2mckee

Does anyone know if they are willing to do an entree pairing?? (i.e. half portion of steak with half portion of salmon?)

Quote: Originally Posted by Natalie79 Hi Ladies! I went a few weeks ago for my site visit and tasting. Here is what we tasted and chose...I'm doing the Classic Package with the Private Dinner added on. The "classic" private dinner includes 3 courses. We also tasted soups, which are on the "luxury" private dinner menu. But I thought 4 courses would be a little much so we are sticking with the Classic. We had the site visit with Lili, she said you can choose 2 entrees but you can't offer a choice of apps or desserts. Salads/Apps 1. (what we chose) Avocado with Crab salad - basically pure crab meat overflowing out of a small hollowed out avocado. It needed a little salt but other than that was very good and fresh. 2. Smoked Shrimp Pineapple salad - GROSS! Presentation was awesome, the shrimp was way too smokey and there was this weird layer of pukey flavored jello on the bottom. 3. Spring Vegetable Salad - I had picked the goat cheese thing but this is what they gave me. It was basically peas, carrots and corn mixed with mayo. I wouldn't recommend at all. Soups ALL were awesome! We just decided that we would rather just have 3 courses to give us some more time on the dance floor. We tried the Cream of Spinach, Creamy Vegetable, and Clam Chowder. If I had to pick my one fav it would prob be the Cream of Veggie. Entrees 1. (what we chose) Beef Tournedo with mushroom sauce - Steak was cooked perfectly and sauce complemented well. I'm not a mushroom fan and was glad there weren't an abundance of mushrooms. 2. Beef Filet with Dijon Sauce - Perfectly cooked again. My fiance prefered the mushroom sauce. I was 50/50...if you like mustard this one was great...it just gave a hint of the flavor to the meat. 3. Chicken with Seafood Stuffing & Almond Sauce - Really bad! Chicken was good, the stuffing was REALLY fishy and dry. - We didn't taste any snapper, but we decided to go with just a Sauteed Snapper (no stuffing) for our 2nd entree choice. Desserts 1. (what we chose) Cannoli Trio - It was delicious! Even though it's not really a "canolli". It's more like 3 small croissant-ish pastries filled with a chocolate-praline filling. The filling was super creamy but not heavy. 2. The Chocolate Shell with fruit - I liked this one alot and it has a great presentation. I just thought the flavor of the cannolis were a little better. 3. I don't even remember! haha...the other 2 were so much better. Thank you so much for the recommendations! We have the luxury package (not ultimate) so hopefully we can piece together some of this and come up with something fabulous.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your quick reply! Very, very helpful.

Back to the selecting the dinner stuff. So, we thought we would be able to do as tasting when we arrived 5 days before the wedding but Carole said we have to put in our choices 2 weeks prior! OH GOOD GOD. What if we pick something thats terrible?? Anyway, would love to hear what everyone is choosing for their menus.....Jesmcan, would you mind reposting the info on your tasting that was just mentioned? I looked back and wasn't able to find it. Also, what color/colors is everyone using for their decor?? We are doing midnight blue, citron green and white. Trying to figure out another color to tie into the flowers.... maybe yellow?

Quote: Originally Posted by duprk452 Does anyone have links to beach bridesmaids dresses? I don't want anything too casual, but at the same time I don't want anything too dressy. Sounds stupid I know, but I see it in my head. lol We were looking at going with the J Crew beach dresses. They are a lightweight fabric, really great colors and all sorts of styles- strapless, halter, tank, etc. Not the $200-300 silk blend ones in their wedding section. I think they run under $100 apiece, which is great. I think they should be coming back out with them soon for spring and summer if they arent our already. I actually own a couple already as they are great summer dresses!! (We ended up going with a great Laundry by Shelly Seagal dress that one of my girls found for everyone on sale.)

Quote: Originally Posted by Lady_Di here is the website that i am going to buy from...they're like 1 dollars each. Organza Sash damn the royal trying to rape us! Awesome site! Thanks for posting- I just saw that some of the sashes are on sale for .59 each.... best price I have seen.

