RIU RM Palace Brides??

[maggiemay1330]

Hi Ladies!

I see several questions about "on the beach" weddings on this thread.  We're planning our ceremony and reception on the beach next month and I've learned a lot as we've moved through this process. First thing to know is that the price list they give out changes every year.  They didn't get the 2013 list out until the end of January.  That list only tells you about 1/2 of what you'll pay for an on the beach wedding.  Here are some things I've learned:

 

A private rehearsal dinner at Chilis is $50 per person (includes 4 hr service, open bar, food, private event set up)

A private cocktail party between the ceremony and reception is $15 per person

Cake is included in the package price

There is a beach tax of $150 for events on the beach

Dinner, drinks,and waitstaff for a reception on the beach is $65 per person

You can choose from the Chili's menu or a private event (a la carte) menu for the reception

A medium sized dance floor on the beach is $450 (for 40-60 people), $338 or $600 for smaller/larger groups

An ipod hook up, speaker, wireless mic and mixer is $122

Premium alcohol upgrade is $720 extra 

She can rent/get strings of white lights for $291 dollars and customize your huppa for $208 dollars (at least that's what ours came out to)

 

Ariadna did not just send me this information, I had to ask specifically through a long series of e-mails. I have the 2013 price list and menus if anyone would like me to e-mail them to you. It's been an interesting process. Despite the best planning I'm sure there will be more surprises along the way!  If I'm able I'll attach some of the things I've discovered and ordered for the event. So many fun ideas on etsy and pinterest!  Happy planning Maggie

 

 

place cards

 

 

 

 

 invitations (and save the dates too)

 

 

 

wedding programs

 

 

welcome bags

 

 

koozies

[kard613]

I'm not sure about dress rehearsals, from what I remember I don't think there is a real dress rehearsal at the Riu. I'm getting married at the Riu Palace Mexico in June and there isn't much info on that hotel here but there is more on the Riu Palace Riviera Maya. About RPM- if you want a private dinner and have over 50 people the ONLY restaurant that you're allowed to have for the entire night is the Mexican Restaurant. We were not told that when we booked, we were told we could have it at the Brazilian Restaurant or the Steakhouse. We have ended up going with the Steakhouse bc we didn't care for the menu at the Mexican restaurant and knew the Steakhouse would be more appealing for everyone. The problem with the steakhouse is that we've now been told that we have to chose either a 6:30 dinner time or am 8:30 dinner time. Our ceremony is at 5 and we were hoping to have the restaurant from 7-11 and even offered to pay extra for those additional hours but were told we can't. Now we're most likely going to be doing a semi private cocktail hour between the ceremony and dinner (free drinks but paid for apps) and then going to have to pay for a 2 hour private cocktail for drinks/dancing after dinner (I think she quoted me $15pp). The other option we had was for the dinner/reception on the beach but we never really wanted that to begin with. Fernanda is the wc I've been working with from the RPM and there are times when she gets right back to me with answers to my questions and other times when it takes her a week.

[kard613]

I'm not sure about dress rehearsals, from what I remember I don't think there is a real dress rehearsal at the Riu. I'm getting married at the Riu Palace Mexico in June and there isn't much info on that hotel here but there is more on the Riu Palace Riviera Maya. About RPM- if you want a private dinner and have over 50 people the ONLY restaurant that you're allowed to have for the entire night is the Mexican Restaurant. We were not told that when we booked, we were told we could have it at the Brazilian Restaurant or the Steakhouse. We have ended up going with the Steakhouse bc we didn't care for the menu at the Mexican restaurant and knew the Steakhouse would be more appealing for everyone. The problem with the steakhouse is that we've now been told that we have to chose either a 6:30 dinner time or am 8:30 dinner time. Our ceremony is at 5 and we were hoping to have the restaurant from 7-11 and even offered to pay extra for those additional hours but were told we can't. Now we're most likely going to be doing a semi private cocktail hour between the ceremony and dinner (free drinks but paid for apps) and then going to have to pay for a 2 hour private cocktail for drinks/dancing after dinner (I think she quoted me $15pp). The other option we had was for the dinner/reception on the beach but we never really wanted that to begin with. Fernanda is the wc I've been working with from the RPM and there are times when she gets right back to me with answers to my questions and other times when it takes her a week.

[elissae]

Maggiemay1330 - good work!  You are one patient girl...and you are right it's a long process of emails and getting the information from them.  I know they mean well, but geez louise!

 

I did not know about the premium alcohol - GOOD TO KNOW - thank you.  That's a must!

 

I love all your things you've done so far - the placecards are adorable!!!!!

 

We leave in 5 weeks...I cannot believe this is really happening.

 

 

Did you ever receive an appetizer menu?  I have one that Nancy sent a few months back, but I am wondering if there is a newer one.  The one I have has a picture of shrimp on the front.  If you have one, is that the same?

Originally Posted by maggiemay1330 

Hi Ladies!

