jordanb

You might check into some of the big resorts, even if it's not your first inclination. Some of them do free weddings for the couple, with basically everything you said you wanted, if you just stay in a certain room class for a certain number of nights. They'll probably still charge you a fee for your photog, but if you go offsite to your makeup/hair artist, they can't charge you for that. For example, I got married at the Royal in Playa - they did have a free package, but they also charged $350 for an outside photographer. it would include your ceremony setup, coordinator, bouquet, dinner, etc. though: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/86106/playa-del-carmen-just-the-2-of-us Just something to consider!

Just sent it to you!

We paid or an extra hour up front!

That's weird- they didn't charge me and I got a note from the DJ saying that they were bringing them for free!

DoReMix djs thru the resort were great- and they bright all the props you were asking about, plus fireworks, free of charge. I brought the lanterns!

DoReMix djs thru the resort were great- and they bright all the props you were asking about, plus fireworks, free of charge. I brought the lanterns!

It sounds like your photog is staying at a different resort? If so, (based on my recent experience) you'll definitly have to pay for him, and the fee is currently $350 (or was 2 weeks ago!). In my case, I told my offsite coordinator my plans to use outside photography as I was making all the arrangements through her - a couple months out - when I provided numbers, meals, and other extras I wanted like dance floor. She then sent me a whole recap with all the fees I owed, broken down by each piece, which I paid before I was assigned my onsite coordinator (about a month out). I got a balance sheet back that showed everything paid, and my onsite had it when I arrived. She noted the outside photog with the front desk, and they had no issues getting into the resort to shoot from there! Does that help?

I got married there one week ago! Here's my review - maybe it will help you decide? We had a fabulous time - you can't beat the location (I highly recommend staying in Playa over just along the Riviera - gives your guests a lot more to do and see). Also, the resort is beautiful, and although I got a little tired of the food, all-inclusive is so much easier for a group, and it has the best I have had at any! Feel free to ask any questions. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/the-royal-in-playa-del-carmen-all-inclusive-spa-resort/reviews/6866

Hi ladies, I just posted my review of my wedding last week - hope it's helpful! http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/the-royal-in-playa-del-carmen-all-inclusive-spa-resort/reviews/6866

Sorry, I meant that the guestbook, escort card table was to the left of the sweetheart table, farther back. At the entrance to the reception from the Gazebo. Our reception is at Gazebo beach, so the Gazebo where the ceremony was, is directly behind the sweatheart table.

I JUST got back from my wedding, so I don't have many professional shots back yet (and none so far that show the whole layout, ready-to-go), but these (one professional and some from friends during setup and the actual party) might help you! We did dance floor in the middle with three tables (for a total of 6, each with 7-9 people) on each side, and sweetheart table at the top, facing the ocean. Here they are setting it up, so you can see the layout - we also had a cake table to the right of the sweetheart table, and a table for guestbook, escort cards, etc. to the right, farther back. You can see how the sweetheart table is at the top of the dancefloor facing everyone here. Cake table is hiding behind us. Here is a closer shot of what our sweetheart table looked like. You can see spacing of tables in background here... And what cake table looked like up close... And finally, a professional shot from Del Sol of what my tables looked like when deocrated! Hope that helps!

Thank you! It was amazing! Review and pics of how everything looked the day-of to come!

Also, DoReMix Djs were AMAZING too. We had a light-up dance floor on the beach, and they brought fireworks, ballons, masks, etc. and handled the playlist and announcments flawlessly!

Del Sol Photography all the way in reference to your photog needs! I JUST got back from my wedding yesterday, and they were fantastic! I did a ton of research before I went and they just kept standing out from the rest. Photos to come soon!

Can't wait!!!

Hi ladies! I am heading to Mexico on Saturday for my wedding next Friday! Quick Q - did anyone else utilize the wedding Site Inspection Program (visiting during planning, and then supposedly getting what you paid for that trip back in resort credit when you return for your wedding), and if so, was it easy to get your resort credit from your past stay? I am in the process of trying to work it out with them right now, and so far it hasn't been an easy process - they're telling me they have on record for my previous stay that it wasnt me (my parents came with us, but we were there too, and I provided confirmation numbers), and that we get less than we paid because it's based on what the resort got from the travel agent who booked us, not what we paid (but we didn't use a TA previously). Just curious as to others' experiences!

We addressed the issue that some likely couldn't make it, but more so, tried to explain that in our case (our families/friends live all over the place), for most people, it wouldn't end up being a ton more $ or travel than it would have been for them to come CO, where we live - and at least they get a vacation out of it! Here's what we said: Welcome to our wedding website! We are counting the days to our BIG day! With Garrett's family scatted from California and Washington to Florida (and several stops in between), Jordan's family in Western Canada and across Wyoming, and friends all over, we thought a destination wedding in Mexico was a great way to ensure that the large number of guests who would have to travel no matter where we held it, would at least get a great vacation in the process! We hope you can make it (don't forget it's MLK Day the following Monday, which equals a three-day weekend for many), and to those who can't, we'll miss you terribly, and know you'll be there in spirit. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives. We so look forward to celebrating with you. We are having a reception the following summer, but it will be SUPER casual BBQ style shindig, and honestly, that's more due to pressure from those who aren't coming than about us wanting to do another one. A lot of people will still have to travel to it if they want to come, but for many, it's just the idea of Mexico that seems expensive, scary or a hassle. I think a lot of people start to feel guilty about doing a DW (I have struggled with this along the way), but you shouldn't. It's your day, and you probably checked to make sure those who were extra close to you could come beforehand. Just make sure in turn, you don't make anyone feel guilty about not coming if they honestly can't afford it or take the time off. And, remember how many weddings - although maybe not classified as DW, just a friend who lives somewhere other than you do - you may have traveled to in the past. Did you complain, make anyone feel guilty for having it somewhere you had to travel to, or demand they do a reception where you live so they could come? Think about it like that if you start to stress

Thanks for the photo - I believe that's the 3.75x3.75! Apparently now there are several sizes. My WC gave me four to pick from!

Hey all, For those of you who did the light up dancefloor - what size did you do? I am having 50 guests, and most will probably dance at some point. Torn between 3.75 and 5 meters. Price differnce is almost $800 so I'd rather not go with the bigger one if I don't have to. Thoughts??

I hadn't! beautiful Thanks for sharing!

If you haven't, you should look into Del Sol! That's who is doing mine, and they are AMAZING. I did a ton of research in PDC and their pics and recos to use them kept coming up everywhere I looked. They've been great to work with so far - will post my pics after my wedding in 6 weeks!

I heard the same, but I am going to fight that - they told me when I booked that pricing for 2013 ala carte was not set, so they couldnt tell me what it was going to be until it was, but I wasn't able to lock myself into the current, likely lower, pricing when I booked. They can't have it both ways. Stay tuned. I also can't find anything in the contract I signed that says that I am bound to the pricing when I booked, even though my wedding is in 2013 and the pricing for that had been re-set.

I'm glad you pointed that out - I booked the Classic in April as well, but am paying to add a bunch of guests for my wedding in Jan. The new classic includes 5 more guests for the package price (which is the same) and a bunch more inclusions like officiant, etc. I did notice there is a new note that you have to purchase $85 day passes for non-resort guests, but afterdoing the math, it still seems like the new package is a better deal. After I saw your post I emailed my coordinator to see if I could have that pricing (my payment is due next week). Have not heard back, but will let you know when I do. And in response to your comment about the planning process, my RSVPs were due October 15, and up until this week I have still had people change their response. I am 6 weeks out and won't be able to completely knock out gift bags, escort cards, etc. until next week. I think you're probably in good shape!