ceciile

Hi Fellow Brides,

 

Is anyone bringing their own dj? Or has anyone had their wedding and brought their own dj? If so, is the equipment rental enough to have a dj set up and play music maybe from an ipad or something?

 

Thanks.

I brought my own dj. He brought his own mixer and laptop and just connected it to the speakers. It worked out great and no extra cost because I just told them we were playing from an "ipod."

Does anyone have Claudia solis as a wedding coordinator?! Opinions?! Even though my wedding is 6 months away we're going for a site visit in 2 weeks and she emailed us saying she was our lady :-)

Claudia is awesome. I'm pretty sure she's the head coordinator and oversees most of the weddings. She's fantastic!

Does anyone know if we use another vendor as a DJ? I have heard mixed reviews of the DJ that comes along with the packages. If you have had your wedding there as of late, I would love to hear your review please.

 

Any brides been in touch with Dreams about music? Is having another DJ/ or band come to the premise an option at Dreams?

 

Thanks!

@pekchw- We didn't use the DJ they offered because it was so freaking expensive. We had our friend (who is also a DJ) come and he brought his own mixer and computer and DJ'd for us for FREE. We just told the WC that our friend was going to play music off of his computer and there was no additional charge or anything. Hope that helps!

I was told that you can only pay up to $3000 in a travelers check and that you couldn't pay with multiple travelers checks (i.e. get several in increments of 3k to equal your total balance).  Has anyone been told anything like this?  We prefer to pay via TC to avoid the international fees (and we don't want to get an international credit card.) 

 

Anyone have any advise or knowledge of the above?

I think you can have another DJ you just have to pay the outside vendor fee. 

@tkennerson- I'm not sure about the traveler's checks. We also ran into this problem and hadn't realized that most banks charge an international fee. My husband has Chase and they charge 3% whereas I'm with a credit union that charges 1%. So we transferred all of the payment to the credit union. However, our bank only allowed us to charge up to $5,000 per day so we had to pay the resort like once a day before our wedding. Make sure you let your bank know that you're going to Mexico and that you'll be paying large amounts so that it's not fishy and the payments will go through.

Hi Everyone!

Just returned from our trip to Cancun last week. Our wedding was on Saturday August 2, 2014. Just wanted to let you guys know what I learned from my experience just in case you had questions.

Ceremony: 5pm @ the Gazebo

Okay so this area is not private at all. It's literally right next to the infinity pool where everyone and their mom hangs out all day. So everyone who's in the pool, around the pool, by the pool, on a bench.. can witness your wedding ceremony, which is what happened with our wedding. It was pretty weird to just have a bunch of strangers standby and watch. I saw some taking pictures and recording the wedding as well. In fact, I'm guilty of this because I witnessed 2 weddings earlier that week while I was busy drinking in the pool. Although strangers did congratulate us and didn't really get too much in the way, it was still weird. So if you're looking for privacy.. I wouldn't pick the gazebo. 

I went with the bare minimum on decorations for the gazebo, meaning I only asked for the flowers for the table that were included in our wedding package. However, I was surprised that they ended up pushing sashes on the chairs for me and the aisle was lined with our centerpieces. So it was really nice of them to think to do that because I really didn't care to spend money on decorations for the ceremony.

Reception: 7pm @ the pool deck

This turned out perfectly. I brought my own table runners that were gold burlap I purchased from Michael's for like $5. I just handed it to my WC and they were able to cut it and set it up for me for the tables. We had rectangular tables and since they're quite long, the WC suggested that we do 3 small centerpieces. I would only agree to it if they stayed with the same price as $70 (for small centerpieces) and they were able to. They didn't even charge me to rent the vases (which on the budget planner runs for $10 each). The flowers turned out pretty cute as well. The best part about the reception were the amber bulb lights that we decided to go with last minute for $400. Definitely worth it! Everything looked wonderful and we were totally pleased with the reception. Everyone loved it and we kept getting compliments. 

Service was great and so was the food. A lot of our guests kept saying how great dinner was and the salmon ceviche app was a hit with a majority of our guests! During the dancing part, the bartender even brought out a huge bottle of tequila to the dance floor and we started making our guests take shots. It was hilarious. At the end, we jumped into the pool even though the staff were a little mad.. they got over it though and high-fived us all. They must have that happen all the time. 

Anyway I'll try and post pics soon! Let me know if you guys have any questions I know I had a lot and it's hard to communicate w/ the WC during the planning process, but it really turned out perfectly. Wish I remembered more of it, haha!

She's mine also! What happened!!???

They said she had a family emergency and had to leave. Not sure when your wedding is so don't know if it'll effect you too. My new WC is Maira. Anyone heard of her? She's been helpful so far.

Hello all. My wedding is just about a month away. Haven't really been in touch too much with my wedding coordinator, but I'm not stressed at all. We are keeping it all so simple. I do have a question, are we able to bring some of our own decor?

