kristin928

Thank you for the long review! I am getting married at Isla Mujeres Palace and it's very hard to find information on some of the less common Palace Resorts! I was worried about the wrist band with my wedding gown so thank you for answering that question! Question for you- we are doing a sunset cruise after the wedding. I am debating on doing a private reception but we are only going to have about 35 people. The cost for the reception and the DJ are insane. Do you think it's ok to just have dinner at the resort and make optional plans for those guests that want to dance? (Isla Mujeres Palace doesn't have a bar at the resort ) Thanks for your help! Great advice. You put my mind at ease on many topics!

Sorry I forgot to mention that before! The dress is by DaVinci and you should be able to find it on their website. Style #9187. Glad you like it!

Rachel, Welcome! I was looking into Aventura but since we couldn't have children there I went to IMP. In May I went down to Mexico to check out Moon Palace and Isla Mujeres. I did enjoy Moon Palace but it just felt sooooo overwhelming and HUGE! We both loved the quiet feel of IMP. I have some other pictures that I took on my trip if you would like me to post them. We stayed at Beach Palace and only did the day trip over to IMP but I feel like we got to see most of the resort. The ferry took us right to the dock in front of the hotel so I got a few great shots of the resort from the water! I actually used that picture for my save the date cards (all the pics of my FI and I were of us in our swimsuits and I just didn't want THAT to be on everyone's fridge for the next year http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...ies/blush2.gif ) Another website if you want to get good user review ideas is trip advisor. I think people post honest feedback on the resorts. Of course you can't take everyone's opinion because some people are MORE picky than others! To all the other girls~ I have a small update on the DJ company. So I emailed them asking about the cost to just rent speakers and use my own IPOD for music. The cost was still $815.10! They charge you $190 to bring the equipment from Cancun to the island and back. They charge you 4 hours for a regular technician and another 4 hours for an AV technician. Oh, I asked them for pricing on 4 hours and figured we could go from there. They charge $35 and $45 for their hourly rates! Also, Rebecca told us that if we want dancing we have to pay for a Private Event, which adds another $2-3k onto the cost! At this point, I am going to look into options of maybe going into town to a small bar or club (if there is one on the island). Otherwise, my other ghetto idea was to go to Wal Mart once I was there and to buy a set of $100 speakers. Then we can bring them down to the beach and just party it up using our ipod. Again, just talking out loud and trying to come up with some fun ideas! It's tough to leave and head into Cancun because I don't want to take my wedding gown into a club where it will get stepped on! Plus then all the guests that are paying for the free alcohol will spend money to drink in the clubs. I think we will try to make the best out of the situation and stay at the hotel. There won't be many guests staying there and we can just take over the bar/restaurant area and hang out! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...lies/shots.gif Thoughts? Am I crazy? I don't want to seem cheap since people are flying in from so far away but everything at the hotel is sooooooo pricey!

Girls....I love this thread! I am incorporating Starfish into all of my plans. So far I think I am going to buy cookie cutters as favors and use them as napkin holders for my AHR. Starfish Cookie Cutter - ACC-1944 - Country Kitchen SweetArt I just got proof ideas for my invitations. I will try to take pictures of them to show you girls. My colors are red and beige. I LOVE this site!!!!!

Hi Rachel~ Thanks for the welcome message! I feel so behind in the planning process right now. I booked the Sunset Deluxe Package but I know these change based on the resort. I really liked Aventura Palace but you can't have any kids there (and we have a few nieces and nephews that would be heartbroken if they couldn't go). I was fortunate enough to visit Isla Mujeres Palace back in May so I know where I am getting married at! We really wanted a small, low-key place for our wedding. I am also planning an AHR so there are times my mind gets scattered between the two events. Right now I am frustrated with the prices the Palace resorts charge! So I am going through the pricing with my FI and trying to decide what is and isn't important. I just met with a girl who does invitations and she gave me 4 mock ups on Saturday- now I have to decide! What have you gotten done in your planning process so far?

Here is my BM dresses. We are going with the Claret color, a deep red. They are $128! My dress will have a slight sweetheart so these go perfectly!

Shoot! I looks like you already sold the bags. Can you tell me where you bought them from originally? Thank you!!!!

Where did you get those medium blue totes? They are super cute and I think they would make great OOT bags. I would buy them from you but I need 20! Thank you!

