SunBride

Now in 6th place! Man, I so wish the American ladies could vote because then I could blow everyone else out of the water

aw, thanks for adding it to your siggy. I should do the same! I have been pushing my family and friends. I sent out a mass email. I even told people if they were too lazy to go back every day to vote that they should sign up with an easy password (like their first name) and that I would go back everyday and sign in to vote on their behalf. I've only had 2 people send me their password. I haven't been pushing my co-workers too much as I don't want to do anything inappropriate (i.e. send it to my whole department), but I do have 2 co-workers voting everyday. I wouldn't bother voting with 2 different accounts, unless you can put one as your husband's name and one as your name or something like that.

Quote: Originally Posted by amy706 BEACH BONFIRE- Grade: B That reminds me - we arranged for a bonfire with Landy for after the boat. She recommended we do it at 9pm b/c before that they were playing a movie. It worked- we just paid $50 cash for it. i gave that to landy during our meeting. Well come 9:15, i saw no flames on the beach. So i had to ask one of the staff to call Landy and they did and she came down and had someone light it up for us and set chairs around it. It was pretty mellow at that point but it was nice. They didn't leave any extra wood so once it burned down it was pretty much done. This was the night b4 the wedding though so i was fine with going to bed early! What was teh 50$ for? Just a set-up fee? Then you would have had to pay extra for snacks If 50$ was for the set-up, they definitely should have left you a few extra pieces of wood!

Congratulations and wonderful review! Everything looked great. I can't wait to see your pro pics.

Quote: Originally Posted by rachelannmartin Hi Ladies, Thought I'd share...something similar to Stephanie's idea with the beach gazebo. We're going to do this with the multicoloured tulle (orange, dark turquoise and magenta) along the sides of the gazebo + a hanging curtain of magenta orchids on the back (similar to Monika's back in June). Do you think that would be too busy and bright? Yes, that's a really nice set-up. I would wonder though how they hold the tulle down on the bottom. They would need to have some sort of weights.

New day, new vote! Yay for reading the top ten! The person in first place is getting approx 50 votes a day since I joined a few days ago! The person in 2nd place is getting almost as many I think. I am getting only like 10 votes a day. I'm hoping the people in 1st and 2nd place are cheating so that I have a chance! (sorry if that's somebody from BDW!!!) It would be easy to cheat as I could great 20 different hotmail accounts and vote from all of them. They specifically say each person can only vote using one account. Hopefully they can discover the cheaters if there are some. It's just too easy! I mean somebody can just use a bunch of fake names with those hotmail accounts so that it would be almost impossible to find out they are cheating (unless you try contacting each voter!)

Awesome review! You have to post more wedding and TTD pics when you have the chance. Post photos from t he resort photographer, preferably the good and the bad so people can see why you were unhappy, we get so many questions about the resort photographer. I think it's good that you were negative about some aspects, it's good for people to get varied opinions from different reviewers. I know I posted that I wasn't all that happy with the florist. Sure it was nice that Landy set up an msn conversation for us to talk and the florist was sending pictures, but it was still a frustrating experience. The florist should put together a huge album of photos for Landy to have a show brides. The fact that she said before hand that she could do your centerpieces, and only at the last minute said she didn't recommend it sucks! That should have come out earlier! Also for the videographer, again I think it's good that your review pointed out you were totally happy, most other brides have been happy. So maybe this gives a more balanced view. Maybe the ones who were happy didn't have as high expectations, or maybe it's just that different people want different things. It's definitely unfair that your wedding ended up costing more due to lack of communication beforehand. We try to wait as much as possible till we get there to deal with details, since that is what they want us to do, but you need to know in advance how much stuff costs! Anyways, great review and happy to hear that overall you were happy and things went well! Oh yeah, and I love how the material looks at the seaside grill!

It's a new day, time for you to vote again I'm starting to think my chances aren't good. There are 2 people way ahead, and a few others with about 100 votes. But I bet by tomorrow I will be in the top 10.

that second photo is awesome! I wished you lived close to me so you could take pictures of my pup!

