asanyc

Everyone: We're booked for the Ultimate Package which includes the brides bouquet, corsages, boutonniere etc. Gine emailed me a pdf file with pictures of bouquets etc. How does it work? I don't want to increase my costs on flowers any more than 100% necessary. Do I choose what I like from their pictures for the free bouquet included with the Ultimate package or can I send them a picture of something that I like and would that be the free bouquet I get or do they choose the type of bouquet that's free?

That's a good idea. Thanks for sharing. haha that's exactly what we had thought of doing. We received our STD's about 3 wks ago and were looking at sending them out sometime this month but a close family member threw us a curve ball and decided to get married in Nov. and "requested" us to wait till their festivities are over before sending anything out. Gotta love families! On a different note: I know this is extremely early but as it gets closer to time, let me know if you want to go in on table overlays/sashes since we're back to back - obviously depending on if you want them at all and the colors (I'm looking at possibly red, orange, burgandy or teal...but changing my mind on a wkly basis so will have a better idea closer to wedding).

That's awesome! Can't beat that.

These are beautiful! Were these better on costs compared to real flowers?

Thank you soo much! That was very helpful.

Yes, that definitely helps. I guess I need to figure out exactly what capacity they may be operating at. Thank you!!!

Lindsay, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! The review is sooo organized - I love it! I would love to hear a little more about the "Welcome Party" - we're deciding between a Welcome Party or Rehearsal Dinner depending on the final confirms. I'm really torn as I would love to do a dinner but rationally doesn't make sense to pay more for that when all the guests are already all inclusive. How did you pick the location and time? When did you let the guests know of the event - was it ahead of time or while they were down there? Also, a few brides have said that if you go early enough, the restaurants can accommodate you - did you notice that as well or is it better to go with a Welcome Party instead? Anything else you can share would be great. Thanks a million!

That's a really good number. The resort is huge - the guest # shouldn't be an issue. Congrats! When are you sending out your STD's? Not sure if you've already gotten one yet but I would highly recommend getting a TA - mine took all that stress away from me and has been amazing.

Colleen, The pics are absolutely gorgeous! CONGRATULATIONS!!! And, now you can truly relax! I do have a few questions for you: 1-Did you bring your own sand / sand vase down or were they provided? If they were provided by the resort, did you choose your colors or was that random? 2-Did you design your own center pieces and bring them down or were they provided as well? 3-Did you get the dance floor? Did you think it made a big difference or not something that would make a big difference? 4-And, for your cake, did you send them a pic for what you wanted or asked them for the upgrade? How much approx. did the additional layers cost? Thanks sooo much. I really appreciate it!

Yeah, I reached out to them and was told that Dreams only allows "approved" vendors - a way around though is putting the vendor on your guest list and paying for a day pass but by the end of it all, especially for flowers, that may not end up really saving too much.

Wow! These are absolutely gorgeous. I wish I had a creative streak like that. My fiance and I are just going to an invitation consultant.

That's a really good list - not as unorganized as you think My wedding is over a 14 months away so I'm just taking notes and will send all this to Ana around 6 months before. For OOT bags, I've been noting things like bug spray, sun screen, lotion, magazines or paperbacks, chapstick, etc. - same things as a stocking stuffers. It's a shame I won't know the total # of guests till almost 2 months before the wedding or could've bought things during after Christmas sale.

Hi all, Found a website that gives you weather temp. averages/sunset times so may be a good reference for planning ceremony/reception times. http://www.cancunmap.com/weather/cancun-sunset.html

Hi JKHowell, We just received our Save the dates in the mail today (sooo excited) so are looking at sending them out mid August, 2011 (we're getting married on Sept. 2, 2012) so approx. a year ahead of time. Haven't decided on the invitations/rsvps yet but I've been told by Gina that we need to give her the final guest count 2 months prior to the wedding so are thinking about having our RSVP deadline about 2.5 or 3 months prior to the wedding. Hope this helps.

Dear MR1124, Yeah, that's awesome. You guys are loved! Ok, great. We're thinking about sending out our Save the dates a year ahead too and weren't sure if that was too early or too late. I also like how you guys gave an approx. 2 month time frame for the rsvp deadline - that's really reasonable. Thank you for sharing this info. Very helpful.

So $300 an hr for the DJ and an additional $500 for the floor...that's a bummer!!! Too bad we can't ship our own dance floor too lol

