El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[ashbrooke3ou]

I do have a timeline that I can send you. I think I found it online and then just rearranged somethings but would probably help you at least get started. What is your email or is there some way to send on this website? Its been nice learning we are not alone in these frustrations. We may need to write a destination wedding etiquette book after this! Haha

[msbritbrit57]

New EDR Bride here! My fiance and I are a little late to the planning game (who knew DWs could be so time consuming to plan!), so I've slowly been catching up on this thread.  My fiance and I are both attorneys and tend to have precious little time to do anything regarding our EDR wedding (particularly since business hour calls don't fit very well into our schedule of no-lunch-working-sunrise-to-sunset), so I'm turning to you all for any tips/help with some issues we're running into.

 

Our wedding is going to be at Gazebo 55 at 3pm on May 19th.  So far we have about 30 people who have booked their room and expect a few more.  We're concerned it will be a little hot/humid at that time of day, but that's literally the only day/time available that we could do when we booked late last year.  Thus, we're planning to have a very casual dress code to deal with the high temperatures.  Hopefully the air off the ocean will counteract some of the heat!

 

The reception planning has been quite the fiasco.  We were originally promised the Mexican Gazebo (as all of the other locations were booked for that night).  We were completely fine with this and liked how private the area was.  Since then, Claudia has emailed us stating that that location was no longer an option and that instead we could do the Chapel Terrace or the Ballroom Garden (which appears to be a made up "new" location that clearly is not meant for a reception).  The Chapel Terrace would normally be okay except that it's so close to Guacamayas and its nighttime shows, so the reception times available (5pm-9pm) are less than desirable and would have little to no privacy for our guests.  We responded to Claudia telling her that the new locations were not acceptable and that the Mexican Gazebo was what we had originally agreed upon with her.  She responded telling us that in May that area is too hot and that there are mosquitoes.  Additionally, we could only do a buffet (which we'd already planned on doing).  We weren't sure how it was possible that the Mexican Gazebo area was significantly hotter than the Ballroom Garden as both are off the beach area.  Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with these locations in May?

 

Given that we only have 30-40 people, we're also wondering whether or not to get a DJ.  We realize we're late in the process to book one, but we figure we could find someone.  I'm not sure if it's worth nearly $2000 for a DJ though given the relatively small group we will have (including maybe 25% family that may not dance much).  The rest of the group is pretty rowdy, however, so we had originally planned on getting a DJ.  Not sure how out of place it will look in such a small group though.

 

Any thoughts/tips anyone might have with regard to these issues would be great!  We've got a to-do list a mile long, but these are some preliminary matters we absolutely HAVE to figure out.

[msbritbrit57]

New EDR Bride here! My fiance and I are a little late to the planning game (who knew DWs could be so time consuming to plan!), so I've slowly been catching up on this thread.  My fiance and I are both attorneys and tend to have precious little time to do anything regarding our EDR wedding (particularly since business hour calls don't fit very well into our schedule of no-lunch-working-sunrise-to-sunset), so I'm turning to you all for any tips/help with some issues we're running into.

 

Our wedding is going to be at Gazebo 55 at 3pm on May 19th.  So far we have about 30 people who have booked their room and expect a few more.  We're concerned it will be a little hot/humid at that time of day, but that's literally the only day/time available that we could do when we booked late last year.  Thus, we're planning to have a very casual dress code to deal with the high temperatures.  Hopefully the air off the ocean will counteract some of the heat!

 

The reception planning has been quite the fiasco.  We were originally promised the Mexican Gazebo (as all of the other locations were booked for that night).  We were completely fine with this and liked how private the area was.  Since then, Claudia has emailed us stating that that location was no longer an option and that instead we could do the Chapel Terrace or the Ballroom Garden (which appears to be a made up "new" location that clearly is not meant for a reception).  The Chapel Terrace would normally be okay except that it's so close to Guacamayas and its nighttime shows, so the reception times available (5pm-9pm) are less than desirable and would have little to no privacy for our guests.  We responded to Claudia telling her that the new locations were not acceptable and that the Mexican Gazebo was what we had originally agreed upon with her.  She responded telling us that in May that area is too hot and that there are mosquitoes.  Additionally, we could only do a buffet (which we'd already planned on doing).  We weren't sure how it was possible that the Mexican Gazebo area was significantly hotter than the Ballroom Garden as both are off the beach area.  Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with these locations in May?

 

Given that we only have 30-40 people, we're also wondering whether or not to get a DJ.  We realize we're late in the process to book one, but we figure we could find someone.  I'm not sure if it's worth nearly $2000 for a DJ though given the relatively small group we will have (including maybe 25% family that may not dance much).  The rest of the group is pretty rowdy, however, so we had originally planned on getting a DJ.  Not sure how out of place it will look in such a small group though.

 

Any thoughts/tips anyone might have with regard to these issues would be great!  We've got a to-do list a mile long, but these are some preliminary matters we absolutely HAVE to figure out.

