Destination Villa Wedding

We are having a DW this Fall. Having as many elements included in one location as possible was tops on the list for me when planning. I will be honest, I made A LOT of phone calls and emails- but it was SO worth it! I found a hotel where all my guests could stay, which had a beautiful location for an outdoor ceremony, and an indoor space for the reception. They provide on-site catering by a locally renowned chef. They provide chairs for the ceremony (including set up & year down), tables, chairs, linens, plateware, and silverware for the reception (as well as set up, tear down, cleaning), and waitstaff/bartenders. We are having a string quartet play for the ceremony, and then just using the venue’s sound system for the reception. The only outside vendors I had to hire were the florist and wedding cake, both of whom will deliver and set up with the help of the hotel staff. Having most items provided by one place has been awesome while planning a DW- it takes so much stress out of planning! Plus it’s so convenient for our guests- they can get ready in their rooms, then just walk downstairs to the wedding and reception.

We are having a destination wedding in a sense, getting married where my parents live.

We are having our wedding at a Marriott hotel- it was very important to me to not have to stress about transportation and spend as much time with people as possible. I like that if I forget something it's upstairs in my room.

All events are in one place and the venue provides most services. I would look for a venue that has as much in house as possible to make your life easier. The other vendors I was able to hire through finding vendors online and talking on the phone.

We are planning a Destination Wedding June of this year in Riviera Maya everyone that is going is using it as a vacation so pretty much one big family vacation. There is about 65 of us going my final wedding package price was at about $5500 and that included tables, chairs, decorations, food, alcohol, my cake, grooms boutonniere,my bouquet,rose petals, my hair and makeup, ceremony location, reception location, center pieces, and dj. Only thing I paid extra out of the package was the bridesmaid bouquets $150 for all 5 , groomsmen boutonnieres $45, my photographer $2,000 and just other extra stuff.
And prices for my guests at the all inclusive hotel was $125 per person per night.
But all in all our wedding budget was 15k including our flights my dress our rings everything and we are sitting at about $13k right now. So destination is the way to go hopefully my post wasnt to long and I gave you enough info 😊

View Quoted Comment Thank you for your insights Neeva!

View Quoted Comment Long posts are my fav as a bride. They have the most info! Thanks Crysta! Helpful stuff to consider.

View Quoted Comment

Would you mind mentioning which resort you chose? We are having ours in Playa del Carmen, and our package is at $4750 for 30 guests... then each additional guest will be $80

seemed like a good deal at the time but $5500 for 65 guests is even better!

The smallest photo package they offer is $1100

So far we are super happy with our experience, and I have visited the resort a few times previously so I know I like it! (for my 21st, 24th, Sister's birthday, and now my fiance's birthday) I keep going back to vacation! They have weddings there daily so I know things will run smoothly.

I took my fiance there for his birthday in January to show him around and to see how he would like it as a venue. The wedding packages are more budget friendly than any of the venues in our area.

They have 3 different packages that include different things, different style cakes, Dj/sound system, amounts of flowers etc. They start at $3100 for all the basics up to 30 people. Then $3650, Then $4750 for EVERYTHING, including a 3-tiered wedding cake, bridal bouquet & bout., 4 centerpieces, 3 Flower medallions for the arch, beach permit, DJ, Open bar, reception dinner, lighting, etc. Then if you want to personalize anything, it's an add-on. each person after the initial 30 is $80

Our budget is 10k so the DW was the only way to go. We talked to our family/friends about it a lot first also. Just be sure to choose a resort that has something for everyone and not TOO expensive for guests to stay. Book the venue way ahead of time and send out save the dates or invites that direct guests to your website to answer any questions. That way guests have plenty of time to save/book their trip. Also keep in mind a lot of people just won't be able to swing it, and that's okay.

View Quoted Comment No not at all Luxury Bahia Principe akumal chose them almost 2 years ago we locked in a price and I put the deposit down. There was also a photographer company they wanted me to choose that I did not go with and there price was ridiculous and they had horrible reviews it was like $4400 for what we were wanting. So we did a little more research and found a different company that we ended up hiring literally for half the price and it includes videography and 10hrs total for both. And I follow them on Facebook so I get to see there updated pictures and videos everytime they do a wedding and I get so excited and I know I definitely picked the right photographers. Roc n love is the name of the company 😊

View Quoted Comment Thank you!! Looks GORGEOUS! Have you stayed there before?

View Quoted Comment We actually went in October to do the visit and and meet with our wedding planner and we loved it! So we are beyond excited!

View Quoted Comment Aw yay!! That's awesome!!! So happy for you!
And thank you for recommendation on photographer! Their pricing is pretty unbeatable.

View Quoted Comment Absolutely! I'm glad I could help 😊