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

[Shay2679]

Hello ladies!

 

I just wanted to let those of you that have not yet booked your wedding package, to do so as soon as you can.

 

I was browsing the Royal website again today, and prices are going to go up again in 2009 (both 2008/09 prices are posted online now) and they aren't pretty! To avoid more hikes, book ASAP!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tchuchuca Yup- just to check, I emailed Micaela about the decorated chuppa (I'm still in LOVE with it, but if they're plastic flowers, it might be easier for me to talk myself out of it!)

JSYK, the chuppa set-up we are going with...are REAL flowers! Sorry dude! LOL But...sooooo worth it, IMO!

 

We are also going with the white chair covers, white ties and white table linens...but for the Chuppa, we will have the chartreuse and lime linen and we will also have some colored petals for the aisle. I have not been quoted on how much colored linens would cost otherwise. From what I have discussed with other past brides, if you bring your own linens/accessories...there is no additional fee to have the ladies there set them up for you.

 

TightyWhitey...I do know there are going to be Sunday departures from Toronto next year...I was given quotes from TO on Saturday and Sundays ONLY.

 

I'm planning our AHR now and working on my DIY invitations (I hope everyone likes them)! The AHR is going to be awesome...we're going all out for that too! We're a small group of 10 in Mexico, but we're expecting between 130-150 for the AHR...and we can all party! Lots of DIY stuff to keep me busy now for the next few months...

 

I can't believe how quickly time is passing! SOOOO Exciting!

[tchuchuca]

I swear- I love you girls! I always learn SO much with every new post to the RPDC thread!

 

Now that all of the STDs have finally come out (I know- I'm a little behind on that one), the people interested in coming to PDC increases by the day! I think I'm up to 25 people! AAAHHhh!

 

I'm doing a big 'ol AHR. I'm the VIP Manager for this awesome club in the DFW area that sits right on the water, so I'm going to have my AHR on the deck there (that way I can cash in all my favors at once!). We're expecting about 150 people and going to have a Mexican buffet to keep the mexican theme going, show our slideshow on the 2 plasma tv's there, and have a live acoustic guitarist to entertain our guests (all favors people owe me! I've been REALLY nice to people for a long time for this!) Still going to be pretty simple- FI's family is not big on formalities.

 

Damn, Shay! I'm not mad at all that you told me that they're REAL FLOWERS! My budget is pissed, but I'm ecstatic! That's really inexpensive for that much live floral! It didn't help that the photo you sent me is with my colors! I would've never known it was an option without you! Thank you!!

 

The time is totally flying by! I'm SHOCKED at how fast everything is falling into place!

 

Love you girls!

[sarah_prieb]

I have to agree with aeroo. We initially had planned the wedding on the beach but switched it to the gazebo at the last minute. First of all, it was WAY to hot in August to be out in the direct sunlight. There was a lovely breeze in the gazebo and more importantly, there was shade! Nobody was squinting for pictures and nobody had sweat dripping down their face. Secondly, it was definitely more intimate. There were no old men in speedos in our pictures....that was a huge plus! When we did go down to the beach after the ceremony to take some pictures, I was amazed at how rude people could be. Everyone kept walking right through our pictures and they couldn't have cared less. It took us twice as long to get our photos done because of all the rude people! Keep it in mind. The gazebo might be a better option.

[Oscar_Ernie]

With the luxury package, it's supposed to include a "private romantic candlelit dinner on the beach for the couple"-At other resorts they specify that it's specifically for the evening of the wedding. At Royal, is this kind of like one of the extra "romance packages" that you could add and have at any point during your stay? I suppose it's kind of a silly question, but I'm still trying to weigh the worth of the extra cost for the upgraded package. Anyone know or care? LOL!

[Shay2679]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscar_Ernie With the luxury package, it's supposed to include a "private romantic candlelit dinner on the beach for the couple"-At other resorts they specify that it's specifically for the evening of the wedding. At Royal, is this kind of like one of the extra "romance packages" that you could add and have at any point during your stay? I suppose it's kind of a silly question, but I'm still trying to weigh the worth of the extra cost for the upgraded package. Anyone know or care? LOL!

Not a silly question at all. It is one that I certainly wanted answered and I did...I think. Micaela was going to verify for me, but she said it was a voucher that could be used basically antime after our wedding. For us, that only leaves two days, but...hey...whatever! I'm not sure how "intimate" it will be...it is on the beach..but...I really don't care! Just as long as it is he and I, it'll feel private! I love the idea of it.

The other thing with the Luxury Package, is it states that there are something like 25 or 36 photos (can't remember which) are also included. From the information I have gathered, this is not Photography service, but rather, 25 of your favorite pictures (whether they be from the Royals photog if you choose that option, your own photog, family photos whatever) that you send to your WC digitally. They assemble a little album for you. I just wanted to clarify that, because, I thought we might be getting a little extra, like onsight photography, or something, but no...

I am still really excited about having our ceremony on the beach...especially with the Chuppa. Not only will the chuppa provide a frame for the photos of FI and me exchanging our vows, but it should offer some shade, and...if some half naked old guy gets in a picture somewhere, I have every faith in the world that our photographer has EXCELLENT photoshop skills...dude will be gone in a flash (no pun intended). Also, from talking with other brides...as long as buddy with the thong can be digitally removed from the shot...the ceremony is such a blur, you won't even notice him while its happening! I'm counting on that...I'd hate to be put out by someone inconsiderate enough to enjoy their cerveza 10 more feet down the beach! My head will completely be in the clouds...er...sky?

I still can't believe its all really happening! I'm SO excited!

