jesmcan

FutureMrsYak I just checked prices for you, unfortunetly for some reason the online sites like Expedia say no rooms are available. usually that means because its high season only the hotel will sell rooms. I however did go on the Gran Porto site and put in for Jan 7 to the 14th just to see and the rate was $488 for the standard jr suite and unfortunetly the royal at $635 a night. I would def ask about the group rate and see what that can do. A group rate is always 10 rooms or more. I like Lisa also changed my date to November from Jan because the prices are so high than because it's high season. But not to worry I am sure your TA can help you resolve this. And if you do need to change the date I would fight the penalty for changing flights. With 11 people that a lot of business for that flight. Let us know how it goes I dont know how to do a hug on here but senidng one your way

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsYak Ok I am having major anxiety here, and need someones help! 2011 prices were just listed and they are ALOT higher than my travel agent estimated. We were hoping for Real around 300 a night for our guests that don't have a huge budget just for our wedding. They are listed at $574/night! I can't ask my guests to pay that. We have 11 people including ourselves with flights booked. My first thought was if I can't find anywhere in the price range I'll need to take a loan and pay all of these people back. Now I'm looking at the first week in Dec which is still in the price range, I don't think it's major to us to move the wedding up a month... My question is now all of these people with flights booked, would it be possible to just move the dates ahead...or would they be out the money and have to pay again? I thought DW was supposed to be easier than a regular wedding!!!!! wooaaahhhh that price is insane.First I would check the on line sites and see what their rates say. Our TA matched any prices as long as our guests paid in full. Also I would maybe look into a group booking and see if that helps. Unfortunately if the flight is booked there will be a penalty to change it to another date. Taking a loan out? Don't do that I know how you must fell but not to worry there are options. I will call your TA asap and weight out the options.

Yes agreed, I am also using Samuel Luna. He is very fast with his replies. I am not sure how his pricing is looking these days but when I booked last year his prices were amazing and work is equally as amazing.

Hi Ladies, 1. Tables: We are doing local tequilas with a table number and a bit about the tequila 2. The violence issue is a non issue. One of the reasons I love Playa sooooo much is because I feel so safer. Just this past Nov when we were there we were out till 4am and walked around no problem. The people are so friendly. I honestly feel safer there than in New York City.

Thanks Candice Marie! for the resort map

Quote: Originally Posted by luna1923 Thanks ladies for all the feed back re reception length. I think I will extend the time. I am thinking of hiring the lounge furniture from Cancun, and I think that is $2k, and then the DJ with the floor is god knows how much more, so I will likely extend it to make it worth the the $$ spent. Also, since Playa has become such a "hot spot" lately, I heard that Blue Parrot and Congo Bongo is outrageous in their cover fee - supposedly $50!! I remember reading that it someone's post. Although, I think I would speak to the manager on shift that night and explain that the size of the party and the alcohol bought would more than enough cover any type of entrace fee they were planning on making that night, lol! I just have to vent and express how irritated I am. We visited Royal Playa in 2007 and at that time had decided on destination wedding. The following year we casually inquired about pricing. Albiet, that was two years ago, I am still flabbergasted at the inflatation of prices. $350 vendor fee??!! Come on, seriously! The price of photographers and DJ's are almost more than I'm paying for our wedding in Vancouver. I still haven't heard back from the US office re my date for the wedding. I see that it is also still available to select on the website!!! F$#%!$!$#$! When we were just in Playa this past November we were able to do $30 pp including open bar at Coco Bango!! Granted it was a guy that I found on 5th but it was a great time. I would look for this guy. I can't believe since I booked last July the vendor fee has gone from $100 to $350!!!!!!!!!! I guess the problem is people are willing to pay so they just keep hiking the prices. Totally and absolutely ludicrous.

Thanks ladies for all the responses on the rose petals. I agree it depends on how many guests. I would love to see pics to. I was searching but could not find one wedding at The Royal that shows the aisle at the Gazebo with rose petals. One thing I did notice if you are having 40 guests or more from all the pictures I have seen it looks like they do 6 chairs per row. I decided to do assigned seating for the ceremony because I fell in love with the tags that Lisa showed .

Hi ladies I don't know if anyone knows the answer to this. On the check list is says the price is $20 per bag of rose petals. How many bags do you think you need for the aisle?

I love your cake!! the blues and whites look incredible together. Congrats on having such a wonderful wedding.

Quote: Originally Posted by luna1923 Thanks for all the replies! Jescman, how are you in direct contact with Zulma of the resort? I thought that you had to deal with the Michigan office until one month prior to your wedding? I have to also pay the $350 for outside vendor fee. The cost is ridic! It's limiting me on hiring an additional florist, etc! Just with lounge set up and photographer, it will be an additional $700 down the drain! When did everyone hire their DJ, photographer, etc? Should I book the DJ now? Do I have to let the WC know this now? Re Centerpieces. What did you all do? Are you using the Royal's choices? I cannot be bothered packing stuff and bringing it down with me. I am ALWAYS either right on the mark or overweight with luggage so I know I will not have the room! I was thinking of not really communciating with the Michigan WC since they seem to cause more stress than anything. Do you think it's wise to leave everything until I get to the resort and meet with the resort WC? aagghhhhh!!!!! You are not suppose to work with the Meixco WC's till a month before. I just worked with Zulma after our site visit and the ceremony music was one of the things I sent her and asked about. Honestly in my opinion I would not communicate with the Michigan office and wait till the month before for the WC. I think everyone here has all the resources you need without having to contact them. You may still them in order to make some decisions but for the most part not really. So yes if it was me I would not contact them in order to stay sane lol.

