*Krista*

Quote: Originally Posted by jerzygirl85 I hope not!! I'm planning on having my reception there. I had sent an email to Landy and Natalia about the locations and neither mentioned to me that this would not be an option. Me too! I'm also planning to have my reception there, and I didn't hear that from them. I'm having a Saturday wedding....

Quote: Originally Posted by jaynreneewed I'm having my wedding in July and I'm debating on having the reception inside (ballroom) or outside? I'm alittle worried about the heat, so I thought it might be better to have it inside with air conditioning. However, I rather have it outside because I think its more pretty. Is anyone else debating the same thing? Any suggestions would help. Hey! I'm having mine outside - I know it will be warm, but the breeze off the ocean will be nice! And I figure that's why I'm going to Mexico - to celebrate outside on the beach!

Hi everyone, I just thought of two questions: Does anyone know if Dreams still does free room upgrades for the bride and groom (ex. from hacienda/deluxe garden view to dreams junior suite garden view)?? I've seen a lot of posts about this from 1-2 years ago, but in the wedding guide it doesn't say anything about this. Also, in the wedding guide, it says for Dreams Ultimate or Dreams of Love, there is a honeymoon package - what is that? Sorry for the questions, but I've tried emailing Aurora twice in the last 3 weeks, and she hasn't responded. Thanks for your help!

Quote: Originally Posted by vlynnw Hi everyone! My name is Veronica and my FI and I are getting ready to send in our deposit to confirm our date for May 6, 2011 at DT. I've gotten a lot of information from this thread and from Aurora. I'm doing the Ultimate Package and bringing my own photographer from home. I just have one question because I just asked Aurora this but it wasn't clear so I thought that you ladies could help me out. Concerning the fabric for the canopy I want to bring an extra color with me how much is it for them to set-up. Also with the reception tables are the linens included the white linen and napkins, or do you also have to pay extra for these even if it's not for a different color? Hi Vlynnw, If you do the ultimate package, then the white tulle setup is included, if you bring a special colored tulle to have set up, then they will charge you $60 to set it up. That's what I was quoted from Aurora. I think for the reception, the white linens are included and white napkins, but if you want different colored napkins or linens, that's when you have to pay. That's just what I would assume, I haven't asked her specifically about the linens, but based on the wedding guide, colored napkins are $4 per person, but with the ultimate package, it may be included. You should ask your wedding coordinator. Have you been corresponding with Aurora?

Sunbride - thanks for your message! I think you are probably right. I couldn't imagine them just doing the bare gazebo, but I wanted to hear some other people's opinions about it. That also helps me, cause now I don't have to worry about hauling a ton of tulle! Freckle - I hope you have a fantastic time! Your wedding will be beautiful! Can't wait to see pics!

Quote: Originally Posted by AmyandRich http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy4/Amy Hi everyone!! The attached link is to photobucket where I put a few photos of 2 weddings at Dreams Tulum that I had the privelage of looking in on. The photos show: 1. The format of the flowers on the canopy (3 clusters) which is an option for the Ultimate package 2. Flowers used to create an aisle which is the other option for an ultimate package. I wa told that if you want both, there is an additional $150 charge. 3. A reception table set up at the Dolphin pool 4. A close up of the white table cloth that is included in package. 5. The "sound system" --- it's a large speaker on a pole. I was quoted $160 for reception (including classical music played while the guests are being seated) and $220 for the reception - you supply music Other items I found out: 1. They have a huge book of fabrics to use for bows, table cloths ect. I asked for a sheer overlay, in a custom color (color I want is not in the book) and was quoted $20 per table. 2. Bouquet... All of the photos of the resort bouquets are just "models". You choose the general shape of the one you like and then they create it in your colors. 3. Locations for receptions/cocktail hour... we toured them all and you pretty much can't go wrong with any!! In case it matters to you...if you choose a location by one of the pools, be prepared for people to still be wimming in it during your reception. It is really boggling to me how they can quote so many different things to different people, that she told you 160 for the sound system for ceremony, but I was told 165 (not including taxes/15%setup, etc) and in the wedding guide for 2010 it says 150 (not including taxes/setup fee). And for the reception I was quoted 240 not 220. Also some people are being quoted for 2/per person for setup of sashes, and others are being quoted 3/per person for setup, and some aren't being quoted anything for that....it's hard to know what we'll actually be charged when the time comes! I emailed Aurora to ask about the cake for the free package, but does anyone know, if I choose the free package, do I still get to pick how the cake is decorated? Flowers, colors, etc? Can I "upgrade" to a larger cake? Has anyone done this? As a side note - I love this forum!! Thanks to everyone for being so helpful!