Moon Palace doesn't allow silk rose petals? Did you get a price for fresh petals? I am getting married at a Palace Resort and haven't gotten that far in my planning process. I would like to know where to get rose petals too!! Thanks!

I had a blast this weekend using my punch. I bought red and white iridescent paper and made Thank you cards for my BM's. I made each one different- some with just sand dollars and others with just starfish. I figure I will write in it with a silver pen. I plan on doing more with it but that was just what I came up with this weekend!!

I bought all the red ones in the Sacramento area. I will check to see if any of the stores that I went to have any blue ones left. I think I called 5 stores last week and only two stores even had them left in stock. If I find anything, I will let you know!

Thank you so much for this post! I called all of the area stores and after two trips across town I was able to get plenty of them! Plus my color is red so these were perfect. Thanks for the post!

I just bought this at Michael's during my lunch break and I am already punching everything in the office! It's so adorable and it's going to make some wonderful thank you cards! Thank you for finding this!

I feel just as lost as you! - Yes we will have to at least meet before you leave. I would love to get your reassuring words that it will all be fine! - I got a quote for the DJ stuff but that 1300 did include a DJ. I just want to rent speakers and sound equipment but need to see if that is even possible. If not, we might be seeking alternative forms of entertainment. My FI thinks we should find a club in town somewhere. I know there is a place next door that is loud but do you know what it is/what there is to do? That would be very convenient. I really want to do a reception with dancing but the price is escalating so quickly! - I think we will have around 35-40 people. So far we have 23 booked. - I am also doing an AHR in June (June 6th) but am trying to keep this more simple. I seem to care more about the Mexico side of things and the AHR is more of a formality for the family that can't afford to get to Mexico. I have 130 on my guest list for that so it's a pretty large party to plan. - Ceremony decorations- not planning on anything. I do want my flower girl to have red rose petals though but I haven't gotten a cost for those yet. With the package I bought we get two flower arrangements at the alter. As far as centerpieces go, I have no idea yet. I might do nothing. I was thinking of doing placecards for the tables but I have no idea how the tables will be laid out. In the past I thought of doing a simple starfish or something. Again, no idea at this point. Like you said- so many questions and answers needed! -Ceremony- I have no idea what goes on with this! I don't know what normal is. I don't want a symbolic ceremony because I want it to be a legal union. So far (in my mind at least) I plan on having the justice do his part, then add whatever he doesn't include- vows, sand ceremony and maybe a bible reading. I was thinking I would just add this onto the very end and then be declared husband and wife? I have a good friend who is bilingual so I am going to see if he can be my translator so I can wave the $300 fee. But I am going to try and push for an English speaking justice. They didn't advertise that it was Spanish only when I was booking the place and paying my deposit! -The issue with all this stuff is that it has to be taken down to Mexico with us. I already plan on doing OOT bags and know there is a bunch of other stuff to bring (guest book, bridesmaids gifts, parents gifts, flower girl basket, etc) so I am going to be using my guests luggage as a way- but I can't take everything I want! Hum- just throwing out ideas- if we both agree on a centerpiece we can use- I would be willing to split the cost! Thanks for your quick responses! I love that we finally have some answers now

