aventura spa palace

[marymason]

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Originally Posted by angelov321 Im getting married on November 12th!! Who are you using as a photographer/videographer? How many people are you inviting? Im planning for atleast 50pp and I dont know what Im going to do to handle all of them.

We were thinking of using Del Sol like Nam (her pics were so amazing ) but they are a little pricey we might just do a trash the dress shoot with them at one of cenotes. We are expecting to have about 50pp as well. Are you using any of the wedding packages. Did you send out einvites and if so what resort info did you put in.

[marymason]

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Originally Posted by NaM Sounds like a few of you are getting married on the same day!! How exciting! The WC came to our rehearsal but did not stay for our event after (we had a cocktail party instead of dinner). We didn't have the rehearsal until 6 I believe so I don't blame her for leaving after...I mean, who really wants to work THAT long?? I have a copy of my welcome letter...not on my computer though. It's somewhere on this forum if you do a search for it. We had 50 people and it was easy! Just don't stress about everyone having a good time and ENJOY YOURSELF!!! Everyone else is an adult and can entertain themself on vacation, this is not your job!! There really is no "beach" so it wouldn't be a beach reception in the way you are thinking...there's an area with a type of sand near the water. Raluca did this and it was BEAUTIFUL (our wedding was the same evening so we got to see eachothers set up)!! Her pictures are a few pages back. The weather changes on a daily basis but is generally really nice. Beginning of November is tricky...still can get into hurricanes but when it's sunny...it's beautiful! Can't do anything about the weather though so I wouldn't stress. Key word Kim: it MIGHT rain. But it MIGHT not. You can't control the weather and you're weddding will be great so try not to stress so close to the trip of your life! We did not have a back up plan for rain, I just hoped for the best and it was the most beautiful day of the whole trip...not a cloud in the sky. Even if it's calling for rain, chances are, it won't pour all day. Small rains will come and go then clear up. So, I'm not really sure what venues they have for when it rains. If you can have it on the adults only side, I would suggest the indoor pool terrace. It's outside but still covered and really lovely. The WC do slow down with responses when you're getting close but you have to remember they are managing other weddings and brides that are already down there. Also, DW are made for minimal planning and it's much much much easier to take care of details when you get down there, can see venues, colors, and get a feel for everything. As long as you have your bases covered for what you need to bring from home the WC will really surprise you when you get down there. I PROMISE!!! The hotel doesn't even begin working on things like flowers, cake, decor...until after you arrive and have had your meeting with the WC. As for the cake, I don't really know what to say to help. I can see why they would charge you more if you are taking their business away...although I know it sucks for you. We were pretty happy with our cake...nobody is expecting to eat the best cake they've ever had at the wedding...it's really just a minor detail. I wouldn't let it upset when you're about to marry the love of your life! You take a few pictures of it and then move on so try to remember it's not the end of the world. And if it's any consilation...all our guests were really pleased with the cake. They have nightly shows and events. Just a few that I remember: fire dancers, a mexican carnvial with performances and street market, michael jackson show.... they also have a disco and bars all over the place. And I'm sure as people sit and enjoy dinner together, that runs late into the night enjoying good drinks and good company.

Nam thanks again for all your help you are a god send. Did you email all your guests about the resort and what to wear and what activities there are and how far is playa del carmen from the resort

[angelov321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marymason We were thinking of using Del Sol like Nam (her pics were so amazing ) but they are a little pricey we might just do a trash the dress shoot with them at one of cenotes. We are expecting to have about 50pp as well. Are you using any of the wedding packages. Did you send out einvites and if so what resort info did you put in.

I looked into del sol also..they defintiely are pricey! I chose the diamond package. I liked all the little extra things it includes. I sent out save the dates with the link to the wedding website palace resorts offered us. I included all the little details about booking, resort info, the $300 incentive guests recieve if they book min 3 nights and the WC info if they need help booking. With all that info available, my guests still are confused so this is going to be a long wedding process for us.

