CristiandJamie

Quote: Originally Posted by NaM On the horse drawn carriage: Depending on where you room is in relation to the gazebo will determine how long your carriage ride is. There are way too many stairs for it to drop you off close to the gazebo. My guess would be that it drops you off near the top of the stairs where you will enter. Probably close to the same place the golf cart will drop you off. But, I'm sure you could still get some great pictures if this is something you wanted. Here are some pictures of the Coba, family side gazebo so you can get an idea of enterance and the area around it. On a side note...there are a ton of stairs at ASP. You will constantly be walking up and down stairs...I'm not gonna lie, it was a bit hard for some of the grandparents to deal with. So just throwing that work of caution out there. Thanks NaM for the pictures and I love the views! Also it's good to know about the stairs since we do have Jamie's grandparents attending. They can get around but might be a little rough walking up and down stairs. Do they have an alternative route for people that are handicap or for older people so they dont have to walk up and down the stairs?

Quote: Originally Posted by rach220 I bought the maracas in Playa Del Carmen (after reading about it at BDW of course). Just about every other shop sold them so it was no problem. I walked up and down the strip and ended up going back to the first place I saw (right at the beginning of where ASP's shuttle drops you off) because they were the cheapest. They had a garbage pail sized bin full of tons of colors, so I dug through to get as many different ones as possible. I paid $1.50 a pair, and each guest got one, so I only spent $30! (17 guests plus the photographer plus us). Everyone loved them! As for the programs, I started them just a few weeks before we left and finished them literally the day before. Yazmin (my WC) was able to give me the name of the minister ahead of time, and we had already chosen our locations months ahead. I think the hardest part for me was choosing the readings. I made the programs myself in Microsoft Word, if anyone is interested in the templates... Thank you Rachel and I was planning on getting the maracas when we get down there. It's good to hear that we wont have a probably finding them! I think it's a cute and easy way to decorate a dinner table (plus it's a gift to our guests) :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by Jackie22 I was really excited about the horse drawn carriage, though it would make for some great photos as well as some wow during the ceremony. I'm getting married at the coba, family side gazebo, I'm wondering if I should email Dulce and see how long I would be in the carriage and how close exactly it would take me. Hmm... Jackie, I have Dulce for my wedding coordinator as well! I feel bad because I email her every week and probably driving her nuts :-).... If you email here about the carriage could you let me know what she says? Also I see you are getting married a month before me so if you do end up getting the carriage let me know how it works out.

Thanks for sharing and total forgot about K&G... they have great deals and think that is where we will get my man's suit!

Quote: Originally Posted by rach220 I didn't bring a cake serving set and just used theirs...I was a little nervous about this because I had read in someone's review that the server they provided was just a butter knife and wouldn't cut through the cake. Here is a pic of the one we had... http://rachelandscottswanson.shutterfly.com/2119 It's plain but I didn't need anything fancy and thought it was fine. It cut through the cake fine, even though the cake was a little weird. If you want something fancy, bring your own, but if you don't care I would say just use theirs. Thank you Rachel! Also I love the picture of the little girl cutting the cake she looks determined :-) Also on your pictures I see that you have maracas on the dinner table, did you get them while you where down there or did you order them and brought them with you?

Quote: Originally Posted by NaM I'm not sure...I didn't do the horse and carriage. But thinking about it...I think it is true, it would have to drop you off a bit away from the gazebo and you would have to walk down. My cocktail hour was near the gazebo. Not sure if there was actually a name to the location because it wasn't on a terrace or anything like that. So I would say the beach near the gazebo. We had right about 50 people at the wedding. No worries, let me know if you have any other questions. NaM, was thinking about doing the horse and carriage but since they dont go up to the gazebo it really doesn't make since to have. Thank you!

Thank you girls for your input and think I will spend the money on something else vs. a cake server! :-)

This may be a stupid question but I wanted to know if any brides are bringing a cake serving set or for those that got married at ASP did you bring one? I want to minimize the stuff I'm bringing and not sure if you can just borrow one from the resort, etc... I know it's to keep for memory sake but really dont want to have to mess with it. I know I'm probably being a guy right now with that comment :-)

I know this might be a stupid question but do you bring your own cake server or can you request them at your resort? Debating on getting one but not sure what other DW brides are doing

I was toying with making plans for people or just letting them do their thing and I agree with everyone else on here just taking day by day. I dont want to be stressed the whole time wondering if so and so is having fun or if they dont like what we plan, etc...

