JEM236

Originally Posted by jnitschke 

 

Reading comments on the storm that went through Mexico this past week... feeling very lucky right now...

 

Jill, did everything work OK for your wedding, this was only the day after it?.. hoping all is ok with you during the end of your stay.  I'll be really interested to hear your story when you return.  Be Safe!

The wedding was fantastic! The onsite coordinators were very organized, and the whole day went smoothly. I was really impressed with how attentive, organized, friendly and efficient the team was. We were able to have the ceremony on the beach and the reception at the health bar. I loved my hair and makeup, I LOVED the decorations, and the DJ really made the party. Everyone raved about the food too. I have no complaints about the wedding at all and they whole day was perfect! We had a blast and it was everything I wanted and more. 

Then, the day after the wedding, the rain started. There was A LOT of rain and I just felt like the resort wasn't very informative about how to prepare for the bad weather. We stayed in an individual casita with an outdoor shower. The reason our room flooded was because leaves blocked the drain in the outdoor shower and the water poured into the room. We had about two inches of water. If we had a phone call or note telling us to make sure the drain was clear, this would've been avoided.

During the storm (which was heavy rain and crazy thunder and lightening for about 12 hours or more) they didn't deliver room service. Understandable but we had no idea the storm was going to be so bad. A notice or information would've been helpful. We wound up walking to JoJo's and we looked like we had jumped in the pool. We were soaked! We couldn't even really see because they rain was so strong. Not that it would've helped during the evening, but we didn't have an umbrella in our room and it took two days to get one. We needed it to walk around the two days after the big storm. During the earlier party of the evening, a manager stopped by to see our room flooding and said she'd send someone to mop it out. We told her we would do it ourselves if someone brought a squeegee and she insisted someone would come clean it up. Four hours later we called and begged for just a squeege so we could go to bed without the water. 

I just feel like the resort was not prepared or informative during the storm. In regards to the wedding, we didn't get many of the perks we were promised. We didn't get a room upgrade (we were offered an upgrade when it because available but it was the day of the wedding and I wasn't about to change rooms that day) our massage was scheduled at the same time as our meeting with the onsite coordinator so after changing the times around we weren't able to enjoy the entire spa (water journey, sauna etc), and we didn't get the dinner on the beach.

Plus with the weather, we didn't get to enjoy the perks of being in the casitas like the beach butler or any activities. I understand the weather can't be helped but I think we could've been compensated more with either other perks or a reimbursement to supplement the ones we didn't get. After complaining a little and basically begging for an umbrella we did get a free massage and we were told we would get an email regarding a free two night stay (which we haven't received yet) and tickets to a cooking demonstration (which was cancelled and we found out when we showed up for it). I enjoyed the resort and the wedding overall but I felt like we didn't get anything extra, or special. There were so many other weddings, and honeymooners it felt like they didn't really care about each couple. We did have a great wedding but after bringing 31 guests, and having the event, we were given the perk of just a free massage and we finally got an umbrella after two days of asking.

The resort could've done a better job informing and preparing guests about the severity of the storm, and a better job compensating for lost perks. 

We leave in two days for 10 days at the EDR with our wedding on Friday May 31. 

Is now the time to start freaking out that the weather report is 55% chance of rain and for some of the days there it is 60% chance of thunderstorms? 

Our wedding is officially two weeks away! Where did the time go?

We are having a two hour welcome cocktail party and a cocktail hour after the ceremony and using an ipod for both. Does anyone have any good music suggestions? I was thinking of getting some mixes from itunes like a mariachi mix but not sure if I want to use mariachi for both days. I listened to some vitamin string quartet and other acoustic music but I don't want to put my guests to sleep. I also don't know if it is odd to play flamenco or reggae since we aren't in Spain or Jamaica. Any ideas?

Originally Posted by LKocelko 

 

literally everything went perfect! Beyond pleased.

That's awesome!

Originally Posted by jnitschke 

 

As far as music during the ceremony, did you think it was necessary to have music playing during the ceremony.  Or was just a processional and recessional enough?

