El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[AllieH]

I think the only one who didn't appreciate the "fancy" food was my dad. Rumor has it he ate nachos and hamburgers the entire time LOL Really, there are plenty of options on the menus to please anyone - always a steak dish, chicken, shrimp, etc. My brother is a pretty simple eater, and his FI is a super picky eater - neither of them had complaints. If someone doesn't like the sauces or whatever, just tell them to ask if they can have it more plain. They'll do whatever someone wants if at all possible. 

 

The dress code was one of the weird things - some people really dressed up at night (guys in a tie, ladies in a cute little dress), and others wore jeans, capris and more casual. I was one of the more casual people, and we never, ever had any issues with the dress code being enforced or being asked to leave somewhere. I did follow the very basic dress code, but I ended up having to wear my flip flops most of the time too because some sandals caused blisters - that wasn't mentioned or questioned by any staff. 

 

So I'd say it's really up to you and your guests as to what they'll be comfortable in at dinner. I think Jojo's and La Isla are probably a little more casual for dinner, since they are both outdoors. At lunch though, make sure folks have shirts and shoes - my friend couldn't get into Jojo because she only had a bathing suit top on. she had to borrow a cover up. The pizza place is casual for lunch - bathing suits, whatever seems to be ok. That was true of the Las Olas corner in Casitas 31 too, and they have great lunches! 

 

Originally Posted by nbateman 

Hey Allie, did you ever hear any complaining about the menus being too fancy? Also, how did everyone act about the dress code at the fancier restaurants? Did everyone comply or go low key if there are other places that don't require such a dress code?

 

 

[Shannon Burgess]

Originally Posted by AllieH 

 

 

 

 

Oh no, you don't have to tell them ahead of time. When we did our meeting with the onsite WC team, she asked what other tables we would need, what we had, etc. So they provided the tables for the cake, the favors/place cards and the guest book - no problem at all. They drew up the layout while we were sitting there - I honestly didn't care about that and trusted them to put tables where they would work the best. And they did for the most part. Our table was right front and center, his mother's close by, but my family was towards the back. Oh well - that's what I get for not being specific. lol We didn't take the time to scope out Tucanes, but we could/should have!! 

 

I walked to Vitamin String Quartet's cover of Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are". 

 

Unconventional, but fun and totally "me". If you like it, let me know and I can email you the file. 

 

We were there 5 days before our wedding. I'd take $200 in $1, but that's just me. We tipped room service, bellman, bartenders and some of the waiters daily. We tipped housekeeping at the end of our stay, and our concierge too. 

 

I ordered the parasols from lunabazaar.com - my husband ripped 1 of them right after the ceremony when he tripped over it (BOYS!!). I loved that the WC staff moved them to Tucanes for us, and then set them up to hide the big rip. We didn't ask to have them moved, they just did it. 

 

Facetime it is!! Please do email me the file, I am running out of time Did you make welcome bags? Do you happen to have a template of your welcome letter? I thought I had plenty of time to do all of these things and now I'm down to 2 days!! Yikes!!! Thanks for all of your help and advice Allie, you have been a blessing!! 

[AllieH]

I PMd you for your email address. 

 

Yes, I did welcome bags, and I have a template of the letter. It's in word, and smaller b/c I had stationary I printed it on. I can email that to you along with the song. 

 

You got this girl, don't panic! It will all come together beautifully. 

 

 

Originally Posted by Shannon Burgess 

Facetime it is!! Please do email me the file, I am running out of time Did you make welcome bags? Do you happen to have a template of your welcome letter? I thought I had plenty of time to do all of these things and now I'm down to 2 days!! Yikes!!! Thanks for all of your help and advice Allie, you have been a blessing!! 

 

 

 

[AllieH]

I just read another review where a bride suggested this: Have everyone with iPhones download HeyTell before they arrive- its a walkie talkie device that runs on wifi. 

 

it may be worth a try!! 

Originally Posted by Shannon Burgess 

Facetime it is!! Please do email me the file, I am running out of time Did you make welcome bags? Do you happen to have a template of your welcome letter? I thought I had plenty of time to do all of these things and now I'm down to 2 days!! Yikes!!! Thanks for all of your help and advice Allie, you have been a blessing!! 

 

 

[murmel]

Originally Posted by Shannon Burgess 

 

Murmel...I will definitely add those to my list!! If you still have your full packing list I would love to have a copy of it just to make sure I'm not forgetting something that I'd really like to have. Thank You!!! 

Shannon- just place everything you don't want to forget in one place. Then packing is super easy.

 

Here is my packing list that my husband and I use for down south, hope it helps! And you may not need everything on that list (such as the power adapter! not required for Mexico)

 

 

 

PACKING LIST south.doc

[nbateman]

Originally Posted by AllieH 

 

I think the only one who didn't appreciate the "fancy" food was my dad. Rumor has it he ate nachos and hamburgers the entire time LOL Really, there are plenty of options on the menus to please anyone - always a steak dish, chicken, shrimp, etc. My brother is a pretty simple eater, and his FI is a super picky eater - neither of them had complaints. If someone doesn't like the sauces or whatever, just tell them to ask if they can have it more plain. They'll do whatever someone wants if at all possible. 

 

The dress code was one of the weird things - some people really dressed up at night (guys in a tie, ladies in a cute little dress), and others wore jeans, capris and more casual. I was one of the more casual people, and we never, ever had any issues with the dress code being enforced or being asked to leave somewhere. I did follow the very basic dress code, but I ended up having to wear my flip flops most of the time too because some sandals caused blisters - that wasn't mentioned or questioned by any staff. 

