Kelfrecks

We are so excited! I can't believe how quickly the time passed and that our big day is next weekend! We just have to put together our programs and I'm still waiting to hear from the tailor on my dress. My FI is running around like a mad man since he has just begun all the things on his "to do" list, but at least he's got a few more days. And after all this snow and ice and cold weather in Dallas, we can't wait to hit the sunny beaches of Playa! I've never been to Playa del Carmen before, let alone, The ROYAL, but after reading all these posts and everyone's reviews and feedback, I can honestly say I have never been more excited for anything! ONLY 8 MORE DAYS!

Has anyone had a slideshow done for them that they watched at their wedding or during their time at The ROYAL with guests? My bridesmaids put together one of those movie slideshows with pictures and music for us and we wanted to show it the day before the wedding, but we aren't doing any kind of private event welcome dinner type thing, so I'm not sure how or where it could be set up for our ~40 guests. Any ideas? Only two more weeks! I can't believe it! Kelly

Hi Nadiah, We chartered a private catamaran for our group (36 people so not too big). We are going the day before the wedding (friday) since we are getting married on Saturday and most of the people who can't miss too much work are leaving on Sunday. Here is the link to the company we worked with incase you're interested - http://www.paradisecatamarans.com/. Our contact there - Mark - is really nice and totally accomodating. PM me if you want more info. Kelly

2011 Brides kshows - February 12, 2011 Kelksyt - February 19, 2011 JacqueCO - February 20, 2011 MichelleCrock - February 26, 2011 Elizabella75 - February 26, 2011 DiahR - April 1, 2011 GC2008 - April 10, 2011 Aricak64-April 11, 2011 pineapplebride - *maybe* April 2011 Suzy831 - April 16, 2011 Jennie0521 - April 28, 2011 ChicagoBride2011- May 1, 2011 speedy130 - May 7, 2011 SarahE786 - May 15, 2011 Violagirl (Jen) - May 21, 2011 rosieposie - May 22, 2011 Maritza - June 3, 2011 risa 1818- June 12, 2011 Jozee84- June 15, 2011 JHarris - June 17, 2011 Bride2B22- June 21, 2011 Sweetle - June 24, 2011 Prettypigpig - July 4, 2011 Heidi88- July 22, 2011 miadionne - July 23, 2011 nikkiscriv - July 25, 2011 Augustbride2011- August 20, 2011 duffeje - September 2, 2011 HannahASH - September 3, 2011 Bride2bDebbie - November 20, 2011

Does anyone know anything about golfing in Playa del Carmen? I'm not a golfer but my fiance is, and although I love him dearly, his idea of planning is, well, opposite of mine. So 'm sending out our "Wedding Weekend Itineraries" so our guests have an idea of what to expect and can plan and pack accordingly. My fiance wants to invite our guests to join him for a round of golf Friday morning. Since we are not able to cover this cost for our guests, I thought it appropriate to at least list approximate pricing for green fees, rentals, transportation, etc. Since he's more of a "I'll wing it" king of guy, he said to just list golfing as an option for Friday morning and to tell people to see him if they are interested. But from what I know of golf, you have to have a reservation, especially if you have a decent size group, which we were thinking about 10 people would be going. Plus, he doesn't even know of any decently priced golf courses or which are nice compared to others (besides what we find when we google it). So, I thought I'd ask my trusty forum buddies and awesome ROYAL brides if you have any ideas, know from experience, or heard of anything regarding golf in Playa del Carmen. Thanks for listening to me vent a little and for any info you might have! Kelly

Lisa!!! Thank you for sharing these. They are absolutely gorgeous! It looks like you all had an absolute blast! Everyone looks like they had a wonderful time and I love how so many of your guests are in blue as well. Very very cool. Congratulations to you both. And, you look beautiful! These pictures make me so excited and they are a perfect insight for the little details we are planning now (just to pass the time)! Kelly

Thanks Randi! Your pictures are GORGEOUS!!!! Is the white linens in the gazebo their standard decoration or is that an upgrade?

Thanks to all of you who recommended Marvin at Maya Diseno Flora. He's awesome just like everyone said. So accomodating and goes out his way to create things you like. I sent him a picture of the bouquet I ordered from the Royal, told him my colors and my favorite flowers, and within a couple hours he had sent me several pictures of different bouquets he had made up for me to choose from. AWESOME! I highly recommend him for any soon-to-be brides looking at flowers. To any recent ROYAL PDC brides - would you be willing to share your pictures from the big day? I'd love to browse through them. We are getting down to the big day and I am looking for ideas and inspiration as we focus on the details now. We opted for a DJ for our reception, and I remember reading on this forum that it seems most the time DJ Ivan is the DJ you get. Is he good? Did you provide a "do not play" and "must play" list? What about genre recommendations? I know our group and they will pretty much want a lot of classic rock, country, and a little bit of hip hop. Is there a way to tell this to the DJ before hand? Less than one month to go!

Hi Nikki! Congratulations on your wedding! Now is all the fun planning. I just discovered this forum about 1 1/2 weeks ago and it has seriously been the best thing in the world! There is so much information and insight on here. Not to mention, you get quick answers to your questions when you post them. It's a Godsend!

