2011 & 2012 PLAYACAR PALACE BRIDES!!!!!!

[KJsouthie]

Hello ladies!!!  After being engaged for 6 months - my fiance and I FINALLY booked our wedding at Playacar Palace for January 26, 2013!!!!!! 

 

We're expecting to have roughly 100 people and more than qualify for the unlimited "not really" complimentary events.  Are there any other 2013 brides on here?  Anyone else expecting 80+ people??

 

AHHHHHHHHH I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!

[ginta14]

OMG! Do you know what the extra fees were for the reception???  This place is a joke, it's 6 months before my contract and I want OUT.  Thanks so much,

[ABURMISTROV]

I thought I posted a couple days ago, apparently I did not.

So I just wrote another reply and hit back in my browser.

@*%*...lol, onwards

 

We were married March 29, 2012, 4pm on the beach.

 

 

This is the review I wrote for TA: (not like they need any more excellent reviews)

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g150812-d155824-r127204207-Playacar_Palace-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html#REVIEWS

 

I found many threads on this forum extremely helpful in the planning of our wedding.

Hopefully I can help some of you and give back to BDW.

 

It seems there is some concern over costs and extra fees...

In my experience, everything that is going to cost money was clearly stated beforehand and there were no surprises.

 

We had the complimentary wedding package and added:

-flowers, bouquets, boutineers and corsages;

-center pieces, table runners, candles;

-set-up fee (for la villa suite and beach receptions);

-resort photographer (who was excellent btw)

-i-pod set-up for ceremony and reception and a Mexican trio for our cocktail hour.

Yes, all of this adds up a bit, but you are getting married. (amiright?)

 

You can stay at home, get married at a golf course or banquet hall or whatever and pay like $10,000 or $20,000 for everything, or you can do what we did for a fraction.

You will meet with Wilma when you arrive at the resort and she will explain and guide you through the process, detailing everything you are being charged for, less your deposit.

(I was quite impressed by this, everything mentioned above all consolidated on 1 bill)

 

I will have to get permission before posting any pictures.  Apparently, the wedding dress emphasizes her fat areas, go figure.  I think she looked stunningly beautiful.

 

My only regret for our wedding is not giving more to Wilma, she did such a fantastic job.

Having never been married before, we were not exactly sure on the etiquette/amount of this.

All I can say is that I only wish her to be as happy as she made us and if I knew that she was hoping/expecting something more I would want her to have it.

 

A friend of ours got married at the Playacar Palace a few years back and said the only bad thing about the hotel is, you will never find another hotel this good.  After our experience I tend to agree with her.

 

[Ziki]

Hi there,

 

My wedding is less than 2 weeks away...I am buying some items down there and I had some items shipped in advance - I was told setup by some of our guests was fine and no charge...

 

I've been getting everything they (on site and Miami) tell me in writing and I started a binder where I printed everything out and organized by subject as this is super helpful ... I will let you know if I encounter any issues when I fly down next week

Originally Posted by Reesespieces 

So, I've been checking out the Moon Palace forum and the girls were all worked up over the setup fees as well. One was quoted $200/table for reception setup. This is all coming from corporate, not Wilma. 

 

For brides considering a Palace Resorts wedding:

Plan on dropping some cash for decorations. For 5 table runners and 40 chair sashes, it was going to be about $300. The cheapest centerpiece is $100/table. You really do need the sound system for the beach and it is $300. You only get 2 hours for the events and will have to pay per person, hour, or table, (depending on who you talk to) to extend the time. Get everything in writing before you sign a contract. Wilma did say my sisters could set up the reception room, but I don't think that normally is the case.

 

[chelsandjack]

Hi Everyone!

 

We've almost got everything set - only 18 days to go!!  Question - are we supposes to tip/pay our on site WC?   If so, how much is customary? 

 

Also - we're not having a actual wedding party - only our families.  Our parents are going to be our witnesses - does this mean they are actually standing up with us?

 

Last-  how windy is it really?

 

Thanks so much!

 

 

[chelsandjack]

Oh yea - last question,  is there ANY privacy during the ceremony on the beach?  Or are there really random people in their swim suits hanging out off the side watching?

[smspringer13]

Hi girls! I haven't posted on here in awhile, but I just got back from our wedding at the Playacar Palace - we were married on April 29 on the wedding terrace. Although I won't be checking the forum too much anymore, I was hoping to help some brides through their process and help settle some nerves/frustrations if possible! I know there were many people on here who were a great help to me along the way, so I'd like to return the favor! If you guys have any questions, please email me at smspringer13@yahoo.com - I would be glad to answer any questions or share pictures of our special day to help you out!

