Moon Palace 2012 Brides

[coconoir1908]

I'm sorry to hear about your experience.  I too have Janina and  have only had her since Jan of this year and have not encountered any such problems.  However; I don't leave voicemail messages, I simply call back later and usually reach her.  As your day is approaching fast, I would defintely call and speak to her over the phone.. and if she can't assist you ask to speak with a manager.

 

I hope that all things turn out well for you!!! 

 

Originally Posted by bjp3766 

2 weeks ago, I left 2 voice mails for Janina to call me back regarding questions about the packages.  I have not heard back.  

 

My dream wedding is not turning out well so far, getting responses from Miami staff is not very expeditious.

 

It is about 80 days out from my wedding and have not heard about any wedding coordinator from Moon palace who was supposed to contact me 90 days before the wedding date.  

This is the most unorganized wedding planning experience I have had and I have been in the event planning business for over 25 years.  

 

More later.  Good luck to you. 

[mochamakes3]

So to answer your question, rooms booked through any other method will not count towards your group. I would figure out how people you think would actually book through your TA to see if it is a benefit. Why not get a quote directly from MP?

 

I highlighted the second portion because if you book directly through MP you are not required to put a deposit on the reserved rooms. They hold the block and release them just before the wedding.

 

Also, check the Palace Resorts website, the promo dollar amounts have changed. We cancelled and rebooked our reservation because we are staying 10 nights and are now entitled to $2000.

Originally Posted by krsmith 

 

 

You may already be familiar with the "Added Values" Palace Resorts offers when booking a wedding at their resorts.  We can of course confirm the same group benefits:

·  Hotel will provide one complimentary Cocktail after ceremony with 5 to 9 rooms paid nightly for 3 nights or total of 15 room nights. (Function areas are assigned upon availability with the onsite wedding planner and confirmed upon arrival).  Should you require additional functions there will be a surcharge based on the number of guests and type of event.

·  Hotel will provide one complimentary Cocktail after ceremony and 2 complimentary nights (based on lowest room category rate) for bride and groom with 10 to 19 rooms paid nightly for 3 nights or total of 30 room nights.  Complimentary nights have a $10.00 per person, per night, nonrefundable charge for tips and gratuities applied.

·   Hotel agrees to provide one upgrade to a complimentary private function instead of a cocktail party plus 4 complimentary nights for the bride and groom with 20 to 24 rooms paid nightly for 3 nights or total of 60 room nights.  Complimentary nights have a $10.00 per person, per night, nonrefundable charge for tips and gratuities applied.

·   Hotel agrees to provide unlimited private functions plus 7 complimentary nights with 25 rooms or more paid nightly for 3 nights or total of 75 room nights.  Complimentary nights have a $10.00 per person, per night, nonrefundable charge for tips and gratuities applied.

·   Hotel agrees to provide the bride and groom with a room upgrade for a minimum of 25 rooms paid nightly for 3 nights or 75 room nights, based on availability.

·   Private Group functions are available without surcharge in meeting rooms and outdoor venues, except for beach and rooftop terraces with no elevator access, when using inclusive Hotel menus.  The private functions provided by the resort will solemnly depend on the number of rooms booked through the group contract with Vacations For Less, Inc.  Reservations booked through other sources will not be counted towards the group room block.  Private areas are assigned based on availability.

The above group benefits apply only when securing a Group Block Agreement which would lock in the rates for your guests and guarantee the availability of rooms.  All rooms would have to be reserved through the group block which would mean that all your guests would have to book through our office.  Reservations booked through other sources would not count towards your group block room night production.

Palace Resorts is also offering a Resort Credit for all guests staying at their hotels:  $1500 Resort Credit per room for stay of 5 or more nights, $750 Resort Credit per room for stays 4 nights, $500 Resort Credit for stays of 3 nights.  The Resort Credits can be applied towards Tours, Golf, Spa, Beauty Salon, Upgraded Wine Selection, Romantic Dinner, Room Upgrades and Palace Wedding Collections.  

Depending on number of rooms required, when securing a room block at any hotel there is a good faith group deposit required by the hotel.  The deposit amount for Palace Resorts is about 6% of the total estimated room revenue and I can let you know the amount based on number of rooms and nights you would consider blocking.  The first group deposit would be applied to the cost of your room and/or any other rooms you may be paying for and any overpayment is refunded back to you upon finalizing the group which is usually about 30 days prior to arrival.

Your guests would be required to guarantee their room reservations with a one night deposit at time of booking, there would be a second deposit due date set by the hotel to complete 50% of total room charges and final payment would be due 45 days prior to arrival date.  Each guest would receive a confirmation invoice from us upon booking detailing the deposit/payment deadlines.  Guests usually welcome the payment plan rather than having to pay in full if booking online and they can also make installment payments in between as long as each deposit is completed on

the due dates.

