Just got back from Riu Palace

[ctuohy]

miawkostory, 

 

I haven't recieved it yet do you still have yours? I would LOVE it if you could send me it!!

[Jess4219]

I’m back from my honeymoon and here’s my review of the RIU Palace and Our Wedding

 

Reception/Check-in

Horrible, it’s a circus. Their way of doing things is so old; they need computers. The staff works off print-out paper and there’s always guest at the counter complaining about something. Two of our guest, got double booked (meaning someone else walked into their rooms) they are a true mess, LOL but onnce you get passed that, the resort itself is Beautiful and the food is okay/good. The dinner system were you have to wake-up early to make dinner reservations at their specialty restaurants… .sucks! We didn’t even bother! The Medano Buffet, is huge and has a variety of food selection. The staff is amazing and sweet, the entertainment staff and nightly shows are fun. The beds, not the most comfy and the sheets are hard. The showers are narrow, small and slippery. The grounds clean and tidy.  

 

Wedding Coordinator

Kylene…she was great over emails (I did carry out all communication with her in Spanish) that might have helped. She always got back to me, with my many questions and during our wedding she met all of my request and expectations. She didn’t miss one detail.

 

Welcome Bags

Each morning I gave the front desk labeled bags (they prefer you write the person’s first and last name) to give everyone. We had 35 guests. No problems there.

 

“Welcome dinnerâ€

We had a semi-private dinner at the San Jose Mexican restaurant and invited everyone  to come.  It was out on the terrace overlooking the ocean. That was beautiful, the staff was amazing! This was included thru our travel agent (Vacations for Less/Wright Travel agency) we worked with Teresa Stauring ([email protected])  she was amazing and took care of our entire guest, booking their rooms and flights. She blocks the rooms and works together with the RIU, thru going that route we got some complimentary services/credit (one being the semi-private rehearsal dinner) No extra money was paid to Teresa, nor for the dinner.

 

Reverend

Marco Arechiga is extraordinary, I knew from my research and from seeing him on youtube that I wanted him to marry us. He is funny, but knows when to be meaningful; he’s inspirational and knows how to make each ceremony memorable. Loved him!

 

Photography

We choose to book the RIU photographer for one-hour, during the ceremony.  We had plenty of family and friends with video cameras and professional cameras. We even did our own, “trash the dress†photo shoot the next day, jumping into the pool and at Lover’s beach. The pictures are awesome, I hope I can share (if I can figure out how to download them)

 

Ceremony Set up

I brought my own chair sashes in orange and fuchsia, fans, ribbon wands and ceremony music. Kylene did an awesome job with the set-up.

 

Dinner

At Mar de Cortes, Steakhouse Restaurant, it was lovely. I had custom menus and  votive candles, flower petals and starfish as decor. We cut the cake here too.

 

Reception

At Baja Norte, with open bar. Set-up just like a normal reception with round tables, table linens I provided and all of my decorations. We had a DJ, that mixed songs from our IPODS. Our guest danced non-stop and had a great time.

 

Flowers

I ordered centerpieces, 3 extra boutonnieres, 2 wrist corsages and the matron of honor’s bouquet. I was happy with the flowers; however the wrist corsages were VERY CHEAP and wouldn’t stay in place. The boutonnieres too were not the best ( I don’t know if anyone else had this problem). My bouquet was beautiful and so were the 2 medallions that decorated the Gazebo.  

 

Well I hope this helps. I know we did a ton of homework on the resort, and on every single detail. We have a 2-inch “wedding†binder with all of our notes, print-outs of every email, schedules, maps, vouchers, transportation info, blog reviews, pictures, and checklist but it was all worth it, our wedding couldn’t have been better! J We used a lot of everyone’s advice and tips from this website.

 

“Thank you†to previous brides, and happy planning to future brides.

Jess

[Jamaica2013]

Hello Jess,

Where did you get your fans from?

[Jess4219]

 

[Jess4219]

[Jess4219]

[BPG027]

Great review. Getting married there in Oct, so I'm excited.

Your review has been helpful!

[Arla]

Congrats on your wedding! Love all your info, thanks very much.  I am getting married at the santafe in feb!  love the ideas of bringing down your own supplies for the chairs and tables.  I do have questions for you Jess, what did you put in your gift bags?and did you have a reason why you had dinner at the steakhouse then moved to the baja norte for the reception?  I was thinking of just going to the steakhouse for all the festivities.  Also Did you like the riu photographer? the one picture looks good of you too on the beach. thanks for your info again!

[Houstonnlh]

Congrats Jess! Thanks so much for sharing your review. It's really helpful!

[mmisa]

HI Jess4219, your wedding pictures are beautiful! those are the same colors I am planning for my wedding as well. Did they provide those colors for you or did you bring them your self? The table cloths, bows for chairs etc?

 

thank you so much!

Originally Posted by Jess4219