Ana's Dreams Los Cabos Review! *pics*

[Ana]

Well I'm finally sitting down to write this! I can't believe how fast the last year went by...it seems like it was yesterday!! Our wedding week + honeymoon was fantastic! the best time of my life, and the best family vacation we've ever taken! So without dragging this on to long here goes:

 

DREAMS LOS CABOS - A+

 

The resort was fantastic! We were there for 2 weeks, 1 wedding and 1 honeymoon. From the moment that we got off the bus, to the day that we left they were amazing! We were greeted by the most spectacular ocean view, champagne and cool towels. The staff was all around friendly, and we loved the food (at all the restaurants). I don't understand the people who complain about it on Trip Advisor. Not only did I love it, but all 33 people we travelled down with also raved about the food. The rooms we're clean, cool, comfortable and the turn down service was great. Yesica had us upgraded to the honeymoon suite, and I would highly recommend it! It was a great room with a great view. One of the best decisions I ever made was to go to Dreams. Our 2 week stay there was by far the best from any all inclusive I've ever been to.

 

YESICA (wedding coordinator) - A+

 

Yesica was great! and she worked her butt off for us before and during our stay. I am super happy that she was my wedding coordinator and she pulled off the day without a hitch. Every single request that I made, even down to the table set up, she was on top of, and it came out amazing in the end. When it was time for her to leave for the night, she came over personally to let me know she was leaving but that someone else was there to look after things if anything went wrong. I personally feel like she went above and beyond her duties in helping me and providing me with guidance throught the planning process. I initially had Maye hired as a coordinator, but let her go about 6 months before the wedding, and to be honest...there is absolutely nothing that I can think of that Yesica did not do. I am so happy that she was looking after the wedding that day. The day before the wedding I did sit down with her and we went over all the details to make sure that everything was checked off. I also gave her my place cards, the seating chart, favors to be placed at each seating, votive candles I brought and silver trays for the cake table. She arranged everything perfectly without a problem at all.

 

Although sometimes the email replies are a bit slow, it is because she is very VERY busy. There were about a dozen weddings there during our stay and whenever she wasn't planning the wedding day itself I always saw here running around and meeting with various people. My advice to anyone who has her, is be patient. Give yourself time for replies, and if you're super in a bind and need an answer ASAP, then pick up the phone and call her. Imagine planning 10+ weddings at one time :S I barely made it through one lol

 

The only glitch that I can think of was really in regards to a miscommunication. Upon arrival I gave my dress and Michael's suit to Yesica for steaming. I requested that they be returned at "noon" on the day of the wedding. Well NOON in Mexico means 1pm, whereas for me it meant 12PM. So when my dress wasn't there by 12:15 I panicked. I cried and yelled. But it did arrive and it was perfect...lol. So just be warned...use specific numeric times when referring to anything for the wedding.

 

TRANSPORTATION - Ixchel - A+

 

We needed a transportation service to take us from Dreams to the Church in San Jose and then back again. I was super nervous about this before the wedding. All the planning was done through the internet, and I wasn't sure whether they would arrive as requested. I negotiated the price and signed the contract prior to arrival. The day of the wedding, they arrived exactly as scheduled! Yesica confirmed our guest numbers and the times the day of the wedding, and that was it. We had mini buses for the guests, and a marquis limo.

 

Mision de San Jose del Cabo CATHOLIC CHURCH - A+

 

Cabomission.com - Welcome to the website of the Parish of San Jose del Cabo

 

The Church and the Priest, Father Humberto, were great. It was the perfect place and setting for our ceremony. Our guests loved it, and we were able to involve our families and loved ones in something that was very much important to us both.

 

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHER - JUAN CARLOS TAPIA - A++

 

Weddings in Los Cabos - Juan Carlos Tapia Photographer - destination weddings

 

Juan was the second best decision we made! He was wonderful to work with, creative, focused, fun. I don't even have to see our pictures to know they will be fabulous. He has a creative vision but works it in with the bride and groom's vision of the day. He is so attentive and so in the zone, its really amazing to watch him work. He was aware of things that I didn't even think about...like where the sun was shining...lol He made both Michael and I so comfortable and was just amazing to work with. I really don't even have enough words to describe how great he is. The girls on here that have had the priviledge to work with him know exactly what I mean, and the ones that are considering someone else...DON'T DO IT! lol he was amazing!

