El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[msbritbrit57]

Originally Posted by jnitschke 

 

My fiance and I are both teachers too.  It's so nice to have summer coming up to get some real planning done.  To avoid the headache of all the legal fees and hoops we're getting our certificate back here in the states at the local court house.  It will save time, money, and effort... since you have to get your Mexican certificate signed off on back here anyway for it to be recognized, or at least in MD you do.  Plus, not sure I'm too crazy about having my blood drawn in Mexico.  To us the legal side of things is not what a wedding is about, so it's not a big deal for us to do the paperwork before hand and the ceremony later in Mexico.  Just an idea... but we are going to save a ton of money since the courthouse paperwork only costs us about $30.00, 75 if we want a little ceremony outside in the garden.

 

My (now) husband and I are both attorneys, and we looked into doing everything in Mexico for the legal ceremony. It just seemed like a huge (and very expensive) headache when we could just walk over to the courthouse. I was somewhat hesitant at first as to how to handle it as far as our friends and family (since we couldn't help but tell everyone after we did it), but everyone seemed to understand completely. We did the legal ceremony in the states on my birthday at lunchtime with just the two of us and the bailiffs as witnesses. It was really cool to have the ceremony with friends and family in Mexico but to have done the legal part of it with just the two of us wearing whatever we happened to have on that day.

 

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

 

Score on the dress if you end up getting it! We are doing the symbolic ceremony that is saving us a ton as well. We just aren't telling anyone. Not that it really matters but we'll do the legal stuff the day after we get back. As far as photography the cheapest one I could find was Caribe. We ended up going with the $1300 package which was a bit more than we anticipated but it was worth it to have more time with the photographer. To save money I've decided I keep my decorations minimal. Less is more here so I'm just doing my own luminary bags I got off of eBay and some lanterns as centerpieces. I'm having my mother and MIL set up to avoid the set up fee since this seems to be stupidly priced and not very consistent between brides. Hmmm... What else? We don't have too many guests so opted for the set menu 1. We will pay around $200 for that. Good luck with the planning and lucky you that you have the whole summer to work on it!

 

We used Sarani - the price wasn't too high, and the photographer and videographer they sent were really great and very creative with their shots. We also kept decorations cheap by bringing everything with us. We bought all of it at a craft store in town and had our moms set everything up prior to the reception. So long as you're doing things outside somewhere, you really don't need many decorations or any elaborate table setting. 

[msbritbrit57]

Originally Posted by chiquita8302 

 

Hi!! I was also considering not doing the Casitas, just because I wasn't sure if we wanted to be so far away, and they were expensive... but my TA after informed me that they can discount the casitas just like the regular rooms... so basically, wtih the free wedding, we're barely paying any more to stay in the Casitas. That has to be 7 nights, though I think.

 

I hear you with being a teacher! We are going on Feb vaca because 2 of my BM's are teachers. It is dificult- it makes our package more expensive for everyone because we have to travel during that prime week, but what are you going to do!

 

I've been just starting to talk to Valeria, and so far she seems super sweet, has lots to share... the only thing is her feedback takes probably about a week, but I guess they keep her very busy. When she does reply, she does so in detail to any and all e-mails I've sent her. She's been sending me pics for inspiration and everything to help me choose. So far so good! Good luck with the planning!!

 

The way the "free wedding" package works, it really makes sense to do the 7-night stay in the casitas. We were also worried about being too far from everyone, but when we showed up to the resort, they told us they had upgraded almost all of our guests to the casitas, so it worked out really well. They seem pretty quick to upgrade people if you ask when you check in. One of our good friends actually had booked the lowest level room on the EDR side, and he ended up in the Building 32 (the newest/nicest casitas). His room was even way nicer than our casita. We had stayed in the swim-ups on the EDR side when we got engaged though, so if you decide against the casita, you should totally request Building 55 with a swim-up. It's fairly secluded and has both a swim-up and great ocean view by Gazebo 55. Another reason to go with the "free wedding" (and they may do this with all weddings, I'm not sure) is for the refund back from all of the rooms people use while they're there. We ended up getting $1800 back from our guests' stay. Originally we had heard this had to be put toward credit at the hotel, but we ended up getting it back on our credit card.

 

Also - if you end up being somewhat far from the other side where your guests are, you can rent bicycles to go back and forth quickly or just call for a shuttle. We really enjoyed the short walk over there though, and actually ended up just having all our friends and family come hang out at our casita pool most days.

[Feb2013]

depending on where you are going July is the start of hurricane season... so that might be why there is a deal. 

[TheWolferts]

I am almost positive Claudia Photo is on the list of approved vendors as my cousin used her and we were given the option of using her as well.

Originally Posted by chiquita8302 

Thanks for that info... I don't see Claudia on the list of approved vendors.... do you know by any chance if she is?

Thanks!!

[TheWolferts]

MsBritbrit,

 

How big was your wedding? Were there a lot of other weddings on the same day as yours?

