shanbeth

Hi everyone. I got back really late Monday night and a week a go today we were married! Best thing I ever did was to go to Dreams. Everyone (about 30 people) had the best vacation ever and said it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever been too.! Juan is AMAZING! He does this everyday and knows the area better then ANYONE you could bring yourself. I got my album and over 700 pictures on disk for just an additional $300. I loved him and the videagrapher. He did a great job too. Claudia is the best and she is a very busy women. Also her laptop broke last week so might also have something to do with the delay in things. I have stayed in A LOT of all inclusives (been to Cancun over 7 times alone) and Dreams was by far the best service and everything else, food, looks, cleanliness, etc, that I have ever experienced. My wedding and reception were perfect. I will put a more detailed review on this weekend. I had to get right back to work on Tuesday and am still tired. However I do not know now to post some of my beautiful photos so let me know if you can tell me how! Mrs. Shannon Allen 11-11-10 Dreams Bride

I haven't been on here in about a week since I have been crazy busy! We leave a week from Monday and my Wedding is less then two weeks away!! (11-11-10!) Claudia just got back with me on all the last minute things and we even have the total amount due and it was only $30 off of what I had!! I am very proud of myself for being so organized. I have everything done except for a few things. I even am packed for the most part. I had to pack all my gift bags and I decided to put them together first and then pack them. I had to use a very big suitcase and also packed my chair sashes and a few other odds and ends. Oh yeah decided to do the rock ceremony instead of the sand ceremony. I really like the thoughts behind it and I wanted to include all the guests. Just ended up being easier to do. We also decided to still do it legally there, but I did re-write and add a few things to the ceremony to really personalize it and Claudia approved it so I'm psyched. I would post it on here if I could figure that part out. Tonight we are throwing a dinner party for our wedding party since we are not doing a rehearsal dinner. There are only 6 of us total so we are making lobster and steak and going all out for them. I was able to spend more money on gifts for everyone since we kept it small. I figure they are flying to mexico for our wedding the least I can do is buy them cool gifts. Anyways if there are any brides leaving the week of Nov. 8-15th let me know and i will look you up!! Getting excited and I'm not even nervouse. Oh yeah forgot to add thru all this stress I switched jobs. Last Weds. was my last day, I had 2 days off to do wedding stuff and am starting Monday and my new job. I would have waited but I really didn't want to go another two weeks without a paycheck so I negotiated 3 weeks vacation since my new boss wanted me to start asap! Oh well at least when I get back, it won't be so stressfull. It also made me get everything done ahead of time. Have a great weekend everyone!

Jana, you can use an outside vendor but I believe they charge you like a $100 vendor fee. There are ways around this also. I am using someone for just a few things. I do believe there are a lot of brides on here that know more about this and hopefully will reply. Shannon

Okay Dreams Cancun Brides. I have a question and need your thoughts. We get married exactly a month from today and leave 3 weeks from Monday. All along I thought I wanted to legally get married in Mexico because I felt like it was worth it. While trying to write the ceremony I did get Claudia to email me the Judge's script and I'm not crazy about part of it, plus if I want anything extra it's like I have to get permission for it. Also we get there about 1:00 on Monday and get married on Thursday. Claudia did tell me that this was enough time because they can count Monday as a day and the actual wedding day, Thursday as a day so it will be 4 days in advance. We also have 4 guests(family members) that will be able to be our witnesses. Now I'm thinking that between having to schedule the blood tests and all the other legal stuff(plus it costs $660 ) that maybe we should have our minister marry us the day before we leave and then not tell anyone?? I'm not even sure that my FI will go for this but I'm just thinking of practical, plus I can make the ceremony more meaningful. It's just hard for me to think of doing it "legally" because it makes things easier. I'm afraid I would feel like the mexico symbollic wedding would not mean the same thing. Any suggestions?

