RoryS

Is it possible to purchase insurance after your trip is booked or do you need to buy it at time of booking?

Quote: Originally Posted by Bianca I know this is a repeat question, but I can't find the answer in here! What size are the round tables? I want to order my over lays and sashes. I'm trying to locate the email my niece sent me from Jacy, but I seem to recall that they are 5' in diameter. I believe my niece ordered 72" overlays, which would give you a drop of 12", but I'll double check to be sure.

Quote: Originally Posted by Reluctant Beach Bride My mom has shown little to no insterest in helping me, for that matter, no one has shown an interest in helping me, I'm doing it all myself which is where my stress lies, so I sure wish I had an aunt like you to help me out, your niece is lucky to have you! I'm sorry to hear that. It is very stressful, but more than that you want someone to share your joy - even in the little things - like getting the perfect color tulle or hanging flowers or whatever. They may seem trivial to someone else, but it's your wedding and it means alot to you. My niece's father is not even going to the wedding. I know she is devestated by that. My sister makes one excuse after another as to why he's not going - he's sick, he needs to watch the dogs, they can't afford it, blah,blah,blah... I'm secretly happy he's not going, though because he and I never got along. He and my niece didn't talk for over a year, when she was like 20! I mean NOTHING!! Good luck with everything - you're down to the wire, now... but it seems like you've got everything covered. My niece sent me the Spa menu yesterday - a bit pricey isn't it? Is anyone having their hair or make up done by Dreams?

Quote: Originally Posted by aaronsgirl I feel the same way. Not sure if there are fewer of us or we just dont participate as often. I check in regularly but am kind of stuck in a rut right now with my planning. I am doing my own beading(never done anything like that before) so its my #1 priority right now. I am kind of burnt out on the planning and am having a hard time with some decisions so I am taking a little break on some stuff. Your niece is lucky to have such a great aunt helping her! I am having a blast helping my niece with her wedding. She told her sister she couldn't have done any of the planning without my help! My sister, her mom, is just not into it - I don't know why. I don't have any children, so I kind of adopted my sister's 3 kids. We've gone on lots of trips together and they know I'm always there when they need me. I told my sister I would kill to have a daugher and have her want me to help her plan her wedding. I know who I'm partying with in Mexico!! and it's not my sister.

Does it seem like there are fewer brides at DPA or is it just that people aren't posting the DPA site here as much as on other Dreams locations?

Well, my niece just found out that her wedding is going to be the only one on June 12th, so she's real happy. Just wanted to ask again about the idea of lining the sides of the aisle of the gazebo with palm leaves - any thoughts on that?

What type of flowers are you using in your centerpieces? We are hoping to use some birds of paradise and some other tropical type flower, plus some sort of green palm leaves. We also want to put palm leaves on the table underneath the centerpiece. I would assume they would be pretty easily available, but not sure. What do you all think about lining the aisle in the gazebo with palm leaves on either side? We were going to do rose petals, but I think they'll all blow away

Congratulations, Patsah. So happy to hear things went well for you. Now it's time to sit back and relax - probably for the first time in months...

Thanks for all the responses... I was thinking a brighter blue might work best, but then what color tie and bout?

My niece called me last night very excited that they finally got her FI's suit. It is going to be a white linen (Cubavera) suit. Her gown is white, but dip dyed in fushia and the girls' dresses are dip dyed orange and fuschia. (She had a designer friend make them). Her FI found a light blue shirt that he wants to wear with his suit and she wanted to know if I thought it would match, or should he go with orange. I kinda feel sorry for the guy, as he's so easy going, and if he really wants to wear a blue shirt, well... but she sent me a picture and it's kinda a greyish blue and I really don't think it will go at all. She wants him to wear an orange tie, and orange boutiniere. The guys will probably wear white pants with orange shirts. He told her - he would match the ocean with his blue shirt... What do you all think? I'm leaning towards telling her to go with the orange shirt or else white shirt, but I'd like to see the guy get something he wants!!

A lot depends on where the wedding is being held too. If it's at a VFW Hall or one of the more elegant wedding venues; that would certainly dictate what is appropriate attire. The main thing is - you want to feel comfortable with what you're wearing. NJ Italians tend to get very dressed up for almost any occasion. I'm one and married to a Greek, which is almost the same thing...ha ha...

Anguilla is so beautiful and romantic and Shoal Bay is gorgeous. Your wedding will be great!

From my understanding, there is a lot of nightlife, clubs, etc. in PDP. We are having our wedding in Puerto Aventuras and going specifically to PDP to go to some clubs. They just opened a new Coco Bongo there, which has a location in Cancun. We are specifically interested in the European style night clubs.

She is thinking the same way you are - that she doesn't want to take someone away from enjoying and appreciating the ceremony by asking them to coordinate the ceremony. My brother is a professional emcee, and he is going to announce the bridal party at the reception. His expertise is emceeing grappling (wrestling) tournaments, and she's afraid he'll be a bit over the top for the ceremony. (haha)...

