El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[jnitschke]

Ok.. after much time and deliberation.. I think this is what I've settled on... I did a mock up on my kitchen table, using tissue paper as a stand in for linens and cut up napkins as rose petals.  I decided on tinting the edges of the petals instead of painting them.. everytime I tried just painting them they looked awful lit up.  This is brighter and cleaner... but still colorful.

lights on

 

What do y'all think?  Do you think people will think they're cheap?  because they're made from paper?  That's my biggest worry.
 

[Feb2013]

I am sure this has been asked before and is somewhere in this Forum but I don't remember so I am asking again...

 

Did you guys tip the on site WC, Justice of the Peace, and servers that served at your wedding? If so how much did you give? 

 

Also I am getting quoted $5 pp to setup any decorations I bring myself. My future sister in law, and a couple friends volunteered to set up the center pieces for the reception table (since there is only 6 tables total) I wonder if I get down there I can bargain a deal for them to set it up cheaper. 

 

I am in the final count down. My dress is ready to be picked up this Saturday, my wedding band will be re-sized by this weekend and I have to finalize wedding details with Valeria by Wednesday. All I have left is to sit down and put together the dinner and reception play list. Our reception is at the Tucanes does anyone that has been there know how good the WiFi is there? We are going the route of doing our own DJ's (it was not in the budget to pay $1500 for a DJ) and I am creating that list but I was wondering if we could use Pandora radio for the dinner music. 

[Moments That Matter]

yes you're right, Feb2013 ! lots of brides wonder about tipping - ie. who + how much ??? and here's what some of them are suggesting......tipping ettiquette

 

wishing you the best with your plans + that your wedding is everything you wish for! ENjoy

team MTM asst, Lynda

[murmel]

Originally Posted by nbateman 

 

Anyone who has been to EDR, did you need to bring an electric converter and what was the beach towel situation like, was it always easy to get a towel? Preparing a what to pack tips list for my guests and want to offer up some suggestions around these two things...

No converters required. And we have stayed on both sides of the resort, and never had an issue getting beach towels, or replacing them during the day if you wanted a fresh one!

Originally Posted by Feb2013 

 

I am sure this has been asked before and is somewhere in this Forum but I don't remember so I am asking again...

 

Did you guys tip the on site WC, Justice of the Peace, and servers that served at your wedding? If so how much did you give? 

 

Also I am getting quoted $5 pp to setup any decorations I bring myself. My future sister in law, and a couple friends volunteered to set up the center pieces for the reception table (since there is only 6 tables total) I wonder if I get down there I can bargain a deal for them to set it up cheaper. . 

We personally choose to tip the staff. But it's a personal choice. We brought down a box of blank Thank you cards, and then placed the tip inside, so it was not so obvious.

 

As for the set up fee. It really depends on your WC and how much decoration there is to set up. If you only have centerpieces you might find it to be quite a reasonable price.

[Goldielochs47]

YES !!!!! The casitas are DEFINATELY WORTH IT!!!!

[Feb2013]

Originally Posted by murmel 

 

No converters required. And we have stayed on both sides of the resort, and never had an issue getting beach towels, or replacing them during the day if you wanted a fresh one!

We personally choose to tip the staff. But it's a personal choice. We brought down a box of blank Thank you cards, and then placed the tip inside, so it was not so obvious.

 

As for the set up fee. It really depends on your WC and how much decoration there is to set up. If you only have centerpieces you might find it to be quite a reasonable price.

Yeah I guess my the reason I am on the fence is that the On-site WC is not the one that help organized everything but will be the one that executes everything the day of... so paying 20% of the total wedding seem crazy but giving a little (have not figured out what that would be) might not be that crazy. 

[Jnadair]

Originally Posted by murmel 

 

There are so many bars at EDR, that meeting at a smaller one out of the way will feel like a private cocktail party anyway! Just let your guests know when and where. And if you have a guest list larger than 20, I would try to give the WC a heads up so they can plan for bartenders. As for OOT bags, we met our guests as they arrived at the hotel (we got married at Azul Sensatori), but it worked out great, plus the guests thought it was a really nice personal touch to be greeted as they arrived.

