2015-2016 Moon Palace Brides

[IzzyDeee]

For myself getting married in Jamaica the outside vendor fee is 350$ US! As a Canadian bride that's huge since it'll be more like 400$! I have a close family friend that is coming to my wedding and to get around that "rule" I am saying she is my aunt they can't say no to that! She is there the entire week also (gave her one of our free trips!) so I'd say try that! It's what my future SIL did also when she got married in Jamaica 3 years ago @@misbosox

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wafflesmom]

@@FutureMrsSam Air Transat and Sunwing don't go to Mexico in the summer? I didn't know that! Yes, like @@calgarybride2015 said, it should be much cheaper as a package. And you should get perks for booking as a group. We got every 11th person free

 

 

@@moonpalacebride2be I don't know how they'd enforce that? Would they ban all cameras? Lol

 

I just checked my email messages and when I initially contacted them, they didn't reply after 5 days so I sent them a follow-up email in case my first one got lost in transit. I got an email the next day apologizing as the person checking the email then was on vacation. After that, they were wonderful and very prompt at replying to my messages. I dealt with Yonatan who is fabulous! We even had a Skype meeting to get to know each other and discuss my vision so he could determine which stylists would work best for my style and vision. I understand why you'd reconsider, especially if you haven't had a reply in a week but perhaps give it another few days. They have had so many great reviews and it's a vendor that I feel I don't have to worry about. IF they don't get back to you, I believe Palace has two approved vendors for stylists. I could be wrong but I thought there was another one. Let me check on here for you and I'll post if I find it

 

Found it ???? So according to another thread, MVP is also an approved styling vendor. I found it on this thread http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/78894-palace-approved-vendors/

 

I suggest checking with your wedding coordinators first, especially since they've made so many changes to the wedding rules/fees/vendors

Edited April 1, 2015 by Wafflesmom

[FutureMrsSam]

Hello fellow MP brides!

We are 15 days away from leaving for Cancun, I can't believe how quickly it's gotten here! I keep going over and over my lists, feeling like I'm forgetting something, but I'm hoping it's just nerves I figured I would share what we have arranged for our big day, if anyone has any questions let me know!

 

Guests: We are at 47 people, including us. We've had a few last minute changes, which came as a surprise even though everyone on these threads has said to expect it Luckily it didn't change our 75 room nights that we hit so hopefully there are no more changes we have to deal with!

 

OOT bags: I bought papel-picado themed bags from the Wedding Chicks shop that say Muchas Gracias on them. Inside there will be a welcome letter using our invite stationary (my sister designed all of our STD's, invites, signs, etc), personalized drink mugs (purchased from the Factory21 shop on Etsy), and a First Aid kit (small muslin bag filled with advil, pepto, bandaids, makeup remover wipes for the girls, and hand sanitizer wipes. I made my own red cross stamp and painted it onto the outside of the bag). There will be 7 kids attending so they are all getting different bags filled with pool toys, games, etc. instead of the meds kits. I debated adding something else but since the bags and cups weren't cheap I decided against it I figured for our crowd those would be the things used the most to that's what I decided to stick to!

 

Welcome dinner at the Grand Terrace the night before the wedding - no decor besides some personalized drink napkins.

 

Ceremony at the Caribbean beach: I'm getting the complimentary package and added in some coral sashes on the seats along the aisle (our colors are blue, greens, and pops of coral), and large antique-looking lanterns (that will later be moved to the reception space). Other than that just letting the natural beauty shine! I bought about 20 vintage-looking handkerchiefs and there will be a small table near the seats with a sign that says "hankies for your happy tears". I haven't decided how to display them yet, I keep going back and forth and really need to make a decision ASAP!

