Dreams Riviera Cancun - Brides post here (new thread)

I am very new to this site and slowly learning how to use it...

Although a little information to share and seeking some information.

I made my save the dates as I am getting married in February 2011 and took an option from the boarding pass save the dates. They were super east to make - if anyone would like my documents I would be happy to share.

I read about the barefoot sandals and I want to let you know that i have a friend who makes the beaded jewelry - I am sure you all know someone that does this. i sent her a picture link the the jewelry and she is making 6 pairs for me for $30.00 which the website to buy they are asking anywhere from $30-$60 a pair. She already did one pair for me to check out and they look identical to the ones of pictures on the website - might help you to save some money.

Seeking Advice - Most of Guests are arriving on Sat - Some on Wednesday our wedding is on Thursday - what would you suggest for a welcome party? Does Ana Plan this or is this something we do on our own? Could we just say meet at the Desires Bar at 6:00 or meet on the pool deck at a certain time being an all-inclusive resort - it seems like you should be able to say that and mingle and get drinks without really having a set plan or schedule - please give me your thoughts. Also should we be having a set rehearsal dinner or is that not really needed. we are having about 60 people and my finance and I though we would just shedules different meals with different guests? Please give me your thoughts.

Also i would greatly appreicate it if someone who has been married would tell me what they paid for in total. for the wedding at the resort - not the vacation stay just the wedding necessities between the wedding package and extras you paid for. I know the price of the largest package although I am sure there are extras and would like to get an idea of what? I know per person for the cocktail and dinner party for over 20 people with the ultimate package is $78.00 per person. Do they charge for a cocktail/welcome dinner? Table decorations?

Any help is greatly appreciated

Smiles

tara

tsgnatko -

For the welcome party you can certainly have Ana help you plan a private function - and you will pay per person for food/drinks...you could do a buffet or just apps if you wanted to keep the cost down.

While I was there I saw plenty of people just meet up at certain locations. If you just want cocktails - meeting at Desires when it opens is a great idea - I'd suggest taking over the terrace, it's really nice and comfy. You could also have people meet at the lobby bar - rendezvous - there is a TON of seating and the bartenders are awesome there (as well as in desires). There is no food served at Desires or in the lobby - all the food is in the restaurants. Both desires and the lobby are super close to the restaurants as well.

Hey ladies - I finally loaded my pictures into Photobucket - sorry it's so long. I had 70 pictures but I tried to only include pictures that would be revelent to all of you. No need to see my fiance making stupid faces haha.

Site Visit Pictures:

Lobby:

Rendezvous Bar:

Explorer’s Club:

IMG]http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/lilly129/Site%20Visit%20Pictures/P1000696.jpg[/img]

Backup Location:

Desire’s Terrace:

Room Buildings:

Continued:

Beach Pictures:

Vow Renewal Set Up (Time was approximately 6pm – beach was pretty empty)

Pools and Pool Deck:

Spa (Off to the left when walking out of the Lobby towards the beach)

Sorry I didn’t get a picture of the bridal suite – but it was very nice – fiancé refused to go into the room and he hijacked the camera.

Location of the Preferred Club Lounge & Across the walkway the jewelry store, photographers and Coco’s Café:

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A couple things I should metion:

As far as privacy for a beach ceremony goes - the arch is located on the side of the beach near the watersports equipment - not by the bar. We went down at 5:30 (when our ceremony is schedule for) and the beach was mostly empty - the infinity pool had a few people peering over the edge to watch the wedding set up - but the staff had just removed a significant portion of the chairs and stacked them up in a corner so unless you wanted to sit in the sand or stand there for a while - you really couldn't get close to the action or be disruptive.

There was a vow renewal party on the beach on saturday night and the entertainment staff had I guess planned for a live band to start playingon the beach for the guests at 9pm...we got there at 9:45 and I was thinking "if that was my reception on the other side of the beach and they had a band blasting away over here I'd lose my mind" and next thing we know the entertainment staff is making an announcement that the band won't be playing another song and they're moving the party to desires lounge. I assume someone from the vow renewal party complained about the noise but my advice is that when you meet with Ana make it very clear that if the entertainment staff has something planned for saturday night it can't be on the beach during your reception...