FutureMrs.D

Quote: Originally Posted by CaraW We are definitely having the Mariachi band. I wish we could have them for both the ceremony and reception. But $800 seems a little steep. I'm so sad they took them out of the 2010 package for the ceremony. I know, eh! I was upset about that too... Are you going to have them for the ceremony or at the reception??

Quote: Originally Posted by diamondpooch No mariachi band here. I'm considering the fire dancers tho, but my reception isn't in the sand, so I'd have to be close enough to some sand that I can move my wedding party to the sand for the show. I think they are so hot and so worth the money!!! Barcelo says they have some they use consistently so we wouldn't have to hire an outside vendor. Hmmm.. fire dancers.. that could really interesting too! Do you know the cost to hire them?

Hi everyone! I was just wondering if any of you are considering hiring the Mariachi Band for your reception? I've read a lot of reviews from past brides who loved having the Mariachi band.. I guess I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth the 400$ for 45 minutes... any thoughts?

Ours will be "This year's love" by David Gray... it's been 'our' song since we him live in concert.. :-)

Hi! I'm interested in the whole lot.. can you tell me what shipping would be to Canada (E1A 6T5)? Thanks! Natalie

I got an email from Gabriela confirming that the price of the Strawberry Passion package is indeed 3080$ USD. She said she's gotten a lot of questions about this; she thinks the confusion came from the fact that if you get the Strawberry package and want a catholic ceremony, then yes it is more than 3080$... so no price hike for now, ladies!!

Quote: Originally Posted by sfrench0621 Just sent them to you as well bubbles. Hey Steph, could you send me these pics as well? I'm having my reception in the Palmeras Grill.. I think.. :-) My email: [email protected] Thanks a million!

Quote: Originally Posted by BethBride1 Hi girls! I have been MIA for September, it's the busiest month for us teachers! Anyway, I am sorry, I still have pictures of all the reception & cocktail options from our site visit in August that I specifically took for all you girls. I guess I have to put them on shutterfly or something like that & just post the link. I've been catching up reading the last few pages that I've missed & it seems a lot of you are starting to get really upset. I know it's hard, but having been down there & seeing what the WC does, just try to relax and cut them some slack. You have to remember that when it is your day, they will be focused on YOU, and not the 3,000 emails of the same question that they get a day. I know it's hard bc we are trying to plan & need the correct info...believe me, I get that...it's frustrating!! ....but at the same time, try to understand their side of it too. I really don't think (from my experience) they are trying to nickel & dime. Some of their policies are annoying (photog & DJ)- but most of the resorts do this. Yes, the Barcelo's price is a little higher than other resorts, but in all fairness we knew that going in. The resort is absolutely stunning...and sometimes in life, you get what you pay for....hopefully, we will all be getting beautiful weddings filled with moments that will stay with us and our guests. Thank you so much for the reassuring words!! I can't wait to see the pics you took!!

Hi ladie!! I'm going to be starting this diet soon, but a question about liquids - I downloaded and read the entire booklet explaining the diet, but it doesn't mention anywhere how much water you should be drinking? if you're allowed to drink coffee? or diet-soda? Anyone know the answers to this?? Thanks so much for your help!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Boudou33 I know everything is so expensive! I just received the price for the packages 2010 from Gabriela and the Strawberry package is now 3380$ instead of 3000$ !! Plus I want a catholic ceremony, so I dont know if that will add other fees. Boudou33- did you write back to Gabriela to confirm this was indeed the price for 2010? Maybe she made a mistake in her email since we had all been quoted 3080$...she may have added a '3' in there in error...??

Quote: Originally Posted by finzup Why doesn't someone confirm the prices before we get all up in arms about it? I will check my pdf when I get home (it's on my home computer). And -- the prices may have gone up but your WC should probably honor the price from whenever you booked your package. Let's get the facts before we freak out And lastly I feel I have to say this -- And I mean this in the nicest possible way - if you don't like the prices (food, photog, add ons, etc) book someplace else. Nobody is forcing you to pick the Barcelo maya palace. I totally agree with you! And really I'm not worried, they quoted me the price of 3080$ for the Strawberry Passion package, and that's what I will be paying...I'll be printing the email the WC sent me with this price and bringing it with me...

Hi ladies, I just wanted to share this: got an email from Gabriela, and she said she spoke to the chef creating the new 2010 menu and that he will be sending it to her this week.. she said she would send it to her brides as soon as she gets it.. cross your fingers!! :-)

Ya, I think sfrench is right about that...

Hi Ladies!! I need some help... I'm wondering what wedding package everyone is going with?? I had initially decided on the Strawberry Passion package because of the outdoor private reception..but now I'm having second thoughts.. What I'm concerned with is 1) that the package only covers the cost of 15 guest and then it's 66$/pp extra, which could definitely add up... and 2) I'm debatting if it would be better to have the reception indoors, in an air conditionned location, making sure everyone is comfortable and not too hot... but then I would have to compromise on the beauty of the surroundings... I've heard that it gets really windy at night, so I definitely don't want my guests eating sand with their supper! ;-) Or do I go with my original plan to have the reception in one of the open-air restaurants, like the Palmeras Grill... !!! I just don't know what to do.... What are all of you doing??

