SIMBASIM

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 Well girls I am officially no longer a Dreams bride!! They cancelled my flights today so I'm not going to Mexico and I'm gutted. Lisa New York end of the year? lol THAT F'N SUCKS! I really am going to miss your sarcasm and funny slang! I need some humor at this point in the game!

I am soo optimistic at this point. The news this am was great! Businesses and schools in Mexico City are opening back up and they say the Flu is not as bad as originally thought to be. I am so glad that I have you all to share this with. No matter what my friends say, they REALLY do not understand how difficult this is for us. I hope all of you May brides hang in there! I think you may be pleasantly surprise! Quote: Originally Posted by Jenn3878 Hey all Dreams Brides just wanted to check in with everyone and see how you are all doing. After waking up to this nightmare 1 week before our wedding and countless hours of talking & crying we are getting married here in FL next Saturday, May 9th. Somewhere on a beach and having a reception in FMIL's backyard. My AMAZING fiance has been doing all the planning - I said he is my new wedding coordinator, he has called everyone local and has even set us up on a honeymoon to Jamaica during the time we have off from work!! I believe it but I dont believe it! I was getting so excited to post my planning thread on here but maybe I will still do that after I get back to normal life....whenever that is HAHA If anyone needs ANYTHING ANYTIME, please let me know Good luck to all my fellow May Dreams brides and all other future Dreams brides, I hope your weddings and marriages are blessed with LOVE, HEALTH AND HAPPINESS!! Love JENN Yea for you! My FI has been absolutely amazing, too! Yesterday he walked into the office while I was crying my eyes out, turned the computer off, picked me up, put me in the shower and said lets go have some fun! Quote: Originally Posted by celica112277 Cancunbride...im with you! Im not getting married until June 4th but im quite sure this will be old news by then and I haven't even thought about a Plan B. My family has been very supportive and have eased my mind that this will all work out. My brother said he is going...swine flu or not...he isnt going to let this ruin his vacation and neither am I. We had a few guests ask us what we were going to do and I reassured them that Cancun has not been affected. A coworker just returned on wed...said nobody even talks about it there. Hope all is well with all the future Dreams brides...stay strong and it will all work out!! Gotta love your family. My brother and sis in law are the same way! A few guests are definitely not going but that is their decision. AT this point I need a freaking vacation more than anything!

Please remember the severity of a situation is controlled by the media. I have friends with immediate family in Mexico and it is so much worse than what you have seen. I am 6 weeks out from my wedding but it takes several months for a medicine to be tested and then set forth into motion to cure or even control a contagious disease. Who knows where this will have spread in this window of time as far as mexico is concerned. I only hope that you are all being realistic and REALLY looking into an Plan B. I, personally, after thinking long and hard while crying my eyes out about this and getting my other options as far as hotels are likely setting plan B into motion tomorrow. I would never have a good time in Mexico knowing what I do now. It is too stressful to worry about it. I really wish you all the best and hope and pray that for your sake I am wrong and all of your weddings will be wonderful. Good luck to you all. XOXO

I am so depressed I ate a whole pizza last night! I need to snap out. My few concerns are first being at the airport with sick people. I have several friends with small children at home. After the little boy dying in Texas this am, this is a major concern for parents with young children. There is also the matter of someone having to receive medical attention while in Cancun. The hospitals will likely be flooded with patience experiencing symptoms of Pig Flu. I hate to be Debbie Downer but this is the reality of the situation. It is fine as long as you are quarantined to your hotel but you are at risk in any other situation. Also, I just checked the some of the major airlines and this is what is posted: Continental is providing the option to re-schedule or re-route your travel once, without penalty, if you are ticketed to/from one of the cities listed below.* If your flight has been cancelled, a refund to the original form of payment can be requested. If you are traveling using a OnePass Reward, redeposit fees will be waived. Travel must be completed by the original validity dates specified on the ticket and changes must be confirmed in the same class of service as the original ticket. The value of the ticket may also be used towards purchasing another Continental Airlines ticket. Travel Dates: April 24, 2009 — May 15, 2009 Cancun and all other cities in Mexico Continental Flies is on the list. This is also the same for Delta and other major airlines.

