New & Overwhelmed - Suggestions Please!

[jily]

Hello everyone! My sister has asked me to narrow down some resort options for her & her fiance's wedding. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me about places that are good or NOT good.

 

Here are some details:

• Looking for All Inclusive for Winter 2010 (date isn't a huge concern)
• Between 40-60 guests
• Pricing max $2500, but ideally around $1800 all in
• Can't be Adults Only
• Must have a disco
• Willing to pay extra for wedding package
• First choice - Costa Rica, then Cuba, then Mayan (No Dominican)
• Food is very important
• Looking for a semi-private wedding (ie. no speedo-clad observers @ ceremony)
• Looking for 4 or 5 Star
• Want a fun reception with music, dancing, food, etc. Would like it fairly private

Some of the resorts I've looked at are:

• Paradisus Playa Conchal (Costa Rica)
• Grand Velas All Suites & Spa (Mayan)
• Occidental Grand (Costa Rica)
• Iberostar Veradero
• Blau Veradero
• Paradisus Princesa Del Mar
• Iberostar Paraiso Lindo (Mayan)
• One of the Barcelos in the Mayan Riviera
• Gran Bahia Principe (Mayan)

I'm so overwhelmed...any advice is much appreciated!

[dinogomez.com]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations!! You've come to the right place; here you can find all the info you need for a fun, smooth and successful planning!! Enjoy!!!

[fudgie]

Welcome to the forum! It's really nice of you to be helping your sis out. I would suggest looking at the sub forums for the places they are thinking about and also looking under the wedding reviews. I got married in Cuba last month and loved everything about it, but not at a resort you listed, it was at Sol Palmeras. Good luck with the planning

[Ginalyn]

Welcome to the forum! I ditto everything fudie said. Good luck!

[vero319]

Welcome!!!

Don't worry this website is great, it's very helpful, you'll be able to get most of the information you need from the threads.

[Dmitri_Markine]

Welcome. Those are great choices.

Costa Rica has better scenery, but other places have better beaches.

[itsfinallyhere]

Welcome and congrats. I am planning on getting married in Cuba in November, and I think you shold have no problem finding everything you want in Cuba for the price you want. It is beautiful and the people are wonderful. Very accommodating and courteous. We went to check it out first and loved it!

[TheFutureMrs.Sears]

Welcome to the forum. You may want to check out the subforms and go under the specific locations and view those threads.

[itsfinallyhere]

Also remember Costa Rica is really close to rainforest so you will tend to get a little more rain on regular basis. It probably wont interrupt your plans but should be something you are aware of. We were original planning Costa Rica or Honduras but because of this We decided to visit those places another time.

[liujessicam]

Hey Jily!

welcome!

I've been to the Gran Bahia Principe in Riviera Maya twice now (stayed at Akumal) and I LOVE this resort for a vacation...but I'm not sure about a wedding...when I checked out packages for our wedding it seemed they really nickle and dimed you for EVERYTHING and I felt some other resorts offered more for what you're paying...

 

In terms of your criteria, here's my opinions:

 

Pricing max $2500, but ideally around $1800 all in

- definitely think this is doable!

Can't be Adults Only

- kids club/activities looked super fun on the Tulum resort

Must have a disco

- yep, they have one but I've heard of ther brides booking it and then the disco was "closed" or not available

Willing to pay extra for wedding package

- would definitely have to do this!

Food is very important

- AMAZING buffets and A LOT of food choices...their International Gourmet restaurants are fantastic BUT are not available for the wedding dinner

Looking for a semi-private wedding (ie. no speedo-clad observers @ ceremony)

- the area on the beach in the Akumal section was relatively secluded...I didn't see very many lurkers in the background but the loaction was very windy both times we saw it (February, and end of March). The Tulum location has a beautiful gazebo and is on a hill overlooking the beach...I would choose this location for sure!

Looking for 4 or 5 Star

- I'd say this is a 4.5

Want a fun reception with music, dancing, food, etc. Would like it fairly private

- doable, we discussed many options with the WC.

 

GOOD LUCK and happy planning!