alysalynn

Hi ladies, I also had a conversation with the wedding coordinators regarding beach/pool receptions and fees when going with the free wedding package. What I was told was that I could have the beach/pool areas for NO private event fee; however, I must use Silver or Gold menu at 55 or 65 a person. The 20 per person menu is only available at the restaurants. (Perhaps they were making an exception and saying you could use a restaurant menu, but there would be a private event fee? I don't know, it seems strange to me.) I decided on the beach reception with the silver menu. I don't necessarily need the fancy menu, but wanted the right space for speeches and dancing and that didn't seem as possible in a restaurant. Now I'm trying to decide if the cocktail hour is worth it, or if we should gather informally. My ceremony is at 3 so it seems like there's quite a bit of time before dinner. Take care everyone...

Hi, Our wedding date of October 29th is quickly approaching! This past weekend I smashed my face on the ocean floor and am a total mess. What every bride dreams of! With some time to heal and a little dental work I should be back to normal by the big day I am working on the details today to send to Dreams and am looking for some input. I've looked over lots of past posts re: reception locations, but I'm still wondering what option would be most private. I had assumed we'd do a beach reception but am slightly concerned about wind/sand. The pool looks nice but aren't there lots of people right around there? Seaside Grill or the terrace would be nice, but we're only 25 and can't do a private event there, and it's important to me to have a somewhat private space for speeches/dancing. (And I definitely don't want to use the ballroom - I want to know we're near the ocean!) I am doing the free wedding package and tacking everything else on, so am looking at cost differences... Is it worth it to do gold menu over silver? Is it worth it to do silver over the regular menu at a restaurant? Is it important to pay for a cocktail hour vs. informally gathering the group at a bar? But alas, they are all details - I'm sure it will be great no matter what. Thank you everyone for posting ideas and pictures - it's been very helpful, Alysa

Hi, My fiance and I were in the same boat and looking for a really good wedding package in the Riviera Maya. We wanted the Palace resorts, but it was too expensive for guests. We just confirmed Dreams Tulum for Oct. 2009 - they have a free wedding package if you book just five rooms. We're still pricing out our reception expenses and hoping to keep it under 2000 for everything. Good luck!

Aurora Garcia...She confirmed the date - I think she may be on the administrative end of things, not a wedding coordinator?

Hello! I got engaged January 17, 2009 and we've decided on a destination wedding at Dreams Tulum! We wanted something simple with not a lot of planning, but just choosing a destination was such a project. It feels so good to finally know where in the world we will marry We just confirmed the date so we're early in planning the logistics, but I'll write what I know... Username: alysalynn Names: Alysa and Gabriel Date & Time: October 29, 2009, 3 p.m. Wedding package: Dreams in Paradise (may upgrade, TBD) Wedding extras (and cost charged): not sure just yet Type of ceremony: Civil (I prefer symbolic but my fiance wants it to feel 'official') Coordinator: we've been dealing with Aurora, but I suppose Landy will be coordinator Number of guests: probably about 40, maybe more depending on who books Ceremony location & time: Beach, 3 p.m. Cocktail hour location and time: ? Reception location: Beach or Seaside Grill Photographer: I thought we'd just use DT but I'm blown away by some photography I've seen on here, so we'll see what our budget allows Videographer: don't know if we really want a video Wedding website (link): we're using destinationweddings.com (I've had a great experience with them so far) - personal site in the works Special arrangements / activities: we'd love a welcome event with a bonfire, and maybe a group cruise/snorkeling excursion I'm happy to find this site. And so excited for October! Let me know if you're marrying around the same time - I'd love to share ideas and meet up at the resort. Thank you! Alysa

Hello! My fiance and I are planning to get married in the Riviera Maya in Nov. 2009 and are hopefully coming towards the end of the LONG process of narrowing down resorts. We love the Palace resorts wedding package and love that tours are included for guests, but would like to keep the price to 300/couple/night max, and not sure if that can happen. I think the Xpu-Ha Palace looks great (I love all the animals) and I like that it has a good beach/snorkeling. But I can't find any info on this resort in the forum, and it doesn't look like they do many weddings(?)... can anyone shed light on why this may be? We have a couple children coming to the wedding, and are happy to hear that Aventura Spa Palace is splitting in two, with Aventura Cove Palace allowing children. Guests could still choose the adults-only side, which is nice because I didn't want a resort completely child focused. I don't know how splitting the resorts will affect wedding locations/details/room prices, so if anyone has any info I'd appreciate it! (If the palace resorts do not work out, we're hoping for Dreams Tulum...) Thank you, Alysa

My fiance and I decided to ditch our country wedding vision for the ease and warmth of a destination wedding, probably in November 2009. I might have been a little naive with the 'ease' part - there's SO many resorts and choices. I THINK Punta Cana may be a good choice for the amount of all inclusives, the great beach and some good low-priced options. I get overwhelmed by the various wedding packages, and wondering if there's a resort that offers a package best for a larger group (i.e. w/out tacking on $85/pp for a reception in an a la carte). We will probably have about 40 people at least. I look forward to being part of the community! Alysa