Quote: Originally Posted by kcarnes1108 Well i wanted to say we are leaving on April 30th for our May 2nd wedding and have not heard back from Claudia since late Feb. We have decided not to give a care anymore and sort out everything when we get there. Afterall the real reason we are going is for LOVE and everything will fall into place as it is meant to be when we arrive. Good luck to all! I have the same attitude..good for you! Quote: Originally Posted by mummergirl just wanted to share what i'm using for my "guest book" ... i rounded up a bunch of generic photos of cancun and of the resort and made an 8x8 photo book on shutterfly. the guests can sign in the margins around the pics, sort of like how you'd sign someone's school yearbook. i figure i only have around 30 people, so they don't need a lot of room to sign. i mostly wanted to do this to check out the quality of shutterfly's books for when i do my wedding album and gift albums for parents, etc. i think it cost about $25. haven't received it yet. anyway, here it is (let me know if this doesn't work): Shutterfly | View share if anyone wants this for themselves, i'd be happy to share and then you could just change the cover and title page to suit your wedding and be done with it, lol! The pictures are great..very beautiful set up. Mac.com also offers soemthing similiar to this. Quote: Originally Posted by ggrimmer anyone freaking out like me about this "swine flu"? I hate Pigs! Quote: Originally Posted by Rosanne After a year and half of planning, now we have to contend with not only the drug cartels, earthquakes, now the swine flu. What could possible be next? My wedding is May 17th in Cancun at Dreams. Hopefully, this will be cleared up by than. The news station reported only a few new cases of flu in Mexico today. Could this possibly be contained? Good luck to all the girls who have weddings in the next few weeks and that this mess is resolved. I was thinking the same thing. I just got finished defending mexico because of the kidnappings from the Drug Cartels and now this!!!AHHHHHH Quote: Originally Posted by quackquack My wedding is May 30th and I am not going to worry myself. The only thing that is driving me crazy is the negativity that are coming from relatives, stating that they might cancel. I am very hopeful that this will change, I have been praying about this and do not have a plan B. I spent too much time on this wedding to give up! I will work on plan B if nothing changes a week before the wedding. I am hoping that we can reschedule but what a mess if so, everyone has already scheduled their vacation time at work. Stay positive ladies:) My Plan B....Get married while Jumping out of a plane in Vegas with Elvis. I figure planning a wedding in Mexico is more dangerous than that these days! I am gettting married with or without Mexico. I am just so sorry for those whose hearts are set on Dreams. Hang in there girls! Quote: Originally Posted by Jenn3878 hey girls....we are scheduled to go to Cancun on May 6th for our wedding on May 8th....but at this time I dont think we are going the #1 reason is that I am pregnant and a little scared to travel at this time with all that is going on? I am so completely heartbroken I cannot think straight. How is everyone else doing?? I got tears in my eyes when I read this. I am sooo sorry. I am sure when and wherever you decide to take your vows it will be wonderful! I guess this is your first sacrafice as a new parent. You are in my thoughts!

Quote: Originally Posted by sunitam hi, im posting a copy of the SYMBOLIC non-legal wedding script that I recieved from Gaby: Wedding ministry 1.- Scripture of Genesis “ And God created man on His own image ....Gen 1:27 2.- Welcome words: We have come together, family and friends….. 3.- Pray about the ceremony and for the couple 4.- Brief sermon about love: 1Cor 13 Love is patience love is kind, it does not envy,…. 5.- Response questions, to groom and to bride, do you come on your free will and with a consicious desire to be united in marriage with….? 6.- Exchange of traditional vows: with groom and wife I___ take you ___ to be my wedded wife ,to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer in sickness and in health and forsaking all others I give myself only and always to you until death do us part And so with the bride… 6.- Exchange of rings What token of love and fidelity do you have to seal the pact we are doing today? _____ receive this ring as a symbol of my life that I am giving you today and always, with this ring I thee wed and so the bride 7.- Pronouncements: Because you ___ and ___ have exchange before us your promises of eternal love, and in our presence you have exchange symbols which make this pact visible I as a servant of the Living God pronounce you before The Father, Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit and the community as husband and wife. So you are no more two but only one, what God had joined together let no man separate. Congratulations!!! You may kiss your Bride. Let me introduce you for the first time Mr. & Mrs. ________________ after reading it, i decided we would write our own vows..its kinda too religious for me, plus i think its much more beautiful saying whats in your heart to your new hubby! Does the sand ceremony come after this? I am confused where it goes??

