2010 Iberostar Weddings

[Lindobride14]

Well, I'm back from our site visit.  While we were there, we met with karla at the Del Mar and Lily at the Lindo/Maya.

We were considering switching to the Del/Mar because  we LOVED the Tropical/Italian as a venue for our reception.

 

 Unfortunately though we were not happy with the menu choices we were given at the Del Mar

 

The veal & lamb chops were not an option, so Karla said we could have the "Tenderloin" with corn on the cob and baked potato and "Salmon on the Grill" with the same sides (both from El Puerto steakhouse).

 

While the Tenderloin was good, the corn on the cob was rather soggy, and the baked potato was small and hard.   THe grilled salmon lacked flavor and was a bit fishy. (and I love salmon) 

 

Now, I am no food critic or anything, but it just was not very impressive.   I really wanted to have it there too!

 

I must say I am a little dissapointed with the food at the resorts in general.  I know it's all-inclusive so it's not going to be the best food you ever ate, but it was below my expectations personally. 

 

This was the only meal we had at the Del Mar/Beach so I can't comment on any of the other rest's there.

 

At the lindo, my mom and I ate at the Cajun the first night.  Both entrees were served with "dirty rice" which was bad.  My mom's flank steak was kind of gristly and not too good.  But hey New Orleans style food in Mexico, maybe not such a good idea.  We stayed optimistic

 

Next, we ate at the steakhouse at the Maya. I had the flank steak, She got the top sirloin.  Mine was decent.  The top sirloin was like a cheap breakfast steak you get with steak and eggs.  Very, very had to cut.  The staff takes such pride in their restaurants so you really want to like it, but we could tell that the guests seated around us were not too pleased either.  We will def stick with the Del Mar's steakhouse and not go back to the Maya's in Jan.

 

The Italian at the Lindo was good.  The filet mignon was good and came with some yummy basil pesto-y potatoes.  The lobster medallions were also very good and beautifully presented in like a pastry cup.  The vegetable with that was zucchini and tomato with parmesan.  Very good.

 

Lastly was the La Marina seafood rest at Maya, which was also very good.  We enjoyed the surf and turf, which I ultimately chose for our wedding dinner.  The salmon was better than the previous rest, but not outstanding.

 

The breakfast'lunch buffets we thought were pretty good.  The rolls and butter were bad and the orange juice was not good, but overall I was pleased with them.

 

I did not try the mexican or gourmet restaurants at the lindo, or the japanese at the del mar.  I am hoping they are good and maybe we just had bad luck.  I've had family members griping about the price of the resort already and I'd hate for them to think the food is bad.  Anyone else have any negative experience with the food? 

[pitt2011]

 

 

Originally Posted by Lindobride14 

 

 

Hi Amy-

 

I just got back from our site visit at the Lindo, we're getting married on Jan 22.  We are doing the Catholic ceremony and I was not told that we have to have our birth certificate's translated either.  Please let me know if you find out otherwise.

 

So where are you having your reception at the Maya?  Are you doing a private reception?  How about your dinner menu?  We chose the surf and turf option from La Marina (Maya's seafood/mediterranean rest) I just LOVE the Maya!  I am telling my guests that if they want to spend a couple extra hundred and upgrade to the Maya it is well worth it!

 

We met with Lily while we were there and she is wonderful.  As for the flowers, you can email her your inspiration pics for bouquets/centerpieces and she will send them to the resort's florist.  They can make pretty much whatever you want, so don't limit yourself to the choices they sent you if you don't love them.

 

We requested to meet with the florist while we were there, which they don't normally do, but they made an exception.  He looks about 18 years old!  He does an awesome job.  When we showed up at his workshop, I was shocked to see that he had actually made samples of the three bouquet pics I sent her -- what a pleasant surprise.  We tipped him well for that.

 

The staff in general is just so eager to please.   That's a huge part of why I love the Iberostar resorts. 

 

 

 

Just read this about the florist. That is so great that he agreed to meet with you and had samples to show you. What were your inspriration pics like? Can they do just about anything? I read somewhere that it would be good to have flowers that are in season at the destination of the wedding because it can get real expensive if they have to import other flowers. I don't know why I'm freaking out about flowers so much but I want them to be fabulous!

[amylynn77]

Lindobride -

 

Thanks for your feedback. I spoke with Mayra on Friday and you will need the following for a legal wedding in Mexico. Since neither one of us is religious, we are doing the "Dream Civil - $5K" package and are not planning to have a separate "legal" ceremony back in the states. We will be legally wed in Mexico. If you are planning to have a legal ceremony you will need to provide the following to the wedding coordinator's:

 

Please note: Names on all documents must be identical.

 

SINGLE

 

Birth certificate

Passport

Tourist card     (Which every foreigner obtains on the flight down to Mexico)

4 witnesses  

 

If bride and groom are single the birth certificate does not need to be legalized or translated.

