HELP!! So many options... overwhelmed and in need of direction/advice.

[Evangeline]

Hello all. I originally posted as an EDR bride... but I'm not 100% on that.

 

We're getting married in the RM in April 2013. Yes, I know that's crazy far away, but please hear me out.

 

We will be going to RM May 16-22, this year. We are currently booked for the Bride Dress Rehearsal @ EDR from the 19th-22nd. As of right now, we don't have accommodations booked for the first half of our trip. We really want to try and stay at a resort that is a viable option for either the wedding or the honeymoon.  Also, we plan on doing site visits at multiple other options, not just the two we'll be staying at. This being said... I don't which resorts are/are not viable options.

 

I've spoken w/many local TA and all I'm really getting is a bunch of half-answers. Some say VIM... other say no way and direct me to Secrets... another to Royal PDC... etc... etc. I figured that asking you all for your opinions/expertise/advice would be the most beneficial. So. Here's our general info:

• If I could have it my way, we'd be going to Le Blanc. I don't want to be in Cancun, but it is Le Blanc, exceptions are allowed. Unfortunately, there's no way his family would be able to afford this option. However, I'm also not going to compromise too much in the other direction. We're giving people a 2-year head's up, if in the end they can't make it, then they can't make it. It is still our wedding after all. We want to enjoy every luxe minute of it.
• There will be approximately 40 guests, including us.
• For the wedding, I would prefer AI
• I would also prefer adults-only
• I want the typical beach wedding, so ASP isn't an option (and I was hoping to not make my guests go that far South)
• I want to 'feel' like I'm having my wedding in Mexico, so the uber-modern SSS is also not an option
• I'm not thrilled about a PDC setting unless we're on the outskirts, either end is fine. I just don't want to be in town
• I would prefer to not have a billion weddings happening on my wedding day, so no wedding factories like MP
• The single most important detail to me is food. I refuse to settle for mediocrity when it comes to this. To give some of you a general idea, I've stayed at ERC and the food was okay. I was better than many AI, but it was still just okay. I want to be wowed by the cuisine.

 

I really hope that you all can give me some guidance. I'm drowning in pamphlets and printouts and websites and I still feel like I'm just spinning my wheels. All the pretty pictures and self-proclaimed accolades in the world can't actually tell me what I really need to know.

 

Thank you all so much in advance for your help with this. I'm in dire need of it.

 

[Sharon99]

Well first off congratulations! You have plenty of time to figure out where to have your wedding. I would suggest you pick the area you are interested in & go to as many resorts as you can in May to check them out. I have been to the DR(punta cana), Jamaica and Mexico. I can honestly say that the resort I picked in Mexico blows all other resorts out the water(that I have been to). . But with that being said, I don't think you can go wrong choosing any resort though! They are all on a tropical island, white sand, blue water & sunny skies!!!

 

Have you found a TA you are going to use? When I started looking I was having a hard time with just the local TAs. I would recommend you talk to someone who has done numerous dest weddings. They should be able to give you all the resorts in the area you want with all their info. Maybe even pamplets & I am sure websites. If you have not found a TA thats willing to help you I will recommend mine. She is a vendor from this site. Teresa from Vactions for less. [email protected]

 

And I agree you are giving your guests plenty of time to start saving. You maybe surprised how many people will come to your wedding.

 

Sorry I couldn't be much help but I know how stressful it is to not have the answers to your questions! You are not alone but it will all work out. I found a lot of my unanswered questions on this site. Maybe try searching different resorts & going through some of the planning threads to see what places look like & reading others opinions. Good luck with everything & hopefully you can figure out your dream wedding resort!!

 

[mochamakes3]

You said it yourself, if you had your way, you would choose Le Blanc. Check out the prices. It's two years away so maybe you can start a payment plan for family members. With 40 guests and a group contract, you would probably end up having your room credited, so you could use that money to supplement his family.

 

It's your day and you will never make everyone happy, so pick your personal favorite.

 

You may also want to check into a Palace membership wedding. The rates haven't been released for 2013, and they are usually very close, but you get more perks. The only sacrifice is that you have to act as the TA to get people booked, organize transportation, etc. And from my personal experience the Miami office is horrendous 95% of the time.

[Georgiaz]

I am also on the same situation, although a friend of mine got married in Playa del Carmen she is giving me good tips but still trying to look for my best option. We are planning our wedding for around end April or May of next year so we have plenty of time to plan, so Ill be surfing this forums to get ideas.

[LeanneMarie]

Have you checked out La Reve?  I haven't been to visit it yet, but it's definitely on my list when I get back to Playa.  I don't know what all those locations are based on there acronym sorry, but I definitely think you can find something that fits you down in Playa.  

 

Also, you could check out Cieba del Mar?

 

Another option would be to stay at an AI that is somewhere along the lines of your style, and then host your wedding at an outside location.  

 

When you have your site inspections you should be able to get a better handle on what's available and what fits your style.  Also, have you considered a wedding planner?  I'm not just asking because I am one, but you sound like you have some very specific ideas for what you want your destination wedding experience to be, and personal wedding planners are there to help you achieve those ideas!!!

 

Happy planning!!

 

Leanne