The new Dreams Tulum thread! (Post all DT Qs&As here)

[L&A2010]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaynreneewed Can you guys help me with the following question… 1-If I rent chair bows from the resort, do I still have to pay a set-up fee for them to put them on? 2-For the cocktail hour the ultimate package comes with a mexican trio can I use a Caribbean trio instead? 3-Does anyone have the schdule for theme nights?

I am not sure about the answer to question #1.

2- My understanding is that you have your choice of which band you want to use and they will play one set (I think a set is 45min). Also I don't think you are limited to using them during the cocktail hour, that is just when most brides use them.

3- This is the answer I got from Aurora:
Those shows are subject availability as follow:
Mexican Party on Tuesdays
Caribbean Party on Fridays
Fire Dancers on Saturdays

and from Anabel:
Our activities change but usually Tuesday is the Mexican Party, Friday the Caribbean party and Fire Dancers are Saturdays but this is subject to changes.

[OceanWonderland]

mimi73: HI! I'm getting married at DT on Nov 15, 2010. You are the closest date to me so far (at least that posts on this forum). There is also a November 2010 thread that you should look for, of all the people getting married all over in November.

What day will you be arriving to DT? If we have similar colors, maybe we can try to go in on chair bows and such.

Have you bought your flight yet? We already booked the hotel, but we can't seem to find an affordable flight (except on orbitz/expedia/etc), but the direct airline route is $200 more per person! I'm almost about to book on one of those large travel discount sites like orbitz and just take the risk...it seems like it only affects those who need to change/cancel flights and I don't plan on that.

[northernflasher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krista.baird Okay, to anyone who has been married/been to Dreams Tulum, can you tell me if the ipod docking station is removable? I'm thinking we could take it down to the pool to do a first dance after the ceremony, but I'm not sure if we can. Also, what batteries does it take. A while back someone mentioned AAAs or Ds but I don't think anyone confirmed it. Help? Thanks!

Just to confirm they used to be removable but are not now. The one in our room was wired into the the plug socket in a really dangerous manner. It also didn't work properly and for the first week woke us up at midnight every night until we figured out how to turn the damn alarm off!!! Ha ha

We brought ours from home and had a party of 15 on the beach, ours was nowhere near loud enough for our rowdy little bunch!

I would recommend having the sound system. We saw a large wedding whilst we were there and it sounded awesome.

If you have time I would do some research before you buy, we thought ours would be more than adequate but against the noise of the ocean it just didn't hold up.

Hope this helps

[northernflasher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanWonderland Sorry to ask this once again..but to any of you recently married brides (who seem to disappear after getting married forever!) - did any of you inquire about the $20 restaurant menu for your reception, instead of the silver or gold? I will keep asking this question until it is answered My wedding group is already 70 people so the meal costs are very significant.

Hello from a newly married bride!

I didn't enquire and afraid I don't have the answer but it seems to me from past posts that the answer to this keeps changing.

If I were you I would go direct to your WC. Several people have found
that for various things if you write it up as if it's a given rather than
ask if you can you seem to get the desired response.
For example I paid for the set meal but got her to send me the menus for gold, silver and veggie options and we chose our favourites from across all 3 menus, I also got to offer 2 main meals and a third veggie option.
Just for your own peace of mind I'd get onto this asap.
With 70 guests you can also do buffet option so if this suits you it may be worth seeing if the price for this is more reasonable.

I think generally if you don't ask you don't get.

Hope this helps

[*Krista*]

For the chair bow question, I also asked this question of Aurora and was told that the bows cost to rent and then also to set up. It was something like $5 per chair for renting bows and then another $2 per chair/per person for setup fee. However, I have been reading from girls on here, that often Aurora quotes higher, and then the actually WC doesn't charge those things. Rather they just charge a flat fee of $150 for all setup (bows, flowers, centerpieces, little extras, extra tulle, etc), as long as you bring the materials with you. If you rent from them, I think they would charge the rental fees on top of the $150. To play it safe, I would estimate costs based on what Aurora quotes, and then if you get it for cheaper, bonus!!! If not, at least your wedding tab won't be ridiculously higher than you anticipated.

[*Krista*]

Thanks for the answer about the ipod docking station ladies! I appreciate it!~

[jaynreneewed]

Krista,

 

What color chair bows are you having? Are you planning on buying or renting?

[*Krista*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaynreneewed Krista, What color chair bows are you having? Are you planning on buying or renting?

