Summary:
Miami Coordinator: Carilis
On-Site Wedding Coordinator: Valeria Vera Garcia
Wedding Date: Saturday, October 2, 2010
Wedding Week: September 28^th-October 3rd@ Moon Palace
Room Block: Sunrise Side
Mini- Honeymoon: October 3rd – October 5th@ Le Blanc

Welcome Cocktail Party: Lake Terrace Sunrise Section
Rehearsal Dinner: Friday October 1^st 6:00 p.m. @ Arrecifes Restaurant – Brazilian
Ceremony: 3:00 p.m. – Immaculate Catholic Chapel

Officiant: Father Benito Aguilar

Cocktail Party 4:00pm-6:00pm Tucan Gazebo
Reception: 6:00pm-10:00pm Tucan Terrace
Professional Photographers: Ismael Pacheco www.ismaelpachecoblog.com (outside vendor) None of the pictures in this review are from the photographer.  They are all guest's pictures.
Guests: Bride & Groom + 55 guests

 

 

Wedding Package:

We choose the complementary wedding package because this way we could add on all the extras and not be stuck with something we didn’t like.  We were also getting married Catholic and the Catholic package doesn’t really give you that much.

Here are the things we added to our package:
Ceremony flowers : $180
DVD for ceremony: $550 (paid for with Palace Rewards money)
Extra hour for DVD: $200 (paid for with Palace Rewards money)
Audiovisual (Stereo iPod set-up, speaker system, upgraded lights): $385
Bride’s Hair and make-up: $86 (Palace Rewards)
Dress pressing: $35

 

Venue: Moon Palace

Grade: A

 

Everyone of our guest loved their stay at Moon Palace.  Some definite things I heard were that they loved the location in regards to the airport, loved the food, the service, the rooms, the grounds. Some guests who had been to an all-inclusive before said this was one of the best they had been to.  Others who had not been to an all-inclusive before were a little weary that the food might not be good or the staff wouldn’t wait on you unless you tipped or food and booze was on the weak side.  This was not true at all.  While we were there the resort was at about 40% capacity since October is part of the down season due to hurricanes.  In my opinion this made it better, every restaurant we went there were  always 3-4 servers  per table, often times there were only 1-2 other tables.  We never had to wait to be seated.  And all week long you hear from the staff “my pleasure”, they work so hard to make sure everyone is happy.  It’s better than Disney world.

 

Our group was assigned to the Sunrise side through our booking agent.  It was perfect for our group since we were a large, slightly louder group.  We hung out every day by the swim up bar in the Sunrise section.  We even made friends with another couple that were Palace members and wanted to hang out with us because we seemed so fun.    I didn’t really see any of the other pools much. I had 1 quick trip by the Nizuc pool and it was pretty empty and low key.  I never made it to the Grand Moon section :(

 

One of my few complaints was with the front desk staff.  My parents were put in a ground level corner room with two double beds instead of 1 king bed.  When they asked to be switched, they were told there were no rooms available unless they used their Palace Rewards money to upgrade to the 2^nd floor.  (this is my opinion but I believe they are putting people in first floor less desirable rooms so they use the upgrade money to get a “better” room when it is really the same cost of a room).  Anyway, it was obvious there had to be rooms available as this was Wednesday and the previous day (Tuesday 9/28) the resort was only at 12% capacity.   At first my parents were told it was a $24/day upgrade, at first they declined but then changed their mind when they heard how loud it was in that room being next to a direct walkway.  This was now before dinner and the front desk staff now said the upgrade would cost $68/day.  My mother-in-law was also our TA, went up there and straightened it out for my parents and I am very grateful.  She is very good at knowing exactly what to say to get people to do things with her.

 

Palace Rewards:

A+

This was great! It added to much to our guest experience that they probably would have not done without it.  So many of our guests used this and even if they were going on any excursions or golfing many others used the limo to the airport and the tequila to take home.  Everyone who went to the Spa raved about it.  About a month and a half before the wedding I sent an email to all guest regarding this perk along with links to review what they might want to use it for.  Two weeks prior I sent an email letting guests know if they wanted Spa services or Golf that they should book prior to arriving. Many guests did but many did not and they still did not have a problem getting in.   A few of the tours were more difficult to get into such as the Lobster cruise which you cannot reserve before.  One reason many had a problem getting in was that it was only offered certain days which were Friday and Saturday and we had wedding events.  Everyone who did the Lobster cruise did not quit raving about it.  It’s not really as romantic as you might think but they do entertain. 

