El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[JenniferM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LKocelko 
 

How big is your wedding? We opted to not rent the system, becaus I couldn't justify the price, and we had a small wedding of 20. We ended up bringing down our iPod player, because it was easy to travel with, and it worked out perfectly for us.

I think were going to be about 50-70 people. But with the way people are dropping...I'm not sure. Were going the iPod route as well but not sure on the speakers.

[JenniferM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnitschke 
 

I would say to plan on whatever is easiest.  As far as the sound system goes, we had a small group (13) and thought that having a DJ was a COMPLETE waste of money.  We even sent them home early and just opted to go to Guacamayas to dance with the band that was playing.  So I would say that having a sound system and a playlist would be better.  A suggestion though, instead of renting the system for the same amount you can get a bluetooth speaker.  We have the JAMBOX it costs about $200 but it is very loud, has great sound quality, has a battery that lasts about 8hrs, and is about the size of a brick of cheese.  I think that would be a better use of the money, since you'd get to keep the speaker. 

 

This is a great option. I'll show it to my fiance and see what he says. 

 

 

I had people dropping left and right too.  And it is very frustrating, and disappointing even when you understand the reasons for it.  When my group dropped by more than half, from 30 to 13, I resolved myself to just spend the money we'd save on meals for everyone to create some envious OOT bags We were unable to make the reserved number of rooms too.   Our travel agent was able to negotiate a reduced fee for us and an extension to our deadline.  For family debating on staying at another resort remind them of the guest fee they would need to pay in order to attend the wedding.  Not to mention the transportation costs between the resorts.  Then really sell how much better EDR is and how many more options they would have over the cheaper resort.   For everyone in my group that considered it the hasel was not worth saving a hundred or two hundred bucks.

 

That's what he pointed out to me as well. Although we might miss out on the sweet package we won't be paying for their dinner etc so we'll save money there. I can't believe I hadn't considered that part lol.

 

I've decided to not let it bother me anymore. If they come they come. If they don't it's their choice. I am not asking them to pay for the wedding, I'm only asking them to be there for me for a few days. 

[amanda50388]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiff1037 
 

Amanda - That's awesome!! Small world! We were actually dealing with two travel agents at one point, but we picked La Macchia Travel in Kenosha because they told us about El Dorado, and we fell in love with the place!

 

Jen - Thanks so much! All the info you gave is super helpful! I just found out that they switched the packages (if you book enough rooms) to going from free unlimited private events, to 20% off private events which sounds like what you had. It's also good to know about the setup fees and to make sure to budget that it. Their stuff is awesome, but so not worth paying that much money for. I'd much rather bring some stuff down and pay the setup fee. I'll start saving all my fun questions for the WC instead of the TA too. Thank you!! You have no idea how much that helps!

Yeah, my travel agent took us down for a weekend to tour the resorts and we ended up staying at El Dorado for free and paying for just air fair, I fell in love it. You will enjoy it, it has become our favorite resort. I can honestly say that our wedding was perfect and everything turned out amazing. They really do an outstanding job from start to finish even including your stay. We just currently moved to IL less than a yr ago and still use our travel agent back at home. lol!!!

[amanda50388]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pschopen 

I'm also from WI!! We live in Madison. We are getting married at EDR in January, and having 55 guests at least.... 53 have booked so far, with more that are still probably going to. We are having a semi-private dinner at cocotal. They are charging us $20 per person for anybody beyond 40 people! This is something we are not happy with. However, we are getting a lot of kickbacks through delta vacations and funjet vacations (which is who people are booking through). We are paying for a 2 hour cocktail party as our reception, and renting their stuff to use for our ipod. They have set up fees for pretty much everything. Just so you know, these are negotiable and we have been able to complain enough to get our coordinator to at least reduce the fees. Overall, I feel EDR has not given us any perks for bringing them more business, and instead we have had more fees. I'm hopeful that when we go down there and have our meeting before our wedding they will give us more perks or netotiate with us more regarding these extra fees. I mean cmon... we are bringing 55 people to their resort!!!!!!

