JoZee84

Originally Posted by ChicagoBride2011 

Question for you past brides who had outside vendors for photographer/videographer...

 

My WC said that I have to pay the vendor fee plus the cost of non-resort guest for their meal at reception.  That seems absolutley ridiculous to me and I'm super irritated! (I would be paying close to $500 extra for each vendor) =(

 

Past brides is this what you encountered?  Were any brides able to get away with buying day passes for vendors?

 

Any input will help, thanks ladies!  Only 7.5 weeks until I leave.

I am having the same issue right now! I think its absurd! We are looking into booking a room at anyone of the REAL resorts at the cheapest price we can, but I don't think my photographer is even going to use it.  Its a waste of money! I also asked what if I have family members taking our photographs at the wedding that are staying at another resort not a REAL resort and they said the same thing.  We would have to pay the vendor fee plus the non REAL guest price for dinner plus another 10 for cake and champagne.  CRAZY ! I'll let you know if we get a good rate on a room for them for a night. 
 

Originally Posted by MichaelandAraceli 

 

Hi ladies,

 

  I got married in December 2010 and my review is finally up- just click on the link below. Enjoy and I hope it helps:

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/the-royal-in-playa-del-carmen-all-inclusive-spa-resort/reviews/4277 

 

 Loved the review, very helpful thank you.  You looked amazing glad to hear the spaazul was good.  I was on the fence about using them.  LOVE your flowers too!  Where did your husband get his suit?  I've been looking around and haven't seen many light colored suits anywhere

Originally Posted by slin2011 

 

I called to book the date and am working with Maritza Guzman.  I told her that I wanted to book the beach reception and she said OK...but now looking at the receipt that was sent to me for the deposit, it only specifies the reception venue.  There's no mention of a beach reception...I'm so confused.  And...Maritza is on vacation until March 1.  Boo.  So did everyone get a contract after they made their initial deposit?  All I got was a receipt of payment and I was asked to complete a form with our personal info (ie name, dob, etc).  Is anyone else working with Maritza?

 

 

 

 

 

After we made our deposit my WC (Elsa) sent us our contract with the ceremony and reception areas and times along with confirmation of birthdays wedding date names ect. 

Originally Posted by violagirl 

 

Hi all,

 

I'm curious about how people booked a room for their photographer...from what I'm seeing, the cost of a room for one night is almost as much as the outside vendor fee anyway.  Also, if we were to book him at the Gran Porto, would that still help us avoid the vendor fee?  Finally, how did people confirm that the fee would be waived if the outside vendor were a guest?

 

I'm also a little concerned about bringing decorations through customs...I haven't been saving my receipts!  Would printed email confirmations suffice? 

 

Wow, I am definitely a last-minute kind of girl.  2.5 months to go, still haven't done much of anything!  Next steps: contact the florist, ask some questions of the photographer, finalize the menu and cake (hoping I can get the Tres Leche!), and start preparing myself for a crazy bachelorette party

 

Thanks!

Jen

We didn't book a room for our photographer.  I do have him and his asst. on our guest list.  I'm hoping to get the vendor fee waved.  If not the hey at least we tried.  I heard some girls getting a room for their photog for like $150.  But I'm not sure at which REAL resort. 

I heard that if you put labels on everything saying that they are decorations for a wedding and not for retail or sale , you shouldn't have a problem.  I think if you print out confirmations that would be fine also. 

I asked my WC about the tres leches cake and she said we can have it.  SUPER excited about it!! Everyone raves about it.

Originally Posted by PlayaWedding 

 

Can anyone tell me some info on the Tres Leche Cake..I have seen a lot of brides on here talk about it, but have never came across on the website for the Royal??

You have to ask your WC about it, you should still be able to get it if you ask them.  Its not listed as a flavor on their menu anymore. 