 

We had welcome cocktails on the Cielo Terrace on Friday night, rehearsal dinner at La Terrazza (the Italian restaurant) on Saturday night, and the wedding on the wedding terrace Sunday, followed by cocktails and reception in the North Solarium. We were also there for 6 nights so got to see a lot of different weddings on the beach, etc.

 

We had Derek and Lorena from Photos in Cancun (photosincancun.com) for photography and they were absolutely wonderful - I have 3 discs of over 2000 pictures that they took and gave me that night! Plus they will be editing around 100 for me after I look through them all. DJ Temo from Doremixx was a GREAT DJ and I would highly recommend them! They were easy to work with and got everyone up and dancing!

 

In other words - don't stress!! Everything at the Playacar Palace was absolutely AMAZING and they were so wonderful to work with. The resort is absolutely beautiful, the service is amazing and the wedding was perfect - it could not have gone any better. They are great at what they do, so let them guide you (especially Wilma). 

 

Congratulations and good luck to everyone, you will have the most wonderful wedding day!

[smspringer13]

Originally Posted by chelsandjack 

 

Oh yea - last question,  is there ANY privacy during the ceremony on the beach?  Or are there really random people in their swim suits hanging out off the side watching?

 

Unfortunately there really is no privacy during the ceremony on the beach. The ceremonies we saw were very beautiful and they did a great job on the set up, music, etc though - but everyone on the beach & at the pool will be watching. So for that, it is just a matter of personal opinion - but like I said, they were still beautiful weddings! I was married on the wedding terrace and highly recommend that location as well - it is a BEAUTIFUL view and very private.  

[pacificarol]

Congratulations! Thanks for the post - it is great to hear that you had such a positive experience. I'm beginning to lay down plans for our wedding. We are expecting about 90 guests which limits our options a bit but also guarantees us the 75 room nights. And thanks for sharing your email - I might take you up on the offer

 

Was your photographer on their lists? They said that I could only go with smile market but have since learned that Sol is also ok (otherwise they are charging $500 to bring your own photographer)

 

Thanks

[ChaznMarisa]

Hello Everyone! I just had the most amazing wedding and honeymoon at the Playacar Palace! It couldn't have been more perfect. I'm pasting the review I did for the Smile Market (also known as Ocean Photo Studio). My photos are absolutely amazing!

 

"We got married at the Playacar Palace Resort and Spa and used Ocean Photo Studio for our photography as they were the preferred vendor with our resort. I was a little hesitant to use them at first and thought about using an outside vendor, but I am absolutely glad I didn't! Our photos were ALL AMAZING and easily looked like photos that I've seen people pay thousands of dollars for. Our photgrapher, Ruben, was a total professional! He took amazing photos and captured every moment to a tee! He also listened to what we wanted and was very personable.  What I really can't believe is the turnaround time to receive our photos! We got married on Saturday and recieved our beautiful and perfectly put-together photobook (it's amazing...I've received so many compliments) and photo album on Wednesday!! I know brides who have waited months for their photos!! In addition, we also received our amazing DVD. We had brought a CD to give to our guests as gifts and they even included some of our music on it! I highly recommend this photography service to anyone!"

 

Our wedding weekend started off with a welcome cocktail party on the Cielo Terace on Thursday evening (I left a one-page itinerary on cute beachy paper with the front desk and they gladly handed them out to my guests upon check-in).  They made our signature drinks and were very attentive. The hors d'oeuvres were also delicious! I handed out my welcome bags at the cocktail so I wouldn't have to pay the delivery fee to the rooms and it worked out perfectly.  didn't have a rehearsal dinner or anything on Friday because I wanted my guests to have a free day to do what they wanted and enjoy their vacation. Saturday was my wedding on the beach. We had our hair done at the palace salon and the girls did an AMAZING job on all of our hair! The girls and I got ready in my beautiful honeymoon suite while we snacked on a room service and drank mimosas.  The wedding itself was also amazing. I didn't mind having all the people at the pool and beach watching. You're in such a "zone" you don't notice...at least I didn't. The beach and the resort did not seem too busy, but it may just be the time of year I got married. There are not any people in bathing suits in ANY of my pictures.  We had our wedding dinner at La Terraza, the Italian restaurant and everything was amazing. In addition, our wedding cake was beautiful. The only outside vendor I used was Flores Riveria Maya for my bridesmaids bouquets and boutanniers (I got a bouquet and boutannier for my groom with my diamond package) and the flowers were gorgeous. Of course you all have read how amazing Wilma is. She is such a professional and gorgeous too!

 

The resort itself is amazing as well. Everyone is so friendly and attentive. We knew everyone there by the time we left on Thursday.  The food is amazing, the drinks are delicious,  and the houskeeping service is superb.  The beach is also very beautiful and the resort is so convenient to town.  I have absolutely no complaints. Good Luck to everyone still planning. Once I post pics I'll let you all know in case anyone wants to see :-)