Quote: Originally Posted by sgray Hi Everyone: I have been reading all of your posts and am so happy to have stumbled onto the website today. I am getting married at the ACP on December 4, 2010 at 2pm. We are going with the complimentary package and have 47 guests. 19 rooms (61 room nights) booked...so we get a private event thrown in... I guess my main question is about the onsite photography. Is there a reason to get someone off-site? Has anyone had experience with the on-site photographer? Hey there! Congratulations and welcome to the forum and this thread has been VERY helpful for me so I know it will be for you as well. As for pictures, the Palace resort has a website with some wedding pics... here is the link: Palace Weedings Photography I hope this helps.

Quote: Originally Posted by PhillyBride09 I know that some people have had a hard time getting through Customs, but believe me when I tell you, I STRESSED about it until I got through it and then I wanted to smack myself..LOL I had about 8 bags total, including my laptop bag, plus my wedding dress. I litterally had one LARGE suit case FILLED with all of my OOT crap...maracca pens, Beach balls, Koozies, Flip flop playing cards, Hair flowers, travel poker sets & Etc....Not to mention..tons of coloring books, Crayons and other kiddie stuff for my ring bearer and flower girl who are toddlers. I also had a duffle bag filled with my fake flower bouquets (5 including mine and 8 bouts)...I also had 24 maraccas (regular size maraccas, not minis) in that bag..... I also bought my 4 BM's , my old roomate & both mothers spa robes with matching make up bags & just alot of other stuff. Too many more things to remember and mention, but I am leaving out alot. DH & I had to stuff all of our clothes for this trip in one medium sized suitcase...no lie...all of the others were the crap for the wedding. Come to think of it, I have not idea how we did it! They looked in my Big suitcase with all of the OOT bag stuff for a little longer than the others...at one point she called some else over....But then everything was fine and I went through. Make fake receipts and take them for piece of mind, but just don't spend alot of time stressing....Everything will work out, & unless your bringing something illegal, which i am positive your not (lol) then you will get all of your stuff safely to your destination. Even if they hassle you a little. I know your still going to stress a little over it, but I hope hearing about all of my crap that I took over there makes you feel better Everything will work out! Thank you so much for the reassurance and it makes me feel better to hear about your situation and that you had 8 bags! I dont think I will have that much stuff with me (hopefully not). What did you do with all the luggage since you didnt have to bring so much stuff back with you?

What do you do if you are not traveling with others. we are in Denver and everyone else is flying into Mexico from OH and TX... are we just S.O.L? Also if items need to be under $300, is this per item or total items? I know that I will have over $300 in just clothes if it's per item... Also what about your dress I bet the majority on this site spent more than $300 for their dress... Sorry I have so many questions but what about bringing your cake serving set. Since you have a knife will that raise any red flags in customs? Wondering if anyone is just using resort cake serving set or if bringing own....

Hi Brooke, I love your pictures and thank you for sharing! I see that you brought your cake serving set with you and did you just pack it with your luggage? I figured it would be fine as long as you dont carry it on the plan since it's comes with a knife but just curious... I dont want to have any issues with customs...

Quote: Originally Posted by lily17bear Hi, Christi. I am also an Aventura Palace bride who also chose the Sapphire package, great minds think alike, LOL. My wedding is a month right before yours and I'm starting to get antsy about everything. I have been in contact with Dulce regarding decor and such and she has been able to send me a couple of PDF files showing pictures of the options they have to offer. Who's your WC? Also, are you having it on the adult side of the resort? I have a couple of kids attending, so I'll be over at the Cove side. Dulce is my coordinator as well! Actually I just decided to change to the free package and add on. I have seen pictures of weddings that picked the free package and it still looks pretty. I figured I can use the money for something else and most likely have a private function. Also I wanted to do something different with the wedding colors and wanted more options for the flower selections. We are getting married on the Cove side since I heard that it is a lot nicer. We also might have a couple of people that are under 18 that attend so that is why we picked that side as well. I cant wait and ready to get married and be on vacation!

Quote: Originally Posted by snoopAsh You should float the river! OR have lunch at Oasis on Lake Austin! That is also a must when you are visiting Austin and float on the guadalupe river in new braunfels, which is 20 or 30 mins from Austin - if i can remember??

