yasminlkerr

Hi girls, Just back and what a fantastic holiday and amazing wedding. Full review (with some pics) to follow shortly but just in response to some questions - DJ: I had read the reviews and so came VERY prepared, I had asked each of our guests for their favourite song (that could be danced to) - I sent the full list to Marcela (my wedding coordinator) to pass on to the DJ, and had all the songs on CD which I brought with me just in case. The DJ did not follow our list, and apparently the CDs did not work! To be honest, this didn't ruin anything for us, I sent word round to the guests who started a requests list of their songs, although he did not have quite a few of them. But between us we managed to keep the songs to what he wanted (despite a few techno attempts from the DJ which I quickly put a stop to!). I must admit, the 2DJ was VERY grumpy and unimpressed by us and our drunk guests taking over (which we literally had by the end when he couldn't find our songs we took control of his laptop and started to choose for ourselves). We managed to have 3 hours of pretty good music, which kept everyone happy and dancing, and honestly I was so happy and just enjoying myself too much (helped by a few glasses of bubbly) that I couldn't have cared less, but, if it is a big deal to you then it might be worth thinking about hiring a DJ, he certainly wouldn't have been worth paying for! Oliersbride - we had a party of 34, I had also read this about the golf carts and was a little concerned not wanting to pay any more, but it wasn't mentioned once. We had our ceremony on the beach and reception at the palapa and the golf cart did a few trips without concern (you just have to plan our timings). We had a designated golf buggy, and a driving (whose name I can't remember but he was great!!). I do know the resort change their rules from time to time, but we had a fairly large group and one buggy served us absolutely fine! Chantel - I think there are just two bars in the evening, on in each side of the lobby (Riviera maya and Mayan Beach) very close by each other so we utilised both. We didn't venture too far into the Mayan Beach side but I don't think there was any other bar open late, the lobby bar was great as a meeting place for us and we always managed to get some tables / chairs. There is also a bar down by the theatre where the shows are, but not a good meeting place unless you are watching the shows which we never got round to. Also re the WIFI, it didn't work on the beach (even though we ended up changing the ceremony location from near the palapa to the main beach (because it was a nicer beach)) we didn't end up taking Marcela up on use of her phone as we had a chat with my grandma from our room where we were getting ready, but it might be worth asking her as internet pretty much dies when you venture outside the resort buildings. Full review to follow soon.... :-)

Hi Chantelle, I think its because we're getting married at the Palapa location (the one included in the presidential package) as its about 5/6 mins on golf cart from the resort it doesn't get WIFI. Marcela has been helpful though and offered her phone if needed, but my step-dad is going to log his work iPad onto 3G (I'm not sure about you but this costs a fortune from the UK - but he'll be charging it back to work hopefully!) Anyway we fly out tomorrow, and the wedding is this time next week so I will let you know how we manage to get around it! I will also scope out the bars and let you know. We just got confirmation today that we have the Mexican restaurant for our rehersal dinner, we gave our top 3 (about 2 months ago) and this was our number one, thought we'd keep it authentic as it will be our first night there! Will get some piccies up and full review when I return!! Yasmin

Hi girls, Can any previous brides help - we are getting married in less than 2 weeks now (eek!) and I had stupidly made the assumption that there would be WIFI connectivity at the ceremony locations (near the palapa). My Grandmother is unable to make it to Mexico with us but we had arranged for one of our guests to link up to her on Skype so she can watch us get married & almost be there with us! I decided to do a last minute check about the WIFI and have been told there is none, I have replied and asked if there is anything that can be done (but still awaiting a response) - does anyone have any experience with this? I'm sure it must be a problem for many brides not having family members be able to make so they must have something they can do! My worry is they'll come back to me and say there is but its hundreds of dollars! I'm desperate to figure something out as my Grandma will be so upset if we can't link up, and so will I :-( Yasmin

Hi Joanne, We booked through Perfect Weddings Abroad but the package deal is with Thomas Cook Signature - and we got a pretty good price. Perfect Weddings have been good although I would try TCsignature directly too as you might get a better price. Just a word of warning (with the UK companies) we found they were calling the wedding package names slightly different from the resort so in the end we decided to book the silver package (lowest price) with TC so we had the security to fall back on if anything went wrong, but paid for the upgrade to the presidential package through the resort. It does work out cheaper just doing the wedding package through the resort but we wanted the security of doing at least a part of it through a UK company! Yasmin x

Thanks MJKH that's really helpful!

Hi girls, I have a question for any previous brides who went with the Presidential package... When I had the documents sent across there was a separate document for a 2 hour cocktail party / session where guests get cocktails and we can use the DJ for an additional 2 hours. I've queried this with Fernanda who has confirmed this is completely separate to the sparkling wine and canapes that is included with the package. But she did say that because the Palapa is so remote and far away some people have that option, or an hour for beers etc to be put on while we are having photos taken. The only problem is we really can't afford to pay anymore out - so those of you who've had the Presidential package, did you go for this option? And if not did you find it a problem for your guests, were they standing around with nothing to drink for an hour or so? We're hoping our ceremony will be fairly late, maybe 5pm so shouldn't be too long in between. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks, Yasmin

Hi girls, I have a question for any previous brides who went with the Presidential package... When I had the documents sent across there was a separate document for a 2 hour cocktail party / session where guests get cocktails and we can use the DJ for an additional 2 hours. I've queried this with Fernanda who has confirmed this is completely separate to the sparkling wine and canapes that is included with the package. But she did say that because the Palapa is so remote and far away some people have that option, or an hour for beers etc to be put on while we are having photos taken. The only problem is we really can't afford to pay anymore out - so those of you who've had the Presidential package, did you go for this option? And if not did you find it a problem for your guests, were they standing around with nothing to drink for an hour or so? We're hoping our ceremony will be fairly late, maybe 5pm so shouldn't be too long in between. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks, Yasmin

