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edoherty

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  1. Hi Paige, We actually arranged it about two days before with the hotel. They gave us a taxi service number and we arranged for 5 vans to come pick up and bring back our guests. It cost us $300- but it was nice to know that our guests were going to be taken care of. Oh! One other thing... Rob and I did do welcome bags for all our guests, but we only brought the bags, travel mugs, and some antibacterial soap (that we got really cheap from bath and body works). The rest we bought at the Walmart in town. We ended up getting 2 bottles of water, pringles, assortments of candy, sun chips, etc. for each bag and walked out of Walmart spending $97! It was such a cheaper option that shipping or even buying all that stuff in the US.
  2. We did... and they acted like they gave us one, but when we got to the room, it was the room we booked (Jr. Suite with Courtyard view). At the end of the day we didn't really care... but it would have been nice as some of our guests got upgrades when they arrived (by paying a bit extra). I wish we would have offered to pay more at check in.
  3. RIU RM REVIEW Hello RIU Brides! I have been on this site on and off for over a year. I recently got married at the RIU RM (2/27/10) and finally got a chance to write my review. Travel Agent: DestinationWeddings.com: B- We really were disappointed with the level of service DestinationWeddings.com gave us. In fact, half way through our planning we changed our agent through them because the first one notified us that our wedding was not top on her list to work on and she was having personal problems and just didn't have the time to give us the level of service that we needed. Unacceptable. Our new agent was so much better, but they didn't really provide service that our guests couldn't do on our own. We didn't get a block of rooms for our guests, we didn't get any discounts, and they told Rob and I that we didn't have any negotiating room with the RIU even though we brought 50 guests with us! In fact, some of our guests booked on their own because they found cheaper airfare elsewhere. I wish we would have gone with an actual travel agent. ]RIU Riviera Maya Hotel: A- We really can't complain much about the RIU. The grounds were beautiful! The beach was gorgeous and that is where our guests spent most of their time. They had plenty of loungers and it was huge! Rob's and my parents loved the fact that they had shady areas on the beach where they could lay under the palm trees too. The pool was fun, but like everyone else stated, you do need to get there before 8AM to get a good spot. The crew at the RIU does try to bring out more loungers as the day progresses, but the fun spots are right by the pool. My guests and I generally just hung out at the pool bar so we didn't even need loungers! The rooms were fine. We rarely spent time in our room. The rooms were clean, and yes, they would get a bit musty and damp throughout the day, but only if you choose to keep your patio door open. We did this because it was so beautiful down there- but you can always choose just to have the air conditioning on. We did use the Spa a couple times for massages, pedicures and for their workout facility and I would say it met our expectations. I would rate this an A- instead of an A for the following: 1. We did not receive an upgraded room although that was part of our package. 2. Most of our guests arrived on Wednesday, and they couldn't make reservations for a restaurant until Sunday- but most were leaving on that day. I wish they were able to accommodate our guests a bit more. 3. Rob and I really didn't get anything extra (treatment or upgrades) even though we brought 50 people with us. RIU Riviera Maya Staff: A Excellent. So friendly, always available, just great! A few extra dollars goes a long way too. My dad tipped really well and the staff would actually hold my mom's plate at the buffet and bring it to her when she sat down. They always knew what my dad was drinking and would have a refill before he even finished his current drink. They brought champagne and orange juice to my room by request (even though it took some pleading) the day of the wedding for my girls and I. They never said no, they always found a way to help. We also go our wedding dress and suit steamed while we were there and it was pretty painless. It took about a day. Wedding Coordinator: Ael/Rebecca: B Rob and I were a bit frustrated with the wedding planning part of the RIU. Although we picked a destination wedding to alleviate some of the planning headaches, we were frustrated that we couldn't get any answers from the RIU until 2 months before the wedding! This really was difficult. Also- we were told 1 month before the wedding that our time of day we picked for our wedding wouldn't work (5PM) and they wanted to change it to 12PM! This was a major problem as I had already had a girly day planned with my girls and Rob had golf planned with his guests. They eventually agreed to change the time to 4PM, but even then we had already sent out our actual invitations. It just was an added headache. When we were at the RIU- we met with Rebecca who was very nice and eased our fears. I just wish this happened ahead of time. Beach Location for Wedding: A- I loved getting married barefoot on the beach! The location was very large which made it seem a bit more private. And, I didn't really mind other visitors watching the wedding. That happens at the gazebo too. The only thing I didn't like was that it was so close to the Pool Bar. It just seemed to lesson the importance of the event. Other than that, I was very happy with the location. Reception: Boto Fago: A- We had a 2.5 hour cocktail hour which was really long for our guests. I don't know how we could have done that better. But, after the cocktail hour, we went to Boto Fago for our reception and it was great. We had the DJ who was awesome and took any and all requests and was prepared with the songs we had given him ahead of time. The dinner was decent... it was your typical Brazilian Restaurant where they bring different types of meat around. I was so full from the salad bar at this point I didn't eat a ton, but I didn't hear any complaints. We had 50 guests and the restaurant was the perfect size for 50. We also had a big dance floor in the middle which really brought the room together. I was pretty nervous about the reception but it ended up being exactly like I had hoped. We did have to pay the extra $9/person for mixed drinks- but I am happy we paid for this. La Parilla - Downtown Playa Del Carmen - A+ We had our rehearsal dinner/welcoming dinner here and it was Awesome! The staff was great in helping us hold the event here while sticking to our budget. We were able to have an open bar and dinner (appetizers, soup, entree and dessert) for 2 hours and it was perfect. This is such a fun place. The restaurant is open to the outside- so you really feel like you are part of the downtown atmosphere. There was a mariachi band that played in our room for about 15 minutes