 

Anyone get anything different/better? If people go through something like Priceline can they still count towards our group so we can get the "added values"? 

[krsmith]

I also have Janina. I can't really say anything good/bad about her at this point. I did email her the other day because she sent us the contract and paperwork for the complimentary/symbolic package we were going to do at first, BUT we decided to switch it to the Catholic ceremony in the Chapel. She actually got back to me maybe 2 days later and told me they will have to check with the priest. Fairly quick from what I've heard from other people. I will probably be a big pain in the ass for her though because as much as they say you cannot chose your locations for some things and have to take what is available, I will not go for that! A few brides have said they had to be kind of pushy/demanding, but in the end they got what they wanted. 

 

One thing I have seen from other MP brides on here is if they are having communication problems, they CALL and voice their concern, and get their WC switched to someone else. Do you know who your on site WC is? I would definitely get SOMEONE on the phone and get things going. I would have thought at 90 days they would really be on it! Get a little pushy and get some answers...its YOUR day and you shouldn't have to feel this way!

 

Does anyone have a different Miami coordinator? If so, what is your feedback so far?

 

MachaMakes3-

 

I guess I should have read a little more thoroughly! Thats a bummer about a room deposit. Does MP give a pretty good discounted rate for room blocks? Do you know if people would be able to pay throughout the year in installments?

 

I will have to check out the new promos now too!

[mochamakes3]

krsmith - I don't know about the regular group rates because we are members and have to pay the member rates. For us, they paid 20% at time of booking with balance due two months before departure. But you can pay as much as you want at any time, you just call and ask to make a payment.

 

My Miami coordinator is Pilar Fernandez, she was great in the beginning, sending contracts, answering questions, etc. But then once we signed the contract, she kind of disappeared. I actually had one person book through a TA because Pilar didn't return messages, email or phone. I got my Cancun WC assigned 6 months before the wedding because I wanted to book private events. Same thing, if you want to give them money, they are really quick. Otherwise, it takes a long time for a response.

 

Now I have to work on getting info to the Cancun WC because we are 93 days out and I want to finalize some things. But at least I know my preferences have been reserved well in advance.

[MoonPalace2012]

Question for anyone who might know the answer - we are getting the complimentary package and I am wondering if that includes decoration of chairs on the beach ceremony and chairs and tables etc. at the receiption dinner? I am looking into bringing my own table clothes, chair covers and sashes etc. but I dont want to buy them if they are provided. Any help would be great. Thanks!

[mochamakes3]

The complimentary includes white linens at the reception dinner. If you bring your own there is an additional set up fee... $55, I think. For the beach ceremony, you get undecorated white folding chairs.

[MoonPalace2012]

Okay thanks a lot. I wonder if they will set up the ceremony and the receiption if i bring my own linens etc...? I hope so!

 

Another question - We are doing the symbolic ceremony, as we are getting legally married here first, or after. I didn't think we had to be there 3 full days prior since the ceremony is not legal in Mexico, but my wedding planner is saying if i arrive on the Saturday, we can't have it until the Wednesday. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

Originally Posted by mochamakes3 

The complimentary includes white linens at the reception dinner. If you bring your own there is an additional set up fee... $55, I think. For the beach ceremony, you get undecorated white folding chairs.

[lilstar714]

Hi everyone so i was wondering if anyone knows what the deposit is to hold a date if you get the complimentary package but want a catholic ceremony i emailed MP but have heard nothing in the last 3 weeks . Anyway i also wanted to throw this out there vistaprint is doing free postcards right now and they can be save the date postcards you get 100 for free soooo xcited about that..... too bad i havent even gotten my date lol but def got those free save the dates i just used May 2012 as a date

[krsmith]

You do not have to put any money down if you are doing the complimentary package. We are also doing a Catholic ceremony, and I believe we have to pay 1 nights stay as a deposit. 

I would CALL asap! I think we got quick response becuse of that...everytime we have a question we call. Emails seem to get lost in the shuffle as I'm sure they get hundreds everyday. The very first time we called we got our date and time set! 

 

Good to know about vistaprint! We already made our STD (mib), but those would be good to have for RSVPs!   

Originally Posted by lilstar714 

Hi everyone so i was wondering if anyone knows what the deposit is to hold a date if you get the complimentary package but want a catholic ceremony i emailed MP but have heard nothing in the last 3 weeks . Anyway i also wanted to throw this out there vistaprint is doing free postcards right now and they can be save the date postcards you get 100 for free soooo xcited about that..... too bad i havent even gotten my date lol but def got those free save the dates i just used May 2012 as a date

[SummerDawn]

Does anyone know if I can have  symbolic ceremony on Tuesday if I arrive on Saturday??? I need to know before I confirm my date!!!