I was also worried about a long train being too heavy and a PITA on the beach so I had it shortened to like a 1-2 foot long train and I really liked that. Was just enough to drag a little when I walked down the aisle and also to take some cute pictures from the back (i.e. flowers on the train, etc) I personally am not a big fan of bustles, but it's totally up to you whether you like the look or not! Some dresses look more natural bustled than others.

I bought an off the rack dress for 25% off (regular 1000$, sale 750$). that was the advertised special for sample dresses in the store. Then, while showing a pic online to a friend, I saw the dress for cheaper on bestbridalprices.com, so I brought the print out in the store and managed to negotiate the price down to 600$.

Thanks! You can go back every day to vote. Subsequent visits will be much faster since you are already registered. Every time you vote you get a chance to win a trip. Vote for somebody in each of the 5 categories so that you get 5 chances a day!

Quote: Originally Posted by can't wait! Amy, so glad to hear from you! I've been thinking about you all weekend. Ladies, I'm currently working on my review. Be prepared it's sooo long! As my DH said, "wow, that's comprehensive". I loved my wedding and had soooo much fun! But there definitely were some hiccups that pissed the hell out of me. As my Mom says, none of the guests noticed it so I shouldn't have worried. BUT I NOTICED IT, and after working months on the details, I was dissappointed they didn't work out as planned. Still, no worries. It will all come together for you. I promise to get the review up either today or no later than tomorrow. In this "post-closure" period a good long review is exactly what the future brides need! I look forward to reading it and I know it will be greatly appreciated by everyone.

Thanks ladies! Keep the votes coming!

Quote: Originally Posted by rachelannmartin Stephanie, done and done!! Entered the contest and have passed along the info to MY friends and family...FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU'VE DONE FOR US!!! *fingers crossed* Wow! Thanks so much! I really need all the help I can get Most people don't have any votes and there are 2 people who have like 400 votes and 200 votes, so I will probably have a tough time beating them, I need all the help I can get. I don't want to annoy people by having our DT thread to get sidetracked by this, so check out this thread and if you want to post a response you can do it here: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...392#post625081

Hello fellow Canadians, I need your help to win a free trip. Sunquest has a photo contest right now. There are 5 categories and the person with the most votes in each category wins. Also you have a chance of winning a prize by voting. I've entered a photo in the wedding category (obviously!). The best part is the prize is a trip to Negril Jamaica, which is exactly where we wanted to go for our honeymoon / one year anniversary. Here are the details: YourQuest.ca Photo Contest - Share your love in a photo it could win you a destination wedding with RIU & Sunquest (if you don't see pictures in the middle of the screen, you don't have adobe flash player installed) in the box "Search by nickname": enter Sunbride. Then click "vote now" In small text there is a link "Do not have an account yet? Click here to register now!" You are allowed to vote every day between now and January 31st! Once you have registered, on following visits all you have to do is enter your email address and password so it's much faster on subsequent visits. ***only Canadians are eligible to enter and vote WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU ? ? ? Every time you vote, you are also entered for a chance to win a free all inclusive trip for two! Since we know we need lots of help from you guys, my family and friends to win, my husband and I have committed to making a 500$ donation to a charity of our choice if we win. So hopefully that helps give people some motivation to vote! Thanks is advance ladies!!!!

