ROYAL PLAYA DEL CARMEN BRIDES: were kids allowed for the day? ...and other questions

[jayne3383]

Hi girls!  I am having my wedding on December 8th, and I am getting into the throws of planning.  I am really glad to have this form.  Thanks for all the great information!  

 

I had a few questions for you girls to help plan my budget...

 

What are your girls thinking about or have done for center pieces for cocktail hour?  

I want to add an hour to my reception. I noticed the price is $10/person for an additional hour, but one document I received also lists $10/person for extra hour of open bar.  So is the extra hour of reception or $10 or $20/person?

I am confused on how much the standard cake cost.  Is it per person or for the entire cake?  I am probably going with the "free wedding," and on the checklist on received, it looks like the standard cake is $5/person.  It might be cheaper to get a couture cake since I am expecting approx 40-50 guest.

I really appreciate some input!  

[kellygrrrl]

hi jayne - wanted to take a shot at some of your questions:

 

* re centerpieces, I'd estimate about $75 per table for a lower-end real floral centerpiece (assuming 7 - 8 guests per table). there is a centerpiece forum on here where everyone shares their ideas. some girls are bringing glass vases and decorations with them, others are going through outside florists. there is a complete array of choices.

 

* on the reception extra hour, I thought it was a flat fee I'm not certain, but I'm assuming that it's $10pp for the extra hour, and an additional $10pp for the open bar, so the total would be $20pp. I thought there was a flat fee (like $350 - $400), but maybe that was only in the past.

 

* the cake cost is $5/resort guest for cake AND champagne. if you choose to get the couture cake, I'm thinking you'll also have to pay the champagne fee (it's likely it would still be $5pp - the Royal doesn't credit back anything you change). depending on the package you select. the couture cakes are around $200, and you'll pay an extra $50 if you want different flavors (I just found out about this one myself - sneaky sneaky). the concensus on here is the cake is largely ignored, and it's really not worth the additional fees, especially if you're planning a small wedding (I'd think that would be the only way the free wedding would be worthwhile).

 

please let us know what other questions you have. I'm hoping the brides on here can provide some additional clarification.

 

-kelly

 

 

Quote:

 

Originally Posted by jayne3383 

Hi girls!  I am having my wedding on December 8th, and I am getting into the throws of planning.  I am really glad to have this form.  Thanks for all the great information!  

 

I had a few questions for you girls to help plan my budget...

 

What are your girls thinking about or have done for center pieces for cocktail hour?  

I want to add an hour to my reception. I noticed the price is $10/person for an additional hour, but one document I received also lists $10/person for extra hour of open bar.  So is the extra hour of reception or $10 or $20/person?

I am confused on how much the standard cake cost.  Is it per person or for the entire cake?  I am probably going with the "free wedding," and on the checklist on received, it looks like the standard cake is $5/person.  It might be cheaper to get a couture cake since I am expecting approx 40-50 guest.

I really appreciate some input!  

 

[deniden]

 

 

Originally Posted by jayne3383 

 

I want to add an hour to my reception. I noticed the price is $10/person for an additional hour, but one document I received also lists $10/person for extra hour of open bar.  So is the extra hour of reception or $10 or $20/person?

 

It's just $10 per Real guest, $25 per Non-Real Guest, and includes open bar.

[jayne3383]

Thanks for the input. I have decided on centerpieces for the reception.  I am just not sure what to do about cocktail hour or even if it's worth the money. 

Gkad the extra hour is $10 not $20/ person. 

[kellygrrrl]

I first thought it was excessive but then realized that while my FI and I are down on the beach taking pictures, no one will have anything to do. I didn't want people to scatter - I'd rather provide a bar and hors d'ouevres for them to stand around and chat about the ceremony or watch photos. that being said, we only have 11 people total, so it was a question of $100. given more people, I'm not sure I would have made the same decision. I probably would have nominated my mom or MOH to lead them to the lobby bar instead.
 

Originally Posted by jayne3383 

Thanks for the input. I have decided on centerpieces for the reception.  I am just not sure what to do about cocktail hour or even if it's worth the money. 

Gkad the extra hour is $10 not $20/ person. 

 

[deniden]

 

 

Originally Posted by jayne3383 

 

Thanks for the input. I have decided on centerpieces for the reception.  I am just not sure what to do about cocktail hour or even if it's worth the money. 

Gkad the extra hour is $10 not $20/ person. 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellygrrrl 

 

 

I first thought it was excessive but then realized that while my FI and I are down on the beach taking pictures, no one will have anything to do. I didn't want people to scatter - I'd rather provide a bar and hors d'ouevres for them to stand around and chat about the ceremony or watch photos. that being said, we only have 11 people total, so it was a question of $100. given more people, I'm not sure I would have made the same decision. I probably would have nominated my mom or MOH to lead them to the lobby bar instead.

 

 

 

 

We have around 50 people (including the 2 of us), we are doing a cocktail hour. My thoughts were the same as Kelly's - don't want to "lose people" while we are taking pictures, etc. I like the cohesiveness of doing the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception.

 

 

[jayne3383]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I agree that cocktail hour is a good idea for the flow of the wedding. 

 

I think my original question got lost.  I wanted to know peoples thoughts on centerpieces for the little tables set-up at the cocktail hour?

[deniden]

 

 

Originally Posted by jayne3383 

 

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I agree that cocktail hour is a good idea for the flow of the wedding. 

 

I think my original question got lost.  I wanted to know peoples thoughts on centerpieces for the little tables set-up at the cocktail hour?

 

Sorry, totally missed that. I'm not doing anything for the tables for the cocktail hour. For me, the cost outweighs how much I really want something. I'm doing centerpieces from Marvin for the reception, plus luminarias.

 

 

[maggiedinh]

For brides who have had their reception on the central garden - how did you find walking on the grass in heels?  Did your heels sink into the dirt?  

[kellygrrrl]

you could always just get these:

 

http://thesolemates.com/

 

I can try out the grass for you in May, but not in my white wedding shoes!! ; )

 

Originally Posted by maggiedinh 

For brides who have had their reception on the central garden - how did you find walking on the grass in heels?  Did your heels sink into the dirt?