Quote: Originally Posted by cancunbride OMG Jen, eats lots of steamed vegetables for dinner and lien cuisines for lunch, this is how my friend lost 30 pounds before her wedding I already eat that! LOL! I do not think its going to cure my big booty Quote: Originally Posted by TA Jill OMG Jen! I would have freaked out! I can't believe they didn't measure you just to be sure. I hope they didn't make you pay for the alterations, since it was their mistake. Look at this point I am hoping the dress freaking fits! I started having panic attacks last night and got on the phone this morning to get a seamstress to make me a whole new skirt just to be safe! My Bridesmaid (Desiree) wants to go over there tomorrow and kick some butt!

Quote: Originally Posted by kcarnes1108 Well we arent going to worry about the small stuff. We just emailed Claudia and if she wants to reply back, great, if not we will sort it all out when we get there. Not going to let small stuff bother our big day! I have the same attitude! I don't even bother with all the crazy details. It will all work out in the end. On a funny note... I went to try my wedding dress on for the first time. It is a separate and I tried to pull the skirt up and it stopped just at my theighs. We looked to see if it had more zipper to pull down but no luck. I then attempted to pull it over my head and still it would not go around my big butt! I have lost 20 lbs since I tried on the sample skirt which is the same size as the one I ordered so I figured it would fall off me. Well to make a long story short...after some careful research by my bridesmaid (who was livid by the way) noticed that the sample on the floor was labeled wrong and I ordered 2 sizes too small. THEY DID NOT EVEN MEASURE ME! I was not aware of the fact that wedding dresses run so small so when I ordered a 10 I figured I would be fine as seeing I am now in a size 6-8. They then had to take the seam out on both sides (about an inch total) so it could just barely fit! It is a trumpet (mermaid) skirt and I am quite endowed in the butt area so I am a little concerned about the whole "splitting" issue! I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE ORDERED THE A-LINE!! Guess I will eat again in 2 months and 1 day. I guess if I did not lose it at that point I am free and clear not to freak out for the next 2 months!!

Claudia has been very responsive to me and responded VERY fast to all my requests. That is strange?? I have been speaking back and forth with her for the past week.

Quote: Originally Posted by mc5363 I am also getting married on the beach and was wondering that as well. I talked to another bride on the forum who had her reception on the beach and she said that the DJ supplied most of the lighting which worked out wonderfully. I was going to skip the DJ, but after talking to her, I now think that it may be cheaper to have the DJ than to pay to rent the sound system and for extra lighting...just a thought. I planned my wedding a little earlier for this exact reason. I do not think the lights under the table will help you out at all for pictures anyway. If you are concerned about photos then you should either get extra lighting OR like you said let the DJ provide some lighting. The sun does not set completely until after 7ish during the summer months so I am getting important photos and video in before that time.

Quote: Originally Posted by cancunbride Ok ladies, I got a short response from Claudia regarding the sound system but I have yet to get my other response on my 10 questions.. Will you be providing a sound tech. to work the music for the ceremony? Our technician will operate the sound system equipment,you need to bring a cd or an ipod with your special songs Thank goodness because I cancelled the DJ in hopes that a sound tech would be operating the ipod!! I thought I was going to have to call and reschedule!

Quote: Originally Posted by mummergirl anyone have any advice as to what time i should make my hair appointment for? my ceremony is at 5pm. oh, and i am doing my own makeup, so it's hair-only. I am getting my makeup application at 1:00 then my maid of honor who is also my hair stylist is doing my hair at 2:00. My ceremony is for 5.

Just to clear up the whole DJ Mannia thing. I was told you can book DJ Mannia but you have to do it through dreams. You cannot book them on your own. Basically you get to request what DJ you want. They will charge you whatever price they charge for a DJ. So I would not expect to get 30% off. This is likely something they do if booked directly. If I am not mistaken, if you email DJ Mannia he will tell you to contact the wedding coordinator to book him for a dreams wedding.This is why I opted for the sound system and cancelled the DJ. I just thought it was way too much money to entertain 30 guests.

