MexicoHereICome

Originally Posted by chasingjaime 

 

Thank you for sharing your planning details! I'm right in the thick of the planning process right now with my WC Victoria - my date is set for April 20, 2013. Can you recall approximately how big the layers of your two-tier cake was, and how tall your cake topper was? One of the many decisions I'm working now on is what size of a topper to get, and I've ordered the same as you - round, two-tier.

 

Did you have any signature cocktails at your reception? Or were there any in particular at the resort that were really well done? I'd really like to offer some signature drinks, but I'm not sure what's popular or if the bartenders are good mixologists. 

Hi I can't remember how big my cake topper was but I bought it from Micheals.....Here is a link to it:   http://www.michaels.com/Monogram-Cake-Topper/wd0624,default,pd.html?start=7&cgid=products-wedding-cakeaccessoriesandtoppers   

I didn't even worry about it not fitting. The cake was a good size and far too much for 53 people. I would suggest to two tiers just because it looks more like a wedding cake...

We kinda had a signature drink....I didn't try them however because we sort of used them as our escort cards...Attached is a picture of the idea I found. The resort bartenders made the drink pink to match the color theme. Everyone said they were very good. But more or less they have everything you could want drink wise and if ask for something special they will make it!! But the bar is full and prepared to make anything!

Hi Ladies, 

We just got back a few weeks ago from our BEAUTIFUL wedding at the Barcelo Maya Palace. Everything was perfect! For all of you that are worried because you haven't heard anything from your WC or have trouble getting them to email you back....DON'T BE!!! I was a little worried but semi-reassured that everything would be okay after talking to some Brides and they were right! You will meet with your WC and every single detail will be covered. You can change almost every detail if you wanted to at that meeting! 

Upon checking-in we were up-graded to an Ocean view room and VIP status( my parents were too). Everything went smoothly and our views were GREAT from our room. My Parents room smelled of Mildew but mine was fine.

October 6 Wedding......53 Guests

Our Second day we met with our WC Xhail who almost immediately passed us onto another WC Jacqueline who was wonderful. She had all of our information including printed out pictures of what I had previously discussed with Xhail and made sure we were completely happy with all of our decsisons. We changed our menu while we met to different things and they accommodated all of our food allergies.  This is when I picked flowers, centerpieces, cake,Salon appointments and I even changed from the violin to the sax for our live ceremony music. In a nutshell we planned the whole wedding in our 1.5 hour meeting. We brought lots of little things for her to decorate and handout and she took great notes and made sure she knew exactly how I wanted everything to be.

Rehearsal: Jacqueline met us the evening before the wedding and gave us a quick rundown of how everything was going to go down. Immediately following we went to the Brazilian steakhouse for our rehearsal dinner where they put us all together in the same area and was quit wonderful.

WEDDING DAY!

We got married at 6 pm so we got to enjoy hanging out with our Friends and Family for the morning and good part of the afternoon.

SALON: Starting at 2 pm  My Girls and I (8 in total) all got our hair and make-up done at the salon. I loved all of our hair and there was 1 bad make-up job out of the bunch! All in all I would give them an A-. Take pictures though....They didn't speak much English ( I managed to explain what I wanted and she did a GREAT job but for a moment I was worried just because of our language barrier.) The Salon drove us all by golf cart back to our rooms so we didn't have to walk back to the palace. Where we all met back in my room to finish getting ready!

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ivan Luckie A++++++. Ivan came and met me at the Salon and was a dream to work with. He was pretty quite and you never really knew he was there. I cannot wait to see my pictures! He was great with communicating via email and even dealt well with some of my drunk girlfriends trying to tell him what to do. He was sweet, and very easy to work with. I am confident he got some great shots (all of his work is excellent on his website and comes highly recommended via this website) We got him a room at the resort for 2 days verse paying the outside vendor fee (which was cheaper) and gave him some extra time to scout some good places to shoot pictures! 

