newmrskassner

Depending on when you booked, there could be an option for you. They offered (after me being very upset) to extend my reception for an hour. We also have to pay $15/ person for every person over the 20 included in our Ultimate package. On top of that we have to pay for another hour of the DJ, so it adds on quite a bit, but I just did not want the cocktail hour! In regards to photography, one of my guests is a photographer, and even though I didn't want to mix business with friendship, it seems like the only way to go. She is staying at the resort for 8 nights. I have an email in to my coordinator letting her know, and I really hope that they don't try to charge me an outside vendor fee! I'll keep you posted. I asked if I could use my photography that is included in my package for the rehearsal dinner or welcome party. Anel told me that based on availability (they could only let me know 2 weeks before) they could take photos for 30 minutes at one of those. After all of that yucky logistics I wanted to post a fun thing that we are including in our ceremony. Instead of having the sand ceremony, which isn't very symbolic to us, we decided to do something different. We are having a wooden box made that we will have a bottle of wine in, and after we read our vows (we are writing our own) we will put those in the box too and then lock it. On our 1st anniversary we will open the box and bottle of wine and reread our vows. Before closing it we will replace the bottle of wine and write love letters to each other that we will open the next year. I think that this is a great way to remember what you were feeling the year before!

I ordered the Divina in Blush! I only have pictures of myself in it when it first came it, but it is the most amazing dress I've ever seen! Everyone in the bridal shop was in awe of it. I don't know how to load the photos :/

Hello! Here's my update... We are not having the cocktail hour because no one will be there as everyone will be on the beach with us for pictures. They are letting me add on an extra hour to the reception. I have to pay $15 for each guest over the 20 included in the ultimate package to do this. The photographers were going to honor my email for the $1,500 package (plus tax of course), but I don't want to give them anymore of my money. I have decided to bring my own photographer with me as a guest so I am not paying the outside vendor fee. I will use the 1/2 hour of photography that would have been for the ceremony during the welcome cocktail party (if they have the time available). The photographer said that they can only confirm that they can do it 1 week before. I haven't filled in the form that they send at 3 months yet. I am in the process, and will update you all if more surprises come up! Thank you for checking on me How is your planning going?

Hello Brides! I posted this on the Dreams Riviera Cancun 2014 forum also, so excuse the repeat but I wanted to make sure that everyone saw it! I've started my planning with the coordinator, and I just wanted to fill you all in on the changes that have been made. First, I will start by saying that I am not "pushy" but I am certainly smart in my business dealings and I don't just take answers without questioning them. That said, many of the prices and conditions have changed. Many past brides were able to exchange the cocktail hour for credit towards extra guests attending the reception. This is NO longer being accepted. I was told it was only for brides last year (even though I know brides this year have done it). I explained that it is in Dreams best interest to do this as it saves them cocktail set up, a bartender, appetizers. I was met with a swift "NO". The outside vendor photography fee has doubled. It used to be $150 and is now $300. You also need to pay for the photographer's meal (which will be counted as an extra guest at your wedding). I'm all for feeding the photographer, but doubling the fee is outrageous! The photography prices have gone up substantially from last year. I had an email saved that quoted $1,500 for a package, and now this year that same package is $2,500! I asked if I could forgo the TTD session for an hour more of video (some other brides have done similar), and was told that there are no more credits being given for unused photography. I even asked if I could have more images instead and was told no. This makes no sense because it saves them a bundle of time and money. I'm sorry to be a downer, but I wanted you all to be prepared. I was not, and this has totally ruined my wedding planning. My wedding is now going to cost a LOT more money than originally planned.

Hello Brides! I've started my planning with the coordinator, and I just wanted to fill you all in on the changes that have been made. First, I will start by saying that I am not "pushy" but I am certainly smart in my business dealings and I don't just take answers without questioning them. That said, many of the prices and conditions have changed. Many past brides were able to exchange the cocktail hour for credit towards extra guests attending the reception. This is NO longer being accepted. I was told it was only for brides last year (even though I know brides this year have done it). I explained that it is in Dreams best interest to do this as it saves them cocktail set up, a bartender, appetizers. I was met with a swift "NO". The outside vendor photography fee has doubled. It used to be $150 and is now $300. You also need to pay for the photographer's meal (which will be counted as an extra guest at your wedding). I'm all for feeding the photographer, but doubling the fee is outrageous! The photography prices have gone up substantially from last year. I had an email saved that quoted $1,500 for a package, and now this year that same package is $2,500! I asked if I could forgo the TTD session for an hour more of video (some other brides have done similar), and was told that there are no more credits being given for unused photography. I even asked if I could have more images instead and was told no. This makes no sense because it saves them a bundle of time and money. I'm sorry to be a downer, but I wanted you all to be prepared. I was not, and this has totally ruined my wedding planning. My wedding is now going to cost a LOT more money than originally planned.

