Laura22610

Quote: Originally Posted by reaganlane Ok, so I know there is a thread for this but I enjoy chatting with all you brides...what songs are you walking down and leaving to? We are renting the sound system for the ceremony and I don't know what music I'm going to use. I have no bridal party and it's just me and my dad walking in...should we start the song and wait a little while to walk in so it plays a bit or just take a snippet of it and play it and walk in? I'm so confussed on this issue! Also, are any of you doing a song during the ceremony like for your sand ceremony or something? Thanks for all your help! My bridal party walked down the aisle to Israel's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", I walked down to Canon in D played by acoustic guitar (found it on itunes and it sounds nice and beachy!). Our recessional song was UB40's "Can't Help Falling In Love". We didn't have a sand ceremony. Oh and I made a playlist of songs for the technician to play while the guests were being seated. I can post that too if you want... The technician who is working the sound system played our songs perfectly (I didn't give them any instruction). If you are getting married on the beach, it isn't a super short walk to the aisle so a good amount of the song plays before you get to the aisle. I'm not sure how it goes with the gazebo. He also faded the songs so that it transitioned nicely.

Quote: Originally Posted by RCBlondie a few questions for those who have been married at DRC, or those who may just know the answers... 1) how much to tip Ana? and when is the appropriate time? 2) we need to buy table decorations and was thinking of going to Walmart in Playa Del Carmen, has anyone been there? Or other suggestions or where to buy candle holders (the glass vase type), flower petals, etc... 3) anyone else getting married around the end of May and would like to discuss sharing their decorations? Yes, this May! All of a sudden the wedding is here and there are a few last minute things we need to organise! Oppss! Thanks! Rachelle Rachelle -I can only answer one of your questions 1. I tipped Ana $100 and I gave it to her at the reception. Although, I wish I had given it to her earlier in the day so I didn't have to worry about it at the reception. Hope that helps! Quote: Originally Posted by lilly129 If your fiance's like cigars - go visit Victor in the cigar shop - tell him Casey and Ron sent you - we had a loooong talk with him this afternoon when we were waiting for our transportation back to the hotel. He's fantastic and all the cigars in there are cuban - he will have a box made specifically for you and your wedding party if you give him a few days notice. Haha! We visited Victor a lot while we were there! He is very nice and very accommodating! He called our room all the time asking about when we wanted more cigars My husband bought one for each guy that came to the wedding and he gave them out at our Welcome Dinner (which is also when we gave out the OOT bags). The guys LOVED them! Quote: Originally Posted by aubry One more question for those who've been: we have several small children, and were wanting to get a ground floor room where we can put napping kids but still hang out with a group right outside the room. Would the plunge pool ocean view or plunge pool ocean front be good options? Any other options anyone could see working? Thanks! The location of the plunge pool ocean view rooms varies a lot! Some of the room are way towards the front of the resort (towards the lobby) and in front of them would be a garden type area - grass, some lounge chairs. There are plunge pool rooms which are also closer to the pools, which would be closer to the "action". I think that if you didn't really care where you were hanging out, a plunge pool room would be a good option. The ocean front plunge pool rooms are the Presidential and Governor Suite rooms (I think that's what they're called) so they are probably really expensive!! Quote: Originally Posted by Megan24 For the brides that got married already. Did you have a rehearsal the day before the wedding? I am wondering when and how if I write my own vows how does the officiant get a copy of it. Do I just give it to him that day of the wedding and he just reads it Quote: Originally Posted by AlisonJimmy That was a good question...do we need to have a rehearsal? I didn't know if they actually practices walking down and all that. I would like to have a rehearsal/welcome dinner as well. I did have a rehearsal. It wasn't a full run through of the ceremony and just Ana and my bridal party were there. Basically we just talked about where the huppah would be set up and where everybody would walk in from. I had my cousin do my symbolic ceremony so I am not sure about what their officiant does. Quote: Originally Posted by SDbeachgirl Hi all! I just wanted to log in and update you on how things went with my wedding on may 7th. It was amazing! All of my guests were blown away with the wedding and resort. I will write a review upon my return. I just want to say that we left the resort today and are honeymooning at the royal playa del carmen...I miss drc already! So glad we chose to get married there! The royal is too big and the beach feels like a public beach. CONGRATS MRS.!!!! So glad to hear your wedding was such a success!! I had the same feeling when we left DRC to go to our honeymoon at Excellence - we really missed it Quote: Originally Posted by noonie I WOULDNT HIRE THE DJ THRU THE RESORT. it was a waste of money, they played crap music & i would have run an ipod or hired an outside dj company. Just out of curiosity...who was your DJ (which company were they from)? Quote: Originally Posted by reaganlane Yeah, after talking to some of the guys, it may be too much of a crunch the day of the wedding. Maybe they can do it the day before? I really hope we get the extra room for the groom. I thought that was one of the best parts! Also, did they do anything to your room for your honeymoon night or is this something you have to set up seperate? I really want a special honeymoon night! They did do special stuff to the room on the wedding night. I won't tell you exactly what they did so it can be a surprise for you but it was very nice Quote: Originally Posted by AlisonJimmy What do all think of the fuscia and orange combo? I was going to alternate ceremony chair colors. Then maybe do the same with the reception tables. First Iw as going to do all turqoise..then saw the orange and fuscia and loved it. What do you think? I saw a fuchsia and orange wedding while I was there and the colors looked beautiful on the beach!! I did blue (light turquoise) and orange and my BM's flowers were orange roses....they were gorgeous!!! The color of them was so pretty and they looked great in the pictures!