Hi Janelle, I don't think I can attach on here but Fernanda (who I think has taken over from Yeni as wedding coordinator) just sent me some catalogues for the Presendial package a couple of days ago which I can send you if you let me know your email address Yasmin

Hi Mitchieline, It depends which package you go for, they have 4 options depending on what you want included - There is a free ceremony (but you have to pay $6,500 pesos for legal fees if you want legal) Silver package - £26,000 pesos (about $2,000 USD) Gold package - $40,000 pesos ($3,700) Platinum package - $61,000 pesos ($4,800) Presidentual package - $67,000 pesos ($5,300) I can email you the package brochure if you let me have your email address otherwise I think you can get the info on the website. I believe the resort photographer is Foto Caribbean - http://www.fotocaribbean.com.mx/ I have read mixed reviews about them! Yasmin

Hi Nicole, No I haven't - that would be great if you could email it to me, my email is [email protected] Thanks, Yasmin

Gorgeous pics sgreen99! I have a question for any previous brides - we're going for the Presidentual package, but I wondered what is included in the ceremony set up, the brochure says 'romantic decoration' so does that include all the hanging flowers etc that are on the gazebo, and how about colour ribbons etc on the gabezo do you know if you have to pay any extras with this package? Also as I understand it bridesmaids bouquets aren't included so I know we'll need to pay extra for these, but with regards to the brides bouquet can you have any flowers, or do they have set bouquets and you have to pay extra for certain flowers? Thanks!

Hi Kristen, I'm also from UK and I had the same concerns but I had the following emails from Yeni - Who are you travelling with and are you doing a package deal? We are going with Thomas Cook and booked the wedding through them as then they can make sure everything goes smoothly and keep on top of all the paperwork!! 1st email……In order to do a Legal ceremony please check the legal paper work, if this is your firs marriage is easier beacuase you only need passport and tourist car if is the 2nd you need to translate the documents so check the information and let me know. · Valid Passport · Tourist card must be filled according to the official document you will present. · Blood test should be in done in medical center of the Grand Sirenis. ( $220 us dls per couple) · 4 witnesses with valid passport and tourist card. They have to arrive three business day before the wedding. · If you do not have witnesses we can provide them ( $20 us dls each one). · If the Bride is divorced in Canada and her passport has her ex-husband last name, she needs to bring a separate and Original Birth Certificate certified by the Mexican Consulate and translated into Spanish as well as the certification and her Tourist Visa Card MUST be filled according to the Birth Certificate · If the Bride is divorced in United States or United Kingdom and her passport has her ex-husband last name, she needs to bring a separate and Original Birth Certificate certified through an APOSTILLE SEAL by the Secretary of State and translated into Spanish as well as the Apostille and her Tourist Visa Card MUST be filled according to the Birth Certificate. · Legal ceremonies on Sundays have an extra charge of $ 1,500 pesos · Apostille seal has an extra charge of 110 usd · The wedding coordinator will send you a form that you have to fill out with all your and witnesses information, this form you have to send it at least 2 weeks before your arrival. · I will like to inform you, that by the Mexican law, we have a new procedure that must be done in order to performance a legal ceremony, it is called “ No marriage record†this is a quick procedure to verify that no one was legally married before or if so, the divorce process is completed. To start this procedure please I need you to send me a scan copy of both passports by email, the process has an extra fee of $500 pesos that you must pay upon arrival. 2nd email……You have to send all the scan copies of this documentation like 2 months in advance because we need to start with the paper work. Could be when you start working with your personal wedding coordinator. So basically no translation needed if you haven't been married before, and you only need passport and tourist card (which I assumed you got out there!!) but looks like they might ask you to send scanned copies before you go out there! Hope that helps you make the decision :-)

We arrive on the 1st so I may bump into you!! I'm so excited now it can't come soon enough! I know what you mean about costs, we thought going abroad to get married was meant to be the cheaper way to do it!! Still at least we get paradise :-)

Hi JHo2013! I've been having the same conversations with Yeni although I must admit I thought you could have any wedding location with any of the package, but you only got certain reception locations included in the Platinum and Presidential packages, we are going for the Presidential package, I know its expensive but I really wanted the Palapa and other perks! When in August are you going? We get married there on the 7th August! :-)

Hi everyone! We have recently booked our wedding in Riviera Maya for next August, anyone else going to the Grand Sirenis? Or through Thomas Cook signature? Just wondering how it works with the blood tests / documentation when you get out there if anyone knows? Thanks, Yasmin

This forum has been SO helpful and has led us to book the Grand Sirenis for August 2013! Anyone getting married here then? Anyone from the UK also going through Thomas Cook? Yaz x

Hi! Any new brides out there looking to get married at the Catalonia Riviera Maya? We're looking at having our wedding here October 2013, this forum has been amazingly helpful so far! Just wondering are the Catalonia Riviera Maya and the Catalonia Yucutan the same resorts? Also is the private reception location included in the wedding package, or can you pay extra to havr this? Yasmin x

Hi, Thanks to all the reviews and comments on here! We're looking at getting married at the Grand Sirenis in October 2013, and I have read the whole thread but don't want to have to scroll back through so wondered if anyone knew the cost of the wedding packages? In particular the Presidential package? Also - is / has anyone been married or been to Mexico in late October time? I know its something that can't be controlled but I'm a little worried about the weather with it being the tale end of hurricane season! Thanks! Yasmin