TraceyT

Wow!! I wasnt expecting so many responses! I'm so excited for way more options now. Thank you thank you thank you everyone!!!

I honestly hadn't heard about/considered Platinum Yucatan Princess, Mayakoba, Now Jade, Now Sapphire, El Dorado Seaside, El Dorado Maroma, and Generations, but I will definitely be adding all of those to my watch list now. They all sound like what we are looking for.

@@calgarybride2015 Thanks! I had it custom made (by a lady in the states for a really great price) based on a dress I loved but wasnt made anymore, and I had to add the colour in I looooooove it! We are going to go back one day and do a trash the dress session in the cenotes, so I will get to wear it again!

My husband and I are planning a trip for Jan 2016 as an anniversary/My 30th Bday/Recovery celebration and I need some help.

We got married at Playacar Palace in Jan 2014 and honeymooned at Cozumel Palace and loved it at both places, they were nice, small, great food and service, and had very fun places to visit/explore around them. For this trip I'm open to some other options and was wondering what you guys would suggest?

The issue; I'm having ankle surgery in Sept, so I will be 4 months into the 6 month recovery which is where I have hit the wall as far as planning. I had the other ankle operated on last year and know 100% that there's no way I could handle walking a mega resort at that point....So I need some advice on nice smaller resorts to look into.

The places I've looked at/considered Akumal Wellness Resort and all of the Palace resorts except Moon.

Requirements (in order of importance):

- Caribbean/Mexico (east side)

- Small size

- All inclusive

- Nice beach

- Good food/service

- Pool (not manditory)

- Near a town/touristy area for shopping/cultural stuffs

The goal is basically to go relax on the the beach, drink, eat, and not do too much else I can't really do many excursions sadly (it honestly makes me so sad because other then a cenote/ek balam tour (which I highly highly recommend), we didn't get to do much on the Riviera side during our wedding because we were busy), but if you have ideas on anything like boat tours or stuff that didn't require much walking, that would be greatly appreciated too

So! Any experience at the places I've looked at? Or suggestions or recommendations for other resorts?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcbride3 

Hey ladies,
Just wondering if anyone can help me out.
I'm from B.C. and I'm having a legal cermony in mexico and I'm just confused on the legal documents that are required to have the legal ceremony in mexico.
The part I'm confused about is the apostile document. What is this, do I need it and where do I get it?

So I got some more info on this now. If you get your birth certificates notarized, you can then take them to the mexican embassy closest to where the birth certificates were issued (Mine in calgary, FI's was in drumheller, so we can go to the embassy in calgary) and they can officially notarize them for you and it will be recognized in mexico. A little easier then sending them to ottawa.

I got them off amazon. I just bought a cheap lamination machine at walmart (I got the Scotch one that was only $34 and I'm going to sell it to my mom after for her work.), ran the tags through it a couple of times. It didn't need the paper protector even, just ran the plastic right through, I think because its 10mil, it needed to go through more then once (I found 3 times worked the best) And I just bought DIY business cards at Staples and printed them myself. The last pic is the ones I made, the other side has the persons name, address and phone number printed, but it would be just as easy to print simple lines and have them use a permanent marker to add their info in.

They look better in person then in the pic. I'll have 35 left for sure.

I will have about that many left (when I'm done this week) that are for laminating. They come with the plastic loops. I don't know what shipping would cost, PM me if your interested.

We are getting married on January 14, 2014 and have our AHR planned for April 12th. Originally we were going to have it in Feb, but that date wasn't available at our venue, so we decided to wait until everyone important would be able to come (FI's has several family members that fly south for the winter, so they will be back by april). I was concerned that it would be too long after the wedding, but who cares, they get to party, they'll enjoy it regardless of if its a couple weeks or a few months after. I just have to make sure I still fit my dress....

That's awesome!

What all have you gotten planned with her so far? I feel like I am soooo behind. I've only picked my private events (including reception and stuff) and the meals for them. And that's about it, I'm stuck and I'm only 3 months away.....

So, I did something a little different for my out of town bag shopping, and I highly suggest it if you live near a border and are ordering a decent amount of stuff. This is long, which is why I hadn't posted anything yet, even though we did this weeks ago

I found this site www.kinek.com you sign up with them for free and they give you an American address to ship to near the border (they have lots of pick up locations all along the border). In my case, I am in Calgary and had my stuff shipped to Babb, MT (5 min over the border). They will hold your packages for 30 days and charge between $4-$7 per package (US Cash only). They will apparently hold for up to 90 days if you call and arrange it (and pay a little extra). It opened up many more options to choose from since anything and everything would ship within the states. I still need a few more things for the bags, but they can all be ordered on ebay/dhgate from china, so I wouldn't have saved anything having it shipped to the states.

