SunBride

Quote: Originally Posted by coquetayloca Sunbride... Sandra is using you wedding in the photos she sends out. I will post them later, I have to go drop off my son at day care... really? Please to post them. I had asked Landy if she wanted me to send her some photos of my set-up but she said she had taken some. Now I'm curious if she's only sending out photos of our set-up or of our actual wedding... I wonder if they'll make this their new normal set-up or just keep it as a second option...

Quote: Originally Posted by soontobeamrs quick question: I know you brought the turqui=oise fabric for the gazebo... did you bring the white as well... maybe a silly question!! They had the white, but only just enough to do what they did (i.e. the back half). If you want it all white you'd have to bring them some more.

There is a one hour time difference right now between them and Eastern time. I always had somebody answer the main number, I always asked, in English, to speak to the wedding coordinators and always got properly transfered. most of the time I got Sandra's voicemail. Since I assumed she wouldn't call me back (with it being long distance) I just kept trying rather than leaving a message. They work more than 9-1, that's weird they told you that. Landy told me normally they work every day except sundays (during busy season they only get every second sunday off!). And they work long days. Anyways, just keep trying. Did you see my post a little way back about my welcome booklet / newsletter? I posted a link to download it. You could some of the info in there for your own booklet.

I don't think you will have too much luck selling it for much more than you paid, but that's just a guess. If you are really sure that the regular price was over 2000$, then I would try to sell for between 500-1000$. Normally I'm just very happy get back what I paid.

definitely don't ask the cousin, that looks like a disaster waiting to happen (i.e. annoying you on your wedding day) and definitely ask your future sister in law, it sounds like you guys have been gettign close lately and she will be so honored. If it was me I would completely 100% understand the situation (i.e. you were probably not as close with her when you initially chose your bridesmaids, plus you wanted matching numbers, and now you have an opening and you thought of her because you gusy have gotten closer recently).

Quote: Originally Posted by MelissaH We had everyone book their own thing too - much cheaper than a group rate and it was better because people on smaller budgets booked over at the Maya Beach and Caribe sides, and then people with bigger budgets booked at the Tropical and Colonial...it worked out really well for us (but we're all pretty easy going and it didn't matter to us that we weren't all staying together). The only thing we did was give out our TA info in case they wanted to book through her. I think this is a great way to go about it so that nobody has the right to get mad at your about the price or about your agent (lots of other girls get slack from their guests that their agent was not helpful) or about booking by a certain deadline. Just let them know if they wait too long the resort might sell out and then let them make their own choices!

The limo should definitely be optional (people shouldn't have to pay for stuff they don't want) but ask people to tell you in advance and you can get a normal limo instead of a streth if necessary. Another option is obviously just to take taxis which would probably be cheaper. Also is dinner really going to cost 50$ per person? For those people who don't want to spend much, will there be a way to spend less? I don't think 100$ per person is that bad, but there should be flexibility so that people who are cheap and want to spend less can (i.e. skip out the limo, choose a cheaper menu item, and not drink too much and the whole night costs them like 40-50$). If it's going to be over 100$ per person for sure (i.e. no way to spend less than that) then I would talk to each person to make sure they are okay with the plans.

This thread should answer your question http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t1508

It works a little differently for people leaving from Canada than the US (most of the brides here) because in Canada everything is sold by tour operators in packages. Your travel agent is going to go to a tour operator (i.e. Air Canada Vacations, Transat Holidays, Sunquest) for a package (flight + hotel) quote. So there is no "room block". From my understanding most americans book flights and hotels seperately, so they deal with the hotel (through a travel agent) to get quotes. If you are booking way in advance (like a year) the group rates should be better, however if you are booking 6 months or less in advance, it's possible that the tour operators are already offering discounts such as early booking bonuses or "last minute deals" which means that you can find a cheaper price than giong with a group quote (not always the case, but I know it was for me, although some people get great group rates, depends on the timing). Shop around, talk to a few different agents (try either Shine Travel or Megan Crouse, bothvery popular with Canadian brides) and also try looking up the price yourself on a website like itravel2000.com and see what is the best rate you can find.

