AmandaPierson

your wedding will be stunning I just meant that last post for bella 92008!

Playacar Palace has a terrace for smaller wedding parties, but nothing else. I'm glad we booked there but scared of what we'll do if it rains!!!! ... We looked at the Royal Playa del Carmen which has a really great Gazebo and then Royal Hideaway and Secrets Maroma I think both have alternate options!

Hey Calially! Do you have 75 room nights? If so, I think all the events are included, regardless of how big they are (of course decorations, music, etc. all is extra if you want it). There is an upcharge for dinners on the beach though for some reason. If you don't have the 75 room nights, I think there is a charge for the reception, but I don't know exactly what it is.

I might be too late on this but I'm having the EXACT same colors For the peach bridesmaid dresses I went with Ann Taylor-- http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/product%3A286107/AT-Silk-Georgette/Silk-Georgette-Pleated-One-Shoulder-Bridesmaid-Dress/286107?colorExplode=false&skuId=11967347&catid=cata000035&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=5011 that dress on clearance and discounted, can't get much cheaper for a nice dress the girls want to wear again! It fit everyone perfectly too They have new dresses in basically the same exact color so there's plenty of selection if that one doesn't come in the sizes you need anymore.

Hey Jessica! I booked back in October (we're getting married in September of 2013). I used a travel agent to lock in a group rate and manage communications and we got a great price ($571/person for 3 nights in the basic/lowest room category). This doesn't include flights but does include transportation to the resort from the airport and back

September 1! You??

I'm doing Playacar Palace but if you're set on a non-beach wedding, how about the Royal Playa del Carmen?

That sounds pretty high- I just tip how I feel it's deserved, but you could technically tip nothing and it would be fine since it's all inclusive. However, since they're so amazing and appreciative, it's really awesome to tip (but whatever you feel like, maybe more like $100?). Totally personal though and definitely not standard!

I think it all depends what you want! 2k is about the lowest I could find (with a great photographer) but the packages don't include TTD, prints/books, engagement pics, etc. Just 4-5 hours of pictures at the wedding itself w/the photographer + assistant (longer costs more). The best thing you can do is ask the photographers for FULL wedding albums of recent weddings they've done. If you go with a place like Del Sol then make sure it's of the actual photographer you'll be using. Seeing 300 pics + in the full album gives the best idea of the product that you're getting as opposed to just seeing highlights and special shots that may not be so easily duplicated.

I did a ton of research for a great photographer (I've done a lot of photography and am extremely picky... I think these compared to the most expensive photographers personally!) in the $2k range (Del Sol + Elizabeth Medina looked to be in the $5k range, not sure specifics). My favorites were: 1. Sascha Gluck (who we ultimately chose) 2. Ivan Luckie (nicest guy ever too!!) 3. Phoebe Landa (has a few different photographers working for this company but are really fabulous) Good luck!

I'm not sure what your personal budget is but Palace Resorts are pretty awesome for big weddings. Once you hit 75 room nights, all private functions are free. This way you can host private brunches, cocktail hours, etc. without having to pay anything additional.

Never heard of it! I'll definitely look into this place though- thanks for the suggestion

I'm struggling on the guys as well! It seems too hot for suits but I also want to make sure it still looks formal/special and not overly casual. Right now I'm leaning towards tan pants w/long sleeved white button down shirts (tucked in + dark brown belts and shoes!) and peach ties (and calla lilly bouts). I'm wondering though if I should do vests (and where we could rent them in Playa) or if that is just an added thing to worry about when it'll be 90+ degrees outside anyhow!

Oh oops, my other post didn't go through! Does anyone know if we can use the restaurants for brunch/lunch as part of our private receptions? Would love to do something non-buffet for the guests one of the days but I can't get anyone from the hotel to answer my questions since I'm not 3 months out yet! Can't wait though!

One other thing! We're using Beach Bum Vacation for our travel agent (they pair you up with a specific TA depending on availability) and it has made everything so much easier since they were able to lock in a good group rate for us and even got it renegotiated over black Friday sales

Hi Addy! We're doing the unlimited private functions too (getting married on 9.1.2013) which is why we picked palace over the royal chain. We've stayed at Playacar Palace twice and really liked it if you have any questions! You're limited to 3 hours of private function/day (which winds up being a cocktail hour + 2 hour dinner). Anyone know if it's possible to use the Italian restaurant for a brunch or lunch? The sit-down places aren't open for non-dinner generally but thought it would be nice to do an event like that to give people a break from buffet food! Also, in case it rains, if you have a larger group has anyone hear of what the backup plans are? Thank you!!

