Newbie Dw Bride - Help Needed! :)

[hpfannes]

Hi ladies!

 

I am a long time lurker but first time poster and am hoping some of you experts can assist! We would like to have our destination wedding at a resort in the Riviera Maya in 2015. I would like to give our guests a year to save up, so probably somwhere around June or July. Has anyone had a wedding in Mexico in June or July? How is the weather? Does it rain a lot, too hot, etc?

 

Also, I am so lost as how to even get started. I feel like I need help as far as figuring out what is affordable, and what the wedding packages include and everything. We want an AI resort, with multiple al a carte restaurants, and a beach, otherwise we're not too picky. We are definitely on a budget, and would prefer not to spend anymore than 5k including the trip, minus the dress and would like the cost for the guests to stay to be less than $1200-1500 pp. Is this doable?

 

Should I start by working with a travel agent, or a wedding planner; who would best be able to negotiate rates for us?

 

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide, it is so much appreicated!!!

 

[nattiegams325]

@@hpfannes Hey girl! Congrats on starting to plan and I totally get how you're feeling. Until I locked down our date, that's how I was too! First, I've never been to Mexico in the summer, but from what I have heard, it is very hot in June/July but you will find lower rates than in the peak months (Jan-March/April).

 

I think you will be able to find an AI resort in that budget. Depending on where you're flying from and the length of the stay, I would start with a travel agent to get some recommendations for that price point. Do lots of research on resorts, read the reviews on here of the wedding departments as well as places like TripAdvisor to see people's reviews and pictures. You may want to look at reviews from the summertime to see what people say. For example I've heard people say they had trouble with jellyfish at my hotel, but when we were there in Feb, there were no issues whatsoever, so depending on the time of year, you may have different issues.

 

Adults only resorts typically are more expensive. Also think about distance from the airport. The Barcelo complex is 1.5 hours from the airport but since there are 5 hotels, there are 5 different price points and this may be a good one to look at. We didn't want one so far from the airport.

 

We are waiting for Apple Vacations to release their charter rates from Chicago as they are usually cheaper so we don't have any travel arrangements booked. Many hotels offer discounted rates if you are able to make it down to see the resort in person. That's what we did. One of the hotels looked beautiful online but in person, I wanted to run out of there as fast as possible.

 

Look at prices this year in June/July to hotels you're thinking about to give you a good idea for rates. Check out Expedia, cheap caribbean, apple, funjet, etc. The prices will most likely be comparable to next year!

[hpfannes]

Thank you!!

 

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[dreamweddings]

Hi ladies!

 

I am a long time lurker but first time poster and am hoping some of you experts can assist! We would like to have our destination wedding at a resort in the Riviera Maya in 2015. I would like to give our guests a year to save up, so probably somwhere around June or July. Has anyone had a wedding in Mexico in June or July? How is the weather? Does it rain a lot, too hot, etc?

 

Also, I am so lost as how to even get started. I feel like I need help as far as figuring out what is affordable, and what the wedding packages include and everything. We want an AI resort, with multiple al a carte restaurants, and a beach, otherwise we're not too picky. We are definitely on a budget, and would prefer not to spend anymore than 5k including the trip, minus the dress and would like the cost for the guests to stay to be less than $1200-1500 pp. Is this doable?

 

Should I start by working with a travel agent, or a wedding planner; who would best be able to negotiate rates for us?

 

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide, it is so much appreicated!!!

Hello hpfannes,

 

Congrats on deciding on a Destination Wedding , you are on the right forum. As a wedding planner in the Riviera Maya, we advice looking into Travel agent, who can advice you on what is doable.  The owners of the page, are travel agent which can reach out to them  (wright Travel)  

 

then you can take it from there.  Destination wedding are fun and there are resorts with reasonable prices out there.

 

Happy Planning!!

[Kayla88]

Hello! Congratulations! I am also a newbie who will be getting married in July 2015. I have heard from travel agents that it is hot and beautiful during the month of July. I have guest flying from two different Canadian locations and the price is around 1600$ per person. I am going to keep looking to see if I can find a resort that I like under the 1500$ mark. Keep me posted on your progress and feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I can send you all the information I have Happy planninf

[jsparrow10]

My brother got married at Iberostar Tucan in Playa del Carmen years ago in July and it was a blast. The Queztal is attached to it as well and we actually went back last year and it was still great. My SIL says the wedding planner was amazing and super helpful. The ceremony was right on the beach, followed by dinner in one of the restaurants then had the disco (nightclub) for the reception so there was plenty of drinks and dancing after. The ceremony was late afternoon if I remember correctly so it was hot but they made the programs into fans which is a cool idea. It was $1100 for us to stay the week including nonstop flight from Cleveland. We've been back to Iberostars and never spent more than $1300. I am in the process of researching resorts as well and making it affordable for our guests. If they already didn't use that resort I would. The wedding was gorgeous, has huge pools and swim up bars. 

[NickiLynn1116]

Definitely work with a travel agent.  Mine have helped me so much along the way even with my ceremony locations at my specific resort.  Travel agents also take the headache away from your guests bothering you with resort and flight questions.  Definitely the right path to take!  Each hotel will give you a Wedding Coordinator who will help plan the wedding.

[Lindsay30]

I just got married at the Iberostar Grand Paraiso in Riviera Maya on last month on July 21st and the weather was AMAZING! We were there for 8 days and it never rained once. I think that was out of the norm with it being the beginning of rain season, but we lucked out and I wouldn't have changed it for the world.

 

I think most travel agents will suggest you don't get too far into August and September and you'll have better luck in June into mid-July before worrying about Hurricane season.