Jeanette has always been a tropical island girl at heart. When planning her wedding she said she had always thought about the Caribbean coast of Mexico and decided to have a destination wedding because she wanted it to be intimate and unique. Let’s take a further look at Grand Palladium Riviera Maya and the option of having your destination wedding there.
The Resort – Grand Palladium Riviera Maya
The Grand Palladium is a 5 star Luxury hotel located in the Palladium Riviera Maya Complex. Grand Palladium Colonial Resort and Spa is located in the central part of the Complex and gets its name from its detailed decoration in the Spanish colonial style.
This environment, together with the different types of modern, spacious rooms, makes the Grand Palladium Colonial Resort and Spa a hotel to be enjoyed as a couple, with family or with friends. The Grand Palladium Colonial Resort and Spa therefore has a wide range of services on offer for all types of travelers.
When asking Jeanette why she chose Grand Palladium she said, “I initially wanted to be married in a Mexican church. Their churches look very classic and majestic. Nonetheless, the requirements looked complicated and taxing. Apparently, I found a resort with a chapel in it. Aha moment for me since it can be more safe and convenient for the guests. I’m glad that I moved forward with this plan. The chapel was pretty and their service was definitely top-notch.”
Jeanette’s review of the resort amenities:
Service: 10/10
Pool: 10/10
Beach: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Spa: 10/10
Jeanette’s favorite part of the resort?
“Love that the resort had 3 different hotels within the property to lurk around. The property’s size was overwhelming but you don’t need to walk since there were mini trains which can drop you off from point to point. The wedding department gave Chard and I a gold colored wrist band which gave us the privilege on almost all of the amenities in the resort. Being able to dine in any of the 21 restaurants and experiencing their exceptional service were amazing. I just hope we had more time to explore.”
What a good problem to have! Jeanette did want to mention one issue that may arise when planning your destination wedding at Grand Palladium Riviera Maya. ”There were no options for an air conditioned venue for weddings. I was happy that it was warm since the sunshine bring joy in me. However, it can get really humid. Some guests can get uncomfortable with the heat.”
The Wedding Planning
When planning her destination wedding, Jeanette used and would recommend her travel agent at http://www.playadelcarmen.com.
Not sure you should be using a travel agent for your destination wedding? Check out our post “Everything You Need to Know About Travel Agents for Your Destination Wedding.”
When it came to the resort wedding planning, Jeanette also had an on-site wedding coordinator. Shout out to Elsa Del Castillo Montiel. Jeanette stated that Elsa was patient and professional from start to finish and that she knows her job well.
This can be SUCH a relief for brides planning their destination wedding. A good on-site coordinator can take a lot of the stress away from planning from afar.
Bridal Q&A:
Q: If the resort had wedding packages, which one did you pick?
A: They had several packages but I had mine customized.
Q: Where did you have your ceremony and reception? (i.e. pergola, beach, etc.)
A: Ceremony: Chapel. Reception: La Laguna Restaurant
Q: Did you pay for any add on’s that were not included in your wedding package? If so, what were they?
A:
- $20 USD per guest who showed up at the chapel. Free for 12 y.o and below
- $100 USD – had to pay per guest at the reception even though it was an all-inclusive resort
- Priest
- Decor at the chapel & reception
- Chairs
- DJ & package
- Mariachi band
- Cake
- Photographer – $800 USD paid to the resort for external vendors; $600 USD extra charge per hour for the photographer
*This is a reminder to destination wedding brides to be mindful of add on charges. The package can seem to include everything you need, but that may not be the case. Make sure you make room in your budget for add on’s.
Q: What was your biggest challenge in planning a destination wedding?
A: First: dress. I have a big love for my hometown in the Philippines, Davao City. I believe that there are lots of great talents there. So, I decided to have a customized dress from there, however, the designer was unable to finish it on the agreed date. Thank God, I later found a remedy.
Second: Vancouver – Mexico timezone.
Third: language barrier. My coordinator speaks English well but sometimes she mixes up some Spanish terms especially during phone calls. LOL. I don’t mind though. The photographer generally speaks French and some English. Despite this barrier, I guess as long as they are professional and values your time, everything will turn out great.
Q: If you could change anything about your experience, what would it be and why?
A: It honestly made me resilient and resourceful. It may be an unfortunate incident but I just thought of it as a blessing. I was able to find that dress which I have originally planned and envisioned. I may have been devastated at first but I was very delighted in the end.
And I couldn’t stress it more — dig in more about your vendor. Ask for reviews from people or simply research. They should show professionalism and be trustworthy.
Q: Anything else regarding your wedding planning and services that you would like brides to know?
A: I must say, strictly follow your timeline as much as possible and be organized. Later on, you will see reap the benefits flash before your very eyes on your most special and magical day!
What a stunningly beautiful wedding Jeanette had! A destination wedding can truly be the most breathtaking experience for you and your future husband. Looking for a review on a specific resort? Comment below or contact me here!
Vendors:
Venue: @grandpalladiumrivieramaya and Grand Palladium Riviera Maya
On Site Wedding Coordinator: Elsa Del Raso Montiel of @palladiumweddings
DJ: DbMusic
Photography & Videography: @amoramor_weddings and Amor Amor
Photo Booth: Palladium Weddings
Musicians: The Mariachi Band C/O Palladium
MUA: Lisa Alvarez of MVP Hair & Make Up Artistry
Hair: Pablo Ortiz of MVP Hair & Make Up Artistry
Florist: @lovememories_weddings
Emcee: Dhon Gumban
Wedding Travel Team: Playadelcarmen.com
Dress: @verawang
Suit: @thebridalgallery