El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[CanadianLindsey]

I brought my own decor and didn't have to pay any fees.  I think that is only if you get the resort staff to put it out for you.  We just had a close friend do it for us. Decor is a good place to save money since it is really a beautiful resort that needs very little "dressing up."  We just did candles, table runners and rented vases to put bouquets in as centerpieces and it looked very pretty.  Less is more for a DW!!

 

Originally Posted by Stina9562 

Our wedding us nearly five months away and I am starting to stress out! So everything is adding up and we are paying for everything out of pocket! So I am curious as to what I should cut corners on. We hired a photographer and videographer. We are doing a private reception which was unexpected but I am glad we are doing it. I asked about bringing my own decor and they said we would have to pay fees on those things but I am curious as to how much that would cost.

 

Has anyone ever taken there own decor to save money?

 

[ElDorado2012]

Valeria told me the set up fee if you have the resort staff set everything up is $5 per guest. I'm planning on bringing my own decorative glass votives because I found some adorable vintage-looking gold candle holders online that I think will go with my theme well. I was just going to use the resort's tea light candles, which, according to Valeria drops the cost per votive down to $1.50. I am debating if I'm going to pay the $5 fee for the set up. One plus about paying the set-up fee is that they will also take down all of your decorations and return them to you the next day. I'm assuming if you bring your own decorations, you have to take them down as well (CanadianLindsey do you know anything about that?)?

 

I'm also curious what is "included" as far as set-up with the resort staff. CanadianLindsey - did you set up your table numbers, seating cards, etc.?

 

Flowers would be a great way to cut corners. I want a specific flower (hydrangea) that is not "native" to the area and the centerpieces and bouquets are expensive!!! Have you already decided on your flowers? Another way to cut corners that I can see would be not to have a cocktail hour after the ceremony (were you planning on this?). My fiance and I are debating if we are going to have this. For the number of guests we will have it will cost us ~$1,500 for the hour and I'm struggling with the idea of paying this vs. just having guests head to one of the bars after the ceremony instead to save $$.

 

Another cost-cut would be to do your own (and have your bridesmaids do their own) hair and makeup...

 

Stina9562 - how many guests are you having? What are your ceremony and reception sites?

 

Happy planning!!

 

Originally Posted by Stina9562 

Our wedding us nearly five months away and I am starting to stress out! So everything is adding up and we are paying for everything out of pocket! So I am curious as to what I should cut corners on. We hired a photographer and videographer. We are doing a private reception which was unexpected but I am glad we are doing it. I asked about bringing my own decor and they said we would have to pay fees on those things but I am curious as to how much that would cost.

 

Has anyone ever taken there own decor to save money?

 

[leslidowd12]

Hi Angi111111, can't wait to hear your update when you get home :-) (not sure how when you are getting home)

 

I was wondering, did you go with one of the selected vendor list for photographers?  I think I have decided who I want to go with but I was told they are new to the vendor list so I don't know much about them or their pictures at this resort.

 

Thanks!

Lesli
 

Originally Posted by angi111111 

Congrats!!

You will have lots of time to read up on ideas and tips! I found this forum to be very helpful

 

We leave Monday for EDR!  Our wedding is Friday!  We are actually going to start the fun the night before & stay with friends at Harrah's casino then shuttle over to the AP early in the morning! We should be on the beach by 2:00pm ~ hopefully! I am anxious and excited and a little stressed, but that is mostly just stressing over the packing process~ yuck! I'm going to start tomorrow so that should help....The plans are all complete with the WC! We have 24 people traveling with us....

 

 

Quote:

 

 

[Stina9562]

Valeria didn't mention a cost so I was concerned about that. I do have some close friends that are not in the wedding that would be more than willing to help with setting up. Anything to save money at this point! lol We are having close to twenty guests. The list keeps growing as the date comes closer. The dinner said that we would have four hours of bar, so we are going to skip the cocktail hour and go straight to dinner. Our original plans were to go out afterwards bc of not having such a huge party. I am thinking about bringing something to where my ipod can connect to and having our own music and first dance. We are having our reception in the Tucanes Bar. I loved the beach idea but I was scared of rain if any and the Salon Dorado is just not my style. Our wedding is very simple and flowy ( not sure if that makes sense) haha. Colors are coral and turquoise. Below is our dresses. I plan on wearing some blings turquoise sandals because I am already 5'9". My sister n law told me something last night was a huge wake up call. She told me that she doen't look at her pics regreting the things she didn't do. Everyone remembers it as being a fun time, not what the centerpieces looked like. The beach is enough to take your breath away. Canadian Lydnsey said the same thing above. Makes me feel so much better about things.

