deedeelala

I am shopping around for wedding packages for a Riviera Maya resort, so I thought I would put this out here in case anyone knows of something that fits what I am looking for so I can shorten my search. Our main request is that a ceremony on the beach with sparkling wine for toasting after. We are not picky about having our reception at the restaurant or on the beach, or if we get a cocktail hour since we thought we could just go to one of the bars. We have kids travelling with us so resort must be kid friendly. I am making and bringing my own centerpieces. Our budget is around $2000 CAD for our package so if anyone got an amazing package that you would like to share please let me know! Thanks ladies!

HI Danielle, I know Iberostar Paraiso Maya, Barceló Maya, Bluebay Grand Esmeralda and Ocean Coral & Turquesa all offer beach receptions depending on what package you get.

I am trying to get more recent information on this resort. I am planning my wedding for either May or June 2018 at BBGE, any 2017 or 2018 brides here? Or anyone with more recent information? Thanks ladies!

HI there, First thing to do is get package quotes from different resorts. After you review them see what are your must haves and compare between all of them. I made a spreadsheet with this and filled it out with the various packages and the prices. Make sure to pay attention to the amount of people included in the package and the extra person fee if you go over that amount. Also, make sure to ask about hidden costs, such as outside vendor fees (if you don't use the resort DJ or photographer for example). Another big thing to watch out for is décor, most packages include only white linens and they will charge extra if you decide to go with coloured ones. Flowers/centerpieces, etc. So it all depends how much you want to spend and how much of the extra things are important to you. I am planning on bringing my own chair sashes and centerpieces (using fake flowers so that I don't have to pay the extra fee for not using their florist) My wedding budget is approximately $5000 excluding travel costs. Hope this helps

HI there, Great job on asking questions!!! I too find it a bit disgusting how some resorts charge for every little thing. I ended up making a spreadsheet of my must haves and started filling it out with the various packages I obtained from different resorts. I ended up deciding on Bluebay Grand Esmeralda because their package includes everything in my must haves and their outside vendor fee is only $200, which was a requirement for me since we would like to hire an outside photographer.

HI foreveryoung, Congratulations on your engagement!! The main things to ask is for hidden fees. A lot of the packages charge extra if you don't use their suggested vendors. For example if you want to bring your own photographer or DJ or make up artist they will charge you a fee (can range from $200 and up). Also, with décor items, ask what is included in the package and how much it is for extras. Usually coloured chair sashes are additional cost as well as flower decorations. Make sure you read your package inclusions well including all the fine print before you agree to sign with any resort. Most packages have a guest limit and if you go over there is a fee, if the guests are not staying at the same resort there is also a daypass fee. My wedding was at iberostar paraiso Maya and we spent about $7000 all in. Hope this helps.

Hi anikakoko, Congrats on your engagement!!! I have travelled to Mexico a few times and am currently planning my second wedding there. I don't know the answer to all your questions but I will do my best with what I know: 1. If cost is too much for private transport and you decide to go with cabs then yes it's safe to use cabs there. Go with the hotel ones since they are for sure licensed and safe. You can ask your coordinator/ hotel staff to get you a quote or contact info for the cab company so you can compare with private transport. 3. There is a walmart but sometimes they don't have a lot of choices for décor items. For my previous wedding it was easier for me to pay the extra luggage fee and just bring the décor down myself. I asked my bridesmaids to bring 1 vase each with the décor included for each centerpiece and we had no problems at all. 5. I also did not want to pay the outrageous amount for fresh flowers that they normally charge at hotels so I made my centerpieces with artificial flowers, I put them inside the vases with sand, waterproof LED light and filled it with water. I decorated the vase on the outside with organza sash and a flower and they turned out beautiful. I got lots of compliments on it. I added more candles around the larger vase and it made it look great. Hope this helps! Dee

Hey ladies, So I really need some advice. I was here a couple years ago planning my wedding for November 2014. Sadly things went sour and our marriage ended a few months later. The wedding itself was my dream wedding but my partner and I had been going through a lot of issues that we attributed to being nervous for the wedding and neither one was able to bring them up beforehand. I guess part of it was that we felt like it was too late to back out considering so many people had already paid for their trips. We tried counselling for a couple months and it didn't work out. We were able to recognize that we get along better as friends and our lives had just taken different paths. So I am grateful that we were able to part ways in a civil manner but it was still a very tough time in my life. We never made our marriage legal by signing legal documents which was a great decision otherwise we would have had to deal with the expenses and legalities of a divorce. I felt so embarrassed because everyone expected us to be so incredibly happy as newlyweds but things were the opposite. I was so depressed for so many months that I decided to seek counselling and it helped me quite a bit. Fast forward a few months later, I met someone else who makes me incredibly happy. I have never felt this way before and he makes me feel like everything that happened before was for a reason. I never understood the feeling when others said when you find the one you know until now. We live together now and he has hinted at saving up for a ring for me. My heart feels like I would marry him in an instant and this time around I actually would have zero fears and feel actual excitement for our future. The only problem I have is that when I start to daydream about our wedding I feel so guilty. I feel like I don't deserve a nice wedding because I already had one. My last wedding was my dream wedding when it comes to location, décor, etc the only problem was I married the wrong person. So when I start to daydream about how I would go about it this second time I feel a lot of guilt, like I don't deserve to have those things. I also feel like I would be so scared to have anything be even close to similar to what I had in my last wedding which makes it very hard because I absolutely loved everything. I made my own centerpieces which I absolutely loved. Would it be okay to use the same design in a different colour? Also my last wedding was in the Mayan Riviera which is my favourite place in the world and I would love to get married on the beach again but I feel like it would be wrong. Would a different resort make it okay? Or should I just forget the whole beach thing altogether? I guess the superstitious me fears that I would jinx my new relationship by having anything that could resemble my previous wedding. I also feel a lot of fear when I even think about whether I would invite anyone because I feel like they would make judgements about how I think marriage is a game or how I didn't take things seriously. It really wasn't the case at all. I just rushed into something and was too scared to back out but I still feel like I would not be able to invite anyone that attended my last wedding because of this, so basically it would only be people from his side and maybe my parents and sisters (which have also made remarks). I would obviously not expect any gifts but I am not sure how I could put that when a lot of his family doesn't know about my past. My SO knows about it all but he feels we don't have to get into details with his family so unless it comes up on its own there is no reason why I should disclose it. Part of me wishes that I could just elope with him or have something very private but I don't think it would be fair to him. He has a lot of family and friends and I don't think that's what he would want. I want to know if anyone has any advice as to how best I could deal with this. I know I am not engaged yet but ever since he hinted at saving for a ring this has been on my mind. Please if you are going to judge me I have already heard it all and don't think I can take any more negative comments about my failed marriage. I am incredibly happy in this new relationship and would love to be able to actually enjoy getting married to this man who I actually feel like he is my soul mate. Thanks ladies

