antonia321's Playa del Carmen / The Royal Playa del Carmen Wedding review! :)

aeroo · 04-30-2008, 01:32 PM

I am curious about the buffet dinner because Walter never gave us that option. Is it the same price as the plated dinners?

antonia321 · 04-30-2008, 03:09 PM

Yes, its the same price. I don't remember it being offered, I think I requested it because I knew I wanted one. We had a choice between 3 buffet menus.

Princess402 · 05-28-2008, 04:29 PM

Hi Antoniya, thanks for such a great review, and your pictures really are beautiful!

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.
First, you mentioned that most of your guests stayed at the Royal but not all. I'm guessing the ones with kids stayed at the Gran across the street. How did that work out for you? I REALLY love the look of the Royal but I worry about making guests with kids stay over at the Gran. And I know that guests of the Royal can go over to the Gran, but if I'm paying for the Royal I'd like to use the facilities/beach at the Royal for the most part. I read on another thread that maybe guests at the Gran could purchase day passes for the Royal - do you know anything about that?
Second, I totally want to hire Mannia Cancun for my DJ stuff. I read on another thread that your DJ, dance floor, speakers, lighting etc is included in the reception price of $50 pp. Did your reception include the cost of using Mannia, or did you have to pay extra?

Thanks so much!
Angela

antonia321 · 05-28-2008, 05:10 PM

Hi Angela,

I had given our guests options to stay at all three Real Resorts all walking distance from each other: The Real, Gran Porto and Royal. I'd say about 75% of our guests stayed at The Royal, while the ones with kids or didn't want to spend as much stayed at the other two. The beaches of the Gran Porto and the Royal are right next to each other and are public so we would walk back and forth to hang out. Also, since all the resorts are downtown, it was easy meet up, walk around in the city together, shop or explore the nightlife. I had six guests stay at the Aventura Palace because they had a time share there. They had to take 20-30 minute cab ride to meet up with all of us which became a pain to them.

Even though the beach wasn't private, it was the best location for a large group vacation. Beautiful grounds, white sand beach front while still being walking distance to everything. I guess I wasn't thinking only of the wedding, since that was only one day, I was thinking of the vacation as a whole and there was things to do there for everyone.

The DJ was a separate expense and was so worth it!

Princess402 · 05-29-2008, 11:58 AM

Thanks Antonia!
I didn't realize that the beaches were public, I thought that only guests of the Royal could use the Royal beach... or does only apply to using the actual beach chairs?

antonia321 · 05-30-2008, 05:34 AM

They block off the beach area for Royal guests only. That's where the beach bar, beach beds, waiters, chairs are, etc. Its not like you'll be sitting next to family picnic on the sand. But anyone can go in the water or walk along beach because its a public beach.

cmmdee · 05-30-2008, 05:44 AM

Your pictures are absolutely STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I especially love the one of you guys standing before the church, when you walk in! (from the backside of you both) and how cute is that ring bearer! :)

Congrats! Looks like it was an absolute blast!

caroline · 05-30-2008, 06:19 AM

Antonia... wow! You are absolutely stunning! And you looked radiant...!

Everyone looks like they had such a good time... and your photographs?! wow! Just wow!

Amanda A. · 06-12-2008, 08:49 AM

Hi Antonia!

I just wanted to say that I'm super excited now that i've read you review! You looked awesome, and I wanted to say congrats!!
I am too interested in the whole buffet dinner!! I think it would really suit the needs of my Filipino family!!

How was the dinner?!? What were the options? Do you have a price? Also, I'm totally using your DJ if he's available. I emailed him about a night ago, so hopefully he will get back to me!

Realistically I wanted to plan a wedding in Mexico, because I thought it might be a little cheaper than having hundreds upon hundreds at my wedding. Although right now, it looks like its gonna cost more than anticipated!! Can you provide any tips for me??!?!

I also emailed Elizabeth Medina for Photography? Do you know anything about her?

antonia321 · 06-13-2008, 07:14 PM

Hi Amanda!

I'm so excited for you!!

The buffet had a lot of options from what I remembered. Meat, Fish, Chicken, Veg. We had some vegetarians and picky eaters so I thought this was the best option. The set menu you can only have one option with just 3 exceptions. I also wanted a social atmosphere and people not confined to their table.

Elizabeth Medina is awesome! I wanted her originally but when I made my final decision, she was booked. Matt Adcock from del Sol Photography is AWESOME but I think they just raised their prices.

I can relate to the filipino family situation! We are a fun bunch, relatives and cousins galore! We love weddings because we love to party! I really do think I saved a lot of money by having my wedding at The Royal. I had a beautiful 5 Star wedding for more than half as much as the same wedding in US. I had 100 guests, which is still a lot I think for a destination, but a lot less than the almost 300 guests at my cousin's California wedding a few years back. In fact, every time I would freak out about costs piling up, my cousin would call me and say, um - our reception was more than double per head, we had more than double the guests AND alcohol wasn't included.

I hope this makes you feel better! If you want, you can talk to my cousin, too! LOL

antonia