Jackie

Quote: Originally Posted by shanaynayf1 I would also love to see this pics. I am also having a tough time deciding. And i agree, the hotel is exactly what i am looking for, but I cant get a good idea of what a wedding will look like. i am also having a hard time hearing back. I am planning a wedding for the summer of 2008, so I guess I am not top priority, but I still feel i should be regardless. ugg E mail: [email protected]. Thanks This may be very hard to do, and probably the reason that most brides to be end up choosing another resort. But, if you are dead set on the Occidental Grand Xcaret being your wedding resort than you need to be able to run with the fact that Edith the WC at the resort just simply does not make any bride more than six months out from there wedding date a priority. Having said that, please rest assure that I have spoken to one bride to be that is having a wedding this spring and she has said that Edith has been great the closer it gets to her wedding date. I have also read a couple of reviews about this resort from brides that have had there wedding there and they both mention the fact that they had high anxiety in the early stages of there planning but everything ended up wonderfull. I am planning a wedding at this resort and every so often I have to remind myself of these things. Because I go off on a "oh my god how am I supposed to plan a wedding when I cant get a hold of anybody tangent" . I am also doing a site visit in September 2007 so if you do choose this resort than I could get any specific questions you have answered. And I will definitly be posting about a 1000 and 1 pics from the visit. Hope this helps a little.

HEHEHE that was funny!

Welcome Catherine!

Sarah those are so nice. I like the first one with the flowers the best!

Hi there and welcome to the forum. I am not a Cabo bride but there are plenty of them around here who will help you out. Good Luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by lnucks Riviera Maya Brides, I need your input. In the past week I have tried to narrow down my choices of an AI in Cancun or the Riviera Maya area. After much research I have decided on the Riviera Maya. I have about 50 people who will be attending the wedding with kids so I need a family resort. I would like the resort to be close to Playa del Carmen so we can go into town a couple of nights. I am pretty flexible on the dates (I can marry any day but wed in June & July) We are looking at a budget of 900 to 1200 per person for 5 nights including airfare. So airfare alone will be about $400.00 leaving about $500 - 800 to spend on the AI resort for 5 nights. I am looking at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya, RIU palace Mexico, and Iberostar Tucan. (I would love the Occidental, but my neices and nephews want the ocean to connect to the hotel so they can play in the big waves) : ) Are there any other AI family resorts that you can think of that are close to Playa del Carmen besides these three? What are your thoughts on these 3 places? Do you think I can stay at these places for $500-800 (per person) for five nights? Do they give discounts for kids to stay? Let me know your thoughts! Thanks : ) In this price range I think the RIU might be the best resort for you. I just havent heard or read enough about the Iberostar Tucan to be able to recomend it as far as weddings go. Dreams Tulum might be another option to look into but I dont know the exact distance from the hotel to PDC, I think the resort might actually be far away but look into it just incase. I think most AI resorts that I have looked at gives a discount for children under a certain age. I believe our resort is for children 13 and under.

