Barcelo Maya Palace Brides

[cjb0arder13]

I'll try to answer some of the questions here.

 

Michelle, chair covers and sashes should be included in your package. I didn't have to pay a cent for them. The wedding planners have a book full of colors to choose from. They'll decorate the ceremony location, and the reception location with your color choices.

 

The photographer policy has changed (again!) They now allow you to pay the $300 fee to allow an outside photographer. However, I booked mine for ONE night at the Beach, which was about $250, and didn't have any problems. My WC (Claudia) is very familiar with Claudia Rodriguez and said she's VERY good...which she was

 

The wedding coordinators are super duper busy. This is why they don't email you back right away. On the Saturday before my wedding, there were FIVE weddings booked. My wedding was on a Monday,and mine was the only wedding that day. When you have your meeting with the WC the day after you arrive, you have as much time as you want to go over everything to make sure it goes according to plan. Be organized, bring all of your paperwork, and there shouldn't be any issues. I had a very simple wedding, didn't add any centerpieces or decoration--just what the resort provided--and it was beautiful. I'm sure if it had been more complicated, I would have been more stressed out. As it was, I was totally relaxed and confident that it would go off without a hitch...and it did!

 

We have used American money the entire time we've been here and have had NO problems. I literally have not touched a peso since I've been here. American money works everywhere.

 

Any other questions girlies??

[nessa123]

Hey just a quick question...for thoes that have been to the resort, which is a better location for ceremony and reception Playa Azul or Palmaras beach.  I am confused so any information would help thanks so much!!!!

[michelle2011]

 

 

Originally Posted by cjb0arder13 

 

I'll try to answer some of the questions here.

 

Michelle, chair covers and sashes should be included in your package. I didn't have to pay a cent for them. The wedding planners have a book full of colors to choose from. They'll decorate the ceremony location, and the reception location with your color choices.

 

The photographer policy has changed (again!) They now allow you to pay the $300 fee to allow an outside photographer. However, I booked mine for ONE night at the Beach, which was about $250, and didn't have any problems. My WC (Claudia) is very familiar with Claudia Rodriguez and said she's VERY good...which she was

 

The wedding coordinators are super duper busy. This is why they don't email you back right away. On the Saturday before my wedding, there were FIVE weddings booked. My wedding was on a Monday,and mine was the only wedding that day. When you have your meeting with the WC the day after you arrive, you have as much time as you want to go over everything to make sure it goes according to plan. Be organized, bring all of your paperwork, and there shouldn't be any issues. I had a very simple wedding, didn't add any centerpieces or decoration--just what the resort provided--and it was beautiful. I'm sure if it had been more complicated, I would have been more stressed out. As it was, I was totally relaxed and confident that it would go off without a hitch...and it did!

 

We have used American money the entire time we've been here and have had NO problems. I literally have not touched a peso since I've been here. American money works everywhere.

 

Any other questions girlies??

 

OMG thanks so much for the info. I'm so excited i cant wait to see your pix.......

 

I have another question too.... do you get premium wristbands if your having your wedding at the Palace? so you get benefits like free room service etc? I read you do at the Tropical just wondered if the same rules at the Palace. Thanks so much for your help )

[nmurch]

to have ypur wedding at the palmaras grill i think u have to have a minimum group around 60 people or so?
 

Originally Posted by nessa123 

Hey just a quick question...for thoes that have been to the resort, which is a better location for ceremony and reception Playa Azul or Palmaras beach.  I am confused so any information would help thanks so much!!!!

[JoanneIreland]

Thanks cjb0arder13 for the comments and suggestions, much appreciated.

One quick follow up question .... You mentioned there was a choice of chair sashes for free, however do you know if they had matching table runners as well?

[june11bride]

Hey-- we were going to have our reception at the palmeras and we are only having around 25 and it was fine...someone else just had it for the day so we are doing it at the mariachi. She said that we'd have to have the strawberry passion package to get the palmeras.

