Michey

Crys- I know this is not exactly what could help you, but I found a wedding video that at the end has the reception dinner and dancing on the terrace, granted it looks like the terrace of possibly the Mexican restaurant but from the pics I've seen of the steak house, they look the same size, actually the Mexican one may be smaller, but take a look to give yourself an idea of size, a video is better than a pic. http://www.vimeo.com/6695045 If this doesnt let you go to the right video, go to mangoweddings.com, click on motion, go to recent videos, find KIARA+PAUL, 2nd page and watch the video, its at the end. Again, I know this isnt exact but may help PS- have you asked about a way of getting mixed drinks, or how far the nearest bar is? There BETTER be a convenient bathroom, thats ridiculous if not!!! Michelle

Kary Congrats on your engagement!! I get married on 11/5/11. We will have 35, maybe 40, few people say they are going but not booked yet. I was told I cant have private b/c not enough people. We are having our ceremony at 4 at the San Jose Gazebo and then most likely the reception on the Steak House terrace from 6:30-11 for $1000, using the menu. Otherwise the english garden or baja norte but that is $500 plus per person plate. The management used to be more soft on the rules allowing under 60 for private but new boss doesn't allow it. You must have 60 for private event. You can use the terrace of the steak house ($500 8:30-11 or $1000 6:30-11)and still have a dance floor and dj and still use the regular menu. If you use the beach or baja norte its per plate. If you get 60 you can rent restaurant for $1800. Keep in mind all the places are very limited with type of drinks, no mixed drinks unless you pay $15 per person. Hoped I answered everything, let me know if you need anything else. Happy planning! Michelle

I'm having them put on. I want them to last the entire trip. The place I go to has 2 types 1 that lasts 1-2 weeks for $35 and 1 that lasts 4 weeks for $70. I tried the $35 ones and they looked good but they are not each individual, they are glued on in little bunches of 5 so the glue felt thick and I kept playing with them, looking, even close though you couldnt tell. For the wedding I want the singles so I have no worries. Anyone have experience with hair extensions? Ive used the clip ons in the past but want the ones that stay in, just like the eyelashes Michelle

Crys- AND OTHER RIU PALACE BRIDES (see below for email from RIU WC) Kylene told me the same thing. Not sure if that is who emailed you. I think we need to all organize together and complain, I've read different reviews of weddings and the good and bad all came down to 1 thing...the WC, not the resort or anything else, just WC. But at the same time where does that get us but more stressed and the WC hating us and making our special days horrible. Right now I only have 35 guests. I know I don't want the beach cause, as pretty as it is, its messy, and if anywhere lights are needed, that is one!! I am wondering how they let us use the terrace on the Don Julio or San jose and let us have dancing/DJ, seems like it would be too loud. But that is what the email she sent me says I can do, plus it lets us keep the menu food and not need to go per person. Crys- You are having such a unique wedding, so different than the average, a gorgeous resort, your guests do not know the different options that are (or not) available to you, they will be amazed at what you have, if you focus on what you cant have they will too but if you are confident in what you get, they wont even know any different. Very few have ever gone to such a elaborate event like your wedding, you wont disappoint anyone. Don't let this get to you, its Mexico, you know they do things much more layed back than we do, I cant imagine all the BRIDES they have stressed out. HERE IS AN EMAIL FROM WC FOR ALL TO STUDY FOR OPTIONS, HOPE THIS HELPS OTHERS: Dear Michelle: Sorry for not answering back before. We've been really busy with weddings taking place in site right now. We start working with brides 2 months or month and a half before the wedding day. I'll answer your questions right now, and I'll send some information for you to begin studying everything. We do not book places until we are getting near the date, this is due to operational matters, but you still will have an idea of what you can use or do for that day. 1. We are not able to have DJ or music on the semi private dinners which are offered on our wedding packages. I you wish to have music for your reception dinner and reading you are having a group of 40 people, I can recommend the San Jose Terrace which you can rent for $500.00 USD for one sitting, or $1,000.00 for both sittings. You may also have the beach or the Baja Norte Terrace for a $500.00 USD site fee, but here you would have to pay for a private menu per person, against the San Jose Terrace, where you may have the restaurant's menu. 2. I'm attaching the file for private places for you to study, to close a whole restaurant we need at least 60 people for the $1,800.00 USD site fee. If you don't have that quantity of guests, the San Jose, the Don Julio Terraces, the Baja Norte, the Beach or the English Garden can work. 3. For ceremonies, we offer 3 different places: the beach, the San Jose Gazebo and the Spa Gazebo. I personally don't offer the Spa Gazebo, since it is just besides the Santa Fe pool, and is very noisy. San Jose Gazebo is very private and quiet. The beach is a nice place, but you have the guests of the Baja Norte pool watching the entire ceremony. (I'm attaching some pictures) 4. For the spa (makeup, hair, etc) please contact Paula Casas from Renova Spa, she will be able to assist you to confirm appointments: [email protected] For Mango Productions (photo and video packages) you can contact Daniela Buenrostro: [email protected] For DJ information give me sometime to give you the information, the vendor we work with has told me about staff changing and I'm waiting on who will be in charge of working with Riu as contact for information for our events. 5. Our packages offer 2 flower medallions which are used on the ceremony set up, and then they are used on the ceremony set up. Packages include the brides bouquet and the grooms boutonnier. Flowers included on packages are: roses, lilies, gerbers, stargazers, and some others depending on the season. We do not offer any other kind of decoration. If you want to bring things to decor your reception dinner or the ceremony, you may bring all items, and we'll help you with the set up. Kind regards, Kylene Valle Operations Manager Gerente Operaciones Meetings, Incentives & Social Events HAPPY PLANNING!!! MICHELLE 11/5/11 RIU PALACE BRIDE

