El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[asmithpoulin]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to trying on dresses! I wish I could say I truly have the entire summer to work on planning but, I teach and an extended year school that's currently on a federal grant program, thus I teach until June 27th and start back up again August 1st. I have a week of professional development training and 2 weeks of weddings back in my home state, that leaves me with of free time

As for the legal/symbolic. We just can't decide... My parents have been pretty against the idea of legal happenings occurring here, they are assisting us in finances for the wedding. My mom feels like it defeats the purpose of going to Mexico in the first place... I agree in principal but just seeing the costs go up and up.. I'm trying to consider all options.

[chiquita8302]

OMG What a winner!!! I would definately say he is not welcome. I don't know how you'll do it without pissing her off, though. Does she know how much trouble he is? Maybe she will understand? Is it too late to say that you're trying to keep numbers down and only serious significant others are welcome? Tell her they raised the costs or something?? Ugh. Keep us posted, and good luck!

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

Alright ladies I have quite the dilemma that I need your advice with. My MOH has invited her boyfriend of three months to be her plus one. I'm completely against him coming. Let's put it this way... They just went on a vacation together and he got ejected from three bars (in a 3 day time frame) for starting fights and eventually ended up in jail the last time for assault and disorderly conduct. He just got out of jail today. Why she is still with this loser is beyond me but he is not welcome at my wedding. I told her that when they first started dating because he does drugs as well (I know real winner!). My FI has told me he will flip out if this guy shows up at our wedding too. So my questions are:
1. Do I have the right to tell her he can't come since she's the one paying for her stay at EDR?
2. How do I even go about this without ruining our friendship or pissing her off so that she doesn't come?
PLEASE HELP!!!

[chiquita8302]

Yes, Ditto what Jill said, asmithpoulin... We are doing the symbolic ceremony and not telling anyone either. We're actually probably going to get married pretty soon so that I can get on his health insurance :-( So romantic, I know. Ugh- life. But, again, not telling anyone. For photographers, I am super nervous. The only one that says they do any Photoshop editing that I saw were Sarani and Mexican Wedding... so we will definately be going with one of those if we don't work something out and decide to bring someone with us. I think such a big reason prof pictures look so nice is the color toning and all the other enhancements that are done in photoshop, so to me that is a big priority. My priorites tend to keep evolving as we go, though... so this is a more recent priority of mine!

 

Jill... as for the luminary bags... I found some online cheap, too, and e-mailed Valeria to see if I could bring my own. I think you could get some cute punchers fromt he scrapbooking section to even add a little special touch. I saw on Etsy they sell customized ones, too. Did she say it's okay for you to bring yours? And for lanters... do you know how you're doing them for centerpieces? I'm torn between doing the rope lighting on the poles around tucanes versus the lanterns around the edges... i don't know how they'd light up, and the pre-lit lanterns are pretty expensive...

 

 

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

Score on the dress if you end up getting it! We are doing the symbolic ceremony that is saving us a ton as well. We just aren't telling anyone. Not that it really matters but we'll do the legal stuff the day after we get back. As far as photography the cheapest one I could find was Caribe. We ended up going with the $1300 package which was a bit more than we anticipated but it was worth it to have more time with the photographer. To save money I've decided I keep my decorations minimal. Less is more here so I'm just doing my own luminary bags I got off of eBay and some lanterns as centerpieces. I'm having my mother and MIL set up to avoid the set up fee since this seems to be stupidly priced and not very consistent between brides. Hmmm... What else? We don't have too many guests so opted for the set menu 1. We will pay around $200 for that. Good luck with the planning and lucky you that you have the whole summer to work on it!

[chiquita8302]

Originally Posted by asmithpoulin 

 

Thanks, I'm looking forward to trying on dresses! I wish I could say I truly have the entire summer to work on planning but, I teach and an extended year school that's currently on a federal grant program, thus I teach until June 27th and start back up again August 1st. I have a week of professional development training and 2 weeks of weddings back in my home state, that leaves me with of free time

As for the legal/symbolic. We just can't decide... My parents have been pretty against the idea of legal happenings occurring here, they are assisting us in finances for the wedding. My mom feels like it defeats the purpose of going to Mexico in the first place... I agree in principal but just seeing the costs go up and up.. I'm trying to consider all options.

 

Trying on dresses is my next step as well! I'm super excited. I feel like that's going to make it all click in and feel more real! And I feel you, there are NEVER enough hours in a day!!

 

As for your mom... I suppose if she wnats to pay for it, then it's her choice, but otherwise, I wouldn't. Even still, you could sneak off and do it before and not tell her if you wanted... they will give you symbolic licenses to sign and everything i heard so everyone thinks it's official. I also was kind of turned off by the blood work and all the othe rrequirements they have, they don't make it easy!

[chiquita8302]

Hi!! I was also considering not doing the Casitas, just because I wasn't sure if we wanted to be so far away, and they were expensive... but my TA after informed me that they can discount the casitas just like the regular rooms... so basically, wtih the free wedding, we're barely paying any more to stay in the Casitas. That has to be 7 nights, though I think.

 

I hear you with being a teacher! We are going on Feb vaca because 2 of my BM's are teachers. It is dificult- it makes our package more expensive for everyone because we have to travel during that prime week, but what are you going to do!

