This is too overwhelming... please help!

[scrappinsensation]

I have been on this forum for about a month now, and I am even more confused now than before! There are SO many options! I've AT LEAST narrowed it down to Cancun or Riviera Maya (and that's only b/c I stay off the other forums!). But there are SO many choices! Everytime I read a review I want my wedding there! This is so overwhelming. I need Our wedding is a year away, but I'm already stressing and crying - and I'm usually not that emotional! Can you guys post some suggestions on how I can start this journey. Do I need a TA, a separate wedding coordinator from the one the resort offers, do I just start emailing hotels to get price quotes? My priorities are:

• must be all-inclusive
• allow children
• affordable
• offer a NON BEACH ceremony location - i don't want to feel the sand on my toes

I really appreciate any advice!

Marisol

[DanielleNDerek]

Your not alone, i didn't sleep for months until i had chosen the resort. I was crying, stressing, second guessing every decision, constantly changing my mind.

 

I would definately recomend getting a TA. they can answer your questions about the resorts (i'm sure they have seen most of them) and they can help your guests with any questions they might have.

 

Well at least you narrowed down some of your choices with the priorities, now i would start making a list of other priorities that may be important to you like swimmable beach, restuarant choices, near airport, and if you picked a price range that should narrow down your choices by a lot. when you talk to a ta if you give them a price range per guest i'm sure they can give you some resort choices.

 

Don't get too upset, picking a resort is by far the hardest decision you'll have to make.

[scrappinsensation]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielleNDerek Your not alone, i didn't sleep for months until i had chosen the resort. I was crying, stressing, second guessing every decision, constantly changing my mind. I would definately recomend getting a TA. they can answer your questions about the resorts (i'm sure they have seen most of them) and they can help your guests with any questions they might have. Well at least you narrowed down some of your choices with the priorities, now i would start making a list of other priorities that may be important to you like swimmable beach, restuarant choices, near airport, and if you picked a price range that should narrow down your choices by a lot. when you talk to a ta if you give them a price range per guest i'm sure they can give you some resort choices. Don't get too upset, picking a resort is by far the hardest decision you'll have to make.

Thanks Danielle. This may sound crazy, but I've never worked with a TA. Do I choose a local one or one in Mexico?

[LisaG]

I would definitely start with a TA. They can work with you and send you options for hotels, and let you know if the ones you are thinking of $uck

Tammy (host) is a TA. Or you could also choose a local one. I did all of my correspondence with mine over the phone and by e-mail, so a local one is not necessary.

[Dez921714]

Ok. Take a deep breath. Right now, your main concern is finding a resort...try not to think of ANYTHING ELSE right now.

 

I'd say talk to a TA, this forum has a some great ones.

 

I'm getting married in Cancun/Riveria Maya so I am a bit biased to my resort....Moon Palace. It's AI, kid friendly, has 3 gazeebo's for weddings as well as terrace set ups and as for affordiablitly, our guests are spending $422 per night and if they stay 3 or more nights, it includes excursions.

 

One thing and one day at a time!

[Davematthews16]

Relax, breath, and remember this is supposed to be FUN!!!! Here's how my "wedding journey" has gone thus far:

 

1. I googled "Destination Wedding Planner" and happened to find a fabulous WC who lived a 1/2 mile away from me.

 

2. I called her up. She happened to be in Mexico visiting wedding locations, but answered my call and was sooo helpful and nice. We set up a time to meet the following week at Panera.

 

3. She brought her lap-top, a ton of pictures, and had answers to EVERY SINGLE QUESTION I HAD (which was a lot trust me) She explained how the packages worked, and even showed us the all inclusive packages right online.

We sent our STD's, and put our deposits for the hotel down through her.

 

4. It's basically been a "breeze" She contacts the hotel for me, set the date, and taken care of everything! I haven't (nor will I) personally ever have to call the hotel. I'm LOVIN' IT!!!

 

5. Our job is to enjoy ourselves, have fun choosing decorations, picking out dresses ect. HAVE FUN, and not stress.

[Tracy]

Based on what you are looking for, I think the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar meets your needs - they are in the Riviera Maya, have reasonable rates, a beautiful gazebo to do your wedding in and they are all inclusive and allow children (I'm sure there are many other resorts that meet these requirements, but i like this one).

 

I would recommend finding a GOOD travel agent. I used destinationweddings.com and have been VERY VERY disappointed...so I would not recommend them. Find someone local - i think going in and talking in person makes it much easier (especially when all your planning has to be done with the hotel via email) - at least that is one part you can do face to face.

 

Good luck and try not to stress - you still have a year and everything will come together, I'm sure

[1elephant]

omg i wish i had your ta, andrea!

marisol, i think that picking the place was the hardest part. and every time i thought i had it narrowed down, i'd read some bad review. keep in mind that most people who write bad reviews have one thing go wrong and then they just keep track of the little things to spite the place (ie - have to wait an hour for a room b/c they chose the non-preferred tower to save $, even though they knew they'd have to wait - ?? then they see a bug on the sidewalk, don't like their food, and even tho it's an all inclusive, refuse to order something else...these people ruin their own vacations).

 

pay attention to the overall reviews, and search for review on here. remember that not all of the people on tripadvisor and yahoo went to a resort to get married, so the girls (and guys) here have a different point of view.

[Mandy]

I don't know if this will help or make things worse, but there are a ton of pics on here taken by some fabulous photographers: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t4276 This can give you an idea as to how good the resorts can look. Just remember that Matt and Sol are quite possibly the best photographers in the Riviera Maya and can make ANY resort look good.

 

Make a list of resorts in that area. Start out easy: mark out the ones that don't allow children and don't include anything that's not AI. This map http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t2278 has a ton of the resorts listed (and is a great reference as to where they are in reference to each other). You also might contact a few of them to see if they even have your desired dates available. I had to cross several off my list because I was only a few months out and many of them had my date booked.

[scrappinsensation]

Thank you ALL so much!!! You guys are great and have offered me some great tips! Part of my problem is that I am a perfectionist and want to pick the PERFECT hotel. I keep thinking that so-and-so would like to see the Ruins, so I want to pick something in the Riviera Maya, but then I see a hotel with a sports bar and pool tables and think - that is SO up my FI's family's alley! I get too wrapped up in satisfying everyone! I am going to follow the wonderful tips you guys have offerred so far... Thanks a MILLION!!