[dcheung1111]

Did anyone actually do the Star Crossed Lover's package? I really liked to idea that it included the 3 course meal for 20 guests and also a welcome cock-tail cruise. I wonder if it's cheaper to do the package or everything separately though. Some items in the package aren't really necessary for us.. like the limo transfer from airport.

 

Also - how far in advance did you guys start planning out the details of the wedding.. ie.. floral arrangements, ceremony location, food..etc? My wedding isn't until next November.. but just want to get an idea of when would be a good time to start thinking about all of that.

[aeroo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcheung1111 Did anyone actually do the Star Crossed Lover's package? I really liked to idea that it included the 3 course meal for 20 guests and also a welcome cock-tail cruise. I wonder if it's cheaper to do the package or everything separately though. Some items in the package aren't really necessary for us.. like the limo transfer from airport. Also - how far in advance did you guys start planning out the details of the wedding.. ie.. floral arrangements, ceremony location, food..etc? My wedding isn't until next November.. but just want to get an idea of when would be a good time to start thinking about all of that.

I actually didn't decide the floral arrangements or ceremony location until the day before the wedding when we met with Micaela, the WC! I didn't want to choose the ceremony location until I saw both of them myself. Anyways, even if you have already confirmed the location beforehand, you can always change it when you get there - they set up the day of, so it's not a big deal. As for the flowers, I sort of had an idea of what I wanted, but totally went a different direction when I saw some other flower arrangments in her office. For the food, they told us that we had to let them know at least a week in advance, but then we changed some options the day before when we met with Walter.

[Oscar_Ernie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shay2679 The other thing with the Luxury Package, is it states that there are something like 25 or 36 photos (can't remember which) are also included. From the information I have gathered, this is not Photography service, but rather, 25 of your favorite pictures (whether they be from the Royals photog if you choose that option, your own photog, family photos whatever) that you send to your WC digitally. They assemble a little album for you. I just wanted to clarify that, because, I thought we might be getting a little extra, like onsight photography, or something, but no...

OH!!! I had totally assumed that meant photography service! Well, that might change things. Even if I'm forced into using their photographer, it's still going to cost a bunch more money! Hmm...well, if we decide to wait until 2010 maybe it won't be a big deal. However, if we decide to just go for it next summer, we may have to forgo more things....hmm...well, thank you for clearing that up for me! I'd never have known!!!

[Oscar_Ernie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shay2679 Not a silly question at all. It is one that I certainly wanted answered and I did...I think. Micaela was going to verify for me, but she said it was a voucher that could be used basically antime after our wedding. For us, that only leaves two days, but...hey...whatever! I'm not sure how "intimate" it will be...it is on the beach..but...I really don't care! Just as long as it is he and I, it'll feel private! I love the idea of it.

That's good to know. Some of the things in the package aren't "musts" for us, but I do think this one might be kinda nice. Although, again, I'm still trying to weigh how much the extras are really worth. I find it kind of annoying that Royal is one of the few resorts I researched that don't offer a reasonable "free" package. There's NO way we could afford that high a category of room just to get that package which doesn't even really include much.

Actually, I spent a lot of time crunching numbers between the top three resorts we'd been considering. Royal is definitely the most expensive, but depending on how many guests we decide to have it may be A LOT more expensive. I'm having second thoughts about it even though I shouldn't really even be worrying about it until we've decided a firm date. LOL! But it just looks so ideal for us...well, we'll eventually get it figured out. I'm guessing by the time we do it'll be too late (either to book, or for our guests) to do it next summer, but that'll just give us some extra time to squirrel away money!

[Shay2679]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscar_Ernie That's good to know. Some of the things in the package aren't "musts" for us, but I do think this one might be kinda nice. Although, again, I'm still trying to weigh how much the extras are really worth. I find it kind of annoying that Royal is one of the few resorts I researched that don't offer a reasonable "free" package. There's NO way we could afford that high a category of room just to get that package which doesn't even really include much. Actually, I spent a lot of time crunching numbers between the top three resorts we'd been considering. Royal is definitely the most expensive, but depending on how many guests we decide to have it may be A LOT more expensive. I'm having second thoughts about it even though I shouldn't really even be worrying about it until we've decided a firm date. LOL! But it just looks so ideal for us...well, we'll eventually get it figured out. I'm guessing by the time we do it'll be too late (either to book, or for our guests) to do it next summer, but that'll just give us some extra time to squirrel away money!

I know right! The "Free" Package...includes your minister...so I guess that is something...but...after paying all that money for the suite, you probably have enough money to "improve" the wedding accents. That room category is WAY out of our price range too...

I flip flop daily on whether we need "this" or need "that"...but...ultimately, every night I know I'm going to be so happy with the decisions we have made. I totally know what it is like to question if its all WORTH it...and I think it will be. Whatever you decide to do and wherever you decide to do it...as long as you and FI are happy...that's all that matters.

I also wanted to mention to dcheung1111, that...when you're looking at the packages, just keep in mind that the reception, if you were to go with a package below the Star Crossed Package, for 20 people, would run you about $1000. A very nice 2 hour private catamaran tour, with alcohol, will run you roughly $20 per person - if 20 people, $400.

The difference in price between the Luxury Package (which in my opinion is the BEST package the hotel offers for the value) to the Star Crossed Package is something like $3000. If you were to just pay for a reception and cruise seperatly...you'd save roughly half that.

The only reason I mention it, is because...in the beginning, those are the two things that appealed the most to me as well...and we just about went for it. Then, I started to add things up, and realized...the price difference, for us, just wasn't worth it! Although the Star Crossed Package DOES have photography and ceremony videography included...so...I guess you weigh your options!