Planning A Destination Wedding In Mexico Nov 2017

[Justin24]

Oh man, can't believe I didn't think of a forum until now. I know that there are always knowledgeable people looking to help so here it goes!

 

Main thing i'm looking for is some advice on how to go about the basics. Should I be hiring a wedding planning company or just use the ones provided by the hotels? Should I be contacting the hotels directly or using a Travel Agency? What is a realistic budget and how do you figure out costing? We've got a few quotes from tripcentral but they seem to be at a major premium compared to when i've got to an all-inclusive in Mexico in the past. I've been to the Mayan 3+ times and always stayed at a 4.5-5+ star for under 1300 taxes in and yet it looks like there won't be anything remotely close to 1500 in that caliber when we look. What should we expect as extra costs or costs period for the wedding on top of our regular travel package? Lastly does anyone have and tips on do's and dont's that they can share?

 

Sorry for the 21 questions but it's only the tip of the iceberg but I need to start somewhere lol.

 

Cheers! 

[precioussez]

Oh man, can't believe I didn't think of a forum until now. I know that there are always knowledgeable people looking to help so here it goes!

 

Main thing i'm looking for is some advice on how to go about the basics. Should I be hiring a wedding planning company or just use the ones provided by the hotels? Should I be contacting the hotels directly or using a Travel Agency? What is a realistic budget and how do you figure out costing? We've got a few quotes from tripcentral but they seem to be at a major premium compared to when i've got to an all-inclusive in Mexico in the past. I've been to the Mayan 3+ times and always stayed at a 4.5-5+ star for under 1300 taxes in and yet it looks like there won't be anything remotely close to 1500 in that caliber when we look. What should we expect as extra costs or costs period for the wedding on top of our regular travel package? Lastly does anyone have and tips on do's and dont's that they can share?

 

Sorry for the 21 questions but it's only the tip of the iceberg but I need to start somewhere lol.

 

Cheers!

Congratulations!! I will follow all your responses! I'm getting married 2018 in October!

 

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[Justin24]

Thanks I am reading some valuable info on the TripAdvisor forums. I'll post the link tonight for you to browse. Hopefully by then there will be some advice posted here as well!

[hmsm]

Oh man, can't believe I didn't think of a forum until now. I know that there are always knowledgeable people looking to help so here it goes!

 

Main thing i'm looking for is some advice on how to go about the basics. Should I be hiring a wedding planning company or just use the ones provided by the hotels? Should I be contacting the hotels directly or using a Travel Agency? What is a realistic budget and how do you figure out costing? We've got a few quotes from tripcentral but they seem to be at a major premium compared to when i've got to an all-inclusive in Mexico in the past. I've been to the Mayan 3+ times and always stayed at a 4.5-5+ star for under 1300 taxes in and yet it looks like there won't be anything remotely close to 1500 in that caliber when we look. What should we expect as extra costs or costs period for the wedding on top of our regular travel package? Lastly does anyone have and tips on do's and dont's that they can share?

 

 

 

Sorry for the 21 questions but it's only the tip of the iceberg but I need to start somewhere lol.

 

Cheers! 

Hi There and Congrats!

 

I'm guessing because of the trip central reference you are Canadian? (so am I). Because of the CDN dollar the AI packages have definitely gone up and I don't think will come back down anytime soon. Curious, which resorts did they quote you for? 

 

Do you have an idea of how many people you want to invite? I think that would determine if you want to use outside wedding help......and I would definitely use a travel agent if you are bringing more than a few people. 

 

I've done quite a bit of research on AI resorts for weddings, so let me know if you have any questions about certain resorts!

[Justin24]

Hi There and Congrats!

 

I'm guessing because of the trip central reference you are Canadian? (so am I). Because of the CDN dollar the AI packages have definitely gone up and I don't think will come back down anytime soon. Curious, which resorts did they quote you for? 

 

Do you have an idea of how many people you want to invite? I think that would determine if you want to use outside wedding help......and I would definitely use a travel agent if you are bringing more than a few people. 

 

I've done quite a bit of research on AI resorts for weddings, so let me know if you have any questions about certain resorts!

We looked at the Azul 5 star and the moon palace. I keep reading travel agents up thr cost without doing much work and you're on the hook if guests bail

[hmsm]

We looked at the Azul 5 star and the moon palace. I keep reading travel agents up thr cost without doing much work and you're on the hook if guests bail

 

oooh Azul5 and Moon Palace are great choices! I almost went with Moon Palace but then felt it was too close to the airport........

 

 

I think it really depends on the travel agent, some will charge a fee to co-ordinate all the guests and yes there are some cases where you could be on the hook for guests that bail. Normally you will have a contract with the agent that outlines these things. I don't think they actually up the price of the package, they are really adding on a consulting fee. All travel agents can get you the same prices you see online.

 

I would still go with a travel agent, they will be able to help if anything goes wrong at travel time as well I think they will have better success getting group rates for you. You will just need to shop around.....it's usually the ones that specialize in weddings that will charge more. 

 

If you think you want to go with Azul 5 or any karisma property, look at their website, they list their travel agent partners/consultants and sometimes the ones that are Diamond certified can get you extra perks as they have a good relationship with the resort. 

[Justin24]

I had read up on the diamond certification being pushed on customers like timeshare salesman and that it isn't worth it. There are a few details that tbh make the Azul less attractive to us. We are a big group likely and it doesn't look like the resort has large sections of poolside seating. Also a big beach volleyball group and looked like moon palace was the better choice for that as well.

[Akumal2016]

Hello congrats! I am also planning a November 2017 wedding in Mexico! I am going through a travel agent and I find them helpful, mine has a certification in wedding planning as well so bonus with making sure we have all the details getting closer to crunch time. She was also willing to make a website for us and posts info on it as we need.

Another advantage of a travel agent is they can get you a group discount, depending on travel company and number of guests, like air transat every 21st guest is free stay or travel.

For prices I am looking at a 4.5/5 star the grand bahia akumal and was quoted 1545 all inclusive from Toronto.

Just to give a ballpark for wedding packages my Resort start at 1400 and go up to 3500.

 

 

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[hmsm]

I had read up on the diamond certification being pushed on customers like timeshare salesman and that it isn't worth it. There are a few details that tbh make the Azul less attractive to us. We are a big group likely and it doesn't look like the resort has large sections of poolside seating. Also a big beach volleyball group and looked like moon palace was the better choice for that as well.

 

I think you are right in thinking Moon Palace would be better. The reason I didn't go with Azul Five is because a) the rooms seem very far from the beach(so no beach views) and when travelling from Canada you cannot get any deals or complimentary wedding packages.

 

My only concern with Moon Palace was airplane noise but if you read through Tripadvisor there are barely any complaints of that.  

[TammyWright]

we are a top Mexico wedding agency and people do not realize that there are many perks that go with using a travel agency. We offer exclusives that you cannot find with an OTA (online agency).

 

Currently we have a bride and groom promo, as well as couples massages, upgrades, comped rooms.