Nicole2013

NICOLE2013 Thank you for your review! Our wedding is Nov 2014, I also have Anel as photographer and love her work! Cant wait for you to put up some photos..We will be getting married at the Oceana with 20-40 guests we also wanted the pool deck, but she said it is not  available to us Also who was your DJ? What menu did you choose? For the ceremony what did you have prepared for the technican? etc CD IPOD? and a written list of songs? Im sure I will have more questions, thank you!!

My DJ was Jorge Chagoya. He was great. He sent us a form prior to arrival listing what we wanted for first dance, last dance, entrance song, etc. For the ceremony I don't think he did it I believe Lorena the coordinator did. We chose a song for people to sit down to, a song for me to walk down the aisle and a song for after. I gave Lorena my iPod and the playlist and think she played it directly from there. For the ceremony I gave Jorge our list printed out of songs we wanted for dinner and the dancing and he must have had everything because he played everything. For the menu we had ultimate package so we picked the following for dinner and it was all so good our guests were raving about it: Appetizer: ravioli filled with spinach served with tres cheese sauce ( this was my favorite and a lot of our guests too) Salad: snow crab cake with avocado and tomato dressing Entree: guests chose from beef tenderloin filled with vegetable julienne in red wine sauce or chicken filled with spinach and provolone Desert: peach cheesecake (everyone raved about this and I never even got to try it but everyone kept saying how great it was) For cocktail hour we ordered: Melon pearls with prosciutto, flower zucchini crepes, empanadas, beef kabobs with chimiichurri, tempura shrimp satay All these were great too For wedding cake we did the tres leches cake and it was also delicious.

