peterpanpixiedust

It's a beautiful resort and great customer service. I know there has been some scares with the renovations and the beach changes (btw that was the goverment doing all of Cancun's beaches, not Dream's decision). But I totally understand why you would have doubts. Come to the "Dreams Cancun, questions for those married there" thread to help you make your decision. And Congrats and Welcome!

Yay, I voted for the first time!

Thanks for asking that, I'm still considering. Wow! Can I just say I love you all, I don't think I saw one snarky comment here. I swear I went on the knot and people were just so incredibly blunt with their answers. I guess they weren't technically being mean, but you could feel that sort of tone. I saw both opinions expressed here and not once did I feel like the person who asked was being judged. I love BDW!

Yeah, I am having my wedding at Dreams. I originally thought we were going to do the Sands, but it was to expensive. I just meant that we both go to the same timeshare group! But it's still exciting. I would look into moving your timeshare to June, because my FI's parents told me you couldn't move weeks within the same Timeshare, only trade to another. But, you guys could have different rules, especially since you have so many weeks. My philosophy on outside photographers is that they can't stop a guest from taking pictures, and our photographers are our guests. But Dreams is ok with that. The thing about outside guests, we are encouraging our guests to stay at Dreams, because it is all inclusive, so they are taken care of the whole time they are there. But, I have talked to other Dreams brides, and they say that if you have outside guests, they can come for the wedding and reception and not get charged a fee. You are better than me!!!! We can't order our STD's until we get our engagement photos, and we are trying to get them done next week, and THEN we have to put in the order. We are doing Vista print, which is mostly free (sign up there is you haven't yet.. it's awesome), but shipping is 21 days, so I might need to pay for more shipping. We want to send our STD postcards with our TA's travel packets, and she hasn't given us our second rates yet (they are supposed to come down after a while, and we are waiting). I can post my centerpieces later (I'm doing cylinder vases and rose petals with submersible lights in water, with shells scattered around.. dollar tree). And I hear you on expenses. Our 3k is still about the same for the wedding at Dreams, but throw in my outside photog, and my dress, the Bose ipod dock we got for our sound (we'd rather pay for that and keep it, instead of paying for a sound system, but we do get two hours sound system free, so we will use 1 for ceremony, and 1 for the dinner), the microphone to go with it, my TTD (which is really cheap, but still), our OOT bags (dollar tree again!!), and everything else that I can't think of, it will be closer to 10K if not over, and that's not our travel and hotel... oh well, still cheaper than having it at home. And our photographer expense covers two photogs, for two days of shooting, the rights to our photos, and a 4x6 of all photos taken in a leather box. But we have to pay for their travel too. Our colors are Red, White, and Sand. I should post my logo. Wow, I should be a published author by now! Forgot to say, I'm also in my Master's program to become a teacher! Another similarity!

I am using the second on our OOT bags. We are having a sunset reception and I just love that it's different. I might use the 1st as a sticker seal for our STD's or invites. Still not sure on that one.

Quote: Originally Posted by erinbrooke124 Yay for June 2011 brides! We have set our date for June 14, 2011! I am also a teacher and have had to plan the wedding around the school year and state tests. We are getting married at our timeshare resort, The Royal Islander. We originally thought it would be the best option because we don't have to pay for rooms (my parents have 4 weeks we can use), but the costs are adding up quickly! The only thing I have done so far is our monogram. We're getting ready to take engagement pictures soon and send out our save-the-dates. I love the vintage Mexico postcard save-the-dates! I'm thinking about dress shopping in July, after my best friend gets married and all my maid of honor duties are over! How is everyone else doing?? Hey, we are almost date and timeshare twins! FI and I decided on Cancun due to his parents timeshare at the Royal Sands (a sister to the Islander). Our date is 4 days after yours. I guess you can call us date and timeshare sisters instead. Btw, are you going to the timeshare during one of the 4 weeks this summer? We are heading up to the Sands next Saturday. It will be my first time in Cancun and I hear the Royal Resorts are amazing Five Star resorts. I hear you on the cost, we were looking into Dreams and Royal Sands, but when I saw the cost of a Royal Sands wedding compared to Dreams, I was blown away. They wanted anywhere from 3-5K and it didn't even include everything. Dreams highest package was under 3K and included food, alcohol, photographer, videographer, cake,flowers, decor, champagne toast, chair covers, spa services, anniversary nights, honeymoon package, and a great view of the carribean. We were still going to use the Royal Sands as a place for our guests to stay, but we signed on our date before the weeks were released for the Sands for next year. Apparently, the weeks are skewed back one week for next year (his parents timeshare is always in the 3rd week of June, but next year it lands the 4th week). But you have 4 weeks, so that shouldn't be a problem. You can always try to find a wedding package at a different resort and just stay in your timeshare (unless you have your heart set of the Islander). I ordered business cards from vista print (for free!) to pass out, and I plan on ordering postcards when we get back. We are having our engagement photos done in Cancun when we leave in a week, so we will put that image on our postcards as save the dates. I wish I could do the vintage style, that sounds awesome but we are sticking with the 100 free Vistaprints (+$3.75 to upload our image and shipping). We are almost finished with contract stuff for our photog (we are bringing ours with and using the credit for more video). I bought my dress, his ring, and paid our deposit, our site visit is in a week and a half. I bought OOT bags (will fill them later), and started working on our centerpieces. So, a lot done but still tons more. If I have the money I would love to do the boudoir shoot when I get back. And I plan on making our Boarding Pass invites. Wow, I must stop writing novels. How is everyone else coming along?

