Mariposaazul

Hi Ladies:

I am here, I arrived yesterday, my wedding is Monday. Lorena is a darling, Linda too. We had a great first meeting. A lot of emotions and excitment. I am a ball of nerves, but I cannot express how beautiful the grounds are and the service is so far superb. I want to thank this website, my travel agent Barbara from Wright travel. All the brides and their savy advice you were all a lifesaver. My soon to be photographer Victor and Sara Herrera and their wonderful communication skills through this process. Carlos Gallardo Video, can't wait to work with him. I will give my review when I get back. Ladies, I did communicate to Lorena their lack of communication and how they can get better. They really need to do a better job at it. I gave example of some of you all concerns. I even showed her this website and how they need to be more responsive and do some sort of QA pre-made questionaire so we don't all ask the same 500 questions.

Sheila

Originally Posted by LindseyM 

 

Hi all,

 

I just wanted to share our wedding highlight from Mike Cantarell Films of Cancun Wedding Video.  We love it!  They did such a nice job!!  We are excited for the full length version now!

 

Here it is:  

 

Hope you enjoy it!

 In tears! It was beautiful. Video is was one of those things I was going to do withouth. But after reading every bride talk about what they would do again, video kept coming up as a denominator. The power of video it, I am doing it and I found a wonderful vendor.

Originally Posted by EmilyT 

 

This is off the DRC topic but did you girls spend a lot on inivitations ? ppl already starting booking their flights and hotel and didnt get invitations yet. i picked out some invitations thats i just need to finalize but i think im spending a little too much since they are almost not necessary.

 

also i have some people who i know 100% are not coming, do they still get invitations ? they told me after the save the dates that they cannot come ..... im just curious what everyone else did !?!

Things add up quick for me, I knew were I wanted to spend my money. Outside photographer, wonderful welcome bag, rehersal dinner, etc, invitations was not one of those areas were I wanted to spend. I bought mine at Michaels for the wonderful price of $19 and printed them myself. They had a pocket, matching envelop and RSVP. I send an online save the date and mail out 40 invitations. So basicially its up to you how fancy and how much money you want to spend.

Originally Posted by Sarah-Jane 

 

Hi Sheila, 

 

I will let you know how it goes, yesterday there was a wedding and they actually used the whole deck area as they had finished one side. I am a little worried that the side we want to use with the trees in will be shut off today and they start work that side so i will have to see what happens. Lorena did say to me that we will only be able to use part of the deck but with the size of our wedding 17 people it wouldn't really matter???? I will just have to see what happens!!!! Will keep you posted! 

 

S-J x

Thank you for your response. I also have a small group like yours, let me know what you decide to do in terms of music. Did you get the DJ or renteded their sound system.

Originally Posted by Sarah-Jane 

 

WELL I AM HERE!!!!!

 

Arrived yesterday and up at 5am due to jetlag from the UK! We booked the honeymoon suite and its lovely we didn't receive an upgrade but it is very very nice and we are very pleased with it! 

Meeting Lorena at 10.30 this morning and having our blood tests done too (for legal ceremony)!

We have noticed the pool deck still under construction so will ask Lorena about this but we still have a week today until our wedding so will keep you updated!!!

 

S-J xxx

 Sarah:

Please let me know what is the plan for the brides who are using the pool deck. I did not pay all that money and travel so far to have my wedding reception next to a construction site. Thank in advance. Hope your wedding is all you ever dream.

Sheila

Originally Posted by JustNoelle 

 

Hello ladies!

 

I'm curious... How many Save the Dates/Invitations dd you all send out? And how many of your guests actually booked and/or attended your wedding? My goal was to have a small intimate wedding but my mother is forcing me to send out STDs all of the "family". My guest list is now over 100 but I would really like to have no more than 50 people at our wedding. I 'm getting really nervous now. Is it bad to hope that not all of my guests will actually attend???

Hi Noelle:

At beginning everyone says yes, a very soon after the first payment they start dropping like flies. Make sure you communicate often If you are working with a travel agent and a payment plan for your guest. Be strict about your RSVP date. I am a month out and I still have people that have yet to said yes or no. I am talking very close people at that, granted I planned my wedding within 6 months. But for those brides who have a year of planning, you should stick to your guns and hold strong.