I am so sorry to hear about all your stress! Just concentrate on you, your FI, and your family. The wedding is for you and your FI, and having guests is a bonus. But at the end of the day, it's your day. Don't let others ruin it. Just tell those friends that complain- "we didn't want to have a big affair here locally. We would love to have you there, but no pressure, we understand if you can't make it." Hopefully they are smart enough to then keep their mouths shut.

 

In the meantime, know that all destination brides go through similar stress, and we are all here to lend support!  Take a deep breath, enjoy the time with your son, and then get going with the planning again.

Always fun! Although sometimes when it's super windy (which it is down there), it's tricky to have the bubbles blown or stay where you want them.

Love the hand-fastening ceremonies. But you may find that because it's unknown by the minister down there, it might be a bit tricky to do right.

As for the sand shifting. Just bring some foam chunks down with you that you can stuff into the top of the vase. That way the sand will be wedged in place and will not shift. As well, if you take it in your carry on, you can keep it upright.

It really depends on the outfit your groom is wearing. My husband wore a linen suit, with bright pink Converse sneakers. His groomsmen wore shorts and short sleeve dress shirts, some ended up bare foot, and others with sandels. But I have also seen more traditional weddings where the men wear dress shoes. You'll likely get a bit of sand in there, but I don't think it will be a big deal. And after the ceremony, they can always dump what little sand there might be out.

Using a TA is helpful in a lot of regards. They will work at getting you and your guests a good room rate, as well as airfare. Plus if you have someone doing the work for you, you won't have guests bugging you. Also if you find a GI travel agent, you often get special bonuses at the Karisma resorts. I can recommend Wright Travel agency, see below for a direct link. (bonuses could include room upgrade, free cocktail party, etc.)

 

As for budget planning, it can be daunting, but they are lots of options for every budget in mind. I know when I had started planning I could only find the huge wedding packages that were thousands of dollars. But as you do more research you will find lots of simple options to keep the price down. We personally ended up with a basic package and then added on small details.

http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/planning/ This is the planning page from Lomas, take some down at look at the options and I am sure you will find the makings of a perfect wedding (and price)!

There are no set rules for when and how you send out STD or invites. Personally I sent out our STD about a year in advance. Then we sent out invites about 6 months in advance with the travel info, TA contact, website, etc. I wanted to make sure if people wanted to come they had time to save up and plan. Once people had confirmed last payment and I actually knew who was coming we sent a little pre-travel package (luggage tags and what to expect in Mexico brochure, kids travel booklet for the plane) about a month before the wedding. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/65791/pre-travel-brochure-for-mayan-riveria-cancun-using-word-photos-now-added-on-page-2 (link to the travel brochure)

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/69844/kids-airplane-activity-booklet-template-included (kids airplane booklet)

 

Karisma resorts have no problems with brides bringing their own decor. Just be aware there is a set-up fee which is determined by the onsite WC. This price could be $5/pp, but usually will be under $250. It really depends on how much extra decor they have to set up and how many guests. Keep in mind this a price that is negotiated locally, and is to be paid in cash.

 

I'm sort of confused...I was given the set-up fee of $5/pp included on my final spreadsheet to be paid ahead of time as opposed to on site and in cash.  If I end up having more or less then what was quoted, will I either owe some in cash then or receive a credit if charged too much?  This may be a question for the WC, but if you could shed some light that would be helpful!  Thanks so much

[murmel]

Originally Posted by Jnadair 

 

 

I'm sort of confused...I was given the set-up fee of $5/pp included on my final spreadsheet to be paid ahead of time as opposed to on site and in cash.  If I end up having more or less then what was quoted, will I either owe some in cash then or receive a credit if charged too much?  This may be a question for the WC, but if you could shed some light that would be helpful!  Thanks so much

