GroomsArePeopleToo

Quote: Originally Posted by mexbride83 I'm a Ceiba del Mar bride as well! I'm getting married May 2011. I have been dealing with Diana as well and she has been wonderful. I've never waited more than a couple of hours for responses on anything. I would LOVE to see pics and reviews from all of you that are before me! There is so little info on here about Ceiba. While I have not shoot there yet. I have done a walkthrough and the resort is very nice. It is located about 1 mile from my family's home in PM. I will be back down in a few weeks and could get some more pics if you wanted to see something more specific.

Quote: Originally Posted by taylorwd YES!!!! This time two weeks from now we'll be on the beaches of Mexico!! Me too! Looking forward to your big day.

Congrats Wendy!

Quote: Originally Posted by mexbride83 Lauren - thanks, we may need to check those places out! I haven't found anything for Puerto Morelos, so this is very helpful. Yeah Morelos is very low key, just got back Wednesday, family has a home there. Lovely but no real night life. PDC is the way to go!

Too baad you had that bad experience. I guess it was good to find out early that you would not have been happy. Nice that you were able to find a new location. Best wishes,

Quote: Originally Posted by japonick Taylor, I originally heard some restrictions about Mexican work permits, etc. to bring someone in from outside US. That was my first plan and when I was in communication with Dreams, they asked for Mexican work permit numbers, expiration, etc. so I stopped considering bringing a photographer with me from the US. Hey Taylor, you find another bride and we can talk about making a deal!

Quote: Originally Posted by taylorwd Not all hotels require the paperwork. Karisma does. For my photog he said getting it was piece of cake. He went to the Mexican consulate in Detroit (I think) and it was done in a day. It wasn't much money, either. He didn't give me the specific amount, though. He paid for it himself since he considered it to be a good investment for future business. Amyb is absolutely right! They'll never know that someone isn't a family member. We thought of that too late, unfortunately. If you don't want to consider bringing one from the US then my guess is you're probably stuck with Caribe or Matias Cano. Hola, Wendy's photographer here. The FM3 was pretty easy and inexpensive to get. I went that route for a few reasons. First, I hope to be doing many more DW in the area, my family has a home down there (so that can save on the expense as I would stay at the house). Second, this particular resort requires it or a 3 night stay. Third, while plenty of photogs fly under the radar as the "family member" and get away with it, I'd hate to be the one banned from a resort or have any disruption to my clients wedding weekend due to me not being legit. Probably not likely to happen but I'd rather not take the chance. Fourth, I do not want any trouble bringing in the proper gear needed to shoot a wedding. As a tourist you are limited on the gear you can bring without raising flags. I think it is vital to have back up gear as well. I also do not want to have trouble with immigration on either end explaining where I got all the fancy camera equipment. Looking forward to Wendy's wedding very soon!

Quote: Originally Posted by daniepps Hello everyone. Does anybody know that the latest answer is about bringing your own photographer? Can you bring one and does the resort charge a fee? And what is everyone doing about music at the reception? I had planned to use a playlist from my iPod but I asked about the cost of a DJ and was blown away. I really don't want to pay $1,500 for a DJ. Just did a site visit last month to Azul Beach Resort, I believe this applies to all Karisma resorts. Outside vendor: 3 nights stay or $500 fee. I was told I would need an FM3 work visa as well. Should not be much trouble obtaining the FM3, I will be going in the next few weeks to get it done. Just some paperwork and a trip the MX Consulate. I do not need to stay at the resort as we have a home down there.

Here is a link to a thread where I posted some information and a link to some photos. I am working on booking with an Azul Beach Resort bride. http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...ml#post1131176 I am headed back down at the end of March for Spring Break with the family I may try to do a few more site visits too.

I was just down there for vacation and did a few site visits. One to Azul Beach Resort for a potential client, it was smaller and very kid friendly. We walked through the property, it has about 98 rooms. As an outside photographer there are a few restrictions but nothing too bad. Also in the same area, Puerto Morelos, I visited El Cid, bigger, about 350 rooms but I thought was very nice, I have their wedding package literature. Lastly was Ceiba Del Mar which was kinda in between in location and size. Here is a link to some pics from Azul and also a very cool no beach location I came arcoss, not at Azul. All of these resorts are about 30 minutes from the airport. The great thing for me is that my family has a home down there so if frees up some budget as I do not need to stay at the resort. Best wishes, feel free to contact me if you have any questions. edited to fix link and added El Cid pics

Congratulations! You will find lots of great information and advise here. Best wishes.

