SunBride

Just wondering if anyone has used the videographer. I'd really like to put find it very expensive at 380$ for 45 mins (I see on the website it looks like the price has gone up to 480$). I'm wondering how good it is. Is there anyway i could see it (i.e. posting it on Utube maybe?) I have somebody bringing a videocamera, but I don't really have anyone to do the video since we only have 7 guests and they are immediate family, and I want them to enjoy the ceremony without being burdened by having to take a good video.

If you want a private reception for your wedding, you have to pay the 750$ on top of the fee for the gold dinner. I am pretty sure that having your dinner on the beach is considered "private" and thus you would have to pay the 750$, but I'm not sure.

When I was choosing a resort I made this spreadsheet to compare them based on different factors. All I have on my list are the 4.5 and 5 star resorts that were showing up for less than 2000$ all inclusive package (including air from Toronto/Ottawa) for one week for my dates (march/april 2008, I was looking in November/Decmeber 2007, using a few travel websites). You can see that the spreadsheet isn't complete, there are lots of blanks, but I thought that the info that is there might be usefull to somebody. If nothing else maybe the criteria I used will give you ideas for stuff you should consider when choosing a resort. I'm not going to be updating this spreadsheet anymore, I have to focus on my wedding (only 2 months left!!!) but if anyone wants to download it and update it or add more info and then repost it, please feel free. If you are wondering what some of the criteria mean, there are some comments at the bottom of the MR page to explain. If you can't download the spreadsheet, you may not have enough points. Ask somebody to transfer some to you. resort comparison Mayan Riviera and Cancun.xls

there are so so many resorts in the MR, it's difficult to make recommendations. If you like the idea of a huge resort complex with tons of choices (these often have little trams to help you get around since it can be a far walk) you can try the palladium resorts, the bahia principe resorts, or the barcelo resorts. Try to find out more of your decision factors, the only one you listed is that it can't be adult's only. Do you want a resort that offers free wedding packages? (the dreams resorts do) Do you want a resort with a golf course? (Moon Palace has one). Do you want a resort with a disco? Do you want to be close to nightlife? (if so pick something in or near playa del carmen). Do you want to be not too far from the airport, if so pick something in the northern end of the MR (Moon Palace and Paradisus are 2 that I think of). check out the spreadsheet I just posted in another thread http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t14821 it might help you make a decision.

wow, prices for all the extras are much higher at Dreams Cancun than at Dreams Tulum. I'm surprised they aren't the same, although I guess they are working with different vendors. I think it's probably just because Dreams Cancun is more popular for weddings, so they can raise the price.

Yep, you're right, it's list on the Dreams Website. On the right you see a map with dots for all the Dreams resorts, if you click on the east coast you see 4 show up, including the Dreams Riviera Cancun and when you click on it it says it's opening fall 2009, it will be located near playa del carmen The rooms look amazing! There is also the Dreams Puerto Aventuras opening in 2008, just 20 minutes north of Tulum ruins (so in between the new Dreams Riviera Cancun and Dreams Tulum). These resorts might both have very good prices when they first come out, I think normally the prices are lower until the resort has built up a reputation.

I'm probably the one who's booked the most recently (Jan 7th 200 and yet I'm so far next on the list (April 1 200!!!

thanks for the great info DreamsTulumBride. Do you remember what activities go on the other nights? I'm getting married Tuesday so I'd love to know for that day in particular, but any other days you know too would be helpful. The fire show sounds cool, definitely different than the entertainment at other resorts, where it was usually just a dancing show every night. We also noticed the crazy hours of the entertainment staff at our last vacation, and when somebody asked we were told they work something like 10 days straight than 3 days off, and they work 13-14 hour days, but with several breaks during the day. They sleep at the resort for free and only go home during their 3 days off. Maybe it's similar at Dreams

personally, I would try to put it off a month two and get married in late november or early december when the prices are still very low but the hurrican risk is much lower. Even if you have travel insurance, imagine the disappointment of cancelling your tripo and wedding just a few days before leaving. And not all travel insurance or travel companies will allow you to cancer in case of hurricane, make sure to check carefully. After the big hurricanes of the past few years though a lot of tour operators changed their policy to allow you to change time or location when there is a hurricane warning.

