Secrets Maroma Brides

[lovelylady]

Sarah2wed  My wedding is in August, not sure what if much we are taking down there, but any decorations that we do take we are most likely not bringing back, and I am happy to share. 

[MVPHairMakeup]

 

 

Originally Posted by lovelylady 

 

Sarah2wed  My wedding is in August, not sure what if much we are taking down there, but any decorations that we do take we are most likely not bringing back, and I am happy to share. 

 

Your name is not lovelylady for nothing...that is very kind of you to be so generous.

[pryncesslinda]

Cole379-  Welcome!  you will be very happy booking with SMB!  The resort is in a very expensie price range, but you do have to realize why thier prices are so high.  you are are on one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world!  You are paying for the location, top notch service, and personalized attention to every detail you can ever imagine.  Incluing chefs cooking infront of you and serving you and your guests poolside and right on the beach!  My guests thought that the prices were on the high end too, especially for Mexico, but once they realized by visiting thier website and some of the travel info packets that my FI and I sent out, thehy understood why,  I have had several people and travel agents tell us that we picked one of the "Best resorts in Mexico!"  Made me feel real good about our choice, and I'm sure it will make you feel better too,    ATleast I hope.

 

Now  the answer to your question is yes, going with an agent is definatly the way to go!  They will get you group rates, hold a block of rooms for you and will get you some really GREAT group rate prices!  I have a name of my travel agent who specializes in group travel.  She is actually the VP of group travel and has done tons of destination weddings.  After months of searching around and even talking to some of the "master agents" (im sure that you've heard of them by now)  We still came back to her because she had the lowest rates, amd in our opinion the best customer service, so I just knew that she would take care of our guests every need.  She even threw in free transportation to and from Cancun International Airport for us and our guests, which some agents would NOT do, and as I'm sure you already know....SMB does not provide this either.  Now for our package, we held 10 rooms in the beggining (we had 70 invites) but this was allowed to be changed later on, either more rooms or less rooms to be held or extended.  So for our group rate contract she also did:  for every 6th room that gets booked you get either an upgrade for your room category or the 7th room free; your choice, and so on, depending on how many quests you have book.  (We had a few less than what we expected). .  And BTW, she has done group rates for brides that do not live in the same area of CT.  We live here in CT and we have had approx 6 or 7 phone conferences with her already, for her to fill us in on where we stand, contact info, and other extras that she is working on for our group.  And I only went into her office once and that was because i wanted to meet with her, that was my preference only because I like to get "a vibe" from people and I wanted to see her in person to see how we "meshed" since I was trustung her with such a HUGE part of our wedding.Like I said my prefence, but def NOT nessisary lol.

 

 P.S.  I also have 3 guests in my group who are handicapped and she is going out of her way to help accomidate them in every way she can.  She even sent them,and us, the info on renting one of those "ride on/motorized scooters" during thier stay!  2 of out guests booked these and 1 choose to have it waiting at SMB upon thier arrival and my father choose to have it waiting at the gate of the airport when he steps off the plane  She is also arranging for a special vechile to pick these guests up from the airport as well as take them back to the airport upon thier departure date because they are handicapped they cannot get in or out of a regular van.  The step is way too high for them to get into.  So she is wonderful,caring, and very understanding and will personalize anything or any concerns or special requests your guests may have.  She also is helping our guests book thier airfare (since we have family all over the US)  she is matching any price they find on any on-line sites for them; and is also dropping ALL booking fees for the airlines!  Which is great because these are usually hidden costs thrown in by the airline and now our guests are saving anywhere from $30- $75 per each booking of airfare.    Wow,..... am I sounding like a commercial for her? lololol!   Maybe I should get a part time job there or atleast make some commision off of this ad that I just did for her.  lol  Sorry I went on and on,  but I was trying to answer your question the best I could and give you some ideas of what to ask other agents when interviewing them.    

 

 Private message me if youd like her info.  It never hurts just to ask .

 

 

Lovelylady-  Yes I am completly stressed out!  and now my Fi is too, so its making it worse when they start stressing too  lol, I've recently learned that one. Yes I am hoping to hear something too!!!  I def wanted to post on here ASAP because I wanted everyone else to be aware of what is going on with customs down there.  I do NOT want another bride to have to experience this horrific nightmare that we are going through!  I even posted a little something quick on the SMB Facebook page warning all future brides NOT to ship anything down!     And  I am still completley taken back by the fact that SMB has that entire page of "shipping procedures" on thier website!!!  ugh!  I dont get it!  It is under "romance, weddings, and then the downloadable wedding PDF"  Well  thank you for thinking of me and I will let you all know what happens, or how we are going to pack 4 boxes worth of wedding items, favors, welcome bags, and items for these, cake topper, and dec orations, as soon as I do.  i never in a million years would have thouht this eer have had been an issue at all!  Im glad for this site so that I can share the good, the fun  and the stress of the planning, and know there are other brides that are going though similar times.  Well hopefully not with these shipping situations anyway.

 

 

 

OK ladies sorry Im venting againg.  Everyone enjohy your day!!

