Riu palace Mexico brides 2014?????

[ASAtobe]

Hi Ladies,

 

My wedding was at the RIU Palace Mexico on April 5, 2014. I just got home recently and wanted to give you a bit of info since it was so hard for me to find any when I was researching for mine. This will be especially helpful for those expecting larger parties. This might be long but I'll try to make it as concise as possible!

 

- I had a total of 75 people - 44 adults, 8 kids (12 and younger) and 3 infants (2 and younger).

- We went with the Royal Wedding package

- Originally planned for beach ceremony and private garden reception, but I saw a beach ceremony the 2nd day I was there - HORRIBLE!!! I couldn't believe the indecency of people on the beach. They gathered around the arch, literally right beside you and the officiant, in their bathing suits, taking pictures. Plus it's super windy, not good news for your hair or veil. Luckily they let me have both the ceremony and reception in the garden - much more private, highly recommended!

 

I'm from Canada and had booked through Signature Vacations, they offer a wedding planner service which I do NOT recommend. They act as a middle man between you and the wedding coordinator at the resort. In my experience, you will get quicker answers and more importantly, answers at all, if you deal directly with the resort.

 

The following is what had to be paid before I arrived. It's supposed to be 45 days ahead of time but I didn't pay until a week before I left (at the fault of my Signature wedding planner).

 

$1775 for Royal Wedding Package (includes 20 guests including the wedding couple)

$25 for each additional adult (this covers cake, champagne and set up - basically their chairs)

$13 for each additional child

 

$70 per adult for a BBQ buffet with open bar for 4 hrs. (the 20 incl. in the package no longer applies when doing a private reception)

$35 per child

 

We met with our planner the 2nd day. Veronica was great! We spent about an hr and a half with her going over all the details and questions I had. She has an iPad and a couple binders of all the options you have, everyone's lives would have been easier if us brides had access to this ahead of time! All the different gazebos, chairs, decorations - they have alot of options so if there's something you have in mind just ask!

TIPS

- ask for a quick rehearsal or you won't get one. Highly recommended!

- ask for an aisle runner if you do it in the garden, my heels kept sinking into the grass, making it really hard to walk

 

This is what I had to pay for once we met her:

 

$910 for the audio and lights (DJ not incl)

$200 for vendors fee - I used Sascha Gluck as my photographer, he's AMAZING!

$305 to upgrade the arch to a simple gazebo with draping

$46 for each long rectangular table - I used it as a head table, it would fit 8 comfortably, 10 was a bit tight

$7 for each standard round table - fits 8 comfortably

$150 for setup

$150 for table cloths

 

- The $150 setup fee is mandatory regardless of whether you bring your own decor or not. There's no fee to set up your own decorations

 

I brought my own bouquets, chair sashes and ceremony decor.

I recommend buying your chair sashes on eBay - I bought mine from lingsupplies with no issues. $65 for 100 organza sashes. When I met with Veronica she had the exact same ones - to rent is $4 each.

I gave my shepherds hooks and pomanders to Veronica and she knew exactly what to do with them and returned them to me a couple days later.

 

Setup - if you're facing the beach, the only green space between the rooms and the pool, on the left, is where the ceremony is setup. Directly opposite on the right is where the reception is setup.

 

Our ceremony was at 4PM and it was hot! I couldn't imagine doing it any earlier, my makeup would've melted off. It lasts for about 15-20 minutes. A semi-private cocktail hour was included, with no extra charge, between the ceremony and reception times at the theater. We took our couples and group shots until 6:30, reception was at 7:00. The half hour lag time was not bad but I think I would've changed the reception time to 6 or 6:30 because our guests were starving by 7.

 

- For parties less that 30 people, you can save a bit of money and do a semi private dinner at the Steakhouse or Mexican restaurants. The 2 seating times are 6:30-8:30 or 8:45-10:30. Sorry I don't have any prices for this.

 

- For parties more than 30 you have the option of doing a semi private dinner only at the second seating (8:45-10:30) or doing a private reception - on the beach, in the garden or at the convention center at the RIU Tequila.

 

I agree that it does get frustruating that they charge for every single little thing but when you end up comparing it to the cost of a wedding at home, you're still saving lots! All in all we spent about $10,000 for 75 people.

 

I can't think of much else but if you ladies have any questions feel free to ask!

Happy planning!!

 Hi!!

I am getting married at this resort 05/16/2015! I was wondering if you could send me what the upgraded gazebo looked like? Was the grassy area semi private? I don't mind people watching at all!! I just don't want people like standing beside my wedding party while we are getting married. How was the service and the hotel rooms? Did you make your own bouquets or did you buy them from somewhere before you left home? Did you do any other decorations other than the chair sashes during the ceremony? Do you know if you are allowed to make any type of speeches at the semi private dinner? Thank you!!!

[ASAtobe]

@@tt0414 can you send me the picture of the upgraded gazebo?

[Monalisa4u]

Does anyone have pictures they can share? I would like to see the upgraded Gazebo and the private beach reception since I can not find anything online.  Did anyone pay for a DJ or a dance floor on the beach?? Please help!!! Thanks =))))

[iryna10]

Hi ladies

 

I have booked my wedding at Riu Palace Mexico for December 2014 and I also did a site visit last year. I have lots of info and pictures unfortunately I can't post on the site, I would be more than happy to send it by email.

Little about what planing has been done and the issues I am having

We are planing on having 30 to 35 guests about 18 ppl have booked. In my previous post on page 3 I believe I have the total I was quoted for capris package and privet dinner with open bar (yes you do have to pay extra to have open bar, crazy) I would be more than happy to give breakdown if anyone is interested. Because we are having a privet reception we can have music and dancing so I am working with PSV (Dj services from Riu Palace) I was quoted $1300 but this includes the coast of illuminating the reception area (just Dj for 4 hrs =$645). Also because I am doing privet reception I need to pay for setup$150. It seems like I am getting charge for absolutely every move I make. It's little frustrating that the wedding package includes very little but still charging us over $2000. I know I should not complain about the price because we are having privet dinner.

 

I have lots more info so let me know ladies if you have questions.

[susie q]

@@iryna10 @@Monalisa4u and all of you!! I would love any information you have! We're planning on RPM 6/2015! shaworth81@@gmail.com or PM me. Thanks!!!

[britt9702]

Is anyone getting married on the beach? I heard its not private.  any worries?

 

where are the reception locations?

 

we stayed at the riu riviera maya on a vacation and it was great but i think the riu mexico is better for a wedding.  just trying to decide what makes sense. 

[VeroValdez]

@@kinsella2014 I am getting married in November at the RPRM and I have 40 people. What did you decide to do about your package and reception? I really want a beach reception but it is 70 per person versus the 22 or 44 per person at a restaturant.

[leeannes1]

Hi I'm getting married at ram July 2015 on the beach around 30 guests from the UK with Thomson all also staying at ram. Any tips on photos flowers extra prices basically anything to help would be great cheers leeanne

[leeannes1]

Sorry that's mentioned to say rpm and any advise would be grt

[susie q]

Anyone have pictures of RPM? I can't find any pictures, and I'm freaking out!! shaworth81@@gmail.com if anyone has any. Thanks!