El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[krobb317]

@@MrsUpton

 

We had 52 guests there and all but us and one couple stayed in the Royale side in Oceanfront JJ,Oceanview JJ and JJ. Our travel agent requested everyone be together, make sure you stress to your agent to put more than one request in. In the end everyone ended up in building 14,15,16 and 6,7,8….that was after Stressed to the front desk person when I found out my brother was being put in 11. That being said, after a few words with the manager(saying listen this has been planned for a year, there should be no reason my guests are apart…52 people 2 private events…etc..) They ended up not being able to move one room from 11 because it was a double bed request. **Definitely go to the front desk and ask for all room assignments.

 

My Parents ended up in 17 which is supposed to be oceanfront…just really close to the beach, they did say Guacamayas' bass boomed in their room but once you put the air on it drowns it out. No one else mentioned it. The thing about the rooms in the 40/50 is they are just far away from everything and the sun walking can get hot. I'd recommend trying to get your guests int he middle of the resort, and all the rooms we went in seemed to be nice.

 

We were in a regular casita suite, which was nice and plenty seeing the amount of time we spent in the room. in block 2700 by the bar Pelicanos. That was a nice happy medium of walking not too far to either the Royale side or the Spa to get hair/makeup done

 

We didn't really have any trouble with carts, and didn't really mind the walking. Make friends witht he drivers and they should just about do anything to make your wedding weekend enjoyable!

 

*I also posted some non-professional pics in my gallery--some would for the life of them not turn around no matter how many times i fixed!*

 

Hope that helps!

Any suggestions on buildings to request?

My guests are staying the the Royale and my fiancé and I are staying at the Casitas. We are concerned about getting put in the Casitas on the opposite side of the property far away from our guests. We stayed there during the Brides Dress Rehearsal and it was a very long walk and golf carts rarely came by. 

I ideally would like our guests to stay in the buildings closer to the Casitas side, so they are closer to us, but I've heard that those are older and not as nice as the buildings in the 40's & 50's area (close to the Gazebo 55). 

Any suggestions or thoughts?

Does the resort really even try to honor our requests?

Edited June 13, 2014 by krobb317

[AllieH]

If you are in the casitas, just call the Bellmen and ASK for a cart to come get you. Seriously!!! tip them, and they will come every, single, time. it may take a bit, but they will come. 

 

@@krobb317 - I'm soooo glad everything went well for you!!! CONGRATULATIONS to you both! 

 

On our last visit we stayed in the 300 building, Ocean front luxury suite (2nd floor). it was the PERFECT location, right behind the health bar. We loved it, even over staying the Casitas (Casitas were perfect for wedding/honeymoon for sure). It was honestly nice to stay in a different part of the resort, as it made our 2nd stay almost like a brand new experience. 

 

We are going back in 2 weeks, and I can't wait (yes, 3rd time in about 18 months - we love it that much). We'll see where they put us this time. 

 

If you guys have any questions, or want pictures of specific areas, please let me know. I'll try to track down the onsite WC for specific questions, and am happy to go on a photo safari to share this resort with y'all. 

[HancockBride]

Hey Ladies,

 

Has anyone ever gotten the oil painter? I think its a pretty cool idea, but as long as if it something that  turns out kind of nice and we can hang up in our home. Does anyone have experience with that?

 

Thanks!!

[ebigge]

@@krobb317 thank you for sharing your photos!  You looked gorgeous!  I love your bouquet and would like one exactly like it.  Did you choose a certain number from online?  Also, do you mind telling me where you got your maracas?  Super cute!!!  I also love the "fan" wedding programs.  Where did you get those done at? 

Hi Ladies!!!

 

I got married at EDR on May 23, 2014…it was amazing(food,service,staff)!! I will plan to write an in depth review in a week or so when I have a little more time, but I wanted to let anyone know they are welcome to PM me with any questions! Also, a huge thanks to @@AllieH you were so helpful to my planning process!

 

A few things as you are planning your day that the WC didn't tell me, little things though, not a huge deal or I just though might be helpful.

1) If you have photographers, you have to pay for their meals(we just paid for the same meal we ordered and when I told Sarani, she thanked me and said the sandwiches were always mushy :/)

2) In the Spa, they will bring you fruit or you can bring a fruit plate in…they have champagne on request and water & coffee in the actual Spa area.**Make sure to make time to eat!

3) Make sure you clarify what type of makeup(regular or airbrush) I thought I paid for airbrush and it was an additional amount(worth it).

4) DJ AllMusic was great…but make sure to mark songs you want played the whole way through(he stopped shout at the softer part?) and songs that are must plays---he kept the party going!

5) If you get sweaty like I do, bring a little battery operated fan(got mine off amazon for like 10 bucks) it does wonders under the dress during dinner

6) They say you can't get a cart for your bridesmaids/moms… so on the way back from the spa to our room, I just asked the guy driving  to pick them up and he said yes, I gave him a 5---he came back with an empty cart at the time I asked and knocked on the door--so worth it!

​7) Honestly I stressed about decor a little before…not much is really needed, everything is so pretty! I just had centerpieces, maracas at each setting and table numbers, and some candle bags around pool(Tucanes)…all you need!

8)We had to move our Rehearsal party from white gazebo to Salon Dorado, beautiful, and nice and cool, wished I had planned it there in the first place!(gave a nice change of scenery for the guests and they did the donkey bar out front with tiki torches and the BBQ out back as well as the fire show(so cool!) )

 

​OKay, back to work I go…but Please PM with any questions, happy to Help!!! I'll post some pictures tonight too!

 

Happy Planning!!! Wish I could go back already!!

Edited June 16, 2014 by ebigge

[krobb317]

@@AllieH we are already planning our 1 year back there…it seems too far away, we are ready to go back now!!

