Lauren_Hirshon

This is the longest review. I swear I do have a life!! I just didnt want to leave anything out! Hope it all makes sense as I was typing as thoughts came to me head. I can't figure out how to do the whole picture thing but hopefully I will get that worked out soon. Best of luck in your planning EDR Review!.doc

I had some issues with the El Dorado Royale and they sent me several hundred dollars of "gracias certificates" which are essentially certificates redeemable for ANYTHING at the resort. I accidentally left (2 $50 certficates) $100 of these certificates at home in my wallet but used the remaining for spa treatments, internet cards, the gift shop etc. You can use them for anything (wine, etc.) It is just like applying 100 in cash towards your total bill. Anyway, wanted to see if anyone want to buy them off of me. I will sell the $100 for $60 or best offer. I hate to see them go to waste and cant imagine I will be back there anytime soon. PM if you are interested!

I can totally relate! I have been second guessing my choice of EDR since day one! I am continuously reassured by my travel agent and everyone else who has gotten married there that the weddings are great. My advice for you would be to fight everything that seems unfair which is what I have done. I am sure they all know who I am at Lomas because of all the fuss I have made about things! If Monica gives me an answer I dont like I bring it to her supervisor or my TA. It is funny you should mention the Royal in PDC as a place you are considering. When I went on a brief site visit after booking EDR (I was freaking out so much that I booked a place I had never visited that I decided last minute to go to my cousins wedding in PDC and fly from CA for only 2 days of time in Mexico!), I also stopped at the Royal because it was close to where my cousin was getting married. I really liked it and if I were to do it all over again I might choose there, although it concerns me that not a lot of people have had weddings there. My dad came with me and preferred EDR over the Royal. I am still not sure to this day which one I like better... So I have only visited the Royal and EDR. Both were beautiful. Here are some of my thoughts. Feel free to PM for info about the Royal's packages. I have that saved in my email I believe. The Royal is in walking distance to downtown Playa but I felt like why would people want to pay for an AI if they would be going downtown every night to drink? The resort is a lot smaller and compact which can be either a good or bad thing. I sorta want people to feel like they are on their own mini vacation and not to see the wedding party everywhere. There were fewer pools (2 pools to EDR's 11 or something like that) and the rooms in my opinion were nice but not as nice as the EDR. The beach at the Royal was beautiful and had nice white sand. Way better beach than EDR. The beach is not private and I have a feeling that there will be more people lurking at your ceremony since there are lots of other resorts in the area. I was told by the WC at the Royal that you can bring in your own vendors which is a huge plus (especially for you who wants to do so much on your own). All amenities at the Royal are cheaper, including the Mariachi band which is priced half as much as EDR. There were not a lot of ceremony locations at the Royal and have heard that the food is okay whereas the food at EDR is supposed to be great. Not sure if that helps at all, but I wanted to let you know that I have been thinking twice about the EDR and even thought about switching due to the problems I was having with them. I will be getting married at EDR in a couple weeks (ahh!!) and can let you know how it goes. Both places are beautiful so I feel like you cant go wrong with either one!!

I am getting married at the EDR. I too have a female minister for the symbolic ceremony. I was expecting a male too....

