Moon Palace 2011 Brides

[alison15]

I did not use the resort photographer. I did not like their style and they cost way too much.  I found another photographer Ismael Pacheco www.ismaelpachecoblog.com His all day coverage with a TTD was less than Palace resorts 4 hour package.  I just got two day passes for him and his assistant. I just told my WC I was not using their photography services and said I needed two day passes and gave them his name. He was great and I loved my pictures.  Here is all 700 from the photographer that I uploaded to snapfish

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5496027007/a=76078641_76078641/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

 

I did use Palace Resorts videographer, really only b/c it was free by using our rewards.  It's nice to have I suppose but I wouldn't have paid extra for it.  We watch it when we first got it and I don't know when I will actually watch it again. Probably when I'm 40 and my kids will make fun of me   However it was nicely done and well edited.

 

For flowers I used Mayan Diseno Floral, Marvin is the contact there.  They were only $35 per bouquet for bridesmaids and $8 for corsages.  I used Palace resorts free bouquet which looking back was a mistake as the flowers didn't match, I should have just paid through Mayan and had everything match, oh well. 

 

I did have a private reception.  We have 60 guests (over 75 room nights) so it was free   I think it's the same if you are paying but you get to choose a buffett dinner which there are like 10 options. Plated costs more.  Choose food that works well in chafing pans such as lasgana.  Our food was not that great for the reception (we chose Tex-Mex) except for the ribs which I wouldn't eat due to the sauce's potential of ruining my dress. It also includes a full bar (ton of liquor, beer and wine), bardenders, servers, white chairs and white table clothes and napkins.

 

Congratulations on your wedding! You will love it.  Let me know if you have anymore questions.  I am bored at work today.
 

Originally Posted by becky b 

Thanks for the great information Alison!

A few questions for you...

 

Did you use the palace resort photographer? If so would love to see pictures. We are still deciding if we want to use the palace resorts photographer or and outside source.

 

What did you do about flowers?

Also did you have a private function? If so how does that work? I think resort said it is $400 for a table of 10. Do you know exactly what that includes?

 

Thanks for any information. I am getting married the end of March!

[kyndall]

Were they ok with you using an outside photographer?
 

Originally Posted by alison15 

I did not use the resort photographer. I did not like their style and they cost way too much.  I found another photographer Ismael Pacheco www.ismaelpachecoblog.com His all day coverage with a TTD was less than Palace resorts 4 hour package.  I just got two day passes for him and his assistant. I just told my WC I was not using their photography services and said I needed two day passes and gave them his name. He was great and I loved my pictures.  Here is all 700 from the photographer that I uploaded to snapfish

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5496027007/a=76078641_76078641/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

 

I did use Palace Resorts videographer, really only b/c it was free by using our rewards.  It's nice to have I suppose but I wouldn't have paid extra for it.  We watch it when we first got it and I don't know when I will actually watch it again. Probably when I'm 40 and my kids will make fun of me   However it was nicely done and well edited.

 

For flowers I used Mayan Diseno Floral, Marvin is the contact there.  They were only $35 per bouquet for bridesmaids and $8 for corsages.  I used Palace resorts free bouquet which looking back was a mistake as the flowers didn't match, I should have just paid through Mayan and had everything match, oh well. 

 

I did have a private reception.  We have 60 guests (over 75 room nights) so it was free   I think it's the same if you are paying but you get to choose a buffett dinner which there are like 10 options. Plated costs more.  Choose food that works well in chafing pans such as lasgana.  Our food was not that great for the reception (we chose Tex-Mex) except for the ribs which I wouldn't eat due to the sauce's potential of ruining my dress. It also includes a full bar (ton of liquor, beer and wine), bardenders, servers, white chairs and white table clothes and napkins.

 

Congratulations on your wedding! You will love it.  Let me know if you have anymore questions.  I am bored at work today.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by becky b 

Thanks for the great information Alison!

A few questions for you...

 

Did you use the palace resort photographer? If so would love to see pictures. We are still deciding if we want to use the palace resorts photographer or and outside source.

 

What did you do about flowers?

Also did you have a private function? If so how does that work? I think resort said it is $400 for a table of 10. Do you know exactly what that includes?

 

Thanks for any information. I am getting married the end of March!

 

[alison15]

I didn't come right out say "I'm using an Outside Photographer".  I just got day passes.  They didn't say anything to me and I didn't say anything to them.  Same thing with the florist. It just came as a delivery to me.  It's sort of a Don't Ask Don't Tell policy I suppose.

[becky b]

Thanks Alison

 

Who did you use for the photographer and florist if you dont mind me asking.

 

Thanks!

[mochamakes3]

Well Alison, since you are bored I will ask a few more questions:

 

What kind of decor/if any did you bring?

How much do they charge to set up your decor? Should I just ask a guest/friend to do it?

Did you just have the cocktail hour and private dinner?

Did you have a ceremony outline before arriving?

Were you able to add anything to the ceremony? Like readings, etc.

 

Thanks so much.

[Lizard]

Allison,

 

Awesome info...beautiful Pictures!

 

A couple Q's for you, sorry if you already posted this info!

 

Is that the Tuscan terrace for your private function? 

Did you do I-pod or DJ?

Did you paid for the extra lighting, the laterns on the steps and the hanging lights?

