nylalany

I have yet to hear back about dates too and am thinking of trying to just call instead. I did get an automated response with a brochure though. I'm wondering about room quality - I read a ton of negative reviews about the rooms at Dreams Tulum - and a lot of recommendations to stay in the newer rooms vs. the older rooms. Can anyone who has been there expand on that? Also, I read about sulfur and mold smells and as I'm very sensitive to smell I'm wondering if this was an issue for anyone who visited. I'm wondering if they still just have salt-water showers, or if there are fresh-water showers in the newer rooms vs. the older rooms? Is there a huge price difference btwn the two? Can you request a room block for the new rooms only for your guests? Thanks!

You may be at Marina Maroma? Yes I'd love photos! I'll PM you my email. The contact for Marina Maroma weddings, Monica (she seems to be affiliated with Karisma's El Dorado resorts) provided me with tentative menus that will be offered at Marina Maroma, and unfortunately they do not look appetizing to me as they are VERY different from the Karisma menus. They are more traditional Mexican seafood and meat and offer less options that work for my group, as I don't want to serve shellfish or pork. So now I am thinking that Marina Maroma is not really an option? But I'm still curious for photos! I see on your site that you do wedding catering...do you have menus and packages you can email me in addition to the Marima Maroma photos, and do you offer semi-private beach ceremony and reception locations near to Azul Beach that have a palapa in case of rain? Thanks!

guess this is overkill, but definitely #2!

And what events are on Saturday and Sunday nights? Thanks!

I can't open the links. Does anyone know how much it is per person for a private sit-down reception, if it starts at above a certain number of people in one of the regular pkgs, if there is a maximum, and if drinks are included too?

I'm having a similar experience - people keep thinking if I have a destination wedding, it'll be free for me, and I mean if you can do that, more power to you, but with a 100 people at who knows what a head plus all the extras, it may be cheaper than doing it here for 200 people, but it'll still cost my parents a ridiculous chunk of money and although I don't want to go around telling my guests what my parents are spending, I want them to appreciate my parents for what they've done for me the way you normally would at a wedding. Stupid?

They told me the same thing (re: guest size). Someone else on this forum mentioned doing a wedding at Maroma Beach Club too, although she hasn't done it yet either. I may go down for a site visit in December - if I do, I'll let you know how it is! Are you negotiating room rates w/Azul Beach? I guess the good thing is that if you have it at Maroma, not everyone has to stay at Azul Beach or pay a day pass fee (on the other hand, it is nice for everyone to be together).

If I wanted to do site visits at AIs in the Mayan Riviera but am not planning on staying at all the places I'm visiting, how does that work? Do I have to pay for day pass to see the rooms and eat one meal? Do I set it up in advance with their wedding coordinator? Will they let me on the property?

I loved the road to Hana - if you actually go into the bamboo rainforest and do hikes along the way and hang out in Hana, it offers a whole different vibe and feel of Hawaii compared with the resort areas.

