weddingsinplaya

Cassidy, i am with you there. Try to ask re. possible clients, it is better to talk to their clients that had the wedding already so you can get the honest opinion - on paper all are fantastic, in reality, very few. What i do with my clients who are new is providing them with 3 phone nr or emails of ex clients : ex brides are happy to answer and talk about their wedding... you know how magic that is (or you will know). Another good tip is skype w the coordinator and see what she/he offers: some are skilled some are greeen... post the right questions and see what they say. I am appalled by the number of new kids coming to Mexico without preparation and starting a wedding planning biz (in Playa there are over 30 new coordinators, some do not even have a website) without guarantees for the clients. Always protect yourself and be cautious, it is a must, but do not let yourselves be stressed, you will find the one that really knows what she is doing and will have the fun and pleasure to lead you to a stress free wedding day. Best, Maria

I know a lot of good photographers that will do a service of 3 hrs for 1000usd, unfortunately the resorts charge up to 800 usd for the vendor's fees so it is very sad you have to pay a lot for services. ONe great photographer is Naiara at Naal, another Mirko at MilaniPhoto, they do not advertise because they are small but not everyone can pay a lot for ads .... send a msg and i will give you their emails. Maria

Hello there, I think you mean Soliman Bay, there are many villas there and the space is adorable for your wedding! are you getting married at Villa Yardena or which one? the date is near and i will propose you only the photographers that i know are free. Under 1500usd: Naiara from Naal photos and Mirko with Milani Photography. Over 1600usd: Studio H photos and PlayaLovesme. I can send you emails if you need, let me know. Maria

As a wedding planner for 11 years in Playa del Carmen, i have listened to a lot of great vows: how about writing your own? what do you think about it? Tony yesterday said this (and authorizes me to report it): Let me start by saying when the part comes to: I DO , i think you should have to say it twice, since you made me ask you twice to marry you. It would be easy to stand here and say things like: ` í love you´ or ´you're my everything' and to use words like ' forever ' or 'eternity' but those words are for couples who don't already know those things. All those are true about us, and I believe you already know that I am eager to make you feel them throughout our marriage. I instead think about how difficult it is to work as hard as we do, raise our little girl, keep up with daily chores and maintain our responsibilities, and as I think I'm also reminded of what led me here, marrying you. You represent everything I need not only in a woman: Lord know you've got me covered there, but in a lifelong friend and a strong partner. When I think of the future, just knowing you're in mine provides me with a sense of peace that only comes when you know someone who loves you has your back. Thank you for always having my back. I am standing here today in front of the people we love the most to make you this vow: I will always have your back. I will always love you, protect our family and always work hard to ensure you have a partner you can be proud of. Lovely.... now what would you say to your love?

To Normas09: off the resort is possible and beautiful: it's for the bride n groom who dare go beyond the experience of resort and want to have an exclusive and secluded space for their big day. It can be cheaper - all depends from what alternatives do you explore... You will be very happy taking your time to enquire brides who 'did it' and planners who do it.... Information is your best way to collect all experiences and create your own. As an off resort planner for 11 yrs in Playa del Carmen, i find out that it takes a certain couple to do it, original, whimsical and that loves to travel - if you define yourself unique in that sense, maybe you can leave the path of the ´cookie cutter wedding´and go beyond- either way, you will have a fantastic wedding! Weddingsinplaya.com

Buenos dias! Take a look at this one www.restaurantaldea.com It is downtown Playa, next to a real ruin and a cenote. You could take over the whole garden

Hi darling, it is completely normal to be undecided! Of all the resorts you have picked the less kids friendly is the Riu Palace Mexico. There are quite a few reviews online of families who went there with kids and they were the one who had the least fun! Secrets Maroma is about 20 min North of Playa on a beautiful beach, quite quiet! Playacar Palace is just by the ferry and Sr Frogs... said that said all! Princess is 10 min north of Playa on a quiet beach too. I would definitively go for the fist or the last! Hope this info helps Saludos Erica

Seen the number of people and the wish for privacy, I suggest the terrace at Yaxche Maya Cuisine restaurant, part of the garden at Cueva del Chango (Mexican), rooftop at Hotel El punto, called La Azotea, and Aldea Corazon, with its beautiful garden at different levels

I have worked with both father quinn and father Hogan. I stopped working with father Hogan a while ago after he mistreated a bride to the point she did not want to get married again. At that point I address her to father quinn and she felt much better. She got married in nov 2011 without any problem. Father Hogan has a very special character, you never know how he is going to be. He can be extremely nice or heavy. Father Quinn is more mellow and easier to deal with.

I suggest you ask for a full description. It is in your full right to know what you are picking. No surprises. You can go with a choice of surf or turf. Just make sure that the meat comes in a sauce and not simply grilled. If you do not serve it immediately after cooking it can get cold and dry tot he table. Check with your guests if you do not have any vegetarians or people with a specific diet. Make sure the restaurant knows about it so they can prepare specials for them! Good luck!

are you looking for an all inclusive or Condohotels/European plan hotel? If you see Piers's pics, the second one is from Gran Coral Beach Club... the beach around is very private and they have some apartments you can rent... You can stay in all inclusive like Nicole suggests too. In that case though there might be little privacy.... much easier and might be cheaper, though, to handle all people that way. Your budget is quite decent even if 80 people show up.

