Riu Palace Riviera Maya.. questions?

[Michelle&Steve]

Hey guys.. so I'm working on narrowing down sites for the wedding, and i like the Riu Palace Riviera Maya a lot! anyone have their wedding here? let me know how it is, maybe have some picures? or some advice?

 

thanks

Michelle

 

currently feeling like this with all these decisions! lol

[Jenn08]

Hi Michelle. I'm getting married at RPRM in May 2008. So far everything has been good but I have to admit I haven't gotten very far in my planning yet! There is a thread with pictures of the wedding gazebo and such in it.... will post a link if I find it.

Otherwise good luck and I'll let you know when I figure out more!

 

Jenn

[Jenn08]

Here's the link to that thread I mentioned with lots of info on RPRM. (Hopefully this works!)

 

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...a-maya-ai.html

[evonut]

I'm getting married there in 2.5 weeks! Aside from the the online confirmation, they don't contact you via email until 2.5 months before your wedding date. All the coordination/questions gets done through email, and the rest gets done (i.e. flowers) when you get there.

[Jenn08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by evonut I'm getting married there in 2.5 weeks! Aside from the the online confirmation, they don't contact you via email until 2.5 months before your wedding date. All the coordination/questions gets done through email, and the rest gets done (i.e. flowers) when you get there.

Wow, 2.5 weeks! You must be soooo excited!!!

If you have time: I'm wondering if you're having any type of private reception and what the costs are if so? I'm trying to budget for my wedding and I'm really not sure of my options!

Otherwise: Have a beautiful wedding day! Congrats!

[evonut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenn08 Wow, 2.5 weeks! You must be soooo excited!!! If you have time: I'm wondering if you're having any type of private reception and what the costs are if so? I'm trying to budget for my wedding and I'm really not sure of my options! Otherwise: Have a beautiful wedding day! Congrats!

Thanks! :-) I'm such a procastinator--that's why the destination wedding thing works for me. I don't have to do much, lol. I haven't even got my theme colors selected, bridesmaid dresses, favors, speeches done yet.

re: reception, depends on how many guests you have. If you have more than 50, you can have a private reception at Bota Fogo, the Brazilian restaurant at the second sitting, which is at 9:30 pm (I think). Otherwise, you can have a semi-private reception for guests less than 50 at Bota Fogo or Chillis, a Mexcican restaurant.

Here the wedding coordinator's first email to me:

Thank you for considering RIU Hotels & Resorts for your Wedding!!

To finalise your wedding details before your arrival please be so kind to
provide us with the following information:

1. We need a list with your guests names, arrival days and Hotel where they have their room reservations.

2. Which restaurant do you prefer Bota Fogo or Chillis?
Chillis, an open air restaurant, close to the beach area, tropical and
informal, It have private areas for groups of 10 and 25 guests. (I have
attached the menu)

Bota Fogo, a/c restaurant, formal, Brazilian rodizo, classic atmosphere, It
could be private for groups of 50 guests in the 2nd sitting. (I have
attached the menu)

3: Cake : (Royal and Caprice WP)
flavour: chocolate or vanilla
Filling: vanilla, chocolate, peach, strawberry
How big do you want the cake?

4. Which wedding spot do you prefer?
For Riu Palace Riviera Maya the options are:
Gazebo: From 2 to 100 guests, not private, extra
charge for the chairs.
Kiosk: From 2 to 30 guests, elegant, secluded, not extra charge for chairs,
good for high heels.
Beach: >From 2 to 60 guests not secluded, not private, not for disable
guests, extra charge for the chairs.

The included decoration consists of white artificial flowers. Fresh Flowers
are available at an additional cost. You may take your decision once you
meet your on-site weddings coordinator.

I have attached the photo packages (in FAQ document), please let us know
which package is your preferred one. You will have the opportunity to see
previous photos taken at our weddings during our meeting when you arrive.

If there is something you would like to add but have not seen in any of our
provided information please let us know and we will be happy to work with
you to get it. (Welcome bags, wedding favors, wedding excursions and much more in order to make out of your wedding, the most spectacular day in your
life.) you could ask for providers information.

Please fill in the info request form and return them via email with all of the above information.


We will meet with you on November 20th at 10:15am, in Riu Palace
Riviera Maya at the lobby area, you could ask to your front desk for us.

It's very important that you show up at your appointment on time to finalise
all details for the wedding. If you don't show up your wedding will be
automatically cancel.

Thank you for your kind comprehension and do not hesitate to contact us if
you shall require further assistance.

warm regards,

Cinthya Patron


We chose to go with Chillis, booked 17 people for the Mezzanine (outdoor covered), which sits up to 30 people. You can only have it for 1.5 hours--if you want another 1.5 hour, it's an additional $300 usd. :-(

They will let you bring ipod and speakers. They don't have speakers, AV equipment available for you to rent.

You're not allowed to use external providers (i.e. florist, photographers, caterers, etc). However, I'm covering a night's accommodation for Elizabeth Medina and her assistant, so they are 'guests' and can photograph.

Also, I noticed they've hiked the prices of additionals/extras significantly from last year (i.e. flowers, musicians, DJs, etc). I'm lucky they still honor the prices that was published when we booked last year. For example, the Mariachi band was $430 usd per hour...now it's $530! The bridesmaid's bouquet was $25--now it's $50! I can say that their prices are now aligned with what you would expect to pay in a classy hotel in the US.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else.