This is what I was given when I requested information about the legal and symbolic ceremonies: Symbolic with non-denominational minister: READ CAREFULLY. I read this and am so glad I got to it before my Jewish grandparents heard us praising Jesus Christ. Does not sound very non-denominational at all to me. I am totally re-writing mine. Thats my project this weekend actually Symbolic with non-denominational minister: We are gathered here today, family and friends, in the presence of God and before you as witnesses to unite ______________ and ______________ in Holy Matrimony. It is indeed a joyous occasion when two souls are united in love; when two hearts experience the same feeling and make their two wills and two persons act as one in the spiritual union that leads to the consummation of the pact we call “marriageâ€. The two of you, exercising your own free will, have come to me to unite your lives before God and society as your hearts have spontaneously and spiritually been united. Having heard no objections, this ceremony will begin invoking God’s blessing.. Let us pray. Lord Almighty, bless this marriage and seal the commitment of ___________________ and _________________ with your divine love so they can give themselves to each other and to you Oh Lord. As you in your wisdom have brought this couple together anoint them strength and patience, Oh God, to live together in a way that will be a blessing to them both and bring honor to your Holy name. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and savior we pray. Amen _______________ and ___________________, today is a very special day in your lives. In the time that you have been together your love and understanding of each other has grown and matured Now you have decided to live your lives together as husband and wife promising to face the future together accepting whatever may lie ahead. Love will make the burdens lighter, because you will divide them It will make joy and happiness more intense because you will share them. It will make you stronger so you can reach out and become envolved in life in ways you may not risk alone. ___________ and ______________, your marriage is intended to join you for life in a relationship so intimate and personal that it will change your whole being. To attain such love, you will need to commit yourselves to each other freely and gladly for the sake of a richer and deeper life together You must also commit yourselves to God and His teachings, let Him always be your guide and helper in everything. As a matter of fact, the Word of God shares much with us about love and specifically about how we are to love one another, I would like to read a passage from the 13th chapter of 1st Book of Corinthian This chapter is known as “The Love Chapter; and may this be your guide throughout your life together. “ “Love is patient, love is kind. Love has no envy, it does not boast, love has no pride. Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it keeps no record of wrongs. . Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. Love has the power of undergoing all things, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love has no end…†The covenant of marriage is one that can be entered into only by persons who are both legally and spiritually free to offer themselves to one another. Por lo que les pregunto: (El)____________________, vienes por tu propia voluntad y con el deseo conciente de unirte en matrimonio con____________________? So I ask you: Do you ______________come of your own free will and with a conscious desire to be united in marriage with __________________? I do Do you ________________come of your own free will and with a conscious desire to be united in marriage with _____________? I do Do you _____________ and _____________ promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together? We do Now, as an expression that your hearts are joined together face each other and join hands. (his) I _________________ take you _____________ to be my lawful wedded wife.. I promise to be faithful, to love and respect you.. In sickness and in health. For richer or for poorer. I give myself only to you. Until death do us part. (Her) I __________________ take you _________________ to be my lawful wedded husband. To have and to hold. In sickness and in health. For richer or for poor. I give myself only to you. Until death do us part. What token of love and affection have you to offer each other? (he). _________________ place the ring on ________________’s finger and repeat after me. ________________ I give you this ring . As a sign of my love and faithfulness.. With this ring I thee wed. (Her)_________________ place the ring on ________________’s finger and repeat after me. ________________. I give you this ring. As a sign of my love and faithfulness.. With this ring I thee wed. Your lives are now joined in one unbroken circle Wherever you go may you always return to one another May the home that you will have together be full of love, laughter, family and friends. May you two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. Let us take time now to thank God for this time of celebration and joy and ask for His continued blessings in your lives, as you now live together as one. Dear Lord, we give thanks for the moment that brings ______________ and _______________ together in marriage We ask your blessing upon them to sustain them through the difficult and uncertain times that come to every relatinship. Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit. That they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. All this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Amen. Because you_______________ and ____________ have exchanged your promise of faithful love, and in our presence you have exchanged symbols, which make your covenant visible, We now recognize before God and the community that you are husband and Wife. Puedes besar a la novia. You may kiss the bride. Civil: MEXICAN CIVIL MARRIAGE ADVISES (TAKEN FROM OCAMPOS LETTER) LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF THIS COUNTRY WE ARE GATHERED HERE TO JOIN: _____ : AND ________ BEING THIS A VERY IMPORTANT ACT, I WOULD ASK EVERYBODY TO REMAIN IN SILCENCE. AS WITNESSES OF THIS IMPORTANT ACT PRESENT HERE ARE: ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ WHO WILL SIGN THE MARRIAGE DOCUMENT. A GREAT MEXICAN PHILOSOPHER OF THE NINE CENTURY, MR. MELCHOR OCAMPO WROTE IN THIS LEGENDARY LETTER, THE FOLLOWING WORDS THAT UNTIL TODAY ARE ALWAYS READ IN OUR WEDDING CEREMONIES: “MARRIAGE†IT SAYS IS THE ONLY LEGAL AND MORAL WAY TO FOUND A FAMILY, TO PRESERVE MANKIND AND TO AVOID IMPERFECTIONS OF THE HUMAN BEING WHO ARE ONLY ABLE TO OBTAIN THE PERFECTION OF THE HUMAN RACE, THROUGH MATRIMONY IN A CONJUGAL DUALITY. MEN AND WOMEN HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS, BUT IS IMPORTANT TO OBSERVE THEIR RESPECTIVE OBLIGATIONS. BOTH OF YOU SHOULD HAVE RESPECT,FIDELITY,TRUST AND ASSISTANCE TO ONE ANOTHER AND ALSO TENDERNESS AND LOVE, MUCH LOVE. DO NOT FIGHT WITH ONE ANOTHER, USE YOUR HEADS AND YOUR HEARTS TO CORRECT SOMETHING WRONG. BOTH OF YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE GREAT RESPONSABILITY OF BEING PARENTS, BECAUSE YOU WILL PROVIDE YOUR CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION, GOOD EXAMPLE AND EDUCATION, RESPECT, AND LOVE. PROVIDE THEM WITH AN HONEST WAY OF LIVING, SO THEY CAN SEE IN YOU A WORTHLY EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW DURING THE REST OF THEIR LIVES†NOW I ASK YOUR WITNESS: ARE MR.______________________ AND MS.___________________ PERSONS YOU KNOW WELL?, AND ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS FOR THEM TO BE JOINED IN LEGAL MARRIAGE? (EXCHANGE THE RINGS ) IN THE NAME OF THE LAW AND THE SOCIETY AND WITH THE AUTHORITY FROM THE SOLIDARIDAD MUNICIPAL HERE IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN, QUINTNAN ROO MEXICO, I NOW DECLARE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE. YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE. I HOPE THAT THIS DOCUMENT THAT I WILL GIVE YOU TODAY REAMAIN SEALED FOREVER, AS WELL AS YOUR COMMITMENT TO FIND TOGETHER THE ETERNAL HAPPINESS THAT BY LOVE YOU HAVE RIGHT TO, ALWAYS TOGETHER PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY JOINED. PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Q. ROO. EL C. OFICIAL 02 DEL REGISTRO CIVIL C. PROF:LUCIO VARO KANTUN CHI.

