Dreams Cancun - Questions for those married here!

[jana297]

A lot of guests that can't afoed the wedding have asked me if they could participate in the showers etc etc. You could make it a fun send off party!

[K Martinez78]

Leigh... Your wedding pictures are beautiful. I have a question... Did you have enough time at your reception to eat and dance? Was three hours enough or did you extend the time? I don't want to feel rushed. Did you have music during your dinner? Also did Claudia give you anything extra that you didn't pay for?

[dreamsbride12]

My Fiance and I are thinking of doing a "welcome brunch" our first morning with all our guests instead of a "rehearsal dinner". For the brides that have had their weddings already- any recommendations where we should have it? What is open at brunch time and do you think it will be a problem having a reservation for 30+ guests?? Thanks so much, in advance! 

[dreamsbride12]

I had a shower and stagette. I found alot of people that are not able to come to the wedding were happy that they could be a part of it...I invited all my family and closest friends (ones that are and are not attending the wedding). I personally would still want to buy a shower gift for the bride, even if I am paying a lot of money to go to their wedding....but it's up to you! I know, it's a hard decision!

[leigh2011]

Thanks.

 

We ended up getting an extra 30-45 minutes of reception time to make up for the issues that came up, so I had 3.5 to 3.75 hours for my reception.  I am actually really glad we had that extra time, I do feel that 3 hours would have felt a little short.  However, my dinner seemed to have run a little long.  Before getting to the resort, our DJ asked for 12-14 songs to play during dinner and I gave him 12.  I remember that he had to improvise on 3-4 additional songs to finish the dinner.  While eating we did have a bit of time between courses (less than 5 minutes - not bad at all) so at times a few people would get up to dance and then go sit back down when the next course was delivered.

We thought about extending the reception for yet another hour, but decided the extra fee ($280/hr + 11% tax for DJ and $15/pp/hr + 11% tax + 15% gratuity for the bar service) wasn't worth it.  However, if you could plan that into the budget ahead of time you will likely be very happy that you did. 

 

I don't think I got anything extra for free.  The only thing that is a maybe (and other brides can say if they got the same thing) is whether I payed for the light-up dance floor verus the wooden dance floor (not sure if there even is such a thing).  My bill simply says "Dance Floor" and was charged at $600 + 15% setup + 11% tax = $756.  However, the planning guide document online has a wooden dance floor for 30 people listed for $700 + 11% tax and a supplement of $150 + 11% tax for the lighted dance floor.  So I am not sure if I got something for free/discount or if they have made changes to the dance floor prices that aren't reflected in the guide. 

 

Originally Posted by K Martinez78 

Leigh... Your wedding pictures are beautiful. I have a question... Did you have enough time at your reception to eat and dance? Was three hours enough or did you extend the time? I don't want to feel rushed. Did you have music during your dinner? Also did Claudia give you anything extra that you didn't pay for?

 

[leigh2011]

Until 11:30am, only the World Cafe (buffet) and the coffee shop are open.  At 11:30am the snack place by the pool opens, and at 12pm the other restaurants that open that day for lunch will start serving.  So if you want to do a "brunch", the World Cafe is really your only option.  I am not sure what the policy is for reservations for groups at World Cafe.  They certainly have enough tables to be able to accomodate a group that size, but it would take a bit of planning by the hostess to make sure tables are left empty and then put together before you arrive.

 

Originally Posted by dreamsbride12 

My Fiance and I are thinking of doing a "welcome brunch" our first morning with all our guests instead of a "rehearsal dinner". For the brides that have had their weddings already- any recommendations where we should have it? What is open at brunch time and do you think it will be a problem having a reservation for 30+ guests?? Thanks so much, in advance! 

 

[Sasha030412]

Thanks ladies. I think you are right but i feel so bad. On the other hand it's their vacation too. 

 

[Sasha030412]

also, has anyone on the forum had their reception indoors or is considering it?

[dreamsbride12]

Funny you ask! I had my ceremony set for the gazebo at 1:00pm, cocktail hour on Himitsu Beach at 2:00pm, and reception on Himitsu Beach at 4:00pm. I e-mailed Claudia yesterday to confirm times and locations so I can make up the invitations, programs, and menus asap. She emailed me back today and said that it's too hot too have our cocktail hour and reception between 2-5, and recommended having it in the Himitsu Restaurant?! This totally shocked me and kinda frustrated me, as I want a beach wedding and their was no mention of this prior to today....I emailed her back and asked for pictures of the restaurant. I really don't like this idea but would consider having the cocktail hour in there but not the reception. The ballroom is really nice but I really want to be outside. Being from Canada where it's typically -30 during January, I want to spend as much time outside as I can!

 

Where are you thinking about having your reception? The ballroom?

[leigh2011]

I did see a reception at Himitsu Restaurant on my wedding day.  I would say the restaurant is a perfectly reasonable option for the cocktail hour.  Would you be willing to move your reception to 5pm in order to get out of the heat of the day for the reception?
 

Originally Posted by dreamsbride12 

Funny you ask! I had my ceremony set for the gazebo at 1:00pm, cocktail hour on Himitsu Beach at 2:00pm, and reception on Himitsu Beach at 4:00pm. I e-mailed Claudia yesterday to confirm times and locations so I can make up the invitations, programs, and menus asap. She emailed me back today and said that it's too hot too have our cocktail hour and reception between 2-5, and recommended having it in the Himitsu Restaurant?! This totally shocked me and kinda frustrated me, as I want a beach wedding and their was no mention of this prior to today....I emailed her back and asked for pictures of the restaurant. I really don't like this idea but would consider having the cocktail hour in there but not the reception. The ballroom is really nice but I really want to be outside. Being from Canada where it's typically -30 during January, I want to spend as much time outside as I can!

 

Where are you thinking about having your reception? The ballroom?