Jana297, I also was a little bit disapointed in some of the selections. I am going to get my bouquet from the resort because I sent Claudia an example and she said they will do their best to match it, but I found (thru another helpful bride) a local vendor that had better choices and pricing and am using them for my bridesmaids bouquets and the guys bouteniers. it's called " Julieta Fun Unique Weddings" and her email link is: [email protected]. She does a little of everything. Hope this helps!

Tori, I am working on my music right now. I talked to my DJ (I'm paying for them to set up the sound system for the ceremony) and he told me to have it all on a disc. I actually have it pretty detailed. Here is my order so far, I just have a couple questions still on the witness portions of the ceremony, I thought someone said that took up time so if anyhone know if that is after the ceremony or during that would be helpful.1. 3-4 songs while guests are being seated, etc. 2. One song for the seating of the parents. 3. Song my bridesmaids walk in to 4. my processional song, 5.3-4 songs for the Sanc Ceremony or Witness portion if that is in the ceremony 6. Recessional song 7. Then a couple songs to play while guests are walking out. Hope this helps you.

Carolina24, question for you on the witness portion. Seems like I read on here that you need to have like 2 or three songs to play while the witness portion of the ceremony because it takes up a lot of down time while everyone signs?? Is this only if you are doing a legal/religious ceremony do you know? We are getting legally married in Mexico and I am working on my music and I thought I needed to have songs to play during the witness portion and also the sand portion?? Anybody know?

We leave for Dreams resort 5 weeks from today! Can't believe it is so close. I had my bridal shower yesterday and I received so many beautiful things. My bachelorette party is in 3 weeks and then the wedding. Down to just a few details to handle. The sand ceremony, still need to finalize the wording and make sure I have all correct vases for it. We are actually having all of our guests participate in the sand ceremony also to make it a little more special. I still need to work on the music for the ceremony to make sure it times out correctly. I did get a call from the DJ last week and he was very cool and helpful. I'm still debating about the time also. We are not having an actual cocktail party because I traded it for 10 more guests (we are having 30 total) but from what everyone says on here , the guests can just hang out at the bar while we are getting pictures done. The DJ did say that by the time we eat and everything, if dinner started at 6:00, we wouldn't get dancing etc, till after 7:30. I only have reserved the DJ for 3 hours, and with taxes etc, that is pretty pricey. I guess if we are having fun I think I can actually try to get him to stay an extra hour?? Any suggestions here? I'm also trying to work on our program and the wedding starts at 4:00, and I'm guessing 45 min. tops, just because we are doing extra for the sand ceremony, pictures for a little over an hour? I thought 6:00 for the dinner, reception to start so the guests can stay and have a drink and wait, or go to the room to freshen up before coming back. Does that time line make sense to you guys? You are my experts here. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. By the way who are the other November b rides on here right now? I'm 11-11-10 and I know I've talked to a few of you that are that same week. We found out the resort is sold out that week, mainly on our actual wedding day. I had 6 people that were not able to book rooms that were planning to come, but they waited to long. Wondered what was going on that it sold out. I didn't think November was a big wedding month? thanks for any advice....11-11-10 bride.

My wedding is Nov. 11 and I booked earlier this summer. I booked mine for 12:30 and my two girls for 1:00. When I tried to also add my mom to that, they said they can only do three at the same time. Hopefully there is not another wedding on the 3rd. Still not quite clear if there is more then one wedding a day at Dreams. Good luck! Â

Just wanted to share that I wanted to send out Luggage Tags to my guest, but I'm not very crafty. I am however very resourceful since I work for a printer. I found these great silver leather luggage tags on Clearance at Michaels. They were 10 for $9.99. I needed 30. I am just putting a laminated sticker on the outside of my logo and re-doing everyone's name on the flip side to personalize it. I maybe have $40 into these and it was a lot less hassle then making them myself. Just wanted to let you know if anyone is looking. Â Shannon 11-11-10