Thank you!

Hi everyone! Who is hiring an outside photographer? Who is it? Are you paying an outside vendor fee? If so, how much is that? I'm struggling with this. I keep going back and forth to determine if I should hire off resort due to their rising photography prices! At this point, I would rather give the money to someone else because I don't like them raising the prices as ridiculously as they have been. :/

I'm doing the BBQ buffet. There are too many different tastes in my group, and I want people to have options. Has anyone had issues with new pricing (since booking) for things such as photography? If so, can we get them to honor the prices at our time of booking? This wedding is getting more expensive by the minute with things like that!

I remember hearing a previous bride say that they won't let you have a dark reception on the beach, and will actually bring down lighting without charge. I'm going to try that route by not ordering the lighting and see what happens. For the lanterns, I had the same question about where to hang them. I like your idea do putting them in the sand! I would also like some of the stand alone vertical white fabric. I don't know what they call it, but I've seen them at other resorts on the beach and it's beautiful! Thanks for the dress ideas! We wanted to have our reception on the pool deck, but we don't have enough guests to reserve it. All of the photos from receptions there are gorgeous! I did not like the pool terrace because to me it would feel like people would be walking through the reception. On the beach I think it would be a little more private. I've heard good things about the El Dorado! We go to Mexico (riviera maya area) every year so have seen or talked to many people who have stayed at many different resorts. It's all very exciting!

Congrats to you too! I do still need a dress. I feel like the worst bride ever I was looking at the Allure dresses because they look lighter. My issue is that I would really like a blush colored dress, and there aren't too many of those out there. We are going back and forth between honeymooning at the Grand Palladium (where we got engaged last year) and the Excellence Playa Mujeras. Totally different resorts, but we would love either one. What are your colors? My fiance is wearing a dark gray suit, and my daughter is going to be the only bridesmaid. She will wear pink. I would like hanging lanterns, and am trying to decide if I should bring my own down for the resort to use. I certainly don't mind paying for the extras, but it seems that they charge enough for each rental to buy the item 2 times! What extras are you adding for decor? The seaside grill looks so nice, and I was going to have our reception there originally until I was told that I would be charged quite a bit. I've seen wedding videos that took place there, and they are really great.

We are getting married on May 29, 2014, so right after you ladies. Will you still be at the resort then? We have about 30 guests joining us, and are getting married at the gazebo at 4:30. We are not having a formal cocktail hour and are using the money towards the overage of guests for the meal. We are just going to have the guests join us at the beach bar to take pictures and listen to the mariachi band there. We are having our reception on the beach. I have nothing else planned as I just finished student teaching, and had no time for anything. We will have a dj and the light up dance floor. Did you ladies pick out your dresses yet? Also, are you honeymooning afterwards?

I think that a lot of the pricing has changed for next year. That seems to be the case for all of the new additional charges that people are talking about now. I'm not excited to see how much more my wedding will cost than I originally anticipated... I just keep telling myself that it will all be worth it, and it will be amazing like;) everyone says

A couple of days after the wedding we plan to leave our guests and spend a few days at a different resort for our "honeymoon". I'm having a hard time trying to decide on which resort to move to. Do any of you have any ideas? We want something adults only and a bit more luxuries than Dreams. Are you ladies doing anything like this?

Hello! I have been lurking on this thread for quite awhile waiting to get my confirmation on my date before posting. I am happy to say that we will be getting married on May 29, 2014 with about 25 guests (still haven't confirmed all). I have learned SO much from all of you...especially Savs! Thank you, and keep posting your amazing reviews and pics! Congratulations to you all! Sommer

Normas09 - I have a request (e-mail) in to the wedding department for any day in the last week of May at the 4pm time slot. I am waiting to hear back from them. How long does it typically take before I should try to contact them again? I don't want to drive them crazy already, but I also don't want to lose out on that week!