Originally Posted by JHarris 

 

 

 

 

PlayaWedding -

 

I think it really depends on your WC. Last year some of the brides mentioned that they no longer offer the tres leches cake as a wedding cake. I don't remember why - but I know a few brides were not able to pick that cake. Then again - the Royal tends to make changes whenever it suits them. Crossing fingers you get your cake!

 

Lisa - Did you have a tres leches wedding cake?

 

Janna- Love the hair and make up!

Kshows, good job with the planning thread!  Everything came our really good! Sorry to hear about the rain, but I heard that the pictures taken during that time or like a cloudy day are amazing, so i'm sure your pics will be great!  can't wait to see them and your review.

Time is FLYING!!!  I'm reading about people booking for June and July 2012 and thinking when mine was that far away.  It goes by so fast!

Bride2be- how did your shoot go?

Originally Posted by orange_peel 

I have some questions for those that have already had their wedding at the Royal.  How lenient were the ministers in letting you write your own ceremony, including the vows? I would love to write what will be said at the ceremony, but if it's not possible, I guess I'll have to go with the flow, or do something else.  Also, did you have a rehearsal, or just some instructions the day of the wedding?  Thank you all for your help! 

Hi orange_peel,  I am trying to figure this out now.  I know Jesmcan changed her script and I loved it! We changed ours a little, adding things here and there.  I sent it to my WC and she said she would send it to the judge and see if it was ok.  I told her we kept the traditional mexican wedding script just added a few little things.  I'll let you know what they tell me when I hear back.  And for the rehersal I believe they just give you instructions on where to walk the day of. They don't have "rehersals"  if they aren't having a party in the gazebo or near it I don't see why you can't do your own (if thats where your ceremony is). 
 

Hi ladies, their a lot of new bride on here now!   This site is SUPER helpful! I know it sounds crazy but if you get a big glass of wine and read through the pages you find out A LOT of information to you questions already plus little tips from past brides. 

Geo- If your looking for a good TA their is one on here named Wendy, she's really helpful and has been to the royal many times.  If you search through this site for her name she should pop right up.  Personally we decided to go with a local TA which turned out to be a wise choice for us.  You can get group discounts and things like that, but people do say they are going to go and then back out last minute.  We also had a lot of our guests say they would be able to find a better deal them selves and booked through like orbitz or travelocity.  From what I understand if you book with a block you have to guarentee like 10 rooms or something and we wouldn't have come close with people booking themselves.  (I could be wrong about the 10 rooms)  As for the photog, read the first post on page 809.  Hope this helps you.

Originally Posted by Kate112 

 

Hi ladies, just a couple of questions im not quite sure about.

 

I picked the luxury package as this includes the photos and video? im sure its on the huge thread somewhere but can;t find it. What are the quality of the photos/ videos? I've read that a lot of brides have used outside vendors? What do you recommend I do ? I no im planning a bit too far ahead but want things to be right lol

 

Also my package includes upto 35 "real" guests, not sure if I will have any guests staying at the royal/sister so if for example I had no "real" guests would I still have to pay extra for all non real guests, am I best trying to get my guests that have children/ want a cheaper alternative to the royal to stay at the sister,

 

Thanks ladies x

Yes kate112 you still would have to pay extra for the people not staying at the royal or any of the sister resorts.  and I believe the price is double what it is for "real" guests.  I asked everyone to stay at certain hotels, but I'm only having like 15-20 people at my wedding.  Also, I just found out if your having a private reception you have to pay for 20 people whether you have them there or not.  Just keep that in mind.  I remember someone using both the royal photographer and an outside photog.  It was also included in their package but they were iffy on the resort photog and had both.  They said it worked out ok, they used the resort photog to take pictures of the guests after the ceremony while the bride and groom had their wedding pictures taken around the resort.  Worked out good they said, but you can see the photogs in pics here and there.  Another bride had just the photog from the resort and said her pictures were good.  Personally we went with an outside photog, we are doing the "free"wedding package so nothing was included.  Their are a lot of good photogs around the area, I'd research and contact as many as you can, review their work and base your decision on that.  A lot of brides have gotten around the vendor fee by adding them to the guest list. Good Luck!