[NEMMERZ]

 

Originally Posted by pryncesslinda 

Cole379-  Welcome!  you will be very happy booking with SMB!  The resort is in a very expensie price range, but you do have to realize why thier prices are so high.  you are are on one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world!  You are paying for the location, top notch service, and personalized attention to every detail you can ever imagine.  Incluing chefs cooking infront of you and serving you and your guests poolside and right on the beach!  My guests thought that the prices were on the high end too, especially for Mexico, but once they realized by visiting thier website and some of the travel info packets that my FI and I sent out, thehy understood why,  I have had several people and travel agents tell us that we picked one of the "Best resorts in Mexico!"  Made me feel real good about our choice, and I'm sure it will make you feel better too,    ATleast I hope.

 

Now  the answer to your question is yes, going with an agent is definatly the way to go!  They will get you group rates, hold a block of rooms for you and will get you some really GREAT group rate prices!  I have a name of my travel agent who specializes in group travel.  She is actually the VP of group travel and has done tons of destination weddings.  After months of searching around and even talking to some of the "master agents" (im sure that you've heard of them by now)  We still came back to her because she had the lowest rates, amd in our opinion the best customer service, so I just knew that she would take care of our guests every need.  She even threw in free transportation to and from Cancun International Airport for us and our guests, which some agents would NOT do, and as I'm sure you already know....SMB does not provide this either.  Now for our package, we held 10 rooms in the beggining (we had 70 invites) but this was allowed to be changed later on, either more rooms or less rooms to be held or extended.  So for our group rate contract she also did:  for every 6th room that gets booked you get either an upgrade for your room category or the 7th room free; your choice, and so on, depending on how many quests you have book.  (We had a few less than what we expected). .  And BTW, she has done group rates for brides that do not live in the same area of CT.  We live here in CT and we have had approx 6 or 7 phone conferences with her already, for her to fill us in on where we stand, contact info, and other extras that she is working on for our group.  And I only went into her office once and that was because i wanted to meet with her, that was my preference only because I like to get "a vibe" from people and I wanted to see her in person to see how we "meshed" since I was trustung her with such a HUGE part of our wedding.Like I said my prefence, but def NOT nessisary lol.

 

 P.S.  I also have 3 guests in my group who are handicapped and she is going out of her way to help accomidate them in every way she can.  She even sent them,and us, the info on renting one of those "ride on/motorized scooters" during thier stay!  2 of out guests booked these and 1 choose to have it waiting at SMB upon thier arrival and my father choose to have it waiting at the gate of the airport when he steps off the plane  She is also arranging for a special vechile to pick these guests up from the airport as well as take them back to the airport upon thier departure date because they are handicapped they cannot get in or out of a regular van.  The step is way too high for them to get into.  So she is wonderful,caring, and very understanding and will personalize anything or any concerns or special requests your guests may have.  She also is helping our guests book thier airfare (since we have family all over the US)  she is matching any price they find on any on-line sites for them; and is also dropping ALL booking fees for the airlines!  Which is great because these are usually hidden costs thrown in by the airline and now our guests are saving anywhere from $30- $75 per each booking of airfare.    Wow,..... am I sounding like a commercial for her? lololol!   Maybe I should get a part time job there or atleast make some commision off of this ad that I just did for her.  lol  Sorry I went on and on,  but I was trying to answer your question the best I could and give you some ideas of what to ask other agents when interviewing them.    

 

 Private message me if youd like her info.  It never hurts just to ask.

 

 

Lovelylady-  Yes I am completly stressed out!  and now my Fi is too, so its making it worse when they start stressing too  lol, I've recently learned that one. Yes I am hoping to hear something too!!!  I def wanted to post on here ASAP because I wanted everyone else to be aware of what is going on with customs down there.  I do NOT want another bride to have to experience this horrific nightmare that we are going through!  I even posted a little something quick on the SMB Facebook page warning all future brides NOT to ship anything down!    And  I am still completley taken back by the fact that SMB has that entire page of "shipping procedures" on thier website!!!  ugh!  I dont get it!  It is under "romance, weddings, and then the downloadable wedding PDF"  Well  thank you for thinking of me and I will let you all know what happens, or how we are going to pack 4 boxes worth of wedding items, favors, welcome bags, and items for these, cake topper, and decorations, as soon as I do.  i never in a million years would have thouht this eer have had been an issue at all!  Im glad for this site so that I can share the good, the fun  and the stress of the planning, and know there are other brides that are going though similar times.  Well hopefully not with these shipping situations anyway.

 

 

 

OK ladies sorry Im venting againg.  Everyone enjohy your day!!

Pryn,

 

Oh my gosh, i am so very sorry to hear about your situation.

 

What CRAP!!!

 

I get mad at Ceilia alot cuz she is wrong often.

 

There HAS TO BE a way to do this, brides get married there all the time right???

 

Have you posted out on the GENERAL FORUM, a bride has to be out there that is going thru this also...

 

I dont have anything to ship, I am a NO FRILLS wedding, LOL...just my dress on the plane.......Only 10 ppl including us...

