SIMBASIM

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulaV They have gotten to the point where they have so many weddings, they prefer to stick to their list of vendors, which is understandable. Claudia C has very little time off and works special events and is the WC as well. She is very good at her job and will do everything possible so you have everything as you would like. The only external vendor I had at my wedding was Claudia Rodriguez, but she had done many weddings there. You may want to inquire if Claudia R is still one of her vendors as you have seen pictures of several weddings she attended there. I used everything else from the package and it was perfect. I was concerned about getting the flowers I wanted, but they were exactly what I wanted. I would not have changed a thing! Well, just wearing a veil since it was windy when I was married, but that's a personal thing It was *very* nice to have someone else worry about vendor contracts and where to get things as I was not there to do so. I was so thankful for her! I know we try to do so much from afar, but I assure you it will be a wonderful day. Good Point and that is the same approach I am choosing to take. It just seems she is the wedding expert and if I have an problems I only have to chase 1 PERSON down. Although, I did want to hire an outside DJ because their prices ARE ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!

We are getting married at 5:30. I am sure 6 is likely what time it will actually start in "mexico Time"!

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 Hi Jodey I tried too. Can you please send me it also. Thanks I haven't seen Jodey on here for a while. She was a regular but has not posted in quite sometime. If I recieve any info from her I will send it to you both! Jen

Quote: Originally Posted by lucy106 I agree, leave it alone. If it doesnt specify then leave it! This new rule sucks. I guess I understand but just sucks for those who would want to bring in outside people. Lucy, Didn't you already book an outside DJ?? If so, did you already get approval?? That was the ONE OUTSIDE vendor I was going to choose.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 Yep it sure did it said 50 photographs (ceremony) only so i've gone ape because i'm not having it lol I just checked my contract and there is no mention about "ceremony only" I am all ready PO'ed about the fact they are ADDING onto my package rather than just upgrading and allowing us to pay the difference. I am re-thinking booking everything for the wedding with the hotel, I am not going to allow myself to get screwed.

Best way to price compare is to see how much prices go up from 2007-2008 then take that percentage and add it to 2009 then 2010. I am sure this will give you your best estimate with no one guaranteeing or booking anything that far in advance.

Quote: Originally Posted by jilly76 I guess it depends which beach you're talking about, one of the beaches is rather large, the ones on the tower side are smaller, but you really wouldn't want to swim over there anyway. Most people hang out at the pool, so the beach is never crowded. I think the beaches there were beautiful and dreams is a smaller resort, so there really isn't a need for miles of beach. Jilly, Were the beaches in the area you went for your honeymoon affected?

Quote: Originally Posted by xJuicyJx I was also there in April 2003 and there was a lot of beach.. I was shocked when I went back this year and saw what was left of the beaches. Fortunately for Dreams brides, where its located, theres not much damage. My WC emailed me pics of the beach at my resort.. I think I'm safe enough for a beach ceremony but I'm going to check at my next site visit in May. last time I was there was 2000. The beaches are significantly smaller but looks like from the reviews of Dreams I should be OK.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 We are getting married at Dreams Cancun and I originally thought the basic package would be good but then when we started to add things on it got way expensive and it was cheaper to go for the upgraded package as everything and the kitchen sink are in it - fair enough I don't want some of it but that is cause I can't be bothered with fuss FI is a different matter lol I think it must vary resort to resort really Plus, anything you do not use you get a "credit" for it at Dreams Cancun. I am basically custom designing my package to accommodate my needs.

Quote: Originally Posted by rockbride Thanks for starting this thread Jackie! My wedding date is July 6, 2008. I wonder how people can plan a destination wedding without this site... I have no earthly idea!!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 I'm planning on 15th May 2009 but I am still waiting for the contract to come through!! I've asked for confirmation its reserved and got no response, sent loads of emails again no response. Thing is mine will be really basic and so easy for her to arrange, its a package no extras etc so would think it would be straight forward but it doesn't seem to be lol Should be able to book flights etc soon so i'm a tad concerned I'm not getting a response about the date. I can wait for the contract but I really need confirmation of the date so I can arrange my flights round that etc. They are driving me up the wall lol Unfortunately you have to be patient. I know easier said than done! We have all been through this agonizing process of waiting for confirmation. When I confirmed my date a couple of months ago, May 15th 2009 was still available. If that is not so, then I HIGHLY recommend sending a couple of dates when you respond back. This helps speed the process up. You have PLENTY of time. DREAMS is not even booking rooms for 2009. GOOD LUCK!

Quote: Originally Posted by Opice34 I'm still pretty new here, but I have gotten so much help from everyone and I'd like to return the favor! I just returned from a site inspection trip in Cancun. I have attached the questionnaire we used when meeting with the Wedding Coordinators, and also a quick pro/con list of each site. (See tab 2 in the document.) We were searching for a location that could accomodate a wedding for 100 people. We also wanted something that would be easy for our guests to get to, and a place where they would feel comfortable. We ended up touring the Hyatt Cancun Caribe, Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort, Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, Casa Magna Marriott, JW Marriott, and Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa. We were probably looking for different things than most people (for example, we're planning to get married during football season, and with many football fans in attendance, a sports bar was imperative to us). I'm guessing most people wouldn't care about that. So, our review may not apply at all for what you're looking for, but I know a lot of people don't get the chance for a site visit, so I thought I'd post this just in case it helps someone. Overall, even if you don't get a site visit, I think you'll be fine wherever you go. They have truly made a business out of this, and while we liked some resorts more than others, I think we'd be fine anywhere. It really just depends on what you're looking for. I have pictures of each place as well and I will try to post them in this thread this evening. If you have any other questions about the sites we visited, just let me know! We asked a million questions! Football season not important? This was the first thing I had to consider before planning a wedding!!! LOL!

