Excellence Riviera Cancun Brides?

[lynne1609]

@@Tighev  I would allow a couple of hours as it all depends on your hair length and style you want your hair.  My wedding is at 3pm and I've booked my hair and make up for 12pm.  Is it a personal preference to do your own make up as this is included as part of your package?

 

Hair trial again will depend on your hair length.  From the price list I can see the prices are as follows:- short $65, medium $75 and long $85.  

 

I have added 2 photo's of the Las Olas reception that my WP sent to me to give me an idea of how it can be arranged.

 

From the information I have, it looks like you get 1 hour cocktail and then 4 hours private reception so this will take you give you all evening.  I believe the actual wedding ceremony is only around 15 mins then let the celebrations begin.

 

We arrive the 27th July and get married the 4th Aug so I will have a week to settle and then another week afterwards to enjoy my wedding as my honeymoon.

 

If you need to know anything more then ask away and I'll only be too glad to help if I can. x

[JulieStaad]

Hi ladies - curious who is using a travel agent versus booking through ERC directly? I'm learning belatedly that a TA may have been the way to go based on costs, incentives and help with guests but am not sure I'll be able to switch - my website is up already and Save the Dates just went out with the URL in them, etc.

[Tighev]

I used a travel agent. I use her to book all my trips, so naturally I went to her when I wanted to book my wedding.  I actually went to her just to get information about how to even book a destination wedding and then decided to just do everything through her.

We really didn't know how many people would come on the trip, so we didn't feel comfortable booking it through the resort and having to guarantee a certain number of rooms.    Using a travel agent, we weren't able to get a group rate, but she was able to find us the best deal at the time of booking. And she even called us about 2 months after booking and told us that a new promotion came out and she was able to apply it to our account and the price dropped.

 

My travel agent is going to contact the resort about a month before and give them our guest list, and request that we all have rooms near each other.  It was also suggested to me that I do the same with my wedding coordinator.

 

We gave our guests the option of booking their trips on their own as well, without going through our travel agent.

[kjb0528]

I'd suggest a travel agent. I used Lindsey Johnson with Tropics Travel and not only did she get us a better deal than the resort, she also is just much easier to deal with and more responsive than the resort.  

 

@Tighev: For decor options, did you decide on lighting for the beach? One thing they told me was that there is no lighting provided for the beach and it may be a bit dark. The quote for strand lighting was about $235/per strand of 20 bulbs and they recommended about 4 stands. I'm thinking of just bringing my own down in a suitcase rather than paying a grand for lighting but haven't decided.

 

As a side vent, the turn around time for emails with the WP at the resort is taking really long. I'm still waiting to hear back on a quote for centerpieces that I sent 3 months ago. Is anyone else having this issue? I get that they are busy but 3 months is ridiculous. I've checked in again but still haven't heard back.

[TA Wendy]

Hi Julie and Ladies! TA Wendy here!

I wanted to say hello and let everyone know that the Forum is actually owned by and partner to Wright Travel Agency who specializes in Destination Wedding groups!

We actually are one of the top booking agents for all the Excellence properties! I have stayed at all of their resorts, but most recently just visited Finest and stayed there last fall and I am working with a number of Destination wedding groups at each of the Excellence resorts this year.

If you would like to be contacted by one of the agents from Wright Travel just click the button above and we would love to chat with you!

The Excellence resorts are a great choice!

Happy planning!

[lynne1609]

@@kjb0528 I've never waited longer than about 2 weeks for a response and I would suggest you resend your email asking for a response. I've done this before and received an immediate response back with an apology. My WP is Alejandra and she has been very good with me.

[Tighev]

@@kjb0528  I've been going back and forth on whether or not I was going to bring my own lighting. But after your comment, I think I've decided that I will bring my own lighting. The string lights cost about $20 for a string of $25. It's crazy to pay $235 to rent to lights from them.  If you girls have any other ideas/input about lighting, please share!  Also, the 4 strings that they suggested to you...was that just for above the tables, or did that also include wrapped around trees? I'm trying to figure out how many I need and what is necessary. Pictures I've seen had lights above the tables, as well as wrapped around trees.  I'll probably have to email Thamara and ask her what I would need to bring. Sometimes she doesn't understand my question exactly even when I think I'm being thorough. So I have a feeling my question regarding lighting might take a few emails back and forth to get the answer I'm looking for. 

 

@@kjb0528  How many people are you expecting at your wedding, and what locations did you pick for your cocktail hour and reception?

 

-Victoria

[kjb0528]

@@lynne1609 I checked in about 2 weeks ago, still never heard back and about to check in again. Just a little frustrating because it makes it hard to make decisions!

 

@@Tighev I'm having my cocktail hour at los olas and reception at Oreganos. I'm expecting around 50-60 people. Oreganos is tucked away but still close to the beach and feels outside. The suggested 2-4 strands was for hanging from the ceiling at Oreganos, but I'm thinking I'll prob do more like double that. I'm pretty sure for the beach, the lighting wrapped around the trees is extra. You may also want to consider renting a dance floor for the beach 

 

The price for lighting is a bit nuts for what you get and frustrating when I see other girls posts on here from less than a year ago that were just charged $220 flat for multiple strands. I think they gouge price on things that are really hard to pack (lighting, flowers, glass vases, etc..). I'm thinking of bringing my own lighting, although I haven't decided between globe lights or christmas lights just based on packability and will probably end up bringing my own centerpieces or doing no flowers. I am upgrading the chairs though to the ones without the covers.

[victoriasalv]

Hi Ladies,

 

Wanted to check in sooner - but our wedding went off fabulously on April 29th. I am in serious withdrawal about being back from our honeymoon.

 

The wedding was fantastic. Better than I could have imagined. Do not worry about a THING. I'll write a full review soon. As well as share some pics!

[Tighev]

@@kjb0528      As far as not getting a response from the resort, I remember shortly after I booked my wedding I had been emailing back and forth with my WP and then she stopped responding. I didn't get a response for a long time (month or so), and then I received an email that my WP had been changed.  So it's a possibility that they are in the processes of switching your WP.    It is definitely frustrating having to wait so long for a response.  Now that I only have a month before I have to submit my final decisions, I'm finding it even more frustrating that it takes 2 weeks for answers to my emails.   There's a lot of planning that is on hold because I'm waiting for a response.    Anyway, that was my venting for the day!

-Victoria