amlambert

One thing I forgot to mention about the DJ (Morenci Neri). He really does try to get the songs you email him. I met with him on the day before the wedding and he played my requests for the dances to make sure he had downloaded the right ones. So if you make a detailed list of what you want played, you will have what you want in terms of music.

I paid $150 for the cigar roller which was for one hour during the cocktail hour and included 20 cigars. My guests really enjoyed it.

One other thing I forgot to mention was my travel agent. I highly suggest using one if you are expecting a large group. I used Kim Grammer and Gail Oliver and her number is 321 473 4175. She was amazing! She specializes in destination weddings. She was able to get my contract together, and she dealt with so many other issues for me. For instance, she would get in touch with the resort or coordinator if I was having a problem. She also helped us out tremendously the week of the trip because Michigan experienced a severe snow storm and she was able to help many guests rebook and change their flights. I had absolutely zero problems with Kim and Gail and I would recommend them to anyone.

Review of our wedding, 2-4-2011 I just got back from our wedding at DRC, two days ago, we stayed at DRC from 2-01 until 2-07 and then went to Leblanc in Cancun from 2-7 until 2-12. Check-in We had reserved an ocean view room for the first two nights, then a governors suite for the last four nights, and I asked about an upgrade and they put us in the governor's suite for the entire time, which was great, however... we had reserved the governor's suite on the same side as the ceremony was being held and I had multiple emails confirming this. However when we arrived, it was being used by someone else. I yelled at Veronica in the lobby. There was nothing she could do at that point, her solution was that she got approval for my bridesmaids and I to use the presidential suite which was next to our Gov. suite for the day to get ready. This was nice and all, but didn't really solve the issue of being on the wrong side of the resort. Veronica didn't apologize, nor admit she made a mistake. Rehearsal This also didn't happen as planned because Veronica had the day off, also despite me having confirmed with her that we were to have it the day prior to the ceremony. It ended up not being a big deal because we did it the morning of the ceremony. I was upset at the inconsistency of her though. Ceremony We used EW Cancun for the drapery and chair sashes, they were wonderful. Once again though, anything handled by the resort didn't go as planned. I had put playlists on my ipod which were for the bridesmaids entrance, aisle procession, sand ceremony etc, however the guy working the sound system played the music the entire time. He even played the songs more than once. Some guests had a hard time hearing us and the official. We had a symbolic ceremony on the beach at 4pm. The official was dressed like a slob, she brought with her a book she read from and she made mistakes with our ceremony. Otherwise, the ceremony was beautiful and our guests thought the same. Photography we used the resort photography, Adventura, and they did a wonderful job. I got the all day package. Cocktail hour We had our cocktail hour by the jacuzzi which also turned out really nice. We also had a cigar roller and the guys loved this! Reception Our DJ was awful!! We used DJ Morenci Neri because we had to! Two weeks before I was supposed to leave I got and email from DJ Doremixx that he could no longer come to the resort. DJ Neri sucked. I had also given him a list of songs to play. He played the entrance song over and over again until we came out. He had the cold fireworks, but all four of them were duds. He was able to play the selected dance songs (father daughter, mother son etc) and he had the other songs I had suggested to dance to, but when those songs had played, he only had mexican house music left to play. When we tried to give him suggestions, he had a hard time understanding us and we had to type it in on his phone. He did have fun props such as balloons and lays, and my guests had a great time despite these hiccups, but he was very inexperienced. All things considered, my guests all complimented us saying that this was the best wedding they had ever been to. We had a total of 72 people. They didnt notice the things that went wrong. I love this resort, and plan on returning, the wedding planning dept just really sucks. Hope this helps...

I emailed my coordinator this same question yesterday and she is asking the banquet managers

Yes, Definitely! I spoke with veronica and complained. My TA also called the manager of sales who was supposed to call the general manager. I would complain as much as possible to get things changed. Its total BS for them to change things at the last minute for people who have already made arrangements. I have emailed the new DJ she said we have to use and he hasn't responded yet.

RGENT!! Hey ladies, for those of you who have been working with DJ Doremixx, please see the following email I got from him " "I hope this e-mail finds you doing very well, I am sending you this e-mail because I want to let you know that, yesterday I went to Dreams Riviera Cancun to talk with the General Manager to revise our agreement with Dreams Riviera Cancun, and due to the new policies from the resort we are not allowed to offer our services for this Hotel, and now they are cancelling all the DJ services that we have already booked with them. Please contact your wedding coordinator, they told me yesterday that they will send a letter to all the brides that have our services confirmed to let them now that we are not longer working with them, now they will be using their own in house DJ company." This is ridiculous!! If you have been counting on him as I have, I urge you to contact your wedding coordinator and ask them to reconsider. I have no idea who the new DJ is, nor have I heard anything about him. DJ Doremixx is supposed to be so great, he has the lighted dance floor, he brings cold fireworks and has fun masks and props for guests that they keep. He isn't just some lame DJ.

When we booked the travel agent would also book flights for our guests, but there was a separate charge to do so. It was very easy for guests to book their own flights. From Detroit, the best fares were from Spirit. We booked in the summer and got around $200 roundtrip if you were a member of the $9 fare club which was a really good price. Other guests were getting around $300 when booked later. Some booked Delta and got just over $300.

I used Kim Grammer at [email protected]. She was wonderful! She negotiates the whole contract and concessions. My guests booked their hotel through her, and did their flights on their own. She did a wonderful job, was very timely with responses and would call the resort directly if I was having trouble getting in touch with the coordinator.

I know some other brides have also used islandimporter.com for linen suits.