 

He honestly saved my life and face the day of the wedding. The biggest glitch (what Edyta was talking about in her post) was that as we were taking pictures and walking, Michael (husband) stepped on the train of my dress as I was slightly ahead of him, and ripped a 9inch hole in it. He pulled the train right out of the seam. As I was walking I felt the pull, heard the tear, and turned around with the most angered look on my face. When I saw the giant rip...and its GIANT! I was overwhelmed with a bizillion emotions, first disbelief, then anger, then rage, then panic and finally hysteria. I wanted to kill him. Before I even had a chance to start bawling, Juan handed his camera to his assistant, ran into a local restaurant, came back with a giant red stapler and two ladies from the restaurant and they started stapling my dress. All I could say was .... "OMG YOU RIPPED MY DRESS! OMG YOU RIPPED IT!" and I was seriously freaking out. Then Juan saved the day by saying something so simple "Don't worry you'll never wear this dress again. And it won't show in the pictures". I honestly felt instant relief. If he hadn't said that I would have cried forever and probably yelled. But I realized he was so right, and so I calmed down. I calmed down enough to be able to actually laugh at the event. And I had something to hold over Michael's head every time he didn't want to do something that day. I kept saying "just sit on the dirt and stop complaining..at least your suit isn't ripped" hehe! Luckly, the way that I had requested my bustle, eventually covered up the tear completely, and the staples lasted just long enough for the photoshoot to end.

 

 

FLOWERS - FLORENTA - A+

 

Florenta Flower Design -

 

I worked with Lola and she did a fantastic job. I had 39 lavander roses for my bouquet, and 13 cream for the BMs. I sent her pictures of what I wanted for centerpies, but wasn't super specific and didn't have too much of an expectation that it would turn out exactly as planned. All I cared about was that they were fabulous, fresh and the right colors...and all that worked out! Lola was great to communicate with all the way through the planning process. She was prompt with her email responses and sent tons of pictures. When I finally had the pleasure to meet her, she was as wonderful in person as she was in her emails.

 

 

 

Some tables had cream rose centerpieces and others had lavander. They were my favorite! I wished that I could have taken them home with me.

[Ana]

COCKTAIL HOUR & DINNER - OCEANA TERRACE - A+

 

Like I said before, Yesica did a great job setting this all up, and Oceana was the perfect setting. Its the most private of all other settings (I took a picture of one other set up as well but I'll post in the Cabo section on that). Michael and I didn't get to enjoy the cocktail reception at all because we were off taking pics with Juan, but everyone loved it. They had high tables set up, and I had Florenta make mini versions of the dinner centerpieces for those as well. The dinner was set up just a little bit away.

 

daytime arial shot of the reception and cocktails. The hightables and bar are to the right of the pic:

 

cocktail arial set up:

 

daytime dinner look:

 

DIY placecards & favors (chocolate covered espresso beans and cups):

 

night time shot:

 

night time bar and cocktail area:

 

 

CAKE & CUPCAKES - SWEET DREAMS CABO - A++

 

Sweet Dreams Special Occasion Cakes, Los Cabos, Mexico

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Deena for a cake tasting the previous summer in Vancouver, and instantly I was excited! and not just because I love cake and devoured everything she brought...but also because she was so easy to speak with and communicate with. I had a sorted vision of what I wanted, and she honestly knew what I wanted better than me lol! I had 60 cupcakes, various flavors, and one mini cake to cut. My fabulous MOH found these antique silver trays and brought them down. We didn't rent any stand, and it worked out perfectly. Yesica set up a long table and we placed the different trays on it. Deena came during our dinner and just arranged it all. We didn't even realize she had come in!! The best part is that we enjoyed her cupcakes and mini cake every single day until the day we left from our honeymoon lol. And they were just as amazing tasting. Secretly I still have dreams about the lemon cake and wish I had some right now still!

 

cake and cupcake set up:

 

 

 

 

MAKEUP - Jasmine Hoffman (Vancouver makeup artist) A+++++

 

Jasmine Hoffman: Site Under Construction

 

My BM happens to be a fabulous makeup artist in Vancouver so I got lucky there. She does regular editorial and wedding makeup for stars and every day ppl like me. She did my makeup, plus touched up all the BM's, my mom, grandma's, friends etc... She was a MACHINE the day of my wedding. She worked with me to get the absolute perfect look, and the makeup did not come off all day! no sweat or tears could take it off hahaha! It was amazing! I thought so many times that my makeup must have started to run (esp when I started crying during the ceremony at the Church) but each time I looked in the mirror it was still there!

