Dreams Riviera Cancun - Brides post here (new thread)

[WPGBride]

Originally Posted by EmilyT 

 

I am planning on a rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding and Lorena just let me know that even though im only having about 18 people, I still have to pay 15$ per person plus all the taxes etc to reserve an area in a restaurant. does anyone have an opinion on this, like should we just show up at a restaurant early and ask to be seated ? i really dont mind spending $$ but their dinner would be free if we all ate seperate, so it is a little silly. i dont want a restaraunt closed down, just one long table set for my bridal party. . .

 

also havent seen a review in a while. . . . . where did everyone go ? lol

 

We did not do a rehersal dinner per say, but we did try to have everyone attend dinner a few of the nights we were there. What I would recommend is A. Go early! The dinner resturants open around 6:30pm. B. If you send a single or two people to the restaurant to announce the amount of your party they will start to set tables aside (if this is already when dinner rush has begun, it could be upwards of an hour wait). C. DO NOT go to Seaside Grill for large parties. The restaurant is circular in shape therefore it is impossible for them to push together the tables so everyone can be seated together. D. Bordeaux, himitsu, el patio and portofino are your best options for a rehersal dinner.

 

Good Luck and don't pay, Its ridiculous they would expect that.

[kellykellz]

Originally Posted by WPGBride 

 

 

I was told not to worry about planning to early and when it was time to plan I was informed that there was another bride getting married the same day as me and she had chosen the ceremony location I wanted, the time I wanted, and the reception location I wanted. When infact I had booked my wedding and all guests well over a year in advance. I was extremely angry about this because I was told not to worry about details. In response to my anger however, I was given the Seaside Grill for my reception location for free. This turned out to be an even better location to have my reception, however, since they were using the restaurant tables instead of the ones I had planned measurements for I was short table decorations.

 

My advice is to lock down your times and locations as soon as possible and to save the email so if a coordinator mixes things up and gives it away to another bride you have proof

Thank you! I have locked down my location and have it in an email. I plan on taking every email with me, especially since they have switched coordinators on me. 

[elsa s]

Originally Posted by kellykellz 

 

Thank you! I have locked down my location and have it in an email. I plan on taking every email with me, especially since they have switched coordinators on me. 

what have you guys chosen for your reception dinner??? All the locations I wanted Eva is saying its unavailable =(

[elsa s]

Hi Girls 

Can anyone recommend an outside photographer and also video man....Im looking to book with someone outside since Ive heard better reviews

Thanks

[melinmontana]

Originally Posted by Savs1027 

 

I just got the word document from Lorena to start filling in details and I was just wondering if anyone else did this? 

How set in stone are these details?? It's really hard for me to tell them yes I want things if I have no idea how much they are... I was just planning on adding additional things once we got there after we found out about price. 

When they sent me the form to fill out about details they included flower options, lighting options with prices, beach set up options with prices. Did you not get these? I can send them to you via email if you send me your address. Do you have pricing questions about specific things?

[melinmontana]

Originally Posted by kellykellz 

 

Hello! I had a question about tipping. I know we need to tip, but how much on top of the 15% service fee. Plus who do we tip?

 

Wedding coordinator?

Bar?

Photographer?

DJ? (who is already $300 an hour, I wish I made that much!! :-P) 

Server?

 

?? Any ideas?? 

Here are some thoughts from past brides that I made note of:

 

Wedding Coordinator $50-100 

DJ $50

Photographer $50-100

Videographer $100

Bartenders/Servers get the 15% tip already included so I'm not sure what to say to that. I clarified this with Travel Agent.

 

It seems that a man, Jorge, not the wedding planner, does most of the tedious, laborious tasks so he most likely deserves something as well...maybe more than actual planner. So maybe $50 for him and planner. It starts to add up quickly.

[BettyT]

Has anyone booked a photographer yet?  What are the typical booking terms?  The one I want to book with is asking for a 30% deposit.  Is this normal?

[LindseyM]

Originally Posted by elsa s 

 

Hi Girls 

Can anyone recommend an outside photographer and also video man....Im looking to book with someone outside since Ive heard better reviews

Thanks

We used Mike Cantarell Films.  It was an incredible experience.    Check them out... our video is on their site... MikeCantarellFilms.com 

 

We are Lindsey & Kevin.  

[Savs1027]

Originally Posted by melinmontana 

 

When they sent me the form to fill out about details they included flower options, lighting options with prices, beach set up options with prices. Did you not get these? I can send them to you via email if you send me your address. Do you have pricing questions about specific things?

No, she just sent me the word document. The only thing with prices that I have is the wedding guide that's on the website. 

We had already discussed prices for the flowers in a previous email, but as far as picking different types of chairs, dance floor, lighting, etc, I have nothing on those!

 

My email is [email protected] if you could send it to me! Thanks!!!

[kellykellz]

Originally Posted by elsa s 

 

Hi Girls 

Can anyone recommend an outside photographer and also video man....Im looking to book with someone outside since Ive heard better reviews

Thanks

I recommend Gonzalo Nunez. He is doing my wedding. I am so excited! His photos are gorgeous!!