 

I've been just starting to talk to Valeria, and so far she seems super sweet, has lots to share... the only thing is her feedback takes probably about a week, but I guess they keep her very busy. When she does reply, she does so in detail to any and all e-mails I've sent her. She's been sending me pics for inspiration and everything to help me choose. So far so good! Good luck with the planning!!

 

Originally Posted by asmithpoulin 

Thanks for the welcomes ! We are piecing things together slowly but surely. As for a dress, I'm actually in love with one that is $198!! Haven't purchased just yet since I'm still looking around but I'm confident I can stay under $500. We are doing a 6 nights stay, in the regular part of the resort, forfeiting the "free wedding". I am a teacher so I can't take more then a week off in the middle of the school year With the silver package being $950, that certainly ups the budget a bit.. I'm wondering if that includes the paperwork/ legalities/ translation. I know it is another $500 for the judge as well as the blood work fee...

Any tips about how you've found ways to save a little here or there would be appreciated!

Valeria is our on-site coordinator, I have not been in touch with her yet. A little overwhelmed with the school year ending and trying to get everything into it's place.

As for photographers? Has anyone been able to find a quality deal? It's looking like an avg. of $1000 or so..

[TheWolferts]

We ended up going with the free wedding package because we didnt really want any of the additional items offered in the cheapest wedding package (i think its around $2k), so we figured, if we have to spend the $2k, we might as well spend it on our room if the wedding package isnt anything we are thrilled about. We booked 21 rooms and ended up getting about $1,300 back towards our room with the Bride and Groom Stay "Free" promo. We also get about $1200k back for our 1 year anniversary stay for booking 21 rooms.

 

Having stayed in a regular room prior to our wedding there, the Casitas are just leaps and bounds better than the regular rooms! We had guests that wanted to see our room and they actually took pictures it was so pretty! Nice vaulted ceilings, private beach bed on your deck, in door and out door shower, bigger jacuzzi tub (which they fill for you with bubbles and rose pedals the night of your wedding). I dont think i could not stay in a casitas again if we go back!

 

I had Valeria as well and I thought she was great to work with. She does sometimes take a while to get you a response, but try the live chat function on the Lomas site. Sometimes you can actually char directly with her or the person that you are chatting with will be in the same office, so the person you are chatting with can ask specific questions to your coordinator if they are not super busy.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiquita8302 

Hi!! I was also considering not doing the Casitas, just because I wasn't sure if we wanted to be so far away, and they were expensive... but my TA after informed me that they can discount the casitas just like the regular rooms... so basically, wtih the free wedding, we're barely paying any more to stay in the Casitas. That has to be 7 nights, though I think.

 

I hear you with being a teacher! We are going on Feb vaca because 2 of my BM's are teachers. It is dificult- it makes our package more expensive for everyone because we have to travel during that prime week, but what are you going to do!

 

I've been just starting to talk to Valeria, and so far she seems super sweet, has lots to share... the only thing is her feedback takes probably about a week, but I guess they keep her very busy. When she does reply, she does so in detail to any and all e-mails I've sent her. She's been sending me pics for inspiration and everything to help me choose. So far so good! Good luck with the planning!!

 

[TheWolferts]

Oh also, once we got to the resort, we just asked if we could stay in the castias building that was closest to the "regular" side of the resort and they were able to put us in there, so we didnt feel far away at all! We were literally right next to the Casitas archways that tell you that you are entering into that side of the resort.

 

My cousin got married at EDR and used Claudia Photo and her pics turned out great and from what I can tell, they use the photoshop techniques you are looking for.

Originally Posted by chiquita8302 

Hi!! I was also considering not doing the Casitas, just because I wasn't sure if we wanted to be so far away, and they were expensive... but my TA after informed me that they can discount the casitas just like the regular rooms... so basically, wtih the free wedding, we're barely paying any more to stay in the Casitas. That has to be 7 nights, though I think.

 

I hear you with being a teacher! We are going on Feb vaca because 2 of my BM's are teachers. It is dificult- it makes our package more expensive for everyone because we have to travel during that prime week, but what are you going to do!

 

I've been just starting to talk to Valeria, and so far she seems super sweet, has lots to share... the only thing is her feedback takes probably about a week, but I guess they keep her very busy. When she does reply, she does so in detail to any and all e-mails I've sent her. She's been sending me pics for inspiration and everything to help me choose. So far so good! Good luck with the planning!!

 

[chiquita8302]

Thanks for that info... I don't see Claudia on the list of approved vendors.... do you know by any chance if she is?

Thanks!!

Originally Posted by TheWolferts 

Oh also, once we got to the resort, we just asked if we could stay in the castias building that was closest to the "regular" side of the resort and they were able to put us in there, so we didnt feel far away at all! We were literally right next to the Casitas archways that tell you that you are entering into that side of the resort.

 

My cousin got married at EDR and used Claudia Photo and her pics turned out great and from what I can tell, they use the photoshop techniques you are looking for.

[chiquita8302]

Thanks your input about the Casitas!! I was wondering if it would be worthwhile, as we're pretty easily impressed LOL but I am really excited about it now! I will also ask about being closer to the regular side of the resort, too- good tip!!

Originally Posted by TheWolferts 
 

[msbritbrit57]

Originally Posted by Jillsepher 

 

 

I'm not doing a walk through either. What did you do for your makeup? Did you bring in a picture or just say "do whatever"?

 

For make-up, I just let Claudia do whatever. She asked what color I preferred around my eyes, so I went with pinks since my eyes are hazel.