Thank you so much for getting back to me. In response to all of you so far: Re: Sunset at the Palms - thanks I'll look into it. My mom seemed nervous about Jamaica but my dentist, who recently when to Royal Palms (adults only) raved about it. Re: Costa Rica - I was there once and didn't think the water was very pretty, but maybe it was the area I was in? It was over 10 years ago, so I can't completely recall where it was, I'll have to look into it. Does anyone have a wedding hotel they loved there? The cute places seem too small. Re: Cabo Surf Hotel - I did look look into this place as it seemed perfect but it seemed too small to accommodate all my guests - I guess I should write them for further details - maybe they'd have some input and suggestions for me! Re: Hotel Brisas del Mar - I think it only has 35 rooms so once again it may be too small - but maybe I should write and ask for more details! At least they have boogie boarding, which my fiance enjoys (he is a wave sort of person, whereas I love snorkeling in addition to surfing...). Does anyone know what the water is like over there? Re: Surfing / Pool vs. Nice Water - Well, I'd prefer nice water over pool (though pool is pretty) I guess, so maybe I can give up the surfing (which is why I've been looking at Mayan Riviera at Paradisus Riviera and Ana y Jose (which may be too pricey for what it is, and too small). Any input on either of these places? Re: Isla Mujeres - I looked into Villa Rolandi which seemed super pretty but it doesn't allow children under 13, unfortunately, and is on the small side. I may look into Cabanas Maria del Mar as it is bigger, though not exactly what I envisioned. Re: Malibu - Believe me, I would love something in Malibu as that is where I surf! However, hotel rates are $625+ for just a room, and that is just ridiculous. I thought about doing something at a restaurant and public beach there, and then have all my guests stay in Santa Monica (near me), but even the hotels on the beach near me are ridiculous ($400+) and I would love for everyone to stay in the same place. Maybe I need to find out if they offer group rates, but in my other calls around Southern California, that hasn't been very successful. Re: San Diego - I've looked at Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach - if anyone has any more info on either of those or San Diego, I'd welcome it. Laguna Beach is too pricey for guests I think ($400+ non-AI) and Huntington Hyatt doesn't offer group room rates so I'd just have to hope that guests could find something, but they are generally $300+. Sad sad sad. I need to visit the Huntington Hyatt - maybe there is another way to get a group room rate besides thru the wedding side of things? And I'd have to hire an outside person to do the beach wedding side of it (I think Ritz will do that but Hyatt won't.) Anyhow, sorry to write your eyes off (talk your ears off) - but you guys are so supportive and sweet and I appreciate the input and help!

Does anyone have any destination TA recs then? I live the Los Angeles area (Venice). If you all can help meanwhile, that would be great. I am planning on inviting 200 guests and expect btwn 75 and 125 to come (not sure!!) Ceremony: I want to get married ON the beach. I want to be the only wedding that day. Reception: I want a sit-down dinner where we can dance too (want to hire a good band). Hotel: A. I wanted something small and cute - like 100 rooms, but these type places don't seem to be able to throw weddings that size, and even though they are big enough to accommodate that many guests, they seem less than willing (or I find ridiculously pricey or Adult only places that limits who can come). So maybe I'll have to give up my vision and go for something bigger... B. Because of the large wedding guest list, I figured AI would make life easier for hanging out with folks while away - this tends to limit where the hotel is located and the type of hotel a little bit - I want a more boutiquey feel, but not sure if this is possible. Non-AI is possible but maybe more difficult? C. Pricing for guests - I'm hoping that they won't have to spend more than approximately $170 pp per night AI, or $100 pp non-AI, if that sounds reasonable? I don't know! Maybe a little more if I find the perfect place? D. Not a mega-resort and not on a resort-strip where all you see is resorts. E. Allows kids. F. Has GOOD FOOD. Location: A. The water must be swimmable (Cabo is kinda out b/c of this, and PV is supposedly just like my area, so not positive I want that?) B. My fiance and I love to surf (not experts tho), and it would be great to have that as a partial theme (w/o being too hokey) and an option during the wedding, but the prettiest wedding ceremonies I see in research in Mayan Riviera, so maybe not...I wish you could have super clear water with surfing near by but I'm not sure that is possible outside of Hawaii, which is too far from NY family... C. Somewhere which is reasonable flight wise for guests from Los Angeles and NY and Michigan. You see why I'm going crazy? MEXICO --Zihuatanejo - I thought Tides Zihuatanejo was pretty, but it is too pricey, esp for the suites, I believe. --Puerto Vallarta - Villa Amor in Sayulita seemed like a neat option b/c of surfing and hillside but I fear the steps are not baby friendly and the accommodations may be too rustic for some folks. I'm going to call Four Seasons Punta Mita, but not expecting great prices... --I'm looking into Paradisus Riviera Cancun in Puertos Morales because Azul Beach didn't work out. Seems like a good option... CARIBBEAN --Haven't looked at all in the Caribbean and maybe I should. I've been to DR and Guadeloupe as a kid, as well as St. Lucia, St. John, T&C, and St. Martin as an adult, but they all seem kinda far to travel to from Los Angeles (no direct flights, as far as I know?). If anyone has any questions for me though . Funny thing is, I have never been to Mayan Riviera or Zihuatanejo, and only have a vague memory of PV from 1 day there in high school, so maybe I'm pressing my luck! I do love Hawaii - too bad it isn't easy to get to for NYers...

