El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[Dreamgirl08]

Hey..

 

well I'll be married there in less then a month now..woo-hoo!!!

I can tell you this much. They're charging me $60 bucks for everything extra that I want to bring and have them setup at the ceremony and/or reception. I'm only having 10-12 guests so I guess if your having more then this, your charged more, is this correct? I hate the Setup fee charge too...I think it's just another one of EDR's annoying rip-off policies. I guess the $60 bucks is worth it, since I really don't want to leave any of my guests in charge of setting anything up. I plan on bringing with me only 2 hurrican vases with some starfish decor for the inside, but I'm not too sure if I even should, becuase I don't think I'll be having more then 2 tables. We're having our dinner at El Cocotal, and I think we might be able to have our 2 big floral ceremony corsages from the gazebo relocated to our dinner tables, so I'm not sure. How many guests are you having and are you doing the private reception?

[Dreamgirl08]

Hey..

 

well I'll be married there in less then a month now..woo-hoo!!!

I can tell you this much. Their charging me $60 bucks for everything extra that I want to bring and have them setup at the ceremony and/or reception. I'm only having 10-12 guests so I guess if your having more then this, your charged more, is this correct? I hate the Setup fee charge too...I think it's just another one of EDR's annoying rip-off policies. I guess the $60 bucks is worth it, since I really don't want to leave any of my guests in charge of setting anything up. I plan on bringing with me only 2 hurrican vases with some starfish decor for the inside, but I'm not too sure if I even should, becuase I don't think I'll be having more then 2 tables. We're having our dinner at El Cocotal, and I think we might be able to have our 2 big floral ceremony corsages from the gazebo relocated to our dinner tables, so I'm not sure. How many guests are you having and are you doing the private reception?

[Rhonda]

WoW! Your day is coming up soon, Dreamgirl08!!! You must be SO excited!!

 

We are having 81 guests and we're doing a private event. They want to charge me $5 per person for a set up fee for additional items....which is $400! I agree with you...I don't want to ask one of my guests to do it, but, it's a lot of extra money when we're already paying a ton for our guests etc...

The only extra stuff I would like set up is our menu and favors at each table setting. Also, i would like to put votive candles on the table. I'll be taking care of the centerpieces.

 

I hate that they try to tack on charges like this, where it does not seem necessary....I mean come on...we're bringing business to their resort by having our wedding there!

[pryzeless]

I was charged $50 set up but I brought 7 centerpieces, shells, maracas as favors and lanterns to be hung around. They did an AMAZING job decorating and totally worth the $50. I don't know if I would pay them $400 for the same thing. We did have 36 people. Maybe they can work with you? The onsite coordinators are so great.

[pryzeless]

I was charged $50 set up but I brought 7 centerpieces, shells, maracas as favors and lanterns to be hung around. They did an AMAZING job decorating and totally worth the $50. I don't know if I would pay them $400 for the same thing. We did have 36 people. Maybe they can work with you? The onsite coordinators are so great.

[Rhonda]

Did you negotiate that fee with them? My WC quoted my $5 per person for set up, which is how I got $400. I would be willing to pay a little bit for set up, but, that seems like a lot!

[natalie ann]

I did not order beach candles. My mom brought sheer teal fabric, some sea shells, votives (which did not stay lit because of the wind) and we had the bridesmaids bouquets for centerpieces on each table, rented the vases. I refused to pay set up (we had 53 people at $5 each is crazy). My mom and aunt had plenty of time after the ceremony to set up. Are you having assigned seating? That takes some planning.

[Rhonda]

We are having assigned seating. But, I don't think it's a big deal.MY WC said if I only bring favors and menu cards, then they will wave the fee, but any other things like centerpieces they will charge. I will be setting up my own centerpieces. I was just curious how others did it.

[natalie ann]

Valeria told us they will have menu cards on the tables too, but that never happened. So make sure you ask the on-site WC. By the time we went to dinner it was too late. How are you handling the assigned seating? Our guest loved the painted sand dollars with their names and table numbers on them.

[Rhonda]

We are bringing our own menu cards for the reception. But, I was told that for our rehearsal dinner (free dinner) that they would have menu cards made for us. I will be sure to check on this when I get down there.

For the placecards, I am using a box filled with sand (bought from Valeria) and then I will be putting these "real shell" placecard holders that I bought online in the box.

 

On a side note, I just need to vent about this because I know other brides have had this same experience. After i told Valeria that I wanted to do my own centerpieces, she wrote me yesterday:

"....however you won't be able to display them as this is not allowed by the hotel, as you may interfere with operational activities, and there are sometimes hazardous materials at the locations (cleaning products, water on the floor) which is risky for you and your guests.

 

Therefore, there will be a set up fee to display the centerpieces, and we must prepare a release form in which you remove any responsability to LOMAS TRAVEL AND / OR KARISMA RESORTS for any malfunction,and / or accident that can occur due to the centerpieces you will arrange for reception ( the centerpieces might be too narrow and due to the wind they might fall) as we are at an open air location, you know."

 

I am in complete shock! I don't even know what to say....ridiculous?