Jenn6603

Great question - hopefully someone will have encountered this... We are bringing a photog with us but are also using the one that was included for free in our package... I think we will just say that the photog we are bringing is a friend of ours and a wedding guest... Jenn

I would try and get to a Bay store... We've had nothing but great service with them... plus I believe people can buy for your registry online... We tried to register at Home Outfitters (same company as the Bay) and had nothing but grief - they wanted us to commit to an 8 hour session in their store to register and were booking appointments 6-8 weeks out! We walked into a Bay store without an appt, spent 15 minutes with the clerk and were off and running... It's hard to believe that they are the same company! I know others have had luck with Home Outfitters - it just wasn't for us... I am not sure where you live, but I am in a small city that does not have many options - we do have a independently owned home and gift shop that will do registries and will give your guests the opportunity to call in and purchase or go online... Good luck! Jenn

Quote: Originally Posted by smith3576 We are considering having our wedding here in 11 09 but we want a private place for the ceremony and reception. It's hard to tell whether they have any spots that offer more privacy from the pictures....what are the options for where you can have the ceremony and reception? Thanks in advance! Hi Jamie, I don't think there is anywhere on the resort property that offers total privacy... We are looking at having our ceremony on the beach, which is somewhat private but other guests on the resort can still watch... We are having our reception on the Las Palmas terrace, it is around one of the pools, and again, resort guests will still be able to look on but not come in to the area where the reception is... Maybe one of the brides that has already been there and got married can comment... I think if you want total privacy, you should consider a location off resort in PV... Jenn

what time do you get in on the 7th? we don't leave til close to midnight! I have already spoke to the girl from the TA post... She just reiterated what I already felt as far as making sure that the resort is clear on what you want.. She said that she had to direct the whole process and seek out Diana and ask lots of questions! I think with a DW you have to relax and allow things to just happen - especially when you don't have any control... For the most part, she was very happy with the wedding and how beautiful it was... One thing I am doing is appointing one of my girlfriends to oversee the wedding the day - to work with Diana to ensure that any of the decor I bring along, etc comes together... I am fortunate enough to have two friends that are coming that are in the catering/special event business so they will look after it all for me! Jenn

Hi Sarah, Congrats to you as well... time flies so fast - we cannot believe we are 73 days away from leaving... looks like we will just miss each other (what day do you arrive? we leave on March 7)... Yes, the resort can supply table runners... I know that Lauren had them do this (I am sure she will chime in here or if you look through this thread you will find a post from her - you can check out her pics). With our package, we get the chairs covered in white along with white tablecloths - runners, coloured napkins, etc would be extra. And yes, there is a walmart down there! but there are also many, many other shops that you can find really neat things... I will be heading to the glass factory to pick up some neat shot glasses for gifts along with some cool bowls for centrepieces... We were unable to get into the new tower when we booked - signature did not offer it at the time... they are now offering the new tower but want an extra $2000 for the two of us!! We are hoping to get a better deal on an upgrade when we arrive... even at $100 a night, it would only be $1400... I also spoke to the resort and they MAY upgrade us at no charge if the room is available - we have 12 rooms booked at the resort, 4 of them for two weeks... so we are taking our chances! The only reason I am taking my own table runners down is I found some really nice fabric that was very inexpensive at the fabric store so bought a ton... I have been nervous about the actual decor from the resort as well but every bride I have talked to said not to worry - the reality of it is the scenery of the beach, ocean, sunset, etc is really all you need! Plus, everyone will be staring at the bride, right? Who cares what style the forks are? Jenn

Quote: Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 Supposedly, according to the lady who sold me my dress (which is a sample gown), mine had only been tried on a "few" times and she said it was "brand new" to the store...when I asked about getting some $$ knocked off, she said they couldn't...did I just get totally scammed?? Hey Kathy, I am in Edmonton as well - I bought a sample dress from a bridal store and was told EXACTLY the same thing... she finally moved to a measly 10% off! Unfortunately, I pulled it out the other day (I have had it since August) and can clearly see that the dress has been tried on MANY more times than what the sales person had suggested... It is my own fault for not checking it over more closely when I picked it up... Fortunately, the areas that have suffered are more or less along the bottom of the dress that will be removed when hemmed... I am still VERY happy with my dress and not too upset with what I paid... I wish though I had my head on my shoulders more when I actually bought it... instead it was in the clouds!! Jenn

