SarahWitt

You are supposed to get the full amount back minus like $10/night for service fees or something?!?!

That sort of sucks. I was counting on the to be applied as a credit for everything we are adding on. I am not waiting until after I leave to get that credit back for the room it should be immediate, ours is like $3k we get back! My fiance is Mexican so he can usually get around those types of things with similar cultures and such...I will pray that that works! So crazy to me!

I am not using a travel agent, so maybe that is where this issues come in....

So if you did a group contract and booked hte 75 nights, that earns you 7 complimentary nights, but you dont get an immediate credit? They credit you back AFTER the trip?!?

Thats obnoxious!

Sorry if you didnt get married on the cove side/Coba gazebo, I think I was reading my own profile lol. I was typing and not really processing/thinking!! So much to do before Saturday my mind is all over the place!!!

Originally Posted by SarahWitt 

Chase,

 

Since you did get married on the Cove side in the Coba Gazebo, throughout the whole experience, what do you wish you would of known beforehand? Is there anything you would of changed?

 

We are having a cocktail hour on the Cove Terrace Friday night, then Getting married in the coba gazebo at 6pm on saturday, then dinner at the Maracas Terrace after with Mariachies, then going indoors for a dance party with a DJ.

 

Any suggestions, feedback, comments that you have not mentioned yet would be amazing!!!!!

 

Thank you

 

Sarah

Chase,

Since you did get married on the Cove side in the Coba Gazebo, throughout the whole experience, what do you wish you would of known beforehand? Is there anything you would of changed?

We are having a cocktail hour on the Cove Terrace Friday night, then Getting married in the coba gazebo at 6pm on saturday, then dinner at the Maracas Terrace after with Mariachies, then going indoors for a dance party with a DJ.

Any suggestions, feedback, comments that you have not mentioned yet would be amazing!!!!!

Thank you

Sarah

Thank you!!!

That helped put me at ease a little. Once I get there and get a feel for everything I am sure I will feel better. I am more concerned about my guests really than myself lol, so I am having faith everything goes well.

Thank you for all of that, it did help!! I am glad you ladies had a great experience!!

Yes, I cant wait to leave, I am itching to get into the sun and have some drinks:)

We leave Saturday morning, bright and early, so we will see you Sunday and the rest of the week!!! I am hoping I dont forget anything lol!!

Originally Posted by chase414 

Hi Sarah,

Unfortunately, the swim up bar and brick oven pizza is closed.  However, the waiters and waitresses can bring you drinks.  And there is a snack bar open at the pool.  They serve pizza but not from the brick oven.  They also have a children's pool area with a really cool water slide!  The cove side pool is 3x larger than the spa side. This may be a plus or a negative but there was hardly anyone at this pool. Probably because the swim up bar was closed.  I really like the Cove lobby.  They have a pastry cafe and a children's area near the front entrance with marshmallow lolly pops.

 

The cove lobby bar area is much nicer than the spa lobby bar.

 

They do offer babysitting services.  The children's pool and children's clubhouse is fenced off so if you had them with the sitter it would be very safe.  The resort is beautiful.  Also, the breakfast buffet on the cove side is geared towards children.  They'll love it, frosted muffins, homemade donuts, waffles, candy!

 

The resort is beautiful and if you go to the front entrance roads around 4:30 or 5 you'll see the monkeys!  They also offer a monkey tour on Mondays at 5pm.  We didn't do the tour but we did go and see them on our own one day.  

 

Have faith, they may have it all up and running by the time you get there.  Even if it's not I think all your guests will have a great time!  The food at the resort is better than most we've been to!  There are so many more positives than negatives  

Hi Chase,

I am a little nervous!! Myself and all of our guests are staying on the cove side because we have a couple children coming, and we definitly drink and I was looking forward to the swim up bar.

Is this really closed as you said in your review???

(The Cove side swim up bar is closed along with the brick pizza oven)

I emailed Cristina my wedding coordinator, but the more I hear about this resort, the more nervous I am getting!!!!

Thanks & if you have any comments/feedback about the Cove side that would be great to hear:)

Originally Posted by chase414 

Wedding Day!

We had a ceremony at the Chichen Gazebo.  What I wish I had know prior to arriving (but worked out for us because we had music and an extra usb drive) is that your guests are asked to arriving to the Gazebo 30 mins prior to your ceremony time.  They will not release you from your room until all the guests have arrived.  So if you don't want your guests sitting around without music, bring a usb drive that they can use with the sound system at the ceremony.  They may take other forms of music but didn't ask.