Quote: Originally Posted by cathyandchin Definitely go to Billy Bob's in Fort Worth! If you make it down to Dallas you'll want to go to the Ghost Bar at the W Hotel. It's got the most amazing view of the skyline! It's kind of uppity and snobby for me, but I live here and I get tired of the snobs but I love the view of the city!! Some good bars/restaurants are off of Knox & McKinney Ave. in Dallas, or in Addison. Dallas has some great steakhouses, often called a Chophouse. You might be better off eating a great steak than finding good BBQ out here! Tex-Mex dining is also amazing!! It's different from Mexican cuisine, but still similar. Chuy's, Mia's, Matt's, are all great spots to go to. Dallas also has some world class shopping. NorthPark Mall is the largest and oldest in the state and everything there from middle of the road to high end. The Galleria is also a very nice mall, it's got an skating rink in the middle of it. By the way... I noticed your FI in your avatar pic is wearing a BIG BLACK t-shirt. You can actually go by Big's house! We're super big Rob & Big fans at my house and he lives down the street from us! I soooo miss tex-mex and plan on having some this weekend while I'm visiting! That is a MUST!

I like Shae's idea as well. We are going to put maracas on our dinner table as favors. I think it will just be another surprise for people! First they get a OOT bag then the starfish wine charm at dinner. Just another plus!

Hi Kim, Can I see your pics of your hair? you can send it to [email protected]. Thank you!

If you are going to be in the Dallas area or near there I would try Fort Worth stockyards. They have tons of country bars with line dancing. Check out Billy Bobs and they are one of the places that people go to when they are visiting the Dallas/ Fort Worth area. If you are in that area you MUST go to Joe T Garcias and sit outside. They are know for the atmosphere and there margaritas! I'm originally from that area and moved to Denver about 4 years ago. Also if you want a lot of country western bars and great music you should go to Nashville Tennessee. That is the place to be for country music. I went there in October last year and they know how to party! Take care and let us know what you end up doing :-)

I agree with you! I think as long I you are nice to your onsite coordinator and give them a great tip for helping with the planning that will go a long way (at least I hope!). Yes, I'm in Denver and just noticed you are too! We are in Aurora and have been here for 4 years now. My fiancee is from OH and I'm originally from TX so that is why we decided on a destination wedding. Denver brought us together and we are both very happy here and dont plan on going anywhere else! Are you a native to Denver? I know there are a lot of transplants like myself...

Quote: Originally Posted by Janelley100 I too saw that article and wondered. However, I haven't heard anything since that article came out. For what it's worth....and as you probably saw on the dw.com thread....I originally booked through dw.com because of the supposed "relationship" they had with Moon Palace. They even had them listed as on of the top 5 partner hotels. However, shortly after I booked I noticed that all Palace Resorts were removed from their website and that is when my TA at the time spoke briefly with me about possibly changing to one of the Azul resorts. I didn't want to change and the Azul resorts were way out of my price range....so i stayed with MP and never heard another word about it again. Until I changed TA's all together. My point being...I don't know if Palace Resorts is in trouble or not. I imagine they are struggling just like every other resort out there. However, with that said, I personally think that dw.com will do anything to get you to one of the partner resorts they work with. This is purely my opinion. If anyone else knows anything I too would love to hear. Thank you and I think you are right about dw.com. They originally wanted me to book through EL Dorado Royale but it was a little to pricey for my liking and didnt get as much for the amount you are paying. Also I have stayed at Cozumel Palace before and they were great. Also heard nothing but good things about the other Palace resorts so I think we should be good to go. Since I'm too far into the process with dw.com I'm going to stick with them. They are not bad but it could be better... Today they informed me on the reason why they dropped Palace resorts from the platform and below is the email response from DW.com: I spoke with our Vendor Relations Coordinator in further detail to see what the current status is with the Palace Resorts. Unfortunately, it seems as though they have not been following through with providing excurisions and amenities for some clients. We have had gone back several times to the upper management at the resorts and they are not willing to provide us with additional information or provide a resolution to some of the problems that have occurred in the recent months. Because of this, we are currently not recommending their resorts as we are still waiting to resolve these issues. Of course, this recommendation was for all of the Palace resorts and does not necessarily mean the problems have been occuring directly at the Adventura Spa Palace. There should be no problem with your group agreement. However, I would highly recommend to your guests that they all book through Martine and DestinationWeddings.com because we can assist you and your guests should you encounter any type of issues when you're at the resort or if your experience there is not satisfactory. I would also recommend that you confirm any amenities you are to receive with the wedding coordinator and that the coordinator provides you with written confirmation. I would suggest that you print out a copy of your emails with the wedding coordinator and bring this documentation with you to the resort just for your protection. I spoke with Martine today and she informed me that you and her discussed everything again last evening. I hope this helps to reassure you and please do not hesitate to contact us with any other concerns! We are here to ensure the process goes as smooth as possible for you and your guests. Sincerely, Emily