Quote: Originally Posted by mrsbancroft2be Wow you sound like you have it all put together. I wish I could say the same. I am too embarrassed to write my to do list on the forum, everyone would laugh. Oh well I work best under pressure. Are you going to have a welcome dinner or cocktail hour for your guests when most of them arrive? I am debating whether or not to have one. I cannot put my list up here either... too darn embarrassing... actually I have yet to create it!! We're not doing a welcome dinner, well not a formal one anyways... instead, we are having everyone meet us on the malecon in Puerto Vallarta (its like a big boardwalk) and we will hang out there for a few hours. Our problem is we have 2/3 of our guests staying at an AI with the other 1/3 of them off-resort... too darn expensive to bring them on resort to do anything that way! I guess I should actually open and look at Beck's planning list spreadsheet that I downloaded about a month ago... Jenn

Quote: Originally Posted by Jess Does anyone have Dreams PV pricing? I emailed the coordinator a week ago but no response yet. As far as pricing goes, we are going with the "ultimate" package which is $2650 USD... Details on what is included can be found here: Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resorts & Spas: Plan Your Wedding We are paying extra for a DJ (arranged by the resort and will be available for the ceremony and reception) for $750 (will not be playing during cocktails as we have the mexican trio for that included in the package). We are also adding some fireworks for about $400. We have 20 guests (that is what the package includes) plus 9 off resort guests that we are paying $55 per person for (includes drinks and food). As long as they come within 30 minutes of the ceremony, we do not have to pay for a day pass... We are bringing a photog with us. I do have the info that was sent by the resort this past May but doing everything a la carte seemed more expensive than going with the package and adding the extras that we wanted... We are not getting anything extra as far as decor (I am bringing my own table runners and will purchase some glassware down there for centrepieces, etc). The only other extras may be some flowers but 2 bouquets, 2 boutonnieres and 2 centrepiece flowers are included in the package. All the pricing provided above was done last May/June and is for my wedding in February. Please feel free to contact me if you need more info! I think I have asked pretty much every question to the resort!!! Jenn

Quote: Originally Posted by tvt We looked into Los Burros Bar - super casual, on the beach, budget friendly. Daquiri Dicks and Fajita Republic. Los Burros Bar and Daquiri Dicks were responsive. Fajita Republic, not so much. But I know Celina (Soontobemrse) had good luck at Fajita Republic. In the end we didn't have a WD because I waited so long to plan it, oops! However I do have a contact person and some menus/pricing for Los Burros Bar and Daquiri Dicks if you want it. Tara, I would be interested in the info you received from Burros Bar (one of my fave spots on the beach in PV!) and Daquiri Dicks... We are looking for a spot for our rehearsal reception... Thanks! Jenn

Welcome Kirsty! Glad to see you made it over to the forum! Jenn

Has anyone ever done the sand ceremony with a child? My guy has an 11 yr old son from a previous relationship - he lives with us and this would be the perfect way to involve him in the ceremony! I am looking for the actual wording of involving a child rather than writing it myself... I have found tons of wordings for couples but not many for when a child is involved... especially with a non-bio parent... Thanks! Jenn

omg - I need this sooo badly!! I posted two weeks ago that I was sort of freaking out and that I needed to get organized since the wedding was, at that time, 3 1/2 months away! Well, now, we leave 3 months today and I have not made a single list and I have so much to do! I am so glad to have found this! Thank you!!! Jenn

In my notes from a couple months ago, I was told $80 USD per person for a day pass. It would include drinks, meals, access to facilities (pool, beach) etc. I am not sure what the "timeframe" is that you are allowed to stay if you are a guest - I would guess they would have specific hours. I believe they are very strict with guest access to the resort as Dreams does not have wristbands and I know that I was advised to ensure that security has the names of my off-site guests that will be attending my wedding there. Jenn

well, I certainly hope that I get the experience that lauren and starchild have had!! my wedding at dreams is only 3 1/2 months away... I do agree with starchild - I have traveled all over and most all-inclusive do not allow off-resort guests. period. not even to the lobby... I've seen them turned away at the main gate... Tara - you said that 90% of the questions you asked received a no answer... I am interested in knowing what sorts of other things they were not accomodating with... you mentioned the sitting together thing and the off-resort guest policy... what else? Jenn

yikes! Today it sort of sunk in that we are less than four months to the big day and I have sooooo much yet to do!! Was out shopping for a christmas party dress today and realized I still don't have any shoes for the wedding!! I think I will spend tomorrow making lists - I feel really unorganized right now! 108 days to the big day! Jenn