Hi ladies, ***NOTE: only valid for the Canadian ladies*** I could really use your help. Maybe this is a way for you to pay me back for my hard work on this thread (yes, I know that sounds like gentle blackmail!) I just entered this contest YourQuest.ca Photo Contest - Share your love in a photo it could win you a destination wedding with RIU & Sunquest and the person who gets the most votes in each category (I entered the wedding category) will win an all-inclusive trip for 2 to Jamaica!!! I really think I have a good chance of winning if I can get some of you going to vote as well as my family and friends. To vote for us, go to this website YourQuest.ca Photo Contest - Share your love in a photo it could win you a destination wedding with RIU & Sunquest (if you don't see pictures in the middle of the screen, you don't have adobe flash player installed) in the box "Search by nickname": enter Sunbride. Then click "vote now" In small text there is a link "Do not have an account yet? Click here to register now!" You are allowed to vote every day between now and January 31st! Once you have registered, on following visits all you have to do is enter your email address and password so it's much faster on subsequent visits. WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU ? ? ? Every time you vote, you are also entered for a chance to win a free all inclusive trip for two! Since we know we need lots of help from family and friends to win, my husband and I have committed to making a 500$ donation to a charity of our choice if we win. So hopefully that helps give people some motivation to vote! Thanks is advance ladies!!!!

I would say 2 hours, approx 1 for the ruins and 1 for the beach. Also, if you get there right as it opens, you only have 2 hours before the place gets crazy busy with tourists. So 2 hours works out perfect for both those reasons. If you are counting the travel time (5 minutes drive each way, plus 10 minute walk from the road gate to the entrance gate, or you can wait for the little ruins shuttle rather than walk) then maybe book for 2.5 hours

That's wonderful news Amy! Can't wait to see your pics Quote: Originally Posted by Blkatz FYI-I was watching the travel channel a few weeks ago and they actually rated Tulum as one of the best beaches Yes, the Tulum area is one of the few areas in the Mayan Riviera that has an amazing beach. But the amazing beach is not at Dreams Tulum (which is actually a few kilometers outside of Tulum). The amazing beach is at the ruins, and at a bunch of smaller hotels (not all-inclusive resorts). If you check out this site, and scroll down to the beach south of Dreams Tulum (i.e. to the left) you can clearly see the amazing beach. You can see that near the coast the water is clear (the lighter color) without any rocks or coral (the darker spots) Dreems Tulum Resort & Spa, Mexico: beach photo tour, aerial images

That's wonderful news Amy! Can't wait to see your pics Quote: Originally Posted by Blkatz FYI-I was watching the travel channel a few weeks ago and they actually rated Tulum as one of the best beaches Yes, the Tulum area is one of the few areas in the Mayan Riviera that has an amazing beach. But the amazing beach is not at Dreams Tulum (which is actually a few kilometers outside of Tulum). The amazing beach is at the ruins, and at a bunch of smaller hotels (not all-inclusive resorts). If you check out this site, and scroll down to the beach south of Dreams Tulum (i.e. to the left) you can clearly see the amazing beach. You can see that near the coast the water is clear without any rocks or coral (the darker spots) Dreems Tulum Resort & Spa, Mexico: beach photo tour, aerial images

Quote: Originally Posted by MsSunshine Hi ladies! I was wondering are you going to be doing any shopping outside of the resort? I was reading that PDC's 5th Ave. is about 45 minutes away from DT. If you are going to do any shopping there are you going to rent a car, taxi, or take a shuttle? I really do like this resort but I'm having a tough time deciding if I want to stay here. I know it's farther away which can be good or bad. I like that it is secluded but how secluded is it? Also, I was reading SunBrides's review on DT and mentioned that the beach was terrible. I love the beach...is it really that bad? I see that you can get married in the chapel or on the beach...is there a charge to have the ceremony on the beach since they don't have a gazebo? Maybe I missed this conversation but is it true that you can use an outside photographer? I remember hearing earlier this year that Dreams wasn't allowing outside photographers. Two more questions I promise. Are the in-house photographers any good? and is it true that DT offers more thand DPA? Thanks for your help The answers to most of your questions are on page one. You can take a taxi to PDC (I forget the charge, look it up in my review, something like 40$) or the public transit bus for 2$ The resort is quite secluded, but the town and ruins are and other resorts are a few minutes drive away. The beach isn't terrible, but it's not great. It's pretty much the same all around the mayan riviera. Dreams Tulum is better than many other resorts, but still not great in my opinion (I'm comparing to other locations outside the mayan riviera that I've been to where the beach has been awesome). No charge to get married on the beach. They do allow outside photographers for no fee, you just pay a day pass only if you photographer needs to eat. Past brides have mixed opinions about the phographers. Most agree they aren't awesome, some think they are still pretty good, others were overall disappointed.

