Dreams Palm Beach?

[kburger0329]

 

 

Originally Posted by Canadiansandy 

 

dreamsmaybride - I think it's so funny that you're getting married at the same time, exactly a week after us! How do you feel about your time? I originally wanted it earlier, like 4 or 4:30 but I'm warming up to 5:30 We've booked Pastor Rick York to do the ceremony (we are doing a symbolic ceremony, getting legally married in Calgary a few weeks before). We've also booked DJ Mannia for our reception in one of the banquet rooms. I originally wanted to have the reception on the beach too, but then you have to do the buffet, and we prefer a sit down dinner. The thing I love about DPB is that you can change so much when you get down there! Nothing seems to be written in stone, which I love, because it's hard to make these decisions without being there!

 

How many people are you expecting for your wedding? We're hoping for 30-45.

 

Who is DJ Mannia? HOw did you find him? All i;ve heard about is a DJ thru Melani, but it is prob a lot cheaper not to use the resort dj. Anyone have any suggestions??

 

[Canadiansandy]

kburger - I heard about DJ Mannia on here actually, I read so many great reviews that we decided they were who we wanted for our reception! I emailed Carlos for a quote, found it reasonable ($850 for 4 hours, which includes all DJ services, lighting, MC services, etc) and decided to book with them! Use the search engine on this forum, you'll find tons of reviews! That's all how we went about booking HDC as our photographer. This site has SO many reviews from past brides, definitely do some searches!

[dreamsmaybride]

 

dreamsmaybride - I think it's so funny that you're getting married at the same time, exactly a week after us! How do you feel about your time? I originally wanted it earlier, like 4 or 4:30 but I'm warming up to 5:30 We've booked Pastor Rick York to do the ceremony (we are doing a symbolic ceremony, getting legally married in Calgary a few weeks before). We've also booked DJ Mannia for our reception in one of the banquet rooms. I originally wanted to have the reception on the beach too, but then you have to do the buffet, and we prefer a sit down dinner. The thing I love about DPB is that you can change so much when you get down there! Nothing seems to be written in stone, which I love, because it's hard to make these decisions without being there! How many people are you expecting for your wedding? We're hoping for 30-45.

 

Candaian - It's so crazy, what are the chances??  I LOVE our time!  I wanted as close to sunset as possible and still have time for pictures.  I've found that most people at an all inclusive usually start to pack up and leave the beach/pool area around this time to get ready for dinner so I'm hoping there will be less "stragglers" around at that time.  It also has a great flow to the evening.  Are you ready for this...we are also doing a symbolic ceremony and getting married at home right before we leave.  Who is this Pastor Rick York?  I was just going to follow the brochure and have Melani perform for us but this presents another option.  I'm assuming he performs the ceremony in English?  As for quests we are right on par with you again & hoping for 25-45.  We are keeping everything pretty casual so far...

 

 

 

That's what Melani told me, yes. You don't have to have min. 50 people like the wedding brochure says, she was willing to do a buffet for 35, but you have to do the buffet it the dinner is outdoors.   There are tons of pictures on Facebook - you should join the group Dreams Palm Beach Brides! I found tons of pics of the banquet rooms, ceremonies on the beach, etc.   Does anyone here know - when you choose a menu (silver, for example) - do your guests get to choose the option they want for each course, or do you as the bride and groom choose one option for each course and guests get no choice? It says 'choose 1' on all the menus, and I'm confused about whether that means we choose 1 for everyone, or guests choose what they want from the options...

 

I'll email Melani regarding the beach reception and post her reply once received.  I really would like an outdoor reception however I'm not too interested in the buffet.

 

I agree, the Facebook group has loads of pictures.  There's also a forum you can join which has lots of questions & answers.

 

My understanding is that the bride & groom choose the menu for the guests.  I attended a wedding at Dreams Tulum a few years ago & the bride had the Silver Package.  She choose the menu but was able to make changes once down there.  Example: she changed the menu to suit kids and had chicken fingers instead of the meal the adults were eating.