Quote: Originally Posted by kcarnes1108 Well we booked the ultimate and just want to step down to the love package. Due to the economy and just want to save a lil extra for the honeymoon. Has anyone ever gone from the top package to the middle? I wouldnt see why they would have a problem with this. Let me know what everyone thinks. Congrats to all that have been and are going. There is no problem. You can make changes up until you get there. Certain things will have to be decided like photographer and DJ but for the most part most say you can decide when you get there on the details.

I made mine and all my bridesmaids well in advance. I have someone getting married within 2 hours of me so I waned to be sure I had my appointments in place. Claudia told me to email them directly. They are VERY responsive! Here is the email address: [email protected]

Quote: Originally Posted by lanalovesyou The cake came out to be $180 on top of the free cake offer...Just make sure you go over the costs with your WC because Gaby didn't even tell me that would be an extra charge... I would even kinda go around it by saying you want to make little changes to the free cakes...and maybe that wouldn't be a charge? GOTCHA! Thanks!

Great review! Thanks. I will be sure to double check my bill. We have several kids going, too.

Great review!! I am getting so excited reading. One question. How much extra did you pay for your cake? I love it! Like you said the cake is just for show really, I just want to see if it is worth the $$?

Quote: Originally Posted by lanalovesyou Yeah! We got the sound system and the guy worked it the whole night at no extra charge...It was nice to have someone blend the songs and add some extra beats...I didnt think we'd get a guy do to that but it was great...He was almost like a DJ but with our own playlist! It turned out great! And a whole lot less expensive!!! I think I maybe be doing the same!!

Quote: Originally Posted by lanalovesyou I remember during my 'planning proccess' I printed off menues but at the end of it all I just chose the menu when I got there.... I didn't show it to my guests as I pretty much knew what everyone would like... the food was great, i do reccommend scallops for the appy, steak with mushrooms for the main course the Bella Alaska for the dessert, all three of those were such a hit with everyone! I did bring my own music..we brought our own IPOD with different lists like Ceremony, Coctail Hour, Reception, First Dance etc etc..the music guy they provide you with is great! He'll be on top of it all... So you did not use the DJ The music guy came with the sound system??

Quote: Originally Posted by PhillyBride09 hahaha Do you know what's really bad?? I don't know if I am more excited for the Wedding to get here because, well it's my Wedding, or because once it's here I can eat again!! LOL The dieting and the gym is totally paying off (I got back into my sz 10's..lol almost)....But I just wanna eat!!!! :-) I actually dream about eating!!! I am just worried I will eat too much in Cancun the 4 days before my wedding and my dress will be a bit snug!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Kat81 We had the creme brulee and it was excellent! My Mom still raves over the entire meal we had. Really the food is amazing at the whole resort. I planned on making most of my decisions once I get there but I was wondering if I could decide on food once I get there also?

Quote: Originally Posted by Cancunbride2009 Hi ladies, I have a few questions for those of you who have been married here: 1) Did you have to send your information to the resort by e-mail before you left (i.e. birth certificate, passport, apostille document?) I noticed they say on their website that the required information must be sent at least a month in advance, but Gaby didn't ask me to e-mail her any info? We are a little over a month away now. 2) How did you tip while at the resort (i.e. wedding coordinator, hairstylist, photographer)? I thought I saw this somewhere on the forum, but can't seem to find it. 3) Do you know if they are any close to having a webcam available at the gazebo? Would be so nice to have for those that aren't able to make it. If someone could help me out, I would really appreciate it! Thanks so much! 3) Last information I remember reading is that the wed cam was still not available.

Quote: Originally Posted by JoannaR How much do you have to pay to keep him longer if you dont mind me asking? even though whatever you paid probably went up Do you have your pictures posted up here i would love to see them. Thanks so much for hearing my rants..lol There is a whole list of different packages depending on how much time you want with him. I know there was one posted on the forum. I do have a copy of it if you need it. Just PM me or email me... [email protected] Lastly, the packages are made of various services for "simple" destination weddings/ceremonies. Likely, the photographer is only scheduled during ceremony because this is all that is needed for these simple weddings. I have had some great response times from Claudia and some bad response times all in all most of my questions and concerns have been answered or addressed. I used to get frustrated but most of the reviews that I have read state that most things are resolved once you arrive in Cancun.

Quote: Originally Posted by mc5363 Does any previous brides have input on photographers in Cancun? I am having an awful time trying to decide. Help!! There is already plently of information on this subject on the forum either search or look at wedding reviews.