dmarie17

- The Spa - AWESOME!! The swedish massage was so nice! Definitely worth it. Private Dinner - It was my understanding that this was part of the honeymoon package. They didn't offer it so I went and harassed the concierge until they agreed with me! It was so cool. I surprised Chris with it the last night that we were there and it was so romantic!! This was our view after the sunset! What else? Room service is great! Swimming with the dolphins is totally worth the $150! Umm... we also did the snorkeling which was really neat and the jetskiing which was a blast! Let me know if you have any questions.. I'm trying to think of stuff but all of the margaritas and mango tangos have killed off a lot of brain cells!

I have been avoiding this for a few days but I think that I am ready to take the plunge! - We booked our trip through Orbitz and didn't have any problems. However, I would NOT advise using the shuttle service that they offer on the site. Hire a cab at the airport! The shuttle people also work do the excursions and tours so they kept calling our room (in the early morning) and trying to sell us stuff. Then they totally screwed up our shuttle going back to the airport, lied to us about our flight times changing and just causing us a lot of frustration and wasted time. So, stay away from Grey Line shuttle service. They suck! - The resort itself was AWESOME! The food was great and the drinks were plentiful. My family is BIG drinkers so I do regret not doing the insulated mugs because it was super hot and ice melted quick. Oh well. The service staff is the best that I've ever been seen. A bunch remembered our names and our drinks and were just great. A few dollars in tips does go a long way. - We had the jr. jacuzzi suite and it was SWEET!! We even had a bidet (I was afraid to use it!). The room was cleaned twice a day I think! The fridge was always refilled and if you leave a note saying what drinks you want, they listen! Mas Cerveza! Oh, and to be honest... we never once got in the jacuzzi!! Wish that we would have but just never made it!! - I met with Gaby on Thursday (my wedding was on Sunday) and we pretty much went through the contract and added stuff and subtracted stuff. They are pretty flexible on what you can do. The plan was to have the cocktail hour in the garden and the dinner/reception on the terrace. We were a bit concerned because there is construction going on in the terrace right now but they weren't going to be working on Sunday.... Anyone getting married soon - Check on this. We saw a wedding while were there and there were jackhammers going while this couple was saying their vows. It was disturbing! - Night before the wedding we had everyone meet in the lobby bar for cocktails. We had 41 guests from all over the country and everyone got along great! - Day of the wedding would have been perfect if not for the stupid hurricane Gustav. My wedding was set for 4:30pm and all morning the skies were clear and sunny. Then at 3:30, it just got black and started pouring! Gaby called and said that we would have to move everything into the ballroom. I basically told her that we could move the cocktails and reception but I was getting married outside even if I had to wait out the storm. Hell, I could get married in a ballroom in Chicago dammit! So at about 5:00, the storm cleared and it got sunny again! - The ceremony was beautiful! Everyone loved it! We could understand the officiant which I thought would be an issue but wasn't. - Hair and Makeup -I didn't do a trial because I'm cheap! A lady named Mariya (Cristian is gone) did both and did an amazing job! I was really impressed and I'm picky. They do well with pictures so bring some! - Photographer - I used Claudia Rodriguez. She was super nice! I haven't seen pics yet but i'll post when I do. - I missed cocktail hour because of pictures but I heard that the mariachi band was great and the food was supposedly delicious too! I did get one shrimp and it was yummy!! - Being in the ballroom for the dinner was a huge blessing. I didn't realize how HOT Cancun was until I was in a 10 lb dress! The ballroom had a/c and I needed it! I was sweating like a pig the entire time and didn't even want to step outside into the air. - I used Mannia for a DJ and I really wouldn't recommend him. We sent him a list of songs and I don't know if he was confused or something because he kept repeating them. I think that he played one song like 3 times. It was really bizarre. - The food at the reception was AWESOME! We did a combo gold/silver menu. Everyone's fav was the chicken with the spinach and cheese. It was superb. And the lobster bisque soup was great too. - We had the tres leche cake and while it was a bit mushy, it was pretty damn delicious! - 3 hours goes by super super fast. So when it was over, we just took over the lobby bar and partied there until they kicked us out. I honestly have never seen as many shots done in one place at one time!! I don't think I'll ever be able to drink Cuervo again!! - OOT bags were a huge hit! The bellhop charges $4 per room for delivery but everyone was so excited to get them that it was well worth it. to be continued...

