Thanks everyone! You are all so sweet!
We went with the BBQ Buffet for the reception dinner. It was FANTASTIC! I can honestly say I have never had a buffet so good! There was so much food and it was all hot and tasty. Everyone was just dissapointed that they couldn't try everything!!
We really didn't want to pay for a separate cocktail hour since we weren't really THAT concerned about it being private. So, I told Valeria (our coordinator) and she said we could just "take over" one of the bars at the property (but we still had to approve this through her) - which is what we did. And, we were actually the only ones in the bar. It was funny, EDRs only concern was that we would rush the bartenders and they couldn't handle it. So she had us pick a signature drink that they were supposed to have waiting for us (this is where those blue drinks came from in the pics) However, the bartenders didn't know anything about it - but made all the drinks when we showed up anyway. We did this at Guacamayas (which is the late night bar on the property) It was convenient because it was next to Tucanes, but we spent a lot of time at that bar throughout the whole visit, so in hindsight I might have chosen a different one for the cocktail hour.
Our ceremony was at 4PM. We did group pictures from 4:30P to 5P. At 5PM everyone headed off to Guacamayas for drinks while we did some private photos. We then met up with everyone and headed to dinner at 7:00PM. We were concerned that was too much time for people to hang out, but it went really fast. People were a little buzzed by dinner.. but in a good way
They have a gift shop in the main lobby that sells cigars. There is also a tobacco shop on the property, but they didn't sell cigars.
I have to say, this resort really was fantastic, I really have no doubt that whatever choices you guys make for your wedding, it will be amazing!!
Dana