What do you plan on doing with music during the reception? I would like to have DJ if I could. Especially if more than 50 ppl show up. I havent read anything so far on what other brides have done in the past.

[marymason]

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelov321 I looked into del sol also..they defintiely are pricey! I chose the diamond package. I liked all the little extra things it includes. I sent out save the dates with the link to the wedding website palace resorts offered us. I included all the little details about booking, resort info, the $300 incentive guests recieve if they book min 3 nights and the WC info if they need help booking. With all that info available, my guests still are confused so this is going to be a long wedding process for us. What do you plan on doing with music during the reception? I would like to have DJ if I could. Especially if more than 50 ppl show up. I havent read anything so far on what other brides have done in the past.

We were thinking of using a dj as well but after thinking about it we might rent the sound equipment and lights and just load an iPod with our music since we don't know what kind of music they might play. Are you planning to bring down any decorations with you. Do we need music for the ceremony if in our packages we have live musician. Are you having any private functions. We were thinking of having a welcome dinner the first night if everyone arrives the same day. Then our ceremony is a 3 and having a cocktail reception to follow then a private dinner followed by dancing.

[angelov321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marymason We were thinking of using a dj as well but after thinking about it we might rent the sound equipment and lights and just load an iPod with our music since we don't know what kind of music they might play. Are you planning to bring down any decorations with you. Do we need music for the ceremony if in our packages we have live musician. Are you having any private functions. We were thinking of having a welcome dinner the first night if everyone arrives the same day. Then our ceremony is a 3 and having a cocktail reception to follow then a private dinner followed by dancing.

That was my concern with the DJ as well. I thought about renting their equipment also, but Im not sure how that would work out. Im expecting quite a few ppl so I would really like to dance the whole night and really celebrate. I was thinking of bringing some decorations since I hear that the hotel is pretty pricey when it comes to the "extras". The package does include some floral decor but I think its only for the ceremony. Thats a good question about the ceremony music. Im not sure. The package says it includes a soloist and violinist so I would think that we wouldnt have to include our own music. But from what I read in other threads, many of the brides burned a CD with specific music. I have to contact Yesenia the WC and find out. What package did you choose?

I plan to use as many private functions as possible. If we meet the 25 room quota we can have unlimited functions. Im hoping to have a rehearsal dinner the night before, cocktail hour after the ceremony, reception hour and possibly a brunch the next morning. If i can do more I will just so my guests feel like I appreciate them coming.

Are you getting your hair and make-up done at the spa or are you hiring an outside vendor? I read really good reviews for fernando, but his prices seem a little steep. Im afraid this wedding might turn out just as expensive as it would have if I did it back home. All the extra stuff is adding up lol

[NaM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marymason Nam thanks again for all your help you are a god send. Did you email all your guests about the resort and what to wear and what activities there are and how far is playa del carmen from the resort

I love helping!! I know how stressful it can be not to have any answers! I think my TA sent out something along those lines. But for the most part I think everyone figured it out themselves...everyone wanted to do something different so I didn't want to dictate their vacation kwim? I felt that the wedding related activities were enough for our group...so I, personally, didn't send out much more info than that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelov321 I looked into del sol also..they defintiely are pricey! I chose the diamond package. I liked all the little extra things it includes. I sent out save the dates with the link to the wedding website palace resorts offered us. I included all the little details about booking, resort info, the $300 incentive guests recieve if they book min 3 nights and the WC info if they need help booking. With all that info available, my guests still are confused so this is going to be a long wedding process for us. What do you plan on doing with music during the reception? I would like to have DJ if I could. Especially if more than 50 ppl show up. I havent read anything so far on what other brides have done in the past.

