brigopens

Quote: Originally Posted by Melba I don't have any advice either but wanted to chime in since I'm another May EDR bride. Right now I have a similar schedule with 5 pm at Gazebo 55, which I chose since its at the end of the resort and I believe semi- out of the way. But on the same side as Tucanes/Fuentes area versus the casitas section. I was also gonna send ppl to a bar, maybe the Martini one before our dinner at 6:30 too. I wanted the BBQ deluxe but I don't think I'm going to have 30 ppl. From gazebo 55, the natural progression will be to the beach bar and then the reception. Kind of far to martini bar. We went there with our bridal party after pictures and had a blast. Also a great opportunity for some fun pictures... I'd recommend the same plan of attack. Truth is, you won't need to tell your guests what to do. Some will head back to their rooms, wome mingle, some pick their favorite bar... The beach bar is just the logical place for them though since it's so central... Don't worry about what they will be doing. It's an all-inclusive resort and they will be fine!

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsV-to-be Wowsers there will be alot of us down there around the same time! either overlapping or just missing each other:) I haven't been to the resort, but based on what I have seen - I don't think the white gazebo will be the most private location you can have. That being said, I would imagine that by 5, most people who would be out in the sun all day would be heading inside for a nap or to start getting ready for dinner. I'm getting married at Gazebo 55 - which I *think* may be a bit more private since it is at one end of the resort. and I've heard the new spot down at the opposite end, by the casitas, is supposed to be pretty private. Good luck deciding!! and I'm also another bride who has changed alot! the wedding location 1, but the reception location (yikes!) 4 times Valeria is great about it!! We did gazebo 55 and loved it. At the end of the resort, and there's not really beach bathing room around there. We did have some people on the balconies overlooking the reception, btu it was kinda fun and everyone was respectful... The new Faisanes location was being finalized while we were there. Was very nice looking, but I certainly think that there's a higher likelihood of people being around on either side of the wedding.

Quote: Originally Posted by nolaroy724 I know we have had the photographer discussion many times, but my friend is a photographer and will be staying at the resort for 7 days, 6 nights. She therefore is just a guest taking pictures, right? I shouldn't have to deal with any of the fees, right? I'm afraid to ask Monica. My experience was that not asking was the way to go!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by timelsel We were just told the dessert buffet was now $20 per person and included: DESSERT BUFFET FOR MINIMUM OF 20 PEOPLE - $ 20 USD p/p MEDIUM SIZE CAKES LEMON TART 18 SERVINGS SEVEN FRUIT TART 18 SERVINGS OPERA CAKE 18 SERVINGS LARGE CAKES LARGE CHOCOLATE CAKE 1 PIECE LARGE APPLE PIE 1 PIECE PASSION FRUIT CAKE 1 PIECE RASPBERRY CHEESE CAKE 1 PIECE FRUIT CAKE 1 PIECE CHOCOLATE CAKE 1 PIECE MACAROON (3 TYPES) SERVINGS Does this sound similar to what you had? What about finger foods? How was the presentation? Thanks for all your help. Yes, realitvely similar... We had this: DESSERTS BUFFET FOR 40 PEOPLE - $ 16 USD p/p MEDIUM SIZE CAKES LEMON TART ******************** 15 SERVINGS SEVEN FRUIT TART*********** 15 SERVINGS OPERA CAKE ********************* 15 SERVINGS LARGE CAKES FOR 10 PEOPLE LARGE CHOCOLATE CAKE ******** 1 PIECE LARGE APPLE PIE ************************* 1 PIECE PASSION FRUIT CAKE **************** 1 PIECE RASPBERRY CHEESE CAKE******** 1 PIECE FRUIT CAKE*********************************** 1 PIECE CHOCOLATE CAKE********************** 1 PIECE MACAROON (3 TYPES) 80 SERVINGS All of the desserts were great. We had more than enough for everyone. Maybe half of it went uneaten. Looked great all spread out for us!

Quote: Originally Posted by timelsel We are going to pay for 3 nights. Our photographer is Vanessa Vargas. Feel free to PM me for more information! If you're shopping around, check out Elizabeth Medina. We used her and our pics were more amazing than we ever thought they could be! Check out Mexico Wedding Photography, Yucatan, Mexico, Elizabeth Medina photographer My super hot wife even made the front page of her wedding portfolio!!! Honestly, choosing her and EDR were the 2 best decisions we made in the whole wedding planning process!

Quote: Originally Posted by SheaS You can choose one salad, one soup or pasta, and 2 main entrees. At least that is what I had the options for at El Cocotal's free dinner. Same here...