Just thought I'd chime in b/c I stayed at the Palms while a wedding was going on. The pool at the Palms is beautiful and obviously the beach and water are too, and T&C is great b/c there aren't many people on the beach - I was there in early December last year and could walk for a mile without seeing more than a few people! The wedding at the Palms was in a grassy courtyard area though - maybe b/c the beach isn't that big? I'd try to see if they have other options. Also there is a place right next door that is even newer (and pricier) - I think it starts with an S. Somerset? They do weddings too, and the staff there seemed a lot more genuine and nice (or better trained?). They will have fireworks for your wedding (according to a Tripadvisor local specialist who had a sister getting married there). Also pretty pool, more room for tables, but not quite the same as The Palms.

After a ridiculous amount of research I'm having trouble picking a place to get married, and my mom and sister say there MUST be someone who can do this for you - someone who knows what you want and finds it for you and helps organize with rooms and rates, etc. In my research it seems that these people are mostly tied to particular destinations, so I'm asking are there people that aren't limited to destination (I'm looking at Mexico, Caribbean, & Southern California...) I've picked a few places in various destinations, but I'm not so sure that is the best way to do it and I'm slowly going crazy!

Wow, you've been everywhere - I saw you on the Paradisus Riviera thread too (another place I'm considering)!

Yeah I'm kinda worried about the self-catering aspect as I will have a pretty big group (around 90 at least?) and things might get difficult to organize. What resort is your group staying at on Isla Mujeres, out of cusiosity, and will Zamas Beach Club do a sit-down dinner (vs. buffet)?

I'm wondering about Playa del Secreto / Casa del Secreto / Hacienda del Secreto in Puertos Morales - they seem to maybe be able to accommodate around 100 guests, I'm just not sure how complicated it is to organize the accommodations and everything. Is anyone getting married there or has anyone already been married there, with a large wedding party?

Ah yes, sadly I found that out too today when I received a reply from Shangri-la Caribe. I'm getting a bit frustrated with Riviera Maya - I love Azul Beach but they don't love me - they determined my group is too big, even just to stay there! They mentioned Azul View but then did not provide me with any follow-up info on the new hotel that is opening. All the other pretty boutique hotels which are big enough to accommodate my guests (100+?) are either adult only or non-AI super pricey, or way too small (25 rooms) and would force us to all stay in separate places. Then I saw Shangri-la Caribe, which yes is a bit "beachy" and not as upscale, but at least it is "beachy" and not too mega-resorty. And now they are closing. Argh! Now I'm wondering about Playa del Secreto / Casa del Secreto / Hacienda del Secreto in Puertos Morales - I guess I'll post separately about it, but they seem to maybe be able to accommodate everyone, I'm just not sure how complicated it is to organize the accommodations and everything. Is anyone getting married there or has anyone already been married there, with a large wedding party? Any other suggestions (now that you see what I like)?

PVBride, I'd love if you could take some photos of the beach area and ask them if it is possible to have a ceremony on the beach or a nearby beach? Also, maybe you can check out the water quality of the ocean there, if it is swimmable and clear? I mean, only if you were going to for yourself too?

Has anyone been married here? If so, were you able to negotiate a discounted room rate for your group? And did you use the meal plan?

Has anyone had their wedding at or visited Shangri-la Caribe in Playa del Carmen? If so, please share details!

