Need Help: Looking For A Budget Friendly Wedding Location In Cancun

[soon2BHammel719]

Hey guys! I am a newbie in need of HELP! I just recently got engaged the end of May and still feel like I am dreaming:))So.. my fiance and I had finally found a location in our home town of Tucson, AZ. Right when I sit down with my parents to finalize everything they decide to tell me they are no longer able to help me with the wedding like the had planned on doing. Long story short.... We have decided to just plan a destination wedding/weddingmoon instead. Primarily to cut the costs and also just have a stress free "Vaca" wedding instead =D.

So that being the case... I am trying to find the cheapest way to go about it... I of course still want it to be beautiful and special though.

ANY help would be greatly appreciated. I have decided on the location as Cancun, flights are not to expensive and it is very beautiful.

If you could share with me your wedding details and pricing and any advice that would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

[saskbride]

How many people are you thinking you will be having? There is a lot of different packages available and most offer some sort of free package for a certain amount of guests. The catch there is that the free packages are for 10 people (or something) and you need 30 to get it so end up paying for the extra people anyway.. but there is many different packages to look at!

 

What are some of the most important things to you about the resort? One way to save money at the DW is getting married before(or after) and having a symbolic ceremony. Another way to save money is to plan wedding in off season- do you

have a date in mind?

 

Good luck planning!

[jsparrow10]

Cancun tends to be more expensive than say Playa del Carmen which is depending on the resort 30 min away from the airport. Usually transport from the airport to your resort is included as well. Cost was a factor to us as well since we want it to be as affordable as we could make it for our guests. We wanted to keep it under $1500 for a week including flight and we were able to achieve with Iberostar Tucan. We have stayed there before and have always had a great time. You need to figure out what you want to keep it under and what you want to spend on the wedding and go from there! Good luck

[shelikespink]

@@soon2BHammel719 Congrats on your engagement! What kind of prices were you inquiring about, cost for guests or for the actual wedding itself?

From my research, destination wedding costs don't vary much from at home, the only reason you save money is because less people attend!

 

Some resorts have a certain number of people included, but if you go over, you still have to pay for each person's meal/alcohol ($25-100+ per person). Some resorts you also have to pay extra for plated meals. For my wedding I will also need to pay extra ($6/per person) for chairs at the ceremony! There are also costs like DJ, decor, photography, music, speakers, flowers, dress, rings, invitations, etc that you would probably have to pay for regardless of where your wedding will be.

 

I'm personally getting very overwhelmed with the costs! It sure adds up quickly.

 

In terms of costs for the guests, I am hoping to secure rates of $1500 or under for hotel, flight, and transfers.

[DianaSRZ]

Is it really possible to secure rates of $1500 or less? So far the information I received is for $1000 for resort only. We received info for the Dreams Sands, March 2015.

I agree with you girls... this is very overwhelming!

Any thoughs or suggestions?

[jsparrow10]

Is it really possible to secure rates of $1500 or less? So far the information I received is for $1000 for resort only. We received info for the Dreams Sands, March 2015.

I agree with you girls... this is very overwhelming!

Any thoughs or suggestions?

 

I was dead set on making it happen. Out of the 4 times I have been down there for a week long vacation I have never paid more than that so I wasn't going to expect my guests to! For me it's tricky because the flight information isn't out yet since it's so far ahead. We just locked in our resort and it should end up being $1300 even if flights end up being around $450. It's out there you might have to go away from big chains. We've stayed at Riu's and Iberostars and have always had an amazing time! 

[soon2BHammel719]

Thanks so much for the feedback!

@@saskbride When we were originally planning to do it at home we narrowed it down to about 80 guests without children(I have a large family) I am guessing only about 40 people max will go to a destination wedding. However I have heard some people do surprise you and go. So we will see. As far as the resort, I really would like an all inclusive.. I am thinking that would help cut down costs for us and our guests. Oh that is a good idea, so just get married legally in AZ and then have a symbolic ceremony in Mexico.. great idea I will look into that. Yes, I was really wanting May of next year. Reading through the comments it looks like that is an off season in Mexico. Thanks for the help!

