***TULUM BRIDES 2012-2013***

[PaulSchrank]

FYI - despite the name, Dreams Tulum is not in Tulum nor is it near the Boca Paila Road. It's 20 minutes away by cab. Without transportation, Dreams Tulum is not connected to anything in Tulum.

 

[essandpea]

Thanks for adding that! I should have mentioned that in my post. Isabellef, we did let our guests know that Dreams Tulum is quite a distance from the rest of the hotels along the beach and that they should take that into account. Same goes for Gran Bahia Principe, Barcelo Maya, or houses in Akumal that are advertised as Tulum.

[isabellef]

Thanks so much for the info on Las Ranitas! We are also considering Akiin as a possible location. I am waiting to get some additional info on pricing from our planner, but in the meantime am wondering if you have anyone knows whether it tends to fall on the side of pricey or more affordable? The venue looks so beautiful but you just never can tell what kind of prices to expect! Thanks so much!

[kate0614]

All I know about Akiin is that they were impossible to get in contact with for the longest time, then they were going to charge us $100 for a tasting and THEY SET THE MENU rather than asking us what we wanted to taste, and their chef is from Alux Caverna Restaurant in Playa del Carmen, which gets absolutely terrible reviews online.  We canceled our tasting there and took it out of the running, so it's possible we would have felt differently had we met with them in person.

[essandpea]

We were considering Akiin, too -- loved the open, blank-canvas feel. Here's the breakdown of costs our coordinator was able to negotiate:

 

Site fee (all day, private basis): $1,500

Buffet: ~$45/person

Corkage (we wanted to bring in our own alcohol): $23/person per hour

Decor for the beach club beds and set-up (tables, chairs, linens): $1,500

Centerpieces: $45/each

DJ, sound system, lighting: $1,500

 

Keep in mind there's a service charge and taxes on everything.

 

Our photographer shot a wedding there in January, so you could get in contact with this couple if you wanted to talk to someone who pulled off a wedding there: http://delsolphotography.com/blog/post-1261/Karen-Amando-Wedding-at-Akiin-Tulum-Photos-by-Sol. Good luck!

[isabellef]

Essandpea & Kate0614-Thanks so much for the info! Much appreciated! 

[Amria13]

Hi!

 

I'm also having a wedding at Las Ranitas in May 2013. I just loved their site when I went site seeing a few months ago. As soon as I walked in, I knew this was my wedding venue!

 

We are planning to have around 100 people. I have a question about the DJ, what is the estimated cost? Are any of you thinking of having a dance floor on the beach? We were thinking of just using an IPOD as I read many wedding reviews that brides wished they used instead of hiring a DJ. I'm wondering the price difference between renting sound equipment and hiring a DJ. Any help will be greatly appreciated!!

[essandpea]

Welcome! I love hearing from new Las Ranitas brides/grooms. 

 

DJ (music, sound, lighting) costs around $1500 USD, with the dance floor being extra. We looked extensively into just renting a sound system and using an iPod, but the sound system alone costs almost as much as DJ services! Plus, you would need a technician to set it up and someone to be in charge of it throughout the night. We also considered purchasing high-quality Bose speakers in the US and bringing them as some couples have done, but the beach can be quite windy and we didn't want to risk nobody being able to hear the ceremony (which forum-users experienced for even smaller 25-person weddings). A great thing about Las Ranitas is the patio area, and Angelina and other brides have told us that it's a great natural dance floor. All you need is some lighting, and you're set. 

[helovestica]

Hi all, I must have turned off my notifications, because I never got all of your wonderful advice and help...hmm. 

 

Anyway, my fiance and I took a trip to Tulum in May and had a great time. The beaches are beautiful and Tulum is so peaceful. We met with our coordinator and her assistant from tulumweddingsandevents.com., Morgan and Alejandra. They were amazing and showed us many options for our venue. Communication with Morgan was quick and easy. She's from Las Vegas so communication was not a worry.

 

Now, I should tell you that we decided NOT to be married in Tulum, and will be getting married next year in Cabo San Lucas. It's closer to our families on the west coast, and I'm just simply in love with the place! 

 

Here is the information we gathered while in Tulum:

 

Coordination -  Morgan, TULUMWEDDINGSANDEVENTS.COM

 

Venue - #1 Cabanas Tulum, #2 Las Estrellas (We also visited Akiin, Mezzanine, Ana y Jose, Om Tulum)

 

Photos - Del Sol (We never met with them but they would've been our #1 choice. Being on a budget ourselves, we would've spent here). 

 

Adventrues - Dos Ojos Cenotes(maybe good for TDD), Akumal for swimming with the turtles, and of course the Ruins. Rent bikes for the day and ride to the ruins, and then into town for shopping and cheap eats.

 

Transportation - USA-TRASNFERS.COM

 

 

I send all the Tulum brides so many wishes! Enjoy your planning and please continue to share your journey. 

 

xoxo

[essandpea]

Congratulations on deciding on a location/venue! And thanks for circling back to share about your site visit to Tulum :-).