Originally Posted by Katie Beth 

 

http://060712esposito.dreamsriveriacancun.adventurephotos.com.mx/

 

Hey ladies! Some people were asking to see my slideshow when I got it so here it is

Enjoy and good luck!

 Katie:

Thank you for the photos and the review they are awesome. When my fiance read the review, he said hey that sounds like us. His name is michael and he is a adamant about a fridge full of coronas. By the way we also like to sleep in a cold room. lol

Originally Posted by LindseyM 

 

Just wanted to tell you all I am sitting in the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE right now and we are having an amazing time.  The wedding was everything I have dreamed of and SO MUCH MORE!!!!

 

Will post a full review sometime this week when I get home.

 

Also, Anel is amazing!!!!  If you're working with her, you will NOT be disappointed!

Hi Lindsey happy you wedding was success. How's the view in the Presidential Suite, being that they are in the ground floor?

Past  Brides:

For ceremony that are in the beach, once you finish the walk do you stay in the sand. Meaning is you feet in sand or is the rug there. I am trying to figure out if my heels are going to sink in the sand and my feet are going to uncomfortable with sand. what shoes is everyone wearing for the beach ceremony.

Originally Posted by JQLong 

 

Hola Everyone!

 

This is our last day .....and I decided to come to the preferred club to check in.  My new hubby is somewhere floating around.....LOL.

As I stated before, this resort is truly amazing.  The service is outstanding and my wedding was perfect.  I am so anxious to give my review but I want to take it all in and be as thorough as possible.

 

What I will say is......relax.....everything will work out fine.  It seems as though this resort was made for weddings.  They are professionals and take great care of you.  Unless you have unreasonable requests, everythng you ask will be taken care of.  My other suggestion is...and I hope I do not offend...Unless your wedding is within the next month, RELAX!!!!!!  I have been on this site for over a year and we are all excited and obviously anxious, however, If you are getting married in 2013...trust me, they will get back to you in ample time.  They do at least 3 weddings per day....they know what they are doing.  I think many of us stress unneccessarily and when you meet with your coordinator, you are relieved that they have everything.  Just be patient.  The weddings that are current.July and August will get priority over the 2013 weddings....As your day approaches, they will contact you.  We arrived on Sunday, July 1st and met with Gina on Monday.  She had a list of everything we selected.  Keep in mind ladies.....things can be changed.  Be flexible...afterall...you chose to have a destination wedding and by doing so, you leave most decisions to the week you arrive.  It will be ok!

 

Again...try to relax..we as destination brides get bored easily because it is not much for us to do besides OOT bags.....so we get antsy....trust me...RELAX.....

 

Congrats and Good Luck to all the upcoming Couples!!!

 

Special Shout out to LindseyM.....my fellow South Jersey bride...July 20..will be here before you know it!!!!

. C

I will post the link to our amazing pics within a few days!!!!

 

JQ LONG!!!!

Thank you for these words. Lorena has not answer any of my last email, but my wedding is not until september 2012. I honestly stop worrying a few weeks ago. Not have to worry is the reason why I picked a destination wedding.Reading this I am confident those ladies are expert and now how to plan a wedding in two days. Cannot wait for you pictures and review.

Originally Posted by rykell 

 

Make sure that what ever you give your family members to carry that you provide them with all the receipts. Anything over 300.00 per person they will charge you tax.

So the receipt must match what that person is caring.

 Do I need a receipt for my wedding dress too?

Originally Posted by LindseyM 

 

I get married in 3 weeks!!!!!  I can't even believe how fast it has come!  I feel so blessed to have had this board to bounce things off of all year.  We've been engaged for a year today!

 

For our OOT bags we went a bit overboard:

 

- We ordered personalized canvas beach bags for the couples & personalized black book bags for the single guys

- In each bag is 1 or 2 towels depending who it is for

- 1 or 2 pairs of sunglasses that we ordered wholesale online.  They come in awesome colors.

- We ordered biodegradable sunscreen in bulk online because it is required for snorkeling down there and it is SO EXPENSIVE.  We bought little bottles and had personal labels made that show "Lindsey & Kevin's Biodegradable Sunscreen" 

- We ordered door signs for the hotel room that say "Do Not Disturb, Partied all night at Lindsey & Kevin's wedding!"

- We have hangover/medicine kits with tums, advil, aloe, bandaids, mentos, chapstick in them.  I am thinking of adding some hand sanitizer or something else to them, but I will decide tomorrow once I put them all together.  We are putting them in these zipper plastic pouches that we also ordered online in bulk.