This post has been very informative to me during my planning process that I wanted to provide some feedback to my wedding. I was at Dreams for my wedding June 18th to the 25th and got married on the 24th. I left on the 25th and went to Excellence Playa Mujeres for another week and it was amazing there as well. So I will start with the basics. We had a total of 22 people. We were originally going to have wedding at the gazebo and cocktail hour at jacuzzi and reception on pool terrace. I wanted the pool deck but when I booked last November they advised I did not have 60 people so I would have to pay for the difference or take the pool terrace. We did a legal ceremony so we arrived the 3 business days before along with our witnesses. During the planning process I did not have much communication at all with coordinator, but I did not stress about this because my friend got married at a Dreams 3 years ago I was familiar with the process. I filled out the pamphlet they send you about 60 days before the wedding and emailed it back. I also filled out the legal doc they needed for the witnesses to have the legal ceremony and emailed that back. About 2 days before arriving at the resort I received an email from the coordinator acknowledging the pamphlet I filled out and then also advised that if I wanted I could have the pool deck like I originally wanted as long as I had my cocktail hour there as well since it is a large space for 22 people. I was so happy since that is what I originally wanted so I replied back immediately and agreed. I booked a master suite (I highly recommend this! This room was fantastic and had so much space and gorgeous views.). I wanted the master suite in building 2 so it was overlooking the gazebo and I could see ceremony setting up and guests arriving. The master suite came in handy for all the welcome bags we had for the guests. We ended up bringing 4 large suitcases, 1 rolly carry on bag and 1 over the shoulder carry on bag as well as the suit and dress. It worked out since we flew first class that we did not have too pay for any bags because each persons 1st 2 bags are free in first class. The master suite gave us plenty of room to make the bags up and really helped when we were getting ready the day of the wedding also. We arrived on a Tuesday and as soon as I arrived to the room my coordinator Lorena called me and asked how I liked my room and scheduled appt with me for the next day Wednesday at noon. We had to arrive with our witnesses for legal ceremony so they could copy their passports, etc. after that was done the witnesses left and we met with Lorena to go over every detail in the pamphlet I filled out. You can decide things up until that point so that was nice as we decided to change a couple of things. We also added the cold fireworks which I believe were 150 for 2 shots and it was amazing and came out amazing in our pictures that guests took. We also added the light up dance floor which I highly recommend also. The appt was so quick and easy. While we were in the office the nurse came in to take our blood for the legal ceremony. It was so quick and very clean. My husband was very nervous about this the whole time but it was very sanitary. During the meeting Karla from the spa came up and confirmed all the appts for my wedding party. It was so easy and everything was taken care of even for the last minute appts I decided to add. I also decided to add a trail hair appt for myself a few days before. My hair stylist was Victoria. I showed her a pic and it came out exactly like the picture. She was fantastic. Had I known she was so great I would have not done the trial. But it gave me peace of mind lol. She did my hair and makeup the day of the wedding and was fantastic. She spoke great English as well. The others in the salon seemed to have trouble communicating with their stylists. So I was lucky. During that meeting the dj also came up and we just printed a list of all the songs we wanted. He was great and it worked perfectly. We did not need to give him our iPod. My ceremony was at 5pm on Monday. I started the day with a massage at 11am and then my hair and makeup at 1. I was back and up at my room my around 3:15ish. My flower girls hair came out great as well. Everyone who got their hair and makeup done was so happy with how it turned out. My photographer was Anel and she was great and so nice! (I am still waiting for my photos to look at). I bought the photo package 3 so she went to the guys room around 4 for getting ready photos and then to my room by 4:30. Lorena picked me up at my room at 5 and brought us down. I will say if you are getting married at the gazebo be prepared for other people around the pool to watch and take pictures of you. I got married on a Monday so the resort seemed to be less crowded but the other weddings I watched during the other days were so crowded and so many people were standing around. This didn't bother me but I am sure would bother some people if you want privacy. So if you are looking for more private I would get married on the beach. I saw about 3 weddings a day except for 1 day. They really know what they are doing and are great. My wedding went perfectly and I don't think I would change anything. I honestly think the pool deck is the best location because it is more private than the pool terrace. So try to get the deck if you can. We were in Mexico a total of 2 weeks and we have perfect weather every day. There was a beautiful breeze at night and was gorgeous the night of the wedding. I couldnt have been happier with a everything and am so sad it is over. If I was to nit pick at anything the whole week it would be the temp in the rooms. Never seemed to get colder than 74 degrees. Some of our guests rooms were freezing but that was only a couple. And the only other thing I was upset about was that they never did the romantic turndown service the night of our wedding. That was kind of disappointing. Food was great too especially the wedding night. We chose a sit down dinner and picked fillet and stuffed chicken. It was great. I will say to Just please make sure your guests know the dress code for restuarants. We had a guest arrive and he didn't pack any pants or shoes so he was only able to get into El Patio, seaside grill, and oceana. Women dress code does not seem to be enforced. The only additional decorations we brought down was personalized napkins for cocktail hour, place card settings, a cake topper, and fans for the ceremony and the palm tree bottle opener wedding favors. I gave those to Lorena on our first meeting and she took care of it all!! I will be happy to answer any questions you have so just let me know. I am sure I forgot details that you might be interested in. I will say that if you get the chance to go to another resort for your honeymoon I Highly recommend excellence playa mujeres which is adult only. It was absolutely amazing in every way and I ended up doing my trash the dress photo shoot there also and those pics came out amazing. I was so sad to leave. Thanks!!

Hi Bianca, Can you please send me the platinum menus? I only received the Silver and Gold.

Hi, Can you please send me the platinum menu. I only received silver and gold. My email is [email protected] Thanks Nikki

Hi Bianca, Can you please send me the platinum menus? I only received the Silver and Gold.

Hi, Can you please send me the platinum menu. I only received silver and gold. My email is [email protected] Thanks Nikki

Hi Nikki,  We're getting married this Thursday and have Jorge as our DJ.  We were late adding on the DJ, I'm not sure if that's why we were assigned Jorge instead of Mauricio, but I'll let you know how it goes!

Great thanks! Keep us posted I'm sure everything is going to be beautiful!

Hi Nikki,  We're getting married this Thursday and have Jorge as our DJ.  We were late adding on the DJ, I'm not sure if that's why we were assigned Jorge instead of Mauricio, but I'll let you know how it goes!

Great thanks! Keep us posted I'm sure everything is going to be beautiful!

