1elephant

I believe you would have to pay for him as a guest, and I'm not sure about their vendor policies mow, so i wonder if it would be beneficial to call him a friend, Esther than photographer.....? that being said, I got married before they had vendor rules, so we just told the wc that the photog was coming and that she should make arrangements.

welcome! i might use the search link on the top right to look for reviews that have already been written. you can also look through the dreams pv thread - a lot of us have our reviews posted in our signatures. i'm not sure if there is a grand velas thread, but you can search for that too!

good luck!

what else should you do? if you have the place and time, what do you need to plan with samantha that can't wait a month?

we asked for a non-denominational wedding - no god references, heaven stuff, etc. our minister found every way possible to say god without actually saying the word god. i wish my husband had uploaded our video - it's HILARIOUS! we had no clue what the woman was talking about and couldn't look at each other through the ceremony because we would have laughed. at one point, she told him to look at me.

i don't think anyone has talked about having that kind of experience since, but if you want to avoid it altogether, either write your own or ask the WC for a copy of the script.

gotcha. so you paid to rent oceana on top of the wedding package. that makes sense to me.

so you don't need to buy a wedding package anymore? interesting...

so it's $2k on top of the wedding package? is that included as part of the $ you're paying dazzling details?

congrats on getting the interview! but keep in mind that that's all it is...an interview! it's not a job offer (yet), it's just a possibility. i'd focus on the test and getting that done and overwith. after the test, talk to your fi about the possibilities - not the "what would happens", but the "would you consider its".

i know it's easier said than done, but focus on one step at a time. it'll fall into place.

i'll answer what i can...

Quote:

Originally Posted by allyson779 Karen...Your review was amazing!!! Thank you so much for all the info and pictures.   Here comes some of my random questions for you (hope you don't mind and other past bride feel free to jump in....)   For your private dinner at Portofino did you make reservations a head of time with Rebeca or with Portofino directly? Was it the same menu for dinner or was it a special menu?   Bonfire... Did you have to pay extra for the waiter or was that included in the fee? (I think Rebeca told me like $250 or $300 for the bonfire) Ceremony.... was it really hard to walk on the sand/bamboo path? I am so worried I am going to fall on my face! Was it just a bamboo mat or was there something else underneath? Also did you use a microphone for your ceremony....I i was barefoot - wasn't going to take the chance of falling on my face. my dress just hit my toes and when i sunk into the sand, it was a tad too long, so keep the sinking in mind. there was a mat, and i don't remember if it was easy to walk on - i was too nervous! we did have a mic - at one point there was feedback and our minister compared the shock of it to a car crash at 70mph....   Cocktail Hour... OK so I am debating on even having the Mexican trio (even though it comes with the package)... How long did they play for- I think they said it comes with one set.. but how long is a set? Also did your cocktail hour last the whole hour or was it actually shorter... it was an hour - we were there for the last 2 minutes of it. though we didn't really hear it, we were told that the trio was fabulous - a great way to welcome people into the reception area. just think though - otherwise you need to provide an extra hour of music (either dj or ipod/cd) - if it comes w/ it, why not?! they played for an hour exactly.   Excursions... did you book everything before hand or did you do it through the company that provided the transfers when you got there? Do you remember roughly how much the fishing trip was? we booked the canopy tour once we got there. dh went on a tequila tasting off roading tour - booked that there too. there are plenty of opportunities to book there; i don't believe booking beforehand will give you a big discount, but that might have changed....   Thanks again for all your help..... what would I do without the forum ... =)

thanks girls!!! i'm due 12/21, so it could be christmas day!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen&Derek Hello Ladies~   I am planning on getting married at Dreams PV around May 2011. I wanted to reach and say hello to some of the other brides booking around the same time.   To the past Dreams brides… did anyone use the photographer provided by the hotel? I am thinking of upgrading my wedding package and it is included; but I know must people hire their own. If so, can you please post a pic? Also, I am trying to decide the best location for the ceremony and reception. But since I have never been there it is hard to do!! Thank you to those that posted pics of the gazebo and beach set up. Does anyone have pics of the beach set up with decorations? Any suggestions for reception area?   Thanks!

our ta had us upgraded. ask your ta if they could "help you out" with it....

try searching the forum. there are plenty of TAs on here and plenty of recommendations. there's even a whole section devoted to travel.

Travel Forum - Best Destination Wedding Forum ~ The Ultimate Destination Wedding Resource

ugh - while i LOVE those pictures and love every picture that rick (the photog) takes, that was NOT my rehearsal dinner dress. i ate and drank too much the 3 days before to fit into my dress! i want to kick myself every time i see them.

anywho, our rehearsal dinner was at barcelona tapas, and the pics were taken on the surrounding streets. rick knew the area and then went scouting earlier that day. i wish i had more details for you, but unfortunately, i left it all in his hands.

idk where you can find them, but you can be sure that they'll certainly melt quickly....

we had 2 kids at my wedding and they wound up going to bed 1/2 way through anyway. i put out coloring books and some toys for them and they kept themselves entertained while they were there.

i don't think it's fair to ask people to come for a family vacation and then get a stranger to watch the kids. lots of people here have had some good suggestions.

we strongly urged our guests to stay at our hotel too. basically, we told them that they'd have to arrange transportation and pay for the guest pass, and that it would be a pain in the neck. everyone stayed with us.

have you tried looking at reviews? those are full of insight.

we had about 1/3, but we would have had more if we didn't go to pv.

you may want to pose this question in the general forum for more responses.