Hello Brides!!
First off, I am SO happy that I found this thread!! This has been so helpful and such a comfort in planning a wedding from far away. I've been lurking for some time now, and trying to find answers to the different questions I have, but thought I'd throw out some more questions and get your feedback!
My fiancé, Zak, and I are planning to get married at El Dorado Royale May 20, 2017. Our ceremony will be at Gazebo 55, with reception at Tucanes. We're going to send out about 100 invites, so I'm expecting somewhere around 75 guests?
We are going to be down there in a few weeks to check the place out and meet with your WC, Paulina. So far, she has been good to deal with and usually responds within a day or two and has answered my questions so far. I'll have a detailed list of questions to ask her in person, but I wanted to find out if there are any questions you recommend that I ask when I see her? Also, in terms of 'negotiating', what are some things that you recommend that I try and negotiate? I have no clue what I can or can't negotiate!
Ok, now for some more questions :-)
DECOR:
I love the resort, the grounds, etc. My one caveat is that I really want to 'personalize' the reception site in terms of decorations. I checked out the Lomas decorations. They are pretty, but not the look I was going for specifically. Plus I had read that going through them for decor was expensive.
The look I'm going for-rustic, with a LOT of lights. I have this vision of stringing an obscene amount of lights up to the point in the palapa. Any suggestions on where to get the lights-should I rent? Buy when I get down there? The amount of lights I want may not be possible to bring down from here in the states, plus what to do with them when we're all done?
I would also love rustic wood tables instead of tables with tablecloths, chair covers, etc. I'll keep the tables simple-small bouquet of flowers, lots of candles. That I figured I could bring down or buy for cheap.
Some brides had mentioned using Love and Lace, so I will definitely check that out. Do I rent from them, and then have the resort set it up for a fee? Anyone else have experience with renting decorations from around Playa Del Carmen?
I had also considered even hiring an outside planner/event designer that I trusted to show her some pictures and let her go with it so that I wouldn't have to worry about it (I'm not a very good DIY-er! :-) Has anyone had experience with this, and is it worth it?
Also, has anyone had experience with an outside florist? I'm wanting simple/cheap bouquets that I feel like I could do myself or have someone from the resort do. I want wild flowers/succulents/whatever is cheap, tied together with something rustic and simple.
Everything else (ceremony site, etc) I'm not going to be picky about. I'll try and keep it simple.
HAIR
I know that I'll be picky about my hair. I'm going to set up a trial-run with the Styling Trio when I'm down there in a few weeks. I wanted someone to be able to come to the room, plus I liked their examples. I'm a little nervous going with someone at the salon, as I've read a lot of mixed reviews. Any thoughts from anyone who has used their services before, or gone with someone else?
Welcome Dinner
I read somewhere back a few years ago (sorry I forget the user who posted! ) that one bride had a BBQ welcome dinner in lieu of a rehearsal dinner. I don't know if this is a possibility, but I would love to be able to do a BBQ/bonfire welcome dinner on the beach the night before the wedding. Has anyone been able to do this or have advice for the welcome dinner? I want something a little more casual than a sit down dinner at a restaurant, but I'm not against that either if that's you guys recommend.
Sorry for this insanely long post and all these questions!! But I definitely appreciate any advice and have LOVED all of your posts and beautiful pics of your weddings! I guess my biggest questions is: should I hire an outside wedding planner, and what are the advantages? All in all, I don't want to stress about what the reception will look like, and I REALLY don't want me or any one of my guests to have to do anything on the day of the wedding other than relax and enjoy the day! So if that means bringing in someone else, I will. Do you think the resort did a good job on the day of the wedding setting everything up and keeping the day flowing smoothly?
Thanks again for any tips and advice, and I will keep you posted with any tips and advice that I learn along the way!!
Amy
@@jhercule thanks for all of the tips and updates!! I stalked your wedding photos and they are beautiful!! My fiancé and I will be down there next Monday to do a site visit. I think I'll feel better about everything once I can see the resort in person. I'm excited about everything, except I'm worried about the decor for the reception area. I have this vision in my head of how I want it to look. I'm already planning on using Katy to rent from as well as bring down my own stuff. I told myself when I got engaged I wouldn't worry about the details and here I am stressing about the details :-) Does anyone have any info on possibly renting tables/chairs from an outside vendor? I'd love to find some wood tables that don't require any table cloths. I will post any info I learn from our site visit next Monday! Also, we have been working with Paulina as our WC and she seems to be on top of things/responsive so far, just in case anyone wanted a recommendation. Happy planning guys!