Beach Palace Cancun Brides

[CancunGirl]

I am most likely going to be an August 23, 2013 BP bride!

[CancunGirl]

Originally Posted by CancunGirl 

 

I am most likely going to be an August 23, 2013 BP bride!

That reply was intended for ReneWing32 and any other August 13' Brides

[saric83]

Originally Posted by CancunGirl 

 

Hi Ladies!  I am completely new to the idea of a Destination Wedding, so forgive me if I'm not very knowledgeable in this area yet.  My fiance and I have been to several different venues near our home and haven't quite found where we want our dream wedding.  We were initially set on a price range of about $15,000 to $18,000 total but now with me starting full time in graduate school next month, this may not be do-able. 

 

We vacationed this past May to Beach Palace and saw a wedding almost every night we were there.  We joked about having our wedding here as we already had our minds set on something a bit bigger (200+ people) and near our home.  Now I'm getting serious about the idea of coming back to BP for our wedding and bringing about 20 to 30 of our closest friends and family.

 

My biggest questions are:

 

1.  Can anyone give me a ballpark figure on the total cost for about a week stay, reception, cocktail hour, violinist, beach ceremony?  Are we looking at $10,000-$15,000?  I know how much it costs for an all inclusive week vacation, but I guess I'm just wondering how much these bridal packages cost. 

 

2.  What is the normal Destination Wedding "etiquette" as far as inviting guests?  Is it normal for the bride and groom to atleast pay for everyone's rooms?  This seems like an aweful lot of money.  How do most guests feel about the thought of spending this much $ on someone's wedding? 

 

3.  How far in advance does BP book for weddings?  We would be looking at the end of August 2013 or possibly my winter break from school in December of 2013.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies and good luck in your planning as well!!

We had our wedding last December, and for absolutely everything from hotel (seven nights - eight days), airfare, travel insurance, ceremony, my dress and accessories, my husband's suit and accessories, wedding bands, reception decorations, favors, wedding party and parent gifts, photos, videographer & web cam, invitations, guitar soloist, fireworks, hair and make-up, private function reception for 40, mariachi band, welcome bags, furniture rental, etc., we were at $12,000.  I would say the only place we saved money was not having a DJ.  We opted for a more chill and relaxed event, so we brought our Bose system and had a playlist on our iPod. 

 

I've been invited to five destination weddings, and the bride and groom has never paid for anything outside of the reception (and we didn't pay for anything for our friends and family.)  Knowing that it's a large expense, you just have to be okay with the fact that some people simply won't be able to make it. 

 

We booked 10 months ahead of time, but I'm sure you can do it now.

[brebon21]

is anyone having trouble getting a hold of Charmaine?

[CancunGirl]

Originally Posted by saric83 

 

We had our wedding last December, and for absolutely everything from hotel (seven nights - eight days), airfare, travel insurance, ceremony, my dress and accessories, my husband's suit and accessories, wedding bands, reception decorations, favors, wedding party and parent gifts, photos, videographer & web cam, invitations, guitar soloist, fireworks, hair and make-up, private function reception for 40, mariachi band, welcome bags, furniture rental, etc., we were at $12,000.  I would say the only place we saved money was not having a DJ.  We opted for a more chill and relaxed event, so we brought our Bose system and had a playlist on our iPod. 

 

I've been invited to five destination weddings, and the bride and groom has never paid for anything outside of the reception (and we didn't pay for anything for our friends and family.)  Knowing that it's a large expense, you just have to be okay with the fact that some people simply won't be able to make it. 

 

We booked 10 months ahead of time, but I'm sure you can do it now.

wow, thanks for the breakdown! it is very helpful to see and definitely beats the price of a wedding here at home.  one other question??.....we are most likely having over 30 people, so will be having a private function.  can someone explain to me why it costs $50/person for dinner and drinks when we are already paying for an all inclusive resort?  this seems kind of expensive.  seems almost better to just have dinner at the restaurants and eat what is already included in the all inclusive package.  i guess we are just paying for the private service from the hotel staff? 

