The new Dreams Tulum thread! (Post all DT Qs&As here)

donandcorri and neen

thank you for for responding to my questions. I met with my TA today and I am really starting to kind of relax. This site has been phenomenal during this process. You guys are all great.

Elizabeth Medina does wonderful work. I wish that I could have her for my wedding.

Thanks Elizabeth! Your pictures are beautiful!

So I met with Landy for several hours during my site visit and I cannot tell you how my stress & worry melted away after talking with her and going over everything. She’s great and extremely accommodating. We picked rain and shine locations for our welcome cocktail hour, wedding ceremony, and reception, finalized the menu, flowers, decorations, set-up, etc. I feel like all I really need to do now is show up with my wedding dress…so for all of you who are still a bit nervous – DON’T BE!!!

Q&A

-We booked when old prices where in effect, but now there are new 2008-2009 prices…which apply to my wedding? LANDY SAID I HAD TO PAY THE NEW PRICES, BUT I COULD HAVE PUSHED BACK TO GET THE OLD PRICES, I JUST DIDN’T WANT TO HAGGLE

-We booked the Seaside Grill before the new policy was in place about 70% resort occupancy. Is it still booked for our event or does the new policy apply? THE SEASIDE GRILL IS BOOKED FOR OUR EVENT. IF YOU BOOKED BEFORE THE NEW POLICY WAS IN PLACE, YOU DON’T NEED TO WORRY

-What’s the deal with the new outdoor music policy? IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER; IF YOU’RE HAVING A BEACH RECEPTION, SEASIDE GRILL, OR EL PATIO, YOU CAN HAVE MUSIC UNTIL 10:30pm

-There is a ceremony at 3pm and mine is at 4pm in the same location. How is this handled? LANDY SAID CEREMONIES LAST 30 MINUTES, THEN THEY GIVE THEM 15 MINUTES TO TAKE PICS/CLEAR OUT AND THEN THEY REORGANIZE THE LOCATION FOR THE NEXT CEREMONY (MORE OR LESS CHAIRS, CHANGE SET-UP, FLOWERS, ETC). WITH THIS IN MIND, THERE’S NO WAY MY CEREMONY IS REALLY GOING TO START ON TIME SO I’M JUST FIGURING IT’LL NOW BE CLOSER TO 4:30PM, WHICH ISN’T A BIG DEAL TO ME. IF IT’S A BIG DEAL TO YOU THOUGH, MAKE SURE LANDY KNOWS AND I’M SURE THEY CAN GET THINGS DONE QUICKLY.

-What are the options for a more private ceremony? THE BALLROOM OR THE BALLROOM TERRACE (WHICH IS GORGEOUS) WOULD BOTH BE VERY PRIVATE; BEACH CEREMONIES WILL HAVE ONLOOKERS SO YOU JUST HAVE TO DEAL. There are loungers about 15ft from where the beach ceremonies are. I’m going to have my guests get those loungers first thing in the morning and when its close to my ceremony time, pick up their stuff and drag those loungers further away so that no one can be in them and we have more privacy.

-Can I bring my own chair bows? YES! FIGURE ON 2-3YDS PER CHAIR. THERE IS NO CHARGE TO HAVE YOUR OWN BOWS/TULLE PUT ON THE CHAIRS

-Can the same chair bows be used for the reception? YES, AND THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. THEY’LL JUST REMOVE THEM FROM THE CEREMONY CHAIRS AND RETIE ON THE RECEPTION CHAIRS

-What about fancy Tiffany chairs? THEY HAVE TO BE RENTED; COST $6/CHAIR

- What table linen colors are available? OK LADIES, LANDY HAS MORE THAN 100 COLOR/FABRIC OPTIONS FOR OVERLAYS AND NAPKINS. THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD COPY DOWN EVERY COLOR/STYLE, JUST KNOW THAT WHATEVER YOUR COLORS ARE, THEY HAVE SOMETHING THAT WILL MATCH

-We’re thinking of hiring a guitarist for the ceremony…? COST IS $300/45 MINUTES. 45 MINUTES WOULD BE ENOUGH FOR CEREMONY, BUT IT IS HARD TO HEAR THE MUSIC OVER THE NOISE OF THE WIND, WAVES, AND ACTIVITY AROUND YOU SO LANDY RECOMMENDED WE SKIP THE EXPENSE AND JUST DO A CD OF MUSIC. SHE SAID SHE’D MAN THE PLAYER TO MAKE SURE THE RIGHT SONGS START AND STOP IN APPROPRIATE PLACES (I.E. MAKE SURE IF THEY HAVE TO CUT A SONG SHORT THAT IT I NOT DONE ABRUPTLY, BUT AT A NATURAL SPOT IN THE SONG).