Lisa - I think that's the mariachi Thanks both of you for the pictures. Looks like the caribbean trio is what I had in mind.

Has anyone used the caribbean trio? If so do you have a picture? I'm getting this band but I am curious what it would be like, especially since it's pretty expensive - 350$ for 45 mins!!!

yeah I was just posting a question there, but I wanted to get a list of names and dates going and continually updated on the first post. We can keep the other post for questions.

Thanks LisaG, that's exactly what I wanted to know, and what I had heard before (about it being lame unless you started the party). There are only 5 of us young ones going but hopefully there will be other ones too who can help get the party going. I wonder why they call it a sports bar if it's really a disco??

UPDATE: we are letting this thread "die" because we have started a new one. See here: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...qs-here-25646/ Okay there are a ton of threads about Dreams Tulum and lots of people answering so there obviously a bunch of us getting married here, I thought I would start a list to see just how many and when. Past brides post too so we know who you are. I'lll keep udating the first post as I get more people (assuming it will allow me to keep updating it regularly). If you're already married, you can add a link to your review or pictures if you want so we don't have to go searching for it. ***If you have questions or comments about this resort, post them in this thread: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t7767 Newlyweds: 2007 Tuluminjune - June ?? 2007: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t6247 Lucky_K72 and lambert13 - July 4 2007 : http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t6886 & http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t6896 Laura_b - July 7 2007: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t7952 LisaG - August 3 2007 David_and_Laura - October 26 2007: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t12951 calyx6 - November 3 2007 donandcorri - November 23 2007: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t12201 DreamsTulumBride - December 12 2007: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t12905 2008 bride_2_b08 - January 10 2008 SunBride - April 1 2008 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t18711 & http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t19097 & http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t19708 SaharaTulumWedding - April 10 2008 Leamil - April 19 2008 Leamil's photos by del Sol associate photographer Vincent Iowachik22 - April 26 2008 "I just got back" post & Iowachik22's photos AmyInMI - May 10 2008 Debla1 - May 10 2008 babycow - May 17 2008 Olive - May 20 2008 Julieanddonnie - May ? 2008 - Julie's review chibi411 - June 4 2008 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t23169 Ellsbells - June 14, 2008 phalstead - June 18,2008 Sannjn - June 23 2008 - Sannjn's review monikabrandon2008 - June 27 2008 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t24460-6 Upcoming brides 2008 Theresa08 - August 18, 2008 piggy - October 9, 2008 trisha0612 - October 10, 2008 B&J2008 - October 11 2008 Jodylynn007 - November 1 2008 Mel88 - November 1 2008 Alin & Mako - November 8, 08 nueland - November 12 2008 dreamstbride - November 13 2008 chandrathebride - November 21 2008 can't wait! - November 28 2008 amy706 - December 5 2008 (http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t14954) Niels408 - December 7, 2008 Amesharp - December 12 2008 Callie - December 15 2008 Amodew - December 30 2008 2009 Seahagamy - January 15 2009 SBlake - January 17 2009 Neen - January 17 2009 Dollbird - February 18 2009 soontobeamrs - February 27 2009 Bernie - March 6 2009 Rachelannmartin - March 18 2009 April2009Bride - April 24 2009 Beach Bride - April 25 2009 Blkatz - May 2 2009 SGBrown - May 7 2009 Shelleq - May 9 2009 coquetayloca - May 25 2009 Krystalranee - May 29 2009 Virginialedoux / Virg - June 30 2009

wow this thread was totally buried. people should post their questions here rather than starting a new thread all the time! I'm looking for more info on the disco. The resort usually refers to it as being a sports bar. What's the atmosphere like, disco or sports bar? Is there a D and dancing at night?

anyone interested?

