Secrets Maroma Brides

[CriCri]

Originally Posted by beachbride2013 

 

For those who were married and used Juan as the photographer...how long did it take for you to get your photos?

 

10 days, I have received before leaving the resort but I pressed them to have before caming back home.

[nicc80]

Okay wedding departure date is now 2 weeks exactly  from today.  I enjoy the excitement, but then recall all that I still have to do.  My fiancé and I are taking dance lessons... just a little bonus we are enjoying together before we go.  Our first song is a waltz.  However she asked how much room we will have in the gazeb

Does anyone happen to know about how big it is?

 

It doesn't' really look like 30 people will fit in there!  Dancing seems challenged.  Can anybody help?

[beachbride2013]

Originally Posted by nicc80 

 

Okay wedding departure date is now 2 weeks exactly  from today.  I enjoy the excitement, but then recall all that I still have to do.  My fiancé and I are taking dance lessons... just a little bonus we are enjoying together before we go.  Our first song is a waltz.  However she asked how much room we will have in the gazeb

Does anyone happen to know about how big it is?

 

It doesn't' really look like 30 people will fit in there!  Dancing seems challenged.  Can anybody help?

 

It's a pretty big gazebo. It should be more than enough room for your first dance, and 30 people can fit in the gazebo with no problems I'm sure.

[beachbride2013]

Originally Posted by CriCri 

 

 

10 days, I have received before leaving the resort but I pressed them to have before caming back home.

 

Thanks Cri. I didn't push them to be done. I just hope I get them soon.

[msop04]

Originally Posted by KCDawn 

 

I've been coming here for answers first too!  It's so much quicker.  I can help you with a few of these.  I'm sure other ladies can help you with the rest or add to what I have....

 

1.  I haven't dealt with the Styling Trio at all so I can't help you here.  Sorry!  There may already me a thread on them though. 

 

2.  I don't have the credit amounts for these, but I have the makeup and hair on my list to ask Valeria.  I do know that the credits are much less than the listed "a la carte" prices you'll find in the wedding guide and other SMB price lists.  This is because they consider these to be discounted when bundled in the package.

 

3.  This one I can help you with!  Yes, you just pay the difference to upgrade the photo package.  This is what Valeria told me.  I am using Juan Navarro.  I emailed him at the beginning of the planning to secure him for our day.  Keep in mind that it is Juan or one of his associates so you'll need to get in touch with him to see if he is available if you want him specifically.  When I emailed him I gave him the types of pictures I wanted to do and he came back with a timeline and seemed very open to what I wanted and was very responsive.  I'm sure if you gave him samples of things you wanted he would work with you.  You could also look at his Blog (blog.juanphotos.com) or his Facebook page and find pics he's already done that you'd like to recreate.

 

4.  I'm guessing this depends on how you do your booking.  We used a travel agent, but did not do a room block.  You may get a different answer somewhere else, but our TA told us they don't really do discounts with the room blocks, it's more that they'll reward you with freebies, like a free cocktail hour or something like that.  I have yet to really look into this though.  I was waiting until most of our guests are booked.

 

5.  We are doing the welcome bonfire.  There are price details in the wedding guide.  We're doing the bonfire and the bar (no dinner).  We figure can do dinner on their own since they're already paying for it.  The bonfire is a $250 set up fee and the bar is $12.60 per person after the tax and service fee.  If you have a small group, just setting a time in a restaurant might be a good idea, however to reserve a space they may charge you anyway.  You'll have to check with Cecilia on that one.

 

Hope that helps!! Good luck! 

 

Thank for answering - it did help a lot!  We are still in limbo about whether or not to use Juan...  The other alternative is to bring a photographer from home... we shall see what kind of deal we could get to even see if that's a possibility.  Do you happen to know the credit amount for photography or video of any kind?

 

I'm really excited about having the bonfire though!!  I think everyone will enjoy it a lot.  

 

Question: What does the $250 include exactly?  I know it does not include any special seating (+$500), the bar (+12.60 pp), or music (+$180 sound system), so... I'm a little confused about what I'd be paying for, since we're staying at an all-inclusive... hope I don't sound sarcastic, just really wondering if all this is sort of a "marketing ploy," if you will.  Not to sound dumb, but do they start an actual bonfire on the beach?? LOL  

 

**Wow, just realized that I totally make fun of people who ask seemingly stupid questions... like me.  HA!  

[msop04]

Originally Posted by beachbride2013 

 

 

1. Didn't use them, so not sure.

2. You will need to ask your wedding coordinator. The policy/price changes often so until it is in your contract which you have signed, then it is not a sure thing. It's Mexico, so it's all somewhat negotiable.

