SarahMc

I did the first one only, like Kate, and have to agree it wasn't much of a workout. I wasn't sore and no sweating, but maybe the ones after are more of a workout then the first. It was pretty instructional, definitely didn't keep my heart rate up. But it was fun and gives you some new moves )

Dreams Cabo, June 28, 2007

Boo hoo - last week in June is my wedding. If you end up doing in the fall let me know, but don't change the date because of me. I might be interested, would have to think about it. I don't know what James would do with something like that.

Hi Kassia! I'm a dreams bride too and have been there. If you can do a room block and get a site visit, I highly recommend it. It puts a lot of stuff in perspective. 1) Do you have to sign some sort of contract at Dreams to save your date? Yesica said we're all set for December 20th, but then I get no response when I ask how to sign a contract or put down a deposit. Do you have to have your deposit in, and will my date be reserved with out these things?? It makes me worried! Everyone has pretty much answered this, but I did my date when I did my room block. I never got a contract from Dreams, but it was in my contract with my TA, although it did say I had to book everything with them. Even though I never got an official contract with Dreams, they were very organized when I went down there (had a folder with our names on it, the date and all the info). As long as you've got it on e-mail, I wouldn't worry to much. 2) I'm totally busy with school and have SOOO little time for planning. I have no idea what to even think about decorations at Dreams, menu's, site locations for a ceremony or dinner, and what to do in Cabo. Does any one have any quick responses on this?? We're having a small wedding on the beach followed by a cocktail hour on the beach, then a reception at Oceana (thanks again Nicole!). We're a really small wedding (about 20) and so they won't close off locations for us (like cascade) so Oceana was really the only place we could have a private reception. Also, because we're so small, we can't do the buffet (I think they want 40 or more). For decorations we're not doing too much - I'm bringing some candles down for the table, renting chair ties and that's about it. Dreams is really beautiful and you don't need to add anything really. The coordinators can e-mail you pics of everything you can rent from them (it might take a while, but you'll get it ) 3) We have Juan Carlos Tapia booked for the date, a travel agent to arrange flights/reservations for guests, and I have ordered my dress. That's about it! Is there anything major I'm missing?? I think everyone else covered it...your save the dates are important - the number of people coming will help you decide a lot. Oh, and passports after reading some of the other threads. I took tons of pics when I was there too, if you want more )

When I was down there Mariana gave me some paperwork that said they were $2.50 each and here's a picture she sent me of what they look like:

Thanks Nicole! We just want the speakers for the iPod, I think we might just end up bringing them down instead. I don't want to have to deal with arguing over prices. Definitely agree - everything in writing! I've learned that lesson )

Wow, if it's per hour I think we'll definitely just bring our own speakers for the iPod. I'll have to ask her about that. Thanks!

Tammy, I love the cake..the cupcakes are cute, but so different from what you've been looking at...go with the cake!

I e-mailed Mariana about the speaker system at Dreams that she has available for rent. For the reception, we're just planning on plugging in an iPOd and I was thinking if there was something already there for rent, it would be easier to just do that then to lug speakers down with us. So, I asked her how much it would be and if it would work with an iPod. She said $145 (which isn't bad) and it comes with speakers and a plug. Has anyone used/seen the system down there? Will the "plug" work with an iPod? We only have around 20 people, so don't need a really powerful system, but I don't want to get down there and find out it won't work with the iPod we're bringing. Thanks for any advice!

Forgot to say don't bother with the bottled water in the OOT bags...it's easy to get all over the resort.

Glenda, you might ask Dreams if they can do cupcakes for you instead of cake. I'm having them do my cake because it will be much cheaper (we're small so we'll only end up spending about $50 for the cake for the 8 or so people over the 10 limit). I don't remember how big your wedding is, so it might be cheaper to have Dreams do them. When I was talking to Mariana, she told me to e-mail pictures of what I wanted and she'd see if they can do it, so you never know, maybe they can do cupcakes too!

I was just down there and got different menus from Mariana. My wedding is also to small to qualify for the buffet. All the a la carte items were listed by course and you pick one from each course. Mariana also said you can do a combo of the main entree - like beef and fish. She might be able to e-mail you the current menus. Our scanner doesn't work to well or I'd scan them in for you.

Thanks for all the advice. I went with #2 - just felt like much more of a bride in it and it's the only chance I'll ever get to wear a dress like this!

James is getting a Tungsten Carbide ring - $328. He's a mechanic and works a lot with his hands so he won't wear it much. He liked the one's with platinum at first, but they were really expensive and this one looks almost the same, since he won't wear it very often he decided this is the one he wants.