CEREMONY:  A++++   The WC came and picked us up at 5:50 and drove us to the Gazebo. Once we arrived everything started very quickly. I could hear the sax playing as everyone was waiting for me to walk down the aisle (Originally I picked the violin but the WC talked me out of it b/c the wind sometimes drowns out the sound of the violin. The Sax player was WONDERFUL.) The officiant made my Husband have his back to me till I got almost all the way down the aisle so there was an element of surprise for him.  He preformed a beautiful ceremony. (I guess while he was waiting for me to come down the aisle he asked my Husband a slew of questions and he put some great personal touches on the ceremony) Our ceremony lasted about 20 minutes and was just perfect! After the ceremony we all had a toast right inside the gazebo lobby area, It was perfect.

COCKTAIL HOUR: B+.    We had this on a rooftop balcony of the Palace. I didn't get to go to this but everyone told me how wonderful it was. We purchased the Mariachi band. (People are still talking about how much they loved them) We made a make shift photo booth and had people take photo booth style pictures with props. Everyone LOVED it! I made a sign that read "Destination style photo booth.....grab a friend, take a prop, snap a pic or 2 and we will send them to you"  The reason why I rate this part of the experience a B+ is because of the food. LOTS of people told me that the food was horrible here  (We chose the Mexican package) My Mother actually said she was terrified our dinner was gonna be bad too (it wasn't) All, in all I'm glad we spent the money on it to have everyone together (not everyone was staying at the Palace and I wanted everyone to be able to drink)  but I'm disappointed that the food was so bad. I think it must of been pretty bad since people actually told me it was. Most people wouldn't say anything but from what my Mother says it was boarder line embarssing how bad it was.

RECEPTION: A.    This was located by the Palace Pool. It looked beautiful when I arrived. I had the trees wrapped in lights and it was set up perfect. The D.J. had the party started before we arrived and everyone was enjoying themselves. During the Mother/Son dance it started to sprinkle........Everyone jumped into action. There was an activities hut (tiki hut) located directly next to the reception area. The waiters moved everything out in just a few minutes and moved us under. It really worked out perfect because everyone was closer and there was more light. It stopped raining quickly but better safe than sorry. We then danced right outside of the hut  after dinner and the rain stopped. It made it memorable and it's something we can look back at and giggle about! It was the best evening ever. I just wish we added the extra hour. It went all by too fast! All of the younger people went on to the Disco after so it wasn't a big deal!  Biggest complaint was the heat! It was HOT and HUMID....And I'm a Floridian I can usually deal with heat!

Dinner choices:

Thai Beef with cucumber salad. EXCELLENT

Onion Soup: EXCELLENT

Surf and Turf: GOOD 

Half Baked Chocolate cake: I didn't try but I heard it was EXCELLENT

Wedding Cake: Vanilla and Strawberry with whip cream frosting...In my opinion was the BEST part of the entire meal

D.J: A+ Discomovil. He played all the things we wanted and kept the crowd going.  He rented us a generator (which you couldn't hear instead of paying the electricity fee from the resort for not choosing their D.J) the cost of this was $200 extra and well worth it! They were great to communicate with. Always responded quickly to emails and spoke great English to do make announcements! We had a few special request songs and he found them all and played each one! Loved them!!

The most important thing of the whole trip was that we were surrounded by our loved ones. We made so many memories that will last a lifetime and have endless stories to tell. You spend a year planning this very special day and even just weeks after you forget about what may not of been perfect or what someone forgot to bring. Those things happened to me but all I really remember is all the great times we shared with our Friends and Family. I actually sat here and struggled to remember some of the details.  Sure I remember the rain, but I couldn't tell you what my flowers looked like!  Everyone told me they thought our wedding was great, the resort was beautiful and the staff was wonderful! I would recommend to anyone to get married here! We are all planning on a return trip together next year!

Happy Planning Everyone!

Here are a few pic's.  Professional ones to follow.....

feel free to contact me with any questions

Originally Posted by FireyNurse 

 

Day passes are $97 if I remember correctly! 

 

I am in the midst of doing the same type of dealing with the WC Victoria, it hasn't been easy! 

 

What I have found out so far is even if I used the on site photographer for just video for the ceremony I still had to pay $500 or have my photographer stay 2 nights (2 nights at the Beach is MUCH cheaper than the $500), so I decided forget it I hate their vendor so I will bring in my own for video too if they are charging me either way. So now we are having PlayaWeddings come in as well and when I asked about the vendor fee she said I only have to pay the $500 once. I tried to confirm if I had to purchase day passes for everyone else and she has yet to get back to me. It is SUPER frustrating because we are trying to do it the cheapest way possible, but with us leaving for our wedding in EXACTLY 60 days we are running out of time! lol!