 

Thanks.

Yeah you're definitely allowed to bring some of your own decor!

Anyone have their wedding on the pool deck? I'm trying to figure out if we need to rent additional lighting... 

I had Ayahamint for my original wedding coordinator and I've just been told I have a new wedding coordinator 2 weeks before my wedding.   

Does anyone know the sizes of the rectangular tables? Planning to purchase table runners. Thanks!

Hi Everyone! Haven't been on in awhile. My wedding is on August 2, 2014 Saturday. We're expecting 87 people. 

Ceremony: Gazebo at 5PM

Reception: Pool Deck at 8PM

I'm most likely opting out of the cocktail hour to save the $2k.

As for decor, I'm trying to go really minimal. I haven't even finalized anything with our wedding coordinator as it is so hard to communicate w/ her. We have Ayahamint. I have so many questions but it sounds complicated just emailing her.

@@FutureMrs2014 I'll be getting in Tuesday July 29th and staying til the following Tuesday August 5th!

I'm getting married August 2, 2014. Hoping to hear from the wedding coordinator soon so we can finalize details and costs. I'm most likely going to do the bare minimum for decorations!

In regards to crediting the cocktail hour, they told me no as well

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.  

Thanks for the info! That sucks that you can't credit the cocktail hour for credit. After reading this, I contacted my wedding coordinator to see what she says. She hasn't responded yet.

I know the photography prices went up from 2013. I told them that they have to honor the quotes they sent me when I had originally reserved the wedding package.

Anyone decide on entrees yet? Still deciding. I spoke to the wedding coordinator and you can have up to 2 options, but I need to decide fast so I can put it on the RSVP.

Hi. ladies!!!  June 21, 2014 here!!!  I'm still getting the hang of this!  How far along in the planning are you ladies?

 

 

I booked the photographer, but not the videographer.  I hope they are they same!  LOL

I had my travel agent look into it for us and we got it!!  Just make sure you get it in writing (email) in case anything goes wrong.

I had booked the wedding myself directly through the resort and they won't honor the complimentary cocktail party for me. I had mention I read that other brides were able to get "grandfathered" in and they're asking for names.

If anyone was able to get grandfathered in for the complimentary cocktail, could you please let me know your name and wedding date? I'm hoping to really secure this promotion.

Not fair! 

I've been MIA with planning but after glancing at my planner, I've realized I gotta get moving on planning this wedding!! Good luck to everyone out there.

My next step is to book photographer and videographer. Adventure is through the resort right? So we don't need to pay vendor fees? I found a pretty cool company in Mexico but it would have been $5,000 for both video & pictures. Just sounds too ridiculous to cost almost as much as our whole wedding. 

Hi fellow 2014 DRC brides

 

I think I could be the first 2014 Bride.  My wedding is just 29 days away :0)

 

We are getting married on 6 January 2014 which is a festival day in Mexico and the day they exchange Christmas Gifts, I am getting the best gift of all my lovely husband to be Mike. Our wedding is very small and intimate.  My son who is 13 is giving me away, my MOH is my 20 year old daughter and my step sons aged 16 and 22 are best men, the other bridesmaid is the girlfriend of my step son. That is all of us just 7.

 

We booked our wedding after a site visit to DRC last June 2013 when we went to Mexico to get engaged at Excellence Playa Mujeres. We have 2 children who are under 18 so we needed a family resort and it was just perfect.

 

We fly out on the 28th of December for 14 nights,

 

 

Our wedding is on North Beach at 3.30pm it is a legal wedding.

 

We are having a family sand ceremony and our children are pouring sand with us as they are becoming a new family, we decided to do this to Sister Sledge song "We are Family"

 

 

We are having cocktails in the beach bar and then we have booked the wine cellar for a private dinner at 6pm

 

I have got a beautiful Sassi Holford gown which is a soft fishtail shape in ivory silk with floaty lace that has lots of tiny pearl and diamond details, a simple pearl and diamond side tiara and Jimmy Choo glitter fabric shoes.(barefoot for the ceremony)

 

My girls are wearing pale champagne pink Talbot Runhoff cocktail dresses and glitter fabric sandals

 

My Groom has a navy blue Boss suit with white shirt with navy detail on the collar, brown leather belt and brown leather flipflops

 

Our boys have the same as the groom minus the jacket

 

We are having all white and green flowers on the gazebo and Mexican Alcatraz Lillies for our wedding flowers

 

We are using Adventure for our photographs

 

I cant wait now its so close, communication has been a bit hit and miss with my WC Ayahamint but I have to say that this last few weeks she has really come through and we have our meeting with her on the 2nd of January.

 

So I wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year for 2014 which is a very special year for us all.  Good luck with your weddings girls xxx

 

Lou

How did your wedding go Lou!?? Let us know the deets   

Question...in regards to the promo incentives for Dreams Riviera...does anyone know if they grandfather you in for new incentives posted?  For example, they're now offering complimentary cocktail reception for up to 50 people if you book your destination wedding by February, 2014.  We actually added this expense to our budget, but I visited the site a few days ago and noticed the incentive.  We officially booked our wedding there in September, 2013.  Wondering if we'll be able to take advantage of this?