3.  I upgraded through Cecilia (never spoke or emailed Juan) and she took care of it. I even changed the hours that I wanted them there a few days before the wedding and Juan and an assistant were there exactly on time.

4. We had about the same amount of rooms, maybe a few more. We used no discounts. Everyone who attended my wedding booked on their own. We encouraged them to, but assisted with finding the best deals online, for the time that they were ready to book. The hotel attempted to put us all in the same area, but we found that to be not important at all. The resort isn't that big and all of the rooms have phones, so it just isn't that big of a deal once you are there.

5. We did a bonfire 2 nights before the wedding at 8:30. It was perfect. Everyone went to eat on their own and came to the bonfire after. We only had the bar setup. It was plenty. It was $250 plus about $10 per person for the 2 hours I think. Well worth it. All of our guests became friends and it was a blast to say the least. I would recommend this. It's def a party and lots of fun.

 

Also, I would recommend the bonfire over a dinner. And a dinner for 20ish guests is not included. That would be a private function and there would be a cost for it. The highest number of guests we could seat together (other than breakfast buffet) was 8 people. And no reservations except for the Japanese rest. The restaurants are set up more for couples. If a bonfire is in the budget, go for it. You wouldn't regret it. We didn't tell most of our guests about it until the day they arrived and they were so excited!

 

I agree with you, beachbride2013 -- the bonfire & bar would be better than a dinner!!  I'm excited to have it so everyone can become acquainted.  Do you know exactly what the $250 setup includes??  (I know special seating, sound system, etc. are separate charges...)  I guess I should just forget about any "discounts" as far as rooms go... as much as I'd like everyone to stay at SMB, I understand if it's just too pricey.  Thanks for your help!!  

[msop04]

Originally Posted by LolaTX 

 

Sounds like many of your questions have been already!!!

 

1) I just requested a quote from Styling Trio from their website.  The main reason I would choose to use them is for the airbrush makeup that I heard SMB Spa does not do.  When I requested a quote yesterday, Emily repsonded the same day with a list of questions to develop the quote. Here is her email:

[email protected].  She has not yet responded to me with an acutal quote yet. I will keep ya'll updated when she does

 

4) We are also using a travel agent that secured the price of $579 per person, based on a double occupancy for three nights in a jr suite with partial view. This also includes airport transfers. My guests can book directly through him, he even created a website just for our guests to inquire upon with our picture.  I can share his information if you like.  He requires $150 paid upfront and then the balance 45 days prior to departure.  We are not earning any type of additional discount though . .since apparently this pricing is VERY LOW. However, after reading through this forum, I did recently ask Cecillia what they do for gratis for us since we will be having over 50 guests, and they will all (or MOST) be staying at SMB. I will let ya'll know what she responds to this!

 

5) We are also doing a bonfire then night before the wedding from 8-10pm.  In addition to the $250 charge, and $10 per person for international bar, we are adding the lounge seating (approx $500) and the sounds sytem (approx $180). I saw photos from another brides bonfire and she rented the lounge seating and it looked great and comfy. We are expecting over 50 guests, so I definitely want to make it comfortable for them.  Otherwise, they just push the beach chairs together for you. We also rented the sounds sytem for music (of course), but also to do thank you speeches from us to our guests, and open table toasts from our guests!!! I almost wish I had a videographer  /  photographer for this event too

 

Wow!!  Thanks LolaTX!!  I'm so glad you included an email for The Styling Trio - TREMENDOUS HELP!!!  

 

Do you happen to know what your credit will be, should you use The Styling Trio and not the SMB spa?  (I've gotta try to justify this expense to my FI)  

 

OMG, $579 pp for THREE NIGHTS or $579 pp/night (@ $1737 each)?  If the former is correct, then I must use your TA!!!  

 

Regarding the bonfire, the lounge seating will look great!!  I wish that was in my budget!!  DANG!  ...but I'll definitely do the sound system and beach chairs!  If you are using Juan Navarro, maybe you could have him video/photograph it -- or even have guests snap a few (sometimes candids are the best photos!)  

