TheWolferts

When my mom got remarried, she had a tiered cake stand with cupcakes on them for guests and at the top of the cake, had their small cutting cake. Quote: Originally Posted by WildAngel09 Did any of you ladies do cupcakes instead of a cake? We have ordered ours from GiGi's cupcakes, but Im wondering what we do as far as "cutting the cake" and what about that anniversary tradition where you eat the top layer? Any help?

Our dads wore the same suit the groom and GMs wore. I thought about having the Groom wear a tiffany blue tie, and the dads wearing a cobalt blue (our wedding colors), but it was 92 degrees on our wedding day, so Im glad we nixed that idea. They were all warm enough in jackets and suits!

Thanks! We did not bring our vases with us, I found a similar set up with pink roses on the Lomas website and I think they quoted me $180 per table so that included the 3 vases, candles, flower pedals and them setting them up. We had 8 tables, so I couldnt see how we were gonna bring down that many vases without breaking any! The colored water goblets were a b*tch to get! They have them at other restaurants at EDR, but they told me that they had to ship them in special and that it would cost $8 per glass to RENT!! So... we paid it I think that was my one illogical bridal demand, but what can I say... I had a vision! The chair covers were $3 per chair and the table clothes were the Tiffany blue satin table cloth that were $40 per table. I kinda lucked out on that because they were supposed to be $50 per table, but she had originally quoted me $40 so I called the WC on it and she said it was her mistake so she gave them to us for $40. We brought down our table cards and table numbers, menus, small scented candles as well and they charged us $40 for that event to set those items up. I think on the reception we spent $2750 for the below items. Set up fee $40.00 Centerpeicees $840.00 Reception food/cost total $870.40 Tablecloths $280.00 Blue glasses $336.00 Chair Covers $126.00 Wedding Cake $80.00

Goldie- We had 40 guests. Here are some pics of our set up for our reception at Salon Dorado:

Valeria was my WC as well, but we worked with Christine from DW.com for our travel needs. I will try to post some pics of our reception set up later this evening. As for the anniversary package, I know my contract states it's specifically a first anniversary stay, but that is crappy if they told you otherwise.

I LOVED all of the food we ordered for our private events! For our cocktail party we had: Grilled scallops with seared spinach $ 3.00 USD per piece Lobster medallion on brioche toast $ 4.00 USD per piece Mini chicken skewers with marinated soy sauce $ 2.00 USD per piece Spinach and Ricotta parcels $ 2.00 USD per piece Seafood ceviche in mini taco shell $ 3.00 USD per piece For our rehearsal dinner at Tucanes we had (one of my fav meals of the trip!): For our reception at Salon Dorado we had: Starter: Vanilla-rum flambed mexican shrimp,mix lettuce bouquet withmango vinaigrette Entree options we gave guests: Seared Mahi-Mahi fillet,with saffron risotto,zucchini gratin in tomato sauce Petite filet mignon and Caribbean Lobster, goat cheese potato gratin honey-shallot-pinot noir sauce Desert: Bittersweet chocolate mousse and passion fruit crème brule, mango coulis We had a small cutting cake for the tradition and it was actually quite tasty! We were hesitant to get a big cake since my cousin, who got married at EDR, strongly advised against it since she said hers was quite stale and barely anyone ate it. Maybe since we ordered a "specialty" flavor (carrot cake), they made ours fresh?? Quote: Originally Posted by riz157 Hi Ladies, I'm hosting a private reception and wanted to get opinions on what you thought were the best apps/ entrees? Also, I'm thinking of having the welcome cocktail party at the health bar or La glorieta.... Thought? Thanks!

Goldielochs47- I think the anniversary package is specifically a first anniversary thing, as I was told we had to use our free anniversary package within one year of us getting married and we have to provide our marriage certificate. I think I snuck in as one of the last brides that was able to convince EDR to not charge me $5 per event per person for set up. I think other brides with future wedding dates have been having issues with bringing your own decor. What TA and WC are you working with?

We dealt with a lot of negativity and actually sent out an email addressing guests' concerns. We wrote it in a comedic way and actually provided some articles about how the violence/crime in Mexico is actually not even as close to as bad as some cities in the US. We also made sure we put some Tums in our OOT bags and I made my doctor write me a prescription for antibiotics in case I got sick while down there. I think maybe one person in our 42 guests had issues. It happens, but it's not as common as everyone thinks.