 

@@jsparrow10 Thank you for the information is the water still really pretty there? I will have to look into Playa del Carmen thank you, I too would like it to be under 1500 for our guests as well. I will look into the lberoster Tucan. Thank you I really would like to keep the wedding under 5,000 but of course the lower the better.. I just want it to be fun and elegant for everyone! Thanks you too!

 

@@shelikespink thanks you too! Both! I would like the wedding to stay under 5,000 and our guests under 1000-1500. Yea I am trying to avoid all of those extra pp costs but it sounds like they are un-avoidable. Where are you getting married? PS. I like pink too =D

 

@@jsparrow10 where did you decide on for your location?

 

What are your feelings on a TA? Also, what are you guys doing about a honeymoon? Do you go somewhere different after? I feel rude to say this, but I don't really want to spend my honeymoon with my friends and family.. I mean I wouldn't mind it but its not ideal. lol

[calgarybride2015]

Congrats!

 

As someone said above, I think Cancun would be your pricier option. The Mayan Riviera tends to be cheaper, and also consider Puerto Vallarta if you are really looking for the best deal.  I found one in January 2015 for $1250 (all in!!!).

In the Mayan we are paying $1565 per person (includes everything!).  

 

At our hotel you can get the base package for free if you have 10 double rooms.  This only includes 10 people (kids free), but includes alot of things.  If you have a smaller wedding and don't want much fluff -- and are ok to have your dinner in an Ala Carte -- you can do your wedding for pretty cheap!

 

I think it depends how many people you plan to have, and what type of resort you are dead set on.  You don't want a 'dive' to cut costs, because you have to spend a week there!!

 

If you want more info on my resort - Grand Sirenis - I can tell you about it.

 

EDIT - I get your feelings on price.  Last time I was in the Mayan I paid $1450 and I couldn't find ANYTHING close that wasn't a 3 or less star resort which I didn't want.  Prices are going up unfortunately, and when you book in advance they have to base pricing on the previous year - so if the dollar sucks, so does the package pricing.   But our price of $1565 was a steal, you can't get that on Expedia right now.

Edited July 24, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[soon2BHammel719]

@@calgarybride2015 Oh wow that is a great price! what do you mean when you say includes everything??

That sounds great, I don't need much fluff

I completely agree I do not want to get married in a dive hotel! No way.. Is the water really pretty outside your resort? that is one of my biggest concerns!

Yes please if you could send me more info on the Grand Sirenes that would be awesome! 

Thanks so much!

Shayna

[calgarybride2015]

@@calgarybride2015 Oh wow that is a great price! what do you mean when you say includes everything??

That sounds great, I don't need much fluff

I completely agree I do not want to get married in a dive hotel! No way.. Is the water really pretty outside your resort? that is one of my biggest concerns!

Yes please if you could send me more info on the Grand Sirenes that would be awesome! 

Thanks so much!

Shayna

 

I don't know how packages work from all countries, but I know in Canada for our price - $1565 - we get airfare, transfer to resort, the week at the resort (all inclusive), and taxes in that price.  I think at our resort you have to pay for wifi, and maybe the safe in the room. Also, of course, you pay for any excursions you go on.

 

From pictures I don't see any issues with our resorts beach and ocean. Very pretty. Because there is a reef there (great for snorkeling and seeing turtles) I heard some areas of the beach are rocky.   We know a handful of people who have stayed at this resort and all gave raving reviews.  Also know 2 who married there.

 

I believe their base wedding package in Canadian was $1866, but you can go all the way into the $6000's. (If you get 10 double rooms that base package is free - that's what I am doing and then I did all the upgrades I wanted to get the wedding I imagined)   I can email you their packages if you PM me your email address. Or I can post some info here. Let me know

 

Choosing the resort and your price point is the hardest part.

Edited July 24, 2014 by calgarybride2015