Wow, you guys are great for replying so quickly and enthusiastically! Thanks! In response to all of your questions: Cabo Surf Hotel in Cabo-- I have been considering this place (found it a while back when looking for surfing hotels), but worried that it is too small for all my guests but will look into extra places to stay nearby. Wondering if the beach (ocean) is swimmable in addition to surfable. Playa Fiesta in PV - Can you actually get married ON the beach there? And is the ocean there swimmable? Las Caletas in PV - Do you have all your guests stay at some hotel and then transport them to the island just for the ceremony and reception? I want a group bonding vacation type thing going on... SoCal - I definitely want to be married ON the beach, which is harder than it looks in Southern California it seems. I looked at Sunset Restaurant in Malibu (it is ON the beach in a pretty location) but didn't like my meal and the restaurant smelled moldy, sadly. My mom is against villa rentals because she had to bring everything in for my sister's wedding at a mansion in NY and it was apparently a pain (though it went off beautiful, all the guests said it was the best wedding ever...) Casa del Mar in Santa Monica is down the street from me, but it is kinda ritzy feeling (I love it's style, but maybe it is not totally the vibe I was going for) - and my guests wouldn't be able to all stay together in Santa Monica or Malibu due to the hotel prices. I was thinking about the Surf and Sand in Laguna just because all the hotels there are walking distance from each other, but they are all kinda pricey too. Cute town though. Haven't looked into Santa Barbara yet. I should - maybe I can organize a surfing morning and a wine tasting afternoon . Riviera Maya - I was looking into Azul Beach, but due to wedding size, I'd have to have my ceremony and reception at Maroma Marina and I have read nothing on that location in any of my research, besides on the site sent by Lomas travel. Worries me a little. It is supposedly next to Mi Hotelito, which has yet to reopen. This is a place I keep coming back to in my mind, although it doesn't have any surfing, which is sad. Too bad we can't have it in Maui!

I'm considering Azul Beach but their wedding contact told me that they cannot accommodate more than 60 or so guests for a ceremony and reception, and I'm expecting (guessing) I'll have around 100 or so. They suggested the guests stay at Azul Beach but that I have my ceremony and reception at Marina Maroma. Some of the photos on the Marina Maroma site look a little cheesy, and they don't have many photos, and I can't find much info about them. I'm wondering if anyone here has had their wedding there, and if the food was good and if the setting was pretty? Has anyone else had guests stay at Azul Beach but have their ceremony and reception elsewhere?

I'm wondering if you can swim in the ocean and if the beach is at all nice at Playa Fiesta Beachclub & Hotel. All the reviews I've read elsewhere mention the pools but not the beach...

Hi! My name is Sarah and I got engaged about 3 weeks ago. I do not have a place or date set yet but I want to find the perfect place (or a few) and then work the date around it - and since I need to give time for guests to travel, it'll probably be btwn May and Dec '08. The majority of my guests will becoming from NY & Los Angeles, with some from other parts of the country, so I though Mexico would be central, if I don't end up doing it in Southern California. I REALLY want a beach wedding as both my fiance and I surf (tho not so well) and love the ocean. Hawaii is out b/c it is too far for the east coasters, sadly. I'm on the crazy end of destination as I need to invite about 200 guests, but I expect that 100 of them will come (large, loving extended family). Unfortunately, I don't feel the mega-resort vibe is representative of me, and it is hard to find a cutesy Caribbean type low key resort in Mexico. I want some place nice, but not too outrageously priced for the variety of guests I'll be inviting (all the beautiful smaller but not too small places I've found have rooms $500+ sadly). I need a place that accepts children, as a few of my friends and relatives have kids (a couple of whom will be my flower girls). I've been looking into Cabo (which has surfing), Riviera Maya (which seems so so pretty but is full of mega-resoirts), and the west coast of Mexico Puerto Vallarta area (which is supposedly similar to Hawaii?). I've haven't been to any of these places in my recent memory so that doesn't help. Any other locations that would better fit my needs, or any suggestions for these places are welcome. Otherwise, I might just stick to somewhere near home with Laguna beach or something. Having a hard time finding anything that isn't a hotel ballroom type wedding in SoCal on the beach though. OBVIOUSLY I NEED HELP! Sorry to barrage you all with this right off the bat...