 

 

Originally Posted by msbritbrit57 

The way the "free wedding" package works, it really makes sense to do the 7-night stay in the casitas. We were also worried about being too far from everyone, but when we showed up to the resort, they told us they had upgraded almost all of our guests to the casitas, so it worked out really well. They seem pretty quick to upgrade people if you ask when you check in. One of our good friends actually had booked the lowest level room on the EDR side, and he ended up in the Building 32 (the newest/nicest casitas). His room was even way nicer than our casita. We had stayed in the swim-ups on the EDR side when we got engaged though, so if you decide against the casita, you should totally request Building 55 with a swim-up. It's fairly secluded and has both a swim-up and great ocean view by Gazebo 55. Another reason to go with the "free wedding" (and they may do this with all weddings, I'm not sure) is for the refund back from all of the rooms people use while they're there. We ended up getting $1800 back from our guests' stay. Originally we had heard this had to be put toward credit at the hotel, but we ended up getting it back on our credit card.

 

Also - if you end up being somewhat far from the other side where your guests are, you can rent bicycles to go back and forth quickly or just call for a shuttle. We really enjoyed the short walk over there though, and actually ended up just having all our friends and family come hang out at our casita pool most days.

[jnitschke]

We had issues at first with my MIL and not doing the legal ceremony, but when I explained to her the headache, the fact that it's not legal til you get back and get it ratified in MD and that the ceremony would have to be in spanish for it to be legal she caved.  I told her that it's just like filing the paperwork before the ceremony when you do it at home, that we wouldn't be doing any kind of mini-ceremony at the courthouse, that it literally would be sign here and here... and that was it.   That, the wedding wasn't back here in the states, but rather in Mexico. That might help.  I believe I told her that "When I exchange vows with my husband, I want it to be in a place as large and as gorgeous as our love.  When we agree to spend our lives together, I want it to be from that moment until death do us part.  Not, from the moment we find the time to get that paperwork finalized until death do us part."...The only way that I would achieve that was to handle every detail before we left.  She was pretty moved by the way I said it, and she agreed..  I think it's all about the way you pitch the idea, of course at first she wasn't sold on the whole destination idea at all... she kept sending me wedding sites in PA... now, who do you think won't stop sending me beach wedding photos.. sigh... I do love her though... think I lucked out on that one. 

Originally Posted by asmithpoulin 

Thanks, I'm looking forward to trying on dresses! I wish I could say I truly have the entire summer to work on planning but, I teach and an extended year school that's currently on a federal grant program, thus I teach until June 27th and start back up again August 1st. I have a week of professional development training and 2 weeks of weddings back in my home state, that leaves me with of free time

As for the legal/symbolic. We just can't decide... My parents have been pretty against the idea of legal happenings occurring here, they are assisting us in finances for the wedding. My mom feels like it defeats the purpose of going to Mexico in the first place... I agree in principal but just seeing the costs go up and up.. I'm trying to consider all options.

[chiquita8302]

Argh... I don't see them in the list. I'll e-mail Valeria about it! It would give me more confidence in choosing someone knowing that you've seen pictures and were happy with her!

 

Originally Posted by TheWolferts 

I am almost positive Claudia Photo is on the list of approved vendors as my cousin used her and we were given the option of using her as well.

[TammyWright]

Just a heads up:

 

Wright Travel Agency: Karisma GI Wedding Consultants!

You get some great perks by booking through a GI Consultant like your choice of:

 

 Welcome Cocktail Reception

 Caribe Photo $350 Package Credit

 Bride's Spa Package

 

More information on the different packages in the link above.

[AllieH]

that's a great way to explain it!!! I wish I had your tact lol 

Originally Posted by jnitschke 

We had issues at first with my MIL and not doing the legal ceremony, but when I explained to her the headache, the fact that it's not legal til you get back and get it ratified in MD and that the ceremony would have to be in spanish for it to be legal she caved.  I told her that it's just like filing the paperwork before the ceremony when you do it at home, that we wouldn't be doing any kind of mini-ceremony at the courthouse, that it literally would be sign here and here... and that was it.   That, the wedding wasn't back here in the states, but rather in Mexico. That might help.  I believe I told her that "When I exchange vows with my husband, I want it to be in a place as large and as gorgeous as our love.  When we agree to spend our lives together, I want it to be from that moment until death do us part.  Not, from the moment we find the time to get that paperwork finalized until death do us part."...The only way that I would achieve that was to handle every detail before we left.  She was pretty moved by the way I said it, and she agreed..  I think it's all about the way you pitch the idea, of course at first she wasn't sold on the whole destination idea at all... she kept sending me wedding sites in PA... now, who do you think won't stop sending me beach wedding photos.. sigh... I do love her though... think I lucked out on that one. 

 

well, my head has leveled and I've tucked Bridezilla away for a while. Making some decisions on what we want for our wedding and working to get our spreadsheet correct. Still a frustrating process but they've made it clear that this all happens on their terms, and we are stuck with it.

 

We are also cutting out a few things from a budget perspective (who needs $75 floating lanterns..). it's all good, and I'm just ready to be on the beach in Mexico!! 

 

 

 

[BennettMcneil13]

Hi ladies ! Im a new EDR bride from Dallas TX!! Our wedding isnt until 6/21/13 so we have a ways.  I am so eager to start everything. We have chosen area 55 for the ceremony and reception to follow at Tucanes. I am so excited I cannot wait! We also have a small budget  $6,000 soooo I am really hoping to find some helpful information here. We are having around 40 people total. We have Claudia as our coordinator have any of yall worked with her? looking forward to seeing what everyone talks about on here :) also was wondering how everyone is going to do there honey moon or if they will stay at the same place??