I got the Platinum Package? Or whichever is the highest one.. and I think the cocktail reception is complimentary up to 20 people. I'll have to look into that as well! Thanks for the tip tkennerson!!

Does anyone know if any cases where they have allowed a bride to bring in an outside florists?  I'm a little concerned about the cost of floral, especially for our reception.  Thanks in advance!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanhi Nguyen 
 

Hello Ladies! I am new to this but excited to be a part of this wonderful site. I am getting married in December 2014 and we just put our deposit in for DRC! My fiancé and I are are so excited and blessed! Congratulations to everyone and I wish you all happy planning! Thank you Ceciile for opening this thread and your help so far!

Congratulations & Welcome!!! So excited for you

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUTURE MDB 
 

Ceciile,

       On June 8th it was going to be on the pool terrace...I talked to my family and friends and have officially changed the date to June 6th! I'm so excited now that everything is how I wanted it to be. It so hard to make decisions when we are so far away, but i'm glad you chose DRC it appears to be a great resort =) When is your wedding?

Hi Future MDB!

My wedding is set for August 2, 2014! Congrats to you too! Keep me updated, I'd love to see how yours turns out and if you have any tips/suggestions for me

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUTURE MDB 
 

Hi Girls! My wedding is set for June 8th 2014! Originally I wanted the pool deck, but it was not available around the dates I wanted to get married. Well, Last week something changed and I was advised by my wedding planner that I could have my reception on the deck on June 6th. Save the dates have been sent out already, so I'm not sure if to change it or not. My family and friends have said that they do not have a problem with it, as they would arrive on Thursday either ways, i've seen pictures of the terrace and the deck and obviously there are more pictures of the deck...i'm not sure what to do!!  

If your heart was really settled on the pool deck, 2 days earlier is not a big deal! I had originally ordered save the dates for a completely different resort and date but changed last minute to Dreams Rivera Cancun! I had even put the stamps on and everything so I had to carefully tear them off to re-use them

Where is the reception for June 8th?

Any advice for booking a photographer? I know one is included in the package but I haven't even read the details yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wedding2014 

Hey girls!

How far advanced are you going to notify your WC of what menu options you want? I'm a year away not sure if it's too early? Thanks!!

I honestly haven't even talked to my WC since I reserved the wedding back in September? Not even sure when the deadline is to finalize everything. I'm assuming closer to the wedding. Our wedding is August 2nd so I'll get worried maybe in May or so if I haven't heard from them by then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wedding2014 

Hey girls!!

What photo package did you choose? I was looking at the one that includes trash the dress and the price went up from 1499.00 to 1599.00 and I asked them to honor the 1499.00 package but they said no because my wedding is in 2014.... Anyone have similar issue? It's only 100.00 but still...

Honestly, I haven't even looked at the photo packages! Oh dear, haha!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wedding2014 

I m working with a travel agent and she mentioned the book 6 rooms get one free... What does that mean exactly?? I'm confused.. How much is that worth???

I think you probably have to go in with that special before booking it yourself.. Might need a "promo code" or something...

Thanks!!!

Hi, so when I was initially looking into booking rooms through a Travel Agent they had mentioned that incentive. It basically means for whatever 5 rooms you book through the Travel Agent/Resort, the 6th room is free. You can get up 3 free rooms max. The value of that could be up to $3,0000 so to me.. that is probably one of the best incentives of all! You can even put it towards your wedding, your own stay or any of your guests.

I was really confused at first too because I couldn't get it through my head that I could I really get free rooms! But it's true, you can! I would ask your Travel Agent for more details

Quote:

Originally Posted by faeriesxist83 

The deck
The deck is amazing! It's level with the beach, right behind the waterfall from the infinity pool. You get all the great ocean views without having to worry about dancing in the sand/ sand in your food.

Thanks faeriesxist83!! After researching some more and finding more photos of receptions held by the deck, it does really look amazing and I can't wait!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by heidi6487 

Hi fellow Brides! This website is amazing, I am getting so much information and I feel much better about my wedding. I am getting married at DRC on June 12, 2014 and I can't wait. I chose the ballroom for the reception to stay out of the heat because my family LOVES to dance! The only problem is I can't find pictures of it except for the one stock photo they provide. I want the entire ballroom because I may have over 100 people and I don't want to be crowded. Now I am wondering if it rains if they will divide up the ballroom for the other wedding on that day. Does anyone have any information about this, or any pictures of the ballroom? Anything would be greatly appreciated, thanks! Congrats everyone!

Hey Heidi! This website is totally great and so helpful! I haven't seen any wedding photos from the ballroom besides the stock photos they offer but nonetheless, it still looks amazing!