I did trade with Claudia over e-mail. She gave me 10 more guests instead of the cocktail hour and also Gazebo decorations instead of the trio band. I figured before I leave for Mexico I will send her an email covering everything we have talked about for confirmation and then print it out and take with me to make sure. Â Shannon 11-11-10

Thanks for the advice. My TA did confirm that I have a room and so do my parents and Mike's parents. The only people who don't at this time are the 3 couples that had not booked yet. We are hoping that somebody held a block of rooms and some will open up. I'm trying not to freak out about it. I am still worried that the resort is overbooked and one of my guests will show up and they will say they don't have a room. It's just so weird that the only unavailable day is the day of my wedding. If someone booked leaving or coming before or after the 11th it opens up. How many weddings does Dreams allow in one day, does anyone know? I have the gazebo booked and the club terrace and have confirmed this with Claudia, but it still worries me. Â Shannon 11-11-10

So I'm really freaking out now. Just found out that the $300 deposit that I put down for my room, my parents room and my fiance's parents room never went thru. Now Dreams is SOLD OUT for the week of my wedding. Only $100 of my $300 I told my travel agent to charge went for a room reservation and Apple Vacations is sold out as is the Dreams Website!!!! I still have 3 couples that have not booked and they are out of luck. That would be just great if I don't even have a room for my own wedding. I am soooooo upset right now. Help, has anyone else had this happen? I have read nightmares about brides and their guests showing up to Dreams and they have to book them in other hotels because they are sold out. How does this happen when I planned ahead with my travel agent. The worst part is that it is a friend of mine so I can't even get upset with her!!!!! Help...I just want to cry. Â Shannon

Thanks Chris for your info. Had another question for everyone also about tipping. I have budgeted to tip Claudia as soon as we get there in our meeting, ($100 i think should be good), but what about the photographer? I am doing the ultimate package, but budgeted $300 extra for additional photos like people suggest (trying not to pay more then that) but should I tip him also? And the Videographer for dreams, Mike I believe, contacted me and I wondered if I should upgrade? I really don't think I want to pay more and the 30 min. video is fine with me. Â Just wanted to let people also know that I ended up going to Hobby Lobby and bought my centerpieces for the reception and spent $60 total for all 5. Very simple and easy to bring I hope. My colors are hot pink with an orange accent. I found tall (16") hot pink colored glass vases and instead of doing fake flowers or paying for real, I found these beaded, metallic decorative looking pieces in the fake flower section. They had a pink, fuschia and orange color and they look great in the vase and I literally just have to stick them in there and I am done. I bought hot pink and orange very small beads and I will sprinkle that around the vase on the white tablecloth. Each vase cost was about $11.50. I also bought sashes (hot pink) for my chairs and Claudia said they will transfer those onto the reception chairs. The only other thing is I ordered hot pink linen napkins for very cheap and will have those in the glasses. Â For the head table I will re-use two of the sand ceremony vases I bought for my FI and I and have my two bridesmaids bouquets at the end of the table and I bought one more vase for my bouquet to use as the main centerpiece on our table. Â Pretty simple but I think it will be pretty and less hassle and more then that, not cost a fortune. I would send a picture, but I still have not figured that one out. lol.... Â Just trying to knock things off my list. Oh one more thing, instead of buying corsages at $25 a piece for my two hostess(they will help seat, pass out the sand and be in charge of reception) and my two readers, I took that money and bought them beautiful bracelets that they can keep. Â Talk to everyone soon. Â Shannon 11-11-10

Chipolte99, Â Thanks so much for the heads up on the flowers. I will try to get ahold of her tomorrow and price some things out. I agree on the DJ, it is worth it. Don't say congratulations on the dress. I bought it at the last minute because the dress I ordered on line thru Giannabridal, was awful. I found this one and loved it and I was right on the edge of size, and ended up getting the larger one because I did not want to worry about it. I have lost about 10 lbs. since I got engaged and really am trying for 10 more before the wedding. It's soooo hard though in the summer and so many parties going on. But these last two months I am really going to buckle down. I'm sure we will see you there, I get into Mexico on Monday 11/8/10, and fly out the following Monday. Thanks again for your help! Â Shannon 11-11-10

