Megan24

Quote: Originally Posted by KarenM I really like those first 2! This is sort of what I'm going for, but with aqua capiz shells hanging in the back Where did you find the shells at?

Thanks so you just hoped that you would get to have the welcome dinner at the El Patio. Did you make to separate ones just incase you were not going to be able to eat at that restaurant for the welcome dinner? I guess right now I still have no idea what we are doing and the wedding is May I need to figure all this stuff out. But you gave me some inspiration after the review. lol

I am interested too. It seems hard to find what I am looking for. I love the second one with the fabric.

Great question Ashyln. I was wondering the same thing.

I love that bouquet too is this one included in the love package you think?

Laura you do not know how much you have eased my mind. I want to thank you so much for taking the time to do the review and amazing one at that. You had a beautiful wedding and I hope mine will be the same at DRC in May. One question on one of the photos you had a card with all the times and different events for the day before and of the wedding. Is this something you put together before you got to the resort or did they do it for you and your guest when you got there? I love it. I want to make my own but if they provide it then one less thing to worry about. Thank you again!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by beachykeen We are doing the Love package also and using Cds that we will burn for ceremony music. We are renting the sound system for $198--The paperwork states that there is a "music technician" to operate it if you bring an ipod of Cd. I just want to make sure someone is ther to change the music. Thanks I think the price to rent is outrageous. I can buy my own speakers for less then what it is to rent. The 198 you mentioned is per hour correct? But it would be nice to have a tech to handle the music. Oh the choices.

Quote: Originally Posted by ebernard4985 I am thinking no. They are going back on everything they have said and it seems to be in Mexico they do not honor anything! I found out from Hagen (sales manager at Dreams) that they are currently in the process of getting another golf contract for our wedding times. He said there will be golf after May 1. Again, I have this in an email to confirm what he said over the phone... but who knows if they will honor it! Girl I do not understand how they can keep doing this. You can not keep going back and fourth what you offer to people. I am really annoyed by the whole thing.

What has everyone decided to do about music while walking down the aisle? Are you renting a speaker or bringing your own? Because I am going with the love package and it does not say anything about music for the ceremony.

Quote: Originally Posted by Laura22610 By the way, the resort photographers (Adventure Photographers) are amazing! They are so nice and they take beautiful pictures. We had already booked a photographer, so we didn't use them for the wedding. Originally, Ana had told me that I could get extra video instead of using the photographers. When we sat down to meet with her, she said that was not possible anymore. Since the resort has their own photographers, the management will not allow her to substitute anything for photos. So, we decided to use them for our Welcome Dinner. I am so glad that we did because we got great pictures!! We got 50 pictures, which is what is included in the Ultimate Package...I love every single one of them!! We also decided to have them take our pictures a few days after the wedding and we have some great pictures from that too!! Anel was the one who took the pictures of our welcome dinner and Jorge took our other pictures. They both did a fantastic job and they are super nice people. If you are using them for your wedding photos, I think that you will be very happy!! You pictures were amazing but we are bring our own photographer and Ana told us we could supplement the photography for the videography. I wish I would have known this before or I would not be paying so much for our photography to come and stay. I wonder since I have a email from her stating that she would honor it if that would change anything?

Quote: Originally Posted by samnicolerangel Thanks for the advice!!! I'm waiting to hear back from my TA and hoping she can work her magic!!! If not, I was an event coordinator for several years...and I have no problem speaking with upper management...sometimes that's what you have to do. You learn that when working with hotels all the time for conferences, etc. I want to try to keep this as affordable as possible since my guests are going to another country just to attend our wedding! We'll see...I'll keep you informed. We actually live in Meyerland and are moving at the end of April for me to be closer to work. Looking in the Heights and Memorial area. Is your TA here in Houston? I would have really liked to work with someone local. My TA has been difficult to get a hold of at times. Hey girl I am from the Dallas Fort Worth area. Good luck planning. My best advice is good a travel agent that you love and that will talk to you when you need it. Believe it is harder then I thought planning this wedding and a good Travel agent is key if you want to have one!!