[Jenn08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by evonut Thanks! :-) I'm such a procastinator--that's why the destination wedding thing works for me. I don't have to do much, lol. I haven't even got my theme colors selected, bridesmaid dresses, favors, speeches done yet. re: reception, depends on how many guests you have. If you have more than 50, you can have a private reception at Bota Fogo, the Brazilian restaurant at the second sitting, which is at 9:30 pm (I think). Otherwise, you can have a semi-private reception for guests less than 50 at Bota Fogo or Chillis, a Mexcican restaurant. Here the wedding coordinator's first email to me: Thank you for considering RIU Hotels & Resorts for your Wedding!! To finalise your wedding details before your arrival please be so kind to provide us with the following information: 1. We need a list with your guests names, arrival days and Hotel where they have their room reservations. 2. Which restaurant do you prefer Bota Fogo or Chillis? Chillis, an open air restaurant, close to the beach area, tropical and informal, It have private areas for groups of 10 and 25 guests. (I have attached the menu) Bota Fogo, a/c restaurant, formal, Brazilian rodizo, classic atmosphere, It could be private for groups of 50 guests in the 2nd sitting. (I have attached the menu) 3: Cake : (Royal and Caprice WP) flavour: chocolate or vanilla Filling: vanilla, chocolate, peach, strawberry How big do you want the cake? 4. Which wedding spot do you prefer? For Riu Palace Riviera Maya the options are: Gazebo: From 2 to 100 guests, not private, extra charge for the chairs. Kiosk: From 2 to 30 guests, elegant, secluded, not extra charge for chairs, good for high heels. Beach: >From 2 to 60 guests not secluded, not private, not for disable guests, extra charge for the chairs. The included decoration consists of white artificial flowers. Fresh Flowers are available at an additional cost. You may take your decision once you meet your on-site weddings coordinator. I have attached the photo packages (in FAQ document), please let us know which package is your preferred one. You will have the opportunity to see previous photos taken at our weddings during our meeting when you arrive. If there is something you would like to add but have not seen in any of our provided information please let us know and we will be happy to work with you to get it. (Welcome bags, wedding favors, wedding excursions and much more in order to make out of your wedding, the most spectacular day in your life.) you could ask for providers information. Please fill in the info request form and return them via email with all of the above information. We will meet with you on November 20th at 10:15am, in Riu Palace Riviera Maya at the lobby area, you could ask to your front desk for us. It's very important that you show up at your appointment on time to finalise all details for the wedding. If you don't show up your wedding will be automatically cancel. Thank you for your kind comprehension and do not hesitate to contact us if you shall require further assistance. warm regards, Cinthya Patron We chose to go with Chillis, booked 17 people for the Mezzanine (outdoor covered), which sits up to 30 people. You can only have it for 1.5 hours--if you want another 1.5 hour, it's an additional $300 usd. :-( They will let you bring ipod and speakers. They don't have speakers, AV equipment available for you to rent. You're not allowed to use external providers (i.e. florist, photographers, caterers, etc). However, I'm covering a night's accommodation for Elizabeth Medina and her assistant, so they are 'guests' and can photograph. Also, I noticed they've hiked the prices of additionals/extras significantly from last year (i.e. flowers, musicians, DJs, etc). I'm lucky they still honor the prices that was published when we booked last year. For example, the Mariachi band was $430 usd per hour...now it's $530! The bridesmaid's bouquet was $25--now it's $50! I can say that their prices are now aligned with what you would expect to pay in a classy hotel in the US. Hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! This is very helpful!! Good luck with your last minute planning and have a great wedding/honeymoon!

Jenn

[Michelle&Steve]

wow.. thanks for all the informations.. it was really helpful.. i hope you have an amazing wedding!!! and i would like to hear all about it when you get back!

 

a few questions/concerns I have:

 

i love the gazebo setting for the ceremony.. however, im not sure about the actual reception.. i have close to 100 people, and wanted something more formal.. do you, or anyone actually know if the RPRM has something like this? or is it really casual in one of their restaurants.. ?? and is it more like just dinner, or can I actually have an entire party there? i like the riu but i dont know if i need to find a different hotel with more of a hall available?

 

I saw people with other photographers there? is the only way of getting them them in by getting them a room overnight? i wanted an outside photographer because i wasnt sure if the resort one was any good? any info?

 

anyone know of a good band/entertainment people for a ceremony?

 

lastly, i wanted fireworks for after the ceremony? any idea if they offer them?

[Michelle&Steve]

wow.. thanks for all the informations.. it was really helpful.. i hope you have an amazing wedding!!! and i would like to hear all about it when you get back!

 

a few questions/concerns I have:

 

i love the gazebo setting for the ceremony.. however, im not sure about the actual reception.. i have close to 100 people, and wanted something more formal.. do you, or anyone actually know if the RPRM has something like this? or is it really casual in one of their restaurants.. ?? and is it more like just dinner, or can I actually have an entire party there? i like the riu but i dont know if i need to find a different hotel with more of a hall available?

 

I saw people with other photographers there? is the only way of getting them them in by getting them a room overnight? i wanted an outside photographer because i wasnt sure if the resort one was any good? any info?

[Michelle&Steve]

wow.. thanks for all the informations.. it was really helpful.. i hope you have an amazing wedding!!! and i would like to hear all about it when you get back!

 

a few questions/concerns I have:

 

i love the gazebo setting for the ceremony.. however, im not sure about the actual reception.. i have close to 100 people, and wanted something more formal.. do you, or anyone actually know if the RPRM has something like this? or is it really casual in one of their restaurants.. ?? and is it more like just dinner, or can I actually have an entire party there? i like the riu but i dont know if i need to find a different hotel with more of a hall available?

 

I saw people with other photographers there? is the only way of getting them them in by getting them a room overnight? i wanted an outside photographer because i wasnt sure if the resort one was any good? any info?