I see several questions about "on the beach" weddings on this thread.  We're planning our ceremony and reception on the beach next month and I've learned a lot as we've moved through this process. First thing to know is that the price list they give out changes every year.  They didn't get the 2013 list out until the end of January.  That list only tells you about 1/2 of what you'll pay for an on the beach wedding.  Here are some things I've learned:

 

A private rehearsal dinner at Chilis is $50 per person (includes 4 hr service, open bar, food, private event set up)

A private cocktail party between the ceremony and reception is $15 per person

Cake is included in the package price

There is a beach tax of $150 for events on the beach

Dinner, drinks,and waitstaff for a reception on the beach is $65 per person

You can choose from the Chili's menu or a private event (a la carte) menu for the reception

A medium sized dance floor on the beach is $450 (for 40-60 people), $338 or $600 for smaller/larger groups

An ipod hook up, speaker, wireless mic and mixer is $122

Premium alcohol upgrade is $720 extra 

She can rent/get strings of white lights for $291 dollars and customize your huppa for $208 dollars (at least that's what ours came out to)

 

Ariadna did not just send me this information, I had to ask specifically through a long series of e-mails. I have the 2013 price list and menus if anyone would like me to e-mail them to you. It's been an interesting process. Despite the best planning I'm sure there will be more surprises along the way!  If I'm able I'll attach some of the things I've discovered and ordered for the event. So many fun ideas on etsy and pinterest!  Happy planning Maggie

 

 

place cards

 

 

 

 

 invitations (and save the dates too)

 

 

 

wedding programs

 

 

welcome bags

 

 

koozies

[Stephanie072007]

Thank you so much for sharing all of the extra costs!

[tcipriano]

Ok, I am so confused! It is so hard to try and plan out details through email!  I originally booked the Caprice Package.  But now I want a private reception which is 50pp.  So I would not need the package anymore right?  I can go for the free one and then just pay for whatever I want?  What has everyone else been doing?

[elissae]

Originally Posted by tcipriano 

 

Ok, I am so confused! It is so hard to try and plan out details through email!  I originally booked the Caprice Package.  But now I want a private reception which is 50pp.  So I would not need the package anymore right?  I can go for the free one and then just pay for whatever I want?  What has everyone else been doing?

It is confusing still to me and I have been at this for over a year now!!!  LOL!!!

 

You could ask to do the Free Package with a Private reception.  I am unsure if they would do that, but it doesn't hurt to ask. I do know that the Free Pacakge is only available at the Riu Palace Mexico not the Riu Palace Riviera Maya.  It only covers up to 10 people for a semi-private reception.  So any additional guests to that 10 would be $22 pp for cake & champage and the set up of the addiitonal chairs for the ceremony, etc.  The semi-private receptions are only 2 hours long and you cannot have music. 

 

PRIVATE RECEPTIONS are just that, PRIVATE. You have the entire restaurant to yourself for 4 hours. So you are paying an additional $50 per person ($40 food/$10 open bar service), for the restaurant being closed and all the waitstaff for that 4 hours. You can have music at a private reception. An ipod set up or you can hire the resort DJ.

 

We are doing a ROYAL CIVIL CEREMONY PACKAGE at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya with a PRIVATE RECEPTION and a DJ at Chili's.  We are not doing a "Specialty Menu" - just ordering off the menu.  The specialty menu can be pricier than the $50 pp.  They are letting me have a semi-private dinner the night before the wedding in the buffet in a privately sectioned off area of the restaurant. 

 

Let us know how you make out.  GOOD LUCK!!!

[yadeira]

Maggiemay

 

Thanks for sharing this.  Are you working with Dolores for your sound system rental or someone else from the hotel?

Originally Posted by maggiemay1330 

Hi Ladies!

I see several questions about "on the beach" weddings on this thread.  We're planning our ceremony and reception on the beach next month and I've learned a lot as we've moved through this process. First thing to know is that the price list they give out changes every year.  They didn't get the 2013 list out until the end of January.  That list only tells you about 1/2 of what you'll pay for an on the beach wedding.  Here are some things I've learned:

 

A private rehearsal dinner at Chilis is $50 per person (includes 4 hr service, open bar, food, private event set up)

A private cocktail party between the ceremony and reception is $15 per person

Cake is included in the package price

There is a beach tax of $150 for events on the beach

Dinner, drinks,and waitstaff for a reception on the beach is $65 per person

You can choose from the Chili's menu or a private event (a la carte) menu for the reception

A medium sized dance floor on the beach is $450 (for 40-60 people), $338 or $600 for smaller/larger groups

An ipod hook up, speaker, wireless mic and mixer is $122

Premium alcohol upgrade is $720 extra 

She can rent/get strings of white lights for $291 dollars and customize your huppa for $208 dollars (at least that's what ours came out to)

 

Ariadna did not just send me this information, I had to ask specifically through a long series of e-mails. I have the 2013 price list and menus if anyone would like me to e-mail them to you. It's been an interesting process. Despite the best planning I'm sure there will be more surprises along the way!  If I'm able I'll attach some of the things I've discovered and ordered for the event. So many fun ideas on etsy and pinterest!  Happy planning Maggie

 

 

place cards

 

 

 

 

 invitations (and save the dates too)

 

 

 

wedding programs

 

 

welcome bags

 

 

koozies

[Jessica4LUXE]

We just completed a wedding at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya and wanted to let all you brides to be out there that the photographer at the hotel - Sergio of Adventure Photography is AMAZING!!! His work was fantastic and our bride and groom couldn't have been happier with their choices.

 

Have a look at his work: http://luxedestinationweddings.com/blog/?p=6342

 

Happy Planning!

[elissae]

Originally Posted by Jessica4LUXE 

 

We just completed a wedding at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya and wanted to let all you brides to be out there that the photographer at the hotel - Sergio of Adventure Photography is AMAZING!!! His work was fantastic and our bride and groom couldn't have been happier with their choices.

 

Have a look at his work: http://luxedestinationweddings.com/blog/?p=6342

 

Happy Planning!

So happy to hear this!  We leave in 4 weeks for RPRM.  We also hired Adevnture Photos to capture our wedding!  Thank you so much for sharing.  Should I request Sergio?