Barcelo Maya Palace Brides

[alib0160]

Our wedding also started 30 minutes late and we missed out on photos because it got dark so quickly. The wedding planner said we started late  because our guests were shuffling in late. So... I recommend telling your guests the start time is 20-30 minutes before the time you actually plan to start at. 

 

Remember - your guests are probably all on vacation time!!

[KD79]

cjb0arder13

 

you mentioned that you only had to book your photographer for one night...how did you manage this? Right now I am looking at $500.00 for two nights and the room will likely be empty the second night.

 

Thank you, K

[Clean122]

 

Originally Posted by KD79 

cjb0arder13

 

you mentioned that you only had to book your photographer for one night...how did you manage this? Right now I am looking at $500.00 for two nights and the room will likely be empty the second night.

 

Thank you, K

We just paid the $300 fee to the on site photographers, it worked out cheaper than getting a room for him.

Originally Posted by 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!

Ya im sure some of it could have been avoided if the wedding planner had better comunication with us. Scott was mad thinking that I was the one running late.

Originally Posted by 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!

Our wedding was on a monday at 4:00pm. There was still at least one other wedding that day, like I said before there was 140 weddings for the month of Jan

 

As for our guests when I talked to scott after he said everyone was there 20min early and that the wedding planner had just put too many chairs out and thought some guests were late. She should have asked scott but instead called me and said none of our guests were there, which wasnt true. Everyone was waiting around in the hot sun for a good 20min before she left to get me.

[Jasons Bride]

Can someone tell me if the packages include any night staying at the resort?

Thanks!

[nsousa]

I know this is an old thread, but my wedding is May 16, 2011 at Barcelo Maya Palace.  If I can help any 2011 brides, let me know. 

[nsousa]

Oops...not an old thread.  Sorry!

 

We are getting married in the gazebo, Strawberry Breeze package.  Probably having the reception on Coral Beach outside of the Palace. 

 

Expecting around 50 guests, so the price is adding up. 

 

One of our biggest peeves about the Barcelo is that the "per plate" expense of the outdoor reception is double the price of the inside reception, as well as the additional expense to keep the party going beyond 3 hours ($13 per person) -- but after seeing the reception rooms, we decided that we didn't plan a destination wedding to be cooped up inside without windows.  The rooms were new and clean, but they had more of a conference feel.  Not bad, just not for us.  We will probably miss the air conditioning, however.  So fingers crossed for a breezy night.  Even with the additional expense, we still get an almost identical menu to the other packages, and there is still only one meal for everyone -- the guests don't get a choice. 

 

We only had to pay for one night for our photographer so we booked a room at the Beach for 2 people - but from what I hear they change that rule all the time.  Bring all of your email communications!

 

We did a site visit in July.  Everything was beautiful.  Claudia and Xhail were both very nice. 

 

I'll post more later, any questions, just ask. 

[nsousa]

I am happy to see another Monday bride.  I had the same thought that if I wasn't competing with other brides on Friday and Saturday, it would be easier to get the attention we need, and the vendors we wanted would likely be available, too.  We are on vacation, after all, so who's really checking the calendar?  Our guests all arrive on Saturday and are staying btw 4 and 7 nights. 

 

The WC told me that there are no weddings allowed on Sundays in Mexico, but my friend was just married on a Sunday a few months ago at Aventura Spa Palace, so I'm assuming that's just a Barcelo thing. 

[michelle2011]

We're having our wedding on a Wednesday )

[cjb0arder13]

The new rule for outside photographers is that you either book them a room for 2 nights, or pay the $300 fee to the resort photographers. Actually, this isn't a new rule, it's an old one, but they keep changing their minds on what they'll allow.

 

I just booked the room for one night, for 2 people, at the Beach. It was $250. I booked it online through the Barcelo website. You may be able to find an even better deal if they're doing "Happy Days" promotions. I just said I had a room booked. I didn't say how many nights. The day of the wedding, the on-site photographers called my room to offer their services. I said no thanks, I already had a photographer. They asked if he/she was with the wedding party or hired from outside, and I just said that they had a room booked. No more questions.

[KD79]

Thank you for your reply