 

So I'd say it's really up to you and your guests as to what they'll be comfortable in at dinner. I think Jojo's and La Isla are probably a little more casual for dinner, since they are both outdoors. At lunch though, make sure folks have shirts and shoes - my friend couldn't get into Jojo because she only had a bathing suit top on. she had to borrow a cover up. The pizza place is casual for lunch - bathing suits, whatever seems to be ok. That was true of the Las Olas corner in Casitas 31 too, and they have great lunches! 

 

 

 

Fantastic, this makes me feel so much better!! We have some pretty picky eaters and ones who are willing to try new things but may be a little put off by the fanciness and now i'm more at ease.  Good to hear about the dress code as well.  I know places really like to stress their dress code on their website, but I'm glad that it's not as bad as it seems when you get there.  I had the same experience on a cruise, my fiance went out and bought a suit for the formal nights but we saw people just wearing a hawaiian shirt and had to laugh, but its ok b/c my man was fly! haha, thanks for the info!

[mstigger]

Allie,

I'm pretty sure you listed it before, but what all was in your welcome bags?

I've started acquiring a few things but kind of ran out of ideas.

Thanks so much!!!!

Originally Posted by AllieH 

I PMd you for your email address. 

 

Yes, I did welcome bags, and I have a template of the letter. It's in word, and smaller b/c I had stationary I printed it on. I can email that to you along with the song. 

 

You got this girl, don't panic! It will all come together beautifully. 

 

 

 

 

 

[nbateman]

Originally Posted by mstigger 

 

Allie,

I'm pretty sure you listed it before, but what all was in your welcome bags?

I've started acquiring a few things but kind of ran out of ideas.

Thanks so much!!!!

besides Allie;s planning thread, this gal had her stuff together too, here's her list, i have it printed out and kept in my purse at all times : )

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/74385/oot-bags-templates-pics-and-price-break-down

 

Bag Contents with price break down and where to buy

 

Tote Bags -- Dollar Tree (US) -- $1.00

Shell Soap -- Dollarama (CDN) -- $2.00 for 6 -- $0.33 each

Hand Sanitizer -- Big Lots (US) -- $1.50 for 4 -- $0.38 each

Notebooks -- Big Lots (US) -- $2.00 for 8 -- $0.25 each

Bic Pens -- Big Lots (US) -- $0.95 for 8 -- $0.12

Gatorade Singles -- Big Lots (US) -- $2.00 for 8 -- $0.25 each

ID Cases -- Target (US) -- $1.00

Mini Altoids -- Target (US) -- $0.99

Advil 10ct -- Target (US) -- $1.97

Tums -- Walmart (US) -- $1.92 for 3 rolls -- $0.64 each

Pepto Chewables -- Walmart/Target (US) -- $4.49 for 48 tablets (8 sheets) -- $0.56 each sheet

Sewing Kit -- Michaels (US) -- $1.00

Nail File -- Everything for a Dollar Store (US) -- $1.00 for 10 -- $0.10 each

Face Cloths -- Target (US) -- $3.49 for 8 -- $0.44 each

Blistex SPF 15 -- Target (US) -- $0.84

Nail Polish Wipes -- Target (US) -- $2.69 for 10 -- $0.27

Shout Wipes -- Target (US) -- $2.69 for 12 -- $0.22

First Aid Kit (Johnson & Johnson) -- Target/Walmart (US) -- $0.97

Bubba Mug 18oz Tumbler -- Walmart (US) -- $4.98

Bubba Mug 32oz Mug -- Walmart (US) -- $6.22

[mstigger]

Thanks so much!!!

What a huge help, I wasn't sure what all to put in there!!

Originally Posted by nbateman 

besides Allie;s planning thread, this gal had her stuff together too, here's her list, i have it printed out and kept in my purse at all times : )

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/74385/oot-bags-templates-pics-and-price-break-down

 

Bag Contents with price break down and where to buy

 

Tote Bags -- Dollar Tree (US) -- $1.00

Shell Soap -- Dollarama (CDN) -- $2.00 for 6 -- $0.33 each

Hand Sanitizer -- Big Lots (US) -- $1.50 for 4 -- $0.38 each

Notebooks -- Big Lots (US) -- $2.00 for 8 -- $0.25 each

Bic Pens -- Big Lots (US) -- $0.95 for 8 -- $0.12

Gatorade Singles -- Big Lots (US) -- $2.00 for 8 -- $0.25 each

ID Cases -- Target (US) -- $1.00

Mini Altoids -- Target (US) -- $0.99

Advil 10ct -- Target (US) -- $1.97

Tums -- Walmart (US) -- $1.92 for 3 rolls -- $0.64 each

Pepto Chewables -- Walmart/Target (US) -- $4.49 for 48 tablets (8 sheets) -- $0.56 each sheet

Sewing Kit -- Michaels (US) -- $1.00

Nail File -- Everything for a Dollar Store (US) -- $1.00 for 10 -- $0.10 each

Face Cloths -- Target (US) -- $3.49 for 8 -- $0.44 each

Blistex SPF 15 -- Target (US) -- $0.84

Nail Polish Wipes -- Target (US) -- $2.69 for 10 -- $0.27

Shout Wipes -- Target (US) -- $2.69 for 12 -- $0.22

First Aid Kit (Johnson & Johnson) -- Target/Walmart (US) -- $0.97

Bubba Mug 18oz Tumbler -- Walmart (US) -- $4.98

Bubba Mug 32oz Mug -- Walmart (US) -- $6.22

[jnitschke]

Originally Posted by Shannon Burgess 

 

Important question girls...how did you communicate in Mexico...amongst each other at the resort and with people back home? Did your cell carriers offer Mexico plans? Or did you do calling cards? What is the best/cheapest way? 

 

We're planning on using walkie talkies... and making room phone number cards to give to people.