Oneeleven

This is a repost as I didn't get any bites from the first time I posted it, so sorry to be a nag!

 I have a massive favor to ask.  For those of you who did the Mint Breeze, or maybe just have some info, i am looking to see if there is any other option for the reception other than a banquet hall.

we are only going to be about 15 people so I fear a banquet hall would be ridiculous and I'm just not keen on that idea at all.

If you have some info or photos, I would really appreciate it and if you prefer to email it to me just let me know and I will PM you my info.

TIA ladies and happy planning!

Okay so we are booked!! Yay! I booked through Sears Travel and am flying with Westjet.  We are there from the 3rd to the 11th.

this is going to seem like a stupid question but when all of you are talking about a cocktail hour I just don't see it in the package listing I have from the Barcelo.

I am still deciding between the Mint Breeze and the Strawberry Passion.

Is a cocktail hour included in either of those?

And I have a massive favor to ask.  For those of you who did the Mint Breeze, or maybe just have some info, i am looking to see if there is any other option for the reception other than a banquet hall.

we are only going to be about 15 people so I fear a banquet hall would be ridiculous and I'm just not keen on that idea at all.

If you have some info or photos, I would really appreciate it and if you prefer to email it to me just let me know and I will PM you my info.

TIA ladies and happy planning!

I am from Canada too, I'm in Ottawa. And I was just going to book through the resort. But the draw back is that this way, you CAN'T put a deposit down to hold your spot. Which kind of sucks as it forces you to buy your trip super early and therefore costs way more.

How are you able to book using a deposit?  Is that because you're using a Travel agent?  Or maybe you booked though Air Transat?

 

Originally Posted by SandRWedding 

That would be awesome

I have never been to the resort, but from the pics I have seen the gazebo looks gorgeous!! I also wanted the 5pm ceremony time, but the latest time they offered us was 4.

Our ceremony is at 4 on the Coral Beach, we are having a cocktail hour on the rooftop terrace and the reception at Playa Azul. I have always wanted to get married on the beach in bare feet, so it is perfect for us!!  

 

We have booked our trip, and so far have 21 people with deposits in....have you booked as well??

And I see you are also from Canada?? Are you booking a wedding package through the resort or through Air Transat??

 

Steph

I would be getting married in the gazebo at the Barcelo anyways and that is not private either.  But I am in LOVE with the Barcelo's Gazebo.  I am finding it hard to say no to.   But I have to say... when you add everything up the Barcelo trip would be about $2000.00 more than the DRC when all is said and done.  Thats a HUGE difference
 

Originally Posted by Brenners 

Dreams had no real private area for a wedding - everything was right in the middle of all of the action and other guests.  Dreams had no gazebo - they had a structure next to the infinity pool but nothing that would really be a real gazebo.  I do have to say that DRC had the most AMAZING spa I have ever seen!  The Strawberry Passion package is $3385 but worth the privacy. 
 

 

Really?  I thought at Dreams you could have the ceremony at the Gazebo for no extra charge, at the Barcelo, unless you stay at the Palace, there is a charge per head.

Also, at Dreams you can have the reception any where you want, and at the Barcelo, if you want it outside, you HAVE to take the $4000 Strawberry package for that.
 

I've been to the Barcelo before but not dreams
 

Originally Posted by Brenners 

We did site visits at quite a few resorts.  Packages at Barcelo were pretty comparable to Dreams, however, their room rates were far better so you save money that way.  The only resort I found where you could create your own unique wedding (meaning no packages) was Ceiba del Mar, however, the cost of roundtrip airfare and a week's stay for a couple cost about $6000.  So in our research, Barcelo was actually the best price for packages and rates.  What Diana from Ceiba told us was that most brides got carried away with the extras - decorations, dance floor, dj, etc...when you really don't need much for decorations (the tropical locale mostly takes care of that), you can bring an ipod with your own music and people can dance in the sand.  But it depends on each bride and what they want and are willing to pay for what they have in mind for their special day.
 

 

Yay!  You will have to come have a peek on the 7th and have a drink with us

We are 5 pm in the gazebo. Future hubs is wearing his military dress uniform and he must wear shoes with it so we thought it's best to stay off the sand.  Dunno about reception.

You? Whats your time, location and where's your reception at?

Did you book your trip yet?

Hi guys,

I would love to find some info on this resort if you have some to share

I am toying with the idea of booking there, but was hoping to get some first-hand experiences

TIA.

I'm an April 7th bride

Just a word to the wise, I have had my date confirmed since March of this year and they only recently contacted me to tell me that you cannot have a legal ceremony on that weekend as it is Easter weekend, even though I had specificially asked if you could.  Also, this means that the Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon will not count as a day in Mexico that you need to have before you get married.

Yay to the Barcelo 2012 brides!! 

•  SandRWedding
• What date is your wedding?  I am on the 7th of April

was that $6000 including your room and flight?
 

Originally Posted by nsousa 

I just got married there this past May.  Which package only includes 2 hours? 

 

We added the cocktail hour (and the extra hour at the end for a negotiated rate of about 50% what they wanted).  Cocktail hour seemed worth it bc for the same price, at least they give you food and a rooftop party...we hired the mariachi to entertain for this.

 

We had 36 people, but we had also paid for the 2 photographers meals and 2 other meals for guests that didn't make it due to a personal emergency at home, so we paid for 40 in all.

 

I think our bill was $6000 paid to the Barcelo.  

 

Ultimately, the total expense of our wedding amounted to about 3.5 times that, when you add in EVERY little detail leading up to the day of.  It was a lot more than I had every anticipated when first entertaining the idea of a destination wedding, but it was a beautiful day and when all is said and done, it was worth it for the most part.

 

See my post about wedding budgeting...I shared a spreadsheet that should help you calculate everything.  Fortunately, my meticulous calculating paid off, bc when we arrived at the resort and had our first meeting with the WC, I had pretty much nailed it with the amount I expected to need! 

 

But yes, Barcelo weddings, when done right, do seem to be more expensive than other resorts.  Or so it seems, but then again I wouldn't know. 

 

 

 

Thank you, looking forward to it. I am not sure though, where do I go to look?  I can't see photos.

but hotel ball room, that sounds so big!  we are going to be around 20 so I feel like we will be drawfed in there.

I think that is the only option if you don't pay for a beach dinner though isn't it?

I am booked next April for the Barcelo Maya.  I have been there once before and am lucky enough to be able to return with the love of my life and get married there.

I have a question for you, do any of you lovely ladies have any info on what the indoor reception areas are like?  And photos would held this bride-to-be out something fierce!

thanks in advance,

Tia

Ps: if you'd prefer to email me photos my addy is

[email protected]

Thanks again!

Hi there,

Do any of you wonderful folks have any recent photos of gazebos? I am trying to select a resort at the moment and a lot hinges on the gazebo.

Thanks for all the wonderful info in this thread so far!

Hi there,

I am thinking about getting the mint breeze package and I am wondering if any of you can tell me what the reception area they include and what the banquet hall you have dinner is is like?  If you have photos and are will to share, that is even better!

I would really appreciate any info and TIA!

Hi all,

I am looking for the above mentioned dress.

If you have it for sale or *will* have it for sale in the future, please contact me with the details.
 

Thank you!