 

Originally Posted by ElDorado2012 

Valeria told me the set up fee if you have the resort staff set everything up is $5 per guest. I'm planning on bringing my own decorative glass votives because I found some adorable vintage-looking gold candle holders online that I think will go with my theme well. I was just going to use the resort's tea light candles, which, according to Valeria drops the cost per votive down to $1.50. I am debating if I'm going to pay the $5 fee for the set up. One plus about paying the set-up fee is that they will also take down all of your decorations and return them to you the next day. I'm assuming if you bring your own decorations, you have to take them down as well (CanadianLindsey do you know anything about that?)?

 

I'm also curious what is "included" as far as set-up with the resort staff. CanadianLindsey - did you set up your table numbers, seating cards, etc.?

 

Flowers would be a great way to cut corners. I want a specific flower (hydrangea) that is not "native" to the area and the centerpieces and bouquets are expensive!!! Have you already decided on your flowers? Another way to cut corners that I can see would be not to have a cocktail hour after the ceremony (were you planning on this?). My fiance and I are debating if we are going to have this. For the number of guests we will have it will cost us ~$1,500 for the hour and I'm struggling with the idea of paying this vs. just having guests head to one of the bars after the ceremony instead to save $$.

 

Another cost-cut would be to do your own (and have your bridesmaids do their own) hair and makeup...

 

Stina9562 - how many guests are you having? What are your ceremony and reception sites?

 

Happy planning!!

 

 

 

[Jnadair]

Stina9562- Your dress is gorgeous!  Also, I love those coral dresses!  Coral is a color I am using too.  If you don't mind my asking...where did you find those?  

[ElDorado2012]

You guys look great!! Love the flowy-ness of both dresses. Beautiful!! I'm also going to wear sandals with my dress because they are comfy! We are going to have our reception at the Tucanes bar as well, so I'll be excited to see your pictures and hear how everything went!
 

Originally Posted by Stina9562 

Valeria didn't mention a cost so I was concerned about that. I do have some close friends that are not in the wedding that would be more than willing to help with setting up. Anything to save money at this point! lol We are having close to twenty guests. The list keeps growing as the date comes closer. The dinner said that we would have four hours of bar, so we are going to skip the cocktail hour and go straight to dinner. Our original plans were to go out afterwards bc of not having such a huge party. I am thinking about bringing something to where my ipod can connect to and having our own music and first dance. We are having our reception in the Tucanes Bar. I loved the beach idea but I was scared of rain if any and the Salon Dorado is just not my style. Our wedding is very simple and flowy ( not sure if that makes sense) haha. Colors are coral and turquoise. Below is our dresses. I plan on wearing some blings turquoise sandals because I am already 5'9". My sister n law told me something last night was a huge wake up call. She told me that she doen't look at her pics regreting the things she didn't do. Everyone remembers it as being a fun time, not what the centerpieces looked like. The beach is enough to take your breath away. Canadian Lydnsey said the same thing above. Makes me feel so much better about things.

 

 

 

[ElDorado2012]

I can't wait to hear about your time too Angi111111!! Please let us know how everything went once you are back!!
 

Originally Posted by leslidowd12 

Hi Angi111111, can't wait to hear your update when you get home :-) (not sure how when you are getting home)

 

I was wondering, did you go with one of the selected vendor list for photographers?  I think I have decided who I want to go with but I was told they are new to the vendor list so I don't know much about them or their pictures at this resort.

 

Thanks!

Lesli
 

 

 

[CanadianLindsey]

We had to be out of our Tucannes reception area at 11pm so we just packed up our decor and my mom took it to her room for us and then we all headed over to the disco to finish off the night.  The rented table runners($7 each) and vases(~$15 each) were put out and taken down by the staff when they took down the tables and chairs(the table numbers, candles, guest book and favors were put out by my friends to save me the fee, but since we only had 26 guests it didn't take much time to do)

 

We did do a cocktail hour(Mexican Donkey Cocktail) for a cost of about $800 I think. It was supposed to be on the beach at our ceremony site-gazebo 55-but b/c of rain got moved to Health Bar.  It was a huge hit(our guests said the appetizers were really tasty!) and was a good way to keep the party going while we got our beach photos taken.

 

ps, you may want to bring battery tealights instead of using votives...the ocean breeze blew ours out so many times!!

 

Originally Posted by ElDorado2012 

Valeria told me the set up fee if you have the resort staff set everything up is $5 per guest. I'm planning on bringing my own decorative glass votives because I found some adorable vintage-looking gold candle holders online that I think will go with my theme well. I was just going to use the resort's tea light candles, which, according to Valeria drops the cost per votive down to $1.50. I am debating if I'm going to pay the $5 fee for the set up. One plus about paying the set-up fee is that they will also take down all of your decorations and return them to you the next day. I'm assuming if you bring your own decorations, you have to take them down as well (CanadianLindsey do you know anything about that?)?

