SDbeachgirl

Quote: Originally Posted by Boo SDBeach Girl - yeah I know that is the second location, Ana and her team are now thinking of moving it a third, so yet another new option, I saw that site. Ana if anyone is interested also sent me two weddings that took place there, the problem is if the photographer looks back there is no way for them to avoid other people or the building, funny enough I think the building is a bigger problem then the people in those pictures, but maybe its just me. From what I understood from Ana is if you look at the resort the beach wedding site is on the left, and they are going to move it right away from the volleyball court, the bar, etc. Oh and I guess I should also clarify Cam + Kate - November 19, 2010 (ceremony at Secrets Maroma) Can you please also send me the photos? I'll send you a PM with my email address.

I'm working on my invitations right now. Has anyone created the wording for their invitations yet? I needed some help with this but created a thread on the invitation link and didn't get a lot of feedback. Anyhow, if anyone has suggestions, please share it with me. Also are you putting the resort address on the invitation? If so, is this what you are using? Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa 77580 Quintana Roo Puerto Morelos, Mexico FYI, here's the intro poem that I found. I was looking for more examples but didn't see a lot and liked this best from the samples that I saw: "A perfect shell is a gift from the sea as beautiful and unique as our love is meant to be"

Quote: Originally Posted by glamrgrl1480 Hi Ladies! Whew...finally made it through all of the posts. I wanted to read through everything before emailing Ana with my additional questions, this was very helpful and answered a lot of them. I was originally going with the Gazebo ceremony but after learning the hut things where now in the background, have decided to switch to the beach. While I understand the privacy is still an issue, I'm hoping the photographer can manage to keep the gawking guests out of the pictures Fingers crossed that they fix this before August! I am loving the pool deck for the reception and without this thread would not have known about the lovely wine cellar for the rehearsal. We are going with the Ultimate package. As for bouquet options I sent Ana a picture of what I would like and she said it can be arranged for $180. Also I found the website for the florists that the resort used and found a gorgeous tropical orange and fuchsia centerpiece not included in the pdf Ana sent me. I am positive they can arrange pretty much anything that you want...for a price. Here is the website: .::: Maya Diseño Floral Profesional :::. Flores y Plantas Exóticas Center Pieces by Maya Diseño Floral Profesional Thank you again for sharing all of your information and pictures! Rebecca & William 8/9/10 Thanks for the links! What centerpiece are you looking at? The first link seems like it is under construction. Were you able to view it? Maybe it is just down this morning.

Quote: Originally Posted by Boo Hey guys its been a couple of days I almost feel out of the loop November 19, 2010 - got contract in hand but not signed yet I am doing my ceremony at Secrets Maroma (dont recommend splitting to anyone, I think I am just in too deep but that is the most expensive thing now about our wedding, big yikes!) and when I had spoken to Ana about that, she said that she is aware that many couple are choosing to go else where, she even said that her and management is moving the site of the beach ceremony and although no weddings have taken place there yet she told me she will email me pictures as soon as one does happen - dont want to jump the gun but I think it is good news. Ana mentioned moving the site, if you are looking at the resort now its at the far left by the volleyball court the space wedding structure thing and the bar, and they will move it way right I think maybe even just past the resort? cause I guess that is a quieter side in any case. I am looking at these lights under the table, has anyone used them? If I do a solid overlay do you think it will still work? Ana did show me where the new location would be. You are correct that it is where the volleyball court is. I took some pictures of that while there Cancun :: Beach ceremony location picture by jenwinston - Photobucket Cancun :: beach ceremony location picture by jenwinston - Photobucket But these are both right next to the bar and the playground. I wonder why we couldn't have it on the other side where the water sport rentals are located. Wouldn't it make sense that they move that over next to the bar?? I don't know if anyone has mentioned that yet but someone on this thread had that good idea.

Quote: Originally Posted by Boo Hey guys its been a couple of days I almost feel out of the loop November 19, 2010 - got contract in hand but not signed yet I am doing my ceremony at Secrets Maroma (dont recommend splitting to anyone, I think I am just in too deep but that is the most expensive thing now about our wedding, big yikes!) and when I had spoken to Ana about that, she said that she is aware that many couple are choosing to go else where, she even said that her and management is moving the site of the beach ceremony and although no weddings have taken place there yet she told me she will email me pictures as soon as one does happen - dont want to jump the gun but I think it is good news. Ana mentioned moving the site, if you are looking at the resort now its at the far left by the volleyball court the space wedding structure thing and the bar, and they will move it way right I think maybe even just past the resort? cause I guess that is a quieter side in any case. I am looking at these lights under the table, has anyone used them? If I do a solid overlay do you think it will still work? I am thinking of using the lights under the tables with the white table cloth and then the turquoise overlays in organza. Ana said this will work. It will not be quite as bright as it would be with only the white. Actually Ana thought it was too bright with just white. I have seen some pictures of events where they have done this. How long are the overlays? I think the light only shows through on the side of the table.

