ccwinn

We had 32 people attend and we only had one questionable incident. My husbands best man took his wedding band off and when room service was delivered they put the tray on the coffee table right next to where he laid down his ring. As they guy was leaving, he noticed his ring was missing and questioned the guy and he said he had no idea what he was talking about. My husband's best man believes that the guy took it but there's no way to know for sure. That would be pretty risky on the guys part. It could have fallen of the table, been bumped by the tray but who knows. One of my bridesmaid had a coach clutch with ALL of her CCs, cash and passport in it and left on a stand near the stairs for not even five minutes and when she went back to grab it was gone. The maid closest to her saw her looking for it and went and gave it to her, she saw it laying there and picked it up but if she was trying to steal it she didn't have to run over there and immediately give it to her when she noticed she was looking. Overall, we all felt pretty safe. No ones safes were broken into or anything like that. The Riu isn't perfect but overall it is a pretty nice place.

The dresses are from Nordstroms but we found them online at smartbargains.com for half the price!! I didn't use any outside vendors. Mango was who the hotel provided and we thought they did a great job.

I just wanted to let everyone know if you are getting married at Riu Palace don't worry. We were married Oct 11 and it was wonderful!! We were there when Cabo was hit by hurricane Norbet. The hurricane hit at 5am and Daniela was amazing. She was very helpful and helped us with a back up plan. We didn't need it though by 4 the sky was clear and the weather was beautiful. My husband and I figure there was someone out there looking out for us. Anyway, I know we all feel a little helpless going into it to but everything went perfect. The hotel staff did everything they could to make sure everything went smoothly. Daniela is awesome. She's not the best communicator but on the day and night of our wedding she went above and beyond and just made everything gorgeous!! I would get there again in a heart beat!! We did the Caprice package, welcome dinner at the San Jose Terrace and reception at the Steak House. For all inclusive, I thought the food and drinks were great. My friends and family raved about the food. After 5 days though it did start to get old but over all it is pretty good. Here is a link with our pictures. I don't know how to cut and paste them into the thread. All pics were done by Mango. MobileMe Gallery

Mine package comes with transportation but I had some other guest (girl friends of mine) that are traveling alone and we wanted to make sure they had a safe way from the airport to the hotel. The transcabo site is great though! It was just what they were looking for! Thanks!!

Does anyone know the safest, most reliable way for guests to get from the airport to the hotel? Thanks!!

Wow! You guys have great ideas!! Love the wine stopper and glass tag ideas! Thanks!

I thought about that, but there's just no telling what will be available down there. I wonder if anyone has shipped stuff down there. I just worry if it gets there before I do if it will be safe in the hotel.

I'm trying to figure out what to give away as favors at the end of our wedding but am having a hard time deciding on something since it has to be small and light since we have to take everything with us in our suitcases? Do you guys have any suggestions?? Thanks!!

In order to get married in Cabo you have to have an apostille accompanying your birth certificates and then have them translated. Does anyone know how to translate the documents? Do I have to go through a legal translator or can I just translate them myself or have some I know who speaks spanish translate them? Thanks!!

Mine is October 11th!! I'm ready for it to be here!

When I had a tough time getting Daniela to respond I emailed and copied the coordinator that is over the weddings for all of the Riu's in Mexico. This is the email address I used: [email protected] I don't know that persons name is, I just sent an email addressed to Daniela (and copied the weddings01 email) saying that I sent her (Daniela) the same email 3 times and hadn't gotten an answer from and asked if I was sending it to the wrong person. When I copied the 01 email I received an email back from Daniela immediately. Hope this helps!!

Wow!! Thanks for all the fantastic info!! I can't wait to show all of this to my fiance!!

Hey guys! My fiance and I are going to Puerto Vallarta for our honeymoon in October and I wanted to see if you guys could recommend any hotels, restaurants or fun activities. I've told if you visit Puerto Vallarta to do the non-inclusive plans since there are so many tasty restaurants there. Any suggestions?!?! Thanks! Courtney

That's exactly what I want to do to!! Besides the the $500 site fee you also have to pay for the extra cost of food right? I have 30 guests as well and after all is said and done it gets really expensive!! Let me know what you find out! Or if anyone else knows, please post!!

