Excellence Riviera Maya

[endlesslove]

We have an outside photographer and assistant, and he told me it was $100 US for each day pass, even though we were told $70 for the last two years. Nothing matches up. I just got an email back from him, and he still has not answered me regarding the day passes (two free he agreed to in the beginning). He just ignored it and send me flower options. I don't get it. How can you ignore an email three times, and only answer half of it. I'm getting very frustrated!

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranaya12 Thanks to everyone for replying. Regarding the day passes, Ramon mentioned a day pass for the wedding only is $70 dollars. If any of our OUTSIDE guests will be staying well after the reception then the guest pass is $100. Is the guest pass different than a vendor pass? Lord if this is the case I will have to go back to Ramon and have him confirm the price since we will be having an outside photographer and his assistant. I am starting to freak out! I really hope things run a lot smoother once we get down there.

[mich&adam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimenzi I just asked Ramon quite a few questions. He has responded very quickly on the 2 emails I have sent him in the past 24 hours. He seems like a nice guy. It does seem that things that Veronica said are included are not the case with Ramon. I have had a couple of misunderstandings with him through email due to the language barrier but I feel that in person there wont be a problem at all. Veronica stated that the 'additional decorations for the ceremony' for the GOLD Package was chair sashes and a flower on the back of each chair. Ramon has since stated that the flower at the back of the chair is not inclued and cost $5 each. When I got a price list from Veronica it stated that a flower at the back of each chair is $2. However, he did give us options for the additional decorations as below (his writing, not mine): In the Gold package includes additional decoration which you will have the following options, obviously you need to pick just one: Rose petals aisle 2 additional boutonniere OR lady corsages 1 additional flower centerpiece Sashes for the chairs could be for the ceremony OR dinner reception Now back to me. See below for some of my findings from his emails. I have noticed that the Romantic Dinner Cruise has been taken out of the GOLD package. Ramon said that they have not replaced this with anything. You can rent vases for the bridesmaids flowers at $15 each. Seems like they're trying to make the most out of the weddings as possible. Fair enough. However, I doubt that if a guest at the resort would have to pay $15 to rent a vase if someone gave them flowers and wanted to have them in their room. In better news, he stated that there are 3 tiers on the wedding cake if having 30 people. I was quite happy with this. This may be in the Gold package but my question was 'For 30 people, how many tiers would the wedding cake be?' Wedding Menu cards for each guest are included in the wedding packages. He sent me photos of the wedding cakes (same as Veronica sent), boutonnieres (split by Gold and Silver package), table centre pieces, Bridal bouquets (Gold and Silver), Menu's (same as Veronica sent). I can email these to anyone if they would like. I also have a selection of reception photos for the Foyer, Barcelona and the Lobster House (well, only photos from inside the Lobster House...not of a reception), Garibaldi Square. I have just sent Ramon another email stating that Veronica said that the sound system was included in the packages for the ceremony. If Ramon says that this is not true and the sound system is $500 then I wont be happy. I also stated that Veronica said that the cost for additional guest was $45.

The funny thing is,if you look on the Excellece Riviera Maya website, it has the wedding packages listed and with the Gold Package, your right it no longer states the dinner cruise - no biggie for me..but with the "additional decor" an extra centerpiece ? really?? because with the gold package you get the centerpiece and then it states you can get another centerpiece and then it mentions extra decoration...so it's going to be interesting to say the least....I am bringing my own chair sashes and also teal paper lanterns so i'm good with decorations but I do want that extra centerpiece and rose petals down the isle and i will defeintly stand my ground on that..hope everything works out for everyone...from what it seems i'm one of the next ones, so hopefully as soon as i get back i can let the rest of you girls know...But overall i think we are in good hands and i think we will be pleasantly surprised what he does let us do and not do - FINGERS CROSSED!!!

[beachgirl@heart]

@Mich&Adam: Hey!!! We're arriving 4/27 and departing on 5/6.

 

Generally speaking....