 

I didn't end up getting out of our room until 4:10 and our ceremony was supposed to start at 4:00.  The saxophone player was late!

 

But it all worked out and it was all so beautiful.  I can't wait til we get back our video and pictures from the resort!  

 

 

Our after the ceremony reception was held at the Pandero Terrace.   I loved this spot and so happy with our choice of location!

I'm also thankful, that I had a change in dresses!  By the time the ceremony and photo session was over I was soaked.  It was very, very hot in my gown.

 

We also hired the Mexican Trio and had our fireworks at this location! It was wonderful.

We had our dinner reception at the El Greco on the lower outdoor terrace.  We had this area to ourselves and it was wonderful.  After we sat down the waiter let us know that the chef would prepare a special menu of Filet Mignon and Grilled Shrimp for us!  They had the champagne flowing all night as well. (I did request the lower terrace and wasn't sure that we would get it until we showed and saw that the area was set up for us.)

 

 

Just a few more things you should know:  

The Cove side swim up bar is closed along with the brick pizza oven.

The Rock Climbing Wall is also closed, but it made for a great photo op!

 

And one more thing, Angel at the Salon did my hair and make-up!  Also, knows how to apply false eyelashes.  He's the best!! I love him.

 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  I'll be more than happy to help in anyway I can.

 

If you would like feel free to check out all of our photos at our photo share site.  I have over 1000 pics on there between us and our guests!  They're also broken down into event albums.  They may give you a better idea on what the areas look like with decorations!  

 

www.tammyjeffreylaporte.shutterfly.com

 

Good luck ladies!!!

Originally Posted by AlmostMrsMcD 

 

I know I'm very pleased!  Now my only worry is how to keep my luggage under 50 pounds considering I'm bringing almost all the wedding centerpieces, the OOT bags, gifts, and everything with me! 

Poolside drinks in 10 days!!

I will be waiting at the pool with a drink already in hand lol

Wow!! You are bringing lots of stuff. I am bringing all of my clothes & stuff in one suitcase. Then for all of my stuff for welcome bags are going in my carry on, then carrying my dress on also! You should have people help you bring stuff! My parents are helping bring like half of the stuff, so that way Xavier and I can still have 1 bag each to check and then our carry ons and hopefully be good to go!! I want to start packing now lol!

Originally Posted by AlmostMrsMcD 

 

Thanks for the email Sarah!  Cristina forwarded my email to Karime who called me in about an hour.  What a relief!!!  Smooth sailing from here I hope!!!

SO GLAD TO HEAR!!!!! Happy planning!! I look forward to seeing you down there:)

We are leaving in 9 days, and my mind is running crazy thinking of everything!!!

Originally Posted by AlmostMrsMcD 

 

Ok so far no response so I may try and reach out to Cristina if I do not hear anything back by tomorrow.  We got the Diamond collection so I have my choices of pretty much everything however, like I said no one has really asked me yet!!  I was letting it go only because our wedding in the US was Saturday and I was so stressed trying to get through that day!!  Now I can't sleep because we may just be on vacation with 20 people if I can't get a whole wedding planned in 1 week!! 

What day are you arriving Sarah?  We leave May 20th and will be there until the 31st!  I'm so ready for some fun and sun!!  I've been tanning religiously for weeks trying to get ready!! Technically my husband (weird!!!) has already seen me in my gorgeous gown but I can't wait to wear it again and this time for more than an hour!!  It doesn't seem like anyone has really had any issues getting it on the plane but I would never dream of sending out once we are in Mexico! 

Can't wait can't wait!!!!

I feel awful no one has reached out to you and I would be getting a little nervous!! But you can definitly plan something in a week. I would just have everything ready! If you want a welcome dinner/cocktail hour & day/time, if you want music during the ceremony/reception, menu selections, which I can send you if you would like?!?! Flower details and just stuff liek that, if you have it ready you can tell them everything and be good to go!!

We will arrive at the resort on May 19th and be there through the 28th, so we will be there! I am sure I will be at the Cove Pool Bar hanging out in the sun:) 

Cristina has been going in and out with her responsiveness as well, but I would reach out to her since its coming down to the wire! I am not too worried about the dress, I am going to carry it on, and let it air out in the room for any wrinkles, and I may be getting a portable steamer as well if you need it:) Let me know when she reaches out to you, I have just been laying out in the sun on the weekends, I live in Texas and its in the 90's so just soaking up the sun here before I head off to Mexico! I am more than happy to help, so if you need me to send you anything let me know!

