CanadianLindsey

I know this may seem like added stress and a bit on the cheap side, but has anyone tried to just avoid the "set up" fee for decor and just have friend/family put the stuff on the table as soon as the reception starts, but slightly before everyone(including wedding party) gets there? When I got married in Dec2010 they let my MC put out the favors, guest book, candles and flowers with no fee so I feel so bad that they are trying to charge you girls. My MC wasn't even allowed to go put the stuff out until 20mins before the reception started so the resort had a chance to set up the table and tables cloths. which made me think, if one of your guests just headed over 15 minutes early to set out your table decor, would the WC even notice or charge you?? Hmmm...just a thought

I think everyone has disagreements or fights with someone unexpected while wedding planning. For me, it was my Dad. We have never had an issues before, but he was upset that I wasn't letting anyone bring dates if they weren't in a couple at the time invites/RSVPs happened. So when my little sister was suddenly living with her new boyfriend 4 months after invites went out, my Dad and I had a spat over why the new BF couldn't come(my hubby and I had never met the guy and we didn't want strangers at our wedding, plus she was sharing a room with another bridesmaid so I would have had to make my bridesmaid pay for a single room). My Dad and I had a huge blow out about it and then my sis was dumped 2 weeks later by the guy!! My Dad and I got over it and after talking it through, he realized how set my hubby and I were on doing our wedding our way. Weddings bring out crazy emotions and expectations that no one seems to discuss beforehand. My advice is to have a talk with your FI (we did when we started planning) to decide what's important and expected by both of you so you can work as a team to deal with everyone else's crazy demands. That's what saved my sanity while dealing with crazy guests, hotel and MIL !!!!

We had our 24 guests email us 2 song choices each and then made up a playlist with all of those plus our favs. We just had a friend keep an eye on it but basically she announced our first dance, then hit play and away we went, dancing and partying under the stars and a bit of misty rain! It was awesome! The bar staff was really good at keeping the party mood up too. They had us all doing a congo line where we finished by taking turns doing "tequila boom booms" which was a highlight of the night seeing my Gramma do it! I don't think you will have any problem having fun without a dj. Everyone is on holidays, enjoying great food, weather, drinks and in the mood to celebrate your wedding And yes, this site is therapy for us with crazy friends and families who just don't seem to understand the concept of a DW or doing non traditional thing or even deadlines or common courtesy for that matter! Ah good old wedding drama, you can't seem to avoid it no matter what you do so just enjoy the wedding planning journey(you only do it once!) and leave it all behind you on your wedding day

My thoughts... Spring for a private dinner and just choose a cheaper "cocktail" like menu since there is free room service and other food at the resort that your guests will be able to eat, you don't have to really over feed your guests like at a typical reception. The El Cocotal dinner we used as our welcome dinner and they only let you have 8 people to a table and your mixed in with other resort guests so it feels awkward. We also went to the Guacamayas Bar after our dinner and then that way we didn't have to pay for a DJ or dance floor(we used an ipod player to play music for dinner) I think Gazebo 55 is the best for privacy and scenery. The white gazebo on the beach is right beside the smelly salt water pool and the main walking/golf cart path...so not it's not very private.

ONEILL12...When I was there in Dec2010 they didn't have false eyelashes or glue but we had brought our own to the spa and our makup girls applied them for us. As for sunscreen, the only time you need special kind is at places like Xel-Ha b/c they don't want the chemicals killing the sea life(they will provide you with small packets of it) so at the resort you'll be fine with normal sunscreen. I also pre tanned(I know, so bad, but it was just this one time!) and avoided just laying in the sun until after my wedding. As for bad reviews online...I personally have never stayed somewhere as nice as EDR and I have done a fair bit of travelling around the world. I think if you've stayed in any Mexican/DR/Cuba AI before, you'll find EDR way above in food, service and the resort overall. There will always be little things you wish were better or different: some of our guests told us they had rock hard, uncomfortable beds & some had super comfy beds, some raved of amazing food & some complained of weird dishes, so things will never be perfect! It is an amazing place that made us feel like we were living in the lap of luxury for 2 weeks, so we chose to look past the small hiccups and enjoy the resort. I'd go back in a heartbeat

If it makes you happy and you can afford it, get a new dress and the use the shortened one to do a trash the dress session!

I bought some pretty paper bags to put our "Hangover kit" stuff in from Michael's that came in a set of 13 for $5. I know some people are looking for "beach bags" but I just couldn't justify the price and I figured most girls already had their own.

If you know anyone who works in a doctors office or at a spa/laser clinic you can ask for some of their samples. Thats how I got little advil packs and sample size aloe for FREE!!

Our group loved the Mexican apps(we had Mexican donkey cocktail hour)...in fact I never saw them they were eaten so fast! Lol! We also had the BBQ buffet and it was good too. I don't know what La Glorieta is, but the Health bar is a good outdoor location since it is close to the beach and some washrooms and far enough away from any restaurants that it feels private still. The pool and thatch roof make it pretty too.

