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This is hard! I am struggling with this, too. We have a 10 yr old boy who is VERY mature-- he already has a cell phone.. UGH!

I love your wine glasses- making each of them personally for each of the girls... CUTE!

Luckily we have a friend who is doing ours -- she is doing our engagement and wedding for $1500... thankful for this... b/c I know pics can Add up

Quote: Originally Posted by Laura22610 I would definitely trust the resort photographers for the entire wedding. They were really so nice and they know the resort so well, they would probably come up with some great spots for taking pictures. Plus, they are at the resort everyday so if you wanted to meet with them in person before your wedding, you could do that too. I think they are great. I guess you would just have to figure out how much more they would charge for the extra time. I know that when you buy prints from them it is $15 per picture. Although with the Ultimate Package you get 50 pictures. Definitely worth thinking about! I don't mind answering questions at all! 1. I didn't have a sand ceremony so I can't help with this one 2. My officiant was my cousin so I didn't use the one from the resort. 3. I wrote my own ceremony - well, I put it together from a bunch of ceremony samples that I found online. I can post it if you would like... 4. I had the buffet and they labeled everything on the buffet (with really nice cards) so everyone was able to see what they were eating. If you are getting the buffet, you definitely don't need menu cards. When I was there in February, it was a little chilly at night, probably in the 60's and windy. During the day, it was in the high 70's-80's. I did not think that it was freezing at all! My ceremony was on the beach and my reception was on the pool deck and the day I got married it was extra windy. Everyone had such a good time! It would have been nice if it weren't so windy, but nobody complained about it. I was there for 7 nights and then right next door at the Excellence for 5 nights and the temps were about the same the whole time. The Mexican people we spoke with, however, said that the temps were unseasonably cool and that it is usually warmer than what we experienced. I would have no problem going back in February. Actually a group of our guests are already trying to plan a trip back for next February. I think you will be fine! And if you are giving out pashminas, then your guests will definitely be fine! Are you getting DJ Doremixx (Ivan)? If so, he will ask you for a playlist of songs. He will want to meet with you before the wedding and you can give it to him then. He told us that he could get any song that we wanted him to play. We didn't really have a playlist for him and told him just to play what he thought would be fun and he did a fantastic job! He is very accommodating and I am sure he would work with you. We had our cocktail hour on the Desires Terrace. It is outside and set up like a lounge with couches and tables. If you were having a dinner with tables, there is also a terrace in front of the entrance to Desires, which is also their back-up spot in case of rain for the ceremony. They could easily set up tables for a dinner there. I am not sure about the slideshow - I didn't do that and didn't see any being done. However, if you were doing that the night of the rehearsal dinner, there would be space for that on the Desires Terrace where all the lounge furniture is, I think. As far as the flowers, I picked my bouquet from what was included. Unfortunately, I think that if you want something different, you will have to pay for it. Although, maybe you could negotiate a little with Ana and get extra bouts or a bridesmaid bouquet or something like that since you are not using the bouquet that is included. THANK YOU SO MUCH Laura. Did you have a rehearsal dinner?? If so- where did you do it? Also- I read above that you would post your wedding ceremony. My brother is doing ours and he is having a hard time finding what he wants to do, so if you would please post that- that would be VERY helpful. THANKS

I feel bad for asking ??s to Laura-- but if you dont mind haha SORRY Or anyone for that matter who got a DJ... we are going to get the DJ- can I still put a playlist together for him to play? We do want to pick our own music. Also- we are thinking of having the rehearsal dinner in Desires Terrace?? Is that inside or out? We are wanting to do a slideshow- where is the best place to do that and have any of you done that? Finally My flowers are going to be a mix of dahlias, callas, tulips, etc... she has quoted me $60 for my bmaids and $150 for mine... If I am getting the Utlimate PKG- how does that work- if my bouquet is supposed to me included?

Oh Lord- already having a GREAT day with Ana ... she has so far sent me back an email where she answered 2 out of 5 s and of that she answered 1 of them completely. I just keep telling myself... BREATHE!!!!!! Do any of you know if we can do a slideshow during our rehearsal dinner?

