antonia321's Playa del Carmen / The Royal Playa del Carmen Wedding review! :)

Shay2679 · 06-16-2008, 09:54 AM

Hey Antonia...if you read this...

I was wondering, even though you had your reception off-site, did you have the choice of using the photographer and/or videographer from the Royal. I'm not sure if it is the same in the U.S., but here in Canada, when booking the wedding, we have to select from the set packages shown on their website. With the package we are most interested in...there is a "professional photographer" included and a videographer for the ceremony. I'm awaiting some sample photos from the onsight photographer...but until then...

Do you have any thoughts on what I can expect if we use the photographer included in the package? Should I investigate an outside vendor for photos?

Any opinions would be appreciated!

antonia321 · 06-16-2008, 06:50 PM

hi Shay,

my reception was on-site but the ceremony was off-site. The Royal is really helpful and doesn't have those strict outside vendor policies that other places have. You can use their people or not, they won't give you a hard time at all!

I saw pictures from the company that the resort used and its just not what I wanted. They weren't bad but I wanted something extraordinary. I used the videographer that they provided though!

Amanda A. · 06-17-2008, 07:30 AM

Hey Antonia!
Sorry for the late reply! I was away for the wknd!

So as of now, I really want to have my wedding at The Royal. I sent an email to Ivan, have you heard of her? about a week ago, and I haven't received anything back!!!

I think i want the luxury package minus a couple of things, do you think they will charge me less? Anyways, just wanted to say thanks again for all the info you posted on this thread and other threads! They're really helpful!!

Shay2679 · 06-17-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanda A.

I think i want the luxury package minus a couple of things, do you think they will charge me less?

Hey Amanda...

Just my .02 on this!

In my few communications with our coordinator at the Royal, we're under the strong impression that, regardless of whether you utilize all that is offered under a specific package "umbrella", you will not be credited for things you don't take advantage of. An example of this would be the spa treatments. If in the Luxury Package, you and your FI chose to not indulge in the 50 minute massage...you would not be credited the $200+ that the service is worth. Another thing I have asked, is, again as an example, we would prefer to have a single guitar player (as offered in the Star Crossed Package) rather than the Mariachi Band for my aisle walk. I was told that we are not allowed to swap items offered with a set package and that if I went with the Luxury Package, but did not want a Mariachi Band, I WOULD have to pay the extra fee of having a guitarist...

From what I understand, the packages used to be a lot more...modifiable(word?), but with the increase in wedding demand, they have decided to be a bit more strict and that is why they have changed their wedding packages within the last few months.

If you hear anything different, I'd be very interested in knowing about it! Good luck with your continued planning, and I look forward to hearing any updates you might have!

Amanda A. · 07-11-2008, 10:01 PM

Hey Shay!
Sorry to not respond, I haven't been on this form for ages!!! I've been working a lot to try to pay for this wedding!

Anyways, I've been having problems contacting my wedding coordinator Micaela!! I have sent her 3 emails now, over 2 weeks and she has not responded? Did you have these problems too? I'm a little hesitant with putting any deposits down with no confirmation and emails from her! I'm sooo stressed out because I don't want to print my invitations because she won't answer any of my emails!!

msam007562 · 07-11-2008, 11:40 PM

Antonia, first off your pictures are amazing!! You and your husband make such a beautiful couple and its so easy to see how joyous you both were on your special day ~ congrats!!

I am also a Filipina bride so looking at your pictures totally resonates with me - seeing the men with barongs (spelling?) on and all the Philippine made dresses ~ its wonderful!! And of course it seems like with all Filipino families, we really know how to enjoy a party

I wanted to ask you...where did you get your wedding dress and your bridesmaids dresses, including your maid of honor's which I noticed was a little different? They are all really beautiful and look perfect for a beach atmosphere.

And, where did you get those wonderful little lanterns? I love the idea of doubling up candlelight with place cards!!

Congrats again and many blessings for a lifetime of happiness together

tlomlad · 07-12-2008, 09:04 AM

great review!!!!!

antonia321 · 07-12-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msam007562

Antonia, first off your pictures are amazing!! You and your husband make such a beautiful couple and its so easy to see how joyous you both were on your special day ~ congrats!!

I am also a Filipina bride so looking at your pictures totally resonates with me - seeing the men with barongs (spelling?) on and all the Philippine made dresses ~ its wonderful!! And of course it seems like with all Filipino families, we really know how to enjoy a party

I wanted to ask you...where did you get your wedding dress and your bridesmaids dresses, including your maid of honor's which I noticed was a little different? They are all really beautiful and look perfect for a beach atmosphere.

And, where did you get those wonderful little lanterns? I love the idea of doubling up candlelight with place cards!!

Congrats again and many blessings for a lifetime of happiness together

Thank you for the super nice comments! It was hard not having my filipino side dominate everything but I think by now my husband has gotten used to it!

I got my dress at this funky bridal store in the DC area called Promise...for the Savvy bride Promise...for the savvy bride Its a Carolina Herrera from her spring 2006 collection. I LOVED wearing it. It was so light and flowy yet to me, still sexy and classy.

BM dresses were a steal on sale from JCrew wedding collection. I think they were only $89-$99. MOH's dress was a Nicole Miller from her Spring 2007 Mayan collection.

All of our dresses were silk chiffon which I think looks and feels perfect for beach weddings.

The laterns are from here : Jamali Garden Supplies
The guests took them home as favors, too.

Good luck and congratulations!!

Kriswim · 07-14-2008, 08:40 AM

Hey Amanda,
Don't stress. Miceala never gets back to me either! haha..but its all set. Don't worry. Did you send in your booking form? If not you should do that. I have yet to send in my wedding checklist but she said not to rush on that. I will probably send that in this week.
let me know if you run into any problems. I have has numerous emails back and forth with Micela....what date are you planning on getting married in May..we are getting married on the 2nd!

Kits55 · 07-20-2008, 08:30 PM

Antonia: I loved reading your review, thank you so much for posting it. I do have a couple of questions that I'm not sure if you'll know the answers to or not.
1: do they only perform one ceremony per day at The Royal? I know you had yours off the resort but thought you might know in speaking with the wedding coordinators
2: If a couple had their ceremony on the beach, is it roped off or separated in any way so that randoms won't show in the picture?

Thanks! Kelly