An Insider's Look at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres

Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres is a brand new property that has been open just over 1 year in one of our personal favorite locations - Costa Mujeres, Mexico! Costa Mujeres sits about 45 minutes north of Cancun airport and boasts incredible tranquility and greenery. With unmatched exclusive perks designed only for Shaadi Destinations clients, Palladium Hotel Group is a true Partner in Paradise - most of their properties feature Indian restaurants and chefs, wonderful wedding planners, and their Shaadi Royal Bliss package.

Cristina Meilan earned her role as the Weddings Manager for this property before it opened doors in November 2018. Prior to moving to Costa Mujeres, Cristina gained experience in South Asian weddings while planning Indian weddings at Grand Palladium Jamaica and also spent time at Grand Palladium Riviera Maya. Come take an Insider’s Look at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres with Cristina Meilan!

Ruchi and Eric dancing their way down the aisle as a married couple; Courtesy of Andre Gouin Photography

How and when did you get your start in the wedding industry?

I started in the wedding industry in 2014 as an intern at the Grand Palladium Jamaica. I discovered there how much I love this wedding planner life.

Why did you become a wedding planner?

I studied Tourism and I specialized in Hotel Management. I've always been very interested in hotels and travelling so I started in this direction. When I started my internships during university, I tried many different areas (purchasing, accounting, reception, groups (MICE), social events) until I started with events first with MICE, then social events and then I had the opportunity to travel abroad and to do weddings and of course I took it. Then I found my dream job, after trying so hard to find what I was made for, and it was in Jamaica.

When was your first Indian wedding and what was it like?

My first Indian wedding as an assistant was in Jamaica, and was absolutely amazing, because everything was new and very interesting to me. At the same time it was kind of stressful because I wasn’t used to being in contact with Indian people and I was learning weddings at the same time, so everything was new for me, but it was very interesting and I learnt a lot.

A beautiful Moroccan-style Sangeet for Smiti and Daniel; Courtesy of Andre Gouin Photography

What is your favorite part about being a South Asian wedding planner?

Being a wedding planner is being part of someone's life for almost a year, but being a South Asian wedding planner is being part of someone's family for almost a year or more than that sometimes, and that’s what I love about being a South Asian wedding planner. Parents' decisions are very important for a South Asian wedding, so you need to make sure all of them agree before moving on with a decision, and that’s our goal, make them all fall in love with our suggestions and ideas.

Do you have any favorite memories from Indian weddings you’ve planned?

Absolutely, I have many, but especially a couple that were very close to me. We had tons of phone calls during the planning and not only to talk about the wedding, sometimes we ended up talking about ourselves. Also their family was very thankful and nice to me during all the events, trying to take care of me and they made me feel as a guest during the wedding events. I really enjoyed planning their wedding, and we are still in touch.

Sonam and Herman’s Sikh Ceremony at Canal Village Terrace in Costa Mujeres; Courtesy of Jonathan Cossu Photography

How long have you been at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres?

I’ve been on property since the opening, November 1st 2018. Before the opening I was in Riviera Maya’s property preparing everything for the big opening and of course following up with all the requests.

What is your favorite venue on property?

My favorite venue for a wedding ceremony is the Beach. I can’t get tired of this stunning caribbean sea. Talking about a small reception, Poseidón 2nd floor. For a large group I love the ballroom because you can do awesome setups from scratch.

What is the best spot for a photoshoot at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres?

So difficult to choose one! Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres & TRS Coral are the hotels more instagrammable, at least of the area. If needed to choose one I will say that the “Instagram Pool” located between Family Selection and Grand Palladium buildings near the beach. To avoid having people there and have a great lighting I suggest to go early in the morning.

Could you tell us a little bit more about your Indian wedding program or packages?

Sure! We have special wedding collections for South Asian weddings which basically include everything that’s needed to have the most popular events (Mehndi/Sangeet/Ceremony/Reception). In case none of the collections fit the couple, we also have the option to do a la carte weddings, so we create everything from scratch with our amazing vendors, all of them specialized in South Asian weddings. We are about to launch new collections based on what we’ve experienced in this first year, and what it’s been more popular and requested from our couples.

Tiffany and Anup chose the beautiful beach venue offered at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres; Courtesy of Elizalde Photography

Why should a couple choose your resort over all the rest?

Because we have it all! We have a product thought exclusively for South Asian couples, vendors specialized in South Asian weddings, amazing wedding venues, 3 different hotels inside the resort to have all the group happy staying where they prefer (Family Selection/TRS-Only Adults/Grand Palladium), fabulous restaurants, activities and shows for everyone (baby club-kid’s club and teen’s club), a breathtaking Spa, a 24h Sports Bar with drinks and food all day long, and of course the best wedding planning team to take care and pamper our couples.

What is your favorite restaurant on site and what's your favorite thing to order?

My favorite restaurant in TRS is La Boheme, and I love the fondue and lobster soufflé. In Grand Palladium I love Portofino and the mushroom risotto.

What is your favorite Indian food item?

I really love Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka, Garlic Naan and Gulab Jamun.

What makes the Indian food at events at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres the best in Cancun?

We work along with the best Indian food caterer in Cancún, Patravali. Patravali is created by a Indian-Mexican couple and a team of passionate Indian chefs that cook incredible food with love.

Pushpam and Atit ran straight for the water after their Pithi event; Courtesy of Federico Salmeron Photography

What makes a Shaadi Destinations bride and groom different from others?

A couple that chooses to confirm their wedding with Shaadi Destinations will receive the best customer service, available promotions, and arrival experience. We have a great relation with Shaadi Destinations and that’s why we have the best promotions and perks with them. Shaadi Destinations take care of every couple from the first contact until the last day of the group on property. We also assist them by having great communication to grant our mutual couples happiness.

What are your top 3 tips for couples looking to plan an Indian destination wedding?

Start the planning process focused on what you envision for the most important day in your lifes, and don’t think about a budget. Things will go as they need to be. If you are relaxed and enjoy the process, everything will go well. Don’t compare pricing for services or items in Cancún with your home country. You’re getting married in the most popular wedding destination in the world and there’s people from all over the world working in Cancún and providing quality service.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with future brides and grooms?

Don’t be worried about the weather, it constantly changes so don’t frustrate yourself with weather apps or forecasts weeks before the wedding. Enjoy every minute of this amazing process because it only happens once, so make sure you and your family enjoy it together.

Stunning Reception event for Priya and Abhi planned by Xanath Banuelos; Courtesy of Cristina Civallero Photography

Shaadi Destinations is the premier, award winning, modern-day destination wedding travel agency for South Asian couples seeking a streamlined process, incredible experiences, and a party friends and family will never forget! We save our couples thousands of dollars while throwing them the wedding festivities dreams are made of.

We live and breathe destination weddings - with just one consultation, you will be light years ahead in your destination wedding planning process. In less than one week, Shaadi Destinations will find you the most perfect resort that meets your needs, your budget, and your desires. With our vendor relationships and pre-negotiated exclusive perks at resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean, we are confident we can find exactly what you are looking for. You'll find we have the best rates, best incentives, and best booking experience.