Wedding Wedding in Riviera Maya--recommend any resorts???

[AlliMay]

Well, I want to start by saying YOU GUYS ROCK!

THANK YOU to all you wonderful PS ladies for sharing so much about your wedding planning experience, etc. I lurked for a long time, but am now in planning mode and ready to join in the fun

My FI and I are planning a June 2009 destination wedding, to the Riviera Maya area. We have both been to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa and other Mexican spots, but never Riviera Maya...from what we have heard, though, we will love it.

Do any of you recommend resorts in that area?? We are looking for an all-inclusive that is very nice, but still affordable if our friends / family want to join us.

I would love any feedback that you can offer on places you have stayed (or others have recommended) that you think would be a good spot for our wedding...we have been looking at Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Akumal, etc. I have been looking on Trip Advisor, but there are so many contrasting reviews that I am having a hard time judging...

Thanks again!!

 

[CDNinNYC]

Date: 9/11/2008 10:53:30 AM
Author:AlliMay
Well, I want to start by saying YOU GUYS ROCK!

THANK YOU to all you wonderful PS ladies for sharing so much about your wedding planning experience, etc. I lurked for a long time, but am now in planning mode and ready to join in the fun

My FI and I are planning a June 2009 destination wedding, to the Riviera Maya area. We have both been to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa and other Mexican spots, but never Riviera Maya...from what we have heard, though, we will love it.

Do any of you recommend resorts in that area?? We are looking for an all-inclusive that is very nice, but still affordable if our friends / family want to join us.

I would love any feedback that you can offer on places you have stayed (or others have recommended) that you think would be a good spot for our wedding...we have been looking at Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Akumal, etc. I have been looking on Trip Advisor, but there are so many contrasting reviews that I am having a hard time judging...

Thanks again!!

Hey AlliMay

I''ve also been planning a DW in the Mayan Riviera. Have some questions for you that may help narrow down your search.

1.) Will you be inviting children to your wedding? Some resorts are 18+ and don''t allow children on their grounds, period. Other resorts that are adults only will allow children but ONLY on the wedding day, making it difficult for you and your FI to spend time with them throughout the week.

2.) Remote location vs. easy access to town. Is it important for you and your guests to be near a town or will you welcome a location that is remote? For instance, I know my guests will want to go shopping, bar-hopping and sightseeing, so we picked a resort that is within walking distance of the city centre.

3.) Are you interested in a intimate environment? Size of the resort has an impact on the mood of your event. Boutique resorts are smaller, more private, intimate, more quiet. If you are leaning towards a boutique resort, you''ll need to ensure your guests book their rooms early to avoid the resort being sold out.

4.) How do you picture your wedding? Do you want your ceremony in a little Mexican chapel? Or on the beach or garden? Some resorts have chapels on their grounds; most do not. Do you want an indoor or outdoor reception?

5.) How much do you want to spend? Some resorts offer free wedding packages if you can guarantee a certain amount of guests. Also, there are resorts that offer a reception as part of their wedding packages while there are other that do not. You will need to pay extra even though you are at an all-inclusive.

I can through out some resorts names for you once you narrow down what you think you and your fiance want.


Cheers!

 

[AlliMay]

Hi CDinNYC!

Yeah for Riviera Maya brides!

So here is where we are at:

1) FI has nieces age 12 and 15 that will be coming to the wedding, so adults-only are out. However, we defintely do not want a resort geared totally towards kids.

2) We were thinking that remote is fine and even preferable, as long as it is on the beach. We have been looking as far south as Tulum.

3) Ideally we want the resort to be 400 rooms or less, so we don''t have to struggle to get around the resort and catch people.

4) Outdoor (beach or gazebo) ceremony with either indoor or outdoor for the reception.

5) I would prefer a resort with a wedding package included (obviously), but am OK if it is not...we do not plan to have a huge sit-down reception, but would want to do a toast / happy hour with the 20 or so people that will join us and maybe everyone could eat at the same restaurant that night.

A little more insight...FI and I are very laid-back people and we want our wedding to be casual and celebratory, so I would like a resort with that same vibe (if that makes sense

) Any recommendations you can make would be much appreciated...

Do you mind telling me where you are going for your DW?? I''d love to hear about it!

 

[dreaming of the day]

I am going to the Riviera Maya in October, to H10 Ocean Turquesa/Coral. It is a 4.5 to 5 star resort, and we got a really good deal on it. I will let you know how it was when I return. My FMIL has been and she loved it (she has good taste and is an avid traveller), so that''s why we went there.

 

[AlliMay]

Date: 9/11/2008 1:15:33 PM
Author: dreaming of the day
I am going to the Riviera Maya in October, to H10 Ocean Turquesa/Coral. It is a 4.5 to 5 star resort, and we got a really good deal on it. I will let you know how it was when I return. My FMIL has been and she loved it (she has good taste and is an avid traveller), so that''s why we went there.

I just looked at the H10 Ocean Turquesa website...Looks gorgeous!

I''ll have to check on prices for that one. Please be sure and post about your trip...I''ll be anxious to hear!