mandjphoto

Hi Shay12,

I agree with Pierre.  Right after Easter thru June is a good time and right before and right after Thanksgiving is good.  October is usually one of the rainiest months and the buggiest in my experience.  

Happy planning!

Jen

I don't have much experience with Euphoria so can't give an opinion but I can recommend Maria Tripaldi with Weddings in Playa.  She's on it and I like her as a person.  Happy and positive and like I said - she's on it.

Jen

The lobster dinner looks really nice.  I don't know if that one goes to Isla Mujeres or not but I've had clients go on the one to Isla Mujeres and they really enjoyed it!

I'd be curious to hear what you decide to do.

Jen

Thanks for posting these.  We get asked to recommend videographers often and this gives us a good idea of who we can recommend!

Jen

Hi Sweetmelissaann,

If you do a search for "dreams riviera cancun photography" numerous sites come up from outside photographers who have shot there.

Here's a couple of examples:  

http://www.elizabethmedina.com/blog/2012/09/shannon-and-konstantin-dreams-riviera-cancun-destination-wedding-photography/

http://www.gonzalonunez.com/blog/shery-gary-dreams-riviera-maya-cancun/

and there are more so don't give up!  Sorry I didn't see your post earlier. 

Everything is negotiable in Mexico so...  be tough and stand your ground!

Best of luck to you!

Jen

Thanks for choosing us!  Can't wait to do your trash the dress!  hehe!

Jen

Love your dress!  Best of luck on you special day.  

That's really terrible!  Have you tried to track him down through FB or Google+ or twitter and shame him into responding?  I'm so sorry this has happened.  Hoping it all works out for you.  

Please read this post before you book!

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/81589/i-hope-that-you-recieve-your-pictures

Hi SandyK,

We shot a wedding at the Iberostar on Cozumel. They provided nice deorations and a gazebo. I think most of the resorts will be able to provide those things.

Many brides discover that outside vendors (such as photographers, for example) will cost you extra, since the hotel usually has someone that they use that is on staff or on contract. The fees can be as small as a day pass or in a couple of instances cost you as much as $800 for an outside photographer.

In my experience, the talent of the independent photographers on the Riviera Maya far exceeds that of the hotel shooters. The majority of the independents are worth paying the extra fee.

Good luck,

M&J

Hi chickky311,

I would recommend using the TA.  When I planned my wedding in Cozumel my now husband, Michael, and I tried to do the bookings and it drove us nuts.  Our guests kept changing their arrival and departure dates.  If you can push that responsibility onto someone else do it.  I would also recommend letting your guests deal with their own flights.  Best of luck with your planning!

Jennifer

Hi,

Trip advisor is a great resource as well as getting on some of the webinars through best destination wedding for the resorts once you narrow your choices down.  Also, keep in mind that a lot of the big resorts charge fees for outside vendors so if you are thinking of hiring an outside vendor ask about the fees before you book so that you can include that in your budget.

Happy Planning!

Jennifer

Oh my gosh!  I'm so feeling the LOVE!  We are really looking forward to working with you all in the near future!  Best job in the world!  And Talina and Rodrigo I'm still waiting to see those honeymoon photos!!!!

Hi Breanna,

Don't miss the webinar that Tammy suggested. It's probably the best way to get answers and replies in a timely manner.

Good luck,

Jennifer

Congrats Lydia,

Just remember the most important thing is to make it fun and memorable - not perfect. Don't strive for perfect, because there will be something that won't go right. When that happens, laugh about it and move on.

We got married on the beach here without a planner, but we did have a good friend who knew the best florist, pastry chef, etc. 

You made the right move in hiring a planner who makes you comfortable. Relax and enjoy the process.

Good luck,

Michael

Hi Susannah,

It seems you are getting locked into "packages" and their labels. I did see one bride advise you to deal directly with the WC at the resort. That might give you a more personal response. 

I suppose what is most important now is what the resort is going to include in your package. At the very least, the price should be lower, since they seem to figure in $300 or so for the priest or preacher for an official ceremony.

Are you happy with the resort otherwise? Can you change resorts or dates? My guess is that they are not going to be as responsive to you as they will to the bride who is booking 10 - 20 rooms with her wedding party. Just simple economics.

If you are not already confirmed, there are a lot of boutique, smaller, more personal places for your ceremony like La Reve or Al Cielo.

Thanks for the compliments on our photos. We love what we do!

Best of luck. We are not on here everyday, so send us a PM if you need any further advice.

Michael

Hi Ms Bobi,

Congratulations. I would recommend a visit to the area and try to see the resorts in person.

You not only get to see the facilities, but you get to meet the planners.

Good luck,

Michael

Hi Susannah,

We had a civil ceremony in Colorado and then had a symbolic ceremony (but didn't tell anyone it wasn't the real thing!) in Mexico, shortly after we moved here.

I think a vow renewal is what you do after five, ten or twenty years of marriage to celebrate your life together.

With the symbolic ceremony we asked a close friend to officiate and read the vows that we had written for each other. It worked for us!

Good luck,

Michael

Congratulations on getting married in Mexico. Yes, mariachi bands can be terribly expensive. A DJ that would set up a sound system and play your iTunes mix will be cheaper. While you are working out your budget for your wedding, we think you should put photography at the top of your list.

We are biased, since we are photographers. But, here is a great blog post from a wedding vendor in the U.S. who is NOT a photographer.

http://southalleden.com/2011/02/why-you-should-never-skimp-on-wedding-photography/

Good luck with your planning.

Michael

While many of us hope you choose the Riviera Maya (at least those of us who live here), you should know that it is hot in June.

That shouldn't make you avoid us, but if you do choose the Riviera Maya, don't wear a heavy wedding dress or make the guys wear tuxes. Casual, elegant and cool should be your main words for a beach wedding.

Good luck and congratulations.

Jennifer

Hi Mary,

We have done a blog post on getting married in Mexico (since we got married here) and another blog post on the pricing and hidden costs of getting married on the Riviera Maya.

We prefer smaller resorts, but that's not for everyone. A lot depends on your budget and how many people you expect and whether you want them all at the same resort.

http://www.mandjphoto.com/category/weddings/

Good luck with your planning,

Michael

Hi Beachbridezilla,

Congrats on your engagement. We have a few blog posts about choosing a place on the Riviera Maya.

We prefer smaller, but there are some larger resorts that are perfect for others. We have tried to address some of the "hidden" costs and other things to consider.

http://www.mandjphoto.com/category/weddings/

Good luck,

Michael

Congrats on your engagement and on your decision to get married in Mexico. The two areas that you ask about are very different. Los Cabos is dry, a little on the desert side, surrounded by hills and the water temp there almost always requires a wet suit.

The Riviera Maya (where we live) has a more tropical, Caribbean feel. There are lots of palm trees; warm, clear Caribbean water, white sandy beaches and great Yucatecan and International cuisine.

We not only live here, we got married here, too.

Best of luck.

Michael

I would second Ana y Jose in Tulum. I shot a wedding there and the hotel staff and the planner did an amazing job. I was very impressed.

Here is a link to give you an idea of the grounds, rooms and the look of the place.

http://latinjourneys.net/2011/08/27/ana-y-jose-charming-hotel/

We did the legal ceremony in Colorado and the "real" ceremony in Mexico a month after we moved here. We have a post about our experience, the legalities and the reasons for doing some things in the U.S. or Canada and some in Mexico.

Good luck with your planning.