No problem at all DLWedding! :-) I'm glad I could help! That's so cool that we might be able to see each other in Mexico!! You're definitely in the right place here, there is so much information from past brides and future brides alike... Let me know if you have any other questions!!

Quote: Originally Posted by DLWEDDING Hi everyone, I am new to this site but thought it may help me through the wedding planning process. I am planning our wedding at the Barcelo Maya Palace for next year, was planning on April but all of my emails to the coordinators seem to go unanswered. They originally sent me the wedding package information but have not responded to any of my date inquiries, I am getting really frustrated because we cannot go forward with travel arrangements until I can confirm the wedding date is available. Anyone have any experience with this issue? How long did it take for responses? Hi and welcome!! I would recommend you call the resort directly and speak with one of the wedding coordinators.. that's what I did to reserve my date.. so far in my experience, it takes 1-2 weeks before getting a response from them via email. So, that's my advice in order for you to be able to move ahead with your travel plans .... I bought a calling card from Walmart to make the call.. once I spoke to Gabriela, it only took 5 minutes to have my date and time put on hold.. let me know if you need the contact info for the resort! Natalie

Quote: Originally Posted by DLWEDDING Hi everyone, I am new to this site but thought it may help me through the wedding planning process. I am planning our wedding at the Barcelo Maya Palace for next year, was planning on April but all of my emails to the coordinators seem to go unanswered. They originally sent me the wedding package information but have not responded to any of my date inquiries, I am getting really frustrated because we cannot go forward with travel arrangements until I can confirm the wedding date is available. Anyone have any experience with this issue? How long did it take for responses? Hi and welcome!! I would recommend you call the resort directly and speak with one of the wedding coordinators.. that's what I did to reserve my date.. so far in my experience, it takes 1-2 weeks before getting a response from them via email. So, that's my advice in order for you to be able to move ahead with your travel plans .... I bought a calling card from Walmart to make the call.. once I spoke to Gabriela, it only took 5 minutes to have my date and time put on hold.. let me know if you need the contact info for the resort! Natalie

Quote: Originally Posted by diamondpooch Does anyone know what type of centerpieces the hotel offers that aren't flowers? Do they have like glass hurricanes or anything available to us? Obviously it would be next to impossible to transport them on the plane without them breaking, so if they had something down there it would be helpful! I have seen pictures on the unofficial barcelo website where one of the brides had glass hurricanes with tealight candles as her centerpieces on the tables.. I'm assuming they were provided by the resort.. I also read somewhere they had fruit centerpieces available?? But no idea what that looks like... This is a question I need to ask my WC since she hasn't mentioned yet what options are available...

Thanks Cara! :-)

Hi ladies! Just wondering if anyone has received the 2010 dinner menus yet? I had asked Gabriela about it and she told me they would be ready in 2 weeks.. but that was like 5 weeks ago.. ;-)

Thanks Diamondpooch (Jacqui) :-) Yes, please let us know once you hear back from Claudia about the flowers and DJ.. I was also looking at maybe bringing someone in, but if the extra fee of 50$/hour is the case, forget about it!! An Ipod it will be... hehe... Good luck dress shopping!! I found mine last week actually!! :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by diamondpooch Ladies: So, does anyone know anything about or have used the DJ you can get through the resort If you don't use that DJ, and you use a different one, they charge you a $50 per hour fee for electricity! Seems steep, but if the resident DJ stinks, I'm gonna spring for DJMannia. Also, anyone used the floral arrangments the hotel provides? Claudia sent me a PDF of images of some examples, but I'm not crazy about the style of the centerpeices. Anyone know if they are flexible if I sent her a pic of what I want, can she make it? Also, if anyone was wondering, Claudia told me that for the rehearsal dinner she can't accept reservations of more than 30 people. She will get a guest list three weeks before the wedding and will make the reservation for us. Also, I got with my travel agent today and they are working their magic on a deal and also on bulk air. I will let you know what they come back with. MObride.....if we end up with bulk air and most of your guest list is leaving from STL, that could work out for you, so let me know if you wanna jump on the plane. Hi Diamondpooch! Could you also send me the pictures of the centerpieces you received from Claudia?? Thanks so much...my email is: [email protected] I didn't know there was a resident DJ at the resort or that you had to pay an extra fee to bring someone else in!!... do you know who it is? Heard anything about him?

Hi ladies, I am getting married at the Barcelo Maya Palace next April, and have been in contact with Gabriella (on of the WC's) regarding this very subject. She confirmed to me that as long as your photographer is a guest at the resort, then it's fine, he can take pictures and you won't be charged an extra fee. So as long as your photographer has a resort bracelet to show he's a guest, I wouldn't worry about it! :-)

I love it too! will definitely be watching it on the 17th! I can't wait!!

Hey! I'm kinda new to this forum, so I was just wondering: for this contest, do we have to post something in this thread to take part in it?