jennie.lewis

Hi Royal brides! Sorry for going MIA. I'm getting really excited - less than 2 months away. I've read a number of posts about the lack of communication and service from the wedding coordinators here in the US. I was assigned Angie Hayes and my experience has been AWFUL. It am very glad that I did the site visit last year and met with Lila there. If i had not done the site visit, and my only experience was with Angie Hayes, I would not have my wedding at The Royal. I know that when I get there things will be taken care of but my goodness it has been like pulling teeth to get Angie to respond and to even call me back to get MONEY. it is insane to me. I called the corporate office in MX and was able to get a higher manager's email address and just a formal compliant to corporate. It stinks b/c the US office does not represent the service level standards that The Royal has and they need to know about it. Anywho, I thought I would share with everyone my thoughts on the matter - just so frustrating i tell ya. Does anyone know when we are suppose to finialize all the wedding details....flowers, music, decorations, etc...? I'm nervous because i'm less than 2 months away and angie won't return my calls or emails so I know if I should be doing anything. Thanks, ~Jen

Hi becks1581, I'm getting married May 8th, 2010. I'll make sure to let you know how the beach and weather is that time of year!

I think if the reception is later in the evening (after 7:00 pm) then it would be ok for a reception. the beach area is smaller there so if you are not having a ton of people, it should be ok. I did see one reception on the beach there and they had a U shaped table instead of the round tables so they were able to fit more people into the space and it seemed more intimate. Quote: Originally Posted by ~Stephanie~ Jennie- Thanks for the review! I'm so jealous that you got a site visit, I don't think it will be in our budget. So it makes me feel better to hear such great reviews! I have one question, is the central beach location for a reception ok? I know it won't be very private but are there any other bad qualities about it? Quote: Originally Posted by jesmcan Thank you so much! I am so excited to go on our site visit in November now!

Hi Royal Brides! So we just got back from 8 days at The Royal in Playa del Carmen. We had a blast and just loved the property. The service is absolutely excellent!!! We’ve been to The Ritz in Hawaii and The Taj hotels in Asia and the service here was even better! I am very glad that we did a site visit because we found out that the only location that was available on May 7th was the beach area in the main walkway which is not private at all, so we decided to change our wedding date to May 8th (which was the original day I wanted but it was booked at the time). here's a quick run down on my thoughts after seeing the property and what we have decided so far..... Wedding locations: Three beachfront options – 1.) in front of the gazebo (I would prefer this one over the other 2 options) 2.) the main entry area (access from the pool-very busy) and 3.) the beach area in front of the Pelicano restaurant (also next to the public pier). Remember that the beach at The Royal is public so you will have a lot of traffic on the beach. Gazebo – this was my favorite after visiting The Royal. It is larger than I expected and beautiful (although I do not like the red carpet they put down for the ceremony but you can request to not have it). I was always set on a barefoot beach wedding but after seeing the beach locations (and seeing 3 beach weddings) we decided to change our wedding date to May 8th and book the gazebo for the ceremony. Wedding reception: We saw a number of weddings; however none of them were very large so we didn’t get to see how things are set up for a large beach reception. There was one that had about 15 people and was basic and it still looked nice. We booked the beach area in front of the gazebo for the reception because it is the most private (as private as can be) and the largest beach area. I have to tell you I about had a heart attack when we first saw the beach because it is VERY small in Sept/Oct because of the season. Everyone there swore to me that the beach is much larger in May. I asked to see pictures and it does look like the beach is at least 2 times bigger than it is now. Ivan (DJ) also showed me pictures of a wedding in May last year and it looked fine (and they had 75 people). So we’ll be having the reception on the beach by the gazebo. We are also reserving two sets of the lounge furniture and the lighted dance floor from Ivan (DJ). Wedding packages: We booked the Luxury wedding package. DJ: We’ve booked Ivan Gomez. We met with him while down there and were super impressed. He is very professional and extremely nice. He use to work at the royal years ago before starting his DJ business. He now has over 10 DJs working for him and seems to be very busy. I would recommend him because of his professionalism, referrals and cost ($650 for up to 4 hrs). Food tasting: Oh my goodness!!! The food at The Royal is just amazing!!! It is almost impossible to choose one out of the three they have you taste but we are going to somehow do it. If they try to charge you extra for the tasting, don’t let them do it. Tell them you already paid your deposit (or entire wedding bill) and it should be included. I do have to admit that the attention and presentation they put into the tasting is worth the extra money if you do end up having to pay for it. They make you feel awesome! And don’t eat anything before you go because it is a ton of food and make sure to take notes. The cake options are great too. We loved the Three milk cake – I know it sounds awful to me but it was fantastic. Rooms: We stayed in room 261. it wasn’t ocean view but it was right in front of the lobby and bar area and it was just fine. The rooms are very nice and cold . They showed us the 1 bd master suite and the presidential suite. Both are very nice. We’ll decide when it gets closer on the room for the wedding but honestly we weren’t in there except to sleep and shower.  Wedding coordinator: We were assigned Lilly. She is absolutely amazing!!! Everything that I have read on this forum is true. They will do almost whatever it is that you want so don’t stress. I feel 500% better now after meeting her. She knows what she is talking about and makes things happen. So that was my quick write up of The Royal. We are very happy with our decision to get married at The Royal next year (May 8th, 2010 now). The location (walking distance to 5th ave), food (top notch), service (out of this world) were the main reasons we chose The Royal and after seeing the property in person, we are at ease and very excited. I’ll be uploading pictures later this week and will post a link to view my google album. Take care and email me if you have questions: [email protected].

