LukyJ

Try Erica Bressan of www.weddingsinplaya.com or her partner. I just used Erica for my wedding at the main church and she was amazing! She can also organize transit for you!

Do your travel agents update you when guests book? Mine doesn't and I wish she would.

I'm using Erica Bressan with www.weddingsinplaya.com and very happy with Erica. I found her from the reviews section of this website and honestly think there are many good coordinators who can help.

I chose Grand Coral over Kool for two reasons: 1 - even though I didn't visit to verify, I got the impression that at Kool all the parts of the reception were a bit more spread out. Like you eat in one area and dance floor isn't right next to it. I really wanted every table to be able to see the dance floor because I think I'll have some older family coming who aren't going to dance and appreciate that. 2 - Grand Coral has and option to rent out the venue and bring in your own caterer. I'm working with a wedding coordinator and she had provided me some budgets and that was much cheaper than getting a facility and catering in one. I highly recommend a wedding coordinator if going off site. Mine has already been able to offer suggestions like getting the alcohol directly from a distributer which has saved a lot.

I think Kool beach club in Playa del Carmen can accommodate the numbers you are looking for and wasn't on your list. I considered that location before ultimately deciding to go to Grand Coral Beach Club.

That's great - and definitely different from what is said on their website. How much is the extra cost per person for private dinner when you use the free package? Do you get to choose any restaurant at the Riviera Maya resort?

I would love to see some of your pictures. Like Ana - I'm haveing ceremony and reception off-site but interested in some on-site events at the hotel. Has anyone done a Welcome cocktail party there? How much did that cost? Would the resort allow something like a welcome beach bonfire?

Are the vendors fees different for different services? I want to bring in an outside hair and make-up team to our room for getting ready instead of using the spa. How much is a vendor fee for that? If they bring two people instead of one do I have to pay it twice? Thanks

I think the parents traditionally host an engagement party, not the couple themselves. I think it doesn't happen anymore because parents are already paying for the wedding, if that. In that case anyone can host the party so your thought of responding "when are you hosting one?" is right on! Like most of us you aren't bothered if you don't have one so if no one hosts, it doesn't happen. Just like you wouldn't host your own wedding shower.

I don't have any advice to share yet, but I'm looking at some excursions as well as a gift for guests as well. I know you can do a Catamaran Cruise out of Puerto Adventuras for up to 50 or 60 people. I'm looking at that and also trip to the Tulum ruins. I am hoping Tulum could be easy because it would just be a bus, entrance fees and a guide. I was thinking the bus could drop people off at either the resort after or another location if the wish and people could make their own way back. I've just started and it seems like no matter what an excursion costs about $100 a person. I guess no one wants to lower their fees because people keep paying the high fees.

I'm getting married in April 2014 in the Catholic Church downtown and my reception will be at Grand Coral. We looked at a bunch of all inclusive resorts in the area - you might want to look at Azul Fives. It is very close to Grand Coral and family friendly. I think guests can also choose there to go with an all-inclusive or non all-inclusive option. In the end of we are going to a difference resort - RIU Palace RM because we really wanted something that allows kids but doesn't have too much of a family focus. We will only have a few kids there. Azul Fives seemed to have lots of room options for couples, parents with kids and bigger groups sharing a room. Luky

Thanks Elissae! I'm definitely going to put snacks in the bags. Last time I was at an AI it was nice to that there were some small things like chips in the room. Sometimes we were just peckish and wanted something small. My mom is really getting into the OOT on my behalf - hopefully snacks will be filling in the bags and relatively cost - effective. I loved all your posts and reviews by the way - made me very excited for the RIU RM. Did your guests walk into Playa del Carmen or to the other nearby RIU resorts at all? Luky

I've just reserved for my wedding group at RIU Palace RM! Getting married April 26, but the ceremony and recpetion will both be off the resort. We'll probbaly do a couple other events on the resort like rehearsal dinner and maybe a welcome party. Can't wait. I'm thinking of OOT bags at this resort. Do the minibars have any snacks in them? I know its all inclusive but sometimes it's nice to have small things like chips or crackers in the room. I thought I would include them if not already provided. Everything I can find about the minibar just focuses on the bottle dispensors! Luky

That is at the RIU Palace Riveria Maya. I picked it site unseen, but it has great reviews on trip advisor. I'm not having my wedding or reception on the resort so I can't comment on their wedding services. I just used a travel agent to book a wedding package because it seemed easiest and enables guests to book and pay individually.