Dear Evelyn, Thank you SOOO much for answering all my questions. I really really appreciate it. Yes, I am a little stressed about the time frames as they don't seem to be the best when it comes to correspondence and when you finally do get a response back, it's clear they did not understand the question which starts up the email chain all over again. But you are right, they are professionals and unlike me, have done countless weddings. I guess it's just one of those "bride" things THANK YOU for coming back on the forum - I definitely feel a lot less stressed than I was initially and it's all thanks to you. -Anne Quote: Originally Posted by futureMrs.S 2011 Hi ASANYC- Thank you for your wonderful comments!!!! 1-You said you brought your own sand and ceremony things - are we supposed to bring the sand/bowl or did you choose to bring your own? I choose to bring my own. I would discuss it with your coordinator and see what is available. When I was asking about it, they had a really tiny vase and tiny sand bottles. I loved the ones I found at the local craft store, I wanted it to stand out in pictures so we brought ours down with us. 2-How far ahead of time did you give the music list to the DJ? Did you make a CD for him as well? Did you like the DJ? What was his name? I gave my final songs list to the DJ about 3 weeks before the wedding. I didn't make a CD for him. When we got my list (via email) he downloaded all my songs onto his mac and when we sat with him the day before the wedding, he quickly went through the songs making sure everything was correct and that he had the right version of the songs. He was correct with everything. Here's his info: Cesar Mauricio Neri Salazar Co. President & DJ VISUAL SOUND "Music for your eyes" tels. 998 7344 757 & 755 111 2921 email: [email protected] 3-How far ahead of time did you request for Anel? -I had told Ana I believe at least 3 months...maybe more...before the wedding. I had seen Anel's work on this thread and really wanted to make sure that I got her. I would tell your coordinator as soon as you are definite about it. You dont even have to choose your photo package when you ask for her. I told Anel which package I wanted one month before the wedding. 4-We're planning on going to Desires after the reception to continue the party. Does that get reserved by people as well or is that open to the public for after parties regardless of the weddings? -There are no reservations for Desires, its open to all the guests at the resort regardless of weddings. I have to say that while we were there, the Desires club was never even close to being packed on any night. Im not sure if thats the way it is all the time but it's not your typical night club thats for sure. You'll most likely have your own private after party in there after your wedding with only a few others in there from the resort. 5-For the cake, when did you tell them about the upgrade - while you were there or ahead of time? Did you give them a picture of this as well or just told them you wanted a second layer? I knew I wanted something more than the cake they were offering in the ultimate package so I copied a picture of one I wanted and sent it to Ana probably two months before the wedding date. I told her I would bring down my own ribbons for it and monograms for the top. If you don't ask or change anything about the cake, you will get a plain white one layer cake, which is perfectly fine if that's what you want. 6-How far ahead of time did you tell them you wanted the dance floor and sound tech? I asked for these things about 4 months left to the wedding only because I knew I definitely wanted these things. 7-And, yes, did you request for the dance floor to have the light effects or does it come with that? How much did that cost you (if you don't mind sharing that info) -The dance floor came like that, I didnt ask for the lighting effects. I just asked for the cold fireworks for the first dance and that wasn't an extra charge. I paid $300 per hour for the DJ, and the lighted dance floor. ** From your questions, it looks as if you are concerned about time frames and when to confirm things. My suggestion to you is this.... If you know what you want, email and confirm it with your coordinator. Dont stress too much about finalizing things too far in advance unless its your locations for the day (which if theres another wedding on your day could be taken if you wait too long). If you know for certain you want Anel or someone specific, email it and have it confirmed so its one less thing off your list. If you cant decide on menu options or centerpieces, wait till your coordinator asks you for it. I had a small binder and when I had something confirmed, I printed it out and stuck it in the binder. When I met with her down there, I had my binder with me just so it was easier to go over everything and finalize together. If something is confirmed and you change your mind last minute, I found them to be super accommodating if it was possible!!!! So have fun planning!!! Try not to stress, remember that they do weddings daily and they are professionals. Good luck!!! Wish I was planning all over again! Enjoy it!!

Dear Cbandemer, We're booked for 9/2/2012!!! We just ended up emailing them, and they sent us a deposit form. From what we were told, you send them the completed form and deposit and you're booked! Good luck. Are there any Sept. 2012 brides(or grooms) on here? If yes, what are your dates?

Dear MR1124, First of all, Congratulations!!! 90 guests is amazing. How many people did you originally invite and what kind of time frames did you use for sending out Save The Dates, Wedding Invitations and deadline for receiving the RSVPs? Thanks soo much. -Anne

Dear 7jax, Thanks soo much. Yeah, I'm not sure at this point - my fiance has a huge family so our guest list is about 250 guests. At this point we have no idea how many people will show up so I guess we'll have to figure out this situation closer to time based on the confirms. Good luck!!! Anne

Evelyn, 1st of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!! The pics are stunning and you look gorgeous! It looks like everyone had a blast (every bride's dream). Thank you sooo much for putting this review up. I loved the idea of the parasols for the bridesmaids! Brilliant!!! I do have a few questions for you and would love anything you could answer: 1-You said you brought your own sand and ceremony things - are we supposed to bring the sand/bowl or did you choose to bring your own? 2-How far ahead of time did you give the music list to the DJ? Did you make a CD for him as well? Did you like the DJ? What was his name? 3-How far ahead of time did you request for Anel? 4-We're planning on going to Desires after the reception to continue the party. Does that get reserved by people as well or is that open to the public for after parties regardless of the weddings? 5-For the cake, when did you tell them about the upgrade - while you were there or ahead of time? Did you give them a picture of this as well or just told them you wanted a second layer? 6-How far ahead of time did you tell them you wanted the dance floor and sound tech? 7-And, yes, did you request for the dance floor to have the light effects or does it come with that? How much did that cost you (if you don't mind sharing that info)? Thanks sooo much!!!

Hi Ladies! I realize this is a pretty old thread but in case someone is still around - could anyone share what they finally ended up doing? Was anyone able to find an affordable local artist/vendor in Cancun/Playa Del Carmen area???? Thanks!!!

Has anyone started looking into rehearsal dinner or welcome dinner options for the restaurants? Any idea if they charge anything extra to book the entire place or if you can just walk in with your guests the evening of? Do all of them have the same guest capacity or some smaller/bigger than others? Trying to figure out the best and most budget friendly way to do this esp. considering this is an all inclusive resort and doesn't make sense to "pay" for food when the guests essentially are already paying for it. :-/ Thanks!

Chrissy, What measurements did you use for the table covers and where did you get them? I also saw you had decorations for the chairs - did you buy those as well or did they provide that for you? Thanks!

I actually didn't even get a receipt back. Was told since the transaction had cleared my book, the date was confirmed. As long as that's all it takes to book it, ok. Thanks!