Quote: Originally Posted by jero4183 Laura-- If you didn't know until you got there what locations you were going to have the ceremony, cocktail and reception... etc. How did you go about making the info sheet/itenerary for your guests of what time and where everything would take place? ? Haha! Good question I got there a few days before my mom did and after I met with Ana, I called my mom at home and she added all of the information to the itinerary sheet. So, she brought them with her to Mexico and I just gave them out at our Welcome dinner.

Quote: Originally Posted by Megan24 Thanks Laura you are awesome!!! How were the prices? Were they reasonable I am assuming that they might be a little high considering everything else that I have gotten prices about. lol Actually, I don't think the prices are that bad!! I am attaching the spa menu and the spa price list for you Spa Dreams_MENU.pdf Spa Price list.pdf

Quote: Originally Posted by ursula Hi Ladies! I just decided on Dreams RC for my wedding and my TA has contacted the TA to secure my date!! Hopeffully May 6th or 7th 2011. I noticed that the main complaint is the privacy or lack of for the ceremony sites, does anyone know if they have added a more private ceremony site or have moved the location of the beach site. Thanks! This was not a problem for me at all! I got married on the beach and did not have any trouble with privacy. The gazebo is less private. Hope that helps!

Quote: Originally Posted by Megan24 Does anyone have a email for the salon on the resort where we get our hair and makeup done? Do I need to book a appointment now or wait until I get there? For the brides that used them how did it go where you happy with the make up and hair? Megan - I did make appointments before I left. It would be one less thing you have to think about when you get there (because trust me, once you get there, you will just want to relax by the pool and have yummy drinks!). I just emailed the spa and they set up the appointments - it was really easy!! My mom and my bridesmaids got their hair and make-up done at the salon and they did a great job! I got my nails done there and they did a great job with that too! They are really nice there and will get back to you really quickly when you email them. Here is the email that I used... [email protected]

Quote: Originally Posted by rdsjcr Laura do you think you can help?? We are going to have our reception on the pool deck... and I really want to hang paper lanterns out there. Do you think there is a way/place for me to do that? (those that have gotten married already) I am thinking a simple candle setup on the tables and then lanterns (my colors) above...but being outside--not real sure how that could work?? Also-- anyone-- we went to order our guys Linen Suits from WeddingTropics.com and the color we wanted Khaki is temporarily out of stock for 2 MONTHS! Do ya'll know of another place to order? (we cannot go to JCREW or etc b/c one of our groomsmen is 6'7, 300+ lbs) thanks so so so much Robyn Hi Robyn- I am not really sure how you would hang paper lanterns over the deck. The deck is pretty large and there isn't anything above it. One wedding I saw had the star lanterns strung up above the edge of the infinity pool but I don't think that is the look that you were thinking of. They were just in a straight line above the pool. Hmmm...that's a tough one...I can't picture how it would work?? As for the suits...we got my husband's suit from here... it's more expensive now than what we paid but the suit was really really nice! We got it in tan. Linen Suits

Congrats and welcome Tara! I got married at DRC - it's great there! There is a thread on this forum all about the resort and it has tons and tons of good info! Happy planning! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...-thread-47576/