 

Everything that Veronica promised or quoted me in email, I forwarded to Ramon. So far, I haven't had an issue with him not being willing to honor those things. She told us the rose petals on the aisle were included, so we're getting that. If you want to do a petal toss (the only thing you can "toss" on the beach for environmental reasons), it's $10/bag which is enough for 3 people. You can order freeze-dried rose petals, too, if you wanted to do that ahead and not have to pay for it there. Freeze Dried Rose Petals, Wedding Flower Petals

 

As for centerpieces (Gold Package), there's one for the ceremony and one for the reception. We're planning to use both at the reception and the bridesmaid flowers for the other centerpieces. We're bringing some of our own tulle for extra chair decoration for the ceremony. We figured we'll need less chairs at the ceremony b/c of the bridal party standing. Then we can get the most out of what they offer for the chair sashes at the reception (more chairs to cover

 

Ramon told me that it was $5/vase, so we're doing that. We decided that trying to transport glass vases or anything breakable for that matter was not a good idea for us.

 

We confirmed $70/wedding only day pass. We are paying for 2 of these - photog and his asst. The videographer we're using is contracted with ERC, so we don't have to provide a pass for him. We are also providing dinner for the videographer, photographer, and photog asst.

 

Overall, he's been pretty responsive. We've had to email the same things a few times b/c (as others mentioned) he'd answer only part of the email. But, eventually we got the answers we needed. We're just going to print out everything and have all our communication documented and laid out so when we finalize everything on site we'll be covered.

 

I did my hair trial a few weeks ago and took a lot of pics so hopefully they can come close to replicating it I want to do the same with make-up but don't know if I'll have time.

 

And, for our ceremony, we are using the same ceremony and vows that we did beachside here for the legal thing.

[mich&adam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachgirl@heart @Mich&Adam: Hey!!! We're arriving 4/27 and departing on 5/6. Generally speaking.... Everything that Veronica promised or quoted me in email, I forwarded to Ramon. So far, I haven't had an issue with him not being willing to honor those things. She told us the rose petals on the aisle were included, so we're getting that. If you want to do a petal toss (the only thing you can "toss" on the beach for environmental reasons), it's $10/bag which is enough for 3 people. You can order freeze-dried rose petals, too, if you wanted to do that ahead and not have to pay for it there. Freeze Dried Rose Petals, Wedding Flower Petals As for centerpieces (Gold Package), there's one for the ceremony and one for the reception. We're planning to use both at the reception and the bridesmaid flowers for the other centerpieces. We're bringing some of our own tulle for extra chair decoration for the ceremony. We figured we'll need less chairs at the ceremony b/c of the bridal party standing. Then we can get the most out of what they offer for the chair sashes at the reception (more chairs to cover Ramon told me that it was $5/vase, so we're doing that. We decided that trying to transport glass vases or anything breakable for that matter was not a good idea for us. We confirmed $70/wedding only day pass. We are paying for 2 of these - photog and his asst. The videographer we're using is contracted with ERC, so we don't have to provide a pass for him. We are also providing dinner for the videographer, photographer, and photog asst. Overall, he's been pretty responsive. We've had to email the same things a few times b/c (as others mentioned) he'd answer only part of the email. But, eventually we got the answers we needed. We're just going to print out everything and have all our communication documented and laid out so when we finalize everything on site we'll be covered. I did my hair trial a few weeks ago and took a lot of pics so hopefully they can come close to replicating it I want to do the same with make-up but don't know if I'll have time. And, for our ceremony, we are using the same ceremony and vows that we did beachside here for the legal thing.

Awesome, so hopefully we can meet and chat Beachgirl!!! We arrive on the 24th and depart on may 1st.

Also, he did tell me it is $100 for Vendors, as did Veronica, the $70 is for outside guests...we are using Juan Navarro, their contracted photographer so we don't have to pay for him, just the DJ.

I think i'm going to do the same thing, use 2 centerpieces for the reception and not worry about the actual ceremony..i'm bringin bubbles, wonder if they are ok to use

[mich&adam]

One last thing, Ramon has been very responsive with me and when I sent him questions, I double spaced and he responded to everything in red, which was great and you better believe i printed that to bring with me. Plus the fact that Veronica let me confirm the cocktails & reception in the foyer, i didn't want anyone to say that I couldn't and he agreed, so overall, i think everything will be fine for all of us...but uggg..hasn't anyone gotten married at ERC lately and posted anything about working with him/Ramon?? That would probably ease a lot of our minds!!

 

I am also getting my hair and makeup done by the spa...are you girls bringing your own makeup for them to use on you?? My hair..i'm alittle worried because i always do it myself and love it so if they "mess'" it up i will be devastated BUT i too and bringing lots of pictures..fingers crossed.

