SunBride

Awesome review! Looking forward to the pro pics. You said you paid for 2 photographer's passes, did Vincent bring an assistant with him? Also, did you pay the 20$ per person only for the extra people (i.e. first 10 people free) or for everyone?

Quote: Originally Posted by ida i'm just working on my wedding review...does anyone know how to put pics up with the review? if you look on page 1, right above the bride list there are instructions.

Suzanne we are all curiously awaiting news of how it went! Hope the rain held out and that if not your alternate location was beautiful

We all have our fingers crossed for your Suzanne. Try to enjoy your day no matter the weather.

Quote: Originally Posted by Butterflyf369 Hi Ladies, I'm planning on having the reception on the beach or by the dolphin pool. I've seen many women on the site using lanterns. Do you actually need this or does the hotel provide lighting? Just wondering if I need to budget for this. Thanks You don't need the lanterns, people just use them as decorations. The resort has some huge floodlights near the restaurants which they turn towards the pool or beach if you are having are having a reception there and require lighting. Somebody posted a picture of them at one point because several people were asking about it, but I don't know where that pic is now.

A recent DT groom just posted a review, thought I would post the link so you guys don't miss it http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t45034

A recent DT groom just posted a review, thought I would post the link so you guys don't miss it http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t45034

Thanks for posting a review, I'll post a link to it in the Dreams Tulum thread above to make sure all the upcoming brides see it.

Quote: Originally Posted by wahmsuzanne ... I am of course having moments of tears wondering if I will have the wedding of my dreams ... it's supposed to rain all week and I really want to get married on the beach (lifelong dream). If it's raining during your ceremony how about getting married in the Seaside Grill or the El Patio so that you will be covered by the restaurant's roof but you will have the beach right behind you. I know it's not the same, but I know for me it would still be way better than getting married indoors. Best of luck!!! Quote: Originally Posted by ida Hey ladies! Just got back yesterday from Dreams Tulum. Our trip was amazing!!! We had the best time, great food and good service. Our wedding day was beautiful! Mother nature was good to us all week! Anabel was awesome! Thanks to Sunbride and everyone on this website for all the help and information! I will try to get my full review up soon! Yean Congratulations, looking forward to your review and pics.

there is at least one other thread about Dreams Riviera Cancun in the Mayan Riviera sub-forum, try doing a search there.

I've received one e-invite in the past and I thought it was tacky (sorry, just being honest). I don't know why, normally I am very much "do what you want" but I didn't like the idea of the e-vite. However I think an e-RSVP is fine and makes more sense then mailing an RSVP card.

Congratulations Lonna. Happy to hear you had as wonderful an experience as almost every other past bride.

Hi Ladies! Well I have been on vacation for 2 weeks (Greek Islands!!!) and I see the forum has been as busy as always. A HUGE thanks to Blkatz for answering so many questions. There are very few brides who stick around after their weddings and take the time to answer questions. I know all you brides really appreciate it. And she is in fact in a better position to answer questions that I am since I am not practically an old married woman I see we don't have any new reviews, we need our married ladies to start writing! We do have A LOT of weddings in this last week of June so hopefully we have a ton of reviews soon. Quote: Originally Posted by wahmsuzanne Does anyone know of any xel ha discount tickets? We really want to go and take the kids and our group but it's $75 adult to get in ($37.50 kids) and I'd love to find a discount of some kind. Also I remember reading on here of someone who order sandwiches packed to go on an outing ... does anyone know more about that? I'd love to take lunch and eat on the beach after touring the ruins. I'm down to the wire ... we leave in 11 days. Thanks for all of the help ladies! *SmiLes* Suzanne No there are no discounts. There use to be a basic admission and an all-inclusive admission, but now there is only the all-inclusive admission (food, snorkelling equipment, etc) Quote: Originally Posted by starlitk A few FYIs for other brides: I am now being quoted $600 for 15 minutes of fire dancers. Supposedly, the vendor raised their rates and the resort has to pass that cost along to us. I was also just told by Carlos, the concierge, that they no longer do bike rides to the ruins because they have a new dangerous highway and it isn't safe to bike there anymore. Carlos also did not answer any of my other questions about the ruins, and instead is passing me along to a tour operator. So frustrating. Does anyone know answers to these questions? 1. is it free to get into the ruins? 2. how much is cab fare? is it difficult to get cabs for a big group? Also, friends of ours who got married at DT said that when they arrived at the resort, they found that the wedding coordinators had not saved a single email from them and they had to remake every decision. It is starting to look that way in my case, as they never remember my requests. I've seen the opposite of this in some of the other DT bride reviews. But, to be safe, print out everything you've sent them and bring it with you! Also, I was told 2 days ago (11 days before my wedding) that we are unable to have the SSG because they are leaving it open. So, a warning to SSG hopeful brides: you definitely may not get that 30 days of notice they tell you they'll give you. I have no idea where my reception will be now, and we leave on Wed. Sorry for the daunting post, but I am really getting frustrated with the inconsistencies with promises and pricing for things and thought I would give everyone a heads up! Hopefully, things will go more smoothly when we get there! Last year the taxi was 7$ and the entrace fee approx 4$ (you can't pay the entrance fee in US money, you need pesos). It's not a problem to get several taxis, there is a "station" (i.e. line-up of taxis) on the road just outside the hotel. Quote: Originally Posted by Lindz Hi girls! Quick questions...how much did you, or should i tip the wedding planner and photographer? Our photographer is from outside the resort....any suggestions? I tipped Landy 40$, I knew it wasn't much by our standards but it is a lot in Mexico. But I am sure there are lots of brides much more generous that me Also I had a small wedding and I used the free package. I would have tipped more in other circumstances. But I did feel the need to tip since I felt she went above and beyond. I also gave her 10$ to give to the 2 guys who did our gazebo set-up. And I think we tipped the waiter 20$ (we only had one waiter since we were just 10 people). I paid for my photographer to get her hair done (40$) since she had travelled with us. I thought that was enough. Then again, I had some issues with her. Maybe if I hadn't I would have been more generous. Quote: Originally Posted by BellaBeachBabe Hey everyone, I just received an e-mail from Aurora staing that the fire dancers are now 700$ for 20 mins? Is this really the going rate? I thought it was less expensive and for a longer show Funny, as quoted above somebody else just said a couple days ago they were quoted 600$ for 15 mins (make sure you get the extra 5 mins if you are paying the extra 100$!!!)