I'm not sure if I have posted this before or not but this is the Playacar Palace's Packages and extras pricing sheet they sent me when I was still looking at resorts for our wedding. 2007 FREE WEDDING PACKAGE Our Free Wedding Package includes the following: § Wedding terrace § All document arrangements § Justice of the peace § Marriage certificate (documents issued in Spanish) § White folding chairs (extra chairs available upon request) § Domestic champagne for guests during the ceremony (4 bottles max) § Dinner reservations for the wedding party* § Continental breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding § Candlelit dinner for the Bride and Groom with special menu § Memento photograph** § Petit Fours and bottle of sparkling wine in room § CD player or tape player available (bring your special songs) § Wedding coordinator § Witnesses if required § Late check out until 6:00 p.m. (upon request and availability) Wedding Package: FREE***t ** Some restrictions apply Note: Package inclusions cannot be exchanged for additional services. * Only at selected restaurants (Up to 10 guests maximum) Restrictions apply. ** Memento photograph will not be taken during wedding day t Non-commissionable to Travel Agents *** This offer is valid only for guests staying at any of our Wedding Resorts (Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, Aventura Spa Palace or Playacar Palace) for the entire stay. Travel Agent, discounted or complementary stays do not qualify. A penalty of $300.00 will be charged to credit card if reservation is cancelled within 45 days of the wedding date. Please fill out the credit card authorization form and attach to reservation form. Free wedding package applies to USA & Mexico residents only. Free wedding package will not apply if requested on site. 2007 SUPERIOR WEDDING PACKAGE Our Superior Wedding package includes the following: § Wedding terrace § All document arrangements § Justice of the peace § Marriage certificate (documents issued in Spanish) § Two flower arrangements (flower bases are property of the resort) § Bridal bouquet & Groom’s boutonnière § Cake with Special Design*** § Manicure & pedicure (Bride or Groom) § Make-up & hair style (Bride) § Holistic Spa Package: 25 min. Marine Body Scrub, 50 min. Holistic Massage, 25 min. Refresher Facial, and use of hydrotherapy area. (Bride & Groom) ∆ § Photo package A (36 pictures 4 x 6 + 1-6x8 + album) § Video (30 Minutes) § Special décor in the room § White folding chairs (extra chairs available upon request) § Domestic champagne for guests during the ceremony § Dinner reservations for the wedding party* § Continental breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding § Candlelit dinner for the Bride and Groom with special menu § Memento photograph**** § Petit Fours and bottle of sparkling wine in room § Two T-shirts with the Palace Resorts logo § CD player or tape player available (bring your special songs) § Wedding coordinator § Witnesses if required § Late check out until 6:00 p.m. (upon request and availability) Superior Wedding Package: $1,555.00 USD**†Note: Package inclusions cannot be exchanged for additional services. *Only at selected restaurants (Up to 10 guests maximum) Restrictions apply. **In addition to room rate ***Variety of styles and tiers available **** Memento photograph will not be taken during wedding day †Commissionable to Travel Agents ∆ Spa services are provided at Playacar Spa & Golf Club. (Spa services are subject to availability) Transportation is provided to the Playacar Spa & Golf Club. Documents required for civil office: Home address and occupations (bride & groom) Birth certificates (certified copy of each one) with the Apostille document attached. VALID PASSPORTS Original blood test (To determine Blood type, H.I.V and S.T.D). Tests must be taken at the resort and results are ready within 24 hrs. (Fee of approx. $50.00 per person applies) If test is positive, wedding cannot be performed. Certified copy of former spouse’s death certificate (If applicable)* If divorced, a certified copy of divorce decree is required with the Apostille document attached. If divorced more than once, please bring each divorce decree with the Apostille document attached. If divorced less than one year, a mandatory pregnancy must be taken. If test is positive, wedding cannot be performed. Legal documentation of adoption or name change (If applicable)* Tourist ID (Provided by customs upon your arrival at Cancun International Airport). Name, age, nationality, home address, occupation, passport and tourist ID of 4 witnesses. Witnesses must arrive two (2) working days (Monday – Saturday) prior to ceremony. If witnesses are not available, Palace Resorts will provide them at no additional cost. Bride and Groom must arrive in Cancun at least three (3) working days (Monday –Saturday) prior to the wedding ceremony to meet with the wedding coordinator and submit all documents. Bride & Groom must be at the resort by check-in time (3:00 PM) or earlier in order to consider day of arrival as the first day. The bride & groom must NOT be legally married in order to qualify for any of our wedding packages. If they are already married, other services are available. Please ask about our Vow Renewal package. Important - If the Bride or Groom's nationality is Mexican, additional documents are required. Please advise your wedding coordinator. Names on Tourist ID, divorce decree and Passport MUST be the same, including spelling. *An Apostille Document MUST be attached to all