Dreams Riviera Cancun - Brides post here (new thread)

[Jendev]

H

Hey Jendev! I just noticed you recently booked your date for Nov 2014, congratulations! I went on the DRC facebook page and noticed they have a special where you can get a free welcome cocktail party for up to 50 guests as long as you book your date from June 1st- July 31st, 2013. I would contact them to see if you can get it!!! I booked it exactly on June 1st, but unfortunately my wedding falls during the blackout period dates so it doesn't apply, but I don't think yours does, so hopefully you can get it it doesn't hurt to try right?

I'm actually getting married this November! Thanks anyways though!

[browmegan]

Yes, we were quoted $800 to rent it and I had asked them if we were paying for the Oceana if they would still have another party at the Pool Deck since we were paying and they were not. Lorena never answered that question and this is my biggest concern as I do not want to have competing DJs and the two locations are right next to one another. I am so excited though because I was able to do a resort view in May when I was down there for a friend's wedding and the resort was gorgeous.

[Wedding2014]

Browmegan good point! Once you get answer I may have to ask the same question! I'm glad it was gorgeous cant wait!

[Savs1027]

Originally Posted by DRC2014bride 

 

 cmi1205,Congratulations!!! I LOVE your pictures!! Who was your photographer?   It's exciting to see a reception in one of their ballrooms, my wedding is on June 14, 2014 and chose to have the reception in the ballroom because I want a more private wedding and want it to end after midnight.  Did you originally choose the ballroom or was it because of bad weather? Was the music from the Desires Bar next to the ballrooms a problem during your reception? 

 

I have so many questions to ask you, I haven't seen many people using the ballroom, or coming from Houston! I'm currently living in Dallas but have most of my guests and family coming from Houston. Do you mind sharing info on your travel arrangements? Did you use a travel agency or did you do it through the resort? 

 

Sorry for the long message I just REALLY got excited to see your pictures lol

 

Thanks!!

I am from Houston too! I got married at DRC last December and we ended up in the ballroom due to rain unfortunately

[Savs1027]

Originally Posted by Wedding2014 

 

 

Drc2014 !!

 

I'm so bummed my November wedding doesn't qualify!! I guess since its all inclusive we can just meet at the bar??! Anyone have recommendations??

We didn't have a formal cocktail hour and had everyone meet at the beach bar while we were taking pictures. It worked perfectly for us! We took pictures right in front of the bar so everyone got to watch us and really enjoyed it. We had the mariachi band play right there too.

[jcksiano]

Hi I am getting married September 7,  2013 with 20-25 people and booked the ultimate package.  Originally we choose the Gazebo 5:30 Jacuzzi 6:00 Ballroom 7-10 but did not confirm.   After finding this great thread with all this information I think another reception location would be better.....Maybe the pool terrace.  Does anyone know the locations of Seaside Grill compared to Oceana?  What are our options for receptions?  Has anyone had their Wedding there and have a opinion..  Sorry for all the questions but the WC isn't getting back to me LOL not to shocking after reading this thread.  I just want to know all of my options for the reception.  THANKS!!

[DWB2B2014]

Originally Posted by Nicole2013 

 

This post has been very informative to me during my planning process that I wanted to provide some feedback to my wedding.

 

I was at Dreams for my wedding June 18th to the 25th and got married on the 24th. I left on the 25th and went to Excellence Playa Mujeres for another week and it was amazing there as well.

 

So I will start with the basics.

 

We had a total of 22 people. We were originally going to have wedding at the gazebo and cocktail hour at jacuzzi and reception on pool terrace. I wanted the pool deck but when I booked last November they advised I did not have 60 people so I would have to pay for the difference or take the pool terrace.

We did a legal ceremony so we arrived the 3 business days before along with our witnesses.

 

During the planning process I did not have much communication at all with coordinator, but I did not stress about this because my friend got married at a Dreams 3 years ago I was familiar with the process. I filled out the pamphlet they send you about 60 days before the wedding and emailed it back. I also filled out the legal doc they needed for the witnesses to have the legal ceremony and emailed that back.

 

About 2 days before arriving at the resort I received an email from the coordinator acknowledging the pamphlet I filled out and then also advised that if I wanted I could have the pool deck like I originally wanted as long as I had my cocktail hour there as well since it is a large space for 22 people. I was so happy since that is what I originally wanted so I replied back immediately and agreed.

 

I booked a master suite (I highly recommend this! This room was fantastic and had so much space and gorgeous views.). I wanted the master suite in building 2 so it was overlooking the gazebo and I could see ceremony setting up and guests arriving. The master suite came in handy for all the welcome bags we had for the guests. We ended up bringing 4 large suitcases, 1 rolly carry on bag and 1 over the shoulder carry on bag as well as the suit and dress. It worked out since we flew first class that we did not have too pay for any bags because each persons 1st 2 bags are free in first class. The master suite gave us plenty of room to make the bags up and really helped when we were getting ready the day of the wedding also.

