sisterofthebrideerica

Quote: Originally Posted by BillysBride I guess this could primarily be for African American brides, though traditionally it doesn't have to be. I'm wondering if anyone is considering or planning to include a traditional broom jumping in their ceremony? I'm thinking on it and have found a few web sites that have really gotten my imagination going. I figure its a brief sort of thing, but can add a little bit to our ceremony since its just a religious/vow renewal and going to be short. Plus, I really love the tradition behind it and what it signifies. For those aren't familiar with the broom jumping tradition, its said to have been brought over from West Africa and practiced largely by African Americans before marriage was legally recognized for us here. It symbolizes sweeping out the old/past and ushering in your new lives together. Brooms are decorated beautifully and at the end of the ceremony after you are pronounced husband and wife, the couple steps or "jumps" over the broom before proceeding back down the aisle together. I even found a site with the idea of having smaller brooms beautifully decorated as bouquets and now I'm thinking of doing this as a DIY project (I need something to focus on, I'm going nuts here) for my bridesmaids to carry. Not everyone's taste, I'm sure, but I think it could be really different and pretty. Check these out: African-Weddings, Heritage Wedding Brooms, Accessories & Gifts - Cala Lily Broom Bouquets I'd also do our broom for the jump myself. I haven't seen anything that can't be put together as a DIY project, so I can't see spending the money when its not really necessary unless I just cannot get it together. Besides, my mama is the black Martha Stewart and if I get in trouble, I know she can handle it. Anyway, just wondering if anyone else is doing it, has done it or considering it. Thank you so much for this website!! I just read what the ceremony really represents and it was so meaningful. I sent it to my sister and her FI, I'm going to have a broom made to give to his parents.

My sister's FI is African-American and she will be jumping the broom to honor his family and their traditions. I did some reasearch to find out the "why" behind it. Most commonly it was done in the south when slaves wanted to signify getting married. They were not leagally allowed to get married so they would jump the broom as a couple to represent them getting away from their "owners" and jumping towards freedom and a new life together. I think it will be a great part of the ceremony. On a side note, my family is Jewish and my sisters FI will be stomping on a glass to honor our traditions. It is basically done to ward off any evil spirits around the wedding and the marriage will last as long as it takes to put the glass together!!

Has anyone used the babysitting/nanny service when they went to Dreams Tulum? My sister has two friends that will be traveling with infants and I have a three year old. Just wanted a little feedback. Thanks!

Target has "spring" looking totes in their dollar bin right now. I know the larger greatland stores have more inventory... Just wanted to let you know.

Quote: Originally Posted by sndyndln Thanks for keeping me up to date! And thanks for letting me know I'm not on my own! I couldn't for the life of me figure out what the abr. meant. LOL Thanks for asking. Another thing I recently got in an OOT bag was sublock. I thought it was really a good idea because everyone needs it. You could even go a step further and put your own lable on it!

Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride That's because Tammy is amazing and the best TA ever! "Tammy, Tammy, Tammy!" (Thats me yelling) You are the answer to my prayers. Our TA is a nightmare and I would love to tell him we have found someone else. I sent you a private msg, get back to me as soon as you can.

Quote: Originally Posted by amy706 His name Javier [email protected] Also my TA got us a great rate for our site visit in Jan. 89 per person per night and we stayed in a Dreams Jr Suite! OMG who is your travel agent that is AMAZING!!

Quote: Originally Posted by amy706 Trisha! Your pics are so beautiful. Thank you for sending!! It was me who asked for a pic of the bar menu! I ended up emailing the concierge and he just sent me the attached doc which lists it out. if its useful to anyone, its attached. I wanted to make a signature drink or two but use one of their drinks and just rename it, which is why i wanted it. thanks for trying by the way!!! Can I have the concierge's email address. I want to contact them re. some group tour info. Thanks!

Thanks for the pics!! Did you talk to Sandra or anyone at the hotel for special rates for your site visit? Like a discount on a room or anything since you were having a wedding there? We are going in May and jsut wondering if we should contact the hotel for reservations or just book on orbitz or something like that.

