El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[Jillsepher]

Hey Chiquita! One thing I've realized trying to plan this whole thing is what I thought I originally wanted has changed quite a bit. I started off like you thinking I didn't want a reception, just the ceremony. I have since tweaked my plans. I'm only having about 16-18 guests but like you they are all very chill party hardy people. My FI had a very hard time understanding why we would pay for food at an AI resort. That's taken a little coaxing. We decided to have our dinner reception at Cocotal (free dinner included with wedding) then we are just doing the white glove on the beach which is around $15pp. That way we still have our reception with dancing and stuff but not for a crap ton of money. That will be from 7-9 and then we will go to all the other places within the resort to enjoy the free entertainment. We'll just rent the amp from them and have a friend of ours Di the music from his iPod. That saved us a ton of money and we are still getting the traditional stuff we wanted. Hope that helps and congratulations!!

OK girls... so now that I'm further into the planning, i went back and read through a lot of your posts to make sure I'm not redundant in asking for advice!! This is kind of long, so bear with me, but I want to give you just a little background on everything so you kind of know where I'm coming from. I'm guessing we're going to have somewhere around 30-40 guests. I'm still trying to get my FI to make sure I've included all of his friends that he wants, but he's a bit slow. Part of the reason for us choosing a DW was that we are both pretty casual people, and neither of us had any interest in spending the $30-40K for one night that all of my friends (ok not them, but their parents!!) have been spending. We have far too much going on and too many goals we are trying to accomplish to consider something like that. We both have very small families (mostly will be just our moms and a couple other relatives each), so it is mostly going to be our friends, who are all also pretty easy going, super fun partiers. All of our guests live in the surrounding towns from us, so it's not really a convenience thing or anything. One contributing factor was that a bunch of us were talking about trying to coordinate a vacation in January anyway, and it kind of got me thinking about how much fun it woudl be for one last hurrah for alllll of us to go on one big vacation together, since we're right on the cusp of the life stage where everyone starts having kids! ...I think one of my bridesmaids will be pregnant during the trip, but she said she'd make sure to coordinate when she ummm concieves lol so that it lines up right and she can still fly to Mexico. when i first thought DW, I had pictured a super small event, but the more we've talked about it, the more friends we've realized will be able to come. I'm used to just the nromal weddings wiht 200 or so people, so I hadn't really even considered a DJ or private reception because I thought our group was too small. I had just kind of figured since it was DW it must just be casual and we do the wedding, go to dinner, and then find somewhere else to continue the party after! So... I am trying to figure out the details of receptions and what not. I am using Sarah from Beach Bum Vacations who has been great.... by booking with her, we'll get a free welcome party, so I don't have to worry about that. I'm pretty sure we are going to pass on the Casitas and just pay for the Pearl wedding package... since we haven't ever done this type of vaca, I'm thinking we're going to be pretty impressed even with the royale suites, and will be just as happy there. It says that dinner reservations are included, but then I've also read about some of the different private reception choices, and that you can save that reservation for another night (i.e. rehersal night or something). Now that I've read through so much of your stuff, I'm feeling like maybe I should have a private reception... The prices really aren't too bad to add on a private reception... I'm thinking maybe another $1000 for 30 guests, does that sound right or am I way off? But then... if I do the private reception, I'll want to extend the photography hours, add a DJ and god knows what other costs, so I just can't decide if it's worth it! I've never been to an all inclusive resort, but knowing my friends, I don't know if we'd have more fun hanging out just hte 30 or so of us, or if it would be just as much fun to just head to Guacamayas or wherever and have our own little party there? You girls seem like you've figured out most of your details, so maybe you can help me sort through my prorities and make some of the decisions that you have already made?? Thank you so much in advance!!  -Chris

[Jillsepher]

Thank goodness!!!! Did you go to the vet yet?

Im fixed, Im fixed!!!!:cheer2:

[AllieH]

WHEW!!!! 

 

 

Proceed to party, k? 

 

 

Originally Posted by TheWolferts 

Im fixed, Im fixed!!!!

 

 

[AllieH]

Hi Chiquita!

 

I was kind of like Jill - at first I wasn't thinking we'd pay for a private reception, but I've changed my mind (errr, we've changed OUR minds..?). I'm still not doing a DJ though - just going with the iPod for party music. we are using the dinner reservation as a rehearsal or welcome dinner - I'm trying to move it from a rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, to a welcome dinner the first night everyone is there. We will have our photog for 6 hours, but many of my friends are photography nuts so there will still be plenty of evidence of the later hours of the celebration. 

