El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[Dreamgirl08]

Thanks for your feedback Rhonda,

well yes, my rehearsel dinner was going to be held on the day before the wedding, but it turns out that many of our guests will be arriving on this day, so I don't even see the point in doing it anymore. I don't want it to go to waste, and it's def. a great way to save ouselves some mony. So I'm thinking maybe we should take advantage of it, and just try to work with it during, and after the dinner. I'm just upset cause there won't be a nice backdrop for pics during the dinner and after...I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!?

I really need to know who's going & who isn't I think. This will help me to narrow down my options for sure. Does anyone happen to know what is traditional as far as TIMING for RSVP'S back from the INVITES goes so confused..

[Rhonda]

Ok, I see...well, if the nice backdrop is important to you, then maybe you should just keep your private reception as planned. have you thought about using the free private event for brunch instead? like the morning after?
but, i understand that it would be nice to use it for the reception. were you going to have music for your reception?

as for invites, i've been struggling with when to send/and rsvp date as well.
At first I was planning on sending them the first week in Jan. with RSVP Feb 1, but, now I'm thinking March 1 OR sending them early November. I'm confused as well. There was talk about this on another thread...May 2009 Brides....

[ctpetch]

Originally Posted by Dreamgirl08

Thanks for your feedback Rhonda,

well yes, my rehearsel dinner was going to be held on the day before the wedding, but it turns out that many of our guests will be arriving on this day, so I don't even see the point in doing it anymore. I don't want it to go to waste, and it's def. a great way to save ouselves some mony. So I'm thinking maybe we should take advantage of it, and just try to work with it during, and after the dinner. I'm just upset cause there won't be a nice backdrop for pics during the dinner and after...I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!?

I really need to know who's going & who isn't I think. This will help me to narrow down my options for sure. Does anyone happen to know what is traditional as far as TIMING for RSVP'S back from the INVITES goes so confused..

Things may change with some people the last minute. With the struggle with the economy that is a big factor. I would say most will know 2 months prior. I would give them some time and you can plan it all but don't need a menu or count til 30 days prior. I did all mine then. I only had the places picked out and that was it. If alot are not coming in til that day you could still do it later as a rehearsal dinner. We did ours with a few guest coming in but did dinner at 7:00 pm. If not another suggestion to do is use it as a thank you dinner at the end of everyones stay. I've seen brides do that too. Usually with AHR it's usually 4-6 wks prior so would say about the same. Most are going to know within 60 days. I had a few at the last minute bail out but most knew right away. We did all our plans with 8 months notice. It all worked out great and wouldn't change anything we did. The EDR did a fantastic job. We are going back for our anniversary in May. I can't wait to go back. I would be glad to help anyone if they have any questions or concerns.

[Dreamgirl08]

Thanks guys... :)

Well I think what I'll have to do than is if I have 15-20 guests, I guess I'll have to have a sit down dinner at Tucanes. I wonder if this would turn out to be cheaper or more..hmmm? Ummm..I believe a sit-down dinner requires a 3 meal course correct? If so, I was wondering if I would need to do dessert or will they allow me to do lets say a salad, appetizer, and meal. Cause I'm thinking THE CAKE can serve as dessert..right?

Also, now I'm wondering how will I know what meal options to get for my guests...I'm completely at loss with this. Or do you just pick 2 or 3 options in advance and than they get to choose from ONLY those in the final menu??

[BandE2008]

A few things:

1) El Coctal has a free dinner, as you know, and it has a lovely backdrop with the waterfall wall. Also, they have a harpist who goes around playing music.
I chose this place over Fuentes becuase Feuentes has people coming on the speaker to "tell you" about the food lots, and I would find that disruptive. Also, I like the indoor feel with the tables and scenery better but thats personal preference.
So, there are good options for the free package.

2) For the Private Reception pick 3, you can use whatever you want! :) You can have the cake as your desser. We looked into it but it was still about $50 a person with a salad, appie, and main course. It was a bit over our budget, but a very nice option if you can swing it.

3) For the private reception, something to keep in mind is your not just paying for the food, your also paying for the table set ups and decor you chose to have.

4) For the Private Reception, this has recently changed I think, but you need to pick two options and when your counts are due, you need to tell them how many of each you need. This is what I was told by Monica anyway. I know past brides were just able to pick two selections and their guests could chose from the two when there, but when I was booking my private reception Monica told me that I need counts for how many of each of the main dishes we need (so they can figure out what to charge you I think, since each main dish costs different, and maybe so they know how many to prepare?) Who knows.

In the end,
I dropped the private reception idea.

What I am doing is:
3:30 ceremoney
6:30 dinner at El Coctal
8:30 private reception / chocolate fondue at Tuscanes
(this is only like $15 a person ... dont quote me, I cant remember off hand, and that way we get the free dinner which is cheaper, plus, some private time for speechs, cake cutting, and dancing).

I cant wait! Only 6 weeks to go :) whoo hoooo

[Dreamgirl08]

BandE2008 sounds great...thanks so much for your feedback :)

By the way I wanted to ask you, have you actually been into El Cocotal?
How about Las Fuentes? What's your take on both?

50$ a person! that's kind of out of our budget too , but we'll see.