So Sandra has really picked up on her communication in the last few days. She has responded to three of my emails in a 48hr time frame. My mom was also able to get Landy on the phone and she spoke with her for almost a half hour. We now have the date locked down and the reception area. She did confirm that since we have the patio/terrace area if we want the restaurant closed it would be the $750 fee.

Quote: Originally Posted by IowaChik22 How many of have gotten a gift for your husband to be on your wedding day and what is it? I'm not sure what to get him if I decide to get him anything...maybe just a card? So I'm already married, happily for 4 years LOL I didn't get my husband a gift on our wedding day. I wanted to, I just never got around to it. Some things that friends of mine did were golf pkg for him or for him and his guys to do sometime before the wedding. Another friend did engraved cuff links. I've also heard of jewlery and "guy" stuff like electronics....

You guys made some great points about words evolving over time. Thank you! I wanted to comment on the children situation, mine is very unique. My husband has two children that we have custody of and they share his last name. Our son together has the hyphened last name. We havn't had any problems or difficulty as of yet. "Our" three children are 14, 9 and 2. We are currently trying to teach our 2 year old his long last name LOL. It's fun to hear....

My sister is getting married there on Nov 22. I have used the thread on here that is dedicated to Dreams Tulum and it is a wealth of information!!

I hyphonated my last name and have a few reasons why. My father doesn't have any sons and I didn't want our last name to "die out" In my Womans Studies class at Cal State Long Beach I learned that the letters "Mrs." meant belonging to, when woman used to be property of their husbands. It was at that moment I knew I would hyphonate. I'm not a feminist or anything like that, I just wanted to keep that part of my identity. I was very fortunate that my husband (my FI at the time) was very supportive of my decision.

Quote: Originally Posted by DreamsTulumBride Hi ! Many of you are getting married at Dreams Cancun and alot of info is available for you all ! I would just like to start a new tread on Dreams Tulum resort and Spa in Riviera maya Hope this helps all the Dreams Tulum bride 2 B Any chance you can donate some points to me so I can open all of these? I can only open the first one.. THANK YOU!

Quote: Originally Posted by can't wait! I'm having my welcome dinner in the World Cafe (the buffet restaurant). Sandra told me there was no additional charge and they have two side rooms which they will section off for you if you want to do it there. I know it's not as formal as a sit down dinner but I didn't want to pay any extra $$$. Plus you can always had some table decorations/centerpieces to make it a little more formal. Do you know how many people they allow for this?

Quote: Originally Posted by DreamsTulumBride Here is a picture of the popular picture area I was talking about (near seaside grill) Can you get married at that spot or is it just for taking pictures? The spot by the pool is it on the sand as well? Anyone have any pics of that one??

My sister wanted to get married this year. We were hoping for Dec. but we started asking for those dates in Jan and they were gone. Our date is Nov.22nd and it took 3 weeks of communication to try and nail it down. We started this in Jan...

One more thing, oh who am I kidding it's going to be a million more things before I get all the answers I need.... Does anyone know of the other ceremony location options. I heard there was an option by the pool, and possibly the entrace to the hotel?? Any input on these choices. :doh This is how I feel right now LOL

Can you put the pictures in this thread...The ones that disappeared. Thank you so much for your quick response. I just called my sister and she's crushed, but it's better to know now...

I have a question regarding the ball room. We just booked a wedding for Nov.22nd and we have approx. 80 people. We were told we could still have the option of a beach or patio reception. I am now reading your post regarding the ball room...Is it an option or a must?

Hi Everyone. I am doing most of the planning for my sisters wedding at Dreams Tulum. As most of you know it was a very frustrating experience getting the wedding date, but I have to tell you how much better I felt after reading all of your posts. The thing that is frustrating me the most is that I can't find a picture of the "wedding gazebo"option. They say it is in a romantic setting next to the seaside grill restaurant. Does anyone have a picture of this?? I have googled it and looked at 17 pages of possibilities to no avail. I have also asked Sandra and Landy both have not responded. I would be eternally greatful for any info!! Thank you, Lisa

Hi There, I'm doing most of the planning for my sisters wedding in Dreams Tulum. I found this site becuase it had a special thread dedicated to them. I'm so excited to start posting and getting information.. Thanks, Lisa