Secrets Maroma Brides

[knitgirl13]

I got the questionnaire today and it's confusing me!! How am I supposed to know the number of guests and where they'd be staying before we secure a place to send out invitations?? Is it okay to send it back without that part filled in yet?

 

Also has anyone had a small wedding here? We'll have under 20 guests so we can't do the beach reception. Where is a good option for a smaller party? Does anyone have pictures of the different reception locations? We definitely want our ceremony to be on the beach.

[jaccat15]

the # of guests can def be an estimate - this just help gadge the pricing for you and the space - always better to over- estimate than under.

Not sure what you mean about "where they'd be staying"? Are you asking if they would be staying at Secrets? if your guests do not stay at the hotel, there will be a charge for a day pass for them to attend the wedding - i think it's about $100 per person.

In this case, you may want to work on a group rate with your TA so they can get a discount and you can also get a comps and upgrades based on this.

 

For the size of your party - there are so many options for your reception - the Gazebo Terrace - which is located next to the Gazebo and pool - I believe the bride on the previous page did this - there is also the option to have it in one of the restuarants (under 40 people) as long as the restuarant is closed that night - each one is closed on certain nights. Another option is the Foyer of the ballroom.

 

When is your wedding?

[cheerleader1975]

Hi knit girl - I agree with jaccat 100%. And trust her, she's got great intel. Good luck!

[cheerleader1975]

Quote:

Originally Posted by melfry66 Hi future SM brides! I posted our slideshow here in case you are interested. Our photographer was Dino Gomez and we had him for unlimited time for our rehersal dinner night and the day of the wedding. He's a great guy and I would definitely recommend him. www.dinogomez.com/melinda/wedding.m4v Best of luck! Melinda

Hi Melinda - I love the pics. I hope you don't mind me asking...Did you have to pay extra for your flowers and decorations at the ceremony? What about the decor at the reception? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. We're getting married there in November

[ReeRee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaccat15 Hi ReeRee! If he is your friend, I would talk to him about the fee and travel expenses. From my experience, when you fly someone in for a service, you would generally pay for their air, hotel and fee - but if he is your friend, maybe u can work something out. Depending on the local photographer - they may ask for an overnight accomidation too - so you might want to double check that. "Local" doesn't always mean that they live in the area - they could live in mexico city. Good luck!

Thank you for your comment Jaccat! Yeah, I agree with you on what you said. I talked to my friend and he does expect me to pay for the travel expense, which is reasonable. So I am leaning towards Cecilia Dumas. He email has been very responsive, I love her photos. I am thinking about using her for 3 - 4 hours on the wedding day and also 1 hour the next day in Isla Mujeres where all the colorful buildings are.

[Boo]

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[mlynnea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by knitgirl13 I got the questionnaire today and it's confusing me!! How am I supposed to know the number of guests and where they'd be staying before we secure a place to send out invitations?? Is it okay to send it back without that part filled in yet? Also has anyone had a small wedding here? We'll have under 20 guests so we can't do the beach reception. Where is a good option for a smaller party? Does anyone have pictures of the different reception locations? We definitely want our ceremony to be on the beach.

I only had 13 people at my wedding and reception. It was a bit chilly the evenings we were there, so we had our ceremony & cocktail hour on the beach, and dinner and dancing in the marble room next to the ballroom. It was plenty big, and was really well done. If you want an outdoor option that is away from the action (besides the gazebo), there is a terrace outside the ballroom that is very nice. For either of the locations I mentioned, you'd need to make sure there isn't another event in the ballroom, otherwise they will disturb your party.

And don't worry about finalizing the numbers of people right now. Just estimate. Pricing isn't really final on your contract until the day of the wedding, or at least it wasn't for me.

I have pics of my reception site on my review if you want to see them:

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...-2010-a-59235/

[mlynnea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReeRee I need your opinion ladies. I have a friend who is a photographer and I asked him to be my photographer for our wedding. Now do I need to pay for his hotel and flight plus for his service?? If that is the case, I think I want to use Cecilia Dumas instead. I think a couple people from this thread used her and I like her style as far as I've seen on her website. Even if I bring my friend to shoot our wedding, I am also thinking about meeting with Cecilia Dumas the next day in Isla Mujeres where all the colorful buildings are and take photos there as well. I'm just brainstorming right now, but I was just wondering if I have to pay for the room/flight, then it will be just cheaper to get a local photographer...

If you were hiring a photog that had to travel that wasn't your friend, you would be expected to pay for the travel and lodging as well as the photography package, which understandably can be very expensive. If you were going to invite your friend to attend the wedding anyways (or even if you weren't), discuss with them what they think would be fair. Maybe you pay for a portion of your travel. Or if they're a good friend. Maybe they wouldn't even consider asking you to pay for travel and lodging.

As for Cecilia Dumas - Someone mentioned to be careful about having to pay for her travel and lodging. I used her and can confirm that all we had to pay (besides the photography package) was for her day pass to the resort, no travel and expenses for her.
~Lynnea

[ReeRee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlynnea If you were hiring a photog that had to travel that wasn't your friend, you would be expected to pay for the travel and lodging as well as the photography package, which understandably can be very expensive. If you were going to invite your friend to attend the wedding anyways (or even if you weren't), discuss with them what they think would be fair. Maybe you pay for a portion of your travel. Or if they're a good friend. Maybe they wouldn't even consider asking you to pay for travel and lodging. As for Cecilia Dumas - Someone mentioned to be careful about having to pay for her travel and lodging. I used her and can confirm that all we had to pay (besides the photography package) was for her day pass to the resort, no travel and expenses for her. ~Lynnea

Thanks Mylnnea, I saw your pics in your review and they are beautiful! I'm glad to know Cecilia Dumas has been to SMB and used to the hotel location, and the good spots to take pics. That is another incentive to use her.

By the way, I was reading your review and have questions. Where did you order your welcome bag and did you have to ask certain vendor to customize the bag (embroid the names, date, place, etc)? And also how did you make the wedding schedule that you included in the welcome bags? Did you have to pay a lot for that?

Thanks!!

[zelda062]

Has anyone had trouble from their families by selecting an adult only resort for their wedding? Secrets Maroma Beach is on the top of my list, but I don't know how people might react if they can't bring their kids.