as well which brought the mexican flair to our wedding. I would highly recommend having your welcome dinner here for your guests. Because our guests couldn't book specialty restaurants at the RIU this was a really nice way to get them away from the buffet for the night. After the event we continued our night at the Tequila Disco- which was so much fun! Moments that Matter Photography: A++ What can I say about Moments that Matter? They worked their butts off! Lincoln and Lori were so easy to be around. They are such a fun loving couple and you can tell that they just love to do this for a living. All of our guests commented on how great they were and how hard they worked throughout the day as well. Our pictures are very different from my other sisters who had weddings in Chicago (church and reception at hotels) but I am so happy about that! Lincoln and Lori really captured the "beach wedding" and the romantic setting. I highly recommend them. We did have to pay $100 for each of them to get into the hotel... but that is it! No penalty like others have stated. If you have an email from Ael stating that outside photographers are $100, I would just bring that with you. We didn't have any problems. I'd also like to give a personal thanks to my hairdresser and makeup artist- Mylissa Genaro. If anyone is from the Chicago area- she is a great stylist that is willing to go to your destination wedding to do your hair and makeup for the wedding. She helped my whole bridal party, sisters, and mothers as well. Rob and I just paid her a flat fee. She also did my hair and makeup for the rehearsal dinner! I am so happy I brought her - she really made me feel like a rock star! Golf - A (by Rob ) The course was literally across the street from the hotel - we just walked over, no need for cabs or transportation. I played twice, once on Friday morning with some family and then as a group with 12 guys the morning of the wedding. I had pre-arranged this beforehand with the golf course and they did a good job re-creating a country club atmosphere... our names were on our carts, the GPSs in the carts had a "congrats Rob and Erin" banner, you could also use the GPSs to track live scoring if you have a tournament within your group. And as with everything in Mexico, the service was awesome - guys that clean your clubs, bring you towels, and the drink cart came around at least 5-6 times. I would recommend renting clubs - since you can rent for less than the cost of checking the baggage, and the clubs they have are surprisingly good - your choice of Nikes, Callaways, Taylor-Mades etc... all with new(er) clubs and brand name oversize drivers. The course itself was a B... a few interesting holes and it's well maintained, but not quite the jungle adventure i thought it would be. oh - and there are monkeys on the course. Here are a few pictures of the wedding itself that our photographers took: Erin & Rob Feel free to respond with any questions!
  4. Hey guys, it's been a couple weeks since I posted, but in that period of time my dress came in, I got a new job, and put an offer down on a condo in Chicago! Crazy times! I can't wait until we hear back from Desiree!!! When does she come back? I assume she's taking a bit of a honeymoon. I am so jealous!!!
  5. Hi guys! I am Erin and I am getting married at the RIU Palace on Feb. 27, 2010. I have been reading these posts for a while now, and you all have been so helpful! I decided to finally introduce myself. I am going through a lot of the same problems that I have been reading on this site (prices won't go down for my guests, swine flu, where will we eat??, should I get the DJ, etc.) but, overall, I am super excited to get married at the RIU! I have one somewhat weird questions. Have any of you guys heard of a "traditional tequila donkey?" I was speaking with someone who got married in Mexico last year and they had a donkey wearing a sombero and a belt that held loads of tequila shots walking around the reception. Although it sounds weird, it's got to be so much fun! Now, I totally want one! I have no idea if this is something we can get in Playa Del Carmen... but thought I would start here! Thanks for letting me look in on your experiences so far!
  6. I am using destinationweddings.com for the travel piece. You put down a $50 deposit and they do all the work for you and your guests (and you $50 gets used for your travel anyway, so it's actually free!).
  7. I am using destinationweddings.com for the travel piece. You put down a $50 deposit and they do all the work for you and your guests (and you $50 gets used for your travel anyway, so it's actually free!).
  8. All your planning done? I feel like I am just starting! Did you do save the dates? If so, did you do your own, or did you go through a company? My FI and I are just getting around to finding someone to take a picture for us to put on it! I've started brain storming about OOT bags, dresses, etc., but haven't bought a single thing yet! Did you get your wedding dress? Do you love it? Did you go beach casual, or classic? Oh! One more question... are you going to have a photographer? I am thinking about bringing one from the outside- but someone who lives in Playa Del Carmen area. Okay- tons of questoins, sorry!
  9. You're kidding! That's great! Have you checked out the RIU Palace thread? It has some good info. in there. I am hoping to have about 75 people (actually 80 so we can rent out the steakhouse), but my family is having a hard time with it. I am hoping they come around! How about you? Which location did you pick for the ceremony? We have decided on the beach. I am a bit worried about people being in background for pictures, but it just looks so pretty!
  10. Thanks for the info TylerGirl! I am excited to hear how your wedding goes, especially with the IPod. That is an idea we have been tossing around as well.
  11. Hey everyone! My FI and I have decided on the RIU Palace. Has anyone elected to get the DJ? Do we know if it's any good? I am so excited to be doing the DW thing... but am a bit nervous about all the unknown. Also- does anyone have good ideas about what you are going to put in your welcome bags? Erin
  12. Welcome. My FI and I just decided on the RIU Palace in Riviera Maya. My family is having a hard time with it as well... but it's been a month since we told them and they are starting to come around... (I did say starting, right?). I just keep thinking about my happiness though- a wedding in Chicago is just not what I want in the middle of Feb. next year!
  13. Hello everone! I am so happy to have found a forum like this! Already so many of my questions have been answered just by reviewing some threads. My name is Erin and my FI and I are planning to get married at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya, MX next Feb 27th (fingers crossed, we won't know for another week or two if that date will be confirmed). I have lots of questions regarding the resort (is the DJ good?, any good reasonably priced photographers?) and also some general wedding questions. Thanks for welcoming me!
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