-Do the musicians/DJ have song lists? NO. YOU NEED TO SEND A LIST OF SONGS TO LANDY ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE SO SHE CAN MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEM READY FOR YOUR WEDDING (WHICH IS SORT OF A PAIN, BUT OH WELL!)

-We will be “breaking the glass”. Can the resort provide a light bulb wrapped in a white napkin for the ceremony (light bulbs are easier to break in the sand and they make a louder breaking noise). YES

-Can we write our own ceremony if we do a symbolic ceremony? YES, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE SENT TO LANDY ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE FOR THE OFFICIANT TO REVIEW/ASK QUESTIONS/REQUEST OR SUGGEST CHANGES

-Can we have cocktail hour by the Dolphin Pool or Relax Pool Terrace? YES (BUT WE’VE DECIDED TO HAVE OURS IN THE CHAPEL COURTYARD/TERRACE AS LONG AS THE WEATHER IS OK)

-The Mexican Trio is included in our Ultimate Wedding Package. How long do they play for? How much for additional time? THEY PLAY FOR 45 MINUTES (HARD STOP). YOU CAN EXCHANGE MEXICAN TRIO FOR CARIBBEAN TRIO IF YOU PREFER. AN EXTRA 45 MINUTE SET (OF EITHER) IS $450

-HOR D’OEUVRES QUESTIONS:

With the dreams of love/ultimate packages you get to choose 3 hors d’oeuvres. If you want to customize (not choose from the list in the guide) Landy has to check if its ok/can be made and there will be an extra charge that varies depending on what they are

You can offer an additional 4 hor d’oeuvres for $8/pp

They prepare enough for each guest to have one of each hor d’oeuvre (so for me, there’ll make approx 50 shrimp, 50 mushrooms, etc)

We are eliminating the soup course from our gold menu dinner reception and getting a 4th hor d’oeuvre during the cocktail hour (even exchange - no charge)

We are paying an extra $10pp to also serve a fruit & cheese platter, veggie & dip platter, and chips & salsa at the cocktail hour

Hor d’oeuvres are passed and also set out on trays on tables for the cocktail hour

For a cocktail hour with 50 people, there will be three servers who pass the hor d’oeuvres and get guests drinks

If guests don’t want to wait for waiter service on drinks, they can go to the nearest bar and get their own if they want to

You can have a signature cocktail prepared and set out on the table during the cocktail. Let Landy know what drink you want during your pre-wedding meeting when you arrive (and bring recipe if possible)

For a cocktail hour with 50 people, they will set up a rectangular table for the hor d’oeuvres and drinks and several round tables and chairs for people to sit down at if they want. There is no decoration on these tables except the standard white linen so you’ll have to bring/rent overlays and additional flower arrangements if you want them decorated (I recommend just having rose petals sprinkled on the tables…very inexpensive). Also bring extra chair bows if you want the chairs decorated in this area (we do!)

You can rent hi-boy cocktail hour tables for $30/table

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-There is another wedding on my day. Is that reception going to be far enough away from mine? YES…IF YOU HAVE THE SEASIDE GRILL, THEY WON’T ALLOW A BEACH RECEPTION TO BE RIGHT THERE; EL PATIO IS FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM SG NOT TO INTERFER; THE BALLROOMS ARE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER BANQUET FACILITY IN THAT THEY ARE ALL SEPARATE SO THERE WON’T BE ANY OVERLAP BETWEEN TWO PARTIES

-Do we need to rent a dance floor for the Seaside Grill? NO

-How is the Seaside Grill & El Patio set up for wedding receptions? 60” ROUND TABLES; SEATS 8-10 PER TABLE. IN SG, THE TABLES ARE SET UP AROUND THE PERIMETER SO THE CENTER CAN BE OPEN FOR DANCING (IT LOOKS GREAT THIS WAY…I SAW TWO RECEPTIONS THERE DURING MY SITE VISIT AND THE SET-UP WAS FAB). WITH 50 PEOPLE AND A CAKE TABLE, WE’LL NEED 6-7 TABLES. THEY CAN SET UP ONE RECTANGULAR TABLE FOR THE WEDDING PARTY, BUT YOU CAN’T HAVE RECTANGULAR TABLES FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE THERE ISN’T THE SPACE FOR IT. THE ONLY PLACE TO HAVE RECTANGULAR TABLES IS IN THE BALLROOMS.

-Can we bring and hang paper lanterns inside the SG? YES

-Can we have the Silver Cake #5? YES…AND THEY WILL DECORATE IN YOUR WEDDING COLORS IF YOU WANT. MY CAKE WILL BE THREE TIERS IN WHITE BUTTERCREAM WITH YELLOW AND GREEN “DOTS” ALL AROUND. IT WILL BE VANILLA CAKE WITH LEMON FILLING FOR THE FIRST LAYER AND VANILLA CAKE WITH STRAWBERRY FILLING FOR THE OTHER TO LAYERS. FRUIT FILLING (EVEN DIFFERENT BY LAYER) IS FREE WITH THE ULTIMATE PACKAGE.