Her reception was poolside & they just had speakers with an iPod plugged in...we danced on the beach until we all headed over to the bar.  For those of you not booking a banquet room.

 

Canadian - I'm starting to like your set-up more & more...

[MrsHemmings]

I am waiting on confirmation from DPM for our wedding in Nov 2011.  Thanks for all the comments.  this is really helpful.

 

Do any of you know if we can bring our own chair sashes and centerpieces?  I think the prices for these a super inflated

[elizabethrodriguez314]

Originally Posted by Canadiansandy 

dreamsmaybride - I think it's so funny that you're getting married at the same time, exactly a week after us! How do you feel about your time? I originally wanted it earlier, like 4 or 4:30 but I'm warming up to 5:30 We've booked Pastor Rick York to do the ceremony (we are doing a symbolic ceremony, getting legally married in Calgary a few weeks before). We've also booked DJ Mannia for our reception in one of the banquet rooms. I originally wanted to have the reception on the beach too, but then you have to do the buffet, and we prefer a sit down dinner. The thing I love about DPB is that you can change so much when you get down there! Nothing seems to be written in stone, which I love, because it's hard to make these decisions without being there!

 

How many people are you expecting for your wedding? We're hoping for 30-45.

 

 

hey hun i contacted dj mania but i think its more expensive then the resorts. But again you don't know the quality of the resorts has any of the ladies used the resorts dj? anyway re dj mania he is more expensive i have yeisy as my wc and she is charging i believe 800 but that included all the lighting for the room because i want spot lights on the walls etc... anyway dj mania is 850 not including including the lighting he says 30 every spot light which i need maybe 12 and then i have to pay for the day pass for the crews. i have been quoting a lot with center pieces going outside the resort but the day passes for them is what makes it soooo expensive. Anyway ladies lets keep sharing info=)

[Canadiansandy]

elizabeth - I just looked at my email from DJ Mannia, the $850 includes: Sound system, Professional Dj, Dj booth, Wireless microphone, Lighting, 4 Hour service. So the lighting is included, just maybe not special lighting requests? I haven't heard anything about the resort Dj, but try doing some digging, I'm sure someone out there has used them. We just felt more comfortable going with someone we've heard lots of great things about.

 

vcwedding - I think you can bring your own for pretty much anything and they'll set it up for you. Seems like a lot of people do that to save $.
 

dreamsmay - You know, after hearing your reasons for why you love the time, I'm really starting to really like it! I never thought about it from the perspective of less people on the beach! Thanks!   Lol, wow, too funny about all the similarities! Pastor Rick York is apparently the only person in Punta Cana who can perform ceremonies in English, besides the wedding coordinator. We were originally going to go with Melani, but we really want it to feel 'authenticate', for us and our guests. From what I've heard, Pastor Rick York does a ceremony that looks and feels exactly like the real thing. I think it's just personal preference really - but you might want to do a search for him on here - there are tons of good reviews about him! He will send you different scripts ahead of time for you to choose too, which I like. Thanks for the info about the menu, I had a feeling that's what it was but wasn't sure.

[CampbellSoup]

Now that I know a buffet is mandatory on the beach I'm totally rethinking the reception on the beach.  I really want to have a beach reception since we'll be at the gazebo for the ceremony. 

We ended up getting a 1:30 ceremony time because it's the only time the judge is available to perform a legal ceremony.  Does anyone know if they allow you to do your own vows after the legal portion is complete?  We wanted to include a sand ceremony as well.

 

Needless to say (because of the buffet scenario), we're now looking into booking the Jellyfish Restaurant for the reception instead.  I did a search on this site about the venue and the reviews seem to be phenomenal. 

 

Initially we had planned on booking the Ultimate package, but we're getting early guests counts now and anticipating going over the 20 person count with that package.  So now we're thinking we'll just can go ahead and book the "free" wedding package (we're staying for 7 days) and just pay for the reception at another venue.   

