Dreams Riviera Cancun - Brides post here (new thread)

[loripanori]

Is anyone opting for a smaller reception without the DJ, or maybe without a dance even?  We're having a relatively small wedding with 25 adults (including us) and 6 small children, and I'm not just not sure there are enough party/dance types in the mix to have a full fledged traditional reception and dance.  Especially with the children (5 of the children will be 3 and younger!), and the couples who will be busy looking after these children.  My fiance and I aren't even the dancing type, we rarely dance at other weddings or clubs etc....  So I'm just not sure it's worth it to rent a DJ for 3 hours.  I would definitely want to have music playing - despite not being dancers, we're both very into music - and I know we can bring our own music and rent the sound system, but if we're paying for the sound system I almost feel like we may as well pay for the DJ....  But if there's no real "dance", then it kind of seems like everyone will just be standing around, having drinks and listening to music for 3 hours.  In which case, why don't we just go hang out at one of the bars at the resort and do the same thing for free?  LOL  I'm having such a hard time deciding what to do about all of this!  I don't want to just have a 30 minute ceremony and pictures and have it all be over, but at the same time I don't know that I want to do the full ordeal with the cocktail, reception and dance and all the extra fees and charges that comes with all of that.  Decisions decisions.

[tigerlily2435]

Originally Posted by msykes 

 

Hey Rachel! I have maxed out my PM's for the day apparently...

 

I have sent Gina a message asking about how close the Gazebo is to the beach, and whether it's on the North Beach or South Beath - I will let you know what I find out. I can't believe we have the same co-ordinator and our weddings are only half an hour apart!!!

 

I believe the Pool Terrace and Pool Deck are pretty close to one another, but one sits higher up (not sure which one though...)

 

We are going to do some sort of rehearsal dinner the night before (but with our parents and wedding party only). I was thinking the Bordeaux - what about you?

The gazebo is near the south beach.  The pool terrace is the concrete area between both pools and the deck is along the beach below the pool.  Both are nice!  We had our reception on the pool terrace.  It was good for dancing because it was smooth concrete.  Have fun!!

[tigerlily2435]

Originally Posted by loripanori 

 

Is anyone opting for a smaller reception without the DJ, or maybe without a dance even?  We're having a relatively small wedding with 25 adults (including us) and 6 small children, and I'm not just not sure there are enough party/dance types in the mix to have a full fledged traditional reception and dance.  Especially with the children (5 of the children will be 3 and younger!), and the couples who will be busy looking after these children.  My fiance and I aren't even the dancing type, we rarely dance at other weddings or clubs etc....  So I'm just not sure it's worth it to rent a DJ for 3 hours.  I would definitely want to have music playing - despite not being dancers, we're both very into music - and I know we can bring our own music and rent the sound system, but if we're paying for the sound system I almost feel like we may as well pay for the DJ....  But if there's no real "dance", then it kind of seems like everyone will just be standing around, having drinks and listening to music for 3 hours.  In which case, why don't we just go hang out at one of the bars at the resort and do the same thing for free?  LOL  I'm having such a hard time deciding what to do about all of this!  I don't want to just have a 30 minute ceremony and pictures and have it all be over, but at the same time I don't know that I want to do the full ordeal with the cocktail, reception and dance and all the extra fees and charges that comes with all of that.  Decisions decisions.

We had only 25 people at our wedding, which included 7 kids.  We brought our ipod with the music on it and had a great time!  I am not the dancing type either, but I would recommend having some dancing.  Dinner took about 2 hours, so the dancing part was quick anyway.  We had a playlist for dinner and more fun ones for after.  It was really fun!

[Rach0636]

Hey Rachel! I have maxed out my PM's for the day apparently... I have sent Gina a message asking about how close the Gazebo is to the beach, and whether it's on the North Beach or South Beath - I will let you know what I find out. I can't believe we have the same co-ordinator and our weddings are only half an hour apart!!! I believe the Pool Terrace and Pool Deck are pretty close to one another, but one sits higher up (not sure which one though...) We are going to do some sort of rehearsal dinner the night before (but with our parents and wedding party only). I was thinking the Bordeaux - what about you?

This really concerns me..... I'm not sure why they would have two weddings occurring at the same time so close to one another

[MCree]

Originally Posted by Rach0636 

 

 

This really concerns me..... I'm not sure why they would have two weddings occurring at the same time so close to one another

I was amrried there last week so maybe I can give some insight into this. 

 

There were three weddings in all on my wedding day-which i was not to fond of- all occurring very close to each other.  I was on the north beach while there was one setting up at the gazebo and south beach so i heard.  To be honest,  I had no idea they were going on and surprisingly forgot about them.  Everything is pretty far apart and they do numerous wedding a day.  Two to three a day during our entire stay. There was also a reception on the pool terrace while mine was taking place on the pool deck -again something i was not too fond of.  I can honestly can tell you that they did not interfere with each other. Our reception was loud, but we did not hear any noise from the other two going on at the exact time the entire day and night.  