Hey! I'm undecided right now, we only have about 8-9 guests, so we are considering just having the white chairs, white tulle and then sprinkle deep pink colored petals on the sand....going for the classic look. We are having a huge reception when we get back with decos, etc. so I think we might just keep it minimal in Mexico. Plus I really like the look of the pure white on the beach. I hope it's really sunny on our day so we have the beautiful blue of the ocean and sky for backdrop!

What color are you having for bows? I've heard that they have quite a selection at the resort to rent if you choose not to bring your own. The other thing I was thinking when I was originally planning on having bows was to take a roll of tulle in my color and then just cut 3or4 feet strips for making bows and tie them that way, rather than ordering specialty bows since they cost more.

[*Krista*]

Okay seriously!!! They actually charge you $150 to put up the canopy with white tulle over it if you are having the free package. That is what I'm being told by Aurora, and it states it in the wedding guide as well....I think that's crap because who has the wedding on the sand, with just chairs You would think that the canopy would be included! So now I have to pay $150 for the canopy, plus $150 for the sound system, $175 for blood work, $50 for judge transportation, plus they have a special fee if you want to have your wedding dinner in a restaurant that isn't the world cafe buffet, so their "free" wedding, isn't really a "free" wedding, even though I have several guests staying in rooms for more than three nights so I could have this wedding. I'm really frustrated with Dreams and how I'm getting nickled and dimed for everything! Sorry thats my vent.....

[absonnek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krista.baird Okay seriously!!! They actually charge you $150 to put up the canopy with white tulle over it if you are having the free package. That is what I'm being told by Aurora, and it states it in the wedding guide as well....I think that's crap because who has the wedding on the sand, with just chairs You would think that the canopy would be included! So now I have to pay $150 for the canopy, plus $150 for the sound system, $175 for blood work, $50 for judge transportation, plus they have a special fee if you want to have your wedding dinner in a restaurant that isn't the world cafe buffet, so their "free" wedding, isn't really a "free" wedding, even though I have several guests staying in rooms for more than three nights so I could have this wedding. I'm really frustrated with Dreams and how I'm getting nickled and dimed for everything! Sorry thats my vent.....

Sorry girls, this is gonna get lengthy!
I just returned last week from my wedding (the Dreams of Love mid priced package, 25 guests), and we were really disappointed in how much they "nickel and dimed" us too. The previous brides who got to bargain or exchange services were lucky. A summary of our "bumps in the road":

• We paid $150 for the sound system for the ceremony (which lasted 7 minutes by the way) and with the wind and ocean, our guests couldn't hear it any way.
• Anabel had us pay the day before the ceremony for our "extras" which included 2 kids meals (going rate per hotdog is $25 +tax and service). The kids wanted to go to Explorer's club after the ceremony so we told Anabel they wouldn't need their meals...no refund.
• They wouldn't allow my hair and make up to be used toward another service.
• We had our own photographer but the resort's took pics at our rehearsal since 30 were included in the package. They were terrible (did not use the flash and never got a pic of me and my groom).
• Also, when I had my meeting with her she had decided where our cocktails and our reception would be...no compromising (despite filling out all the paperwork and submitting it on time). Also, don't think you can get out of paying for 2 extra adults for cocktail hour by having it near a bar and saying you'll go get your own drinks. I tried that too.
• We did not use the 2 boutonnieres for the guys but had to pay full price for bridesmaid bouquets.
• As for the dress steaming...it came back looking worse than when I sent it. To the point I had tears in my eyes.

And don't forget the extra $33 for them to receive the package I sent to myself there via FedEx. For an end result of nearly an extra $600.

For the positives, my flowers were gorgeous. The canopy with white chairs (no bows or flowers!) was beautiful. I got ready in my room while staring at the ocean and watching the crew set up for my big moment. The reception meal was one of the best we had all week. Our real photographer did an amazing job. No one noticed my wrinkled mess of a dress in the wind. I got married to my best friend while surrounded by those who love me (and didn't care about the lack of flowers, bows, dance, etc).

My advice- keep it simple. And, if the costs related to the legal ceremony bother you, do your legal ceremony at home before you go or after you return. For us, it wasn't worth being legally married in Mexico for 2 days then waiting months on end for the marriage license to file in the US. We vowed ourselves to each other (which mattered to us) and signed the legal stuff when we got home.
Good luck! Whether you spend your life savings or go as cheap as possible, it will be beautiful.