Dreams Cancun - Questions for those married here!

[sparkle21]

hi im new today. been looking at dreams cancun all day read loads of reviews and im falling in love with it, im definetly considering having my wedding here. only thing im a little worried about is telling my family as i wouldnt be able to afford to pay for them. just wondering what responses other people had from there families.xxx

[barbiebride24]

Hey pixie! Im glad i met you too! We ended up fixing our own hair and we decided on the brides maids hair to go to the side.   ........@clgriffi  Thanks!

 

 

[HeatherT]

Hello ladies....

 

We got married June 5, 2011 at Dreams Riviera Cancun and it was so much more than I thought it would be.  I thought by booking a destination wedding, we were playing it "cool", but as the months wore down, I got more and more stressed and felt out of touch.

 

Well, I am here to tell you... DON'T WORRY!  I will try to answer your questions as best as possible.  Sorry this is so long... I also attached some of my pictures ( you can tell I prefer to the black and white)

 

First, we had 19 guests and then obviously the two of us. The grand total for the entire thing was around $7200.  That included Package 3 photography and package 3 video.  We also used the recommended DJ.  These three things were my main concerns.  The photography was beautiful (it's the resort run "Adventure Photo").  Santi spent time in my room while I got ready, took beautiful pictures during the ceremony and after and so many fun shots of the reception and cocktail hour.  The way it works is a few days after the wedding, they sent a link for me to select so many pictures from.  Of those pictures, 150 would be put onto a permanent link for me to share/print/download and 50 of the 150 pics would be put into a wedding album.  I'm still waiting for that, but it takes an estimated 6-8 weeks.  They were also so nice to send us a different link that had a picture slide show put to music.  Package three was totally worth it:

 

 

 

As for the video... it was the easiest option.  I started looking in the Cancun area for videographers and my head started spinning.  (this is right around the time my husband told me I was becoming a bridezilla!)  The videographer was fun and stayed out of our way.... we never felt like we were being taped.  He worked the crowd and got some great comments out of our guests that will make us smile for years to come.  The best part... we got our video within two weeks of the wedding.  It was a great present to get when we got home from our honeymoon!

 

One of the other questions was about the audio system for the actual ceremony.  You need need need this.  It is extremely windy and your guests will not be able to hear without it.  If I could offer some advice, my only real issue with our wedding video is that part of the ceremony is hard to hear because of the wind.  Maybe talk with Lisbeth (the wedding coordinator) about having the camera man standing closer to the speakers during this part.

 

We chose a symbolic ceremony, so I can't answer any questions about blood tests, etc.  but Linda was our minister and she was wonderful.  The vows were beautiful and I cry every time I watch our video.  They were poetic!

 

I got my hair and makeup done at the salon.  She didn't speak ANY English....but she did a great job.  I did lighten up a little of the eye makeup and lipstick after the ceremony.. Just remember, they only make it darker so it will show in the pictures.  If you're makeup is too light, it won't show.

 

 

 

 

Here is the rest of my wedding ( I just want to give you a break down of what we paid for):

 

We did not have any additional decorations for the ceremony.  What they provided was beautiful.  Our only add on was the bows for the chairs.  We had 3 bridesmaids and 4 groomsmen.  So we also had to add additional bouquets and boutonnieres for the men.  Of course, we had the sound system on the beach.  We also gave them C.D.s for our the recessional, processional, etc.  Everything went off perfectly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our cocktail hour, because of the rain, was underneath an awning outside of the building where the reception was going to be.  We had the mariachi band... which was the best time ever!  Enough alcohol and food and entertainment.  It was a great hour to get ready for the real celebration. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because of our limited amount of guests, we had a sit down dinner as opposed to the buffet.  Everyone raved about the salmon and the beef tenderloin was delicious.  The food was really good.  Also, my mom is a vegetarian and they even had no problems substituting pasta for her main course.   One thing I would change... We had lights under our tables.  They were fun and all, but a little tacky (rainbow lights changing colors).  A biggie!!!!!-------the DJ.  He was great. We sat down with him a few days before the wedding and he asked what kind of music we wanted.  We told him fun, dance, hip hop, 80's.  No country, classical, heavy metal.  He really stuck with it and did an amazing job.  The DJ was one of my biggest concerns because I was afraid he would only play Latin music.  I was wrong! 