 

Also, the ceremonies are very short . . .roughly 20-25 minutes.  Gina was also my coordinator, and besides seeing her before the ceremony, I did not see her at all after the cermony the rest of the day.  It was other personel setting up our ceremonry site, and it seemed that Gorge was the one who basically ran the show the entire day and night after the ceremony. I know its scary right now, but they will take care of both of your wedding perfectly.  Its both a good thing and a bad, but this place is a dang wedding factory . . . they get it done!  Good luck!  

[kndrashltn]

Hello ladies! I am getting married June 8, 2013. I am very thankful for all of your posts on here but my emotions are up and down! One minute I'm reading not to stress that everything will be perfect, then I read another post that makes me stress! I have had my date set for over 6 months and haven't really put much thought into "planning" assuming everything will be taken care of closer to time, but I am starting to really think I will be behind and I do not want to plan everything at the last minute. Communication with the wedding coordinator is slim to none. I saw someone on here post that they received a packet for planning. Is this the case? My dad is my travel agent who is booking everyone's accommodations, but it seems like I still have to do most of the planning with the coordinator. I did not receive any sort of planning materials. I have already sent out save the dates and invitations and most have already rsvp'd. We are planning to have roughly 60 guests. Our ceremony is at 5:30 pm at the gazebo and I am beginning to freak because I was informed there is another ceremony only one hr. prior to mine in the same location. Yikes! Our reception is scheduled to be on the deck...looks nice but I am hearing mixed opinions. Any ideas for great cocktail hour locations? (If we decide to have one.) I have ordered my dress and am working on locating the perfect bridesmaid dresses. I do not want to take a bunch of things for decoration and I am wondering if what the hotel offers is good enough? I am also hearing a lot of mixed opinions on the hotel photographer and salon. Please let me know what you have experienced. I do not want to pay for or deal with hiring outside vendors so using what the hotel offers would be great, but not if it is not good quality. I know this is a lot but I have a lot on my mind and a million other questions to ask so please if you have any answers or words of encouragement please post back.

[Rach0636]

I was amrried there last week so maybe I can give some insight into this.  There were three weddings in all on my wedding day-which i was not to fond of- all occurring very close to each other.  I was on the north beach while there was one setting up at the gazebo and south beach so i heard.  To be honest,  I had no idea they were going on and surprisingly forgot about them.  Everything is pretty far apart and they do numerous wedding a day.  Two to three a day during our entire stay. There was also a reception on the pool terrace while mine was taking place on the pool deck -again something i was not too fond of.  I can honestly can tell you that they did not interfere with each other. Our reception was loud, but we did not hear any noise from the other two going on at the exact time the entire day and night.   Also, the ceremonies are very short . . .roughly 20-25 minutes.  Gina was also my coordinator, and besides seeing her before the ceremony, I did not see her at all after the cermony the rest of the day.  It was other personel setting up our ceremonry site, and it seemed that Gorge was the one who basically ran the show the entire day and night after the ceremony. I know its scary right now, but they will take care of both of your wedding perfectly.  Its both a good thing and a bad, but this place is a dang wedding factory . . . they get it done!  Good luck!  

Thank you so much for sharing your experience!! I have been seriously freaking out about this for 2 days and you just made me feel sooo much better

[Matt Adcock]

Hi Ladies,

 

I know a few of you had questions about the reception set ups.

 

Here are a few images and slideshows we've gathered of our most recent events to help you decide:

 

Taren + Collin. Wedding at Gazebo, Reception at Pool Terrace, 25 guests

 

 

 

 

 

Angie + Jeffrey. Wedding at Xcaret (outside), Reception at Seaside Grill Restaurant, 35 guests

 

 

 

 

Megan + Joseph. Wedding at Gazebo, Reception at Pool Deck, 50 guests

 

 

 

 

Best wishes to all of you!!

[MCree]

Originally Posted by Rach0636 

 

 

Thank you so much for sharing your experience!! I have been seriously freaking out about this for 2 days and you just made me feel sooo much better

You're welcome, and no problem!  I wish someone could have eased my mind with this information when i found out there would be three weddings taking place on my wedding day.  Let me know if you or any other other future brides have any other questions at all! I was an insanely detail oriented/crazy bride who has now officially "been there done that" with a lot of the same issues all of you girls are nervous about so I'm happy to help!

[Rach0636]

Originally Posted by MCree 

 

You're welcome, and no problem!  I wish someone could have eased my mind with this information when i found out there would be three weddings taking place on my wedding day.  Let me know if you or any other other future brides have any other questions at all! I was an insanely detail oriented/crazy bride who has now officially "been there done that" with a lot of the same issues all of you girls are nervous about so I'm happy to help!

I do have a couple questions for you that I have been wondering about if you don't mind!

1. I know you said there were a bunch of weddings there everyday during your stay..... when you aren't one of them, do they kick all of the hotel guests out from the whole pool area? Im just wondering where you would be able to hang out in the sun if you wanted to when all the weddings are going on!

 

2. Did you have salon appointments for hair and makeup? How was your experience? Did you have the other wedding parties in there with you at the same time getting ready?

 

Thank you in advance!