Newbie question RIU Palace Mexico Wedding??

BeachBride2B · 09-30-2007

Hello all,
I'm new to this site but have found it to be so helpful so far! We are planning on getting married in March in Playa Del Carmen. This site has made me so excited to visit Playa! We have narrowed our stay down to the RIU Palace Mexico resort. I was hoping some of you may have either been married there or witnessed a wedding performed there? Any thoughts and opinions? We will only have a few people there with us, and we want to be married on the beach.
Also, how far is it from all the 5th Street action I've been reading about?
Thank you all for sharing your experiences, it has been so fun reading and so helpful!
Boise Bride 2 BE

Babaloo · 09-30-2007

welcome
hmmmmm
is there a beach there?
someone should chime in that's been there recently

and type bigger
despite the babyface
i have old eyes

**Shammy** · 09-30-2007

I've booked a few destination weddings at the Riu Palace Mexico. One question would be - have you contacted the wedding coordinator at the hotel to make sure your date is available? If you have a wedding on site, you'll need to make the arrangements through the hotel's wedding coordinator. None of the brides I've dealt with had their wedding ON the beach, they felt it was too crowded with people passing by (there are many other hotels on this stretch of Playacar beach). Also, the beaches are smaller than they used to be due to erosion so that might complicate the space situation. But if you're comfy with a lot of people milling around, I do know that there have been weddings ON the beach. There's also an area between the main part of the beach and the pool - it's sandy and under palm trees yet more private than being right on the main part of the beach - maybe they could hold a wedding there? But the Palace Mexico has a beautiful gazebo in the center courtyard surrounded by fountains and that's where the majority of weddings are held.

Oh, and 5th Ave in Playa is a 5 minute/$5.00 cab ride away.

cuffedlinks · 09-30-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

I But the Palace Mexico has a beautiful gazebo in the center courtyard surrounded by fountains and that's where the majority of weddings are held.

It's a beautiful courtyard, and gazebo setting and I've seen it smartly decorated for weddings when we've been there with white flowing linens and bows, etc, and as jobob has also attested to, in his posts referencing this property and weddings.

IF I can locate any photos of the courtyard, or some I think we took of the beginnings of the decoration process, I'll come back and post them.

BeachBride2B · 10-01-2007

Wow thank you guys so much for your thoughts. We will be checking availability and working with a coordinator, we're trying to first narrow down the dates and travel info with a destinationweddings.com coordinator, trying to work around my fiance's parents' work schedule. Anyone have any experience with destinationweddings.com?
The idea for that private location sounds amazing thank you so much, and any pictures would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you thank you!

PlayaGroom · 10-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachBride2B

Wow thank you guys so much for your thoughts. We will be checking availability and working with a coordinator, we're trying to first narrow down the dates and travel info with a destinationweddings.com coordinator, trying to work around my fiance's parents' work schedule. Anyone have any experience with destinationweddings.com?
The idea for that private location sounds amazing thank you so much, and any pictures would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you thank you!

Can't comment about your chosen wedding coordinators; we used a planner that is local to Playa, and we absolutely loved everything about our wedding day. You are making a very wise choice...I hope you can have as much fun as we did with every aspect of our wedding trip.

Check out my trip/wedding report! (link in signature

)

jobob · 10-01-2007

We've seen between 40 and 50 weddings at the RPM and all seemed to go smoothly. As Shammy says though, you have to use the resort's wedding coordinator and you can contact her through the Riu Hotels & Resorts website. It also gives all the prices. Beach weddings are very nice as long as you don't mind people close by, the photographer and wedding coordinator do a pretty good job of getting non-wedding party out of the pictures. The gazebo is also very nice but we've generally seen larger groups use it.
Beach is looking good. Saw some pics taken end of August and while not what it was a year or four ago there's lots of room for lounges now.

mrcool138 · 10-01-2007

When we were there in 2004, of course the beach was much larger but we saw this wedding taking place. I think this is the area Shammy is talking about. It is more secluded. Very nice we thought.

