Thursday, February 15, 2007

What's New on StrayWeddings.com - Weddings at the Gran Bahía Príncipe Riviera Maya

Image: © Gran Bahía Príncipe Riviera Maya

Q: I'm a Canadian looking to get married in Mexico and every travel agent I talk to recommends the Gran Bahía Príncipe resort in the Mayan Riviera. Do you have any information about this hotel?

A: The Gran Bahía Príncipe Riviera Maya Resort has become very popular in recent years, especially among Canadian travelers. This is a large, mid-priced, family-friendly, all-inclusive resort with sprawling grounds and something for everyone. If you're looking for a fun, laid back atmosphere for your wedding group, the Gran Bahía Príncipe may be a great option for you!

The complex is made up of three resorts – Tulum, Akumal, and Coba – with a total of 2,568 rooms, making it one of the largest complexes in the Mayan Riviera. Guests will enjoy all the amenities of an all-inclusive resort, including 10 restaurants, numerous bars, snack bars, non-motorized water sports, tennis courts, amphitheatres with nightly shows, a gym, and a salon & spa. In addition, the resort complex includes a commercial and entertainment center, Hacienda Doña Isabel, where guests can shop for souvenirs during the day, and enjoy dining, music and dancing in the evening. If you have golfers in your group, they will be happy to hear that the resort chain is building a stunning, 27-hole golf course across from the resort – coming soon!

Both religious and civil weddings can be held at the resort. The wedding gazebo is perfect for small ceremonies, offering a view of the ocean in the background. Receptions are typically held in one of the à la carte restaurants, with set menus for groups over 15 people. Below you will find their current wedding packages, which are valid until April 2007.

Religious Wedding Standard Package (US$575)
  • Fees for religious ceremony and minister
  • Ceremony and decorated location
  • Dinner in one of the specialty restaurants
  • Free upgrade for wedding couple (upon availability)
  • Special amenities in room

Religious Wedding Deluxe Package (US$805)
  • Fees for religious ceremony and minister
  • Ceremony and decorated location
  • Music from CD (guests can bring own music)
  • Floral bouquet for bride and buttonhole for groom
  • Wedding cake for up to 18 guests
  • 2 bottles of domestic sparkling wine
  • Dinner in one of the specialty restaurants
  • Flower arrangement on table
  • Free upgrade for wedding couple (upon availability)
  • Special amenities in room

Civil Wedding Standard Package (US$1,380)
  • All legal fees for judge, marriage license and certificate
  • Ceremony and decorated location
  • Music from CD (guests can bring own music)
  • Floral bouquet for bride and buttonhole for groom
  • Wedding cake for up to 18 guests
  • 2 bottles of domestic sparkling wine
  • Dinner in one of the specialty restaurants
  • Flower arrangement on table
  • Free upgrade for wedding couple (upon availability)
  • Special amenities in room

Extra Wedding Services (US$)
  • Bottle of Sparkling Wine or Champagne $21-$148
  • DVD (25 min with edition) $250
  • Photo Packages $540-$1,050
  • Mexican Guitar Trio (45 min) $242
  • Mariachi (45 min) $330
  • Saxophonist (45 min) $385
  • La Rancherita Disco (1 hr, including bartender, national drinks and DJ) $150
For more information, photographs, and ratings for the Gran Bahía Príncipe Riviera Maya Resort, visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort.php For information about Bahía Príncipe www.bahia-principe.com or www.bahiaprincipegolf.com

Note: Wedding packages valid until April 2007. Prices are in USD, including tax. All prices and packages are subject to change without notice. For current offerings contact the Weddings Department at grupostulum@tulum.bahia-principe.com. All images are copyright material and are used with permission.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Discover Romance with Mexico's Haciendas

Thinking of getting married in Mexico? Couples who are looking to escape the crowds at big all-inclusive resorts can find a romantic escape at one of Mexico’s colonial haciendas. A hot trend in destination weddings, haciendas feature stately grounds, spacious accommodations, and private staff for a completely different wedding experience. These estates were originally made for wealthy noblemen, with some dating back to the 16th century. Today they have been restored and modernized into magnificent luxury hotels. Here are a few great picks:

The Starwood Haciendas
The Haciendas are part of the Luxury Collection™ by Starwood Hotels & Resorts. They include Hacienda Temozon, Hacienda San Jose, Hacienda Santa Rosa, Hacienda Uayamon, and Hacienda Puerta Campeche, all located in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico near Merida and Campeche. These upscale properties offer spectacular rooms, first-class cuisine, and pampering spas for a luxurious and relaxed vacation. For more information, visit the following links: Hacienda Temozon, Hacienda San Jose, Hacienda Santa Rosa, Hacienda Uayamon, and Hacienda Puerta Campeche.