Does it'sfinallyhere's starfish have a journal too, if not, want to add one? I love the idea of the bride being able to read other brides entries just hours before the wedding. Feel's very YaYa to me! "The Starfish Sisterhood" it should be a Lifetime or Hallmark movie. LOL

Quote: Originally Posted by Diva Unfortunately they were out of stock at the dollar tree by us, but I ordered a case online for in store pickup! I figure people can trade if they don't like the color they get. I could NOT pass up the price! You know what! I think you are right. I hadn't thought about this, but the dollar trees return policy is you can exchange on item for another. So if you get a box, you can grab your colors and exchange the rest for other stuff you need (chapsticks, or glow sticks) I wonder if they do sparklers in July?

I just want to keep this in my prayers every night. Weather or not this affects our weddings, it is affecting us all. I'm just so scared about the whole butterfly effect. What could possibly happen to the whole world later because of this? They say the whole ecosystem will be effected there, and fish travel, and birds eat fish, and we eat fish, and there are so many other ways it can come here. I feel so horrible for the poor animals. I swear if I wasn't getting married, I might consider being a volunteer and helping out (if they have them, I remember they had people wash the animals with dish soap last time). I am actually still wanting to go, I keep telling my FI I might leave him to take care of the animals. They are so innocent in all of this. Sorry I am rambling, I just feel so helpless. :-(

Andim, can you let us know if you were charged for the rehearsal when you get back? 1 more day!!

Quote: Originally Posted by KelZavs20 Quick question regarding the sit down vs. buffet style dinners for you gals.... i typically dont particularly like buffet style dinners, but our guest list for our DW has pretty much exploded overnight and i know that we wont be able to have the sit down dinner anymore.... do any of you have pictures of a buffet set up? comments about it? i just dread the idea of guests waiting in a line to fill their plates, but i could just be being my regular old paranoid self..... I'm the same way, I really wanted a plated dinner, and we wanted to stick with what our packaged allowed us... 30 guests and plated. But FMIL wants all her family, so she is going to pay the plate, champagne, cake, chair, and decor price to have anyone extra on her side come (but not my side, so our wedding guest list is going to be incredibly lopsided) and apparently she has all this money to invite her friends and family, but not help us out with other costs that would benefit the bride and groom equally instead, while shelling over 30K for their daughter's wedding 3 yrs ago (sorry, that is an entirely different rant and now back to the subject). So we most likely will have buffet too. The thing is, I liked the selections for plate, but not so much for buffet. Grrrr! But.. I think because it is Dreams, it will still be lovely your all of us, buffet or plated. p.s. And I truly am grateful for any help my FILs give us, even if it doesn't seem that way.

Jas... The same thing happened to me, I waited for weeks to get things squared away, and went nuts thinking about it. Then when they did it, they did my reception from 6-9 instead of 7-10 (important for me because I wanted a sunset first dance). It took her several months to change that detail in our contract. The whole time she said ok, but until I had the documentation, I was worried. But after awhile, you just start realizing that you have limited knowledge and control until the week of... and it's pointless to make yourself crazy. If she sees your request first, she will make it happen before confirming someone else, but she just may take a while getting back to you. I would try putting the words ASAP or URGENT in the subject line, with a please, or get you TA to contact her (if you don't have one, there are many TA's on this forum that would be wonderful, included Tammy - the one who made this forum) if it is really scaring you.

Quote: Originally Posted by *Rachel* Congrats on your 7th anni! Hey- whatever works for you guys! I don't see the point on spending money on a ring he can't wear, so a watch sounds more practical of a purchase. It will be interesting, "Please present the ring.... and watch." "I exchange this....watch as a sign of my promise to love, honor and cherish you." LOL- I love it! Aw... I love the watch idea! BTW Rachel... I am leaving for Cancun in 1 week and 5 days too!!!! (well, actually 4 days in 7 minutes). I'm going to my future In laws at the Royals Sands and our site visit at Dreams Cancun. Hope you have fun!

