HELP- too many options!

jessss · August 9, 2012

I am planning a wedding in Nov 2013 for ~120 guests (I know, it's a large number for a destination wedding). We want to have it in Cancun and have fallen in love with the chapel at Gran Caribe Real but are debating about where we should have the reception/hotel. The Gran Caribe Real resort doesn't look that great, am I wrong? We want to keep the price as low as possible for our guests since they will be traveling far. I am visiting Cancun over labor day weekend and have narrowed it down to a few places. Thoughts, comments, advice??

1) Gran Caribe Real (Since we plan to get married in the chapel this is the most convenient resort)

2) Gran Melia

3) NH Krystal Cancun

4) Dreams Resort- I know there is a lot of info on Dreams out there, and it looks gorgeous, but it might be too pricey for our guests

I'm really interested in heaing more about the first three options!!

Thanks!!

LCB803 · November 8, 2012

Hi Jess,

I totally know why you're interested in the Gran Caribe chapel!! I went to Cancun in July for a fact-finding trip with that as my #1 favorite...however, after seeing it in person I was SO disappointed! It is such a shame, such a beautiful chapel that is so poorly situated. They are not at all realizing its potential! We also were not very happy with the resort-- actually, it's two resorts: the Gran Caribe Real (families) and the Royal Cancun (adults-only)-- and the wedding coordinator was pretty rude to my WC. I assume this is because they are generally hostile to outsiders... the fees for bringing in outside vendors are outrageous!!

We considered using just the chapel and staying elsewhere, but they pretty much gouge you on the price for just the chapel as an incentive to get you to stay at the resort(s).

So, our WC found us other options for a Catholic chapel that we are much happier with!! I fell in love with two options, both in Playa del Carmen: the Chapel del Carmen in downtown Playa del Carmen, and the Catholic chapel at Playa del Secreto (see here and here). We ended up with Playa del Secreto as a matter of convenience since we can have the ceremony and reception co-located; we couldn't find a reception venue that suited our needs that was within walking distance from Chapel del Carmen.

We also visited the Krystal because I'd seen some really great photos from a wedding my WC did there awhile back, but in person it was really disappointing and I would not recommend it. Sorry Let me know if you want details.

Good luck!