Quote: Originally Posted by shannon Good question about the chairs- I hadn't thought about it--- how did I not think about that?!?!! Shea/Bre- any suggestions?!?! No need for chairs during the cocktail party. People will be up and moving around for the most part. Also, depending on where you have it, there may be chairs...

Quote: Originally Posted by timelsel OK, we've come up with something we're wondering about. Do you have to pay for an extra chair at the wedding and reception for an outside photographer you bring in? If they are booked as a "friend" who is staying at the resort, but are actually hired as the photographer, do we need to include them in the chair/reception count? We didn't get chairs for the photog and asst at the wedding, because they were up the whole time. It turned out that some of our guests preferred to stand anyway, so there were plenty of chairs. Your photog shouldn't be sitting during the wedding anyway, at least not if they kick ass like ours did! I don't think that Elizabeth sat all day!!! We did get chairs for the reception, but again, we wouldn't have needed them.

Quote: Originally Posted by ctpetch Any ideas for programs for your ceremony at the EDR. I'm looking for suggestions for that. Here's what our programs looked like. I just made them from scratch, based on the ceremony that we were given... Click here to check it out I probably have the Word documents for the inside of it if anyone really needs it. You can PM me.

Quote: Originally Posted by jfwolfe72 That's so good to hear! Do you have a picture of this? We'll probably get the one for 20-30 people. Is that the same size as the one you got? Sorry been out of the loop. Probably going to need ot post lots tonight! What an exciting Friday, huh Anyway, we got the small 6 person cake. Remember, we also had all of the desserts of the breakfast buffet to go around.

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Quote: Originally Posted by SheaS What we did was the cocktail party with appetizers, and I think it was 14.00 per person. We alos had "pinto" the donkey, and he was 150.00, and then rented speakers for our ipod which was 250.00. We did essentially the same thing, but also had a dessert buffet which was $18/person as well... Our donkey was named Philemon... Wonder if we had different donkeys, if there was a name change, or if they just call him whatever they want on any given day?

Quote: Originally Posted by nolaroy724 How is the cake there by the way? Does anyone know? The smaller wedding cake that we had there was probably the most amazing, moist cake I have ever had!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by jfwolfe72 Is Guacamayas an indoor or outdoor bar? Would it be a good, informal place for our guests to meet after the ceremony and before dinner while we're getting our pictures taken? It's open air but very well covered. Depending on when your ceremony is, it would work. I don't think it opens until 5 PM and it was relatively empty for the first hour or two... We had an informal "welcome reception" there. There's a great less crowded bar down in the casita section that's named Gaviotas I think. Pretty cool place. Beach bar is pretty centrally located but usually pretty crowded and doesn't strike me as a good place for a gathering... That being said, I think it's where some of our guests ended up stopping for a drink between wedding and reception. Just let them figure it out...

Quote: Originally Posted by bre Hi everyone!! Thank you so much for your congratulations and well wishes! The wedding was PERFECT! Thanks again to everyone! You're the best! Glad to here it worked out so well... can I say, I told you so A great place to get married. We can't wait to hear more and see your pics... You will now undergo something that my wife and I termed PAIRS... Post All-Inclusive Resort Syndrome... It's miserable to be back once you realize how amazing every minute of every day can be... :-(

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsV-to-be Well, I guess from their perspective they don't need to know, since the day pass allows you all the access a resort guest would have. Though they can probably kinda tell who is not staying there as a guest, because they probably walk in with uncertainity or whatever. I would also guess they could tell if they don't have a resort towel. and I guess they can always ask what room number! However, I think there is system is definitly not perfect and there is probably alot of room for sneakiness!! I would imagine they have you check in at the lobby to pick up your guest pass, and that you need to show up and check back out and turn it in 8 hours later... There's nothing around the resort, and a mile or so out to the main highway. If you turn in your guest pass, there's nothing left to do but get into a cab and leave. They could easily watch that... As for your time on the resort. They do ask your room number a great deal of the time. We were never quite sure what they did with it, and whether they tracked what you were doing, eating, drinking, or not. Based on how far away any other places would be from there, the cost of transportation to get to the resort, and the inconvenience, we recommended our guests just stay there. I really don't think that saving $100 on the "room" would amount to much once you come and go via cab, and miss out on all of the fun!!! Just my two cents... Of course, I had no direct experience with the guest pass system!

