SarahWitt

What are you putting in your welcome bags? Sorry if I missed a post if you have already put it up there! I was thinking about doing just like gift bag like bags, then putting, koozies, wine stopper, picture coasters & adding some goodies that we get locally once we get down there, then just putting tissue paper and attaching a thank you note with ribbon on them. I hope the guests like that, I still need to order everything, which is of course another expense!!! lol. Wow, I cant believe that!! That is exactly why we are just going to Mexico, even though they do find ways to charge you for extra stuff in Mexico too, that is way over priced, but overall it is less expensive than getting married in the US. You have your hands fun!!! Well I bet you cant wait to get to Mexico lol, for sun, drinks & relaxation! Yeah I was going to do basic centerpeices for dinner, or even use the bridesmaids boquets and just have them put vases on the tables so the girls can drop them in the vase, try to re-use or repurpose them and then see if the staff can then take them over to the dance party, because we are doing an outdoor dinner, then indoor reception(dance & cake). So that way they can be re-used or used all night.We will see how that works out!!

I am not sure, I have a feeling someone reached out to me, because I was expressing my concern about the negative reviews to Yesenia, then magically the wedding coordinator reached out, so I wasnt sure if Yesenia told her to reach out to me earlier than normal. Because usually its around that 30 days or less mark.... I mean if you have an idea of everything you want, then it wont be hard, you just have to tell them basically! I just basically have told her general things I want so far, because I took a back seat to planning for a while, now I feel like I am doing all of this stuff and dont know where to find the time to look at stuff! I am not bringing any decorations really, unlike I know most people on this have gotten their own centerpieces and table decorations, I just dont want to carry it all, the welcome bags are enough to worry about!! Everythign will work out for us, I am putting my faith into it and hoping everything pans out!! If its making you nervous reach out to Yesenia or your miami office contact, and tell them you would like to start the planning with the onsite coordinator.

Cristina is my wedding coordinator!! She reached out to me to start the planning process, couldnt be more excited!!!

Goodluck!!! I hope everything goes well for you and everything is as beautiful as you imagined!!!! I cant wait to hear about your whole experience and see pictures, please let us May brides know how everything ends up for you:) Thank you & Have an amazing day and vacation!!!!

Well we will definitley see each other!! I am sure we will be at the pool bar during the day getting some sun:)

Hi Kzade, Not sure if you saw my post, but there is a similar Trip Advisor review to what you are going through right now. Did they tell you why it was cancelled? Are they compensating for it and resolving everything?!?! I really hope everything works out for you!!

I am going to be getting married on the cove side on May 26th, so I am sure we will be running into each other!!! Happy Planning

HI Ladies, So not sure if anyone read Kzade about their wedding issues with Palace's booking issues, but I wanted to post a review I Just read on TripAdvisor of someone else who is also have the same issues with booking and not having things run smoothly with their wedding and had to move resorts mid trip. TO be honest, this is making me question their change-over, service and everything I have been looking forward hearing all of these negative reviews and experiences. I hope us ladies who have weddings here in the next month or so have a great experience!! Here is the review: We traveled March 30 - April 6 with a group of 30 (including children) in 12 rooms for a wedding and weeklong itinerary. Planning started last August through RCI. If as advertised and planned, this would have been perfect for the group and wedding. The Cove has the facilities and location for a spectacular all-inclusive experience. However; NOTHING is as promised. They are a ship without a rudder. There is no management to speak of and the staff that remains is hassled and incompetent as they try to maneuver through what appears to be a major change to Hard Rock that no one fully comprehends. Our $1500 resort credit was dropped to $500 (not sure where that miscommunication started) so we could not do the included activities on our itinerary, the shuttles to the other hotels (where the wedding ceremony was located) were no longer running and we paid for car rental and taxis for the entire group, the recipricol all-inclusive at Palace hotels does not exist, we paid extra for the wedding, golf, cars, tips, taxis, tours, and double paid in several instances for the family (though no family rooms were available). On day 5, we were informed that a Jewish Kosher group was moving in and occupying the entire Cove side. The restaurants were closed, the bars closed, and we were forced to pack up and move to the Cancun Beach Resort because the Spa side is adults only! The Cancun Palace is NOT a children-friendly environment - it is a haven for spring break drunken debauchery. Our activities planned for the end of the week are in the Riviera Maya, not Cancun and now we either have to cancel and lose the money for the activity, or pay for transportation down to Playa del Carmen and lose 3 hours travel time. DISASTER. We were not compensated a penny, nor given any incentive to make this major and very inconvenient change. I am interested to know if any of the prior Cove responses ever came to fruition. We saw this type of ineffective patronization over and over again. e never walked into the lobby without witnessing a disappointed and angry encounter. To top it all off, I am writing this from our room in Cancun (where we holed up eagerly awaiting our departure and to avoid the throngs of partying minors and clueless adults) nursing the second bout of food poisoning from the poorly run restaurants. Don’t order any seafood at these restaurants. We need a nap, as the first drunk teenager accidentally called our room at 1:30am last night, and the halls echoed with slurred screaming until about 3am. If you go to Mexico expecting All-Inclusive standards - you will be disappointed. If you go to a Palace Resort expecting Mexican standards - this is normal. If you want Hard Rock, go to Las Vegas - the weather is the same and you can drink the water. If you want real Mexico, avoid Cancun altogether.

