Playa Fiesta Weddings

[dushantz]

Hi, I'm strongly considering Playa Fiesta for my wedding. I have a tight budget and I was wondering what anyone did to keep costs down. With our flights/accommodation its getting pricey. Is Lindsey helpful for suggesting budget conscience alternatives?

[Mel&B]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dushantz Hi, I'm strongly considering Playa Fiesta for my wedding. I have a tight budget and I was wondering what anyone did to keep costs down. With our flights/accommodation its getting pricey. Is Lindsey helpful for suggesting budget conscience alternatives?

To save money, I am not getting flower centerpieces for the tables. I'm getting the largest candle package to compensate for the lack of flowers. I'm not sure what "tight" means for you, but I would just go through all of Playa Fiesta's packages and see how much the total would be for all of the most basic options.

[Bunsie3]

Hi dushantz! There are many different options available to you at Playa Fiesta for your ceremony and reception so you can customize somewhat for your budget. Different meals (sit down or buffet), music options, bar options, ambiance options etc... There are only a few things you have to have (like the DJ and wedding planner fee). Honestly, the best way to cut the budget is to have a smaller group, but that is hard to do.

 

The expensive thing is that you have to add 15% on to everything and an additional 15% tip to all food and bar items. CRAZY!!!

 

 

DB2B, I was also shocked at flower prices and they have recently gone up more. What kind of flowers did you ask for? I cannot figure out why flowers that are grown there are so damn expensive. I have not gotten a flower qoute yet but I am trying to keep it basic because I figured that a mixed bouquest with the flowers I wanted would probably cost a fortune. I am using rannunculus for my and my girls bouquets and roses for the table centerpieces. Not sure how expensive it is going to be. I am also going to bring the ribbon I want the bouquets wrapped in and I found a place that sells the bouquet jewelry (crystals) at a good price so I will just add them in myself. I am budgeting $3,500 for flowers, who knows I could be way off. If rannunculus are too pricey I will just have to use all roses. I guess I just have to wait for a qoute and cross my fingers.

[dushantz]

Yes good idea. I would nix the flower centerpieces and do the candle package too. It's in some of the pictures of past weddings and looks fine for my tastes.

 

I really want PF to work out. It was at the top of our guest budget prices but then I forgot to convert to canadian dollars so now its way over! I am estimating a flight out of Toronto would be $650cad but I'm hoping to get a much better deal (group rates?) and maybe it will fit in the budget.

[~Kate~]

Thanks for starting this thread, Kate!!!!

 

I just got married at PF on Friday and it was fabulous!! I'll have lots to say later but just wanted to quickly check in...glad to see so many PF brides on here!

 

Kate L.

[DB2B]

Congratulations Kate! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

Bunsie - ha ha ha! Perhaps we just discovered my problem. Regardless, I think $400 for a bouquet is a lot, but we are spending hardly anything on flowers! As in under $1000! Apparently our priority is less aesthetic and more liquid - as in the bar! How much do people usually budget for flowers? I am less inclined to do flowers since we can't take them home with us, and because Playa Fiesta is already stunning, it doesn't need much pretty-fying! Although I did just spot some gorgeous centerpieces that I'm reconsidering...

 

Hi Dushantz! Although we haven't done the deed yet, I can definitely say I woudl recommend Playa Fiesta if it fits in your budget. A lot of the AI or big hotel brides have complaints about not communicating with the wedding coordinator - I e-mail Lindsay and get a response literally in 5 minutes! She must live at her computer! I do have to say, my Mr and I chose PF knowing we could have the wedding more cheaply elsewhere, but we wanted the wow factor, the convenience and lack of stress, and originally I wanted a villa wedding (ouch- pricey!), and this is like a villa but better! So know it is a little expensive, but if you can do without a lot of the extras I think it would be doable - if you explain your situation to Lindsay I'm sure she could make suggestions. When I hit sticker shock at my bouquet price, she had multiple suggestions for me, both of which were so good I can't make up my mind! I also have to say, for guest prices, it's not expensive for the quality. We were also looking at the Sheraton, and becuase of the 17% tax + 10% service, for a club room with breakfast it would be over 200 still, without open bar or any dinners; we're paying only slightly more and it includes open bar, 3 dinners/entertainment nights and no (or few) strangers in speedos by the pool! I would definitely budget it out, though, as it always is more expensive than you first think, and if you have questions let us know!

[Bunsie3]

Congrats Kate! Looking forward to hearing about your big day

 

dushantz, Playa Fiesta is absolutely beautiful and Lindsay and Adam are wonderful to work with. Lindsay has been more than helpful with my planning process so far! The high tax and tip is everywhere I looked in Mexico. The deciding factor for me when chosing a location was that I wanted something private...not somewhere where all the other hotel guests would be curiously watching our ceremony and reception. Playa Fiesta offered that privacy level. I am doing a 4 night package during the week...that way the rates for my guests were lower.

 

DB2B- the only reason I have such a high flower budget is b/c i have 7 bridesmaids and a flower girl. I think $400 for a bouquet is a lot too. I am going to ask Lindsay is my BMs bouquets can be a little smaller to cut costs. I would rather spend the money elsewhere

 

What are you guys planning for your ceremony music?

[jenniebey]

Congrats Kate! Can't wait to hear your review of PF.

 

dushantz - I also immediately thought that PF was too expensive. But after adding up all the costs from my other choices, it didn't seem too bad. I think that all in all it will be a bit more, but it will be worth it for the privacy and intimate setting. And of course there are ways you can cut down on costs.

 

Have you asked Adam yet for pricing? He will send you what everything costs a la carte. I just started adding it up and that helped me make my decision. If not, just email him and tell him you are interested. He will get you what you need so you can make a decision.

 

Everyone I know that has gotten married recently told me that you need to decide on the 1-2 things that are really important to you and make those your priority...you can compromise on other things. For us it was location and privacy. All these people will be traveling for us so we want to be able to spend as much time as possible with them and make it a completely special experience...PF offers this.

 

Good luck! Try not to stress too much. Either way you're getting married this year and it's going to be fabulous! Everything else is just details.

[kate.com]

Ok, I'm back... and unfortunately caught a stupid cold. (I know, in San Diego where it is supposed to be warm.)

 

The tables seat 8. I had 37 guests and we fit at 5 tables. My hubby was worried that it would look empty with only 5 tables but I was like "too bad, we are saving like $500 by not having more tables."

And the way they arrange the tables it doesn't look empty/ like a small amt. They stager them and it looks awesome. I was actually pleasantly suprised by this.

 

WELCOME Back Kate L! Actually, what is your new last initial?

[~Kate~]

Still L, K8 J now B! Feel better soon!! It's a long weekend here in Canada so I plan on actually unpacking and maybe starting some photo projects Or maybe I should study...

 

Everyone, I just did my review - check it out: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...191#post692780 - although I echo everything Kate already said in hers! Feel free to ask any questions here or in that thread...