 

Originally Posted by alison15 

I did not use the resort photographer. I did not like their style and they cost way too much.  I found another photographer Ismael Pacheco www.ismaelpachecoblog.com His all day coverage with a TTD was less than Palace resorts 4 hour package.  I just got two day passes for him and his assistant. I just told my WC I was not using their photography services and said I needed two day passes and gave them his name. He was great and I loved my pictures.  Here is all 700 from the photographer that I uploaded to snapfish

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5496027007/a=76078641_76078641/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

 

I did use Palace Resorts videographer, really only b/c it was free by using our rewards.  It's nice to have I suppose but I wouldn't have paid extra for it.  We watch it when we first got it and I don't know when I will actually watch it again. Probably when I'm 40 and my kids will make fun of me   However it was nicely done and well edited.

 

For flowers I used Mayan Diseno Floral, Marvin is the contact there.  They were only $35 per bouquet for bridesmaids and $8 for corsages.  I used Palace resorts free bouquet which looking back was a mistake as the flowers didn't match, I should have just paid through Mayan and had everything match, oh well. 

 

I did have a private reception.  We have 60 guests (over 75 room nights) so it was free   I think it's the same if you are paying but you get to choose a buffett dinner which there are like 10 options. Plated costs more.  Choose food that works well in chafing pans such as lasgana.  Our food was not that great for the reception (we chose Tex-Mex) except for the ribs which I wouldn't eat due to the sauce's potential of ruining my dress. It also includes a full bar (ton of liquor, beer and wine), bardenders, servers, white chairs and white table clothes and napkins.

 

Congratulations on your wedding! You will love it.  Let me know if you have anymore questions.  I am bored at work today.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by becky b 

Thanks for the great information Alison!

A few questions for you...

 

Did you use the palace resort photographer? If so would love to see pictures. We are still deciding if we want to use the palace resorts photographer or and outside source.

 

What did you do about flowers?

Also did you have a private function? If so how does that work? I think resort said it is $400 for a table of 10. Do you know exactly what that includes?

 

Thanks for any information. I am getting married the end of March!

 

[alison15]

I brought organza table runners (8) of them that I bought through tableclothesfactory.com and 20 white starfish that I bought from an Ebay seller.  They did not charge me anything to set it up. I just gave it to my WC during our meeting and her and her assistant took care of it (which is why you want to remember to tip them).  They added roses to each table during the cocktail hour and other little candles and shells to the reception decor that which I did not ask or pay for but was much appreciated!

 

We have a welcome cocktail party on Thursday, Rehearsal Dinner on Friday and Cocktail hour immediately following the wedding and then our private reception.  Since we had the room nights the events were all free.

 

We had a very brief outline of the ceremony but that was it.  The readers got their readings from the priest when the arrived at the chapel and everything else we just winged.  I would say that was my biggest complaint, we had everyone meet for a rehearsal and all they did was have us walk in and out of the chapel.  We knew nothing in between.  I would advise not wasting time on a rehearsal.

 

We could have added things like a Lazo ceremony or chosen our readings but we did not.

 

Our reception was on the Tucan Terrace and we had our cocktail hour in the Tucan Gazebo.  I don't know what the Bugumbiglas (sp?) terrace looks like but that Gazebo is much prettier if you have the option.  However I did love both our cocktail hour and reception spot.

 

We used JSAV audio for like $385 or something, it was just their lowest package for Ipod and speakers. It includes a tech who runs the music along with his Laptop with music on it, microphone, and 4 lights that were used on the trees surrounding the terrace.  We paid extras for the lighted steps and the laterns.  There is lighting around the terrace and these lights were not needed for lighting purposes, just decoration. We also paid for 1 square candle per table as centerpieces.  Once again, not needed just decoration.
 

Originally Posted by mochamakes3 

Well Alison, since you are bored I will ask a few more questions:

 

What kind of decor/if any did you bring?

How much do they charge to set up your decor? Should I just ask a guest/friend to do it?

Did you just have the cocktail hour and private dinner?

Did you have a ceremony outline before arriving?

Were you able to add anything to the ceremony? Like readings, etc.

 

Thanks so much.

[mochamakes3]

Great info Alison! Just a few more, how many salons are there? I know there used to be just one in Nizuc section. Did you request anyone specific for your hair? I need to book my appointments soon and would appreciate some input. The guys are going golfing that morning so I don't want to run into them. We are staying in the Sunrise section.

[alison15]

There are 3 salons, Sunrise, Nizuc and Grand Moon.  I got my hair done at the Nizuc salon.  I did not request anyone special and did not do a trial.  I just took 3 pictures of 3 different styles I liked and had her morph it into one.  She did a great job.  I don't even remember her name. She was very quick too b/c I was running behind and I have a ton of hair and she got it done in under and hour.  Which is amazing b/c updo's usually take me at least that long sometimes longer.

 

My sister had Delores (sp?) that a few other brides on here recommend.  She went for a trial and it looked great but then the day of the wedding it didn't for some reason.  Who knows. 

[aholen]

I'm a June bride, June 12th though!

Originally Posted by Blue&StarfishBride 

Hi ladies!! It is finally 2011!! I am so excited!

 

Any June 2011 brides? I am getting married June 24th at MP however I haven't seen any other brides on that weekend (i know there are a couple because I wanted to get married on June 25th!)