[Clean122]

So we just got back from our wedding at Barcelo. A few good things happened but a LOT of BAD things happened also. I dont think I would ever reccomend barcelo for a bride EVER.

Everything was about money, which I understand theyre trying to make money...but the service I found was not that great unless you TIPPED for everything. Ill post a review later but our wedding times got messed up because of our wedding planner and her comunication with our party. She put too many chairs out and didnt bother to ask Scott who was standing there if all the guests were there and instead delayed the wedding and called me to say no guests were there. This made me and the girls arrive 30min late because she wouldnt start without all of the guests. The judge then wouldnt marry us because we were late and he had another wedding. We ended up getting married at 5pm by another judge (who was wonderfull and very nice ) I wouldnt have cared as much but it was the fact that we missed the sun for photos and the wedding planner wouldnt take responsability for it. We also missed out on paid drinking time because she wouldnt extend our driving hour for the hour we lost because of her. (she only gave us 30min. which we both didnt feel was fair after running a hour into our reception)

 

The pros were that she did let us use the beach infront of the palace gazebo which was beautiful. We also were able to have our cocktail hour above the gazebo which had an amazing view for our guests.



We were told that it was a busy month (140 weddings for Jan and they were short a few wedding planners) I always had talked to claudia via email, but Lillian was who we talked to when we got there. Elisabeth who was very easy going and helpful also helped us for our wedding day and helped to translate for the Judge.
 

Our photographer was prolly the best part of our wedding, so easy to work with and stayed from 1- 11pm which made us feel sooooo much better after getting less sun shots than we wanted. I would recomend Ivan anytime and I hope some of you ladies pick him for your wedding.

http://www.luckiephotography.com

 

Ill try and post a better review later, but i guess im a bit dissapointed with the hotel in general. Even when we left we were not allowed the late check out (3pm) he said we could have our room till 1pm but then we got locked out of our rtoom anyways at 12pm. None of this was a problem when he thought we were going to pay, but as soon as I said it was free with our wedding package all the sudden they had no availability and said we couldnt stay.

 

[michelle2011]

oh no, so sorry to hear you had so many problems on your special day ( i'll look forward to reading your review and hopefully it might help some of us avoid the problems you had

[cjb0arder13]

Ack! Clean...that totally sucks!!! I am so sorry you had all of those issues .

 

Honestly, if I have one recommendation that I would give above all others, it would be to have your wedding on a weekday. If your guests are already all down there, then it doesn't really matter if it's on a Saturday. Like I said, my wedding was on a Monday, and was the only wedding on that day for the Palace. Obviously, most peeps here already have their wedding day booked, so don't stress out and panic and think you have to change it. But if you haven't already picked...try going for Monday thru Thursday. You'll have the planners all to yourself for the day.

 

Playa Azul is really the only "private" beach location. It's down at the very end. We did have a few lookie-loos, but I didn't notice them because I was focused on my hubby. All of the other beach locations, as well as the gazebo at the Palace, are right smack dab in the middle of everything. People walk by to get to the  buffets, so you'll have lots of action going past your wedding. It's up to you to decide if you care or not; I'm a  pretty private person and hate being the center of attention, so Playa Azul was the best location for me. The gazebo is absolutely beautiful, though.

 

Michelle...we got upgraded to Premium club for booking our guests at the Palace. We were originally booked at another resort (Azul Beach) but there was construction going on there, so we switched. I don't know if brides & grooms automatically get upgraded...I would ask your TA. It was nice, though, having free room service, free internet, and our own separate check in/check out.

 

Yes, color-coordinated table-runners are also included. You'll get one flower center-piece, and a fruit center-piece. I thought the table looked beautiful. As soon as I get pics, I'll post 'em!

[Avens]

Aww I'm sorry you had a poor experience Clean! As someone above said, definitely can't wait to read everyone's reviews and hopefully avoid some of the issues you had, and take advantage of the good stuff!