For the food counts...I'm wondering if it would be appropriate to list the 2 food options in the invite and just have guests reply with their answers along with their replys..hmm??

Anyway, your wedding plans sound wonderful! I have a huge gut feeling that we might end up doing the same. We really should be taking advantage of this free dinner option, since we're in such a tight budget.

That's great that your enjoying the free dinner, yet your still gonna have something nice @ Tucanes afterwards :). This sounds like something I would love to do too. Are you allowed to setup your own tables at El Cocotal?
( I'm just wondering.. if El Cocotal will have any problems with my photographer Elizabeth Medina taking pics at this time. )
*That waterfall you mentioned sounds like a great thing for pics!

So I take it, your not having a cocktail hr correct?
(what r u having your guests do durig the time gap?)

Also, are you assuming dinner will take an hour, or is that the schedule they gave you?

Your "Private Reception /Chocolate Fondue at Tucanes"...can you please elaborate on this alittle. What exactly happens during this time? What are you allowed to have? Are there other fun options to add along with a chocolate fondue?
What about liquor?? How long did they tell you you can have this for?


So sorry for all the questions.. hope you don't mind.

6 weeks...yay!!!

[BandE2008]

Hey

No I have not been
just seen photos
read reviews on here, other sits and Trip advisor
and feel El Coctal works best for me.

At El Cocotal, and I am sure its the same if you choose Fluentes, they set up tables for you. I have paid extra to get them decorated with a pink table runner etc.
At El Cocotal they set up the tables all together, pending the size of the party, by the waterfall wall, it is really pretty. So you are a bit separated from the guests. Absolutely your photographer can take photos during time time, it is your reception after all!!!!!!!!!!! Mine will be taking photos of it, and then joining us to eat for part of it.

If you go private, including meal options in invite is fine.

If you use the free one, you dont have to have people decide ahead, you just tell the resort your options your choosing and then AT the reception people chose which they want.
So thats what we are doing.

Hmmmm what else did you ask!?

Oh yea, for the break in between the ceremony and dinner, I thought of doing a cocktail hour, but changed my mind. Too pricey and honestly, it is an ALL INCLUSIVE resort. People can go have drinks somewhere together or alone for free ... do whatever they want! Its a resort - they will find things to do! Im not worried and when I have asked my guests, they arent worried either! They were like DO NOT spend money on a cocktail hour when its free to drink!

As for the private reception we are having after. I think it is about $15 a person ... dont quote me. We will have a table with our cake there, for cake cutting as well as music and speakers we are renting at a fee. But then we can dance, and its private, and way cheaper then the other would have cost. We get to do this for 2 hours. open bar and bartenders are included as well as some tables and the fondue set up and food. So good price, and then we still get something private.

I CANT BELIEVE HOW FAST MY DAY IS COMMING!

[Dreamgirl08]

Everything sounds perfect!

By the way, what are you doing for decorations for your tables @ El Cocotal?

Are you renting chairs for your 2 hr. cocktail party afterwards?

Would you mind sharing your food choices so far with El Cocotal?
(I'm having a hard time deciding)

[nolaroy724]

Originally Posted by Dreamgirl08

BandE2008 sounds great...thanks so much for your feedback :)

By the way I wanted to ask you, have you actually been into El Cocotal?
How about Las Fuentes? What's your take on both?

I had my wedding dinner at El Cocotal. We also ate there one of the nights and at Fuentes. The food is yummy at both places. It is really a matter of taste. El Cocotal is more elegant and Fuentes is more laid back. I thought Fuentes was really loud, there are big screen TVs everywhere that Spanish play music videos. They also have live shows there, so there were dancers performing around the tables when we ate there. Again, just a matter of what sort of scene you want to set for your guests.

Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in any way.

[BandE2008]

Originally Posted by Dreamgirl08

Everything sounds perfect!

By the way, what are you doing for decorations for your tables @ El Cocotal?

Are you renting chairs for your 2 hr. cocktail party afterwards?

Would you mind sharing your food choices so far with El Cocotal?
(I'm having a hard time deciding)

Decorations at El Cocotal - I got two table runners ( I think they were $10 or $20 each) in my color - pink! We will also take the flowers that I have paid for from the ceremoney and place them on the two tables. Thats it, thats all. It doesnt look like I need more then that from the photos. They have linnens on the tables and the chairs look decent - and the waterfall wall in the background provides its own fee!

I am not renting chairs for the 2 hour cocktail party. I think people can stand around the tables that are provided, otherwise they are encouraged to dance!!!! :) From the photos it seems there are places to perche there (the railings etc if people need to sit or rest, and from other brides weddings (especially at Health Bar) past brides have reproted there are chairs there, just pushed to the side, so if people REALLY need to sit they can take one of those! tee hee.

Ummmm
I dont have my El Cocotal choices in front of me - wait - maybe I do ....
Ummm, nope
What I have (I think) is:
Salad - spinach with honey mustard sauce (wanted other then cesare)
Soup - onion soup with spume and cruouton (sounds like french onion)
Main - option one - Slow roasted pork prime rib
- option two - Salmon with briased vegetables
Dessert - french style apple pie


Hope that helps!
I cant believe its like a MONTH away!
I cant wait to see the October weddings reviewed on here! Hope those girls are having fun!