Lisa the pictures came out flippin amazing!

Did anyone look into having a private party on the roof top deck?  Like hor s'duvers and drinks.  I know a past bride has had one. But I didn't know how it worked out.

For entres, we are doing two choices but didn't put them on the invitations.  we don't have that many people going very close family and bridal party so we're just going to ask them what they want to eat.  I think we're going with a beef and a fish.

Originally Posted by JHarris 

 

Hey Ladies!

 

Quick Question! How far in advance did you put for your RSVP cards? The wedding is June 17th and at first I thought May 25 was plenty of time but now I'm not sure. I haven't paid for the invites yet so I have time to change the date. Some friends are telling me I should set it in April. If they go through my planner they have until April 16th to pay in full.

 

Suggestions?

Hey Janna, I put down my RSVP as April 15th.

Originally Posted by nikkiscriv 

Hi ladies!! I hope everyone is doing well!  I've got a question for the past Royal brides.. I know that most, if not all, of the wedding packages include a 'Complimentary upgrade to the next suite category if available'.   Has anyone been able to upgrade upon arrival?  I'm trying to decide whether or not to go down a level (we're currently Oceanfront) in hopes that we might be able to upgrade for free and have more money to spend on the wedding. 

 

And Heidi, I will miss your wedding by one day!  We will arrive at the Royal on the 23rd.  Yay for a fellow Texan being there around the same time though

Hi Nikki, welcome to the forum! I don't think I'd wait to see if they have the room to upgrade you.  I'd book what ever room you really want and if they do have availability to upgrade you see if they can give you a room with a better view.  The resort seems to run at full capacity from april to august. 

Holy Crap Kshows, ur FI is going to drop when he see's them! They came our awesome.  You have to post his reaction when you get back! 

Hello ladies we sent out our invitations and thought I'd share them with you.  We only sent out 20 to family and friends so my FI painted all of them himself. 

Originally Posted by Bride2B22 

 

Hi Jozee! I am acutally doing my BD shoot with Jen from Jenerations.com in NY! she is awesome!! so many girls here have used her! I used to live in NY and still have lots of family there so its pretty easy for me to take the trip out there. I do however have some info on a photographer i checked out here. she was really nice too! Let me know if you want her info. your wedding is just a few days before mine, if you want to have one i suggest looking into it now that way you have one less thing to think about!  

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoZee84 

 

Kshows, that price was awesome for the dinner cruise!  Good job with sticking to your work out! Hard work pays off.  Please post lots of pics of your hair.  I am so nervous about hair and make up!!!  I am a hair dresser and I know I am super picky about it!  I think for make-up I'm just going to do it myself, but hair I'm going to need help with the back. 

 

Bride2b22, Who are you using for your BD shoot?  I'm in east prov. I have a way to go before deciding if I want to do one.  But I'd like to hear how your experience is. 

 

 

HAHA I'm actually from NY too! I still travel back and forth for work, so its easy for me.  If you can send me the info I would appreciate it.  I want to check out their work and their prices.  Thanks!

 

Kshows, that price was awesome for the dinner cruise!  Good job with sticking to your work out! Hard work pays off.  Please post lots of pics of your hair.  I am so nervous about hair and make up!!!  I am a hair dresser and I know I am super picky about it!  I think for make-up I'm just going to do it myself, but hair I'm going to need help with the back. 

Bride2b22, Who are you using for your BD shoot?  I'm in east prov. I have a way to go before deciding if I want to do one.  But I'd like to hear how your experience is. 

RosiePosie- How many rooms do you need to get a group rate?  Do they discount everyones room?  or just yours? Did they all have to book with the same TA? 

