Barcelo Maya Palace Brides

[MexicoHereICome]

Do any past brides have any pictures of their food? Since I can't taste I rather pick with my eyes. The menu choices aren't super descriptive and I am at a total loss as to what to pick. Thank you in advance!

[valsalerno]

I didn't bring placecards.  When I got there, I just bought some maracas at the resort (I bargained for about $1-$1.50 each) and then wrote names and table numbers on the maracas.  Everyone thought it was a cute idea and liked the maracas.  Plus, my AMAZING photographers from FotoTakeIt got a great artistic shot of a maraca in the sand.

Originally Posted by beachbride22 

Thanks for the advice   Yes, I agree- placecards are a must.  What other sorts of decorations did you bring down?  I have a lot of ideas- but I don't want my suitcase to be overloaded!  Did you bring any lightweight items that helped the decoration process?  I am not sure how much decorations are provided except centerpieces that I pick out.

 

[Avens]

Ack, for some reason this site stopped sending me updates.  I've missed out on this thread
 

Originally Posted by danandjamie 

Tipping:

We tipped the wedding coordinator $250 (they work their butts off)

We tipped the mariachi band $40 (they already charge an arm and a leg)

We gave the minister & violinist $25 each

We tipped the wait staff $100

 

Paying Cash:

Minister $300

Marichi (if you get them) $400 

Adrian (outside hair and makeup) whatever he charged us, it was cash

Maids: $25

 

It would probably be good to plan some of this out ahead of time - everything was such a rush that I have no idea what we tipped. I know the father in law did some, and my dad did some.  We were running short on cash, and with the hubby getting SEVERE food poisoning/flu that morning - everything was so rushed! I have no idea if we tipped the violin player or the minister to be honest!

 

 

Originally Posted by Hrcahill 

For those who have already been married there, did you think it was necessary to have a cocktail hour?  I was thinking of just sending everyone to the Carey Bar (I think it's called) at the Palace while we take pictures.  We are getting the Mariachi Band, but were planning on using them during our reception.  Any thoughts on that? 

We had one. It may not have been necessary, but it really was a lot of fun. The food was AMAZING. We had ours up on the palace, so it was nice to have a place to ourself.  You get your own bar and music and it was a really fun atmosphere, and a casual place to finally mingle with everyone. 

 

A few photos

 

 

Originally Posted by MexicoHereICome 

Do any past brides have any pictures of their food? Since I can't taste I rather pick with my eyes. The menu choices aren't super descriptive and I am at a total loss as to what to pick. Thank you in advance!

 

I have a few of mine.  If you look through this thread, there are pictures all through it.  I just did a quick search and found one from a month ago. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/21746/barcelo-maya-palace-brides-post-here-d/2680

 

here is the Mango Scallop Ceviche - awesome.  Really really good.

 

Chicken Lemon Soup from Merida (So good! People still talk about the soup)

 

Surf and Turf - ours was cooked perfect. I was worried it would be overdone, but it was a perfect medium. 

 

 

I didn't get a pro picture of dessert.  Here is one from my friend (or whats left). The Molten chocolate Lava cake. Also awesome

 

 

We had one layer coconut and one strawberry for the wedding cake.  We ate about half of it (out of two tiers).  All that food plus cocktail hour - it must have been great cake!

 

 

 

 

 

[Hrcahill]

Thanks for the responses everyone!!! Did anyone get their room upgraded when they arrived. Our travel agent booked us for only a junior suite, no ocean view because she said they would probably upgrade me when I arrive. Does anyone have any experience with this? The price difference is quite a bit if I upgrade my room through my travel plan.

[Avens]

I think it depends how full they are, how many other wedding couples checked in and may have taken the upgrade etc..  You get upgraded to the "premium services" - free wifi, free room service, free access to the fancy room.  We could "see" the ocean from our room, but it wasn't the big oceanfront suites.  We were in the closest part of the hotel to the beach though.

 

The rooms were still huge though. Regardless.

 

Originally Posted by Hrcahill 

Thanks for the responses everyone!!!
Did anyone get their room upgraded when they arrived. Our travel agent booked us for only a junior suite, no ocean view because she said they would probably upgrade me when I arrive. Does anyone have any experience with this? The price difference is quite a bit if I upgrade my room through my travel plan.

 

[laurmcco]

I was told by our coordinator (Claudia) that our package, Strawberry Passion, includes the Premium wristbands which just gives the extra amenities in our room, free wifi, free room service, etc. but does not guarantee the ocean view room. The ocean view room is subject to availability upon arrival. Having the oceanview is a nice added perk, but my main concern came after viewing the map of the property and seeing how far back the buildings go. I didnt want to risk being stuck in one of the buildings in the back of the property and having a 10 minute walk to the beach. The oceanview rooms are in the front buildings that are right next to pool and beach. After talking about it with the FI, we decided to just go ahead and book the upgraded room to guarantee the oceanview room. It definitely is a significant cost difference - We are staying for 10 nights and originally booked the standard Junior Suite at $1270pp and when we upgraded to the Oceanview it is now $1950pp. But, we figured this is our wedding and honeymoon so it's a once in a lifetime trip so it's worth the extra cost to us to guarantee the upgraded room. However, I'm sure I will be pissed if when we check in we find out there is a ton of availability and they could have upgraded us at no cost!

[780chick]

I just got back from my wedding and it was at 100% spring break capacity. We requested a 3rd floor room, in the Michican building with king bed. Out of 80 people we got the closest room right behind the upgraded suites which are the 8000 block. We were second floor 8163. Our guests were pretty spread out though but we were a quick walk to the pool beach and lobby

[juliboley]

We are getting married at the Barcelo Maya Palace on October 20, 2012 and staying 6 nights.  I upgraded us to an Ocean View room because I was afraid that we might not get bumped up and didn't want to risk it.  It is definitely more expensive, but having been there before, I think it will be worth it.  

[danandjamie]

We got married October 8th, 2011 and the hotel was only 50% occupied (end of hurricane season). The hotel was so dead that the Colonial was closed (restaurants were still open however)

 

We were supposed to get a junior suite in the Palace but I immediately asked for an upgraded ocean view room and got it at no charge. I would say it depends on when you get married, if you used a travel agent with some pull (we did) what time of year it is and how many people you bring (we brought 71 people)

[chrisdior]

I just recevied my confirmation email with my date and time, but she changed the time i requested to 6PM. Is that too late for May? I wanted to have my pics taken after the ceremony but Im afraid it may be too dark? I hope someone can help answer my question!