ChicagoBride2011

I believe, you can have a few people in your room from the Gran Porto 3 hours before the ceremony. I don't think they are too stricy about it though. My fiance is just going to use of his freiends rooms or a family members to get ready. They don't prep all day like us brides. Knowing my fiance he'll throw his suit on 15 minutes before the ceremony, haha. Speaking of suits...we went to Macys Friday night and they have a GREAT sale on suits right now! We got a light gray suit for around 250, normally close to $500.

Fernando is $350 (at least when I booked he was) for hair and makeup on wedding day. It seems that recent brides got away with not paying the $350 vendor fee, I'm hoping I get lucky and the same thing happens.

Yes standard white linens are included, you'll get table clothes, napkins, chair covers, and white bows. If you want to change the colors then it is extra. There is also a standard centerpiece and dance floor. The centerpiece is a candle and the dance floor looks like uneven ply wood, however I know some brides have gotten a nice dark brown dance floor included. I thought about a break but I didn't want to ruin the flow like you said. We are going to take pics during the cocktail hour and are even considering see each other before the ceremony in order to take more pics.

Ladies so happy I found this thread. I've been down on myself the past few days because my wedding is 4 months away and I lost zero of the 30 lbs I wanted to lose before the wedding Completely my fault I kept thinking I have time... well now I'm down to 16 weeks, yikes! I'm going to try and go to the gym 4-5 times a week going forward and eat healthy. Realistically can I lose 20lbs in 16 weeks?

Jenny your pics are great and you looked beautiful. Everyone looked like they were having a great time!

I was told I would have to pay an outside vendor fee, haha. Ahhhhhh its crazy that we all get different answers. Past brides how did you get away with not paying it???? heeeelllllpppppp

Even though my wedding hasn't happened yet I recommend Fernando, he's so friendly and easy going. He was in Chicago recently and wanted to meet before the wedding but it was a busy weekend for me and it didn't work out. I thought it was so nice of him to take time out of his vacation to try and meet me. Also, my fiances cousin got married in Mexico last year and the she used Fernandoa and she highly recommends him. She said just don't tell him "you're not afraid of makeup" she said that during her trial and she said it was too much and that she told him what she didn't like and he did it perfectly on wedding day.

I can't believe it's our turn! Time is going so quickly, 4 months from now I will be there. Not gonna lie, I'm totally statrting to freak out about all the stuff I have to do. Breath.....

Welcome back Araceli and Raveyn !!! You both looked gorgeous! Raveyn sorry to hear about your makeup mishap, that is horrible. It seems like everything worked out in the end though and your makeup looked great. You still shouldn't have had to deal with that though.

Thanks ladies, keep them coming...

Ohhhh BTW my "new" contract does have the $300 4 months before on it. Sneaky, sneaky on The Royal's part... For past brides did you truly make your final payment 45 days before? It seems so soon!

Ohhh that totally just make me laugh, hilarious! The resort is definitly not big, I'm guessing but I would think The Royal and Gran Porto would be considered small compared to other resorts. When we went in April we noticed wedding groups meeting up and hanging out by the pool or on the beach. It is right behind it. I would talk to them about this for sure. I'm sure the people having their ceremony wouldn't appreciate it etiher. When we initially contacted The Royal that was one of our main concerns knowing that they did multiple weddings a day and they ensured me a sitiuation like the one you mentioned wouldn't happen. Now maybe the ceremony that is going one is only the couple and no guests etc so it won't interfere with your reception. We say a couple "couples" getting married by themselves or renewing vows when we were there.

I have to look into this whole $300 thing since my four month mark will be Jan 1. I changed my ceremony time to 5:30 from 6:00 last week in order to have a full hour for cocktail/appet instead of 1/2 hour. They were going to charge me for the whole hour regardless, typical Royal haha, and I wanted a 4 hour reception. Anyways, they made me sign a new contract to change the time, I fought them and they said it was neccessary. I bet the new contract has the new payment plan and my orginal one didn't. Hmmmmmm....

You too Jess! It's so nice of you to still check in with us! Have you posted your review yet?

Welcome back!! So glad to hear it was perfect!!! I want to see pics!

Ok ladies, I purchased Maggie RD1044 a couple months ago and won't see it again until March. I'm having problems finding pics of real brides in this dress. Past and future Maggie RD1044 post your pics!

Quote:Originally Posted by GC2008 so has anyone started to doubt or second-guess their choice on where to have the destination wedding? ive booked the royal month ago and i find myself looking at other resorts questioning if i made the right choice. now im obsessing over Tensing Pen in Jamaica and wonder if it would have been a better choice. i think im stressing becuase 1/2 of my guests have decided to stay at other hotels, not at the royal nor the grand porto and wondering if would have been a better experience to have done it at a place where everyone would have stayed at.....looks like you book the whole property at tensing pen and about 45 guests can take over the place. anyways, its definitely way too late to make any changes to our wedding....but just wondering if others have experienced the doubts beforehand....

Welcome, the only area that I can think of would be the concrete area where the gazebo is located, but you'd have to have a small group it's not a large space. Another option would be a semi-private reception at Pelicanos if you are having less than 30 people and no DJ. The Royal is great! Went in April for a site inspection and getting married May 1. A huge benefit of the resort is that it's located right next to 5th Ave. Good luck with your planning, here is a pic of the Gazebo/Garden with the concrete area:

We used USA Transfers when we went in April and they were great! I agree it's been quiet on hear latley....

Beautiful pics ladies!! It makes me more excited for my day!

If any of you Chicago ladies are looking at doing an engagement session I just had mine done a week and a half ago (before the snow came luckily). We did them on a Sunday and I had the pictures emailed to me on Wednesday. They turned out great too! I'd be happy to share my pics and the photogs info if anyone is interested.

Shout out to a fellow Royal bride...MsGlave! Wedding day is only 3 days away!

Hello fellow May Brides!!! I'm getting married May 1, 2011 at The Royal PDC! Less than 5 months to go and so much to do! Seems like there are alot of Maggie brides on here...I finally ordered my dress last month, but won't arrive until March. Can't wait to see it! It's RD1044...