 

Let me know what you hear and I'll keep you posted if I hear! )

Don't be too frustrated......I leave in 6 days...Wedding is in 10 and I still haven't had any confirmation on flowers, spa appointments, cake, timeline for the day, and if she wants a list of people who are coming. I need to contact the D.J and photographer with different pieces of information and I can't get a response either. I just send her information and hope she recieves it. I know they do this all the time so  I'm trying to use the "blind faith" method of thinking....But still I have no idea where I am as far as costs etc... I am equally frustrated!! 

Does anyone know if there is a menu at the Rodizzio (meats) restaurant or if it roaming gauchos with skewers of meat? I am trying to plan our rehearsal dinner and I don't know if the Brazilian restaurant is the same as it is in the states.

They have $80 worth of printing for $20 today on the Tampa Groupon!

Originally Posted by MexicoHereICome 

 

The menu is different for the Strawberry package...Chose one from each catogoey.

 

 

SALADS Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese Pesto Dressing Sea Scallop and Mango Ceviche, Key Lime Essence Thai Roast Beef and Cucumber Salad, Onion ringd Curried Marinated Chicken and Tomato Salad Shrimp Cocktail with Avocado Slices and Cilantro Proscciuto Ham in Crispy Grissini  

SOUPS Genovese Minestrone Soup with Garlic Croutons Asparagus Soup Chicken and Lemon Soup from Merida Onion Soup, with Gruyere Cheese Crostini Lobster Bisquet  

MAIN DISH Grilled Portobellos and Chicken Breast Pan Seared Fish Medallion, Parmesan Cheese Risotto, Asparagus and Red Bell Pepper Coulis Terriyaki Beef Tips and Vegetables, Chorizo and Potatoes Sofrito Beef tenderloin Wellington Surf & Turf ( Beef tenderloin with Lobster tail) Grilled Lamb Chops, soft Polenta, Red Onion marmalade, Balsamic Vinager Sauce  

DESSERTS Sweat Creme Brulee Caramelized Apple Fruit Cocktail Luke Warm Half Baked Dark Chocolate Fondant Three Chocolate Mousse Strawberry Cheese Cake White Chocolate and Raspberry Tiramisu

Sorry I didn't state this is the Strawberry Package

Originally Posted by NIKKI2013 

 

Is that all the difference? Is the menu different than mint breeze?

The menu is different for the Strawberry package...Chose one from each catogoey.

Originally Posted by chrisdior 

 

Barcelo recently changed their minimum nights to stay to 3 nights. My TA told me about a week ago in went into effect.

I also wanted to do the sky lanterns and my WC emailed me back that I could not do them pretty bummed about it!

I would definitely sell them if you could find someone who is interested.

Thank you for sharing the playa crawl info! I was looking to do something like that the first day we are th

I was just on the Barcelo site...and they let me book for 2 nights maybe it's just the time of year you are booking for. I'm getting hitched this October and its low season. I

Originally Posted by mrsnova 

 

Weird when I go on directly through Barcelo it says "For the period of dates consulted requires a minimum of 3 nights of stay" (I did different dates surrounding my wedding date). Must be because of Spring Break and/or the time of year.

 

Looks like its cheaper to pay the $500 or go with the resort photographer. Thanks for your help

CRAZY!! It's gotta be the time of year your going!! Sorry.

I booked straight from the Barcelo website. We joined the My Barcelo club and received an additional discount. We booked our entire stay through that website. I had NO issue only booking 2 nights.

Barcelo.com

How many tags do you get for $15?

Originally Posted by NIKKI2013 

 

MexicoHereI Come-

 

Who did you go with for your dj? Did the hotel give you the option to book a 2 day hotel room to have an outside photographer come in? Is the photographer staying in the hotel or did you just have to pay that amount?

