El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[AllieH]

I love St. Maarten!!! just be careful and do your research as many of the resorts (and beaches) there are clothing optional.  the clothing optional beaches aren't a big deal (most of them are topless anyway - europeans!).    

 

Aruba is amazing too - the beaches there are unbelievable!! it's more of a laid back sit and enjoy the beach sort of place. I can't wait to go back. 

 

and I just love Puerto Rico - it's a larger island, so there are a lot of things to see and do there. rainforest, bioluminescent caves/snorkeling, the old forts, Old San Juan and amazing beaches too! 

 

 

Originally Posted by murmel 

 First of all, I am so sorry to hear this news. This must be a very difficult time for you and your husband. Take some time to recover. And know that I am thinking of you both.

 

The idea of a honeymoon right away is nice,but it's also nice to have something to look forward to later. (we went our honeymoon almost 10 months later to south east Asia) Thankfully you have insurance, so you can just plan another trip. In July (if that's when you are able to go), the caribbean is extremely hot. Could you go somewhere else? Europe maybe? Rent an Italian villa, and enjoy the great wine? If you are set on the Caribbean, look at other resorts- Sandels St. Lucia is stunning; Excellence in Punta Cana, Cuba; Rui Palace in Los Cabos, Mexico; St. Maarten is a beautiful island (we visited while on a cruise, but I don't know any resorts there directly).

 

 

 

[asmithpoulin]

Hey EDR brides! I've been lurking for the past month or so and have enjoyed all the stories, advice and photos!  Our date is 4.20.13 at EDR, we've booked rooms and flights! Now trying to figure ceremony/reception details, photographer, a dress and a suit! We had set a budget of $5,000 but it doesn't seem that will be happening

I'm curious to hear, for those of you who don't mind sharing, what your budgets looked like. Without favors, a dress or suit we're up to about $6,500 so far...

[Jillsepher]

Welcome and congrats!

My budget is very small too. We also have to board our 3 dogs for 10 days so that's a huge chunk of the budget. With everything not including the dress we are running about $7000. The dress I originally wanted was $3000... YIKES! Luckily I found one that I liked better for $1000. So with EVERYTHING (lodging, airfare, ceremony, dress, dog boarding) we are looking at $8000. But hey- for an 8 day vacation at a super AI resort AND a wedding that's pretty darn good! Good luck with the planning. If you don't mind me asking which wedding coordinator have you been assigned to?

 

Originally Posted by asmithpoulin 

Hey EDR brides! I've been lurking for the past month or so and have enjoyed all the stories, advice and photos!  Our date is 4.20.13 at EDR, we've booked rooms and flights! Now trying to figure ceremony/reception details, photographer, a dress and a suit! We had set a budget of $5,000 but it doesn't seem that will be happening

I'm curious to hear, for those of you who don't mind sharing, what your budgets looked like. Without favors, a dress or suit we're up to about $6,500 so far...

[jnitschke]

Also, what about some of the vacation package deals offered from Living Social or Groupon... or perhaps a different beach location other than the Caribbean that won't be overly hot in July.   Maybe somewhere in the south Pacific or Northern Europe?  I found this nifty site that has a by month chart of the best places to travel each month, for various different reasons.  Check it out.

http://www.journeymart.com/holidays-ideas/july-travel.aspx

 

Originally Posted by chiquita8302 

Nikki,

 

First, I LOVE your pictures!!! BEAUTIFUL.

 

Second... I'm so sorry to hear about your father in law... I've been working with Sarah at Beach Bum Vacations and she has been fantastic beyond words... I know they do more than destination weddings... I would definately give her a call/e-mail and ask if she has any reccommendations. I think they get access to discounted rates at some places, so it wouldn't hurt to see what she reccommends. I feel like she's been everywhere and can give you a pretty honest opinion about where might be best for a honeymoon in July!!

 

Also, since you're planning a bit last minute now, maybe you'll be able to take advantage of some of the super cheap specials that cheap carribean offers? I get their e-mails all the time!

 

If you do decide to go to Secrets with those rates, I'd have to say I'd wing it and take the cheaper rate. I don't know how the sister resort is, but as long as it is comparable, it might be worth it. On the other hand, it is your honeymoon, so you want it to be super special... if you're not comfortable with the worst case scenario, I wouldn't do it, because think of how dissapointed you'd be. So sorry you're dealing wiht all of this!

 

-Chris

[Jillsepher]

I'm debating on what to make. That sounds like what I wanted to make but unfortunately my FI hates pineapple and coconut so I'm trying to figure out what kind of blue drink I can make. Any advice?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolferts 

I think the default color is blue. I believe my cousin's Cocotal menu was blue as well and her wedding colors were orange and pink.

 

We decided on a drink that we named Carribbean Crush. It had coconut rum, blue curaco and pineapple juice. Very tasty!

Allie- Where did you get the template for that and did you tell Natalia you were sending a custom Cocotal wedding to her? I love it by the way!

