Barcelo Maya Palace Brides

Hi everyone!!

My fiance and I are 99% sure that we're choosing the Barcelo Maya Palace for our wedding in April 2010... either the week of the 10th or 17th. I've been reading thru all of the information on this thread.. thanks so much to everyone who posted! It really helps in trying to plan your wedding...

I had a question about the new 'photographer ban' at the Barcelo... if I were to fly in a friend of mine that does photography and paid to have them stay at the resort, then they would be a guest at Barcelo... would this be ok?? I would have my friend take pictures before and during the ceremony, a small amount afterwards (group pics) and a few at the reception, but then I would want them to be a guest at the reception and enjoy themselves like everyone else. Just wondering what you all thought about this.. would the resort photographers/or the WC freak out??

I'm getting married at the Barcelo Maya Palace on April 14, 2010....I specifically talked to Gabriella (our WC) about using an outside photographer, and she wrote me an email (so I have it in writing) saying that we can use one, but we have to book a room for the night so that the photographer is considered a guest to our wedding. I figure it is worth it, as photography is super important to us...so that's what we're doing.

Hope this helps FutureMrs D....and if you'll be there the week of April 10, maybe I'll see you there!!!

So my date (May 15, 2010, 4:00pm) is finally confirmed with Claudia!! I had asked her about reception locations for the Strawberry Passion package and she said the following are available: the Coral Beach, the Palmeras Beach or the Palmeras Grill restaurant.

Does anyone have photos of the setups for any of these locations?

Where is everyone else planning on having their reception?

It's so hard to decide without seeing it in person, but I want to make sure I reserve the spot I want now so I won't face disappointment when I get there if it's already booked.

I have to say I'm completely frustrated with the response from the WC's. It's not like I'm emailing asking 100000 questions. I want to book a date. I know the package I want. I know the date is available. I have been emailing since July to get this reserved. No luck no response.

I do realize the WC's are busy. I realize they are on "island time" as someone mentioned, but I have emailed nicely 4 times trying to confirm my date and I receive NO response. None. And they have emailed me before and I constantly check my spam folder. I don't want the world. I just want them to book my date/time and reply back, "Yes, you're booked, you're all set".

HOW is everyone getting confirmations? What am I doing wrong? I'm extremely polite in my emails, despite my growing frustrations.....

I race home every day to check my email to see if I have received confirmation of my date, and NOTHING. I want to order stickers ,make a logo, send out save the date cards, finish my wedding website --- none of this can be done w/o confirmation that the date is good....

Sorry for venting -- I have vented a bit in the "just venting" thread but I'm getting so tired of this that I might just book a different resort, which is a shame, because the Barcelo was perfect...

Future Mrs. D......we're trying to decide b/w the mint and the strawberry...it's hard to decide when you're not there in person! Do you know what you're leaning toward? Our family and friends are booking now, so we're getting an idea of how many people will be there and I think that will help with our decision!

Finzup, I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. Did you leave the original subject line on the email? (when Gabriela first emailed me, she told me to leave the same subject line for all correspondence) She's been answering within a couple of days when I do this (it took forever to get the initial email, eventually I called and Gabriela was quick to send an email after we spoke). Good Luck!! ....and vent anytime, it's understandable that you're frustrated!

Finzup - I totally understand how you feel.. I waited a couple days for a response and when it didn't come, I went out and bought a calling card, and called the resort directly. I spoke to Gabriella and within 10 minutes I had 2 dates on hold for me, and she followed up with an email immediately after. So, I would call them directly if I were you... let us know how it goes!

Pacific- I was kinda in the same boat, but I think I'm now leaning towards the Strawberry because of the outdoors reception.. I guess my reasoning behind it is that I'm travelling all the way to Mexico to get married outside, on a beach, so why not spend the extra money to have my reception outside too... but I don't really like the fact that it only includes 15 people...!!

Pacific, Thanks.. I did leave the subject matters in tact ... Ironically I was wondering that if I sent it with a different subject line I might get a response..lol

FutureMrs.D, thank you for the phone card suggestion, I think I just may have to go get one of the calling cards. except that I just kind of wanted everything in writing in case there were any problems.. Hopefully they will email me confirmation after a phone call..

Oh and we are also looking @ the Strawberry Passion package.. I love the reception on the beach idea... ! I totally agree with you FutureMrs.D about traveling all that way to have a beach wedding -- why not do a beach reception!

Hi everyone,

To FutureMrs.D

I completely agree. I'm leaning towards the Strawberry package simply for the outside reception. I really don't want to be in a banquet room when we flew everyone to Mexico...

My FI is not happy that we would have to spend so much extra money on the meal per person over 15 guests, like 66 dollars p/p That can really add up!!! His point of view is that our guests have already paid for their meals in their AI rates, so why pay so much more for the extra meal when the food at the restaraunts is very good I guess I can see his point, but I also understand that the extra rate is for the private staff and that it is supposedly "different" food than what is typically served at the a la cartes. It's making the decision making very hard as we are not sure exactly how many guests we'll have, but right now, it's looking close to 30. Sorry for all the venting, my actual questions is:

Also, are ya'll having an at home reception in addition or just having the party in Mexico....?

Also in response to the photographer question: I contacted WC Victoria at the resort and she emailed me back saying that as long as my photographer was a guest staying at least one night at the resort, that this was fine. She did not say anything about having to pay the fee since my photographer had a room for 3 nights. I did make a copy of this email to take with me in case this becomes an issue next may.