-Can we choose a plated or buffet no matter how many guests? BUFFET HAS TO HAVE A MIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE (OTHERWISE THEY RISK WASTING FOOD). YOU CAN ALWAYS HAVE A PLATED DINNER NO MATTER HOW MANY GUESTS.

-LOUNGE FURNITURE - $450 + 10% tax for two small white sofas/benches, 4 white cube seats, and a small table (WE’RE HAVING THIS SET UP IN THE SAND RIGHT OUTSIDE THE SG AS A CHILL-OUT AREA)

-Can we have a dance floor set up in the sand? YES, BUT YOU PAY THE DANCE FLOOR COST ($600-800 depending on number of guests)

-What about Tiki Torches…? YOU GET 5-6 TIKI TORCHES FOR THE $150 PRICE; THEY CAN BE SET UP WHEREVER YOU WANT.

-The resort photographer is included in the ultimate wedding package; we have our own photog so can we use the resort photo session for something else (TTD, welcome cocktails, rehearsal dinner?). YES

OTHER NOTES:

-There are lots of pictures of corsages, bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, but if you have something special in mind, send a picture or description to Landy in advance so she can check if it is possible and give you a price.

-There are lots of choices for aisle petals/decoration (we’re using white & yellow rose petals for the aisle)

-Don’t use Angelina for your hair and make-up…I looked like a Barbie doll, not a bride after my trial with her.

-The kids menu for the reception dinner is $20 for something like chicken nuggets, fries, ice cream, etc.

-You can have a beach bonfire for $30 CASH; if you also want to serve food or drinks, the cost for that will be per person and depends on what you choose

-There is no set schedule for theme nights/events so no guarantee that fire dancers will perform on Thursday night.

-There are two options for having fire dancers perform at your reception – 2 for 15 minute or 5 for 30-45 minutes…unfortunately prices are changing and Landy couldn’t give me an estimate for how much it would be (sorry!!!)

-You can have your rehearsal dinner in the buffet for free, but it cannot start until 8pm or later. There is a private section they’ll block off for you and you can decorate if you want; for private restuarant parties, you have to pay for parties of more than 10 ($18/pp) And/or if you want the whole place to yourself its $750

-You’re best bet is to assume 25% tax on your entire wedding….some things are not taxed, others at 10%, but for budget purposes, just assume 25% for all and then you’ll be totally covered

-PICK YOUR RAIN LOCATIONS NOW! This way if there are multiple weddings, those spots won’t be already taken by other brides. For example, we booked the Chapel courtyard/terrace from 5-6pm for our cocktail hour, with back-up rain location in Veranda Bar; now nothing else can be booked in those two locations from 5-6pm so we’re set rain or shine 

-The hacienda suites in the veranda building are very nice (old style, but nice) but there is no ac

-There is some coral/rocks in the ocean so you might want to bring water shoes

-You don’t need to wear wrist bands at DT, but they do ask for your room number so be sure to commit to memory!

-The electrical outlets are standard three-prong so all your US gadgets should plug in just fine

-There are several little shops AND a decent convenience store at DT so doesn’t worry if you forget a toiletry item or a book to read on the beach!

-There are no reservations at any of the restaurants, so in peak season you may have to wait 30 minutes – 2hours for a table after 7pm

-They are strict about the dress code at Bordeaux

-The resort is usually fully booked in January so don’t plan on getting the free upgrade because chances are it won’t be available. So just plan to book & pay for the room class that you want (i.e. honeymoon suite)

-There are hairdryers in the rooms, but they are only 1000 watts so not very powerful; bring your own if you have long or thick hair (or be prepared to be blow drying for a long time)

-There are irons in the rooms, but make sure you wipe the surface and replace the water in the steam chamber before you use it. I got spots all over a white shirt because there was rusty water in the steam chamber and sand on the iron’s surface

OK, if you have any questions, let me know!

I just finished reading all your stuff neen! Sometimes I wish I was still a DT bride...

Neen-awesome review! Thank you so much!! My reception is at 3pm also and was thinking about doing the same thing with the chairs! Great idea. I wonder if you can bring an outside DJ in for the reception?

Neen, thank u! I've been waiting for this for a while now. Appreciate your help and just know I do feel a lot better now that I read this. I do have some questions, I'll go ahead and pin you so as to not bother the other brides with them!

Can't wait-I am thinking about using DJ Mannia also-I just think it would be so cool to have him-is DT charging you for a guest pass?

I am also getting cupcakes delivered Has anyone else done this?