Our D.J. website is: http://www.discomovilcancun.com         The price $600 for up to 4 hours of service....$100 for any hour past that. If you want a light up dance floor its $600 (the resort is like $1300 for the same floor) Once you sign a contract with him he has a huge music database and you can pick everything you want to hear on his site. He was only $100 deposit....You can add things like cold fireworks for $25 a piece and you can add props to give out to the guest to play with. Past brides have used him and they gave him a good review....

The photographer  I had originally hired Belen Luckie she was 1/2 the price of Ivan and works underneath him I thought she had a good profolio.....I signed a contract with her and for whatever reason she now can't make it. So Ivan is taking her spot (and they have yet to tell me I have to pay more....I signed a contract so I can't imagine them charging me more). I dealt with Ivan the entire time through my process of choosing my photographer and he has been great! I'm actually really excited that Belen can't make it!  Ivan and his wife will be staying at the resort (I booked the Beach for them, no need to pay the Palace prices)  The resort requires you to use there photographers or pay a $500 outside vendor fee....UNLESS your photographer is a guest of the resort! I found the info here on the website and I have found that since they raised their outside vendor prices to $500 most Brides so it this way.  

I have used this site SEVERAL times when I ask my WC about things.....I will tell her I saw online that you did this in the past could you still do this? Also save all your emails print them out and bring them with you if for whatever reason they change their mind once you arrive you will have proof that they had agreed to it before. They change prices sometimes when they change their policies and you want to be able to prove their quoted price.

Did any past brides have a little bachlorette party while you were there? If so I am looking for ideas....

Originally Posted by mrsnova 

 

MexicoHereICome,

You are right, I know everything will work out in the end. I have to keep telling myself that things are different here than in Mexico! I know it is one of the most important days of our lives so we want it to be perfect and plan everything out...but like I keep reading, you can change everything up until the end to make it how you want. And I know one of the reasons we chose to do a destination wedding was for it to be more laid back and fun, so I need to keep remembering that, let go and know it will work out . Thanks everyone for all the support!

 

How much more did you end up paying for the outside photographer as compared to the same package with the hotel's com

We are paying about the same (for more time... 6 hours) The resort has gotten less then good reviews. I'm 78 days away from my wedding if you have any questions along the way feel free to ask. I will post a review when we get back and hopefully get some pictures up as well. Happy Planning

Originally Posted by NIKKI2013 

 

Hello Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe Brides!!! I am having a little bit difficulties with planning my wedding. I have booked the hotel and flight and reserved my wedding date for March 22, 2013 @ 5:00 pm in the Gazebo!!! YEA for that but with communicating with the WC has been a bit of a challenge!!!!!! I have picked the Mint Breeze package because that allows the most people.So when going through the steps to have ran into a few road blocks. The first one is that I have really picky eaters in my group. Some don't like seafood, some don't like veggies, and some don't eat meat.So I was wondering if I could have the option to have 2 main dishes on the menu..They said no so we are going with pesto boiled chicken. Second set back is the reception area even though the mint breeze has it set in the banquet room I thought they would be able to accommodate my reception in the pool area. Well that has brought me to where I am now and that is that I am going to have to change my package to be able to have my reception area the pool area. Let just say that this planning process hasn't been the most enjoyable one. My WC is Victoria and her response time is terrible. With that being said I ready to be in Mexico marrying my best friend and the greatest man on earth! If anyone have advice for the reception area, DJ, Photographers, Makeup Please give me some insite!!! ALL ADVICE IS GOOD ADVICE!!

I totally feel your pain with the wedding planners!!! However, the closer you get the better they are at responding. I heard they do close to 100 weddings a month, keep in mind that when you get there everything will be perfect! This isn't their first rodeo. My WC is horrible with response time (I have Xhail) but I started planning in December (wedding this October) and everything is just about planned out (but we aren't done yet). It may not happen as fast as I had wanted it to go, but I feel like I am on track. You have a ways to go so don't worry yet. I have read about Brides getting there and changing everything once they were there and everything was perfect.  I know it sucks to have to upgrade the package (I had to do the same) but that's how they "get you"...more people want to have a reception outside and it is more of a pain to get the food out to the pool/beach. You can offer one "dish" however, they will accommodate vegetarians and food allergies....So if you want fish and someone is allergic then you can give them chicken. Now I don't think you can go overboard with this but they will do something for them. So, you can have a little wiggle room. Keep in mind that most weddings have a set menu and guest normally don't tell you they don't like veggies. Plus you are at an all inclusive they can hit a buffet if they are unhappy with your choice after. But it's you day do what makes you happy you can't make everyone happy.

