Just got back from Riu Palace

[tracylynn003]

I ve booked my wedding for Oct 24 2013. This forum is the best, extremely helpful. Thankyou riu brides for all your information and pictures.

[BPG027]

I got married Oct 2012, overall the Riu did a great job. Couple of hiccups here and there but that's to be expected.

 

Rehearsal Dinner--Steakhouse. Food was great.

 

Wedding ceremony--San Jose Gazebo. Its really private and intimate, exactly what I wanted.

And I did the short walk. There are 2 ways to walk to the alter at the Gazebo.

 

Reception--We had it at Baja Norte (pool area), it was private for  47 guests total (including my husband and myself). If you choose this area (which I personally think its the best spot for a reception) be sure to get the DJ Lighting as well. It totally makes a difference. And we hired the DJ, but created our own play list. Overall we thought it was easier to hirer the DJ

and just have him to do it, as oppose to one of the guests.

 

We simply had a 1 tier cake, because dessert was included with dinner. And the cake was just for the pictures.

 

Good luck with your wedding planning!

[Houstonnlh]

Originally Posted by BPG027 

 

I got married Oct 2012, overall the Riu did a great job. Couple of hiccups here and there but that's to be expected.

 

Rehearsal Dinner--Steakhouse. Food was great.

 

Wedding ceremony--San Jose Gazebo. Its really private and intimate, exactly what I wanted.

And I did the short walk. There are 2 ways to walk to the alter at the Gazebo.

 

Reception--We had it at Baja Norte (pool area), it was private for  47 guests total (including my husband and myself). If you choose this area (which I personally think its the best spot for a reception) be sure to get the DJ Lighting as well. It totally makes a difference. And we hired the DJ, but created our own play list. Overall we thought it was easier to hirer the DJ

and just have him to do it, as oppose to one of the guests.

 

We simply had a 1 tier cake, because dessert was included with dinner. And the cake was just for the pictures.

 

Good luck with your wedding planning!

Thanks so much and congrats! Care to share any of the hiccups? Anything you would warn us to avoid doing?

[tracylynn003]

does anyone have pics of the disco? we are planning on renting it out for reception but can't seem to find any pics of it....help!!!!!

[Shayt2412]

so pretty! I have a few questions for you if you don't mind:

 

1) we are also having our reception dinner (semi private) at the steak house. Did your guest order dinner with a waiter or did they need to pick beforehand (did you have to send the menu options out in the invite)

 

2) Did they put your party out on the terrace at the steak house?

 

3) did you do a cocktail and dancing only reception at Baja Norte?

 

4) your overlays are GORGEOUS!!! Did you bring those or were you able to rent them?

 

Thank you so much!!! My wedding isn't until 10/2013 but since they won't give you any info before hand (even though I have already sent back my checklist), I'm getting a tad bit nervous!

[miwakostory]

Originally Posted by Shayt2412 

 

so pretty! I have a few questions for you if you don't mind:

 

1) we are also having our reception dinner (semi private) at the steak house. Did your guest order dinner with a waiter or did they need to pick beforehand (did you have to send the menu options out in the invite)

 

2) Did they put your party out on the terrace at the steak house?

 

3) did you do a cocktail and dancing only reception at Baja Norte?

 

4) your overlays are GORGEOUS!!! Did you bring those or were you able to rent them?

 

Thank you so much!!! My wedding isn't until 10/2013 but since they won't give you any info before hand (even though I have already sent back my checklist), I'm getting a tad bit nervous!

1. Everyone ordered with a waiter

2. yes

3. I had the dinner and dancing at the steakhouse...I had the dancefloor on the beach. The terrace leads to the beach

4. I bought them. They were only $2.00 - 3.00

 

I totally understand but trust me they are professional at this and do it every day. It will all come together.

[miwakostory]

Originally Posted by brgephar 

 

Miwako - another Indiana bride here Thanks so much for sharing. Your wedding was absolutely breathtaking! Do you mind sharing who your photographer was?

I flew in a photgrapher from Indianapolis. I paid for his airfare/hotel ($1,000) and he shot the entire weekend (meet and greet, rehearsal, wedding, reception...). It was actually cheaper this way than to pay $2000 - 3000 for a photgrapher there.  

I got this idea from a previous bride. There are many photgraphers who have never shot out of the country and would love the opportunity to build their portfolio. So, I would like around for someone who is willing to fly over and take your pics.

[miwakostory]

Originally Posted by brgephar 

 

Miwako - another Indiana bride here Thanks so much for sharing. Your wedding was absolutely breathtaking! Do you mind sharing who your photographer was?

PS - I used Brandon Anderson...he recently moved to Houston, TX. His website is http://th3rdeyephotography.com/

[miwakostory]

Originally Posted by miwakostory 

 

1. Everyone ordered with a waiter

2. yes

3. I had the dinner and dancing at the steakhouse...I had the dancefloor on the beach. The terrace leads to the beach

4. I bought them. They were only $2.00 - 3.00

 

I totally understand but trust me they are professional at this and do it every day. It will all come together.

Last thing...although it says semi-private for the steakhouse. It was a private setting. The main sitting area is upstairs and the terrace where we had our reception/dinner is downstairs. The area was set up the way I wanted and we had servers assigned to our party

[Shayt2412]

Originally Posted by miwakostory 

 

1. Everyone ordered with a waiter

2. yes

3. I had the dinner and dancing at the steakhouse...I had the dancefloor on the beach. The terrace leads to the beach

4. I bought them. They were only $2.00 - 3.00

 

I totally understand but trust me they are professional at this and do it every day. It will all come together.

 

Thanks for the info. I was told that I had to pay the $1200 fee to have it on the terrace. Is this correct? Did you also have to pay that fee? I guess they (Riu Palace WC) lurk on this site since the WC made mention of that in a reply to me "oh I saw that you posted on best wedding destinations and I'm afraid you are getting incorrect information".... scary!