amduran

Can anyone give me advice on getting a photographer for a Moon Palace wedding? I know they have strict outside vendor policies, but I am hoping there is a way around that...

Quote: Originally Posted by cutierosie Hi there, did you put a deposit for Del Sol for your wedding on May 24, 2009? I had contacted them and initially Matt said that they couldn't really do it because of the "no vendor policy" at the Moon. Then Del Sol, said they could do it, but we have still not heard back from them (I think they were on vacation), when did you put the deposit down? I am getting married at the Moon on Nov. 1st. I contacted Del Sol too but I was told they didn't work at the Moon because of their vendor policy. Does anyone know of another photographer that can work at the Moon? Do they have to stay the night or can a day pass suffice? I would hate to get stuck with the Moon photographer!! I've seen their pictures... and I am not excited at all!!

Does the private function at the Tropical have a minimum guest requirement? I don't remember the WC mentioning that option to me when I was down there last weekend. It might be because I didn't have enough guests -- only about 40. (BTW - She was horrible!! No enthusiasm at all!! Didn't seem to know anything.) These are pics from my site inspection: Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

I mistakenly posted the wrong link to the MP. I revised my post and here is the correct link again... alexmduran/Moon Palace Riviera Maya - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting The WCs have a very thick binder with pictures of all the upgrades you can get (including a bunch of different bouquets, cakes, etc.). They also encourage you to bring pictures of anything you have your mind set on (including a specific type of cake decoration, bouquets, flower decorations, etc.). As far as the beach, they seem to have a big seaweed problem. It was even worse this past weekend because it was really windy. I originally wanted to beach ceremony, but now I am reconsidering that. My WC mentioned that we can decide on beach vs. gazebo last minute...

I visted some other resorts including this one this past weekend. Here are some pictures from the Paradisus visit: Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket I am between the Paradisus and the Moon Palace... Yes, the Paradisus is MUCH more expensive as a whole, but the ceremony and reception set up is beautiful.

Here are some pictures from my site visit this past weekend. Hope it helps others! alexmduran/Moon Palace Riviera Maya - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Just got back from the site inspection... It was an action packed weekend! MOON PALACE Definitely on my top 2 list. Pros: Guests will not be bored there. There is tons to do and a bunch of free tours. If you book more than 10 rooms, you get a free cocktail hour... more than 20 rooms, you get a free reception. Very experienced staff. Horse drawn carriage!! WOW! If you book airport transportation through them, it is pretty affordable (approx. $23 round-trip/person). Cons: Resort is enormous. Could potentially feel very impersonal. The beach is very small and full of seaweed. I was told that it was worse now because of the high winds. (It was definitely windy!). The gazebos and terraces are just like in the pictures. Unfortunately, from the Tucan gazebo you can see the other gazebo down the resort. Can't bring an outside photographer (but can bring one if they are a guest). PARADISUS Tied with Moon on my list. Pros: BEAUTIFUL reception and ceremony location. Loved it! Very responsive WC. Can bring an outside photographer (for a fee). Resort is beautiful. Cons: Can get kind of $$$$$. Pretty much everything is an add-on. (But did I mention it was beautiful?!?!?) IBEROSTAR PARAISO LINDO In top 3... Pros: Great resort, beautiful grounds. Great beach for the beach lovers. Beach ceremony options seems nice, but not sure if the area will be cleared out in time for a ceremony there. Wedding package very affordable. Can bring own photographer. Cons: Private dinner/buffet not offered. WC will make reservations at a restaurant on-site, but area is not private. There are private rooms available for an after-party, but not impressive at all. The furthest of all from the airport, so transportation can get $$$. RIU PALACE LAS AMERICAS Definitely my least favorite. Pros: Location. It is in the hotel zone, so there are tons of things to do outside the resort. Cons: Based on my RIU Cancun experience next door, I think the food is terrible (the WC confirmed it is about the same food). The resort isn't really designed for weddings in my opinion. It is very small and it is unavoidable... the bride and groom will be walking through the pool and there will be resort guests in your pictures. I am leaning towards the Moon Palace or Paradisus at this point... I need to make up my mind by the end of the week!!