Quote: Originally Posted by wisconsinbride2010 HI Ladies! I feel like I've been gone from this forum forever. We just bought our first house and that has been taking over my life for the last few months. I can't believe there's less than six months till our wedding! I'm beginning to freak out now! I was wondering if any one has found linens for a little boy at all. I'm having my nephew who is 4 stand up in our wedding and I am having problems finding him linen pants and ivory linen shirt. Any suggestions? Also, Laura your pictures are gorgeous! I'm super happy I chose Claudia for my photographer now! Thanks! You will love Claudia! And CONGRATS on your new house! My nephew (who is eight) wore linen pants from the Children's Place and a linen shirt from Old Navy but we got those back in January and I don't see them on the websites anymore. But, I was looking at these before I purchased the others and they are still available (they have linen shirts here too!)... Drawstring Pants for Boys. 100% Superior Irish Linen.: Beach Wedding Shirts | Guayaberas, Linen Pants, Boys Linen Shirts, Mexican Wedding Shirts.

Quote: Originally Posted by SDbeachgirl Hi All! I just wanted to say that I have 1 week from today until my wedding! I'm super excited. We will arrive this Sunday...yippee! I can't believe it is finally here. Thanks to everyone for all of the info and tips. I certainly could not have done this without the forum. Congratulations!! That's so exciting! Hope you have a great time and a fabulous wedding!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Megan24 Hey Laura. I have a question for you did Claudia have some kind of a spot light for the pictures at night? Or is that something she did with photo shop? I love how the pictures are so bright. She did have some kind of light that she used when it started to get dark. She had an assistant with her who was holding the light (it was on a long pole).

Quote: Originally Posted by reaganlane Yeah, I love the photos that have the veil blowing up in the air but I'm so afraid it will blow around the whole ceremony while I'm on the beach. I'm thinking of just doing a cute hair piece viel in my updo and then replacing it with the real deal for photos My veil drove me absolutely crazy during the ceremony!! It was extra windy on my wedding day and it kept blowing in my face. Aahh...so annoying!! But I do like how it looks in some of my pictures.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments! Quote: Originally Posted by buix0058 Congrats laura! your pictures are beautiful. Can I ask what hotel room you booked? is it the honeymoon suite? I booked a preferred club ocean view room. I was very happy with it. We were on the 3rd floor, we had a perfect ocean view and then had a view of the pools too! Quote: Originally Posted by volosikj Beautiful Pictures Laura! Did you bring the star lanterns by the buffet with you or did Ana provide those? Quote: Originally Posted by Boo I would love to know about the star lanterns as well, I was looking for some to hang over the deck found some I love, actually thru Mishka but then I really dont know how to hang them so sorta scrapped the idea for a while Ana a couple of months back did send me picture of start that she does, and I thought that these (ones just posted) looked way better - I would be really interested to know how to get them as well - beautiful pictures! Quote: Originally Posted by lilly129 Ohh I have the same question - those looked soo good! Thank you! Ana provided the star lanterns. I actually had no idea that she was doing that either! It was a nice surprise because they did look beautiful!! I saw them setting up for a wedding another day and they used the same lanterns but strung them up over the edge of the infinity pool (I am sure this cost extra because it took them a really long time to hang them all!) That really looked nice too! Quote: Originally Posted by reaganlane OMG!!! Your pics are awesome! Claudia is amazing at adding lightness and darkness to the photos. I am so happy I booked her! Your pics make me so happy and excited! If you don't mind me asking, how long did you have her for photography? I'm only doing the 3 hour package b/c I'm not having a fancy reception. Do you think that will be enough? Thanks! You will love Claudia...she is so nice! I had her for 5 hours although I probably would have been okay with 4. I think that 3 hours should be enough time if you aren't having her at the reception. You can also add more time once she is there if you feel like you need more. She is very good at making sure things are moving along and that you have enough time for all of your pictures.

