1elephant

so it's $2k on top of the wedding package? is that included as part of the $ you're paying dazzling details?

Quote: Originally Posted by gowiththeflow OH and thanks everyone for the input regarding Fridays! I would love to try a wed or thurs, but I think most of our guests would only be coming for 5 nights, over the weekend, so I don't know how that would work. Plus the fiesta sounds like a lot of fun and I would like to go! Are Oceana or Seaside Grille rentable? I don't see anything on the wedding guide online.... they weren't when i was there....you probably only have the choices that they list.

Quote: Originally Posted by gowiththeflow Hi everyone! I have been on the Dreams Puerto Aventuras a bit, and reading this one as well. We have decided to have our wedding here. After a lot of back and forth with dates, it seems that there are no Saturdays left for April 2011. Has anyone had a Friday wedding? The only reason I am worried is because of the Mexican Fiesta that night. I think we would have our reception at las Palmas, by the pool. Is the fiesta close by? I did try to search the forum, but I did not see anything specific to this. Any ideas would be much appreciated! there was some other big party on the sat. night that we got married and i remember hearing the music in the background when we quieted down for toasts. we had a mic, so hearing the toasts was no problem. we also had a dj, so our music was loud enough for us. i'd just make sure your entertainment - if less than a dj - has plenty of speakers.

congrats on getting the interview! but keep in mind that that's all it is...an interview! it's not a job offer (yet), it's just a possibility. i'd focus on the test and getting that done and overwith. after the test, talk to your fi about the possibilities - not the "what would happens", but the "would you consider its". i know it's easier said than done, but focus on one step at a time. it'll fall into place.

i'll answer what i can... Quote: Originally Posted by allyson779 Karen...Your review was amazing!!! Thank you so much for all the info and pictures. Here comes some of my random questions for you (hope you don't mind and other past bride feel free to jump in....) For your private dinner at Portofino did you make reservations a head of time with Rebeca or with Portofino directly? Was it the same menu for dinner or was it a special menu? Bonfire... Did you have to pay extra for the waiter or was that included in the fee? (I think Rebeca told me like $250 or $300 for the bonfire) Ceremony.... was it really hard to walk on the sand/bamboo path? I am so worried I am going to fall on my face! Was it just a bamboo mat or was there something else underneath? Also did you use a microphone for your ceremony....I i was barefoot - wasn't going to take the chance of falling on my face. my dress just hit my toes and when i sunk into the sand, it was a tad too long, so keep the sinking in mind. there was a mat, and i don't remember if it was easy to walk on - i was too nervous! we did have a mic - at one point there was feedback and our minister compared the shock of it to a car crash at 70mph.... Cocktail Hour... OK so I am debating on even having the Mexican trio (even though it comes with the package)... How long did they play for- I think they said it comes with one set.. but how long is a set? Also did your cocktail hour last the whole hour or was it actually shorter... it was an hour - we were there for the last 2 minutes of it. though we didn't really hear it, we were told that the trio was fabulous - a great way to welcome people into the reception area. just think though - otherwise you need to provide an extra hour of music (either dj or ipod/cd) - if it comes w/ it, why not?! they played for an hour exactly. Excursions... did you book everything before hand or did you do it through the company that provided the transfers when you got there? Do you remember roughly how much the fishing trip was? we booked the canopy tour once we got there. dh went on a tequila tasting off roading tour - booked that there too. there are plenty of opportunities to book there; i don't believe booking beforehand will give you a big discount, but that might have changed.... Thanks again for all your help..... what would I do without the forum ... =)