So I emailed Caesar Mauricio to set him up for the dj for my wedding. He was booked so put me in contact with someone else recommended by the resort. His name is Jorge chagoya. He has been great and very responsive. Wondering if anyone has used him for the dj services and if they have any feedback? Thanks Nikki

So I emailed Caesar Mauricio to set him up for the dj for my wedding. He was booked so put me in contact with someone else recommended by the resort. His name is Jorge chagoya. He has been great and very responsive. Wondering if anyone has used him for the dj services and if they have any feedback? Thanks Nikki

Technically you're only allowed $300 worth of goods per person.  If you make sure your stuff is spread out between people, they wont stop you. We took a bunch of decorations, maracas, bubba kegs, OOT bags, and all the fillings and we just made sure we didn't have all the maracas in one suitcase and all the bubba kegs in one suitcase, etc. Put 3 or 4 here and there and it looks just like you're bringing them for you. I would recommend bringing all of your receipts incase they stop you. I heard that they'll look at them and they dont really feel like calculating it all up so they will let you through. If they ask, just tell them a dollar amount that's less than $300 and you should be good. 

Gotcha thanks!!

Hi again Vika, No, Lorena told me that if we didn't want/need to include our parents names, we didn't need our birth certificates at all.  All you need in that case is your passports & tourist cards, 4 witnesses (arriving the same day as you) & their passports, the blood tests (which they do when you get there), and the legal form that needs to be completed and sent to your wedding coordinator in advance.  If you send me your email address I can email you a copy of the legal form so you can start collecting the information that is needed for that.  I would double check these things with your wedding coordinator as well, but that was what I was told.  We're getting married on April 18th, so we haven't actually gone through the full process yet!

Hi Lori I am having a legal ceremony in June. Would you mind sending me that legal form I am still waiting for Lorena to get back to me and want to get it started. My email is [email protected] Good luck with everything and keep us posted on the outcome. I am sure everything will be beautiful. Thanks!!

The pool terrace definitely isn't as pretty as the pool deck, but there was a reception there when we were there and it still looked great with the light up dance floor and all the lighting! But it is RIGHT in the middle of the resort and people walking by. They had Mexican night the night of that reception which meant they had alot of booths set up with vendors, etc. So there were people EVERYWHERE. We could have walked right up to the reception if we wanted to. So that's something to think about. As far as the beach goes... the pool deck is pretty much on the beach. The wind wasn't a problem for us until the rain came. Is there a reception on the deck that night so you can't have it? If there is a reception on the deck it seems like the beach would be almost too close to the deck.... unless they do it alot further down not right in front of the resort. 

Hey Savs, I have booked the pool terrace so now so I am a little concerned about the Mexican night you mentioned. Do they do things like that every night of the week or was it only certain nights? Do you recall what day the Mexican night was? Thanks Nikki

Getting married in June! Can't wait. I have read some things on the blog about bringing down items and going through customs. Does anyone have any insight on that or how they handled it? I am concerned because of all the items I have purchased so far for the receptions and the guests OOT bags. Thanks

Originally Posted by Savs1027 

 

United wouldn't let me hang my dress up either. The original flight attendant was really rude and basically just told me to find a spot for it in the overhead. Luckily a second flight attendance found a completely open overhead bin and let me lay it down in there and closed it so no one else could put anything in. I would definitely carry it on! And Dreams was great about steaming the dress and husbands suit!

Hey Savs,

just curious did you fly first class and they still wouldn't let you hang it?  I'm getting married there in June and am flying first class just cause we are checking so many bags it ends up not being that much more.  In first class they have closets so I am really hoping they let me hang it. 

 

Also I am assuming you had to put it through the scanners when going through security. Was there any issues with that at the airport?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Rach0636 

 

pool deck!

Yeah I'm having 40 and they told me I have to have 60 for the pool deck.  So now I have to have the terrace.  They said if there is no other wedding that day that I can have the location.

Question for those that have done the Ultimate package.  For the menu options for the sit down dinner Number 1, 2, etc it gives 2 entree choices and says "or".  Do the guests get to select one of those 2 options there or do I have to select 1 for them to have and they get no choice?

