Ashlynn039

Have any of you ladies decided on your bouquets/center pieces? I've seen the pictures that Ana has sent past brides of options - but I didn't see what I was hoping for. Have you guys sent pictures to her and if so what did she say about it & any idea on what pricing is like? PBJwed & Boo - What dates are you staying at DRC? We might bump into each other

Hi Ladies! Sorry I've been MIA and not really contributing, between moving and my dad having emergency surgery things have been crazy! I'm also interested in the size of the tables, like rdsjcr. Also - I'm wondering what some of you ladies are choosing for where to have your cocktail hour? My TA recommended the jacuzzi area and that's what I currently have "on hold" with Ana. So now I'll try and start reading backwards and catching up on everything

Quote: Originally Posted by noonie Just wanted to thank every woman on this forum, it was such a huge stress release & help on my planning journey. Thank you all soooooooooo very much, i would have been lost without you:) I leave tomorrow to get married on the 28th, happy planning & good luck & wonderful futures to you all:) Stephanie Deglan & Jamie Hackel, April 28, 2010 @ Dreams Riviera Cancun Best wishes for your wedding Stephanie! I hope your big day is everything you imagined & more

Quote: Originally Posted by Boo wow, you sure are on the ball, you wedding is 6 months after mine and I dont have my wedding dresses picked out, leave in less than 7 months, this is one of those getting concerned moments Haha! Boo you make me feel SO much better I haven't even went to try on dresses yet! I'm going to fly to Florida and look at the end of next month. At that same time since I'll be with my mom, sister (maid of honor) and nieces (flower girls) - I also have to pick out the bridesmaid & flower girl dresses! I honestly haven't even looked at those yet. We're in the middle of TRYING to move, our condo that was supposed to be finished last summer is now finally finished and they keep pushing our closing date back. It makes me want to pull my hair out. We canceled our phone, cable and internet a week ago because we were supposed to have moved by now! Moving and getting married in the same year.. don't recommend it! On a side note - some of you ladies have mentioned you're getting lounge furniture or center pieces from an outside vendor. Who is this and what kind of quotes have you been getting? Oh, and welcome to all the new ladies

Quote: Originally Posted by lnf_munchkin Wedding location and reception location - Depends if anyone else as booked on your day. If no one else is booked that day - dont worry about it till you get there, while I've seen some great pictures, it is so hard to tell until you can stand in the space. If there is someone else is booked on your day (unfortunately Ana is the only one who can tell you this) - then you might try to decide now so she can make a note of it. On my site visit she did tell me that if two parties want the beach deck, it will go to the larger of the two. Ceremony Script - If this is something that's important for you by all means go to work! I know they have some options, but will also accomodate whatever you bring. Decoration - I know they have some tiki tourches, and lots of flower options for the ceremony site as well as tables center pieces ($$). She has lots of flower options so just bring pictures with you of what you like and she'll get it done (again at a cost). But if you have something specific you want, best plan to bring it. They do have chair sashes but the price seemed out of line to me. Photog - Don't worry about it till you are there. It freaked me out at first, waiting to make all these decisions. But after meeting with Ana, I have complete faith. Thanks for sharing My only question is what you said about how if two wedding parties wanted the same reception spot it went to the largest party - my TA told me it was whomever booked first! Yikes.. I'm starting to wonder if my TA was just telling me what I wanted to hear as opposed to the truth. Quote: Originally Posted by lorijfletcher Great, thanks! When is your wedding? There are 2 other weddings on my same day, so I want to get the locations nailed down, if possible. I was told by my TA that they only do two weddings a day, was I misled? Do they do up to 3 per day? I was also told that there was a morning slot and afternoon slot but it seems like two ladies on here have just realized that their ceremonies are only an hour and a half apart. What have you ladies been told about this?

Quote: Originally Posted by Boo Sorry vent time - I have email confirmation from Ana 3 weeks ago that we have booked Ivan at Doremixx and that I can now refer all the details to him etc. and that she will update our contract to include him. There is a DJ Doremixx thread on here, more than one actually, I am super excited cause he seems like he is sooo on the ball! anyhow, on one of these threads I mentioned how glad I am to check off another big thing, and he just privately pmd me saying he hasnt heard from Ana at all pertaining to my date or booking!!! like oh my goodness is there no end to this!! off to have breakfast, this is just getting to be too much Boo that stinks! And you just reminded me that I need to contact Ana to book a DJ. Hopefully she gets in touch with Ivan and books him for you before somebody else takes him!

