RoryS

I believe I read on the Dreams Tulum thread that the resort provides votives on the tables at reception. Does anyone know if that is the case at Dreams PA or do we need to bring our own. I assume if they are provided; that they are just plain clear glass votives, which I suppose is fine too. Thinking about using some rose petals around the centerpiece and candles, anyway.

Quote: Originally Posted by Elizabeth Aug0208- I just read your other post about the Desires lounge! I was told the same thing by Jacy today! I was really bummed because I wanted to use that for the reception too! Halarious! We were asking the same question about Desires Lounge and got the same answer. We plan on heading over there after the reception - around 10:30. Does anyone know how large the Lounge is and will it be able to accomodate an additional 35-40 people? I'm sure not everyone will go afterwards, but 10:30 is too early to shut down the party. Also, what kind of music do they play there? Are there any bars in the Marina area that stay open a little later?

Quote: Originally Posted by merocket59 Wow the pringles label is a great idea for OOT bags, was it expensive? no, actually it's free. Just go to the website: Pringles Pop Art: Home and it'll guide you through doing the design yourself. You print it out on your printer and tape or glue to your own Pringles can.

I don't know if anyone has seen this, but Pringles has a website where you can design a label for a Pringles potato chip can, print it out and either tape or glue the label to a can of Pringles. I did them for my niece is her colors and added their names. Might be good to add as a snack to the OOT bags.

The lagoon area is not big at all. It is not far from the Baracuda bar and El Patio but the beach near it is smaller. Would there be enough room there to set up 6 round tables? What are you thoughts on having it by the adult pool? Better? Thanks!!

aug0208 - Did you notice if the Lagoon area was close to any Bars/Restaurants? My niece is looking at either the adult pool or lagoon area, but doesn't want to have to set up a bar (additional cost?) She is also thinking about using small white lights for decoration and needs to know what areas can be decorated (columns, plantings, etc.) I know there is an additional cost to set that up. We are also looking at using luminarias for added light and decoration and need to know how many to order (depending on location). I suppose we could set those up ourselves, if there is an additional cost to set them up. Does anyone know if there is a flat fee for decorating or does each request come with a cost? She is waiting to hear back from Jacy, also on the colors of fabric available to decorate the gazebo. Her colors are fuschcia & orange. I told her if they're not available - just use white and add colored ribbons, bows and maybe, flowers. She is buying table overlays and using the white napkins. I believe she was told that the chair covers were only available to be used on the chairs in the gazebo (ceremony) and do not fit the pool-side chairs. Do you know if that is correct? If it is, could she have bows on the ceremony chairs and then they could move them to the reception area. Would they look ok just with bows on them? I found these fabulous orange irresdescent bows on line that she is going to use for the centerpieces. Jacy said to send her pictures and she'll see what she can do. She is hoping to use bird-of-paradise flowers, mixed with others, so hopefully, their florist can duplicate them. I just got my invitation this week, and they were ones I found on this site. They are so unique and different. This board has been invaluable in getting out information. Thanks!!!!

I am so bad at getting on the comp at home as Rory can attest to Absolutely not a problem... You have more important things to think about, like a um... wedding??

You're going to be the bride and look beautiful anyway, so no matter what she wears it won't matter. As a matter of fact, she may look like the "sore thumb" in that all of your family has already seen her in that dress. I'm sure on her "day" she looked lovely, but ya know - been there - done that! Your family can always go up to and say, hey, didn't we see you in that dress before?? -- only kidding ---

Does anyone have any info on the resort photographer? Any samples of their work?

I've done the spray on with someone applying it and have to agree about what Amy&Andy said about not being to shower until the next day. It gets on your sheets and stains. It did look pretty good, though, and it is pretty expensive. I've done the Mystic Tan several times and it can look ok as long as you make sure to exfoliate well ahead of time. It does streak, but I typically bring along their self-applied tanner with me. One time I thought I looked pretty good until I actually got in the sunlight where all the streaking really showed up. It was bad! I like the Jergens the best or a similar product as it doesn't make you really tan and it is gradual so doesn't tend to streak as much. If you're looking for just a "hint" of color that's probably the best route to take.

Does anyone have an update on the photographer at PA? Can you use the photographer included with the package and also bring your own?

You might also want to check out Dreams Puerto Aventuras. It just reopened after being completely refurbished.