It was a 2.5 hour drive from Calgary, but we stopped in Lethbridge had lunch, visited FI's brother and met with the jeweler making our wedding bands (same guy who made my engagement ring).

Crossing the border was easy, just tell the US guys you are picking up packages of supplies for your wedding (the officer cracked a joke to FI asking if he had any say in the matter, he just laughed and said, no he just had the credit card). Coming back into Canada was very easy. The daily limit is $200 per person, so if your over, you just pay duty on the amount you were over. Tell them you picked up packages of wedding supplies (I had to explain the out of town bag concept because they didn't understand why I needed hand sanitizer and stuff for a wedding hehehe), have your invoices all ready, they will have you come inside and pay the taxes you owe and any extra duties. We had 2 people, and $600 worth of stuff plus he $100 in shipping/kinek charges, so we only paid duties on $300. The customs officer had me check where the sandals were made because if they're made in the states you pay less.

The place seemed sketchy as hell at first (tiny town, no one around, tire place seemed like it was out of business but I don't think it actually was), but the lady who took care of the Kinek pickups was super nice, everything is locked away in an office/garage, and lots of people seem to use it, I was very surprised how many packages the lady was holding for other people.

Most of the stuff we ordered had free shipping inside the US so altogether we only paid $60 on $600 worth of stuff.

We got all the individual medicine packets, lip chap, hand sanitizers, 100 pack of DIY luggage tags, blank waterproof labels to print labels for the tumblers, 5 pairs of sandals (mine for the wedding, my MOH's, our flower girls, and 2 pairs just because they were only $10 and they looked awesome), my FI took advantage of the situation and got some new fog lights for his jeep and replacement bubs for his other lights.

I wish I had known about it sooner since we were just down in Waterton in the summer and Babb is only an hour from there, it would have been even easier to pick up.

I know it seems like a long drive, but honestly, we made it there and back on a tank of gas ($60) and paid $70 in taxes/duties (for what we went over on our personal limit).

So we bought everything off of amazon in one payment, it shipped in 8 packages and we paid

$60 tank of gas

$70 taxes and duties

$32 Kinek cost (8 packages @ $4)

$60 shipping costs

$235 FI's lights & bulbs (saved $155 compared to what they cost here)

$200 5 pairs of sandals

$20 blank waterproof labels for tumblers

From Amazon.com

(I wrote what they are the equivalent of in brackets)

$11.41 Medique Medi-Meclizine 50x2 packs (Gravol) $0.22 per packet

$14.76 Medique Diamode 50x1 packs (Immodium) $0.30 per packet

$15.59 Medique Diotame 50x2 packs (Pepto Pills) $0.31 per packet

$24.40 Blistex Mint SPF 15 24 pack $1.01 per stick

From MFASCO Health & Safety on amazon

$6.75 Medi-First Non Asprin 125x2 packs (Tylenol) $0.05 per packet

$4.95 Medi-First Ibuprofen 50x2 packs (Advil) $0.10 per packet

$2.91 (per box) Medi-First Hydrocortisone Cream 25 packets (2 boxes) (Afterbite) $0.12 per packet

$3.65 (per box) Medi-First Triple Antibiotic Ointment 25 packets (2 boxes) (Polysporin) $0.15 per packet

$3.05 (per box) Water-Jel First Aid Burn Cream 25 packets (4 boxes ) (Solarcaine) $0.12 per packet

From MedVetInternational on amazon

$14.95 Purell 2oz Hand sanitizer 24 Pack $0.62 per bottle

From PLEXSUPPLY on amazon

$16.99 100 Luggage tag laminating pouches w/loops

Net total (stuff) $590

Grand total (with shipping, kinek, gas, taxes/duty) $812

OOT bag med supplies $120 (not including shipping) We have 24 confirmed guests so far for our wedding in January, and I can have at least two packets per person per bag for every medication I got.

Now, considering the cost to get any of that shipped directly to my house would have been waaaaaay more, as well as the fact that the cost to buy it would have been more in the first place, and some things you couldn't even buy from here, I am pretty happy with it overall. I don't think it's worth it if you only have a couple things you want, but they hold your packages for a long time, and if you can do just one run and get most of your stuff, it's worth it. My only regrets? That I didn't find it sooner so I could have saved on a lot of other things (I probably would have gotten my tumblers, bags, and some of the decorations), and that my MOH didn't have her passport so she couldn't come with us and help us save on duties.