birth certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, Adoption and name change documents. For information on how to obtain the Apostille document, please contact the Secretary of State Office or visit www.travel.state.gov/about/info/customer/customer_312.html. * If the Bride or Groom’s nationality is Canadian, an Authentication Document must be attached to all birth certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, Adoption and name change documents. For information on how to legalize all documents, please contact the Embassy of Mexico in Canada or visit www.embamexcan.com/CONSULAR/FQGettingMarried.shtml . Please note that birth certificates, divorce decrees, Apostille documents, death certificates, adoption and name change documents MUST be translated into Spanish. All Translations MUST be done by our on-site certified translators only. (Fee approx. $40.00-$80.00). (Prices vary depending on number of pages). Ceremony cannot be performed unless all documents are in order. (NO EXCEPTIONS). All documents with the exception of passports become the property of the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Name on Tourist ID, divorce decree, birth certificates and Passport MUST be the same. Upon arrival, clients will receive a letter at the front desk with an appointment time and date to meet with your wedding coordinator. This appointment is mandatory and cannot be re-scheduled. DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTS BY MAIL All wedding packages must be reserved in advance. The Free wedding package will not apply if requested on site. All Reservations must be booked at least seven (7) business days prior to arrival. Mexican registry office is open from Monday through Saturday only. Dress code: Formal or semi-formal, no shorts or bathing suits. 2007 Optional Services (Additional cost): Please check the Optional Services you would like to order and fax to 305-375-9508 along with your reservation form: q Table flower arrangement $ 80.00 q Table flower arrangements (Set of 3) $ 175.00 q Bridal bouquet $ 135.00 q Groom’s boutonnière $ 35.00 q Corsage $ 40.00 q Maid of honor bouquet $ 110.00 q Tiara $ 65.00 q Cake $ 160.00 (For more than 20 people) q Small Heart-Shaped Cake $ 60.00 (For less than 15 people) q Domestic champagne $ 20.00 p/bottle q Video $ 300.00 (A 45 minutes tape) q Photography A $ 250.00 (36 pictures 4â€x6†+ one 6"x8" + album) q Photography B $ 350.00 (42 pictures 6"x8" + album) q Photography C (Black & White) $ 320.00 (24 pictures 4â€x6†+ album) q Negatives $ 150.00 q Special room décor $ 75.00 (with Flowers) q Extra copies of marriage license $ 12.00 each q Hair Style for the bride $ 40.00 q Make-up session for the bride $ 40.00 q Cocktail party **(Palace guests) $ 22.00 p/adult - $12.00 p/child (Includes open bar for 1hr)* q Religious ceremony (Non-denominational) $ 280.00 in addition to the pkg. cost * q Day pass for non-Palace wedding guests $ 57.00 p/person (not including private functions) or $ 78.00 p/person (includes one (1) private function) 2007 Optional Bridal Packages (Additional cost): Please check the Optional Bridal Packages you would like to order and fax to 305-375-9508 along with your reservation form: □ Package A □ Package B · Cake with Special Design Cake with Special Design · Table top flower arrangements (Set of 3) Boutonniere · Photography A Bridal bouquet · Video Photography A · Hairstyle Video Price: $ 790.00 Price: $ 755.00 □ Package C □ Package D · Cake with Special Design Cake with Special Design · Photography A Photography A · Video Table top flower arrangements (set of 3) · Special room décor Bridal bouquet · Hairstyle Special room décor · Manicure Price: $ 670.00 Price: $ 730.00 □ Package E · Cake with Special Design · Facial · Bride’s make-up session · Back Massage (25 Minutes) · Manicure · Photography A · Video Price: $ 735.00 *Prices in US Dollars. Optional services & Bridal packages are non-commissionable to agents. ** Private functions can be requested for a minimum of 10 guests and a maximum of 20 guests. For parties of 25 guests or more, please see our alternative wedding resorts. Private functions are confirmed upon the resort’s availability of space. Private functions, religious ceremonies and tuxedo rentals must be reserved at least 60 days prior to the wedding date. Restrictions apply to outdoor functions. Please ask your wedding coordinator for more details. Outside vendor services (photographers, florists, décor companies, audio visual companies, entertainers, etc.) are not permitted on premises. Palace Resorts will provide our couples with a variety of in-house services to choose from. Wedding Guests residing at a non-palace resort are required to purchase a day pass. *See Optional services for pricing. Payment Policy for Superior Packages: A 50% deposit of the complete package is required 14 days after written contract is received. Final payment is due 30 days prior to ceremony. A cancellation penalty of $300.00 will apply to all wedding packages if reservation is cancelled within 45 days of wedding date. Payments should be made payable to: OPERADORA PALACE RESORTS Attn: Wedding Department 8725 NW 18th Terrace ◈ Suite 301◈ Miami, FL 33172 Visa, Master Card & American Express also accepted ALL PRICES, PACKAGES, AND REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE For additional information and arrangements, please contact us at: Ph: 1-800-635-1836 x 6010 - Fax: 305-375-9508 e-mail for Playacar Palace: [email protected] Web: www.palaceresorts.com

