jfwolfe72

That's the order that I have mine in. We're going to play a jazz CD prior to putting in our weddiing CD - we'll start the "Prelude" about 5 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to start. That way, the mothers can walk down the aisle at the ceremony start time.

Thanks so much for the tips!! And I love, love, love seeing your pictures!!!

I was corresponding with Petra Maurus when I was searching for a photographer. Her husband does the photography, but I learned that she is a minister! And I spoke to her on the phone and she is wonderful - warm, responsive, and very nice! Give her a try!

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, so mods please feel free to move it to the appropriate place.... I'm scheduled to get married at EDR this month. Luckily, I was "grandfathered" in at just having to pay the $500 fee, (even though it was not in place when I originally booked back in January of 2007) but I let my TA know how outraged I and the other girls on the forum have been since we feel that the resort continues to take advantage of us. Here's the feedback I received from her after she met with the wedding coordinator for Karisma:

"Just got back in late last night. I met with Raphaella for two hours for lunch on Monday. You were right; she is in charge of all weddings at all Karisma resorts and is based out of El Dorado Royale. She really knows her stuff, you’ll be very pleased with her and her staff. She’s been in the business for 25 years & has things running like clock work at each of the Karisma properties. She is very nice, smart as a whip, VERY knowledgeable & VERY organized. She did inform us of their new policy; if a vendor is staying at the resort for three nights they still need to pay $500 BUT it is NOT mandatory for the vendor(s) to stay at the resort for three nights, that is optional but if they do stay they will stay have to pay vs. the past “either or†option. Meaning if the vendor is not staying at the resort the resorts does not require them to do so, they just pay the $500 vendor fee. Raphaella also informed me of something I did not know in the past; I am sure Monica already informed you of this but just in case she didn’t --your vendors will need to show their work permit(s) to the wedding coordinator that you meet with the day after your arrival.

Needless to say we were quite shocked about the new policy as well & wondered if it would affect their destination wedding business but Raphaella and the owners of the properties assure us they feel the policy is need to keep service at its top level. Apparently a lot of unprofessional “uncle whoevers†have been claiming to be professional and are not which consequently turns the big day into a big disaster for the bride and groom. The stories were unbelievable and I can honestly completely see & understand why the resort is implementing this new ruling. But again, not to worry, it does not affect you in any way. I want to assure you & Kevin that I still 100% feel that they really do perform THE BEST job of DWs over any other resort line in Mexico. I am always just thoroughly blown away by their performance and level of service… Once again the resort continues to amaze me, SOOOOOO beautiful & the staff is so on top of everything; service, rooms, food, entertainment, resort grounds, spa… I still give it 2 thumbs up & 6 stars! You won’t be disappointed.

As for your wedding; you are already booked so they will not change anything in your contract. I did address the $48 charge with Raphaella & she explained to me that this fee will not and can not be waived. The reasoning is that the vendors will have the guest day pass so that permits them to eat at any of the restaurants and drink at any of the bars during their time there but not for private events since the resort incurs cost for service, food preparation and set up for each person that attends a private event. She commented that most brides & grooms will allow their vendors to have a break or two throughout the events so they may eat and drink at any of the other restaurants via their guest day pass alleviating cost of the $8 per person cost for both private events. She explained there is no form of negotiating on this policy as the resort incurs the cost & provides the service so they must assess & collect the costs they incur for the service.

I’ve already talked to my friends, Flor Rodridguez (resort’s sales manager) & Sabrina Filatow (Karisma Resorts Director of National Sales) about you & Kevin & your group & they will take great care of you all so please do not worry about a thing. I KNOW you guys will love everything and will have the best time. You will see, you’ll be recommending the resort to everyone when you come back. It will all be sooooo worth it. Promise!! ;-) Let me know if you have any other questions at all. We’re getting closer!!!!"

I just bought the palm tree signature plate from Target. I noticed that there was a review for another signature plate that indicated that it was really awful to use - you could only get two signatures on the plate b/c of the pen? Has anyone actually used this plate yet and how did the signatures turn out?

How have past EDR brides and how do future ones intend to tip? Other than tipping the bartenders and housekeepers, do you also tip the wait staff? And do you tip for any private events? My FI doesn't think we should tip at all b/c it's an AI, but I heard that the tips are highly appreciated. Considering how much we're spending, though, I don't want to have to tip too much. Any input is greatly appreciated!

Oh, Leigh.......thanks so much for posting those - they are absolutely gorgeous!!!! You just helped to get me more excited for my time there - we leave in a little over a week!!!!

Very, very beautiful!!! Was that your actual wedding dress? If so, it was gorgeous!

Oooohhhh......Heidi!!!! You look SO beautiful!! I love the kiss photos! Everything looks just about perfect! I'm so happy that you had such an amazing wedding!!!

One related question about this - does the sand ruin the dress? I guess for those of are planning on wearing it again to the AHR, we should know if the sand hurts it.

I'm planning on wearing mine all night. FI is going to change b/f our reception, though. And then I get to wear my wedding dress again for my AHR!

I had my shower on Saturday and it couldn't have turned out more perfectly. The weather was supposed to be kind of crappy, but it was beautiful! I was really nervous beforehand b/c I didn't know how I was going to handle my first wedding-related center of attention event, but, based on everyone's feedback, I think I did pretty well! My favors and cake were beautiful and once I was at the shower, I felt pretty much at ease! I'll try to post some pictures here.

Bally's Steakhouse is TOTALLY the way to go! We go there for our first meal each and every trip to Vegas. It's moderately priced, you can dress however you want (fancy or totally casual), yet they won't look at you strange if you're dressed casually, and the food is simply to die for!

Somewhere I had heard (I can't remember where) about uninvited guests showing up to people's traditional or AHR receptions. My Dad was shocked when I told him this and asked, "do people really do that? No way!" My FI also has a hard time believing this. Has anyone had this happen to them and, if so, how did you deal with it (especially if you had a reception where you had to give a guest count and meal selection choice)?

You have to do this! I love this new trend!! And guests really enjoy it!