I know that all sounds pretty negative. I don't mean it to be, but it's just been our experience prior to going down there. The resort looks amazing, the coordinator has been in touch with me fairly regularly, although it usually takes 2 weeks before she will email me back regarding things. I don't know if this helps much... but just gives you a clear look at what's to be expected.

-Paula

That's awesome!!! We live in IL now, but did everything for our wedding out of WI because we were still living there and still use our travel agent. Our travel agent seriously was a god send because she took care of everything for us and would deal with issues we had. She even got a swim-up casita for free and then when we asked about our room they wanted to give us another upgrade, but we did not use it because we enjoyed the room we had. Alot of guests got upgraded upon arrival as well. So there is a chance when your guests get to the resort that some of them will be upgraded including you.

We also used there Ipod hook up and it worked awesome, plus we did not have to worry about the expense of a DJ, it was perfect since we had 30 of us all together. I had the same issues with my wedding coordinator and my travel agent helped out. Do you have a travel agent through funjet 

vacations because they should be contacting the resort for you to make sure they are on top of your things and responding back to you, especially with your wedding being in January they should be getting back to you sooner. I know they have alot of brides, but should still get back to you in a timely manner. I would just get on them about it. I hope this helps. 

[kelseyrenee]

I was at EDR this past March and did not see any paddle boats but there were kayaks and maybe the resort considers them to be the same.  There is a daily tour at the same time each morning where you can sign up to take the kayaks out past the sandbags with a resort guide.  Other than that, you are restricted to using the kayaks as you please but must stay in between the sandbags and shore for safety reasons I assume.  The kayaks are located near JoJo's and the beach bar there.  Also located there are the jet skis and for $50/ 30 minutes (I think) you can go far out into the ocean.  I used the kayaks once and it was pretty fun even though I had to stay close to shore and my fiancé went jetskiing and really enjoyed it but wished they went faster.

[kelseyrenee]

Hi JenniferM!  I am getting married April 24, 2014 and also having my reception at Bar Toucanes.  I hope it's not too hot!  But, I chose Tucanes because of the number of brides I saw getting blown away on the beach.  Although, I am having my ceremony and cocktail party at Gazebo 55

[kelseyrenee]

Hello all!  I'm getting married April 24, 2014 at EDR.  The ceremony will be at 4 pm at Gazebo 55 followed by the fiesta cocktail party at Gazebo 55 and then the reception at Toucanes from 7 - 11 pm.  I've been to EDR before this past March and was able to see a few weddings being set up but still have a lot of questions.

 

Should cocktail party be on the beach by Gazebo 55 or somewhere else??  Should I be worried my guests will be too hot at Gazebo 55 for that long?  The sun will be setting so I assume it will cool down.  I'm not worried about guests drinking too much at the cocktail party because I drank all day long for a week straight there and had a GREAT time Also, there will be food and a donkey - I have to have the donkey.

 

Will the wedding coordinator take down flowers from the ceremony and set add them to tables at the reception?

 

I'm having my hair done and my WC advised my appointment is at the spa, is it possible to have someone from the spa come to my casita to do my hair so I can get ready with my bridesmaids and have moms stop in?  I also want my bridesmaids to get their hair done with me.

 

What does the groom's "room" consist of on the wedding day?  Description says they are provided with cocktails and gourmet bites?  Any idea where this is located?

 

Has anyone used Caribe Photo or DJ All Music?  Comments?

 

Thanks!!

[AllieH]

Hi Kelsey! Welcome to the EDR Brides thread!! 

 

I responded to your questions in the quote below. We ALL had questions before the big day - hope this helps!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelseyrenee 
 

Hello all!  I'm getting married April 24, 2014 at EDR.  The ceremony will be at 4 pm at Gazebo 55 followed by the fiesta cocktail party at Gazebo 55 and then the reception at Toucanes from 7 - 11 pm.  I've been to EDR before this past March and was able to see a few weddings being set up but still have a lot of questions.