Quote: Originally Posted by Chanti Sorry for the misunderstanding, I was trying to point out the difference. The half-day does not include breakfast, whereas the full day does. From what I see, that appears to be the only difference. Strange that breakfast costs $25?? Yes, that is exactly what I was saying too.

Quote: Originally Posted by Chanti In the 2009 Guide, it is indicated $80 for a full day, and $55 for a half day (which doesn't include breakfast I believe). These prices were confirmed with Anabel recently for our photographers. Once again, frustrating how there seem to be inconsistencies!!! Chantal But then what is the difference between the half day and full day if neither includes breakfast? The way I read it was the full day included breakfast.

Quote: Originally Posted by Lonna14 Hi girls! First off, sunbride, have a great time!! The next time we chat I'll be married!! Aghh!! Lindz, we need to meet up for a drink!!! How much did you girls tip D.J. Mannia and Landy? I know I've seen this a million times, but if someone wouldn't mind sharing that would be great. Also, let me know what you think about this...my ceremony is at 6:00, and we have d.j. mannia, so basically, if we did cocktail hour at 7-8, we wouldn't be done eating dinner until like 8:30-9, and have to be done with d.j. mannia at 10:30? I think that's not long at all...so, I'm thinking of a cocktail hour before the wedding? From 5:00-6:00, wedding at 6:00-6:30, and rite after group pics, the guests can head to the reception and begin eating rite away. I'm not concerned about eating honestly, I'm sure I'll get it in at some point..that way, we could get moving with d.j. mannia, etc. Let me know your thoughts, and if anyone can weigh in on how much photos, reception actually take, please let me know!!! Thanks!!! Lonna you're right, that sounds tight. Plus many brides have said dinner service is slow, I think you should plan more like 1.5 hours. Which would bring you to 9:30pm. But many brides have been allowed to have music till 11pm. So it's up to you if 1.5 hours is enough. You could always skip the cocktail hour if you want. Just a suggestion.

On page 1 I had indicated that the day pass is 55$ for a half day (lunch and dinner) or 80$ for a full day (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Maybe it's gone up from 80$-90$. They really need to release a new wedding guide with this info! Last year it was released in June I think so maybe there will be a new one soon.

Just wanted to let you ladies know (in case things get too crazy in the next few days and I forget) that I am leaving Saturday for an amazing vacation to Greece! (a very belated honeymoon of sorts, seeing as we only spent 1 day at DT after the wedding, and our february vacation to Jamaica was not the best due to bad weather, so now I am kinda thinking of this as our honeymoon). So I won't be around much for the next 3 weeks. I will update the bride list shortly after I get back (likely not till early July) so don't be concern if the latest updates (since the last round I did at the beginning of May) are not posted before then.

congratulations and welcome!