[msop04]

Originally Posted by LolaTX 

 

 

 

Emily with the Styling Trio was VERY PROMPT and THOROUGH and replied back to my email with pricing:

 

 

Our prices are the following, in US dollars:

 

 

$700 - Adrian as Stylist - Bridal Package, Hair and Makeup, with Trial run

$600 - Adrian as Stylist - Bridal Package, Hair and Makeup, just Wedding day

$550 - Other Stylist - Bridal Package, Hair and Makeup, with Trial run

$450 - Other Stylist - Bridal Package, Hair and Makeup, just Wedding day

$200 - Bridesmaids/Mom Package, Hair and Makeup

$125 - Bridesmaids/Mom Package, just Hair or Makeup

$ 60-80 - Flower girl, Hair

*For the Trial Run $ the Wedding Day we travel to your hotel and charge a travel fee of $25-50

**Deposit of $150 required to have STRM hold your wedding date

 

Unfortunately, I will be covering a service for my five bridemaids as well as myself, so these prices are too high for me.  I will be using the resort's spa.  I have the most recent pricing brochure on SMB spa if anyone needs it too.

 

Wow, they are a little pricey...  I wonder if the other stylists would do just as well as Adrian??  Maybe if I put my Spa credit towards this, I could justify using the "Other Stylist" w/ the trial run??  Hmmmm....  LOL  Kinda makes you wonder what exactly they do for that much money??  If I decide to use them, I'd better look FAB!!    

[msop04]

Originally Posted by LolaTX 

 

 

 

Emily with the Styling Trio was VERY PROMPT and THOROUGH and replied back to my email with pricing:

 

 

Our prices are the following, in US dollars:

 

 

$700 - Adrian as Stylist - Bridal Package, Hair and Makeup, with Trial run

$600 - Adrian as Stylist - Bridal Package, Hair and Makeup, just Wedding day

$550 - Other Stylist - Bridal Package, Hair and Makeup, with Trial run

$450 - Other Stylist - Bridal Package, Hair and Makeup, just Wedding day

$200 - Bridesmaids/Mom Package, Hair and Makeup

$125 - Bridesmaids/Mom Package, just Hair or Makeup

$ 60-80 - Flower girl, Hair

*For the Trial Run $ the Wedding Day we travel to your hotel and charge a travel fee of $25-50

**Deposit of $150 required to have STRM hold your wedding date

 

Unfortunately, I will be covering a service for my five bridemaids as well as myself, so these prices are too high for me.  I will be using the resort's spa.  I have the most recent pricing brochure on SMB spa if anyone needs it too!

 

 

Wow... if I decide to book them, I'd better look FAB!!  

[ElleGee]

MSOP, when is your wedding? I am not sure how much the credits are for services you forgo, but from what I have heard, they are very flexible with allowing you to choose what you do or do not want to use, and use it for something else. CriCri actually was quoted a lower price from Styling Trio . . .I am not sure why they quoted mine so much higher, but it ultimately is forcing me to use the SMB spa. You should email them (either through their website form or via the email I provided above) and compare what they quote you too!!! And, thats a fabulous idea! I wonder if I could add an hour of photography for the bonfire the night before . . . Id actually prefer a videographer, because I am sure some of the toasts (or shall I say ROASTS, LOL) will be priceless. I know my father is purchasing a really nice new camera, and maybe I can see if someone has their own video camera to bring along too. I think the bonfire is going to be a lot of fun! I had orgiinaly included in my contract for open bar AND dessert at the bonfire . . which was approximately $18 (plus tax) per person. When I decided to just do the open bar, I had some room there with $ and decided to just put it towards the lounge seating. It wont accomodate all my guests, but it will be a nice touch. My wedding is in late October, and I know rates are relative to the time of the year. But yes, $579 per person (based on a double room) for three nights (in the lowest class room) . .so it comes out to about $1160 per couple for the resort room. And I thought that was still expensive, LOL! Airfare from Houston right now is steady around $450, and I doubt it will go down. So my guests are forking over $1000 each to just come to my wedding. In fact, almost half of the people booked actually did four nights, so I guess the money really wasnt that big of a deal. Several of my friends have already been to the resort and have said it was the best one they have ever been to . . .sounds like it is worth the $$$. My travel agent is Chuck Joyce, with Gosecrets.com. If you contact him, PLEASE tell me I referred ya! He is out of North Carolina, but has been relatively easy to deal with thus far.