 

Restaurants:

Grade: A++

 

I thought the food everywhere was amazing!  I stuffed myself all week (thankfully my dress laced up the back).  I never made it to the Caribbean or the Italian at the Golf course but heard amazing things.   I did have dinner at La Gondola one night and it was terrific, if the golf course has better food, it must be amazing.  Mo-mo-no-hana the Asian restaurant has great tempura fried ice cream! Sushi was everywhere, so many great dishes.  Never a wait for a restaurant which was awesome and food service was there with 20 mins or less if you called.  It was great.  Or the bars, the Swing up bar was one of our favorites, we also drank in the lobby bar quite a bit as well.  Of the nights we made it to the disco, I never stayed late.  I was always too tired from being in the sun all day.

With some friends at the swing up bar

 

Welcome Cocktail Party: Lake Terrace Sunrise section Thursday 9/30 7:00-10:00pm

Grade: A-

 

We had our welcome cocktail party on Thursday evening on the Lake Terrace. We choose the Mexican hors d'oeuvres.  I don’t think I have pictures L but the set up was great, everyone loved the salami sombreros.  We had an entire bar set up and again at ton of staff constantly refilling drinks, I don’t think anyone had to go up to the bar for a drink, they were that attentive.  Since Cancun had just had a weekend of rain prior to our arrival, mosquitoes were a huge issue.  We did get some bug spray for everyone to spray down and that helped.  Also 7-10 was way too long.  I would recommend for everyone to do a 2 hour cocktail party and make it closer to 8 or 8:30pm to give guest more time that the pool and dinner.

Rehearsal: Immaculate Chapel

Grade: D (no ones fault)

I thought this was going to be a full rehearsal, it was not.  Father Benito was not there (I was aware ahead time he would not be attending) and Valeria my WC basically walked us through how to walk into the Chapel and how to walk out. We knew nothing about how to proceed for the 45 min wedding in between.    This really wasn’t a big deal as every person in our wedding has been in at least 3 wedding each so they know the drill.  The biggest part for me was that we had everyone get there at 5:00pm for that and took away pool time. L  I would have definitely said skip it and just meet for dinner or have them meet at 5:45 since it did not take more than 5 mins.  This also did contribute to some confusing moments in during the wedding

 

Rehearsal Dinner: Arrecifes  6:00pm

Grade: A+

 

The plan was to have this on outside on the Terrace.  However, after the bad mosquito attack on Thursday at the Welcome party, Valeria called on Friday to ask if we would want to do it inside instead and I gladly said yes.   The dinner was wonderful! Food was great! They set up a huge table and we were seated at the head of the table.  We had our own waitstaff that were wonderful.  They also had the Mexican Trio playing for the restaurant which we all enjoyed.  **Advice, you do have you own waitstaff so you will want to make sure you bring a larger tip if you are doing a private dinner.  We had 4 waitstaff assigned to our table.  Also the restaurant opens at 6:00 so I would recommend 6:30 or 7:00pm. 

Dinner with Mexican Trio behind us

 

Wedding Day Schedule

Nails: 10:30

Hair 11:00

Guests seated: 2:45

Wedding: 3:00

Cocktail hour: 4-6:00pm

Reception: 6-10:00pm

 

To start out my wedding day, it was not too smooth.  The evening before they had delivered my dress to our room.  However, I had left instructions to deliver it to the hospitality room in the Nizuc section, the morning of the wedding and specifically that it was to NOT go to room 3532.  Also I was told it would not be done until Saturday morning.  Well after the rehearsal dinner my groom went to the room to see the dress (he said she shielded his eyes). I then took the dress to the room of my bridesmaids I was staying with that night.  The next morning I headed to the Nizuc side to get the key to the hospitality room to put my dress in, it was not available and I was told to speak to the wedding office, which was not yet open.  I then had to return after 9:00am when they open and was told it was there so I got the key and walked back to the Sunrise side to get my dress and walked all the way back and the key did not work.  I had to have the front desk rekey it and then I could get in to drop it off.  After all the walking back and forth, I was sweating like crazy and had wasted a ton of time and was late for my nails. 