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsRobart oh and PS Laura - thx for the reassuring words about Mishka. It is abundantly evident that she is a real pro but its always nice to get the inside scoop from someone who's actually dealt with her :-) You're welcome! And it is so easy with her shipping them right to the resort! One less thing to worry about bringing with you

Quote: Originally Posted by Princess402 Yay!!! Everything looks so beautiful! You look so beautiful! I have to say, I really like your bridesmaids dresses - do you mind me asking where you got them? Thank you! And i don't mind at all...the dresses are Jim Hjelm. I got them at a local bridal shop. Here is a link to the dress on the Jim Hjelm website... http://www.jlmcouture.com/Jim-Hjelm-Occasions/Bridesmaid/Additional/Style-5957 Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsRobart Awww the pics came out gr8!!!! It looks like a gorgeous day :-) Quote: Originally Posted by mindylcarter Laura, your photos are beautiful and your dress is stunning, I love it! Quote: Originally Posted by MommaA Your pictures are some of the most beautiful I have seen! Congratulations. Thank you!!!

So, I received my pictures from Claudia Rodriguez a while ago but I just got the link to my online slideshow the other day so I thought that I would share Laura & Don | February 26th 2010 | Dreams, Cancun Mexico

Quote: Originally Posted by tracyann Hi All, I have been away for a while (darn work!!) but started back to planning! I have 2 quick questions (right now anyway)--- 1) for those that have used an aisle runner for the gazebo- what length? We are thinking of getting a personalized one, but I wasn't sure which size to get? and 2) for the buffet, do you just choose 1 of the 3 (mexican, caribbean or BBQ) and get all that is listed under that section, or do you have to choose from within each section (salad, hot, show and dessert)? I know we are going to have the buffet, and once we decided which one, I was planning on making tags to identify everything- I was curious as to how many I need. Thanks to all for the info! Tracy I had the caribbean buffet and the food was fabulous!! Everyone talked about how good it was! The buffet actually had labels by all of the food. Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsRobart I just contacted Mishka to inquire about how we go about having her do some maracas, programs and table cards designs for us. She got back to me almost instantly and is super nice. She seems like she'll be lovely to work with :-) Mishka is really nice and super easy to work with. I just got maracas but they were perfect and communication with Mishka was totally non-stressful!

I took my husband's name and changed only my last name. I feel like I am signing someone else's name when I sign my name now.

Quote: Originally Posted by RCBlondie Hi Laura, Just wondering if you could tell me how big the pool deck is and if you feel it would be large enough for the reception with approx 40 guests? We are not looking at a formal dinner at all but will have about 4 tables set up for people to sit and eat at when ever they feel like it. Sorry to ask if you have already posted a review (I am being a tad lazy tonight). Thanks! Rachelle Hi Rachelle, The pool deck is pretty big. It would most definitely be big enough for 40 guests. I think they say it can hold up to 200 people! I had 4 tables and a buffet and there was PLENTY of room!

Quote: Originally Posted by lorijfletcher Love your OOT bags! Where did you get the actual bag and the mugs? Did you make your own labels? How? Thank you!! I got the bags from Amazon: Amazon.com: Olive N Figs Plain Vanilla Jute Handbag/Tote: Clothing I got the mugs from Discount Mugs: Unique Travel Mugs, Custom Printed Metallic Travel Mug, Metallic Travel Mug, Travel Mugs I did make my own labels - actually my mom made the sticker labels and I made the hang tags. I think for the sticker labels, she got the stickers at Staples - they might have been blank name tags and then she used Microsoft Word to print them out. She found the clipart for free online. We used these for the money holders and the first aid kits. I am sure that she has them saved on her computer but unfortunately it crashed and I am not sure if she got it back up yet. As soon as she does, I will post templates. As for the hang tags, I used Microsoft Word and just set the margins to be the size of what I wanted the tag to be and put a border around. I had my monogram made by Sproullie Designs Sproullie Designs - Home She sent it to me as a jpeg file. I printed the tags onto cardstock, punched a hole and then used ribbon to tie them on to the bags. And just to give a list of where I got everything else... The notebooks were from the dollar store. My mom actually covered them with scrapbook paper (she's very crafty!) and they looked awesome! I got the decks of cards from the dollar store and my mom also covered those boxes in scrapbook paper and then made the labels for them in microsoft word and printed them out on cardstock and then glued them to the deck of cards. The starfish is a stamp. Here's a better picture: I got the first aid kits from the dollar store and they came with bandaids and alcohol pads. I added to them safety pins and motrin (which I got at Staples - it came as individual packs in a big box). My mom made the labels for them on Microsoft Word. I got the hand sanitizer from Staples also...it was a great deal - a package of 2 for $1. I got the chapstick from this website and got the margarita and pina colada flavors. Cocktail Lip Balms The maraca pens came from Oriental Trading: Wooden Maraca Pens The beach safe containers also came from Oriental Trading but i don't see the ones I got on their website anymore. I also put a card in the bags with information on a photoshare site that I set up on shutterfly. Oh and I also sent out a brochure with some information on it a couple of weeks before the wedding. I did the photoshare cards and the brochures on my computer, which is a Mac, in Pages. I will attach those files! Hope all of this helps!! Photoshare Card2.pdf Pre-wedding Mexico Brochure.pdf