Just read this review on trip advisor. I've posted a paragraph about the weddings....good to read. Review: Atmosphere - Everyone was basically friendly and wanted to please. Some other couples were complaining about the kids.. and there are kids around, but we didn’t have any problems finding quite areas. It’s much quieter at night.. beautiful beach.. nice breezes.. They have a wedding gazebo that's quite pretty.. and they had a few wedding while we were there.. the set up and things they do a gorgeous. I would consider it for a wedding if I was planning one.

Hi All, I'm sad to hear that a few brides/grooms have already cancelled their wedding plans at DRC due to privacy issues. The only thing I think is that for those of us who are staying with Dreams, this type of response should only help us. I would hope that the resort would finally get the idea and understand how important it is for them to create an area that is private. They should not want this to keep happening. So I am remaining optimistic. Everything else about the resort is BEAUTIFUL! This seems like a request that with a little thought and reconfiguring the resort should be able to meet.

Quote: Originally Posted by taranyc Hi everyone. I know I'm not having my wedding at DRC any longer, but I did want to share with you guys my save the date. I love it so much. I miss this forum...you guys are a great resource for ideas. Hope you all have a safe and happy New Year! tulum__tara and kenny save the date on Flickr - Photo Sharing! xo, tara Thanks for posting! That's adorable. Good luck in planning your Dreams Tulum Wedding. I hope everything turns out just how you want.

Quote: Originally Posted by Laura22610 I have the buffet options. I will copy them here so everyone can see. It seems as if there a few different "themes" and I guess you just pick one? I am not sure if you can substitute or change things. We are having the buffet because we couldn't choose a dinner that everyone would like. For example, we have a couple people who are vegetarians, some that don't eat red meat, and some (like me!) that don't eat seafood. It would have been way to difficult to choose a menu!! We are having 30 people. So, here are the menus.....(there are also a couple vegetarian buffets - if anyone wants to see those, let me know and I will post!) Mexican Buffet Dinner Salad bar Shrimp Ceviche Calamari Ceviche Fish Ceviche Guacamole Mexican salsa Beef Salpicon Hot dish Chicken tamales with mole sauce Hard shell beef tacos Chicken fajitas Mexican rice Melted cheese with Mexican sausage Cheese turnovers Show cooking Tacos pastor style Mexican flank steak on the grill Desserts Mexican flan Fried Mexican pastry Buñuelos with caramel sauce Caribbean Buffet Dinner Salad bar Crab salad Tuna salad Tomato and smoke salmon Avocado and shrimp salad Tropical fruit salad Green salad Hot dish Rice with beans and fried plantain Chicken breast filed with vegetable served with mango sauce Sea bass filet with coconut sauce Mix vegetables with garlic butter Stuff potatoes with bacon and cheese Show cooking Baby back ribs with rum BBQ sauce Beef kebabs with mushroom and bell peppers Dessert Pineapple turnover Warm apple pie Chocolate cake BBQ Buffet Dinner Salad bar FIELD GREEN WITH QUESADILLAS CROUTONS CURRIED CHICKEN DALAD FRESH VEGETEBAL PASTA SALAD THREE BEAN SALAD ROASTED POTATOS SALAD CRANBERRY-WALNUT CABBAGE SLAW CARROTTE AND RAISIN SALAD HOT DISH CAJUN GRILLED CORN BAKE POTATOS WITH BACON AND GLAZED ONIONS GRILLED TERIYAKI MUSHROOM SMOKY GRILLED VEGETEBAL RICE WITH BLACK BEANS SHOW COOKING BEFF AND PORK RIBS ON THE BARBIE TUNA AND SALMON KABOB MARINED WITH LIME AND HERBES GRILL JERK CHICKEN BREAST DESSERT MILLEFEUILLE WITH MASCARPONE AND STRAWBERRY BANANA FRITTERS WITH ICE CREAM CHEESECAKE WITH PEACH Hmmm, I really do not like these options. If I can, I may stick to the plated dinners. I agree it is hard to find something that everyone likes but it just seems a little fancier. I should have between 35 and 40 guests. Hopefully Ana will let me use the plated dinners.

