Barcelo Maya Palace Brides

[CaraW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfrench0621 I know... I really had my heart set on that. I might splurge and just spend the extra money. Haven't decided yet.

I'm considering that too, I love mariachi's... but if I'm having them at the reception that's already $400... I was happy they were included during the ceremony. OH well I guess we'll just have to decide how badly we want them.
Thanks for letting us know though!

[eblum999]

Ok to answer I hope all your questions... Here it goes

 

eblum999 (Erica)....I'm so happy to hear you had such a good experience!

What spot did you choose for your reception (beach or indoors)? Did you post any pictures?!

Thanks for sharing with us!

 

I originally was suppose to have my wedding outside by the pools, but Gabriela had also (without my knowledge... and only found out when I got to the Barcelo) that there was going to be a convention of 300 Doctors on the beach... right in front of where my reception was suppose to be... they were also having their own live band... I was only having 45 people... So you can image what that would be like... I was freaking out. It was not a good day. After about 3 hours of deep thought and crying. Gabriela offered the French Restaurant to us for the reception. The whole room is black and white... with White linens on the windows and they light them up to give it such a dramatic feel. There is a bar in there... so we had an open bar all night. Ironically enough it was closed on Saturdays (which for the most gorgeous restaurant they have.. It was strange to me that it was closed on such a night... but it worked out for me!)

 

I can not even begin to explain what the reception looked like...It was the most classy, elegant and timeless wedding I have ever been to.... I do not have any pictures... I am still waiting for Elizabeth Medina to post them to her website... but as soon as she does... will post them on here!

 

Hello eblum999

I'm getting married at the Barcelo Colonial and I wondered what was the choice for the wedding ceremony. Do we have access to the gazebo in the section of the palace?. What is the chapel of barcelo Colonial? Do you have a photo. Regarding the reception, what are my options and what costs are. Thank you so much

 

I had my wedding ceremony at the Colonial Chapel... that was MY only choice, since it was important to be to have a Catholic Ceremony. I am sure though that you can have your ceremony any place you like on the grounds.... But I could be wrong. I am not sure if you have access to the Gazebo if you are staying at the Colonial. We had access to the Colonial Chapel, because we were staying at the Palace... which means you have access to any spot on the Barcelo grounds. As far as the costs and options for receptions I would contact Gabriela (she is the boss) Here is her email... She takes SUCH a long time to respond!!! Gabriela Barbabosa,

 

weddings1@barcelomaya.com

 

Hi Erica

I will have my wedding in the chapel as well and party at the beech next to colonial hotel. Can you send me some of your pictures I can’t wait to see how they organized things? Also can you let me know what photographer did you use?

Thank you in advance.

EEE

EEE,

I do not have any pictures of of now... As soon as Elizabeth Medina (who I used) posts the pictures....I will post them on here... I have been waiting for 6 weeks now. She emailed me and told me that she will post them sometime next week.

 

Hi Erica -- were the makeup artist and band ones that the Barcelo offered you or did you hire them from outside? If so , was there a vendor fee or did you have to pay for a night's lodging for them?

thank you!

PS Can't wait to see your Elizabeth Medina pictures, I bet they are awesome

 

The makeup artist I hired from the outside... actually got him from another bride on here... I was VERY nervous... but he can so highly recommended. He did such an amazing job... I am not one for a lot of makeup... and I usually do not like how other people do my makeup, but honestly... Adrian, did they BEST job I have ever had done. I wish he lived in NJ, so I could have him do my makeup again. I had him do a trial the day before and I used that makeup for my rehearsal dinner party.. which I had on the beach... The day of the wedding, I had myself, and 10 other people use him... He was such a nice guy.. and actually made the morning getting ready a lot of fun! I recommend him ten times over!!! Adrian Guerra - email.... adriang1224@gmail.com

 

The Band.... was INCREDIBLE! BEST EVER!!!! I can not say anything bad, they did an awesome job and my guests are all still talking about them.... Awesome!!! I also found them on the message board from a former bride.. and like the makeup artist.. was nervous, but they were incredible... had the party going all night.

 

The only vendor that I paid for a hotel room for was Elizabeth and her daughter. The band, was just there for the day and Adrian the makeup artist only lives 15 from the hotel so he actually took the bus there for the 2 days, and I did not have to pay a day pass for either of them... Adrian knew a back way in and basically “snuck in to the resort” But he had told me earlier, that he wasnt sure how it would work out, and just to have $$ in advance, incase he got charged a day pass.. which I believe was $80-$100... not exactly sure. The Band, I did not paid any day pass for.