Quote: Originally Posted by carinagirl Not quite sure how to write a full review but I will try. We had over 100 guests - so it was the largest wedding DRC had every had. We stayed in the Master Suite which was beautiful and spacious and looked down onto the whole property and of course the ocean. We met with Ana briefly on Tuesday when we arrived, but we decided to have a sit down meeting the following day. Our wedding was on Saturday. It was only on that Wednesday that we picked out the menu, the ceremony set up (she knew my colors, but that was about it.) My brother is a florist, so he made my bouquet and the bridemaids bouquet, but Ana's florist did the flowers on the canopy. Again, another detail that was only finialized a couple of days before wedding. My husband really wanted pigs in a blanket for our cocktail hour, and Ana made that happen too. As far as the ceremony goes, she had everyone walk down the aisle from down by the swing bar and she had me come out of what I guess is called the Govenor's Suite. It was fun having that time to myself and with my mother (who walked me down the aisle) and watching from afar everyone else walk down. Especially the adorable flowergirls! The minister I only met right before the ceremony and her name was Rosanna. She was a little difficult to understand at times, but she was lovely. We did a spiritual ceremony. I recommend having a micorphone for the ceremony as you do not want to have all your guests travel to a foriegn country for your wedding, and then they cannot even hear the wedding! Apparently kids were on the playground a people were around watching and I thought that would really bother me. It did not. I did not even notice for a second. Oh and the ceremony was scheduled for 5, although it may have been a bit later, I am not sure. I feel like I was behind schedule. Forgive me for skipping around here, I am writing as I think of things. I did a hair trial at the salon the day before. I suggest doing this to save yourself any grief and you can establish a relationship with the woman doing your hair. I cannot remember my girl's name right now but she was very sweet. A hair trial was about $45.00. I did not do a make-up trial, but I thought she did a lovely job. I did bring my own make-up as I work for a cosmetic company but she had plenty of makeup in the salon. We had the cocktail hour by the lounge beds and the mariachi band during this time. They were great and everyone had a lot of fun with them. We had the reception on the deck and although I did not fully see in my head how it would be set up when we did a walk through, Ana knew what she was doing. We had plenty of room for dancing which is good because my party danced the whole time! Nonstop! Need to go. Will continue later... We had the cocoktail hou Great review. Thanks

Quote: Originally Posted by carinagirl Hi Everyone - I am back from the most fanatastic wedding at Dreams. I don't have much time to write about it in detail, so I thought I would share with you the pictures from the resort photgraphers who were fabulous. We had our own photographers too, but I really loved the pictures the resort photgraphers took. The videographer was great too! I didn't even think I cared about a video, but they did such an amazing job and I cherish it. One more important thing I must mention. Ana was the best! She works very hard and she went above and beyond to make it the most special day. More on that later. But remember, with a destination wedding, you may not be able to finalize a lot of details until you get there. But once you are there, she will sit with you and take care of it. Ana was terrific! Enjoy the slideshow... Ari & Carina Just amazing!! Congrats on your beautiful wedding. You made me feel very happy I decided on the resort. Can't wait for the review. You looked gorgeous!!

Quote: Originally Posted by courtney7865 Hi Megan, I debated going with the free package and having dinner at one of the restaurants, but when I asked Ana if this would be possible, she told me that there was nothing she could do to guarantee that my guests would be able to get into a restaurant right after the ceremony and even if we did there was no guarantee that we would be able to sit together and we would have to have the ceremony with no concrete plans and just hope for the best. That was disappointing, b/c we have a fairly small group. I ended up going with the ultimate package to ensure everyone traveling for the wedding could eat together. Thanks I kind of had a feeling that was what is was going to be like. I wish I could just go to the restaurant and not have to pay for the reception oh well. I guess you have to do what you got to do. Thanks for you response.

I know I have asked this before but we are getting more brides booked and closer to the wedding. Just wondering if any of the girls that do not have a lot of guest picking to have a reception at one of the restaurants? How is this process being handled with Ana do you just wait to see what place is open and try to get sitted with your group? Is there a limit of people? I know there is a extra charge but never really got any straight answers from Ana. My guest list is going down and I hate to spend so much money at all inclusive resort for just 20 guest. If we could all sit together and eat then go to the sports lounge afterwards. Another question sorry about will the lounge be open on the weekends and for how long? Sorry so many questions if you have had a site visit and know any of these answers please let me know Thanks....