we all booked deluxe garden view (i.e. hacienda rooms) because it was 400$ per person for a dreams suite. I'm told we can upgrade for 40$ per night per room to a dreams garden view or 60$ per night per room to a dreams ocean view when we get there, so that is way cheaper (280$ per room per week rather than 400$ per person per week * 2 people!). Fingers crossed that there will be space which I think there will be. Also, there is a chance we'll get upgraded for free when we get there (i.e. if all the hacienda rooms are taken up). if your group is all very high class it would be better to book dreams suites to avoid disappointment

Here are the main differences I considered when choosing between teh two. In the end, Dreams cancun was my 1st choice but more expensive so I went with Tulum. ceremony location: dreams cancun has an amazing gazebo on a cliff overlooking the ocean, set-up at dreams tulum set-up is average rooms: there are lots of complaints about the rooms at Dreams Tulum (but if everyone reserves the dreams suites they should be fine, but if they reserve deluxe garden view, which are the bad ones, then they are not on equal ground with other resorts) Location: Dreams cancun is closer to the airpot and there is lots of nightlight around, whereas there is very little to no nightlight at Dreams tulum and surrounding areas (would have to go to playa del carmen which is like half an hour or another away). There is also lots of other activities around, including shopping and golf which are much farther away when staying in Tulum. On the other hand Dreams Tulum has the ruins really close by and lots of other historical and fun things to do like xel-ha park. These things are all over an hour from cancun. But dreams tulum is far from the airport. Price: when I was searching Dreams Tulum was always about 100-300$ less per person for a one week all inclusive vacation.

usually people say not to go with the resort photographer because they aren't very good. Well I have seen some pictures from Dream Tulum's photographer and I was impressed, they are actually very good. That being said I decided to bring my own photographer because pictures I am OBSESSED with pictures (I will be looking at them nonstop for like a year when I get back!) From the sounds of it, the resort photographer will be enough to make you very happy.

you paid 280$ per person per week? I was quoted 280$ per room per week (40$ per night per room, to upgrade from deluxe garden view to dreams junior suite garden view) By reading the description under the "accomodations" section of their website, it does sound like the dreams junior suite ocean front is better than the honeymoon suite. On the description, the only thing the honeymoon suite has that the junior suites don't is a secret box for room service (from my understanding, so that you don't have to put clothes on while getting the food delivered!). But I wouldn't be surprised if the description is overly simplistic and if there is more to the honeymoon suite than that. When I get my upgrade to the dreams junior suite garden view, I'm going to ask to see one of the ocean views, an ocean front, adn the honeymoon suite, and then decide if I want to pay to upgrade to one of those and which one. I'll try to remember to take pictures of each and post them later.

the only ones higher are the honeymoon suite or the presidential suites, and I'm not surprised they wouldn't give you that for free.

I booked the hacienda (called Deluxe when I booked it, so I thought it was actually one of the better rooms, but no, it's the cheapest ones) and contacted the resort and they said as part of wedding packages they upgrade the bride and groom but not the other guests. So not to worry, you'll be upgraded too, assuming there is space when you arrive. You get upgraded to a dreams junior suite garden view.

to the person arriving on a sunday and thinking of getting married on saturday (to avoid friday the 13th) , you can get married on thursday. You are allowed to get married on the 4th business day (not counting the day of arrivial if it's a business day, although for me they are bending the rules, I'm arriving thursday afternoon and getting married on a tuesday). Also for the person wondering how far in advance to book, I just booked on January 7th for April 1st (I didn't realize it was April Fool's day! Although not as bad as Friday the 13th, and I hear April Fool's ends at noon and we are getting married at 4pm). When I booked that date, they had the 2 days before, and the day after also available at 4pm. Maybe April isn't that busy. They do up to 2-3 weddings a day, so I guess they have more availability then the places that do max 1 per day.

the rain location at Dreams Tulum is the resort's chapel. I told the coordinator that we wouldn't want the chapel, and asked if we could get married in front of the grand staircase in the lobby, and she said that would be no problem. It looks nice in pictures I've seen so I think it's pretty good for a back-up location, although still nothing like the beach.

the photographer's email address is [email protected] If you email him he'll send you a ton of pictures as examples (he did for me)