rpingree001

It's been awhile since there has been a review on El Dorado Royale. Any brides who were married there this past summer and fall have any new tips for us up and comers?

I'm using Claudia Photo for my pictures and from her website, she looks fantastic! Best to pick that early though because the resort preferred photographers book up. And yes, I did receive a group discount for having a certain number of guests. That applied towards room rates and towards private functions of the wedding. It is definitely worth while. Good luck and happy planning!!

One thing they can offer that you can't get on your own is a payment plan for your guests to pay for their package through. My guests were able to hold their room with a deposit and pay out the remainder as they chose - up until 2 months before the wedding. When your on a budget - this is a wonderful option so people can start planning without having to come out of pocket all at once. My experience with DW has been great and she has even helped me with some of the wedding planning when I was in need. For me, they are worth it.

60 minutes of Boot Camp at the gym - 3 days a week. Kicking my bootie into shape!!

While I do not agree with Priscilla, I can appreciate that she was honest (and tried to be respectful). Personally, I would prefer not to have someone handle my ceremony if they were against what I was doing. You will have a much better experience with someone who does not have such strong beliefs against it.

I'm getting married there on 1/8/11 - so we will probably see you there!! From what I've read on this site - Gazebo 55 is the venue of choice (reserve it quickly). Its on the beach and the only location that will not have the sandbags in your wedding pictures. Its also very private and can accomodate a large number of people. I would also get your reception location nailed down as I waited too long and the perfect location to fit my group was already booked. Happy planning and see you there!

We are having our Welcome Reception at the Health Bar but its not big enough to handle the sit down dinner, DJ, and dancing. So they have offered up a location that is on the other side of Tucanes - called La Glorieta. No idea whether its good or not but I guess we'll see once we get down there. But agree, I would have changed the date had I known about the other booking but by the time I found it, we already had guests booked. I just assumed they had multiple locations that could handle parties of this size. Good luck with yours!!! 50 is a great crowd!

I am doing 1 bag per couple and 1 bag per single too. Makes the most sense. Guys don't generally care about the actual "bag". I am including smaller items - like the pepto, advil, antibacterial, bandaids, etc. and a few fun items like crosswords, koozie, monogrammed golf balls (we're golfers), water gun, welcome newsletter, a post card with spanish phrases on it, and a favor box of our wedding color m&m's. Â Not a huge amount but enough to say "thank you!".

I recently stayed at the Royal in May as I was doing my scouting and it is a beautiful resort but I will say - the weddings are not entirely private. I have some pics at home that I will send you later of a wedding going on while I was there. The wedding ceremony was just in front of the main pool and bar area so all of the people who had been drinking all day were shoved against the end of the pool watching the ceremony. Nothing wrong with that - but people can be noisy sometimes and they were hooting and hollering at the bride as she walked by (alcohol tends to highten the lungs). For that reason, I chose against having my wedding there as I want something more private. Â They do the same thing with the outside massages - they are right in front of the pool and restaurant so everyone can see you as your trying to relax. Â But - I still can't say enough about how great the service was and how beautiful the resort is. Gorgeous rooms! Highly recommend getting the swim up suites so you can guarrantee yourself a lounger and pool floatie. Â Good luck! Â

Glad to hear someone else is having issues with Priscila as its extremely frustrating. I've been trying to get a reception location for over 2 weeks now and definitely starting to freak out and that online chat thing on the website is never online anymore! I understand its Mexico and they run at a different pace but its ridiculous considering the amount of money they are making off of these weddings. Â

I am using a different group but my deal is Bride & Groom count towards the group rate AND we are switching rooms for the honeymoon to something nicer and that reservation counts too - so in that case, Bride & Groom count twice towards the group number. Â

Yes, trying not to be Bridezilla but just want to nail down the basics and yes, agreed - going through e-mail is tough. I'm usually fairly patient but every once in awhile! Â My wedding is in January and the only reason I had a top choice is from reviews on here; otherwise, I'm open to locations but I'm just having difficulty with the WC providing them. She piece meals me information and says - what about this location? I'm like - just send me the entire list of options of available locations for a group my size and I'll go from there. These are times when the site visit would be nice. She finally e-mailed me last night and gave me yet one more option and I think it will actually work. All is well again! :-) Â When is your wedding? Have you got everything squared away? Are you having a DJ or doing the ipod station? Â

So my WC went MIA last Thursday, right after telling me that my reception location was booked and trying to get me to reserve a different location that is no where near what I said I wanted. I asked her to send me a list of my options so I can make an informed decision based on everything that is available. No response. Now I'm freaking out on everything else that I would like to have as it may be booked too! I asked her months ago about getting things reserved so they wouldn't be booked and no response. Â This is so frustrating!!! I hate doing all of this via email!