Quote: Originally Posted by lorijfletcher Ladies, on a side note..... Where exactly is the "pool deck"? Is that the area between the infinity pool and the beach? Where the board walk is? Thanks! Yes...the pool deck is a wood deck between the infinity pool and the beach.

Quote: Originally Posted by cathyandchin Laura, How far in advance did you order the chocolates and who put them out for you? I'm having my ceremony at 6 and reception at 7 and I'm worried about them melting.. Cathy I ordered them about a week before I left for Mexico, which would have been 2 weeks before the wedding. My wedding was on Friday and they delivered the chocolates on Thursday. I gave them to Ana on Thursday and she put them out for me at the reception. It wasn't so hot in February that they would melt so I didn't really have to worry about that. I could see being concerned about that in July though...

Quote: Originally Posted by lilly129 Thanks Laura! No worries about Ah Cocoa - I'm glad you used them and liked them! Did I read in your review that they delivered the chocolates to the hotel? That would be awesome if they did! Yes! They did deliver them to the hotel. I emailed with them before I left for Mexico and arranged for them to be delivered the day before my wedding. They charged $8 for delivery. They delivered them to the concierge at the resort and then the concierge delivered them to my room! So easy!

Quote: Originally Posted by lilly129 Thanks! Here's what our oot bags will have in them: - Mexican wedding cookies (I'm on a hunt for bakery in playa or cancun to order these from - will be trying to nail that down on our site visit next month). These have a little tag that says "Abrezos" (hugs) which I ordered from ForYourParty.com Wedding favors, custom wedding napkins, party favors, and more. Make your special occasion unique with personalized favors!. I believe they cost $90 for 150 tags (I got 50 of each) - Chocolates from Ah Cocoa - those will have a tag that says "Besos" (Kisses) - A Just in Case bag: Advil, tums, pepto, purell, shout wipes, bug repellant wipes...my fiance ordered all this stuff off of Amazon.com - it's amazing the stuff you can find on there - Personalized Koozie - Mexican Worry Dolls - we bought these in San Antonio at a mexican market - they're little dolls with a slip of paper that says "mexican children put these dolls under thier pillows at night and the dolls take all thier worries away" - although they're technically Guatamalean... - Welcome Letter with Agenda. I made two stickers - one says "Shake For a Kiss" and we're attaching those to adorable little hang tags I ordered from www.paperpresentation.com (in the color flame which is a metallicy orange, they have the same color at foryourparty.) and then I made 2x2 stickers that say "bienvenidos a mexico" and those will go on the outside of the gable box. I found a great website if you want to make stickers: Online Labels - Labels for laser and inkjet printers! Compatible with all popular software programs for printing labels! - when you order labels they give you an access code to Maestro or something - but it's an online based program where you can design your sticker and then simply print them off -no worrying about the margins etc. I highly reccommend it. I'm going to upload some pictures into photobucket and I'll post them. Everything looks great!!! And thanks for the Ah Cacao recommendation - sorry I didn't remember it was you Everybody really loved the chocolates!! I got the package of 3 chocolates and they were on the tables at each place setting at the reception for my favors. Loved them!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Princess402 Hey girls, I have a random question... what are you doing for shoes? Especially for those of you who have already been there, what would you recommend? I'm definitely thinking flat or wedge sandals for the beach, but would like to kick it up a notch for the reception with a fun pair of heels! We are having our reception on the pool deck though and I started wondering whether heels would be a problem in terms of getting them stuck between the slats of wood on the deck... am I being crazy or should I be wary of a skinny heel for the reception? These are the shoes that I wore in silver... FRONDORF - women's fashion flats sandals for sale at ALDO Shoes. I thought about wearing heels for the reception too and had the same concerns with the pool deck. Funny thing is that I don't think anyone at my wedding was wearing heels and I was so happy to be wearing flat sandals that I am not sure how it would have worked out with heels