Hi!

Thank you so much everyone for the warm welcome!!! We were originally considering Riviera Maya (more specifically, Isla Mujeres) because I really, really want a tropical climate, or at least somewhere that's balmy in the evenings because warm nights are my favorite thing. However, after much thought, we're leaning more toward somewhere closer to California because we don't want to make our guests travel that far. My sister suggested Puerto Vallarta so we're thinking about that. We would love to find somewhere that's fairly close yet still has a tropical-ish climate ... we're going to have to strike a compromise between those two parameters.

 

What do you guys think? Any locations not super far from California that still have those warm, balmy nights I'm obsessed with?

 

- Jen

Welcome to the forum and congratulations!! You've come to the right place; here you can find all the info you need for a fun, smooth and successful planning!! Enjoy!!!

Hello Jenn! WELCOME TO THE FORUM!
I know all too well about being on a budget. I didn't think an All-Inclusive Resort was our cup of tea either. But just seeing how past brides we're pretty much on a budget, and had BEAUTIFUL WEDDING--and how fast things add up, We were sold on the idea! An AI resort was our only option to have the wedding of our dreams!

Happy Planning and i can't wait to see your ideas!
BTW: we're both from the SFBay area and love our PITTBULLIES!

Hi Jenn! Welcome to the forum, officially! There is sooo much info! i definitely know what you mean about budget! We are having our wedding in Akumal (there are a few akumal brides on here) its much smaller town, eco-friendly, beautiful and in RM!!! AI is definitely not for us. We have managed to keep our wedding under $5000 for almost 40 of us! Our flights and hotel arent included in that cause they were a gift from FILs. We are definitely here to help you out. Definitely search the wedding reviews you'll find LOTS there!

Hola Jen!

 

Congratulations and welcome to the forum, here you will find tons of ideas and places! Good luck

Hi Jen,

 

There are so many thousands of ideas on the forum for maintaining a budget and also having a DW. Personally, I chose a DW because it was so much cheaper than getting married in the states. I have no idea what your preferences are (how many people you want to come, what your guest's budgets are, etc...) but we're getting married at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya, and although it is the AI resort, the wedding package included dinner for 50 people, ceremony set up, etc for only $1,500 total. I couldn't find a deal like this anywhere else!

 

Good luck!!

Hi Jen, I'm from the Bay Area and am considering getting married in Isla as well! I was bouncing between Isla Mujeres and Cabo San Lucas. What sealed it for me was finding Privilege Aluxes, it's a new hotel with an all-inclusive option that's super reasonable; it's in the North Beach/Town Beach area of Isla and really close to down-town. They're running a 40% discount off of rooms on their website right now and it's brand new. Also, a friend of mine said that the waters around Cabo weren't really easy to swim in, and we had really wanted swimmable waters. I haven't heard any first hand experience accounts of Privilege Aluxes, though, so if anyone knows anything please chime up!!

Wow, that sounds awesome! Now I'm also curious to see if anyone has any experience with this hotel. Are you worried that since you're going with the Cancun area as opposed to Cabo that you'll have fewer people attend your wedding? I know there are some direct flights to Cancun from SFO, but they're so much more expensive than the ones with a stop. Assuming most people would opt for the cheaper flight, it's literally an entire day's travel as opposed to just a couple hours for Cabo. I'm still worried that we won't get enough guests now that we've chosen the Mayan Riviera to really make it a fun party.

Where in the Bay Area do you live? And thank you so much for that suggestion!

- Jen

Hi Jen, I live in Santa Cruz but my fiance lives in Sunnyvale. We also have relatives coming from the midwest, and so Cancun works best time-wise for both groups (it's like an 8-hour flight to Cabo from Midwest). The flights were also the cheapest.

 

Where in the Bay Area are you??

 

Tina

Hey Tina,

Cancun totally makes sense for you if you have relatives coming from the midwest. Plus, I mean, come one! The Mayan Riviera with its tropical climate, white sand beaches, and turquoise ocean is just SOOOOOO much more appealing than rocky, arid, plain old Cabo!

That's so funny your fiance lives in Sunnyvale because that's where I grew up! I live in Santa Clara now though. It would be crazy if I knew your fiance...

- Jen

- Jen