Official PV Riu Thread (Discussion here for Riu Vallarta, Jalisco & Pacifico Palace)

[ArmNat]

Hello ladies and PLEASE HELP. This is Nat. I began posting yesterday, when I thought things couldn't get any crazier. The ladies on the Dreams PV site are amazing and I am sure everyone on here is equally wonderful. I in need of serious assistance. My fiance, AM, and I were originally going to be married in June 2010 in Los Angeles, but (to make a long story short) as of last week we decided on Feb. 13 at Dreams PV. Well, that is suddenly unavailable. So we have booked Feb. 13 at the Riu Palace Pacifico. But I honestly know NOTHING about the place. Is the coordinate there any good? Shall I spring on a private planner instead? Is the beach wedding better than gazebo? Where the heck is their gazebo?

 

Can you offer any advice on who to work with at the resort?

Another idea: I have seen reference to Kristin of Dazzling Details. Shall we use her? How much does she charge? Does she basically take over and make sure everything is handled? Sounds great, but not sure if I can afford her.

 

I will take any and all advice you can provide. I never thought it would be this "last minute", but it is what it is and we just feel blessed that we can even plan a wedding there and are looking forward to enjoying it. Thank you for reading this and any help you can give us. Some details follow:

 

Wedding Date: Currently 13 February 2010

 

Guests: Currently 50-75, but 100 is also possible. Better than the 400 we were planning for the local wedding.

 

Details: We prefer the wedding to be at around 5:00pm in the evening, but it looks like it's going to have to be at 3:00pm. We understand that there will be a 1 hour cocktail hour following the wedding ceremony, and then a dinner and fiesta. So we need to add significantly to the package (we will need a banquet type of reception; i.e. seated dinner for all guests, with centerpieces for each table, assuming each table seats 8-10 people, etc.) We will need a sound system to play our own music and an outdoor area where we can have our private wedding fiesta. Is all of this possible? We prefer this to be outdoors and not in a banquet hall. All our guests will be staying at the resort. So far I have chosen the Caprice package as follows:

 

Optional wedding services (additional charge):

Bag of Rose Petals 28,00 x 6 uds. = 168,00 USD

Boutonniere 11,00 x 7 uds. = 77,00 USD

Bride's Bouquet 70,00 x 1 uds. = 70,00 USD

Bridesmaid bouquet 30,00 x 4 uds. = 120,00 USD

Corsage 23,00 x 2 uds. = 46,00 USD

Table Centerpiece 50,00 x 8 uds. = 400,00 USD

Tropical flowers for arch 95,00 x 1 uds. = 95,00 USD

Bar Bahia Rental per hour 180,00 x 7 uds. = 1.260,00 USD

Bottle of Sparkling Wine 25,00 x 10 uds. = 250,00 USD

DVD (Ceremony and photosession) 350,00 x 1 uds. = 350,00 USD

DJ (per hour) 150,00 x 6 uds. = 900,00 USD

 

Does this make any sense?

[Amelia]

I think you can rent out the bar beside the pool and hook up your own ipod possibly. If our wedding takes place there we also have to add to it a lot.

[ArmNat]

Thanks for responding. Looks like this thread is not as active as some of the others, especially the Dreams brides . . .

