Cinnamon-Girl

Hi everyone, It's been a while since I posted since we decided that 2012 will be the year for our Dreams PV wedding (not 2011), so I figured I'd better take a break from thinking about it or I'll drive myself mad. But....I just can't stay away! With the (not so) new format, I'm still having trouble finding reviews. I know it says that they are to be posted under the vendor or site, but I don't see many there....and with this new system it's harder to compare sites since the reviews are in so many different places. Any advice? p.s. also....we're hoping to have a small group (20 or less)....do you think we could fit into the wedding gazebo for dinner? I don't want to be on the beach, and I'd prefer some coverage (ie. not the terrace ideally) but don't want the convention rooms and for our small group the restaurants would seem way too big. What's the current status ("current" being relative of course!! there is no consistency except inconsistency!) of reserving the wine cellar of Portofino?

I think Courtney's suggestion is great, that's along the lines of my thoughts as well. Hopefully a brief conversation will solve the issue for everyone! Also...is there any other possible reason he may not want to travel as a group? You mentioned his girlfriend...perhaps they don't feel comfortable traveling with the rest of the group due to family dynamics? Seems a stretch, but worth considering. I hope it all works out and you have a lovely wedding! CG

cinny726: thanks for that info, it did clarify some questions. Who has had a semi-private, small group dinner reception without either of the wedding packages? It seems confusing that the info for some Dreams resorts differs....for example at Dreams PV you can have the Portofino cellar for $200, but at DRC it's $60 per couple?!? And at Dreams Tulum, the booklet says if you don't go with the package but still want a private reception, the fee is $750 plus $20 pp plus tax. We're probably only having 10-15 people, and the packages have so much extras that I'm not interested in, yet I'm having a hard time finding solid information about the alternatives. Plus, if you're in a restaurant you can't have music... Sorry for the vent, I'm just feeling overwhelmed and confused.

Hello everyone! Please don't flame me if this has been discussed (possibly numerous times) already....I got to page 88 reading straight through and just don't have the stamina to keep up with all this info! I am currently debating...started thinking Dreams PV was my first choice since I didn't want Tulum or Cancun. Nothing against those resorts at all, just Tulum is a long drive (why waste precious vacation time?!?) and Cancun is too urban for my taste. Anywhoo, then I saw a DRC review and WOW! What an amazing resort. So now I'm torn but leaning towards DRC. Here's my question: We're having probably only 10-15 people, and the packages have us paying for stuff we don't want (like video and resort photog) and I'm wondering if it's more cost effective for a small group to do a more "a la carte" wedding.... Have any brides here forgone the package and paid the extra fees to have a private group dinner/reception? I know at other Dreams it's $750 flat and then an additional per-head charge. If we do this, can we still have music, speeches, dancing etc? Thanks so much in advance! CG

Well, we're thinking autumn 2012, so I may be biased.... For us, we're working around 2 very specific work schedules (e.g FI can only travel November-March and my work requires me to plan at least a year ahead), time to save money, time for loved ones to save money, etc etc. Plus, I do think if you're asking family and friends to spend a considerable amount of money on a trip, you want to take the time to carefully decide on a destination and resort. So extra time is a benefit, in my opinion. The beauty of a DW is that you could spend 2 years planning, or 2 weeks!

Thanks everyone! After seeing these responses, I feel much better about having *quality* not *quantity*! We've settled on our "essential people" list and, while hoping others can come, if not we will still have a great day (and week)!

Hi all! So, there's a couple issues at hand here. First, my FI and I want a small, fun wedding, and due to the size of my extended family and "family expectations" that would be impossible if we did a traditional at-home wedding. Seriously, if I haven't seen someone in a year or 2, I really don't need them at my wedding. That may seem cold to some folks, and I understand that others feel differently, but I just don't see a way out of a big, impersonal and no-fun-for-us wedding if we do it at home. Just too much family pressure/drama to overcome. Second, I'm in my 30's and FI is 40....we really don't expect any help to be offered by our parents and so are just assuming that the cost is 100% on us. That said, it would *really* be silly to do a big at-home thing that we don't want and can't afford! Hence.....DW!!! But....most likely that will mean that only my parents, brother, grandparents and FI's mom will come, plus maybe a couple close friends. My dream guest list is about 20 people, but I think a good portion of those folks just can't/won't afford it, and I respect that. I'm in the process of coming to terms with being OK if only the *really essential* loved ones come. Here's the question: will it still be fun? Do you need a critical mass of people to make a good, lively party? (perhaps with enough tequila, any number will do... CG

Hi Karen, I have really enjoyed reading your Dreams PV review and now your review of Fer. Honestly, I had my heart set on Del Sol photography, which was making me think twice of Dreams PV. But finding Fer's website and blog through reading your review of Dreams PV has totally changed my mind. His passion really comes through and I felt an instant "Yes!". One question....it can be difficult to tell from pictures, but is Fer's style more posed, or more photojournalistic in your opinion? My partner and I are really not great in front of a camera, so it's important to us to find a photographer that can capture "real" moments and keep the posed stuff to a (reasonable) minimum. CG

Hi all BDW brides! My partner and I have been to Mexico several times and just love it, and now we're in the beginning stages of planning our 2011 wedding. Since it's really important to me to have a low-stress, fun wedding, we thought that a destination wedding for close family and best friends would do nicely! We're still trying to decide whether to go east or west, meaning Mayan Riviera or Pacific coast, but there are a few resort front runners in the pack. We've been to Excellence Riviera Cancun and loved (!) it, but my partner has 2 children so adults-only isn't an option. This forum is so informative and it seems like everyone here is really friendly and helpful so thanks in advance and I hope to make lots of BDW buddies! CG