**Shammy** · 10-01-2007

Yes, that is the area I was speaking of, between the pool and the main part of the beach. Personally, I wouldn't have a ceremony on the main beach, WAY too many people walking back and forth, gawking, etc. If I didn't want it in the gazebo, I would have it right where the photo above shows. Still on the beach but away from all the looky-loos in their speedos and topless bathing suits. Not that there's anything wrong with these items of swimwear, just that I don't necessarily want to see them as I'm saying "I do".

And don't know who destinationweddings.com is, if they just handle the travel arrangements or what but they won't be able to handle any wedding arrangements if you have the ceremony on site. As jobob said, for all on site weddings, you must use the Riu wedding coordinator.

BeachBride2B · 10-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayaGroom

Can't comment about your chosen wedding coordinators; we used a planner that is local to Playa, and we absolutely loved everything about our wedding day. You are making a very wise choice...I hope you can have as much fun as we did with every aspect of our wedding trip.

Check out my trip/wedding report! (link in signature

)

Once we get the resort information finalized we just intend on using their coordinator. I've read your wedding/trip report, sounds fabulous! We will have a very small party so I'm not sure what will make sense. I'm so so aching to have a Mariachi band, but don't know if it would be kinda silly with just a total of 7 or so of us... I'm so excited to be getting married in such a seemingly wonderful place!

BeachBride2B · 10-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobob

We've seen between 40 and 50 weddings at the RPM and all seemed to go smoothly. As Shammy says though, you have to use the resort's wedding coordinator and you can contact her through the Riu Hotels & Resorts website. It also gives all the prices. Beach weddings are very nice as long as you don't mind people close by, the photographer and wedding coordinator do a pretty good job of getting non-wedding party out of the pictures. The gazebo is also very nice but we've generally seen larger groups use it.
Beach is looking good. Saw some pics taken end of August and while not what it was a year or four ago there's lots of room for lounges now.

We plan on using their coordinator, I'm not going to be picky. The destination weddings coordinator coordinates the travel arrangements for guests. I appreciate your comments.

BeachBride2B · 10-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcool138

When we were there in 2004, of course the beach was much larger but we saw this wedding taking place. I think this is the area Shammy is talking about. It is more secluded. Very nice we thought.

Oh my gosh so pretty! Thank you for that visual! I love it!

swami · 10-01-2007

I agree with Jobob about the weddings on the beach and the staff moving non invite guest away. Most of the quests and bride do not wear shoes since you will sink in the sand. I seen quite a number of weddings at the riu and the gazebo seems to be a good spot. Good luck and have great time.

BeachBride2B · 10-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

Yes, that is the area I was speaking of, between the pool and the main part of the beach. Personally, I wouldn't have a ceremony on the main beach, WAY too many people walking back and forth, gawking, etc. If I didn't want it in the gazebo, I would have it right where the photo above shows. Still on the beach but away from all the looky-loos in their speedos and topless bathing suits. Not that there's anything wrong with these items of swimwear, just that I don't necessarily want to see them as I'm saying "I do".

And don't know who destinationweddings.com is, if they just handle the travel arrangements or what but they won't be able to handle any wedding arrangements if you have the ceremony on site. As jobob said, for all on site weddings, you must use the Riu wedding coordinator.

Shammy you are so helpful thank you so much for your thoughts. It's exactly the kind of help I had hoped to gain here!
We went to Puerto Vallarta 2 years ago, and by 5pm everyday, most of the beach and pool crowd cleared out for the evening festivities, do you find that is the case here or does it just depend? We are looking at scheduling a 5pm wedding time.

**Shammy** · 10-01-2007

Well, in March, it's about getting dark by 5pm so yes, the beach would be cleared out. But that brings up another concern with lighting for the ceremony, lighting for photos, etc. I would think that the majority of 5pm weddings during the winter would be held at the gazebo since the courtyard is nicely lit. However....DST time in 2008 begins on March 9th so if you are there after that date, it would get dark one hour later.