Quote: Originally Posted by xJuicyJx Is this the pricing from your resort or Miguel's prices?? These were prices from the resort. I am trying to simplify my life as much as possible and asked her to send me the packages and prices for video and photography so I can just upgrade and be done with it. It seems difficult to bring outside vendors in and extra$$ to get them passes, etc. I would rather Claudia do her magic and handle as many details as possible.

Quote: Originally Posted by xJuicyJx I just went down in January and going back in May.. it didn't look good. Most beaches were destroyed. I stayed at the Oasis Cancun and the beach was really bad. At another site visit I went to, the water literally hit the side of the building. Some of the beaches looked to be ok, but most lost a lot of sandy areas. Did you post photos from your site visit. I would love to see them. I was unaware that Cancun's Beaches were so affected??

Quote: Originally Posted by michelle08 The quality if very good...I think. I got them and they are adorable... Here is my sample oot bag/spa bag...sorry boys! I picked the same bag! I haven't ordered yet but I thought they were perfect!

I fell in love with this dress the first time I saw it!

Quote: Originally Posted by Kat81 Do you know what package is included with the most expensive wedding package? For the Video - package 1 is included For the Photo - Package 3 is included

I attached the most recent price list from Claudia for Photography and Video through the resort. I know a lot of you are out sourcing this but its good info for price comparison. Photo Packages Dreams Cancun 2008-2.doc VIDEO PACKAGES 2008.doc

Quote: Originally Posted by Kat81 Dreams all do multiple weddings per day if booked. Some days only one person books some days they do two or three weddings. I would swear that I read somewhere in these treads that Dreams Cancun only books 1 wedding per day!

Quote: Originally Posted by M&L2008 3 pm is perfect! I went as far as to even change my date, just to get that 3pm slot. my ceremony is at 3pm, cocktail hour at 4pm and recep at 5pm (just in time for sunset) It's important to have a daytime ceremony for your pictures. My friend had a 5pm ceremony last year in punta cana and to her disapointment her pictures came out dark! so the earlier the better!!! Also, I noticed you said you had to change your date to get the 3pm slot. I was under the impression that dreams cancun only does 1 wedding per day I liked this idea and am real dissapointed if this is the case.

Quote: Originally Posted by M&L2008 3 pm is perfect! I went as far as to even change my date, just to get that 3pm slot. my ceremony is at 3pm, cocktail hour at 4pm and recep at 5pm (just in time for sunset) It's important to have a daytime ceremony for your pictures. My friend had a 5pm ceremony last year in punta cana and to her disapointment her pictures came out dark! so the earlier the better!!! I think sunset is more around 6:15, right I am now a little paranoid that my pictures will not come out. Does Cancun follow daylight savings time?? because I am on the same time zone and the sun does not set till closer to 7:30 during summer..completely dark at 8.

Quote: Originally Posted by tlomlad !st about the drinks again like i said they def dont skmip on drinks all mosr beers come in cans except in your room where they are 7 oz bottles and for the most part drinks come in 12 oz glases but if you get say a frozen or specialty drink it will come in a hurrican/martini/or margarita glass, i think we are going to use 20oz hibiscus flower sports bottles with lids.......... i think they wil be nice for the beach and we are not customizing them so it will save on cost, and with the lids it will not let sand in your drinks at the beach and it will provide a bigger cup so you can get more booze in one drink and not have to worry about another trip to the bar, even thought the serverers are so good there that they are always on top of it if you need another drink, these bottles are from Oriental Trading and i think are 14.95 a dozen so not to bad price wise they also have alot of other options if you wantedto make them more with your theme....hope this sheds some better light on the subject. 2nd i did not see any other color beside the red carpet at first we did not like it at all but as we look back at our pics it does look really nice and stand s out but it also will not work with our color scheme, as for the rose petals i think it will be a crap shoot there were def times when they would have stayed but for the most part they def would have blown away soif you can go a cheap route where you will not mind to much if they blow away i say go for it but if not then you might want to skip them but you will see when you do your site visit. i love those bottles! I am certainly ordering those for my OOT bags . Never get sand in your drink again!

Quote: Originally Posted by Maartje Oremus The following flowers usually have the best availability: Roses, Gerber Daisies, Lillies, Alstroemeria, Solidago, Lysianthus, Birds of paradise, Dendrobium orchids (need to be ordered ahead of time), green hydrangeas (need to be ordered ahead of time), iris, carnations, daisies, gladiolas (need to be ordered ahead of time), liatris, star of bethlehem, button mums & spider moms (creme and yellow available), white calla lillies (alcatraz), larkspur, babies breath, delphinium (can be seasonal), asters. Orchids such as cymbidiums have to be pre ordered at least one month before and they are shipped in from either Mexico City or The Netherlands. They have a fee of approximetely $20 a flower. Colored calla lillies are also available,but need to be preordered as well. They are a bit more expensive, i am not sure of the exact fee, but quite reasonable. I believe you could even get tulips, however I never suggest using these. Our experience is that they do not withstand the heath that well. Please dont hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can help with! GREAT LIST! Thanks a bunch!

Quote: Originally Posted by sunnydaes wow! Is that how much orchids cost?? I see them everywhere in pictures I thought they would be more affordable. although i have no idea how much flowers are...but wow. well I guess the going rate for a bouquet is about $125...right? so...i guess that would be about 6 or so orchids... Yea that is quite pricey. I would certainly be reconsidering if I had multiple bridesmaids. I thought they were indigenous to that region?

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulaV If you have more than 40 guests you can do the buffet which we did so we would have more choices. If you do plated, everyone has the same thing, no choices for the guests on the entrees, you choose one for all. If you do choose plated I believe there is a surf and turf that was really good. I think we are choosing the buffet option. Seems like the EASIEST solution.