[TheWolferts]

Hi msbritbrit57, welcome to the board!
 

Our wedding is May 12 at Gazebo 55!

 

My cousin got married at EDR in late September and had his reception at La Islas, which is an open air restaurant with a palapas roof. The venue was nice, but it was soooo hot, especially if you danced! Many people had to take breaks from dancing because they were so warm. We opted for an indoor reception location to try to avoid guests beign uncomfortably sweaty. It may be that Claudia messed up and is trying to suggest you to another location and is just using that excuse, but it may have some validity.

 

It is looking like we are going to have about 35-40 people, which is much less than we initially expected. We wanted to get a DJ to give it more of the feel of what my FI and I expect out of a wedding reception and we also wanted someone to MC the event. We are using DJ Doremixx (http://www.xcancun.com/doremixx/home.html), who is actually wayyyy cheaper than their approved vendors, even with the addition of the $800 outside vendor fee. We are getting a large screen and projector as well as 2 dry fireworks for around $1,800. If we wanted the same add ons with an approved DJ, it would cost around $3,000. I cant imagine not having a DJ, but a lot of brides have had a great time just using their iPods. I think it's just a matter of preference.

 

 

Originally Posted by msbritbrit57 

New EDR Bride here! My fiance and I are a little late to the planning game (who knew DWs could be so time consuming to plan!), so I've slowly been catching up on this thread.  My fiance and I are both attorneys and tend to have precious little time to do anything regarding our EDR wedding (particularly since business hour calls don't fit very well into our schedule of no-lunch-working-sunrise-to-sunset), so I'm turning to you all for any tips/help with some issues we're running into.

 

Our wedding is going to be at Gazebo 55 at 3pm on May 19th.  So far we have about 30 people who have booked their room and expect a few more.  We're concerned it will be a little hot/humid at that time of day, but that's literally the only day/time available that we could do when we booked late last year.  Thus, we're planning to have a very casual dress code to deal with the high temperatures.  Hopefully the air off the ocean will counteract some of the heat!

 

The reception planning has been quite the fiasco.  We were originally promised the Mexican Gazebo (as all of the other locations were booked for that night).  We were completely fine with this and liked how private the area was.  Since then, Claudia has emailed us stating that that location was no longer an option and that instead we could do the Chapel Terrace or the Ballroom Garden (which appears to be a made up "new" location that clearly is not meant for a reception).  The Chapel Terrace would normally be okay except that it's so close to Guacamayas and its nighttime shows, so the reception times available (5pm-9pm) are less than desirable and would have little to no privacy for our guests.  We responded to Claudia telling her that the new locations were not acceptable and that the Mexican Gazebo was what we had originally agreed upon with her.  She responded telling us that in May that area is too hot and that there are mosquitoes.  Additionally, we could only do a buffet (which we'd already planned on doing).  We weren't sure how it was possible that the Mexican Gazebo area was significantly hotter than the Ballroom Garden as both are off the beach area.  Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with these locations in May?

 

Given that we only have 30-40 people, we're also wondering whether or not to get a DJ.  We realize we're late in the process to book one, but we figure we could find someone.  I'm not sure if it's worth nearly $2000 for a DJ though given the relatively small group we will have (including maybe 25% family that may not dance much).  The rest of the group is pretty rowdy, however, so we had originally planned on getting a DJ.  Not sure how out of place it will look in such a small group though.

 

Any thoughts/tips anyone might have with regard to these issues would be great!  We've got a to-do list a mile long, but these are some preliminary matters we absolutely HAVE to figure out.

 

[murmel]

 

 

Originally Posted by msbritbrit57 

 

Our wedding is going to be at Gazebo 55 at 3pm on May 19th.  So far we have about 30 people who have booked their room and expect a few more.  We're concerned it will be a little hot/humid at that time of day, but that's literally the only day/time available that we could do when we booked late last year.  Thus, we're planning to have a very casual dress code to deal with the high temperatures.  Hopefully the air off the ocean will counteract some of the heat!

 

The reception planning has been quite the fiasco.  We were originally promised the Mexican Gazebo (as all of the other locations were booked for that night).  We were completely fine with this and liked how private the area was.  Since then, Claudia has emailed us stating that that location was no longer an option and that instead we could do the Chapel Terrace or the Ballroom Garden (which appears to be a made up "new" location that clearly is not meant for a reception).  The Chapel Terrace would normally be okay except that it's so close to Guacamayas and its nighttime shows, so the reception times available (5pm-9pm) are less than desirable and would have little to no privacy for our guests.  We responded to Claudia telling her that the new locations were not acceptable and that the Mexican Gazebo was what we had originally agreed upon with her.  She responded telling us that in May that area is too hot and that there are mosquitoes.  Additionally, we could only do a buffet (which we'd already planned on doing).  We weren't sure how it was possible that the Mexican Gazebo area was significantly hotter than the Ballroom Garden as both are off the beach area.  Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with these locations in May?