09-30-2007	#1 (permalink)
BeachBride2B into ruins Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boise Posts: 73	Newbie question RIU Palace Mexico Wedding?? Hello all, I'm new to this site but have found it to be so helpful so far! We are planning on getting married in March in Playa Del Carmen. This site has made me so excited to visit Playa! We have narrowed our stay down to the RIU Palace Mexico resort. I was hoping some of you may have either been married there or witnessed a wedding performed there? Any thoughts and opinions? We will only have a few people there with us, and we want to be married on the beach. Also, how far is it from all the 5th Street action I've been reading about? Thank you all for sharing your experiences, it has been so fun reading and so helpful! Boise Bride 2 BE

10-01-2007	#8 (permalink)
mrcool138 into ruins Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: indiana Posts: 76	When we were there in 2004, of course the beach was much larger but we saw this wedding taking place. I think this is the area Shammy is talking about. It is more secluded. Very nice we thought. Last edited by mrcool138 : 10-25-2007 at 10:04 PM.

10-01-2007	#13 (permalink)
swami way into it Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 154	Wedding I agree with Jobob about the weddings on the beach and the staff moving non invite guest away. Most of the quests and bride do not wear shoes since you will sink in the sand. I seen quite a number of weddings at the riu and the gazebo seems to be a good spot. Good luck and have great time.

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09-30-2007	#2 (permalink)
Babaloo añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Paamul, Q Roo Mexico Posts: 10,365	welcome hmmmmm is there a beach there? someone should chime in that's been there recently and type bigger despite the babyface i have old eyes

09-30-2007	#3 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,264	I've booked a few destination weddings at the Riu Palace Mexico. One question would be - have you contacted the wedding coordinator at the hotel to make sure your date is available? If you have a wedding on site, you'll need to make the arrangements through the hotel's wedding coordinator. None of the brides I've dealt with had their wedding ON the beach, they felt it was too crowded with people passing by (there are many other hotels on this stretch of Playacar beach). Also, the beaches are smaller than they used to be due to erosion so that might complicate the space situation. But if you're comfy with a lot of people milling around, I do know that there have been weddings ON the beach. There's also an area between the main part of the beach and the pool - it's sandy and under palm trees yet more private than being right on the main part of the beach - maybe they could hold a wedding there? But the Palace Mexico has a beautiful gazebo in the center courtyard surrounded by fountains and that's where the majority of weddings are held. Oh, and 5th Ave in Playa is a 5 minute/$5.00 cab ride away.

10-01-2007	#5 (permalink)
BeachBride2B into ruins Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boise Posts: 73	Wow thank you guys so much for your thoughts. We will be checking availability and working with a coordinator, we're trying to first narrow down the dates and travel info with a destinationweddings.com coordinator, trying to work around my fiance's parents' work schedule. Anyone have any experience with destinationweddings.com? The idea for that private location sounds amazing thank you so much, and any pictures would be greatly appreciated! Thank you thank you!

10-01-2007	#7 (permalink)
jobob life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: B.C., Canada EH! Posts: 574	We've seen between 40 and 50 weddings at the RPM and all seemed to go smoothly. As Shammy says though, you have to use the resort's wedding coordinator and you can contact her through the Riu Hotels & Resorts website. It also gives all the prices. Beach weddings are very nice as long as you don't mind people close by, the photographer and wedding coordinator do a pretty good job of getting non-wedding party out of the pictures. The gazebo is also very nice but we've generally seen larger groups use it. Beach is looking good. Saw some pics taken end of August and while not what it was a year or four ago there's lots of room for lounges now.

10-01-2007	#9 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,264	Yes, that is the area I was speaking of, between the pool and the main part of the beach. Personally, I wouldn't have a ceremony on the main beach, WAY too many people walking back and forth, gawking, etc. If I didn't want it in the gazebo, I would have it right where the photo above shows. Still on the beach but away from all the looky-loos in their speedos and topless bathing suits. Not that there's anything wrong with these items of swimwear, just that I don't necessarily want to see them as I'm saying "I do". And don't know who destinationweddings.com is, if they just handle the travel arrangements or what but they won't be able to handle any wedding arrangements if you have the ceremony on site. As jobob said, for all on site weddings, you must use the Riu wedding coordinator.

10-01-2007	#15 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,264	Well, in March, it's about getting dark by 5pm so yes, the beach would be cleared out. But that brings up another concern with lighting for the ceremony, lighting for photos, etc. I would think that the majority of 5pm weddings during the winter would be held at the gazebo since the courtyard is nicely lit. However....DST time in 2008 begins on March 9th so if you are there after that date, it would get dark one hour later.

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