I completely understand with the close friends and family throwing the "we cant afford it" but in all actuality, they could afford it, they just chose to take vacations elsewhere... and then post the pics of facebook... of their multiple vacations... It's very frustrating and I remember it never got easier for me to handle. My husband kept saying he wish I didnt take it personally, but how can you not?! Close friends or family choosing to not share one of the most important days of your life because they dont feel like it. I am still a little peeved at some of the people we invited, but what can you do? Just remember that the people who care about you most and have the finances will be there!

Our travel agent had to ask the hotel for our credit and it took about a month after our wedding to "process." I'd ask you TA about it now, rather than waiting, just in case they try to pull a fast one on you!

I have to say I was a bit overwhelmed with how much stuff we were bringing down pre-packing, but it really wasnt as bad as I was anticipating! I found it easiest to wrap all of my fragile items really well, using bubble wrap, paper and popcorn, then I put them in boxes, which then went in my luggage. I didnt have anything break, so it must have been sufficient packing! As for the streamers/chair decorations, I laid them flat on the bottom of my suitcase and packed the starfish seperatly, then glued them on once I got down there. I dont remember my ribbons being wrinkly, but that could have been becuz the humidity dropped the wrinkles back out! You could always iron the ribbon if they get too wrinkled on your trip down.

We are headed back for our one year anniversary! I think we are going to try another El Dorado resort though. I have already been there twice now, and I think it would be nice to visit a smaller resort since it's just me4 and my hubby visiting. Who did you book all your travel with? We booked with DestinationWeddings.com, which gave us a $750 credit towards our 1 year anniversary stay for booking a certain amount of rooms for our wedding. The resort also gives you: • Private romantic candle light dinner on the beach for the couple • Chilled bottle of domestic champagne delivered to couples room upon arrival • Couples ½ hour massage lesson • Guaranteed king-size bed • Special in room towel arrangement daily • Bathrobes for use during stay

Go to costco or Sam's club! We also found a lot of our items online on amazon.com. Try doing a google search for sample sizes or travel sizes of what you want in your OOT bags.

We too got married at Gazebo 55! We thought the location was stunning and definitely made for some great pics! With your wedding not being that far away, I would figure out which locations you want ASAP, as many of the best locations get booked up quite quickly. We actually ended up not being able to book the original wedding date we wanted because it was already reserved for another wedding and that was over a year out! We had our rehearsal dinner at Tucanes and LOVED it! We did the passed italian style dinner and it was one of the best meals I had there! We had our reception in doors at the Salon Dorado and I'd have to say, having had an event in both, I would have picked the Tucanes location for our reception! One of the only reasons we picked the indoor location was because we thought it would be too hot outside, but they didnt turn the a/c on in the venue until shortly before the event, so it wasnt as chilled as it could be and slightly musty because it had been sitting unsed and warm for some time before our wedding. Plus, people going in and out of the doors let any cold air we had out fairly quickly. People kept commenting at how sweaty I looked ( i know right, who tells the bride they look really sweaty?!), but I am quite the dancer so I was really really sweaty anyways. In hindsight, I would have chosen Tucanes as our reception site. For those of you that went to JoJos bar for your reception, did you feel weird being surrounded by people you didnt know in your wedding dress? Our onsite WC wouldnt let the wedding party go to our own cocktail party at Gazebo 55 after pictures (thats a whole other story!), so she made us wait at JoJos bar... I just felt so odd standing in my wedding dress next to some strangers in bathing suits and next to people eating dinner. I felt so out of place I was uncomfortable!

I LOVED my adorae! My husbands close cousin got married at the El Dorado Maroma about 8 months before we got married and I knew my dress was VERY similar... but I didnt want to not wear the adorae because it resembled anotehr family members dress. At first I was a little worried people would compare them, but I dont think anyone even noticed other than his cousin, who couldnt even attend the wedding. I felt so beautiful on our wedding day that I am glad I didnt sacrifice the dress of my dreams just because there might be some comparison. If you feel like the new dress will make you feel as fantastic as the adorae, then keep it, but dont sacrifice your vision and feeling just because of the similarity! In my opinion, the dress that you ended up buying looks just as similar to your friend's dress as the adorae does... If you are going to go with so similar a style with rouching, fabric, fit and flare... then you might as well go with your original choice... Just my opinion

Even if she is paying for the dress, it is her job as a BM to support you in anything you choose for YOUR wedding! If she doesnt think she can get on board with the BM dresses you pick or the make up style, then maybe she doesnt deserve to be a BM. If she is really getting crazy, you might point it out to her and hopefully she falls in line. Unless you are being a complete bridezilla, dont feel bad about going with you vision. You dont want to regret any decisions you make about your wedding because a "friend" influenced you to pick something you didnt want.