Helen_S81

Oh my goodness so much going on. I will send positive thoughts your way.

Happy one year anniversary Julie and Curt!

Quote: Originally Posted by CaraW Why would there be different colored wrist bands for the different sides of the resort? And why would they be stopping someone who was from a different side? Do you not have access to the whole resort if you stay there? Sorry for the questions, I just don't quite understand. thanks for all the new links, info, and pictures Helen and Shannon!! Quote: Originally Posted by dreamstbride does anyone know if Barcelo has a nightclub? Quote: Originally Posted by Shannond4156 Yes they do have a nightclub. I heard it is closed on Wednesdays, but not for sure on that. The different color wristbands are for the different resorts. Since you are at the Palace you have access to all of the resorts (five in total including the Palace). Those staying at other resorts can not come to the Palace and use the facilities. There is also an option to upgrade your wristband to VIP or Club Premium. From what I have read the value of doing this is the free internet. It also says you get premium liquor, but from reading reviews it looks like that is included for everyone staying at the Palace. Hope this helps! If you book to stay at the Caribe/Beach side you can only use the facilities on that side. If you book to stay at the Tropical/Colonial you can use the facilities there plus the ones at the Caribe/Beach side. Booking to stay at the Palace entitles you to use the facilities anywhere on the resort. Since I have only heard those of you who were booked at Dreams Tulum being transfered to the Palace it shouldn't be an issue. I've been in the nightclub which is over on the Colonial side. We went there two nights (I can't remember which two) but we didn't stay too long the second time. The resort had a lot of Italian guests when we were there and they were playing mostly European dance music. I guess they change the music to suit the crowd and we were definately the minority The first night we went we had a good time there as well as when we visited the resort before.

I posted this in the Dreams Tulum Closure thread but thought I would duplicate it here. MOD's feel free to delete or move if it's not appropriate. I recently (October 3-10, 200 visited the Barcelo Maya Palace. I really loved the place, but I wasn't there for a wedding and wasn't looking at anything specifically with a wedding in mind. We've been there, done that already this year and so this was a vacation just for the two of us. I feel really guilty saying that. . . I'm sorry girls. You do have to wear a wristband and there are different colours for the different sides of the resort. We did see a guard on the pathway to the palace stopping guests who were from another side of the resort. We did drink premium alcohol at all bars all over the whole resort, but not all bars had what we wanted. If they didn't we just moved to another one or drank something else. e.g. my husband wanted 10 year old port and went to three different bars to find it but once he did I think he drank the whole bottle. Our wristbands were checked when we ordered premium alcohol at the bars on the Tropical/Colonial side. We had unlimited al a carte reservations, but I don't know if it is always like that, because it was not busy, or because we were with Transat Holidays Prestiege Class. I loved the al a carte restaurants at the Palace. We've been to the resort before but stayed at the Tropical/Colonial side. The Palace is definately a class above the other sides. The decor is amazing. All the rooms are junior suites or above. I would reiterate that the best place for information on the Barcelo is UNOFFICIAL BARCELO MAYA | Your unofficial guide to Beach | Caribe | Tropical | Colonial | Palace and sign up for the forum Unofficial Unofficial Barcelo Maya - Index For pictures I would say the best collection of pictures on the palace are this persons here Picasa Web Albums - Jasper he has them divided up into the different areas of the Palace. I do have some pictures, from 2007 of the chapel which is on the Colonial side (it might be the Tropical) and they are here: IMG_1081 pictures from entertainment photos on webshots IMG_1082 pictures from entertainment photos on webshots IMG_1083 pictures from entertainment photos on webshots I hope that helps someone.

I recently (October 3-10, 200 visited the Barcelo Maya Palace. I really loved the place, but I wasn't there for a wedding and wasn't looking at anything specifically with a wedding in mind. We've been there, done that already this year and so this was a vacation just for the two of us. I feel really guilty saying that. . . I'm sorry girls. You do have to wear a wristband and there are different colours for the different sides of the resort. We did see a guard on the pathway to the palace stopping guests who were from another side of the resort. We did drink premium alcohol at all bars all over the whole resort, but not all bars had what we wanted. If they didn't we just moved to another one or drank something else. e.g. my husband wanted 10 year old port and went to three different bars to find it but once he did I think he drank the whole bottle. Our wristbands were checked when we ordered premium alcohol at the bars on the Tropical/Colonial side. We had unlimited al a carte reservations, but I don't know if it is always like that, because it was not busy, or because we were with Transat Holidays Prestiege Class. I loved the al a carte restaurants at the Palace. We've been to the resort before but stayed at the Tropical/Colonial side. The Palace is definately a class above the other sides. The decor is amazing. All the rooms are junior suites or above. I would reiterate that the best place for information on the Barcelo is UNOFFICIAL BARCELO MAYA | Your unofficial guide to Beach | Caribe | Tropical | Colonial | Palace and sign up for the forum Unofficial Barcelo Maya - Index. For pictures I would say the best collection of pictures on the palace are this persons here Picasa Web Albums - Jasper - he has them divided up into the different areas of the Palace. I do have some pictures, from 2007 of the chapel which is on the Colonial side (it might be the Tropical) and they are here: IMG_1081 pictures from entertainment photos on webshots IMG_1082 pictures from entertainment photos on webshots IMG_1083 pictures from entertainment photos on webshots I hope that helps someone.

