Any Grand Palladium brides?

[JennyPenny]

Hi Michelle,

I'll be getting married very close to your date, it's on Dec 1st. Where will you be leaving from in Ontario? I will be leaving from Toronto Pearson airport. How much did you and your guests book your package for? I got a quote about 3 months ago but at the time it was still too expensive for my guests so we didnt' book yet.

What kind of flowers did you see there in December last year? Do you have pictures? I just can't wait until our wedding and hopefully I'll see you around there!

[shellbelle]

Hi JennyPenny,

 

It's nice to hear the someone else is getting married in December. ) We are leaving from Toronto Pearson Airport as well and I have run into the same problem as you for rates.

 

Last year for a one week December 2008 vacation to the Royal Suites Yucatan, we paid a total of $1,535 (taxes included) per person. Obviously other sections of the resort were cheaper, but we wanted to treat ourselves and we thought that this was a great rate for staying at the Royal Suites.

 

The rates that we got from our travel agent in January 2009 for the same time were for $1,500 before taxes for the Colonial/Kantenah side (older side) and around $1,700 for anything upgraded. This is because they have not published the rates for November/December yet and are 'estimating' the costs. I've spoken to a few other TA's and they say that the new rates should be out in another month or so. We ourselves are holding off until we get comparable rates to last year.

 

I will try to attach some of the photos of the flowers and resort (if I can figure it out!) but if not, I'll write back tonight with a link to the photos.

 

Do you know what location you are getting married at and how many people approximately you are having?

 

Started to get excited too. ;o)

[JennyPenny]

Hi ShellBelle,

We're going to do it at the beach gazebo and at the Portofino for dinner. One thing i'm trying to figure out but can't seem to solve yet is the dinner chairs. I really want the white chair cover but apparently we can't have it unless it's a private reception. I wanted to buy and bring my own but the chair has armrests so I don't think i will fit.

 

Do you know where you're doing it yet? Have you come across the chair cover issue at all?

[shellbelle]

We are going to use the Beach Gazebo as well but due to the number of people we believe that are coming (my guests have until June 15th to RSVP officially so that we can plan ahead for costs), we are going to have to rent La Laguna. Fortunately, I believe the cost per person for dinner includes the chair covers and rental of the area but if they are extra on top of the $50 per person (ouch!), we will probably forego the added expense.

 

Oh, I believe I finally figured out how to post photos!

 

This is a photo of a walkway around the lagoon on the White Sands/Riviera side of the resort. You can actually see the top of the beach gazebo in this photo.

 

More flowers!

 

[svetayasofiya]

Just got word from Rocio about my options (size of group, prices etc...) and I can officially call myself a Palladium bride! YAY

Just waiting for them to start taking bookings for 2010!

I am getting marrrrrriiiiiiiiiiied!!!!!!!!!!!!

[astralmind]

Hey guys ! Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences, some very useful information there. Special thanks to Ashley for referring me to this great forum !

 

Svetayasofiya : Glad to see an other Montrealer getting married at the GP in 2010 ! Any idea when ?

 

I don't know much about the whole wedding business but I've been to the Palldium a few times so if you have any general questions, go ahead !

[Jan2010 Bride]

Hello!

 

I am new to this site and I have found all the information very helpful! I have more of a general question regarding invitations for destination weddings. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

Should we be putting the exact date of the wedding or just say the week of on the invitations? We have decided on the GP but I have not booked a specific date with Rocio. I have emailed her but have not heard back yet.

 

Thanks!

Karie

[svetayasofiya]

Well Rocio told me they haven't opened bookings yet for 2010. Probably sometime in mid-May when the new prices come out....... *I really hope they didn't increase the prices.

 

astralmind- I am planning for Feb 18, 2010.

[BrideNov2009]

Hi Karie!

 

Congratulations on your up coming wedding : )

My fiance and I get married at the Grand Palladium Riviera Nov 19,2009.

 

We set up our wedding invitation as a boarding pass. It was a lot of fun to design. My friend actually is a graphic designer and does this. Her web site is:

www.aprylsdesigns.com

There are a few different options on there to help give you an idea.

 

On the invitations we put the deposit amount that had to be booked ASAP to hold spot. When the balance had to be paid in full (2 months before departure date). We had our travel agent information on there as well so they can call and book or ask any questions. Instead of reply cards we just had an email address on there ie: [email protected]

We also had information on the resort as well and what it had to offer on the inside along with pictures too!

Since we did it as a trifold and it was on an 8 x 10 we could put the invitiatons in a regular envelope and only needed 1 stamp. We did our return address and the addresses on labels that we could peel and stick on the envelopes too.

It has been working really well. Plus the travel agent sends me an email everytime someone books.

We also had the time of the wedding on there too. If you check out the site I noted above and go to a boarding pass invitation you will have a better idea and be able to picture it.

 

Hope this helps

Candice

[shellbelle]

Hello Jan2010bride,

 

We are getting married in December 2009 and we sent our invitations out the middle of March. So it is about 8 months ahead of time which should be ample time to allow people to book vacation time off work, budget, etc. The rates for November and December 2009 are not available yet though, but we do have the wedding date booked with the hotel. On our invites, we put the exact date of the wedding and put a recommended vacation time for booking holidays.

For example:

Wedding to take place Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Recommended holiday booking time from Sunday, November 29 - Sunday, December 6, 2009.

 

On our RSVP's, people put their email or phone number if they wanted to go. Once the rates are released, I'm just planning on giving the RSVP cards to the travel agent and have her call each guest and set up the booking. Takes the pressure off yourself and having to deal with money for everybody for deposits.

 

Also, not everyone may be able to fit in your block grouping and if they atleast know the date, they can arrange to have a mini-vacation to make that.

 

Hope this helps!