 

Nizuc Salon: A++

I honestly don’t remember who did my hair but she was great.  I took pictures of what I wanted and it looked just liked that!  Perfect.   I have a lot of hair and getting an updo can take while for me but she was very quick and got me done in less than 1 hour. I got my manicure and then gave them fake eyelashes and they applied them for me.  I did my own make up as I never like it when others do it for me. 

Here is my hair

 

Flowers:

Moon Palace Flowers: A+

My free bouquet from Moon Palace

Flowers on the altar in the chapel, from Moon Palace

Same arrangements from the chapel, Valeria and her assistant moved them to the reception

 

Mayan Floral: A++

  Here are my bridesmaid flowers from Mayan Floral and the vase they came in

Another up close shot from the photographer

As you can see they did not match my bouquet that well.  In retrospect, Mayan is so cheap I should have order all of it from Mayan and even if it meant paying for my bouquet.

 

I used the free bouquet and boutonniere for my bouquet and Groom’s boutonniere.  They were very beautiful!  I thought MP’s prices on flowers were crazy so I ordered 7 bridesmaids bouquets and 2 corsages from Marvin at Mayan Diseno Floral for $275.  They were exactly how they were in the pictures he sent.  Instead of $120 per bouquet, it was $35. So much cheaper and just as nice.  I had heard he runs slow on time so I had the delivery set for 9:00am and true to word he was there by 10:00am.  He tells MP he has a gift from home and they allow the delivery and my WC never even asked where the other flowers came from so it wasn’t an issue.  We skipped boutonnieres for the groomsmen as none of them were wearing jackets anyway. The bridesmaids bouquets didn’t match mine that well and it wasn’t a big issue but looking back I probably should have just gotten all from Mayan and just declined the free bouquet

 

We also got 2 large flower arrangements for $180 for the altar during the wedding.  They then moved these to the table during cocktail hour and then to the reception for cake cutting!  Looking back, the chapel was so beautiful; you hardly notice the flowers so that was probably a waste.  However, during the cake cutting pictures they look awesome so that made it worth it.

 

Photography:

Grade: A+ (so far)

Ismael Pacheco www.ismaelpachecoblog.com

 

I found my photographer through an online search.  Compared to MP prices he was much cheaper to have all day coverage.  So far his photos have been great. I am just waiting to get the rest back, hopefully soon!

*Update.  I have the photos back here are a few of my favorites

 

 

Videography: Smilemarket (MP company)

Grade: A

 

We used our vacation dollars for a DVD of the ceremony and 1 extra hour of the reception.  We had enough rewards money that we should have done 2 hours.  However, he stuck around a lot longer than 1 hour of the reception and managed to get first dance, mom/son, father daughter dances and cake cutting.  We watched it as soon as we got it.  It to see parts of the wedding I didn't get to as a bride like the guests walking in.  Other than that, if I would have had to pay for it, it wouldn't have been worth it.  However, both of our parents have copies and make all of their guests watch it when they come over.  So I guess it was worth it for them, but unfortunately for all of their guests

 

 

Brides Attire: Dress Eden’s Bridal $305 with shipping

Veil: Ebay Venus Veils $20

Feather/Flower hairclip: $12 Claire’s

 

I ordered my dress online through ebridalsuperstore.com  I actually found it and tried it on at a local store here in Columbus, however, the shop was dirty and very unorganized so I didn’t want to order through them.  When I search online of who else carried Eden in our area I came across ebridalsuperstore.com .  I was very nervous about just ordering it online but it came in about 6 weeks and was the exact dress and saved me at least $150.

 

The wind outside during the reception was nice to keep things cool and mosquitoes away, however, with a veil it is a nightmare so I took it out during the cocktail hour and added the flower with feathers.  It was perfect and looked wonderfully.  Thanks to Shelley on this forum for mentioning that at Claire’s. 

 

Cocktail hour: Tucan Gazebo, Superior Hors D’oeuvres

Grade A+

The Gazebo was nicely shaded and the breeze made it feel great.  Food was great and everyone enjoyed it. I wish I would have ate more here than at the reception.  So good!!