Right on! An independent wedding planner is at your service since you pay her. The Hotel wedding planner works for the Hotel. Claro... Good luck! Maria

Hello FutureMrsPerez: time flies when u are having fun and u will planning this wedding!! The best u can do is GET INFORMED!! read, post, listen, get online as much as u can and talk to brides who 'did it'- I can send you a few emails so you can talk to the experts! ALso do not fear to go and come down to Mexico, visit Cancun and Playa and get to talk with a lot of Wedding PLanners, u will click with one! the best to do is discover the market and plunge into it. Have fun, don't be shy and ask for help as much as you will need Maria

Dare to be different... Why not an off resort wedding? there are so many options, you can get married in a lovely garden in the heart of Playa, in a cenote tucked away in the jungle or at a secluded beach club! There are so many different ways to say I do in the Riviera. Here a few photos for you to get inspired. I know many brides worry about Mexico and violence, but i have lived here for 17 years and my teen age daughter is as safe as she would be in Chicago or Houston... or maybe more! The most important thing is that you choose what inspires You. Get as much info as you can... that is the secret to have a great wedding! Have fun planning!

Hello Jessica! 20th April is around the corner and I am so happy for YOU:) Kids are allowed for wedding and reception, YES Regarding vendors fees: YES you need to pay a fee to Royal to bring your own vendor, any vendor (photographer, make up artist, musician): the fee is 300usd per vendor. Regarding TTD, I have been in Playa for 17 yrs and the best TTD sessions I have seen have been done in cenotes, you can rent a car the day after the wedding and drive with photographer 20mi south of Playa to go to cenotes, they are open 10 to 5 entrance betw 5 and 10 usd, do NOT go on SUnday, it's full. If you want some extra tips, write or tell your photographer to call when here....9841285785 Happy to help! Maria

Oh... and the catamaran idea: I have another one in February, cannot wait to see that one!

Hello to all future brides on BDW! We are Erica and Maria from Weddingsinplaya.com, running our own wedding planning company since 2001 in PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MAYAN RIVIERA AND TULUM, MEXICO. We are 'guilty' of marrying over 400 couples in our 12 years of experience, guaranteeing an amazing wedding day, but after that ... married life it's up to you!! We won't bore you with our many European universities' degrees and US MBA's but we know what we are doing and a legion of ex clients can testify that (we have their numbers for you to call them...) This is what you get from us for YOUR WEDDING DAY: 1. promptness: you will get our answers to all of your questions in a blink and living here, you can come visit and check on all vendors when you want 2. professionality: when you book with us you get 22 yrs of combined experience at wedding planning IN MEXICO!! And believe us, we survived quite a few challenges, as you can only imagine! We love details; send us all of your clips and photos! ( love Pinterest) 3. endurance: we envision wedding planning as a journey together: we'll cheer you up when it's overwhelming,we'll make you laugh with past weddings stories (beware, you'll become one of them!) and we will share your joys ... because we care 4. fun and play: we are serious but not uptight: we work hard and play hard- we want you to have fun, because this is how it should be. Wedding planning can be an awesome adventure. 5. reliability: we were here 11 yrs ago and we will be here in 2013, 2014 etc.... as long as life allows us. 6. substance: we are real and we'll turn your dreams into reality, because we can envision your fab wedding by getting to know you. Think of us as your Fairy Godmothers.... And we want to finish quoting Tamara's words (she got married with us recently) : Talk about professionalism...Erica and Maria take the cake. From The date we met one year before our wedding to pick out the site to the moment they left the evening of our wedding, it was perfection. Enough with words, we are here for you if you need us! Best, Maria & Erica

You will love the food!

planner cost, depends from what you need. 1 day planning is 400 to 500usd whereas a full planning goes from 1200 to 1800. ALso a wedding planner can help u w: -Planning of the wedding, including reception, rehearsal dinner (if any) and ceremony - Guarantee 3 pre- wedding meetings with future bride and groom in Playa to check details Help determine best menu, entertainment and all services regarding the wedding Decorate the place of ceremony with help from flower consultant and decorator (at clients’ requests and cost) Supervise meetings with our photo, hair, video and flowers’ experts Assist in bring about best prices for menu, entertainment and other services regarding wedding · Complete wedding day coordination · Direction of ceremony procession · Delivery of all wedding day accessories previously shipped to Playa (if any) · Assist with programs, floral, décor, and favor placement (if any) · Greet vendors and oversee the assembly of both ceremony and provide the itinerary · Discuss reception activities with vendors involved and provide itinerary · Gathering of wedding party and family members for pictures · Cue the members of DJ or band throughout the wedding day activities · Organize bridal party flowers and pin boutonnieres · Freshen up make-up throughout the event · Orchestrate the Grand Entrance and Exit · Gather gifts, toasting flutes, cake utensils, guest book, and portrait, and all other wedding day accessories belonging to the client so it is pretty handy. Any time u need a word or advice, i am here for you, maria

Did you go already? i hope u tried the Poblano soup and chicken Mole""!! let us know...

Just had a wedding on N beach yesterday... it is my favorite, since larger (see if you can switch). Best, Maria