This might now be a new practice from Karisma. Up to now it was always done on site, by the local WC, depending on the amount of decor and time needed. But it seems like some girls have lately gotten it added to their spreadsheets. So I wish I could offer a clear answer, but I cannot confirm it one way or the other. In the meantime, $5pp can add up to a lot. (my own personal wedding we paid $120 to have lanterns hung, centrepieces, name tags, menu cards, napkin wraps done on 8 tables for 63 guests....so a lot less than $5pp) I know they still set the maximum at $250.

[AllieH]

Yay! it's all coming together! 

 

The $5pp seems to be more common with Valeria, but it isn't the first time I heard it. When I got onsite, my onsite WC mentioned that they "usually charge $5pp for set up", but were willing to do it for the same price as they usually charge for hanging the paper lanterns ($150, paid in cash). So it does seem to be a new policy. And they will likely tell you that your friends/family can't do the set up b/c it will get in the way of their staff - so just be prepared for that. 

 

I wouldn't rely on the wifi for Pandora/music. It may work ok, and it may not - to be safe, I'd go the playlist route. 

Originally Posted by Feb2013 

I am sure this has been asked before and is somewhere in this Forum but I don't remember so I am asking again...

 

Did you guys tip the on site WC, Justice of the Peace, and servers that served at your wedding? If so how much did you give? 

 

Also I am getting quoted $5 pp to setup any decorations I bring myself. My future sister in law, and a couple friends volunteered to set up the center pieces for the reception table (since there is only 6 tables total) I wonder if I get down there I can bargain a deal for them to set it up cheaper. 

 

I am in the final count down. My dress is ready to be picked up this Saturday, my wedding band will be re-sized by this weekend and I have to finalize wedding details with Valeria by Wednesday. All I have left is to sit down and put together the dinner and reception play list. Our reception is at the Tucanes does anyone that has been there know how good the WiFi is there? We are going the route of doing our own DJ's (it was not in the budget to pay $1500 for a DJ) and I am creating that list but I was wondering if we could use Pandora radio for the dinner music. 

Originally Posted by murmel 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnadair 

I'm sort of confused...I was given the set-up fee of $5/pp included on my final spreadsheet to be paid ahead of time as opposed to on site and in cash.  If I end up having more or less then what was quoted, will I either owe some in cash then or receive a credit if charged too much?  This may be a question for the WC, but if you could shed some light that would be helpful!  Thanks so much

This might now be a new practice from Karisma. Up to now it was always done on site, by the local WC, depending on the amount of decor and time needed. But it seems like some girls have lately gotten it added to their spreadsheets. So I wish I could offer a clear answer, but I cannot confirm it one way or the other. In the meantime, $5pp can add up to a lot. (my own personal wedding we paid $120 to have lanterns hung, centrepieces, name tags, menu cards, napkin wraps done on 8 tables for 63 guests....so a lot less than $5pp) I know they still set the maximum at $250.

 

 

[Feb2013]

Originally Posted by AllieH 

 

Yay! it's all coming together! 

 

The $5pp seems to be more common with Valeria, but it isn't the first time I heard it. When I got onsite, my onsite WC mentioned that they "usually charge $5pp for set up", but were willing to do it for the same price as they usually charge for hanging the paper lanterns ($150, paid in cash). So it does seem to be a new policy. And they will likely tell you that your friends/family can't do the set up b/c it will get in the way of their staff - so just be prepared for that. 

 

I wouldn't rely on the wifi for Pandora/music. It may work ok, and it may not - to be safe, I'd go the playlist route. 

 

 

Thanks Allie! I was just trying to go a sort route fortunately I started organizing dinner music along with Dance music so I will keep putting it together instead of cheating and relying on Pandora! 

 

Yeah I might give in and pay for the set up but it is so little of stuff that it seems like a rip off to pay $5 pp!