Villa Rental/Wedding Planner - Need advice, please

[marny61]

My daughter rented a villa in Playa del Secreto for her wedding in Jan 2010. We were aware the cost for having the wedding there would be $850 plus the weeks rental for 24 guests. Today I received an email from the owner of the villa, stating that there is also a $500 corkage fee....at this moment, I realize that we do not know enough about the culture and the wedding venue to do this alone. Has anyone rented a villa and had a corkage fee? Has anyone hired a wedding planner in the mexican riveria that you would recommend. I am in awe of your planning skills and ideas - what a wonderful group of talented women you are. Congratulations to each of you! I look forward to watching you plan your weddings and see the pictures of your big day. Marcia

[MomentsThatMatter]

That doesn't sound right... especially finding out after you made the reservation. I will ask around and see what people are saying.

[MarieSam]

hmmm sounds odd to me, such a steep price. Are the villa owners providing waiters/servers and staff for your wedding?

 

I have a GREAT wedding coordinator whom I would recommend highly. Her name is Jenn Smith and she and her husband own Turtle Bay Cafe in Akumal. They cater delish food with very reasonable prices and also bake wedding cakes for weddings throughout the RM. She is a Newport Beach native who moved to the RM after falling in love with the area on their honeymoon. Her website is Marry Me Akumal, "Planning Akumal's most Celebrated weddings" is the Akumal;and Riviera Maya Wedding Planner ServiceAkumal, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Sian Kaan; and the Costa Maya -- she's got TONS of contacts, and is so fair with her prices. She also owns ALOT of her own wedding decor, tiffany chairs, chargers, etc. and so her rental prices are so much cheaper than using outside vendors. She will also cater to any budget you have and really personalizes your wedding experience according to your wishes and vision. Jenn has great rapport with some of the local villa owners and has gotten our event fee waived at our villa for our Welcome Dinner. Like I said, she will get you discounts all over the place when she can and she doesn't take anything off the top -- I've done direct price checks on my own and the quotes I get are always exactly what she quotes me or a bit higher. So I know I can trust her word.

 

Since the swine flu outbreak last week, she has called me three times already just to make sure everything is ok, to check and see if I need anything and to give me reassuring updates. She's absolutely wonderful!! If you need anymore info -- feel free to PM me You can also check out their restaurant website at: "Turtle Bay Cafe and Bakery", Akumal, Riviera Maya, Mexico, full service restaurant

 

Best wishes on whomever you decide to go with ~ the Cancun/RM is a wonderful place and I'm sure your wedding will be an beautiful event to remember!

[andrea]

Hey Marcia!

i know what you say! I have been working with Julieta, a wedding coordinator, in cancun, who solves this by finding private reliable locations and private villas. Finally I decided on Sunset Lagoon August 23 but she was v ery helpful, resourceful.

good luck!

[Costabride2009]

The corkage fee is usually charged when you have the villa cater the event, then want to bring in your own liquor. They charge the fee because alcohol is where they can make the most money and they lose if you bring your own.

[marny61]

Costabride - Thank you for the info on the corkage fee. I see that you are planning a wedding at Villa Sol y Luna as well. Congratulations! Are you having your wedding catered by the Villa or using an outside vendor? I am wondering if we should hire a wedding coordinator? At first I thought we could manage ourselves as we have a small group - around 20 going but I want this day to be perfect for my daughter.

[Costabride2009]

For 20 people I think having the villa cater would be a great idea. They have great service and try to accommadate all your requests. I hired an outside caterer only because I am having a large group and will be bringing in extra furniture and rentals. Most of the supplies you will need are already on site and it will save a lot of money to utilize those.

[marny61]

My daughters wedding is next week. We did decide to go with a wedding coordinator - I can't wait for the wedding day - it is going to be lovely.

[crsperanza]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marny61 My daughters wedding is next week. We did decide to go with a wedding coordinator - I can't wait for the wedding day - it is going to be lovely.

Can I ask if your daughter is planning her wedding at Villa Sol y Luna? We are considering this villa for our wedding in June. They also attempted to charge us a $500 corkage fee and for this we have not signed the contract because it doesn't seem right. May I also ask who you chose as a wedding coordinator?

Thank you!

Crystal

[japonick]

We're renting a beautiful villa in the Dominican Republic--10 bedroom villa, pool, A/C, on the beach, chef, concierge, host, and laundress. It's really beautiful. Check out my other post--

 

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...3/#post1286121