I get the feeling that, like most big corporations, Karisma is trying to nickel and dime every guest and bride. When I was married there Dec2010 I only had to pay that $5/guest fee if I required the resort to put out my decor items. Obviously they are trying to force couples into buying/renting their stuff or pay the fee. Really uncool and a scam I feel. And I'm not sure how they will "police" that rule since my WC was gone as soon as the tables and linens were set up(according to my friends that decorated for us) and I never saw her at the recption at all! Quote: Originally Posted by Goldielochs47 I am so annoyed. Paid for my room last week for my DW to EDR and now my Travel Agent is telling me that the Free Anniversary Package is not included if I have my vow renewal, specifically a wedding can not be combined with the "free anniversary package. I feel so duped!!!!!! And on top of that EDR sent me my invoice which stated that if "Additional decor brought by the wedding party will have a $5.00 per person. WTH!!! I just wanted a simple vow renewal for my 25th anniversary. I know I read on here that other brides were able to bring some decoration and have their friends put it out at no additional charge!

I'm not a bride anymore, but I am from Edmonton and got married almost 2 years ago in El Doroado Royale, Mexico...hopefully I can lend some answers! And Congrats and happy planning to you all! DW is the best idea ever!! People still talk about our wedding and compare it to every Edm one we go to! I had mine done at Urban Retreat in the west end. You can't have any tanned skin lasered and it does take months to get all your treatments in but the results were good for my wedding. I still don't have to wax my bikini area, however my underarms didn't take as well and within 6 months I was back to shaving. I had no problem with my "hangover kits" getting thru Mexican customs. They are mostly looking for illegal drugs and any fruits/plants so you should be ok but check the Jamacia government website for their rules.

My mom got hers at Bellissama(they have a few stores in Edmonton) and it looked so nice on her! She also got one for my brothers in town wedding from Laura Petites(she is 5'2!).

I didn't really want a train but the dress I loved had that gigantic one! It ended up being a non issue and looked great in photos. My wedding party and Citla helped me move it around for photos and then I had my seamstress add a bustle so when the cocktail hour started my sister crawled under the back of my dress(good sis!) and pinned it up for me. I was good to go dance the night away!

Sorry Janet, I haven't been on for sooo long to reply to you, but it is called Maple Leash www.mapleleash.com

Citlali of Claudia Photo was the most amazing photographer EVER!! Book her if you can! In my review of her on this websitehttp://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/claudiaphoto-wedding-photography/reviews/4212 you can see some of her photos or on her blog and you can see how the rock wall looks too. I liked it because it made for some great crashing wave photos! And I love the picture of me standing on the rock wall with the ocean in the background! We only booked her for 3 hours so ceremony, some time for photos and then she left mid cocktail hour. I wish I would have booked her longer(but you know how budgets go!), she is an amazing artist and so nice! http://www.citlallirico.com/blog/archives/2761

Married life is mostly amazing, sometimes frustrating but always changing! Lol!!

Feel free to ask questions instead of reading all 200+ pages, the answers may be different now anyways! I agree with the other girls, Gazebo 55 and Tucannes are the way to go! And book fast so you don't miss out on them. Having a private dinner is worth the extra cost so you can have some privacy and do things like, decorate, speeches, dance, slideshow or whatever traditions you want to incorporate. If you have dinner in a restaurant they won't let your group even sit together let alone do anything else. PS Casitas are amazing! I want to live there forever!! 10 days will be heaven for you

I haven't been on here in a few months since my wedding was 1 1/2 ago, but I love checking in from time to time to see how all the EDR brides are doing! I'm excited for you all and wish I was there again!! It's so beautiful and relaxing I saw some of you posting about Valeria not allowing you to have friends/family set up decor you bring anymore. That seems really unfair(aka money grab), but I have a feeling that if your friends show up to the recption area an hour before the event, they can set up stuff no problem. I found that anything I did once I was there, I wasn't charged extra for since I had already been issued an invoice and paid(we needed some extra chairs and got extra time with the donkey).

This id Domo, my "Knight in Shining Armour"! My husband and I run an online dog clothing company so this is just one of his many outfits!! Lol!! If anyone ever needs puppy clothes or even doggie wedding tuxes/dresses let me know!!

We had the Mexican Donkey Cocktail party between our ceremony and reception so our guests had something to eat and do while we finished up photos. Everyone loved the mexican fingerfood and the donkey was the highlight! We went to Guacamayas after our private reception got shut down at 11pm and it was an ok place to go. I wish we could have stayed at our private event all night, but I guess their staff has to take down for the next day. Are you planning on just taking your group to a restaurant for dinner? Be aware that you will not be allowed to sit together, have speeches, music or a cake then. It is nicer if you can get a private area for dinner/dancing, and it can be done on a tight budget. They have some cheaper options for food(like the BBQ buffet) and all the food at EDR is amazing so you can't go wrong. Then you and your guests will get to have that wedding feel and enjoy each others company(everyone did travel so far!) and you can cut costs by not hiring a dj and using an ipod.Then you can choose your music style too! Just my opinion and it is what we did for our wedding, and everyone loved it!

About beach bar as a hang out between ceremony and reception...I'm guessing you mean the bar at Jo Jo's? It would be a great place to get drinks and there are lots of couches and bar stools there. Plus it is pretty central and on a main path. Both big pools, fuentes and la isla have music and games going on at different parts of the day(all the other pools are quiet!) The resort staff put on beach volleyball games, archery competitions, pool water balloon fights and lots of fun games, our guests loved them! We also had a little i pod player and used it at the beach and pools when our group was together and we just made sure we weren't bothering other resort guests.