinion!

 

Your planning thread is awesome, what a beautiful wedding Avens!

 

Does anyone know about the Mariachi Grill? also one of our ceremony options but just wondering about the beach in that area. We would like to have the ceremony on the beach if possible...as with Avens' at the Palmeras beach...thanks!

[MexicoHereICome]

I have heard that there is actually 2 salons at the Barcelo.  I heard before that there was one at the spa and one at the Mexican Plaza (that was a little cheaper) Does anyone know if this is true or not?

[danandjamie]

Originally Posted by juliboley 

 

We are bringing our photographers with us.  If they weren't staying at the resort, there would have been a $500 off site vendor fee for them, but if they spend at least 2 nights at the resort, the fee is waived.  I asked my WC yesterday about whether or not there is an outside vendor fee for bringing someone in to do hair and make-up, and this is the response I got:  "Any external vendor has to pay a fee, the hair and make up must pay a 30% to the resort of the price that you pay to them. "  Seems incredibly expensive and ridiculous to me.  Especially since their spa doesn't have the best reputation.  I have noticed a lot of people on this site brought in the Styling Trio and am interested in knowing if they had the same experience.  

 

If the hair and makeup people are outside vendors then yes you have to pay 30% to the resort on top of what you're paying your vendor. This fee didn't used to include Adrian but it does as of October of last year.

[holls213]

We were also told we had to pay an additional fee for bringing in outside venders for hair and make up.  I told her the cost and she told me what we would owe but we were never actually charged, i'm sure she just forgot.  Someone else on her also posted that she was never charged the 30% either.  Definitely don't go to the spa!!  I went there the day after for our trash the dress pictures just to have my hair done in what i considered a "simple" up-do and it looked horrible!! Piece kept falling down throughout the shoot and my hair was all over the place.  We used Norma with MAC make-up and she brought a stylist with her, they did an AMAZING job.
 

[MexicoHereICome]

Originally Posted by holls213 

 

We were also told we had to pay an additional fee for bringing in outside venders for hair and make up.  I told her the cost and she told me what we would owe but we were never actually charged, i'm sure she just forgot.  Someone else on her also posted that she was never charged the 30% either.  Definitely don't go to the spa!!  I went there the day after for our trash the dress pictures just to have my hair done in what i considered a "simple" up-do and it looked horrible!! Piece kept falling down throughout the shoot and my hair was all over the place.  We used Norma with MAC make-up and she brought a stylist with her, they did an AMAZING job.

 

Where did you find Norma's information? 

[laurmcco]

Hi Nicole! We are getting married at the Palace on November 10, 2012 (arriving on November 6) so we will be there at the same time!

[kbrandriet]

Do you have Norma's number/e-mail is she cheaper than Adrian? I just got an e-mail back from him and he's $450.00 dollars for hair and make-up.  If I have to pay an additional 30% resort fee of $135.00 on top of that that would be absurd.  I can't believe the resort can change us to have an outside vendor.  We should be able to have whoever we want to do our hair and not get charged extra for it. 

[kisekae]

Originally Posted by kbrandriet 

 

Do you have Norma's number/e-mail is she cheaper than Adrian? I just got an e-mail back from him and he's $450.00 dollars for hair and make-up.  If I have to pay an additional 30% resort fee of $135.00 on top of that that would be absurd.  I can't believe the resort can change us to have an outside vendor.  We should be able to have whoever we want to do our hair and not get charged extra for it. 

I used Adrian for my wedding and just wanted to clarify that although it is still expensive, the resort takes 30% of whatever Adrian charges you (so in your case, 30% of the $450). They do not charge an additional 30%.