 

@@ebigge aww thanks!! Rafa at the casitas salon was amazing!!!

 

My Bouquet was BB04…I asked for the same but smaller($75) for my bridesmaids and repurposed them into some centerpieces for the reception! i wasn't sure how they would turn out just picking from online…but i LOVED them!

 

Maracas were from Amols (2.95 a pair) and I used a Sharpie oil based paint pen to write in the date.

 

I did DIY fan programs from Cherish Paperie They give you a template and I just designed my own, had Kinkos print them(some were a little off center but most were perfect) on the paper I ordered and then I bought a tool on amazon to make the grommet punching/crimping easy. Etsy also has listings for the petal fan programs.

 

Feel free to hit me up with any other questions! Happy Planning!

Edited June 16, 2014 by krobb317

[travelgal78]

Hola Ladies!

 

So I found this ceremony photo on pitnerest, and wanted to see what you guys thought. I would do white covered chairs with tiffany bows instead of the chairs shown here, and then maybe do some tiffany blue parasols to line the aisle. I have the picture below

 

Thoughts? I emailed my wedding coordinator to see if we can do this - I'm probably going to fall out of my chair when I see the price lol

 

At the bottom I attached a photo of my centerpieces which are candelabras - We are planning on doing tiffany blue tablecloths with white runners and white rose petals at the base. Do you think we need to add anything else?

 

Finally, I think I am going to buy my own laterns to hang at Tucanes bar - half tiffany blue and half white. How many do you think I should order?? I have no idea.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[AllieH]

I love the centerpieces!

 

I think I ordered around 40-45 paper lanterns to hang around Tucanes. They will hang a nice balance for you if you have less though. 

 

I think the ceremony set up is gorgeous, but yes I'd bet it's very expensive. Think about how you'd use all of those flowers again for the reception for sure - no sense paying for them for a 30(ish) minute ceremony and then not using them again. 

 

Hola Ladies!

 

So I found this ceremony photo on pitnerest, and wanted to see what you guys thought. I would do white covered chairs with tiffany bows instead of the chairs shown here, and then maybe do some tiffany blue parasols to line the aisle. I have the picture below

 

Thoughts? I emailed my wedding coordinator to see if we can do this - I'm probably going to fall out of my chair when I see the price lol

 

At the bottom I attached a photo of my centerpieces which are candelabras - We are planning on doing tiffany blue tablecloths with white runners and white rose petals at the base. Do you think we need to add anything else?

 

Finally, I think I am going to buy my own laterns to hang at Tucanes bar - half tiffany blue and half white. How many do you think I should order?? I have no idea.

 

Thanks!

 

 

PS - we are just back from our third trip to EDR, and still loved it as much as we did the first time. We got upgraded to the Casitas section (thanks @tammyhost)!, and were 100% spoiled the entire stay. 

 

We also swam with the whale sharks - if anyone is looking for an AMAZING adventure between mid-May to mid-September, I'd highly recommend this. Let me know and I'll give you the referral, as they indicated referrals get a discount. 

[krobb317]

I agree with @@AllieH, maybe alternate tables with the candelabras and vases of flowers form the ceremony? We used the bouquets from myself and the bridesmaids…it worked out nice since we couldn't save them to bring them home!

 

Gorgeous!

 

I think that will be plenty also…the area is natural a has greenery and flowers around the pool too

 

 

I love the centerpieces!

 

I think I ordered around 40-45 paper lanterns to hang around Tucanes. They will hang a nice balance for you if you have less though. 

 

I think the ceremony set up is gorgeous, but yes I'd bet it's very expensive. Think about how you'd use all of those flowers again for the reception for sure - no sense paying for them for a 30(ish) minute ceremony and then not using them again. 

 

PS - we are just back from our third trip to EDR, and still loved it as much as we did the first time. We got upgraded to the Casitas section (thanks @tammyhost)!, and were 100% spoiled the entire stay. 

 

We also swam with the whale sharks - if anyone is looking for an AMAZING adventure between mid-May to mid-September, I'd highly recommend this. Let me know and I'll give you the referral, as they indicated referrals get a discount. 

[hdm116]

Hi everyone! My name's Holly and I'm actually getting married at El dorado Seaside Suites on Oct 11th but i've found this group to be really helpful since they both use lomas travel and alot of the same people!

 

First, Thank you for being so helpful so far! I've been following along and reading posts for almost a year now and everyone has added some really great information!

 

I was wondering if anyone has had the mexican family style meal or the BBQ deluxe menus for the private dinners? we are having about 60 ppl coming and I wanted to get some input for the different menus. Did you like it? was it enough food? Did everyone have enough options?

 

Also, we qualified for the free private event per day and we are going to have a welcome coctail party. Does anyone know how many cocktail tables you get? I know its based on how many people but I haven't been able to get the info from my contact.

 

I was also wondering, when you you guys held rooms, what did you spend the money on once you got it back?  I'm not really understanding what I can use that money for. They had said I wasn't able to put it towards the wedding, but that seems strange to me! Any ideas?

 

Thanks for letting me pic your brains guys!

[krobb317]

Hey @@hdm116! We honeymooned there, so if you have any questions, if I can answer, I'd be happy to!  

 

We had the BBQ deluxe menu at our rehearsal dinner, it was sooo good, and there is Plenty of food and options! People raved about it, everything was delicious! 

 

We had a free cocktail hour through our travel agent and used it for the day of…we had 54 guests and about 6 tables…I'd imagine you might have a few more since it's a private cocktail hour event.

 

We held rooms almost immediately, I would suggest doing so now, for an October wedding. Whatever money we used to hold rooms went towards our room balance, which paid for the whole balance and the groom's mother(who we paid for). Are you using a travel agent? They should help explain a little better.

 

Happy to help!