ebernard4985

Quote: Originally Posted by Megan24 You pictures were amazing but we are bring our own photographer and Ana told us we could supplement the photography for the videography. I wish I would have known this before or I would not be paying so much for our photography to come and stay. I wonder since I have a email from her stating that she would honor it if that would change anything? I am thinking no. They are going back on everything they have said and it seems to be in Mexico they do not honor anything! I found out from Hagen (sales manager at Dreams) that they are currently in the process of getting another golf contract for our wedding times. He said there will be golf after May 1. Again, I have this in an email to confirm what he said over the phone... but who knows if they will honor it!

Quote: Originally Posted by saymyname74 Is anyone playing music to walk down the aisle? Or what are you doing? Looking for ideas please. We are using the iPOD for the processional. The bridal party is walking into the suite from Forrest Gump and I am walking in to "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis (the piano version). I am still deciding on the sand ceremony song, but I might go with a Dave Matthews song because it is my fiances favorite. I am leaning towards the song "You and Me". Any suggestions for the recessional? We were thinking "Signed Sealed Delivered" but I am looking for something a bit more original

Quote: Originally Posted by Boo Do any of you ladies know the email for the sales manager at DRC? At the beginning Ana was actually ok, responding say once a week, but she kept missing allot of my questions so I put together a master of all my questions, and sat back. Well its been 3 weeks and no responce! I need to escalate it up to someone, thought sales manager would be the next step? I tried googling it but cant find it, I may call the resort later I guess if I cant find it. Here is the email address for the sales manager, Hagen Sommers. I have emailed him and my mom actually called and talked to him about the golf issue. [email protected] Let me know if you need anything else.

Quote: Originally Posted by Mallory57 Ooh, great question. I'd also like to know the answer. Also, she used fake flowers...I'm assuming much less than $140 per branch and you can't even tell they're not real! Where did you get the flowers from?? I bought the flowers from Michaels when they were on sale (which is almost every week) and they were about $5 a branch... much cheaper than $140 I was worried about the floating to the top so I was testing it to see if I needed a weight to hold them down. When I did the test run they stayed in the middle. I have two orchids in each vase and they did not float up at all! Once you put the flowers in water it is nearly impossible to tell if they are real or fake. I was worried that it would look fake and I am very pleased that they do not.

Quote: Originally Posted by Megan24 When you say you are getting 115 per person you mean per night for what kind of room? I have two people flying from Chicago and the flights I have looked up are outrageous what airlines did you book with?? Thanks It is $155 per night per person in the deluxe garden room. We booked through American Airlines and they are non-stop flights. We are leaving Monday June 14 and return Monday June 21.

We are not doing a site visit, but for the wedding we were able to get rates of $155 per person and luckily we got airfare for $294 round trip from Chicago... very cheap!!! I booked with Apple Vacations and the good thing is that Apple does their own promotions. For groups, every 25th (maybe it is 26th) person is free. So if you are going to have 50 people there, atleast you and your DH will be free... which allows you to spend money on other things for the wedding. We were able to get this and the promotion that Dreams was offering at the time... (every 6th room free).

Not sure if you got my PM.... I am interested in the flip flop tags... I will take all of them that are left.

Quote: Originally Posted by volosikj Has another else noticed the huge difference b/w the pictures Ana sent for Stephanie and Raoul's wedding and Nelli Ivica in the background of their beach shots? Does anyone know if this would have to do with the time of day they got married? I want the beautiful blue skies for my wedding, and am getting closer to sunset-- and am worried about the sky not being as nice of a setting. Thoughts? Stephanie & Raoul Nelli & Ivica Nelli & Ivica posted a review somewhere online about the wedding (I think maybe on facebook) and the reason why their pictures look so much brighter is because they had a photo shoot the day AFTER their wedding. It rained on their wedding day but the resort photographer was nice enough to give them a second photo shoot the next day so they could still have beautiful pics.... it is an added benefit of using the resort photographer.

