Mikeycelle

Welcome Breanna! I see you're having your wedding on my birthday! Congratulations on your engagement. I'm having my wedding at the Catholic church onsite on April 19, 2013. It's coming up fast!

Did anyone use the FunPic Photobooth at Grand Palladium? How much did they charge for how long?

Oh my gosh!! 40 days! Creeps up on you doesn't it? That's awesome you found Maracas Mexico online. I'm interested in having our maracas made too. Please let us know how they work out for you.We're allowed two carryon items I'm going to let my airline know that I have a wedding dress and tux to be transported. I'll ask if they can store our apparel in the first class cabin closet so we don't take up overhead cabin space. The second carryon will my fiance's clothing. ( shirts, pants, shorts, flipflops and 2 pairs of shoes, and my wedding shoes.). The 1st check- in bag will be my ceremony supplies: candles, veil cord, guestbook, champagne flutes, ring pillow, bridal party presents ,out of town bags, thank you cards. 2nd check in bag will my clothes and make up. I plan on taking a trip to the local Walmart with my friend so we can buy stuff for the OOT bags( sunscreen, Tylenol,Imodium, bugspray, candy, snacks), also mosquito coils, shampoo, conditioner and other hair products that would take up too much room in the luggage and stuff TSA would confiscate. We will arrive on a Saturday and getting married on the following Friday which gives us ample time to shop for last minute things. So far, that's the scenario I've planned for. I'm sure there's many scenarios that can happen! Just hope and pray for the best!

Thanks Darya! 222 days till our big day!

Does anyone know any musicians and vocalists for a Church wedding?

Hi! I need an instrument and vocal group in the Riviera Maya or Cancun for a Catholic Nuptial Mass. I need a group that would do vocals and strings and perhaps flute. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have contacted Adagio Cancun but they have not contacted me yet. Thank you!

I got my bridesmaids a Kate Spade passort cover in their favorite color and a pretty card asking " Will you be my bridesmaid?" They all said yes!

Hi claire0701, Yes, we have a photographer! My friends Carol and Chris of Benchwerk Photography, NYC. Luckily they have a timeshare in the Riviera Maya. They'll also be staying in GP for the week. We have DJ Doremixx booked, Lit dance floor and cold fireworks for 5 hours. Our cinematographer is Augustin Lira of Cinematic Riviera Maya. I'm getting the centerpieces and church flowers from the recommended florist Casa Narciso. I had prices and pictures emailed by Vanessa Roldan so we can choose what we like. The bouquet I wanted is crazy expensive! I wanted cattleya orchids. You would think a tropical nation would have cheaper tropical flowers but no! So I think I'm going with Alquimia Events to do my bridal bouquet and 5 bridesmaids bouquet of red roses and pink orchids. They gave me a better quote. Haha! Yes we do have a large wedding party! I have a large family and he has a small family. We wanted a traditional wedding in a very non traditional setting.

How exciting! 41 days! I know from our previous visit last April 2012, the weddings that were going on on the resort were just beautiful! Just get ready for bugs. I'm bringing mosquito coils with us to ward them off La Laguna lol. Maybe 4 . One for each corner in the open air restaurant. Hopefully it works! We're having wedding sparklers lit for our wedding entrance. I really wanted fireworks on the beach like Palace Resorts but understandably, it would be harmful to the natural environment. I also wanted a horse and carriage to take us to the Church and then to the restaurant. Grand Palladium does not do this. Just those special elements that make you feel like princess are missing in this resort. I would've gone with Palace but we fell in love with GP and the Church onsite. Other than that, I pray you have beautiful weather on your wedding day!

I booked with DJ Doremixx!! I hope everything turns out well! The pics and video look great. We look forward to meeting with you!

Hi DaryaB, I got in touch with my coordinator Vanessa and she sent me a flower price list and pictures of floral arrangements by Casa Narcisso. The cakes in GP are ok judging from the desserts in the restaurants. I'm getting a custom cake from Dolcet Cakes. I need to stay on budget and get the flowers I really want for the best price and they have really beautiful arrangements for $50! The tall arrangements are $100 and up.Have your coordinator send you a list and pictures of flowers and cakes. Make sure they're exactly what you want.