Good morning ladies! Wow- I sure got a ton of helpful information yesterday from Rebeca! She is the assigned wedding coordinator for Isla Mujeres as well as Le Blanc. I also got the news that the ceremony would be in Spanish- and that we could hire a translator for $300. Ok, first of all, doesn't that seem silly to have your ceremony in Spanish and then repeated in English? I feel like it will loose a lot of the meaning since guests won't know what is going on! Do you agree? I have a good friend who will be at my wedding that speaks Spanish- maybe I can have him translate? KBlocker- I am so excited we are getting married a week apart! I was looking at 4/25 as my other possible date but for family reasons we picked 5/2! That is too funny! We are literally in the same boat! How long are you going to be at IMP? I am arriving on 4/28. SunshineG I got information on the catamaran! Also, here is the alter that is included in the price (I was told when I was at Beach palace that it was $400 to set up the alter like this). So that's good news!!! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...es/elefant.gif For more information this is what Rebeca wrote back to me (note it's the same information you can find on the website but she wrote notes after most of them with more detail) : 2008 SUNSET DELUXE WEDDING PACKAGE Our Superior Wedding package includes the following: § Wedding on the Beach ( picture attached ) § All document arrangements ( appointment with Dr for blood test ( please note that the translation and blood test are not included on the package. please consider for translations between $ 35.00 usd 1 page, $ 45.00 usd 2 pages $ 65.00 usd 3 pages , it will depend of the number of pages , in case the bride or groom has been married should bring the divorse decree with apostille, for blood test consider an estimate cost for $ $180.00 usd for both of you ) § Justice of the peace The civil ceremony is in Spanish, if you would like a translator the estimate cost will be for $ 300.00 usd ( during the ceremony) § Marriage certificate (documents issued in Spanish) § White folding chairs ( picture attached ) § Two table top flower arrangements for the gazebo 1 ( picture attached ) § Bridal bouquet & Groom’s boutonniere 1 attached is the document , the bridal bouquet included on this package could be between R1 to R 10, if you prefer a different one a surcharge will apply, for botoniere could be between B2, B4,B5 , B6 or B7. § Large one-tier wedding cake ( for 30 people, for a bigger cake please consider $ 100.00 usd extra ) § Manicure & pedicure (Bride )2 please for this contact to Elsa Mimenza at : [email protected] § Make-up & hair style (Bride)2please for this contact to Elsa Mimenza at : [email protected] § Two keepsake bathrobes with Palace Resorts Logo I will provide you at your arrival § Photo package A (36 pictures 4 x 6 + 1-6x8 + album) this package includes pictures from the ceremony and around 25 or 30 more minutes after or before the ceremony, I recommend you to have it before since after the ceremony all of you will be ridding the catamaran. § DVD of ceremony. this is during the ceremony and the photography session § A 1 hour and 30 minutes cocktail reception after the ceremony on a Catamaran sailing at the Isla Mujeres Bay , including Recorded Music, Hor D’Oeuvres, Open Bar and Service3 consider $ 2.50 usd per person for gratuity, please note the package is for 30 people, after the person number 30 there will be a surcharge for $30.00 usd dollars plus $ 2.50 usd per extra person ( since person number 31rst) § Domestic champagne for guests attending the ceremony § Dinner reservations for the wedding party 4 The Dinner reservations will be at the restaurant, No Music, No dance. if you are interested in have a private event a surcharge will apply for $ 500.00 usd per table ( 2 hours ) . § Special breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding for bride & groom please find attach menu, you can choose menu number 1 and Mr. Long menu 6 for example. § Wedding Planner. § Witnesses if required § Late check out until 6:00 p.m. (upon request and subject to availability) § Honeymoon Package 5 pick it up at the front desk She was very helpful and wrote back to many of my questions. I still have many more though. She gave me copies of the breakfast after the wedding and flower options so if you want those files let me know. I am not sure how to post PDF's on here yet but I will try to figure it out. She did let me know that if I needed to upgrade my wedding cake (since we will have around 40 guests) that it would be an extra $100. So at least I get some credit from the cake in the Sunset Package. She told me there is a salon at the hotel and gave me the name of Elsa Mimenza to contact and book the hair & make-up apts with. I read on other forums that you could just rent sound equipment and bring your own ipod to play music. Rebeca gave me a DJ sound equipment pricing list and the cheapest package is $1300! Do any of you know more about this? I want to be able to dance with my family/friends after dinner but I am not sure about the cost. My FI says we should just go into town and find a club- but that just seems tacky to me. I might look into the club/thing next door and see what they have going on. Thoughts? What are you girls going to do? Sorry for the long post. Just thought you would want to know more since this resort is so unheard of!!!!!!!!

I am not sure how much the cab fare would be from Moon Palace because I stayed on the hotel strip and took the public bus! THAT was an experience! I think it was about a 30 minute journey but you would go a different way from Moon Palace. Wish I could be more help!

Hi Ladies, I know this is a Moon Palace forum but I am also a Palace Resort future bride. I am getting married at Isla Mujeres Palace but there is very little information on weddings there since it's such a new resort. I know the pricing, information, etc is the same for all Palace Resorts so I hope you don't mind me joining this one! For anyone that has purchased a package.....do you know how big the Large One Tier Cake is? I read about 65 pages of this forum over the past two days and I think I am going cross-eyed so please forgive me if someone else asked this question! It sounds like you can't take what you get in the package and upgrade, right? I have about 40 guests coming and I don't think a one tier cake will feed everyone. I want to try and get as much of a budget in my head before I head to Mexico and get a bunch of surprise charges that I wasn't planning on! Also, I got to view Moon Palace back in May and I tried to take pictures. Tropical Storm Arthur was putting a damper on the day, but I did get some pictures if anyone is interested. Thanks for your help ladies.