In general most resorts will let you 1. hire a DJ or 2. bring in your own music or 3. bring your own music to the DJ or 4. a lot of places let you bring in your IPOD and hook it up to their speaker system which you would have to rent. As far as night life at MP goes I am not sure, but from what I have gathered from most resorts reviews etc is that a lot of the time guests have complaints in regards to the nightlife. What I would do is try and find out how far away MP and any other resort that your looking into is away from the center of town like Cancun or the Playe Del Carmen etc. For example my resort the Occidental Grand Xcaret is a 10 minute cab ride away from town where there is much better night life, this way my guests have the option of going into town if the resorts nightlife is not up to their standards.

I received my gift and my SS was very good to me! I was trying to read the return label but it was so faint that I couldnt make it out. So I am still wondering who it was? I got the cutest snowman figure 2 snowmen ornaments so cute! and a cool pair of earrings that I wore Christmas Eve! Thank you SS!!!!! One can never go wrong getting me a snowman. I LOVE those little criters!

We are definitly planning on doing the Xcaret Park and the Chichen Itza or the Tulum ruins. And although we dont snorkel I will probably put information on my website that can help direct my guests to some fun activities that they can do if they want.

Welcome to the forum! There are plenty of Cozumel Riviera Maya brides to be around here so if you have any specific questions feel free to ask. El Dorado is a buetifull resort, and there are so many other resorts to look at too. Let us know if you need any help picking your resort. Here are some of the popular wedding resorts; Dreams Cancun and Tulum Occidental resorts Royal Porto Real El Dorado Aventura Spa Palace Excellence RIU's

Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride So I spread the word around that my FI and I were thinking of doing RM and our friends looked at us like we were crazy. Unfortunately b/c we live on the East Coast most of our friends aren't even familiar with RM and most aren't willing to spend the money unless they think it's somewhere they will like. So I think we are going to stick with Cabo. I have heard great things about Cabo so I think I am going to stick with that. Tammy can we do our booking through you? Do you only do travel arrangements or do you do WC as well? Go with your gut instinct. If you want Cabo then you should do Cabo! We initially choose Cabo and then switched to RM because of money and flight time. Our friends were all over the board on this one. A few really wanted to visit Cabo and others that had been there before really prefered the aqua blue waters of Cancun/RM to Cabo. There are so many different opinions out there, I would just go with what you and your FI really want. There are a couple of our friends who wont make it because they simply will not vacation anywhere but Aruba! To me thats just silly but oh well, you cant possibly please everyone.

Cute website Ann!

I LOVE these invites. Good job! I am definitly going to have to remember this thread for when we send out invitations!

Thanks Tammy, I love reading this. OK Janet I think its your turn!!! And Karla to!!!! hehe, sorry I just cant get enough!