Autumn and Lindsey- What kind of starfish did you buy?

Quote: Originally Posted by JuneWeddingDreams I got mine from the following online company Shell Horizons, Inc. Seashells Shells Wholesale Shell Dealer Febreeze is a spray you can buy at any grocery store...its intended to make your furniture and room smell fresher Those are actually REALLY good prices! Which ones did you use? It says there is a $50 minimum and I hate to order that many if they will not work out. I want to make sure that it won't break...since I will not be putting my invitations in a box.

Quote: Originally Posted by wisconsinbride2010 We are having fushia and orange as our wedding colors. I saw some really neat setups of beach weddings with these colors. I e-mail Ana to see if the pictures I have found would be possible. We are getting married on the beach and are planning on having flowers put throughout the isle for me to walk down. I am planning on having fushia tablecloths with orange napkins. I am not sure on the flowers yet though. We want to have a bright wedding, since the sand is white and the sea will be blue. Is anyone else having these colors? Our wedding planner just came back from Dreams Riviera Cancun and said it was absolutely amazing! I am super excited! She said Ana will work with us to have our wedding where ever we choose on the beach, since she has been getting complaints about privacy. Also, we are having our dinner and dancing on the pool deck. I guess it is right next to the beach so if people want to dance on the beach they can. Ana told me that if we are having more than 30 people, our dinner has to be a buffet, which I am not too happy with but there are lots of choices on the buffet menu. So that is good! Is it more than 30 people where you need a buffet? I thought it was over 40? Originally I thought I would prefer the buffet, but then I changed my mind. Do you have the buffet options? I am confused on how to choose what I want included in the buffet. It's not all included right?

Quote: Originally Posted by JuneWeddingDreams SDbeachgirl - I am sorry to hear you don't like the starfish. I can't help you on that one. However, as far as the smell...there is a post out there about the starfish. Many of the girls have left them outside to air out, others have febreezed them and others have some home remedies to get rid of the smell. I febreezed mine and they are fine now. Good luck! Which starfish did you purchase? How do you febreeze them? I don't know what that is.

I need to buy starfish for my invitations. I ordered the assorted natural starfish from Oriental Trading company and they just arrived. I don't like them. I think I might be looking for a different kind. I have a sample invitation that has a perfect starfish. It is 1 inch in size and it looks like it might be a sugar starfish...but not certain. Has anyone purchased starfish for their invitations? If so, what kind and where did you get them? I'm in desparate need, as I thought I was all set with the ones that I ordered from Oriental Trading...ugh! Also, they smell really fishy. Does anyone know if there is a way to get rid of the smell? Or shouldn't they smell? Maybe it is that the ones I bought were really cheap.

Quote: Originally Posted by Boo whew what an undertaking we are planning our wedding reception followed by dancing at Dreams Riviera Cancun (where we will stay for the week) on November 19, 2010 so I just read all the threads lots of good info girls, thanks! although I must there are definite themes... hence the reception for me will be held at Secrets Maroma (where our honeymoon will be after), its a big hassle that I hope will pay off in the long run. I too am thinking blue and pink/orange for flowers, which changed from green and pink originally cause I figure we are in Mexico for blue waters, so heck might as well go with it. For the ladies who have done a site visit is the deck between the infinite pool and the beach large enough for 50-60 people? or would you recommend the pool area? Also USD 750 for a dance floor, isnt that just way way too much? do we even need this, to me I dont understand why we would but maybe I am completely missing something. Just curious, why are you having your reception at Secrets? Will your ceremony take place there too? I have seen the deck between the infinity pool and the beach and it is definitely big enough for 50 or 60 people. There isn't really a need for a dance floor since it is on hard surfice. I think the dance floor is meant for the sand reception. It would be cool however, because it lights up and it is kind of dark on the pool deck. We aren't planning on getting one, though I do think it would look nice. I may change my mind if I see pictures of it and it looks really cool.