 

DIVORCED

 

Birth certificate

Passport

Tourist Card (Which every foreigner obtains on the flight down to Mexico)

4 witnesses 

 

If bride is divorced and has kept her maiden name then no additional documentation is required, however if the bride has kept her married name then her birth certificate and decree absolute will need to need legalized and translated. (The translation needs to be done here in Mexico by official Mexican Translator cost approximately $60.00USD per page).

 

Another option is if the bride wish her parents names to appear on the marriage certificate, the birth certificate needs to be legalized and translated , if the bride do not find this necessary, the papers do not have to be translated.

 

 

WIDOWED

 

Birth certificate

Passport

Tourist Card      (Which every foreigner obtains on the flight down to Mexico)

4 witnesses 

 

 

If the bride is widowed and has kept her married name then only her birth certificate will need to be legalized and translated. (The translation needs to be done here in Mexico by official Mexican Translator cost approximately $60.00USD per page.)

 

IF THE GROOM IS DIVORCED OR WIDOWED THEN NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS REQURIED.

 

 

NAME CHANGE

 

If the bride of groom has had a name change then the birth certificate and name change document needs to be legalized and translated. (The translation needs to be done here in Mexico by official Mexican Translator cost approximately $60.00USD per page).

  

We are having a beach ceremony and then moving inside for the reception. We have about 50 guests attending, so we are going to have a private reception at the Cajun Restaurant. I am still not 100 percent certain on the location. Did you check out the Cajun Restaurant as a venue? We thought about having our reception outside, but it's an additional $50 bucks a head, so we nixed that idea. I have hired Claudia Rodriguez as my photographer and D.J. Bob as the D.J. Do you by chance know what they offer by way of set-up for the reception? Round tables vs. rectangle etc. What private reception venue will you be using? If you have any pictures to share from your recent visit, I would love to see them. I am nervous about the food, I sent my invitiations out last week and gave my guests 4 options to choose from. We're doing the "steakhouse" dinner and an additional veggie option for the non-carnivorous.  

Originally Posted by Lindobride14 

Hi Amy-

 

I just got back from our site visit at the Lindo, we're getting married on Jan 22.  We are doing the Catholic ceremony and I was not told that we have to have our birth certificate's translated either.  Please let me know if you find out otherwise.

 

So where are you having your reception at the Maya?  Are you doing a private reception?  How about your dinner menu?  We chose the surf and turf option from La Marina (Maya's seafood/mediterranean rest) I just LOVE the Maya!  I am telling my guests that if they want to spend a couple extra hundred and upgrade to the Maya it is well worth it!
 

We met with Lily while we were there and she is wonderful.  As for the flowers, you can email her your inspiration pics for bouquets/centerpieces and she will send them to the resort's florist.  They can make pretty much whatever you want, so don't limit yourself to the choices they sent you if you don't love them.

 

We requested to meet with the florist while we were there, which they don't normally do, but they made an exception.  He looks about 18 years old!  He does an awesome job.  When we showed up at his workshop, I was shocked to see that he had actually made samples of the three bouquet pics I sent her -- what a pleasant surprise.  We tipped him well for that.

 

The staff in general is just so eager to please.   That's a huge part of why I love the Iberostar resorts. 

 

[lisanicole]

Hi Amy - I am getting married at the Maya with the same package "Dream Civil".  Have you asked about the room upgrade that comes with the package? If so, do you know if we will get upgraded to a honeymoon suite?

 

thanks!

[Lindobride14]

Thanks for the legal info, Amy.  We're doing the Catholic ceremony in the Chapel. I think we're actually just gonna get married here beforehand and not tell anyone to save the hassle.  Not sure yet.

 

To answer your quesion, we are having our reception at the Cajun or El Tapatio (Mexican)  Those are the only two restaurant option for private reception.  You have to have over 60 guests to  have your private reception at the Mexican.

 

We too wanted the outdoor reception by the shopping center gazebo but the dealbreaker for us was that it had to be a buffet dinner.  The buffet menu was not to out liking.  It had things like cold cuts to make sandwiches,  smoked salmon, Russian salad (which I guess is something like potato salad) 

 

I personally like the Mexican a bit more than the Cajun because it's off the pool and has a lot of windows, so it has a more open air feel to it.  There's also a cute little outdoor  area in front with small table and chairs where guests can step out and smoke, hang out, whatever during the wedding.  I don't know if I'll get 60 guests yet.  See pics below:  These pictures don't do it justice, but I think it had potential to look very nice when set up for an event.

 

Here's the little outdoor area.  Excuse the poor photo quality.