[Helen_S81]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmNat Hello ladies and PLEASE HELP. This is Nat. I began posting yesterday, when I thought things couldn't get any crazier. The ladies on the Dreams PV site are amazing and I am sure everyone on here is equally wonderful. I in need of serious assistance. My fiance, AM, and I were originally going to be married in June 2010 in Los Angeles, but (to make a long story short) as of last week we decided on Feb. 13 at Dreams PV. Well, that is suddenly unavailable. So we have booked Feb. 13 at the Riu Palace Pacifico. But I honestly know NOTHING about the place. Is the coordinate there any good? Shall I spring on a private planner instead? Is the beach wedding better than gazebo? Where the heck is their gazebo? Can you offer any advice on who to work with at the resort? Another idea: I have seen reference to Kristin of Dazzling Details. Shall we use her? How much does she charge? Does she basically take over and make sure everything is handled? Sounds great, but not sure if I can afford her. I will take any and all advice you can provide. I never thought it would be this "last minute", but it is what it is and we just feel blessed that we can even plan a wedding there and are looking forward to enjoying it. Thank you for reading this and any help you can give us. Some details follow: Wedding Date: Currently 13 February 2010 Guests: Currently 50-75, but 100 is also possible. Better than the 400 we were planning for the local wedding. Details: We prefer the wedding to be at around 5:00pm in the evening, but it looks like it's going to have to be at 3:00pm. We understand that there will be a 1 hour cocktail hour following the wedding ceremony, and then a dinner and fiesta. So we need to add significantly to the package (we will need a banquet type of reception; i.e. seated dinner for all guests, with centerpieces for each table, assuming each table seats 8-10 people, etc.) We will need a sound system to play our own music and an outdoor area where we can have our private wedding fiesta. Is all of this possible? We prefer this to be outdoors and not in a banquet hall. All our guests will be staying at the resort. So far I have chosen the Caprice package as follows: Optional wedding services (additional charge): Bag of Rose Petals 28,00 x 6 uds. = 168,00 USD Boutonniere 11,00 x 7 uds. = 77,00 USD Bride's Bouquet 70,00 x 1 uds. = 70,00 USD Bridesmaid bouquet 30,00 x 4 uds. = 120,00 USD Corsage 23,00 x 2 uds. = 46,00 USD Table Centerpiece 50,00 x 8 uds. = 400,00 USD Tropical flowers for arch 95,00 x 1 uds. = 95,00 USD Bar Bahia Rental per hour 180,00 x 7 uds. = 1.260,00 USD Bottle of Sparkling Wine 25,00 x 10 uds. = 250,00 USD DVD (Ceremony and photosession) 350,00 x 1 uds. = 350,00 USD DJ (per hour) 150,00 x 6 uds. = 900,00 USD Does this make any sense?

Hi Nat, I didn't respond because I don't really know the answers to many of your questions. No one on this forum (as far as I know) has got married at the Pacifico yet, so we don't know what the gazebo looks like, or what any of the options are for your reception.

The wedding planner that was there (Erika Cruz?) was really good but I believe she has moved on. If you look back a few posts the contact info for the planner might be on a post further back. I'd try and contact the resort planner and see what info she gives you before you contact an outside planner. I'm not sure the Riu would allow an outside planner?

[ArmNat]

Thanks Helen and everyone. It looks like the Riu does not work with outside planners. I do not have enough confidence based on my research to book the wedding there. It looks like the best thing to do is the following, assuming our budget allows for it (and I welcome your thoughts on this as well): We will stay at the Dreams PV, which is where we wanted to stay all along and use Dazzling Details to plan a wedding at one of the many villa or private beach options that are out there. I am sure I will come back for advice or info on the ones that Kristin of DD recommends. If you have specific recommendations in the meantime, I am all ears! xoxox to all . . .

[bridetobeashley]

What is the differences between each of the Rius? I'm trying to decide which one, two of them, Vallarta and Jalisco are similar in price it seems, with the Vallarta being a bit higher priced....Thanks.

[Helen_S81]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridetobeashley What is the differences between each of the Rius? I'm trying to decide which one, two of them, Vallarta and Jalisco are similar in price it seems, with the Vallarta being a bit higher priced....Thanks.

I'd say the main difference is the age of the buildings and style of architecture. The Jalisco was built first, then the Vallarta, then Pacifico. I've only stayed at the Vallarta but I'm pretty sure the service and facilities are comparable between the Jalsico and Vallarta. The Pacifio is a Riu palace so I expect it is a bit grander than the other two.

[bridetobeashley]

I'm trying to send a confirmation to Riu Vallarta to see if they have my wedding date available, but I'm not sure what the difference is between the Religious and Symbolic Ceremony Can anyone help me so I can get my request sent in?

[~Melissa~]

Hmm I believe the symbolic ceremony is just that. It's a true wedding not like a renewal or anything just skipping out on the religious aspect.

[bobjan]

I am getting married at the Riu Vallarta aswell, They have a ballroom ?? i was only offered the poolside bar, how much are they charging you for the ballroom. I am wondering if the ballroom would be a better fit for my family because they want us out of the poolside bar by 11!!!! wayyy to early.