 

 

HAIR- I did my own hair for the day...ultimately I just don't trust other ppl...lol I curled it with a straightening iron, and pinned small sections up under the veil. At the reception I took it all down, and brushed it out, for more of a messy natural look. I'm super happy that I chose to do this, I don't think anyone else could have done it better.

 

Ok so I think that's it! for MUSIC my MOH/SIL created the playlists with songs that I texted, emailed or talked to her about...as well as her own faves. Dreams set up speakers, a mic and hookups, and a technician was around the whole night for any tech difficulties (there was one where the mic stopped working but it was fixed in 2.5 seconds).

 

Everyone loved the trip, the wedding, the whole thing. I didn't hear one complaint the whole time I was there. Our wedding day was great and we're so happy to have picked this specific group of vendors for it. They worked well together and made our vision a reality. I can't think of anything that I would do differently. It was all perfect!

 

Now I'm excited to just enjoy being married!!! yeyeyey!

[Ana]

Here's a few more non professional pics b/c I know you all love them! LOL!

 

At the airport:

 

 

my dad and Michael:

 

 

Michael and his dad:

 

 

Maryte my SIL/MOH doing up the 32 buttons:

 

 

dad walking me down the aisle (I was seriously shaking...although he looks more nervous here than I was):

 

 

after the ceremony:

 

us with Michael's family:

 

us with my family:

 

f*ck you socks - long running joke, started at Christmas a few years back about the eff you gift of socks that people like to give as gifts, but really it can be really a very symbolic gift - Michael wanted his GM and my dad to all have some eff you socks and Juan wanted to take a picture of it lol

 

[Ana]

BM'S - I wanted each girl to be her own person..to buy something they loved. I just assigned colors and asked them to buy silk. I asked them to wear gold shoes, and I gave them gold jewlery with a pearl coin as the wedding stone, which were all different to match their personalities and hand made by a fabulous studio in Vancouver. The rest was up to them and I loooooooove how it turned out! The colors mixed so well with the colors of Cabo and I loved it!

 

 

us and our bridal party - we were mismatched all the way...more girls than boys, diff BM dresses but I love it! Michael and his GMs had their suits tailor made in Toronto. The GMs wore the same material suit (diff styles for their bodies and styles they picked), white shirt and tie that Michael got them as gifts, and brown shoes that they chose. My dad also had his suit made with the boys, but a different pattern and tie...so he still blended in but was still different. Michael wanted a fun shirt to stand out from the boys and match with the girls:

 

 

arrival at the reception:

 

 

Edyta and I!

 

first dance:

 

pee time! I had diff girls go with me every time...so that I didn't gross out anyone one particular person for too long...this was the most awkward thing ever btw!

 

[Ana]

Couple's silly kiss montage:

 

 

 

 

end of the night...getting ready for the bar!

 

 

[estella1007]

You look amazing! Loving your dress, and the entire event looks gorgeous!

[Andi]

WOW! EVERYTHING looked amazing!!! Congrats on finally being a Mrs.!!!!

 

I can't wait to see more pics!

[Soon To Be Mrs. Gomez]

Thanks for sharing. I'm so happy you loved your wedding. I hope I will love mine and I'm glad Yesica was a great WC. I have been working with her too. I love the pics you posted . They are all lovely. I do have one question, when should I ask for the upgrade to the honeymoon suite?

[Erika J]

Ana ... YAY!!! I was sooo looking forward to your review. When Edyta said there was a glitch I got so worried, but I am glad to hear, well sad for the dress, but glad to hear it was nothing too horrible. Who know Juan could be a seastress/photog with a stapler. That is a priceless story.

 

I wish that my wedding was sooner!!!

 

Ohhh and your centerpieces were amazing, something different and unique.

 

It is going to be tough to wait for Juans Pics!!

[Ana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soon To Be Mrs. Gomez Thanks for sharing. I'm so happy you loved your wedding. I hope I will love mine and I'm glad Yesica was a great WC. I have been working with her too. I love the pics you posted . They are all lovely. I do have one question, when should I ask for the upgrade to the honeymoon suite?

I asked her about 4 months before..and then kept checking to make sure it was done about once a month.. :S I'm kind of crazy with planning and making sure things are done properly