- We have personalized water bottle labels so we will collect water bottles from all over the resort and put 1 or 2 in each bag.

- Welcome letter, itinerary, rehearsal dinner invitation [if applicable]

 

I think that is it!  Over all our bags cost about $500-700.  I am not sure of the exactly numbers.

 

I hope I helped!!

Thank you for sharing. You should post some pictures. Very happy for you. where did you get the towels? Does the resort give water bottle or do you have to purchase them?

DRC really needs a big list of QAs, that way we don't bombard them with the same questions. It must be exhausting having to answer the sames emails all day. But no, 5 emails later and I have no answer from Lorena. But my wedding its two months away, so I am sure I am at the bottom in the priority list. But I do recommend calling.

Originally Posted by LindseyM 

 

Do you still have Eva's email address?  Do you have a phone number to call from the US?  I am thinking I need to do that.  I am really frustrated.  I just need to confirm our meeting the day we arrive and I cannot even get that.

Here's her phone. But she said to only call in the morning.

Lorena Arvide

Weddings Coordinator/Coordinadora de Bodas

Dreams Riviera Cancun

Puerto Morelos, Q. Roo CP 77580

001 (52) 998 872 92 00 Ext. 7602

[email protected]

Brides:

I need your savy advice. I want to walk to a thousand years by christina perry. My only perogative is wether I should do it to the actual song of the piano version. Can you please cast your vote. I think the lyrics are going to be distracting but they are also so powerful. Let me know what you think.

Original Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtOvBOTyX00

Piano version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgaTQ5-XfMM

thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by tigerlily2435 

 

Gina told me you can do either one.  We are bringing the ipod because its easier for us. 

Thank you tigerlily. I don't know anything about IPOD, but I am getting one. I guess there is a way for songs to play one after the other. I have a young nephew that knows computer so he will be in charge of music.

Brides:

For the ceremony music, do we just put in CD and give it to the hotel,or do we bring it in a IPOD. Please someone let me know, since Lorena cannot answer emails.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by JustNoelle 

 

Hey Brides!

 

I am curious to know what type of room you all booked. I am trying to decide if I should book the Premium Deluxe Ocean View or the Preferred Club Ocean View.

I read in this board that all brides get upgraded, I got the the preferred honeymoon suite, but found it very expensive. But since all brides get upgraded I am hoping to get the Preferred Club Master Suite Ocean Front.

Originally Posted by ssapper 

 

Hi everyone ... were back and had a wonderful time. I just wanted to tell everyone not to stress... the coordinators and staff at the hotel are amazing and you can make last minute changes once you arrive (we added an hour to the reception .. changed the menu.. the ceremony.. and set up all the day before the wedding). Ill be back at the end of next month to write up a review (im waiting on my pictures). If you have any questions though feel free to ask!!

 Were you able to do the sky lantern. I think you mentioned the laterns in another board. Do you have some sort of timeline for the reception. I am not sure how to fit everything in 3 hours.

No wonder Lorena is not answering my emails. Now that Yamina left the poor lady is swamp.

Originally Posted by CKNMVS 

 

Here is my review. if you have any questions message me i wil try to check. this forum has been invaluable to me! Best of luck ladies, its going to be great!

 

I want to say overall this a great hotel and I had a really nice time and would recommend coming here and having a wedding here! Still waiting for professional pictures and will post once they arrive.

 

I had my wedding here in May. The hotel is absolutely beautiful; it is actually nicer than in the pictures! Staff is very attentive, and I thought the restaurant- especially French were very good. The Mexican restaurant was a lot of fun but food was just ok (guacamole was very disappointing). The infinity pool is absolutely amazing!! The beach is disappointing, could have been all the rain (it rained for 3 days straight when I was there).

 

 Just some notes on hotel before I leave my wedding review for future brides.

I thought food was tasty, and didn’t experience any stomach issues, however the majority of our party did have some minor issues lasting a day or two. I attribute this to being at a new place and eating and drinking a lot more than the average person is used to. Most people were able to take some over counter meds and were ok within a day or two. There were 2 people who had more severe issues and were out of commission for longer and the stomach problems continued once they came home and they actually had to get antibiotics... One other guests has been home over  a month and is still sick. The doctors aren’t sure what it is exactly and she now has to go for even more testing. These are people who have been to other all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Jamaica and never had a problem..