Quote: Originally Posted by Tammy Host also sunbride...i am pretty good about standing up for honest reviews...most posts that are removed are done so because the poster asked us to remove them. i have had many vendors threaten legal action against me and the forum for reviews made by other people but luckily the forum is protected by law from these types of lawsuits. Oh yes I knew that, I did not mean to suggest you were going to take it down. I meant if ever the bride gets harassed by the vendor to the point where she asks for it to be taken down as has happened with several other negative reviews in the past (hope it doesn't come to that). In that case it would be good to have a copy of the review saved to pass it on to other brides.

Brides who are in the early stages of planning and looking for a photographer, make sure you read this (it's a horrible review of Michael Maurus of Cancun Wedding Photography) http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t43467

I am thinking this in our Dreams Tulum threads so that the brides who are starting out and still looking for a photographer and who don't venture around the whole forum will see it. People should do the same for other resorts in the mayan riviera.

Quote: Originally Posted by Bethanykd Has anyone brought their Pastor to bless their wedding? We are having a Civil ceremony, but my parents are flying our family Pastor to bless our wedding and I was just wondering how that works. You could ask Landy if he could do it towards the end of the ceremony, in a way so that it is integrated (at least somewhat) with the ceremony. I think this should be allowed seeing as they allow you to add readings etc. Alternatively, you could have him due the blessing at the cocktail hour (it would be similar to doing a "toast") or at dinner (kinda like saying "grace" before the meal begins).

wow, I'm so sorry for what you went through. That is really awful. It especially sucks that he f***ed up the elements that you specifically spoke to him about. So he cannot blame the problems on "miscommunication" or another bullshit excuse. He just doesn't care and is totally unprofessional. I also had some issues with my photographer, nothing to the extent that you did, but still, I know how stressful it can be. I also posted an honest review (in my case it was like 75% good and 25% bad) and my photographer got very upset. I hope Michael doesn't cause a bunch of drama for you if/when you see it (Similar to what Morgan and the other BDW member (sorry, forget her name!) went through with K.O.) You should save a copy of this review, so that if ever it does get taken down, at least you can copy and paste and PM it to other girls if they ask about him. On a brighter note, your review was hilarious and as much as I was feeling awful for you I was also laughing. The sample pictures you put illustrate your points perfectly. Perhaps some of the photos can be fixed? It's very easy to crop the photos that are too far (use photoshop rather than some quick program like the one that comes with your computer or Picasa, as the latter compress your files when you crop) as long as they are high enough quality. What size are the files? they should be like 3-5MB each and that would be enough to zoom in to make you guys larger (although still not nearly as close as your should be).

Quote: Originally Posted by amyc Hey girls! I'm 7 weeks out now...I can't believe it's coming up so soon! I have most items checked off my list but I wish more details were finalized at the resort. I'm wanting to have a welcome happy hour for my guests the day before the wedding (Friday night welcome party and Saturday evening wedding). Does anyone have suggestions for a suitable place? Maybe the Lobby Bar? It doesn't really need to be a private event. I just want to include a location in the intinerary for my guests so we have a common meeting place. Any suggestions are appreciated! Do you think I need to make a reservation and provide hors' doeurves for this sort of thing or should I just include it in the itinerary so everyone shows up? Thanks! Amy I think the 3 best options are the Lobby Bar, the Sugar Reef, or the Veranda Bar. It depends what kind of atmosphere you want. Lobby Bar will give people the option of being outside or inside (since there is the patio at the top of teh grand staircase), Sugar reef bar you are outside, Veranda bar you are inside. Check out the pictures on page 2 to help you decide (although we don't have any pics of the veranda bar). Also, on the Dreams Tulum website, they now have virtual tours. They have one for the veranda bar (although it says veranda restaurant, which is weird because it's not a restaurant). If it was me, I wouldn't bother with hors d'oeuvres. I mean it's an all-inclusive resort, people can go to the restaurant afterwards (or before depending on teh time you set) and eat as much as they want for free! Quote: Originally Posted by danispence13 Not really sure how the "cheesy" face appeared on top of my name! Anyways I would like to say I am very pleased that I found you all, there is so much information here. I posted a while ago only a couple of times, however now that I received our rates and I reserved our date things are a little more firm now. I have one question though because I cannot really find the answer to. Just wondering what time everyone had their receptions at? Does anyone know the earliest one can have the reception at? Thanks I don't know if there is a rule as per the time for the reception to start. How early would you want it to start? I'm sure 6pm for dinner is fine. Not sure if they would allow you to start much earlier and unless you have a reason you want to start early it's probably not a great idea, it would mean your reception would be done really early.