We're doing a legal wedding at Dreams, but in Cabo. From what I understand, the price doesn't change whether or not you have a legal ceremony or not (we're actually on a free package, but you can upgrade). I don't know if all the Dreams resorts are the same or not. Maybe since your pastor would be coming you could negotiate something if they don't need to provide an officiante (sp). From what I've heard all civil (legal) ceremonies are performed in Spanish with a translator.

Wow, that is a really beautiful beach. Did Juan say if it was usually busy there? It does look like a great place for your trash the dress session.

So, I went back this afternoon to try on the first dress - TammyM here's a picture, I know you love them and sorry I didn't have them before: We'd shorten it to just below the knee, but a bride has the right to change her mind right? I had tried this one on on my first visit and kind of dismissed it because I didn't think it was right and I'd never hear the end of it from my mom, but I tried it on again today and she said that's the one, so did my best friend and I totally felt like a bride in it: I still love the first one and was debating on getting two dresses, since it is so cheap, then I'd have a dress for the reception if I wanted to change. I love the dress I have now and it's in my mom's closet waiting for alterations, so no need to freak out about if it will be here in time. Thank you guys for all your advice!

thanks for the feedback...my gut says #2, but my budget gut says #1...I'm going back to try on #1 again this afternoon with my mom and best friend. Hopefully that will help. Has anyone used House of Brides...I saw the negative stuff on them, but couldn't find if anyone had actually used them. They were really nice and attentive on the phone.

I've narrowed it down to two, but can't decide. I want a really casual, beachy dress. I'm not a girly girl (although for some strange reason really liked it when they put a tiara on my head). Dress #1 This is a bridesmaid dress from David's Bridal. I'm really comfortable in it and it's only $130 and available in six weeks. It's very light and definitely won't be too hot. I'm not sure about doing the short dress thing though. Of course, am not as skinny or tall as the model either. Dress #2 This one's a Watters Dress and was the one I've liked all along. I tried it on today (a size too small) and still like it. I would need to get it rush to get it by May. Locally, I would have to pay $750 for it rush (my budget is $600) plus alterations, but House of Brides can get it to me for $429, RK for $400 (although they weren't very friendly on the phone and I really wanted a guarantee of delivery time). I've also contacted netbride.com and am waiting for a price quote. My fear with this one is the online ordering thing. I know Jessalyn and Janet both ordered online (found your links to RK and netbride on earlier posts - thanks!). I'm going to need alterations though, so will be close to my budget. What should I do? How do you decide? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hope this helps - The rate you get depends on when you book and what's available at that time. Our rate when we did our room block was cheaper than what we could find elsewhere at that time. We just did our rooms, not the air (a lot of people are flying on mileage plans). Our TA did do transfers for us from the airport though. We have guests that are staying seven nights all the way down to two nights. Our room block consisted of a certain number of seven day stays and a certain number of 4 day stays. Based on availability, people could change the dates we had chosen for the room block. All the upgrades and benes we get were listed in our contract for the room block. Almost all of them are based on availability, so there's no guarantee, but I can tell you from having visited Dreams and working with the wedding coordinator, that they seem to do everything they can to make you happy. Probably the best perk of doing the room block was that we got two free nights to do a site visit. As for what to do next, I'd contact a TA (or Dreams) to set up your room block so that you can lock in a room rate and make sure there's availability for the number of rooms you think you will be needing.

Wow, your way more organized than I was when I started. I didn't ask many questions, especially about experience. Most of your questions in section B will be answered by the contract. I used Tammy (the host) and I guess the biggest reassurance for me in choosing to work with her was that she got married at the same resort I'm getting married at.

I think some of the other girls have mentioned tipping in their reviews, so they'll probably have much better advice. I plan on tipping all my vendors if they do a great job!

I have this issue too - my fiance doesn't care, but I want the "administrative" stuff to be easier like Natasha said. I also have the problem of being known professionally with my maiden name. I'm thinking of doing exactly what Rebecca said and use my maiden name as a "middle" name. I agree with the hyphenated names being a little too much (no offense to anyone who's done this) - you might not be able to fit your name in some forms if it gets too long! Maybe he'd take your last name since his doesn't mean anything to him? Then you could keep yours but still have the same last name )

I'm going to do the reception at Oceana. It's so pretty and I think it will be easier for people than being on the beach. Yes, the site visit makes a huge difference!

I've had some of the same issues, but with my mother, not my future in-laws. I'm going with the ignore approach - its our day, not hers, so we're going to do what we want, whether she likes it or not. I think that's okay, because we are paying for almost everything, not them. If she was paying for more stuff, I'd feel like I had to listen to her. I have to say she has gotten better after she's seen how some things will work out, and taking her on a site visit with me made things clearer for her. I guess my advice would be to pick your battles, only bring up stuff with them that is important for them to know about and ignore the rest (if you can).