Avens

Ditto! She was great. I heard the sax at another wedding when we were walking by, it was also nice. I preferred the violin.

This is probably true! We went Jan 7-14th 2012. Our cheapest rate was through Air Canada (via Winnipeg and Edmonton). One week plus airfare and transfer was $1600 from Winnipeg (1680 from Edmonton). We booked and confirmed (with ten people) in October of 2010 - then had everyone else add on until about October. Sometime in the summer - the price went up to $1640 - but otherwise stayed the same. West Jet I think is usually cheaper - but the way they do group rates is different, and I think you need everyone ready to go then. This one was good - as long as there was room on the plane, people could keep adding. It was also nice - because the deposits were transferable until Oct 30th, 2011. So we had a few break ups, getting pregnants etc - and we could transfer the deposit to someone else who wanted to go - and the original person go their money back.

Which one are you looking at, they're all different. Blonde bridesmaid in Apple Slice (3rd photo) http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/6574/ Sister bridesmaid with short hair (Middle photo) http://www.jasminebridal.com/ugC_Product_Detail.asp?hidP_kind=Bridesmaids&hidP_style=B2&hidj_line_order=1&hidP_Style_ID=B4083 In this colour ( Wasabi) http://www.jasminebridal.com/img_pic/change//F2011/B2/B4083/B4083WI.jpg Long haired brunette (MOH) has this dress, in the bottom colour. Apple Slice (first photo) http://www.newyorkdress.com/Cynthia_Rowley/8009.html http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/3/4/1/8/1/webimg/460471373_tp.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cgi.ebay.com/Cynthia-Rowley-8009-Cocktail-Dress-Apple-Slice-6-/370496606094&usg=__h0mI-QHhdf_jiDqR_4ESr8fTcew=&h=300&w=290&sz=17&hl=en&start=77&zoom=1&tbnid=y0W8GmB5Mtok_M:&tbnh=126&tbnw=122&ei=bYlJTrq_C4KOsQK3jLmkCA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcynthia%2Browley%2B8009%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3Dick%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D743%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=991&vpy=401&dur=667&hovh=228&hovw=221&tx=114&ty=129&page=3&ndsp=41&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:77

Here are our final result of grooms and groomsmen attire. Groomsmen shirts and pants are from Le Chateau Groom has the same pants, his shirt is Hugo Boss (it was white, and my dress was Ivory and it worked). We just told them to wear brown sandals. Hubby and I went shopping to find some pants together, then had the best man come in and try them on - and discovered the shirts. Hubby went on his own and found his shirt and shoes (I didn't even have to harass him, I was so proud).

I'm with Brenners. We just danced in the sand, it was fun. Welcome Mexico! When we were there, there was a corporate event right by the pool (where I'm assuming you'd be). In between a little activities Palupa, and the Coco Bar. It was nice, and the area clears out pretty good at night, still some people walking by though. The pools are open until 10 (we went swimming one night at 8, but we were the only ones). I seem to recall a wedding with 70 or 80 people getting the Coral Grill. That might be something to ask you coordinator. Is the Pameras Grill already spoken for? That one is a free option. I've heard the Mariachi Grill is an option as well.