I got free flight upgrades for groom/bride and also every 11th person was free to a maximum of 3. With the number of guests that we have it wouldn't have made a big difference if we tried to put it towards our guests so we decided to use it towards a second week in Mexico. I loved the fact that I had different options as to what to do with my credit. I used Brandy MacDonald from Uniglobe GeoTravel in Edmonton. She has been great, answers all my questions promptly and has gone above and beyond to ensure I am happy. Our flights are direct Edmonton to Cancun and she has even booked a few guests coming from different provinces so they can catch the same flight with the rest of the group.

I never thought of getting cups sewn in!! That's a great idea!!! Thanks!! & yes I guess sunblock will be my best friend. I tan really easily though so it may be a big challenge

I had the straps adjusted to make them a bit longer, had the top of my bum adjusted so it closes better (dress is backless) & she is adding a strap to hold the train. Cost is $85 for all this.

Hi there, I went to Maggie's Tailor on the south side. It is a very small place but I had great recommendations from a friend that has been using her since elementary. She is currently working on my wedding dress and she is very honest and offers creative solutions to any issues. Here is the link: http://www.tailoringedmonton.ca/

I finally decided on my wedding dress and it is a beautiful backless mermaid dress. It took me forever to decide on my dress and when I tried this on I just absolutely loved it! Probelm is I did not think about the bra part and when I tried on the dress I wore a regular bra. I am on the smaller chested side and after 1 kid I WILL NEED some sort of push up. Does anyone have any suggestion as to what to wear? My friend suggested the stick on bras but I am not sure if those have push up. Second problem, we arrive to Mexico on a Sunday and wedding is on Thursday. It never occurred to me to think tan lines may be a problem. Wearing nipple covers during the week may not be an option LOL How have you guys dealt with this in the past? My backless dress may make it an even harder challenge. Thanks!!!!

Thanks ladies!

I would be careful if you are buying them outside the resort, make sure you double check that there are no penalties. I get charged a $300 penalty from my resort if I decide to use an outside flower shop. So I am basically forced to order from their ridiculously expensive flowers. Just something to keep in mind

Boo!! I'm so bummed that I missed this!! Is there a transcript or a recording of this by any chance? I would love to see the questions and answers others asked and maybe some will be the same I had. Thanks!

I would love to see how these turned out for you!!

I personally like organza better for a beach wedding. I think the satin is more formal, but that's my personal opinion

Those are all so cute!! I feel inspired now!

I am also keeping things simple! I am making my own centerpieces and using fake flowers for inside the vase. They are very simple and basically will just have rose petals scattered on the table with a few votives. I can't justify spending minimum $90 a centerpiece from the resort for something that will only get used for one day. I think the view of looking at the ocean is enough decoration!

Great job!! I ended up purchasing mine for about $7 a pair. I have to get more for all my bridesmaids and my Mom & MIL so I am deciding whether to purchase them or make them myself. hmmmmm

Great job!!!

Just sent them to you

Floreria.pdf For anyone else wanting to get an idea of the cost of centerpieces at Iberostar Paraiso Maya, this is the quote I got for a few of them. I find them outrageously expensive so I have decided to make my own. If I want to use fresh flowers and do not purchase them from their flowershop then there is a $300 penalty fee so I will be using fake flowers (they will be going inside a vase with flower so it won't be too noticeable I hope!) Also I had requested a quote for single roses to place a couple on the tables and the cost is $6.00 USD per rose. A bag of rose petals for flower girls: $17 USD which includes petals from 15 roses. I am honestly a bit shocked that they are wanting to charge so much for this stuff. I am from Mexico and still travel there frequently and I know that you can get this stuff for waay cheaper. You would think after bringing 77 guests to their resort they would not try to rip me off so bad. Okay I am done venting now. Anyway hopefully it will give you an idea and help with your budgeting. Floreria.pdf

Thanks ladies!! As for bringing them down there, we are asking everyone in our wedding party to bring one for us. We have a large wedding party of 16 people altogether plus some other family members offered to help bring one. Otherwise I was willing to pay for extra luggage, it would still be cheaper than getting the centerpieces from the resort. I got their quote back and the cheapest one was around $90 and did not include any candles :o