ROYAL PLAYA DEL CARMEN BRIDES: were kids allowed for the day? ...and other questions

[TightyWhitey]

For those brides-to-be debating booking a DJ, just wanted to say (in case you didn't know) the DJ is significantly cheaper if you book directly with him versus going through the resort. If you can swing it, I would HIGHLY recommend booking him. Ivan was FANTASTIC!!! Guests are still telling me he was the best DJ they ever heard at a wedding.

[loanmao]

Tighty...which package did you chose with Elizabeth Medina? I have been in contact with her and feel that she's a bit on the pricier side...but I love her pictures! Anything you could do without or anything you loved? Have you received the table top book and pictures? After your TTD session, what did you do with the dress? Was it easy to clean? I LOVE TTD photos, but I'm not sure that I would want to actually trash the dress.

[aerazo]

I have finally booked my vendors! I booked Ivan Gomez as my DJ, Playa Weddings as my VideoGrapher and Samual Luna as my photographer. In case, anyone is interested, here is his website, he's really good! Flash Portfolio | Top Mexico Photographers | Mexico Destination Wedding Photographer Samuel Luna

 

Can past brides or future brides please post their wedding timelines? I just dont know how long our cocktail reception should be, an hour or 2? and how long it takes to get the group family shots and wedding part shots.

 

Thanks guys!

Adriana Erazo

Royal Playa del Carmen

April 23, 2010

[jesmcan]

Hi Tighty,

 

I just got the rates from DJ Ivan, I cannot believe how cheap he is compared through going through The Royal!

 

Do you recommend doing the same for any other vendors? Did you do mariachis by any chance?

[jesmcan]

Hi Aerezo,

 

We are doing our pictures before but I know many brides make the cocktail hour for 2 hours so they have enough time for pictures. Also I think when you are on a resort it is perfectly ok for guests to go to the ceremony and maybe go to the bar for a few drinks or freshan up before the reception.

Congrats on booking your vendors! we are slowly getting there

[lexibride]

Has anyone seen a steel drum band anywhere??

 

I'd love to have one, but I can't seem to find any.

[Playa2009]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerazo I have finally booked my vendors! I booked Ivan Gomez as my DJ, Playa Weddings as my VideoGrapher and Samual Luna as my photographer. In case, anyone is interested, here is his website, he's really good! Flash Portfolio | Top Mexico Photographers | Mexico Destination Wedding Photographer Samuel Luna Can past brides or future brides please post their wedding timelines? I just dont know how long our cocktail reception should be, an hour or 2? and how long it takes to get the group family shots and wedding part shots. Thanks guys! Adriana Erazo Royal Playa del Carmen April 23, 2010

Adriana,

Can you tell me how you found Samuel Luna and if he's done photos for any other PDC brides? I like his photography and his pricing, and am thinking about booking him for my wedding in Feb 2010, but couldn't find anyone on here who has used him in the past. I would love to see some reviews if you know of any!

Thanks!
- Alisha

[TightyWhitey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by loanmao Tighty...which package did you chose with Elizabeth Medina? I have been in contact with her and feel that she's a bit on the pricier side...but I love her pictures! Anything you could do without or anything you loved? Have you received the table top book and pictures? After your TTD session, what did you do with the dress? Was it easy to clean? I LOVE TTD photos, but I'm not sure that I would want to actually trash the dress.

Hi loanmao,

Elizabeth is on the pricier end and because of that, we went with a 'paired down' package. We booked her for 8hrs (2pm - 10pm) 'cause we wanted as many photos as we could get. We didn't go with the table book or the TTD session.

When I mentioned doing a TTD to DH, he didn't want one and to save money I agreed. Now, looking at some of the TTD photos on this forum, I kinda regret not doing them.

I don't blame you for not wanting to actually 'trash the dress'. I think many brides get a second dress they don't mind destroying for this purpose.

I haven't seen any of our photos from Elizabeth yet but she mentioned we're next on her blog so I'm hoping we'll see some this coming week!

If you have any other questions, please let me know!

[TightyWhitey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesmcan Hi Tighty, I just got the rates from DJ Ivan, I cannot believe how cheap he is compared through going through The Royal! Do you recommend doing the same for any other vendors? Did you do mariachis by any chance?

I know! I couldn't believe it either!

Depending on what package you pick, I would most definitely recommend booking other outside vendors.

Our package included a musician for the ceremony and the mariachi for dinner so we didn't book 'outside' vendors. If your package doesn't include the musicians, I would not book through the resort. I had read (earlier in this thread, I believe) that the SAME mariachi band could be booked for much less if you do it directly.

[TightyWhitey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerazo I have finally booked my vendors! I booked Ivan Gomez as my DJ, Playa Weddings as my VideoGrapher and Samual Luna as my photographer. In case, anyone is interested, here is his website, he's really good! Flash Portfolio | Top Mexico Photographers | Mexico Destination Wedding Photographer Samuel Luna Can past brides or future brides please post their wedding timelines? I just dont know how long our cocktail reception should be, an hour or 2? and how long it takes to get the group family shots and wedding part shots. Thanks guys! Adriana Erazo Royal Playa del Carmen April 23, 2010

Hi Adriana,

our ceremony was scheduled for 4pm, cocktails for 4:45 to 5:45 and dinner for 6.

The day of, the ceremony started late (4:15), cocktail hour started on time, and dinner was pushed back to 7 because of photos.

If you're doing photos, prior to the ceremony, 1 hour cocktail should be enough, but if you're not, I'd go with the 2 hrs. As was suggested, you could always still do a 1 hr cocktail and have the guests go to the resort bar, etc...