sarahinlove

Did you talk to the photography company included before arriving? Does anyone have their contact info? I just assumed we figured it out when we got there...

Thanks for the review! I leave in one month for my wedding. I'll make sure to double-check the final price with Esman before I leave. Thanks again!

Here is my warning for Air Canada Vacations. I booked my wedding of 40 people with Air Canada last November, for my wedding in a few weeks. A couple months ago they sent an EMAIL to my travel agent, informing her that they cancelled ALL THE FLIGHTS to PV for April/May/June of this year. And that we out of luck. They in essence CANCELLED my wedding for me! I was devestated. Luckily, we were able to rebook at the last minute with West Jet, but for a much higher price, without all the early booking bonuses we had got for confiming early, and not as a 'group", so we lost the $1500 we would have reveived for bringing that many people to Dreams. With Air Canada all our guests from around the country would have met in Calgary and transferred on to PV. With WestJet we are all over the place, on different flights at different times, so that sucks too. Air Canada didn't even so much as appologize. Can you imagine? They just cancelled the flights! So I am NOT impressed with Air Canada and their service. But to answer your question, our prices with Air Canada were as follows. I've never heard of "fully furnished balcony". Do you mean the Jr. Suites in the new tower? Note that the below price is for two people, so you have to cut in half for the per person price. The Jr. Suite was about $200 extra each for the week. Well worth it I think! AIR CANADA VACATIONS Dreams Puerto Vallarta June 4-11, 2011 These prices must be secured with a $150. deposit before Nov. 3 and paid in full by December 28th With the travel agent All prices are for 2 adults. PRICE INCLUDES TAXES AND FEES, also includes early booking bonuses. You can secure this price with a non-refundable $150. per person deposit. Balance must be paid in full before Dec. 28, 2010. (These are prices from Rhonda at Go My Travel.) PG Vancouver Saskatoon / Edmonton Calgary Deluxe Ocean view (All inclusive) (NOT Preferred Club) $2,973.44 $2663.44 $2,513.54 $2.483.44 Junior suite ocean view Preferred Club $3,450.38 $3,140.38 $2,990.38 $2,960.38 Junior suite ocean view with Jacuzzi Preferred Club $3,540.74 $3,230.74 $3,080.74 $3,050.74 To make your deposit contact Rhonda Bruynooghe, Tel: 306-652-1272 or Toll free:1-877-721-4044. (Rhonda will be able to give prices from Victoria and Kelowna as well. We could probably assume they will be close to the Vancouver prices.) Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and Saskatoon fly to Calgary then non-stop to Puerto Vallarta. Prince George trip flies to Calgary via Vancouver and then non-stop to Puerto Vallarta.

Thanks for the info! Good to know!

Okay, I've got some more info on the spa. I have 6 of us getting hair and/or makeup done. Most of us are from 12:00-2:00. But there is one girl scheduled from 11:00-1:00 and two who are just getting hair from 1:00-2:00. They said that we are not all allowed to show up early as a group. So if we wanted to all go at 11 when the first girl is scheduled, we would have to pay $236 to rent the salon. Same is true for the final two girls whose appointments don't start until 1:00! They aren't allowed to come with the rest of us at 12:00. WHAAATTT? So, I think our plan is to show up anyway... I can't see them kicking us out. They said that they can order mimosas or sparkling wine for us while we're there, no charge. So that's promising! That's all the info I've got so far!

Question for all past Dreams Brides! My entire bridal party and both moms are getting our hair/makeup done at the spa. Do they let you have drinks in there? Can they do anything special for bridal parties, like bring in drinks and snacks? I asked but haven't gotten a response. I'm really hoping so, or that is going to be a long 3 hours watching eachother get dolled up!