[elizabethrodriguez314]

 

Originally Posted by Canadiansandy 

elizabeth - I just looked at my email from DJ Mannia, the $850 includes: Sound system, Professional Dj, Dj booth, Wireless microphone, Lighting, 4 Hour service. So the lighting is included, just maybe not special lighting requests? I haven't heard anything about the resort Dj, but try doing some digging, I'm sure someone out there has used them. We just felt more comfortable going with someone we've heard lots of great things about.

 

vcwedding - I think you can bring your own for pretty much anything and they'll set it up for you. Seems like a lot of people do that to save $.
 

dreamsmay - You know, after hearing your reasons for why you love the time, I'm really starting to really like it! I never thought about it from the perspective of less people on the beach! Thanks!   Lol, wow, too funny about all the similarities! Pastor Rick York is apparently the only person in Punta Cana who can perform ceremonies in English, besides the wedding coordinator. We were originally going to go with Melani, but we really want it to feel 'authenticate', for us and our guests. From what I've heard, Pastor Rick York does a ceremony that looks and feels exactly like the real thing. I think it's just personal preference really - but you might want to do a search for him on here - there are tons of good reviews about him! He will send you different scripts ahead of time for you to choose too, which I like. Thanks for the info about the menu, I had a feeling that's what it was but wasn't sure.

Hey canadian,

 

I have been trying to research but cant find anyone who has done the hotels dj, and re the lighting i showed my wc exactly what i was looking for and she said it was included and when i sent it to dj mannia its not=( well anyway dj mannia reviews are awesome! decisions decisions decisions;)
 

[MysTea]

 

Originally Posted by CampbellSoup 

Now that I know a buffet is mandatory on the beach I'm totally rethinking the reception on the beach.  I really want to have a beach reception since we'll be at the gazebo for the ceremony. 

We ended up getting a 1:30 ceremony time because it's the only time the judge is available to perform a legal ceremony.  Does anyone know if they allow you to do your own vows after the legal portion is complete?  We wanted to include a sand ceremony as well.

 

Needless to say (because of the buffet scenario), we're now looking into booking the Jellyfish Restaurant for the reception instead.  I did a search on this site about the venue and the reviews seem to be phenomenal. 

 

Initially we had planned on booking the Ultimate package, but we're getting early guests counts now and anticipating going over the 20 person count with that package.  So now we're thinking we'll just can go ahead and book the "free" wedding package (we're staying for 7 days) and just pay for the reception at another venue.   

Yes you can do your own vows after the Legal portion is done and you can also do the sand ceremony,
 

[MysTea]

 

Originally Posted by Canadiansandy 

elizabeth - I just looked at my email from DJ Mannia, the $850 includes: Sound system, Professional Dj, Dj booth, Wireless microphone, Lighting, 4 Hour service. So the lighting is included, just maybe not special lighting requests? I haven't heard anything about the resort Dj, but try doing some digging, I'm sure someone out there has used them. We just felt more comfortable going with someone we've heard lots of great things about.

 

vcwedding - I think you can bring your own for pretty much anything and they'll set it up for you. Seems like a lot of people do that to save $.
 

dreamsmay - You know, after hearing your reasons for why you love the time, I'm really starting to really like it! I never thought about it from the perspective of less people on the beach! Thanks!   Lol, wow, too funny about all the similarities! Pastor Rick York is apparently the only person in Punta Cana who can perform ceremonies in English, besides the wedding coordinator. We were originally going to go with Melani, but we really want it to feel 'authenticate', for us and our guests. From what I've heard, Pastor Rick York does a ceremony that looks and feels exactly like the real thing. I think it's just personal preference really - but you might want to do a search for him on here - there are tons of good reviews about him! He will send you different scripts ahead of time for you to choose too, which I like. Thanks for the info about the menu, I had a feeling that's what it was but wasn't sure.

how much does The pastor charge? Just curious...