Quote: Originally Posted by volosikj Does anyone know what the Special and Platinum menu include? What are your options for appetizers or entrees? I am waiting for a response from Ana still. I asked Ana about the Platinum menu and she told me that DRC did not have a Platinum menu yet. I don't know why, since it is on the website. Let me know what she says. Maybe she was confused. What she did tell me is that if you have the Ultimate package you can mix and match the food options from the different menus (ie appetizer from one, and entree from another). I guess she was referring to the Silver and the Gold (since she claims we do not have the Platinum)

Quote: Originally Posted by Lili11 I was also wondering the same thing about the flowers! Is it really worth the hassle of trying to buy flowers elsewhere for a cheaper price or just buying them from the resort?? Does anyone know how much the bridesmaids bouquet are??...I keep asking Ana about the reception and where it takes place, but she never answers my question. Do I get different options for the reception? In my opinion it is not worth the hassle. I'm not sure how much less it is to purchase flowers outside of the resort, but I just think it is more difficult and then you have to coordinate the delivery of them, etc. I have heard that the resort's florist does a good job, so I am planning on going through them. Here's the list I got from the resort. Flowers VIP Bride Bouquet ( orchids or any other exotic flower) $180 usd -$350 usd + 10% Tax Brides Maids Bouquet $60 usd -120 usd + 10% Tax Boutonnieres $18 usd - 25 usd + 10% Tax Pin or Wrist Corsages $28 usd - 40 usd + 10% Tax Bag of Rose Petal $22 usd + 10% Tax (per bag) Flowers for hair $20 usd + 10% Tax Floral Centerpieces $70 usd -$120 usd + 10% Tax each VIP Floral Centerpieces $90 usd - $180 usd + 10% Tax each There are different options for the reception. I think the Pool Deck, Pool Terrace and Beach are the main options. Then there are other options if you have a small party (wine cellar, a la carte restaurants, around the jacuzzi deck). There was something that I learned from Ana during my site visit...not sure if I mentioned this. If anyone is plannng on having their reception on the jacuzz deck, I believe they are going to get some type of clear cover (plexi-glass or glass) for the jacuzzi and then it become a dance floor. The jacuzzi changes colors and is pretty at night. I thought that was kind of cool. Though we have decided on the Pool deck.

Thanks. It is interesting to read everyone's different views. I will probably not invite those who were not invited to the wedding. But I'm wondering if I would invite friends of my FI's mom who I don't know all that well but who are good friends of hers and have known my FI and were invited to the wedding...Also, do I invite all of the women (aunts and cousins) on FI's side? I don't mind inviting them, but feel that this could get quite expensive for my MOH who is throwing the shower. If it is etiquite that you do...then I will certainly do it. Just wanted to know where I draw the line. I would imagine this question would also result in a variety of responses based on everyone's opinions. But that's ok...it is good to read. Thanks everyone!

Amber, what package are you going with? I have the Ultimate package which includes up to 20 people (guess you wouldn't need that since you will only have 10 or 12). I can't remember the exact price it would cost for the extra 10 -20 people (we will have 30- 40), but I think it was around $70 pp. Don't quote me...I'd have to go back and look at the pricing, but I know it was not $100 pp. Lilly, my colors were turquoise and chocolate, but I haven't really used any chocolate and so am thinking either just making it turquoise and natural sand colors (shells, starfish, etc) or possibly turquoise and orange (like Laura) because I like the combination of the bright flowers. The dress that my BMs will have is Blue topaz. It is shown in this link (though in a different color). It is the charmuse (shiny) dress on the right. 644 Laura, Thanks for posting that review! It is very thorough. I'm still reading it but think I might forward it on to some others.

Quote: Originally Posted by SDbeachgirl I think I am going to use the wine cellar (in between the french restaurant and the italian restaurant). It only fits 18 people, so we are just having the wedding party and their dates. We figure the rest of the group can fend for themselves! I believe in order to have that private spot, you only need to pay for $80 worth of wine. You can order from whichever restaurant is open that night. I need to confirm all of this with Ana, but I believe this is how it works. The other options are $10 per pp to have a semi private dinner at one of the restaurants or the buffet can arange for a separate area and if you want your guests to eat the food at the buffet, it doesn't cost anything. So there are a few options. This thread has been real quiet lately! I hope everyone is just busy with the holidays and not frustrated about the reviews of the ceremony site. Anyhow, I feel bad for posting incorrect info on this site, but I totally misunderstood how the wine cellar worked. I could have sworn that I read/heard the above info somewhere. Instead it was supposed to be $80 per couple! Basically you have to buy enough wine to equal $80/couple. She said that it would be $60/ couple for us because we were having 18 people. I don't know where the cut off is. I tried to negotiate, but there was no budging. I've still asked her to hold the location for our rehearsal dinner because I thought it was much more private than the other options and $30/person in the states would be normal...even low, if you are including wine. So I think we are still going to do it. I don't think I have to put a deposit down so I can always change my mind. But it is a nice classy touch.

