Sandos Caracol January 2017 - Newbie Just Started Planning

StylingTrio · May 23, 2016

Welcome @@Kfred! You've come to the right place for you wedding planning. There are tons of resources here on the BDW forums. If you need and Sandos Caracol is a beautiful place to get married.

Something to consider in this tropical climate is your makeup. We specialize in airbrush makeup which works so well in the heat and humidity. Here's some more info for you if interested in learning more: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/wedding-tips/c/planning/q-a-is-airbrush-makeup-ideal-in-a-tropic-r2326

tpenner · May 30, 2016

Hi Ladies,

We are pretty sure this is where we want to get married September 2017. Super excited. We are pretty sure we will go with the Emerald Breeze package but I have a question regarding dinner. It says that the package includes 3 hr private dinner. This may be a silly question but do they charge you per head for the food or is that included when it says "private dinner"? I wasn't sure if it meant that its just giving you the space to eat privately or if its all included?

Thanks in advance

I assume it would mean it's all included, but I'd definitely check with the coordinator. She's great with answering questions.

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Thank you so much @@tpenner for responding with all of these details! so sorry it took me long to respond - my daughter is teething and has had a cold so it's been a rough week to sit down at the puter...

We too are going with the Caribbean Fantasy package. I am aiming for the gazebo but really like your point of not seeing/using the natural beauty of the beach/ocean which was always the plan while searching for our destination we always said on the beach, so who knows this one might change still. I really do love the gazebo though, it is so unique! Do you know how many guests you can have at this location though? We are inviting approx 80 people (not sure how many will come but I suspect at least 60). The resort asked if we would like 4pm, 5pm, or 6pm for our ceremony. We chose 4pm as that's what my fiance wanted - personally I was thinking 5 would be better, it's so bloody hot out still at 4 lol I'm gonna be a mess! Maybe another good reason for the gazebo to have some guaranteed shade.

I haven't seen any photos or good information on how the reception is set up on the beach, have you?! For now, we are moving forward with planning for the rooftop terrace. But there are so many details to figure out for the reception like table settings, centerpieces, flowers, etc. I'm trying to figure out what I will bring with me for our own set up or what we will pay the resort to do. I haven't really seen examples of what they can do for centerpieces etc. (can't get over the upcharge for every little thing like even a napkin ring holder!!). I've heard of other brides (other resorts) bringing their own materials for centerpieces, their own table runners and other decorations. What are your plans for that?

Also will pay for the extra hour, I can't imagine shutting the party down at 10 - and as far as I've heard the resort DJ is just fine for the event so will be going that way. I haven't even begun researching photographers/prices - amazing that it's cheaper for you to bring them with you from Edmonton (we are from Winnipeg). So hopefully I'll get to see some work from the resort photographer soon so I can move forward with planning on that front.

One of my bridesmaids is a hair stylist so I'm super lucky in that regard. I think I'm going to give the resort salon a try for the make up application. I think that if I really don't like it, I'll wash it off and do my makeup myself.

Have you decided on buffet or plated dinner? how about your colors/theme?

talk soon and thanks!

Wow..it's even a long time since I've been on here!

So I was able to send an email to the coordinator and ask some questions. Good news! They aren't charging us anything extra to have our reception on the rooftop! I haven't put any thought into the buffet/plated dinner.

As for colors, we are having an aqua green and coral.

I feel like planning is at a standstill until we have to figure out the details.

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StylingTrio · May 30, 2016

HI @@tpenner just looking over your message from earlier this year and noted that you'd received a hair and makeup quote from us. In the event you have not yet selected a hair and makeup vendor, I thought I'd bring it to you attention that we now have another brand we've recently started called La Bonita, it's also part of Styling Trio. Where the packages and pricing may work better for what you're looking for. If interested in learning more you can contact [email protected]. HAPPY PLANNING!

tpenner · June 3, 2016

HI @@tpenner just looking over your message from earlier this year and noted that you'd received a hair and makeup quote from us. In the event you have not yet selected a hair and makeup vendor, I thought I'd bring it to you attention that we now have another brand we've recently started called La Bonita, it's also part of Styling Trio. Where the packages and pricing may work better for what you're looking for. If interested in learning more you can contact [email protected]. HAPPY PLANNING!

I have already booked with someone else in the meantime.

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JasminMattPhoto · June 7, 2016

hola Kfred, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Sandos Caracol is a beautiful resort, the staff are so helpful and friendly and the grounds are absolutely lovely. You are going to have a wonderful time there.