Quote: Originally Posted by carmen2009 They did tell me it would cost $150 to set up paper lanterns. But, I've never heard of the $2/person. Where are you ordering your sashes from? Hi Ladies, In regards to the extra charges ($2 per person) for chair sashes, set up, etc. I was quoted the same thing by Aurora for July 2010. She said if they supply chair sashes, it was $5 per person, but if I bring them, then its $2 per person for set up of sashes on chairs. Also,she said if I choose the dreams ultimate package, the white tulle on the gazebo is free, but if I bring colored tulle, then it's $60 for the setup. If I choose the free package, then I have to pay $150 for white tulle on the gazebo, because they don't provide that with the free package. That seems a little strange to me...they would just have a bare gazebo for your wedding unless you pay the $150 extra? Also, with the free package if you bring your own tulle, they will charge you $60 to set it up. Has anyone else who had the free package recently experienced this? Did you have to pay the $150 (if you didn't bring tulle) or $60 (if you did bring your own tulle) to have the gazebo decorated?

Quote: Originally Posted by violetvixen hmm... nice idea krista, but who would get to keep it afterward? seriously though, I am considering buying and bringing our own iPod docking station. I guess we would still need to rent the resort's sound system for the ceremony so we could have the microphone, but at least then we wouldn't have to also rent it for the reception. I'll use that $240 toward the docking station which will be of use to us for years to come! Hi VioletVixen, I know, I thought of that after I posted! I feel really dumb now lol....anyway, I also didn't think of the microphone thing. I guess I'll probably just go ahead and rent from them for the ceremony and reception, it just feels like such a rip off that they can charge that much! Yikes! I can understand rising costs, etc...but it jumped from 150 this year to 240 for 2010....seems a little much!

Quote: Originally Posted by BellaBeachBabe Thanks for all your support ladies! I have now booked a new date, June 23rd, 2010! Thankfully my DJ and photograher are available that day! Now I can get back to the planning! Thanks again everyone! BTW, Any DT brides on June 23rd? YAY!! Congrats BellaBeachBabe! I'm so glad everything worked out!

Quote: Originally Posted by violetvixen it does sounds like the cost for renting speakers has gone up from $150 to $165. As in, $165 for the ceremony, then another $165 for the reception. Heck, for that price I can just buy one of the Bose iPod docking stations and bring it with me! They have a portable one for $300, and they have a big sound that I think would really carry outside. Yeah! I thought that was pretty ridiculous when I heard the price. However, what I don't understand is the wedding guide for 2010 that Aurora sent me, it says $150 for ceremony for 30 minutes, not $165 as she quoted me. But it definitely does say $240 for the reception for 3 hours. That's $390 just for a speaker system for the ceremony and reception!! Maybe a few of us brides should buy a speaker system and share it, since there are a few of us getting married around the same time, you on June 19, I think there are a few in the last week of June, and I'm July 10, and then jayreneewed on July 15. We could split the cost of buying a system, and then just pass it from bride to bride

Quote: Originally Posted by BellaBeachBabe Hi Ladies! I got the worst news possible today! I have to change my wedding date! My fiance s a Urologist and has to write his licensing exam the day after our wedding! For the past 25 yrs the exam has been the last Sunday and Monday of May. That is why we scheduled our wedding for the week later. This year of all years, the exam date has been changed to June 6th and 7th, agghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I have already booked the resort, rooms, photographer and DJ. I have sent out e-mails to everyone and now I am waiting to ear back from Aurora for change of date. I was hoping to chage it to the week of June 20th-26th................My dj has e-mialed me back and told me he is available any of those dates. Still waiting on the photographer. I am so stressed about this! To make matters worse, I sent out my invites and they are message in a bottle. Engraved on the bottle is June 5th, 2010..................omg........ I already told all of my guests, no one had booked yet for this reason as I asked them to kindliy wait to ave the official date of the exam.....thank god noone else had booked. My travel agent is going t speak with her eeps in mexico and is going to talk with the Geeral manager at Dreams to see if they ould waive the penalty fee for the rooms already booked............... This was so unexpected......... I'm so sorry to hear that! I really don't like when things are so expected, and then they go and change the regular pattern of testing...Luckily though, you have been so diligent in planning things so far in advance, that hopefully there will be no problem in switching things around! I hope your photographer is still free that week too! I know it's hard when unexpected things happen, but try and stay positive! All these little hiccups won't even be on your mind on that beautiful day when you stand up there and marry the love of your life!

