El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[Jillsepher]

@The Wolferts I love your aisle decorations!! Are you making them or ordering them from somewhere? If I had more people coming I would totally be stealing your sand dollar placecards! Those are so cute! Is anyone doing anything like a sand ceremony, butterflies or seashell throwing? I read about the seashell throwing(kinda like a sand ceremony) and thought it would be a great idea to involve the guests. I'm doing the iPod station as well. I thought about doing a dinner but just couldn't justify it for only 15 people so what I decided to do was the ceremony, then all meet for the free dinner included in the package- although I'm not sure what restaurant to choose, then all meet on the beach for the reception. I'm just going to have a 2 hour cocktail type party for my reception. One of the groomsmen agreed to MC it with the iPod dock. Every little penny counts! @Stina So sorry to hear about your FI's job. I can't imagine the stress. Sending hugs your way. It's things like that though that will really give you so much accomplishment by pulling this off. You can do it!

[Stina9562]

I will have to try that drink! Are you doing anything around the pool? I bought bags and flameless candles. Figured it would be an easy look to achieve but I might just do without.
 

Originally Posted by amanda50388 

Were bringing down vases with candles to jazz the tables up a bit, nothing to big, I totally forgot about using the gazebo flowers, i am going to have to do that some how, prob put them by our sweetheart table that we requested.

 

I hear ya on the stress part, there is still so much to do yet. A strong margarita is needed sure. Try there mango tango its amazing, I had it at the bar next to joe joes.

 

Also, I hope something works out for your fiance, you will for sure need this vacation after everything going on.

 

Quote:

 

 

[Stina9562]

Thank you for the hugs! I am trying to keep my head up because I know I am about to marry the man of my dreams and have a wonderful vacation!

 

Did you happen to schedule your dinner yet? When I tried a few months ago there were no available times (times available were 6pm and 9pm, my wedding was 6pm) so we had to do a private dinner. I was bummed at first but now I am excited to have the privacy and convience of service.

 

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

@The Wolferts
I love your aisle decorations!! Are you making them or ordering them from somewhere? If I had more people coming I would totally be stealing your sand dollar placecards! Those are so cute! Is anyone doing anything like a sand ceremony, butterflies or seashell throwing? I read about the seashell throwing(kinda like a sand ceremony) and thought it would be a great idea to involve the guests.
I'm doing the iPod station as well. I thought about doing a dinner but just couldn't justify it for only 15 people so what I decided to do was the ceremony, then all meet for the free dinner included in the package- although I'm not sure what restaurant to choose, then all meet on the beach for the reception. I'm just going to have a 2 hour cocktail type party for my reception. One of the groomsmen agreed to MC it with the iPod dock. Every little penny counts!
@Stina
So sorry to hear about your FI's job. I can't imagine the stress. Sending hugs your way. It's things like that though that will really give you so much accomplishment by pulling this off. You can do it!

 

[Stina9562]

Love the starfish Wolferts! I found the stuff here at Hobby Lobby to do them but I have to many things I need to carry

[Jillsepher]

I have emailed my WC last week but no response yet. We were thinking a 6 o'clock time anyway since our ceremony is at 4 then the time it would take for pictures. I have no idea what the choices even are for it. I hear you ladies talking about a signature drink. What is this?

[TheWolferts]

I think the free, semi private dinner included with the wedding package is only available at the Cocotal restaurant. We are using ours on Wednesday for our wedding party, their dates, and parents only, since we are inviting everyone to our rehearsal dinner on Friday. We wanted to do a welcome cocktail party that night for all the guests, but it wasnt in budget, so we are doing an impromptu gathering at the martini bar wednesday night at 8:30, but having our guests do a black and white theme, so everyone can distinguish who is with our wedding since it wont be a private function. Yay free cocktail party!

 

The resort allows you to have 1 signature drink at a cocktail party, so we are having them make a blue signature drink (wedding colors) for our cocktail party in between the ceremony and reception. You just have to tell your coordinator well in advance so she can communicate with resort to find out if they have all the ingredients.

 

 

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

I have emailed my WC last week but no response yet. We were thinking a 6 o'clock time anyway since our ceremony is at 4 then the time it would take for pictures. I have no idea what the choices even are for it.
I hear you ladies talking about a signature drink. What is this?

 

[TheWolferts]

Thanks! That was just an inspiration picture, but my grandmother is making something almost exactly the same, but with a white finger starfish instead of the brown starfish.