 

I'm also curious what is "included" as far as set-up with the resort staff. CanadianLindsey - did you set up your table numbers, seating cards, etc.?

 

Flowers would be a great way to cut corners. I want a specific flower (hydrangea) that is not "native" to the area and the centerpieces and bouquets are expensive!!! Have you already decided on your flowers? Another way to cut corners that I can see would be not to have a cocktail hour after the ceremony (were you planning on this?). My fiance and I are debating if we are going to have this. For the number of guests we will have it will cost us ~$1,500 for the hour and I'm struggling with the idea of paying this vs. just having guests head to one of the bars after the ceremony instead to save $$.

 

Another cost-cut would be to do your own (and have your bridesmaids do their own) hair and makeup...

 

Stina9562 - how many guests are you having? What are your ceremony and reception sites?

 

Happy planning!!

 

 

 

[CanadianLindsey]

We had to be out of our Tucannes reception area at 11pm so we just packed up our decor and my mom took it to her room for us and then we all headed over to the disco to finish off the night.  The rented table runners($7 each) and vases(~$15 each) were put out and taken down by the staff when they took down the tables and chairs(the table numbers, candles, guest book and favors were put out by my friends to save me the fee, but since we only had 26 guests it didn't take much time to do)

 

We did do a cocktail hour(Mexican Donkey Cocktail) for a cost of about $800 I think. It was supposed to be on the beach at our ceremony site-gazebo 55-but b/c of rain got moved to Health Bar.  It was a huge hit(our guests said the appetizers were really tasty!) and was a good way to keep the party going while we got our beach photos taken.

 

ps, you may want to bring battery tealights instead of using votives...the ocean breeze blew ours out so many times!!

 

Originally Posted by ElDorado2012 

Valeria told me the set up fee if you have the resort staff set everything up is $5 per guest. I'm planning on bringing my own decorative glass votives because I found some adorable vintage-looking gold candle holders online that I think will go with my theme well. I was just going to use the resort's tea light candles, which, according to Valeria drops the cost per votive down to $1.50. I am debating if I'm going to pay the $5 fee for the set up. One plus about paying the set-up fee is that they will also take down all of your decorations and return them to you the next day. I'm assuming if you bring your own decorations, you have to take them down as well (CanadianLindsey do you know anything about that?)?

 

I'm also curious what is "included" as far as set-up with the resort staff. CanadianLindsey - did you set up your table numbers, seating cards, etc.?

 

Flowers would be a great way to cut corners. I want a specific flower (hydrangea) that is not "native" to the area and the centerpieces and bouquets are expensive!!! Have you already decided on your flowers? Another way to cut corners that I can see would be not to have a cocktail hour after the ceremony (were you planning on this?). My fiance and I are debating if we are going to have this. For the number of guests we will have it will cost us ~$1,500 for the hour and I'm struggling with the idea of paying this vs. just having guests head to one of the bars after the ceremony instead to save $$.

 

Another cost-cut would be to do your own (and have your bridesmaids do their own) hair and makeup...

 

Stina9562 - how many guests are you having? What are your ceremony and reception sites?

 

Happy planning!!

 

 

 

[marissasmum]

Hi I agree with Lyndsey Less is more, the resort is so beautiful that you need little in the way of decorations. I stressed too, the resort put our favours on the tables (for a fee) the flowers on the table were beautiful there were also , rose petals and shells. As for the cocktail hour, we opted to have the welcome party the night before. and went to the martini bar for our cocktails after the ceremony. We we able to pull up the chairs for a group of 20 people. We used an IPOD for the music at both the ceremony and the welcome party. As we were having 20 people

my daughter felt that a reception with a dance was a waste of money. If you are having lots of people then that would be different.

We went to the swing bar after the reception dinner, and had a blast. They had her throw

her bouquet from the stage. They had a first dance for them also. Our guests had a great time. My daughter thought a dance with mainly relatives would be too small

We had a bachlorette, we met at the Casitas bar and had gift and later went for dinner.

We met up with the guys later, they were at JOJO's. The wedding staff is excellent do

not worry, we had to at the last minute go from Gazbo 55 to the chapel, we are glad we did it was soo beautiful!! The EDR is great we call it the "The Land of Yes" because

they never say no, Just ask. Have fun order room service, go to all the restaurants and have a great time. Again the resort is so beautiful that IMO you do not need to bring

much with you. We had three events for our guest, the batchelor, batchelorette. the welcome party and the wedding and reception  we have so many wonderful memories.