Hi claire0701, Congratulations! I just went over my schedule with Vanessa, our coordinator. We're getting married in April 19, 2013. We're also having a Catholic wedding at Nuestra Senora de las Nieves. Catholic Ceremony 4:00- 5:00 PM Photos with family and friends 5:00-6:00 PM Cocktails at Las Rocas Bar ( by saltwater pool) 6:00-7:00 PM entertainment by Mariachi band while we continue with picture taking. My photographer said enough picture taking time is essential for the perfect photos to choose from. Dinner and dancing at La Laguna 7:00-12:00 AM After party at Sunset Blvd (optional) 12- 2 AM We wanted to do a rehearsal dinner with Father Jorge who will be officiating the wedding the night before the wedding but Vanessa said that Fr. Jorge lives 2 hours away from GP. So we're going over the Liturgy with our parish priest in NY. The processional and recessional, the readings and responsorial psalm, and Filipino traditions of the coin, veil and cord ceremony. I have a big wedding party! All in accordance to the Filipino wedding traditions which is very similar to the Spanish traditions. 1 matron of honor 4 bridesmaids 1 flowergirl 1 ringbearer 1 coin bearer 1 biblebearer 2 veil sponsors 2 cord sponsors 2 mothers candle ceremony 1 best man 4 groomsmen 2 godparents 4 offertory (bread,wine, flowers, fruit basket) 180 guests were invited. 68 people expressed they are planning to come to Mexico. More will follow I'm sure! My main concern is finding a quartet to play at the Mass. Vanessa DOES NOT recommend Hits Band. They played at GP with one less musician. Another instance, they were very late.She gave me Shine Band and Musicancun to contact. I have yet to contact them. Happy Planning!

Hi Stephanie, You pay $40-$60 pp if you have a party of 40 people according to their policy. If you have 40 or less people, food is included. Photographer is not included but they do have a photographer in the resort. Please contact Grand Palladium for more information.

Hi 87shayla, We have paid our deposit of $300 just last night Saturday. We're waiting on Vanessa Roldan to email a confirmation perhaps on Monday. The date we want is April 19 2013.The deposit will deducted from the package. Our Catholic Nuptial Mass will be at La Senora de Las Nieves ( Our Lady of Snows) chapel ( right off the Colonial lobby). I'm looking for a string quartet to play in Chruch. We still have to decide on the menu, decor, and music. I'm also looking for a cinematographer.I want the sights and sounds of Mexico and our special day captured on DVD. I plan on having a Mariachi band during cocktail hour at Las Rocas Bar. Which is almost expected since we are celebrating in Mexico! I saw a beautiful wedding gazebo overlooking the ocean which I think is in the White Sands section. It was near a bar where everyone can toast to the newlyweds. There's another gazebo in the Kantenah side and one in front of the Catholic Church. I swear everywhere I looked, it was another beautiful wedding venue! Be your ceremony be in a gazebo, beach or church; the location you choose will be perfect! The food in the resort was really delicious. We ate just about in every restaurant. We're having the reception at La Laguna. I can only imagine the reception food will be prepared by the same chefs. I know the prices will add up quickly but it sure is less expensive than any wedding and more beautiful( in my humble opinion) in any catering hall in Long Island, NY.

Hi Shannon! Vanessa had toured us around the resort where they usually have the events. Whatever area you choose, it will be gorgeous. It all depends on what venue suits your needs. We haven't decided where we want the cocktail party. Either the Kantenah beach bar, La Jarra or Las Rocas bar by the saltwater pool ( leaning towards La Jarra). Rehearsal dinner:they will section off Portofino ( a la carte) or they will reserve the entire outside section. No charge Cocktail Hour will be at Las Rocas bar No charge except for hor d'oeuvres and waiter service ($15 pp for appetizer and drinks) Private reception will be in the White Sands side: La Laguna ( sitdown menu) depends what food you decide ( $50-$65 pp) with waiter service. We chose La Laguna because I pictures taken by the saltwater pool and adult pool after the ceremony. Gran Azul and La Laguna have the same floor plan except Gran Azul in the Colonial side, has more of a jungle view than pool view. It depends what you prefer.