My set up included me paying the deposit as well if my guests did not book within 30 days of setting up the site. I pushed everyone that was important to me to get their reservations and deposits in before the 30 days was up and any rooms I had left over in my block, I cancelled so I wouldn't have to fund the deposit. Now any additional guests can still book a trip at the group rates but I don't have to fund their deposit. As long as you have the minimum amount booked within the 30 days, your all good and just release the extras. I think my minimum number was 10 rooms.

What day? I'm the 8th! Which wedding coordinator are you working with? How many guests are you expecting? Â My biggest issues have been trying to pick the photographer, whether or not to have a DJ, and reception location. I would recommend picking your ceremony location and reception location ASAP (if you haven't already) so you get the spot you want. I waited too long and now my reception location is already booked so trying to figure out another perfect spot.

Does anyone have a complete listing (with pictures would be nice) of the various locations offered for wedding receptions at El Dorado Royale? I am trying to accommodate a private dinner and reception for approximately 40 people. We are having a dinner and dancing so need a spot large enough. I would like a location that is outside but not on the beach so we aren't all wind blown and dealing with shoes or no shoes. Tucanes is what I wanted but its apparently already booked. Â They keep throwing undesireable options at me one at a time so I would like to just know what all of the options are. Â Anyone know of other locations for private dinner / dancing at EDR? Â Thanks!

Week 2 of Boot Camp. However, have gained weight since starting. Hope that changes quick!

I wish the same thing too! I actually just booked him for our reception as he is still very reasonable compared to others. Was going to do the ipod thing but realized there would be no one to make the announcements and change the music to the right songs when necessary. I hear he is worth it!

I am getting my bridesmaids Coach wristlets for gifts - roughly $60 to $100 each. I figure these are great for the trip so they can carry cash, camera, and lipsticks while still having a cute, stylish purse. Then you can still use it at home for nights out on the town when you dont' want to lug a big purse!

So after debating back and forth between Ipod docking station and a DJ - I've decided to hire a DJ for the reception as I was worried about who would do all the announcements and get people dancing. The EDR wedding options include a DJ but its $1,500! That is absolutely outrageous!! I asked for more information on this DJ to help justify such an astronomical fee and was told the information on the website was it (which is pathetic). I am now looking outside of the hotel at several DJ's and found DJ Doremixx for a reasonable price. Has anyone used them at EDR and if so, thoughts? Â I think EDR charges such an outrageous fee because they want you to go elsewhere and then they get the $500 vendor fee for doing absolutely nothing. Even paying this fee - my DJ services will still be less than the hotel DJ fees. That does not make any sense to me. Â Any thoughts on DJ Doremixx or has anyone used the DJ services at the hotel itself? Â Thanks!

Finally used the right search words and found a bunch of threads on this! Thank you!!

I'm debating on DJ versus IPOD docking station and leaning towards DJ in order to have someone orchestrate the announcements, etc. For those of you who have or are hiring a dj for your wedding reception - what kind of pricing are we talking about for a 4 hour reception? What have your girls seen or received out there? Â Particularly in the Riviera Maya region. Â Thanks!!

So for those of you using an ipod docking station - how do you handle the introductions, announcements, first dances, etc.? Are you designating one of your guests or wedding party to handle or does the hotel wedding coordinator handle?

Thank you!!! I just got online to Vista and ordered this sign for FREE!! Also ordered some postcards with Handy Spanish Phrases on them that were also free. Just paid shipping!! Love Vista Print!! Â

WoW!! What an incredible thread. So many inspiring items I don't even know where to begin. An amazing amount of work into your wedding and I'm in awe. I'm sure your guests were very appreciative of your efforts! I especially love the picture people for the tables. Â Again, great job and I'll have to save this thread for future reviews!