 

Also, DO NOT TAKE MONEY OUT FROM ATM IN LOBBY. I took out some additional American dollars to leave tips for wedding staff (also it doesn’t hurt to tip staff at hotel- they work very hard) and was charged $60 USD for taking out money. There is a sign on ATM that said 60 PESO. Before taking the money out I confirmed with front desk and they said PESO… Then I get home and I see $60USD withdrawn from account. My bank can’t do anything and Dreams is claiming no responsibility for this since they say they don’t own the ATM. I think this is extremely irresponsible of the hotel. It is robbery. How can you charge your guests such an insane fee? I am more upset that I have called and emailed the Dreams no one gets back to me. After bringing 33 people there and spending thousands of dollars to have my wedding, this is the response I get. It is really irresponsible of Dreams to allow this ATM company to rob their guests.

 

I stayed in Preferred Club and found the two women working at concierge to be extremely rude. I don’t think it’s worth the extra money. You have separate check in and a “preferred lounge†that has AC with some extra food and drinks (big deal). The rooms were nice and had a good view but I don’t think its worth the extra money.

Tip for brides: When booking your room, book a category below what you want, you will great free upgrade.

 

 

Now for wedding review:

 

Overall had a great wedding here. Wedding group did a great job. Future brides- the wedding department is very busy so don’t freak out if they don’t answer emails. Really you just need to reserve your date and wedding locations before you come down. Make sure you reserve the DJ and photographer and you are good to go. They also have a person on site to perform wedding ceremony if you are doing symbolic (which means you get married at home legally and have the vows take place in Mexico). Linda the wedding officiant has different ceremonies and vows you can use and customize to fit your needs. She speaks very good English. You don’t need to reserve her she comes with package. I had Ultimate package. Very good deal comes with free hair make-up and massages. If you stay in preferred club for over a week you get honeymoon package which comes with champagne on arrival and more massages and beach dinner- its awesome (all free).

 

In terms of details, you can choose centerpieces, bouquets and even food once you arrive. Gina or anyone of wedding coordinators can email you these things advance. It is advisable to do these things beforehand but rest assured you can change your mind or decide once you arrive as long as you get there a few days before the actual wedding. Just make sure when you meet with Gina/or WC that you are very clear. Gina was very organized and spoke great English. I wanted to have rose petals along the aisle I walked down but somehow there was a miscommunication and I paid for one bag of petals and the petals were on the table for dinner (which looked beautiful) but there were none on the aisle.  I wanted them to be in both spots but I didn’t clearly state that.. My fault. Also if you bring things to the wedding they willset it up for you (organza, chair bows, party favors, menus, etc without charge).  If you want these things back either take them yourself at end of wedding or make sure Gina knows you want them back. I got most of my stuff back but a couple of items that I forget about and wanted were lost bc I didn’t take them. Luckily my  husband grabbed cake topper but other props we had are gone…) They did give us back the sand from sand ceremony which is a nice memento.

 

It basically rained up until the afternoon of my wedding. I was a wreck but luckily things cleared up on time and I was able to have my wedding on beach and cocktail hour outside by Jacuzzi area. Because the weather report said it would rain later in night Gina, the wedding coordinator advised me to have the wedding indoors in the ball room which is plan “Bâ€. I was very upset about this bc I had planned to have it outside by pool deck. I was so happy I listened to her. They made the ballroom look beautiful, it was air conditioned and it did in fact rain. I do think ballroom is better option if you have older guests. The bathrooms by pool deck are  far from the party and require you to walk down the stairs next to Seaside Grill. Hopefully they clean this for wedding party but they were dingy during the day. Also it would be annoying for the bride to use this bathroom if she needed to freshen up. They may have other options but just a forewarning.

Also my guests were relieved to be inside bc it is very windy by water and a bit humid.

 

I had the hotel DJ, Rodrigo Barcelo spoke very good English and followed our requests. I provided him with a list of songs to play and he followed it and took requests. He set the night up so that we would do the speeches, garter toss, bouquet toss before the photographers and videographer left. The first half night was a little slow bc he had everyone sitting down to eat, then we did the items mentioned and once that was done the party got started. It was a lot of fun. Rodgrio even put on a funny song and got my husband do a strip tease for me before he took off garter- one of highlights of night. He is a great guy, lot of fun. I definitely recommend him. My only issue was that I wish there was a little more dancing in between courses, rather than having everyone sit, but I am sure this is something you can discuss with him.