Carolina, Â I'm getting married in two months at Dreams. I have followed this site, but since they switched to the new one I will admit, I'm a little confused. Wondered if you or anyone else one here could answer a couple of questions I have that Claudia has not gotten back to me on. Â 1. Flowers for the wedding- I'm doing the ultimate package, so I have to still order my bridesmaid bouquets and like 2 corsages and 2 boutineries. I did not like any of the options that Claudia sent me for my flowers or others. I sent her what I want and asked price and still have not heard back. Wondered what everyone else was doing. The resort's prices seem high and also wondered if someone else has sent a picture of what they want and really got it? Â 2. Reception centerpieces- We have about 35 guests and I am doing the reception on the club Terrace. Wondered if they provide flowers for the round tables for my guest(figured there would be 5-6 tables plus the head table) or do I need to bring decorations for the tables? Claudia did tell me they would take my chair sashes and transfer them to the reception, just didn't know if I should bring my own? Â 3. Shipping gift bags and decorations- Are you shipping your stuff ahead of time? I considered this so I don't have to carry as much? Â 4. I also had to trade out my cocktail party to get an additional 10 guests, but still need to pay for 5 people. I tried to switch out the mariachi band and the wedding cake. Claudia gave me gazebo decorations for the mariachi band, but nothing for the cake. I did tell her I knew some people got 15 extra dinners for the cocktail party, but she wouldn't budge. Just wanted some advice. Â 5.DJ- I really want the DJ, but it just seems soooo high. $180 for the ceremony and then $280/hour. I budgeted for 3 hours, plus the ceremony and I think it's 11% tax, so I have about $1133 budgeted. Any advice on this one? I have a lot of people that love to dance and party coming and I can see them wanting more then 3 hours, since at least an hour of that is dinner? Â Okay I guess that is it. I have two months left and feel the pressure now that it is here. My dress doesn't even come in until about 2 weeks before we leave and it needs to be taken in. Hope you are all prepared and I'm with you, ready for a vacation. Â Thanks for any help you can give. Â Shannon 11-11-10

I am doing hot pink/fuchsia as my main wedding color. I really like the accent of orange, but my invites have the ocean in the background and my artist used black/hot pink for our names so it stood out. I was thinking of doing hot pink with accents of bright blue(to pull from the invites of the water & sky and then also accent the orange, because I love the flower arrangements in this. I'm worried this is too much going on. My bridesmaids are in hot pink dresses, the chair bows are also hot pink. I bought hot pink Beach bags to use to put the guests gift bags stuff in and was going to put my logo on it. I will try to attach my logo to this reply and see what everyone thinks. Thanks ahead for any advice. Shannon- Only 13 weeks before we leave!! Shannon&MikevLOGO.pdf

I sent out invitations for my Destination Wedding and I did informal Postcard invitations. They had the wording of a formal invite and then also had the link to our website to get the information for the travel etc. I did say that I would love to have everyone join us in Mexico, but that I understand that not anyone would be able to make it. I gave the AHR date on there and told people to Save the Date. My family (aunts) are not going to be able to make it and want to throw my bridal shower. I have never been married and have been in 13 weddings (MOH 8 times) so I would really like a traditional shower. They want to throw this for me about 6 weeks before I get married. I'm getting married on Nov. 11, 2010 and my AHR we put in January so we could get thru the holidays. Because I have guests being invited to my shower that are NOT on my Destination invites but ARE invited to the AHR I am sending out SAVE the Date cards now for my AHR. I just feel like I need to do that and then I will send out Formal Invitations after we are married for the January date. This was a lot to think about, but at 39 I decided I'm not going to worry so much about what is right and do what I feel is appropriate. Hope this helps someone!

