Palladium in Riviera Maya

View Quoted Comment Hahaha we're in Virginia so I know what you mean, it gets really hot abd humid in the summer but I hate freezing!!! My parents are both from MA so they've always thought I was a wimp for saying in was freezing in VA! Oh wow!!! So I have to ask, when is your birthday?! Our birthday is Sept 26 and he has a twin sister so we all share a birthday!
Thank you so much for the info, I'll have to look into them thank you!!! When do they have you decide on photography etc.? Once you sent in the form, do they seem to be responsive at the resort?!

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Oh you guys have a totally different atmosphere up there, I'm jealous lol! Wouldn't that be crazy if the 4 of us had the same birthday I'm September 11th!

Of course! So the resort is pretty much very hands off until 2 months out from the wedding. And we're like...14 months out? So after we booked and signed our agreement, we reserved our ceremony/reception spots and they basically said "great, talk to you next year!" LOL. But up until that point, they got back to Amy, who got back to us, usually within 4-5 days. I wish it was faster, but I respect that they're literally in a different country haha. So in regards to when to book, we booked the DJ, photographer, videographer as soon as we could for availability purposes, but Finest don't actually need to know until very shortly before the wedding so you can pay the vendor fee!

View Quoted Comment Hahaha! I thought it was a possibility!
Yeah, I really think the waiting part is going to be the hardest especially after paying for it and then nothing... Radio silence!!! Uhgggg! I like to plan ahead and have everything ready to go as soon as possible especially for a HUGE event like my wedding... I think I'm going to try and do some research on Amber, you said that she has Instagram? Also, what are your thoughts on bringing "all wedding favors with you on the plane"? I was thinking of getting small empty plastic bottles with labels on them and then putting Aloe and Sunblock in them once I get there. What a pain!!! I really don't want to order them all full then take the chance of it exploding in my checked bag!!! 😂

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I know, not getting to do everything whenever you want...that's kind of the caveat when having a destination yes she does! Her Instagram is tulumweddingphotos. She also has amberkelleyphotography, but went through some rebranding when she expanded her team and only uses tulumweddingphotos now. If I understood correctly, she still uses AKP for LLC/tax purposes!

Traveling with favors scares me LOL but if they're plastic bottles, and less than 4oz (I think is the container limit?) so the guests can take them if they want, I wouldn't worry too much...I think we are going to omit the favors. This website, and sooo many blogs say they're the #1 waste of money because guests don't really care as much as we do

Are you doing a videographer? I really, REALLY want one but I am not having any luck for anyone within my budget! I really wanted an American one because I feel like they understand the vibe I want a bit better, but I got quoted $3k just for travel expenses, not including the cost for the actual service!

View Quoted Comment Ahhhh! It'll be hard for me to give up wedding favors, I just envision them being so cute! 😪 The whole traveling with them really really worries me so I guess I'll have to weigh the pros and cons!


I just looked at Amber's portfolio on here and WOW I see what you mean, the filters she uses are magical! With photography I think it's super important to get exactly what you want and spending the extra money makes sense! Videography is a little different because tech is always changing. Thinking about my parents wedding they spent extra money on the video and now they can't really watch it because it was done in a VHS tape and not many people have the ability to view those anymore haha. Unfortunately I think that the "times" will keep changing and it will be difficult even for us to look back on someday but pictures last forever! I think I'm going to just go with the videography that the resort offers and maybe choose a lower priced option. To me photos will last much longer...

View Quoted Comment 3K is A LOT!!! More than the photos!?!?!

And!! Would you have to pay for the flight and stay on top of 3K?

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I totally get that, but I don't think it'll be too hard to transport! Just get your bridal party to help fill them and it'll be a lot faster, they're gonna be adorable! I will say, sunblock/aloe purchased at the resort is usually DUMB expensive if you've never done that before! I think we spent $22 a bottle on sunscreen in MX because we thought we could take sunscreen in a carry on, and the airport made us throw it away! Depending on how many guests you have, definitely may need to budget a bit for that one!!