 

 

The staff at Dreams was great and very attentive.  We had a sit down dinner at our reception and worked out well. We had 33 people at the wedding. When we were on the dance floor the staff brought shots, lot of fun!

 

I didn’t use the hotel photographer, I brought in an outside company called La Luna, I had seen them on a blog and followed their work and it looked amazing, I am still waiting for my pics but they were great with us and took very creative shots. I had to pay for a room for them bc the Dreams doesn’t allow outside vendors. I am very excited to see their work but I have read hotel has a good photographer also. I used the hotels videographer and they seemed to be very attentive capturing the night but I still haven’t received the video either.

 

Gina and wedding staff were great.  There were some small setbacks. I was disappointed that during our wedding there was a lot of seaweed on beach. I had spoken to staff and they said it would be removed. It may have been due to all the rain from days before but it was upsetting to see it in all the pictures. Also, if you are getting married outside on beach, either north or south, there is not much privacy just be prepared. North beach is a little bit better bc it is away from Baracuda bar and volley ball courts.  There is a wedding gazebo by pool area- however everyone at pool is watching your wedding, but you omit seaweed issue.

 

Also the spa is beautiful, and they did great job with everyones hair and make up. I didn’t even do a trial and I was so pleased with the outcome!

 

I definitely recommend this hotel and having your wedding here.

 DRC has a facebook page, maybe you could put a message on there about their ATM fees. Perhaps somebody is going to take immediate action and refund your money.

Originally Posted by LindseyM 

 

So we leave for Mexico in 34 days and I am starting to figure out how to pack.  I am nervous.

 

Besides our clothes we need to bring down...

 

-My bouquet, 3 bridesmaid bouquets, and corsages/boutonnieres 

-Sand and sand ceremony kit

-Wine stopper favors

-Beach towels for OOT bags

-20 Embroidered OOT bags

-Sunglasses for OOT bags

-All of the other contents of the OOT bags

-Welcome letter, itinerary, guest book mad libs cards, and programs

-Cake Topper * "I Do" letters

-Starfish place cards

-Menus

-Gown, jewelry, shoes, etc.

-Kevin's wedding day attire

 

I think that's it but it's very overwhelming!  We are also flying US Air direct but we will have to pay for our bags, I believe, so that sucks.  I am hoping I can do it by Kevin, myself, my mom, and my dad all taking an extra bag.  I will check the boxes that the favors and beach towels are in.  They will count as bags...then I will try to get the rest of the things in two bigger suitcases.

 

My main concern are my flowers.  Does any one have any suggestions on how to bring down silk/real touch bouquets?  I don't want to check them in a suitcase for fear they will get tossed around and ruined, but I will if I have to.  I thought about putting them all in a carry on bag.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  I can't believe how soon my wedding is!

 I am glad for you. Where you got your bouquet? Can you post a picture?

Mariposaazul,  I was wondering when you got the confirmation for the outside photographer fee?  I booked with Del Sol and now Dreams is throwing up alot of roadblocks.  I am very persistent but it would help if I had some details of your's... anyone else in this same situation??

Originally Posted by JustNoelle 

 

I too am concerned with also worried about the quote my TA agent gave me. This is what my TA sent me:

 

July 31st - August 5th? 5nights $l 042 single $814 p/p double $789 plp triple $314 per child 12-2  

3nights $651 single $5l4  pp double $499  pp triple $2l4  per child   Additional nights-$196 single, $l50  p/p double, $l45 p/p triple, $50 per child

  Does this seem right ???   I am terriied that my guests are going to be truned off by the price. I've already signed "the contract"... Do you think it is too late to look for quotes from other TA???  

I love Barbara, she is my traveling agent too.

Originally Posted by blondgoddesstif 

 

Here is a question for everyone - did anyone bring down their own sound system? I know it sounds crazy, but I think I might do it.  Cost= $200 and my brother to work my Ipod, vs $800 through the resort....and saving $600 for flowers, etc....Anyone heard of a bride doing this?

Since your wedding is before mine. Let me know how it works out using your own sound system and saving all that money. lol

I think its a great idea, of course it don't work for everyone.