Ryan Sauve

Well, I hope I'm not writing out of turn but I'm not really a bride, more like the groom but I found some great info on here and I thought I'd share the information I was able to obtain from the Riu Santa Fe for our Spring 2012 wedding there. For anyone interested with the particulars of our engagement, she just said yes a week ago (I made a video of the proposal at ) but we've been talking about getting married in Cabo at the Santa Fe for about 6 months. Here's what I was able to find out based on the preliminary questions I had... 1. How long after we land can we get married? I read that you have to wait 4 days after you land in Mexico to get married and you need to take a blood test. A: You have to wait 3 business days (day your arrive doesn't count) until you can get married. This is so they can perform the blood/medical test and get the results before the wedding. So for example, if we arrive on a Friday, we can't have the ceremony until Thursday. A blood test/medical is only required for the civil wedding, not for the religious wedding. 2. Are there any planned renovation/construction projects planned for the resort during our proposed dates (April or May)? A: There is no planned construction during the time frame we plan to be there. The wedding planner said that May starts to get busy (the start of high season) with weddings and April isn't so busy. 3. Are there any group discounts of any kind for family and friends from Canada who come to the resort to attend the wedding? A: Sunwing Vacations offers group discounts. Your Riu rep will send them your information and they will contact you to discuss group rates/discounts 4. When is the best time of day to get married? A: Sakura, our wedding rep (until we book and get a dedicated wedding coordinator) recommended the 4pm or 6pm ceremonies as it's not too hot during that time. 5. What is the extra cost of having a classical guitarist or mariachi band play Guantanamera at the ceremony? A: A 10-person mariachi band is $620 for 45 minutes, a trio is $480 for 45 minutes, a violinist/guitarist duo is $400 for 45 minutes. If you have a musician in your wedding party, they can play at the ceremony without cost. If you bring in an outside vendor for ceremony music, there's a $250 charge (additional to whatever you pay the vendor) 6. Is the steakhouse available for the reception? What is its availability? Will there be access to a microphone for speeches? A: The a-la-carte restaurants are available as semi-private reception locations. They stick your group together in an area next to the rest of the crowd. No microphones are allowed a for speeches so people would have to speak up if you wanted to do speeches at any of those venues 7. When is the club available? How much is it for its use? Do we get a discount if we bring our own music on a CD without the need for a DJ? A: You can rent the club privately for $500 between 8pm and 11pm. It comes with an open bar, bartender, and DJ. You can't get a discount for playing your own music and not needing a DJ. 8. How much is it for a day pass to the Riu Santa Fe for guests not staying at the resort? A: A day-pass is about 945 pesos (about $69 USD). The pass gives the pass hold all-inclusive access to pools, bars, and buffet 9. Do I get a dedicated wedding planner during the process? If so, when? If now, can I get her email address? A: To get your personal wedding coordinator booked, you have to book your trip then book your wedding package online to initialize the process. One will then be assigned to you and follow up with you. 10. Why does the free package not include a wedding certificate or a minister/judge service? Isn't that the point of a wedding (maybe the free package is just for people renewing their vows)? A: I confirmed with Sakura, the wedding rep, that the free package does, in fact, include a marriage certificate and judge/minister for the ceremony. However, the free package only allows for 10 guests at the wedding and reception so she was going to provide a list for the cost of upgrading the package, if needed (I haven't received this yet but will update this post when I do). The package can be upgraded from the free one to a paid one any time before arrival. 11. Do you require a deposit and what is your cancellation policy? A: No deposit is necessary. You pay when you get there for any extras. Since you don't pay ahead, no cancellation policy is needed but they ask that you give them a courtesy heads up if you cancel anything so that they don't incur the cancellation fees (ex. the judge, ...etc...)