 

We arrived on a Tuesday and as soon as I arrived to the room my coordinator Lorena called me and asked how I liked my room and scheduled appt with me for the next day Wednesday at noon. We had to arrive with our witnesses for legal ceremony so they could copy their passports, etc. after that was done the witnesses left and we met with Lorena to go over every detail in the pamphlet I filled out. You can decide things up until that point so that was nice as we decided to change a couple of things. We also added the cold fireworks which I believe were 150 for 2 shots and it was amazing and came out amazing in our pictures that guests took. We also added the light up dance floor which I highly recommend also. The appt was so quick and easy. While we were in the office the nurse came in to take our blood for the legal ceremony. It was so quick and very clean. My husband was very nervous about this the whole time but it was very sanitary.

During the meeting Karla from the spa came up and confirmed all the appts for my wedding party. It was so easy and everything was taken care of even for the last minute appts I decided to add.

I also decided to add a trail hair appt for myself a few days before. My hair stylist was Victoria. I showed her a pic and it came out exactly like the picture. She was fantastic. Had I known she was so great I would have not done the trial. But it gave me peace of mind lol. She did my hair and makeup the day of the wedding and was fantastic. She spoke great English as well. The others in the salon seemed to have trouble communicating with their stylists. So I was lucky.

During that meeting the dj also came up and we just printed a list of all the songs we wanted. He was great and it worked perfectly. We did not need to give him our iPod.

 

My ceremony was at 5pm on Monday. I started the day with a massage at 11am and then my hair and makeup at 1. I was back and up at my room my around 3:15ish.

My flower girls hair came out great as well. Everyone who got their hair and makeup done was so happy with how it turned out.

 

My photographer was Anel and she was great and so nice! (I am still waiting for my photos to look at). I bought the photo package 3 so she went to the guys room around 4 for getting ready photos and then to my room by 4:30. Lorena picked me up at my room at 5 and brought us down.

 

I will say if you are getting married at the gazebo be prepared for other people around the pool to watch and take pictures of you. I got married on a Monday so the resort seemed to be less crowded but the other weddings I watched during the other days were so crowded and so many people were standing around. This didn't bother me but I am sure would bother some people if you want privacy. So if you are looking for more private I would get married on the beach. I saw about 3 weddings a day except for 1 day. They really know what they are doing and are great.

 

My wedding went perfectly and I don't think I would change anything. I honestly think the pool deck is the best location because it is more private than the pool terrace. So try to get the deck if you can.

 

We were in Mexico a total of 2 weeks and we have perfect weather every day. There was a beautiful breeze at night and was gorgeous the night of the wedding. I couldnt have been happier with a everything and am so sad it is over.

 

If I was to nit pick at anything the whole week it would be the temp in the rooms. Never seemed to get colder than 74 degrees. Some of our guests rooms were freezing but that was only a couple. And the only other thing I was upset about was that they never did the romantic turndown service the night of our wedding. That was kind of disappointing.

Food was great too especially the wedding night. We chose a sit down dinner and picked fillet and stuffed chicken. It was great.

 

I will say to Just please make sure your guests know the dress code for restuarants. We had a guest arrive and he didn't pack any pants or shoes so he was only able to get into El Patio, seaside grill, and oceana. Women dress code does not seem to be enforced.

 

The only additional decorations we brought down was personalized napkins for cocktail hour, place card settings, a cake topper, and fans for the ceremony and the palm tree bottle opener wedding favors. I gave those to Lorena on our first meeting and she took care of it all!!

 

I will be happy to answer any questions you have so just let me know. I am sure I forgot details that you might be interested in.

 

I will say that if you get the chance to go to another resort for your honeymoon I Highly recommend excellence playa mujeres which is adult only. It was absolutely amazing in every way and I ended up doing my trash the dress photo shoot there also and those pics came out amazing. I was so sad to leave.

 

Thanks!!

We are staying at Excellence Playa Mujeres for a week after as well. How was it there for the honeymoon? 

 

Also, how long is too long between the ceremony and the reception? What have others done? The resort is asking us to move our wedding back by half and hour and I'm not sure I want to do it so early. Anyone else married in Jan/Feb? Suggestions?

[JBarks]

Did any brides who had their reception on the beach or pool deck in January find it got cool? Our dinner is starting at 7 and I'm just wondering if our guests are going to be cold while they are sitting?

 

Also, did anyone bring sparklers to give to guests at the reception? Did the hotel have any issues with it?

[Dominique 161]

Originally Posted by jcksiano 

 

Hi I am getting married September 7,  2013 with 20-25 people and booked the ultimate package.  Originally we choose the Gazebo 5:30 Jacuzzi 6:00 Ballroom 7-10 but did not confirm.   After finding this great thread with all this information I think another reception location would be better.....Maybe the pool terrace.  Does anyone know the locations of Seaside Grill compared to Oceana?  What are our options for receptions?  Has anyone had their Wedding there and have a opinion..  Sorry for all the questions but the WC isn't getting back to me LOL not to shocking after reading this thread.  I just want to know all of my options for the reception.  THANKS!!

 

Hello jcksiano!

 

I had my reception in the Seaside Grill and i think it would be prefect for a group of 20-25 people.

Here is a couple of pictures of my reception in the Seaside Grill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pool terrace isnt very private but looks beautiful when they set it all up.

This a picture i found on the internet (I was going to have my reception on the pool terrace but change my mind)

 

 

Happy Planning

[jcksiano]

I love the way the Seaside Grill looks at night and lit up!! For your decorations from the Resort would that be the lanterns around the outside, (how many did need) and what did you purchase for the lighting? I love how it looks!! Thanks for sharing your pictures!