AmyBoerema

Hi! I just returned from our DT wedding! It was great! In terms of the bags, we had given them to Annabelle to deliver to all the rooms, but they weren't all delivered right when the guests arrived. most of our guests got them several hours, or even the following day, after they arrived. she had charged us $3 a bag to do it per room, plus we gave her a tip. if you're trying to save money, then you might just want to give the bags out yourself to your guests if you're having like a welcome dinner or something. i wouldn't wait for them to contact you....it's a long trip down, they're going to be disoriented enough and it's just one more thing they have to do..... we had half our guests arrive on thurs night, the other on fri., and we had a welcome happy hour on thurs for those guests and the welcome dinner on fri for the rest of the gang. if we hadn't had the bags delivered, we would've just handed them out at those times. i wish we had actually, because then you could have made sure they got it, and seen their faces and welcomed them personally. i don't even know if all my guests got their bags (some said they didn't) and i got tired of asking everyone individually if they'd gotten them. and some people didn't even look that closely at them, they thought they were from the hotel!

Wedding is on Dec. 4, and we leave the day after. So we're only there for a few days, then we will be in Playa Del carmen for the honeymoon. Let's look out for each other!

Hey guys! I know some of you were worried earlier about meal choice (only being able to pick one), and on the wedding planning form, they do say you can have vegetarian options for meals that you can discuss once you're down there. Just thought I'd pass that along to relieve any anxiety. Leaving for Dreams Tulum on Dec. 1! Can't believe it's almost here!

You don't have to have a cocktail party if you have a package, even though it's included. I'm not. But just know the value of that can't be traded in for anything else. And yes, you can have an outside DJ for the ceremony. I am only having it for the reception, but I know you can have it for both.

My ceremony was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., and now it's at 3:30 p.m. I sent Aurora an email expressing concern because it gets dark really early in December (around 5 p.m.) and I wanted enough time for pics. She wrote back and offered the 3:30 slot. If you just ask, it shouldn't be a problem. I've heard a few different starting times for the reception. From what I gather from here, it usually starts around 6:30 p.m., though Aurora had told me 6 p.m. If you get a package, only three hours is included, so 9:30 would be the end time. I am paying for an extra hour for my 45 guests, so we will go till 10:30!

soooo pretty! I love your colors, too!!! congrats!!

Yes, I agree with all of you, as well. We will have about 45-50 people on Dec. 4, 2010, and are getting the Dreams of Love package. We are also paying an additional $850 to keep the reception open for an hour longer (since the package is for three hours, but the DJ i hired will be there for four), with wait service. Originally, I was going to try and do what other brides did, and just tell the servers to go away, and that we could get our own drinks from another nearby bar so we don't have to pay for that extra hour. But as I've read on here, it doesn't always work and it can be pretty stressful. So it was worth it for me to pay the extra money so I don't have to stress about not knowing if we'll be charged or not, as well as having the extra service. If for some reason we HAD to shut down an hour early, it would've been so disappointing. I didn't want to take that chance, so now I am guaranteed a 4-hour reception! Point being - it IS about memories, so I'm willing to pay a little more. In the grand scheme of things, this wedding will have been much cheaper than one at home in Chicago, AND it's the perfect amount of people that I can talk and hang out w/ each of them individually! I am estimating that the Dreams of Love package, along with set up, extra dinner, and extra hour for everyone, and my outside DJ and photographer will cost about $7,500.

Hi Ocean! Yes, Aurora attached it in response to one of my emails. I didn't ask her for it, but we were talking about booking places, etc. I originally had said I wanted the Dolphin pool as my reception site, and when I first asked about it (back in Jan.) she had said it was open. I mistakenly assumed she remembered that I wanted it. So a week ago, I told her again about it, and SURPISE, it has been taken by someone else. Whatever, I'm over it now. But now I am not going to leave anything else to chance, and I want to make sure I have the Relax pool booked, along with finalizing my package, etc. So that's when she sent me the wedidng planning form.

I got a little clarification re: set-up costs. First, you are allowed to have other people set up chair bows, centerpieces, etc. for no extra cost. But if it involves lights at the reception (like Chinese lanterns), those have to be done by maintenance and you will be charged. Aurora quoted me at $100 for that, though, not $150, I don't know why. (Maybe she could tell I was getting irritated.) The $3 a person covers everything else - chair bows, menu placement, centerpieces, favors, etc. for both the reception and ceremony. Hope that clarifies for some people. It sounds like if you want reception lights and everything, it could cost $150 plus tax, in addition to the $3 a person. Yikes!

This is insane. I am starting to fill out the wedding planning form (Dec. 4, 2010) and told Aurora I'm bringing my own chair sashes and flower petals and seasells for the reception centerpieces, as well as some small lights. I asked her how much it would be for set up. She quoted me $150 plus tax, plus $5 for each chair sash and she said "and different prices for the centerpieces." What the heck does that mean? I can rent chair sashes for $5 each there! (maybe that's what she thought I wanted to do.) These set up costs are crazy. i'm trying to save money by bringing my own supplies, but it doesn't look like I'll really be saving any money. I told her I'd freakin' do it myself rather than pay $5 to put a chair sash on each chair and more to spread some seashells on a table. What the heck does the $150 cover, then?? (I am getting married in the chapel, so it can't be for the reception; there is no set-up involved!)