If you are using a TA - have you gotten your quotes yet? When I got quotes from our TA, there was only $100 difference between the Tropical/Colonial and the Palace package. They are walking distance, it would probably take you 10-15 minutes (depending on if you're a vacation walker, or a catching the bus walker ) from the Palace Lobby to the tropical lobby. The Oaxaca building is a stones throw from the closest Tropical building. If you pick a central meeting point (I.e. the beach on front of the jaguar statue, we used the Coco Bar, worked great) then everyone can meet up after breakfast. We really frequented the Lobby Bar, it was perfect, they had snacks and lots of comfy seating and it was great for evenings - to sit in the air conditioning, or out on the balcony on the couches. You'd have to find a new hang out spot if half your people are at the Tropical. I personally would give the palace as a main choice, then offer the tropical second if you really think people will balk. I had a serious talk with the people I really wanted to come, and asked them if an extra $100, or $200 would be a deal breaker, and they assured me it wasn't. A few others who I was worried about also said they didn't mind spending the little extra to have a really nice location. If you think certain people might object, you could always talk to them. Multiple locations will impact how often you see people, we had a a couple stay at the beach and we only saw them 3 or 4 times all week (one of those being the wedding), we always seemed to miss each other. Whereas we saw the people at the Palace all the time, we'd meet up at the buffets, then in the halls and make plans. If you missed them for one meal, you usually found them the second - and if all else failed - go to the lobby bar and someone would walk in. Good luck!

I'm with Brenners. The Palace is big enough, you can definitely still have alone time. If you say "We're staying at the Palace, there are three options, do what you like" it seems silly that people would make a fuss!

I feel like I spam everyone with my pictures Love love them. He told us it would be 4-6 weeks, which I think it pretty typical. I know some people that have had to wait months - depends how much editing they do! If anyone wants to see the full set (all 600!) you can PM me and I'll give you the link. TTD Pictures

This thread is so quiet now... We got our pro pics preview from Sascha Gluck! Yay!! I love them.

Ah! Can't wait to hear about everything Brenners!

Thanks ladies. I think I look kind of sneaky in that one. Bwa haha

Again, I think it depends who you get. I loved my hair, and me and my sister both had good makeup. If you have a clear picture of what you want - it seems they do a great job. Unfortunately spending another $600 just wasn't in the budget - the spa was free and I was happy!

Real Touch Orchids and Raffia Fans still available

I think Spring 2012 it says on the website The sign is up, and the building looks almost finished in south common. It's right by IKEA. http://www.davidsbridal.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/FindAStoreLocationsView?langId=-1&storeId=12052&catalogId=10053

I contributed $75 to my BM's dresses, but I just told them to pick their own. One of mine found a great sample dress for $75, the other two ordered brand new - so it was about $200. I know they are opening up a Davids Bridal in Edmonton South Common - maybe have a girls weekend and come to the city? I know its quite the drive, I'm from a small town and we used to do it all the time though! 8 hour drive to Winnipeg to go back to school shopping, get braces etc. Two of my bridesmaids did it to find their dresses.

Clear tags and lip balms are sold

I know! I guess I need to finish my thesis now, wedding planning was my excuse before I was also thinking that - seems like a nice way to show off your invites and such - otherwise they're just going to get lost in a box somewhere. Let me know how your scrapbooking goes!

Congrats! You and your wedding looked gorgeous

The Strawberry Passion package

If you order from Oriental trading - they have the Border Free program from Canada Post, it tells you exactly how much Duty will be before you order. For my mugs, I think it was a couple bucks.

I'm glad it worked! I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Ah!! Have a great time!!! Angela, My advice if you have a question - go to the "search this thread" option. Most of these pictures are from this thread. Many a person has asked and had answers posted before us! Check out this thread and a few others http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/3107/barcelo-maya http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/67560/2012-barcelo-maya-palace-brides/ also http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/forum/ Another tip to see ceremony and reception locations - go on the well known photographers websites (Del Sol, Sascha Gluck etc. and they usually have their weddings tagged by location. and if all else fails, just randomly googling things usually is fruitful! Hope that helps! Here are some Palmeras Grill and a few banquet halls (I think there are a couple)

Palmeras grill is an option for the Strawberry Passion package, the Coral grill usually isn't. They use it in the evenings - so I think you have to pay big bucks, or have a really large group to get the Coral Grill. I had the violinist, it was nice. To be honest I don't even remember what they played

Ack - I searched my name and only my old dress came up from over a year ago. Sorry for the repeat post

I tried to search and see if I ever actually posted in this thread. I didn't see it, so here's my dress!