RIU RM Palace Brides??

[jessd123]

Ok, I am torn and need advise!! I was origionally going to go with a travel agent that is a friends mother. I dont know her, just was going to use her as a recommendation. I was getting really impatient because she kept telling me airfare was not open and I needed to wait until the end of June...blah blah blah. Well, I contacted the travel agents through this website and am now interested in group booking. The first travel agent was just going to put packages togethor for each individual. I dont know what to do because now she is ready to work with me!! HELP! Why do group booking instead of having people book individual packages????

[jessd123]

Ok, I am torn and need advise!! I was origionally going to go with a travel agent that is a friends mother. I dont know her, just was going to use her as a recommendation. I was getting really impatient because she kept telling me airfare was not open and I needed to wait until the end of June...blah blah blah. Well, I contacted the travel agents through this website and am now interested in group booking. The first travel agent was just going to put packages togethor for each individual. I dont know what to do because now she is ready to work with me!! HELP! Why do group booking instead of having people book individual packages????

[maggiemay1330]

Great to hear there are other 2013 RPRM brides out there!  We just booked our wedding for March 25, 2013.  I am being assigned a coordinator on site and spoke to Paola (sales rep) today.  One thing I noticed from reviews and pictures is that most receptions take place *indoors* or on a patio. It's important to us that the reception is outside with dinner, dancing, etc.  She reassured me that it is an option to have a beach ceremony AND reception.  We would just have to do the free package and customize everything from the dance floor to the meal, etc.  Does anyone have an idea about the outdoor spaces that are used for receptions at this location? Anyone have the customization options, pictures or recommendations? I'd love to hear from someone who has done an outdoor wedding there or is planning on doing so...  Thanks in advance!

[maggiemay1330]

Hi Jess D, 

We got into the same situation with our travel agent.  Apple, Funject, etc had not published their airfare until June because they were still working on contracts with the different resorts. This info is all available now.  Currently our travel agent is working with Go Go vacations and we've come up with a contract between us, the travel agency and GoGo to block off 25 flights from Chicago to Cancun for our wedding.  We had to put a hefty deposit down, but there is a cancellation clause (ie: we can cancel up to a certain # of flights 3 months before the wedding with no penalties).  We also had to put a hefty deposit down for rooms at the RIU.  We know this is risky, but we are getting married during spring break, which is a very busy time of year and prices rise drastically the closer we get to that date. We made a website for our guests so they can book with him.  Here's the link if you want to borrow any ideas:  http://mexico2013.weddingwindow.com/index.cfm?fa=accommodations I'd be happy to give you our travel agent's name if you want to privately message me.  He works out of Chicago, but has been a tremendous source or relief for us!  

Maggie 

[shes2013]

Originally Posted by maggiemay1330 

 

Great to hear there are other 2013 RPRM brides out there!  We just booked our wedding for March 25, 2013.  I am being assigned a coordinator on site and spoke to Paola (sales rep) today.  One thing I noticed from reviews and pictures is that most receptions take place *indoors* or on a patio. It's important to us that the reception is outside with dinner, dancing, etc.  She reassured me that it is an option to have a beach ceremony AND reception.  We would just have to do the free package and customize everything from the dance floor to the meal, etc.  Does anyone have an idea about the outdoor spaces that are used for receptions at this location? Anyone have the customization options, pictures or recommendations? I'd love to hear from someone who has done an outdoor wedding there or is planning on doing so...  Thanks in advance!

 

So great to have you Now you will be the first one going out of all of us 2013'ers. I unfortunetly can not help you in regards to anything about an outdoor reception. I too was under the assumption that there was no outdoor space to even have a reception. I would love to have one out there as well. I look forward to hearing the details, as I'm sure everyone does! Happy planning

[elissae]

Hi Maggiemay1330 - Welcome!  You are getting married right before me.  I am April 2, 2013.  We arrive on Wed., 3/27.  How long will you be at the Riu for?  Maybe we will cross paths!!!

 

When you get some time, read through this RPRM Thread from beginning to end, you will see there are 2 options indicated for receptions, Chili's Steakhouse which is an indoor/outdoor restaurant & The Brazilian Restaurant, Bota Fogo.  There are pictures that were posted.  I saved the Bota Fogo ones and attached for you.  Chili's, I did not save since I ave been to the resort before & have a good recollection of it. Chili's is where we plan to have our reception.

 

Bota Fogo:

 

  

 

Private Open Bar Set Up                                     Table Close Up                                                Table Setting

 

You definitely can do beach ceremony as well as reception.  Although there is additional fees (as there are for everything it seems!)  :-)  Best of luck with your planning -  we are here for you if you need us!!!  

 

Originally Posted by maggiemay1330 

Great to hear there are other 2013 RPRM brides out there!  We just booked our wedding for March 25, 2013.  I am being assigned a coordinator on site and spoke to Paola (sales rep) today.  One thing I noticed from reviews and pictures is that most receptions take place *indoors* or on a patio. It's important to us that the reception is outside with dinner, dancing, etc.  She reassured me that it is an option to have a beach ceremony AND reception.  We would just have to do the free package and customize everything from the dance floor to the meal, etc.  Does anyone have an idea about the outdoor spaces that are used for receptions at this location? Anyone have the customization options, pictures or recommendations? I'd love to hear from someone who has done an outdoor wedding there or is planning on doing so...  Thanks in advance!

I prefer group booking beacuse then you know the rooms are BOOKED & HELD.  So when people are ready to make their arrangements there is only one point of contact to make.  No worry about availability by the time people decide to reserve their space.  I only had one couple decide to book elsewhere through BOOKIT and thought they got a great deal.  I did not see much of a savings, who am I?  Well, 2 weeks later my TA contacted me and our group rates dropped significantly....I did not have the heart to let that couple know - that they lost money in the long run.

 

Originally Posted by jessd123 

Ok, I am torn and need advise!! I was origionally going to go with a travel agent that is a friends mother. I dont know her, just was going to use her as a recommendation. I was getting really impatient because she kept telling me airfare was not open and I needed to wait until the end of June...blah blah blah. Well, I contacted the travel agents through this website and am now interested in group booking. The first travel agent was just going to put packages togethor for each individual. I dont know what to do because now she is ready to work with me!! HELP! Why do group booking instead of having people book individual packages????

[elissae]

Hey Ladies - I was just surfing the Riu Palace Riviera Maya website and they will be offering FREE WIFI in the lobby & ROOMS come as of winter 2012/13.  Before it was just the lobby!  Not that will be on the internet all the time, but it is convenient to have it in the room!

 

Hope all your planning is coming along well.  xoxo

[shes2013]

Does anyone have or know what the menu at chili's for the reception will be? & do we get a choice? I heard they serve salmon, mussles, ect for appetizers.. My fiance's father is allergic to shellfish & chicken. I just do not want this to be a concern!

[shes2013]

 I saw this too, it'd made me super happy! haha

Originally Posted by elissae 

Hey Ladies - I was just surfing the Riu Palace Riviera Maya website and they will be offering FREE WIFI in the lobby & ROOMS come as of winter 2012/13.  Before it was just the lobby!  Not that will be on the internet all the time, but it is convenient to have it in the room!

 

Hope all your planning is coming along well.  xoxo

[Shay4966]

Originally Posted by elissae 

 

Hey Ladies - I was just surfing the Riu Palace Riviera Maya website and they will be offering FREE WIFI in the lobby & ROOMS come as of winter 2012/13.  Before it was just the lobby!  Not that will be on the internet all the time, but it is convenient to have it in the room!

 

Hope all your planning is coming along well.  xoxo

Thanks for sharing.. that is awesome!!