Someone talk me back into the RIU...or should I switch?

Ashleykmorgan · 06-23-2008, 01:21 PM

I have been hearing these horrible reviews of Daniella the WC at RIU Palace here on BDW, one bride sounded absolutely miserable because of the esperience...I read two recent posts today about the awful experiences at the RIU Palace. I reallly like the resort, but also heard that it is a party resort compared to Dreams.... I am going crazy trying to pick a location, I cannot eat, sleep or work! In fact I am at work right now, but have been on here all day....I need some serious honest guidance. I have listed my "must haves" below, maybe some of you could offer some insight on to which location I should pick, based on those...Any help would be appreciated, I am so pre-occupied with all of this, I cannot get anything accomplished.

1. Private area for the ceremony, a gazebo, not right on the beach
2. Nice beach area for swimming, or access to nice beach area
3. Bright blue water
4. Private outdoor reception area overlooking the ocean
5. A decent WC to work with

Hartyt509 · 06-23-2008, 01:23 PM

After what i've just read on another recent post I wouldn't get married there - the co-ordinator needs slapping hard

sassybride · 06-23-2008, 01:31 PM

What I did is I"m having all my guest stay at the Riu including myself. All inclusive close to downtown, so good location. I really like the resort but would not get married there. What I'm doing is having a bus transport all guest to my wedding location. For example have bus bring everyone from the the riu to the sheraton or the Westin or ..... We did NOT need to have any rooms blocked at these hotels...you pay a fee to have it and that is it. Westin changes us 500$ for the location fee plus drinks, food etc...We also hired Maye as coordinator on top of the reg coordinator. IMO coordinator are very busy ppl so i wanted my own just to make sure that everything was under control. Any questions pls feel free to PM me. Good luck!

DanielleNDerek · 06-23-2008, 01:34 PM

If you are that nervous that it's making you sick about getting married at the Riu than i definately wouldn't do it. Maybe you could do what sassy just suggested, stay there get married somewhere else.

If not, i have yet to hear anything bad about Dreams from any of the tons of girls on here.

You just sound really uncomfortable with Riu and i would hate for you to be a nervous wreck for the next year.

Ashleykmorgan · 06-23-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielleNDerek

If you are that nervous that it's making you sick about getting married at the Riu than i definately wouldn't do it. Maybe you could do what sassy just suggested, stay there get married somewhere else.

If not, i have yet to hear anything bad about Dreams from any of the tons of girls on here.

You just sound really uncomfortable with Riu and i would hate for you to be a nervous wreck for the next year.

Thanks Danielle! I have been stressing over it for weeks! I have also considered the DR, can you offer me any inisght on that?

Lagen · 06-23-2008, 01:41 PM

Listen to your gut. If your'e that uncomfortable with what you've heard about the Riu then I wouldn't book it. Imagine how much you'll worry and feel you need to double check things if what you've read has influenced you.

However, I also feel that any situation is what you bring to it and make of it. I am getting married there in less than 3 weeks and I don't have one bad thing to say about the resort. I'm neurotic and the laid back culture has gotten to me at times and the WC agreed to let me pick things in advance and plan more than is usually done to make me feel more at ease. So, my experience has been nothing like what I have read. Now, how it all goes down when I get there may be another story......one which I will tell in a few weeks!

Good luck!
Remember, it's supposed to be an exciting time so don't make it more stressful than it has to be and listen to your gut

Ashleykmorgan · 06-23-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagen

Listen to your gut. If your'e that uncomfortable with what you've heard about the Riu then I wouldn't book it. Imagine how much you'll worry and feel you need to double check things if what you've read has influenced you.

However, I also feel that any situation is what you bring to it and make of it. I am getting married there in less than 3 weeks and I don't have one bad thing to say about the resort. I'm neurotic and the laid back culture has gotten to me at times and the WC agreed to let me pick things in advance and plan more than is usually done to make me feel more at ease. So, my experience has been nothing like what I have read. Now, how it all goes down when I get there may be another story......one which I will tell in a few weeks!

Good luck!
Remember, it's supposed to be an exciting time so don't make it more stressful than it has to be and listen to your gut

Thank you so much for your kind words, that does make sense...I think every situation is different, I have just heard bad reviews about the RIU and not one bad think about Dreams... Although, most bad things about the RIU were only about DAniella, most people said the REsort was beautiful.You will have to let me know how your wedding goes.I am quite neurotic too, as I plan events for a living and cannot deal with waiting more than 5 minutes for a response to an email or confrimation regarding details. I am thinking of taking a trip down there to see RIU and Dreams, that may put my mind at ease. Have you been to the RIU?

*Heather* · 06-23-2008, 01:47 PM

Based on your necessities, I don't know if the Riu is the right place to have your ceremony and reception. It is not on a swimmable beach, and the water isn't totally bright blue. I have a feeling the gazebo is pretty private, as I didn't see it when I was staying at the Riu last October, but this was before I was engaged so I wasn't totally paying attention to that stuff

I'm doing what sassybride is doing - we are all staying at the Riu all week as it's a really fun resort and is a great place to vacation, but I'm having the ceremony and reception off-site. I think you might want to look into this if you're feeling uneasy...

TA Maureen · 06-23-2008, 01:53 PM

If you really love the Riu and want to keep your wedding there but are just getting nervous because of the reviews, here is a suggestion. Get a back up wedding coordinator. You could hire someone or if that is not in the budget than you ask a family member or close friend to act as your WC. Have this person go to the meeting with you and go over all the details and must haves over with this person, then they can go and check on everything and make sure it is exactly the way you want it before you even get there.

Kelly C · 06-23-2008, 02:00 PM

I'm next door at the Santa fe. But you need to do what you feel comfortable with. In Cabo there really isn't a resort with a swimmable beach. Very few. The coridnator at the Sante Fe gets back to me within 24hrs all the time and has been great.