Quote: Originally Posted by Boo Hmm this whole no one booking is what is driving me crazy - we invited close to 80 people, and so far only part of immediate family has booked. Maybe it was crazy of me but I thought 50 people would come, now FH thinks that only 25 will, and he is completely fine with it. Sorry this is the first time that I started to second guess our decision for a DW, I can deal with the stress of planning and the lack of response from wedding coordinators, etc. but did it make anyone else feel like what is the point of going crazy over this if no one will be there to enjoy it? Sorry to be a bummer. I know what you mean Boo! My FI are currently arguing because the one person who HAS started looking into booking (his groomsman) he is discouraging from doing it and telling him to wait 90 days to keep an eye on flight prices. I was a little ticked.. why are you telling him to wait 90 days?! And over the simple fact that my FI has seen the flights for 40 dollars cheaper.. well guess what, your buddy makes great money and obviously doesn't care about the 40 bucks so stop it! ARGH! But other than the groomsman it seems like nobody is really getting in touch with our travel agent and putting down a down payment.

I think I'm going to send mine out this summer, probably the beginning of June. With an RSVP date of the end of July. I just feel like by the end of July people will know whether or not they're coming. And that way I have time order things based on the number of people coming. I sent out my save the dates last week and it directed them to the website which also mentioned what date they have to book by in order to receive our group rate. And how to contact out TA, etc.

Quote: Originally Posted by volosikj Help! My mother in law just went on a site visit to DRC this past week that she booked behind my back (another long story!). And she is claiming that it was "freezing" there and that it is far too cold that time of year to have an outdoor wedding. I am getting married January 15th, 2011, and she is telling my FI for us to change the wedding because our guests will be miserable. I have already sent out STD's and some of our guests have booked air. I have been to Mexico in February several times and never thought it was cold, but a little windy at night. I was planning on handing out Pashminias anyways. Does anyone think that mid January it will be too cold to get married on the beach and have an evening reception on the pool deck? Did anyone have any complaints when they got married on the pool deck that it was too cold or too windy? Or has anyone gone to Riviera Maya in January?? I have been trying to google the temperatures and it is coming up 83 high, 63 low and that doesn't seem too cold. I need advice! Wow!! That wasn't very nice of her to do a site-visit without you or your FI asking her too, and it just adds unneeded stress to your plate in regards to the weather. I'm from the south (Florida) and my family still lives there, so honestly.. like Laura said it was just a freakishly cold winter for them this year. In my family's 11 years in Florida they have never had it as cold as this year. So I think you'll be fine next January Don't let your mother-in-law scare you off from your wedding date!

Welcome Lori

Quote: Originally Posted by Megan24 Ladies I have no answer either. I went to go try on wedding dresses today did not find anything. My wedding is very soon MAY!! I have no dress, no answer, no decorations, and people dropping out of the wedding. I am really regretting my choice of a destination wedding. I know in the end it will all work out it is just hard to stay positive when everything feels like it is not working. I wish I was in Mexico swinging at the bar drinking a very strong drink. lol Megan, I'm so sorry things aren't going smoothly for you right now I think that no matter what happens, you're going to enjoy yourself. And decorations can be taken care of with Ana when you get down there and you'll still have a beautiful wedding. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that you find a dress soon

Quote: Originally Posted by saymyname74 Does your TA contact Ana for you? So far yes, because I really haven't bothered talking to Ana on my own. If I need answers for a question I generally ask all the ladies here on the forum or my TA. But I know when I'm closer to the date I'll be having to contact her for all the little details - hopefully by then she's got things more under control!

Woohoo! I finally feel like I'm making progress I got my save the dates in the mail yesterday and have them all addressed & stamped and ready to go out tomorrow. Finally finished our wedding website last night. But the save the dates were worth the wait, I absolutely adore them And it's my first "wedding related" purchase! I'm so slow!

My TA said that they had hired somebody to help Ana, and that she was in training.. but who knows?

Quote: Originally Posted by Megan24 http://www.alohaislandweddings.com/r...%20wedding.jpg Here is a closer up pic. Beautiful!! I'm not sure what it would cost, perhaps not much if you brought the fabrics down yourself? But I love the idea!