Quote: Originally Posted by reaganlane We will be arriving on the 24th. Our wedding is the 26th. What time is your wedding and are u having it on the beach or at the gazebo? If I am there in time, I may have to sneak peak at yours. Ours will be very small, just family and a few friends so we will not be having a rehearsal dinner. How long will you be at dreams? Our wedding is at 4pm. We will be at Dreams until the 26th morning- then we are going to Secrets Maroma for our honeymoon!

I think we all are in the same boat... we can all plan to go down there together have some drinks, relax, and talk to Ana hahaha J/K She used to take a couple of days to get back, then a week, now it is 2. I agree with everything said on here.... and I, too try to relax...but I think in the end, we all just want some answers so that we can plan things. Oh well... here is for hoping she gets some help! Anyone else going to be down there around Oct 24?? I know I have asked this before- but what are you guys doing for your rehearsal dinners?

Thank you so much Laura! Everything looks SO perfect

Quote: Originally Posted by Laura22610 The beach is DEFINITELY more private than the gazebo. I always planned to have my ceremony on the beach, so I never thought about the gazebo but while I was there, I saw a couple of weddings at the gazebo. Although they looked very pretty, they weren't private. They do move a lot of the pool lounge chairs out of the way but the gazebo is pretty close to the infinity pool. Also, people can stand on the balcony of their room and watch your ceremony. I think it also depends on what time of day your ceremony is and how many people are out at the poo. The good thing about the gazebo is nobody can walk directly behind your ceremony like they can on the beach. I don't know if this will help, but here is a picture I took while they were setting up a ceremony at the gazebo. I was sitting in a lounge chair at the pool. Laura- thank you SO SO SO much... You are so helpful and I know putting a lot of our minds at ease Can I ask one more question... what did you do for your reception? (DJ or IPOD) and where did you have it? 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 Thank you so much for posting this... and I am sure people are going to ask you a million questions, so maybe I should wait for your full review... but how many people were with you and what package did you go with? Can you provide us with a full review... I know we are all SO anxious to hear allll about it... CONGRATS CONGRATS!! Your pics are great!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Princess402 I haven't totally decided about a videographer. I have the photographer I want and that was the most important thing to me! Plus we have friends with videocameras etc, so that would be fine for me in terms of video. But we are probably getting a package which includes photos and video. Honestly I would love to just trade both in for something else, but I doubt Ana would go for it. So if we do a package we might end up with a longer video since we don't need the photog (I have heard she will do this). The video would be nice, just not totally necessary imo. Have to decide if we are doing a package or not... I don't think it's something I would spring for if it's not included. As for sharing, hello, check out my signature, I would love to share!!! Currently I have Michael booked to come with us for a week (Dec.4-11), but that is totally flexible. I LOVE him, I LOVE his work, and he's going to be WAY cheaper than booking any of the Mexico photogs I was interested in (i.e. Elizabeth Medina, Claudia Rodriguez, Del Sol) even including travel costs! Here's the link to his website and blog: Vancouver Wedding Photographer | Michael Wachniak Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions or thoughts on this. Maybe there's other stuff we could share too! I have gone back and forth with Ana for a month or so ... telling her that I hear she will sub out video for photos and so forth and she insists that she cannot and will not and has not told anyone that she will... I told her that I heard on here that she has done for people and she basically told me that the girls are either misunderstanding her or lying. She says b/c the resort directly works with a company -- that Dreams has no control over it. See- I am bringing my own photographer and wanted to do the Ultimate Pkg and sub more video for the photos-- or do the other pkg and do video instead of photo and she says NO. UGH!! Anyone else heard different? Have document to prove it? I am tired of us all being told different things.

I looked over the price list... but don't understand how much the videographer is. Do any of you know? The have packages... but we are bringing our own photographer.... anyone know how much it would cost to hire someone to video?

