El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[jackiep]

Oh and I am getting married Nov. 4th, Gazebo 55 and Tucanes with a total of 30 guests!

[AllieH]

Hi Jackie! welcome to the group! congratulations on your upcoming wedding. 

 

Our officiant left right after the ceremony - we didn't even have a chance to speak with him. So he wasn't at our dinner at all. 

 

We tipped room service, the bellmen who delivered/picked up our luggage, and when they drove us around the property on special requests. We also tipped our favorite bartenders, and a couple of the waiters who were amazing too. Just $3-5 generally, it was all appreciated. We also tipped housekeeping because she was awesome too. For the 10 days we were there, we probably tipped $100-$150. I'm no help in the tipping department for the wedding - that was a complete failure on my part to plan to do that!! I wish I had tipped our DJ, our onsite WC team, the wait staff & bartenders at our reception. I would probably tip 10-20% of the cost as a decent rule. 

 

In the past, EDR has charged to put the welcome bags in the rooms - a pretty unreasonable fee if I remember. Most brides choose to either hand them out at a welcome dinner/meet at a bar for drinks, or if the guests are arriving around the same time, meet them in the main lobby. 

 

Originally Posted by jackiep 

Hey ladies. I tried to post before but it did not seem to work so let's try this again. First love the thread!

Next-I know tipping is personal but if YOU did tip how much if you don't mind me asking?

Also at a stateside wedding you would invite the officiant and their spouse to the reception. I assume this is not the case here but thought I better ask.

And finally did they charge you to put the welcome bags in the room?

 

Thanks!

 

Originally Posted by jackiep 

Oh and I am getting married Nov. 4th, Gazebo 55 and Tucanes with a total of 30 guests!

 

 

[LKocelko]

We were told welcome bags would be $4 per room to deliver, so we opted to just hand them out ourselves. We thought that was a bit ridiculous.

[nbateman]

Originally Posted by LKocelko 

 

We were told welcome bags would be $4 per room to deliver, so we opted to just hand them out ourselves. We thought that was a bit ridiculous.

Same here, I really wanted them to have them at check in to hand out or in their rooms before they arrived but they said they wouldn't have the room numbers until the time they checked in so we'll plan on bringing them to the welcome party.  If you're having a welcome party the day/evening when most people arrive and originally planned on handing out your itinerary in the bag, make sure you let them know where they'll need to be before they arrive if you won't see them until your welcome party.  I posted a pic of our itinerary on picasa then linked to it on my wedding website and sent out a mass email letting everyone know that it was out there.  I'll also snail mail everyone one and have them in the welcome bag among other informational stuff.

 

Here's the blurb from our site:

July 2013:

Less than 3 months to go!! Since we're getting questions on what we have planned for the wedding and what's planned after the ceremony, I've posted a link to our itinerary. I'll mail everyone a copy before the wedding so you can bring it with you! I'll also have some at the resort when we arrive.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9Lm7QTPxAblXx1PFUbPiBWAOLsALTBvVoEkzXTAOOFk?feat=directlink

 

And our site if you wanna check it out or get any ideas if you're a newbie

http://batemanandholman.ourwedding.com

 

Most of my itinerary credit and website ideas go to Allie, thanks girl!

[AllieH]

Nicole - I love the itinerary - your icons are SOO cute. Love the little jalapeno for the cocktail/welcome party.

 

One other thing - the onsite WC's did a separate itinerary for our guests and gave those out when they checked in. We weren't expecting that at all - it was a nice surprise, and a good reminder for everyone. It did have our room # on it, and while we were ok with that, I know not every bride & groom wants that to be public knowledge.

 

Originally Posted by nbateman 

Same here, I really wanted them to have them at check in to hand out or in their rooms before they arrived but they said they wouldn't have the room numbers until the time they checked in so we'll plan on bringing them to the welcome party.  If you're having a welcome party the day/evening when most people arrive and originally planned on handing out your itinerary in the bag, make sure you let them know where they'll need to be before they arrive if you won't see them until your welcome party.  I posted a pic of our itinerary on picasa then linked to it on my wedding website and sent out a mass email letting everyone know that it was out there.  I'll also snail mail everyone one and have them in the welcome bag among other informational stuff.

 

Here's the blurb from our site:

July 2013:

Less than 3 months to go!! Since we're getting questions on what we have planned for the wedding and what's planned after the ceremony, I've posted a link to our itinerary. I'll mail everyone a copy before the wedding so you can bring it with you! I'll also have some at the resort when we arrive.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9Lm7QTPxAblXx1PFUbPiBWAOLsALTBvVoEkzXTAOOFk?feat=directlink

 

And our site if you wanna check it out or get any ideas if you're a newbie

http://batemanandholman.ourwedding.com

 

Most of my itinerary credit and website ideas go to Allie, thanks girl!

[nbateman]

Originally Posted by AllieH 

 

Nicole - I love the itinerary - your icons are SOO cute. Love the little jalapeno for the cocktail/welcome party.

 

One other thing - the onsite WC's did a separate itinerary for our guests and gave those out when they checked in. We weren't expecting that at all - it was a nice surprise, and a good reminder for everyone. It did have our room # on it, and while we were ok with that, I know not every bride & groom wants that to be public knowledge.

 

ooooo good to know! i vaguely remember you mentioning that so I'll have to think about whether I want my guests to know that..but i'm assuming they'll be courteous...hmm....

[jackiep]

I knew you ladies would be the answer to all my questions:)

I think I will definitely just hand out the bags at the welcome cocktail party. And great tip about linking the itinerary beforehand. Not sure I am keen on everyone knowing our room number but if that is the worst thing that happens then we will be doing good.

I know I will be back with more questions soon but until then thank you so very much.

[weddingxixi]

Hi girls my name is Cathy and I am new here. I have just confirmed my wedding @ EDR (Presidential) for Oct. later this year. I was wondering if anyone has experience with Lunic or James from Sarani Photography. I have read that Sarani's photos are very good but unfortunately she would not be shooting anything less than a full day. Thanks!!

[mexicobride2014]

Hi, does anyone know what the 'chocolate suprise' dessert is in the Italian restaurant??

[AllieH]

actually, yes. that would be my favorite dessert! it's a really rich chocolate melting cake (more like sauce in the center), served with Bailey's ice cream - soooooo good. yes, I'm one of "those people" take pics of food...

 

 

Originally Posted by mexicobride2014 

Hi, does anyone know what the 'chocolate suprise' dessert is in the Italian restaurant??