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Angela~ We finally booked our wedding at Dreams for July 30, 2010. Now we just have to pay them and book flights, which is proving to be a daunting task!!! Hi Angela! I'm a dreams bride for July 10, 2010! I'm Dreams Tulum though. I'm soooo excited! Good luck with all your planning! Have you found your dream dress yet?

Quote: Originally Posted by maxandkatie Here is our ceremony that we put together...it was really beautiful: PROCESSIONAL Groom (Max) will walk in to no music escorted by his parents. Flower girls (Ryan Taylor & Morgan Pollitz) escorted by ring bearers (Jake Pollitz & Casey Taylor) will walk in to music provided by the resort. Bride (Katie) will walk in to music provided by resort escorted by her mother (Monica Sukenik) OPENING WORDS OF THE OFFICIANT OFFICIANT: "On behalf of Katie and Max, it is my honor to welcome you and thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful day to witness their wedding ceremony. The fact that you all have traveled such a great distance to be here today is a testament to the amazing amount of love and support they have. They would like to sincerely thank you all for sharing in this celebration of their commitment to each other. A special and respectful acknowledgement must also be made to those friends and family members who were unable to attend, or have passed on, but whose spirits remain alive and strong in all our hearts." “I have also been asked by Katie and Max to thank their parents for the wonderful lives they have given them, for the hard work and guidance they have provided, for their everlasting love, support, and encouragement. They would not be who they are today without your involvement in their lives.†“Katie, Max…Today you are surrounded by your family and friends, all of whom gather here to witness this love and to share in the joy of this occasion which will be one of the most memorable and happiest days of your life. You each bring to this marriage your own personality and spirit to form a union created by friendship, respect and love.†READING OFFICIANT: “At this time will Sean Taylor please come forward.†SEAN: “May you be blessed with all things good. May your joys, like the stars at night, Be too numerous to count. May lack and struggle only serve to make you stronger and may beauty, order and abundance be your constant companions. May every pathway you choose lead to that which is pure and good and lovely. May every doubt and fear be replaced by a deep abiding trust as you behold evidence of a higher power all around you. May you always be aware you are loved beyond measure and may you be willing to love unconditionally in return. May you remember that love flows best when it flows freely. May you always have music and laughter and may a rainbow follow every storm. May gladness wash away every disappointment, may joy dissolve every sorrow and may love ease every pain. May every wound bring wisdom and every trial bring triumph and with each passing day may you live more abundantly than the day before.†(Sean will sit down.) VOWS OFFICIANT: "Today you join yourselves together for life, as friends and lovers, Husband and Wife. The vows you are about to exchange represent your pledge to each other. For it is not the words that bind you together as one, but it is the love and commitment each of you feel deep within your soul." "Max, Repeat after me." "I, Max, take you, Katie, to be my partner in life. / I promise to walk by your side forever / and to love, help and encourage you in all you do. / I will take time to talk with you, / to listen to you, / and to care for you. / I will share your laughter and your tears / as your partner, lover and best friend. / Everything I am and everything I have is yours / now and forevermore." "Katie, Repeat after me." "I, Katie, give myself to you, Max, / on this our wedding day. / I will cherish our friendship / and love you today, tomorrow and forever. / I will trust you and honor you. / I will love you faithfully / through the best and the worst, / through the difficult and the easy. / What may come, I will be there always. / As I have given you my hand to hold, / so I give you my life to keep." OFFICIENT: “Marriage is the bringing together of two circles of love to present a new circle of love. The bride's family and friends have supported her during her life, as the groom's family and friends have supported him through his life. Your love and support does not stop now that they will be married. Now that you have heard Katie and Max recite their vows, will all of you, their family and friends, promise, from this day forward to encourage them and love them, and to help guide and support them in being steadfast in the promises they have made?†“Please answer, â€We do.†RING CEREMONY OFFICIANT: “The vows which have been exchanged are but words that are fleeting and the sound of them is soon gone.†“The wedding rings become an enduring symbol of the promises which have been made†“Katie and Max please join hands.†“These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch." "Max Repeat after me...Katie, as I place this ring on your finger, / may it always remind you of my never-ending love, / and may it always remind me / of the precious treasure I have in you. / Wear this ring with joy, / for your love has made me complete." "Katie Repeat after me...Max, as I place this ring on your finger, / may it always remind you of my never-ending love, / and may it always remind me / of the precious treasure I have in you. / Wear this ring with joy, / for your love has made me complete." PRONOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE OFFICIANT: "With confidence and deep affection, we send you forth on life's journey together. May love and peace be with you always. May you have courage and wisdom in your future years together, and may the happiness you share today be with you always. With friends and family, along with the sun, the moon, and the sea, I have the pleasure of announcing you as husband and wife." "Max, You may kiss your Bride." "It is my pleasure to be the first to introduce to everyone, Mr. & Mrs. Max Vokral.†WOW!! That is so touching and beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes just reading it!! Was this for a symbolic ceremony? I don't know about the rules regarding personal vows for symbolic versus legal (civil) ceremony...We would love to be able to write something personal, but we are having a civil/legal ceremony, so I'm not sure if we will be able to do that.

