allison&kevin

Thanks all for the feedback on the rehearsal. I have been in debate about the Catamaran, though we would love it, we do have people in our group who do get seasick...argghhh! Still a possibilty if there is nothing else that is as afforable and fun. As for a meal at the resort - I personally do not want to give them any more money when we are already paying for the all-inclusive at their resort and the wedding. Hmmm... I have looked on line at a few places and am thinking maybe we do a brunch to keep costs down. Maybe a tour of some sort, but they all seem pricey too. Has anyone heard anything about the night show at xcaret? Probably expensive too. Cindy-I agree that things do add up, but I think you get more for what you would be paying for a wedding in the states. It also reduces number of people and you have an "experience" out of all of it.

Tutti- I am not ordering lounger furniture, but do have info on the DJ since this is what I need to get done today It looks like I will be going with DJ Doremixx and there is also a DJ Mannia. Both of these vendors can be booked through the hotel but cost more. If you hire them out privately, there is a $100 fee to bring them in, but it is still cheaper than booking through the hotel. Another piece of advice, as I have been going through this process, KEEP EVERY COMMUNICATION from the hotel where any price has been quoted. They have already tried to change the prices on me a few times, and I just keep sending back old correspondences, to make sure we are clear and I will not accept a higher price once a quote has been given. Another question for people out there-anyone doing a rehersal excursion or dinner or something? Curious as to what people are planning.

Has anyone used the hotel DJ? I am sure someone has talked about it, but don't recall where??

Your wedding sounds amazing! Hearing the positive news is so reassuring - thanks for sharing!!! Which catamaran company did you use? Was it spendy? For the food options do you just pick one entree for everyone or can you select 2 choices (ie for those who don't wat meat). Thanks!

Oops forgot to mention that is 5 nights

loanmao - I think those seem to be pretty good prices for now, who knows what will happen in the future but I do agree you should probably lock them down. Does that include taxes and transfers? I have a quote from a ta of $3128 for 2 people at the Royal including 2 flights and hotel transfers. The quotes seem in range, but depending on the cost of the flights yours may be better. Maybe I will call Angie.

Also where the prices quoted by Angie a per person rate or for the room? Just want to make sure I am reading it right. Thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by loanmao Emengeeroxx...We'll probably be there the same time! Allison&Kevin...will you be staying after your wedding on the 9th? Perhaps our stays will overlap as well! Maybride...hope things work out this time around.. good luck! Yes we will be there for sure, though I am not sure of the exact days, but being we are on the 8th we will need some chill time. There is no way we are rushing to get back to a rainy Portland either

Congrats Stephanie! It looks like your wedding turned out amazing - very beautiful pictures

Really sounds wonderful Leah! COngrats! I am looking forward to getting married at the Royal now even more! Any key differences you could highlight of what you saw/experienced for the reception on the beach vs. at the gazebo?

Michelle- Thanks for your reply! So you did not have any reservations at the Blue Parrot beforehand and just got the WC to help you plan once you were there? That is a good option. Thanks for being so helpful!

one more question michelle - how long did you stay since you said it was too short? How long would you have liked to stay for?

Thanks for the great review Michelle - much appreciated! Can I ask you average price/head at the Blue Parrott and what it included? Sounds like a possiblity, but I would need to budget for it. So glad your wedding was fantastic!

Oh Ladies I am sooooo sorry! We were in vacation in Victoria, BC last week and I was completely oblivious to the news until a couple of days ago. All I could think about when I heard was what was happening to the couples planning their weddings for this month. Argh!! It really drives me crazy how everything in the news gets so exaggerated, but what became even more shocking to hear was how all these airline companies are cancelling their flights. I also heard Mexicana was doing the same thing. I can only begin to imagine how frustrated you ladies are. When I called my TA yesterday, he was swamped with calls and re-booking for couples planning their weddings in MX. Not the best option, but at least there may be the option to re-book I really do not know what to say, but I am so sorry!!! Please continue to vent here, as I know that is one way I get out a lot of my frustration. If you ladies need anything we are all here for you!

Quote: Originally Posted by EmenGeeRoxx Yes that is what I am hoping. I just got worried because I have been watching the prices/trends for this past year and didn't see the consistency once 2k10 hit. I want to get my invitations out asap as well so I am hoping the pricing settles downward soon. I have been using January 2009 pricing as a barometer for my guests so they will sh!t if they see the current January 2010 prices. I am seeing this info on the typical travel sites in Canada (tripcentral, selloffvacations, etc). I guess I will wait a bit longer! Why don't you call the Royal US Office? Ask them what their prices are & what they are forecasting? The other option is NWA trip site. Just a thought. Jan 09 pricing + 10% is a gauge to use when giving pricing to your guests. So what we are doing is instead of invitations is printing out a letter which explains the situation. We are letting our guests know around May where prices are expected to sit for 4 day, 5 day & 6 day packages at both the Gran and Royal. We are sending this out in May with prices at this time. I too am hoping everything will come down - it should!!! We are telling our guests different ways to book and timeframes we recommend booking by. Then later in the year we will send invites (almost serving as a reminder for those who have not booked by September-ish). Just a thought for how to handle things since we don't know prices and we want our guests to get the best deal they can All frustrating, but it will work out!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Stephanie~ Allison, so the rates will go up after August? Does that only pertain to January Travel or later in 2010? I'm looking for the best deal for June 2010. So I am talking about Jan timeframe, not sure for June 2010. My assumption would be that 8-9 months ahead of time prices for your timeframe come out. Then there is probably some sort of discount for early bookings if you are going through the hotel and book within a few months. If you are using a travel agent, prices will probably be different due to what is included in packages. From there prices go up and go down, as we see if it is nearing the time to fill the hotel, deals will be offered if there is availability. I wouldn't take this risk. I know this is probably a lot of what you already know - everything in planning a DW is uncertain - including prices. If I were you I would keep my eyes out for deals once you are in the 7-8 month timeframe - hedge your bets.

EmenGeeRoxx- I am wondering if you are seeing the higher "rack rates" for January. When I called the resort a few weeks ago, I was told that prices start off at the higher rate (the rack rate) and then we should be seeing the lower rates sometime in May - no guarantees, but typical trending. Not sure what you are seeing or where you found them. I too am getting married in jan and was also under the assumption that prices should be down as long as it is after the New Year and before Presidents Day. Another FYI I got when I called was the early bookings get 10-15% discount (as long as you book by Aug or Sept). I really hope prices come down, but maybe we should wait a couple more weeks before over-analyzing it...hmmmm.

Roahrig- Thanks for the update! Really looking forward to seeing/reading your review. Did your party go into town at all or mainly stay at the resort? Also I did not think you were running on - all of us love to hear feedback from the brides, it is very helpful!

Really amazing! I love excel and this is such a bonus to have before I would have started one

Congrats Shannon and Shay! How are the last minutes preps going? What are you doing during your final weeks before heading off for the BIG DAY!?!?!

We have decided to go with the Royal since there were various options for our guests...I know Riu has this option too, but was more spread out. Both are fantastic plans, but we just had to pick one..only if we could have multiple weddings

Really awesome! Will really help using as a template! Thanks!

Keep us all posted on how the Blue Parrot ends up ON average what is the price/pp at the Blue Parrot and what is included? Thanks so much istephiez-it sounds like fun!

Quote: Originally Posted by tylersgirl Hey girl! I never could find RD1044, but it looks so gorgeous in pics! Congrats on finding the right dress! Did you end up finding a dress?? Have you gone to Maggie Sottero's website to find where dresses are sold in your area? Just a thought if you are still looking...dress shopping is so much fun

Thanks all for the warm welcome!