I finally got info!! Do you need information on flowers? I can send you what I got on them. If do give me your email. This blog isn't great at letting us put attachments. Crys and her mom gave me all the info from the resort, they are amazing, too kind. They forwarded me all correspondence and all attachments of prices and options. So anything you need I can send to you. Michelle

I'm worried that people are getting things booked and I haven't been able to get info about each available site to even decide. If other weddings are taking place that day, they may have been able to pick their sites and now limited available. I love this website for all the info but at this point I am worried about the resort I picked, if they pick who they give their time to, and ignore the others. Cant they just email me info, not cal me or anything, Send a set sheet that they give to everyone. I want my flowers a specific way so I may order those high end silk flowers "real touch" but want to know what the resort offers in their package first. Not even sure what DJ to contact, I really want a set playlist so I dont mind using an ipod but I still need sound system and would like someone to watch and control the setup/ transition of songs. Can't believe that they think its normal not to contact me until 2 months prior.

Hi Ladies! I just found this website today and have been on it all day trying to learn from all of you. I even sent some of you messages in other forums. My name is Michelle, I am getting married at the RIU Palace in Cabo San Lucas on November 5, 2011. So far, STD were sent in feb. They were postcard style. I ordered my dress, just came in today, Ill try to upload a pic My fiance found his tan linen suit but not shirt for underneath. Still trying to get my bridesmaids dresses picked, freaking me out that they are not. Ordered invites but havent sent them yet. They are actual Message in bottle invites, soooo pretty Had a company make me a custom logo for us to use on stationary for itineraries or welcome letters, they also make decals I ordered welcome bags and ordered several items to go in them. custom big gulp type mugs, since its all inclusive we can fill our mugs, A "Couple" things travel bag that caries suntan lotion, lip balm and hand santizer, custom made hot sauce and more. only fear is people upset they need to fit this in their luggage going home Not doing full centerpieces cuz sounds like not much room on tables so bought mini starfish and shells to scatter across table. Not set on beach reception or Mexican rest/terrace but do want San Jose Gazebo for ceremony Also not sure of DJ or just iPod Any suggestions? Michelle

I'm getting married at the Riu Palace November 5, 2011. Just found this website. Kinda worried that everyone has so much planned and I am behind. I've been trying to get a hold of the wedding planner at Riu but they(Adriana) said they dont contact the brides until 2 months prior to event. I need some questions answered just for my other planning to finish. Any advise? Michelle

Sorry to add another name to your list but can you send me that link [email protected] I have been trying to get a hold of someone at Riu for 3 weeks. Finally Adriana answered and said we dont contact brides until 2 months prior, but I have seen other brides on this blog have heard from them prior. My wedding 11/5/11. I need a few answers just for planning colors and such. Thanks, Michelle

My name is Michelle, My wedding is 11/5/11 Can you send me that pic of the steak house? So much to organize. I know I'm gonna need an open bar, my friends and family will want it more than the food. We have 40 people..at $15 pp, still much better than a wedding here in the states.

Hello, My name is Michelle I am getting married at the Riu Palace in Cabo, November 5. I really hope we can all learn and gather ideas from each other. The only thing I have set as far as the resort is we are in on of the 4 roof top jacuzzi suites and I am sooo excited. I think we want to have the ceremony at the Gazebo, not wearing flip flops and my dress is still a little formal for the beach. As for reception area, not sure at all, the terrace sounds great. Also, not sure as to have a DJ or just iPod, love the idea of having set music but might be alot of work to just have iPod. Any suggestions?

No one has replied to me from Riu. My wedding is 11/5/11. I sent 2 emails as well as my "Destination Weddings" planner. Its been over 2 weeks now and no reply. I asked about info on the different reception sites, allowed music options and flowers. No response. I cant continue with my color combos and such with out this info. My group planner said her name was Kai? anyone have her, maybe I can ask for Kylene.