Barcelo Maya Palace Brides

[Boudou33]

Hi girls, I will get married at the Barcelo Palace in March 2010 and I was wondering if you know ifthere is a basic package where we could add everything we want.

I want to get the Strawberry package because I want an outside reception but a lot of things on this package; I don't need!

 

Since I want to upgrape de flower centerpieces it will bring the cost up.

[laura4ever]

Can I vent...Sorry ahead of time.

We were so excited for our wedding a the Barcelo Palace next April and still are excited, but we are so fed up with the WC and how their first response is NO we can't do that or to do what we pretty much consider over-charging on basic stuff has gotten us quite frustrated!

I wish that i had the general managers email, because we are very very upset!

The 2 biggest things are I think that the strawberry passion package is for an outdoor beach reception...I understand the extra charge because they do not have kitchen right there...but to say they are going to charge 66 per person plus a site fee of 3500 which is 175 per person for the first 20 people for an open air grill or one of the a la cartes that is already closed on Saturday night seems out of control.

Secondly my friend got married at the RIU 2 months ago...there was no extra charge for bringing in someone to do her hair or makeup, the WC set up group dinner reservations in advance, they delivered the guests bags for free, and overall made them feel as though they wanted their business...all these extra vendor charges and no photography charges that they are putting in to place to make extra money I think is price gouging!

Yes we are still getting married there and I am sure they are not going to change for us because another 1000 brides want to get married there next year. But by the time you add up all their fees it would have been much cheaper to get married in Denver! That wasnt my dream though I have always wanted a beach wedding.

i just hope that the WC starts working with the brides and realizes that we all had a choice when we picked the Barcelo and we have a choice up until the day we bring our guests there.

[Barefoot in the Sand]

I am getting married at the Iberostar. It is the same concept as the Barcelo just a different brand. I have found that they have few extra charges but nothing like you are describing. Our package includes my hair, pedicure, manicure, and makeup. We get a day at the spa and everything. Their spa has gotten excellent reviews on makeup and hair. Our package includes 10 people and then it is 18$ per person after. This fee is to cover the extra cake, private service, and champagne. Kids under 12 are no extra charge. I hope that you really get this figured out. I am so sorry to hear from you. I would just pick up the phone and call the general manager. I had a few questions and I called the wedding coordinator. It was not real expensive. Also, look on the website and see if you can find the email to get to the GM. The whole reason we choose to do a destination wedding is not to have the stress. I am so sorry.

[harv0136]

Hmmm...I e-mailed Adrian and he gave me a price of $200 for just the brides make-up. He didn't say anything about travel fees so maybe that was included. I also have a hard time spending $200 on make-up plus the day pass. I don't wear a lot of make-up to begin with but that being said I don't even really know how to do it for my wedding day. I'm thinking about just bringing my bridesmaids to MAC and them showing us how and buying all our make-up from them. I'm really not too picky and can't justify the $300!! Not sure what to do.

[sfrench0621]

That's one good thing about the Strawberry passion package- hair and makeup are included for the bride! $200 definitely seems like a lot.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by harv0136 Hmmm...I e-mailed Adrian and he gave me a price of $200 for just the brides make-up. He didn't say anything about travel fees so maybe that was included. I also have a hard time spending $200 on make-up plus the day pass. I don't wear a lot of make-up to begin with but that being said I don't even really know how to do it for my wedding day. I'm thinking about just bringing my bridesmaids to MAC and them showing us how and buying all our make-up from them. I'm really not too picky and can't justify the $300!! Not sure what to do.

[Boudou33]

Laura4ever, I just want to understand: With the Stawberry package of 3000$ for 15 persons we have to add 66$ per person Or you pay an additionnal 66$ for the people over your limit of 15?

[Boudou33]

Laura4ever, I just want to understand: With the Stawberry package of 3000$ for 15 persons we have to add 66$ per person Or you pay an additionnal 66$ for the people over your limit of 15?

[laura4ever]

You get the first 15 included in the 3000 and then it is an additional $66 per person

 

From looking at other resorts it seems the average price is around 3000 for the first 15-20 and then $18-30 per person for a beach reception food/beverage

So I am just shocked that they want all this money even for the open air grills/a la cartes

We are bringing 75 people so it is becoming very very expensive for us on top of the cocktail hour (which no we dont have to have, but people love when you are taking your photos) and we would like to have a 4th hour of reception, but there is an additional charge per person for that as well so I think we are only going to do 3 hours of reception which I do think should be enough

[finzup]

The beach reception in the strawberry passion uses the "gala menu" ... I don't have 2010 menu yet but looking at the 2009 the menu is significantly better than the menu's included in the lower packages. So that contributes to the cost.

[diamondpooch]

Ladies, I understand everyone's frustration with the pricing. I am quite frustrated myself. But, we can't compare our upcharges for food, etc to other resorts upcharges for food because maybe their food isn't as good! Maybe the upcharge per guest doesn't include three hours open bar, etc. I try and make sure I'm comparing apples to apples before I get frustrated. From what I've heard, Barcelo food is amazing and surpasses expectations. $66 a person for dinner and a three hour open bar and cake, etc is much cheaper than it would have been in the states. I hope it's all worth it!