Back from my wedding at the Barcelo Maya

Philly_Bride · 02-28-2008, 06:53 PM

The Barcelo Maya resort is absolutely beautiful. I've been to a lot of the resorts before but this one is by far the most beautiful!! We've stayed there last year and love it so much that we decided to get married there. They just opened and new section (Dec 24th) called the Palace. It's an upscale side of the resort and i can only imaging what it's like since the middle section (Tropical and Colonial) was out of this world.

Things to keep in mind though:
Weddings in Barcelo are not free. Not only that, they don't allow an outside vendors: photographers,DJs, videographers and so on unless you're bringing them with you. Margaret lucked out because they changed their rules recently and you need to show your tourist vise now if you're staying in the resort even for a night. Since non of the local vendors have that visa( obviously) you're stuck with the resort photographers, Djs and so on.

But if you're fine with all that you going to be blown away by the beauty of the resort and great service. :)

MagsieMexico · 02-29-2008, 01:53 PM

That's really odd, they never talked about a tourist visa at all with us, and judging by how disorganized they were (at the reception, NOT the wedding folks), I can't imagine they would ever ask for that.

Seriously, I emailed with my coordinator that if one of my guests (ie you pay for a night at the hotel) took photos, would that be fine, and she said yet. I printed out the email to bring with me, but NEVER needed it, nobody ever asked, nobody even mentioned photos, so I think it would be fine...

As for the reception, mine was in the Mariachi Grill. They put paper bags all around the edge with candles in them. They had the centerpieces, the cake, and that was about all, but it was such a beautiful setting, it was perfect just like that (oh and I brought the shells for the tables). And they had all the chair covers.

We were all upgraded to the Palace resort (we were supposed to be in the Tropical). The rooms are all junior suites, and the buffet was on the beach front, but other than that, we walked through all the other hotels, and they're all beautiful! Especially the tropical and the colonial, so I would have been happy in any of them.

I will upload photos online and send out a link. Gorgeous place, I'd really recommend it!

For the ceremony, they put flower petals up the aisles... and the beautiful arch. :)

MagsieMexico · 02-29-2008, 01:57 PM

By the way, I took Melissa's advice, and when I got there I asked them to reserve space in the buffet for my 80 guests for the night before dinner. They did it no problem, and it was perfect.

MagsieMexico · 02-29-2008, 01:59 PM

And by the way, the food was fantastic. The wedding cake was beautiful and delicious, the lobster and steak was great, the dessert was fantastic.

It was awesome.

MagsieMexico · 02-29-2008, 02:13 PM

Oh, and yes, we did get the DJ.

He was not the best DJ in the world, but he was fun in a cheesy way. We were glad we had him just so nobody had to deal with it from our group, but he was certainly not the best DJ ever. Our party was still tonnes of fun though!

Here are a few photos that I think capture some of the set up...

Picasa Web Albums - Margaret - ForumAlbum

Sarah · 02-29-2008, 02:27 PM

Congratulations Margaret! I'm so happy that everything (for the most part!) went really well. I can't wait to see your pics from Elizabeth!

MagsieMexico · 02-29-2008, 03:31 PM

Oh, and just one more comment. I realize that in that first photo, there are people in bathing suits walking by behind the beautiful ceremony set up.

BUT, once I had arrived, and thereafter while we were having our champagne etc, they didn't allow anyone near or through the wedding, behind it or in front of it, so it was perfect!

Philly_Bride · 02-29-2008, 05:45 PM

Oh Margaret.
You get me so excited. I just love how you sound. So HAPPY!!! Good for you girly!!!

Yeah, i heard that about the DJ. Even though Ana(wedding coordinator) told me that the got a new one, who supposedly speaks English he still not as good, huh??

But did he speak english at all?? Did he do the introduction of the bridal party and you guys

The arch looks great. And i love the fact that they put the rose petals on the aisle. I'm sure it added an extra touch to the ceremony.

Oh and the dish with lobster and stake looks absolutely delicious. I'm sure it taste as good as it looks... Yammmyyyyyyy!!!!!

jarauz · 02-29-2008, 05:49 PM

Congrats.very happy to hear it was a blast. can't wait to see the pics...

babycow · 02-29-2008, 06:04 PM

Great review! That first part makes me so excited we chose a Destination wedding, it's exactly what I want for my wedding. Can't wait to see pics, sounds like you had an amazing time. Congrats!