Hi Ladies, I'm getting married at Dreams in less that 6 weeks! I decided not to confirm any of the details until about a week ago, as I've noticed from the board that you seem to get quicker responses the closer it is to your wedding. Here is what I have done, and it has worked great! I sent one big email to esman, outlining all the details I wanted, broken down by category (ceremony, reception, menu, flowers, etc.). He responded within a day with answers or comments to everything, or just "OK". I was unhappy with a couple things, so very friendly I suggested an alternative and very firmly I told him I would NOT pay for some extras (examples: I have 40 guests, but only wanted the cocktail hour food that is included in my package, I would not pay the 25 per person extra. Also, I would not pay extra for a cake for 40 people.) He responded again by the next day, and accepted all my changes. My contract draft arrived the next day. I noticed that he was charging me $45 per person extra for the dinner. I replied telling him Rebecca quoted me $40. The next day the revised contract arrived, with $40 per person, no questions asked. So far, he has been soooo helpful and prompt. He emails me twice a day! So my advice for brides that are still a ways away from your wedding, just sit tight. They seem much more willing to help the closer you get to your day! I feel pretty good now that most of the details have been hammered out. Oh, we decided to go with a chocolate fountain too. In case anyone else is interested, it is $5 per person and comes with marshmellows, strawberries, kiwis and bananas.

Esman sent me the "Vegetarian Menu", as myself and two people in our bridal party are vegetarians. You'll notice how only 2 of the entrees are vegetarian. Not sure how a chicken dish is considered veggie. I asked him about this, and he just replies by resending me the menu. So, if I don't want to have soup for my wedding supper, I guess I'm having VEGETABLES AND GOAT CHEESE INVOLTINIS". Whatever that is. But as far as I know, he is letting the rest of the guests have steak and just bringing out the vegetarian meal for the three of us. VEGETARIAN WEDDINGS MENUS MENU 1 GRILLED MUSHROOMS WITH HERBS OIL Served with French fries VEGETABLES AND GOAT CHEESE INVOLTINIS Marinated in pinions pesto CARAMELIZED PEARS WITH MARSALA’S LIQUOR MENU 2 ROASTED PEPPERS SALAD WITH TOMATO AND AVOCADO Served with vinaigrette of fresh cucumber and nuts CORN AND ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH A PERNOD TOUCH APPLE AND CHOCOLATE CREAM MENU 3 FRESH MEXICAN CHEESE SERVED ON LENTILS SALAD GRILLED EGGPLANT GARLIC WITH CHICKEN BREAST AND LEMON Served with white wine risotto BUNS WITH MANGO ICE CREAM AND STRAWBERRY SAUCE MENU 4 BLACK BEAN'S CREAM WITH AVOCADO Served with tortilla and oaxaca cheese STEAMED FISH'S FILLET With garlic oil, lemon and mustard POACHED STRAWBERRIES WITH MINT SAUCE

I just got an email from Esman this morning, telling me I only got 3 hours. We told me to have my event go past 9:00, I'd have to pay $15 per person plus $100 for the sound system. That is an extra $700 for me. What a ripoff. And why per person? All it means to them is to keep the bartender for another hour. I would LOVE a 4 hour reception.

Hi guys, I have a question about this ridiculous "decoration package". I have the Ultimate package, but can't get a straight answer on what, exactly, is included for reception decor for that! I see that the decoration packages are only for 20 people, and they want to charge $20 for each additional guest! For a napkin and chair! I can't believe it! So my question is, what is included? White table cloths/napkins? What about chairs? If I don't pay extra for the "Tiffany Chairs", what kind of chair do I get? I'm SOOOO worried about getting nickle-and-dimed while I'm down there... don't want to spend any extra money! Past brides... were you overwhelmed by "add-ons"?

Good to know about the Costco flowers! I am thinking the same way about the BM bouquets! We were hoping to find somewhere down there to buy flowers! My wedding is in June, so I'll let you know how the flower situation turns out down there! Quote: Originally Posted by kerrib I was also told to have the menu done 1 week in advance. They told me that if I do not have one set menu but have given my guests a choice then I must also provide a seating chart. Good to know about the candles, $40 for little cruddy candles is not worth it. I know that there is a Sam's Club, Wal-mart, and Costco down there. We are undecided about bridesmaids flowers, I can't justify the cost they charge for them esp when they can't travel with them. So I figured we'd scope out costco's flowers once we were down there and if they were good buy a bunch of white roses or something and make our own BM bouquets.

