SosoCali

Okay, I really need some help on this one. I've done countless research and interviews and I've narrowed it down to two planners. Both seem to be amazing and have great reviews. Can anyone offer their opinions on any of the two?

Ileana Reyes-Very Sweet and responds quickly to my emails. Has good reviews and referrals.

Gabriela Cobian-Very organized and responds quickly to my emails. Was recognized by the Knot for one of her weddings. Has good referrals.

Both charge similar rates, but Ileana lowered her price by $400.

Please help! This is a tough decision. Has anyone had any experience with either one of these planners?

I just talked to Leoan, the wedding planner at Casa Dorada. She said that the guests don't have to stay at the resort in order to get the same prices for the reception, is this true? She also indicated that outside wedding vendors would cost 15% of whatever the vendor is charging. I.e if I wanted my own coordinator than I would have to pay them 15% of whatever my coordinator is charging me. Does anyone else recommend having an outside coordinator at Casa Dorada?

@@SosoCali I originally thought I would hire a planner because all the ones I spoke to said they would save me so much money by being able to negotiate better rates with vendors but after I did my research, I found the rates they were quoting me were the exact same ones I could get on my own.  

 

The planning was definitely a lot of work but I'm happy I did it because all my vendors were amazing and my wedding was perfect and it was because I did tireless research into everything.  I am going to write a post soon with all my vendor reviews

 

I think a wedding planner is worth it if you have endless gobs of money, but if you are trying to stick to a budget, doing the planning yourself saves BOATLOADS of money.  Just definitely get a day-of coordinator because they are key to the day going well.  

Thank you! This is very helpful information! I'm looking forward to your reviews as I am looking into Sunset Da Mona Lisa and considering hiring Ileana. Thanks again!

I hired Illeana Reyes as my day-of-coordinator and she was AMAZING.  Not sure how much she charges for full-on planning but she seems to be open to negotiating rates based on your needs.  I highly recommend her. 

 

When I was planning my wedding, I was always trying to get an idea of what people's budgets tend to be as some of the wedding coordiators in Cabo are only used to working on outrageously expensive weddings.  If it gives you some idea, I had 39 guests at my wedding in June at the Sunset de Mona Lisa and the total cost of everything ended up being about $22k (including everything from my dress, photographer, food, drink, etc, etc)

(Although I will say you can do things for cheaper if you choose an all-inclusive resort for the wedding)

Thank you! I was actually considering Illeana Reyes too as she seems more affordable and had great reviews on this site. I just wasn't sure how good she really was. My budget is 30k for everything. 35k max for 100 people. It's good to know that she offers day of coordination. Sunset da Mona Lisa is a great venue and one we are looking at as well. How did you find planning a wedding on your own in Cabo?

Hi, I am getting married in Feb 2015 in Cabo.  I am getting married at the Sandos Finisterra which is an all inclusive, so I thought I could use their wedding coordinator as she is really good, but I found I needed a wedding coordinator outside of the resort to assist, so I hired Maria Jose Garcia from Creative Destination Events for the month before and day of. So far she has been working more than the month before and I am pretty happy.  I am almost done with everything for my wedding and so far I am at about 26k for 40 guests, that includes 9,500.00 for travel and resort fees (I have to pay for my fiance and I, my 2 teenage children, his two daughters and their boyfriends).  The 26k also includes my dress and invitiations.  The amount you spend will totally be dependent on where you have your wedding and all of the extras.  I have to say, just about everything is more expensive in cabo!

I heard good things about Sandos Finisterra. I may look into that venue as well. I have been holding off on hiring a coordinator just in case I decided to book the wedding at a resort where the coordinators were just as good, but based on this post, it sounds like I will need an outside planner. Why was the hotel planner not enough? That price is really good!

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, so bare with me. I am planning a wedding in Cabo and i'm in need of a wedding planner ASAP. I came across Beth Dalton and she seems amazing! My only concern is that she says I will need between 40k-50k for a wedding in Cabo for 100 people. Is this true? I was hoping to keep the cost under that. I am also considering hiring a wedding planner where I live. She is really good, but has only helped one of her friends plan a wedding in Cabo. However, she indicated that I will spend well under 30k by having a wedding in Cabo as opposed to where I live. I think Beth would be great because she has connections with the vendors in Cabo, but I don't want to spend 40-50k. Any thoughts? Should I go with Beth or the wedding planner from home? Or does the wedding planner at home just not know enough to know that a wedding in Cabo will cost this much for 100 people?