Hi LoveInParadise and Palladium Brides! I just got back 2 weeks ago from Grand Palladium Riviera Maya. We don't have a TA. We don't know if it's worth having a middleman. Our guests like booking online and we'd like them to have the freedom of shopping for the best prices for their budgets. We had our engagement photo shoot at Xcaret by New York- based Benchwerk Photography. We plan on sending Save the Date postcards as soon as we book a date. We met with the petite, very sweet, energetic Vanessa Roldan who showed us around the resort.The resort is breathtakingly beautiful! The service was excellent, the staff are friendly, the place is sanitary ( they had hand sanitizers everywhere and the staff in the restaurants wear hairnets and the managers were always present) They're only taking 2013 bookings in May. The packages rates are changing to 2013 rates. They only do wedding on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with a max of 3 weddings a day during the high season. We hope our guests can do the whole week with us.Those who can do the whole week can come in on Thursday (in time for reheasal dinner), Wedding on Friday, have Saturday to themselves and leave on Sunday in time for work on Monday. We're having a Catholic Nuptial Mass in the chapel.onsite on Friday at 4 pm.It's going to be a traditional Filipino wedding with candle ceremony, coin ceremony, and veil and cord ceremony. It should end by 5:30 PM. I wanted ample time to take pictures after the wedding so I googled what time the sunset will be in April 2013 is 7:08 PM. The cocktail hour at Las Rocas bar ( by the saltwater pool overlooking the ocean) opens at 6 PM. Just enough time for picture taking and sipping cocktail and snacking on appetizers until the wedding reception at 7 pm at one of the buffet restaurants, La Laguna. I want a mariachi band playing during cocktail hour. Vanessa will email me the updated prices for 2013. By the way the backdrop for your pictures will be amazing! We chose April because it is right after spring break, the room rates drop which will be helpful for our guests and right before hurricane season. We also wanted to avoid the mosquitos which come after the rains. I plan on getting the OFF! clip ons and citronella candles to ward off mosquitos. I got bitten on the last 2 days of vacation after the rains. It may or may not work but I'm doing what I can to ward off the pests! The ceiling decoration is included in the package however the lights are not ($150 USD). The linen only come in white except for the sashes( blue ,aqua,light pink,light blue,yellow,white and cappuccino) They have an external supplier if you want different colored tablecloth ( $10 USD ea) Color napkins ( $1.50 each) Tiffany chairs ( $5) There is an extra charge of $50 to th external supplier bring everything in. Keep in mind the resort is huge and your guests wil be doing a lot of walking! You can arrange for the coordinator to send trolleys for the older folks who have trouble walking or for yourself if you don't want to schlep from one end of the resort to the other and it gets hot! The place is gorgeous and offers so much activities. There is always something for everyone. I'll update once I hear more from Vanessa. Happy planning!

Hi Shannon! I'll be in Grand Palladium next week to check out the resort and have our engagement pics taken at Xcaret by photographer friends from New York. My fiance and I have an appointment with Vanessa on Wednesday. We booked AGI tours recommended by PalladiumAddict.com to shuttle us to and from the airport ($130 USD) for private service. I plan on trying out the hairstylist at Renova Spa for the engagement pics at Xcaret. I'll be checking out the flowers for bouquets and centerpieces when we get there. I had a picture of how i wanted my centerpieces. ( candelabras with flowers) and theywere too pricey, so I'll have to see what Palladium has to offer for a more inexpensive version. If it's not what I like, I'll have to go with an outside vendor.

Hi DaryaB and Brides of Palladium! I'll be in Grand Palladium next week to meet with Vanessa. I guess I'll ask her whatever questions I've got. How are you bringing your OOT bags? We get one luggage check in and one hand-carry. If the gowns are hand carried and luggage ( clothing,shoes,etc) are checked in, how will the OOT bags be transported? Please post your ideas. Vanessa got back to me regarding fireworks, sky lanters and sparklers. Fireworks and Sky lanterns are not allowed because they are a danger to the palapas roofs and the surrounding eco system. Last thing we want is the resort we're getting married in burning down! They do allow sparklers. Thank you!

I LOVE that dance floor and cold fireworks!!

Congratulations Jena! The pictures came out so beautifully! The resort does look gorgeous and the spa looked so big and clean. I love your flowers! How was the food? Everyone looked like they had an amazing time. That's exactly how I'd imagine my guests would be. Not just one day of fun but a week of celebrating your marriage with your nearest and dearest. Looking forward to your review! ~Celle

Hi 87Shayla, no luck yet. I wonder why they're starting their bookings in May. I have yet to see what types of flowers they have to offer. We're pricing out DJ's. I like Doremixx so far. I love the lit dancefloor with the cold fireworks! My photographers are my good friends, a husband and wife team called Benchwerk Photography from New York. Thank goodness they allow outside vendors. Still need a very good videographer. Does anyone know of an artistic videographer? We're doing a traditional Catholic ceremony in the church. I hope Rocio emails me soon. I know it's the high season and they must be crazy busy. I got prices on menus and I got a lot of my info from PalladiumAddict.net. I got prices on wedding spa packages which ranges from $112-$340. Did you pay for your bridesmaids and mothers?

Hi 87Shayla! I'll be getting in April 2013. My fiance and I will be checking out Grand Palladium Riviera Maya this April 14-21, 2012. Have you heard from Rocio or her team yet?

Thanks Manda! I actually emailed them 3 weeks ago and haven't received an email yet. I was hoping someone would have answers.

Beautiful pictures! I can't wait to see more wedding pics posted! Congratulations to JND2012! Does anyone know if they allow sparklers? I'd love everyone to carry sparklers after the ceremony to the cocktail area. I thought It'd be a pretty cool idea to light after sunset.

Happy Thanksgiving to the Grand Palladium brides! I'm just getting to the forum. JND 2012 thank you so much for replying. I did go on Palladium Addict but didn't see anything about pets. I must've missed something. You must be so excited! 6 weeks till January! Congratulations Caroline! I hope to see some pics!