Originally Posted by jnitschke 

 

So.. what do you guys think are appropriate tip amounts around the resort?  I don't want to be insulting by give someone a buck, but at the same time I don't want to get them 10 if 1 would have been appropriate.  So, I'm thinking tipping waitstaff during the reception and at other times, housekeeping, dj, photographer, etc.   Suggestions?

 

I am so glad you asked these questions because I was wondering the same things!

Anyone who has been to the EDR know what kind of dress code there is for guys at night? My FI is a tshirt and shorts kind of guy, and doesn't have a lot of dressy clothes. Are the restaurants fancy at night? It is a strict dress code?

Originally Posted by jennifandr5 

 

Hi Brides!

 

Does anyone have any experience with bringing your own fabric to drape over the ceremony structure at gazebo 55?  The Coordinator said the fabric needs to be 45ft x 5ft.  I havent been able to find that online but i feel like i could buy it for less than the $200 rental fee.  Is anyone here selling it?

 

Thank you!

I know a lot of brides bought their own decorations down, but we decided to just order the decorations through Lomas. What I figured was that it wasn't that much of a savings because we would be charged $5 a person for bringing our own stuff. We have 31 guests so that would be $155. If I added up the cost of the decorations I would buy myself, shipping costs, plus the cost to check an extra bag, it wasn't that much of a savings (it wasn't thousands of dollars or anything). I also feel like I am saving money by not getting charged for certain items like the ceremony site, a minister, the chairs, the tables, the white table cloths, the set up and especially alcohol. So I guess I am ok with the mark up for some decorations to not deal with the hassle.  Also, for some of my decorations, like the centerpieces, my coordinator was pretty good with working with me to find something that worked for what I wanted to spend. For example, each centerpiece we have now is a square wooden tray with a lantern, purple flower and sand in it for $50 each.

Just thought I'd share our plan, hope it helps with other brides' decisions!

I love it! It looks really pretty. I like that one is a little bit different

Originally Posted by LKocelko 

This is a mock-up of our centerpieces. Does it look okay only having the rocks and candle in the smallest vase? It's so small that a flower didn't really fit, plus I didn't want all 3 to look exactly the same.

 

Originally Posted by chiquita8302 

 

Hey girls! I have SO many pictures I don't want to post them all on here, but if you want to find me on FB we can be friends!! :-) The new last name is Jameson! My profile pic is of our wedding,  so I should be easy to find ;-) I only have gotten 3 sneak peek pictures from our photog back so far, so everything on there right now are just whatever I've taken and my friends have. But there are a ton of the resort and stuff that should give you some good ideas of things! Feel free to ask if you have questions!

 

https://www.facebook.com/ChristineHarveyJameson#!/media/set/?set=a.10100585525319471.1073741825.11006545&type=3

 

Here's a link in case it lets you see them- but I'm not sure you can without being my friend! :-) When my photographer postes pictures, her Garone Photography site has a blog that she posts them all on, so I'll be able to share that link with you girls, too!!

 

Hope all is well with you girls! I'm ready to start thinking honeymoon!!!!!!! :-)

I Christine! I'd love to see your pics! I just sent you a friend request in FB, my first name is Jill.

Originally Posted by jnitschke 

 

 

I just came up with a get excited solution... Since I'm home by myself today, I sat in my wedding dress all morning... then I decided... to hell with those that can't come... I'll spend the extra money on spoiling the shit out the people who are coming.  I went to Target and they've got sun hats and beach bags for $3 each.  I'm buying those and getting Audrey Hepburn style glasses and I found online beach sarongs.  The 6 ladies who come and I will be styling!  Todd also suggested that we pay for a trip for everyone with the money we're saving on meals, since we'll be spending so much less.  So I think we're gonna offer to take everyone out on a catamaran on the day after the wedding...and we'll still be in budget.  So HA!  take that people who don't care about us...

I LOVE that idea. Great attitude! You and your guests are going to have a blast! 

Originally Posted by LKocelko 

 

 

Very true. As my Mom just told me, "If they don't want to be there, they're not wanted."

 

Just hard to remind yourself at times. I just need to get better at learning to accept it, seeing as his family has always been dysfunctional, and now they'll be in my life forever!