Excellent info! I was thinking about waiting for Mexico, but then I was nervous because I was not sure if I would find them. I will definitely wait now since you say they are all over the place! I am sure I will find them! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I also bought my bags from Wal-Mart! They were VERY cheap on clearance! They keep them near the accessories in the woman's section. They have all sorts of bags that can be used for OOT bags. Last time I checked they had striped rugby bags for $3 each... very cute and would make an also tote after the wedding!

Quote: Originally Posted by rdsjcr No- I have looked there- just wanted to know ya'll opion/advice on what you are doing...as opposed to reading 100's of pages of stuff My invitations included the formal invitation, an insert for the Mexico reception and also an insert for the Chicago party. The response card then allows them to RSVP to both, one or none of the parties. This is just saving me the hassel of mailing out a bunch of different invitations. I will be posting my invitations soon! I am also mailing out seperate invitations for our party in Chicago for those who are invited only to that party, and not to Mexico (friends of parents, distant relatives, acquaintances, ect). Hope that helps!

So, maybe I am just confused, but I thought that you could not have your wedding reception in one of the restaurants..... it looks like several of the recent weddings were indeed in the restaurant Anyone know the facts about this? I am still having the pool deck, but I am thinking about my plan B.

Quote: Originally Posted by rscherle Hey Ladies, Who took the photos posted..."Stephanie and Raoul" etc? They did a great job! Is this Juan Navarro's work? This is actually taken by the in house photographer at DRC "Adventure Photos". I believe they are the new photographers for weddings. I honestly think they did a pretty good job! For the price, you really can't beat it! Also, one of the brides said in her review that the photographers let her do her photo session the next day because it rained on her day.... just an added bonus for using the resort photographer because they are there EVERY day!

Quote: Originally Posted by rdsjcr Sometimes I resend her an email- if I dont get a response after 2 days... also some people on here told me that she will sub out things for others in the package-- she told me she cant... I dont get that and it pisses me off. Anyone?? I believe her general rule is you can substitute it for a similar service. You cannot substitute hair for food... but you could substitute hair for another spa service.... does that make sense? We were able to substitute the cocktail hour for additional guests at the reception because they are both food/beverage items. She also has said that I can substitute a bridal bouquet for a centerpiece, but it has to be the same service provider (salon, florist, photographer, ect)

I think I am going to take a few days/weeks off from this wedding planning!!! My wedding is only about 4 months away and I never seem to get any straight answers from Ana, the resort, my TA... blah blah blah!!! I think I need a break to recharge! This process is so frustrating and not knowing what I need and do not need from Ana is starting to wear on my nerves!! ha ha!! Here is another link to photos if anyone is interested. It looks like they had their ceremony on the pool deck I actually like the set up of the chairs w/o bows so I might forget about my chair bows. Also, I love her flowers and I am assuming this is what mine will look like since I want pink callas. Stephanie & Raoul

And thanks ladies, I am VERY happy with them!

I do have a plan to get them down there. I am taking them on the plane with me because they are glass. I am fortunately traveling with several family members who do not need their alotted 2 checked bags. I am packing all the vases in a carry on suitcase (the small wheeled ones) and I can pack other small OOT bag contents within the vases. I bought cheap bubble wrap at the dollar store, so I think they will make it their unharmed! I would definitely NOT check these under the plane!

My inspiration: Test Run: I was originally quoted $90 a table for centerpieces! These will cost me less that that for ALL the tables!! Large Vase (10in) @ Wal-Mart for $2 each Medium Vase (7in) @ Dollar Tree for $1 each Orchid purchased from Michaels for $4 (on sale) has four orchids on each stem Floating Candles purchased from Michaels for $1 each, you can look online for cheaper ones! I will also be putting votive candles around these vases and some white seashells/starfish to make them beachy. I am putting one vase of each size on the tables surrounded by 5 or so votives. On the head table I will have 1 large vase and 2 small vases (head table made up of 3 long tables, a set of vases on each of the long tables) with votives surrounding them. Cost = 7 large vase = $14 10 medium vase = $10 7-8 orchid stems = $32 17 floating candles = $17 36 votives (from Michaels) = $15 seashells = $5-10 GRAND TOTAL = $98 (high estimate) That is less than $100 for 4 round tables and the head table!!!

