Dreams questions

[sandyroo]

I have emailed Yesica, but she has been slow at replying to me, so I am hoping some of you might know the answers to one or more of my questions:

 

1. If we qualify for the free Wedding in Paradise package, but choose to upgrade or do a la carte, do we get to reduce the price by the cost of the Weddings in Paradise package ($699)? Also, is the a la carte pricing posted anywhere?

 

2. If we do the Dreams of Love package, which is for 20 pax, can we add additional people, and what would be the additional cost per person?

 

3. I understand that we have to pay $24 per person per event site, but if the person is not a guest at the hotel, do we have to pay $85 PLUS $24, or $85 ONLY?

 

Thanks for any and all help!!!

[Christine]

Sandy, I think a lot of girls have found that the a la carte options wound up working better for them as many brides wanted their own photog and other vendors brought in. We do have two Cabo Wedding Coordinators on this board. Lovely Cabo Weddings and Maye, you might want to see how they can help you.

[Lee_Keenan]

Sandy,

 

I'm right there with you with lots of questions. Here is what I know it is actually 44 per person as it is 22 for one thing and 22 for another. Read it carefully and you'll see. However, for people offsite it is just 85 not 85 plus 24 or 44. I confirmed that with Marianna. I then asked Marianna how we start getting into all the other details like a la carte and what can I negotiate with a large block of rooms etc. Marianna, basically told me I need to reserve the date and then we get into all that. In order to reserve the date you simply need to email her and book your 7 night stay there. However, everyone on this site will tell you that you need to book through a TA to get you a group discount so that is what I'm trying to do now to confirm the date. I'm a little confused as to what my TA can negotiate now as we block the rooms and what comes later. For example, I'm sure I can get more if I have 30 rooms versus 10 but I don't quite know that number yet so its a chicken before an egg thing.

 

I don't know that I need an outside wedding coordinator unless you really are trying to do a very custom wedding. I might bring in my own photographer perhaps but I"m pretty happy with the majority of what Dreams has to offer as long as I can pick and choose from a few options.

 

I didn't really answer your questions but I really hope some other Dreams brides will as you can see I'm still struggling with the details of the package and what to book.

 

Cheers,

 

Lee

[cheese_diva]

I chose to do al'carte for everything, but am staying 7 days and most of my guests are staying at Dreams (at least so far). For budgeting purposes, plan on $22/pp for each event.. ceremony $22/pp, cocktail hour $22/pp (if in a different location than your reception), $22/pp reception. Plan on using a max number from your guest list (minus the people you know for sure aren't coming). When it gets closer, you'll have "extra" money in your budget that you will find for something else.

 

There's a menu list on the forum somewhere and pictures of some of their cakes.

 

I'm basically using their packages for a guidline of what's included and what isn't, but all my vendors are coming from outside.

[cheese_diva]

I'm such a nerd! I wrote al'carte instead of a la carte. lol

 

anyhow, I know it's frustrating not hearing back from Yessica... try to narrow down the month you want to have your wedding, then ask her to send all of her availablity. You'll probably hear back within 3 days.. I was stressing trying to book my date and not hearing back, but they'll respond..sometimes kinda half questions.. I learned to not ask them too many questions at once because you'll only have one or two answered.. you'll find most of your answers here and Tammy the host is a great resource.. she's also a Travel Agent and can negotiate some great rates for a room block if you need it. I'm having about 35 guests and alot have already booked so I don't think we need it.

[Lee_Keenan]

Cheese Diva are you paying 66 per guest then to have a separate cocktail hour? That sounds appealing but need to understand all of my options first.

 

Did you use your max guests to do more negotiating to book your package at Dreams?

 

Thanks,

 

Lee

[cheese_diva]

Hmm.. I've always had some sort of idea of how many guests.. 30-40. it just seems to be growing more as we add family members. We based it on 40 and think we're at 35 right now. After we sent out our save the dates, people started telling us, "oh we can't wait" and "we're working on our plans" or "we've booked our trips!". I just kept track of everyone using theknot.com guestlist and put them down as though they rsvp'd yes already.

 

I didn't really negotiate any "deal" with Dreams. I just received rates and when I booked my date told them where I wanted the ceremony and reception. To avoid another additional $22/pp, I think I will have my cocktail hour at the Oceana Terrace, same place as my reception. They consider each setup a separate event. I think it's crazy to pay extra for one hour of drinks and hourdourves. So, it will just be $44/pp (unless someone isn't staying at dreams, then it's $85 for them). I'm also having a welcome dinner the friday before at Portofino, that's an additional $22/pp

 

Then of course if I want any color at the tables, napkins and colored table cloths are separate, same as chair ties. Then there's the centerpieces, flowers, etc.!!

 

I basically told Mariana I wanted the "free wedding" which if I remember right basically covers having it at the resort without paying an additional fee, a very small cake, and some flowers, which I'll probably repurpose for someone else or something else. (I haven't gotten that far yet).

 

I'm chosing my own vendors for mostly everything. I have a coordinator to help but with my small party and the people on this forum she probably wasn't all that necessary, although I appreciate her already and will so even more day of.

 

Even though it's a "free wedding" it sure does add up! lol But I keep reminding myself the same wedding in CA would easily be twice as much.

[KELLID]

I think you are realizing one of the reasons to get an outside coordinator- Dreams has so many brides to deal with and it takes a while for either Mariana or Yessica to get back to you. And in my experience with my coordinator, Maye, its never more than 24 hours for a response Its great, especially as things are getting closer to get all your questions answered right away. And believe me-you will have more questions than you realize!

[KELLID]

Oh and the cocktail hour is included in the reception set up fee-not an extra $22 pp. They just don't like to advertise that it is an option. I booked orginally 50 rooms and am down to about 30 and I believe everyone gets the same perks no matter how many rooms you have. We did change for our site visit to one room for 3 nights instead of 2 rooms for 2 nights which I think they are still offering.

[NHPT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandyroo I have emailed Yesica, but she has been slow at replying to me, so I am hoping some of you might know the answers to one or more of my questions: 1. If we qualify for the free Wedding in Paradise package, but choose to upgrade or do a la carte, do we get to reduce the price by the cost of the Weddings in Paradise package ($699)? Also, is the a la carte pricing posted anywhere? 2. If we do the Dreams of Love package, which is for 20 pax, can we add additional people, and what would be the additional cost per person? 3. I understand that we have to pay $24 per person per event site, but if the person is not a guest at the hotel, do we have to pay $85 PLUS $24, or $85 ONLY? Thanks for any and all help!!!

its 22/site set up- for instance it is 22 for our set up at the gazebo and 22 for our set up for the reception at cascade terrace. for outside guests its just a one time fee of 85. my biggest tip for you is this:
1. be patient with the wedding coordinators- they are SO busy- and set a date for you wedding
2. after that contact a travel agent. the host tammy is a TA and is very knowledgable about dreams (she even had her wedding there!)
i know it is so stressful to wait for the coordinators to email you back because all you want to do is set your date- just be patient. if you need ANYTHING my weddng is pretty planned and i did not use a seperate coordinator- please send me a personal message and i will be happy to hel you out! don't worry- it will all work out!!!!!!!