 

Cocktail hour at the Tucan garden: No decor besides the personalized drink napkins

 

Reception at the Tucan terrace: We are renting decor from Gama, who was so easy to work with! Prices are a little high but we are keeping it pretty simple. I'm renting five 10-person wooden rectangle vintage looking tables (plus a sweetheart table for the two of us), with a table runner in muslin and clusters of small vases/flowers. I am debating bringing small candles, but am not sure how necessary it will be. There will be coral napkins and I got turquoise maracas (that I personalized with a k&k tag that I made using a stamp bought on Etsy). I'm doing 3 strings of the white chinese lanterns over the dance floor, and the large antique floor lanterns will be moved from the ceremony. I also got the mexican lounge set for a hang out area next to the bar. I made my place cards and they will be displayed in hammered tin trays filled with sand. I'm also going to get a piñata when we are down there and cut a hole in the top as the card holder (I got a little wooden sign that says Cards to put around it). 

 

Flowers: I decided to get my bouquets and bouts made out of fake flowers so that I'm able to easily save them/transport them back home. I didn't want to deal with the expense and hassle of flowers once we are there and I love that I know exactly what I'm getting. I'll be using the complimentary bouquet as decor on the cake/cards/seating cards table. Other than this the only flowers we will be getting are through Gama as part of the decor in the little vases along the middle of the tables.

 

DJ: We hired DiscoMovil, who has great reviews and prices!

 

Photographer: I took a risk on this and am using a friend of a friend and paying for her trip in exchange for photos. She is with us for 3 days and will be taking pictures during our little bachelorette evening, welcome dinner and of course the big day. She's only done a few weddings but based on her pictures I felt like she would do a good job. It was a great way for us to cut the cost a bit and ensure we will be getting lots of candids (which are more important to us) versus a stranger coming in for a bunch of posed pictures. Fingers crossed it works out as expected!

 

I think that's about it for all the big stuff! Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions

Wow! It sounds like you have everything ready to go! I'm sure it's going to be fabulous!! I can't wait to see the pics

[FutureMrsSam]

Def cheaper than booking separately as they include flight, resort, taxes and transfers. Also all the your operators offer deals - I used AC and I got every 17 person free (minus taxes) and a free upgrade to first class for the bride and groom. Well worth it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice!! I'm not a huge fan of AC, I much prefer Westjet but if AC has better rates then I'll for sure use them.. I especially like the upgrade to the bride and groom!! I'd love to fly first class

[moonpalacebride2be]

@@IzzyDeee I actually told them in the beginning that my finance's dad might be shooting our photos (he has a photography business), and I was told that they would still charge us $400 regardless, even though he is staying for 5 nights!  Absolutely ridiculous. They tried to play it off like it is a "deal" since otherwise it would be $800.  Yeah, right!  Are you staying at a palace resort (Sorry, I am not familiar with resorts in Jamaica lol)?

 

@@Wafflesmom thank you for the heads up on stylingtrio- I plan on giving them another week but I have emailed them twice already.  I just wish they wouldn't claim that there is a 24 hour turn-around time if they need more time to respond lol.  THANK YOU for letting me know MVP is also approved!  I will check with my coordinator as well.  I hate how she doesn't give me all of the info- at first she told me that JSAV is the only DJ as well until I inquired about PSAV specifically  My coordinator has been great at response times at least, which after reading these threads I did not expect.

 

I'm so jealous of all of you Canadians that get package deals and free flights!  I will be purchasing flights separately, and we need to buy flights for 2 groomsmen, 2 bridesmaids, and ourselves.  Flights will likely be our biggest expense 

[TammyWright]

Hello Palace Brides & Groom,

 

We are a Platinum Palace Agency (I think only 3 agencies were given this award in the US!) and have a fantastic relationship with them and offer great amenities.  We have this exclusive offer running that is combineable with other Palace group amenities. Bride & Groom fly Free!

 

[IzzyDeee]

@@IzzyDeee I actually told them in the beginning that my finance's dad might be shooting our photos (he has a photography business), and I was told that they would still charge us $400 regardless, even though he is staying for 5 nights! Absolutely ridiculous. They tried to play it off like it is a "deal" since otherwise it would be $800. Yeah, right! Are you staying at a palace resort (Sorry, I am not familiar with resorts in Jamaica lol)?

 

@@Wafflesmom thank you for the heads up on stylingtrio- I plan on giving them another week but I have emailed them twice already. I just wish they wouldn't claim that there is a 24 hour turn-around time if they need more time to respond lol. THANK YOU for letting me know MVP is also approved! I will check with my coordinator as well. I hate how she doesn't give me all of the info- at first she told me that JSAV is the only DJ as well until I inquired about PSAV specifically My coordinator has been great at response times at least, which after reading these threads I did not expect.