 

Should cocktail party be on the beach by Gazebo 55 or somewhere else??  Should I be worried my guests will be too hot at Gazebo 55 for that long?  The sun will be setting so I assume it will cool down.  I'm not worried about guests drinking too much at the cocktail party because I drank all day long for a week straight there and had a GREAT time Also, there will be food and a donkey - I have to have the donkey.

 

Allie: I think there are limited places that they'll allow the donkey. There isn't any shade at Gazebo 55, so that's definitely a consideration if many of your guests have already had plenty of sun by the day of the wedding. It will cool down as the sun sets, definitely. And there's a good breeze in that location (ok, kinda windy really...).

 

Will the wedding coordinator take down flowers from the ceremony and set add them to tables at the reception?

 

Allie: yes, they will do that for you. If you have somewhere specific that you want them placed, be sure to let your onsite WC know during your planning meeting once you arrive.

 

I'm having my hair done and my WC advised my appointment is at the spa, is it possible to have someone from the spa come to my casita to do my hair so I can get ready with my bridesmaids and have moms stop in?  I also want my bridesmaids to get their hair done with me.

 

Allie: I think there was an option to do this, but it's a pretty big up-charge if I'm remembering correctly. You'll have to ask your WC if it's an option currently. We went to the Casitas spa, and it worked out wonderfully. We got lucky in that the salon was totally empty, so my mom and I, and our photographers had the whole area to ourselves. They do have a couple of bridal suites in the salon, but it'd only be you in that room getting ready vs. your whole party (they'd be in the other part of the salon). there are 3 chairs for hair in the main Casitas salon, so depending on how many maids you have, you'd be taking turns getting your hair done anyway.

 

What does the groom's "room" consist of on the wedding day?  Description says they are provided with cocktails and gourmet bites?  Any idea where this is located?

 

Allie: where it's located will depend on what rooms are empty on the day of your wedding. It'll be the lowest class of room, so most likely near the EDR lobby. My DH's groom's room was in building 9 - he had to go to the WC's office in the lobby to pick up his room key after 10am that morning.  I know they had bottles of booze and beer and such in the room. My DH said they had small plates, but he doesn't remember what kind of food it was. I'd guess they can order room service if they really wanted to.

 

Has anyone used Caribe Photo or DJ All Music?  Comments?

 

Allie: we used DJ All Music, and really liked them! 

 

Thanks!!

[LKocelko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelseyrenee 
 

Hello all!  I'm getting married April 24, 2014 at EDR.  The ceremony will be at 4 pm at Gazebo 55 followed by the fiesta cocktail party at Gazebo 55 and then the reception at Toucanes from 7 - 11 pm.  I've been to EDR before this past March and was able to see a few weddings being set up but still have a lot of questions.

 

Should cocktail party be on the beach by Gazebo 55 or somewhere else??  Should I be worried my guests will be too hot at Gazebo 55 for that long?  The sun will be setting so I assume it will cool down.  I'm not worried about guests drinking too much at the cocktail party because I drank all day long for a week straight there and had a GREAT time Also, there will be food and a donkey - I have to have the donkey.

 

Will the wedding coordinator take down flowers from the ceremony and set add them to tables at the reception?

 

I'm having my hair done and my WC advised my appointment is at the spa, is it possible to have someone from the spa come to my casita to do my hair so I can get ready with my bridesmaids and have moms stop in?  I also want my bridesmaids to get their hair done with me.

 

What does the groom's "room" consist of on the wedding day?  Description says they are provided with cocktails and gourmet bites?  Any idea where this is located?

 

Has anyone used Caribe Photo or DJ All Music?  Comments?

 

Thanks!!

Here's what my husband got for his groom's room. We just had them bring it to his BM's room while they were getting ready.

[AllieH]

now WHY does the guy get the booze? I could have used that Svedka...

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LKocelko 
 

Here's what my husband got for his groom's room. We just had them bring it to his BM's room while they were getting ready.