Dreams Riviera Cancun 2015 Brides

[Sheaka]

@@smileitseb yeah, that 's what I was thinking as far as the receipts. I mean if they aren't checking dress receipts why would they check other receipts right? I think that's if we are selling stuff. I pray. I have some receipts but not all. I'm not going to stress. Also, I'm thinking of cancelling the cocktail hour as well and sending my guests to the lobby bar for drinks and doing the same thing you are doing. I will talk to Elisa to see what she can do, I'm not sure how close everything is on the map so I need some clarity from her on that as well. Also, I want to have some pictures with our guests as well so maybe a few group shots.

 

Which photography package did you guys go with? Is anyone using Wedpics app? We are going to use it to get some candids. I'm so excited.

@@phdtck1 that is a great idea about the guest list. We may have to do that. I don't want more than 35/36 including us. I want to keep it small. Manageable etc. So far we have 31 paid. But there are at least 5 more who said they are coming. My uncle and aunt and cousin and my fiancé's friend and his significant other. But I'm ready to shut this down!

[phdtck1]

@@phdtck1 have we met? LOL you sound JUST like me!!!! bringing my hair stylist and freaking out about my makeup. so I found some pictures and going to sephora and mac to get all the makeup and getting them to help me learn it all. my friends have agreed to touch up if i hate how the resort does it. i really wish i had a professional makeup artist friend!!!

 

your look sounds beautiful!! when i saw the costs of veils, i went a different route lol. I got the headpiece from etsy user GLIMOUR

 

 

@@Sheaka youre right around the corner!! I've heard that you should pack your receipts, but I dont know if I have all of mine anymore, just going to pack what I have and hope nothing is a problem. I'm only packing receipts for like the items I'm bringing (chargers, stuff for welcome bags, votives, etc) I dont think we need receipts for our dresses

 

I'm not having a cocktail hour, I opted to use that money to extend my reception an hour. There's still going to be a little break between the ceremony and reception for us to take pics and our guests can go to the lobby bar!

 

@@Dec2015 thank you girl!!

 

@@smileitseb hehe!! Yeah...I could just tell that we would have similar concepts based on your updates, etc. You seem to be super organized too!! I wish I found this blog like 3 months ago as I am border line obsessed with the details and desperately needed some other ladies to share with...I was driving my fiance crazy at one point!! LOL    So I will definitely check out the etsy site for bedazzled pieces. Are you bringing your own decor?  I am trying to see what makes the most sense from a cost perspective.

[Dec2015]

Need clarity on guest booking outside of travel agent. Do anyone know whether or not that matters in regards to perks we'll receive from the resort? I have three couples that booked on their own (outside of the travel agent).. my thoughts are as long as I'm able to supply Dreams with their confirmation number... I should the credit they are with my group. Right? And by perks I mean upgraded room and hopefully upgraded room for our parents. And whatever else. I'm only concerned due to the travel agent being sick..my guest are opt to go with their own travel agent. Room rates are still climbing.

[smileitseb]

@@Sheaka I am bringing my photography and got an outside videographer: Digital Cinema

[phdtck1]

@@Sheaka @smileitseb I am bringing my own videographer / photographer as well.  Dreams rates are ridiculous! It actually turns out to be cheaper to fly them to mexico have and pay them a low rate than it is for us to pay Dreams rate.  Also, we are thinking of bringing a mac laptop to have our own version of a photobooth. We will bring our props etc...it's the same concept..but free essentially! 

@@Sheaka You should inform your travel agent about the outside guests.  My travel agent is full service, she is a travel agent and wedding consultant, so she is handling the correspondence between me and the resort as well. So in those instances when someone else books, just have your travel agent talk to the resort and ensure that you have X number of rooms (whether she booked them or not)..either way, they are there to attend your wedding. 

 

@@phdtck1 have we met? LOL you sound JUST like me!!!! bringing my hair stylist and freaking out about my makeup. so I found some pictures and going to sephora and mac to get all the makeup and getting them to help me learn it all. my friends have agreed to touch up if i hate how the resort does it. i really wish i had a professional makeup artist friend!!!

 

your look sounds beautiful!! when i saw the costs of veils, i went a different route lol. I got the headpiece from etsy user GLIMOUR

 

 

@@Sheaka youre right around the corner!! I've heard that you should pack your receipts, but I dont know if I have all of mine anymore, just going to pack what I have and hope nothing is a problem. I'm only packing receipts for like the items I'm bringing (chargers, stuff for welcome bags, votives, etc) I dont think we need receipts for our dresses

 

I'm not having a cocktail hour, I opted to use that money to extend my reception an hour. There's still going to be a little break between the ceremony and reception for us to take pics and our guests can go to the lobby bar!

 

@@Dec2015 thank you girl!!

 

@@smileitseb hehe!! Yeah...I could just tell that we would have similar concepts based on your updates, etc. You seem to be super organized too!! I wish I found this blog like 3 months ago as I am border line obsessed with the details and desperately needed some other ladies to share with...I was driving my fiance crazy at one point!! LOL    So I will definitely check out the etsy site for bedazzled pieces. Are you bringing your own decor?  I am trying to see what makes the most sense from a cost perspective.

 

@@smileitseb hmm...so you are opting out of the cocktail hour and mariachi band? Does that save a bunch? I may consider that...I didn't think of sending them to the lobby bar as an option.  