 

The sand dollar place cards are actually really cheap to do! I ordered the sand dollars from http://www.favorsandflowers.com/sand-dollar-place-cards.htm for 20 sand dollars it was only $15. You can write on them with a sharpie pen and I bought ribbon at Michael's to put through the hole, so people could use them as ornaments if they wanted to take them home. You can buy a serving tray at TJ Maxx for super cheap and then all you have to do is dump in sand!

 

 

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

@The Wolferts
I love your aisle decorations!! Are you making them or ordering them from somewhere? If I had more people coming I would totally be stealing your sand dollar placecards! Those are so cute! Is anyone doing anything like a sand ceremony, butterflies or seashell throwing? I read about the seashell throwing(kinda like a sand ceremony) and thought it would be a great idea to involve the guests.
I'm doing the iPod station as well. I thought about doing a dinner but just couldn't justify it for only 15 people so what I decided to do was the ceremony, then all meet for the free dinner included in the package- although I'm not sure what restaurant to choose, then all meet on the beach for the reception. I'm just going to have a 2 hour cocktail type party for my reception. One of the groomsmen agreed to MC it with the iPod dock. Every little penny counts!
@Stina
So sorry to hear about your FI's job. I can't imagine the stress. Sending hugs your way. It's things like that though that will really give you so much accomplishment by pulling this off. You can do it!

 

[AllieH]

Natalia told me the same thing about having one of my guests do the set up - "they'll interfere with the staff". I've just emailed her to ask what the set up would cost, along with renting vases for the centerpieces. we'll see if we can get a response from her. I have heard it's pretty standard to charge a fee to set up things. What I'd heard was it's a fee per person - so TheWolfort's providing flat fees is the first I've heard (and I'm going to use it as leverage!!). 

 

 

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

Ah thanks so much ladies! So great to have people know exactly how I'm feeling! All of your weddings sound amazing! I never even thought of OOT bags until reading your comments and think that is a fabulous idea!
As far as switching coordinators how would I go about doing that you think? I asked Natalia how much it would cost for a set up for 4 simple centerpieces and some luminary bags. She told me she didn't know as its up to the WC once I get there. I asked if I could just have my mom set up stuff and she told me no because I would interfere with the staff. Hmmmm... Looks like another way to get some moola. Anyone else been told this? I think I might just send my mom anyway and see if they say anything to her.

 

Originally Posted by TheWolferts 

Jill-

 

That is odd that she wont quote you any prices for set up fees and centerpieces! I would definitely switch! Maybe you could just let Natalia know that things arent really working out between you and ask if its possible to switch to a different coordinator? Ask for Valeria! She is very on top of things and helpful.

 

I would get the set up fees in writing via email before you go down there. Valeria told me that she could add it to my spreadsheet now or I could take care of it down there. I am havign her add it now, so that I dont get down there and get quoted a more expensive price. I would say that you are looking at a $20-40 set up fee, based on the set up fees I was quoted. We had thought about having some guests do it for us, but for $20, I would rather everyone enjoy, rather than run around trying to get things set up and/or asking for direction from me
 

 

 

Stina - you aren't by chance having orange as one of your colors are you? 

Originally Posted by Stina9562 

I was going to bring my own centerpieces but Valeria suggested taking the flowers from the ceremony gazebo and using them as centerpieces. Justifies me spending 120.00 on flowers in two different locations. I wanted to decorate chairs as well but I took to long trying to find sashes. I am toting fans down there for the guests with our programs. Not sure if I wanna assemble here or in Mexico.

 

 

 

I'm so sorry to hear he was laid off! that blows. I can meet you at Uncle Julio's ANY time for margaritas - just say the word. 
 

Originally Posted by Stina9562 

Oh and I am very excited! I am very stressed though becuase my fiance was laid off a few weeks ago, so dealing with everything has given me a huge headache. I know once we arrive at that resort I am having the strongest margarita they have!

 

 

 

 

[amanda50388]

I am going to buy some bags as well, but you gave me a good idea about the flame less candles, that way nothing starts on fire, haha!!! 
 

Originally Posted by Stina9562 

I will have to try that drink! Are you doing anything around the pool? I bought bags and flameless candles. Figured it would be an easy look to achieve but I might just do without.
 

 

 

[AllieH]

PS - I kept getting confused, so I put together a list of our EDR brides and their dates if you guys have them listed. Feel free to add yourself if you'd like!! 

 

 

Stina9562 – April 20, 2012

Amanda50388 – April 30, 2012

TheWolforts – May 12, 2012

ONEILL12 – September 15, 2012

Jillsepher – October 11, 2012

Allie H – November 5, 2012

 

so we have 3 coming up in the next month or so!!!