Quote: Originally Posted by natalie0131 I know this is probably going to be taken the wrong way and you're going to be quick to chastise me, but I really don't understand why you always make remarks asking people to go back and read previous posts when someone comes to the forum asking for help. I thought the forum was supposed to be a place where people can converse and ask questions. Not just read. There are (currently) 105 pages to this site with countless years of advice/experiences. I read through it all when I was sick. It took hours. I think you'll agree with me that some of the information that was true/relevant 2+ years ago may not still be accurate, so going back to review posts may be helpful, but it doesn't mean that it will completely answer the question. If it bothers you so much that people keep asking questions about the same thing, then I question why you continue to be on the board 2+ years after you got married. If it's to help people, then you may want to change your approach. if you actually read the question that was posed, you'll see that Jen&Derek was looking for some pictures of set up. i'm pretty sure that unless you can go back in time, those haven't changed. there might not be 105 pages here if people actually read the thread rather than asking questions that have been answered several times. if you notice, i don't tell people to search for answers to questions that haven't been answered, or search for things that might have changed. i agree that many things have changed....however, if you've actually read through, you'll notice that the same questions are asked over and over - menu, decor, where to have the ceremony/reception - and those answers have remained the same. here is a link explaining reasons to search: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...edition-14777/ i could question your motives on this board as well...if you're not satisfied with my answers or this thread - which you're obviously not, as you've only posted on the entire board a total of three times in the 16 months you've been a member - one of which was wasted posting a snarky comment to me (and yet you've stated that this is a place to converse...?), then don't bother reading.

thanks girls!!! i'm due 12/21, so it could be christmas day!!! Quote: Originally Posted by Jen&Derek Hello Ladies~ I am planning on getting married at Dreams PV around May 2011. I wanted to reach and say hello to some of the other brides booking around the same time. To the past Dreams brides… did anyone use the photographer provided by the hotel? I am thinking of upgrading my wedding package and it is included; but I know must people hire their own. If so, can you please post a pic? Also, I am trying to decide the best location for the ceremony and reception. But since I have never been there it is hard to do!! Thank you to those that posted pics of the gazebo and beach set up. Does anyone have pics of the beach set up with decorations? Any suggestions for reception area? Thanks! my suggestion - as it always is - is to read this whole thread. click on the links in dreams pv brides' links to slideshows and pictures. do a google image search for dreams puerto vallarta wedding. there were a few pics floating around when i got married 2+ years ago - there are definitely TONS now.

Quote: Originally Posted by tlc9b I just joined this site and am getting married at Dreams, PV on May 21, 2011. I'm using Dazzling Details as my wedding coordinator and am trying to decide on a photographer. Does anyone have any suggestions? We don't necessarily need to keep it super cheap but don't want to spend an extraordinary amount either. Maybe somewhere in-between? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much! Tyler hi tyler- there are some great photographers on this website - use the search function to see all of the threads devoted to different photogs. i used rick collins, who flew in from vancouver. he's quite familiar with the area, and has since done my brother-in-laws wedding, and the opening ceremonies for the olympics in vancouver. check out my pics in the thread in my siggy. good luck! ETA: for some reason my slideshow isn't working unless you continue to click launch in this window over and over...may have something to do with the fact that it's 2 1/2 years old.....but you can also check out his website. just google him.

our ta had us upgraded. ask your ta if they could "help you out" with it....

try searching the forum. there are plenty of TAs on here and plenty of recommendations. there's even a whole section devoted to travel. Travel Forum - Best Destination Wedding Forum ~ The Ultimate Destination Wedding Resource

ugh - while i LOVE those pictures and love every picture that rick (the photog) takes, that was NOT my rehearsal dinner dress. i ate and drank too much the 3 days before to fit into my dress! i want to kick myself every time i see them. anywho, our rehearsal dinner was at barcelona tapas, and the pics were taken on the surrounding streets. rick knew the area and then went scouting earlier that day. i wish i had more details for you, but unfortunately, i left it all in his hands.