Quote: Originally Posted by bbpacco Congra~ Can't wait to see your review and pictures! Sorry, but I missed if you are using the resort's photographer, or you hired someone else?? I hired Claudia Rodriguez. She was super nice! I haven't seen my pics yet but I'm anxiously waiting!!

Quote: Originally Posted by kristi Congratulations!!!! I have a question about dress codes..alot of my guests are asking about the restaraunts..do you have to wear long pants?? Can they wear nice shorts?? If they have to wear pants can they wear jeans Also do they have to wear closed toed shoes or can they wear sandals?? Thanks so much..I e-mailed Claudia a couple of times with this question...but I'm sure she is busy! They didn't seem strict about that policy at all. The first night we were there, Chris wore shorts (not real nice ones at that... like cargo style khakis) to the fish restaurant and they didn't glance twice. He also wore sandals every night so I really don't think that they enforce anything. The only thing that I did see them refuse was people in swim suits. You do have to have a dry cover up on at the least.

Okay, so I am still too beat to write a huge review and the thought of posting pictures right now makes me tired. I have been doing nothing but drinking cocktails by the pool, napping, eating and relaxing for the past 10 days. I think I also am having withdrawal from either sugar drinks (mango tangos are the best!) or the rum. At about 11 am this morning I started getting the shakes and eying the bottle of margarita mix as a solution! So, the point of this ramble is this. Since I'm lazy and don't feel like thinking much, does anyone have any specific questions for me about the wedding or the resort or anything? Let me know!

I'm back!!! Unfortunately!! Everything was amazing. Unfortunately the stupid hurricane did show up and we had to move our cocktail hour and reception into the ballroom. We were able to get married under the gazebo between patches of rain! Overall, it was better than I could have ever dreamed of! I met Kat down there yesterday and she is super excited and ready for hers! Oh, I wish that i could go back!! I will be posting pics and info soon but I've been traveling for about 9 hours now so I am going to go and crash! Love you all!! Thanks for all of your help with everything... I couldn't have done it without you!

I'm hoping and praying that it misses Cancun!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Angel Have a safe flight and take LOTS of pictures of everything. Most importantly have an amazing time and enjoy every bit of it. My FI would like to say thank you and 'Go Redskins'... he is an obnoxiously huge fan (he's from MD)!

Hello my lovely ladies!! I can't believe that it's almost here!! I am leaving for Dreams in the morning and just wanted to say thank you to everyone for everything! I don't think that I could have done this without you all! I will probably check this once or twice before I leave (I'm an addict!!) so if anyone needs me to ask anything or get pics of anything, please let me know and i will try my best!! I love you girls and thank you all so much!! this picture means nothing but it makes me laugh!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Michelle&Steve dreams is actually great with this.. no reservations needed, and you can eat wherever u want.. the most we waited for anything was maybe an hour, and even then it wasnt a big deal , we just had drinks at the bar... :-) AWESOME!!! Thanks so much!!

My friends and fam are big partiers too. Our time is the same as Kats but I think that we'll probably just end up taking over the lobby bar afterwards if they boot us. There is no way that we are going to end the festivities at 9pm. I'll let you all know how this works out in a few weeks!! Keep your fingers crossed.

Okay, so i just talked to my uncle who goes to AI resorts every year and he was asking about dinner reservations. I guess at some places you have to make reservations for dinner days beforehand?? And sometimes you have to stand in line for hours? Is Dreams like this? If so, how does that work for people who are only coming in for a few days? Are they stuck eating at a buffet? Someone help please!!

Oh I'm so glad that you used him!! If anyone wants to see more of his work, here are mine! Kat, we are getting SO close! I can't wait to finally meet you!!