I'm sorry to hear about the guys backing out.  I don't understand why people freak out when the date gets closer! I think people are just using that as an excuse because its hard to fight with.  We are also having issues with people booking my MIL and my SIL are driving me nuts!   Too long of a story to get into. 

But still the question to past brides who played an IPOD.  Who told you when to have the first dance with your hubbie, and Dads and Moms and when to cut the cake and stuff like that??

Originally Posted by Lisa DSO 

 

JoZee84,

 

We only did the cake cutting because it HAD to be cut ;-), but we did not do any of the other traditional stuff because DH said he didn't want to take away from our real first dance. I thought that was a great point, so I went with it.

 

We did play some video of the ceremony ( I used the free editor from Windows Live Movie Maker to shorten it)...people seemed to like it since most weren't at the wedding.

 

 

ChicagoBride, 

 

I noticed a pic at my reception where there was a hurricane candle, but it was unlit. For our romantic beach dinner, however, they used those little battery operated flameless tealights, so maybe it is worth requesting of your WC if you are having an outside reception (wind).

Thanks Lisa! Thats what we thought as well but we weren't sure if people would be expecting it or not, but I guess it doesn't matter what they expect or not.  Most of the time spent at our AHR is going to be dinner anyway, dancing starting late. 

Randi- we almost went with the RIU's as well.  SO glad we didn't!!

Lisa your AHR looks like it was SO much fun! your pics are so good! Did you still do the first dance with your Hubby again? and the cutting of the cake and dance with dad?  I'm having an AHR also and I don't know if I'm supose to do it again, like are guests going to be expecting it?

Just wanted to through it out there I am going with Marvin also, I think anyone who chooses him won't be disappointed.  I was also told no charge if they don't have to set up any center pieces so I am also just going to have a bridesmaid or guest put them on the tables for me.  No biggie.

We are also just having an IPOD run for the reception and I wanted to know for past brides, with out a DJ how did it work out with the cutting of the cake and first dance and stuff like that?  Like who told you when it was time to cut the cake or have your dance with dad and stuff like that, or did you just decide on your own and have the music already set in an ordered time frame. 

Originally Posted by diahr 

 

Was anyone able to open the picture of the cake that Randi sent? I wasn't.

I hope you can see these.

Originally Posted by Lisa DSO 

 

Did anyone else do a rehearsal dinner at La Tortuga/El Bistro rooftop (besides me and Jess)? We had such a blast there and the manager and waiters were so fun!

Originally Posted by diahr 

 

Does anyone have a picture of the Royal Signature Cake that comes included in the packages? (I have the Classic Wedding).  Thanks!

we're having our "rehersal"/ Thank you cocktail hour there! can't wait!!!

Originally Posted by Lisa DSO 

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by diahr 

 

 

I wanted to do it so bad Lisa, but it was out of the budget. Do you mind me asking how much it ended up costing you and how many people you had? Maybe I can sell my car or something to live the dream (lol!)

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa DSO 

 

Did anyone else do a rehearsal dinner at La Tortuga/El Bistro rooftop (besides me and Jess)? We had such a blast there and the manager and waiters were so fun!

 

 

You are so funny lol. I think we had 24 people go and it was a little over 600 (however 150 of that was because we rented the cocktail tables setup). It was open bar for an hour,but really they let it go on for a lot longer lol.

 

 

 

Originally Posted by diahr 

Hey Ladies - I am getting married in April and my FI still has not picked out his suit. I am not sure if my FI can rent a suit and bring it to and from Mexico without issue.  He asked me about this and I had no idea.  We live in New Jersey (USA - for my UK / Canadian / Island / and anyone that I missed -brides).  Can the other 2011 brides or past brides shed some light on this?

 

Thanks a bunch! 

I'd say rent it and bring it just don't tell the people your renting it from. And IF something happens to it then you pay for a suit and keep it. If not, no harm done! I'm not sure if you can rent a suit for like a week though. 
 

Thanks Lisa!