ROYAL PLAYA DEL CARMEN BRIDES: were kids allowed for the day? ...and other questions

Hi there, I'm a "newbie", hoping to find a location for my wedding next May. I'm considering The Royal Playa del Carmen, since its a gorgeous resort with a beautiful beach. I would like to know how The Royal works on wedding days, with guest passes and all that. I know its an Adult Only resort, yet videos I've seen of weddings there had kids in them. Were the families with children only allowed on the resort for the wedding day? If so, how much were the guest passes? I know that the Gran Porto Real across from The Royal PCD is family oriented... I guess the guests with children could stay there?

I'd also like any information regarding the reception in the garden afterwards, with the dance floor and speakers. How much extra was all this? It looked beautiful in the videos I've seen.

I hope there are some people on here that can help a girl out!

Thanks!

Stephanie

Hi Stephanie! First, congratulations!!

I'm getting married at The Royal on March 29. Just a few weeks away! All my guests with children are staying at the Gran Porto as well as guests who don't want to spend as much or stay longer and travel. Its good to have the option of a less expensive sister hotel next door. Children are allowed at all the wedding events. We are doing a cocktail hour at the gazebo and a reception on the beach. They have a per person charge based on how many guests you have and where they are staying. Dance Floors and speakers are included, I think. But if you talk to Walter, reception coordinator and Patty, the wedding ceremony coordinator, they can probably give you more specifics in terms on pricing. We got a mariachi band and a DJ. Send me a message if you have any more specific questions! I'd be happy to help!

Hi Stephanie! Congratulations on your engagement! I'm reiterating a bit of what Antonia said... btw... congratulations, Antonia, on your soon to be wedding at the Royal... not long now!

I'm doing as Antonia and am having my reception on the beach. Our ceremony is in the gazebo and we are having cocktails outside of the gazebo area afterwards. There is an extra charge to have your reception on the beach - $50 US per person if a Royal guest, $60 if the guest is staying at the Gran, and $70 if the guest is staying at any other resort. Children are allowed for all of the wedding activities, but they are strict on the +16 age minimum otherwise. Paty used to be the wedding coordinator, but Zulma took over about a month ago... Antonia, if this is news to you PM me and I'll send you Zulma's contact info. I haven't looked into the dance floors and speakers yet... right now I'm involved with sorting out a lounge set up. Zulma got me in touch with an outside vendor and I'm hoping to have lounge furniture, etc. on the beach.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

Thank you Heidi! My sister (and wedding planner/life saver) is in touch with Zulma. We are also doing the lounge furniture set up on the beach! Great minds think alike! The florist Zulma recommended seemed a little pricey to me so we might end up with another one. I will keep you guys posted. After we get back from Mexico, I can definitely give a full report and have photos, too!

oh -- also, I think the having cocktails as well as appetizers before the reception is a

$10 extra charge per person.

Thanks, Antonia! I'm so looking forward to hearing all about your wedding and reading your report! I definitely think the lounge furniture will be fantastic. I'm not sure if you've seen the wedding of Kristi and Mark (photographed by Elizabeth Medina) at the Royal, but their lounge set up looks gorgeous! You can find the link to it here:

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t9153

We were actually quoted $30 per person for cocktails and appetizers, which is pretty expensive... $40 for guests at the Gran, and $50 for guests staying at other resorts. Yikes!!! We're doing it regardless b/c I think it will be great for the guests while we have pictures taken.

Let me know if you girls have any questions, and thanks for offering us an update after your wedding, Antonia!

Heidi and Antonia, thanks so much for sharing your information. I love this forum! LOL

Your ideas sound fabulous, for the cocktail party and the reception, and I am SO glad to hear that children are allowed for the wedding.

Just one question though: does the Royal demand a minimum number of your guests staying there in order to perform the ceremony there? Antonia, you mentioned that most of your guests are at the Gran next door, so I guess it isn't a problem if you have, let's say, half of your guests at the Gran and the other half at The Royal?

I know some resorts say you need 80% or something of the guests to stay at the resort you want to be married in...

Thanks again so much, I can't wait to hear/see how both your weddings turn out.

Sorry ladies, one more thing!!

Does The Royal still offer the "free" wedding package if you book a more expensive suite for 6 nights minimum? I remember seeing a package like that for 2007 weddings somewhere on this forum... did any of you ladies get the opportunity to have something like that for your celebration?

Hi Stephanie,

No there is no minimum number of guests staying at the Royal to have your wedding there. I am also having guests stay at the Gran, and agree with Antonia that it's a great option for those who are looking for something a little less expensive and/or those with children. We really wanted my nephew there, but were having such a hard time finding a place we loved that allowed children... this was the best solution for us.

I believe the Royal still offers the free wedding package if you book the more expensive suite, although we didn't look into this... the price for the Presidential suite is crazy expensive! We are getting the beach front walk out suite, though, where you walk right onto the beach and have your own private cabana.... can't wait! Ask away if you have any more questions!

BTW... this aerial view from the Royal website gives you a good feel for how the properties are situated next to one another... they really are very close!

Aereal view of Playa del Carmen, Real Resorts

I agree with Heidi, the Presidential wedding package, which is what you are probably referring to, was too much for us. You would get a free wedding ceremony package and an upgrade for your wedding party. I'm actually have my wedding ceremony at a nearby Catholic Church not on the grounds and my cocktail and reception at the Royal. The majority of my guests will be at the Royal with just the few with kids or who didn't want to splurge as much as us at the Gran Porto. They are very flexible about doing events at either places and I didn't encounter any restrictions. We are doing a rehearsal dinner at the Gran Porto. I'm not exactly sure why I'm only getting charged $10 for my cocktail while Heidi is getting charged more. It might depend on the number of guests you are expecting/confirmed or maybe they have raised their prices since then.

Keep the questions coming!