I think the packages are worth it! Raluca got one and her decor was fabulous! And it's one less thing to have to plan!
We had 50 people and rented to sound system and I can't recommend that enough. I am a bit bias because we didn't even hear/talk to theDJ but the ipod and sound system worked out so well!!!! It's totally loud enough (actually Raluca said while they were doing their first dance all they could hear was our music...and we weren't that close!). The sound system company stays there the whole time too and works your ipod so basically..it is a DJ but you only get the songs you want. I didn't read/hear any reviews on the DJ and just didn't really trust him to run our party. Attached are the price sheets...the DJ was way more than we wanted to spend and they DO NOT let you bring in an outside DJ. Please note, the prices are from 09 so they have gone up since then.

 

 

Paquetes_Aventura-Playacar_2009[1].pdf

[angelov321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaM I love helping!! I know how stressful it can be not to have any answers! I think my TA sent out something along those lines. But for the most part I think everyone figured it out themselves...everyone wanted to do something different so I didn't want to dictate their vacation kwim? I felt that the wedding related activities were enough for our group...so I, personally, didn't send out much more info than that. I think the packages are worth it! Raluca got one and her decor was fabulous! And it's one less thing to have to plan! We had 50 people and rented to sound system and I can't recommend that enough. I am a bit bias because we didn't even hear/talk to theDJ but the ipod and sound system worked out so well!!!! It's totally loud enough (actually Raluca said while they were doing their first dance all they could hear was our music...and we weren't that close!). The sound system company stays there the whole time too and works your ipod so basically..it is a DJ but you only get the songs you want. I didn't read/hear any reviews on the DJ and just didn't really trust him to run our party. Attached are the price sheets...the DJ was way more than we wanted to spend and they DO NOT let you bring in an outside DJ. Please note, the prices are from 09 so they have gone up since then.

Thanks! That information is very helpful. I have a family member who is willing to DJ the wedding as long as he doesnt have to bring his equipment, but if they dont allow outside DJ's then theres no point. I can definitely take the time to make out the playlist for the reception. How long do they give you for a reception? 3-4 hrs? Im all about saving money so it defintiely will be cheaper to just rent out the equipment. What restaurant did you use for your wedding?

[nbills511]

I didn't realize they don't let you use an outside DJ! That kind of stinks....their DJ prices are super expensive!! Boo

[CristiandJamie]

I think a lot of girls on here just brought there ipod and speakers. We have a Bose ipod speaker stand that not to big to pack and think we are going to bring it vs. renting speakers or getting a DJ. The other day I took my Bose speakers stand outside to see how it sounded and it worked great. :-)

[NaM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelov321 Thanks! That information is very helpful. I have a family member who is willing to DJ the wedding as long as he doesnt have to bring his equipment, but if they dont allow outside DJ's then theres no point. I can definitely take the time to make out the playlist for the reception. How long do they give you for a reception? 3-4 hrs? Im all about saving money so it defintiely will be cheaper to just rent out the equipment. What restaurant did you use for your wedding?

If it's family/guest it might be different because it's not an out vendor persay. You may want to ask you WC about that. But you'd still have to rent the equipment and I'm not sure they would let you use the DJ equipment without the DJ. Again, not totally sure about that, I would confirm with your WC. We had a private reception so we didn't use any restaurant. And it lasted from 6-10. I think any function outside with music has to be over by 10 pm. If you're doing the included dinner at a restaurant, they don't let you have your own private music...so no point in renting any music gear/DJ...you'd have to do a private function to have music and dancing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CristiandJamie I think a lot of girls on here just brought there ipod and speakers. We have a Bose ipod speaker stand that not to big to pack and think we are going to bring it vs. renting speakers or getting a DJ. The other day I took my Bose speakers stand outside to see how it sounded and it worked great. :-)

How many people do you have coming and where is your reception going to be? We brought our ipod dock (to have music in the rooms) and we brought it out for a welcome cocktail function the night before the wedding at the Pandero Terrace and although we thought it would be loud enough...it wasn't at all. Once people started talking and laughing and getting loud, it completely drowned out the music plus the wind and the ocean...it was like not having music at all. Luckily, they were having a fiesta on the resort so we got authentic Mexican music otherwise we would've been SOL that night in terms of music.