Hi Andrea and Welcome, Colorado! I'm so jelous! I would love nothing more than to be snowed in in Colorado! We visited Crested Butte a couple of years ago and fell in love! But we are also kind of weirdos that love that small western town atmosphere. I e-mailed you some picture of the Occidental Grand Xcaret! As far as there beach goes. It is a man made lagoon. So if beach is on the top of your list than this resort is probably not for you. However Playe Del Carmens best beach is a 10 minute cab ride from the resort. So if this is ok for you than this resort could be a contender. The Iberestor are very popular for people that like vacationing in PDC, however I havent heard much about them wedding wise.

Hell and Welcome, Like everyone else has said, Definitly go with a Travel Agent and then use the resort WC for you wedding cordinator and then if you really feel like you need it and the resort will allow it think about hiring an outside WC that is based out of Cancun/Riviera Maya!

I am not voting either because I am on the fence. Jenetta brings up a good point. What if you cant financially afford to pay for lets say 20 guests 75$ day pass. This could all add up very quickly!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by jilly76 I so want to go to Tahiti & Bora Bora, but we are so far away from there!! I would say do Tahiti if you can, or hawaii. Those are both places that from the east coast have super long flights so, since you'll already be on the west coast I'd go for one of those, you never know when you'll have the opportunity to make it to one of those places again, at least that's how I feel. I agree with Jill on this one. Wherever you go make sure its a place that you wouldnt choose to fly to from the East Coast. Take advantage of the opportunity to leave from SF

Welcom Daria Ann is the go to girl for info on PV. Cant wait to hear more about your wedding!

Thank you ladies, We have definitly decided to have at the very least our closest family and friends there, this would probably be around 15-20 people. But ofcourse Ryan is now adding guests to the list. He is very confusing. Last month he said lets just go away just the two of us and this month after I said maybe just our closest friends he is all of a sudden adding to our guest list. I'm seriously thinking of fireing him from the Baker/Galligan wedding planning team! Ofcourse the team only consists of me and him which would leave me as the only one but I'm thinking I work best alone anyways!

Quote: Originally Posted by akh I'm with you, Jackie - just a couple more inches and I'd be happy! And I never realized how tall the guys were in MN, until I moved to Chicago. The guys there (and most everywhere it seems) are so short. To me, if a guy was below 6' he was short. I've had to change that outlook since moving from MN. My ex was 6'4" - and he had a brother and 2 younger sisters - the sisters were both 6' and the mom was the shortest at 5'10" - his dad was 6'8" or something! I am going to have to make a trip over to MN! I find tall men very sexy. Quote: Originally Posted by LALA I'm a gigantor too - 5'8. Brett is 5'9. I'm going barefoot for the ceremony and heels for the reception. I am such a shoe whore I can't imagine not having a great pair of heels for my wedding. I wear them every day so FI is used to me being taller than him. Thats the only good thing about being short. I can wear 3'1/2" heels and I am still just meeting the average height for a women. I do love wearing heels. They just make you look so much more slender. Screw that, if I were as tall as you I would be walking around in those heels the whole wedding, feeling like a gorgeous model! I'd be calling myself Gisselle!

Edyta, Yes we are for almost sure 99% positive that we are going with the Occidental. Honestly Dreams Tulum and Cancun keep lingering in the back of my head as a safer choice. But the Occidental is everything I want and need from a resort I'm just not sure how their weddings are! Resort wise their great but there is so little about their weddings. I have this big fear that we will get down there for our site visit and I wont think that the reception site is pretty enough or blah blah blah. Oh well, we are going to need to book the wedding date before our site trip anyway so I'm sure we will just go with the Occidental and hope for the best!

Hello and Welcome! Are you getting married in Germany? I'm not sure what the legal requirments would be for that. Tammy might be able to answer you though, shes the smart cookie of the bunch.

That sounds buetifull. I love the foliage up north in the fall. Do you ever watch chronicle? They cover some of the prettiest spots in New England. I'm a huge fan of North Conway New Hampshire and I also love the Killington area of Vermont. Its great because you are still out there but still close enough to great food and a good atmosphere.