My MOH is throwing me a bridal shower. I believe this is the only one I will have. Who should be invited? Is it expected that all women who are invited to the wedding should be invited to the shower? I'm just not sure what the proper etiquette is.

My parents are hosting my beach destination wedding (Riviera Maya). Any creative suggestions on how we can tie in the theme of the wedding into the wording on the invitation?

Quote: Originally Posted by taranyc hi everyone. we just got back from our weekend at dreams riviera cancun...we set it up with ana to view the site, etc. for our sept. 26th, 2010 wedding (our location and date are now changed). arriving onsite, i was immediately happy about our decision to have our wedding at drc...the lobby was amazingly beautiful and i loved our room. everything changed when i saw the pool area and beach. all along i've been like, "those reviews cannot be right...we're different, it's going to be great regardless of the look of the pavilion...the site can't be that bad" etc. i was wrong. here are my impressions of the site and what lead us to rent a car, drive an hour farther down to dreams tulum and book our wedding there. pool area/pavilion to begin with, the pavilion is right on top of the pool area. no matter what, you are going to have people all around you. in addition, the barracuda bar is right below it...just next to the huge kids playground swing set. the pavilion area is so small and the strange thing that you stand under looks even smaller in person. You’re there, you’re getting married and just below you are tourists on swings, people in bikinis (that shouldn’t be in bikinis), kids in the pool, chairs everywhere with rust orange towels on them…it’s just not nice…not for your wedding…and especially not if because you are paying for a wedding and all of your guests are paying to stay there as well. the nice thing is that the palm trees have metal star lanterns hanging from them and they look beautiful at night…actually, the whole pool area is pretty at night and most of the people are gone by sundown…but the sure are there when you’re saying your vows. we saw a couple of receptions out there and they looked nice (on the pool deck). they will add lighting if you ask for it…one reception had a buffet and all along it were the hanging tin stars behind a thin gauze of light blue silk…it was really pretty. beach we had the opportunity to see a wedding on the beach (the first row of chairs were not removed yet). It was a small wedding (appx. 10-15 people), but they were right on top of the guests lounging in the sun. there was an older man sitting right next to the wedding in a speed-o…just too much. the best part was when the group of drunk 40-somethings walked by (mid-ceremony) in nothing buy their bikinis, frozen drinks in hand and started to woo hoo. it’s just not my thing and that pretty much put the nail in the coffin regarding my wedding at drc. I cannot begin to tell you how upset I was over all of this. I remember when I first found the resort…I was so excited, it looked so perfect online. one thing…i’ve read that there is a more private place to have the ceremony, but I did not see that on the beach. The beach itself is rather small and very packed. Note…the ceremony area is just off the palapa rows next to the kids swing set/slide area. in the end, we didn’t even meet with ana…we knew our first day that this was not the place for us. I would suggest that you do a site tour (if you can…ana will work with you on rates for the weekend visit). we ended up going down to dreams tulum (we had visited once before) and met with aurora who gave us a tour. the beach site is great because it’s away from the crowd…there are so many options for the reception…ooh, and there is a beautiful chapel that looks like rustic mexico (I don’t think it even needs decoration inside). dreams tulum felt more fun and lively than drc (I’m not sure how to describe it...drc was just blah) and the beach is larger. while beautiful, the resort and it’s wedding areas seemed so cramped and overcrowded…it wasn’t even at full capacity. the guests I saw (during the wedding at drc) couldn’t have care less that someone was getting married…they just sat there, had phone conversations, ordered drinks…it was so sad. I’m sorry to go on…I wrestled with how much I should say. this has been a great thread and I’m sorry to leave it…the drc brides have been a great resource for info and ideas. thank you all! xo, tara Hi Tara, Wow! I did a site visit and thought I made a good decision about DRC. Though I have to agree with the wedding site. I still feel as though this needs to be improved. Ana assures me that she will put up reserved signs around the palapas and said that she was going to propose they remove the first row (not sure if this will get approved). Would you mind if I copy your review into an email to Ana? I sent over another review that I had read. I figure I'll keep sending them over so she can see that the lack of privacy continues to be an issue. I like your suggestion about putting the ceremony on the other side of the resort. I think that makes a lot of sense! I may suggest that myself. They've got to get it right eventually. Weddings are a HUGE part of their business. They can't just put up with all of these bad reviews and not attempt to make improvements. I just hope they can do it by May. For those of you getting married next fall...I wouldn't worry. They've got to figure something out by then.

On the Spa list there are two items: Hair Design ($40) and Hair Style ($60). Does anyone know what the difference is?