Quote: Originally Posted by Bianca Hey all this is the list I have of DPA brides... I know there are some new ones that probably aren't on here. Let me know if you notice anyone and I will get a mod to update the list on the first page! THanks! List of DPA Brides and Wedding Dates lyales - February 28, 2009 Reluctant Beach Bride - May 16, 2009 Bianca - May 23, 2009 adnil - June 5, 2009 AlliMay - July 14, 2009 kimmaranto - July 17, 2009 Elizabeth - November 7, 2009 emaya77 - May 7th, 2010 Please add Erika - June 12, 1009 to the list (I am her unofficial wedding planner) I actually found Dreams PA for her, after going from St Maarten to Vegas to Huatulco, so I've got a lot riding on this being good!

Quote: Originally Posted by Bianca Thats pretty comparable to DD. Its a little less, but wouldn't include transfers. Airfare is killer. Thats the part you have to keep up on if your booking yourself. It's always changing. Yes, I know... I use a fare tracker, like YAPTA to keep track of the risings and fallings. The TA at DE told me my fare wouldn't come down much, but AZ fare would. It started at around $650 and so far has come down to about $440. That's a big difference, especially, when you have 4 people travelling.

DE quoted me $587/pp for Marina view, including taxes & transfers (but it's not a private transfer). Airfare was different because I'm coming from NJ and my sister is coming from AZ. My airfare is $511, so total is $1098 for me, but this is for 5 nites.

I noticed Dream Days in your post. Any thoughts as to who has the best rates? I noticed Dream Days are pretty cheap and they'll beat other offers. Has anyone used them? I got a really good price from Dreams Experts, and they were less than Dream Days, but just wondering if DD beats the price, which is better to use. Dreams Experts includes transfers in their cost as well. My niece already booked through them.

Thanks, Bianca. It looks very contemporary and chic. I was going to stay 5 days and changed to 4, but now I think I'll change back to 5!!

yes, she did. The fuschia paper is sparkly, which doesn't show up on the website. I bet you got a lot of compliments on them.

Someone on here had posted her fushcia & orange invites from Etsy. I sent the links to my niece and she ordered them. They are truly stunning. The website doesn't really do them justice. They were a bit more expensive than some others, but are truly unique and beautifully done.