I just got back from a site inspection at the Iberostar Lindo/Mayan (as well as the Moon Palace and Paradisus). The Iberostar is spectacular! I do have to say though that is was one of my least favorites when it came down to the reception (after ceremony) options. I loved the resort (and still have not taken it off my list), but I really wanted a private dinner/buffet reception and this is something the resort does not offer. Yes, they can set aside an area in one of the restaurants, but it is not that intimate. The chapel and gazebos are very nice. This resort had the best beach of every resort I visited. It had a really big area for a beach ceremony. They offer the Vitrinas room, but it is away from the beach or the pool... so it just felt like you could have been anywhere (not necessarily at a destination/beach wedding)

I just got back from a site inspection this weekend. I visited Moon Palace, Paradisus, and Iberostar (as well as a couple others). I do have to say that the Moon Palace is a well-oiled machine. Yes, they have tons of weddings, but they have it down to a science. The wedding coordinator I will work with if I decide to go with the Moon was excellent (Nancy). The gazebos are beautiful (just like the pics). The only thing I was not crazy about was the reception areas. In my case, I will have approx. 35 people so I would use one of the smaller terraces (Tucan). It feels really "open" and you can kind of see the other terrace down the Nizac side of the resort. That is really the only downside I saw. The beach had tons of sea weed, so depending on how the situation is like on Nov., I might skip the beach ceremony idea. Just in case anyone is considering the Paradisus, the beach ceremony and reception site is just INCREDIBLE!! The WC there is just fantastic (Perla).

Congrats! This forum is fantastic and will be of great help! I went to a DW in Jamaica (Moon - Montego Bay). It was fabulous!

Congrats!!!

I've cut the list to 3 resorts now... Moon Palace, RIU Palace Las Americas, or Iberostar Paraiso Lindo. I am flying down to Cancun this Friday to do some site visits so I can make up my mind on which of these to go with. Unfortunately, there were some other resorts (i.e. Dreams Cancun) that I had to eliminate from my list because they did not have availability for a Friday/Saturday/Sunday wedding in Oct. or Nov. 2008. I would love to hire an outside photographer, but I know this might be a challenge with some resorts. Any recommendations are welcomed!!

I am flying down to Cancun this Friday to do some site visits so I can make up my mind on which of these to go with -- Moon Palace, RIU Palace Las Americas, or Iberostar Paraiso Lindo. Unfortunately, there were some other resorts (i.e. Dreams Cancun) that I had to eliminate from my list because they did not have availability for a Friday/Saturday/Sunday wedding in Oct. or Nov. 2008. Can anyone give me any advice on these resorts or pointers on what I should be looking for when I am down there this coming weekend? Also, are there any other resorts I should consider visiting while I am down in Cancun? Dreams Cancun is out b/c of availability. I narrowed down the list to these 3 based on Friday/Saturday/Sunday wedding availability for Oct./Nov. 2008 and that they were all-inclusives. I REALLY would LOVE to hire an outside photographer, but I know this might be a challenge with some resorts. (I REALLY WANT BEAUTIFUL PICS!!!) Thanks for your help!!!!

Name: Alex Wedding Date: late Oct./Nov. 2008 Wedding Location: Mexico (most likely) Hi Everyone! My name is Alex and I am in the middle of planning my destination wedding. I've been looking at Punta Cana or Puerto Plata - Dominican Republic OR Cancun/Mayan Riviera - Mexico. I am definitely leaning towards the Cancun area. Have some hotels I am looking at, but can't make up my mind (i.e. Dreams, Iberostar, Riu, or Palace). We would love to be able to do this in late Oct. or Nov. (before Thanksgiving). What is most important to me is to have beautiful pictures to remember the wedding and being able to have an intimate (small) reception after the wedding ceremony with my close family and friends (about 30-40 people). Any recommendations/suggestions are welcomed!