Bree, I am so nervous!! Ahhh, I hope this goes smoothly, I know so many of you ladies have had great experiences, but it seems like this resort is slowly slipping. If you did a group contract, depending on how many room nights your guests booked, you get benefits based on that. See below: 5-9 rooms for 3 nights or 15 room nights = One hour cocktail function (function areas are assigned upon availability with the onsite wedding planner and confirmed upon arrival) 10-19 rooms for 3 nights or 30 room nights = Two complimentary nights based on original room category booked up to Concierge Level + one hour cockatil function (function areas are assigned upon availability with the onsite wedding planner and confirmed upon arrival) 20-24 rooms for 3 nights or 60 room nights = Four complimentary nights based on original room category booked up to Concierge Level + 1 two hour private function 25 rooms for 3 nights or 75 room nights = Seven complimentary nights based on original room category booked up to Concierge Level + unlimited private function (one hour cocktail + two hour dinner. MAX three hours per day) + one room upgrade for the bride and groom to the next available room category up to Concierge Level. I know we are at the 75 room nights, so we get the benefits of the best package, which is great so you dont have to pay per person to have a private event. Let me know how the rest of the planning goes!! Quote: Originally Posted by breeburns well I finally chatted with my WC Carolina today for the first time for all of 6 minutes. We chatted about what type of ceremony (symbolic/civil etc), if we want outside or inside for the ceremony, if we wanted a private reception or just the dinner reservation, Cake (she only gave options of vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry) I asked about tres leche cake and she had no idea what i was talking about. She also asked about my bouquet preferences, hopefully they can order the orchids I want, she said she would let me know. She then asked about photography - but from the get go we asked Yesenia if we could use Del Sol, she said yes, so we booked. Then this WC is like we don't allow outside vendors - i nearly flipped! after saying again I received confirmation from Yesenia back in September regarding this, she finally said okay well you will have to pay a guest fee (I already knew). Talk about giving somebody a heart attack! She was really irritated when she found out we were using them. Basically any email we have ever spent time writing has fallen on deaf ears. She even had our wedding date wrong. I have been incredibly disappointed so far with the customer service. oh well I'm not going to let it bother me, I just shake my head. But I do have a question, is anybody doing a private reception? she told me its $50 per person for the private event.

Hi Bree!! I think everyone has to go to the SPA to get Hair/Makeup/Nails done, but I am sure someone who has already went through this can confirm that. Our wedding is at 6pm on May 26th, and I want my Hair/Makeup/Nails all done, so I was thinking of having my appointments starting around 12, I figured an hour for Nails/Makeup & an hour and 1/2 for Hair, that will get you done around 4 or so, so you can have the photographer come and take pics of you getting ready and such! Just my thoughts, but I am interested to hear what others recommend as well! I hope you have a fabulous day and experience, I cant wait to hear your feedback about the resort! Has the WC already been in contact with you as well?!?

Wow, I give you props for taking all of that stuff. I am going to take some things like the guest book, table place holders, table numbers and such, but figured I would just use what they have for the table linens. I was going to also go into Playa to see what else I can get possibly for last minute welcome bag additions or even dinner/reception, I am really trying to limit how many bags we bring, because we will be there for 11 days, so I already have to pack clothes/shoes and such for that long of a timeframe! I cant wait to see your pictures, I am jealous & impressed with how much you have done, I feel like I am a little behind lol.