Quote: Originally Posted by brigopens We had an excellent experience all around at EDR. We did not ever discuss the outside photographer issue with them. We booked a room for our photographer, added her to our guest list, and went from there. It sounds as if you may be able to talk with them up front and save a little money by booking a night for your photographer +/- assistant. Certainly be nicer for the phtographer I'd imagine. But you also open the door for them to say no, and then you're back at square one, using their crappy photographers or paying $500. As for local talent. We used Elizabeth Medina and absoutely loved her. The end result was amazing and she was pretty reasonable when compared to other local photographers. The only additional costs for her were the acocmodations as she can drive to the resort. I HIGHLY recommend her, plus she knows the resort pretty well now as she's been there a few times. Of course, Matt & Sol's work is also amazing, based on all of their weddings I have looked over! Have you written a review? I would LOVE to hear about your wedding.

Any suggestions for what songs to use for the slideshow at the rehearsal dinner? It is about 15 minutes long. I think I want to play Jack Johnson's better together for the part showing me and my fiance together. What should we use when we are showing pictures of us growing up? Any recommendations would be appreciated!

I cannot imagine not wearing high heels with my wedding dress but dont want to fall on my face in the sand. Anyone else wear heels and have any regrets or horror stories?

I want to put underwater cameras in my oot bags. I found a website that has them cheap but the cameras expired 9/2007. Supposedly they were kept in cool temperatures. Does anyone know if it matters that they have expired? My wedding is in Feb. Thanks

I just got a new contract too for my Feb 2nd wedding. I am not sure what this is all about. I too have already signed one! Annoying!