[KristieT]

Originally Posted by CancunGirl 

 

wow, thanks for the breakdown! it is very helpful to see and definitely beats the price of a wedding here at home.  one other question??.....we are most likely having over 30 people, so will be having a private function.  can someone explain to me why it costs $50/person for dinner and drinks when we are already paying for an all inclusive resort?  this seems kind of expensive.  seems almost better to just have dinner at the restaurants and eat what is already included in the all inclusive package.  i guess we are just paying for the private service from the hotel staff? 

If you have 75 room nights you recieve unlited complimentry private functions. So if your 30 guests stay 3 nights each your private reception will be free.

[saric83]

Originally Posted by CancunGirl 

 

wow, thanks for the breakdown! it is very helpful to see and definitely beats the price of a wedding here at home.  one other question??.....we are most likely having over 30 people, so will be having a private function.  can someone explain to me why it costs $50/person for dinner and drinks when we are already paying for an all inclusive resort?  this seems kind of expensive.  seems almost better to just have dinner at the restaurants and eat what is already included in the all inclusive package.  i guess we are just paying for the private service from the hotel staff? 

I guess I would look at it as a rental fee of the space and waitstaff fees.  If you were to have a wedding back home in a banquet, you would be paying for a rental hall fee on top of the food, alcohol, etc.  We didn't qualify for the unlimited events (not all of our guests booked through our TA), but I still think having the private rental is worth every penny.  You have your own dedicated waitstaff, event decorations, privacy, ability to play music and have a sound system.  And we were over the total of people to even be able to have it for free in one of the restaurants (it was either 25 or 35 max), but even if we could have, I would have still wanted more of a reception-feel. 

[LPerry]

Originally Posted by CancunGirl 

 

wow, thanks for the breakdown! it is very helpful to see and definitely beats the price of a wedding here at home.  one other question??.....we are most likely having over 30 people, so will be having a private function.  can someone explain to me why it costs $50/person for dinner and drinks when we are already paying for an all inclusive resort?  this seems kind of expensive.  seems almost better to just have dinner at the restaurants and eat what is already included in the all inclusive package.  i guess we are just paying for the private service from the hotel staff? 

 

My fiance said the SAME thing! But I've seen photos, and honestly if you have enough people I'd say it's worth it. You'd be paying way more for that kind of set up at a hotel/reception venue.

 

We only have 11 people going with us, so we're just opting for dinner at the steak restaurant. But I would have loved to have had more people there so we could have a real reception.

[Kabby25]

Thanks Lucy! We're getting married in early November so there is still time. I thought the same thing, the wedding departments in Miami and on-site seem completely overwhelmed so I can only imagine how chaotic is must be now. I'm going to start reaching out once it hits 90 days.

 

So exciting that you are only days away from your wedding!!! Good luck and can't wait to read about when you return!

[CancunGirl]

Thanks for all the helpful repies!  I have some more questions..... after looking at theses new Colin Cowie Collections, I think I still like the plain old traditional look of the Complimentary Package.  I initially had decided that I like the Exotic Peacock Collection, but I think it will take away from the beauty of the water and beach itself.  I read a few different things about them charging for you to bring your own chair bows, and other decor?  What are they charging for this?  Do I need to sneak to the ceremony site and decorate my own chairs?

 

Also, Is it really $200 per table to decorate your own table for the private function?  Might as well do the Exoctic Peacock for $300/table and I won't have to worry about bringing things down in a suitcase. 

 

What do you ladies think about the photography packages that are included?  How are the photographers and do the photos look professional?  How many of you actually went with an outside photographer and paid the $500 fee?

 

Did anyone book their rooms with a palace member and not use a travel agent?  We know a member and were just going to book with her instead (will I be poking my eyes out?).

 

Sorry......lots of questions but I've called the Miami office twice in the past 2 days and get put on hold and don't get my questions answered.  This is the best place!