Quote: Originally Posted by Mimi83 I totally agree with you, which was why I declined their offer on the free beading; I didn't want to take any chances and accept anything that would be even remotely complicated to do. Lol. I'm really worried about something, though; when I sent the seller my height measurement, I gave the measurement from my shoulder to heels, with shoes on. But, she wrote back and wanted my measurement from my head to my heels, so I gave that to her, too. Now I'm worried that she might somehow get the dress made in the length that goes form my head to heels, instead of shoulder to heals. I'm so scared! I mean, why would a seamstress need to know what my height, starting from the top of my head, is? gianinar asks for that measurement too. I think they take it all into consideration. Like prettypigpig said.

Wendy, if you paid the 40 dollars to have his people send a certificate (it's UGI I think) then you can probably use that as a replacement value for insurance. He says they are an appraisal company, and the more of a replacement value, the better your chance of replacement if you lose or damage the ring! If they didn't sent one, you could always ask to have it sent! I have decided. I am Keeping my ring, I love it too much, but the FI will probably get one like yours for an anniversary down the road! YAY!

I've heard of cigars, but in this "stop smoking campaign" our world is in, I am not sure how it would go. I don't think any guys on his side smoke, but my family enjoys their cigars. This is a good question, I'll be sure to keep checking for more suggestions.

My best friend met her husband on Eharmony over 3 years ago, got engaged less than a year later, then married a little over a year after that. This will will be their one year anniversary in July, and I've never seen her happier. "This will be, an everlasting love" LOL , they sent her and her fiance a hat when they tried to be in a commercial ( i guess there are too many applicants.. LOL)

Speaking of pics... I am taking requests for photo opportunities. I am a HUGE picture taker (half of my friends would yell at me in college for always having my camera but now they say that the only reason they have any documentation of their college years is because of me!) I am only there a day, I but I will do my best to take every pic I can, no request is too weird (inside of rooms, view from rooms if Claudia shows them all to me, different angles of gazebo, the new desires bar , etc). Also, are there any questions anyone want's asked (obviously more general questions, not specific wedding options, as everyone here seems to get different deals). Carolina24... less than 4 months!!! You must be getting excited. We got engaged in October, so 20 months before our wedding, and we originally were going to get married in October, so 2 years. I really just want to have everything done, so I can focus on relaxing and having fun, and remembering those last minute things early.

Well, that's great for baseball season, but crappy for the bachelorette party I was going to have. I'm getting so weary from all of these "surprises". On the up side, I leave for Cancun for my vacation/site visit in 12 days and stay at Dreams in 16 days! We bought our Bose Ipod dock today (on sale at Best Buy) to test out there, and I started buying my OOT stuff (is more than a year away too early?) 30 red and neutral colored jumbo tote bags ($1 each at Dollar Tree), and a bunch of sea shells to scatter around the centerpieces. I book in a few weeks for next year too.... OM gosh it's really starting to happen!

Got my 30 red bags today (and one pink one for me)! Plus they had seashells, bought 4 sets to scatter around my tables. Also got some white sand (still have to find red sand... for our sand ceremony). And bought one cylinder vase and fabric rose petals to try out for our centerpiece. Wish me luck! P.S. We got our Bose portable sound dock for the Ipod today too, on sale at Best Buy and just about everywhere else. Can't wait to try it out!

Hello fellow Illinoisan! Welcome and Congrats!

Ok ladies! Just started. I got a pen, magnet, 250 business cards, a rubber stamp, a hat, a shirt, and 10 letterheads. Shipping was definitely more than 4-5 ($13), but I guess it was worth it, expecially the letter head for invites and std's. The hat and shirt have the "I heart NY" logo, except I put "I heart Chris" since both our names are Chris. I'm hoping to get more of those free options during the year we have left in time for our OOT Bags. I didn't click any boxes or offers, so hopefully I won't get scammed. I didn't get a confirmation email yet though, or offers, and I signed up yesterday ( I thought they were daily). Should I be worried?

I am so sorry to hear about your experience. Maybe you can renew your vows down the line. Alot of resorts offer a complimentary package if you stay so many nights. You can book a vacation for an anniversary and just have the two of you in an intimate setting with a new chance to have everything done right without costing you an arm and a leg all over again.

Andim and Rk Cheung... OMGosh you two!!! About a week or so and you both will be in paradise marrying your best friend. I'm so happy for you both and wish you all the best. I hope you all get fantastic weather, awesome photos, and good times!

Thanks everyone. I really like number 1 too (might make a good STD magnet), but I tried and for the life of me can't a way to make red go with (and it is a deep red). Actually, also love the second one because we are having our reception at sunset and I love how romantic and different it is. The text is easier to read in the powerpoint,but when I put it on paint, it wasn't as easy. I might keep them both. I might use the sunset one on our OOT bags if I get the khaki and red ones someone found at Dollar tree for a dollar each last week. Hmmm, does anything think I should go simpler, like the ones I seem with just the initials and a simple palm tree in the back (I thought those were cute too and would save on ink)