And one last thing, if you decide to do this, don't speed in the states (at least if you're going to Babb), the guy who was in front of me at the border got pulled over right away and he was only doing the typical 10km over coming up to the border....... So don't make a speeding ticket a part of your wedding costs.....

I am too Rachel! Jan 14! When is yours? Whos your WC? I have Daniela.

I'm a 2014 PP bride but I heard from my WC this week! Yay!!!

Hey Lynz! Are you doing a buffet on the beach for your reception? I just ask because I was just looking through the private events brochure I got and $12 per person was the set up fee for that or "difficult to access areas" maybe that's what the charge is?

You're welcome!

Oh thank you so much Tracey! 

I actually just found the answer to your question yesterday since I am just starting all the paperwork now My mom works with the provincial government and looked it up. So! Apparently Canada didn't sign the Hauge (sp?) agreement so we don't do Apostilles here. The process is, get your documents photocopied and notarized (by a notary or registry) then send your documents to the address on this site (the website has the rest of the process) http://www.international.gc.ca/department-ministere/authentication-authentification_documents.aspx?view=d#Certificates_of_birth It takes about 3 weeks, they will mail the documents back if you provide a prepaid (best to use UPS or something you can easily track) envelope. Then you can mail your newly internationally certified documents to your resort. The notary will likely cost something but the international certification (equivalent to the apostille) is free, just give yourself the time needed to receive it. If you go with one of the companies online that provide the service, all you're really paying for is for someone else to do all that. Hope that helps you!

Hey ladies, Just wondering if anyone can help me out. I'm from B.C. and I'm having a legal cermony in mexico and I'm just confused on the legal documents that are required to have the legal ceremony in mexico. The part I'm confused about is the apostile document. What is this, do I need it and where do I get it?

I actually just found the answer to your question yesterday since I am just starting all the paperwork now My mom works with the provincial government and looked it up. So! Apparently Canada didn't sign the Hauge (sp?) agreement so we don't do Apostilles here. The process is, get your documents photocopied and notarized (by a notary or registry) then send your documents to the address on this site (the website has the rest of the process) http://www.international.gc.ca/department-ministere/authentication-authentification_documents.aspx?view=d#Certificates_of_birth It takes about 3 weeks, they will mail the documents back if you provide a prepaid (best to use UPS or something you can easily track) envelope. Then you can mail your newly internationally certified documents to your resort. The notary will likely cost something (a lot of government officials are registered notaries, ask your MLA, MP or alderman possibly) but the international certification (equivalent to the apostille) is free, just give yourself the time needed to receive it. If you go with one of the companies online that provide the service, all you're really paying for is for someone else to do all that. Hope that helps you!

Hey ladies, Just wondering if anyone can help me out. I'm from B.C. and I'm having a legal cermony in mexico and I'm just confused on the legal documents that are required to have the legal ceremony in mexico. The part I'm confused about is the apostile document. What is this, do I need it and where do I get it?

Welcome and congrats! Yes, where there are weddings, there is drama. Where there are destination weddings, the drama is even larger. Sorry you had to go through that stress (I did too, except it was coming from my family) and so glad she has since changed her mind.  There are SO many resources here! It is the single best wedding planning source I found. Happy planning - hopefully the stressful part is done now!

Hi!

I'm kind of a newbie, just found this thread but I signed up a month ago

We got engaged just after christmas (on a trip to Banff that he planned for my birthday) and are getting married at Playacar Palace 1.14.2014 with about 30 guests!

Planning had been so stressful (FI's mom wasn't keen on a destination wedding and was working hard to convince us to stay home, but has since changed her mind) until I found this website and all the awesome people who have shared so much helpful information! So thank you everyone!

Now you have me paranoid..... And confused.....

The way westjet vacations, my TA and the resort put it to me was that westjet works with 'live space', so we cannot block the rooms. If we went with air canada we could, but they were $500 more per trip so that wasn't going to happen..... We are doing a group booking with them, so as long as we have 10 rooms booked we qualify as a group, and as long as westjet has 10 rooms available when we book (which our quote is valid until May 27th) we are supposedly good. So I guess I will know in the next two weeks.....

The resort said that for the 'free rooms' that are part of the group benefit, westjet would be obligated to fulfill (credit us), based on their contract with them (which westjet gave us the option of using their group benefit or the palace resorts benefit, but not both). And then the private event benefit would be fulfilled by the resort so long as our bookings all came from one source (our TA, westjet groups, etc.) and had enough nights to qualify us. I've asked several times and this has been the same answer I've gotten each time, but I'm gonna have to ask again, just in case......