Quote: Originally Posted by kristi Can they wear sandals? How many other restaurants are there that does not call for pants...is it just the buffet? Thanks! I think that the guys have to have closed two shoes... I think I read that somewhere. Holy crap, I'm leaving really soon!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Kat81 You would just have the F it attitude like me lol. I don't have enough people so if they don't like what I picked it's an AI they can order room service HA HA HA HA I think I have turned into a demon bride!!!! Haha! Awesome!! That's exactly how I feel. Here's a video that you may enjoy!! YouTube - Always Stressed Out?? Try Not Giving a Fuck!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by SIMBASIM i think the buffett is better. reason being the reception does not get cut short because of a lengthy dinner. My people are going to be there to celebrate and party not to eat!!! LOL! They are going to be eating so much the whole time they are at the resort! Agreed! I think that the buffet is the way to go simply because of the options. If you do plated, everyone eats the same thing. I have picky guests. Some don't like red meat, some are highly allergic to fish, some I swear just don't eat period. With the buffet, everyone can eat (or not eat) to their hearts content. I was so glad that we booked 30 people because I have no idea what I would have done otherwise!

Wow, I wish my mom were that generous!! Thats really nice of her to offer. Here are my thoughts (sorry, I am a dork and make all my decisions this way) Pro: Cocktails are fun Pro: It's nice to visit with people in a private atmosphere Pro: People will be entertained Con: $$ Con: You are having a welcome party the next day and don't want to make guests feel like they don't have time to themselves... especially after they fly in and may be exhausted. They are here for your wedding but it's also a vacation for them. Con: I looked up your resort and it is awesome.. people are going to have problem finding free ways to entertain themselves!! So, in my extensive research here (jk!) I would say that it's not necessary. If your mom wants to do something for entertainment for the guests, maybe put together an excursion that people can do if they want to. Maybe go to Dunns River or a Rum tour or something. Good luck!!

Shoot, i just had two sets of them and I gave them back to my mom to return (she brings me a bunch of wedding goodies from her work). I will see if she still has them... PM me tomorrow if you remember because it's 2:00 am and I'm antsy and can't sleep but probably won't remember this during the day!! I'll give them to you for free if she has them. Just pay for shipping : ) If she doesn't have them, here is a link where they sell for for $10 Wedding Cake Charms - Wilton

Quote: Originally Posted by ash0628 Does anyone have an apporved photog list for dreams I don't really think that there is an approved list of vendors. You just have to ask! They seem to change their rules all of the time! Just an off note: Girls that are getting married a year+... RELAX!!! I know that it is exciting and you want to start planning but if you're stressing out about it already, you are never going to make it all the way to your wedding day without a heart attack!! I was exactly the same way when I first started too but after getting super frustrated numerous times, I just had to trust the fact that they do this every day and everything will be fine. Dreams will take a week+ to return emails but will eventually get back to you! Everything will work out and be perfect! Don't worry!!

Those are awesome!! Your guests are going to think that you spent a lot of money on them! Great job!

Quote: Originally Posted by dmarie17 I have it. I will email it to you. Okay, again I'm a moron. I can't figure out how to attach the document. I'm going to try to post it here. QA Wedding Arrangements 2008.xls

Quote: Originally Posted by ash0628 does anyone have the q&A form i can't get gaby to send it its taking forever I have it. I will email it to you.

Quote: Originally Posted by Kat81 Just so you know I am one month out and I still don't have all this figured out lol. I am just going to go down there and explain what I want in person! YAY for being one month out! Woo Hoo!! Me and Kat are going to be super planning when we get down there!! I am 3 weeks and I still haven't picked out: menu flowers cake location of cocktail hour gazebo decorations chair ribbons seating chart I have a feeling that when I get there, I will become a bridezilla!!

Just a note to all of you with contracts... ADD them up yourself!!! I don't think that they do it on purpose but I have had her send me 2 revised contracts with the incorrect amounts (one time it was like $3,000 and I almost peed myself). Double check with a calculator because they don't use the formulas in excel! Oh and here is a tip for you guys that have deposits that are more than you can afford right now. Change the number of guests to like 10 or 20 people so the price is lower and then you can always up it later. I know that it's kinda shady but I didn't have $$ at the time that my deposit was due so I didn't really have a choice.

Quote: Originally Posted by lyales I am looking for a save the date that is an airline tickets and provides all the information for a destination wedding. Any ideas on where I can find this?? I would rather order it that make it.....please help! I went with Gwen at .:Hitched Invites-Custom & Pre-Made Wedding Invitations. Invitations. Inspired:.. She does great custom designs and is very reasonable! She's done a few others on this site too. You can see all of her designs on the site too. Good Luck!! Here is a link to mine: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t15175