 

@Sheaka @@smileitseb What are you doing for gifts (i.e. party favors, welcome bags, wedding party gifts)?  I am running through tons of ideas but need to determine what makes sense.   For the bridesmaids, I will treat them to a spa day (I am still expecting them to use their spa vouchers received when they confirm their reservation), metallic gold thong sandals, dressing robes, EOS lip balm and some peach hand creams. I wanted to get them earrings to wear to the wedding as well, but that will take me over the budget.

[smileitseb]

@@phdtck1 I have the dreams of love package not ultimate so i never had a mariachi band anyway. we arent going to be able to be there for the cocktail hour anyway (we will be taking pics) so I figured why not extend it to time we will be with our guests, plus we wanted a 4 hour reception instead of 3

 

for my bridesmaids, I got them purple silk robes, jewelry for the wedding, and personalized leather passport covers

 

for wedding favors, i got personalized maracas from Maracas Mexico

 

for welcome bags, i got tumblers with personalized stickers, advil, bug repellent wipes, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, gum, maraca key chains and we made these welcome booklets that i'm really proud of haha

 

oh and to add pictures to your replies, just select "more reply options"

 

 

[Sheaka]

@@phdtck1 for my bridesmaids I purchased their dress and jewelry. For my out of town bags I purchased personalized bags, tumblers, advil, gum, sunscreen, chapstick, tissue, sanitizer, personalized luggage tags for each guest is their special gift and their place setting.  I am also bringing my own décor. I purchased linen to include overlays and table cloths and, napkins, and chair sashes, tealighs, and lanterns. I will try and post them. I will take the out of town stuff and the linen etc. my friends will bring the lanterns.

I just spoke to my friend whose friend got married in Mexico 2 years ago, she said we only have to declare on the customs form what we are brining in and advise that it is for a wedding. We don't need receipts. So if someone else is bringing in stuff for you, then they have to declare at customs. And don't bring sparklers. they almost got arrested.

[phdtck1]

@@smileitseb Love the ideas!!! I have never seen the welcome booklet concept before! I need more deets! is it a DIY project? I am so taking that on! I spent so much time our our wedding website and love the sentimental details, that's why I have to do the welcome booklet...it will go with everything!  I attached some pics of my shoes, veil concept and gifts for my bmaids. Let me add, I am not a Mary Kay fan, however, one of my coworkers is a rep and offered up her wholesale discount to me! So I decided to buy the peach satin hands collections for my girls - it smells amazing and it actually works! I was surprised - I was able to get the whole set for $17 a person!

@@phdtck1 for my bridesmaids I purchased their dress and jewelry. For my out of town bags I purchased personalized bags, tumblers, advil, gum, sunscreen, chapstick, tissue, sanitizer, personalized luggage tags for each guest is their special gift and their place setting.  I am also bringing my own décor. I purchased linen to include overlays and table cloths and, napkins, and chair sashes, tealighs, and lanterns. I will try and post them. I will take the out of town stuff and the linen etc. my friends will bring the lanterns.

I just spoke to my friend whose friend got married in Mexico 2 years ago, she said we only have to declare on the customs form what we are brining in and advise that it is for a wedding. We don't need receipts. So if someone else is bringing in stuff for you, then they have to declare at customs. And don't bring sparklers. they almost got arrested.

@@Sheaka Wow!! i need to borrow your ideas too! I am sooo happy I found this blog...There is a very distinct bride who plans a destination wedding...not everyone can relate.  

Regarding customs, my travel agent had a bride who was taxed event thought it was apparent that she was travelling for her own wedding. She explained that her items were not for sale and that all of her items were highly customized (guest names, etc), she even had her wedding dress in hand..and the customs guys still taxed her because she didn't have a receipt. If I were you, I would cover yourself and try to bring as many receipts as you can find just in case you get a bozo who wants to be difficult.

[smileitseb]

@@phdtck1 yess for this dramatic veil! lol. where did you get that robe? i still  need mine and thats pretty

 

yes the welcome book is diy, i can post more pics when i get home! and ugh i really hope customs doesnt act crazy i have NO time for that!! gonna find as many receipts as possible which i hope wont be hard bc i ordered mostly everything online

[phdtck1]

@@phdtck1 for my bridesmaids I purchased their dress and jewelry. For my out of town bags I purchased personalized bags, tumblers, advil, gum, sunscreen, chapstick, tissue, sanitizer, personalized luggage tags for each guest is their special gift and their place setting.  I am also bringing my own décor. I purchased linen to include overlays and table cloths and, napkins, and chair sashes, tealighs, and lanterns. I will try and post them. I will take the out of town stuff and the linen etc. my friends will bring the lanterns.

I just spoke to my friend whose friend got married in Mexico 2 years ago, she said we only have to declare on the customs form what we are brining in and advise that it is for a wedding. We don't need receipts. So if someone else is bringing in stuff for you, then they have to declare at customs. And don't bring sparklers. they almost got arrested.

@@Sheaka BTW, I love your lanterns! Seems like your concept will be so romantic! So did you determine that you will save way more by bringing your own things versus using the resorts items?  What will you do with the items once you are done? If I decide to bring some items, I would consider trying to sell my stuff. I saw an ad for a company that buys your stuff once you are done. I think it was on this site - I need to double check though.