El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[Mamzaleg]

Hi, 

 

I am very interested in doing a catamaran/snorkeling trip for my guests the Thursday before the wedding. I have received a price quote from one company, but am nervous their boat may be a bit small since we are expecting a larger group.  Has anyone had a positive experience or heard of any reliable companies? We are looking for a private boat that will provide snacks and snorkeling. Any suggestions appreciated!

 

Thank you! 

[Maybeachbride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandances 
 

Hi Ladies! I'm approaching the 6 month mark and trying to settle on a photographer. Our Wedding is March 29th. Sarani is the only one of the "approved" vendors I liked but she herself has been booked since we first booked EDR last March. Her two associate photographers James and Lunic are available but I don't know if I like their work as much. Did anyone use them???

If you didn't use the "approved" photographers were there any outside photographers you liked? We'd be willing to spend the 3 night stay rate for someone really good.

 

Also if you do use an outside photographer do they make you pay the 3 night stay fee for the photographer and assistant? I know it's either 3 night stay or $800. Would it be $800 total or photographer and assistant? 3 night stay is less.

 

Thanks!!!

 

Amanda

 

We had James and LOVED him!  He was so great to work with!  I was very laid back so i didnt really have much in mind and he had some amazing ideas!  I would totally

recommend him to anyone!

[jnitschke]

I took my guests out on the day after the wedding.  We picked after the wedding because I didn't want to risk sunburns... the first time I ever went snorkeling I got the worst burn of my life doing it... but we did the Lupita Tri-maran.. they had a lunch buffet which was decent.  I'd say the trip was 3 out of 5.  Nothing amazing, but not too bad either.  They load the boats up, so if you don't want to be sitting next to people this might not be the trip for you.  They ran a bunch of boats.  I think Albatros was the same thing basically.  We sailed with 2 Albatros boats and another Tri-maran.  We all ate at the same buffet too.  We were limited because we wanted a trip on a Sunday.  I'd try to do something buy Cozumel if you can.  2nd largest reef is off of Cozumel.  Also, check to see if transportation is included.  I wasn't made aware of the fact that transportation wasn't included in our trip.  So, we had to get Robert at the Lomas desk to find out where the dock for the boat was and what times we needed to be dropped off and picked up.  Then we had to ask the front desk to call us a taxi and arrange return pick up for us.  Not too big of a deal, but a hassle that I was dealing with on the morning of our wedding day.

-Jen

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mamzaleg 
 

Hi, 

 

I am very interested in doing a catamaran/snorkeling trip for my guests the Thursday before the wedding. I have received a price quote from one company, but am nervous their boat may be a bit small since we are expecting a larger group.  Has anyone had a positive experience or heard of any reliable companies? We are looking for a private boat that will provide snacks and snorkeling. Any suggestions appreciated!

 

Thank you! 

[AllieH]

Hey Nikki!

 

Do you want to do AI again, or are you looking into other options? My two favorite islands in the Caribbean are Puerto Rico & Aruba. but neither of them really have great AI's. I also like Jamaica for AI's - though you do need to be careful if you intend to go off resort property. It's a beautiful island, and there are some good excursions there (as long as you go with a reputable tour company). climbing Dunns River Falls is popular, and going tubing on the river is fun too.

 

I've heard good things about Secrets Silversands and Secrets Maroma in RM as alternatives.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolferts 
 

Hi ladies!!!

 

My husband and I are hoping to book a March trip to somewhere warm and fabulous in March... Thoughts on location and/or resort?!

 

We have high standards after staying at EDR twice, but I dont think we want to splurge that much, so we are looking for a great "bang for our buck"!

[Feb2013]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolferts 
 

Hi ladies!!!

 

My husband and I are hoping to book a March trip to somewhere warm and fabulous in March... Thoughts on location and/or resort?!

 

We have high standards after staying at EDR twice, but I dont think we want to splurge that much, so we are looking for a great "bang for our buck"!