 

the private dinners are anywhere from $20 - $35pp, and that includes the open bar. remember you are paying for the additional set up and extra staff just for your event. Where I'm finding the extra costs is around decorations for the reception. At first I didn't really want them, but then I do - I want personal touches, etc. but I'm finding ways to do it fairly inexpensively, and still small/easily packed items to take with us (and minimizing the outrageous fees from EDR). 

 

The main thing is for you to do what will work best for you & your groom. There are no rules on a DW - what some of us do may not work for others. I had a friend who had 12 guest, and it was a very small wedding. They didn't take a lot of extras down, and had a dinner reservation in one of the restaurants. And it was PERFECT for her. That's all that really matters!!! 

 

 

Originally Posted by chiquita8302 

OK girls... so now that I'm further into the planning, i went back and read through a lot of your posts to make sure I'm not redundant in asking for advice!! This is kind of long, so bear with me, but I want to give you just a little background on everything so you kind of know where I'm coming from.

 

I'm guessing we're going to have somewhere around 30-40 guests. I'm still trying to get my FI to make sure I've included all of his friends that he wants, but he's a bit slow. Part of the reason for us choosing a DW was that we are both pretty casual people, and neither of us had any interest in spending the $30-40K for one night that all of my friends (ok not them, but their parents!!) have been spending. We have far too much going on and too many goals we are trying to accomplish to consider something like that. We both have very small families (mostly will be just our moms and a couple other relatives each), so it is mostly going to be our friends, who are all also pretty easy going, super fun partiers. All of our guests live in the surrounding towns from us, so it's not really a convenience thing or anything. One contributing factor was that a bunch of us were talking about trying to coordinate a vacation in January anyway, and it kind of got me thinking about how much fun it woudl be for one last hurrah for alllll of us to go on one big vacation together, since we're right on the cusp of the life stage where everyone starts having kids! ...I think one of my bridesmaids will be pregnant during the trip, but she said she'd make sure to coordinate when she ummm concieves lol so that it lines up right and she can still fly to Mexico.

 

when i first thought DW, I had pictured a super small event, but the more we've talked about it, the more friends we've realized will be able to come. I'm used to just the nromal weddings wiht 200 or so people, so I hadn't really even considered a DJ or private reception because I thought our group was too small. I had just kind of figured since it was DW it must just be casual and we do the wedding, go to dinner, and then find somewhere else to continue the party after!

 

So... I am trying to figure out the details of receptions and what not. I am using Sarah from Beach Bum Vacations who has been great.... by booking with her, we'll get a free welcome party, so I don't have to worry about that. I'm pretty sure we are going to pass on the Casitas and just pay for the Pearl wedding package... since we haven't ever done this type of vaca, I'm thinking we're going to be pretty impressed even with the royale suites, and will be just as happy there. It says that dinner reservations are included, but then I've also read about some of the different private reception choices, and that you can save that reservation for another night (i.e. rehersal night or something).

 

Now that I've read through so much of your stuff, I'm feeling like maybe I should have a private reception... The prices really aren't too bad to add on a private reception... I'm thinking maybe another $1000 for 30 guests, does that sound right or am I way off? But then... if I do the private reception, I'll want to extend the photography hours, add a DJ and god knows what other costs, so I just can't decide if it's worth it! I've never been to an all inclusive resort, but knowing my friends, I don't know if we'd have more fun hanging out just hte 30 or so of us, or if it would be just as much fun to just head to Guacamayas or wherever and have our own little party there?

 

You girls seem like you've figured out most of your details, so maybe you can help me sort through my prorities and make some of the decisions that you have already made??

 

Thank you so much in advance!! 

 

-Chris

 

 

[TheWolferts]

We did take her to the vet and she is already doing much better!

 

I better get back to packing! I cant believe we leave tomorrow morning... so surreal!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

Thank goodness!!!! Did you go to the vet yet?

[AllieH]

I'm so glad she's doing better!! safe travels, and enjoy every moment . 