I noticed that you said Jacy said you could contact a minister to do your symbolic ceremony. My niece & FI have written their own ceremony and just want someone to read it and coordinate the different aspects of the ceremony but I know she definitely does not want any mention of anything religious. Do you think she'd be better off having someone in the family conduct the ceremony? Also, want to be sure that the officiant is easily understood as there is a special wine ceremony that we are having and it needs to be coordinated by someone

Quote: Originally Posted by Reluctant Beach Bride Hi Ladies: I too submitted some questions to Jacy, just a note that I think was mentioned before but is worth repeating, use bullet points for each question when you write to her. I have sent 4 emails recently, 3 that I used bullet points, and one that I sent from my phone so I couldn't. The 1 without bullets never got answered (so I followed up using the bullet points) the ones with bullets got answered in less than 48 hours. So I asked: -Can you send me a picture of the beach area where the ceremony could be held? And she sent: That's where It looks like the area right around the lagoon -I sent pictures of the beach setup I want and she replied that it is possible but an extra charge would apply. I plan on bringing my own tulle though so I need clarification on what the charge would be for. -I have completely written my own ceremony and wanted to know if this was okay and needed to be sent ahead of time. She directed me to contact the minister. -Can dinner be held in the gazebo? She stated the gazebo can accomodate a dinner for up to 20 people. -If I chose not to have the cocktail hour included in my package, can I use it as a credit towards more menu options for dinner? She replied "About the credit towards more menu options, we haven´t had this situation but if you allow me a couple of days I can check into this and will let you know." I will follow up in a couple days if I don't hear again. - If I cannot have a credit, what is the cost of adding an entree option to dinner? She replied "For the Dreams of Love package, the extra cost for a second entree is $10usd per person." - Your flower guide does not have anything resembling what I want. I have attached samples of what I would like. Please let me know if these are possible. From what I sent she assumed my colors are pink and orange and sent samples of what is available, to which I replied back that my colors are orange and green and I just want some pink accents and asked if gerbera daisies are available. I want to just take a picture of what I want and have it done, what have you ladies been told about flowers aside from the guide she sends because I don't like those. - Some of the decorations I am bringing with me I would want to take with me again when I leave, will this be a problem? She replied "Regarding your own decoration, we will have no problem to give it back after using it." So that is what I have gotten so far. My day is FAST approaching so as I have more contact with her I will keep you all posted. That area of the beach looks very pretty. I think that's also where the Barracuda Bar is located. That's where we're having the rehearsal dinner. I'd be interested in hearing more about your centerpieces. We sent pictures and Jacy said they can do pretty much anything we want. Are you having a legal ceremony or a symbolic one? I heard somewhere that they pack up your decorations and give them back to you the next day (in your room?) I believe they have the Gerbera daisies as those are one of the flowers they said we could have and I've seen them in bouquets in some pictures. Good luck with everything. Sounds like most things are pretty much set for you.

ok, girls - time to get excited... Baltobabe is at DPA and has posted the first of hopefully many many pictures: April 5th 187 pictures from vacations photos on webshots

Quote: Originally Posted by Lindz RoryS- Where are these updated pictures? I tried to go and look at them and couldn't find them. Do you know where they are? Thanks!!! oops... sorry about that. Go into Dreams Experience - Forum - you'll probably have to log in. Then go to Dreams Experiences - Dreams Tulum and her posts are all there.

BaltoBabe is currently at DT and has posted a TON of pictures on the Dreams Resorts website Dreams Resorts & Spas: Unlimited Luxury She is going to Secrets Capri next and then on to Dreams PA

yeah, in looking at some of the pictures, the floor of the gazebo doesn't look that great. I think we'll probably use some palm leaves along the sides and then throw some rose petals, just inside the gazebo.

Quote: Originally Posted by aaronsgirl Hi ladies. I wanted to share some info that Jacy sent me: How long and wide would the rectangle table be for 20 people? 4.88m long and 1.50m wide How long is the aisle way where you usually put the red carpet? Around 12m Do you know how tall the posts are in the gazebo? 2.50m each When should I book appointments for the salon on our day for hair , makeup and nails? A month before the wedding Maybe this will help some of you:) The red carpet actually goes on the sand, correct? (where the volleyball is set up - or at least that's what it looks like in the pictures). Is there some sort of runner for inside the gazebo that's provided? Preferably, something white... or would you need to bring your own.

I have been going to St Maarten every year since 1986, and I know people who live there. Please let me know if there is something I can help you out with. There are several local wedding coordinators that you can also work with. Happy to help.

Quote: Originally Posted by Beautiful Bride Thanks Rory, I don't think we'll be doing a rehearsal dinner, and I can give them their gifts while we're getting ready, I'm just concerned that they'll buy shoes and jewellery before we go which will then be extra $$ spent. Thanks for the info though. Do you think that I can give it to them before we leave home to alleviate the problem? Or maybe I should just tell them I'm paying for those things while we're shopping, and then save a little something to give when we're down there. What do you think? Jen I wasn't thinking about the shoes gift - yes, definitely give them ahead of time so they can break them in. You can tell them you're buying the jewelry to match their dresses and save it to give them in Mexico - a nice little surprise.

Quote: Originally Posted by Beautiful Bride Hi Guys, What is the best time to give your attendants their gifts? I have never been a bridesmaid or a bride so I don't have a clue....especially if you arre giving them jewellery or shoes to wear for the day? Thanks, Jen Are you having a rehearsal dinner? If so, then the gifts are usually given out them. If not, and you are planning on getting together for hair and make-up; you can always give them out then. The groom can also give his gifts out to the GM at the rehearsal dinner or when they are getting dressed for the wedding.

Thanks so much for the update! So glad to hear that everything went fairly stress free for you. I think the stress level goes up because we're all so far away and if you're a hands-on type person, you feel a bit out of control. My niece is stressing a bit about the flowers. What sort of arrangements did you have? Also, regarding the Barracuda Bar. We're having the rehearsal dinner there as well as the cocktail hour. Is there an additional charge to set up a bar? Sorry to hear about the food at the cocktail hour. The choices didn't really sound all that appealing. Maybe we could ask them to put out some nachos/salsa in addition to the appetizers - just in case. Sounds like you have a wonderful wedding - wishing you much happiness!