 

 

Another concern I had and I know a lot of other brides have is working with the wedding coordinator.  I know it can be stressful not being able to be in direct contact with Lisbeth when you have a question.  But honestly, just relax!  All of my questions, concerns, issues, she was able to handle when we were down there.  Just remember this one day goes sooo fast.  Enjoy it and Smile when you get down there and everything will be ok.  SOMETHING WILL GO WRONG.  But just be ok with it.  You're marrying the person you love most in this whole world!

[mgl27]

Hi Sparkle!  Welcome!
 

I think that you will be surprised at the people who will find a way to attend your wedding.  We decided on a destination wedding thinking that only our immediate family and MAYBE some friends would attend (and we are not paying for anyone).  Well, we have 56 booked and counting...  We cannot believe it! But it is amazing.  People really do want to share your day with you and make a little vacation of it as well.  I think if you choose a resort that offers everything that a variety of people will be looking for (beaches, pools, kid activities etc and Dreams does), they will come!  good luck!  Keep us posted!

 

Meghan

Originally Posted by sparkle21 

hi im new today. been looking at dreams cancun all day read loads of reviews and im falling in love with it, im definetly considering having my wedding here. only thing im a little worried about is telling my family as i wouldnt be able to afford to pay for them. just wondering what responses other people had from there families.xxx

 

[ammorris17]

We are leaving for Dreams today!!! We are so excited about our wedding on Saturday!!!

[clgriffi7]

Exciting!!!  Best of luck and tell us all about it when you get back....

 

Originally Posted by ammorris17 

We are leaving for Dreams today!!! We are so excited about our wedding on Saturday!!!

 

[melstewart]

Hi everyone! I am also new to this thread and was wondering if there was anyone who got married at Dreams Cancun around December 1st just curious to what the weather was like because that is our date that we have picked but most people go between feb and june. Thanks!

[clgriffi7]

Here is a link for the average weather conditions in Cancun throughout the year.  It seems as if May through October are the warmer months and November through April are a bit cooler.  But when the average high only changes by 9 degrees F for the entire year, you know you have chosen a great place to get married!!!  One thing to keep in mind with a December wedding (like mine in November) is that the sun sets earlier, so that may impact what time you might want to have your ceremony.
 

http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/MXQR0138
 

Also, with a low temperature around 70 deg F in the winter months, it might make the addition of pashmina's to the OOT bags more practical.  I plan on adding them because even though 70 is still warm, it will likely feel a bit chilly after the heat of a sunny day (especially with a sunburn like I am sure most of my guests will end up with).  But imagine how nice it will be to dance at your reception on the beach (at least that is where mine will be) when it is nice and cool....

 

Originally Posted by melstewart 

Hi everyone! I am also new to this thread and was wondering if there was anyone who got married at Dreams Cancun around December 1st just curious to what the weather was like because that is our date that we have picked but most people go between feb and june. Thanks!

 

[mgl27]

So excting!! Have a wonderful trip and a beautiful wedding! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Originally Posted by ammorris17 

We are leaving for Dreams today!!! We are so excited about our wedding on Saturday!!!

 

[futuremrsroo]

Hi everyone!!

 

I'm new (to posting, that is - I've been lurking for a while.... and am getting married on Oct 28th. I'm so glad I found this thread because otherwise I would be going nuts waiting on responses from Claudia!

 

I have a question for anyone who has/is having their reception on the beach: dance floor or no dance floor? We have a group of 25 (and counting) and we all love to party, so there will definitely be dancing! I just can't seem to justify almost $1,000 for a dance floor when my whole perception of the destination wedding is having sand between my toes

 

Also, most of the pictures I've seen of the beach receptions look like larger weddings. Will it look funny with a set up of only 25-30 people on the beach?

 

Thanks in advance, I'm getting so excited hearing everyone's plans and reading the reviews!!