Quote: Originally Posted by IowaChik22 I'm in the final stretch....FINALLY! We leave in 8 days! I'm just trying to finish the final details now....Sunbride, I love your decore and am going to try and pull off the gazebo only in pink instead! I was curious about music...what is everyone going to walk down the aisle to....are you able to hear it well, do you use a CD or an IPOD? I gave them a CD with a song for during the signing of the marriage certificate (Bride and groom plus 4 witnesses, so it takes a couple minutes) but they already had Canon in D to use for the entrance and exit. The guy who took care of the music did a great job (i.e. starting and stopping at the right times, playing the right songs at the right times, etc). Quote: Originally Posted by Denise L Sunbride, did you do an all inclusive package? Do you mind me asking roughly what you paid since I am planning on travelling around the same time next year. As indicated in my review we paid 1500$ per person for all inclusive package from Ottawa, and 1600$ from Halifax, but we booked in January for April departure, so we may have gotten a better deal (i.e. sorta last minute, seeing as it was only 2.5 months before) than if we had booked way in advance. Also I picked the exact departure date based on the cheapest date (seeing as we were flexible and it didn't matter much when we left). Prices for the few weeks (even a few days) before and after (i.e. march and early April) were were 100$-300$ more. I was checking every single depature date online (using itravel2000.com) and picked the cheapest one, even though it meant our filghts weren't direct (through toronto). About a month or so later they came further on sale and I think were like 100$ cheaper per person. When I checked again before leaving the price was something like 2300$ - 2500$ for the same date (which gives me the impression the packages were nearly sold out). The group quotes I got from travel agents and directly from Air Canada Vacations were all about 100-200$ per person more than the price I found with itravel2000.com which is why I just booked directly with them (one travel agent did offer to match my price, but I didn't bother because I wanted to just book right away and get it over with).

definitely go with the cheaper room, your guests might get upgraded free, and if not they could pay for the upgrade at the resort, and they get a 50% discount since they are with a wedding group (so only 20$ per room per night for dreams suite gardenview or 30$ per night per room for dreams suite oceanview) 4500$ per couple for a week sounds like A LOT! Plus February is busy season but not the most busy (i.e. Christmas vacation, Easter weekend, March break). Try another agent. Also try going either directly with the hotel or with a tour operator (like Apple vacations I know is a popular one in the US).

yes I just called the general phone number on the website 52 984 871 3333. I don't know what the 1-866 number is (by the way, for the mexican number, you have to dial 011 first) About the quotes, just be careful when comparing with other peoples' quotes because the price differs a lot by month. Try sending a PM to a bride getting married the same month as you (go to the List of Dreams Tulum bride thread to find somebody getting married at the same time as you).

As I've said before, if you are really anxious to find out, try calling! It might take several tries to reach them but it's worth it. It's what i did when I needed to confirm things right before booking.

Just added Amesharp December 12 2008

I know we have some new girls who have migrated over here from the Dreams Tulum Weddings Facebook group. Tell us your dates ladies so we can add you to the list! Any other new girls too

Here are some places to see the pictures Dreams Tulum website (keep browsing through the pictures on the main page, there are many and the chapel is towards the end) Dreams Tulum Resorts & Spas: Unlimited Luxury Defined and then is one on this website (found it when googling dreams tulum chapel). It's the second picture Dreams Tulum Resort Spa | Dreams Tulum Mexico | Dreams Tulum Reviews So I was right in the facebook group when I said 5 rows on each side, so 10 benches total and each bench holds 2 people. Maybe you could squeeze 3 people per bench, or have some people stand in the back.

It doesn't have to cost you 4000$ extra, I flew a photographer with me from Ottawa and it cost me 2350$. Travel costs were 1550$ and her photography fee was 800$. I've also seen a few GREAT photographers who will do destination weddings for free because tehy haven't done any before and they know they have to build up a portofolio of DW before they can start charging a lot. So just look around a lot. Keep in my the photographer doesn't have to come from Calgary with you, you could get somebody from anywhere in Canada (or even in the US) If you are only looking at the most popular DW photographers frequently talked about on these boards, yes, it might cost 4000$, but it doesn't have to, there are many other great photogrpahers out there.