 

[murmel]

The Wolferts- what a stressful few days. So glad to hear the hair issue is solved and your dog is doing better. Now take a super deep breath, finish packing and enjoy. I would pack a heavy duty conditioner for your hair (the resort has conditioner, but it 's just hotel basic- and if the salon damaged your hair, it might needy a little extra love)

[AllieH]

I started some of my DIY projects today, and started with the small one: adding little flags to my striped straws. I have light blue & white, as well as these orange & white ones. I finished the blue ones and started on the orange, and that's when the adhesive ran out. These will go on the bar to be served with the beverages during the dinner/reception. 

 

 

 

e orange, and then ran ou

 

 

 

[chiquita8302]

Hi Jill,

This sounds like a great idea. I looked through all the private reception info, and the more i look at it the more reasonable it seems... I think your plan might be exactly what would work for us. Where are you thinking you'll be dancing? Just on the beach? Are you still going to be announced, have your first dance, and all that traditional stuff?

Thank you SO much for your feedback... it makes me more confident that everything will work out. It's so hard to envision everything because I have never (nor have any of my friends) been to a DW before. It scares me a bit that i'll have this beautiful relaxed vision in my head and then it'll end up feeling like something is missing!

Thanks again!

Chris

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

Hey Chiquita!
One thing I've realized trying to plan this whole thing is what I thought I originally wanted has changed quite a bit. I started off like you thinking I didn't want a reception, just the ceremony. I have since tweaked my plans. I'm only having about 16-18 guests but like you they are all very chill party hardy people. My FI had a very hard time understanding why we would pay for food at an AI resort. That's taken a little coaxing. We decided to have our dinner reception at Cocotal (free dinner included with wedding) then we are just doing the white glove on the beach which is around $15pp. That way we still have our reception with dancing and stuff but not for a crap ton of money. That will be from 7-9 and then we will go to all the other places within the resort to enjoy the free entertainment. We'll just rent the amp from them and have a friend of ours Di the music from his iPod. That saved us a ton of money and we are still getting the traditional stuff we wanted. Hope that helps and congratulations!!

[chiquita8302]

Hi Allie,

 

haha yes... um... "our minds"... lol. The men are lucky they don't have to stress over any of this! My FI knows that I'll make sure eveyrthing is perfect and that he'll end up with a happy wife if things are done my way, so he gets to kick back and relax! lol

 

It's hard to figure out which photography package I'll need, but to be honest, even those are relatively reasonable, considering I"d probably be spending almost $3K just on a photographer here! Getting beautiful pictures and having everything documented is one of the most important things for me! I'm thinking I'll go for a longer than I think package just to be safe... I'd rather have too many pictures than not enough!

 

 

The extra costs were what I was kind of worried about... it's not such a big deal to pay an extra 800$ for a dinner, but then all of a sudden with $1600 for a DJ, all the decorations and god only knows what else, I was worried it was getting a little over the top.

 

Thanks so much for your support. I do think it will be fun no matter what, as it usually is with the crowd that will go. I think I just haven't quite figured out what it is that I want... but chatting with you girls is helping me figure some of the details out!!!
 

Now if I can just get my guest list finalized then I can submit for the group contract, and then get to more of the fun and exciting stuff!! (Like starting to dress shop! )

 

Thanks again!!

 

Chris

 

Originally Posted by AllieH 

Hi Chiquita!

 

I was kind of like Jill - at first I wasn't thinking we'd pay for a private reception, but I've changed my mind (errr, we've changed OUR minds..?). I'm still not doing a DJ though - just going with the iPod for party music. we are using the dinner reservation as a rehearsal or welcome dinner - I'm trying to move it from a rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, to a welcome dinner the first night everyone is there. We will have our photog for 6 hours, but many of my friends are photography nuts so there will still be plenty of evidence of the later hours of the celebration. 

 

the private dinners are anywhere from $20 - $35pp, and that includes the open bar. remember you are paying for the additional set up and extra staff just for your event. Where I'm finding the extra costs is around decorations for the reception. At first I didn't really want them, but then I do - I want personal touches, etc. but I'm finding ways to do it fairly inexpensively, and still small/easily packed items to take with us (and minimizing the outrageous fees from EDR). 

 

The main thing is for you to do what will work best for you & your groom. There are no rules on a DW - what some of us do may not work for others. I had a friend who had 12 guest, and it was a very small wedding. They didn't take a lot of extras down, and had a dinner reservation in one of the restaurants. And it was PERFECT for her. That's all that really matters!!!