ASAP, the sooner you get the locations for your ceremony and reception reserved the more chance that you will get what you want. Also, the flights will be cheaper the further out from date of travel as well. My guests started purchasing flights in June for my February wedding. The price is now double what they spent then and has been for months.

Yes, but were you allowed to have to DJ only and not the bar or staff? Therefore only accruing the extra 300/hour extra charges?

OK, so you can just pay the DJ fee and not for the staff. What Victoria told me was that we would also have to pay for the staff to remain there. Was the bar still there for your guests after three hours?

T1219, Thanks for the review. My wedding is Feb 4th. I spoke with the new coordinator this weekend, Victoria, yes she actually called me on the phone. We were able to finalize alot of the details. One thing I wanted to get your feedback on was the reception. I also hired DJ Doremixx, do you remember who the DJ was? Also, your reception was four hours. Did you pay extra for that extra hour? In the package, three is included. Victoria told me that in order to extend the reception, there was a charge of $26 per person plus 11% tax and 15% gratuituty which comes out to be 33 per person. We have 65 guests, so thats like $2000 per hour, which is outrageous!! Did you pay that or find a loophole? Thanks for any info!

Has anyone used Deco Cancun for their wedding, and if so, who was your contact there? I have been working with Anita and apparently she isn't there any longer. I haven't been notified yet of anyone else who has taken over, my emals have just been bouncing back. Thanks

Does anyone have the email address for the salon at DRC and also, did you have to put down a deposit to make an appointment? Thanks

I dont have any pics, but yes, you do have to pay per person to have the El Patio closed for a private event. Im not sure the exact times of how long they can go until, I just know that as opposed to outdoors, the reception can go an hour longer.

UGGGH, OK brides, I need your opinions. I have gone back and forth about where to have the reception. Originally I had the beach reserved, then Ana talked me into having it at the El Patio because it was "air-conditioned", not knowing that she had another bride who was asking for the beach and by talking me into changing venues she was able to pacify us both. When I asked to change it back, she told me she had reserved it for another bride. This morning I received an email from Gabriela telling me that I can have our reception in either the El Patio or beach location. I am torn about where to have it, there are pro's and con's for both locations. In the El Patio, you can go an hour longer and it is private, but I am not crazy about the decor. The beach location would be a bit prettier and scenic in my opinion. For any brides who have already been married there or who has any suggestions on this, please give me guidance!! Thanks

Can you also send me an email with the Cancun Deco information? [email protected]. Thanks!!

I am using a TA that I absolutley LOVE!! Her name is Kim Grammer and her email is [email protected] She operates not only as a TA, but also as a coordinator. She has been so helpful in getting the resort to answer my questions and she has worked thru the hurdles I have met in dealing with the peole at DRC. I would highly recommend using a TA to book your wedding beacuse they negotiate your group room rate. I would definelty choose Kim again to work with.

Is anyone having their rehearsal dinner in the wine cellar? I will have between 24 and 28 people and Gabriela said that it only holds 18, but someone else on here siad they are using it for their party of 22. Also, she said that there would be a surcharge of $600 in wime consumption. Thats seems higher than what I remember someone mentioning on here. Also, does anyone know if there is a dinner charge on top of the $600? Thanks!

Does anyone have Claudia Rodriguez's contact info? I am trying to decide between the hotel photographer and her. Also,, if anyone has experience with her or could share her pictures, I would appreciate the feedback.

Has anyone heard that Ana has left the resort? I just got an email from my TA that she is being replaced by Gabriela.

Jennifer & Michael - 5/7/2010 Jessica & Robbie - 5/15/2010 Margaret & Matthew - 5/15/2010 Alison & Mike - 5/20/2010 Megan & Jason - 5/21/2010 LeAnn and Matt- 5/24/2010 Ashley & ? - 5/30/2010 Rachelle & Randal - 6/3/2010 Nancy & Bruce - 6/11/2010 aperkins7- 6/12/2010 Diana & David- 6/13/2010 Erica & John – 6/19/2010 carlychristine - 6/22/2010 Evelilna & Phil - 6/25/2010 Aleka & Maka- 7/7/2010 Leah & Chris- 7/9/2010 Allison & ? – 7/24/2010 Cathy & Chin – 7/29/2010 Kelvin & Leydi – 7/30/2010 John & Lili – 8/1/2010 Alison & Jimmy 8/8/2010 Thao & Triet: 9/3/2010 Nikki & Tyler- 9/17/2010 Casey & Ron - 9/18/2010 Sarah & Joe – 9/18/2010 Mindy & Joe - /10/4/2010 Toni & Jake – 10/8/2010 Vix1383 – 10/16/2010 Adrian & Peter 10/17/2010 Kym & Brian – 10/19/2010 Emma & ? - 10/23/2010 Robyn and Chris- 10/24/2010 Reagan & Brent – 10/26/2010 wisconsionbride - 10/28/2010 Rachael & Alex - 10/31/2010 Chelsey & Travis- 11/5/2010 April & Reggie – 11/6/2010 Jannine & Pete- 11/11/2010 Ashley & Mark- 11/15/2010 Kate and Cam - 11/19/2010 Tracy & ? -11/26/2010 lnf_munchkin - 11/27/2010 Lori and Jason- 11/29/2010 t1219 – 11/30/2010 Heather & Braden- 12/6/2010 Angela & Craig - 12/8/2010 allegraapple – 12/12/2010 majimart – 12/17/2010 volosikj-1/15/2011 Steve and Amy 2/04/2011 rscherle- 2/19/2011 saymyname74- 3/5/2011 Melissa & Michael - 4/22/11 Ursula & Matt - 5/07/2011 Melissa & Nathanael 5/8/11 Leanne & Adam 5/14/2011 __________________

We are getting married on February 4th 2011 at Dreams Riviera Cancun