 

I'm so jealous of all of you Canadians that get package deals and free flights! I will be purchasing flights separately, and we need to buy flights for 2 groomsmen, 2 bridesmaids, and ourselves. Flights will likely be our biggest expense

That's really strange! As soon as its a family member they usually back right off since they are there the entire time you are and might just have a nice camera I'm not stating she is a professional photographer to them either just that she's my aunt! And I'm just not asking for a photographer from my WC either.

 

I'd have to say it's been a huge money saver with our free trips after 10 people booked! I couldn't imagine paying for those flights that's a pretty big cost! I'm staying at the Riu Montego Bay in Jamaica ️ just saw your post and thought I would try to help @@moonpalacebride2be

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FutureMrsSam]

@@FutureMrsSam Air Transat and Sunwing don't go to Mexico in the summer? I didn't know that! Yes, like @@calgarybride2015 said, it should be much cheaper as a package. And you should get perks for booking as a group. We got every 11th person free

 

 

@@moonpalacebride2be I don't know how they'd enforce that? Would they ban all cameras? Lol

 

I just checked my email messages and when I initially contacted them, they didn't reply after 5 days so I sent them a follow-up email in case my first one got lost in transit. I got an email the next day apologizing as the person checking the email then was on vacation. After that, they were wonderful and very prompt at replying to my messages. I dealt with Yonatan who is fabulous! We even had a Skype meeting to get to know each other and discuss my vision so he could determine which stylists would work best for my style and vision. I understand why you'd reconsider, especially if you haven't had a reply in a week but perhaps give it another few days. They have had so many great reviews and it's a vendor that I feel I don't have to worry about. IF they don't get back to you, I believe Palace has two approved vendors for stylists. I could be wrong but I thought there was another one. Let me check on here for you and I'll post if I find it

 

Found it So according to another thread, MVP is also an approved styling vendor. I found it on this thread http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/78894-palace-approved-vendors/

 

I suggest checking with your wedding coordinators first, especially since they've made so many changes to the wedding rules/fees/vendors

@ Wafflesmom who did you book with?

Quick question about wedding packages.. I reserved the complimentary package but am thinking about changing to the exotic peacock... my question to you all is.. is it worth it? It seems most ladies here booked the complimentary package.. why did you? Is it because you can personalize it or do you think the other pachage isn't worth the $$? With the complimentary package, what does the dinner setup look like? I can't seem to find that anywhere.. Thanks for your input!!

[Wafflesmom]

@@moonpalacebride2be you are very welcome we all have to help each other out! I hope Styling Trio contacts you soon, since they're so great but if they don't reply back, it would be quite annoying.

 

I agree that the packages are great in terms of logistics but we Canadians have fewer options in terms of air carriers.

 

@@FutureMrsSam we booked with Transat

[misbosox]

so ladies I wrote to my new coordinator to get clarify on if a guest is filming video or photography for your wedding.   She stated that if its a guest with Professional Equipment then it is a $400 fee.   Even thought they are staying under your group wedding block.   It would be labeled on your purchase order as:  "Guest with a professional photography/video equipment 400.00 UDS fee will be applicable with a booked room under the same group contract"

If its a guest with just a regular camera or camera phone that's okay no fee since not Proffesional equipment used. 

I'm guessing this is something they just started this year or recently, probably due to not many booking with their vendor.  Plus there has been too many brides in the past that had hired professional photo/video companies and had them book a 1 or 2 night stay under their room block to avoid the outside vendor fee.   Palace caught on and this is how they are dealing with it now.

 

Also, if you do you an actual outside vendor (not a guest) the fee is $800 for the 1st day.  If you have that same vendor and they come to shoot another day (lets say TTD, Goodbye party, etc few days after wedding) - then there is a fee of $250 for the additional day.    Also, if you do the outside vendor you may need to purchase a day pass or/and pay also the $55 fee to allow them to eat during the wedding.