 

How many guests are you having beachgirl?? We are only having 11 + us, we had some people back out and even cancel last minute, but it's ok, we are still thrilled and excited about our upcoming beach wedding no matter what

[Dimenzi]

What are the dates of everyones weddings? Ours is 25 October 2010

[beachgirl@heart]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mich&adam One last thing, Ramon has been very responsive with me and when I sent him questions, I double spaced and he responded to everything in red, which was great and you better believe i printed that to bring with me. Plus the fact that Veronica let me confirm the cocktails & reception in the foyer, i didn't want anyone to say that I couldn't and he agreed, so overall, i think everything will be fine for all of us...but uggg..hasn't anyone gotten married at ERC lately and posted anything about working with him/Ramon?? That would probably ease a lot of our minds!! I am also getting my hair and makeup done by the spa...are you girls bringing your own makeup for them to use on you?? My hair..i'm alittle worried because i always do it myself and love it so if they "mess'" it up i will be devastated BUT i too and bringing lots of pictures..fingers crossed. How many guests are you having beachgirl?? We are only having 11 + us, we had some people back out and even cancel last minute, but it's ok, we are still thrilled and excited about our upcoming beach wedding no matter what

I asked the spa about their makeup and she said they use MUD (makeup designery). I think it will be okay - I plan to visit the spa and meet with them before Friday so they have an idea of what I'm looking for and we don't have to deal with that the day of.

We have 26 (including us). I think I mentioned earlier on that I lost 2 of my bridesmaids - they backed out. But, it's all good

I would like to know about recent experiences, too I emailed Ramon today our guest list with arrival times and am waiting to hear on what else we need to do before getting there. I thought there were some things that we had to confirm ahead of time, but....

I'm still trying to finalize music for the ceremony. I know what I'm walking out to but not sure about the rest of it.

Are you guys staying in the ERC Club? Would love to get the chance to meet you and, of course, take a peek at your wedding

(it's Jennifer by the way... not sure if you're supposed to use your "real" name on these things but thought I'd share

[beachgirl@heart]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimenzi What are the dates of everyones weddings? Ours is 25 October 2010

We are April 30 2010, and counting down!!!

[beachgirl@heart]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mich&adam Awesome, so hopefully we can meet and chat Beachgirl!!! We arrive on the 24th and depart on may 1st. Also, he did tell me it is $100 for Vendors, as did Veronica, the $70 is for outside guests...we are using Juan Navarro, their contracted photographer so we don't have to pay for him, just the DJ. I think i'm going to do the same thing, use 2 centerpieces for the reception and not worry about the actual ceremony..i'm bringin bubbles, wonder if they are ok to use

I'm sure the bubbles will be fine... I think he was referring to anything that would be tossed; like silk petals or whatever else people might toss.

Are you doing the sand ceremony? I bought my own sand and a small heart shaped thick glass container with a cork in it. All from Michaels for under $10. The resort charges $25 and I don't know if the containers are easy to take back home.

[ranaya12]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mich&adam Awesome, so hopefully we can meet and chat Beachgirl!!! We arrive on the 24th and depart on may 1st. Also, he did tell me it is $100 for Vendors, as did Veronica, the $70 is for outside guests...we are using Juan Navarro, their contracted photographer so we don't have to pay for him, just the DJ. I think i'm going to do the same thing, use 2 centerpieces for the reception and not worry about the actual ceremony..i'm bringin bubbles, wonder if they are ok to use

I actually called Ramon yesterday hoping it would be easier to communicate and get the answers to my questions right away as apposed to waiting for him to reply. I speak spanish so it work out better than I thought.

He was sooooo nice over the phone. I think everything is going to work out now and I can sleep peacefully. He did confirm the price for outside vendors is $100 per person and $70 for outside guests that are attending the wedding ONLY. If the guests want to stay longer, to hang out at a bar, the price is also $100.

The sound system is $500 for 3 hours. Apparently the system is included in the package for the ceremony ONLY. However, since the resort hosts events in the evening they have to rent the sound system. The hotel does have ipod docking stations that might work but he suggested we bring our own. Not sure why if the hotel has one already but I might call back and ask.

He also asked me to send him a copy of the guest list and let him know if there are any food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Oh, before I forget, there were some changes that I wanted to make to the Gold package and he said that they usually dont allow it but that he would allow it. I was shocked but I'm thinking they usually do this but dont put it in writing. I hope things flow this way once we get down there as well.

I hope this helps!!!