 

 

 

The Cajun is nice too.  The blue walls and light fixtures are cool.   I just always pictured a wedding in Mexico to be open air or near the beach.  The only negatives, and I hate to be a nitpicker, but the curtains are kinda grandma looking in my opinion.  They don't photograph too badly, but in person, they're pretty ugly.  Then chargers (plates) are really silly.  At each restaurant, the charger plates are themed.  The steakhouse has a big blue cow on it, the seafood has fish.  I think there's like musical instruments and music notes on these.  I'm just going to ask them not to use any charger, just the dinner plate. 

 

 

I had a chance to see a wedding set up while we were there.  As you can see, they push the square tables together to make large rectangular tables around the perimeter of the room.  I had picked out tall centerpieces to go in the center of round tables.  Now that I look at this picture again, you'd need to do something low, as pictured.  I don't think you'd have the space to do a head table to include your bridal party. 

[Lindobride14]

Pitt-  regarding the flowers, they can't do everything, but they'll suggest a substitute of something they can get.

 

For example, my centerpiece had large hot pink peonies, which they can't get, but they suggested large fuschia gerbera daisies.

 

There are only a few varieties of orchids they have available:  green or white cymbidium and pink phalaenopsis, I believe.

[lisanicole]

I wanted my private reception at the Mexican but when I reached 60 guests I was told I needed 70 guests for them to close that restaurant. I think I am going to end up with 64 people so I will miss that option by 6 people. I asked for an exception and they said no.  

[Lindobride14]

I would just invite 6 random people at the resort to the wedding so you can get the Mexican LOL.  Or offer to pay the $120 you would have paid for 6 extra guests if it's something you really want.

[amylynn77]

Hi Lisa -

 

We are getting married October 8th and have the presidential suite on reserve for the night of the 8th per our wedding package. I just emailed Mayra/Lily and asked them to reserve it and they did. I am also reserving it the night of the 7th so thay my sis and I can spend the night there sans my finance. It also ensures that the room is available bright and early the day of my wedding becasue that is where my bridesmaids and I are going to get ready. Because there is only one suite, the prices are a tad high. I was quoted $600 for the upgrade on 7th (free for the 8th as the upgrade's included in the wedding package), however Mayra stated that this will probably come down due to occupancy in the hotel/change in rates closer to the time we'll be arriving. All you need to do is shoot them an email and ask them to reserve the suite for you since it's a part of the "dream civil" package. I hope this is helpful!

 

Best,

 

Amy

Originally Posted by lisanicole 

Hi Amy - I am getting married at the Maya with the same package "Dream Civil".  Have you asked about the room upgrade that comes with the package? If so, do you know if we will get upgraded to a honeymoon suite?

 

thanks!

[amylynn77]

Thanks! That stinks about the themed plates and granny curtains. Did you get a chance to see their linens? Any thoughts there? I would love the Mexican restuarant, but we're not going to hit the 70 mark. It's sounds like they're pretty strick on that too. I am bummed about the table set up at the Cajun. I much prefer round tables. Was the restaurant a good size? From the picture below, it looks like the dance floor is set up between the two tables.
 

Originally Posted by Lindobride14 

Thanks for the legal info, Amy.  We're doing the Catholic ceremony in the Chapel. I think we're actually just gonna get married here beforehand and not tell anyone to save the hassle.  Not sure yet.

 

To answer your quesion, we are having our reception at the Cajun or El Tapatio (Mexican)  Those are the only two restaurant option for private reception.  You have to have over 60 guests to  have your private reception at the Mexican.

 

We too wanted the outdoor reception by the shopping center gazebo but the dealbreaker for us was that it had to be a buffet dinner.  The buffet menu was not to out liking.  It had things like cold cuts to make sandwiches,  smoked salmon, Russian salad (which I guess is something like potato salad) 

 

I personally like the Mexican a bit more than the Cajun because it's off the pool and has a lot of windows, so it has a more open air feel to it.  There's also a cute little outdoor  area in front with small table and chairs where guests can step out and smoke, hang out, whatever during the wedding.  I don't know if I'll get 60 guests yet.  See pics below:  These pictures don't do it justice, but I think it had potential to look very nice when set up for an event.

 

Here's the little outdoor area.  Excuse the poor photo quality.

 

 

 

The Cajun is nice too.  The blue walls and light fixtures are cool.   I just always pictured a wedding in Mexico to be open air or near the beach.  The only negatives, and I hate to be a nitpicker, but the curtains are kinda grandma looking in my opinion.  They don't photograph too badly, but in person, they're pretty ugly.  Then chargers (plates) are really silly.  At each restaurant, the charger plates are themed.  The steakhouse has a big blue cow on it, the seafood has fish.  I think there's like musical instruments and music notes on these.  I'm just going to ask them not to use any charger, just the dinner plate. 

 

 

I had a chance to see a wedding set up while we were there.  As you can see, they push the square tables together to make large rectangular tables around the perimeter of the room.  I had picked out tall centerpieces to go in the center of round tables.  Now that I look at this picture again, you'd need to do something low, as pictured.  I don't think you'd have the space to do a head table to include your bridal party.