Sarahop81

I'm not surprised that would happen. I would just email them and say something along the lines of, "Hello, Most of the contract looks just fine. However, I think there might be a typo. I noticed the price on the contract is slightly higher than the price I was quoted previously. Would you be able to update that for us?" It's Mexico, everything is negotiable. And they do try to mark-up as many things as they can. And we're all human so it could be an honest mistake too. As long as you ask kindly, it should be fine. Just start off the email being nice. Nobody could be mad at you for asking them to give you the price you were quoted. I negotiated with my location over email. I am waiting for my contract, but I have saved all my emails just in case this happens. They deal with a lot of people and I can see how it would be easy to overlook pricing on some things. Just make sure they have the times, food, decoration details in there. And make sure the pricing includes all taxes and fees at the end. Good luck!

I think 3 hours is just too short too. I want photos of me getting ready, my Catholic ceremony (which is about an hour), then part of the reception. My ceremony will be at 5pm. I figure I will be done getting ready by 4:30 to be on the safe side. So that means I need a photographer to be at my location to capture us getting ready around 3:30pm, or even earlier. Depends on when the makeup and hair person will be there. Reception starts at 6pm, food at 7, dancing at 8pm. That would give us enough time to take photos after the ceremony of just us, plus some guests, any speeces, some dancing and cake cutting. I'm hoping to get them until 8:30pm at least. So I will have to work some magic to ge them to cover more time. My friend's husband is a photographer so I might ask them to do the before the ceremony shots. I want them to sit and relax at a wedding for once. I'd also like to do a 'Trash the Dress' shoot the next day so I'm going to see if I can work both into my package. I will be moving from the hotel to the chapel and then chapel to the reception so I'm wasting time by moving all over. If you're just doing one venue like a hotel, you may be able to get all that in 4 hours. I am just looking now, but I won't be booking a photog for another couple months. Can you let me know what you end up with? It's scary because photos are so important, but at the same time, it's so hard to pay that kind of money.

I've been looking too this past week and it seems like most of the basic packages for 3 hours start at $1600. Yikes! Around here in Chicago you can get an amazing photographer all day for $1000-$1200. Del Sol is the best, but they start at over $3000. I had about 5 other quotes and a few were willing to come down in pricing. I had one come down from $1600 to $1000. They say everything is negotiable. So if there is something you want, it doesn't hurt to ask them to work with you on pricing. Good luck!

Oh man. I'm trying to do passport invites too and I wanted to see your photos. It sounds like such a cute idea. And great idea for the message in a bottle! This silly site won't let me view them because I haven't made 150 posts. I guess it costs $30 to view pictures. Yikes! Where did you get the idea to make those? Any advice?

I am not using a travel agent because I am only having 20-30 people come to Playa del Carmen. If you're having that many guests, it probably is a good idea. Many of the hotels I looked into will not let the guests make their own credit card payments. I have to wire transfer all the funds for our block of rooms. So that means I have to collect money from all my friends and family. Also, if you book with an agent, they should let your friends pay in installments, which might help a few of them out. If you find a hotel that will work directly with your guests, and if your guests are capable of booking their own travel then it might not be a big deal. It's hard for our guests to spend the money to come in the first place and I didn't want to pass the cost of an agent onto them. I think for how many guests you have and with all the other planning you'll be doing, if they can afford it, do it. It's one less headache for you.

Can someone perhaps explain a little about the issues w/ the wedding planner at this location? What is their name and what happened? I am pretty interested in this location, but I'd hate to invest a lot of money to not be treated properly. Any advice would help. Thanks!

I think the Barcelo hotel in that area is great. I stayed there before and had a great experience. They have a cute little wedding area for Catholics too. They just sent me some information and their pricing seems to be similar to other resorts. And at least you'll know it's a great hotel. I loved the pier they had to snorkel right off the beach. Pools areas are nice. And you can stay at any of the Barcelos and get married at their chapel. I heard the Dreams Tulum is nice too, but I think the Barcelo is a nicer resort. Just had some updates.

I am looking to get hitched June 2015 as well. I've been doing my research and I know people that have wed at the Riu and Dreams brands and had great things to say. I'm still unsure which location I will get married at. I need a Catholic service so I have fewer choices. I may even do a chapel in downtown Playa and then have a reception at a Beach Club. That way guests can stay at any resort they like. Although I seem to change my mind every other day. So many choices! I will check out Jade as well. My friend loved that location. If anyone has tips, suggestions, let me know. I'd love to hear them. And good luck everyone!

Hello. I am trying to have a Catholic wedding in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. I do not have to do it at a resort. I saw only a few hotels have the Catholic chapels. I was thinking of maybe doing the wedding in a chapel or church and then having the reception at a club or restaurant. Has anyone done or looked into this? I know it would depend on various things. I believe we will have about 20-30 guests. I do want a nice atmosphere and I'd like the reception to be near or on the ocean. At the same time, I do not have $6,000.00 to throw a wedding for such few guests. Any thoughts? I saw Xcaret also holds weddings and receptions. Does anyone know their costs and if their receptions are private? I've been there before and the place was a zoo. So many people. I'm fine with others being able to view the ceremony, but I do not want the reception to be an open buffet that we share with 100 other people. Thanks!