Quote: Originally Posted by BandE2008 I booked EDR for Nov 2008. One year after our 11-2007 date... nice, great time to be there and affordable for sure. Quote: Originally Posted by BandE2008 We have been arguing with them as they are charging for every thing we want (outside photographer, outside dj, outside everything) and are in fact being quite rude (should note, I'm from Canada so we book different here and use a travel agent for a one week set date all inclusive). So, travel agent has been corresponding with them. Without a doubt, this resort is not amenable to bringing in outside vendors. We ended up putting up our photographer, which would have made more sense even at another resort. We had our own DJ and didn't see a need for any other outside vendors. If you have your heart set on lots of outside stuff, it may be better to look around. On the other hand, I can tell you that we let them do pretty much everything, and it turned out nearly perfect! Quote: Originally Posted by BandE2008 That, mixed with recent bad reviews on trip adviser... I can't imagine what could be contained in a bad review from a REASONABLE person. We had 52 total people there, and the complaints were negligible and always remedied within minutes by the staff there! After being there, I truly believe that almost all of the bad reviews come from UNREASONABLE people! Quote: Originally Posted by BandE2008 friends complaining that its a couple resort... True, there are tons of couples there. But we had single guests that still managed to have a great time. Depending how many people you have, you will create your own party! Our group was large enough to turn the swing bar into a party every time we showed up. Some of the single people went out at night, into Cancun or Playa, but they said they really had a better time back at the resort hanging out with all of the wedding guests and drinking for free!!! As for your friends/guests complaining, you need to get over that. It's your day. Do what you want to do! If they complain, tell them they don't have to come. It's not your job to please everyone on your wedding day! Quote: Originally Posted by BandE2008 I JUST am at my ends, and don't know what to do! We have 30 booked. Travel Agent said we could change if we want. If you feel that you need to, I'm certainly not going to talk you out of it. BUT, I can't imagine we could have had a better wedding anywhere else! Quote: Originally Posted by BandE2008 Any advice? Tough it out. Let them know that you aren't very happy right now. Change coordinators if you need to. We loved Valeria! Be persistent on getting what you want, and keep good records (advice for any DW...) All the hard work and planning you put in now will make each of the days there that much more priceless!

We did plenty of hurricane research and there's very few hurricanes that have hit that area as late as November. We chose our late November date, and were thrilled withthe weather. Mid to high 80s every day. One night, there was a 15-20 minute downpour. Another early morning, about 10 huge rain drops while we walked on the beach. otherwise, gorgeous!!!

Me and the Mrs. are totally jealous you're there and we're stuck here in Dallas!!! Surely it was perfect! Can't wait to hear and see...

Quote: Originally Posted by brandoo Brig... does everyone get either one or the other? Or will we work with both? Thanks! We met with both at our initial meeting... On the wedding day, both were very involved in making sure things went smoothly... They work very closely together, so at least in our case, we worked with both of them interchangably. They were also hiring/training someone new. Odette said that they weren't able to take time off right now, with only the two of them, so that they were bringing someone else on board to take a little of the stress off. I would imagine that the new person has started by now...

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan Great! Thanks for posting that info. Did you use a fine tip sharpie? Yep, 3 diferent colors of fine tips... My mom did have a note or warn people to be careful, but if it was going to happen, it was going to happen... And it didn't!

Quote: Originally Posted by Marcy M That would be awesome if you could get me the name - if she makes things happen than she is my best friend! Directly from Valeria... Odette is the wedding coordinator for El Dorado Royale, Priscilla Espinosa is my colleague as the On site Senior coordinator for Lomas Travel. She's great, I agree with you. Both are good. Odette is newer, and not as aggressive. Priscilla takes charge and is all about making sure things go smoothly and you are happy!

Quote: Originally Posted by Marcy M Really! Please let me know. I looked on Lomos's sight where I booked everything and there was an option for flowers for the hair so I purchased it. I believe it was under $10. If you didn't have to pay for it though I will keep the money From my boss... "You're right - I didn't do the hair trial. The lady asked me if she could put the flowers in my hair - no additional charge - they were fake - so if "the bride" wants real flowers she will probably have to buy them. Hope that helps " She told me that she took a picture of the hairstyle she wanted and gave it to the lady in the spa. She thought that she did a great job of copying it, and said it lasted all day long!!! Hope that helps Feel free to give her my email - if she need any additional help.

Quote: Originally Posted by Marcy M (I believe the beach is also along this area (or i was told) so it may even be on the sand.. We will confirm all of this when we get there in a month! The health bar is actually across the pathway from the beach... Definitely within view of the sand/water though...