I'm going w/peach and tan with some accents of navy (instead of the silver in the pic)! I went for this bridesmaid dress in the pink tendre: http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/product:286107/AT-Silk-Georgette/Silk-Georgette-Pleated-One-Shoulder-Bridesmaid-Dress/286107?colorExplode=false&skuId=11967293&catid=cata000035&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=2439. For bouquets we're doing mostly white/cream/ivory roses(both standard and fully bloomed), hydrangea, and callas. The hope is something subtle and beachy- I want to let the theme of the beach carry itself and have our colors and flowers just be a compliment

Hmmm.. how about Barcelo Maya Palace? That might be a little cheaper! $500 sounds like a lot for 3 nights but when you factor in all that you're getting it's really not bad. Maybe you could work with your travel agent to chip in like $50 per guest to help bring their cost down? Also, late August/early September is HOT but the pricing may definitely work out better and it's before hurricane season really kicks into full gear. Good luck!!

I'm a labor day weekend PP bride but wanted to crash The resort just makes you buy a day pass for the photographer which isn't too bad Does anyone know if they let you use the Luna Lounge for events?

I totally agree! I almost went with another resort because I was feeling like the Colin Cowie packages were trying too hard or formulaic or what have you. Doing the nautical with all white chairs (the tiffany chairs) cleans it up and gives you a chance to go in any direction color wise for a somewhat reasonable price (or at least what it would cost to decorate it otherwise). Palace has a vendor, Zuniga, that also does flowered chuppah type arrangements too, but their website is pretty vague on pricing and so is the actually booklet I have from them too (http://www.decocancun.com/english.html). I think I'm going to do my cocktail hour and reception both in the ballroom just so we can have air conditioning for the party itself. I'm doing a rehearsal dinner and cocktail hour the night before, and am doing that on the cielo terrace (and then not sure about the dinner). I've been to the hotel twice and just am torn on the north solarium since it's right next to the pool! I wish they had another outside location for the rehearsal dinner (I think they're closing the South Solarium with the renovations for weddings) but I might do the beach and splurge (they have a per person service fee for beach front service). As for the photographer, I struggled with that but decided to go professional. I haven't booked officially but found a few websites I liked the look of in the $1800-2000 range. It's a lot but I'd really love to have some great pictures of the night! Plus I really doubt the in house photographer will be anything special when it comes to editing (especially considering how fast their turn around is) and editing seems to be where the pictures go from being something anyone could take to being art Keep me updated on your plans and good luck with everything!!

I wound up going with Playacar Palace too so I'm really excited to hear what everyone has to say I chose the Nautical package from CC but decided that I don't like the stool seating so I went for all white chairs Now I'm just trying to figure out pricing for the reception itself! It looks like the banquet hall is going to be a lot to dress up (got the pricing from the Palace vendor) so I'm checking out other vendors and trying to see how much we could handle on our own. I'd love to see pictures of whatever everyone here is doing and where people are hosting their cocktail hours/rehearsal dinners/etc. Also whenever someone has an update on when construction is done (or pictures with how it looks or is supposed to look) I'd be so excited to see. It looks like it keeps getting pushed back so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll be in the clear by the summer. II'm bringing my own sashes for the chairs and doing a bunch of candles for centerpieces in different heights. So excited, can't believe I have to wait almost a year!

I'm getting married (somewhere) in Mexico over labor day weekend 2013! I went to both Playacar Palace and Moon Palace over labor day weekend (2012) and reallllllly didn't like Moon Palace. It was SO huge and full of drink people and never ending winding pools. Playacar just has the one pool and is a lot more centralized and calmer, and significantly smaller (Moon has almost 2500 rooms whereas Playacar has around 220). I went to Cozumel Palace as well and absolutely adored it! It's gorgeous, new feeling, and just perfect. Only problem is that all my guests would have to connect to get to Cozumel when they can fly direct to Cancun airport. Playacar was still doing a lot of renovations when we were there last month! They said at the hotel it would be done in November but that seems to be incredibly close if they're really going to add pool space with swim up rooms AND finish the spa. That's the thing making me nervous- I'd hate to go if the pool was being torn up since it's the central part of the hotel! Anyone have a better sense of when they'll be done for sure? Also, has anyone stayed at the Royal Cancun? That's the other hotel I'm considering besides Playacar Palace!!

Does anyone have pictures of an actual Colin Cowie wedding? We're getting married at Playacar summer of 2013 (appx 50 guests) and would love any other advice Palace brides may have Thank you!!

I'd love to hear about group specials too! We're planning for 50-60 guests. So far Palace Resorts have ridiculously good deals for big groups but I'd love for somewhere else to have something similar.

Hey Jennifer! My email is [email protected] would you mind letting me know other places you looked? We just got back but didn't have nearly enough time to look around and would love your advice! We only saw Playacar Palace, Moon Palace, Cozumel Palace, and El Dorado Royale. Thank you so much