 

Erica!! You're back!!! Congratulations on your wedding! I'm sure it was beautiful! I'd love to see your pics! Feel free to email them if you don't know how to post them on there (I don't either, lol). My email is rochas521@yahoo.com. Elizabeth is amazing so I'm sure your pictures will be incredible! I was thinking about having a makeup artist also...was he expensive? Did you have to pay for his pass to be at Barcelo? You'll have to post a review about everything! We'd all love to read it! Congrats again

 

Sandra

 

Sandra,

 

The makeup artist as you read above was awesome!!! I would def. use him.... and if anyone does, Please tell him Erica recommended him!!! I promised him I would.

 

His prices.... I was quote his email....

 

But like everything he could have changed them... But I would pay double for him again if I had to!

Here is the email he sent me....

 

Bride:$180

Anyone Else: $60.00

Travel: $40

 

I use a combination of Classic makeup and an Airbrush machine. The makeup def last about 20 hours, through sweat and humidity and so forth, the makeup does NOT come off on clothes, youre good to go.. The price also includes individual eyelashes( the individuals give a more natural look) Cleaning up of the brows, and If I need to spray anything like chest, legs, arms, thats included as well. Also, the travel fee goes away if you have at least 3 other girls besides yourself getting their makeup done!

 

I paid $60 for my trial the day before.

 

Totally worth EVERY PENNY!!!!

 

i Erica,

Can you please let us know how you used an outside photographer? Was the band, hair dresser etc...from outside the resort? I was told that we have to use photographer at the Barcelo unless we pay to have them stay overnight.....not sure how much that would cost.

 

Sabrina

 

Sabrina,

 

I booked my wedding a year and a half ago, so there was no rule on outside photographers. Elizabeth Medina, stayed 2 nights with us...I hired her for the Rehearsal Dinner, the wedding and the morning after the wedding for a Trash the Dress Session... So I had to get her a hotel room for 2 nights... No one said anything about her being there.... and Gabriela knew about her... I guess, if they are a guest, they can not restrict them taking pictures! I WOULD NOT use the photographer from the hotel.... I heard they were not that good... and to me, the pictures were the MOST important. Band, I did not pay an additional prices then their fee... and again Gabriela, knew all about them.... Kiko and Carlos Band...

 

Francisco Flores RamÃ*rez

kikof55@hotmail.com

OK... If anyone has any other questions... please just ask! I stressed for a year and a half over this wedding and I can not stress enough how wonderful everything was! :) I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

 

As soon as Elizabeth Medina posts my pictures...I will post them on here!!

-Erica

[vlynnw]

Ok I've read a lot of good things on both the Colonial and the Palace, but I'm having a really hard time deciding which one to stay at. Primarily because I know there are many guests that would rather stay at the Colonial due to price.

 

Also because I'm planning on doing a lot of things myself (i.e. centerpieces, flowers, etc, and bringing them with me) I don't find it necessary to spend an extra grand on a wedding package however, that extra grand gives me a beach reception instead of a banquet room. What are the receptions like in the banquet rooms for anyone that had that?

 

If anyone has suggestions on location or some feedback on whether I should splurge for the beach reception I would really appreciate it. I just want to figure out my location and package and move on to more fun things!

[BethBride1]

You do have to pay to extend it.... I wrote down how much it was when I was there, but I don't have the paper with me right now. I'll get back to you.

[BethBride1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfrench0621 Finzup, I was thinking the reception in the package was for 3 hours... do you have to pay extra to extend it? If so, do you know how much it costs?

The 2009 price to extend it is $10 per person, for 2010 it is $13 per person. This includes the servers & bar.

[BethBride1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfrench0621 Hi Ladies, I got some clarification from Claudia regarding options for ceremony music included in the packages for 2010. Here's what she told me: "The music included in the wedding packages are the following: Violin, Saxophone, Flute, Musician ( guitar and keyboard) Mariachi band in no longer included for the ceremony. However you can get them for the reception 45 min $ 400.00usd." I also asked if the speakers and microphone were still free with the package and she said yes. "The audio system that is included is one big speaker were you can plug in your I pod and Cd´s and also a microphone is included" Such a bummer the mariachi is no longer an option. Has anyone selected the guitar and keyboard for their ceremony? If so how were they?

SFrench- are you sure you have the correct information? I just got back from my site visit and she did not say that the Mariachi band was not available for the ceremony anymore. She included that as one of the options for us, and actually that is what we chose.

[BethBride1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harv0136 Has anyone used the violin or guitar/keyboard? If so, how were they? I really wish I could hear a sample of the music. Do you know what songs they play? Thanks!