 

 

[NEMMERZ]

 

Originally Posted by cole379 

Hello Everyone,

 

Sorry that I cannot help anyone with their questions but this is my first post! I have been doing a lot of research on Secrets Maroma Beach and I would love to have a wedding there. I am just hoping that you fellow brides who have already booked there can answer a question for me.

 

For some of our important guests, price is an issue. Therefore, if we cannot get a great deal on the resort we might not be able to book it (we are already paying for a few family members but helping out everyone a bit is out of our budget). How did you go about getting a great deal for your guests? Does the resort offer a discount to our wedding guests for staying at the resort? We just started working with a travel agent and I want to make sure she can get me the best deal possible. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated!

 

Thanks!

Hey Cole,

 

I believe the other bride answered you, and she is sooooo right!!

 

Yes its more expensive, but I originally picked SANDOS PLAYACAR. loved the WC........but rooms were outdated, it was a super large resort, you have to wear wrist bands, use a towel card, and other things...........it was prob. $800 less per person.  But i still think its an awesome resort, i also like GRAND PALLIDUIM but they didnt have my week available, my family has been there and love the jungle atmosphere, but beach was choppy and rooms just OK, but AGAIN, good outweighs the bad........those are my two cheaper resort reccomendations...

 

But SM is fantastic..............in my eyes anyways!!

 

 

[JenFL]

Hi ladies!

 

As the 2012 rates came out recently I am now looking at Secrets due to the resort I had planned on rose their prices considerably. I do have a few questions that hopefully some past or soon to be married ladies can help me on.

 

My photographers (2) are coming with me and staying at the resort. I know there is an outside vendor fee but what about if they are staying? Has anyone done this?

 

I'm worried about being nickeled and dimed for a lot of things - what is your experience on this?

 

Thanks!

[Simistar]

If the photographers are staying at the resort, then you don't, or shouldn't have to, pay the vendor fee. For all the hotel knows, they're friends of yours, guests of the wedding, and they're also taking pictures.

In fact, I wouldn't even bother telling Cecilia they're photographers...that's when they might try to nickel and dime you:-)
 

Originally Posted by JenFL 

Hi ladies!

 

As the 2012 rates came out recently I am now looking at Secrets due to the resort I had planned on rose their prices considerably. I do have a few questions that hopefully some past or soon to be married ladies can help me on.

 

My photographers (2) are coming with me and staying at the resort. I know there is an outside vendor fee but what about if they are staying? Has anyone done this?

 

I'm worried about being nickeled and dimed for a lot of things - what is your experience on this?

 

Thanks!

[kjackerman]

Hello! We recently decided to get married at SMB in March 2012 and I asked the WC about the same question... photographers. She will be staying as a guest for 2-3 nights and Cecilia said it was "no problema" so I'm going with it!

[pryncesslinda]

Nemmerz- I completley agree with you! I dont understand how other brides are getting thier packages shipped! 

 

As per Mexican customs- NO PERSONAL ITEMS may be shipped to Mexico!  ....period!...  I am so upset.  They wont let ANYthing through.  I was yelling at them on the phone saying "what if I had family there, how am I supposed to ship anything to them".  They had no answers other than, "we cannot advise you on what or what not to ship". This is complete BS.  Excuse my language.  Because I did call about some personalized waters that we wanted to ship and I had asked sepcifically about them because I know that you cant ship food, so I was wondering about the water.  They told me "as long as it is sepcified on exactly what is in the package, it is fine".  So I did bring this to thier attention, that someone DID advise me previously.  All they could do at this point was repeat them selves.  UGH!

 

So we did call UPS, and did some reasearch.  But we really don't want to pay for this very expensive mistake again.  No more chances.  We will have to pack everything in a suitcase, and as for the OOT bag items, we will have to split them up in all of our suitcases.  There is 5 suitcases that it will be slipt up in.  I dont even want to do this, because I am still afraid of going through customs in Mexico, I mean either way, we still have to pass.  We have to leave out the water all together because no airline will let you bring water on. There are alot of things we have to leave.  Our colored sand for the sand ceremony, our cake topper because it is made from real starfish and shells.  Alot of stuff is questionable.  If I knew this I would never have purchased alot of our items.  I really hope that this helps someone else before they make purchases for all of the details.

 

Jen-  As for the photographer.  I have heard that if they need a permit to work in Mexico.... so your best best would not even say anything about who they are.  They do not need to know.  Other than that they are your wedding guests as they other girls have suggested

[lovelylady]

Linda- We flew into Cancun in 2009 to stay for a week at Secrets, and we took an entire case of wine with us as checked luggage. It was very clear what was in the box as we had several people who worked at the Cancun airport ask us what we were celebrating with all the booze. Unless things have changed since then you should be able to take your water as checked luggage if you really wanted to. And from what I can tell most of the brides do take sand for their sand ceremony as well. I know on the Secrets shipping page they encourage bringing the items as luggage instead of shipping, this is probably because of the issues you are experiencing. We are planning on taking everything with us as a separate checked bag.