El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

Hi all - Has anyone had or been to EDR's "free wedding reception" at El Cocotal (or Las Fuentes)? I'm a bit concerned about how that will all go and what to expect. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! I've also heard that some brides had some issues with Lomas Travel and the wedding coordination, in general. Most importantly, I have heard snippets of being charged for things that were supposed to have been included.... Again, any feedback on this is welcomed!

I am getting married there in a less than 3 months, so I can't answer your question about being charged for extra things... I hope not! But, I did talk to another bride who did the El Cocotal free reception. She said that they did a nice job of grouping all her tables together in a corner, but its not totally private. I believe that they also make you narrow down the full menu to 2 entree options. We are having a private reception by the Tucanes pool... the BBQ Deluxe. It costs $53 a per person, but I think our guests will appreciate the extra private event. EDR also has options for private cocktail parties that are cheaper.

I have also heard that people have had problems Lomas. I have not yet. The WC, Monica, is responsive over email and if I email her to call me, she does call that same day. I also got an email from another bride that got married there on 7/7/07... she raved that every detail was taken care of and that EDR was fabulous. Hope that helps calm your nerves... it did mine!

Let me know if I can help with any other questions

Yes, that most definitely does help a little to hear positive things! And every little bit helps! We would prefer to have a private event, but we're already going to have a private event Welcome Dinner (the one with the donkey wearing the sombrero). I've had a few emails with Monica and so far, she has been pleasant and responsive. However, we had our wedding booked (including telling her where we'd like to have the ceremony and what kind of private event we'd like to have) since January and she just asked me today about our location and private event - if we'd like to pick those yet! Yikes! But I do think that if I stay in contact with her and document everything, things should go just fine. Thanks!

I haven't dealt with Monica. I was dealing with Monica, but apparatently she was promoted and now I am dealing with Valeria.

I have had to reiterate myself a few times as well - but I think you are right - so long as you take down your emails, you should be fine.

We are planning on doing a private reception dinner (alsot the BBQ deluxe). I really wanted in an open air facility, but it may not work for us. We can have it at Tucanes if we have under 50 people. or if we have 64+ in house guests we can have it at La Isla. but if we have in between 50 and 64 guests - then there is no open air option - this is the only real thing I have been disappointed about!

If you don't mind me asking, what wedding packages has everyone gone with?

There seems to be high turn-over rate for the wedding coordinators there. First there was Faith (who I had heard was pretty good), then Monica and now Valeria. Hopefully they're all good. Regarding the package, we're just going to get the "Free" Sweet Wedding Package that includes the honeymoon package since we'll be staying in a casita and having guests book at least 5 other rooms. Regarding the receptions, we're going to have a Wecome Reception the night before our wedding - we chose to have the Mexican Cocktail Party (complete with the donkey wearing the sombrero). We are also opting to have the free dinner at El Cocotal, but may move the party to another location for the dark chocolate fondue and wedding cake party so we can have our dancing during that less expensive private event (my understanding is that costs $14/person + $288 for the cake). Hopefully there will be some other options.

I must say that I posed a lot of general planning/cost questions to Monica between last night and today and she most definitely has been stepping up. she's been responsive, friendly, and very informative. My mind can be changed if there's something to back it up! Now I'm feeling much better about things!

Glad to hear that Monica is stepping it up. I found that with Valeria as soon as she started a few weeks ago as well.

With the free wedding package - were you asked to pay a $100 deposit? We were. Reilly thought it was super weird to pay it, considering it is a 'free' wedding - and they had no idea what we were planning on doing with the wedding (ie have more then 12 guests)

I didn't think too much about it - and just paid it, since we are having a larger wedding - I knew it would go towards something! But it does make me curious!

Yes, we also had to pay the $100 deposit, but (and I could be wrong here), but I believe that will be credited towards our stay?

We also had to pay a $100 deposit and were told that it would go toward our other expenses, like flowers, etc.

We are doing the Mexican Donkey party also!

I did find out that if you hire the hotel photographer, listed as $500... that is only for 1 hour! That is not very long and his work is not very good. Has anyone else used them and can we see any pics

Since you brought up photographers... You think they would classify friends that are at the wedding, staying at the same resort (who happen to be photographers) as outside photographers? My thinking was that if they are staying there and invited to the wedding, they shouldn't be able to contest it.