Hi Yari, Thanks for this! We have been trying to decide where to have a "rehearsal" reception that is off resort - this has piqued my interest! Where exactly is it located? The name to me is totally familiar but I can't place it... Thanks! Jenn

thanks for your input! we are injecting our own personalities into the ceremony but I do not want to be handed a piece of paper to read! Hopefully whoever the officiant is will be able to accommodate us! thanks again... Jenn

I was just going through a bunch of photos of different weddings at Dreams PV and came across a few pics where it looked like the officiant handed the bride and groom the vows to read themselves... Is this the norm? I don't want to read something off a piece of paper - I would rather just repeat after the officiant... Thanks! Jenn

Hey Lauren, Thanks for the info... The problem we ran into was our tour operator (Signature Vacations Canada) would not even offer us a choice... it was deluxe room only - even if we had wanted to pay for the fanciest room at the resort, they would not do it for us... unfortunately, this information was not clearly provided to our travel agent from the operator... we were told that the jr suite could be requested but once we had the booking done, we were advised that this was not the case... (I have a feeling Sarah has run into a similar situation). Our TA had requested the jr suite but has told us it is not guaranteed... I am totally willing to pay for an upgrade but will wait until we arrive at the resort - it is too hard to negotiate with them via email My problem does not lie with the resort, it is with the tour operator - they have been the least favourite part of my whole planning process! Jenn

Hey Sarah, We are in the same boat as you - our tour operator will not guarantee us rooms in the preferred tower... who are you going through? Signature? With Signature they could not offer us jr. suites, only request them (I think it really is a crock but that is a whole other post!) I have contacted the resort about upgrading but they want about $125 a night to upgrade - again, I think that is ridiculous... From the reading I have done, if the resort does have availability in the club tower, they will offer an upgrade at check-in (possibly for nothing to the bridge and groom)... I have heard that they will make the offer... if you hum and hah about it, they will drop their per night price - I have heard that some folks have received the upgrade for $50 per night... We have just decided to chance it and hope we get an upgrade... As far as the flowers go, I have see Lauren's pics and they are gorgeous! Diana also sent me a bunch of pics of the bouquet choices - they are very nice but the gerbers are my fave... feel free to pm me if you want any further info... For favors, I am going to get stuff when I get to PV - since we only have about 30 people, I can easily find something fun in the market... Its tough to relax when there are so many things that you are uncertain about - I had my major panics about a month or so ago! I just realized that I am going there to get married... my guests are going there to see me get married... in the end, nobody is really going to care what the flowers looked like, what the centrepieces were, etc... Jenn

We were hoping to go the CD player (or laptop or iPod with good speakers) and were told that we could not do that as well... I found out that the reason for this is that the speakers that people generally bring do not fare well in the outdoors (they are not loud enough - they may be fine for indoors, but outdoors, where sound travels, its a completely different story)... That may be why they are suggesting that a DJ is important... As far as the private function part, I am wondering if they are saying that because they need a specific area for the DJ to set up? Not sure... I know someone had mentioned that there is a bar in the resort (if I recall its downstairs or something) and apparently not all that busy - if that is the case, why not just have your crew go there for the dance?? I am sure that whoever is playing the music there could play a special song for you... Lauren may know more about that - she was married there earlier this year... We are not having the legal marriage in Mexico so are not bothering with the paperwork... we are going for the spiritual one... sorry can't help you there... Let us know how things turn out! Jenn

Congrats Mishka! Love the blue and orange together, too!! Jenn

I'm getting married at Dreams PV - I have no idea how long the aisle will be! From the photos, it didn't look that long... maybe it depends where at the resort... our wedding will be on the beach... I guess I will find some back up songs just in case! Jenn

We have a pretty small wedding party... Groom and son will walk down then MOH and Best Man... then me and my mom... I am really scared about my song though now that I have read this... I was thinking one 3 1/2 minute song would work for all of us to get down the aisle... Should I have two songs? One for the groom, son and wedding party and then one for me and my mom? I can't imagine that our aisle will be that long... we only have 25 guests! Jenn

There will be an empty chair in the front row at the ceremony with something of my dad's on it as well as a photo in a locket pinned inside my dress... I want it to be discreet enough so that it doesn't make it a sad thing. Jenn Jenn