Right?! The dark, romantic vibe omg. That's a great point and so sad!!! I'm such a sap, I feel like I'll want to hear our vows over and over again. But the one the resort offers could easily capture that for me...I'm pretty torn, especially once I started looking at really good wedding films and got an idea of what mine could look like! Maybe I'll just keep looking and if I don't find anyone in my budget, I'll just let it go!

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The $3,000 was for their flights, stay at the resort, and a RENTAL CAR. I was like, no offense but you need a rental car? Why would you be leaving the resort? The actual services were $2,600, plus the $600 outside vendor fee....literally $6,200 for a video girl.

My budget was $2,600

View Quoted Comment Oh wow! Well then! I will NOT be purchasing any of that at the resort!!! Hahaha, makes me think of Disney world!!! Robbing people blind!!!
If videography is really important to you guys then don't give up! It would be really nice to look back on, just make sure to remember to keep transferring it to the next techy thing that comes out!!! Hahaha!! So I'll look into videography and if I can find anything decent I'll definitely let you know! It's the least I can do, you've given me so much great advice and vendors. Again, I really really appreciate it!! This whole wedding thing is fun and exciting yet exhausting!!! 😮‍💨

View Quoted Comment Could you record the Vows somehow?! Haha just trying to think outside the box!!! 😮‍💨 again... lol

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Right yeah, the best quote I've gotten was $4950 for everything but honestly, the package was really good. Maybe my budget was unrealistic to begin with! I'll keep trying!! Of course, I'm here if you have any lingering questions and I can't wait to see your pictures!!!

View Quoted Comment Hmmm so I'm looking at videography in DR and I do see what you mean, it looks a little less romantic but I feel like there HAS to be someone out there who is comparable to someone out here. In order to get the price down you'd probably have to hire someone who lives out there so that you won't have to pay for flights or stay. I know that looking back on your Vows would be really nice buy how often do you think you actually will? 5K just seems like a lot if you're already paying extra for photography... I'll keep looking and see if I can find anyone cheaper and send the info over to you!!!
Oh! Do you plan on buying a "reception dress" for after the ceremony to hang out and dance in or are you just going to stay in your wedding gown? I always envisioned this gorgeous ball gown kind of dress but now that I'm having it on the beach I feel like my options are more limited 😔

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Exactly! I found "About Time Videography" to be the closest to "romantic" for a company who already lives in Mexico! That's what I was thinking too, paying for the flights + stay will definitely be costly.

I think I really need to think on it and decide how important it is to me! We didn't really set a hard budget, and I don't think we've spent an excessive amount of money so that's where I'm kinda like "pick who YOU think is going to make it perfect" etc etc. It's hard to decide which side of your brain to trust lolol

I initially was super against the 2 dress thing. But it's kinda grown on me, although I don't think it makes sense personally because my gown is not super fancy! I loved the idea of having a mini-tulle-style dress but the dress I have is SO comfortable and stretchy already.

But...if you're doing an elaborate gown I would follow your heart! I think that regardless of the venue, pick the dress you love the most. My FMIL put a little pressure on me to pick a super beachy dress, but in the end I don't like strapless/spagetti straps on me! Reception dresses being different than ceremony at a DW is totally common!

My dress is called "harlow" by alyssa kristin if you need beach dress inspo! (My FH better not find this )

Are you for sure wanting to get married ON the beach? A lot of the DW venues have AMAZING alternative venues, like terraces and gazebos! That's what we wanted, but we have too many people