Hey everyone, SOOOO glad to hear that corporate is trying to take care of the issues we have all been having with The Royal. Finally heard from Carole last week and waiting to hear again. Hopefully she will be on top of it. Is anyone planning on shipping things down there?? Such as centerpiece type things? Also, do you guys know who is in charge of setting up our table scapes for the cocktail hour and reception? For those of you who are planning on using lounge furniture, we are planning on going with the furniture that the Royal provides for the 250 fee and adding various pillows in our colors to splash it up a bit. After looking at all of the options, seemed to be the best, most cost effective one for us. Also, if anyone else is looking for a venue for another event (rehearsal dinner, etc) I dealt with both The Blue Parrot and Wickys Beach Club (Thanks for the suggestions, Jesmcan!) and they are both VERY professional and willing to work with whatever budget you give them. We ended up booking a private, beachfront, casual lunch at Wickys for 60 people the day before the wedding as our rehearsal event as we wanted something relaxed and fun and totally diff than the plated 4-course dinner we will have at the wedding. We are not paying what is listed on the websites- I gave them a per person price and they came back with a different menu that was perfect for us. Anyway, also thought it was better to have it offsite in case The Royal books up so we/they dont have to pay a day pass fee. Then everyone can have that evening to themselves while we take our bridal party and families on an excursion. Thanks to everyone on here for your advice and suggestions- SUCH great help. Also, thanks for the positive vibes- you guys are right- I'm sure we will all be so happy with how everything turns out! Happy Planning-

Is anyone else still having issues with the stateside WC's?? I had Kimberly and then was switched to Barbara, who apparently quit and then heard ONE time from Aja. That was almost 3 weeks ago. I have sent emails to everyone I have emails for and nothing. ANy suggestions?? I need to know who my WC is Thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by randi.renstrom i was curious about a rehersal dinner as well. im hoping to have it somewhere else in Playa del Carmen. Even though it is all inclusive, I want the guests to have a chance to see the town etc. So if anyone has any ideas, ideally I'd like a setting outside, walking distance to the royal, and not toooo crazy expensive (which i know is asking a lot) I would love to hear! Thanks! Randi- I am looking for the same thing. One of the choices I have on my running list is a restaurant, La Cueva Del Chango. Apparently it is within walking distance (On 5th Ave. maybe?) and from what I have read and seen on their website, they have a really cool patio area perfect for rehearsal dinners or cocktail parties and pretty reasonable prices. I am looking into doing a cocktail party the night before the wedding to change it up a bit. We may organize a big group and go out in town after the party. Anyway, here is the link: La Cueva del Chango - Playa del Carmen - Regional Restaurant - Mexican Food - Naturist - Weddings - Riviera Maya - Mayan Food My contact is Andres Friedrich. He is pretty good at getting back to you. I also contacted Yaxche restaurant a couple of times, but never heard back. Seems like a very nice place from website and reviews, but higher priced than La Cueva Del Chango. Hope that helps!!

Adding myself! Great idea. Playa2009 - February 5, 2010 diana&steve0304 - April 3, 2010 kimmy44 - April 21, 2010 jcooper79 - April 22, 2010 aerazo - April 23, 2010 llm78 - April 25, 2010 kimmy44 - April 28, 2010 AprilandRyan - May 1, 2010 jennie.lewis - May 7, 2010 SDbeachgirl - May 7, 2010 LynnieS - May 14, 2010 Lexibride - May 15, 2010 tutti1299 - May 15, 2010 dianep - May 15, 2010 (gran) astreit - May 16, 2010 boolo318 - May 28, 2010 Denisema00 - May 29, 2010 Lady_Di - May 29, 2010 candicemarie - June 5, 2010 kenlyn8984 - June 10, 2010 ~Stephanie~ - June 11, 2010 super19 - June 21, 2010 2mckee- June 27, 2010 cinny726 - June 2010 Pattie - June 2010 Jamk32179- September 18, 2010 smckinney22 - October 9, 2010 Shirley_Ken - October 28, 2010 Celine- November 5, 2010 bmlynch - November 6, 2010 Randi - November 11, 2010 jesmcan - November 12, 2010 futuremrs1113-November 13, 2010 giraffexx - November 19, 2010 mslisaaragon - November 22, 2010 Trinas79 - November 2010 MichaelandAraceli- December 18, 2010 Lisa DSO- January 1, 2011 FutureMrsYak- January 11,2011 pineapplebride - *maybe* April 2011 vlynnw - May 6, 2011 speedy130 - May 7, 2011 stevensfiance - 2010 -Royal, Cancun