Quote: Originally Posted by tiffaneyh Karen, I love your first aid kits! They are so cute. Where did you find them? What else are people putting in OOT bags? Are there any places/websites people have found fun things to put in there without making them too expensive? Thanks Tiffaney tiffaney- you can find the answers to your questions here: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...e-items-28059/ questions like this have been answered SO many times. there's a search button on the top right that can help you find answers to almost every question you have! Quote: Originally Posted by PVBride2010 So I think I finally decided on the flavor of our wedding cake. I really love tres leches cake BUT I am a little nervous because I don't know what to expect on how good it is at the hotel. I read some reviews on this thread about dessert in general & everyone says that it is not their strong area! Any advice? Just order what I like or play it safe with a white, chocolate cake? i thought the tres leches was the best dessert we had there - much better than the chocolate. idk what dreams' policy is about bringing in food now, but you could see if it's possible to order from a local bakery...plus people won't remember your wedding cake, they'll remember everything else. BTW - menu choices have also been discussed at length WITHIN this thread!!! while it's lengthy, it's an invaluable resource. try reading the whole thread rather than ask the same questions over and over and over - you're likely to get more answers that way. you could also try reading reviews from brides; usually they include menu reviews as well.

idk where you can find them, but you can be sure that they'll certainly melt quickly....

we had 2 kids at my wedding and they wound up going to bed 1/2 way through anyway. i put out coloring books and some toys for them and they kept themselves entertained while they were there. i don't think it's fair to ask people to come for a family vacation and then get a stranger to watch the kids. lots of people here have had some good suggestions.

we strongly urged our guests to stay at our hotel too. basically, we told them that they'd have to arrange transportation and pay for the guest pass, and that it would be a pain in the neck. everyone stayed with us.

Quote: Originally Posted by JenDen Hello Ladies! I am getting Married at DREAMS PV on 11.22.10 Quick question, does anyone have any recommendations or comments about the food choices? Not only for reception dinner but also for cocktail hour? Any input would be GREAT!! Thanks jen- congrats! definitely go through this thread and the dreams pv review threads to find out about food. it's been covered extensively.

have you tried looking at reviews? those are full of insight.

we had about 1/3, but we would have had more if we didn't go to pv. you may want to pose this question in the general forum for more responses.

i noticed that many people have looked at this thread, but no one has responded. have you read any of the dreams threads? i'm sure your question is answered elsewhere - i know i've answered it before. try searching.

Quote: Originally Posted by KarenM Hey girls. Got a sound/music question for Autumn, Jill, Jamie, Kimber, Lauren or anyone who had their ceremony at Dreams so if any of you have any insights you could share I'd appreciate it. Did you have music played for the ceremony (processional, recessional) and if so did you hire a DJ to play it or use your own sound system (ipod, etc)? We're getting married on the beach & it costs $100 to hire their DJ for the ceremony. Our ceremony is probably going to be less than 1/2 hour long so I really don't think it's worth the extra cost, but I'm worried that bringing our own ipod & speakers may not be loud enough for either the guests or me to hear (like knowing when to walk down the aisle). Did any of you run into this? If you brought your own system was it loud enough? And who manned the ipod? How did you know when to start walking down the aisle? Just wondering if it's too much of a pain to coordinate and whether I should just suck it up & pay the 100 bucks. Thanks chicas! i think our set up might have been part of the package. we didn't care what we walked down to, but gave gaby a cd of 'tie the knot' by digital underground for when we walked back out. they just set up their own speakers. it was plenty loud enough. there was actually feedback during the ceremony and that was SOOO loud.

they pulled this right after my wedding too. idk if they'll stick with it this time but there were plenty of rumors flying and lots of people threatening to cancel their weddings....hope it works out for all of you.

i suggest searching the pv threads. many people have talked about this in numerous threads.

i paid $50 or $55 too - i was going to say that $35 must be for the cocktail hour. it stated this in the "extras" portion of the wedding pdf (or .doc?) that was sent to me years ago. i know it's been updated, but it's still probably included on there.

i had about 1/2 in each.

dh gained about 15lbs recently and i told him flat out - but only because we've ALWAYS said that neither one of us wants to be fat (or look like our parents) or have health problems. it took awhile for him to believe that he had started gaining weight, but once his pants stopped fitting, it hit him. once he realized, he stopped wanted sex b/c he didn't like the way he looked. that being said, i would NEVER tell him that i wasn't attracted to him because regardless of his size, that would make him feel like poop. i'd go at it from the health standpoint.