How would getting a room block hold the rooms for us if westjet has already 'claimed' the rooms, wouldn't we be booking/holding twice as many rooms? I was considering blocking a few rooms after our group is confirmed, just in case there are a few stragglers who decide later that they want to come.

Originally Posted by MrsTobeD 

This is a little confusing and interesting. You need a room block if you have or don't have a package, matter of fact, every one does a package, either complimentary or paid, that is the way you can get the group benefits, you should investigate a little more since if there is not room block you have no guarantee that your guest will be able to get a room at the resort, it is a very small place. 

Thanks!

I asked her about it and since we are going with a package, we don't need/can't reserve a room block. But we still get the group benefits from the resort, which we will have more then enough room nights based on everyone who has said they are coming, so that is awesome!

Originally Posted by MrsTobeD 

You should certainly be talking to her about that, there are many benefits including unlimited free events if you get 75 room nights booked, as you mention 10 rooms for 7 days each that is already 70 room nights, if you get 5 more which if I were you I will definitely book them, even if that means you paying for those extra 5 nights out of your pocket,. 

 

Hmmm I wrote a post already but even after a day it never showed up.....

Any way I'll try again.

CodyROJO

I asked the wedding bookings guy for the Canada section (Gilberto) multiple times (because I'm paranoid like that) how the group benefits work and he said as long as your group is booked through one portal (ie. travel agent, air canada vacations groups/westjet vacations groups) and you have a group booking # then you will be able to get the benefits. You also don't need to have a booking number right away, it can be added later. He said for the free room nights the package provider must honour the deal. We are going through a destination wedding travel agent with AMA (after trying to do it myself, and speaking with several other travel agents) using a westjet package and westjet said we have to choose between their group bonus (book 15 people 16th travels free, max 2 free people per group, group leader is credited the amount 21 days before departure) or the resorts bonus (for every 10 people, 1 persons share of a room free). I think we are going to go with wesjets bonus.....

Talk to the wedding booking people and ask them, its best to get it in writing up front so you have something to cover your butt if they try to go back on it.

Good on you for taking on the planning!

Originally Posted by CodyROJO 

Hi all.

 

I am new to the thread and looking for some advice.

 

There doesn't seem to be many grooms on here but, I'm all you blushing brides can assist.

 

I have taken on the planning for my fiancee and I and have some questions for the brides in Canada.

 

Did any Canadian brides book through a local travel agent and receive the complimentary cocktail reception and dinner based on room nights?

 

I have read that you are only entitled to get the complimentary services if you book directly through the resort.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Thanks all.

sparklej18

I know how you're feeling, we just booked for 1.14.14 a couple weeks ago. I'm feeling waaaaaay behind compared to most of the other brides to be on here What do you have planned so far?

Originally Posted by sparklej18 

Hello pp brides I haved booked my wedding for 4.27.14 I have lots of work to do

I actually went out and bought them based on your picture alone Searched from the SE all the way up to the NE and bought every single green bag I could find. Our colours are bright green (pretty much the colour of the bag) and dark purple so they will work perfectly. And if we have extras (which I'm kinda hoping because I like the bag) we will just use them for camping and stuff. Thanks for posting them, I would have never found them if it wasn't for you They are going to be very very easy to spot at the resort!

Hey CodyROJO!
Firstly, way to go on taking charge with the planning

Secondly, I have asked the person in charge of wedding booking (Gilberto) multiple times (because I'm paranoid like that) and he has said that as long as all the bookings are coming from one place (ie. travel agent, aircanada/westjet vacations) that the group benefits (free private events and room nights) will be honoured. He said the complimentary room nights must be credited by the package provider, if you go through one, and that they are obligated to honour it.

We are going through a destination wedding travel agent at AMA getting a package from westjet and westjet has said we have to decide between their group bonus (1 free trip for every 15 people booked, max 2 free trips) and the resorts group bonus (the free room nights based on group size). So we are going to go with westjets bonus I think.  It would be awesome to get both group benefit bonuses but I think that's asking for too much At least we will get the free private events.

Originally Posted by CodyROJO 

Hi all.

 

I am new to the thread and looking for some advice.

 

There doesn't seem to be many grooms on here but, I'm all you blushing brides can assist.

 

I have taken on the planning for my fiancee and I and have some questions for the brides in Canada.

 

Did any Canadian brides book through a local travel agent and receive the complimentary cocktail reception and dinner based on room nights?

 

I have read that you are only entitled to get the complimentary services if you book directly through the resort.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Thanks all.

Hey Sparklej18!