Quote: Originally Posted by AlisonJimmy HI ladies...I am having a DJ for my reception. But do I have to rent speakers for the music at the ceremony. I am not sure how this works. Yes, I think you have to rent the speakers for your ceremony if you want to have them.

Quote: Originally Posted by Laura22610 It did not cost me any extra to have the sashes put on the chairs. I am not sure about the second question...I had enough sashes for both. I think, though, that there would be enough time for them to re-use them for the reception. They would have at least an hour if you are having a cocktail hour. We had about 2 hours (maybe a little less) between the ceremony and reception. I'll probably just bring enough for both then, and that's fantastic that she didn't charge you extra to put them on the chairs - I hope she sticks with that!

Quote: Originally Posted by Laura22610 I gave them to Ana and she took care of it. She did the same for the reception! Laura - how much did it cost per chair when you bring your own sashes if you don't mind me asking? Also do you have to bring enough sashes for the ceremony chairs as well as the chairs for the reception or do they re-use them after the ceremony for the reception? Thanks for answering all of our questions!

Yay Laura! Congrats again You were such a beautiful bride, your ceremony was lovely and your dress was gorgeous! And it's so nice to have a DRC review on here finally!

I have a question for the November brides, I'm not going dress shopping until the end of May when I can fly home to shop with my Mom & sister.. how long does it generally take once you purchase your dress for it to come in? I worry that I'm cutting it a little close, but this is really the soonest I can get down to Florida since we're moving next month and I don't want to shop without them.

Quote: Originally Posted by Laura22610 Hi Everyone! Sorry I have been MIA since my wedding. I got back March 6th and I have been super busy getting unpacked, going back to work, getting my house cleaned, etc. Back to the real world Sooo, my wedding was completely perfect. I LOVED the resort and so did all of our guests!! If you guys have any questions for me, let me know and I will be happy to answer. I am in the process of writing a review...I am almost done...just trying to find some pictures to include I think that everyone will be extremely happy with their decision. This is a fantastic resort and I can't imagine my wedding being any better than it was Welcome back Laura!! I'm so happy for you that your wedding was amazing It's also great to have people come back and get to hear reviews from a BDW bride about a wedding at DRC!

Quote: Originally Posted by samnicolerangel Let me start by introducing myself! My name is Samantha and my fiance is Joseph!!! We go by "Sam & Joe" here in Houston, TX!!! We have been great friends for 13 years and it became much more 4 years ago!!! Now here we are ENGAGED and planning to get MARRIED on June 11, 2011 at Dreams Riviera Cancun!!! We are sooo excited!!! I am currently working with a Kim Mallory of Destination Weddings.com and we both had the same trouble contacting Ana. I think she has all of our best interests in mind...but, she seems to be terribly overworked! I'm being patient and plan on getting everything situated during a site visit 6-9 months before my wedding. It seems to be easier to do it all in person! One thing I know I do need advice on is ROOM RATES for my guests!!! I have read so many different things...and I am not sure who to talk to? Ana? Group Department? Etc.? They have a WINTER PROMOTION and I asked Ana if she could do that rate and she replied that if we wanted to we would have to book online, but that she could not guarantee that rate!!! PLEASE ADVISE!!! Thanks in advance!!! HI Sam! Welcome to the forum As far as roomrates go, we are using a travel agent and she got us good rates that way. And supposedly Ana has somebody in training to help her out. So maybe we'll all start hearing back more swiftly!

Carina (or any of you other ladies who may know) - Is the white fabric on the wedding arch included in the packages (I have the ultimate package) or is that an extra cost? Carina - I loved the flowers/draper on your wedding canopy!

Quote: Originally Posted by saymyname74 Does anyone know where I can find a picture of the beach setup? If you go back through past pages there are a couple of links to wedding that have taken place on the beach

Quote: Originally Posted by saymyname74 I am just wondering why is no one using the gazebo. I was going to use it because its unique. So, is there something I should know? I don't think there is anything wrong with it, just a personal choice I guess My fiance really wanted it to be on the beach, and I agreed. The only con of the wedding gazebo to me was they placed it almost in the thick of things - so I felt it wouldn't feel private enough for me, personally. But I do think it's unique looking and in the last set of wedding pictures posted they were married under it and it looked very cool There's no wrong answer - if you like it, go for it!