Quote: Originally Posted by rachelannmartin OMG! Thats freaking exciting!! You must be stoked! If you could ask if dahlias are available thru the florist and if the massage hut is condusive to a 20 guest wedding Iwould be soooooooooooooo sooooooooo thankful!!! I'm gonna be jealous of your tan! Yes you can definitely get dahlias through their florist. I have some fushia ones in the bouquet I got (which I used as a centerpiece, although I asked for a normal tied bouquet because I was thinking of maybe using it if I liked it better than my (a company) one). I would think they have them in any color, I think it's one of their more popular flowers.

Quote: Originally Posted by sdtooley Does anyone know exactly how the album credits work for different photographers? I am looking at a few photographers to use for the wedding and some of them like Del Sol have album credits. I am just not sure exactly how they work.... I hope this isn't too confusing, I'm a bit tired You would have to check with each individual photographer. This is not something that the resort photographer offers. Maybe post something in one of the other forums and people who know can chip in their answers. Quote: Originally Posted by latinalocany Sunbride, can you still have your own center pieces even though you are choosing the free package and having the reception at the buffet or one of the al la carte restaurants? and will the set them up? Yes, they will put up whatever decorations you bring. If you want them to supply the centerpieces, they will charge you. Mine centerpiece was free since it was the free bride's bouquet that comes with the package which I didn't use since I had flowers from (a company). Quote: Originally Posted by BC Bride2be Ya!! I finally heard back from Anabel... its first time I have gotten a response since I booked the wedding back in June ... Anabel said she will be the one helping me with the planning. So I have a question... I have 26 people coming which qualifies me for the free wedding package, but I want the next package up (Dreams Love) which is $1950 (the free had a value of $769 I think) so shouldn't I be looking at paying $1181 .. were you able to upgrade with a discount if you had more than five rooms booked? No you definitely won't get credit if you upgrade to a larger package. Pretty much all brides on this thread are eligible for that package but everyone still pays full price to go with one of the more expensive ones. I agree it's a bit dumb. It's too bad you don't get at least a few hundred dollars off.

Quote: Originally Posted by Blkatz I emailed everyone again today to see if I could schedule a site visit when I am down there and still no response. I am going to be down there during Xmas and I really want to check out DT... Have you tried calling them? If you have no luck with the wedding coordinators try the general or sales manager or the concierge (since your site visit isn't only wedding related, it's also just a general resort question) I think the manager's email is somewhere in the closure thread (I think her name is Monica?). And I think the concierge's is : [email protected] I think that's the one I used when I wanted some resort related info before my wedding and they answered me pretty quickly.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryan's girl Some resorts only require the passports and blood test to have a legal ceremony whereas others require that the birth certificate be translated in Canada. I know for a fact that my resort requires the long version of my birth certificate to be translated. I have contacted both foreign affairs and the embassy of mexico in Ottawa and this is the information that I have been told. I have been in contact with a girl who was married in the Mayan Riviera and this was the process that she had to go through. I wish that my resort was one that didn't require all of this work ahead of time. I am now thinking of just having a blessing ceremony instead of having to go through all of this. You may want to edit your first post (we can't edit them ourselves as of a couple months ago, but you can ask one of the mods to do it for you) to specify that not all resorts require the long birth certificate, and that some who do don't require it to be translated. I wouldn't want some girl about to get married freak out because she didn't do all that stuff (if it's not required from her resort). Also, this could be a good way to inform girls about this difference among resorts so that they can consider it a factor. I know when I was resort hunting a year ago I didn't hear anything about resorts requiring all this paperwork, and if I had known that some resorts did require it it definitely would have been a factor in my resort choice.