I just got back from Playa del Carmen yesterday. We found Marachas all along 5th avenue and they were all under $3 bucks. We bought ours for $1 at one of the stores there so you should really wait and buy them there.

Hi Royal brides, I'm super excited. We just booked a week vacation to visit The Royal and Gran Porto. We've already booked our May 7th wedding but i'm just dying to do a site visit and see how things can be laid out for the beach wedding and reception. So we'll be there from Saturday, Sept. 19th till Sunday, Sept. 27th - we're going to stay at the Gran Porto because the rates were extremely lower than The Royal. Anyway, I thought I would let you all know incase you have anything you'd like for me to research or find out while staying on the property. Also, do you know of any weddings happening the week of Sept. 19th? I'd love to meet up with a few brides while there. :-)

Wow, thanks candicemarie for putting this together!!! I'm getting so excited! I sent out our save the dates last week! Photographer is booked, DJ is booked so now i need to start looking into invitations and guest gift ideas. :-) SDbeachgirl, we're both getting married on May 7th. what time is your wedding?

Wow, thanks candicemarie for putting this together!!! I'm getting so excited! I sent out our save the dates last week! Photographer is booked, DJ is booked so now i need to start looking into invitations and guest gift ideas. :-) SDbeachgirl, we're both getting married on May 7th. what time is your wedding?

hi Royal brides! I was wondering who you all booked for your DJ? I am about to book Ivan Gomez. His prices are very reasonable ($650) and I read great things about him on the forum and he has alot of videos on youtube.

Hi Lady Di, I'm getting married at The Royal playa del carmen on Friday, May 7th! how awesome! Which package are you going with? How far in advance are you getting there? Are you using a DJ? if so, who? Have you booked your photographer? I just booked my photographer - we're flying ours down.

Hi Carolyn, I LOVE your DIY invitations. I have been trying to find unique ideas for invitations and i just love what you did. where did you find the stuff to make them?

Hi Veronica, I'm getting married at The Royal Playa Del Carmen on May 7th, 2010 and I'm originally from Baton Rouge (went to LSU) - how interesting! did you post a wedding review? and do you have a link to you professional pictures? I'd love to see them. also, what photographer did you go with? Thanks!

hi morgan, I love your planning thread! i see you live in durham, nc, so do i. we're planning our may 7th, 2010 wedding at The Royal in Playa del carmen. I love your welcome brochure. do you have a template you used? did you do it yourself?

