Palace Resorts and their costs

[Canuck1234]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post on this excellent website even though I have read numerous threads!! I was curious if anyone could point me in the right direction.

-We are looking at having a destination wedding somewhere in the Mayan Riviera (preferably Playa del Carmen) in January of 2013.

-We are thinking we will have somewhere in the range of 50-70 ppl.

-We want it obviously to be a nicer resort but also be affordable for our guests.

-A lot of our guests have traveled to many AI resorts and enjoy the luxuries of some of the higher end resorts, but some of our guests haven't and don't have as much disposable income as the majority of the group.

-We ourselves have a decent budget for our wedding ($10,000-$15,000) but don't want to spend more than needed as we are looking at lots of expenses back home with starting our lives together (house, reception back home, etc).

-We would like to be near Playa del Carmen, because we would like our guests to be able to utilize the town for entertainment, shopping and golf.

-We have been looking at Playacar Palace and Gran Porto Real (both in Playa) and some of the other Palace resorts not in Playa (Beach and Moon), and the Barcelo complex.

-The quotes we received from the Palace resorts is more than we would like our guests to pay, however, the Palace resorts seem to have a lot of incentives for the wedding couple (free nights, resort credits, accommodations for large groups without to much extra $, etc)

So I guess my questions are:

--Are Palace resorts worth the money?

--Are their wedding packages going to save us money in comparison to other resorts?

--A lot of resorts only include 10-15 people in the packages and the Palaces include 30, what are the prices for additional guests over 30? (for ceremony?, for reception?, for cocktail hour?, for "meet and greet"?)

--Are we better off taking the complimentary wedding package and adding on the items that we want?

--Do we bring down our own decorations?

Anyhow, sorry for the long post but any guidance or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you in advance.

[nursebrooke]

Congrats Canuck1234!

 

I am just sorting through all those details myself. After endless hours on the web and with my TA. First off I don't know if you have a TA but she has been the biggest help. She has such an easy time getting information from the wedding planners at the resort. I sorted through my book of mexico resorts multiple times and then read through hundreds of reviews on the resorts on the trip advisor website. It was helpful to get a real persons view on their stay at the resorts as well as pictures taken by real people and not just the resort (who I would assume will show you only the absolute best). After all of this I settled on a palace resort. Called my TA and when I got the prices I was a little disheartened because my budget was also $10K. This was after we ditched our whole wedding back home because it was too pricey. So long story short I am still stuck on a palace resort! Based on what I have read and also from friends who have actually stayed at one before it seems to be worth the money. We chose Beach Palace because we want to be in the city and have the option of night life. Did you get the package with all the specifics on prices? If not I have it and can email it to you. If you go over 30 people you have to have a private reception and it is $50 a person.

 

I would LOVE to hear what input others have as well. I am still sorting through.

 

When will your wedding be? I was hoping to hear if Palace Resorts are extending their resort credits into 2013 since that is when my wedding is taking place. Has anyone heard anything???

[kim090902]

Hey girls. It is true that if you have over 30 people you have to have a private reception. But, if your guests book at least 75 room nights you have endless amounts of private receptions for free. I am getting married in May at the Beach Palace and have roughly 55 guests, We hit our 75 room nights when we had 30 people booked. Therefor, the reception, cocktail hour and private day after breakfast are all free. We chose to go with a wedding collection at the cost of $2500. I chose to do this because I didn't want to bring anything with me and the collections supply everything you could need. I stayed at the Cancun Palace last year (which was my 9th time to Cancun). It was by far the best hotel that I stayed at so far. I def. think that palace resorts are worth it. We booked the photography through the hotel. The package comes with a separate moments to remember shoot which is a one hour shoot on any day of our choosing. We did through in extras, such as d.j. with lighting and MC as well as a mexican trio to play at our cocktail hour. We are getting married on the beach and having the cocktail hour there as well. The reception is going to be on the terrace. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'll help if I can!

[coconoir1908]

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[melmelly]

Hi i am also a beach palace bride my date is for may 11, 2013. All this info has been helpful! I am waiting on info on eveything. If you can email me some info you recieved.it would really be helpful. My email is [email protected]. For right now i have about 30 ppl and 20 rooms.. Hoping i get more rooms booked. Looking it to photograpers, make-up, and dj And trying to figure out.. Do i bring my own decorations? I wonder if they still have the old collections? So many things!! Sending out my std soon.. And looking into saving on invitations.. Looking into the passport invites.. I feel they are different and unique. Thanks;)

[melmelly]

What collection did you chose? And how was your experenice withthe dj and the photograper?who did your hair and makeup? And what terrace you use sky or south terrace? Overall experenice with staff and wc? About when did the wc contact you about the wedding? Did you have a rehersal dinner? I am a bride for bp my wd is may 11,2013 Oh do you have any pictures to share? Thanks,

[melmelly]

Hi i am a bride for may 11, 2013 Alll this info has been so helpful. I am still waiting for all info from the resort.. If you can email me any info you have recevied. My email is [email protected]. For right now i have about 30 and 20 rooms. Hopefully i get more rms booked. Looking into photographer, dj, and make up. And trying to see if do i bring my own decor? I wonder if they still have the old wedding collections? So many things!Sending out my std soon. Looking into saving on invitation... I really love passport invites.. Its different and unique.:

[melmelly]

Congrats Canuck1234! I am just sorting through all those details myself. After endless hours on the web and with my TA. First off I don't know if you have a TA but she has been the biggest help. She has such an easy time getting information from the wedding planners at the resort. I sorted through my book of mexico resorts multiple times and then read through hundreds of reviews on the resorts on the trip advisor website. It was helpful to get a real persons view on their stay at the resorts as well as pictures taken by real people and not just the resort (who I would assume will show you only the absolute best). After all of this I settled on a palace resort. Called my TA and when I got the prices I was a little disheartened because my budget was also $10K. This was after we ditched our whole wedding back home because it was too pricey. So long story short I am still stuck on a palace resort! Based on what I have read and also from friends who have actually stayed at one before it seems to be worth the money. We chose Beach Palace because we want to be in the city and have the option of night life. Did you get the package with all the specifics on prices? If not I have it and can email it to you. If you go over 30 people you have to have a private reception and it is $50 a person. I would LOVE to hear what input others have as well. I am still sorting through. When will your wedding be? I was hoping to hear if Palace Resorts are extending their resort credits into 2013 since that is when my wedding is taking place. Has anyone heard anything???

Hi, A bride for may 11,2013 All the info has been so helpful! I am waiting on reservation on my wedding. If you can email the info you have recvd. My email is [email protected] Looking into photographer,dj and make-up I wonder if they still have the old collections. So many things... Have a happy planning :-) Thanks

[Moments That Matter]

Congrats Canuk1234 on both your upcoming wedding and choosing the incredible Mayan Riviera for your wedding destination! There are LOTs of great resorts + non-resort kinds of places which provide excellent wedding locations. To help narrow down the best choice for you, check out our webpage here.....http://momentsthatmatterphotography.com/choosingresort.html

 

You can also see our gallery of amazing wedding "moments that matter" for some images of the resort(s) you're considering........lots of great info ! All the best with your plans