I hired Claudia Rodriguez. She has fantastic review and her work is fabulous. Plus her prices are really reasonable!

I am getting married in two months! Hard to believe it's almost here! I'm so excited but a little anxious about all the nickle-and-diming, esp. with decorations I am bringing for the set up. I am trying not to worry too much until I get down there. At least I have my package set (Dreams of Love), and reception place (relax pool) even though neither of those were my first choice, and this was after I'd already thought I had everything booked and ready to go. Oh well....one thing I've learned with DT is that you have to be flexible and go with the flow. Trying to remind myself of this every day!!

I am a Chicago-area bride, from the western suburbs. Getting married in two months, at Dreams Tulum on the Riviera Maya! I am soooo excited! Just had my shower and bachelorette party this past weekend, and it was one of the best days ever! (minus the hangover the following day).

I just realized that the reception included in the wedding packages is for only three hours (after that, they start charging per person). This is probably a dumb question, but what happens after the reception is over? It just seems strange that it can't be longer - if dinner takes, say, an hour and a half (from what I've heard, service is slow) then guests really only have like an hour to dance afterward? Then does everyone just go hang out at a bar? It says in the program that they start charging per person for open bar, which seems weird, because it's an all-inclusive resort. Has anyone else's reception gone longer than three hours, and if so, any idea on how much they charge?? I'm kinda disappointed - I was hoping the packages could be for longer.

Quote: Originally Posted by jaynreneewed OMG – I’m starting to think this whole destination wedding thing was a bad idea. Is anyone having trouble with their travel agent? The whole reason why I choose Tulum was because it has an amazing kids club and I was told kids under 12 stay free (just pay for their air fare). Now my travel agent is telling me that this promotion ran out. I am going to have some very angry gusts- most of them already booked flights. Is anyone else running into this problem? I was under the assumption that kids only stay free if you book during the specific promotion, which my TA told me can occur anytime, but usually happens just once a year. (And from my understanding, hasn't yet happened in 2010). Otherwise, you do have to pay for children to stay on the resort.

Quote: Originally Posted by northernflasher Just thought I´d let you girls know im sitting here in Dreams resort right now, one week after my wedding and im still smiling. You have all picked the most amazing location for your wedding. ´ My day was truly the happiest of my life. I cant wait to fill you all in on my return. Natalia is wonderful, you are in the very best of hands. Happy planning, dont worry everything will come together just right for your special days. One more whole week to go... Promise a review on my return. XXXX Yay, that's so encouraging to hear!! CONGRATS!!!! Can't wait to read your review!

Quote: Originally Posted by AchiCAp0547 I'll budget in $150 for a set up fee just to be on the safe side =) It only works out to be a $15 difference for me. I am so excited...I just want to be in mexico. At this point, I've come to the conclusion that just as long as Rich (my fiance) shows up, (which he will because we're flying down together HAHAHAHA) everything will be GREAT. Ha ha, that's EXACTLY how I feel.

everything looks amazing. you're a beautiful bride! thanks so much for sharing!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by cyntherella And there was NO FEE. That's awesome. That's been one of my biggest worries, is that they're going to find ways to add in extra fees for everything. But from what it seems, the WCs down there are pretty flexible and cool!

Awesome job. Thank you so much for sharing.!

Quote: Originally Posted by angie_tx hey guys, just wanted to know from those of you ladies who used dj mannie, if you've wired the money to his provided bank and how did that go? I just used PayPal. Super easy.

Hey guys, just wanted to tell everyone that I am super grateful for this forum and all your support. None of my friends had destination weddings, and my fiancee apparently has ADD when it comes to wedding planning, so this has been an awesome place to get ideas and find out info about our resort! I know many of us have gotten pretty stressed about money recently, but I really think everything will work out. My wedding is still a LONG time away (10 months), and a lot can happen in that time (like maybe they'll reinstate the $20 pp set food menu - or even introduce a $10 one? ha). I'll have more answers once I know for sure who's coming, and I'm nowhere close to that now. So there's really no need to worry about every little detail at this point! (I know; easier said than done - therefore, I apologize in advance for any future rants.)

danathebride, i am having the exact same issue. it's extremely confusing.

Quote: Originally Posted by BagLover21 hi ladies, i feel like the time is flying. august 7 is right around the corner! i am slightly annoyed because i'm working with destinationweddings.com and i'm not happy with my TA. i just sent a note telling them i'd like a new TA (specifically Sue Adams because I've heard great things). I wish I would've worked with Tammy and her TAs but I didn't learn about them until I joined the forum - which was after I set the date (sigh). I just feel that if you're my stinkin TA I should be able to count on you to be responsive and be helpful! My TA has been neither! ugh. But I will not let it steal my excitement. T-minus 7 months until the big day! BagLover - i hear ya. I am working with destinationweddings.com too - and i definitely have a few concerns and worries about them. i am going to see how it all plays out in the next few months but i am going to definitely price compare, too. what are your concerns with that site?

Hi Katrina: I am having the same issue. Thanks for your post, I am looking into other options too. Too bad they made me pay the $50 already.