El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

Hi Natalie! You will be so happy that you choose EDR! I just got married there on December 11th. The evenings are definitely cooler, but like others said you just need a shawl. As for your reception area......I LOVED Tucanes! It's centrally located, but still has that private feel to it. The Health Bar is nice too, but close to the ocean and it might be too windy.
As for bringing extra stuff with you, I would just bring it with you and not mention anything via email to your coordinator. I brought a few extra things with me too and just handed them to the onsite wedding coordinator and she had no problem setting them out for me. They never even mentioned that there would be an extra charge.

Good luck! Let us know if you need anything else!

Thanks Shannon! It's nice to see you're still hanging around! I miss all the "old" EDR brides!

I am getting married at EDR on May 9th, so I know that my 90 day window is coming up soon. Does anyone have any advice on what I should focus on the next few weeks so that I am ready to make final details? Right now, invitations with travel information go out this week and we're doing dresses and attire in the next few weeks. I know that the 90 day point is when I coordinate with Valeria (who has been great) on flowers (for wedding and reception), location for reception (wedding at Gazebo 55), and food for reception. Is there anything else we do at that time - ceremony, other decor, hair and makeup appointments, etc? If so, does anyone have any advice on any of these? I'm sure I'll have more questions as it gets closer, but want to try to have as much ironed out as I can before that time. Thanks for everyone's help - this forum has been great!

I think the reason you are having a problem is the extra 5 people. Several of the facilities that other people have mentioned (Health Bar, Tucanes) seem to have a 50 person max in their minds... You can talk to them about it, or just tell them that you are down to 50 and pick your place, then add a few extra people the day before... We had exactly 50 at Tucanes. You can see plenty of those pics on our slideshow: http://www.elizabethmedinaphotography.com/amybrian/

We've been to EDR twice now, both times in late November/early December. Once the weather every evening would have been great for a beach reception. The second time, it was cooler and very breezy, and we wouldn't have been happy with it!

There are no JET SKIS at all from what I saw in Mexico. Maybe you meant wave runners? Not trying to be technical, just wanting to make sure I answer your question...

There is a hut on the beach near the beach bar and also up in the Casitas near Gaviotas. You can rent wave runners to take out right at the resort. I believe the price was approx $55/hour. We did it from the beach the first time. Last visit we booked thru the lobby to go on a catamaran/snorkeling/waverunner trip which was a great time and very reasonable!!!

We went to Walmart in Playa when we got there and bought glass votive holders and candles, large vases for table centerpieces, and maracas for all fo our guests! We didn't mention it to EDR because we were told they might charge us. We just had our mothers head there while we were taking pictures after the ceremony and everyone else was at the bars. They were helpful in putting things out with our moms and nobody gave them a problem. It also gave us a little piece of mind to know it would be done exactly like we wanted... :-)

You need to "finalize" yes, but remember that things can still be changed... We changed our location when we got there (pending availability...) and also how we wanted things set up for the reception. We also changed our back0up location in case of inclement weather.

I woudl try to plan things the best you can but know that it's nto absolutely set in stone. A lot may also depend on how many other weddings they have the same day as yours. You can ask them that!!!

The other final details can totally be changed. No point in making hair appts, etc... Just do it once you are there unless you already know exactly what you want to do!

I didn't want our reception in the sand (personal preference) and we are having 70-80 guests. Valeria offered me an outside venue called Marina Maroma, where the reception takes place in a restaurant. It looks amazing!
Anyway, I think the minimum number for that venue is 60 or more, but, I'm not sure....don't know if that's an option for you.

I am very curious about the Walmart in Playa...did they have everything you needed? I am planning on buying a bunch of stuff for my OOT bags at Walmart or Costco (I think they have one in Cancun) once I'm down there. Did anyone else here do that?

I think the reason you are having a problem is the extra 5 people. Several of the facilities that other people have mentioned (Health Bar, Tucanes) seem to have a 50 person max in their minds... You can talk to them about it, or just tell them that you are down to 50 and pick your place, then add a few extra people the day before... We had exactly 50 at Tucanes. You can see plenty of those pics on our slideshow: Amy and Brian

 

Hey Brigopens, I noticed that you did slideshow! How much was it to rent out the screen and the projector?

BRIGOPENS...,

 

You mention that you guys purchased your Maracas at the Walmart in Mexico. Which Walmart was this? Because we really want to do the Maraca favors too. we've been trying to purchase them out here in NJ, but we haven't had any luck finding some. How much did you guys get them for if you don't mind me asking. I wonder if I should wait to get them while we're out there.

We bought them in PDC town for $1 each. They worked well for favors!