I went with an outside photgrapher (you have to pay either an outside vendor fee of $500 or get them a room for 2 nights which is cheaper) I hired Ivan Luckie and he has been a pleasure to deal with and has GREAT reviews!! DJ I hired outside as well (cheaper then the resort...have to pay an outside vendor fee of $100 an hour for electricity or some DJ's will rent you a generator..mine charges $200 and then you don't have to pay the vendor fee) I haven't decided on make-up (you get your hair and make-up with the strawberry package) so I may just take the leap of faith and save some $$. 

THE SALE ENDS TODAY LADIES!! HURRY IF YOU WANT SOMETHING!!! GREAT DEALS WITH THE COUPON CODE!!

Originally Posted by mrsnova 

 

For those who had live music at the ceremony which options are there and were you happy with it?  I know it is included in the package I am just debating if I want to do the live music or not because I have certain songs in mind for at least when the wedding party and I walk down the aisle. Thanks!

I have yet to have my wedding yet however I thought I would share what I'm doing with you as far as the live ceremony music.....We are having the violin person play as people gather and sit and playing our own music for the processional....Your guests may think its a nice touch to have someone playing music as they wait.

Originally Posted by chrisdior 

 

Ahh sorry ladies I forgot another question about the photographer. I am having an outside photographer. Does anyone know the minimum nights I have to reserve for him at the hotel so I don't get charged the $500 fee? Is it 2 or 3 nights?

Its two nights

Originally Posted by NIKKI2013 

 

Hello-

 

I am almost through the wedding spreadsheet with my WC at Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe and I am wondering if even though I picked the Mint package and it states that the reception will be in a banquet room if anyone had any problem having it out by the beach? I would like it to be outside and not on the sand but close. Also did anyone have a DJ and if so were they good? and did they have them for longer than 2 hours? I am 8 months out and I trying to make sure that I have everything important taken care of.

The mint package has to be inside in a banquet room (The Strawberry package or higher can be outside).  I myself didn't want it on the beach and wanted an open aired grill and they made me upgrade and then once I did that no open aired grills were avaiable....So I'm by the pool now. Anyways.......I have read once that somebody had a big group (over 70) and the WC allowed them to pay extra per person to have it outside with the mint package, but that's NOT a regular thing that they do (I tried)...My wedding isn't till October and I got a D.J from an outside vendor,  Discomovil. He was cheaper than Barcelo's D.J and plays for 4 hours. Also if you were intrested in the light up dance floor its half the price of the resort. I found that other brides used this D.J and he has recieved good reviews. Correspondence with him is easy and fast which makes me feel good too. The only downside to using an Outside vendor is that Barcelo charges you for use of their electricity $100 an hour. But for $200 Discomovil will rent and bring a genertor which works out to be cheaper. I read that the Barcelo D.J plays dance music for 2 hours and the other hour is just background music while you eat supper. But both have gotten good reviews. Just to try to set your mind at ease, I think you are way ahead of the game. Lots of Brides don't get everything set till they get down there because its so hard to get a hold of some of the WC..(which is my case) Happy planning!!

Online only for the next 3 days (today is 7/17) Bath and Body Works is selling EVERYTHNIG buy 2 get 1 free....Plus$1 shipping for orders over $25. Just thought some of you may want to check it out!! I got a TON of goodies for my OOT bags at their semi-annual sale but for those of you that may have missed it....this may be a good deal too!

I'm getting close to the BIG day and I have been holding off to buy my OOT stuff till I get my final number. I am thinking about how am I gonna get all this stuff down to Mexico. My Sister had a heck of a time in the past shipping her stuff to Mexico and I am wondering what other people are doing to get there "goodies" down to their destination.

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone that had a cocktail hour could give a little feedback as to what food they picked and what the Guests thought....I was thinking the Mexican, but Mom wants to go with the Caribbean. Any thoughts?

Does anyone know during the ceremony is there a spot for someone to do a reading?

I LOVE the idea of binoculars!

Thanks ladies!