I just returned from a family vacation in Puerto Morelos (RM), incredible weather this time of year. I was able to do a few site visits while I was down there as well as check with the venues on their requirements when using outside photographers. I will be happy to share any information about Azul Beach Resort or El Cid Marina if anyone is interested. I also visited another smaller resort which I think could offer a unique alternative to the beach wedding location. Regarding El Cid, it is located less than 5 minutes from our family home and they allow outside photographers at no fee to the couple so I can stay at our home and help keep down the fees for bringing your photographer. They also offer a pier wedding location which still gives you a great beach wedding feel but on a nice surface. So if you don't need to feel the sand between your toes... I snapped a few pics with the iPhone and will get them up asap.

Buckeyegirl, Congratulations! I just got back from a vacation in RM and as usual it was great. I did a few site visits and found a few great photo locations as well. Have a fun time planning and best wishes!

Quote: Originally Posted by H-Town Liz I am having my wedding at El Cid in January. I never did a site visit but all of the reviews were good. One of the major deciding factors for me was the responsiveness of the wedding coordinator. It was amazing how hard it was to get some of the hotels to email me back when I was inquiring about holding a wedding there. Eva (el Cid's WC) has been absolutely wonderful. She have been helping me work out all of the details and has been been on the ball about everything. I only hope the ceremony goes as well as all the planning has gone, and I am confident that it will. The rooms were reasonably priced for our guests as well. We went through destinationweddings.com to book the package and coordinate travel for everyone. I just did a site visit and I would echo what Liz said. They do have onsite photographers but Eva did say they allow outside photographers too. My family has a home right there in Puerto Morelos so I am familiar with the town and location. I saw some great photo opportunities at the resort and around town for a day after or TTD session. Andrew

I just came back from a site visit at El Cid. I met with Evangelina. The resort was very nice. I grabbed a few iPhone shots and picked up their brochure. They have a wonderful pier where they preform the weddings too. I give the resort a big thumbs up! Andrew

Update: So we are enjoying our time here in MX. Sorry we did not get down south to Tulum, lots of beach time here. I have a site visit to Azul this afternoon, may have some pics from there. As for Sport fishing, the local Puerto Morelos fisherman will take you fishing, but not deep sea big game fishing. If you want the 'big boat" experience head to Cancun or Playa Del Carmen. Here is a very cool hidden location I came across. It's not the beach wedding, but this could be a very unique wedding spot. Think about decorating the walk way with flowers and luminarias . The view faces to the west so you could enjoy a sunset wedding. I would guess there is enough room for 12-15.

Jenna, While I do not have any suggestions, I am sure you will get plenty from other DW brides, I will also be down there from the 24th-31st. I hope to check out a few resorts and have a site visit planned for Azul. I f you wanted to meet for a drink if you happen to be in Puerto Morelos, we would love to help in any way we could.

Assuming this is El Cid in Puerto Morelos I will be in Puerto Morelos later this week ( family vacation over Christmas ) if I can gather any info or pics I would be happy to try. I will be checking the thread while there. Happy Planning Andrew

When I was down this summer with my wife for a ten year anniversary we took a day trip to the then new Xplore, which is part of Xcrate (separate parks). The zip-lines were amazing! There are 4 adventures for you to do, zip amphibious vehicle, rafting through a cave and swimming through a cave. The admission was well worth it, $99 usd. That included a very nice buffet. Of course a trip to the ruins is nice too.

My in-laws own a home in Puerto Morelos, we have been down many times, our home away from home. It's a nice little town to relax in. The reef is about 500 yards off the beach and there are many boats to take you out fishing and snorkeling. A quick cab ride to Playa or Cancun for some nite life is easy. I will watch the thread and post some pics while I am down there.

Welcome and let me know if I can help.

Lindsay, Welcome to the forum! Let me know if I can help.

Family vacation coming up in the RM, yeah. I would be happy to post some pics if someone had specific locations they wanted to see. Of course no promises (I will be on vacation), but I'd be happy to do what I could. We will be in Puerto Morelos, which is between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.

Congratulations to you and your brother. Welcome to the forum. The double wedding thing sounds quite interesting. I would love to hear how that goes.

Robyn Congratulations and you will love the RM!