The standard place setting does not have an overlay/runner, you have to pay extra (as per the wedding info guide). So it's just a white table cloth, white plate, wine glass and champagne glass. The centerpieces on my table were things I had brought (candle holders, which we couldn't light because the flame kept being blown out by the wind!) and the free bouquet included in the package (which I didn't use since I had brought articificial flowers with me). I had meant to upgrade to color napkins to add a little color, but forgot. The cost is only 1$ each. In my case the chairs were pulled over from the ceremony, so they had the nice bows and starfish I had on the back. But if you are in a restaurant other than the seaside grill I assume they won't pull your chairs over, it would be a bit far. Since there were only enough chairs on the beach for the guests (not Bride and groom) they set-up to more chairs with flowers for us. Even though the seaside grill is usually small round tables, they did set us up with a huge rectangular table, which was good since we were only 10 When we ate there as a group the first night we were at 2 of the small round tables pushed together and it was so uncomfortable. So I was happy that wasn't the case for our wedding dinner.

Quote: Originally Posted by Asteff2001 I saw this Neutrogena line at Wal-Mart, and it seems perfect for protecting your skin, but in a non-greasy way: Walmart.com - Neutrogena Helioplex I think I'm going to pick myself up a bottle, especially for my face! YES, I used the one on the right, Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Try Touch on my wedding day and it didn't feel greasy at all. I have other sunscreens that claim they are oil free or non greasy, but they aren't, this one actually is.

Don't want to burst your bubble, but just want to warn you (as you probably already know) that these cameras often take bad quality pictures. I just got the pictures developed from my underwater camera, and they are awful! a total waste of the 4$ it cost for the developping (not to mention the cost of the camera). So remember that even though the camera is only 1$, you have to pay for developing too, which may add up. Also make sure to put them in your carry-on! The x-rays for the checked luggage ruins the film. I think this might actually be what happened with my underwater camera. It was in checked luggage on the way there and carry-on on the way back. I thougt the x-rays weren't a problem anymore, but when I googled it afterwards I learned that they are (in fact even worse since new post- 9/11 security) I had 400 film - I had heard that it was only bad if you have 800, but no, when I googled it, I read all speeds. So at the very least, make sure you put them in carry-on and maybe it will all be okay!

I don't know, but I would guess not. Can I ask what your reasons are for wanting your own coordinator?

I've been wondering whether this is really a new resort or if they are just turning the Sunscape Puerto Aventuras into Dreams Puerto Aventuras, seeing as they have recently changed many Sunscape Resorts into Dreams (i.e Punta Cana, Tulum). Anybody know the answer to this? When I check the AM Resorts website, and in the Sunscape section, there is no talk at all about Sunscape Puerto Aventuras, which definitely exists as we passed by it on the way to Dreams Tulum

Quote: Originally Posted by Tammy Host dreams tulum allows outside photogs...unless they changed their policy recently they either need to be a guest of the hotel or payu the day pass fee. You don't even have to buy the day pass! Unless your photographer is there long enough to be eating a meal, then obviously you would have to buy a pass so that they can eat (why should the resort be feeding them for free?). I asked about this because was planning on hiring Claudia before deciding to fly somebody in with me. Also I hired an external videographer and didn't have to purchase a day pass. And as I posted in the DT thread, you can certainly bring flowers from Angel's, I did without a problem.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 See my comments on the thread for Dreams Photographer and Video and you'll see the problems I'm having and I am so about to swap resorts You probably want to specify that this is Dreams Cancun and not Dreams Tulum! (people may notice in your info on the left, but just to be sure, especially for the new people still choosing resorts!)

Quote: Originally Posted by coquetayloca Thats great to hear! My wedding is tentatively Memorial Day weekend 2009, so I have some time to order flowers... I am getting excited about Dreams Tulem. I think we have officially decided for it. Now we just have to make it official on paper! I sent in a request for a wedding date so I hope I hear back soon... Give them a few days, but then if you still haven't heard anything back and are getting anxious try phoning them. It might take a few tries to get them since they aren't always in their office, but if you do get a hold of them at least you'll get your answer right away.