Absolutely fabulous! So much emotion and so much fun

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride Thank you!!! Also, thank you for the tip - but I'm moving to Kitchener in 3 weeks (YAY!!) and will only be able to go for a fitting on the weekend! But I'm not going until the middle of December & they said they are really slow then, so it shoudn't be too bad! And I will also not allow them to loose their focus on me...I'm the bride afterall!!! I'm sure things will be slow in December and you'll be ok. Good luck with the move!

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride Thanks everyone!! Amarillis, No...it's Bea Shawn in Brampton. A small little boutique...they include alterations in their price!!! Bonus!!! I thought I recognized it My daughter's bridesmaids dresses came from there. They also altered my dress for me, even though I bought it elsewhere, and only charged me $10. The only advice I would have for you is that when you go in to be fitted for the alterations go in when the store is not busy. Like the morning of a weekday. Don't go on a Saturday when the place is packed and they don't spend as much time with you. Your dress is lovely!

The dress looks great Carly! Love the hair too

I have a Kenmore sewing machine from Sears that was around $200. I looked at fancier ones but really when I thought about it all I was going to be doing was straight stitching, zig-zag, and buttonholes so I opted to not get a computerized one with embroidery stitching. I only sew once in a while these days, Halloween costumes or shortening pants so it really doesn't get much use.

I think it depends on the designer. My daughter's bridesmaids ordered from the Alfred Angelo line. Four of the girls ordered from a store close to my house, and the fifth ordered her dress from her local store, about 3 hours away from here. They all matched perfectly. Do you know the designer?

Everything looks terrific! It's so organized and coordinated. Great job. Enjoy your wedding trip and congratulations.

You look great! Your dress, makeup, flowers, everything looks perfect! Great pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving! Yesterday we went to my daughters and son in laws new place and they cooked turkey dinner for us all. My younger daughter's b/f made squash soup. My younger daughter made sweet potato cheesecake with honey walnut crust (recipe is in Food & Drink, Autumn 2008 available free at the LCBO). I picked up an ice-cream cake. I feel stuffed thinking about all we ate yesterday I'm so thankful for my family!

Congratulations Erica and Donnie! Wishing you both all the best!

Quote: Originally Posted by Tiffiney01 Wow Helen Thank you so much your review was very helpful.. Everyone looked wonderful. One question how long did the ceremony and reception last? It's kind of hard to remember because I wasn't wearing a watch so all times are approximate I would say the ceremony was 1/2 hour at the most. That would include the time spent signing the documents. Then we did photos with the resort photographer for about another 1/2 hour. We were all very hot and had some time to kill so we all went and sat in the lobby bar and waited for the reception dinner to start. I think we were in the bar for a couple of hours? The reception dinner was at the Flamingo restaurant by the beach. It was about 2.5 hours/3 hours with speeches. I actually do have video of the wedding done by the resort but I don't know how to post it to the internet. Then we had rented the pool bar for some dancing and drinks. I think we went there around 8:30/9pm? We didn't stay there long. We were all very hot and tired. We used an iPOD with a portable speaker system for the music (Altec speaker system maybe?). Let me know if you need more information.

Welcome to the forum Tiffiney. My daughter got married at the Riu Vallarta in May of 2008 and you can read my review here http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t21027 If you have any specific questions ask away and I might be able to help you out, or one of the other girls who plan to get married there may be able to help.

Congratulations Yari and Brian on your wedding day! Best wishes!

Congratulations Mel and Jared on your one year anniversary!

Congratulations! I too love the shoes I wish you well with your trip to Mexico!

Everything looks great! Wishing you all the best for your wedding next week

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride REALLY?? I go to South Fletchers in Brampton, but I just started the Monday night class!!! Too funny!!! What time is the Sunday morning class?? I didn't realize I had a third time slot option!! I go to Loafers Lake. I've been a member there since 1992. You can go to any facility in the city with your membership. The Sunday morning Zumba class is 9:30am. Let me know if you plan to make the trek and we can say hi

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride Are there any rec centers near you?? Try searching in the yellow pages for Zumba in your area. Wow...I'm starting to sound like a real pusher!! LOL But is just so fun! I see you are from the GTA and go to a rec centre. Just wondering if we're going to the same class and don't even know. I go to a rec centre in Brampton, Thursday evening and Sunday morning are the Zumba classes.

Quote: Originally Posted by trisha0612 Sorry I'm venting I'm just extrememly stressed out and frustrated! You have every right to be! I can't imagine how stressful this must be for all involved. Thank goodness you have Tammy working with you!

I have bought those rings at Walmart before. I'm pretty sure they were $1 here in Canada. Have you checked to see if local stores have them?