There was a review posted on Trip Advisor by someone who is PA right now. I hope it's ok to copy it here. It sounds absolutely wonderful!! posted on: 7:19 am, today A freind of mine is there now and just posted on the Dreams Forum...which can be reached by going to the Dreams Website: Dreams Resorts & Spas: Unlimited Luxury Click on "The Dreams Experience" from the Left hand menu, then click "forum" down from that menu... Here is what she wrote: "HI Everyone- I am HERE!!! To anyone who is reserved to come to Dreams PUERTO AVENTURES- You will be very happy the resort is Beautiful and the staff is outstanding! They really gutted the place and everything looks brand new. The restaurants are all very different and each has their own theme and very cool decor. The hotel itself has be completely redone- I can't imagine that any one who saw this when it was a Sunscape would recognize the inside of the buildings. They have new EVERYTHING. Even the bathrooms by the beach are gorgeous. The beach area is very protected and we had a great time on the water trampoline with the kids today. You can easily walk right out to get on it. There are some rocky areas and some rocks on the beach so sand shoes are handy if you have sensitive feet. Further down the beach there is an area we didnt even know was part of the resort. It is not on any of the maps. There is a salt water lagoon that is great for snorkeling. The watersports area has snorkel gear that you can check out for free for one hour a day. You really need water shoes there as it is very slippery and you will tear up your feet on the rocks. They are putting sand beds in this area- tres chic. The Explorers Club is fun for the kids and the staff is great. The pools are beautiful and the adults-only area is calm and sophisticated. All of the staff has been exceptional. We are welcomed and greeted everywhere we go. Most of the key employees are either transferred from another Dreams or Secrets property or were employees at Sunscapes Puerto Aventures. They are all professional and excited to make this a great resort. The hotel manager is open to any suggestions and is meeting as many guests as possible. They all seem devoted to making their guests happy. As for opening issues- the hotel just started taking guests as the opening was delayed from November 1st to December 1st. When we arrived on December 3rd- I was amazed that the employees all greeted us by name and had been expecting us. Then I found out there were only about 45 guests in the entire hotel. There are about 300 employees so the ratio is of staff to guest is about as high as you would ever find. Today we are up to about 61 guests and the count will increase daily. They expect to be up to about 70pct occupancy by December 17th. Only the top floors of the hotel are open now so everyone is being upgraded to those floors. The 7th floor is the Preferred Club with lots of concierge type benefits. It is great and anyone booked in those categories is going to love the special services. As of right now, they are still completing many areas of the facilities. Workers are evident as they try and get all the restaurants finished and work on the public areas. The pools are all done and they expect the pool floaties any day. The bungee trampoline is supposed to be ready for us now and I was told the adults as well as the kids can use it -up to a certain weight limit. There are only two restaurants to choose from every night and they rotate it until more people arrive. It would be silly to open 5 restaurants with only 45 guests. The World Cafe buffet is very fancy. The nicest buffet restaurant I have seen. We spoke to the food and beverage manager and told him which ones we want open each night. It is kind of surreal to be in this resort with so few other people. We were joking that we had our very own pool today. There was a managers cocktail party tonight and they introduced the management staff and there were 6 guests and about 20 staff. Some people might be disappointed that certain facilties are not at 100pct yet but having the entire place to ourselves and the exceptional service easily makes up for any inconvenience. The staff is remarkable. Overall, we LOVE it. It is a very managable resort so you don't lose your family or friends and it is easy to get anywhere. There are other hotels and condos on all sides of us. You can walk to the marina and see the dolphins, manatees and other sea animals for free as you walk around the shops and restaurants. I had called the Dreams 800 number from home and asked about tennis courts and they told me there were tennis courts here even though they are not listed on the website. This was not true, there are no tennis courts. This resort is not huge and there is no place to put a tennis court. The fitness center is compact and has all brand new equipment. Throughout the resort, I have not seen anything that looks like it is left over from the old hotel- everything is brand new and more is arriving every day. I hope this is helpful. If you have any questions, just post them here and I will try and drag myself away from the pool or beach to check the computer. FYI so you don't think I am biased, I am here as a full-paying guest not on any type of travel agent promotion so I am free to give you my honest opinion." Hope this is helpful for those of you going to Dreams Puerto Aventuras! Happy Travels!

That is just so RUDE! I was babysitting for my SIL's kids when they were in her sister's wedding. I went to Long Island to pick them up after the ceremony and her Mom said you might as well stay for the cocktail hour, which I did, and then she said you might as well stay for the dinner because we had about 16 people who said they were coming and didn't show up. She was paying about $150/pp. What do people think? If they don't show up - they just deduct the amount from the bill? They'd be the same ones that would rant and rave if you did something like that to them!!

Thanks for the offer to get info! Can you possibly find out if a reception can be held at the area next to the lagoon? My niece heard back from Jacy and asked about that, but all Jacy told her is that the reception can be held outdoors.

Having been married for many years; I can tell you that all relationships go through peaks and valleys. Any relationship worth having - is worth working for and believe me, sometimes it IS work - but it is definitely worth it. Sitting down in front of the TV and having dinner can get pretty boring. I've planned picnics on our bed - cheese, crackers, fruit, pate, wine - it's a change and lots of fun. We also try to take car trips together - in the fall ride out to the country and look at the folliage, wintertime take a ride to look at Christmas decorations, etc. It's very easy to talk to one another when you're in a confined space and neither one can escape to a tv, phone call or computer. Going for short walks together. Doesn't take long and gets you out and talking. There are so many different things you can do to make things less predictable, and get you communicating.

Jacy told my niece she could probably eliminate one of the courses and get an additional entree request. She's looking at possibly taking the dessert out, as she's getting a wedding cake anyway. She also told her something about the chairs at the ceremony as opposed to the reception. My niece asked about the chair covers and bows and she said she didn't know if the chair covers would fit the chairs at the reception but was looking into

I'm trying to book my room for next May. The TA I am using says the Family rooms come with 2 double beds. I am going to share with my niece and nephew and don't really want to share a double bed. The websites I found say that the rooms have 2 queen beds in them. The TA also quoted me a price for a family suite (one in the preferred club level). That one seems to have a pull out sofa in addition to the 2 beds, but she is telling me it is 2 doubles. Is there any advantage to the club level, other than you're on the top floor and there's a private lounge?