Quote: Originally Posted by Tinkatude Hello Ladies, Highlights...I have to say the wedding package made the gazebo look beautiful...I had a harpist..and it was really pretty..soft and romantic.. I also asked for a male minister..and the one I had gave a beautiful sermon.. I had our wedding on the Cove side..only because I thought it was the prettier gazebo...because it has the clear glass and you can see the ocean behind you... and when we kissed you could see the fireworks alot better.... unfortunately..they had a LOT of conventions going on...and the kids were off school...the resort was extremely crowded and... I had some screaming kid in the background..and unfortunately his mother didnt have any brains in her head cause she let him climb up the side of the gazebo and hang over to watch...on the other end of the resort...one of the conventions had some kind of contest going on...and had people cheering and playing loud boom boom music...but I have to say...during the ceremony..I was sooo focused on my new husband..that I totally didnt notice those things till the end...it was truly beautiful.. so..recommendation..if you dont have kids in your wedding or attending it...and like romantic/quiet... do it on the spa side.. I had my reception on the spa side in the piano terrace..and it was incredible... you walk down a small boardwalk..they had trees lining the front of the walkway lite up with white lights... I only had 10 people and they made it look so pretty and romantic.. I also told them to KICK up the cake taste up a notch...I picked a menu and changed things around...took things out and added things in...things that were in the restaurants that I liked to eat...also I had a three tier cake chocolate with chocolate mousse...(the bottom tier) the middle tier was pineapple cheesecake and the top was vanilla with vanilla pudding...my least favorite..I also used the resort photographer... recommendation..wear flip flops.. he asks you to climb on stuff.. (large rocks) I was like wth...anyways, its easier to get thru the sand..he did a good job with the photography...my suggestion.. you tell him what kinda pics you want..and where you want to take them...walk around the resort before you get married..and pick spots you like..also... ask your WC to have the pics emailed to her...or if you have a computer with you...ask the photograper to email them to you so you can preview them...my mistake cause I didnt know.. he picked the pictures for my damn album...I was seriously annoyed by that and I let them know it too.. All in all..I started off with the free package..was going to do the restaurant..and ended up with the amethyst package and reception in the piano terrace... it was fun/romantic/intimate and my family and friends had a blast... If you have any questions..you can email me at [email protected] and I would be happy to show you some of the pics..I have to put them on shutterfly..I already have pics and some video of the hotel.. on shutterfly Shutterfly.com [email protected] twinkle1 If you want to see some pics of the hotel... and videos (bottom of the page) take care and talk to you soon Kim Kim, congratulations and thank you for the information! Also I have a questions for you... I see on your shutterfly photos a picture of the terrace (roof), do you know the name of that terrace? Was that were you had your cocktail reception? Think that is the same terrace that Dulce reserved for our group for the cocktail reception... Congratulations again!

I always like to cover all my bases and wanted to know if you have to have a protection plan on your credit card in order for the credit card company to reimburse you if something like this happens? Also are you covered if you have travel insurance? What if you bought the insurance through your travel agent

Hello Everyone, I just wanted to see if anyone heard of Palace resorts having financial issues We are getting married at the Aventura Spa Palace in June and have been booked for a while (since Oct). We went through Destination Weddings.com and they are no longer on their platform and my agent gave me a scare yesterday... it's to late to change so just wanted to see if anyone else has heard anything I did a research online and found out that Wyndham is joing a few of the Palace resorts but they will still be owned and operated by Palace Resorts. here is the source: Wyndham Worldwide: News Releases – Wyndham Hotel Group