Bartendars at cocktail hour above (full bar) and Tucan Gazebo where it was held pic below

Getting food at the cocktail hour

 

Reception: Tucan Terrace

Grade: A++

It was such a beautiful spot for a reception! Almost on the beach without all the sand.  So gorgeous, everything was just perfect. 

A view of our reception

View of the reception and our first dance

 

Reception Food: Tex-Mex Menu

Grade: C

Maybe we choose a bad menu or I didn’t pick the right things but this was actually the worst food I had all week.  The fish was good and the rolls and that was all I ate. The chicken was not good, either was the steak.  I heard the ribs were good but I didn’t want to mess with those in my dress.  The Mexican assorted desserts were not good either. 

Pic of buffet below

 

Cake: Moon Palace complimentary cake

Grade: A++

We just got vanilla and the WC suggested the one with white chocolate starfish and shells, which matched our theme.  It was a small cake but looked great and tasted pretty good. It was fondant and I prefer icing but most wedding cakes are fondant these days.

 

From Deco Cancun:

Grade: A

Lanterns edging the reception: $100x3=$300

Candle Step near walkway: $55x4=$220

Centerpiece 1 square candle per table $15X7=$105

Set up fee: $150

After Taxes total cost: $860.25

 

I brought turquoise table runners from tableclothesfactory.com and starfish from an ebay seller.  We had Deco Cancun add 1 square candle per table.  We then had paper lanterns edge the border of the reception site and then got Candle Steps for the entrance.  All of it looked amazing.  You don’t really need extra lighting but it helped set the mood and it looks great in all of the pictures.

 

Also I believe it was Valeria my WC and her assistant but for cocktail hour there were mini-vases with 1 rose each on each cocktail table.  It looked very nice and was a great added touch we didn’t pay for so it was appreciated. 

 

Pictures of Deco Cancun decorations

 

First Dance and view of our head table, they did bring a vase for me to put my bouquet in as well.

 

JSAV: Ipod player/speaker

This was $385 and it was a large sound system along with lighting for the reception.  Completely worth it, there was a technician running it and if wanted you could use the music on his laptop as well and he had a huge mix.  All the lighting is the green on the trees that you see in the picture below.

 

Wedding Coordinator: Valeria Vera Garcia

Grade: A

Valeria was very hard to get a hold of prior to getting there.  Emails went unanswered for weeks.  We did speak on the phone once and that helped a lot. She finalized all the locations for events and it was done in about 10 mins.  I would recommend to anyone, skip emailing and just call.  Then follow up with an email so you have it in writing but make it easy on her so she just has to verify yes and no.  They really do have it all together when you get there and she worked so very hard!  She was at every event and made sure everything was set up and looked great. Which is why they don't have time to answer emails prior to arrival.  *Another bit of advice, make sure you tip your WC prior to and have money there if you are getting married on a Saturday.  We completely forgot about tipping her until the end of the reception and we had no cash on us.  I went to the wedding office on Sunday and it was closed so I had to send her tip in the mail with a thank you note.   We actually didn’t realize all the extra people we would need to tip throughout our private events and had to borrow money occasionally.

 

Summary: Absolutely amazing

 

The wedding and reception were so beautiful. We danced all night  I got so many positive comments, many saying it was the most beautiful wedding they had been to.  I loved it.  As my new husband and I sat during dinner and looked around at our family and friend with the ocean behind in front of us, it was such a perfect moment that I will never forget.  It was just perfect! 

Picture at dusk

 

What I would do differently:

-Larger cake would have looked better and wouldn’t have cost much more even though no one ate it anyway

-Skip rehearsal and just have a dinner with wedding party

-1 Extra hour of DVD

-Tell photographer to get there at 10:00am

-Make sure to have extra tip money for the following

                Wedding Coordinator and assistant

                Personal waiter at reception (yes 1 person is assigned to bride and groom only so you are never without drink and never have to go to the bar) below is a pic

                Waitstaff at any private function as they are assigned to you and work extra hard

                Audio guy

                Videographer

-Menu for the reception- although I really don’t know what would have been better but Tex-Mex did not cut it

-Rather than say do not deliver dress to room 3532, just had them deliver my dress to my parents room and moved it myself, which is what I ended up doing anyway

 

What I would do the same: Everything else!  It was perfect!