Great review! I am in the process of booking our wedding for May 7th 2010 at The Royal. I'm sooo excited. quick question - why did you decide to have the reception at gran porto and not at the royal?

Great review! I am in the process of booking our wedding for May 7th 2010 at The Royal. I'm sooo excited. quick question - why did you decide to have the reception at gran porto and not at the royal?

Hi EDR brides! I've been researching and researching for the past 3 months and I think I have narrowed down the wedding resort to Valentin Imperial or El Dorado Royale. I just LOVE El Dorado Royale but the room rate is just soooo high and i'm worried the wedding cost will add up very quickly there. Does anyone have feedback they could share on how/why they chose El Dorado and what nightly rate they are getting (for 2 people)? Also an estimate on the total wedding cost (20-30 people)? Thanks! jen

Hi Valentin brides! I've been researching and researching and am trying to decide between Valentin Imperial and El Dorado Royale. does anyone have any feedback they could offer? i LOVE El dorado royale but the accommodations are alot higher than valentin (from the information i've received so far). we are planning to have the wedding in march/april 2010. What is the nightly room rate (2 people) you guys have for the valentin? I'm so stressed on picking the right resort!!!! thanks for your feedback, Jennie

Hi Valentine brides! So my fiance and I are about to book the valentin for our wedding location! YIPPEEE! We've been trying to decide between The Royal (Playa del carmen), the Riu and the Valentin and I think we've decided on The Valentin. The Royal is gorgeous and right in downtown but there is something about it that just seems really overpriced to me (the location is awesome!). We have no idea at this point how many people are going to be able to make it given the economy and all, so we think the valentin is the best option to handle a small wedding of 10 and up to 60-80 people. We are inviting around 90 people and hope that 30-40 will make it. I love the courtyard reception picture on their website. :-) A private reception has been number 1 on my list too. I can't believe the quoted you only $10 per person extra. that is definitely worth it. I was going to pay $7k for the wedding package at The Royal - it included private reception and all the bells and whistles. :-) We are looking at Feb. 20th, 2010 or March 20th 2010. I can't wait to read more reviews on the Valentin...keepem' comin!

hi Riu brides. I'm in the decision making process and was wondering if the Riu does private receptions outside? I can't get an answer from them and was wondering you anyone knows. I just love the Riu resort but i'd really like to have a private reception outside.

Hi BridetoBe22! Wow, i just loved all your great ideas. I have not booked my wedding at The Royal but it is number 1 on my list so far. I am too considering next Nov. and was wondering how the weather was for you. Also, i see you had the cermony in the gazebo. I'm thinking we will have the cermony on the beach but I'm concerned with having too many random people behind us walking by b/c of the location of the resort. Do you think that will be a problem? Thank you again for your help! Congrats!

Hi everyone, My name is Jennie Lewis and I live in Durham, NC. I just got engaged last weekend and now we are trying to figure out where in the heck to have our wedding. We always knew we would have a "beachy" destination wedding but now we are struggling to figure out where. We are open to all ideas but are thinking that it will be an all-inclusive resort that is easy and nice. I want a very laid back wedding, no shoes, no formal dress, no more than 4 pieces of silverware and 2 glasses on the table :-)...no just kidding! Anyway, I've done a little research and I think Paradisus and Dreams look nice but I just don't know if I'm looking at all the right places. Right now we are thinking somewhere in Mexico, probably in Cancun, play del carmen, tulum, etc... or the Caribbean, since we live pretty close to those areas and more people would be willing to fly there instead of Bali or Fiji. :-) We don't have a date set or location and are pretty open on the budget right now b/c we're paying for it and we have no idea how much a wedding would cost us. Feel free to recommend places if you like. I'm also clueless on travel agencies that specalize in destination weddings. We will probably have around 40-50 people attend and we want to make sure we get the BEST deal on travel. anyway, thanks for listening to me babel on...and I appreciate any guidance you guys can offer. :-) Thanks, Overwhelmed bride :-) (wow, that was fun to be able to type that)