MagsieMexico

I know, I'm already so excited! And can't wait to hear about yours!

I am getting married here too. Just FYI, you can set up a special arch of flowers on the beach for the ceremony for extra dollars. You can also set up a dancefloor for the private dinner and dance, and have your own music or a DJ at the beach if you do the under the stars package. They have 3 weddings a day, and they are at 1, 3 and 5pm Your guests can stay in the cheaper side (Caribe Beach and Beach), and still attend your wedding at Tropical or Colonial for no extra charge!

And the answer to "Any Barcelo Brides" is now YES! I just booked it. Thank you so much for all your help Melissa!

I'm totally late to this thread... but I am so worried about it too! I love my FI so much, and love the idea of family connection and such. BUT, I am a feminist, and it's weird to lose all my family connection and history, and gain his which is not mine!! And my last name is already SO long, and so is his, so definitely no hypenated names, and middle name doesn't cut it. Ugh, I don't know. Anyway, what I was going to say is that I know lots of people that just haven't done anything about it for a while, and just kept thinking about it, so I will do that too... and see what i feel like when i have kids and such. My future Sister in Law just finally changed her name this week because she is having her first baby in a few months... So, I'll see, and wait.

OOoh, I'm so excited for you, 1 month! Thanks for the great info. One more question. Do they not allow any outside vendors, or just not photographers. Like if you want to have other fire dancers/salsa dancers or anything like that? Thank you!

Welcome Welcome! I am driving myself crazy trying to pick a location to get married in, so at least you have managed that, good work! Actually, Dreams Tulum is one of the places I am considering. Glad to hear you have been there and loved it, since some of my reservations stem from the bad reviews I've read of the 'old buildings'... Although I called them last night and they said you can reserve the new building... so that's good! Can't you have a simple reception in Tulum, and then if anyone wants to throw you a party when you get back, they can? Just an idea... and welcome!

One more question melissa, how did you pick between the colonial and tropical? Why did you pick Colonial? Thanks for all the info!

Some more questions Melissa, do they have wristbands? For your wedding how is it working between Barcelo Colonial and Barcelo caribe & beach... Do you have to pay a day pass? Is it okay if all of your guests are staying at Barcelo Beach, but you are staying at and having the wedding at the Barcelo Colonial? Are there any separate Adult Areas? Anything else you can tell me?? I can't believe your wedding is in a month! yOu must be so excited. Bring pictures!

Thanks Scharke! By the way, last night I called the Riu because I just wanted to talk to someone while i decided. They confirmed that you can pick everything after you book the date, and change most of the details. They also confirmed that there are NO options for a private reception EXCEPT for renting out the mexican patio restaurant if you have 50 people or more, and not until 8.30 pm. Hope this helps.

Oh, that's fantastic, sounds like it will all work out after all, glad that the Riu is being flexible given the situation. yay!

Right, but even at other resorts, where you can have a private reception starting wherever you want, you probably don't want to start it at 5pm? Do you? What are other winter brides doing, who are having their ceremonies at 3 or 4pm to get the daylight? Thanks!

Scharke, are you posting that from a website, or are you actually the videographer who owns that blog? Great videos, and great site to get a sense of all the different options! Thank you.

So how are you all timing your weddings in general. I mean, even if I had a private dinner/dancing you wouldn't really want it to start before 6.30 or so, or would you? And with a ceremony at 4 or so, what do you do between 4.30 and 6.30? or 3.30 and 6.30 for those with earlier weddings, how does it work? Thanks!

These are great! I never even thought about it, but saved them both and will use for my OOT bags, thank you ladies!

Yeah, thanks ladies, i think I was just hoping this could somehow work because I was finally finding a location that I liked! But I think it's a beautiful resort, but not great for helping you figure out your wedding options... Hmmmm. Thanks for your reality checks...

Oooh, excellent, I'm in! LondonSame, Pinkie? Either of you want to join? When are you in London exactly Leigh, I am flying back from Detroit on the 3rd, arriving the 4th, so hopefully you're there after that!

Hi ladies (and gents), Was wondering if any of you had creative ideas about timing... I am considering the Riu Palace Mexico, but they only allow the private dinner and dancing in one place, and it is only allowed at 8.30pm. This is lateish I think... And I want to get married in February, so the sun set will be shortly after 5... so my ceremony will probably be at 3 or 4, followed by photos. Is thre any possible way I can get a good timing flow for this? Any ideas of what could happen between 5 and 8.30? OR is this a bad idea (I could go back to the drawing board with looking at resorts...) Any ideas/advice? Thanks ladies.

Thanks Glenda... One more question for anyone booked at these resorts. Did you worry about picking all the extras when you tried to reserve your date, or can you pick all that stuff later? Thanks.

I thought you'd be mad that I changed my mind AGAIN!!! But seriously, reading the threads it seems like there are lots of private reception options at Riu Palace in Cabo, anyone know if there are the same types of options in the Riu Palace Mexico in the Mayan Riviera?? Thanks ladies!!! Could I be getting close to picking a location please please please!

I really like the reena (number 2), even though the name isn't quite as good.

Tammy answered my question about the people staying in the Yucatan, but my other question is just about the private reception, I've heard posts saying that they don't organize that very well. Are any of you having a private reception? Did you book out another room or an area on the beach? Thanks.

LIke this thread http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t32 There's lots more too, what are your specific questions?

Believe me, you're not alone!!!! There's a tonne of great info on this site, go under the Riu thread, hold on, let me find it!

Love your STDs! I am planning on doing STDs too, with a link to our website. I will put all the info on our website for people to check. I am also doing what Kash suggested and putting the RSVP code for the website in with the STD, so I'm hoping we'll get the RSVPs online. I wasn't planning on sending formal invitations, but you're right, it's a good reminder, so maybe I will! If I do, it will be just a gesture, a nice traditional invite, with a link to our website again...

I know, it is so hard, because you are not only trying to pick a place for the wedding of your dreams, but also a great vacation spot for all your friends and family... so you can't help but think about all their needs... I am actually thinking pretty seriously about the Riu Palace Mexico now... I know, I know, I change my mind every week, but I just feel like it is a really good combination of the Riu Palace Mexico for those that want to spend a bit more on luxury, and the Riu Yucatan or PLayacar next door for those that want something more affordable... As for the beach, I am the same, I LOVE swimming in the beach, and plan to do it, and I hear that the beaches can get rough and rocky, but I also hear that people still enjoy it, and get great snorkelling, so I'm not too worried about that...