 

I don't know if you get email updates about the Karisma properties but coming December 1, 2013 they are opening AZUL Sensatori Jamaica. 

http://www.karismahotels.com/HotelsResorts/ForEveryone/AzulSensatoriJamaica

 

This might be an option I have gotten a couple emails running specials since it will just be opening that might be a few kinks that you would putting up with but I am sure being a Karisma property it would still be really nice. 

[nbateman]

Ok, leaving for EDR on Wednesday, anyone have any last minute pointers?

 

I have all of my OOT bag stuff packed in two suitcases (one carry on and one large) purchased from Goodwill and we're going to leave them there : )

 

I have copies of my receipts for my OOT purchases

Have my ceremony written out

ipod playlists setup

important WC emails/DestinationWeddings.com emails printed

wedding spreadsheet printed

hair and makeup pics printed

rings are ready

dress is ready, his outfit is ready

facial done, hair is tonight and wax on Saturday

license on Friday, legal ceremony on Tuesday

 

Anything else important I need to know or have readily available?  Any advice for when we meet with the WC at EDR? Do we give them the ceremony write up and ipod for the ceremony at the meeting?

[AllieH]

YAY!! It's almost here!!!!

 

Your groom will give the iPod with the playlists to the MC when he arrives at the ceremony site (or you can designate a guest to do it - which I think would be better!!).

 

You will give them the script and all of your decorations at the meeting, so go ahead and bring those with you.

 

Will you have your dress steamed by EDR? If so, your onsite WC will give you instructions about where to leave it and when they will come get it. remove anything detachable before they pick it up, just in case. And be specific about where you want them to return it - your room or another room. If they return it to your room, don't worry about your groom seeing it - they'll wrap it in a white sheet, and hang it on the curtain rod. They do take GREAT care of it.

 

now take a deep breath, and ENJOY EVERY MOMENT. I can't wait to hear how it all goes for you. Happy Wedding!!!!!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbateman 
 

Ok, leaving for EDR on Wednesday, anyone have any last minute pointers?

 

I have all of my OOT bag stuff packed in two suitcases (one carry on and one large) purchased from Goodwill and we're going to leave them there : )

 

I have copies of my receipts for my OOT purchases

Have my ceremony written out

ipod playlists setup

important WC emails/DestinationWeddings.com emails printed

wedding spreadsheet printed

hair and makeup pics printed

rings are ready

dress is ready, his outfit is ready

facial done, hair is tonight and wax on Saturday

license on Friday, legal ceremony on Tuesday

 

Anything else important I need to know or have readily available?  Any advice for when we meet with the WC at EDR? Do we give them the ceremony write up and ipod for the ceremony at the meeting?

[nbateman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllieH 
 

 

ok, good to know about the ipod and the steaming, yes having it steamed there and having his steamed as well.

 

thanks!!!!! I'm pretty calm because I have been prepping for so long, just need to understand that i'm taking a vacation too and need to stop worrying about little things!

[jnitschke]

So Exciting!!!!  Sounds like you're all set and ready to go!  Are you doing any excursions?  Make sure you print all your travel documents.  Also, when traveling abroad it's good to make 2 copies of your passport, insurance cards, and driver's license.  Give one copy to someone staying behind and take the other copies with you.  This way if something get's lost while you're down there it will speed up the process of getting new ones.

 

Have fun, can't wait to hear all about it!!

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbateman 
 

Ok, leaving for EDR on Wednesday, anyone have any last minute pointers?

 

I have all of my OOT bag stuff packed in two suitcases (one carry on and one large) purchased from Goodwill and we're going to leave them there : )

 

I have copies of my receipts for my OOT purchases

Have my ceremony written out

ipod playlists setup

important WC emails/DestinationWeddings.com emails printed

wedding spreadsheet printed

hair and makeup pics printed

rings are ready

dress is ready, his outfit is ready

facial done, hair is tonight and wax on Saturday

license on Friday, legal ceremony on Tuesday

 

Anything else important I need to know or have readily available?  Any advice for when we meet with the WC at EDR? Do we give them the ceremony write up and ipod for the ceremony at the meeting?

[nbateman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnitschke 
 

 

 

Great ideas, fiance is out getting printer ink so we can make copies of everything