Thanks for you review!! I can't wait to see the pictures! Where did you end up getting married? Did you have a a private reception? Sorry about some of the hiccups!

I know how you feel!! The WC wasn't getting back to me either. The last email I sent I mentioned that I had sent her this particular email 3 times and hadn't gotten a response and I copied the Riu WC for all of Mexico and she finally emailed me back. But from what I hear you basically plan everything when you get there which is why they aren't super responsive. If you want something in particular they want to know a week or two in advance but other than that you can do most things when you get there-at least that is what I've been told. When I went to the beach is was very rocky but that was three years ago, things could be different now.

I've read in other threads and just from other brides who have gotten married in Mexico at various resorts that if you have a large group the hotel "recommends" the you have a private event because the get paid extra for it but if you have 40 and the San Jose Terrace can only accommodate 40 people than you obviously have the entire area regardless if you choose a semi private event. I was told to just do semi private because most people vacationing don't want to be seated near a rowdy reception and in most cases you might have a few on lookers but your event is mostly private regardless if you pay for it or not. I think it just depends on the size of your group. The larger your group, the easier it is to get away with that.

charylwood, I've been to the Riu Palace before and when I was there the beach was really rocky and hurt to walk on. I decided that I wanted to get married in the gazebo because of that. Not sure if that matters to you or not but I thought I would pass on the info just incase!!

jennyle0082, when are you getting married in October? I'm getting married there October 11th. Have you been able to get any feedback from Daniela? I got a couple of formal emails from her initially but nothing since. Have you been able to contact her okay?

Nadia, They don't have a free wedding package. Their least expensive one is their Classic package: The Classic Wedding Package 2008 includes: * On-site wedding coordinator to help plan the event * Classic Decoration set up for the ceremony location for 10 people * CD or recorded music during the wedding ceremony * Reception dinner for the wedding group at one of our specialty restaurants * Wedding cake up to 10 people * Surprise spa gift * Ten percent discount on all spa services for the bride and the groom (restrictions apply) * Minister/Judge service & wedding certificate are included * Witnesses if required The Classic Wedding Package applies only to parties of 10 wedding guests or less. In order to have a wedding at our RIU Hotels & Resorts, the couple and the 80 percent of the total amount of the wedding guests must stay at the hotel where the wedding will be performed. This is a strict Riu policy we must follow. **Please be aware that before booking your wedding you must read our Frequent Questions. This package is valid from January 1st 2008 – December 31st, 2008 Mexico - Los Cabos Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas Cabo was once a calm town of fishermen and a meeting point for pirates. In the coasts of the Pacific and the Cortez Sea there are countless coves and miles of deserted beaches. In the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas you will discover a full range of facilities and services to guarantee that your wedding will be a memorable occasion. Religious Wedding 770,00USD | Civil Wedding 950,00USD | Renewal of Vows/Symbolic 770,00USD |

Hey guys!! I am getting married in Cabo but want to have a reception in my hometown when we get back and I am just trying to get ideas. Has anyone had a reception at home when they got back?!?! What did you do? Where? Does anyone have any neat or interesting ideas?!?! Thanks!!

Aimee, How was the wind on the beach during the reception? I've heard it can get pretty windy, making the beach a little uncomfortable. Did you notice the wind being a problem? Thanks again!

That would be AWESOME!!! I would really appreciate any pics you can send! I thought that the Riu kind of forced you to use their onsite vendors for flowers, cakes, etc?!?!? I'll definitely look into Jennifer Hatton though. I had a friend get married at the Riu in Cancun and she said that the cake was the worst she had ever had!! Thanks for all your help!! Are you getting nervous? April 30th is just around the corner!! How exciting!!

Hey guys! I'm looking for advice. I am getting married Oct 08 at the Riu Palace in Cabo and I am trying to decided where to have the rehearsal dinner and reception. What have people done and enjoyed in the past? Do most people have a private rehearsal dinner and reception? Does anyone have any experience not doing a private rehearsal dinner and reception? Are there any pics of Riu weddings? I've searched and found a couple, but not a ton. Any advice or pics would be fantastic!! Thanks so much!!

Aimee, Your reception was beautiful! To have food and beer/wine on the beach only cost $500? How was the food? Did your center pieces and pink sashes on the chairs cost extra?