 

You should be fine for your ceremony. There always seems to be a breeze, and I would guess your guests are planning on a hot Mexican day, so they likely will not be in full length gowns or suits.

 

As for the reception site issue, I am sorry they are giving you such a hard time. I agree with you that the Chapel Terrace area, although it is nice, you would have a lot of noise from the entertainment. Here are the two photos I took of around the Ballroom area. Not sure how they would set up a dinner area there??? Maybe she is not describing the locations correctly? (I have posted other photos on my profile as well, not sure if you might find another spot to use...) http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/gallery/album/view/id/104294#page=0&sort=display_order

This  is a view of the ballroom. The gazebo is located towards the right side.

 

[AllieH]

Ms Brit - welcome to the group! I don't have any insight, but hope you get the reception location figured out with a solution that makes you happy. 

 

Quick question: we've decided to host a private dinner (at Tucanes), but were thinking about passing on the cocktail and sending people to one of the bars for an "informal" cocktail hour. Natalia recommended Guacamayas or the Martini Bar. I really like the idea of the martini bar, but since our ceremony is Gazebo 55, is the martini bar too far to send folks for cocktails? Our ceremony is 4pm...dinner at 6 (I think!). 

 

[TheWolferts]

AllieH-

 

Tucanes is a 2 minute (if that) walk from the Martini bar, but both are quite a ways away from Gazebo 55. If people are already going to be walking to the reception, it might be nice for them to have a quick a/c cool off break at the martini bar.
 

Originally Posted by AllieH 

Ms Brit - welcome to the group! I don't have any insight, but hope you get the reception location figured out with a solution that makes you happy. 

 

Quick question: we've decided to host a private dinner (at Tucanes), but were thinking about passing on the cocktail and sending people to one of the bars for an "informal" cocktail hour. Natalia recommended Guacamayas or the Martini Bar. I really like the idea of the martini bar, but since our ceremony is Gazebo 55, is the martini bar too far to send folks for cocktails? Our ceremony is 4pm...dinner at 6 (I think!). 

 

 

[TheWolferts]

So we are 4 days away from having to have our rooms paid in full and have 4 days left to fill our room block... we had one other room just cancel today, so now we need 5 more rooms to book between now and Friday or we are fined. I know we have at least one of those rooms filled, but we are getting the "if we had more time to come up with the money..." or "we need another month to come up with the funds, then we can book"... I am pulling my hair out! One of the friends I am actually personally paying for his room tomorrow (I know he has already done with the work, but his employer has yet to pay him) that way, he can still get the discounted room rate and will count towards our rooms booked. Im just hoping that my generosity doesnt back fire, though it very well could.

 

It isnt a huge deal if we come under our minimum 23 rooms, but I just want to know who is in and out. I am very eager to know how much money we are getting towards our room, how many guests are coming so we can notify our WC about how many of everything we need (chair covers, dinner plates, etc), and how much we will be getting towards our anniversary stay.

 

I may be living on Pepcid all week since my stomach is just churning!

 

 

[Stina9562]

I was sending constant email reminders to friends and family. I stressed to them that it needed to be done. Destination weddings was kind enough to change our room block to the amount we turned out with. Now I am adding rooms for people and making changes to who is staying where. She has been really helpful in changing things around for me and helping me save money with rooms.

 

Originally Posted by TheWolferts 

So we are 4 days away from having to have our rooms paid in full and have 4 days left to fill our room block... we had one other room just cancel today, so now we need 5 more rooms to book between now and Friday or we are fined. I know we have at least one of those rooms filled, but we are getting the "if we had more time to come up with the money..." or "we need another month to come up with the funds, then we can book"... I am pulling my hair out! One of the friends I am actually personally paying for his room tomorrow (I know he has already done with the work, but his employer has yet to pay him) that way, he can still get the discounted room rate and will count towards our rooms booked. Im just hoping that my generosity doesnt back fire, though it very well could.

 

It isnt a huge deal if we come under our minimum 23 rooms, but I just want to know who is in and out. I am very eager to know how much money we are getting towards our room, how many guests are coming so we can notify our WC about how many of everything we need (chair covers, dinner plates, etc), and how much we will be getting towards our anniversary stay.

 

I may be living on Pepcid all week since my stomach is just churning!

 

 

 

[TheWolferts]

DW.com told us that we could reduce our rooms up to 25% without being penalized. We originally held 30 rooms, so we can reduce to 23 rooms without incurring a $100 fee per room that we dont book. Since it is looking like we will only book 20 rooms, we will have to pay a $300 fee for not filling those rooms

 

We just feel like we have had to pester people to make a decision one way or the other and we both hate having to do that.

 

Stina- is that how your agreement worked? Are you added rooms still receiving the discounted room rate?
 

Originally Posted by Stina9562 

I was sending constant email reminders to friends and family. I stressed to them that it needed to be done. Destination weddings was kind enough to change our room block to the amount we turned out with. Now I am adding rooms for people and making changes to who is staying where. She has been really helpful in changing things around for me and helping me save money with rooms.