View Quoted Comment Yes! Sorry, I meant getting married at the beach not on lol. That's what I'm hoping for is a deck or terrace gazebo! At first I wanted to be on the beach but after thinking about how windy it can get in the carribean I don't think it's a good idea. Our wedding would be ruined if there was sand pelting us and our guests.
I feel like I'm so behind on the checklist!!! You already ordered your dress? I really need to get on it but my sister moved to Utah so I'm waiting to go dress shopping until she comes back to VA for a week in October. Now I'm thinking that might be too last minute! I always wanted the fairytale kind of dress of course from watching Disney movies growing up but I've found that there are so many beautiful styles, yours is stunning BTW gorgeous gorgeous choice! I'm thinking that once I go in and start dress shopping that I'll find something kind of in between. Beachy yet still fairytale and romantic! That's why I'm struggling with the idea of whether or not to buy a reception dress too just in case my wedding dress is too uncomfortable to wear all night in carribean temperatures. I guess once I find the dress then I can decide whether or not to go with a second reception dress. You only wear your wedding dress on your wedding day so I feel like I should also get a full night out of it!
I went back on our messages and you are getting married at Finest Playa Mujeras? Christine got back to me and said that both April and May are booked already so we're probably going to have to go with Finest Punta Cana unless we change our date...

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If you're going to get married not on the literal sand, then I'd definitely do whatever dress style you want!! I definitely didn't want a beach wedding but it is what it is! Food for thought, most terraces/gazebos only hold 30-50 people! I know the "Stone Gazebo" is what we wanted the most, but it only holds 50!

Hahaha I'm just a planning freak. I actually went dress shopping with my FMIL and my mom because the bridal shop I wanted to visit (eventually) was having a HUGE sale, and ended up falling in love with that one! I got my dress for 60% off :o one of the only reasons I got it so early, just happened that way!

As long as you can find one that isn't more than 2 sizes too big, and you have a trustworthy seamstress, buying it in October should give you enough time to have it altered! But earlier is better, of course! Thank you so much, I love my dress and I LOVE the classical wedding dresses, Disney is such a wedding vibe

I'd say if you realize that your wedding dress is not super comfortable, get a relatively inexpensive second dress. You may wear it, you may not, but having the option will make your day so much less stressful! A lot of people on this site look back and realize they spent way too much money / put too much emphasis on their dress!

Yes I am! Both Punta Cana and PM are GORGEOUS. I realized that earlier when you said DR too! Are you guys more attached to your date or to the venue? We cared a lot more about the venue than the date, but I'm sure that both PC and PM would be a fantastic choice if you don't want to change the date!

We honestly only picked Finest PM over Finest PC because the flights to Mexico are cheaper. LOL

View Quoted Comment I know!!! The flights we're originally making me lean more towards MX too and I was shocked to find out that there was no availability at all in April or May. So date vs venue lol oh boy let me tell you about that... this may be TMI but at first we wanted to do memorial day weekend so that guests had an extra day off of work but I was looking at one of my apps and realized that wouldn't work (female issues 😬) so we went ahead and changed it to a different date when I would be "safe" LOL! Then I looked at the darn app again recently and the date seems to be creeping up!!!! I'm so unlucky with that... Anyways the date doesn't really matter although I am trying to avoid hurricane season! My dad was a meterologist for USDA for over 30 years so he has engraved it in my head that it can not be during hurricane season lol.

View Quoted Comment So did they tell you that the only venue that would fit all of your guests was the beach? They couldn't just make it work if you didn't want to do it on the beach?

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Oh my gosh, the headache from trying to pick a date that aligns with our cycle is REAL. Hahaha that's funny, we maybeee gambled with the weather I think but whatever happens, happens! If it rains i'm sure we will make it work, but pray to God no hurricanes

Yes they were pretty blunt about the venue capacities! We are expecting 80-90 people and the Stone Gazebo only holds 50, so they said absolutely not lol. I think it isn't really about like max people per are but more so they can't actually fit more than 50 chairs in there! I would think if we had 55-60 it would be fine...we have 15 people (including us) who will be standing (wedding party + officiant is my uncle) so I said can we have 65 people since 15 won't be seated? And Christine didn't say no but she said like, "please keep in mind the stone gazebo venue only holds 50 people." So I think there may be a possibility for flexibility, and she just didn't want it in writing