El Dorado Maroma

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HI Tila,

How many people are you inviting/expecting?? Because we got so much feedback from guests early on that they would be able to come to the wedding we decided to do a "room block" at the resort to ensure we would have enough rooms. Because we did this we were able to take advantage of one of their promotions and get 20% off room rates for our guests. The promotion is still going on too! Most of our guests are staying 3 nights for $570 in the standard rooms plus airfare which depending on where they're flying from has ranged from $200-$400. Our goal was to try and keep it below $1000 total for 3 nights. We do have a few guests staying longer and a few that are staying as long as we are (I think two other couples)! But most of them choose to stay three nights.

Whoa $500 for the gazebo over the water!!!!! I think I'll stick with the beach ceremony!

[Kat&Dan]

I didnt even know that there were bags in the water? So from what I read they are to keep the water calm? I love the water and it was one of the main reasons I picked EDM.

 

I never gave thought to a afternoon ceremony and reception...It is cheaper? We have a 5pm wedding ceremony start time...But i am thinking about starting earlier...

 

I have not considered Sabores. Have any of you been to the resort? I would love to be comfortable in any dress and an inside reception is a great way! I think we are considering the chapel instead of the beach for the ceremony. Do you know if you have to decide before hand? We plan on arriving 5 days before the actual day. I know some resorts let you chose once you are there. And also I heard they only have one wedding a day!! That is a huge bonus for me!!

 

We were planning on doing a catamaran cruise for the reheasal dinner. This way we would not have to pay for everyone, just the parents and the bridal party. We then thought about having everyone meet up afterwards, when we were done, around 8 at the bar/restaurant that is open until 2 am with music. This way some people had sometime to themselves to have dinner alone or do whatever they wanted.

 

We also thought about treating our guests to a excursion. We will see what that ends up costing...

 

Is anyone having a welcome party? or a reheasal dinner?

 

I thought we had to do a cocktail party in between the ceremony and reception just to give our guest something to do... But after thinking about it, maybe not I mean it is all inclusive and there also is a beach bar....what to do...

 

Yes, back to the slik flowers..I had a friend get married in atlanta and her in laws owned a flower shop. They used real greens and silk flowers..It looked beautiful...But for us and customs, I dont think bringing anything living would be a good idea. I am going to contact a local florist and check prices and also seeing what it would cost for a DIY.

 

I have a question about dresses...does anyone have a designer they have come across that specializes in destination wedding gowns? I love going to the bridal salons but have had a hard time finding something that is light and beautiful. I have one in mind but I am not so sure it is "the dress".

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Kat I've been to the resort before and LOVED it! Let me know if you have any questions about it. I went 2 1/2 years ago, and since then they have built a new beach restaurant that is open for lunch. They offered that space to me for the reception but the maximum number of people it could hold is 50. Since we had around 54 confirmed guests we were able to get Sabores which is the largest restaurant at the resort. Even though I feel like an outside reception would be fabulous I decided a reception inside would be more comfortable and since the wedding is in Oct that is the rainiest month, so less chance of us getting rained on if were inside!!

My ceremony is at 4 pm so I'm not sure what to do with the time in between that and dinner? I guess we would be taking some photos but I'm not sure a cocktail hours would be worth it or not. We did want to do a welcome cocktail the day most people arrive. They have a Mexican Donkey bar where they have an actual donkey at your cocktail hour with barrels of beer and such. My Fiance loved that idea so I think that is what we are going to do the Thursday before. I really want to find a way to incorporate a cameraman cruise in the plans. Having it for just the family and bridal party is a great idea! I'm not sure what other excursions to do, any ideas?

The dress I got was Watters and Watters. They had a lot of casual but elegant gowns that were light. I got it almost 6 months ago so I almost forget what it looks like!

[maromabride]

Gail,

 

Did you have a put a deposit down for the room block? How much? Also did you have to sign a room block contract with the resort?

 

Do you know the name of the new beach restaurant. I haven't seen it listed or advertised on their site, I guess b/c it is new. I wish their sites (El Dorados & Karismas) had more pictures of the resort! -Tila

[Kat&Dan]

We should be getting the contract on Monday. I believe they need money for each room you have blocked. My travel agent is taking care of that and once people book a room she will take the deposit and use it towards our room.

 

With the new beach restaurant, is that the one that only holds 50 people?

[maromabride]

My TA emailed me today letting me know that he can find better room rates (through his wholesalers) than the rates the resort offers, even with the 20% discount. Therefore my guests WOULD NOT be getting the best rate available if I book a block of rooms at their rate.

Hmmm....Something to think about

[Kat&Dan]

Tila (maromabride)

 

If you dont mind, can you let me know what you find out about prices. Our guests are getting charged 640 for three nights...From what I have seen,as soon as May hits, it ususally goes down. I am curious now....I am hoping they are not offering me all these specials just to end up putting the "savings" in other areas...

[maromabride]

I will let you know when I find out more. I'm assuming the rate they gave you is for the mi hotelito suite, right?

[Kat&Dan]

Well yes and its for 3 nights. I really appreciate it! thanks

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 We had to put down $200 per room for a deposit and sign a contract with the resort in order to do the room block.  But as guests book and put down their deposits we get the money we put down back.  I guess the advantages of the room block would be to ensure that the resort doesn't sell out and guests who book last minute aren't without a room,  it also made it easier because the rates were locked in and no matter when the guests booked their rooms they were all given the same discounted rates (3 nights for $570 in Mi Hotelito).  The disadvantage to the room block was definitely the stress of getting everyone to put down there deposits through our travel agent so we were able to get the deposit back.  If guests decided to book the rooms on their own through another agent or website it wouldn't have counted.

I think the new restaurants name is "La Playa"  I'm not sure though.  The resorts facebook page has some good pictures of it:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/album.php?aid=195756&id=202264843689

The resorts website i don't think even mentions it yet, but I think that's because it's only a few months old.  Valeria told me that 50 people is the most it can comfortably hold for a private reception.