Thanks, I really appreciate it! Yeah she is running out of time, 6 days left until April...I hope they contact you soon!! I have most of that stuff picked out also, but since I havent been there, I may be changing my mind on locations once I arrive, we will see!! Yeah I bought the Saphire Package so not worried about decorations as much for the wedding & reception. How are you getting everything down there? It seems like you have bought a lot of stuff with the decorations & OOT bags...Just curious! My biggest fear is the changing of the resort, bad customer service experiences and just overall experiences from trip advisor and reviews I have been reading. So I just really hope everything goes well for you and I! I know most on this forum, have had fabulous experiences, and I just hope you and I both have the same great experiences along with our guests!!!

Hey Chase, I havent heard from the wedding coordinator, but I would imagine you would hear first since yours is just a couple weeks prior to mine. Let me know when you hear from her, Yesenia said 30-60 days prior, and I am almost to the 60 day mark and would like to at least start planning some things so not everything is all at once! I love Tres Leches cake!! Its very good!!

I will be gone:( We leave the 28th, since its memorial day weekend most have that Monday off! Bummer. That is odd that you have to wait to use it until then, I wonder why. You should email Yesenia with the Miami office just to see if she can maybe help with the certificate, or get you in touch with someone who may be able to help. I have called the 1-800 number before and found it an awful experience, I was on hold for over 10 minutes and gave up. I feel like email is much faster and easier to get more accomplished quicker. If you need Yesenia's email its [email protected]. I hope that helps!! Flights are rising fast in price because of gas, so I would agree to try to book asap

Goodluck!! Let us know how the planning goes and how everything goes while you are down there. I hope you have a great experience for your special day!!

Hi Morgan, Congratulations on winning the BDW stay!! The switch isnt happening until the Fall, so you dont have anything to worry about. I will be getting to Aventura Cove on May 19th, and my wedding is May 26th, so we might run into each other!!

Will there be a webinar with Palace resorts? Or is there a possibility? Thanks!! Sarah

Okay thanks so much ladies. I am trying not to stress as much as possible, but just wanted to make sure when the right time would be to freak out when it comes down to being contacted by them. I know you can plan most once you get down to the resort, but I like to be as prepared as possible, which I am sure most brides do!!

Hi Ladies, I am officially under the 90 day mark to the wedding. I was curious to know when the onsite wedding coordinator will be in contact with me? Yesenia said 90 days before the wedding, but I wasnt sure if it was much closer? I was wondering when everyone was contacted, how long before? Thanks!!

Thank you! We appreciate the review when you get back and hope everythign works out for the best for you and your special day:)

I agree!! Its too late to cancel when guests are already booking or have booked flights & rooms. This makes me very nervous, I am more concerned with making sure my guests are happy with their stay and service really. I am going to be like you and wish I hadn't read it as well & hope for the best. Since your wedding is just a few weeks ahead of mine, if you can please let me know how everything goes for you and your guests, I would really appreciate it and hopefully it will calm some nerves:) Goodluck & Happy planning!!

Hi Jenny, I am a bit nervous as well. I picked Palace Resorts for a few reasons, I am staying/getting married on the Cove Side, however I have never been there to visit. Reading these forums really puts you at ease about the whole process, however when I go read tripadvisor, just to see normal traveler reviews, it makes me very nervous. Most of these ladies are saying great things, so I have trying to avoid reading trip advisor. I just hope things go well and my guests are taken care of!!

Amber, Thank you very much!! I am so excited and yet still a little nervous, just want everything to go smoothly. But thank you so much for giving me some ideas of where everything is and what you enjoyed. I am sure we will venture back and forth, there are only a couple kids & they wont be there for as long as most and I am sure that family will be all over that kids club to get some adult time as well!! I just wanted to make sure one side wasnt better than another, and that it was all pretty seemless together, all of the grounds/restaurants/bars/rooms everything was up to par. I knew about the adult/family sides, but some of the trip advisor reviews just make you really nervous for your guests since I want to make sure they have the best time!

Hi Ladies, its been a while since everyone has posted on this, and I know some of you chose the Sapphire package. I was wondering if anyone had any pictures of their weddings, and how did you like the package? I have also chosen the Sapphire package, and getting married this May at Aventura Cove palace. If anyone has any feedback about the Cove or the Sapphire package, I would appreciate it!!

Thanks so much!! I mean looking at everyones pictures and reading this forum I was very confident in my choice for the Cove side, since I do have children from family/friends that will be coming as well. But when I read tripadvisor just about peoples vacation experiences, some of the reviews make me a littler nervous. I just want my guests to be happy and enjoy themselves for the most part. I picked the Cove site unseen, so thank you for the comfort!!!