I would also consider the Royal in Playa del Carmen. It sounds like what you are looking for. It is similar to Excellents, Secrets, and El Dorado Royale as its an upscale, adult only all inclusive. The amenities package (at least compared to EDR) is a lot cheaper. For example. the Mariachis at EDR are $900 for 45 minutes and $450 at the Royal. When I met with the WC at the Royal during my site visit they said they would not charge for bringing in an outside photographer. may have changed though... Good luck!! In less than 2 months I can tell you how weddings are at the EDR!

I was wondering if anyone could help me out... I am getting married at EDR (2 months from today!) and have between 40-50 people coming (still waiting on some RSVP's). I am doing a sit down dinner, dessert buffet and have a band for after the reception. I have been told that Tucanes cannot accomodate a band and that many people so Tucanes which I had originally wanted is out. Gaviotas holds 30 or less so that is out. I am still waiting to hear back from Monica about the covered pool. Anyone know anything about the covered pool (how many people it holds?)? It is hard for me to tell from the pictures. Looks sorta weird from the photos... Salon Royal is not an option either as it is completely indoors and not what I really want. The WC's has suggested the beach by the white gazebo. I always knew I wanted my ceremony on the beach but am a little unsure about having the reception there. Will it be buggy? windy? hot? cold? Are people going to have problems walking around?? Anyway, if I could some input on what people think about a reception on the beach or any info about the covered pool area or even another place that I may not know about I would really appreciate it.

In terms of ceremony backup, I like gazebo #55. From what I understand there are no "whales" in the background. That was a big concern for me. I have pictures I can email you if that would be helpful. I am not sure about the private reception locations and was actually getting on the forum to post about my confusion! So I have 45 people and a band and was planning on doing the reception at Tucanes. In a recent email Monica out of the blue tells me that the Tucanes location won’t work with a band (she has known all along that I will have 50 or less people and a band). When I asked her about other choices all I was informed about was the beach. It is not my first (or second or third choice to have the reception there...). Gaviotas I was told holds a max of 30 and I can’t tell from the emails what the covered pool looks like. Where else could I hold the reception? Any suggestions?? I really wanted Tucanes. In terms of rehearsing - I too am getting married in the states before and doing the symbolic ceremony. There is a non-denominational minister who is English speaking. I was informed that in Mexico rehearsals are not typical. You have to pay an additional fee to have the minister come to the rehearsal. Depending on which email you go by, I have been quoted $175 and $500 to have the Minster come for the rehearsal. (save all your emails. I am finding Lomas to be inconsistent). it is on my agenda tomorrow to figure out the large discrepancy and to hold Monica to the first and significantly cheaper price. Hope that helps a little!!

In terms of ceremony backup, I like gazebo #55. From what I understand there are no "whales" in the background. That was a big concern for me. I have pictures I can email you if that would be helpful. I am not sure about the private reception locations and was actually getting on the forum to post about my confusion! So I have 45 people and a band and was planning on doing the reception at Tucanes. In a recent email Monica out of the blue tells me that the Tucanes location wont work with a band (she has known all along that I will have 50 or less people and a band). When I asked her about other choices all I was informed about was the beach. It is not my first (or second or third choice to have the reception there...). Gaviotas I was told holds a max of 30 and I cant tell from the emails what the covered pool looks like. Where else could I hold the reception? Any suggestions?? I was really wanting Tucanes. In terms of rehearsing - I too am getting married in the states before and doing the symbolic ceremony. There is a non-denominational minister who is English speaking. I was informed that in Mexcio rehearsals are not typical. You have to pay an additional fee to have the minister come to the rehearsal. Depending on which email you go by, I have been quoted $175 and $500 to have the minster come for the rehearsal. (save all your emails. I am finding Lomas to be inconsistent). it is on my agenda tommorow to figure out the large discrepancy and to hold Monica to the first and significantly cheaper price. Hope that helps a little!!

I cant wait to hear how everything goes at your wedding! I am getting married at EDR in Feb. I am so anxious about so many different aspects. Cant wait to see how things turn out for you two. Congrats!