Mine was quoted by person at $511 for three nights. I guess that works out to to $340 a night per couple. My wedding is in April in Playa del Carmen by the way.

Also - how long does it normally take when you request pricing before they give it to you? I've asked a highly rated agent for pricing, I expected it would take a few days and that was a week ago.

Hi Jessicep, Looks like you got your pricing, just thought Id let you know that I'm also having a Catholic wedding in Playa del Carmen then a reception at Grand Coral. I looked at Grand Coral and Kool, I think there are some more options in the area if you have a smaller group - I expect over 100 people. I also think Xcaret Park does wedding for big groups but may be pricy. Unless you speak Spanish well and are not easily frustrated I highly suggest a wedding coordinator to help. I'm still starting but happy to have someone else contacting the venues on my behalf and providing some options. I'm still looking at resorts. Trying to get close to, but not in PDC. Maybe we'll be in Playacar. I'm also trying to find some good options just north of the city. No luck on that yet! Luky

Hi Brownsugarbride, I think I'm going through the exact same things you are! My wedding will be in 2014 so I can't give feedback but can give you the rationale for my choices. Off-site wedding and reception: I thought working with the resorts seemed too restrictive and it seemed they are best for weddings of about 30 or smaller. I think I'll have closer to 100 guests. In that case at the resorts you end up paying extra for all those guests, plus extra fees if I wanted to do anything out of the normal package. I also hope all my guests will stay at the same hotel so I can spend more time with them, but don't want to force them. Now that I've started I don't know that it will be cheaper to go off-site, I think it might be the same or a little more, but it's definitely what I prefer. Plus if people stay at the resort the rest time, I like the idea of bringing everyone off-site for an evening so my actual wedding feels more special. All-Inclusive resort: I still want to stay at one and think the prices will be about the same. My main point in a destination wedding is getting to spend a vacation with my friends and family to celebrate. I like the idea of an all-inclusive because I think it's going to maximize the amount of time I see everyone if we are all eating in the same restaurants, at the same bars and beach/pool. I'm thinking of doing a welcome event at the hotel so people from different circles can meet each other and then hang out throughout the week. I think if we are at a non All-Inclusive people would be heading in more different directions for eating and during the day and to pool/beach their own in the smaller groups of friends and family which travel together. My hope is that an all-inclusive makes it easier for everyone to mingle and hang out all week. I have nothing confirmed but leaning toward Grand Coral as well. My wedding will be at the end of April so we may be going through a lot of the same steps at the same time!

Has anyone worn a J Crew wedding dress? Do they wrinkle and look good in photographs? I tried on dresses at J Crew and of course my favorite was one in a style they are phasing out. I then found that dress in my size on eBay so I bought it and it's unreturnable. I noticed that while the dress looks great in person, it is not forgiving at all in photographs! Now I'm concerned that after riding in the bus or limo to the wedding site it might be wrinkled in all my photos! Anyone have a smilar experience? I might do a test run and wear the dress while I watch TV for a half hour or some other sitting activity then have a friend take some pictures of me! Thanks

Other than Playa del Carmen! I want to stay at an All-Inclusive, get married in a Catholic church and have an off-resort reception. Sounds simple, but it isn't. I do need to figure out a travel agent to help with at least the resort part and future guest booking.

Congratulations! That's awesome you have it on video and in Hawaii right by a waterfall! Kudos to your fiance for the perfect spot! We just have some right after pictures of me excited with my ring! I'm looking a little before that timeframe in Mexico too. What TA are you using?

Is anyone getting married in St. Coix? I was thinking Mexico but my family is in favor of this island. I can't find any information on it!

Did anyone have their reception at one of these beach clubs and have guests stay at an all-inclusive? If so, which all-inclusive? That's what I think I would like to do, but not sure. What is the capacity for Grand Coral Beach club?

Hi everyone - I'm a long time lurker on BDW and just got engaged this weekend so I've finally joined. I've been checking out what other people have done and am pretty sure I want to get married off-site in a Catholic church and have a reception at a Beach Club in Playa del Carmen area. I think I'd want to stay at an all-inclusive resort though, just so I can party and spend a lot of time with everyone who comes. Has anyone done that? Where have other people stayed who have gotten married off-resorts? Thanks!