I went to the Wal-Mart in Cancun but it is rather far off the strip. If you are getting married at Moon Palace that seems like a far taxi cab ride to the store. When I went there it felt like it had a lot of the same stuff as back at home. There was also more souvenir type stuff when I was there (but that was 5 years ago)! Sorry I can't give you more advice but that's what I know of. I went to the flea market in the hotel strip back in May and they had trinkety stuff - like shot glasses but they all seemed overpriced. I guess the Peso is catching up with the Dollar in value! Good luck!

I just got a small update- I was emailing Janina (I think she's in Miami) and she wrote this back: The wedding planners are assigned 3 months prior the ceremony but Ms Maribel Blancarte can assist you in all the questions; she is in Mexico. Her email is [email protected] So I re-sent my questions to this Maribel and I hope to hear back soon! I will keep you girls posted when/if I learn anything. It sounds like if I am a polite but squeeky wheel I might get somewhere! KBlocker- when is your wedding? I know SunshineG is 10/10 and I am 5/2 so I want to see what order we are all in! Looks like you might get to learn through me! Ahhhh!

If I didn't have to worry about shipping those I would have done that as a favor! They are awesome!

This is odd. I booked my wedding at Isla Mujeres Palace in June and there was nothing in the contract like this. (Wedding date is 5-2-09). I would contact them to verify. If so, this is a new policy they just implemented. I decided against other hotel chains because they had a rule like this. I didn't mind paying the $81 day pass fee so people could stay at other hotels. Good luck!

Hello~ Sadly, I don't know anything about the catamaran. I would love to see pictures but haven't tried contacting my wedding planner yet. From all the fourms that I have read, it sounds like the wedding planners won't really talk to you until about 2 months before the wedding. I assume the catamaran leaves from the dock/pier that the hotel owns so it's easy to get your guests on and off the boat. I am working on a list of questions to ask my wedding planner and once I know more, I will let you know. I also want to know about backup options in case there is a storm! What would I get for my money? I know the price in the sunset package is for 30 people and we are expecting 40 total so I hope we have enough room as well! As far as the rooms go, I inquired on pricing through the hotel. If I put up a financial backing, they would give me the group rate- only $10 off per night! I laughed at this! So, I found a timeshare guy who sells his weeks of his timeshare and then we pay his weekly rate. So far, I have 23 people booked and we haven't had any issues booking through him. I can give you more details if you are interested. Are you doing a private reception? We aren't but I don't think it's going to be an issue since the resort is so small. I am so glad I found someone else that is planning a wedding there!

Love it! Thank you so much for posting this. I am working on DIY invitation ideas and that just gave me some inspiration. Thanks!

I have 5 BM's and the finance only has 2 GM. I figure we will walk down the isle in a creative manner- 2 girls to each guy and I will figure something else out for the last girl! It will all work out. Just do what makes you happy and means the most to YOUR special day.

I am so glad I found this forum! I am getting married at Isla Mujeres Palace on May 2, 2009! I decided to go with the Sunset Deluxe Package because we wanted the catamaran ride at sunset. I am doing a 5pm wedding time but I am not sure if that's enough time to get everything in (mostly just pictures after the wedding and before the cruise). What time did you pick for your ceremony? I went and visited the hotel in May of 2008 and it's really nice. I don't think it's as 'glamorous' as the other Palace Resorts but that is what we liked so much about it! The hotel is small and very low key. We were deciding between Moon Palace and IMP and after seeing them, we knew immediately that IMP was for us. Yes, the tour boats during the day can add crowds at the resort but since they are gone by 2pm it won't effect my wedding! I have a huge list of questions for my wedding coordinator but I haven't bothered her with them yet. I think I might start emailing her and see if I get a response. Are you doing a private reception? So far we elected to not since the hotel only has one restaurant and there aren't many people staying at the hotel at one time. Anyway, sorry to ramble- but as I learn more information about my wedding I will be sure to post it for everyone to know!