I agree with your Mom. The people that are coming want to be there for you and love you and your FI. It's about the quality of the people not the quantity and you are going to have a blast at your wedding with the guests that will be there. His family may be dysfunctional but who's isn't? Accept them for who they are and try to focus on the good. My mom always tells me you can't change the situation only how you react to it. Focus on you, your FI, and your upcoming beautiful wedding with those that are lucky to be there.

Have a great time at your shower this weekend! 

I'll be having around 30 and I was told Tuscanes was booked but also too large of a space (maybe I was told that because it was already booked though). We are having ours at the Health Bar which was for under 40 people. I think a beach setting would be pretty but I agree with LKocelko a floor might be better.

Is it important to you to be under a roof like at Tuscanes? I think you'll have fun no matter where you are and I don't think the space will be too vast but pick the reception area based on what you would like - beach front? covered? etc. 

Not to come back to this topic, but I am thinking about bringing our own decorations (thanks to the helpful posts and messages from other brides!).

How much fabric was purchased by some of you for the drapes on the wedding gazebo?

What size table overlay would work on the tables that are provided at the Health Bar for the reception? How do you girls feel about mixing and matching fabric on the tables at the reception? Can I do an organza overlay with a satin runner or should they match?

Also, does the $5 set up charge apply to both decorations supplies by Lomas and decorations you bring yourself?

Feel free to PM me too

Thanks!

Hi Ladies, I got my wedding dress and one thing I like about it was that I was able to accessorize it and add personality. However, in the process, I realized I am terrible at fashion!

Since we all picked the same resort, maybe we have similar styles and I could use some opinions!

Here is the dress. It has a modern lace overlay and a corset back.

I was thinking one of these necklaces. Although the turquoise one is from a bride on the Sarani website and I been searching for one similar either in turquoise or white. The second is from etsy and the seller said she can make all the pearls white if I wanted.

These are two sashes. One with a flower and one without. 

How are you ladies accessorizing? 

I am sure this topic has come up before but what photographer did everyone use? I loved Sarani but she is booked. I am tempted to go with Caribe since they are much cheaper but I'm a little nervous about using them. The photos are important to me but not overly important. I basically want some shots of the ceremony and a few of my FI and I, and our families. I don't want to spend a lot of time with the photographer either. 

Here is my RSVP card I got on Etsy....didn't post in my last post.

Hi Ladies, 

In talking about the set up fee, are you all finding there is a flat set up fee for decorations you bring yourself or if you use decorations provided by Lomas?

I ordered invitations, a wedding website cards and RSVP card from a designer on Etsy who sent me a PDF for all three that I print myself. Two per page so I don't have to print as many copies.

Here is a copy of the RSVP card.  Did you ladies use any type of pocket folder for the invitations or did you just put all the items in an envelope? I'm going to use nice card stock but I am not quite sure how to do the presentation.

I mean "your reply is a big help"...my wedding brain is messing up my grammer

Thanks Allie! You're reply is a big help!

Thanks Ladies!  I'm excited. A little overwhelmed but one thing at a time right?

Since the date was just booked, my save the dates go out this week. If people will already be booking rooms, it seems redundant to send invitations but I think it is the right thing to do right?  For a regular wedding, I know you send invites around 2 months prior, but I feel like they should go out sooner? What was everyone's time frame? Was more information about the resort/wedding included or is that saved for a welcome letter?

For brides that already had their wedding, was the EDR cool about brides sharing decor and/or bringing their own? 

Hi Ladies! 

I am new to this forum. I just booked our wedding on May 31, 2013 at the El Dorado Royale. I am really excited but a little nervous booking a place site unseen. My FI and I chose a destination wedding because we both have small families and most of our friends and family are spread all over the place. I also didn't want to be a bride that had to pick details from a million different vendors and I want to be able to party and see my friends for more that a few hours. Plus who doesn't love the beach?

Did you all use TA's? I found the rates to be better and we are only using her for the rooms, not airfare. I am super nervous because I have read some bad reviews about the site I used - destination weddings.com. I am also nervous about the how all the little extras from the resort will add up.

I guess I am looking for some reassurance and some wedding buddies.