The rooftop terrace for your reception is a great location. It's spacious and private. You and your guests can let loose, have fun and not worry about randoms coming and going

It's great to hear that you're from Winnipeg, so are we!!!

If you're looking for some inspiration check out the following galleries from our previous weddings and Sandos Caracol.

If you have any questions at all, about sandos or about wedding planning in general please do not hesitate to ask us here, or in a private message or email.

http://www.jasminandmatt.com/portfolio/deanna-stephanie/

http://www.jasminandmatt.com/portfolio/tiffany-sean/

Us friendly Manitobans gotta stick together

tpenner · June 7, 2016

hola Kfred, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Sandos Caracol is a beautiful resort, the staff are so helpful and friendly and the grounds are absolutely lovely. You are going to have a wonderful time there.

The rooftop terrace for your reception is a great location. It's spacious and private. You and your guests can let loose, have fun and not worry about randoms coming and going

It's great to hear that you're from Winnipeg, so are we!!!

If you're looking for some inspiration check out the following galleries from our previous weddings and Sandos Caracol.

If you have any questions at all, about sandos or about wedding planning in general please do not hesitate to ask us here, or in a private message or email.

http://www.jasminandmatt.com/portfolio/deanna-stephanie/

http://www.jasminandmatt.com/portfolio/tiffany-sean/

Us friendly Manitobans gotta stick together

It's so nice to see pictures from our resort! Thanks!

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WPGBride17 · June 7, 2016

Finally a Winnipeger Bride on here. I thought I was alone. Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

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StylingTrio · June 8, 2016

@@Kfred Welcome to the BDW Community and congrats on your upcoming wedding! Sandos Caracol is beautiful. What a nice location you will love it. You've come to the right place to find helpful tips and advice for your Riviera Maya, Mexico wedding. if we can be of any assistance just let us know. We at Styling Trio have worked with many resorts and wedding planners and vendors and could be able to answer some of your questions. So enjoy your wedding planning and here's a helpful tip in case you're interested in getting professional hair and makeup done on your special day. This is a great article on how to keep your makeup in tip top shape that day in a tropical climate like here in Riviera Maya Mexico! Check out link below and HAPPY PLANNING! http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/wedding-tips/c/planning/q-a-is-airbrush-makeup-ideal-in-a-tropic-r2326

Edited June 8, 2016 by StylingTrioRivieraMaya

JasminMattPhoto · June 8, 2016

@@tpenner We know how important it is to brides to see wedding photos utilizing their chosen resorts. It's a perfect chance to really give you a feel for the space, and what's all possible. Since you appreciated those, I figured I would also include a few photos of the makeup Besos Brides did for a recent bride of ours. We have been fortunate enough to work with both Styling Trio and Besos Brides and would recommend both companies! And our brides also highlight how happy they've been both both companies.

@@Kfred You expressed concern for the amount of guests that are able to fit within the ceremony structure on the beach at Sandos Caracol, so I am including a photo to help show just how much space there is to this unique setting. The majority of the weddings we photographed there, the couples have opted for the rooftop terrace for the reception. This space is beautifully set up, offers plenty of space, has a shallow pool in the center that looks great in photos, with the ocean in the background. The lighting is great up on the roof as well, for the speeches, dancing, drinking and overall partying afterwards, as you can see from the included images. One couple we photographed (who opted to only hire us until the reception) did have their reception on the beach, and the space that is set up is beside the beach structure, with your own bar set up for your guests too. The space definitely feels tighter than on the rooftop (if you're concerned with 60 guests being comfortable in the space all night). Hope this helps! And let us know if you have any other questions regarding the resort, or otherwise. As Winnipeggers ourselves, who decided to move to the Riviera Maya and photograph weddings full time, we love being able to help other fellow Canadians, and more specifically, other fellow Winnipeggers/Manitobans.

WeddingDayStory · July 6, 2016

Hola a todos!

Amazing information on this thread - looks like @@Kfred, @@tpenner & @@MrsOHara had their questions answered. We'll be looking forward to any updates in case we can help out with contacts for other vendors or with anything we can add from our experience shooting weddings there.

We also wanted to share some images of our latest one with an awesome couple, Ronda & Heith. They got married at the Cenote, which is a gorgeous location as well. Sandos Eco is a great option if you dream of getting married surrounded by nature & jungle!

12-Sandos-Caracol-wedding.jpg?resize=800