SO CONFUSED!!! Which resort?????

[thefuturemrslutz]

Girls, I need help! I think I have read way to many forums, reviews on trip advisor, etc! I am even more confused now than when I decided! These are the resorts I am considering:

Azuls Sensatori and Beach

El Dorado Royale and Maroma

Grand Velas

Secrets Silversand

Iberostar Grande

Aventura Spa and Cove Palace

 

Can anyone help me with ANY of these? THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!

[TATrisha]

I think first you should make a list of MUST HAVES for your wedding.

For instance, must have children. Must have a beach ceremony. Must have a gazebo ceremony. Must be able to bring my own photographer. Must have private reception.

I think once you get a list together like that and post it more people will be able to help you narrow down the search.

[thefuturemrslutz]

GREAT IDEA!!! Thanks so much!

[thefuturemrslutz]

As of right now, my MUST HAVES include:

own photographer

private reception

 

We also will have no children attending the wedding.

[~Nicole~]

I noticed that you have some karisma hotels on your list. FYI - the Karisma hotels do not allow you to bring your own photographer unless you pay a $500 US vendor fee or they stay for a minimum of 3 nights.

 

Good luck!

[NaM]

I think they are all great resorts.

We are getting married at Aventrua Spa Palace so I'm partial. But they do let you bring in outside photographers and have private receptions. I can send you the PDF of the reception sites if you're interested. For us the perk was that when we booked 20 rooms we got our reception for free!! Normally it's $400 for every table of 10 now we don't have to pay anything except for the extras we want-DJ, upgraded linens, etc.

 

Good luck! Decide a few things that are most important to you and go from there

[thefuturemrslutz]

WOW, BIG HELP LADIES! Thank you so much! I would love the PDF if you can send it to me...they sent me a packet of information, it is just SO much! Aventura is definitely one of my top choices. How are they about flower choices? Do you have to use what they say? Also, what about bands, DJ's, etc? Can you bring in outside vendors for those as well? I am so glad to hear you can bring your own photographer. I had read some places that would not allow that. I will be flying my photographer in, and he will be staying at the resort, so Karisma would probably accept that. I have read some terrible reviews about the Azul resorts lately. I wonder why?? Has Aventura been easy to deal with? How is the pricing for your guests? THANKS AGAIN!

[TATrisha]

Yup, the Karisma resorst are exactly the reason I asked the question about your photographer.

So, there will be no kids attending your wedding. Do you still want a resort that allows kids? Or would you prefer an adults only resort?

What about wedding location? When you close your eyes, what do you see? Do you see the waves crashing behind you? Do you see a gazebo? An arch? A chuppa? A brick wall with a man on a cross?

How about private reception location. Do you want it inside at a restaurant or outside under the stars?

And of course... the big one... budget!!!

[thefuturemrslutz]

Budget is definitely an issue! I think it is a very reasonable budget though! Probably not as tight as some, but definitely do not want to spend $40,000 either! I imagine sand between my toes or waves crashing! I would love a beach wedding or a wedding in a gazebo over-looking the ocean (this is why I loved Aventura). I do love the modern feel as well though. I definitely want my private reception to be outside or in an open-air venue. The adults-only isn't an issue. I am fine either way!

[lnf_munchkin]

Aventura Spa and Cove Palace were highest on my list . . . until I got a better feeling for the 'beach' which is really more of a lagoon dug into a reef . . . not the real beach I was looking forward to worshiping the sun with an umbrella drink in my hand on! You can google earth the resort and get what I thought was the best idea of it.