[jnitschke]

Welcome!.. it's nice to hear from someone as far out as I am... we're in pretty much the same place.  I'm booked, and my save the dates and wedding website are up.... but that's about it.  The nice thing about planning this far out was that we were able to use our money from this past years tax return to pay our deposit, and put some money back for decor and clothes... then next year's tax return will pay for the final bill... the following year it'll pay for our 1st anniversary/honeymoon trip.  I'm interested to learn what other people are paying for their packages too.  Anyone mind sharing their price sheet, plus whatever they spent on extras?

Originally Posted by asmithpoulin 

Hey EDR brides! I've been lurking for the past month or so and have enjoyed all the stories, advice and photos!  Our date is 4.20.13 at EDR, we've booked rooms and flights! Now trying to figure ceremony/reception details, photographer, a dress and a suit! We had set a budget of $5,000 but it doesn't seem that will be happening

I'm curious to hear, for those of you who don't mind sharing, what your budgets looked like. Without favors, a dress or suit we're up to about $6,500 so far...

[AllieH]

Welcome to the group!!! We are looking at around $10k for the whole shebang. That was my top line budget, and I think we'll be just under that when everything is said and done. We have about 46 people planning to go with us, and we're hosting a private dinner/reception. We're sending out 50 invites. I'm planning on 35 OOT bags. the two biggest ticket items are my dress and the resort itself. and petsitting - like Jill, we'll have to board our gang while we're gone.

 

as for add ons, I don't think we're going to do too much - white sheers on the gazebo, renting the amplifier/sound system for the reception (iPod), and more than likely the wooden aisle runner. and of course whatever they decide to charge for set up.

 

Originally Posted by asmithpoulin 

Hey EDR brides! I've been lurking for the past month or so and have enjoyed all the stories, advice and photos!  Our date is 4.20.13 at EDR, we've booked rooms and flights! Now trying to figure ceremony/reception details, photographer, a dress and a suit! We had set a budget of $5,000 but it doesn't seem that will be happening

I'm curious to hear, for those of you who don't mind sharing, what your budgets looked like. Without favors, a dress or suit we're up to about $6,500 so far...

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnitschke 

Welcome!.. it's nice to hear from someone as far out as I am... we're in pretty much the same place.  I'm booked, and my save the dates and wedding website are up.... but that's about it.  The nice thing about planning this far out was that we were able to use our money from this past years tax return to pay our deposit, and put some money back for decor and clothes... then next year's tax return will pay for the final bill... the following year it'll pay for our 1st anniversary/honeymoon trip.  I'm interested to learn what other people are paying for their packages too.  Anyone mind sharing their price sheet, plus whatever they spent on extras?

 

 

Jill - no, I didn't tell Natalia yet that we have our own menu cards. My friend that designed our invites designed the menu cards for me. I probably wouldn't have done them if I'd be paying attention to the fact that EDR will do them for us! duh moment for sure... 

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

Allie- Where did you get the template for that and did you tell Natalia you were sending a custom Cocotal wedding to her? I love it by the way!

 

 

 

[jnitschke]

I believe that the knot and martha stewert weddings have signature coctails by color...here's a few sites that I have bookmarked.

http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/35685/view.aspx?type=1&id=35685

http://www.brides.com/wedding-ideas/wedding-meals-drinks/editorial-pick/2009/10/signature-drinks#slide=1

http://www.marthastewart.com/274402/signature-cocktails/@center/276959/cocktail-hour

http://cocktailsdetails.com/2011/03/signature-drinks-for-your-wedding-by-color-purple/

 

 

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

Allie- Where did you get the template for that and did you tell Natalia you were sending a custom Cocotal wedding to her? I love it by the way!

[Jillsepher]

Thanks Chris! There's some good ones on those. Now to find the one we want and name it...

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnitschke 

I believe that the knot and martha stewert weddings have signature coctails by color...here's a few sites that I have bookmarked.

http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/35685/view.aspx?type=1&id=35685

http://www.brides.com/wedding-ideas/wedding-meals-drinks/editorial-pick/2009/10/signature-drinks#slide=1

http://www.marthastewart.com/274402/signature-cocktails/@center/276959/cocktail-hour

http://cocktailsdetails.com/2011/03/signature-drinks-for-your-wedding-by-color-purple/

 

 

[TheWolferts]

Well we found a groupon actually to a Secrets resort for $1300 per person including flight for mid July, but I am very wary about the deal. I just have to wonder what is wrong with the resort that they would be able to offer such a deal for a 5 night stay during peak wedding season. I just dont want to take the deal and then get down there and they are doing heavy construction or the pool is being worked on LOL.

 

The problem with Europe is the getting there. The flights are outrageous!

Originally Posted by jnitschke 

Also, what about some of the vacation package deals offered from Living Social or Groupon... or perhaps a different beach location other than the Caribbean that won't be overly hot in July.   Maybe somewhere in the south Pacific or Northern Europe?  I found this nifty site that has a by month chart of the best places to travel each month, for various different reasons.  Check it out.

http://www.journeymart.com/holidays-ideas/july-travel.aspx