Quote: Originally Posted by peterpanpixiedust Ok, so after Carolina said I had given a sort of mini review on the Dreams Cancun thread, I decided to do just that when I got my pics uploaded on the review section. So, here is my site visit in a nutshell (a very big one_! American Airlines and Cancun airport - A We got slightly delayed (right after the pilot told us we should make it to Cancun early... after words he apologized and offered the advice to never trust your pilot - I like pilots with a sense of humor). Two checked luggage per person for free!! (but I think that just changed now to one). The airport was a breeze! After several review browsings, I was shocked to see customs go by so fast. All green lights! But then again, I didn't have tons of wedding stuff (that's next year). No timeshare crazy people in our face either. Now, flying back home was a different story, we waited an hour to check in (don't bother printing out your boarding pass the day before. We paid our resort a dollar a page to print, and there is no express check out in Cancun airport like there is in Chicago). Flight home was fine! At Dreams Food A+, Drinks A- We ate at the World Cafe (only one indoors and air conditioned), Himitsu, Oceana, and Seaside grill. Food at each was awesome. Himitsu and Ocean both have non seafood options, but Oceana is probably best to eat at lunch if you don't like fish. I do, but FI doesn't. Himitsu had non fish sushi even (fruit or beef). We drank at Sugar reef, the swing bar by the pool (can't remember the name), and the lobby. The reason for the A- was because the mixed drinks were tasty, but not much alcohol. I wouldn't say they were watered down, but I'm pretty sure it was only 1 oz of liquor for the entire blended drink. If you want to feel it a little more, I'd say go for jack and coke, or rum and coke or something similar. However, the lobby bar (Rendevous) offers these champagne cocktails that are amazing and you feel pretty quick (try the French one). Hair and Makeup, Mireya A+++ She put up with alot! I am extremely nit picky when it comes to my hair. She was an angel. I prepaid the tip, but ended up giving her extra. I had little expectations for makeup, so I decided to let her go ahead and not bug her, and actually, it was really nice. A little dark, but I smudged it a bit. I will say that the spa has very low lighting, so check your makeup in the natural light before you walk down the aisle. Side note - if any of you break out easy due to moisturizer/spf lotion, I found this spf powder at sephora. It's called Peter Thomas Roth instant mineral spf 30. That is the only spf I had on my face and it's the only part of me that didn't burn. It's not shimmery at all either, so that's good for photos at night, at it's translucent (so everyone can wear it). Does not work your hair part though, because that got completely burned on me, but then again that was the day that I decided to walk an hour to Dreams on the beach LOL Couples Massage, A They were very accommodating. I heard before that they just lather you with oil and move it around, and I was nervous because I break out with oil (and just about everything else). They ask you all these questions before hand and when I told them about my skin, they offered this oil free lotion, and the massage felt great! Not too rough or soft! No breakouts either! They were going to put us in a room, but then I told them I had requested the palapas by the water, and they moved us no problem. The sound of the water was so soothing. Rooms B+ Overall, I would have given our room an A+. The pyramid ocean front IMO is the best. It's only a step up from standard price wise, and you can't beat the view. But FI wished it was roomier, so I have to take him opinion in my rating. On the other hand, the Club rooms were his favorite. They were very spacious, but those darn rocks ruin every view. I just can't see spending that extra money if I can't get the view I want. I guess that's my hang up. The club rooms are much nicer on the inside though, see pics! But hands down the pyramid has the best view. I have pics of the Pyramid Ocean front, Club Ocean front, and Jacuzzi Junior Suit (club) which is massively huge! Claudia, Mike, and Juan We met them shortly after we got there. Juan was just there to talk to us about engagement photos, because we are flying in our own photographers (which btw, not only did Claudia say was fine, but told us to make sure they took a day to find the best spots for pictures). We finalized what what wanted with Mike, Chris wanted blu-ray, I wanted a highlight video, and we paid for one extra hour. So we are