2Mckee and others - I sent Zulma what I wanted played at the ceremony. I am doing Ave Maria and I was able to find a clip on solo guitarist which is what we are doing for our ceremony. I did not have an issue sending them this. Marvin from Maya Diseno is great there is also Euphoria Eventos Y Arte Floral Euforia Cancun Wedding Planner - Outdoor Events and Lighting Design They are a bit pricier but do amazing work

Quote: Originally Posted by LynnieS So, I got an email from Michel at the resort and she said that when a guest does not stay at a Royal property and want to come to your wedding they can come 30 minutes before your wedding and have to leave anytime there is a break. I have a 3 hour break between cockail hour and reception. Or, they can stay if they pay for these day passes. In addition, everything they eat (ie reception dinner, cocktail hour and champagne toast/cake) is twice as much. To eat dinner, for example, it is $50/pp instead of $25/pp. OMG!!! This is ridic!!! We have booked 25 rooms (50 people total) at this resort, isnt there some sort of compensation for bringing all this business. . .geez! Wow that is absolutely insane!! So you have to pay for day pass plus the cost for dinner etc...?That is just crazy I have never heard of something so absurd. I mean you are already paying the non-resort price they should be able to stay for the 3 hours in between. And I agree you are bringing all this business to the resort. I might consider moving up the times and having the cocktail hour maybe for two hours after the ceremony and moving the reception up? Not sure what your situation is but after you cruncht he numbers it might make more sense.

Quote: Originally Posted by LynnieS Yeah, its Veronicas. But i still haven't figured out how to get a hold of them to make appts. Anybody figure that out yet? Definitely want to get massages and manis/pedis there instead! Wish me luck today girls, Im doing a bd session for my honey and Im REALLY nervous. Hope he likes it! Good luck! do't be nervous - have a drink before lol I am doing mine in July and I am sure I am going to feel the same. But I figured a couple of glasses before hand and just let yourself be sexy in front of the camera. Let us know how it goes.

Quote: Originally Posted by astreit Does anyone know how far it is from the Royal to La Cueva del Chango? I can see on the map that it only looks like a couple blocks away, but how big are the blocks!? My grandparents are coming and I was just curious if it truly is within walking distance, or if we will need to get taxis or a shuttle or something. Does anyone know if the resort has a shuttle? We are hoping to do a dinner at La Cueva del Chango the night before the wedding by we don't want to do it unless we can make sure everyone has transportation if it is too far to walk. Its not far at all maybe a ten minute walk if that. You def do not need a shuttle or anything. It is a really nice walk right through town. 5th avenue is all cobble stone and everyone can take their time. At night it is especially beautiful, everything is lit up. You love this restaurant the food is wonderful there great choice.

Quote: Originally Posted by Lisa DSO I think jesmcan was originally going to do the Ult Luxury Package, so it's possible they may have let her substitute since it was already on one of the filet options. (just my guess) but yeah, that price is ridic Yes originally when I was doing our recption with the Ultimate package they told us that we could just add a few jumbo shirimp to the plate with out an extra charge. That price they gave you is ridicoulis!! I would call them and say you just want to add a few shrimp not a platter.

Quote: Originally Posted by dianep RELIEF!!! i am confirmed for a private beach ceremony. and now, at 44 days out, i can finally submit my checklist! hooray, and smiles all over my face! Congrats!! thats another point for Brides Versus The Royal woohooo

Quote: Originally Posted by aerazo soo.. when i was there in August for my site visit, michelle told me my bridesmaids and groomsmen can come to the room when i get ready and she said i just need to give her the names and she will take care of it. Of course, it seems we are getting different answers but i will be pissed if that is not correct. All of them are staying at either The Gran or The Real Resort so they better not have to pay anything to come in and help me get ready and my groom!! Jesmcan - I'm having Fernando come to do my hair and makeup and i just had to pay the Vendor fee because the day pass only gets them access to the Resort and not into your room. Thats why u have to pay the vendor fee so they can go in your room.. sucks! Uggghhh thanks for letting me know but I did figure that

Lady Di and others who hired out side stylists for hair and make up do we have to pay the outsider vendor fee for them? Or do we do a day pass for them? Thanks for all the feedback ladies on the ceremony and seating

Quote: Originally Posted by duprk452 Yes that is our situation, too. We have owned our own home for 4 years now and do not really need any household items. We initially weren't going to register for anything, but then decided that it was best so that we don't just receive random things. My mom, however, still wants to have a shower, but I don't think it makes any sense. We are doing the same, this is the site we are using Honeymoon Registry, Travel Planning, Perfect Newlywed Experience | Traveler's Joy - we did this for those who cannot attend the wedding and would still like to send a gift I also did not want a shower because I felt everyone was spending so much money to come down. Well I found it I am getting one anyways lol. I decided to register at Crate & Barrell and keep everything under $50. I figured we can always use new towels etc

Hi ladies I have a silly question. For the ceremony to you do assigned seating? Or do you just reserve the first few rows and mark those seats for father of the bride and so on?