Can someone explain to me how the menus work I feel so dumb- haha. For example: For this buffett-- do we only get to pick 1 salad, 1 hot dish, and so on... 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 And then for the sit down... Do we get all of that (escargot, spinach salad, and cream of brocolli) and then the CHICKEN or the PENNE?? No 2 Feuillete of escargot served with doble cream bordelaise sauce Spinach salad served with duck confie and balsam vinaigrette Cream of broccoli with parmesan cheese Chicken breast filed with spinach and provolone cheese served with saffron sauce “OR†Penne with Provencal sauce serve with shrimp and grill scallop millefeuille of wild berry served with Irish cream

Quote: Originally Posted by Megan24 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. Ok- I had emailed back and forth with Ana regarding the "privacy issues" back in January. I basically just told her my stress and fear and not wanting to get married up on top of other beach goers/bar/bar swings... and that I had heard this complaint from several other brides as well. Here is what was said to me: "Robyn, I understand your situation because I am working with you directly, and my job is make you a perfect wedding, how you think I feel that I do not have the perfect area for a more private area? Anyway I am working with the management all the time that I receive a message from the brides asking me this they just tell me that they are working in that, I am not the general manager to decide where I can set up everything I say my suggestion, I right now we have another area we will set up everything for the wedding on January 9th , I will prepare the picture and I will send you if you feel like is not the perfect area that you are looking for let me know." So it was never really said that they WERE GOING TO CHANGE It... just that she was working with management. And that they are very aware of complaints.

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!! Well yes- she told me this. I had talked with her a couple of months ago about my stress (and other peoples that I heard about) regarding the location of the beach wedding- and the privacy issues. she told me they were working on it and moving it. So, now they are not?? wtf. I cant even get her to email me back though, so atleast you have that. haha

Quote: Originally Posted by jfazzina You should confirm with Ana and make sure they credit your stay for your wedding. We were able to get the 90 per person a night When are you going for your site visit?

Quote: Originally Posted by lilly129 The $90 a night is for the site visit - that's what Ana got us as well for ours - the rooms for your wedding are different. BUT if you decide to do a site visit - talk to Ana about booking the room for you at $90 per night. We went with an oceanview room for the wedding...I'm trying to convince my mom to get a suite or I'll just keep my fingers crossed for an upgrade Ana just came back and told my TA she could get us $119 a night (per person) or $218 for me and my FI for our site visit... Are you kidding me? That isn't a promotional rate. WTH? Did she give you the smallest, garden view room for your site visit?

Did anyone order Linen Pants/Suits from Wedding Tropics? How soon in advance did you order? Or should I?

Quote: Originally Posted by lnf_munchkin My FI supprised me with a site visit last weekend. We are working with a TA (Jill) and she got him a pretty great rate for the three nights we were there. yeh- my TA is working on it as well.. I feel like they will have better luck than us. fingers crossed haha (that is so sweet of him to surprise you) awwww!

Quote: Originally Posted by leighkarem I did a site visit and NO they do not give a discount. I have 63 guests already booked and confirmed and they really could give a crap!! I tried! The resort is beautiful and you will not be disappointed--i promise. I am having my ceremony on the beach-it is really pretty and we are having the reception on the deck. You literally walk off the beach and onto the wooden deck. It is perfect and is right next to the infinity pool. At night the whole resort has all different pretty lighting. Hope this helps. Wow- that is crazy... you would think they would hook you up. hmmmm... I might still call and at least try- can't hurt I guess. Who did you call to talk w/ about it? We are going to have our ceremony on the beach and reception on the deck as well. Everyone seems to say that is the best option... and from pics, it looks the most beautiful to me. Thaks

Quote: Originally Posted by Ashlynn039 You should ask JFazzina, I know she did a site visit. And I think SDbeachgirl did as well.. sorry I can't be of more help! Thank you

Hey All- We are looking to do a site visit. Have any of you done a site visit? Or are looking to do so? My main question is -- did they offer you a discounted stay/rate for your visit, since you are getting married there (already booked) and bringing "x" amount of guests? Thanks for your help. Robyn

Hey all Another thing I was thinking about... we were not originally going to do a site visit but it is my fiance's 30th bday, so why not make a mini-vaca out of it Any of you doing a site visit? I was wondering if you talked to them and got a good rate since you ARE having your wedding there and bringing so many guests?? Thanks for the help!!

Quote: Originally Posted by cathyandchin I just checked an old email from Ana and she said I could mix and match from the silver and the gold options! *now I need to make a new survey... Hey- I think I am getting confused... hahaha..... when we can mix and match does they mean they we can ONLY offer one meat to all of them in the buffet (like we have a pre-set meal) .. i mean what if some people dont like chicken/meat etc? Sorry- I dont get what Ana wrote to me, so maybe you guys can explain Also- has anyone else booked with the $100 but NOT done the contract (I just got nervous seeing all of you talk about a contract)