ElDorado2012

Valeria told me the set up fee if you have the resort staff set everything up is $5 per guest. I'm planning on bringing my own decorative glass votives because I found some adorable vintage-looking gold candle holders online that I think will go with my theme well. I was just going to use the resort's tea light candles, which, according to Valeria drops the cost per votive down to $1.50. I am debating if I'm going to pay the $5 fee for the set up. One plus about paying the set-up fee is that they will also take down all of your decorations and return them to you the next day. I'm assuming if you bring your own decorations, you have to take them down as well (CanadianLindsey do you know anything about that?)? I'm also curious what is "included" as far as set-up with the resort staff. CanadianLindsey - did you set up your table numbers, seating cards, etc.? Flowers would be a great way to cut corners. I want a specific flower (hydrangea) that is not "native" to the area and the centerpieces and bouquets are expensive!!! Have you already decided on your flowers? Another way to cut corners that I can see would be not to have a cocktail hour after the ceremony (were you planning on this?). My fiance and I are debating if we are going to have this. For the number of guests we will have it will cost us ~$1,500 for the hour and I'm struggling with the idea of paying this vs. just having guests head to one of the bars after the ceremony instead to save $$. Another cost-cut would be to do your own (and have your bridesmaids do their own) hair and makeup... Stina9562 - how many guests are you having? What are your ceremony and reception sites? Happy planning!!

Marissasmum - I can't wait to see the pictures!! Please post!!

Your hair looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you ladies so much for the information! angie111111 you must be so excited - your date is almost here!!! When do you leave? I can't wait to hear all about it and see some pics!

Also... Does anyone have close-up pics of their hair and/or makeup that was done at EDR? I'm trying to decide if my bridesmaids and I should just do our own or make an apt... Also, did any of you have trouble getting your bridal party over there and back for the appointments? I've read they only offer on golf cart for a ride, so not all of the bridesmaids can fit if you have a few, and I guess it's a long walk back to the regular rooms (not Casita) at the resort... Thanks!!

Did anyone do welcome cards for their guests? If so, what information did you put on them? Do you give those to the front desk when you check in, or...? Do they charge you to hand them out? Were they good about actually giving them out? Our guests will arrive on various days/times and we are having a larger wedding, so not all guests will be participating in all of the events. I'm going to want to have specific cards specific individuals and I'm wondering if that's going to be way to confusing for the resort staff... I was reading a much older post about not brushing your teeth with the water in the sink (using a water bottle instead). Is this what everyone does? Do I need to notify my guests of this? Angie1111 - you said you did the EDR bus trip to Playa. Was that something you booked once you were there or ahead of time? How much did it cost pp or is it free? Where did you go in Playa? Do you have any recommendations of bars, places to see, etc.? Thank you!!

Hey ladies! I'm getting married at the El Dorado Royale Resort in Puerto Morelos on June 30, 2012! I've been tracking hurricane Rita - it looks like it might be a category 2 by the time it hits Cancun/Riviera Maya. I'm a little nervous about what kind of erosion that will do to the beaches along the coast...does anyone have any experience/expertise to share about that? I was reading that hurricane Wilma (2005) was a category 4 when it hit and I know that did extensive damage to the beaches... I really hope category 2 storms don't do nearly as much damage! My thoughts are with everyone who has a wedding scheduled there this week! Soooo stressful!

I just saw that!! marissasmum posted that her daughter's wedding is today! I'm sure it's cloudy (I don't think the hurricane hits them directly until Thurs.), but hopefully they were still able to get all of the festivities in before the major rain/storm hits!

Thank you for the great information!!! I think the idea of having maracas and personalized coozies sounds so cute!!! I'll definitely look into DJ Doremixx...he sounds like a better option. TheWolferts - can you tell me which excursions you would recommend? Did you use Lomas to book those? Beekmanbride - what deep sea fishing excursion did your husband go on, was that booked through Lomas, or...? My soon-to-be father-in-law had mentioned wanting to do something like that. Have either of you ladies been at the resort (or in the area) in June? I'm curious just how hot the weather will be... I've been told it will be windy on the beach and really humid and hot throughout the resort (since the wind doesn't make it in the resort area). How windy is it at the beach? I was looking up average temps for June there and it seems like it's usually only in the 80's. I know the humidity makes it feel a lot warmer, but some people are saying it's going to be super hot and sticky and I want to make sure I prepare my guests with accurate information...plus, I won't have the groomsmen wear jackets if they are going to be dying in the heat. Beekmanbride - how did it work using your ipod for the ceremony? You just put a certain number of songs on a playlist ahead of time and then had the WC play them as you walked down? How did you coordinate the timing of everything (i.e. to have a different song playing for when you walk down vs. when the bridesmaids walk down)? It was free to have the ipod hookup and speakers? TheWolferts - you said you did a cocktail reception after the ceremony - did you do a sit-down reception too? If so, what food option did you choose? Beekmanbride - what food selections did you make for your reception? Also, (sorry I'm asking so many questions...) for the table numbers, favors, etc. that you brought, did you have the resort staff set everything up for you or did you have a guest do it? If you had the resort do it, was the fee $5 per guest? Thank you so much!!!!!

Hi everyone! I hope I am doing this right... I wasn't sure if I was supposed to post a reply as I am doing now to join this forum, or start a new thread, or... Anyways, hopefully this works! I'm getting married at EDR on June 30, 2012. We are expecting around 60 guests and having the ceremony at Gazebo 55 and reception at Tucanes. I have a bunch of questions that I'd love you to answer if anyone can! 1. Has anyone had the classical guitarist (offered by Lomas) during the ceremony? Or, has anyone heard anything about the guitarist? I'm wondering if we can request songs to be played, other than classical music... 2. It sounds like DJ Doremixx is a better DJ to go with than the DJ's Lomas Travel "prefers", is this right? Has anyone had the DJs from Lomas? 3. What did everyone do for favors? I really wanted to have personalized match boxes, however we can't fly with them or ship them overseas, so I need a new idea. 4. What are the OOT bags I've heard you all talking about? Can anyone fill me in? 5. We definitely want to go into Playa del Carmen at some point during the trip to visit the bars/clubs with some of our guests. Does anyone recommend a certain place or places to go? How did you get there - cab, or...? I'm sure I will have a bunch more questions as the date approaches. Thank you everyone!!!