Quote: Originally Posted by duprk452 Yes, I agree. I will definitely do the sand, no dance floor. I can't justify the cost of the light up dance floor either. On another note.. Has anyone tasted the cakes? When they say Chocolate with almond.. is this the filling or is the cake chocolate with almond filling? Also does anyone have any advice on the cakes? I'm a chocolate freak and would be perfectly happy getting one of those delicious looking grooms cakes, but the FI doesn't think they "look pretty". Who would have thought he would even mind? I also love tre leches cakes, but don't want it to melt into a puddle since it will be June. The tres leches cake is amazing!!! we tried it at our food tasting. Its perfect because it is really light ad fluffy and would pair really well with a dessert like the chocolate shell. I can see however the concern with the melting however why would they offer it if its going to melt? I would ask how they do this. Sorry that was the only cake we tried.

Quote: Originally Posted by candicemarie Thanks Lisa! I like that one the best, too, since it has both our colors I've got to email the guy to see how close he can get to them. We're using this ebay seller Lot 50 Personalized Koozies Wedding Party Favors - eBay (item 120448537078 end time Apr-11-10 14:51:07 PDT) I know! Grrr. The price is outrageous! We were just going to go without a dance floor (our reception is in the garden) bc I saw a pic of it somewhere (maybe Jesmcan's site visit?), and it was so small! We just starting thinking about how much better it would look (esp in pics) w/the light up and how many more people would get up and dance if we had it. Have you send it in action? Check out Tracey's slideshow. The dance floor totally makes it! 10.24.09 Tracey + Brent | Royal Playa del Carmen | Photos by Matt Adcock http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo.../index204.html Yes there is a pic of it in my site visit. I honestly have to say the two pieces of ply wood are sort of an eye sore when you see it. It is also really small and there is a big gap between the two pieces so its sort of hard to dance on. For those unable to do the light up dance floor I would go with just the sand. They can rake an area for you. As candicemarie says though the light up dance floor really makes people want to get up and dance.

wow amazing pictures - I especially love the ones of your groom with the tears during the ceremony. They were all very moving.

Quote: Originally Posted by beachbum1285 OK... here goes vent time LOL! I was one of the girls that had Suzanna. NO CLUE she left until I called because I hadn't heard from here in hmmm 2 weeks. Angie took my file. In those two weeks that I hadn't heard from Suzanna, I was trying to upgrade from Classic to Luxury as more people were coming and I ended up wanting a full reception blah blah. Seems easy enough right? Angie said she'd send me my stuff that night... never got it. I kinda gave her the benefit of the doubt since someone did just quit and I figured they'd be even more busy. A few days went by I sent her a nice reminder to send me my stuff. Nothin. My FMIL had some of the contact info in Mexico when I was having issues with Suzanna. So an email was sent out basically saying hey, can I have my new stuff. I was told final payment is April 2 and I have nothing planned. That was sent on a Friday. I get the stuff at midnight Sunday night. Contract is wrong. I get someone else's checklist. I forward that back this past Monday morning saying hey can you fix these things. Such a simple fix and I hadn't received anything yesterday. I was fed up with the slowness. I know they are slow but they are so adamant about payment but really is it that hard to fix a contract and send it right back? FMIL typed a nice but firm email to people in Mexico and CC'd Angie (and me) yesterday. Angie responded back, just to FMIL, that "she has been emailing me and calling me and leaving me voice mails and I have just not been responding back to her." Really I don't know who she's calling but it's definitely not me. My phone is on 24/7 I NEVER turn it off... I have no voice mails. No missed calls. Nothing. It was like a huge slap in the face. I had tears in my eyes cause I was so mad. And I feel like no matter what I say they'll believe her cause they'll view me as a B***chy bridezilla. Things seem to be getting resolved now though. I emailed the manager in MX, Paty Ulloa, told her I was basically appalled and can't believe the Michigan office conducts business this way, told her I was taking my business elsewhere, and she emailed me right back and said she would take over. THANK GOD! I'm sorry y'all I'm not trying to be all woe-is-me... but dang. Please don't call me a liar. As the rest of you, I have a wedding folder for reasons like this. Everything they send me and everything I send them is saved. It's very disheartening when all I wanted was a revised contract and checklist and that's what I get in return!! AHHH!!!!! I don't know about you guys but they drive me to drink!! I can't wait to get down there and just relax on the beach and forget about all this!! That is honestly so appalling. It is not suppose to be like this! but I am glad in the end this got resolved for you. I mean how much longer can this go on before they start to loose the business?

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