Thanks for the feedback ladies. I FINALLY feel like I'm getting somewhere with the details of the planning thanks to you all! So of course, now I have another question! Most of my wedding party is staying at The Royal, however my sister (who is my MOH and best friend in the world) is staying next door at the Gran Porto. Is there anyway I will be able to get her into my room where me and the other girls will be getting ready all day? It is just tearing at my heart that I might not be able to share this part with her. Also, where did the guys get ready for the wedding? It seems some of the wedding packages include a room for the guys to get ready in (pending availability). Does this actually happen? Or where did your FIs and their groomsmen go to prep for the day? Happy Monday!

Wow diahr, I feel for you! Its funny I've always heard about the "in-law" dramas or fiascos, however didn't realize how it seems so many people actually go through it! That's a shame your in-laws (to be) can't seem to make the wedding of their own son a priority. I've gone through this with a few people in my family as well and the best advice I was given (and that has helped me the most) was to realize they will regret it in time to come. In the meantime, letting them know how upset/hurt/frustrated you are with their decision only gives them more power, etc. I know every situation is different, but I was getting completely consumed with the people who I was sure would come opting out, that I was losing focus on why I chose a destination wedding to begin with - because it is going to be the best day of your entire life and you and all the people who DO make you a priority WILL be there to celebrate you both and the new life you have together...so focus on those great people and hopefully it will make you feel a little better! Oh, and good luck with the "sit down" tonight!!!!

One more quick question regarding flowers - If you order them from Marvin at Maya Diseno Floral and we meet him in the lobby the morning of the wedding to pick up the flowers, where did you put them or take them so that the centerpieces made it to the tables in the reception? Does your onsite WC work with you on that? Thanks again!

Good Morning Ladies! Does anyone have a good map of Playa del Carmen? I'd like to include it in our OOT bags. Or do they have free ones down there that I could just grab 25 of when we get there? Also, for ROYAL PDC brides who have been married at/in the Gazebo, has anyone actually had the seats all in (under) the gazebo? We have a bout 35 guests and although it will be tight (I think) I would really like us all under the gazebo, so I'm trying to get an idea of its dimensions or if we would even fit! Thanks! Kelly

OMG! THESE ARE SO SUPER CUTE!!!! WHAT A GREAT IDEA! I definitely want to add these to our Welcome Bags too!!!!!

Thank you Randi! Your answers are very helpful! So you were happy with your choice of marrying at The Royal? Did everyone have fun? (I can't imagine that not being the case!)

When is everyone getting there wedding dress pressed? Is it ok to do a few days before the wedding or is it something you want done the day before or the day of?

Does anyone know if the table linens are included in the Luxury Wedding package at the Royal? My guess is that they offer standard white ones, which is fine with me, but I just don't want to incur a bunch of extra charges when all is said and done and I noticed a listing for tablecloths and napkins in the a la cart wedding sheet file they sent me. Also, has anyone used or heard anything about Funever photos? The photo vendor that is included (for the ceremony) at least? My family takes an insane amount of photos and although I don't want to assign anyone to "take pictures" that day, my FI and I are having trouble rationalizing the cost of having a photographer to document the whole day. The only thing I do want is some group pictures (we have about 35 guests) and then some of just us, our wedding party, and with our families. My guess is it would take about an hour to get these photos, but I can't figure out when to do that. I don't want to really ruin the "flow" of anything. Right now, we are scheduled for: Ceremony at the Gazebo: 4-4:30pm Cocktail Hour at Gazebo: 4:30-5:30pm Reception on beach: 5:30 - 9:30pm Has anyone included a "break" in the schedule for pictures? I would like them taken on the beach.

Thanks Michelle! I think I will call them tomorrow to see what is going on. And you're definitely right about the DIY flower being an added stress on what should be a relaxing day. Luckily my mom and her sisters want to do that part, so I guess I'm ok with that. Plus, I know they'll do a good job! But will definitely keep that in mind. Thanks for the encouragement with the frustrating part of this. I truly believe it will all turn out great (thanks to reading this thread), but my gosh, it's easy to get caught up in the details now!

These discussions are so incredibly helpful to me! We booked our wedding at The Royal PDC last July and are getting married February 19th of this year... it's so soon! At first the slow replies from the wedding team didn't bother me too much, but now its really starting to frustrate me! We have 35 people coming and staying at the Royal and with our wedding less than 50 days away, we still have no other decisions made besides when and where our ceremony and reception are. My WC is Jael. Does anyone else have her and if so, are you able to get a response to your questions in a decent time frame? Or anyone have any suggestions for trying to get some of the other details planned? I have questions about almost every aspect - from flowers to time frame to DJ to food. HELP! Also, for flowers, we were thinking of ordering bulk from SAM'S club and then just going to pick them up and wrap the bouquets ourselves while getting ready the morning of the wedding. Has anyone else done this or recommend doing this? Thank you so much! Kelly

This has been so helpful for me so thank you for all this information! We are getting married at the Royal PDC in February this year. Most of my family is staying at the resort, but there are a few who are staying off property and my sister and her husband are staying at the Gran Porto. Did you have to pay daily access fees for your non-Royal wedding guests to enter the property for your wedding? Also, any other tips or suggestions as we are in the final month of planning for our big day!