getting 4 hours total and only paid for one extra (we get 90 minutes with the package, 1 hr extra for not having photos, and we bought 1 hr, and Mike threw in the last 1/2 hour for free!). Claudia made sure it was all updated in our contract with taxes (so, in case you didn't realize, that contract she sends you already includes taxes! Score!). Claudia also traded our wedding parties flowers (we are using parasols) for aisle petals, and our center piece (I'm bringing my own) for 3 flags (those white things that you see in the reception picture). Claudia is amazingly sweet and and wishes it would be her turn to get married (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her.) At the end I gave her $50 tip, but I'll give her more for our wedding. I just figured that was 10% of our deposit. Juan pushed back our photos nearly a whole day, so Claudia was going to give us day passes, but then she just gave us late check out (which she originally wasn't supposed to be able to do because Dreams was 100% full), and we got to stay after our photos for dinner! Btw, Estaban at the front is an amazing guy, he was the guy responsible for giving us an ocean front instead of a dolphin view (he deserved a nice tip... everyone there does)! Juan A+ Juan's pictures for our engagement were fabulous. He just dove right in (literally in the water) to get the best shots. He also listened to every request, gave us extra time, and photos! I tipped him for that and his great service (about 20%). He does have a strong personality though, when i first met him, I thought he was aggravated, but he's just "to the point". Don't worry, he's really nice! The only thing I didn't like was that I looked hunched over in some pics, but that's not Juan's fault. I'm taller than Chris and try to look shorter. It's a complex... Excursions to try - I read about Thai Lounge in Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Magazine and decided to try it. We got an over the water hut with a couch and table. It is at La Isla mall on the lagoon side. I was told it was reasonably priced, but it was actually kind of pricey (about $18-40 an entree, and $10 appetizers, and desserts, and maybe $8 dollar drinks... but in pesos). But it was really nice and in my opinion worth it. Our waiters were Eric and Edgar and were extremely nice. Afterwords, they give you a fish to set free and make a wish on, very zen! Paradise Maroma Sunset cruise - $90-$100 for either steak or lobster a person gets you transport to Maroma beach (gorgeous!), welcome champagne, all your drinks on a 45 minute sunset cruise, and dinner and drinks on the beach after wards with a saxophonist playing from table to table (they encouraged us to have a romantic dance together, so we did :-D ), and transport back. About 3 1/2 hours plus transport. They also take your picture and sell it to you. Pictures. I decided to post too many, so here's my photobucket. You shouldn't need a password. The first pics are our engagement photos with Juan, the next four are pics of Chris and I at the Royal Sands (the timeshare we stayed at), followed by the graffiti pics I took when I walked to Dreams one day :-( (Claudia is going to try to get someone do to something about that), then a bunch of Dreams resort photos, and the last few pictures are of the Thai Lounge. Sorry there are so many, but I have a problem, and should join over-zealous photographer wannabees anonymous (and these are only a fraction of my the pics I took) And I guess the review wasn't mini either! Sorry, but I hope it helps! Cancun pictures by peterpanpixiedust - Photobucket The pictures are so helpful. I'm thinking of having the reception on the Club Terrace. Was this the picture by the pool? Also the picture you took of the tables, do they provide the decoration, or was the candle & ribbon, etc. on the table something the bride brought? These are the BEST pictures!

Thanks for all this info. I went with the Club Tower Jr. Suite because my FI likes a lot of room and I'm so glad I did from the photos! Thanks again!!

Thanks for this info also! I will check in Michigan what the legal info they need from Mexico so I have it ahead of time. Also right now only my parents are going 4 days early like we are so Claudia said they can provide the other two witnesses. That seems odd, but I did not want to ask someone else to get there 4 days before the wedding. Soooo many people have told me to get married at a JP before I leave, but if I wanted to do that then why would I go to Cancun. I also picked Cancun because it is more americanized with the language etc. Thanks again! I love this forum!! Shanbeth 11-11-10