Simistar's Secrets Maroma Wedding Review, Dec. 7/08

Great to hear!
Yes, they certainly made our cocktail hour! Since the service was awful -- they're what kept the guests from leaving to go do shots at another bar, haha

Thanks Simistar!! This Cecilia Checklist is so helpful :-)

Simi i love your thoroughness when you write your reviews! and thanks for your helpful emails...they make me laugh

Congratulations!! Thanks for the time you put into your review. I am getting married at SM in 6/09. right now I am trying to plan the rehearsal/welcome dinner. Cecila has suggested the World Cafe or Portofino. What restaurant would you recommend? I'm sure I will be back soon with more question! Any info will help.

Hey there!

Okay, so Portofino vs World Cafe for a rehearsal/welcome dinner...
I think it all depends on what kind of vibe you're going for...and the size of your group...
Portofino is set up like a nice Italian restaurant... nice table setting, nice table cloths, ordering off a menu with meals nicely presented...
I'm not sure how many people would fit in there though if you have a really large group...? Assuming they won't let you reserve the restaurant (they don't normally) you'll also have to wait to be seated...
BUT it is a more "elegant" setting/vibe and would be worth it if that's what you're going for...

The World Cafe is more of a "buffet" setting...more casual...
Still nice, but just more casual...people get up and get the food themselves...though there are servers bringing drinks to the tables...
There are lots of different food choices -- which is good if your group all wants something different to eat :-)
Also, it's quite big in there (it's where the breakfast buffet is in the mornings)...so easier to fit a big group...

Hope this helps!
Let me know if I didn't cover something you wanted to know:-)

Thank You for your very detailed review this will help soooo many brides!

BTW My FI has had his toes painted before, but only by his 5yr old daughter LOL

Another thought about the World Cafe that I had (which is where I held my welcome dinner), is that they have a little separate room off to the right side when you enter that you could reserve tables in. The staff are very accommodating in World Cafe for welcome dinners. That way if you chose the Cafe, you'd still have a bit of privacy for your group. You'd have to check with Cecilia exactly how many people would fit in that room but I think it'd be perfect and the easiest.

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Thank you for your help! I think Cecilia sent me a picture of that private room in the World Cafe. Was it a red room? I am waiting for the menu at Portofino to make my decision. I will have 24 guests. Cecilia mentioned the Portofino terrace could be reserved for around $20pp. I don't think there is a charge pp for the World Cafe buffet since we would be serving ourselves. ( If we can get the private room that would be a better deal ).

Thanks for the Info!! I will have 24 guests. Cecilia mentioned the Portofino terrace could be reserved for around $20pp. Since my wedding will be on the beach and the reception near the pool gazebo terrace I'm thinking I might want my welcome dinner inside. I hear they have a private room at the World Cafe. I don't think there is a charge pp for the World Cafe buffet since we would be serving ourselves. ( If we can get the private room that would be a better deal ).