Quote: Originally Posted by ida Awesome! I love Vincent! He is so good and so passionate about his work. Our pictures are not on Pictage yet. Melissa just send us the link to the slideshow on their website. My wedding was before yours so I'm sure you will get your link soon to your slideshow. Yeah, he does amazing work!! I absolutely love, love, love your TTD photos!! AWESOME!

Quote: Originally Posted by Tisha316 To the ladies, Honeybear, and ESP Sunbride:) I am having the ultimate dreams package and with the advice of sunbride I think we are going to go ahead forgo the cocktail hour and meet at one of the bars and pay the extra per person for the silver or gold menu for the dinner...my question to you all is... 1) Which bar should I have everyone meet at before the reception that would be NICE and close to the beach wedding and our reception location...which brings me to my next question... 2) Where to have the reception...? I saw a beautiful set up on Starlitk's by the pool, but not sure which one it is, and which pool is the one with the arch walkway? We are having 42 guests so what would be the best option? 3) I don't think we are having a DJ. Just bringing the ipod...i have seen some girls do that and it worked out great. Can I have music as I walk down the BEACH:) to my hubby? 4) How do we set up the Ipod...should I bring my own BOSE docking station...it's pretty loud...? Or do they have something I can use and what would be best? I want to avoid ALL extra or hidden costs as possible because we are ALSO having a Stateside reception which is enlarging our budget!! thanks ladies:) Love this forum!! Love all of you...and can't wait for the Oct 10th wedding pix and review post!! Hi Tisha, I saw that you are getting married July 2010, do you have your date picked yet? I'm getting married July 10, 2010 at 3pm. I'm going to have a big wedding too - 30-40 guests! I'm still deciding between beach and dolphin pool for reception, as they are both beautiful locations. As for the ipod, they have a docking station/speaker system, but they charge for it twice. This is what I was quoted by Aurora: The cost for the sound system is $165 usd only for the ceremony per 30 min. and if you want to use the sound system for the reception you have to pay $ 240 usd per 3 hours. As for a bar that is close to the beach, I'm not sure, we'll have to get info from past brides on that one

Quote: Originally Posted by carmine Hi Ladies, My Fiancee and I are from Vancouver, BC- getting married at beautiful Secrets Capri, Riviera Maya on May 20, 2008. When we first decided on a destination wedding, i was a little lost, but I am SO happy to have found this forum- full of useful information!! Anyway, we went on a site tour at a variety of hotels in the area this past April just because it was so hard to decide strictly based in the internet- One hitch that we have come upon is that Sherline (the WC at Secrets) seems to have been replaced by an Alejandra. This was very disappointing because we loved Sherline when we met her, and chose the resort partly because of our immediate chemistry! Are there any other Secrets brides out there ?? Thanks, and I look forward to being a part of this forum!!! Hi! This post is quite old, but I am wondering if you still decided to get married at Secrets Capri? If so, how was it? I hope your wedding day was as beautiful and special as it should be!! I have been trying to decide between Secrets Capri and Dreams Tulum. They both offer the same in terms of packages, but I have noticed from pictures that Secrets Capri seems to have some more beautiful location choices/decoration choices for setups. Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to introduce myself and say "hi!" My name is Krista, and I am planning my Mayan Riviera wedding for August of 2009. From everything I have researched so far, I have decided to go with the Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa. My wedding planning is going to be a little bit trickier, as I am currently living and teaching in South Korea with my fiance. We are planning to finish up here and then have the wedding shortly after. There are certain things that are presenting as a challenge (dress, bridesmaid arrangements, decorations, etc) however, I have already found lots of helpful information on this site about reviews, tips, etc. - so thank you to all you helpful brides!!! Happy planning!!