Originally Posted by jszy10 

 

Hey Sarah!  I had my dress well-steamed by my bridal shop before I left, and it was still perfect when we arrived in Mexico.  Now I never folded my gown or "squished" it into any compartments (my fabulous hubby held it up through the airport and we hung it in first class), so this may definitely have an affect on how it comes out post-travel?  One thing I can tell you though, is that if you have your gown steamed by the resort, it will take 2-3 days, and they DO send it off site.  That was unsettling to me, so even if my gown was wrinkled at all, I would have taken care of it myself.  I feel like one bride recently posted a great travel steamer that she took with her.  That might be the better option if you are concerned!?

 

 

Thank you!!

Yeah I am a littler nervous to send my very expensive not mention wedding dress sent off and not be onsite at the resort, it makes me VERY nervous and I know my mom would not want something to happen either. I would rather just by a travel steamer and bring it, I have been doing some research on which one to buy. I am hoping the planes will let it hang, I have the garment bag from the Bridal Salon and I will be there a week prior, so I can let it hang itself out too!! I hope it all works out:)

Hey!!

I am getting a little nervous/stressed/anxious!!! I feel awful no one has contacted you!!! I am working with Cristina, and I wrote her a VERY long email because I didnt hear from her for like 10 days and wasnt getting a response, but you SHOULD be hearing from someone especially because we are SO close. I leave in 11 days for Mexico, so Crazy to think about!!

I really hope the weather is great, and everything works out!! I am not sure what wedding package you got, and if you did the group contract, but just be ware, that they will charge you for every little thing that isnt included, be sure to ask how much if you want things, so I am really trying to pick and choose what is most important. I posted my song list under the "post your entire playlist" thread on here, if you need any help, or questions let me know!!!

I am mostly planned just have some minor details to get squared away!!!

Here is Cristina's email, you could try to reach out to her and express your concern: [email protected]

I think its her and Edith who are the two WC's. But it wouldnt hurt to get everything moving this close!!

I cant wait to get down there to hang out and relax too, I am in need of a vacation as well!!

Originally Posted by AlmostMrsMcD 

So glad everything turned out great for you guys!  Can't wait to hear some more reviews!!  Sarah are you getting nervous yet?  I hope we have fantastic weather!!!

 

We had our US wedding this past weekend and everything was wonderful (except my nerves which still haven't calmed down!!!!)  I was up all night last night thinking how I STILL have not even spoken with Karime or made any official plans with her.  I plan on sending a very lng email this morning and hopefully finally accomplishing something.  But it's good to know that eventually everything will come through in the end. 

A General Questions for all of the previous brides, for your dresses, did you have the resort steam or press it prior to the wedding?!?!

My dress will be pressed and steamed prior to going on the plane, I just figured in transit and carrying on, then the travel to the resort, there is a possibility it will get wrinkled, so I wanted to see what you ladies did for your dresses:)

Thanks!!
 

Here is my list!

Thanks to all the lists on her that helped compile this one below!!

Originally Posted by chase414 

 

We just had our wedding this past Thurs. The weather was perfect and so was every detail for all of our events! I'll write a review when we return and make an attempt with a planning thread. There were a few things that I wish we knew before we left but everything still turned out great. I couldn't be happier with how our wedding turned out'

HI Chase!!

So glad the weather was great and everything went smooth!! Hope you are enjoying the vacation as well:)

Cant wait to hear your feedback, especially what you wish you knew!!

Enjoy yourself in Mexico!!!

Originally Posted by J-me 

 

Hi ladies!!! We're BAAACK!!!

 

Lots of catching up with work, unpacking, etc. but I will definitely post my reviews and planning thread this weekend.

 

To recap, the resort is BEAUTIFUL, every single staff member was SO accommodating & friendly, but (and please don't let this scare you May brides bc I'll get to the positive too) there were a LOT of things that went wrong during our visit unfortunately. A few to note, the three 'major' things we brought were centerpieces, runners, and maracas and somehow they messed this up. The buffet at the reception was wrong (we ordered Yucatan and they served the Cajun, which was still tasty, but it's what our guests had the night before at the rehearsal dinner and we were looking forward to something more 'Caribbean'), several rooms flooded (including ours) after some rain the first two days, they misplaced our toasting flute/cake cutting set and had to send it to us at our honeymoon resort, they messed up all of my bridesmaids' (pre-confirmed) salon appts, and at least 5-6 guests (that we know of) had major check out/incorrect billing issues which delayed their shuttle to the airport (I'll elaborate more in my review and tips to avoid).