Thanks for your well wishes ladies! My TA has managed to book most of us through WestJet, with other who are in larger cities through different carriers. The down side was that we all had to pay extra (some more than others) and we lost our 'group status'. So I don't think we will be elligible for a discout for booking a certain number of people. But at least my wedding is still on! Thank goodness! I reeeeally didn't want to postpone! I'm so thankful to have this board to vent to!

Thanks for the kind words girls! I'm in Saskatoon, but have guests flying from Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary and Edmonton. AirCanada had us all meeting in Calgary then on to PV. The only other operator I can find travelling the same dates as we were is WestJet, but they are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive. I just don't feel comfortable asking my guest to pay extra money! It is like, $300 hundred dollars more per person! We are thinking of postponing or just cancelling the destination wedding all together. Which is heartbreaking. I mean, I have my dress, I've started tanning! I will check out other dates, I guess, but I have all favors and keepsakes done with the current date! I'll keep you guys posted!

Ladies, The WORST thing has just happened to me! I am a June 7th Dreams Bride. As I live in Canada, our flight options are very limited to get to PV at that time of year, and most Canadians use Charter companies to make the trip affordable. My Travel Agent just called and told me that the AirCanada has CANCELLED our flights! We have 40 people bought and paid for (flights and rooms), and now they just cancel it! There in ONE other company that can get us down there, for $400-$500 extra PER PERSON! And my guests are from all over the country, so it won't work for everyone. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE! I don't know what I can do? I feel like my wedding was just cancelled on me! Hard to have a wedding if you can't get to it! I am in complete shock.

Hi Ladies! Quick question for you all: Samantha confirmed my date and venues in an email after I sent in the request form and my credit card info, etc. That was over a month ago but I checked my credit card statement, and my $500 deposit hasn't been deducted. How did you guys receive confirmation? Was there documentation? Something to sign? I'm getting worried that Samantha said I'm confirmed, but really I'm not. I emailed her, but of course as a June bride I'm low priority and haven't heard back. Thanks in advance for any insight!

Well, after a month of no answers and 26 people already with bookings for my wedding.... today i FINALLY had the wedding date confirmed by Dreams. YAY!!!!!! Thank goodness! I will be able to sleep tonight! June 7th, 2011 it is!!

Hey AfricanVenus! Well, it goes like this. In Canada it is really popular to take a "hot holiday" in the winter to escape the cold. However, places like Mexico and the Carribean are pretty far away to go for a weekend. And the flights/hotels are really expensive. So, there are a handful of companies that have emerged that offer charter "vacation packages" to all inclusive holidays in the south. It is WAY cheaper than booking everything yourself. They are usually for 7 or 14 days, and you pay one price, which includes flights, transport to hotel, and the all inclusive hotel stay. So, for example, we are going to Dreams PV in June, the very end of the season for these charters (most of them have stopped running for the season). The charter flight leaves from a major city called Calgary. All my friends/family get on a plane in their city wherever they live and fly to Calgary. There, we all meet up in Calgary and the charter flight takes us to PV, and drives us to the hotel. For a one week all-inclusive holiday including hotel AND airfare, my guest are paying $1200 including taxes and fees. If we didn't go via a charter company, the flights alone would have cost more than that. So its a pretty sweet deal!

Hey Ladies, From what Samantha told me on Friday, she works in conventions/groups and is just filling in until they can hire a new WC. I think they should hire TWO!

Hi OP! I'll be getting hitched in PV on June 7th! At Dreams Puerto Vallarta. We chose the date because in Canada, when you go to Mexico it is via a week-long charter flight. So we are going down to PV on the 4th... so we picked a day a few days after that! Not much significance, I'm afraid. And yes...we picked June because it was WAY CHEAPER too!

Oh my gosh, ladies! I've been trying to confirm my Dreams PV wedding date for weeks (June 2011). Rebeca has NOT been responding to my emails. I tried calling her this morning and left her a voice mail. I got a reply from a Samantha just now saying that Rebeca doesn't work there anymore! She is filling in until they hire a new WC. Good luck to all you Dreams PV brides that are getting married right away! Stres!!!