Hacienda Katanchel
A short drive from the Merida airport lies Hacienda Katanchel. Imagine a 17th century Spanish colonial hacienda, splendidly refurbished as a deluxe hotel on 740 secluded acres of pristine tropical jungle replete with exotic wildlife and flora. This newly opened nature resort includes majestic hacienda buildings and spacious private pavillions set in tropical gardens, 38 luxurious rooms and suites exquisitely furnished with art and antiques, featuring private wading pools filled continually with invigorating mineral spring water. For more information, visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=114.

Hacienda Las Trancas
This romantic hacienda dates back 450 years and is ideally situated in a small village midway between San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato in Central Mexico. The hacienda has 9 bedrooms, but additional beds and linens can sleep up to 30 people in total. Upon opening the gates to your private domain each morning, you can look across the square to the lovely ancient church, watch the slow comings and goings of daily village life, or step out onto the silver trail. For more information, visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=144.

Hacienda El Carmen Resort & Spa
This spectacular estate, located between Puerto and Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco, dates back to 1722. It has been restored and was opened to the public as a hotel and spa in 2002. The archway of its corridors and the beauty of the chapel create a mood that inspires meditation, and finding peace and harmony with nature. Throughout the 16-acre estate you will find gardens and a citrus grove, a 6-hole practice golf course, and stables with horseback riding tours available. Hacienda amenities include 24 beautifully-decorated suites, a restaurant with bar and billiards, a library, a pool and Jacuzzi, and a full-service spa. For more information, visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=28.

For more information on any of these haciendas and others across Mexico, visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort.php

Note: All images are copyright material and are used with permission.

Monday, February 5, 2007

What's New on StrayWeddings.com - Copacabana Beach & Spa Resort - Change of Ownership

In January 2007, Copacabana Beach & Spa Resort - a popular beach resort in the Riviera Maya of Mexico - changed hands and is now operating under the ownership of the Spanish hotel chain, Hoteles Catalonia. Subsequently, the resort has changed its name to the Catalonia Royal Tulum. Other hotels in the area owned by Hoteles Catalonia include Catalonia Riviera Maya, Catalonia Yucatan Beach, and Catalonia Playa Maroma. For more information, visit their website at www.hoteles-catalonia.es.

Wedding Planners in Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

If you are getting married in Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, or Rosarito Beach, here are some wedding planners in the area:

  • Perfect Weddings by Sergio
    With 10 years of experience, and over 450 weddings planned to date, Sergio can get the best team of vendors and wedding suppliers working for you. To learn more, visit www.perfectweddingsbysergio.com
  • Maye Cortinas Wedding Planner
    Maye has been in the business for over 11 years and has organized hundreds of weddings in the area. She will help you make your wedding the best day of your life. To learn more, visit www.mayecortinas.com
  • Weddings in Paradise
    Owner Mary Bragg started Weddings in Paradise over 13 years ago as the first wedding coordinator in the area. They have been in business in Mexico for 13 years and have now organized over 2,000 weddings! To learn more, visit www.weddingsparadise.com
  • Fabuloso
    www.fabulosoevents.net
  • Romantic Cabo Weddings
    www.romanticcabowedding.com
  • Caboevents
    www.caboevents.com
  • Baja Weddings
    www.bajawedding.com
StrayWeddings.com does not warranty or endorse the services of any individual or company contained within this list. Site visitors use third-party services at their own risk.

Wedding Planners in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico

If you're getting married in Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, or the Riviera Maya, and are looking for a wedding planner, here is a list of wedding planners located in the area:

StrayWeddings.com does not warranty or endorse the services of any individual or company contained within this list. Site visitors use third-party services at their own risk.

2007 Stray Travel Publications, Inc.