 

Hiccups are inevitable, so the above probably would've been more easily brushed off but....the one thing that made this a less than stellar experience is their weather/back up procedure. Our contract/site visit assured there would be a back up in case of rain. Well, there was, but what they DON'T tell you is you have to make that judgement call hours beforehand. Edith called me in room on wedding day to tell me there was 60% chance of rain and I had two choices: move my ceremony & reception to the ballroom (whole reason we chose Aventura was venue) or keep it outside, but IF it rained, EVERYTHING would be cancelled, not able to be moved inside, and nonrefundable-food,dj, toasts, cake, EVERYTHING. I had to make the decision at 12pm for a 5pm ceremony (at 12pm it was GORGEOUS outside too) I wasn't going to let anything ruin the day, but I will say it robbed me of a bit of enjoyment, bc I spent most of that day upset at the thought of that serious gamble  no one can predict/control the weather, but I felt like it was insensitively handled. We kept it outside, the weather was PERFECT, but I spend half the day w/my stomach in knots.

 

It could've just been our experience, and/or maybe the Hard Rock transition, but after all the fabulous reviews of past brides I expected a lil more - but it was a bit evident their wedding department is unorganized. EVERYTHING else w/our trip though was great, our guests had a fun week, and a few must do's: La Hacienda, the Spa (treatments & hydrotherapy), & Playacrawl if you have any partiers in your group

 

But MOST importantly, WE ARE MARRIED and overall, made it a great week!!!

J_Me,

I am glad it was overall a good week and great wedding even though you did have some hiccups!!

We look forward to your feedback and tips for us future brides and congrats again!!!

Cant wait to see some pics:)

Have so much fun Ladies!!!!! I hope everything is perfect!!

Has anyone had or is going to have a Soloist at the actual ceremony?!?! If so what instrument, thoughts?!?! I didnt want to just do a CD, but am torn on which one to pick!!

Originally Posted by Vanessa56 

For all the brides that are having or had a mariachi band - what did you do about the rest of the reception? Did you hire a DJ, or use your iPod? I am trying to figure out how to incorporate them into the reception.  Any ideas??

Hi Vanessa,

We are having the Mariachi Band at and during our dinner. We are having an outdoor dinner after the ceremony with Mariachi's then we are going inside (due to the noise ordances) to a ballroom area with a DJ to have the dance portion with cake(so the cake doesnt melt) indoors until midnight. Not sure if that helps, but just an idea!

Originally Posted by breeburns 

 

 

 

taryn - they put a bar out there? is that extra? I honestly didn't even think of asking about that!! nice call! yeah I thought it might be better to have a bit more space also!

If you do it as a private event as a cocktail hour, the bar, tables, cocktail menu & basic linens, should be included all in that private event. You can confirm with the wedding coordinator, but we are doing a private dinner and private cocktail hour, and menu & bar are both included.

Originally Posted by AlmostMrsMcD 

Finally heard from my WC last night!  Karime sent me an email last night.  Just need to confirm the details and provide the guest list.  Do any of you guys know how the room nights booked work?  We had some people book through a travel agent and others booked online.  I'm afraid they won't count our online nights booked which will make me really mad!  I mean I'm still bringing business to their resort!

For our group contract we set up a room block, then they created a web link for our guests to go and book. Any guest that books through that link, we get the credits for it. You can get a report from Yesenia, or your Miami contact with a report of who has booked. If they book through a travel agent, you have to add them to your guest list, but their room nights do not count towards the credit system unfortunatley. You can always RE-activate the link, our link is still working and its technically past the book date that Palace allowed us. They just release all of the rooms in your room block to the general public, so for your guests its first come, first serve, BUT they should be able to still book through that link! I would definitly ask what they can do about it, possibly give you half credit for the ones who didnt book through the link? I have gotten what I have asked for, because I preach that I am bringing them guaranteed business and money to their resort by having my wedding there.

Originally Posted by sxcT 

I was wondering if she was still around.  Cristina is amazing!!  She will do a wonderful job.  Tell her Taryn says hi!!

 

 

So good to hear!! She is doing great so far, even though its only been a few days, the process is moving which is what I wanted!!

Originally Posted by NatalkaC 

I am getting married there april 22, and we leave tomorrow ... i have been reading trip advisor and freaking out .... but my friends are already there and said its AMAZING!!!

I really hope it is amazing, and would love if you can tell us how your experience was when you get back!! Wish you the best of luck, and hope its fabulous for you and family/friends!!! I am sure everything will turn our perfect!

Chase--

I love the reusable water bottle idea!! Where did you get them at?!?!