nikkicraig10

Hi @@diadiamond! We just went through this last month. Our wedding is May 26, 2015, and we first met with our travel agent at the end of March. She was able to get group pricing for about 14 months in advance. She quoted us the per person rate, and that quote would be held for 30 days. To secure the whole thing we only had to put down mine and my fiances deposits ($250 each) and then 90 days from then, is when all the guests need to have THEIR deposits in. The rest of the balance isn't due for anyone until Apr 1st, 2015. We went for a ballpark of 30 seats, so they are sort of first come first serve, and then usually the travel company will allow a certain percentage at the same rate, and then any stragglers might end up with a higher rate. They also have a 1 time price guarantee, so if the price lowers at some point, we can obtain that rate instead. Just to touch on your price expectations.. as this part was the most stressful for me. My sister got married in October 2012 in Mexico, and her pricing was $1290 a person. I'm getting married in May, which is definitely high season for destination weddings, and I was getting quotes at 1700-1900+! I could have died. I had originally said $1500 max and even then I was thinking I'd be getting it much cheaper. Sooo not the case. I think in general, hurricane season or not, mexican weddings are just getting more expensive because they are becoming more popular and desirable. Resort fees for weddings are going up every year, and our wedding is at least going to costs us $8000 for ceremony and reception, not including our flights and hotel stay. Just go in there with an open mind, and try not to get discouraged. I'm in Vancouver so prices could vary in Toronto, but this was my experience. In the end we ended up getting a rate of $1635 per person. Good luck!

I went back a few pages but didn't see the name mentioned.. Anyone heard anything about judysbridal? The dress that I want is $358... a large gamble, but I just love it so much! http://www.judysbridal.com/jol166-romantic-boho-chiffon-and-lace-underlay-slit-wedding-dress-p-1518.html (not sure if the links allowed?!) Wow only 12 posts, I gotta run this count up to get to 150 so I can start seeing all the gorgeous creations in this thread!!

Thank you so much @n0tURavrgeBride!! I am feeling much more relaxed about everything now that I have it all booked, have had a few back and forths with the WC and have my chill out bar reception booked! Thanks so much for the feedback! If you have any photos of you're reception and dance area I would love to see them! my email is nikkicraig10(at)gmail.com. Thanks and congratulations!! Nikki

Luckily my fiance's Step Dad is passionate about photography so he is going to shoot our wedding for us. I'm so excited about that because then there is no time constraints, limitations on photo selection, etc. Not to mention saving a lot of money! (Which is why it doesn't seem so bad for us to splurge on the Chill Out party)

I'm definitely sleeping in the same room with my fiance, and going for breakfast/beach with him in the morning. My ceremonies not until 4 and I'm not wasting an entire day holed up in my room! I'm slightly traditional in the way that I don't want him to see me all done up and in my dress before the wedding, so once the salon appointments roll around we'll go our separate ways for the afternoon

Hi April! The resort is very big! (672 rooms) but if your guests are all in the same villa (or close together) then it's not hindering in any way. It's nice that some people can choose to spend time in other areas if they feel like they need a little private time in such a social group. We have 51 people invited - So counting on about 35ish guests. (We'll see!). We have some family in ON, but decided to keep the group intimate, with people we see on a regular basis. As for the Sunset Gazebo or Riviera Gazebo.. If I was choosing either I would personally choose the Sunset. I only opted for the Ocean front Gazebo because my sister was married at the Sunset Gazebo and I wanted it to be a bit different. I just thought with the Riviera Gazebo, because of the sort of thatched/stick roof, all the photos I saw had so many lined shadows on everyone and everything. It does look close and intimate though which could be a nice feel. I would say the Sunset is more private as it's tucked away on the farthest right beach of the resort, in front of the Chill Out Bar which is a platinum area (not free for regular all-inclusive guests) so not very busy. After 6pm they open it up for wedding receptions, which is where mine is going to be. Have you spoken to the wedding coordinator and has she given you pricing info for the private parties? If not I can email it to you. The Chill Out Bar private dinner and reception is $100 per person, MINimum 40 people - so a minimum of $4000.00. (And it's 6-10pm). I believe the beach party private dinner and reception was $85 a person, and I can't remember if there was also a 40 person minimum. If I have less than 40 guests make it then they let me know I can just pay for the non-existant people to secure the location. A DJ is an additional $650 for 4 hours. Hopefully that helps! I don't have any pictures of the chill out bar.. it's sort of a funky palapa with wood slat floors and railings. On the way you cross a bridge that's over a lagoon with some crocodiles, kind of neat! It's close to the ocean front so would be nice and airy for a dance party. The dance party is the most important part for me so I am paying special attention to this! let me know if you have any other questions Nikki

Hi @@smcneeley! I attending a semi-private wedding dinner at the Steakhouse restaurant when I was there. They had a head table of the bride and groom, a long L shaped table for the bridal party (which was across the room from the head table) and round tables for the rest of the guests (there was 23). They had a mic, and a few speeches were made after dinner. Honestly it wasn't too bad. Not what I picture for my own, but everyone was happy with it all. The other half of the restaurant was filled up with regular hotel guests, but we hardly noticed. Hope that helps! Nikki

