Hilton Brides Unite!

I remember that there use to be thread for Hilton brides to discuss but I haven't seen one in awhile (maybe all those people already got married). So who else is getting married at the Hilton and when? What has your experience been with Emeline so far? Where are you going ot have ther reception (which area?).

 

Any recommendations for getting the most out of the hotel?

 

I am getting married at the Hilton. I just sent in my contract today. We are going to be married out in the Fun Sun Hut, then to a terrace for an hour of canapes and drinks (hopefully mariachi), and then into the ballroom for dinner and dancing.

 

This is on the 29th of June, by the way.

 

So far Emeline has been fine, but up to now all I have been trying to decide on is date and location. I hope she is helpful during the details.

 

I also am looking for music, mariachi and DJ, for the evening. I don't want to use the HIlton because of the upped prices.

 

Are you getting married there? or have you already?

Tell me about it

I'm getting married there 13 days before you (June 16, 2007). We're going to have the ceremony on the beach in front o fthe big rocks. Then I think cocktail hourt (no appetizers) maybe at the Sun Fut hut and dinner outside on the Whale Watching Terrace... I think. All the different locations have sort of run together in my mind!

 

I haven't found a DJ yet though either. Are you working with an outside coordinator and Emeline or just Emeline? I'm going to be working with Maye but to be honest she hasn't done anything for my wedding yet.

 

Have you done a sight visit yet? It is so beautiful! I love the way they're redecoratig the rooms!

I was working with Maye, but after 2 months she didn't find me a location. Then she went on vacation. That's when I found Hilton.

 

I haven't looked at any venors yet. At least not contacting them.

 

I haven't done a sight visit. I would love too, but it was a matter of money. IF we could get the 2 nights that you did it would be great, but I already sent the contract in.

 

What does your menu look like? How was the food when you went for the tasting?

Well we haven't done the tasting yet - probably won't do that until early 2007. We just went there and did a marathon scouting trip where we looked at (what seemed like) every hotel on the corridor and San Jose. You might as well ask Emeline for a complimentary nights stay of you guys decide to go check it out ahead of time.

 

I know I haven't heard much from Maye either. But I guess the wedding is still 9 months away so maybe I don't need to do EVERYTHING right now. I think we were thinking about the Caribbean BBQ buffet menu maybe changed a little to have less meat and vegetrian food (we have a lot of vegetarians on our list). Also we decided that we'd be better off with a consumption bar sinced their prices for open bar was so crazy high. People would need to be drinking like 4 drinks an hour all night long to equal what they wanted for open bar.

TableDiagram_MariaElena Murillo_Oct06_v04.doc

Hilton_TablesWithYellowLinens.pdf

MariaElenaMurilloCenterpieces.pdf

where's mariaE?

Here I am!

 

So, my wedding at the Hilton is a month from tomorrow. I haven't been to the Hilton for a sight visit, any tastings, or anything. I've planned the whole thing by the seat of my pants. Emeline has been fine, but not overly helpful. I ended up doing most things on my own because it was cheaper and easier. She's been more helpful as the date has approached. I find that pictures and spreadsheets have made things easier and clearer between us.

 

I've offically reached the stage where I can't sleep at night because I think of things I still have to do. It's all manageable, but I am a worrier / control freak...

 

On 10/28/06:

We're getting married at the San Jose Catholic church at 3:00PM. The mass will be in English. We're having a group called Dueto Amigo (harp, guitar, and vocals) play the music.

 

Our photographer (hired thru Hilton) is Sergio Reyes. Sadly, Juan Carlos Tapia was already booked. We also booked the florist (Mundo Floral) through the Hilton.

 

The Hilton reception starts at 6:30. We're having 52 guests. Cocktails are from 6:30 - 7:30pm in the Sunset Bar Terrace. We have an open domestic bar and a ceviche station will be set-up. We've hired Mariachis Los Cabos to play during this hour.

 

A sit-down dinner (and dancing) will be served on the Whale Watching Terrace at 7:30pm. We've hired a DJ for this (AVL Systems that I am still not confident about). We will be serving pistachio crusted goat cheese salad with hibiscus dressing; a choice of fish of the day wrapped in potato string, mushrooms, and zuchinni in a cream citrus sauce or beef tenderloin filled with blue cheese and almonds served with baby vegetables; opera-flavoried cake (three types of chocolate) with buttercream icing; and a s'mores station / bonfire.

 

I'll be sure to write a detailed review with pics after my wedding next month.

 

Did I forget anything?

I am drooling thinking of how good your menu items are going to taste! I love love the s'mores idea -- wanted to do it myself but was told no fire on the beaches allowed (I could probably fight it, but didn't feel like going thru the hassle.)

 

I can't wait to hear your review, especially on the DJ!!

The s'mores are my favorite thing about the menu. I hope everything else tastes as good as it sounds. I keep telling myself, "We'll all be together at the beach. Nothing can be that bad."

What are you serving?

When do you leave for your wedding? I get back from Cabo on 11/02/06. Hopefully you can see my review before you leave.

We are having a Mexican buffett, so like chile rellenos, tacos, chicken mole, etc etc. Mexican food in DC is pretty terrible, so I am super excited about eating good stuff! Our RD menu is more like "fancy wedding food" - steak and shrimp.

You are right that even if the food isn't totally fabulous, you will be in an amazing place, with the right number of people and not 100 extra.

We leave on the 9th (only 2 days before wedding) so just make sure to post your review by then (thanks in advance, I sound so demanding! haha)