Quote: Originally Posted by beachykeen More wedding photos. There are some really beautiful places that I haven't seen for some of the shots---like the green garden area! This was posted on the Dreams facebook page: Black Dog Studios | Kate & Nick Destination Wedding I LOVED them thanks for posting them. They seem to have a lot of creative ideas. Like releasing the butterflies. I also loved the pic of the ring bearer throwing a fit down the aisle that is going to be my son I just know it. lmao

Quote: Originally Posted by jfazzina We went down Jan 31st.... I am a BIT STRESSED! Did Ana tell any of you that they were moving the wedding site to the opposite side of the beach where the kayacks were She told us they were and NOW she just wrote an email saying mgmt didnt approve the change WHAT? She told us that it was already in the works! I would have never booked if we knew this? I have already had people starting to book ... Please tell me she told you all the same thing HELP! im so fustrated! I dont want to get married on a beach RIGHT NEXT TO A BAR AND SWINGS! She even went as far to say that they were cleaning up the space that had shrubs that were on the side of the hotel. She is saying we MISUNDERSTOOD HER! I was with a another bride and our Fiance's and we ALL didnt make it up!? I am PRAYING that this will be cleared up with an email to the manager of the resort. Clearly there is a HUGE Misunderstanding!! She told me and my TA the same thing. She said it was in the works to be moved. I will look for the email if that helps you anything. This is starting to get ridiculous.

Quote: Originally Posted by ebernard4985 We are not doing a site visit, but for the wedding we were able to get rates of $155 per person and luckily we got airfare for $294 round trip from Chicago... very cheap!!! I booked with Apple Vacations and the good thing is that Apple does their own promotions. For groups, every 25th (maybe it is 26th) person is free. So if you are going to have 50 people there, atleast you and your DH will be free... which allows you to spend money on other things for the wedding. We were able to get this and the promotion that Dreams was offering at the time... (every 6th room free). When you say you are getting 115 per person you mean per night for what kind of room? I have two people flying from Chicago and the flights I have looked up are outrageous what airlines did you book with?? Thanks

So you can get a site visit and stay for 90 per night per person? Is this correct? I had no idea I would have done this months ago. Now it is almost time for my wedding.

Quote: Originally Posted by Princess402 I'm so grateful for this thread, and thanks so much ladies (Tammy, Megan, rdsjcr, etc.) for info on that 6th room free promo! I bugged my TA and she was able to get the resort manager to apply the new promo to our exisiting and future bookings - yippee!!! P.S. Megan, you asked earlier whether it was usual to have to pay for all the rooms up front and then get credited back for your free rooms at the end - this is also what I have been told by my TA. I've also been told that the amount you get discounted back might be slightly less than you think because it is based on their wholesale room rates and not necessarily the rate you and your guests are paying (?). That is wonderful news. I have one room for free right now. But I booked 12 rooms. And my bridesmaid back out even though I was paying for there room. So now I need to feel up the 12 room or no two rooms free for me. Who turns down a free trip to mexico if they just have to pay for their flight tickets.

Quote: Originally Posted by volosikj Has another else noticed the huge difference b/w the pictures Ana sent for Stephanie and Raoul's wedding and Nelli Ivica in the background of their beach shots? Does anyone know if this would have to do with the time of day they got married? I want the beautiful blue skies for my wedding, and am getting closer to sunset-- and am worried about the sky not being as nice of a setting. Thoughts? Stephanie & Raoul Nelli & Ivica I am having mine at sunset too and their is a big difference in the background in the two slideshows. Some of them even look fake maybe it was photoshopped but I was thinking the same thing.

Is anyone having any problems with their guest backing out? I know dreams is a little more expensive then some other resorts but I do not think the price is outrageous for what we get. Am I the only one that keeps hearing the complaining from people that it is just so much money to have to come to a wedding?? My usual response is you are going to a vacation which includes a wedding. I want to say my a$$ is paying so much more then you are so deal with it. lol. People are just never happy sometimes I guess. Sorry had to vent. But am I the only one??

I got to get the video off my external hard drive. It was very funny. Let me try to that after I get the kid to bed.

Tammy thanks that is what we are going to go with. I wish I could get it cheaper then that but I guess DFW is pretty pricey to fly out of.

Girls I am sorry everyone is having such a hard time with Ana and her delayed responses. I am with you on it. I always wonder if she reads this message board. lol Anyways I wonder if it is like this with the other Dreams chains. I had always read such great reviews about Dreams and the price is much more then other wedding venues. You would think that they would have some sort of idea how to run it all in a timely manner. Ana needs help it sounds like I can not imagine how incredibly busy she must be. But I do not understand why some people are getting somethings and other people are not. I wonder if anyone else that was a dream bride had to deal with this. I love seeing all the pictures of the weddings it does make me feel it is all going to work out in the end. Has anyone seen any reviews for those weddings yet? Big hug to everyone planning. Sometimes you have to take a break from it for a while. It seems to help some.