Hi Celine- Just saw your post asking about photographers. We have booked Nora Bohanon (you can google it) and I believe she runs an ad on this forum as well. She's stateside based, but has gorgeous pictures and very reasonable rates- less than what most of the good photographers based in MX charge. Anyone looking for a photographer still should def check her out.

I heard that from Kimberly as well- $850USD for DJ Ivan. My reply back was asking why we are required to pay $200 more than the amount he quoted for the exact same services. A little irritated about this as we were about to send the contract in when all of this happened. Has anyone else heard anything different?

Thanks for sharing your review! Very Helpful. Did any of your guests have any issues trying to eat together in the restaurants? (Groups larger than 4?) It looks like y'all had a wonderful time!

Jesmcan, Thanks so much for the info- that sounds like exactly what we are looking for!

Lady Di- Just saw your post. Are you talking about not being charged for guests coming over to the wedding from the Gran Porto? We may have a few people staying there...... Thanks-

Hey Gals! All of the DJ Ivan hoopla is pretty confusing. I just sent an email to Kimberly (Stateside WC) to ask about it as we currently have a quote from him and were about to pay the deposit and book. Does anyone else have her as your WC? I havent even started communicating with anyone actually based at the resort. One more question- Does anyone know of any great, lower-cost companies for outings? We are looking to do something fun and special for our bridal party and sig others and thought a snorkeling tour or something like that might fit the bill. I would love to hear about any other ideas you may have. Hope everyone is having a GREAT holiday season!

Hey ladies, Hope you can help! We are having our ceremony on the beach at 6pm, followed by cocktail hour on the beach and then having the reception on the terrace by the gazebo. Has anyone or is anyone planning on using the lounge furniture for the cocktail hour only? I want our guests to be comfortable during that hour before they move up to the terrace, but need to figure out if its worth it to pay for the lounge furniture. I have been told that the resort can provide for 250. Also, for those that have been there.... how big is the gazebo? Thinking about hanging lanterns in there and using as our dance floor... is it big enough or too small? What is everyone else's set-up? Thanks so much for your help!!

Thanks for the welcome messages, ladies! I look forward to learning more and hearing about everyone else's plans!

Hi Everyone! My name is Blaine and my fiance and I are getting married in Playa Del Carmen at The Royal on June 27. Definitely still have a bit of time, but wanted to know if anyone has any tips for planning from afar. We were not able to do a site trip due to schedule, so hoping everything comes out okay- I am so glad I happened upon this site- I look forward to communicating with all of you! Thanks and have a great day!!

Thanks everyone!! I ended up spending some time looking at Elizabeth Medina's website yesterday and the pics of the weddings at The Royal are BEAUTIFUL!! I didnt see a single speedo! Unfortunately, she is booked. What photographer is everyone planning on using?? The one included with the packages or did you go out and find your own? Thanks for the help!

Hey Everyone! I am brand new to this site, but am so glad I found it! We are currently booked at the Royal PDC for July 4th, but just heard some things about it that werent great..... Privacy on the beach during the ceremony and reception being the major thing, (speedo man standing behind the ceremony in front of the ocean, anyone??) along with getting "bumped" to a mediocre resort 20 miles south. For those of you that have been there, is the privacy issue that big of a deal to you? Or was I misinformed? We are currently looking at other places and TA's, but would really love to know that this isnt that big of a deal. Thanks for any help or advice you have!!