Hi April! I just booked my wedding for May 26, 2015! What are your thoughts for the ceremony and reception? I went to a wedding there in 2012, ceremony held at the Sunset Gazebo, the dinner was semi-private at an ala carte, and the reception was a private beach party. It was a great day! I'm thinking I want the oceanfront ceremony (although having a hard time finding very many pictures as it costs an extra $750), with the chill out bar reception. It gets pretty pricey but I just keep reminding myself how expensive it would be to have a wedding here, and that it will be enjoyed over 7 days, and not just 1. Happy planning! If you haven't been before, let me know if you have any questions about the resort, I can try to remember from my previous visit. What kind of group pricing did you get for everyone from SK? (We're flying out of Vancouver) Nikki

@@mbear2014 I just read on an older post that you booked the Ocean front ceremony! Even with the extra charge, I think I want that too. My sister got married at the Sunset Gazebo in 2012, so I was hoping for a bit of a different ceremony, and don't love the Riviera Gazebo. Would you be able to post pictures of the ceremony afterwards? Or even email me a couple? I'd also like any feedback on where it is, how close spectating beach loungers are.. etc. Thank you very much! Your day is coming up so soon! SO exciting I just booked mine for May 26th, 2015. Long way to go! If any one else has shots of the ocean front ceremony, I'd love to see them! Thanks Nikki

Thanks @@mbear2014 ! I have now received the updated packages from the WC so there is a lot of info in there. How was the Gala dinner location? (Was it in the ballroom?) Is it completely closed in or is there any open air? Also for the Gala dinner did you have to choose from those menus that range $30-75 per plate? I think I'd be willing to pay for the non-existant guests to meet the 40 minimum (or we may even have over 40). I guess it's a waiting game to see how many people actually book! Thanks girl! Nikki

@@nehaanjaria - For renting the Chill Out Bar reception - How many guests do you have? I was under the impression that it was a minimum of 40 guests, at $100 per person. (so $4000). I was at a wedding show yesterday and a destination wedding booth woman told me no way; the minimum is 80. I told her I disagreed but she seemed pretty aggressive about it. I don't even think the chill out bar could accomodate 80! Any feedback helps! I had fantasized about a beautiful private reception that's near the beach, and not on the beach, and I only have 40 guests. (and of course the WC hasn't gotten back to me) Thanks! Nikki

@@Chafe - I would think you would want to get married before hand? (vs. after) That way when you go through the ceremony with all your family/friends, you actually ARE married, and it will make it a bit more special. @@dockgirl - We were there for a wedding in Oct 2012 and there is a bar next to the Sunset Gazebo called the "Chill Out Bar" but it is a premium area where even all-inclusive guests have to pay extra. As for excursions, the wedding we went to only had 23 guests but we booked a catamaran with Fat Cat I think. Our Sunwing rep organized it all and each person just had to drop by their little office in the lobby to pay. There was other people on the boat not in our party, but if you had a large group you could probably rent the whole boat. (This was the case when we did a catamaran for a wedding in Dominican, there was 52 of us!). Hope that helps! I think I'm going to get married at the princess next year too.. but still so many questions! :| -Nikki

Hi everyone!! Loving this informative thread on AZS... only thing is it's so long I fear my question will be redundant! I'm basically looking for a summary of all costs. I've looked at the packages available for me in Canada: Pearl $950 Silver $2500 Gold $3500 Looking at the gold package, there is SO many things that I don't want or need. Such as romantic candle light dinner, anything to do with our rooms like floral arrangement/petals etc and I think I will legally get married at home first. Let's say I go with the Pearl package that includes (of the important things): WC, ceremony location, bridal bouquet, boutonniere, dinner reservations. I also want the Sky Terrace so that's an added $1700 for the ceremony, which I'm assuming includes music. Also need 4 bridesmaid floral arrangements. Do these packages include the Reception? Or is that extra? By the sounds of it I want my reception at either Zavas Plaza or Zocalo al Fresco. (do both these locations allow for dancing?) And does anyone have additional details on the reception schedule? (how long?) Also, DJ. Is that extra on top? Basically I would love for someone to break down the Reception fees. My other big expense would be photography, but I think I'll go with an outside source. As for the set up fee chat that's going on.. I think mine would be very, very minimal, so I guess looking at $250. Do they provide anything at all? or do you get wood terrace structure, plain wood chairs, nothing hanging from anything, and bare-bones reception? I thank any and all advice, and again, apologize if these details have been broken down in the past 1700+ forum pages Basically the most important things are : Ceremony Location - sky terrace Music during ceremony Cocktail hour during photos Photographer Dinner (anywhere - not that concerned, and not concerned about a cake) Privater reception complete with DJ and dancefloor Floral arrangements for Bride, bridesmaids and boutonniere for groom Too much to ask for something reasonably affordable? Thanks everyone!