Originally Posted by dec2012ms 

 

Thank you for such a great review! I've got a question regarding the seaside grill... We currently have the pool deck reserved for 40 people. Do you know if they charge you less to reserve seaside grill than the pool deck per person? I don't have much info on seaside grill so if you guys have any other pictures or info you could tell me I would appreciate it. It may already be reserved so I may not have the option to switch. Also have any of you rented a car while you are down there? We are considering renting one for a couple if days to run errands & possibly to visit tulum. Just curious if anyone else has rented one & how safe it is. Thanks!Wui

Hi,

I have a quick question.  You said they let you reserve the pool deck with 40 people?  They kept telling me that I needed to have 60 people to get that location or I could pay for the 20 person difference.  Did you have that same issue?

 

Thanks

Nicole

Originally Posted by yacki62 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I found the attached from a previous email she had sent me.

Hi,

I can't download.  Would you mind emailiing those to me at [email protected] please.

 

Thanks

Nicole

A MARRIAGE OF 2.doc

COMMENTS BEFORE STARTING THE CEREMONY.doc

SAND CEREMONY.doc

The keyS to love.doc

The keyS to love.doc

MARRIAGE VOWS 3.doc

Originally Posted by loripanori 

 

 

Hi Nicole,

We are doing a civil ceremony.  We booked through a travel agent, and she did most of the talking with the wedding planner about the arrival dates, etc., but basically we were told that the ideal date to arrive at the resort is Sunday, because then your wedding can be on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. If you get there Sunday and have the wedding on Thursday (which is what we're doing) you are there 3 full business days with the wedding on the 4th business day (our wedding is late in the day at 4pm, but I don't think this matters).  We were told several times that this would be OK (I was quite worried about it as well!), so hopefully this is correct.

Lori

Great thanks!

Originally Posted by loripanori 

 

Lots of April brides here by the sounds of things!  We're getting married April 18th, 2013 and will be at the resort April 14th - 21st.  We'll have 25 adult guests and 6 children with our group.  Does anyone know how the children work in the wedding package, in terms of the guest numbers for dinner etc.?  All of the children in our group are young (the oldest is 6) so I can’t see them taking up one of the 20 guests included in the wedding packages, but I’m not quite sure how that will work in terms of up-charges for extra guests for cake, dinner, etc.  Are children under a certain age included in all the wedding festivities for free, or at a reduced rate maybe?  When booking our travel packages, I think children under 2 travelled free, and children under 12 qualified for a child rate, so maybe there is something similar for the wedding, but I'm not really sure.

 

 

I'm having trouble deciding how many extras to buy from the resort, and how many extra little things to bring with us (personalized napkins, coasters, etc etc)...  I'm trying to keep it relatively simple so that we're not dragging a million suitcases with us, or blowing the budget, but it sure is hard making all of these decisions!

Hi Loripanori,

Congrats on the upcoming wedding.  I had a quick question for you.  Are you doing the civil ceremony or symbolic?  I am asking because for civil on Dreams website says to arrive 4 full business days prior not including weekends but it seems most are arriving 3 days prior.  When I emailed Eva she said both were fine but I am trying to gage what most people are doing so I don't lose a day.  

Thanks

Nicole

Hi!  Thanks for sharing your pics they are gorgeous!!.

 

 I have a question.  I see you had the reception in the ballroom.  Did they charge extra for the drapery?  Also this slideshow they did.  Do they do them for all the wedding packages or do you have to pay extra for this?

 

Thanks!!

Hi, I have set a date for my wedding in June at DRC cant wait!! I am Looking for information on what day I have to arrive for the legal ceremony. If I am getting married on a Monday do I have to be at the resort on Monday or Tuesday the week before? Thanks!

Hi, I have set a date for my wedding in June at DRC cant wait!! I am Looking for information on what day I have to arrive for the legal ceremony. If I am getting married on a Monday do I have to be at the resort on Monday or Tuesday the week before? Thanks!

Hi, I have set a date for my wedding in June at DRC cant wait!! I am Looking for information on what day I have to arrive for the legal ceremony. If I am getting married on a Monday do I have to be at the resort on Monday or Tuesday the week before? Thanks!

Hi, I have set a date for my wedding in June at DRC cant wait!! I am Looking for information on what day I have to arrive for the legal ceremony. If I am getting married on a Monday do I have to be at the resort on Monday or Tuesday the week before? Thanks!