I know how you feel, we just booked for 1.14.14 a couple weeks ago and I'm realizing that that isn't so far away! What have you got planned so far?

Originally Posted by sparklej18 

Hello pp brides I haved booked my wedding for 4.27.14 I have lots of work to do

This is our predicted budget for Playacar Palace - Complementary Wedding Package Package 25-30 Guests
We had several things that were a priority to spend more money on, rings, photographer, custom kilts for the groomsmen, wedding resort and honeymoon resort.
Ceremony
Officiant Fee - $460
Accessories  - $400 (‘sand’ ceremony which will be made into a glass sculpture after wards)
Rings - $2,400 (Both custom made by the place that made my engagement ring)   

Reception (Mexico)

Rehearsal Dinner - Free with group benefits
Food/drinks - Included in wedding package/group benefits (May extend dinner/party 2 hrs for $360)
Decorations - From AHR decorations

Reception (AHR)
Venue - $1,000 (My mother is paying)
Food - $1,000 (Apps and Desserts)
Alcohol/Bar - $1,500 (FI’s Parents paying)

Insurance - $250
Flowers/Decorations/Guest book - $750

Attire
Wedding Gown - $1000 (Custom made using grandmothers/mothers dress & cheap cheap dress for the TTD)
Accessories - $200 (Hair Piece, Veil, Shoes, etc)

Hair/Make-up - $85
Flowers  - Included in wedding package

Photographer - $3,000 (Wedding & TTD)

Stationary
STD’s, Invites & Postage - $100 (All DIY, FI’s Parent’s paying)
Thank you’s - $75

Gifts
Bridal Party - $575 (Custom kilts for the guys, gift for MOH)
Parent’s Gifts - $90 (Glass sculptures made from our ‘sand’ ceremony)
Favours (AHR) - $200 (Homemade Jams)
OOT Bags (Mexico) - $150

Trip Cost - $4,500 - 8 Days Ocean view room (Group benefits include free room upgrade for us)

Music - Don't know speaker rental price to go with ipod yet.
Grooms outfit - No idea yet
Honeymoon - Don’t have a price on the hotel yet.

That’s what we have so far, I’ve over budgeted on most things, I’m hoping to come in under on a lot of things, and I am doing a TON of DIY on as much as possible. We are also going to bring down some easy to pack decorations (table cloths, chair ties, paper lanterns, etc.) to mexico and then use them at our AHR when we come back (luckily several guests have offered to use their 'second' bags as decoration carriers).

We get $1,500 resort credits to use on any excursions/spa/rooms upgrades. We are also using our different group benefits (free room nights, free trip based on group size) on the couple guests who need more help financially so that we can have them come. Otherwise our trip would be free....

Our total budget comes to $18,500 not including honeymoon, grooms outfit and speaker rental. Honeymoon will be at Cozumel Palace for 7 days after the wedding, so it’s just the hotel cost added on, plus we will get a $1,500 resort credit there as well.  I’m working hard to keep it under $20,000, but considering we don’t want a huge ceremony at home (30 guests in MX compared to 150+ guests at home), we are having a legal ceremony down there, and we are having a huge AHR (all DIY), it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. A wedding at home would probably cost more than $25,000 without the awesome vacation included

Originally Posted by tram13 

 

 

I found these bags at Dollarama for $1.25 each.  They come in 4 different colors, a neon green, purple, pink, and blue.  I think that it's part of their spring collection.  The FI really liked these bags, and picked the neon green so that he can pick out the people who are with us.  Just though It's pass it on in case people are looking for something beachy and reusable! :-)

Those look awesome!

And the neon green would work perfectly for us. How big are they and how bright is the green?

Hi Everyone!

I just got the official confirmation that our date will be Jan 14, 2014!

So Excited!!!

My TA never mentioned anything about a group block on the rooms. What is it and should I be talking to her about it? We aren't 100% sure on the number of rooms, but we will need a minimum of 10 for 7 days each.....

Hi everyone!

We are in the process of booking Playacar Palace for January 2014.

Still waiting to hear back about our travel packages before we confirm the date so we can stay in our travel budget for our guests.

When you guys booked your group, did you have exact group numbers or did you have a rough number you gave your travel agent? We are going through WestJet (found a great priced package with direct flights) but communication has been slow and the guy we are working with never seems to be at his desk when I call, so it's all been through email. We were going to go through a TA, but I just couldn't find one that I liked, and they kept quoting rates several hundred dollars above what I could find online..... I'm getting anxious about getting it finalized faster so we don't lose our date with the hotel.

Love this thread! It's great to talk to other Canadian brides to be!