Here is what I was told my the resort after emailing them about the golf.... Dear Ms. Bernard, Unfortunately our golf promotion end on April 30th, and I would like to inform you, our sales department is working for a new promotion for after this date and we'll inform it to you, but as all the promotion are subject to change we can not offer you any compensation in reference the golf promotion, anyway I can ask the golf course if they can offer you a good price for you and your guest. We really thank you for your understanding into this matter. Please let me know if you need any assistance. Sincerely, Arely López Chief Concierge Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa Tel. +52 (99 872 9200 I am soooo pissed right now. Basically they can care less! I am going home tonight and looking through the paperwork to see if it says it on our confirmations. How can they just get rid of a promotion? That is totally FALSE ADVERTISING!!! I understand that their promotions change, however, we should be grandfathered in!!

Quote: Originally Posted by beachykeen I'm so glad I found this forum!!! All the info is great! We just got our contract for our wedding October 8th, 2010!!! From all the info we're doing a beach ceremony at 2pm then a cocktail hour at 5pm, dinner and dancing on the pool deck at 6pm and then we will probably continue the party in the resorts club. Does anyone know how late the club stays open? Welcome! I just emailed the resort about this, and they responded saying Desires and the Lobby Bar are open until 1am each night. My reception ends at 10... and I am assuming most will end around there or maybe 11... so you can still go to the club afterward!

I mentioned earlier about the golf not being included, I finally heard back from Dreams and they told me "Unfortunately, after May 1, 2010, golf will be 195 USD per game...." I am SOOOO pissed about this! One of the reason I picked the resort is because my FI and father are big golfers and looked forward to playing golf at El Cameleon.... now, they may play one time, but they have to pay almost $250 with the cart fees and green fees!!! I think this is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous. My TA is trying to work on this for me because I think they should honor it, since when we booked they offered complimentary golf. .... just an FYI for any of you who told your guests golf was included

Quote: Originally Posted by SDbeachgirl Here are some photos of a wedding that just took place over the weekend. The photos are really nice. It looks like they got married at the "alternate" location. I wonder if it rained. Nelli & Ivica I think this couple just picked the alternate location, because their other pictures are outside and the weather looks great! The alternate location looks good though, so that is a relief. I noticed that their reception was in a restaurant.... I wonder how they managed that one? I emailed the resort to find out about the restaurant closing and to see if they all are always opened... I was told there is usually one closed per day, based on occupancy. I wonder if you could use the one that is closed for your reception if the weather is bad? I do not want my reception in their "ballroom".... I do not like the looks of it, too business looking.

Quote: Originally Posted by soon2BMrs.Prince Thanks for sharing. It seems like the in house photographer does a pretty good job. I agree, they are not the best pictures, but the photographer did a pretty good job!

Someone asked about centerpieces.... her is the document Ana sent me with pictures of centerpieces. I really do not like too many of them. I asked Ana about set up and she said they can do it, or I can have someone do it (like my mom or sister). If someone in my family has time to do it, I think I will ask them to set up my centerpieces because they will know how I want it!!!

I need some help!!! I originally planned at 6pm wedding (june 19) and Ana suggested that I change it to 5pm. After looking at sunset times, the sun does not set until 7:31 on that day!!! I am starting to think that maybe the wedding ceremony is too early Any suggestions Are any of you getting married in the summer when the days are really long Since I am not having a cocktail hour I was thinking I should probably push back the ceremony time... maybe to about 5:30 or 6:00?