From what Claudia told me this week, unfortunately we don't get to choose the songs they play. Now, this could be true of only the Catholic weddings- in reference to the hymns & Catholic music. She said it was all traditional/standard. They play the wedding march for the bride. The wedding I observed when I was there played "Over the Rainbow" as the bridal party walked down. She had the sax player & it sounded beautiful. I'm sure as the bridal party walks down, you could probably request a song & as long as they know it, there shouldn't be a reason they wont play it.

[BethBride1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vlynnw Ok I've read a lot of good things on both the Colonial and the Palace, but I'm having a really hard time deciding which one to stay at. Primarily because I know there are many guests that would rather stay at the Colonial due to price. Also because I'm planning on doing a lot of things myself (i.e. centerpieces, flowers, etc, and bringing them with me) I don't find it necessary to spend an extra grand on a wedding package however, that extra grand gives me a beach reception instead of a banquet room. What are the receptions like in the banquet rooms for anyone that had that? If anyone has suggestions on location or some feedback on whether I should splurge for the beach reception I would really appreciate it. I just want to figure out my location and package and move on to more fun things!

Personally, and this is just my opinion, I would (and am) splurge for the beach. Otherwise, why are you going to Mexico to have it in a closed in room? The beauty of the beach as a natural backdrop for your wedding is unreal. You can have a very simple wedding and spend very little for decorations & flowers when you have it on the beach. The only other thing I would suggest is to ask if you could have it in one of the grills- I know the grill at the Palace is open & overlooks the beach- so it's kind of the best of both.

[BethBride1]

Okay girls- I just got back from my site visit.....

 

To start, let me just say that when I got there, both my FI and I were overwhelmed. Our jaws dropped because the resort is gorgeous. It was beyond our expectations. We literally spent the first 2 days saying "Did you see this!?"..."How cool is that!?"..."OMG this is awesome!?" I CANNOT believe this is where I get to marry him I wish it were tomorrow! : )

 

As for Claudia, from my experience she is absolutely amazing. I was completely taken aback with how professional she was and how much time she took with us. She is completely commited to making our weddings beautiful & works really hard. For example, the wedding I observed was on the beach & there were still stragglers in the ocean & beach trying to watch. Some of them were not being considerate & were getting pretty close. She litereally SPRINTED back and forth asking them to move out back & out of the way. Let me just tell you it was 90 degrees and she was wearing long pants running in the sand....CONTINUOUSLY! She didnt stop- I was very impressed. It was something, as a bride, you'll never see bc it's more behind the scenes...but she was there.

 

I definately see both sides of the story now. As brides, it's our wedding, and we are concerned with every detail. It's also hard bc a lot us haven't seen there & there are so many details that we don't understand. But...I see her end now too. She gets 100 emails a day asking the same questions, that once you see the resort, are quickly answered. For example, the reception & cocktail sites...can basically be done anywhere (but I will explain more later). Claudia basically said that she can do anything with 4 days notice. Sometimes it comes with a price (which is the hard part for us, bc we are trying to plan and budget). They work with so many vendors down there though, so she can find anything. She was VERY willing to work with us and was able to accommodate all our needs. I expected to be nickeled & dimed like I hear a lot of the other resorts do, but this was not the case.

 

We did a food and cake tasting while we were down there....uuuuughhh my mouth is still salvating. I can't believe how good the food was. AND the presentation- I did not expect that...it was amazing! I haven't even seen them do that with weddings I've been to up here! All the a la cart restautants are like that though. The cake was also delicious!

 

*As for the 2010 menu- it is not done yet. Claudia said there will be no major changes...and let me just tell you, it doesn't matter bc it was all delicious!!! (and while I am not the best judge- my FI family is straight off the boat from Italy, so their lives literally center around the kitchen table- and he was so impressed. This was something we were really nervous about just bc his family is critical of food. We are so relieved!

 

I took pictures of everything I thought anyone would want to see. I am posting them on my wedding website tomorrow for my guests & will include the link for you guys to see those. I also took pictures of the other possible reception & cocktail sites for you girls. I will post them on here if someone will tell me how??

[finzup]

Thanks for the review, it sounds amazing and I'm so happy to have chosen the Barcelo..

 

I'm happy to hear that there won't be major changes in the menu --thank you for checking on the menu.

 

As for pictures -- do you have a photobucket account? If so upload your pictures to photobucket.

 

Then you can link them in here -- photobucket will give you various linking options -- use the one called IMG Code and it will be automatically formatted correctly for this board

 

so your text will look like this when you create your posting here:

 

[ IMG]http://photobucket/com/urldetails/whatever.jpg[/img]

 

(when really posting pics, omit the extra space in the beginning, I had to put it in there to show the example)

 

once you submit, the pic will be there! can't wait to see the pictures