delauren

From my wedding website...

There are six different courses in the Riviera Maya that provide first-class design and facilities: The Mayan Resorts Golf with 18 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus; the Iberostar Beach Paraiso Golf Club with 18 holes designed by PB Dye; Puerto Aventuras with 9 holes; Playacar Spa and Golf Club with 18 holes designed by Robert Von Hagge; Bahia Principe with 18 holes designed by Trent Jones and The Camaleon Mayakoba Design with 18 holes designed by Greg Norman.

I've seen a couple threads on wedding insurance but I don't think any of them have answered my specific question -

Has anyone actually FILED A CLAIM using their wedding insurance? Lots of people have talked about buying it and NOT using it, has anyone used it?

I'm trying to decide which company to go with - between WedSafe and ProtectMyWedding - but am open to other suggestions.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Hotel Esencia. You?

I'm going down to Mexico in November and am going to try and meet with them/go to a wedding where they're DJing...

Music is too important to just go with someone you can't find a recommendation on!

My fiance and I did our site visit last year over Thanksgiving and we had amazing weather - it rained one of the nights we were there but it was beautiful and temperate during the days!

This is by far the worst story I've ever heard. Is there a Better Business Bureau for Weddings? Or in Mexico? I feel like he should be reported officially, not just on our forum!!

I was thinking of not letting other people take photos at our wedding as I didn't want them ending up on Facebook for others who weren't invited to see - now I know, it's good to have back-up!

Here's to you guys going down for your ten year anniversary and taking some great photos with a photographer you KNOW is amazing!!

Here's what I have on my wedding website - the miles are all from the hotel we're getting married at (Hotel Esencia)...hope this helps!

Things to Do

Ecological and Environmental Exploration

The Caribbean coast of the Riviera Maya stretches south of Cancun for 75 miles, fronted by the second largest coral reef in the world. If you decide to explore, here are some great ideas to give you inspiration!

Cenotes: The Riviera Maya is particularly known for its unique subterranean rivers and caves, otherwise known as "cenotes." Many locations within the jungle provide rental equipment as well as guides and instructors for cave diving.

Xcaret: Ecological and archaeological park, dedicated to the Mayan and Mexican cultures and to preserving the environment and ecology of the area. (11 miles)

Selvatica: Extreme adventure park. Tour the jungles of The Riviera Maya by horseback or zip-line. Pick-up is available at pretty much any hotel!

Xel-Ha: Ecological and archaeological park with turtle and dolphin sanctuaries and a research center. (15 miles)

Tulum: The archaeological zone at Tulum, a walled Mayan port city perched above scenic beaches, combines the mystery of the ancient civilization with the singular beauty of the Caribbean Sea. (43 miles)

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: Included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO, the third largest protected area in Mexico encompasses lagoons, reefs, lakes, mangroves and forests. Virtually uninhabited, it contains a dazzling array of animal and plant life. (51 miles)

Chichen Itza: Considered the most awe-inspiring of all ancient Mayan cities,Chichen Itza's pyramids loom over huge plazas, intricately aligned with the sun and stars. (267 miles)

Golf Courses

There are six different courses in the Riviera Maya that provide first-class design and facilities: The Mayan Resorts Golf with 18 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus; the Iberostar Beach Paraiso Golf Club with 18 holes designed by PB Dye; Puerto Aventuras with 9 holes; Playacar Spa and Golf Club with 18 holes designed by Robert Von Hagge; Bahia Principe with 18 holes designed by Trent Jones and The Camaleon Mayakoba Design with 18 holes designed by Greg Norman.

For more information on things to do:

Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya Hotels, Resorts, Rentals: Mexican Caribbean Vacation

Playa del Carmen info

Fantastic! I'm getting married on May 1, 2010 at Hotel Esencia. Can't wait!! There's so much to do!! Aaaahhhh!! Hah

Me too! Thanks!!

My hotel recommended Mayansound as the DJ they prefer - haven't seen them on this board ever, wondering what their deal is? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

How fun! Planning a honeymoon...

I've stayed at the Rosewood Mayakoba, the Fairmont Mayakoba and The Tides. The Tides is beyond romantic but the food options are extremely limited and it's very buggy. Very. The Fairmont Mayakoba in my opinion is a little "mass" produced and better for a wedding, not a honeymoon. Rosewood is extremely romantic and not buggy at all! It's a gorgeous hotel, very modern.

Hope that helps!

I stayed at both about two weeks ago and this is what I would say - if you feel like being really alone and secluded, I'd stay at The Tides. There's pretty much no reason to leave your room! There's a pool and a lovely terrace where you can have room service delivered and unless you feel like heading to the beach, you could spend all day there!

Esencia has amazing rooms but it's a more social hotel where you definitely are going to leave your room and head down to the beach. Both gorgeous but I like the beach at Esencia much more!

We're shooting for May of 2010. How about you guys?

Hah, i hear you. Next door to Esencia is Al Cielo which definitely has a more "let loose and party" kind of vibe. We are thinking of it for the rehearsal dinner now.

This is going to sound so cheesy but both Esencia and Le Reve just FELT RIGHT when we were there. I tried to picture myself walking down the beach in my wedding dress and it was those two places I could really imagine it.

Also, we decided that we wanted a small hotel where it would just be our guests so that it felt more private and intimate.

If someone can tell me how to put photos up, I can of each of the hotels...if interested

We are choosing between Le Reve and Esencia, I think. Smaller than the others.

Isabel Menendez gave us a great tour of the Fairmont and it's a beautiful property! What I didn't expect, though, is that all the resorts on Mayakoba would be so far from the ocean. You have to take either a golf cart or a little boat and it takes a solid five minutes. All the Mayakoba resorts are situated on a lagoon, which is really cool in its own way!

Here's Isabel's information:

[email protected]

Special Events Manager

Fairmont Mayakoba

Just got back! I am SO excited to get married in the Riviera Maya now, after seeing it.

We met with coordinators at:

The Tides (formerly Ikal del Mar)

Le Reve

Fairmont Mayakoba

Rosewood Mayakoba

Esencia

Al Cielo

We walked by a bunch of other places too, including Grand Coral and Catalonia.

Let me know if you ladies want more information, I'd be happy to share

Ladies - Just wanted to say thank you for all the help and advice you've given to me and to all the others on this board. I'm excited and confident that my FI and I are going to find a great place in the Riviera Maya to tie the knot!!

Great advice Thanks guys!

Thanks Mona!! I can't wait

Ladies...do I need to get some pesos for our site visit to the Riviera Maya or does everyone take good ol' American dollars?

Thanks!!

I think that's illegal. Especially if you have a contract.

I rent from them all the time and I always gets compliments. I only rent for special occasions as it gets expensive. I'd be worried renting earrings or a bracelet for my DW, though. What if it falls off in the sand??!!

I'm a 2010 bride! April some time I still feel crazy when I realize how far away it is but these DW's take TIME to plan!!

I also agree you have to include your vendors.

You can do a "vendor meal" that's different from the one you're serving guests. For example, if your guests are getting Filet Mignon, your vendor meal could be pasta. Something cheaper.

You saved me!